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Press Release

December 6, 2022

Media relations
Mike Monsell
6abc WPVI-TV
mike.monsell@abc.com
Fonda Berosini
Disney Entertainment, Networks
Fonda.berosini@disney.com
Ambir Sniezko
ambir.sniezko@abc.com
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WPVI Philadelphia News Veteran Brian Taff To Succeed Jim Gardner at 6 P.M.

6ABC/WPVI-TV Philadelphia President and General Manager Bernie Prazenica and Vice President of News Tom Davis have named Brian Taff as the next anchor for the 6 p.m. newscast. Taff will succeed lauded news anchor Jim Gardner when he retires later this month. Gardner’s final newscast is scheduled for Dec. 21.

“My thirteen years at 6abc have been life-changing in all of the most meaningful ways,” said Taff. “It’s where I’ve worked alongside colleagues who’ve become like family. It’s also where I have begun a family of my own — meeting my wife, now the mother of my three precious children. I am reminded daily of the extraordinary, unique and beautiful relationship we share with the viewers we serve. All those things make me humbled beyond words to take on this profound responsibility.”

“During my time at Action News, Jim Gardner has become much more than a mentor to me — he’s been a dear friend, a trusted confidant, and a guide for which I’m unendingly grateful,” Taff continues. “He will never be replaced on Action News at 6, but it’s the professional honor of a lifetime to be asked to succeed him. It is an important distinction. The baton I am being handed from him has been used to orchestrate the decades-long construction of our foundation ― one built on honesty, integrity, and trust. I intend to honor and build upon that legacy with every single word, every single night.”

“I’m excited that Brian Taff will be the next anchor of Action News at 6 p.m. following Jim Gardner’s historic run,” said Prazenica. “Over the last 13 years, Brian has displayed the knowledge, skill and talent that the Delaware Valley expects from Action News. Now, with Brian and Rick Williams in place, we can continue to serve our viewers for many years to come.”

“Brian is a very hardworking and talented journalist who loves the Delaware Valley,” added Davis. “He is committed to the creative storytelling that impacts our communities. Jim is also excited about Brian taking on this new role.”

Taff, who came to 6abc in 2009, currently co-anchors the noon and 4 p.m. newscasts. He will remain part of the 4 p.m. team but roll out of the noon anchor chair. Since arriving at 6abc, his reporting assignments have taken him to every corner of the tri-state area and around the world. When the massive BP oil spill threatened the coast of the southern United States, Taff traveled to Florida and Alabama to show viewers the stunning images. When the Catholic Church began the process of electing a new Pope, he spent weeks in Rome to bring Action News inside the age-old traditions of the Vatican. When President Obama saw his first term bogged down by souring polls, Taff was invited to the White House for an exclusive conversation with the president in the historic Cabinet Room. He also brought his passion for politics on the road, as he covered every presidential and vice presidential debate of the 2012 election cycle. His assignments have also taken him flying — at speeds higher than 700mph and forces greater than 9Gs — with the US Air Force Thunderbirds and to the racetrack to test drive cars with the experts at Consumer Reports.

Taff, a graduate of Boston College, began his broadcasting career in Bangor, Maine. 

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 2,478 out of 2,498 newscasts in Households for a winning percentage of 99.2%.†

*Based on January – September 2022 Nielsen data.

†Based on September 2021 – August 2022 Nielsen data.

Twitter:https://twitter.com/6abc  
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/6abcactionnews/  
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/6abcActionNews/
TikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@6abcactionnews

Media Contacts:
6abc WPVI-TV
Mike Monsell
mike.monsell@abc.com

Press Release

November 10, 2022

Media relations
Fonda Berosini
Disney Entertainment, Networks
Fonda.berosini@disney.com
Ambir Sniezko
ambir.sniezko@abc.com
Mike Monsell
6abc WPVI-TV
mike.monsell@abc.com
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‘The 6ABC Dunkin’ Thanksgiving Day Parade’ Returns to the Parkway on 6ABC Thursday, Nov. 24 (8:30 A.M. EST) and Live on Hulu

The 103rd Annual Tradition and Philadelphia’s No. 1 Parade Will be Star-Studded With Celebrity and Local Appearances and Performances, Featuring WPVI’s Rick Williams, Cecily Tynan, Adam Joseph, Karen Rogers and Alicia Vitarelli, With ‘Good Morning America’’s Chief Meteorologist Ginger Zee, Quinta Brunson and Sheryl Lee Ralph from ‘Abbott Elementary,’ Carson Kressley, and musical guest The Spinners.

