Media relations

Share this release

ABC Owned Television Stations Announce an Exclusive Streaming ‘Hiring Our Heroes: Career Fair’ Town Hall on Aug. 19 (1:00–2:00 P.M. Pdt) To Honor Veterans

Viewers Can Stream the Town Hall on the Station Group’s 32 Connected TV Apps on Apple TV, Android TV, Fire TV, Roku, and Across Its Eight Websites

ABC Owned Television Stations will stream a town hall special, “Hiring our Heroes: Career Fair,” on Aug. 19 (1:00-2:00 p.m. PDT). The hourlong special is hosted by ABC7/KABC-TV Los Angeles Eyewitness News anchor Phillip Palmer. Viewers can stream the special on ABC Owned Television Stations’ free news apps: 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, and connected TV Apps on streaming platforms Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV and Roku.

Palmer will speak to veteran affairs experts that will provide tips and resources to job seekers and address employment issues that impact veterans. Expert panelists include the following:

• Kevin Preston, Diversity & Inclusion / Disney Veterans Programs
• Ron Green, United States Marine Corps (retired), Southwest Airlines
• Laura Nugent, Operations and Logistics Manager, Disney Institute
• Phil Martin, Talent Acquisition Manager for Enterprise Holdings
• Abie Chong (USAF Veteran) Leading Diversity, Equity & Inclusion & U.S. Military Talent Recruitment for Hilton.

The town hall will also provide guidance on how veterans can prepare for the upcoming virtual Veterans Institute Summit. The Summit is virtual and is a complimentary event created by The Walt Disney Company’s Heroes Work Here initiative. The initiative places a focus on hiring, training and supporting military veterans and military spouses. Heroes Work Here has resulted in more than 10,000 veterans joining The Walt Disney Company since its launch in 2012. The Veterans Institute Summit helps companies learn how to build or improve effective veteran-hiring initiatives of their own.

The “Hiring of Heroes: Career Fair” is produced by Kristie Bihn and ABC7/KABC-TV Los Angeles and will stream across the eight owned stations websites and 32 connected TV apps.

About ABC Owned Television Stations
Disney Media Entertainment & Distribution’s 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, 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. The stations also deliver locally sourced storytelling to more than 17 million viewers across America through its multiplatform lifestyle network, Localish. In 2020, the stations received five Broadcast & Cable awards, including in the 2020 Best in Local TV Awards category as Station Group of the Year for its innovative and next-generation news reporting, and in the major market category for 2020: Best News Coverage, Best Digital Multiplatform or Website, Best Investigative Reporting Station Group and Best Public Affairs Programming, illustrating the group’s strength and ever-increasing growth and reach in the multiplatform space.

Media relations

Share this release

ABC Owned Television Stations Announce Premium Content Slate and Resources for Pride Month 2021

ABC Owned Television Stations Further Solidify Their Commitment To Serve the LGBTQ+ Community and Their Allies With Premium Content and Community Resources Across Its Eight Stations in Celebration of Pride Month 2021

In a Range of Annual Pride Parade Coverage Across Linear—Including the Exclusive Streaming Special ‘Our America: Who I’m Meant to Be,’ Daily News Reporting, Educational Town Halls and Community Resources—Pride is on Display Across the Eight-Owned Stations’ Markets

ABC Owned Television Stations announce their content for Pride Month, with the addition of educational town halls and community resources for the LGBTQ+ community and viewers across their markets of New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Houston, San Francisco, Raleigh-Durham and Fresno.  

Yesterday, ABC Owned Television Stations released the two-episode premiere of “Our America: Who I’m Meant to Be,” with full episodes of the series available for viewers beginning June 21 on the station group’s connected TV apps.  The eight-episode short documentary series amplifies the voices of the transgender community across America through first-person narratives. On June 23, the “Our America: Who I’m Meant to Be” town hall will be available to stream across the station group’s connected TV apps. The post-documentary will discuss issues impacting the transgender community. The town hall will be co-hosted by transgender activist and award-winning writer Raquel Willis and KGO-TV reporter Reggie Aqui. 

ABC7/KABC-TV Los Angeles, Southern California’s most-watched station, will exclusively air “Thrive with Pride Celebration,” SATURDAY, June 12, (9:00-10:00 p.m. PDT). The special is co-produced by ABC7 Los Angeles and Christopher West. Actress Raven-Symoné and ABC7 “Eyewitness News” anchors Ellen Leyva and Brandi Hitt host the one-hour special, with correspondents Karl Schmid and Eric Resendiz. Highlights from the special include how the LGBTQ+ community has evolved over the past five decades, where the community stands today in terms of equality, honors LGBTQ+ frontline heroes, and revisits the tragedy of the Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando on the fifth anniversary. The special also includes several pride performances from award-winning musicians such as the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles and the Backstreet Boys’ AJ McLean, performing his song “Love Song Love,” which celebrates the transgender community. Special appearances include “Grey’s Anatomy” star Jake Borelli, “Pose” stars Billy Porter and Mj Rodriguez, Freeform’s “Everything’s Gonna be Okay” star Adam Faison, and the cast of Hulu’s “Love, Victor.” Viewers can find uplifting pride content all year long at https://abc7.com/pride.

