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Press Release

January 24, 2024

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Sandy Kenyon Takes On New Entertainment Role for ABC Owned Television Stations

Veteran Reporter Signs on To Serve as
Consultant to Entertainment Teams Across ABC OTVs

Kenyon Set To Transition Out of WABC-TV On-Air Role on March 31

Photo credit: The Walt Disney Company*

Iconic entertainment reporter Sandy Kenyon, a fixture on the New York and Hollywood beat since the 1980s, will lend his decades of expertise to a new role as consultant for ABC Owned Television Stations. Kenyon, who has served as entertainment reporter and movie critic for WABC-TV’s Channel 7 Eyewitness News in New York since 2005, will partner with producers and reporters across the stations group as they identify new opportunities for innovation and collaboration in entertainment coverage. Kenyon will transition out of his current on-air role on March 31, marking the end of an era for ABC 7 New York viewers who have enjoyed his local-first approach to entertainment reporting at the nation’s No. 1 station.

In his new role, Kenyon will serve as a tactical resource for Debra OConnell, president, Networks and TV Business Operations, Disney Entertainment Television, and report to Chad Matthews, president, ABC Owned TV Stations. He will work closely with OTV entertainment reporting teams to develop and implement strategies aimed at enhancing coverage and reach.

“Sandy is the gold standard when it comes to telling meaningful stories about the films, shows and talent that make The Walt Disney Company the global leader in entertainment,” said OConnell. “We want to harness that talent to amplify the outstanding reporting across our stations as they craft and share industry news that is of interest to our viewers.”

“We continue to raise the quality of our storytelling across all platforms and Sandy is an essential part of taking us to the next level,” added Matthews. “Fresh and compelling entertainment stories are an integral part of our broadcast and streaming content strategy, and we want to produce and distribute them in an impactful way that will not only benefit our stations but, most importantly, our communities.”

“I am truly privileged to be presented with such a unique opportunity by Debra and Chad, who continue to transform our business through relentless innovation,” said Kenyon. “I’ve had a front-row seat – literally! – to the biggest events and talent that have shaped the entertainment industry since my early days with CNN, and there’s no company better equipped to tell the stories behind the storytellers than Disney.”

In addition to Channel 7 Eyewitness News, Kenyon has appeared on “LIVE with Kelly and Mark,” offering awards analysis, and has hosted Oscars® specials for the OTVs. Additionally, his feature reports and reviews can be seen in thousands of New York City taxicabs each week as part of WABC-TV’s Taxi TV.

Before joining the Eyewitness News Team, Kenyon’s reports were heard every weekday morning on 1010 WINS Radio in New York. Prior to that, he was CNN’s chief entertainment correspondent in Los Angeles, where he developed his signature “Hollywood Minute” report. Kenyon began his TV career as an associate producer at WNET/Thirteen in New York. He is a graduate of Princeton University, where he co-hosted a national radio show, “Focus on Youth.”

*COPYRIGHT ©2024 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All photography is copyrighted material and is for editorial use only. Images are not to be archived, altered, duplicated, resold, retransmitted or used for any other purposes without written permission of Disney Entertainment Television. Images are distributed to the press in order to publicize current programming. Any other usage must be licensed.  

Media Contact:
Richard Horrmann
Disney Entertainment Television
(818) 460-6654
richard.horrmann@disney.com

Press Release

January 11, 2024

Media relations
Fonda Berosini
Disney Entertainment, Networks
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ABC7/WABC-TV New York Names Sandra Bookman As New Noon Anchor and Welcomes News Anchor/ Reporter Pedro Rivera to the Eyewitness News TeamThe press release title

ABC7/WABC-TV is announcing today key additions to its anchor lineups for weekdays at noon and weekend mornings.

Sandra Bookman, who has been a weekend anchor at WABC for more than two decades, moves to Eyewitness News At Noon where she’ll anchor weekdays with David Novarro. Bookman – who is a three-time local Emmy® Award winner – joined Eyewitness News in 1998 as a reporter and shortly after was named a weekend anchor.