Viewers Can Stream ‘The 6abc Dunkin’ Thanksgiving Day Parade’ on 6abc.com, 6abc Philadelphia News App, and 6abc Connected Television Apps on Fire TV, Google TV, Apple TV and Roku Platforms.Also available live on Hulu, and on Hulu VOD through Dec. 31.

6abc, Philadelphia’s most-watched television station and leading news source, rings in the holiday season with its 12-year title sponsor Dunkin’ for the “The 6abc Dunkin’ Thanksgiving Day Parade” on Thursday, Nov. 24 (8:30 a.m. EST). Philadelphia’s hometown parade beginswith a half-hour preview show, followed by three hours of celebrity appearances, performances and a sweepstakes promotion throughout the parade’s broadcast. The event is hosted by 6abc Action News’ Rick Williams, Cecily Tynan, Adam Joseph, Karen Rogers and Alicia Vitarelli, with special guest hosts 6abc’s Jim Gardner, Carson Kressley and “Good Morning America”’s chief meteorologist Ginger Zee.

Viewers from across the country will be able to watch the telecast in nine additional markets, including ABC-owned ABC11/WTVD-TV Raleigh Durham, and it will be available to stream live on Hulu and 6abc.com. The popular Dunkin’ Fan Cam is back LIVE on the streets of Philadelphia, following hosts Alicia and Adam throughout the parade as they share in the festivities with parade-goers and engage with viewers via social media hashtag #6abcTDP. Special guests Kressley and Zee will be joined by Quinta Brunson and Sheryl Lee Ralph from the hit ABC show “Abbott Elementary.” Musical guests also making appearances at the parade are The Spinners, Thelma Houston, Smokey Robinson, C+C Music Factory, Leah Marlene from “American Idol” and Chapel Hart from “America’s Got Talent.” Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse are always a crowd favorite, and as tradition holds, Santa and Mrs. Claus will close out the parade to mark the official start of the Christmas season! Click here for a full list of special appearances and parade participants.

“Our 6abc staff and our team of volunteers take great pride in producing this event. To share this holiday tradition with our viewers at home and also with the thousands of parade-goers who line the parade route is truly magical”, said Bernie Prazenica, president and general manager of 6abc/WPVI. “And this is all made possible by the support we receive from Dunkin’ and our corporate partners. We can’t thank them enough”.

“Dunkin’ and our greater Philadelphia-area franchisees are thrilled to return to the Parkway to kick off the holiday season with Philadelphia’s favorite Thanksgiving Day tradition,” said Jackie Keown, field marketing director for Dunkin’. “We are so grateful to join the celebration once again as the title sponsor of ‘The 6abc Dunkin’ Thanksgiving Day Parade’ and look forward to seeing you on Thanksgiving Day!”

Joining title sponsor Dunkin’ (dunkindonuts.com) as major corporate sponsors are ACME (acmemarkets.com), RAM Trucks (ramtrucks.com), NRG (picknrg.com), and Commonwealth Charter Academy ( https://ccaeducate.me/).

Additionally, viewers will have the opportunity to win numerous prizes, including free Dunkin’ coffee for a year and a vacation for four to Walt Disney World Resorts®! The sweepstakes and rules pertaining to the prizes can be found at 6abc’s “Watch & Win.”

The parade also offers spectators a chance to support the 6abc Dunkin’ Holiday Food Drive. Parade-goers are invited to bring a few canned goods to pass to Scouts, who will collect donations along the parade route. This is a chance to give back and help fight hunger around the region.

Editor’s Note: Click here for a full list and parade participants.

**Syndicated Stations and Markets Parade Will Broadcast:

WATM – Johnstown, Pa.ABC23
WBOC – Salisbury, Md.FOX21
WDCW – Washington, D.C.CW50
WJET – Erie, Pa.JET24
WSWB – Wilkes Barre/Scranton, Pa.CW38
WRTV – Indianapolis, Ind.ABC6
WTVD – Raleigh/Durham, N.C.ABC11
WRTV – Indianapolis, Ind.RTV6
WZVN – Fort Myers, Fla.ABC7
WORA – Puerto RicoWORA5 (ABC)

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, 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 2,478 out of 2,498 newscasts in Households for a winning percentage of 98.2%.†

*Based on January – September 2022 Nielsen data.

†Based on September 2021 – August 2022 Nielsen data.

