David Wurtzel is president and general manager of KGO-TV, where he oversees ABC7/KGO-TV San Francisco and its ancillary businesses.
Wurtzel has been with The Walt Disney Company for nearly 20 years, recently serving as the vice president of Operations and Business Planning for the ABC Owned Television Stations in Los Angeles and Fresno. In this role, he directed all finance, strategic planning, accounting, and business functions for KABC and KFSN. As a key member of the executive team, he was responsible for establishing, supporting and executing both long-range and short-term goals, strategies, plans and policies that have helped the ABC Owned Television Stations reach and maintain their No. 1 status across linear, streaming and social platforms.
Before that, he served as the assistant director of Finance, where he managed the annual budgeting and quarterly forecasting processes while advising on the organization’s financial strategy. He directed the quarterly accounting process for ABC Owned Television Stations and proactively provided senior management with trend analyses and projections to help them operate effectively within budget and in compliance with company policy and GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles).
Wurtzel began his career with the company as the Manager of Controls and Compliance in Corporate Controllership, where he oversaw the Sarbanes-Oxley accounting compliance program for Disney Media Networks. He developed and trained teams across various business units, including ABC, ESPN, Disney Channel and International Distribution. He implemented new accounting guidelines, maintained Sarbanes-Oxley policies and standards, and conducted the annual risk assessment of key control activities. Additionally, he provided subject matter expertise on compliance best practices and identified improvements for complex financial systems.
Before joining The Walt Disney Company, Wurtzel served as a supervisor, Internal Audit at Sony Pictures Entertainment. In this role, he conducted a range of domestic and international financial audits across various divisions, including television, theatrical releases, motion picture production, and home entertainment. He also supervised audits for European Television Networks, Domestic Home Entertainment, Latin American Television Distribution, Sony Pictures Classics, and Theatrical Film Production. Wurtzel began his career as a senior auditor at Ernst and Young.
Wurtzel received his Master of Business Administration from Loyola Marymount University in 2006 and his Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts, in 2000. He is a certified public accountant licensed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He is on the board of directors for the Media Financial Management Association, a not-for-profit association that provides media and entertainment industry financial professionals with unique networking and educational opportunities, and media-specific information services to enhance their capabilities and contribute to their organizations’ success.
DAVID WURTZEL NAMED PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER OFABC7/KGO-TV San Francisco
Michael Kirchoff/Disney*
David Wurtzel has been named president and general manager of ABC7/KGO-TV San Francisco – the Bay Area’s Emmy® Award-winning source for breaking news; it was announced today by ABC Owned Television Stations President Chad Matthews, to whom he will report. In this new role, Wurtzel is responsible for the station’s operations and ancillary businesses.
Wurtzel has been with The Walt Disney Company for nearly 20 years, recently serving as the vice president of Operations and Business Planning for the ABC Owned Television Stations in Los Angeles and Fresno. He is an accomplished finance executive with extensive experience in strategic planning, contract negotiations, accounting, labor relations, financial reporting and analysis, and compliance. He also leads all contractual and rights fee negotiations for special programming, including the LA Pride Parade, Kingdom Day Parade, and LA Rams preseason football, among others.
“His strong analytical skills, proven track record of achieving ambitious goals, and commitment to operational excellence have enabled him to tackle critical business challenges and initiate transformational projects,” said Matthews. “I know he will leverage his expertise and vision to enhance the station’s continued success in providing the highest quality local news.”
“The KGO team is regularly singled out for overall excellence – most recently by the Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards – for very good reason,” said Wurtzel. “From in-depth stories about the impact of climate change and severe weather to hard-hitting investigations into government corruption and powerful documentary storytelling, they have distinguished themselves by reporting on complex issues of vital interest to Bay Area residents with the utmost care, thoroughness and professionalism. I look forward to working with them to further enhance and leverage the tremendous work they do across linear, streaming and social platforms.”
Throughout his career at Disney, Wurtzel has worked within the broadcast television, digital media, and distribution groups, gaining expertise in corporate financial planning and analysis (FP&A), process improvements, technical accounting, budgeting and forecasting, internal controls, and systems implementation.
Before joining The Walt Disney Company, Wurtzel served as a supervisor, Internal Audit at Sony Pictures Entertainment. In this role, he conducted a range of domestic and international financial audits across various divisions, including television, theatrical releases, motion picture production and home entertainment. He began his career as a senior auditor at Ernst and Young in Boston.
Wurtzel received his Master of Business Administration from Loyola Marymount University and his Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts. He is a certified public accountant licensed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He is on the board of directors for the Media Financial Management Association, a not-for-profit association that provides media and entertainment industry financial professionals with unique networking and educational opportunities and media-specific information services to enhance their capabilities and contribute to their organizations’ success.