ABC7/WABC-TV,the most-watched station in the nation,is the broadcast partner for the “2021 NYC Pride March” for the fifth year in a row. Throughout the month, the No. 1 station will feature local LGBTQ+ leaders and provide resources and local news coverage celebrating Pride, leading up to a three-hour celebration of the “2021 NYC Pride March,” airing on SUNDAY, June 27 (12:00-3:00 p.m. EDT)and available on streaming platforms.Grand Marshals Wilson Cruz, Ceyenne Doroshow, Menaka Guruswamy and Arundhati Katju, Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, and Aaron Philip are heading this year’s celebration. Viewers can find uplifting pride content all year long at https://abc7ny.com/pride

An overview of Pride Month programming across linear and streaming includes the following: 

ABC7/WLS-TV Chicago celebrates Pride month featuring extensive news coverage of LGBTQ+ issues, events and activities. ABC7 will air a half-hour special, “Our Chicago: Celebrating Pride” on SATURDAY, June 26 (6:30 p.m. CDT) with a rebroadcast on SUNDAY, June 27 (11:00 p.m. CDT).In addition, ABC7 Chicago hosts two streaming “Our Chicago: Voices of the Community” town halls hosted by WLS’s “I-Team” consumer investigator Jason Knowles. The first town hall, “Issues Facing the LGBTQ+ Community,” airs on THURSDAY, JUNE 10 (2:00-3:00 p.m. CDT). The forum will share programs to address anti-gay hate, legislation impacting transgender people, and whether the lesbian community feels heard within the general LGBTQ+ discourse. Expert panelists will discuss “Northalsted” (the new name for the historically gay neighborhood known as “Boystown”) and the petition to change the name, and the controversy surrounding current FDA (Food and Drug Administration) restrictions on blood donations from gay men. The second town hall, “LGBTQ+ Youth Town Hall” is available on THURSDAY, June 24 (2:00-3:00 p.m. CDT) and focuses on LGBTQ+ youth issues – including homelessness, coming out, transgender youth and trans-youth sports.  Additional pride-focused content will air on ABC7’s “Windy City Live” which features weekly pride segments all month long. Viewers can find uplifting pride content all year long at https://abc7chicago.com/pride.

6abc/WPVI-Philadelphia’s “FYI Philly” Pride episode airs on SATURDAY, June 19 (7:00 p.m. EDT) with a rebroadcast the next day. The following week, WPVI’s long-running diversity-focused community affairs program, “Visions,” will spotlight events happening in the LGBTQ+ community. Viewers can find uplifting pride content all year long at https://6abc.com/pride. 

ABC13/KTRK-TV Houston presents a streaming town hall “Protecting Our LGBTQ+ Youth” on TUESDAY, June 22 (7:00–8:00 p.m. CDT),followed by an ABC13 “Localish: Houston Pride” half-hour Pride special on SATURDAY, June 26 (6:30 p.m. CDT). Viewers can find uplifting pride content all year long at https://abc13.com/pride.

ABC7/KGO-TV San Francisco plans to air weekly content that includes discussions about the transgender community, proper terminology, and a community-led town hall focusing on issues that impact the LGBTQ+ community. There will be ongoing news coverage of local pride events—leading up to the “San Francisco Pride 2021” celebration taking place on SUNDAY, June 27. Viewers can find uplifting pride content all year long at https://abc7news.com/pride.

ABC11/WTVD-TV Raleigh Durham will have ongoing news coverage of local pride events and initiatives throughout the month and will host a digital Pride town hall, “Why Terminology Matters,” on THURSDAY, June 24 (6:00 -7:00 p.m. EDT). Viewers can find uplifting pride content all year long at https://abc11.com/pride

Each owned station will post resources on its websites that are relevant to the LGBTQ+ community and allies who would like to have more information or educate themselves. Additionally, all station websites have pride content that displays positive and uplifting stories about the LGBTQ+ community all year round.

Regardless of where viewers live, they can stream ABC Owned Television Stations pride content, including full episodes of “Our America: Who I’m Meant to Be” by downloading one of the following free news apps: 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 on their mobile device or streaming platforms Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, and Roku

About ABC Owned Television Stations  
Disney Media Entertainment & Distribution’s 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, 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. The stations also deliver locally sourced storytelling to more than 17 million viewers across America through its multiplatform lifestyle network, Localish. In 2020, the stations received five Broadcast & Cable awards, including in the 2020 Best in Local TV Awards category as Station Group of the Year for its innovative and next-generation news reporting, and in the major market category for 2020: Best News Coverage, Best Digital Multiplatform or Website, Best Investigative Reporting Station Group and Best Public Affairs Programming, illustrating the group’s strength and ever-increasing growth and reach in the multiplatform space.