Twitter:https://twitter.com/6abc
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/6abcactionnews/
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/6abcActionNews/

Press Contact:
Ambir Sniezko: Ambir.Sniezko@abc.com 
Mike Monsell: mike.monsell@abc.com

Press Credentials:
Contact: diane.hamlet@abc.com

Press Release

November 1, 2022

Media relations
Jayme Nicholas
(312) 750-7254
jayme.a.nicholas@abc.com
Fonda Berosini
Disney Entertainment, Networks
Fonda.berosini@disney.com
Ambir Sniezko
ambir.sniezko@abc.com
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Lights! Music! Magic! ABC 7 Chicago Kicks Off the Holiday Season Nationwide With the Broadcast of the Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival Hosted by Cheryl Burton and Alan Krashesky Sunday, November 20 at 6:00 PM

Featuring Grand Marshals Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mousefrom Walt Disney World® Resort; Special Performances Including One of the Top Female Groups of All Time, The Pointer Sisters; R&B vocal favorites, The Spinners, American Singer-Songwriter Debbie Gibson, and the go to dance band, C&C Music Factory.

2021 Lights Festival with Alan Krashesky and Cheryl Burton

The magic of the holidays, Chicago style, is captured for viewers around the country with musical performances, beloved Walt Disney World characters, and dazzling fireworks, as more than a million twinkling Michigan Avenue lights set the stage for the broadcast of the spectacular Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival, Sunday, November 20 from 6-7:00 P.M. on ABC 7 Chicago. Encore broadcasts will air Saturday, December 10, from 11 A.M.-Noon and Christmas Eve from 4-5 P.M. on ABC 7.

ABC 7 Eyewitness News Anchors Cheryl Burton and Alan Krashesky will serve as co-hosts of the broadcastwith ABC 7’s Tracy Butler and Hosea Sanders capturing the magic from the street for viewers at home.

The Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival parade will be available on demand and stream exclusively on abc7chicago.com and ABC 7’s Connected TV Apps on Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV and Roku.

The hour-long special, showcasing the country’s largest evening holiday parade celebration, will showcase a performance by one of the country’s all-time, top female groups, The Pointer Sisters, sparking everyone’s excitement when they perform their hit single, “I’m so Excited.” American rhythm and blues vocal favorites, The Spinners, will also perform, making it a night to remember. American singer-songwriter Debbie Gibson will perform songs from her eleventh studio album, Winterlicious, and C&C Music Factory will perform the song that always signals a good time, “Everybody Dance Now!” on the Enjoy Illinois float.

In addition, Phillip Mkhize will perform “The Circle of Life,” from Broadway in Chicago’s The Lion King, now at the Cadillac Palace.  The cast of Wicked, and Lookingglass Theater’s The Steadfast Tin Soldier will entertain viewers and parade goers alike. After performing on the parade route, The Spinners will offer a medley of their classic hits for an uplifting finale.

In the first official parade of the holidays, Grand Marshals Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, illuminate over one million lights on 200 trees along “The Magnificent Mile,” one of the greatest avenues in the world.  Appearing on an awe-inspiring float, the world’s most famous characters will lead the way for four new marching bands from around the country including the Gulf Coast Shark Band (Naples,FL), Greendale High School Marching Band (Greendale, WI), Vandalia-Butler Marching Aviators And Kickline (Vandalia, OH), and Archbold High School Bluestreak Marching Band (Archbold, OH) in addition to returning fan favorites including the Crystal Lake Strikers, and others. Floating high above the crowds will be Twinkles the Snowman, beautiful gift packages and the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital balloons.

Members of the ABC 7 Eyewitness News team— Judy Hsu, Rob Elgas and Jessica D’Onofrio will be spreading good cheer as they ride atop ABC 7 Chicago’s whimsical float during the parade.  

The broadcast’s grand finale, The Wintrust Fireworks Spectacular, will light up the sky (and children’s hearts) with a dazzling fireworks display over the Chicago River, after Santa ushers in the holiday season on a beautiful float!

This is the 16th consecutive year the much-anticipated tradition will be broadcasted to Chicago audiences on ABC 7, the most watched television station in the city. Throughout the holiday season, the special will be watched in nearly 100% of the country’s television markets as well as Toronto, Canada, with encore airings in multiple markets. Check local listings for times.

About ABC7/WLS-TV Chicago
ABC7/WLS-TV Chicago is the No. 1 local news source and most-watched television station in Chicago. With top-rated daily newscasts spanning decades and the largest social media presence in the market with more than 2.6 million Facebook followers, ABC7 Eyewitness News provides breaking news, investigative reporting, weather, politics, traffic and sports in the multiplatform space to Chicago, the suburbs and northwest Indiana. Named Best News Operation by the Associated Press for four consecutive years, ABC 7 Eyewitness News produces “Chicago Proud,” a series of features that spotlights everyday heroes in and around Chicago. The station also produces the highest-rated New Year’s Eve special in Chicago, holiday kickoff special “The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival,” syndicated to a national audience, as well as the award-winning program series “Our Chicago,” which showcases the city’s diversity and highlights contributions in the Black, Hispanic, Asian, LGBTQ+ communities, among others. Every Friday, Windy City Weekend entertains while giving Chicagoans everything they need to know about what’s happening in the city. ABC 7 is the only Chicago station producing and broadcasting parades representing Chicago’s rich cultural history. In addition to producing town halls focused on current social issues, the station has a long and proud tradition of broadcasting political candidate debates keeping Chicago’s electorate informed. ABC7’s outreach efforts include annual partnerships with the Red Cross for life-saving blood drives, one of the biggest one-day drives in the country and, most recently, spearheading an effort to raise more than $1.5 million for area food pantries.