Since joining WABC, Bookman has covered several important stories ranging from the 2008 Democratic National Convention to the inauguration of President Trump as well as the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. Bookman will continue to host ABC7’s Emmy Award-nominated Community Affairs program, “Here and Now.”

“Sandra’s leadership in the newsroom has been critical to our success with Eyewitness News, earning her the respect of our viewers and the entire New York City community,” said Marilu Galvez, president and general manager of ABC7/WABC-TV New York. “Her warmth and humanistic approach to journalism are hallmarks of what it means to be an Eyewitness News anchor.”

Eyewitness News is also welcoming anchor/reporter Pedro Rivera, who will join Michelle Charlesworth as a co-anchor for WABC’s weekend morning programs beginning Saturday, Feb. 3.  Before joining WABC, Rivera was an anchor for KTLA in Los Angeles, where he anchored the 5 p.m. news and reported for the 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts.

“Pedro’s passion, versatility and quick reactions to breaking news make him an excellent choice to round out the ABC Eyewitness News team,” added Galvez.

Rivera is an Emmy and LA Press Club Award-winning journalist, who has reported on such nationally significant stories as the Robb Elementary School mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas; the aftermath of the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy; the Boston Marathon bombing; and the Camp Fire in northern California, the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in the state’s history.    

This is a homecoming for Rivera who is a New York native. He was born in the Bronx and graduated from Pace University, where he completed an internship in the WABC Sports Department.

About ABC7/WABC-TV New York
ABC7 has been the leader in local news and entertainment programming in the New York City area for 75 years. Producing more than 45 hours of live local news and weather each week, Channel 7 “Eyewitness News” is the most-watched local news in New York and the United States. WABC-TV also produces “Live with Kelly and Mark,” weekdays at 9:00 a.m., which is seen in more than 200 markets across the U.S. Quality news and programming, cutting-edge technology, and ongoing community outreach are the hallmarks of excellence that have consistently kept WABC-TV New York’s No. 1 station and the most-watched television station in the nation.

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Media Contacts:
Fonda Berosini
fonda.berosini@abc.com

Ambir Sniezko
ambir.sniezko@abc.com

Press Release

October 24, 2023

Media relations
Fonda Berosini
Disney Entertainment, Networks
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Part Three of ‘Our America: Trouble on Tap’ To Begin Airing Oct. 28 press release title

‘Drilling into California’s Water Crisis’ Delves Into the Impact of California’s Extreme Weather Conditions and the Recent Influx of Water After Years of Drought

A trailer for the episode can be viewed here.

“Our America: Trouble on Tap” the thought-provoking three-part documentary series from ABC Owned Television Stations, ABC News and National Geographic draws to a close with the third episode in the series, “Drilling into California’s Water Crisis” beginning, Saturday, Oct. 28. Hosted by Emmy® Award-winning Action News anchor Dale Yurong, the episode delves into the emerging water crisis that is putting the security of the state’s water, food and economy at risk. With interviews with some of the leading experts working toward tenable solutions, the final episode of the series explores the following three key areas.

The Drought:
California leads the U.S. in food production with over $51 billion in revenue and is the fifth largest supplier of food in the world; but with a state that’s been dealing with a mega drought for decades, what does it mean for farmers? The episode examines the science behind California’s increasing droughts and the impacts it has on every California resident.

Sinking Groundwater:
California’s largest source of water is in danger of running out due to the overreliance on pumping groundwater. There are 5,300 wells which have gone dry throughout the state since 2014. If over-pumping continues, over 9,200 wells could go dry by 2040, putting the most rural, disadvantaged communities in peril and without the water they need. Additionally, over-pumping causes subsidence leaving many areas susceptible to flooding.

Flooding:
In 2023, California’s wet season saw 31 atmospheric rivers bringing a record year of rainfall and snow. Several communities throughout the state were displaced due to power outages and flooding. In addition, hundreds of thousands of acres of farmland were destroyed by flooding, putting Central California’s economy at risk and consumers seeing the impact at grocery stores throughout the country.