About ABC7/KGO-TV San Francisco Emmy® Award-winning station KGO-TV ABC7 is the San Francisco Bay Area’s source for breaking news, weather and live video. Widely recognized for its solution-based promise to help the Bay Area communities, the station’s initiative “Building a Better Bay Area” dedicates more time, resources and reporting to the issues that impact its viewers’ quality of life. From the local economy and education to health and safety and issues impacting the environment, ABC7’s focus is to bring greater perspective on the challenges currently facing neighborhoods. This year, KGO-TV was honored with three Edward R. Murrow Awards, including the Murrow for Overall Excellence. The station has won back-to-back Emmy Awards for Overall Excellence/News Excellence in 2019 and 2020. KGO-TV is an ABC owned television station serving San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose and all of the greater Bay Area, which together comprise the nation’s sixth largest television market.
Follow ABC7/KGO-TV San Francisco on X and Facebook.
Forum Will Also Broadcast Live on ABC7/KGO-TV San Franciscoand ABC30/KFSN-TV Fresno
ABC7 Eyewitness News Anchor Marc Brown To Moderate Live Panel That Includes ABC7 San Francisco News Anchor Kristen Sze, ABC30 Fresno Action News Live Anchor Warren Armstrong and Univision Los Angeles Anchor Gabriela Teissier
KABC-TV Los Angeles is hosting the 2024 California U.S. Senate Candidate Forum with professional baseball representative Steve Garvey with Representative Adam Schiff (D-CA 30th District) on Tuesday, Oct. 8(5:00-6:00 p.m. PDT). The event is co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters of California and will air live on ABC7/KABC-TV Los Angeles, ABC7/KGO-TV San Francisco, ABC30/KFSN-TV Fresno, as well as the stations’ digitalplatforms, ABC News Live,univision34.com and The League of Women Voters of California Education Fund’s YouTube channel. Univision Los Angeles will rebroadcast the forum in Spanish on Wednesday, Oct. 9, at noon PDT via its flagship station KMEX-TV.
Press can request credentials for the debate hall and spin roomhere.
ABC7 Los Angeles, Eyewitness News anchor Marc Brown will moderate the discussion and will be joined by ABC7 San Francisco News anchor Kristen Sze, ABC30 Fresno Action News Live anchor Warren Armstrong and Univision Los Angeles anchor Gabriela Teissier, who will ask questions as panelists. The 2024 California US Senate Candidate Forum will spotlight California’s only statewide political contest.
The League of Women Voters of California (LWVC) is a nonpartisan, grassroots organization committed to making California’s democracy open, accessible, accountable to the people, and representative of California’s vast diversity. The LWVC works to get all of California’s voters understandable election information, so every person has the desire, the right, the knowledge and the confidence to participate.
Media Credential Application ABC7 is inviting the press to request credentials for the debate hall and spin room. Members of the press can submit applications using the following link: https://kabccandidateforum.com/
Please submit one form per applicant.
The deadline to apply is Friday, Oct. 5, at noon. Applications will not be accepted after this date. All applications will be subject to approval and availability. Approved applicants will have access to the debate hall and/or spin room. Select photographers will have access to the debate hall for a photo spray.
Univision Los Angeles is home to two television (KMEX-TV, KFTR-TV) and three radio stations (KLVE FM, KSCA FM and KRCD FM) owned by TelevisaUnivision, the world’s leading Spanish-language media company. Univision Los Angeles includes the Emmy Award-winning and nationally recognized flagship television station Univision 34, which for more than 50 years has been the trusted news leader in L.A. among Hispanics. Univision Los Angeles has been recognized by the Associated Press Television and Radio Association, the Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards; and the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences L.A. Area Chapter Emmy® Awards. For more information, please visit www.univision34.com.
About ABC News Live ABC News Live is ABC News’ award-winning 24/7 streaming news channel with live coverage as news breaks, up-to-the-minute reports, powerful interviews and special features produced by world-class storytellers.The network’s evening news show, “Prime with Linsey Davis,” airs weeknights beginning at 7:00 p.m. EST. ABC News Live is currently available to more than 370 million streamerswith its distribution on Hulu, The Roku Channel, Pluto TV, YouTube, YouTube TV, Samsung TV Plus, Amazon’s news app on Fire tablets and Fire TV devices, Xumo, Sling TV, fuboTV, Haystack News, Facebook, Twitter, ABCNews.com, the ABC News and ABC mobile apps, and standalone ABC News Live apps on Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Roku and Apple TV, ABC News Live content is also distributed to our 200+ affiliates across the country.
About ABC30/KFSN-TV Fresno KFSN-TV ABC30 is the No. 1 source for local news in central California, both online and on the air. The station has dominated the local news ratings in the San Joaquin Valley for decades as a leader in multiplatform audience engagement. KFSN-TV is an ABC owned television station based in Fresno, serving Fresno, Madera, Merced, Mariposa, Tulare and Kings counties.
