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Press Release

April 30, 2021

Media relations
Fonda Berosini
Disney Entertainment, Networks
Fonda.berosini@disney.com
Ambir Sniezko
ambir.sniezko@abc.com
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ABC11/WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham’s Longtime Eyewitness News Anchor Tisha Powell Retiring From Broadcasting To Return Home to Louisiana

Photo courtesy ABC11/WTVD-TV Raleigh Durham

Longtime Eyewitness News evening anchor Tisha Powell announced she is retiring from broadcasting to return home to Louisiana. Her last day on air will be June 30, 2021.

Powell shared the following message to the ABC11 staff:

A little over 16 years ago, I arrived at RDU airport with my mom by my side and a 3-year-old toddler in tow. My husband, James, an Army captain at the time, was serving a year-long deployment to Iraq. I had no idea what our journey to North Carolina would bring or how long our time here would last. James and I were just looking for a home for our family that was military friendly and would allow both our careers to flourish. That’s exactly what we were lucky enough to find here in the Triangle and so much more … I just want to say “thank you” to my wonderful coworkers who have always been there to see me through the tough times and have also helped to celebrate the many happy milestones over the years. And to the loyal ABC11 viewers who have welcomed me into their homes every night, I couldn’t be more grateful. In June, I will be rounding out a 25-year career in TV news. I will continue serving our viewing area until my time here ends this summer.

Powell joined the Eyewitness News team in 2004. She has co-anchored Eyewitness News at 5:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. with Steve Daniels as well as the 10:00 p.m. newscast on CW22.

“I remember how excited I was to recruit Tisha in 2004, and I am so grateful that our community and our news team shared 17 great years with her. She represents the best of ABC11,” said Rob Elmore, president and general manager, WTVD. “We have always known that Louisiana has a special place in Tisha’s heart, and we will miss her daily presence in our lives. While we are sad to see her go, we understand and wish Tisha and her family good health and happiness always.”   

During her time at ABC 11, Powell traveled back to New Orleans in 2005 to cover Hurricane Katrina. She reported on the pope’s visit to Philadelphia, the Carolina Panthers’ trip to Super Bowl 50 and has interviewed influential people like first lady Michelle Obama and Oprah Winfrey. She has also jumped with the Army Golden Knights Parachute Team in Laurinburg, North Carolina. When Powell was not on the anchor desk, she spent many hours supporting community organizations and events and working on special reports for Eyewitness News.

Throughout the month of June, ABC 11 plans to celebrate Powell’s 17 years, with a final send-off on Wednesday, June 30, 2021.   

About ABC11/WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham 
The only local news station with three downtown newsrooms (Raleigh/Fayetteville/Durham), ABC11 Eyewitness News provides 47.5 hours of local news every week, serving more than 1 million households in a 23-county area in North Carolina and Virginia. Eyewitness News also provides news, weather and sports information 24 hours a day on ABC11.com, the ABC11 mobile news app and the new connected TV app available on Roku, Fire, Apple, and Android TVs. ABC11 WTVD is one of eight ABC Owned Stations as part of the Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution division. For more information, go to http://www.abc11.com. 

Website:http://www.abc11.com
Twitter:https://twitter.com/ABC11_WTVD 
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/abc11_wtvd/
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/ABC11/

Press Release

April 29, 2021

Media relations
Fonda Berosini
Disney Entertainment, Networks
Fonda.berosini@disney.com
Ambir Sniezko
ambir.sniezko@abc.com
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ABC7/WABC-TV New York Names Rehan Aslam As Its New Vice President and News Director for the Most-Watched Station in the Nation

He Joins the Station on May 3, 2021, from KTRK-TV Houston, an ABC Owned Television Station

Photo Courtesy of KTRK-TV

Rehan Aslam has been named vice president and news director of ABC7/WABC-TV New York, effective May 3, 2021, announced today by Chad Matthews, president and general manager, WABC-TV, to whom he will report. Aslam will be responsible for directing the Eyewitness News team for ABC7, the No. 1 source for local news in New York and the most-watched station in the country.

“Rehan is a proven news executive with an impressive record of leading and modernizing news teams across multiple platforms at a time when the industry is changing at an extraordinary pace. I have worked with Rehan in the past, and I’m confident he will continue to elevate Eyewitness News, deliver the highest quality in local news, and be committed to our inclusive and diverse culture.”