“Drilling into California’s Water Crisis” airs on ABC Owned Television Stations’ streaming and digital platforms and on linear on the following dates:

Saturday, Oct. 28
10:00 p.m. PDT           ABC7/KABC-TV Los Angeles
10:00 p.m. PDT           ABC30/KFSN-TV Fresno
11:00 p.m. CDT           ABC7/WLS-TV Chicago

Sunday, Oct.29
12:00 a.m. CDT           ABC13/KTRK-TV Houston
12:30 a.m. EDT            6abc/WPVI-TV Philadelphia 

Monday, Oct. 30
8:00 p.m. EDT             ABC Localish

Saturday, Nov. 4
8:30 p.m. PDT             ABC7/KGO-TV San Francisco

Sunday, Nov. 5
2:00 p.m. EST               ABC11/WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham

Monday, Nov. 6
8:00 p.m. EST              ABC Localish

Sunday, Dec. 31
1:00 p.m. EST              ABC7/WABC-TV New York

“Our America: Trouble on Tap” utilizes data from ABC Owned Television Stations Data Journalism Unit to examine how the effects of environmental pollution, climate change and aging infrastructure are gradually eroding the ability of more and more communities across the United States to have access to free and potable drinking water.    

The first episode, “Life with Forever Chemicals,” looks at per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances contamination in North Carolina. This episode takes viewers to Cape Fear, North Carolina, often referred to as ground zero for PFAS water contamination or water polluted by toxic “forever chemicals.” For decades, the drinking water supply for more than 250,000 people was contaminated as a result of a chemical company dumping toxic PFAS into the Cape Fear River. Years after the contamination was first publicly revealed, the region continues to grapple with ongoing health concerns, multiple lawsuits and constructing costly water treatment plants as it struggles to cope with decades of chronic exposure. It is available to watch here.

The second episode, “America’s Lead Problem,” examines the lasting impact of the use of lead pipes and the water infrastructure in America. Nearly 40 years after being banned as a plumbing material by the federal government, lead-based pipes are still carrying water to millions of homes across America, including Chicago, which has one of the highest concentrations of lead pipes in the country. But cities like Newark, New Jersey, which experienced high levels of lead in the water, replaced its lead service lines and is often used as a model of success in combating this public health issue. It is available to watch here.

“Our America: Trouble on Tap” is produced in partnership with Tracy J. Wholf, coordinating producer of the climate unit at ABC News, and Justin Allen, executive producer with ABC Owned Television Stations and National Geographic. ABC30/KFSN-TV, Central California’s ABC television station’s Tim Sarquis, Brandon Ridge, Jacqueline McLean and Ricky Courtney serve as executive producers for part three in the series “Drilling into California’s Water Crisis.”

Episodes are available on the 24/7 streaming platforms, 32 connected TV apps across streaming platforms Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV andRoku.

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 48 million digital visitors a month, with a record of 3.1 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.

More information about ABC Owned Television Stations streaming channels can be found here: ABC7/WABC-TV New York, ABC7/KABC-TV Los Angeles, ABC7/WLS-TV Chicago, 6ABC/WPVI-TV Philadelphia, ABC7/KGO-TV San Francisco, ABC13/KTRK-TV Houston, ABC11/WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham and ABC30/KFSN-TV Fresno.

Media Contacts:
Fonda Berosini
fonda.berosini@abc.com

Ambir Sniezko
ambir.sniezko@abc.com

Press Release

August 30, 2023

Media relations
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ABC7/WABC-TV New York Announces ‘Back to School: Academic Recovery’ Town Hall, Streaming Sept. 6 press release title

As kids head back to class, ABC7/WABC-TV NY examines the challenges impacting educators and administrators with the “Back to School: Academic Recovery” town hall special, hosted by WABC-TV “Eyewitness News This Morning” weekday co-anchor Mike Marza and reporter and co-anchor of “Eyewitness News” Saturday and Sunday mornings Michelle Charlesworth, on Wednesday, Sept. 6 (5:00-6:00 p.m. EDT), on ABC7’s streaming and digital platforms: online, mobile and connected TV apps.