About ABC7/KGO-TV San Francisco Emmy® Award-winning station KGO-TV ABC7 is the San Francisco Bay Area’s source for breaking news, weather and live video. Widely recognized for its solution-based promise to help the Bay Area communities, the station’s initiative “Building a Better Bay Area” dedicates more time, resources and reporting to the issues that impact its viewers’ quality of life. From the local economy and education to health and safety, to issues impacting the environment, ABC7’s focus is to bring greater perspective on the challenges currently facing neighborhoods. The station has won back-to-back Emmy Awards for Overall Excellence/News Excellence in 2019 and 2020. KGO-TV is an ABC owned television station serving San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose and all of the greater Bay Area, which together comprise the nation’s sixth largest television market.
Follow ABC7/KGO-TV San Francisco on X and Facebook.
About KABC7/KABC-TV Los Angeles ABC7 Los Angeles is Southern California’s No. 1 local news and information source. A prominent leader in digital and social audience engagements, ABC 7 was the first station in the Los Angeles market to regularly broadcast news in high definition and also the first local television station in the United States to surpass 3 million Facebook followers. The station continues to proudly serve its community with deep partnerships including its exclusive local broadcast of the Los Angeles Rams and LA Pride.
ABC7 Is the Exclusive New Home of the ‘San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade,’ One-of-a-Kind Dynamic Six-Year Partnership Begins in 2025
ABC7 KGO-TV To Broadcast and Live Stream the World-Renowned Parade Showcasing the Largest Celebration of Its Kind to Audiences Spanning the Bay Area and Across the Nation
The San Francisco Chinese Chamber of Commerce and ABC7 Bay Area have entered into a six-year commitment making ABC7 the exclusive broadcast home to the city’s world-renowned Lunar New Year celebrations, making the festivities available to viewers nationwide across its industry-leading broadcast and streaming platforms. The station will produce year-round special coverage, including local programming and news stories that showcase the city’s extraordinary monthlong Lunar New Year celebrations, beginning in 2025 with the welcoming of the auspicious Year of the Snake.
ABC7 President and General Manager Tom Ciborowski says, “We are incredibly honored to be the new official broadcaster of a truly San Francisco tradition that dates back to the California gold rush. We can’t think of a better home for the parade than ABC7.”
“ABC7 Presents: The San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade” will be available to all audiences LIVE,SATURDAY, FEB. 15, 2025, on all ABC7 streaming platforms and will broadcast in its entirety on ABC7/KGO-TV. Additionally, ABC7 Bay Area will produce a one-hour special program bringing the most colorful moments of the parade to viewers in the days after. The six-year commitment to the community begins with the 2025 parade and runs through the 2030 parade. The parade will also stream LIVE on ABC News LIVE and Hulu.
ABC7 is the bay area leader for live parade coverage. In addition to the San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade, ABC7 Bay Area is the proud exclusive broadcast partner of one of the largest LGBTQIA+ Pride celebrations in the world, the San Franciso Pride Parade and the exclusive home of community celebrations around the Bay Area, including the Oakland Pride and Black Joy Parades.
ABC7’S Commitment to the Chinese New Year Festival and Parade ABC7 is committed to covering the Chinese New Year Festival and Parade and the Miss Chinatown U.S.A. Pageant and coronation. This partnership is not just an opportunity to celebrate Lunar New Year but a chance to highlight the amazing and diverse communities that make up the Bay Area.
About the San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade Named one of the Top 10 parades in the world by International Festivals & Events Association, the Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco is one of the few remaining nighttime illuminated parades in North America and the biggest parade celebrating the lunar new year outside of Asia.
The parade starts at 2nd and Market Streets, goes around Union Square and ends at Kearny Street and Columbus Ave. The distance of the parade route is approximately 1.3 miles. The parade is a free event for all to attend.
About ABC Owned Television Stations Disney Entertainment Television’s eight owned ABC stations are multiplatform leaders in local news and information. Collectively No. 1 across all U.S. television households, the eight stations are comprised of WABC-TV New York, KABC-TV Los Angeles, WLS-TV Chicago, WPVI-TV Philadelphia, KTRK-TV Houston, KGO-TV San Francisco, WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham and KFSN-TV Fresno. With WABC-NY, they produce the #1 syndicated daytime series in the country, “Live with Kelly and Mark,” and with KABC- LA, we produce the leading syndicated entertainment brand ABC “On the Red Carpet.”
The stations also deliver locally sourced storytelling to millions of viewers via its streaming channels that feature 24/7 local news coverage, breaking news, weather forecasts, exclusive premium content, and feel-good stories from ABC’s award-winning “Localish.” The ABC Owned Television Stations ended 2023 with the most streaming minutes among its competitors and have continued to lead into 2024. They are also the leading local station group on social media reaching more than 34 million people across platforms, including 4 stations that have reached Gold Creator Status on YouTube.