“I remember the day I started my career in television and the dream I had to work in New York City one day. When the opportunity became available to work at WABC, a station I admire tremendously, that dream became a reality. I am elated and humbled,” said Aslam. “It is a complete honor to lead the Eyewitness News team at the No. 1 station in the country as we continue to tell stories in an innovative way that is both solutions-driven and critical to the tri-state communities we serve. We will continue to modernize and exceed the expectations of our audiences. It has truly been a privilege to work with KTRK these past 6+ years. I will miss them, and Houston will always be in my heart.”

Aslam exits his role as vice president of News at ABC-owned station ABC13/KTRK-TV Houston, where he also previously served as assistant news director. While in Houston, he navigated the newsroom through major events such as the most recent 2021 unprecedented ice freeze, the COVID-19 pandemic—leading the team to move to a remote-only work environment—and historical disasters such as Hurricane Harvey, where he led the team providing 24/7 news coverage across all ABC13’s platforms for numerous days.

Aslam began his broadcasting career in 2001 at WEWS-TV in Cleveland, Ohio. His previous professional stints include producing the news at WJW-TV in Cleveland, becoming an executive producer at WFLD-TV in Chicago, and moving to Houston in 2014 to join ABC-owned KTRK-TV as assistant news director.

Aslam is a founding member of ABC Owned Television Stations’ Houston Belong Committee, a group that focuses on diversity and inclusion at the workplace. He is a proud South Asian/Pakistani American journalist passionate about diverse representation in a news department and believes that representation matters and increases awareness and understanding in the diverse communities that news stations serve.

Rehan is a 2009 Peabody Award Winner for his work on “The Derrion Albert Beating” story. He is also the recipient of the 2019-2020 Houston Media Alliance News Director of the Year award.

Rehan is a native Northwestern Pennsylvanian and received a bachelor’s degree in media communications at the University of Pittsburgh.

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.

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

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Press Release

April 23, 2021

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® 2021’ Broadcasts Live From Union Station Los Angeles on Sunday, April 25

The Star-Studded Affair Will Air Across ABC Owned Television Stations and Will Be Televised in 86 Markets and Across 20 Countries Worldwide

The 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)

‘The Oscars®’ Airs Live, Sunday, April 25, 8 p.m. EDT/5 p.m. PDT on ABC

“On the Red Carpet at the Oscars® 2021” airs across ABC Owned Television Stations on Sunday April 25 (4:00 p.m. EDT/3:00 p.m. CDT/1:00 p.m. PDT), and will give viewers 6.5 hours of live Oscar® pre- and post-show coverage. The red carpet event will air in 86 markets and across 20 countries worldwide. The 93rd Oscars will air live on Sunday, April 25, on ABC at 8 p.m. EDT/5 p.m. PDT.

Hosted by George Pennacchio, who will welcome the stars to the Oscars red carpet outside Union Station in Downtown Los Angeles, with WABC-TV New York’s entertainment reporter Sandy Kenyon joining Pennacchio live from New York to share his annual Oscar winner predictions.

“On The Red Carpet” correspondents Karl Schmid, Roshumba Williams, Tony Cabrera, Rachel Brown, Jovana Lara, Veronica Miracle and Jory Rand will join George Pennacchio as they host the red carpet Oscar’s celebration live across multiple locations throughout Los Angeles.

The pre-show features fashion with supermodel Roshumba WIlliams and Jovana Lara taking a close look at this year’s designs, trends and fashion from the red carpet. Rachel Brown is teaming up with fashion expert Lawrence Zarian to give real people red carpet makeovers; Tony Cabrera will preview the Academy Museum; while Karl Schmid will be live in Downtown Los Angeles where he will premiere a short film, “Moving Forward” directed by Daniel Malikyar featuring the new S-Class from Mercedes-Benz.

Veronica Miracle and Jory Rand will host a fun social media interactive segment, where they will track celebrities’ social media accounts live, sharing highlights of the Academy nominees’ social accounts and activity as they prepare for their night at the Oscars.