Twitter:https://twitter.com/abc7chicago
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/abc7Chicago/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abc7Chicago/

Press Release

October 3, 2022

Media relations
Fonda Berosini
Disney Entertainment, Networks
Fonda.berosini@disney.com
Ambir Sniezko
ambir.sniezko@abc.com
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WABC’s Breast Cancer Special ‘Breakthroughs for Breast Cancer’ Returns Friday, Oct. 7 (12:30 P.M.), With a Rebroadcast on Sunday, Oct. 9 (5:00 A.M.)

View “Breakthroughs For Breast Cancer” Trailer 

ABC7/WABC-TV New York’s Emmy® Award-winning annual half-hour breast cancer series returns with a new special, “Breakthroughs For Breast Cancer,” airing Friday, Oct. 7 (12:30 p.m.), with a rebroadcast on Sunday, Oct. 9 (5:00 a.m.).   

Hosted by Eyewitness News anchor Liz Cho, this year’s “Breakthroughs For Breast Cancer” special highlights the latest developing treatments, cutting-edge advances, and breakthroughs made through the stories of women whose lives have been changed.

Special interviews and spotlights include the following:

  • “Good Morning America” anchor Amy Robach, a vocal advocate for cancer research, recounts her story of getting a life-saving mammogram and encourages other women to be vigilant.
  • An African American breast cancer survivor who has teamed up with the American Cancer Society and made it her mission to make sure other Black women know the genetic risk of breast cancer and how to increase their chances of survival. 
  • A Long Island woman recounts how she pushed for her local hospital to offer her an innovative new state-of-the-art procedure — the robotic surgery that helps reduce scarring and recovery times for women with mastectomies and reconstructive surgery — and how her efforts are helping women recover faster.
  • A new procedure that drastically reduces chronic conditions caused by breast cancer surgery and helps to eliminate the pain and swelling of lymphedema, saving some women years of suffering.

“Breakthroughs For Breast Cancer” is available to stream on ABC7’s 24/7 streaming channel, abc7ny.com,andABC7NY’s Connected TV Apps onAmazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, andRoku.

About WABC
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 “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.

Twitterhttps://twitter.com/abc7ny
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/abc7ny/
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/ABC7NY/

ABC Owned Television Stations
Media Contact
Ambir Sniezko
ambir.sniezko@abc.com

Press Release

May 31, 2022

Media relations
Fonda Berosini
Disney Entertainment, Networks
Fonda.berosini@disney.com
Ambir Sniezko
ambir.sniezko@abc.com
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WABC News Executive Marilu Galvez Named President and General Manager of ABC7/WABC-TV New York

Emmy® Award-winning journalist and WABC executive Marilu Galvez has been named president and general manager of WABC-TV, replacing Chad Matthews who stepped into the role of president, ABC Owned Television Stations, earlier this year. In her new role, Galvez has overall management responsibility for ABC7/WABC-TV and its ancillary businesses.  

“I have worked with Marilu for more than 20 years in various roles, and her wealth of experience in news and community engagement makes her the perfect person to lead WABC-TV now and into the future,” said Matthews.

“It’s a great honor and privilege to lead New York’s and the nation’s No. 1 station – a station I have been a part of for almost 20 years,” said Galvez.  “As WABC-TV’s new leader, I am deeply committed to supporting the incredibly talented individuals who make Channel 7 exceptional in every way. Together, we will continue to expand and deepen our connection with our tri-state audience and, more importantly, continue to tell impactful stories and deliver vital information across our platforms that reflect and inform the communities we serve.”


Galvez most recently served as vice president of Community Engagement and Development for WABC-TV, and she is also the committee lead for the Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution Networks’ Diversity Equity and Inclusion team. As vice president of Community Engagement and Development since 2018, she is responsible for community outreach efforts and for growing relationships with key service organizations in the tri-state. She aligns news, programming, marketing and on-air talent with cause-related events and campaigns, and leverages opportunities with advertiser support.

Through strategy and innovation, her leadership has helped expand and elevate a multicultural presence at the station. She is an active member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and was named one of the Top 10 Latina Corporate Executives of the Year by LATINA Style in 2019.