Media relations

Share this release

ABC Owned Television Stations Drops the First Two Episodes of Its ‘Pride’ ‘Our America’ Streaming Special Dedicated to the Transgender Community Ahead of the Full Release

‘Our America: Who I’m Meant To Be’ Premieres Today, June 7, Across the Station Group’s Free News Apps and 32 Connected TV Apps on Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV and Roku

ABC Owned Television Stations announced today, MONDAY, JUNE 7, that thefirst two-episodes of the “Our America: Who I’m Meant to Be” docuseriesare now available on its 32 connected TV apps across streaming platforms Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV and Roku. The Pride special is an eight-episode short documentary series dedicated to amplifying the voices of transgender communities across America through first-person narratives.

The first two episodes, available now, tell the stories of Honey Mahogany, one of the co-founders of the Transgender District in San Francisco and first transgender person elected to serve in the San Francisco Democratic Party; and Kaylee Harris, who struggled with gender dysphoria and was able to undergo gender hormone therapy during the pandemic in the privacy of her home.

The full slate of “Our America: Who I’m Meant to Be” episodes will be made available for viewers beginning June 21 on the station group’s connected TV apps.  “Who I’m Meant to Be” is executive produced by ABC Owned Television Stations’ race and culture executive producers Nzinga Blake, Porsha Grant and Mariel Myers.

Viewers can stream the special on ABC Owned Television Stations’ free news apps: 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 and connected TV Apps on streaming platforms Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, and Roku.

About ABC Owned Television Stations
Disney Media Entertainment & Distribution’s 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, 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. The stations also deliver locally sourced storytelling to more than 17 million viewers across America through its multiplatform lifestyle network, Localish. In 2020, the stations received five Broadcast & Cable awards, including in the 2020 Best in Local TV Awards category as Station Group of the Year for its innovative and next-generation news reporting, and in the major market category for 2020: Best News Coverage, Best Digital Multiplatform or Website, Best Investigative Reporting Station Group and Best Public Affairs Programming, illustrating the group’s strength and ever-increasing growth and reach in the multiplatform space.

Media relations

Share this release

‘Our America: Asian Voices’ News Special Premieres the Weekend of May 8–9 Across ABC Owned Television Stations With a Special Airing on National Geographic on Thursday, May 20 (11:00 P.M. EDT)

The Fourth Installment of the ‘Our America’ Series Celebrates the Asian American Pacific Islander Community and Will Air Across the Eight Owned Stations and Available Via Streaming Across Its 32 Connected TV Apps on Streaming Platforms Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Roku

“Our America: Asian Voices” airs across ABC Owned Television Stations the weekend of May 8-9, and *rebroadcasts May 15-16, with a special airing on National Geographic on May 20 (11:00 EDT). The news special celebrates the heritage of the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, sharing their history in America and their diverse cultures and traditions. “Asian Voices” will air across linear in the following markets: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Houston, Raleigh-Durham and Fresno, as well as on the stations’ 32 connected TV apps on streaming platforms Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV and Roku.   

ABC Owned Television Stations’ on-air journalists David Ono (KABC-TV Los Angeles), CeFaan Kim (WABC-TV New York), Dion Lim (KGO-TV San Francisco) and Nydia Han (WPVI-TV Philadelphia) lead the conversation about the rise of xenophobia during the COVID-19 pandemic and the early history of racism and discrimination toward Asians in America.  The news special includes a candid conversation about harmful stereotypes, such as the “model minority” myth and the assumption that all Asians are the same. However, it also celebrates and highlights the diversity of the AAPI community through personal stories of Korean, Vietnamese, Indian, Polynesian, Filipino, Hmong, Japanese and Chinese cultures, communities and contributions to America. Experts, activists, celebrities, journalists and families from the AAPI community share personal stories, analyses and opinions about identity, background, family, challenges, triumphs, traditions, community and cultural pride.

“Our America: Asian Voices,” airs on WABC-TV New York, Sunday, May 9 (12:00 a.m. EDT); KABC-TV Los Angeles, Saturday, May 8 (3:00 p.m. PDT); WLS-TV Chicago, Sunday, May 9 (11:00 p.m. CDT); WPVI-TV Philadelphia, Sunday, May 9 (12:00 a.m. EDT); KGO-TV San Francisco, Sunday, May 9 (2:30 p.m. PDT); KTRK-TV Houston, Sunday, May 9 (4:00 p.m. CDT); WTVD-TV Raleigh Durham, Sunday, May 9 (12:00 p.m. EDT); and KFSN-TV Fresno, Saturday, May 8 (4:00 p.m. PDT).

“Asian Voices” delivers a unique approach of educating viewers with aggregated news segments that include featured reporting by ABC Owned Television Stations’ journalists in each owned market who dive deeper into the news segments and provide viewers with background, context and hope for what’s to come.

Examples of news stories featured in “Asian Voices” include the following:

“The Model Minority” Myth segment provides historical context of harmful stereotypes ranging from the “model minority” myth to the hyper-sexualization of Asian women, manifesting in hate and inequity and resulting in violence. 6abc/WPVI-TV Philadelphia Nydia Han looks at how these damaging stereotypes have hurt the community and contributed to the recent increase of violence toward Asian Americans.