WABC-TV New York’s president and general manager, Marilu Galvez, will welcome a group of education experts to speak on the panel, which will include esteemed guest New York City Department of Education Chancellor David Banks, for an hourlong discussion on topics ranging from managing the asylum-seeker crisis to pandemic-related academic challenges to safety and more.

Additional guest panelists include the following:

About ABC7/WABC-TV New York
ABC7 has been the leader in local news and entertainment programming in the New York City area for 75 years. Producing more than 45 hours of live local news and weather each week, Channel 7 “Eyewitness News” is the most-watched local news in New York and the United States. WABC-TV also produces “Live with Kelly and Mark,” weekdays at 9:00 a.m., which is seen in more than 200 markets across the U.S. Quality news and programming, cutting-edge technology, and ongoing community outreach are the hallmarks of excellence that have consistently kept WABC-TV New York’s No. 1 station and the most-watched television station in the nation.

Media Contact:
Ambir Sniezko
ambir.sniezko@abc.com

Press Release

August 17, 2023

Media relations
Fonda Berosini
Disney Entertainment, Networks
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ABC Owned Television Stations announce 10 o’clock morning newscasts for ABC7/WABC-TV New York, 6abc/WPVI-TV Philadelphia and ABC11/WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham stations
Beginning Sept. 11

Today, ABC Owned Television Stations is announcing a new 10 a.m. newscast beginning Sept. 11 in New York, Philadelphia and Raleigh-Durham. The broadcast will fill the time slot previously held by the Tamron Hall show, which – after record-breaking season four ratings – is taking over the 2 p.m. time slot in those markets, aligning her with the other ABC Owned Television Stations’ afternoon programming.  

“Tamron has had an exceptional year, and I know this move will grow her incredibly passionate Tam Fam even more,” said Chad Matthews, president, ABC Owned Television Stations. “And the addition of local news programming at 10 a.m. – led by these extraordinary teams – will allow us to dig even deeper into the topics and events that showcase our local communities and the issues most impacting them, as well as extend and expand upon breaking news and topics being discussed on ‘Good Morning America’ and ‘Live with Kelly and Mark.’”

Local news talent covering the 10 a.m. hour include the following:

ABC7/WABC-TV New York co-anchors Shirleen Allicot and Mike Marza – who has just been promoted from “Eyewitness News Weekends” – will take on the additional 10 a.m. time slot.

Sam Champion will also join the 10 a.m. hour along with meteorologist Dani Beckstrom. Meteorologist Brittany Bell – who is also being promoted from weekends to the weekday morning team – will join Champion weekday mornings from 4:30-7:00 a.m.

6abc/WPVI-TV Philadelphia’s news anchors Alicia Vitarelli, Alyana Gomez and Nydia Han will host “Action News at 10 a.m.” with meteorologist Karen Rogers expanding her duties and joining the team with the AccuWeather forecast.

ABC11/WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham’s “Eyewitness News” morning newscast will be led by trusted co-anchors John Clark and Barbara Gibbs, and will be joined by meteorologist Kweilyn Murphy.

About ABC7/WABC-TV New York
ABC7 has been the leader in local news and entertainment programming in the New York City area for 75 years. Producing more than 45 hours of live local news and weather each week, Channel 7 “Eyewitness News” is the most-watched local news in New York and the United States. WABC-TV also produces “Live with Kelly and Mark,” weekdays at 9:00 a.m., which is seen in more than 200 markets across the U.S. Quality news and programming, cutting-edge technology, and ongoing community outreach are the hallmarks of excellence that have consistently kept WABC-TV New York’s No. 1 station and the most-watched television station in the nation.