As Diversity Equity Inclusion lead, Galvez reports directly to Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution President Debra OConnell, helping to unify DEI efforts across Networks – ABC, ABC Owned Television Stations, Disney Channel, ESPN, FX, Freeform and National Geographic – with a focus on the company’s key strategic pillars. Prior to serving as Networks’ DEI lead, she was the committee lead for OTV Belong, the diversity and inclusion team for ABC Owned Television Stations.

Prior to joining WABC in 2001, Galvez worked as a production assistant and assignment editor at Telemundo, an assignment editor at WNYW and an assignment manager at WNBC.

Galvez received her Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Maryland University College in 2021. She is a board member for the nonprofit humanitarian organization American Red Cross and the nonprofit STOMP OUT Bullying. She is also a strong supporter of the Boys & Girls Club, WABC anchor Sade Baderinwa’s Get Reel Foundation and all of Disney’s VoluntEars program initiatives.

About WABC
WABC-TV has been the leader in local news and entertainment programming in the New York City area for more than 61 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 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.

Twitter:https://twitter.com/abc7ny
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/abc7ny/
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/ABC7NY/

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, 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. The stations also deliver locally sourced storytelling to more than 17 million viewers across America through its multiplatform lifestyle network, Localish. The station group has received numerous prestigious awards. Most recently, in 2022, the station group was recognized as a finalist by Fast Company’s World Changing Idea for creating “Our America Equity Report.”  In 2021, WABC was awarded 17 Emmy® Awards and several stations collected seven regional Edward R. Murrow Awards, including “Excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” and the prestigious national award for “Overall Excellence.” The entertainment brand “On the Red Carpet” won Broadcast & Cable’s “Best Lifestyle Show   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.

Press Release

March 24, 2022

Media relations
Fonda Berosini
Disney Entertainment, Networks
Fonda.berosini@disney.com
Ambir Sniezko
ambir.sniezko@abc.com
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‘On the Red Carpet at the Oscars® 2022®’ Captures the Fan Experience and Rolls Out the Red Carpet for the 94th Oscars® Pre-Show Kicks Off Sunday, March 27, Live on ABC

Pre-Show Red Carpet Begins at 4:00 p.m. EDT/3:00 p.m. CDT/1:00 p.m. PDT and Streams Live at OnTheRedCarpet.com (1:00-5:00 p.m. PDT), With an ‘After the Awards’ Recap (9:00-11:00 p.m. PDT), ‘After Dark’ (11:35 p.m.-12:00 a.m. PDT) and an ‘On The Red Carpet After the Awards’ Streaming Special on Monday, March 28 (7:00 a.m. PDT) at www.ontheredcarpet.com

‘On the Red Carpet’ Teams Up With Disney Movie Insiders to Capture the Fan Experience Live With ‘Ultimate Movie Fans’ Viewing Parties Across the Country

“On the Red Carpet at the Oscars® 2022” presents a live star-studded and fan-fueled pre-show on Sunday, March 27 (4:00 p.m. EDT | 3:00 p.m. CDT | 1:00 p.m. PDT), followed by “On the Red Carpet After the Awards” (9:00-11:00 p.m. PDT) and “On the Red Carpet After Dark” (11:35 p.m.–12:00 a.m. PDT). Airing after the Academy Awards®, both post-shows will recap the awards, fashion and parties, with the next-day streaming special “On The Red Carpet After the Awards” on March 28 (7:00 a.m. PDT). With 7.5 hours of live Oscar® pre- and post-show coverage, the red carpet event will air in 84 markets and across 200 territories worldwide. The star-studded red carpet event will also be available to stream at ontheredcarpet.com. “The Oscars®” will air live on ABC and broadcast outlets worldwide on Sunday, March 27, at 8 p.m. EDT/5 p.m. PDT.

“On the Red Carpet at the Oscars” will be hosted by ABC7 Los Angeles entertainment reporter George Pennacchio, who will welcome Hollywood’s stars on the red carpet at Hollywood’s Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood. He will be joined by 6ABC/WPVI-TV Philadelphia entertainment reporter Alicia Vitarelli and ABC7/WABC-TV New York’s entertainment reporter Sandy Kenyon who will share his annual Oscar winner predictions.

“On the Red Carpet” celebrates movie lovers with correspondent Karl Schmid who will join fans’ watch parties that are broadcasting from across the country showing their love for movies. Adding to the fan experience, “On the Red Carpet” teamed up with Disney Movie Insiders, the official loyalty program of The Walt Disney Studios, to reward fans with opportunities to earn points toward exclusive movie rewards.