Asian Americans in Poverty goes behind the stereotypes, from “Crazy Rich Asians” to the model minority myth. There’s a stereotype that all Asian Americans are excelling financially. However, in regions like New York, Asian Americans have one of the highest poverty rates. ABC7/WABC-TV CeFaan Kim takes a closer look at how some living below the poverty line are traveling hours to casinos to sell gambling credits they earn for the trip to make money to live.

The Hmong Community news segment looks at the Fresno, California, Hmong population, the country’s second-largest Hmong population in the U.S. behind St. Paul, Minnesota.  ABC30/KFSN-TV Fresno reporter Linda Ha dives into the community to find out why. What drew the Hmong people to the Central Valley? Ha shares their stories, challenges and insight into how traditional clothing and food help keep their culture alive. 

The History of Reparations for Japanese Americans examines internment camps and the treatment of Japanese Americans during World War II. ABC7/KABC-TV Los Angeles anchor David Ono shares with viewers the only recorded series of hearings where Japanese Americans shared their personal, heartbreaking stories of how being forced to live in internment camps during the war tore their families and lives apart. Their testimony led to reparations for Japanese Americans.

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Past and Future looks at the origin of why the heritage month was established. ABC13/KTRK-TV Houston reporter Miya Shay sheds light on why former president George W. Bush signed the bill and how his strong connections to China may have played a role in this decision.

James Beard Award-winning Chef Beverly Kim is a story of perseverance, hope and success. ABC7/WLS-TV Chicago anchor Judy Hsu follows the chef and restauranteur who co-owns the Michelin-starred Parachute restaurant in Chicago. Born and raised in Chicago as a Korean immigrants’ daughter, she shares her journey to becoming one of only 6% of women head chefs and owners in independent restaurants.

Filipino Nurses and COVID-19 unveil the contributions of Filipino Americans, one of the largest ethnic groups in the Bay Area region of Northern California, to healthcare service. Sadly, an estimated 30% of nurses who died of COVID-19 were from the Filipino American community. ABC7/KGO-TV Julian Glover looks at why so many from the community chose healthcare as a profession. 

Pacific Islanders in the U.S. Military takes viewers to Fort Bragg to experience the role and contribution of AAPI individuals in the military. Proportionally, native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders are overrepresented in the U.S. Army by 249%, compared to 43% of Blacks, 44% of whites and 53% of American Indians/Alaskan Natives.  ABC11/WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham Akilah Davis interviews a Samoan soldier to find out why and learn more about the culture.

The hour-long news special shares many other stories from the AAPI communities with viewers across the eight owned markets. Through detailed reports, ABC-Owned Station reporters successfully amplify the voices of Asian Americans.

Viewers can stream the news special on ABC Owned Television Stations’ free news apps: 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 and connected TV Apps on streaming platforms Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Roku, and Hulu.

“Our America: Asian Voices,” *rebroadcasts the weekend of May 15-16 on WABC-TV New York, Saturday, May 15 (7:00 p.m. EDT); KABC-TV Los Angeles, Saturday, May 15 (8:00 p.m. PDT); WLS-TV Chicago, Sunday, May 16 (4:00 p.m. CDT); WPVI-TV Philadelphia, Saturday, May 15  (5:00 p.m. EDT); KGO-TV San Francisco, Saturday, May 15 (8:00 p.m. PDT); KTRK-TV Houston, Saturday, May 15 (11:30 p.m. CDT); WTVD-TV Raleigh Durham, Sunday, May 16 (1:00 p.m. EDT); and KFSN-TV Fresno, Saturday, May 15 (2:00 p.m. PDT).

About ABC Owned Television Stations  
Disney Media Entertainment & Distribution’s 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, 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. The stations also deliver locally sourced storytelling to more than 14 million viewers across America through its digital-first national lifestyle brand and broadcast channel, Localish. Most recently, the stations received five Broadcast & Cable awards, including in the 2020 Best in Local TV Awards category as Station Group of the Year for its innovative and next-generation news reporting, and in the major market category for 2020: Best News Coverage, Best Digital Multiplatform or Website, Best Investigative Reporting Station Group and Best Public Affairs Programming, illustrating the group’s strength and ever-increasing growth and reach in the multiplatform space. 

Media relations

Share this release

ABC Owned Television Stations To Air Special Programming and Spotlight Community Resources Across Its Eight Stations Throughout Mental Health Awareness Month in May

All Stations Will Also Participate in ‘Mental Health Action Day’ on May 20 by Hosting Town Halls, Exclusive Content or Connecting Viewers to Mental Health Resources

Viewers Can Stream Various Exclusive ‘Mental Health Awareness’ Content on Each Owned Stations Free News App and 32 Connected TV Apps on Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, Roku

ABC Owned Television Stations raise awareness of mental health challenges during Mental Health Awareness Month with monthlong content and community events airing across its eight stations in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Houston, Raleigh-Durham and Fresno. The station group announced today its participation in the first-ever “Mental Health Action Day” to be held Thursday, May 20, that includes same-day town hall discussions and exclusive content in each market specifically focused to provide mental health experts and resources to the 1,590 local communities the station group serves.