About 6abc/WPVI-TV Philadelphia
For over half a century, 6abc/WPVI-TV Philadelphia has been broadcasting to viewers in the Delaware and Lehigh Valleys, an area covering southeastern Pennsylvania, northern and central Delaware and southern New Jersey. As the No. 1 station in Philadelphia for almost 45 years, 6abc Action News delivers local news, information, traffic and weather to more than 3 million homes. Action News captures nearly half of all Adult 25-54 news viewers on an average day*. In the past year, Action News has won 2,467 out of 2,499 newscasts in Households for a winning percentage of 98.7%.†  
*Based on June 2023 Nielsen survey.  
†Based on July 2022 – June 2023 Nielsen data.  

About ABC11/WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham
The only local news station with a street-level studio located in Downtown Raleigh, ABC11 Eyewitness News provides 48.5 hours of local news every week, serving more than 1.3 million TV households in a 23-county area in Central and Eastern North Carolina and Virginia. Eyewitness News also provides news, weather and sports information 24 hours a day on ABC11.com, the ABC11 mobile news app and the 24/7 streaming channel on the new connected TV app available on Roku, Fire, Apple, and Android TVs. ABC11 WTVD is one of eight ABC Owned Television Stations as part of the Disney Networks.

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.

Media Contacts:
Fonda Berosini
fonda.berosini@abc.com

Ambir Sniezko
ambir.sniezko@abc.com

Press Release

August 11, 2023

Media relations
Fonda Berosini
Disney Entertainment, Networks
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ABC7 New York celebrates 75th anniversary with Mayor Eric Adams at Empire State Building lighting ceremony today, Thursday, Aug. 10

Mayor Adams Declares Aug. 10 as WABC-TV Day in New York City in Honor of Milestone Anniversary for the Country’s No. 1 Station

View Special Moments in ABC7 History Here

Photos of tonight’s ceremony will be available to press following the illumination.

Today, in honor of ABC7 New York’s 75th anniversary, New York City Mayor Eric Adams named Aug 10 as WABC-TV Day and joined members of the WABC-TV team in the lobby of the Empire State Building for a special lighting ceremony. This evening the building will be bathed in “ABC7 Eyewitness News blue” light in honor of this momentous milestone. 

In addition to Mayor Adams, attendees included ABC Owned Television Stations President Chad Matthews; WABC-TV President and General Manager Marilu Galvez; and WABC-TV anchors Sade Baderinwa, Shirleen Allicot, Mike Marza, Sam Champion and Sandra Bookman. They were joined by the commissioner of the city’s Department for the Aging and representatives from the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens boroughs, as well as the American Cancer Society, American Red Cross, Food Bank for New York City, Harlem Stage, Neighborhood Technical Association Clinic, Friends of Firefighters, League of Women Voters and the Broadway Association. 

WABC-TV is the No. 1 station in the country and has held that position for more than two decades, covering breaking news from the 9/11 terrorist attacks to the NY blackouts and the recent COVID-19 pandemic. WABC-TV actively supports the community by partnering with multiple organizations and nonprofits, and highlighting local events like the NYC Pride March, the NY Marathon, the National Puerto Rican Day Parade, and more. WABC-TV was recently nominated for 40 New York Emmy® Awards and received four prestigious Edward R. Murrow Awards earlier this year including the Overall Excellence Award.

About ABC7/WABC-TV New York
WABC-TV has been the leader in local news and entertainment programming in the New York City area for more than 60 years. Producing more than 45 hours of live, local news and weather each week, Channel 7 “Eyewitness News” is the most-watched local news in New York and the United States. WABC-TV also produces the No. 1 syndicated talk show, “Live with Kelly and Ryan,” weekdays at 9:00 a.m., which is seen in more than 200 markets across the U.S. Quality news and programming, cutting-edge technology and ongoing community outreach are the hallmarks of excellence that have consistently kept WABC-TV New York’s No. 1 station and the most-watched television station in the nation.

Media Contact
Fonda Berosini
fonda.berosini@disney.com