Fashion and celebrity influencer Nicky Hilton will join the red carpet with supermodel Roshumba Williams and ABC7 meteorologist Leslie Lopez to take a close look at this year’s designs, trends and fashion from the red carpet.  

Also airing in the pre-show, “On the Red Carpet Storytellers Spotlight” shines a light on diversity through an intimate conversation series that amplifies the work and voices of historically underrepresented diverse storytellers. In the special, executive producer of the 94th Oscars Will Packer and Oscar nominees Ahmir “Questlove” Thomas (“Summer of Soul”), Lin-Manuel Miranda (“Encanto”) and 13-time nominated songwriter Diane Warren (Best Original Song “Somehow you Do” for the movie “Four Good Days”) will share their journey as storytellers and speak to the thematic focus of celebrating what it means to be seen and heard.

After the Academy Awards, Pennacchio will host “On The Red Carpet After The Awards” (9:00-11:00 p.m. PDT) at the Governors Ball; correspondent Schmid will broadcast from the Vanity Fair party, and ABC7 reporter Christiane Cordero will be live at the Elton John Foundation Gala.

During “On The Red Carpet After Dark” (11:35 p.m.-12:00 a.m. PDT), entertainment correspondents will deliver a recap of the Oscar events, from red carpet interviews to winners and fashion.

“On The Red Carpet After the Awards,” the streaming special hosted by George Pennacchio on Monday, March 28 (7:00 a.m. PDT), will recap Oscar Sunday with the “On the Red Carpet” correspondents ABC7 anchor Brandi Hitt, ABC7 meteorologist Leslie Lopez, 6abc Alicia Vitarelli and fashion correspondent Roshumba Williams. It will be available to stream live at ontheredcarpet.com

“On the Red Carpet” will air across ABC Owned Television Stations and ABC affiliates, garnering over 60% U.S. coverage with added international coverage.

Follow @OnTheRedCarpet on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok for additional exclusive content including fashion galleries, interviews and more.

About KABC Los Angeles
ABC7 Los Angeles is Southern California’s No. 1 local news and information source. ABC7 is a leader in digital and social audience engagements and 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’s offices and studio are located in Glendale, California.

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/ontheredcarpet
Twitter:https://twitter.com/ontheredcarpet
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/ontheredcarpet

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.  

Press Release

March 18, 2022

Media relations
Fonda Berosini
Disney Entertainment, Networks
Fonda.berosini@disney.com
Ambir Sniezko
ambir.sniezko@abc.com
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WABC Premieres ‘Broadway Backstage: Spring Preview,’ Saturday, March 19 (7:00 P.M.), With Rebroadcast on Sunday, March 20 (5:30 A.M.)

View “Broadway Backstage Spring Preview” Trailer

ABC7/WABC-TV New York premieres “Broadway Backstage: Spring Preview” on Saturday, March 19 (7:00 p.m.), with a rebroadcast on Sunday, March 20 (5:30 a.m.). The half-hour special is a sneak peek of the most popular musicals  and plays debuting on Broadway this spring. Eyewitness News anchor Michelle Charlesworth and Tony®-nominated Broadway, TV and film performer Norm Lewis host the preview special.

The special highlights Broadway “firsts” such as meeting the stars making history as the first-ever Black women to play leading roles in both “Phantom of the Opera” and “Wicked,” with Emilie Kouatchou playing Christine and Brittney Johnson playing Glinda.

Special interviews and spotlights include the following:

  • Actress Vanessa Williams stars in the comedy “POTUS” about the women who surround and support the president.
  • Interviews with “swing” actors from “The Music Man,” who were praised by Hugh Jackman for “saving the day” during the pandemic
  • Actress Debra Messing shares how her character ages 90 years on stage in “Birthday Candles.”
  • Revealing interview with Jesse Williams from “Take Me Out”
  • Married couple and actors Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick share an inside look at their Neil Simon play, “Plaza Suite.”
  • Actress Jane Lynch reveals why her new role as Fanny Brice’s mother in “Funny Girl” touches her heart.

“Broadway Backstage: Spring Preview” is available to stream on ABC7’s 24/7 streaming channel, abc7ny.com,ABC7NY’s Connected TV Apps onAmazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV andRoku.

About WABC
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 “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.