The month kicks off with ABC11/WTVD-TV Raleigh Durham airing “Eyewitness News Investigates:The Silent Struggle,” May 6 (5:30 p.m. EDT). The half-hour will explore insurmountable loss to loneliness and a pandemic plagued with repeated racial trauma, as more people experience mental health crises than ever before. The stories of children, adults and frontline workers as they struggle to cope and highlight the resources available to them.The WTVD special will follow with an exclusive “Silent Struggle” stream-only town hall continuing the discussion on WTVD’s free ABC11 North Carolina App and connected TV. Additionally, for Mental Health Action Day, WTVD will investigate the “Model Minority” stereotypes that looks at the damaging effects to the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. That same week, an intersection of Jewish American Heritage Month and Mental Health Awareness. Wake County Holocaust survivors explain their history and present-day isolation and displacement due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

An overview of ABC Owned Television Stations linear and streaming content includes the following: 

• ABC7/ABC-TV New York, the most-watched station in the country,will air content throughout the month focusing on topics that range from how support groups provided virtual service during the pandemic to navigating through grief, mental illness, anxiety, and how racism has taken a toll on communities of color. ABC7 New York will also shine a light on how COVID-19 contributed to an uptick on opioid-related deaths and how children are coping post-pandemic. As the tri-state area is set to reopen fully on May 19, ABC7 will hold a “Mental Wellness Matters” town hall on May 13 with experts answering viewers’ questions and addressing numerous topics including the increase of anxiety and depressive disorder among adults and the reports of an increase of unmet mental health care. Viewers can stream the town hall on WABC’s free ABC7 New York App and connected TV apps.

• ABC7/KABC-TV Los Angeles, the most-watched station in Southern California, will air weekly content raising awareness about mental health. “Mental Wellness Matters” town hall airs Thursday, May 20 (4:30-5:00 p.m. PDT), with community mental health partners and experts to answer viewers’ questions and share resources. Additionally, ABC7 partners with UCLA Health, National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI), Pacific Clinics, San Fernando Valley Community Mental Health Center and several nonprofit community organizations throughout Southern California to raise awareness about the mental health crisis, erase mental health stigmas and provide resource information to its local communities. Viewers can stream content on the station’s free news app ABC7 Los Angeles and  connected TV apps.

• ABC7/WLS-TV Chicago airs mental health-related content throughout the month and hosts two virtual town halls series, “Our Chicago: Voices of the Community” on May 13 and May 27, focusing on mental health among youth and young adults, and mental health issues in local communities as a result of the pandemic, policing and racism, respectively. “Windy City LIVE” dedicates a mental health hour on May 24 to include an open discussion with a panel of experts, a mental health and wellness segment, and discuss the various mental health apps available.  ABC7’s weekend public affairs programming “Our Chicago” (formerly “Newsviews”) featured mental health experts discussing the toll of racism on communities of color, including the Black and AAPI communities on May 1.

• 6ABC/WPVI-TV Philadelphia will air segments every Monday in May on various mental health topics during the 5 p.m. newscast. The No. 1 station in Philadelphia will stream a digital town hall, “Minding Your Mental Health” on May 20 and will explore how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the mental health from all age perspectives, plus discussions on coping with racial trauma in communities of color.The town hall will be available to view on 6abc.com and across its free 6abc Philadelphianews streaming app, with both local and national resources made available to viewers.

• ABC7/KGO-TV San Francisco is airing monthlong content raising awareness of mental health issues throughout the Bay Area and providing local resources. The ABC7 Listens town hall, “Stop the Hate: Protect Our AAPI Communities,” airs May 14.  The live program spotlights local AAPI communities facing racism and increased violence. In support of Mental Health Action Day, ABC7 will air “Your Mental Health: A Bay Area Conversation” town hall during its 4 p.m. newscast on May 20 and live stream the program across its free ABC7 Bay Area news app and connected TV apps.

• ABC13/KTRK-TV Houston is airing monthlong content with a “Mental Health Action Day” town hall, “Action 13: COVID-19 and Our Restaurant Industry,” on May 20, raising awareness of essential food service workers’ mental health challenges and providing resources to help as the pandemic continues to affect southeast Texas. ABC 13 supports “NAMIWalks 2021” airing local stories about the work NAMI Greater Houston does for the community, including fundraisers, programs, providing resources and mental health advocacy.

• ABC11/WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham will air an additional virtual town hall to help connect viewers with resources supporting “Mental Health Action Day” on May 20.  

• ABC30/KFSN-TV Fresno dedicates an “ABC30 Together” segment sharing stories through a multicultural lens on May 19, raising awareness of mental health challenges in communities of color, specifically the experience of the Latino communities. In support of Mental Health Action Day, ABC30 will air exclusive content and local resources on May 20.