ABC News and ABC Owned Television Stations Launch ‘Climate Ready,’ a New Climate-Based Initiative Aiming To Deliver Solutions-Minded Content for ViewersThe press release title
ABC News Kicks Off Monday, July 29, With ABC News Chief Meteorologist and Chief Climate Correspondent Ginger Zee Demonstrating the Climate Benefits of a Native Garden
Today, ABC News and ABC Owned Television Stations are announcing Climate Ready, anew editorial initiative created to amplify vital climate preparedness stories focused on ways for viewers to keep their families safe, protect their financial futures, and support their communities during extreme weather events. National programming kicks off today with ABC News chief meteorologist and chief climate correspondent Ginger Zee spotlighting the ABC News special “Saving the Planet, Saving on Your Lawn,” which offers ways to convert water-guzzling lawns into native gardens that are drought-resistant and reduce the risk of flooding. Market-specific programming will also be available this week airing across the ABC Owned Television Stations (check local listings) covering solutions to such issues as extreme heat and flooding. Climate Ready programming is also available on ABC News Live and on ABC Owned Television Stations streaming platforms.
ABC Owned Television Stations coverage:
In “Hot Subways and Urban Heat,” ABC7/WABC-TV New York’s Eyewitness News reporter Anthony Carlo investigates the high temperatures in the city’s subway system by using multiple thermometers to measure both air and surface temperatures. Carlo rides the subway with New Yorkers to find out how they cope with the heat, why it gets so hot underground, and what the city is doing to address this issue.
The 6abc/WPVI-TV Philadelphia special segment, “Increase Tree Coverage,” looks at Philadelphia’s plan to increase tree coverage highlighting the benefits of CO2 exchange, which aids in preventing soil erosion and water absorption, and how this will ultimately provide more shade to help reduce the urban heat island effect.
ABC7/KABC-TV Los Angeles’ “Cool Pavement Project” shares how a community in Los Angeles with some of the hottest temperatures is partnering with the city and North America’s largest roofing and waterproofing manufacturer to cover pavement in a special reflective coating that reduces surface temps and ambient heat.
ABC13/KTRK-TV Houston sheds light on The South Shore Drainage Project with “Sunny Day Street Flooding.” The initiative hopes to bring a much-needed pump station to Galveston that could bring relief to residents who withstand hurricanes and rainstorms.
Additional topics to be highlighted throughout the coming months:
Aerial Firefighting ABC7/KGO-TV San Francisco’s “Fire Drones” examines how autonomous helicopters equipped with giant water balloons could help fight wildfires.
Geothermal Systems ABC7/WLS-TV Chicago’s “Blacks in Green” explores how a Chicago-based organization is planning to use geothermal heating and cooling to produce more affordable and more sustainable energy for low-income neighborhoods.
Wildfire Go-Bags ABC30/KFSN-TV Fresno’s “Wildfire Evacuation Go-Bags” shows viewers how to assemble specialized go-bags so they are prepared in case of any emergency.
About ABC Owned Television Stations Disney Entertainment Television’s eight owned ABC stations are multiplatform leaders in local news and information. Collectively No. 1 across all U.S. television households, the eight stations are comprised of WABC-TV New York, KABC-TV Los Angeles, WLS-TV Chicago, WPVI-TV Philadelphia, KTRK-TV Houston, KGO-TV San Francisco, WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham and KFSN-TV Fresno. With WABC-NY, they produce the No. 1 syndicated daytime series in the country, “Live with Kelly and Mark,” and with KABC- LA, we produce the leading syndicated entertainment brand ABC “On the Red Carpet.”
The stations also deliver locally sourced storytelling to millions of viewers via its streaming channels that feature 24/7 local news coverage, breaking news, weather forecasts, exclusive premium content and feel-good stories from ABC’s award-winning “Localish.” The ABC Owned Television Stations ended 2023 with the most streaming minutes among its competitors and have continued to lead into 2024. They are also the leading local station group on social media reaching more than 34 million people across platforms, including four stations that have reached Gold Creator Status on YouTube.
About ABC News ABC News is America’s No. 1 news source, providing straightforward, fact-driven journalism across broadcast, streaming, digital and audio. ABC’s award-winning programs include “Good Morning America,” “World News Tonight with David Muir,” “Nightline,” “20/20,” “This Week with George Stephanopoulos,” “GMA3: What You Need to Know,” and “The View.” Other platforms include ABC News Live, ABC News Studios, ABC News Digital, ABC Audio, FiveThirtyEight, and NewsOne. Based in New York City, ABC News is comprised of three U.S. bureaus and eight international bureaus, with a presence in more than 20 countries around the world.
ABC Owned Television Stations Announces Nine-Part Special ‘Our America: In the Black – Conversations With Arlan Hamilton’
A trailer for the first episode can be viewed here.