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Press Release

Media relations
Fonda Berosini
Disney Entertainment, Networks
Fonda.berosini@disney.com
Ambir Sniezko
ambir.sniezko@abc.com
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ABC30/KFSN-TV Fresno Special ‘Children First: Family, Food and Fitness’ Airs This Sunday, March 20 (6:30 P.M. PST), To Raise Awareness for National Nutrition Month

Viewers Can Stream Live on ABC30’s Connected TV Apps on Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV and Roku

ABC30/KFSN-TV Fresno, the No. 1 source for local news in central California, will air “Children First: Family, Food & Fitness on Sunday, March 20, at 6:30 p.m. PST for National Nutrition Month.Action News anchors Graciela Moreno and Jason Oliveira host the special focusing on local programs connecting families with nutritious food and promoting fitness. Viewers can also stream “Children First” live on ABC30’s connected TV apps on Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV and Roku.

According to Feeding America, 12 million children experience food insecurity in the United States.

Local stories include the following:

  • ABC30 takes a look at food deserts in Tulare County and local programs that connect children and families in rural areas with produce
  • Doctors discuss childhood obesity and dispel myths about certain food one may think is healthy
  • Culinary expert chef Shayna shares tips on how to convince children to eat fruits and vegetables
  • Fresno Metro Ministry teaches families how to add healthy ingredients to family meals
  • A Tulare County physical education teacher is inspiring kids to stay active on and off campus
  • Free Zumba classes being offered to parents

Children First is a year-round effort focusing on challenges and opportunities among the youth in Central California. The program shows how the average person can make a difference in a child’s life and highlights local organizations working with children. The Children First campaign includes half-hour programs like “Family, Food & Fitness,” 30-second public service announcements and special stories on Action News. ABC30 thanks its partners Educational Employees Credit Union, Tulare County Office of Education and Valley Children’s Healthcare for putting Children First in the Central Valley.

About KFSN
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.

Twitter:https://twitter.com/ABC30
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/abc30_actionnews
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Press Release

February 15, 2022

Media relations
Mike Monsell
6abc WPVI-TV
mike.monsell@abc.com
Fonda Berosini
Disney Entertainment, Networks
Fonda.berosini@disney.com
Ambir Sniezko
ambir.sniezko@abc.com
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WPVI To Produce and Broadcast ’THON™ – 50 Years for the Kids®,” a Celebration of the World’s Largest Student-Run Philanthropy on Saturday, Feb. 19 (7:00 P.M. EST)

The Half-Hour Special Will Air on 6abc Philadelphia, ABC7/WABC-NY, an ABC-Owned Station and the No.1 Station in the Country, Along With Other Northeast Affiliates Set To Air the Historic Telecast

6abc/WPVI-TV Philadelphia will produce and broadcast “THON™ – 50 Years For The Kids®,” set to air Saturday, Feb. 19, 7:00 p.m. EST, in honor of Penn State’s THON, the world’s largest student-run philanthropy. For five decades, THON has held a dance marathon that is now 46 hours of dancing to raise money for children battling cancer. The highly popular and successful initiative that began in 1973 has raised more than $190 million. All money raised benefits Four Diamonds at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital, the exclusive underwriter for the broadcast, in Hershey, Pennsylvania. “THON – 50 Years For The Kids” will be hosted by 6abc’s Walter Perez, Alicia Vitarelli and Ducis Rodgers.

The 30-minute special will air on 6abc and its 24/7 streaming channel. Viewers will tune in during the dance marathon’s 25th hour of dancing. Celebrating the history and purpose of the event, the special will air live video from State College where THON takes place.

“I am so thrilled to be working with Penn State Health and 6abc on this program highlighting the 50 years of THON,” said Kate Colgan, executive director of THON. “This organization and the work that it does is one of the most incredible things that I have ever experienced, and I am ecstatic to be able to share its story with so many.”

The program will also be syndicated to other Pennsylvania television markets that include Pittsburgh, Harrisburg and Scranton, and lastly New York, expanding linear viewership to roughly 11% of American homes who will now have access to watch the historical program. Additionally, the program will be offered across 6abc’s 24/7 streaming channels, allowing viewers, regardless of the market they live in, to stream the program on their mobile or connected TV apps through Roku, Android TV, Fire TV and Apple TV.

The stations simulcasting the program include the following:

  • WABC New York (an ABC-owned television station)
  • WTAE Pittsburgh 
  • WHTM Harrisburg -Lancaster -Lebanon -York
  • WNEP Wilkes Barre – Scranton 
  • WATM Johnstown-Altoona

“All of us in the Penn State community are awestruck by the scale and impact of THON, and the remarkable accomplishments of Penn State students year after year, for half a century,” said Eric Barron, president of Penn State. “Our students have built an unparalleled movement in the fight against pediatric cancer. This special will expand THON’s message and fundraising to even larger numbers. I know viewers will be inspired by the magic our students create and the incredible families they serve.” 

“Through our news coverage, we have shined a spotlight on THON for more than 10 years, so it brings all of us immense joy to produce a televised celebration that showcases the extraordinary dedication and accomplishments of these student volunteers,” said Bernie Prazenica, president and general manager of WPVI. “We hope this live broadcast will extend THON’s message to a whole new audience of supporters.”