About ABC Owned Television Stations  
Disney Media Entertainment & Distribution’s 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, 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. The stations also deliver locally sourced storytelling to more than 14 million viewers across America through its digital-first national lifestyle brand and broadcast channel, Localish. Most recently, the stations received five Broadcast & Cable awards, including in the 2020 Best in Local TV Awards category as Station Group of the Year for its innovative and next-generation news reporting, and in the major market category for 2020: Best News Coverage, Best Digital Multiplatform or Website, Best Investigative Reporting Station Group and Best Public Affairs Programming, illustrating the group’s strength and ever-increasing growth and reach in the multiplatform space.

Media relations

Share this release

ABC Owned Television Stations’ Documentary ‘Our America: Women Forward’ Extends the Conversation to a Virtual Town Hall, ‘Our America: Women Forward in the Workforce,’ On Tuesday, March 16

The Streaming-Only Town Hall Addresses How the Pandemic Has Disproportionately Impacted Women in the Workforce

 Viewers Can Stream the Town Hall across ABC Owned Television Stations’ 32 Connected TV Apps on Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV and Roku

ABC Owned Television Stations present a one-hour streaming town hall, “Our America: Women Forward in the Workforce,” Tuesday, March 16 (1:00-2:00 p.m. EDT), to discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted women in the workforce. The town hall is an extended conversation of the previously aired ABC Owned Television Stations hourlong documentary, “Our America: Women Forward,” which celebrates women across the country, sharing their stories of perseverance, hope and triumph. *Viewers can stream the town hall via the station group’s connected TV apps and across its websites. ABC7 Eyewitness News anchor Sandra Bookman hosts the exclusive stream-only town hall.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 2.1 million women have left the labor market. It was reported that by fall 2020 the COVID-19 pandemic had forced women, particularly women of color, out of the workforce at a rate four times higher than men. In December 2020, the U.S. economy lost 140,000 jobs, each one of them held by women. Moreover, at the start of 2021, data showed that employment amongst women has declined while men has stayed flat. Women are making tough choices to leave the workforce to care for their children who are at home and require homeschooling.

Bookman brings together a panel of experts to address growing workforce issues among women and to answer questions about remote working challenges, employment rights, mental health issues, school and childcare challenges for mothers; and they will share resources that can aid women looking for new business opportunities or looking to restart their careers. Viewers are encouraged to submit their questions in advance.

Confirmed panelists include:

• Dr. Rachel Busman, senior director Anxiety Disorders Center and director of the Selective Mutism Service at the Child Mind Institute.  She will discuss mental health issues women are facing, signs that children are struggling and why self-care is important.
• Angela Reddock-Wright, labor and employment attorney, who will discuss legal aspects of employees’ rights during the pandemic and in relation to companies accommodating remote work.
• Felicia Davis, CEO and president, Chicago Foundation for Women, will address the importance of equitable pay, government policies that will help women and their families succeed, and resources to support small businesses and women.
• Letha Muhammad, director, Education Justice Alliance, who will address inequities in schools, challenges with remote learning and finding childcare.
• Beth Finkel, NY State Director for AARP will share resources and provide tips to women in their mid-40s trying to re-enter the workforce.

*Viewers can stream the town hall on ABC Owned Television Stations’ websites and connected TV Apps: 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 on streaming platforms Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV and Roku. Viewers can also stream the hourlong documentary, “Our America: Women Forward” on the same streaming platforms and on HULU.

About ABC Owned Television Stations
Disney Media Entertainment & Distribution’s 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, 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. The stations also deliver locally sourced storytelling to more than 14 million viewers across America through its digital-first national lifestyle brand and broadcast channel, Localish. Most recently, the stations received five Broadcast & Cable awards, including in the 2020 Best in Local TV Awards category as Station Group of the Year for its innovative and next-generation news reporting, and in the major market category for 2020: Best News Coverage, Best Digital Multiplatform or Website, Best Investigative Reporting Station Group and Best Public Affairs Programming, illustrating the group’s strength and ever-increasing growth and reach in the multiplatform space.

Media relations

Share this release

‘Our America: Women Forward,’ a Multiplatform Docuseries Produced by ABC Owned Television Stations, Set To Premiere March 8, With an Hourlong Special Narrated by Talk Show Host Tamron Hall To Air the Weekend of March 13

The Second Installment of the ‘Our America’ Series Celebrates Women Across America and Will Air Daily in ABC Owned Televisions Stations’ Local Newscasts and Available Via Streaming Across Its 32 Connected TV Apps

ABC Owned Television Stations announce the second installment of its “Our America” series, “Our America: Women Forward,” which celebrates women across the country, sharing their stories of perseverance, hope and triumph. The five-part series premieres in newscasts on International Women’s Day, MONDAY, MARCH 8; airs daily through FRIDAY, MARCH 12; and culminates in an hourlong documentary narrated by talk show host Tamron Hall, airing the weekend of MARCH 13. The special series and documentary are a collaboration between the eight owned ABC stations and will air in ABC Owned Television Stations’ newscasts in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Houston, Raleigh-Durham and Fresno – as well as on the station group’s 32 connected TV apps.  