ABC Owned Television Stations’ thought-provoking “Our America: In The Black” series returns today, Thursday, June 20, with a nine-part special, “Our America: In The Black – Conversations With Arlan Hamilton.” Hosted by serial entrepreneur, investor and author Arlan Hamilton, the special continues the conversations surrounding financial health and wellness. The first episode is available now across ABC Owned Television Stations’ streaming and digital platforms as well as on ABC News Live.
Each episode in the series features an intimate discussion with influential guests from business, entertainment and technology. Together, they share personal stories and insights on achieving financial health and wellness, emphasizing the importance of financial education and the pursuit of financial freedom. Timed to resonate with the themes of freedom surrounding Juneteenth and July Fourth, this series addresses the pressing issue of the lack of financial freedom in America. With 78% of Americans living paycheck to paycheck and many lacking sufficient savings, Arlan Hamilton – who transformed her life from homelessness to raising over $30 million for startups through Backstage Capital – leads conversations that aim to inspire and empower viewers.
In the first episode, “Rachel Rodgers,” Hamilton sits down with her longtime friend and fellow entrepreneur, Rachel Rodgers. Rodgers, who founded the multimillion-dollar company, Hello Seven, which teaches diverse entrepreneurs how to earn more money and build wealth, talks about getting into the right mindset to be entrepreneurial and the importance of bridging the wealth gap.
Additional episodes in the series will be available over the summer and will spotlight the following interviews:
Episode 2: “Lauren Chan” – For the second episode in the series, Hamilton sits down with Lauren Chan, a size-inclusion activist who created the plus-sized luxury fashion company, Henning. Chan, who is a former Sports Illustrated model and who identifies as plus-sized, AAPI, and LGBTQ+, talks about the importance of diverse representation in fashion and positions of power.
Episode 3: “Holly Levow” – Hamilton is joined by fellow businesswoman Holly Levow, who runs two production companies, Equitas Entertainment Partners and Catalyst Studios. Levow, whose focus is on providing opportunities, investment and support for women and nonbinary talent, speaks on the importance of uplifting female voices in a way that is beneficial to everyone.
Episode 4: “Dean Forbes” – Hamilton speaks with CEO Dean Forbes, who heads billion-dollar software company Forterro and is the chairman of the social mobility foundation Forbes Family Group. During their conversation, Forbes speaks about his struggles climbing the economic ladder and about his effort to elevate disadvantaged people through his position of power.
Episode 5: “Suneera Madhani” – Hamilton sits with fellow businesswoman Suneera Madhani, who serves as the CEO of billion-dollar fintech company Stax Payments and the co-creator of fintech startup Worth AI. Madhani discusses her groundbreaking tech inventions that have the power to change business transactions and her desire to disrupt norms by hiring a diverse team.
Episode 6: “Teri Ijeoma” – Hamilton sits with CEO Teri Ijeoma, who created the acclaimed online course, Trade and Travel. Ijeoma, who has a decade of successful, million-dollar-making stock trading experiences, speaks about her journey from teacher to businesswoman and provides advice for the next generation of traders.
Episode 7: “Crystal Alonzo” – Hamilton speaks to actress Crystal Alonzo about her career as a comedian that propelled her family out of poverty. Alonzo explains how her success, which reached a pinnacle when she became the first Latina to create and star in her eponymous sitcom, “Cristela,” was attributed to her community and her familial relationships.
Episode 8: “Bridgid Coulter Cheadle” – Hamilton sits down with small business owner Bridgid Coulter Cheadle, the founder of Blackbird – a workspace for women of color and their allies. During their chat, Cheadle discusses the power of physical spaces in connecting a community and the importance of uplifting marginalized people.
Episode 9: “Lamar and Ronnie Tyler” – Hamilton sits down with married couple and business collaborators Lamar and Ronnie, who co-founded Traffic Sales & Profit, a business designed to elevate Black entrepreneurs into financial success. In the conversation, Lamar and Ronnie emphasize the importance of bringing Black people into a place of financial success and advise Black businesspeople to focus on cultivating their strengths.
“Our America: In The Black – Conversations With Arlan Hamilton” is executive produced by Nzinga Blake, executive producer, Race & Culture, ABC Owned Television Stations. The first installment of “Our America: In the Black” debuted in February and featured Microsoft Philanthropies specialist Darrell Booker talking about how technology can help bridge generational wealth gaps.
The Our America series is available on the 24/7 streaming platforms, 32 connected TV apps across streaming platforms Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TVandRoku.
About ABC Owned Television Stations Disney Entertainment Television’s eight owned ABC stations are multiplatform leaders in local news and information. Collectively No. 1 across all U.S. television households, the eight stations are comprised of WABC-TV New York, KABC-TV Los Angeles, WLS-TV Chicago, WPVI-TV Philadelphia, KTRK-TV Houston, KGO-TV San Francisco, WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham and KFSN-TV Fresno. With WABC-NY, they produce the No. 1 syndicated daytime series in the country, “Live with Kelly and Mark,” and with KABC- LA, we produce the leading syndicated entertainment brand ABC “On the Red Carpet.”