Viewers will enjoy a unique interactive experience with the Swarovski Crystal Ball Quiz, plus get “Fast Facts” sponsored by Spectrum Mobile in the post-show.  

This year’s OTRC shines a light on diversity through “Oscar Voices,” which looks at representation and inclusion. Highlights include the following:

Disabilities in the Spotlight looks at representations of how the disability community is changing in Hollywood and how more often the actors portraying characters are living with disabilities themselves. Viewers will see interviews with past Oscar winner Marlee Matlin and Jack Jason – both executive producers of the nominated short film “Feeling Through,” and nominees Riz Ahmed and Paul Raci from “Sound of Metal.”

Oscar Diversity and Firsts features an interview with Charles King, CEO of Macro and producer of the Oscar-nominated movie “Judas and the Black Messiah.” He is part of the first all-Black producing team nominated for Best Picture. The piece also has an interview with Darnell Hunt, Dean of Social Sciences at UCLA. Hunt discusses the impact of having nine actors of color nominated this year, the first woman of color nominated for Best Director, and the first Asian American nominated for Best Actor.

Latino Representation features interviews with Mexican sound engineers Jaime Baksht, Michelle Couttolenc and Carlos Cortes who are nominated for “Sound of Metal.”  Film critic Carlos Aguilar talks about the need for greater Latino representation this year and some of the movies he feels were overlooked.

The evening does not end after the speeches and the awards. The night includes two “After the Awards” events.

George Pennacchio will host “On The Red Carpet After The Awards presented by Resorts World Las Vegas” (9:00-11:00 p.m. PDT). Film critics Claudia Puig and Tim Cogshell will join Pennacchio to analyze the results of the evening. The show’s presenting sponsor, Resorts World Las Vegas’ segment “What’s Next?,” will discuss the future of this year’s Oscar nominees. Viewers will hear from FX’s “Pose” star Billy Porter in a pre-recorded interview discussing the impact of “Pose” on society and the final season of the hit drama series. Supermodel Roshumba Williams and Jovana Lara return to critique the red carpet fashions of the star-studded evening and reveal “On The Red Carpet Best Dressed” winners.  

“On The Red Carpet After Dark” (11:35 p.m.-12:00 a.m. PDT) – Entertainment correspondents will recap the Oscar events, from red carpet interviews to winners and fashion. During the recap show, viewers will get a special look at the all-new Virgin Hotels Las Vegas.  

This year, “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

Press Release

April 12, 2021

Media relations
Fonda Berosini
Disney Entertainment, Networks
Fonda.berosini@disney.com
Ambir Sniezko
ambir.sniezko@abc.com
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ABC7/WABC-TV New York Plans To ‘Set the Record Straight’ in an Upcoming Streaming Premiere of Its Jam Master Jay Documentary, Friday, April 16, Across ABC Owned Television Stations’ 32 Connected TV Apps, With an April 20 Hulu Premiere

‘Set the Record Straight: The Jam Master Jay Case’ Features Original Music From Oscar®-Nominated Composer Charles Mack, and Interviews With Music Industry Figures Including Former Def Jam Recordings President Bill Stephney, Rapper Roxanne Shanté, Former Rap Artist and Marketing Executive Orville Hall and Many Others, Along With Never-Before-Seen Footage and On-the-Record Interviews With The NYPD

VIEW THE TRAILER HERE

ABC 7/WABC-TV New York, an ABC Owned Television Station, shares with viewers never-before-seen footage with new and exclusive details surrounding the death of hip-hop legend and member of Run-DMC, Jason “Jam Master Jay’ Mizell, in an exclusive stream-only premiere of “Set the Record Straight: The Jam Master Jay Case,” Friday, April 16, with a Hulu premiere on April 20.  Viewers can stream the premiere on all *ABC Owned Television Stations’ 32 connected TV Apps on streaming platforms Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV and Roku. The special will premiere locally for New Yorkers on Channel ABC7/WABC-TV New York, the most-watched station in the nation, on Saturday, April 17 (7:00 p.m. EDT). The WABC-produced special will also air across **ABC Owned Television Stations’ linear channels in the markets of Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Houston, San Francisco, Raleigh-Durham and Fresno.