Viewers tuning in to their local ABC newscast will meet women from their communities rising above obstacles and barriers rooted in sexism to achieve personal and professional success. Topics addressed include the following:

Date	“Our America: Women Forward” Docuseries
Monday, March 8, 2021	Economy and COVID-19’s economic impact on women
Tuesday, March 9, 2021	Politics and power
Wednesday, March 10, 2021	Surviving violence, crime and incarceration
Thursday, March 11, 2021	LGBTQ+ women
Friday, March 12, 2021	Education/Activism
Weekend of March 13, 2021	“Our America: Women Forward”

*All linear times for the docuseries air in the newscasts of WABC-TV New York (5:30 p.m. EST), KABC-TV Los Angeles (4:00 p.m. PST), WLS-TV Chicago (4:00 p.m. CST), WPVI-TV Philadelphia (5:30 p.m. EST), KGO-TV San Francisco (4:00 p.m. PST), KTRK-TV Houston (4:30 p.m. CST), WTVD-TV Raleigh Durham (5:30 p.m. EST) and KFSN-TV Fresno (4:30 p.m. PST).

Our America: Women Forward – An hourlong documentary celebrating the perseverance and triumph of extraordinary women using their talents to move women and girls forward. They are mothers, daughters, sisters and friends – innovators, game changers, trailblazers, motivators, power players and everyday heroes.

The voices and stories of these women uniquely characterized as superheroine themes in the documentary include the following:

“The Gamechanger” is breaking barriers in professional sports and highlights the stories of Jennifer King, the first Black woman named a full-time coach in the history of the NFL as the assistant running backs coach for the NFL Washington Football Team, and Kendall Coyne Schofield, the first woman to coach for the NHL Chicago Blackhawks.

“The Trailblazer” represents women who dare to go where they have never gone before. Pooja Jesrani is the first South Asian woman NASA flight director, and Nicole Mann is a NASA astronaut who is training as part of the Artemis Program, a NASA program that will land the first woman and next man on the moon by 2024.  

“The Voice” is the future leader inspiring the next generation. Bushra Amiwala is the youngest Muslim elected to public office in the country, having served on the Skokie School District Board of Education. She is working to change politics for women of color around the country.

“The Power Player” is shattering stereotypes to show, “We can do it!” Patrice Banks is an engineer-turned-mechanic who in 2016 founded the Girls Auto Clinic, a full-service auto repair center with female mechanics, and a lounge with salon services that include manicures, pedicures and waxing, while you wait.

“The Motivators” are helping girls of color pursue their dreams like Kimberly Bryant, electrical engineer and founder of Black Girls Code, a nonprofit organization that focuses on providing technology and computer programming education to Black girls.

“The Everyday Heroes,” holding it all together day after day, are exemplified in stories like Marta Lilian Gonzalez. An immigrant and mom of five children who worked hard to learn English and obtain a cosmetology license – only to lose her job during the COVID-19 pandemic.  As she struggles to overcome the hurdles of the pandemic, she remains positive, encouraging her daughter to complete her studies at USC despite the financial hardship.

“Our America: Women Forward,” the 60-minute documentary, airs on WABC-TV New York, Saturday, March 13 (7:00 p.m. EST); KABC-TV Los Angeles, Saturday, March 13 (6:30 p.m. PST); WLS-TV Chicago, Sunday, March 14 (11:00 p.m. CDT); WPVI-TV Philadelphia, Sunday, March 14 (1:00 p.m. EDT); KGO-TV San Francisco, Saturday, March 13 (7:00 p.m. PST); KTRK-TV Houston, Sunday, March 14 (4:00 p.m. CDT); WTVD-TV Raleigh Durham, Saturday, March 13 (5:00 p.m. EST); and KFSN-TV Fresno, Saturday, March 13 (7:00 p.m. PST).

Viewers can stream the docuseries and hourlong special on ABC Owned Television Stations’ connected TV Apps: 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 on streaming platforms Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV and Roku.

Editor’s Note:

All linear times below reflect the 60-minute documentary special airing the weekend of March 13.

Date	Time	Station
Saturday, March 13	5:30-6:30 p.m.	WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham
Saturday, March 13	6:30-7:30 p.m.	KABC-TV Los Angeles
Saturday, March 13	7:00-8:00 p.m.	WABC-TV New York
Saturday, March 13	7:00-8:00 p.m.	KGO-TV San Francisco
Saturday, March 13	7:00-8:00 p.m.	KFSN-TV Fresno
Sunday, March 14	1:00-2:00 p.m.	WPVI-TV Philadelphia
Sunday, March 14	4:00-5:00 p.m.	KTRK-TV Houston
Sunday, March 14	11:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.	WLS-TV Chicago

About ABC Owned Television Stations  
Disney Media Entertainment & Distribution’s 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, 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. The stations also deliver locally sourced storytelling to more than 14 million viewers across America through its digital-first national lifestyle brand and broadcast channel, Localish. Most recently, the stations received five Broadcast & Cable awards, including in the 2020 Best in Local TV Awards category as Station Group of the Year for its innovative and next-generation news reporting, and in the major market category for 2020: Best News Coverage, Best Digital Multiplatform or Website, Best Investigative Reporting Station Group and Best Public Affairs Programming, illustrating the group’s strength and ever-increasing growth and reach in the multiplatform space. 