The stations also deliver locally sourced storytelling to millions of viewers via its streaming channels that feature 24/7 local news coverage, breaking news, weather forecasts, exclusive premium content and feel-good stories from ABC’s award-winning “Localish.” The ABC Owned Television Stations ended 2023 with the most streaming minutes among its competitors and have continued to lead into 2024. They are also the leading local station group on social media reaching more than 34 million people across platforms, including 4 stations that have reached Gold Creator Status on YouTube.
ABC Owned Television Stations To Air Documentary Special, ‘Our America: Defining Courage,’ Presented by Emmy and Edward R. Murrow Award-Winning ABC7 Eyewitness News Anchor David Ono Beginning Sunday, May 5
ABC Owned Television Stations to present “Our America: Defining Courage,” beginning Sunday, May 5. The documentary special takes viewers backstage for an intimate journey into the making of “Defining Courage” a stage show produced by Emmy® Award-winning filmmaker and KABC news anchor David Ono and his nonprofit production company, Story Boldly. It shares the story of the Nisei Soldiers, Americans of Japanese ancestry, who served in the segregated military units during World War II. Although considered the greatest fighting units in American military history, their efforts were overshadowed by prejudice at home. While many of the soldiers were away at battle for the U.S., their families were incarcerated in America’s concentration camps, with only a few hearing their extraordinary stories.
“Our America: Defining Courage” airs across the ABC Owned Television Stations’ streaming and digital platforms and linear on the following dates:
Sunday, May 5 3:00 p.m. PDT ABC7/KABC-TV Los Angeles
Saturday, May 11 5:00 a.m. EDT ABC7/WABC-TV New York 9:00 p.m. PDT ABC7/KGO-TV San Francisco
Sunday, May 12 11:00 p.m. CDT ABC7/WLS-TV Chicago 11:30 p.m. CDT ABC13/KTRK-TV Houston
Monday, May 13 8:00 p.m. EDT ABC Localish
Saturday, May 18 12:30 a.m. EDT 6abc/WPVI-TV Philadelphia 2:00 p.m. PDT ABC30/KFSN-TV Fresno
Sunday, May 19 5:00 a.m. EDT ABC11/WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham
Additionally, special interactive tools are available online to allow viewers nationwide to further explore the history of the Nisei Soldiers, which includes a message from David Ono and features the following highlights:
The “Our America: Defining Courage” documentary special was produced by Justin Allen, former senior producer, Content Development, ABC Owned Television Stations, and Rachel Schwartz, director, Content Operations, ABC Owned Television Stations.
The special features music by composers Enzo De Roza and Sheridan Seyfried.
About Story Boldly’s “Defining Courage” “Defining Courage” is presented by Story Boldly, the Japanese American National Museum, and Outside In Theatre. Local partners for the Veterans Day performance are the Go For Broke National Education Center, Japanese American Citizens League, Japanese American Veterans Association, National Japanese American Memorial Foundation, National Veterans Network, and US-Japan Council. Story Boldly was founded by Ono and Emmy-winning filmmaker Jeff MacIntyre two decades ago to tell engaging stories using journalist practices to educate the public about important chapters in history and teach others how to use digital media to share stories that matter. Both are multiple Emmy Award-winning storytellers, journalists, filmmakers, and educators.
About ABC Owned Television Stations Disney Entertainment Television’s eight owned ABC stations are multiplatform leaders in local news and information. Collectively No. 1 across all U.S. television households, the eight stations are comprised of WABC-TV New York, KABC-TV Los Angeles, WLS-TV Chicago, WPVI-TV Philadelphia, KTRK-TV Houston, KGO-TV San Francisco, WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham and KFSN-TV Fresno. With WABC-NY, they produce the #1 syndicated daytime series in the country, “Live with Kelly and Mark,” and with KABC- LA, we produce the leading syndicated entertainment brand ABC “On the Red Carpet.”
The stations also deliver locally sourced storytelling to millions of viewers via its streaming channels that feature 24/7 local news coverage, breaking news, weather forecasts, exclusive premium content, and feel-good stories from ABC’s award-winning “Localish.” The ABC Owned Television Stations ended 2023 with the most streaming minutes among its competitors and have continued to lead into 2024. They are also the leading local station group on social media reaching more than 34 million people across platforms, including 4 stations that have reached Gold Creator Status on YouTube.
ABC7/KGO-TV’s original documentary special California’s Case for Reparations, presented by Emmy® and Edward R. Murrow Award-winning ABC7 News anchor Julian Glover, aims to uplift the stories of families who could be repaired by reparations, explores the groundbreaking work of the reparations task force, and examines the package of legislation being proposed, and if there is the political will to pass it. California’s Case for Reparations is now available to stream across ABC7’s 24/7 streaming platforms and will make its linear debut on Saturday, April 6.