THON is a year-round effort to raise money in the fight against childhood cancer. Each spring, new student leadership is selected; and, in the summer, the student volunteers conduct outreach with smaller fundraising efforts and pay visits to Four Diamonds families impacted by childhood cancer. In the fall, the planning for the dance marathon kicks into high gear with students mobilizing all the team captains, and THON Weekend takes shape.

THON is programmed and produced entirely by Penn State students who configure the Bryce Jordan Center, build the stage, manage the concessions, and handle all the custodial duties. And, of course, the estimated 700 student dancers stay on their feet for 46 hours straight.

“The hard work and generosity of everyone involved with THON ensure that young people battling cancer can receive the most advanced care at our Children’s Hospital at no cost to their families,” said Dr. Yatin Vyas, chair of the Department of Pediatrics and pediatrician-in-chief at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital. “The money raised for Four Diamonds helps our physicians, clinical researchers and scientists in their efforts to better understand, treat and cure pediatric cancers.”


About Four Diamonds
Four Diamonds’ mission is to conquer childhood cancer. Since its creation in 1972, Four Diamonds has helped more than 4,800 children and families by covering 100% of medical bills for every Four Diamonds family. Four Diamonds also supports a robust pediatric cancer research program at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital and Penn State College of Medicine, which is dedicated to seeking improved treatments and cures for childhood cancer to benefit every child around the world. For more information, visit FourDiamonds.org.

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 over half of all Adult 25-54 news viewers on an average day*. In the past year, Action News has won 2,633 out of 2,662 newscasts in Households for a winning percentage of 98.9%.†  

*Based on April 2020 Nielsen survey

†Based on May 2019 – April 2020 Nielsen data

Twitter:https://twitter.com/6abc
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/6abcactionnews/
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/6abcActionNews/

Media Contacts:
6abc WPVI-TV
Mike Monsell
mike.monsell@abc.com

Press Release

January 28, 2022

Media relations
Fonda Berosini
Disney Entertainment, Networks
Fonda.berosini@disney.com
Ambir Sniezko
ambir.sniezko@abc.com
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ABC Owned Television Stations Release Trailer of ‘Stolen: The Unsolved Theft of a $3,000,000 Violin,’ produced by ABC7/WLS-TV Chicago

Watch ‘Stolen’ Trailer Here

Adding to its true-crime slate, ABC Owned Television Stations announced the release of the trailer to the ABC7/WLS-TV-produced documentary, “Stolen: The Unsolved Theft of a $3,000,000 Violin,” today, ahead of the Feb. 3 streaming premiere on ABC7 Chicago App, and connected TV apps on Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV and Roku.

The true-crime documentary features what is deemed as the world’s greatest violin, a Davidoff Stradivarius, that was stolen 25 years ago from renowned violinist Erica Morini and is still missing. The theft is on the FBI’s list of top 10 unsolved art crimes.

Days before Morini died in 1995, the violin was stolen from a closet in her 5th Avenue apartment in New York City.

The hourlong documentary features individuals who were close to Morini along with interviews with the FBI, well-known violinists and experts who examine the fate of the Davidoff Stradivarius, the beauty and uniqueness of its creation, and whether its sound will ever be heard again.

The production team behind “Stolen” include Zach Ben-Amots, and Jordan Arseneau as executive producers, and Justin Allen, and Matt Knutson as producers.

About ABC7/WLS-TV Chicago
ABC7/WLS-TV Chicago is the No. 1 local news source and most-watched television station in Chicago. With top-rated daily newscasts spanning decades and the largest social media presence in the market with more than 2.3 million Facebook followers, ABC7 Eyewitness News provides breaking news, investigative reporting, weather, politics, traffic and sports in the multiplatform space to Chicago, the suburbs and northwest Indiana. Named Best News Operation by the Associated Press for four consecutive years, the station produces 41 hours of local news weekly and Chicago’s only local weekday entertainment talk show, “Windy City LIVE,” as well as its highest-rated New Year’s Eve special. ABC7’s award-winning programs such as “Heart and Soul,” “The Ñ Beat” and “Asian Influences” showcase the city’s diversity, while being the only Chicago station producing and broadcasting parades representing Chicago’s rich cultural history. In addition to producing town halls focused on current social issues, the station has a long and proud tradition of broadcasting political candidate debates keeping Chicago’s electorate informed. ABC7’s outreach efforts include annual partnerships with the Red Cross for life-saving blood drives and, most recently, spearheading an effort to raise more than $1.5 million for area food pantries.

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.