Media relations

Share this release

ABC Owned Television Stations in Partnership With Walt Disney Imagineering Present a First-of-Its-Kind Streaming Collaboration, ‘Imagine From Home,’ a Guided Drawing and Art Series, Today, Feb. 12, Across Its 32 Connected TV Apps and imaginefromhome.com

ABC Owned Television Stations in partnership with Walt Disney Imagineering stream Disney magic into your home with “Imagine from Home,” an interactive weekly video series where fans of all ages are taught by Disney Imagineers to create drawings and art projects inspired by beloved Disney attractions. The series premieres TODAY, FEB. 12, on the ABC Owned Television Stations’ 32 connected TV apps across Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV and Roku, and is available at imaginefromhome.com.

Imagineers share their skills and passion through step-by-step guidance for Disney fans who want to learn how to draw or make something using materials readily available at home. From building an R2 droid out of a soap bottle to creating “it’s a small world” cardboard toy to drawing Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, the series invites viewers to get creative and be inspired.

“As we continue to think about ways to serve our local communities during this ongoing pandemic, we hope that being able to stream ‘Imagine from Home’brings some joy and Disney magic into the homes of our viewers through this innovative collaboration with our colleagues at Walt Disney Imagineering,” said Anna Robertson, vice president for Content & Partner Innovation, ABC Owned Television Stations.

“Through the collaboration with ABC Owned Television Stations, we are able to share the talents of Imagineers with Disney fans who may still be at home during the pandemic and would like to find additional recreational activities, bond with family members or simply stay connected with Disney through unique ways,” said Luc Mayrand, Portfolio Creative Executive, Walt Disney Imagineering.

“Imagine from Home” episodes include the following:

• Draw Your Castle with Imagineer Amy Young – Viewers will learn to draw iconic Disney Castles with one of Imagineering’s principal interior designers. Known for co-creating Disney Paper Parks, which allows guests to bring the magic of Disney Parks to their homes by constructing Disney attractions, lands and other locations out of paper, she believes these creative resources represent a true meaning of inclusion because they are accessible and can include everyone.  
• Build Your R2 Droid With Imagineer Matthew Jamieson Abiva – Gather household items as creative director Abiva demonstrates how to transform common household items, like soap dispensers and corks, into an R2 droid. 
• Draw Your Big Thunder Mountain Railroad with Imagineer Reid Ekman – From the overall scene to the tiniest of details, learn step by step how to create Big Thunder Mountain Railroad with concept designer Ekman, who often creates models out of paper and clay.
• Make Your Castle Night Light With former Imagineer Elisabeth Papadopoulos –Learn to use simple household items to create a castle night light with Papadopoulos who has worked as a producer and production designer at Walt Disney Imagineering. In her previous role as liaison between creative and concept development teams and design and production disciplines, she has organized and overseen the design and fabrication of many show elements including scenery, props, graphics, special effects, Audio-Animatronics® figures, media, and more.
• Make Your Small World Animated Scene with Imagineer Xiao Qing Chen – Follow along step by step to learn how to turn cardboard into an animated scene inspired by the beloved Disney attraction. Xiao Qing describes her designs as collaboration tools to move projects forward; most recently, she has been working on the Fantasy Springs expansion at Tokyo DisneySea and EPCOT’s Journey of Water. Her session is sure to delight many who want to learn how to make a toy from scratch with accessible materials.

ABC Owned Television Stations’ viewers and Disney fans alike can stream “Imagine from Home” from the following station’s apps available for download: 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.

About ABC Owned Television Stations
Walt Disney Television’s 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, 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. The stations also deliver locally sourced storytelling to more than 14 million viewers across America through its digital-first national lifestyle brand and broadcast channel, Localish. Most recently, the stations received five Broadcast & Cable awards in the major market category for 2020: Best Station Group, Best News Coverage, Best Digital Multiplatform or Website, Best Investigative Reporting Station Group and Best Public Affairs Programming, illustrating the group’s strength and ever-increasing growth and reach in the multiplatform space.

About Walt Disney Imagineering
Walt Disney Imagineering is the creative force that imagines, designs and brings to life all Disney theme parks, resorts, attractions and cruise ships worldwide. Founded in 1952 as WED Enterprises to design and build the world’s first theme park – Disneyland – Walt Disney Imagineering is where imagination and creativity combine with cutting edge technology to create unforgettable experiences. These experiences are brought to life by Imagineering’s diverse talents from around the globe of creative and technical professionals who work collaboratively to enhance and expand on Disney’s legacy of immersive storytelling.