California made history in 2020 with the creation of the nation’s first state-level task force to study and develop reparations for the descendants of enslaved African Americans. The state made history again in 2023 when said task force released its monumental report outlining California’s Anti-Black policies that extended beyond slavery and the more than 100 recommendations for making the community whole. Today, California’s state legislature is the first in the nation to seriously consider reparations for the descendants of the enslaved. The special also looks to answer the question, “Are reparations radical?,” by revisiting the successful push for reparations by Japanese Americans incarcerated during WWII.
“The fight for reparations to Black people for slavery and centuries of anti-Black policies has been decades long,” said Glover, the executive producer forCalifornia’s Case for Reparationsand Race, Culture and Social Justice reporter at ABC7/KGO-TV Bay Area. “As the nation continues with this struggle, the questions remain, ‘How do we repair those Black lives? How do we make Black people whole?’ California’s Case for Reparationslooks at how the state is pushing the conversation forward toward action.”
Glover’s reporting on issues of appraisal discrimination earned him a regional Emmy and Edward R. Murrow award for excellence in reporting on issues of diversity, equity and inclusion. Emmy Award-winning documentary Our America: Lowballed profiles three separate cases of appraisal discrimination experienced by families in California and Indiana. Glover’s impactful reporting on the devaluation of Black and Latino homes spurred new state laws and led President Biden to create the Property Appraisal Valuation Equity task force to identify solutions to root out appraisal bias. In addition, Congresswoman Maxine Waters, also featured in the documentary, introduced legislation to combat appraisal bias with the Fair Appraisal and Inequity Reform legislation.
California’s Case for Reparations airs Saturday, April 6, at 8:00 p.m. PDT on ABC7/KGO-TV.
The documentary special is available on the 24/7 streaming platforms, 32 connected TV apps across streaming platforms Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TVandRoku.
About ABC Owned Television StationsDisney Entertainment Television’s eight owned ABC stations are multiplatform leaders in local news and information. Collectively No. 1 across all U.S. television households, the eight stations are comprised of WABC-TV New York, KABC-TV Los Angeles, WLS-TV Chicago, WPVI-TV Philadelphia, KTRK-TV Houston, KGO-TV San Francisco, WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham and KFSN-TV Fresno. With WABC-NY, they produce the #1 syndicated daytime series in the country, “Live with Kelly and Mark,” and with KABC- LA, we produce the leading syndicated entertainment brand ABC “On the Red Carpet.”
The stations also deliver locally sourced storytelling to millions of viewers via its streaming channels that feature 24/7 local news coverage, breaking news, weather forecasts, exclusive premium content, and feel-good stories from ABC’s award-winning “Localish.” The ABC Owned Television Stations ended 2023 with the most streaming minutes among its competitors and have continued to lead into 2024. They are also the leading local station group on social media reaching more than 34 million people across platforms, including 4 stations that have reached Gold Creator Status on YouTube.
ABC Owned Television Stations Present ‘Our America: In the Black’
The Special Aims To Raise Awareness of Financial Health and Wellness in the Black Community and Offers Insight Into How To Bridge the Wealth Gap Through Technology
ABC Owned Television Stations present “Our America: In the Black,” sponsored by Microsoft Corporation, beginning Saturday, Feb. 3. This thought-provoking documentary special chronicles the efforts of Microsoft Philanthropies specialist Darrell Booker in his national quest to raise awareness about building financial health and wellness in the Black community. In the series, Booker explores how technology can serve as a great equalizer to mitigate these disparities while engaging with individuals who are actively working toward financial literacy programs that pave the way for economic mobility and generational wealth creation. Booker is joined by Dr. Jatali Bellanton who serves as a financial expert throughout the special, offering audiences insights and tips toward what she describes as financial liberation. The documentary focuses on the stories of three individuals at different stages of their financial journey:
“Hannah” – Booker visits Los Angeles where he is introduced to Hannah, a young foster care youth, who dreams of attending Howard University and becoming a mechanical engineer. The episode also features the dean of the College of Fine Arts at Howard University, Phylicia Rashad.
“Angel Mercedes” – From New York, Booker introduces viewers to the nonprofit RISE, a national charitable institution that educates and empowers the sports community to eliminate racial discrimination, champion social justice and improve race relations.
“Meagan Naraine” – Booker visits Atlanta for an opportunity to highlight the work he does with the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE), which leverages Atlanta’s unique position as a nexus of Black enterprise and innovation to pilot strategies that could serve as blueprints for economic racial equity across the nation.
