ABC News Now
ABC News Now was an American 24-hour news network offered via digital television, broadband and streaming video at ABCNews.com and on mobile phones. It delivered breaking news, headline news each half-hour, and wide range of entertainment and lifestyle programs. The channel was available in the United States and in Europe. This station's "Talk Back" feature allowed viewers to voice their own input through the submission of videos and personal thoughts on controversial issues and current topics.
Owner | ABC News (Disney-ABC Television Group) |
---|---|
Launch date | July 26, 2004 |
Dissolved | April 27, 2009 (4 years, 275 days) |
Replaced by | Fusion TV |
History
After having attempted a 20-minute online news program three times a week hosted by Sam Donaldson in 1999, ABC News launched a forerunner of ABC News Now in March 2003. The service was fee based except for the customers of America Online, Comcast, and a few other Internet providers. Later, mobile phone users could access the programming through Sprint's MobiTV.[1] The ABC News Now service launched on July 24, 2004, with extended coverage of the Democratic National Convention and Republican National Convention. The station was carried by digital subchannels of 70 ABC-owned stations and affiliates. The service was also available online as a subscription-based outlet.[1]
On January 31, 2005, ABC News removed ABC News Now from owned and operated and affiliated TV stations' subchannel as the channel ended its experimental phase originally expected to end after election day but extended past inauguration. The channel would continue on the internet and wireless devices. 20/20 senior broadcast producer Mike Clemente was then hired as executive producer to head up the channel as a part of an increasing capacity being developed for the channel to returns a permanent channel in the Spring.[2] The channel was relaunched as a cable channel and broadband service in early April 2005.[3]
On November 5, 2007, Disney-ABC International Television announced plans to launch the channel in international territories, including Germany, Spain and Belgium in 2008 on IPTV service Zattoo, with more territories, including the United Kingdom, planned for the next 6 months.[4] This marked the second international channel launched under ABC branding, the first being the United Kingdom general entertainment channel ABC1 which closed on September 26, 2007.
On October 28, 2013, ABC News launched a new cable news channel, Fusion, as a joint venture with Univision[5] and contributing its ABC News Now operations. ABC News however later exited the joint venture.[6]
Former Programming
- Tech This Out! -- Technology news and a consumer guide to the latest gadgets, hosted by Daniel Sieberg.
- Good Morning America Health -- GMA Health is a third hour of Good Morning America and also is themed toward health news and other health-related topics, airing 2pm/ET. Its predecessor was Good Morning America Now which was canceled due to lack of viewers. Its final broadcast was October 2008.
- Inside the Newsroom -- 2x times daily, bringing you live reports from the hottest spots in the world.
- Money Matters -- Financial and economic news and tips right after the NYSE opening bell.
- Good Money -- Personal finance information for everyday consumers and small business owners.
- The Daily Download -- The day's most interesting feature stories, viral videos and stories from off the beaten path.
- Popcorn with Peter Travers -- An interview-based movie show, with today's biggest stars talking to Rolling Stone movie reviewer Peter Travers.
- Amplified -- Indie music and interviews, brought to you by ABC News anchor Dan Harris.
- TopLine -- Inside the political arena with Rick Klein.
- What's the Buzz -- The latest in celebrity entertainment news.[4]
- World Piece — featured one international news story[4]
- World View -- Round-up of headlines from around the world.
- Now You Know -- Living Advice and News Briefs along with Weather, Now You Know was ABC News Now's morning program.
- Chef's Table
References
- "ABC News banks on digital, despite small audiences today". USA Today. AP. September 4, 2004. Retrieved May 29, 2014.
- Kerschbaumer, Ken (January 24, 2005). "ABC News Now... And Later". Broadcasting & Cable. Archived from the original on October 7, 2008. Retrieved January 15, 2020.
- "ABC News Now: The Announcement". tV Newser. April 4, 2005. Retrieved January 15, 2020.
- Welsh, James (November 5, 2007). "ABC News Now to launch in the UK". Digital Spy. Retrieved January 16, 2013.
- Allen, Greg (October 26, 2013). "Fusion Wants Young Latinos To Turn On Their TVs". Weekend Edition. NPR.org. Retrieved January 15, 2020.
- Atkinson, Claire (November 20, 2016). "ABC is exploring a 24-hour digital news channel". New York Post. Retrieved January 15, 2020.