“Our America: In the Black” airs on Hulu’s Black Stories Always hub and across the ABC Owned Television Stations’ streaming and digital platforms and linear on the following dates:
Saturday, Feb. 3 12:30 a.m. EST 6abc/WPVI-TV Philadelphia 3:00 p.m. PST ABC7/KABC-TV Los Angeles 8:30 p.m. PST ABC7/KGO-TV San Francisco 11:30 p.m. CST ABC13/KTRK-TV Houston 10:00 p.m. PST ABC30/KFSN-TV Fresno
Sunday, Feb. 4 12:30 a.m. EST ABC11/WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham 11:00 p.m. CST ABC7/WLS-TV Chicago
Saturday, Feb. 10 5:00 a.m. EST ABC7/WABC-TV New York
Monday, Feb. 12 8:00 p.m. EST ABC Localish
“Our America: In the Black” is executive produced by Nzinga Blake, executive producer, Race & Culture, ABC Owned Television Stations; and produced by Luke Richards, senior manager, Content Development, ABC Owned Television Stations; Shako Liu, senior producer, ABC Owned Television Stations; and John Garcia, producer editor, Content Development, ABC Owned Television Stations. Post-production services were facilitated by Robeson Parks.
The documentary special is available on the 24/7 streaming platforms, 32 connected TV apps across streaming platforms Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TVandRoku.
About ABC Owned Television Stations The eight owned ABC television stations are multiplatform leaders in local news and information. Collectively No. 1 across all U.S. television, reaching 23% of households and more than 34 million Total Viewers and 62 million digital visitors a month, with a record of 2.2 billion minutes streamed, the eight stations are comprised of WABC-TV New York, KABC-TV Los Angeles, WLS-TV Chicago, WPVI-TV Philadelphia, KGO-TV San Francisco, KTRK-TV Houston, WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham and KFSN-TV Fresno. WABC-New York has remained the No. 1 station in the country for 19 years.
‘Take Action: San Francisco,’ a Live ABC7 Special Event With Real Answers About the Future of the City, Streams Live Monday, Dec. 4, at 7 P.M. and Broadcasts on ABC7 Kgo-TV on Dec. 9 and 10
Mayor London Breed, District Attorney Brooke Jenkins and Chief of Police William Scott Take Direct Questions From ABC7 News and Community Leaders in the Live Audience
Starting Nov. 27, ABC7 News Airs a Week of Special Coverage Leading Up to ‘Take Action: San Francisco’
The Week of In-Depth Coverage and Hourlong Town Hall Bring Tough Questions, No Spin, and Real Answers for the City’s Biggest Challenges: Crime, Drugs, Homelessness and an Empty Downtown
After the recent APEC Conference, the city remains at a pivotal turning point. The image of the city remains tarnished, especially by media outlets that continue to spread a negative storyline this election season.
ABC7’s Reggie Aqui, Lyanne Melendez and Phil Matier will drive the live conversation beyond the talking points, diving into real statistics around four key issues facing San Francisco: Drugs, Homelessness, Downtown Recovery and Crime. “TAKE ACTION: SAN FRANCISCO” streamsLIVEMONDAY, DEC. 4, AT 7 P.M. and will broadcast in its entirety on ABC7 KGO-TV SATURDAY, DEC. 9, at 9 P.M. and SUNDAY, DEC. 10, at 6 P.M.
ABC7 President and General Manager Tom Cibrowski says, “Our entire team is focused on driving this critical conversation about this amazing city’s future. We want to understand how our quality of life can improve and what the benchmarks are for success.”
Community leaders, business owners, and viewers have been invited to submit their questions to the panel viaabc7news.com/TakeActionSF.
Programming Notes: ABC7 News coverage leading up to “TAKE ACTION: SAN FRANCISCO” is as follows and will broadcast LIVE on ABC7 News and available wherever viewers stream:
MONDAY, NOV. 27: THE STATE OF SAN FRANCISCO TODAY TUESDAY, NOV. 28: SAN FRANCISCO’S DRUG EPIDEMIC WEDNESDAY, NOV. 29: SAN FRANCISCO’S HOMELESS CRISIS THURSDAY, NOV. 30: DOWNTOWN SAN FRANCISCO FRIDAY, DEC. 1: CRIME IN SAN FRANCISCO MONDAY, DEC. 4 at 7 P.M.: “TAKE ACTION: SAN FRANCISCO” (streaming LIVE)
ABC7 is partnering with The San Francisco Standard and the San Francisco Press Club in preparation for the discussion.
ABC7 KGO-TV is an ABC Owned Television Station.
About ABC Owned Television Stations The eight owned ABC stations are multiplatform leaders in local news and information. Collectively No. 1 across all U.S. television, reaching 23% of households and more than 34 million Total Viewers and 62 million digital visitors a month, with a record of 2.2 billion minutes streamed, the eight stations are comprised of WABC-TV New York, KABC-TV Los Angeles, WLS-TV Chicago, WPVI-TV Philadelphia, KGO-TV San Francisco, KTRK-TV Houston, WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham and KFSN-TV Fresno. WABC-New York has remained the No. 1 station in the country for 19 years.