“Set the Record Straight: The Jam Master Jay Case” is written, directed and executive produced by Darla Miles and Rashidi Hendrix, along with ABC Owned Television Stations’ Jennifer Mitchell, Luke Richards and Rolando Pujol also executive producing.

Emmy® Award-winning ABC7 Eyewitness News reporter Darla Miles examines the legacy of the hip-hop icon and the investigation into his death that went unsolved for 18 years. The documentary features interviews conducted by Miles, which reveal new and exclusive details about the case. Miles secured on-the-record interviews with the New York Police Department (NYPD), speaking to the highest-ranking African American in the NYPD, Chief of Department Rodney Harrison, former Chief of Detectives Robert Boyce and former Detective 1st Grade Derrick Parker. They discuss complications with the investigation at the time of the murder and explain what led to the arrests of two suspects by the cold case unit.

On Oct. 30, 2002, Eyewitness News reported the news of Jam Master Jay’s death. Over the years, WABC continued to bring viewers exclusive details and robust coverage about the investigation. After nearly two decades, Eyewitness News is still the only news outlet to continue to deliver exclusive content. 

“Set the Record Straight: The Jam Master Jay Case” features unique interviews with Jam Master Jay’s protégé, Fredro Starr of Onyx; music industry expert Rocky Bucano, executive director of the Universal Hip Hop Museum; and veteran music writer Keith Murphy. Music industry legends former Def Jam Recordings President Bill Stephney and trailblazing female rapper Roxanne Shanté share dynamic stories about Jam Master Jay and his role in the hip-hop renaissance that took place in the ‘80s.

There are numerous impassioned stories from industry experts, family members and childhood friends sharing stories and insight into the life and last days of hip-hop’s legend.  The documentary also features original music from Charles Mack, an Oscar ®-nominated composer.

*Viewers can stream the premiere 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, with a Hulu premiere on April 20. The special will also air on Channel ABC7/WABC-TV New York on Saturday, April 17 (7:00 p.m. EDT).

**Editor’s Note:

All linear times reflect when the documentary will air in each ABC-owned market.

DateTimeStation
Saturday, April 177:00 p.m. EDTWABC-TV New York
Saturday, April 1711:30 p.m. CDTKTRK-TV Houston
Saturday, April 242:00 p.m. EDTWPVI-TV Philadelphia
Saturday, April 244:00 p.m. CDTWLS-TV Chicago
Saturday, April 245:00 p.m. EDTWTVD-TV Raleigh Durham
Saturday, April 248:30 p.m. PDTKGO-TV San Francisco
Saturday, April 249:00 p.m. PDTKABC-TV Los Angeles
Saturday, April 2410:00 p.m. PDTKFSN-TV Fresno
Saturday, April 24Local listingsLocalish Network

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.

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.

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

Press Release

March 26, 2021

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 Announce Its Race and Culture Content Team Dedicated to Inclusive Storytelling and Collaboration Across Its Eight Owned Stations

New Team of Diverse Storytellers Examine Social Issues, Historical Context and Celebrate Heritages, Cultures and Common Humanity

Nzinga Blake; Mariel Myers; Porsha Grant

ABC Owned Television Stations announce a race and culture content team of diverse storytellers dedicated to inclusive storytelling. The team’s mission is to amplify the voices of the underrepresented and marginalized communities while celebrating their heritage and triumphs through multiplatform, high-impact content for daily news coverage and special projects across its markets of New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Houston, Raleigh-Durham and Fresno. They include executive producers Nzinga Blake, Mariel Myers, Porsha Grant, and multiskilled journalists Crystal Cranmore, Anabel Munoz, Will Jones, TaRhonda Thomas, Cory McGinnis, Julian Glover, Akilah Davis, Linda Ha.

Blake, Myers and Grant will work closely with the station group’s newsrooms to identify culturally relevant topics to include in the more than 400 hours of live news programming produced each week. Cranmore, Munoz, Jones, Thomas, McGinnis, Glover, Davis and Ha will capture hyperlocal stories that accurately reflect the voices and experience of diverse communities. The multiskilled journalists are embedded at each of the eight owned stations and play a crucial role in developing community relationships for deeper reporting.

“Embedding a content team across our stations which ensure intentional inclusion of balanced coverage underscores our commitment to inform and reflect the communities and audiences we serve,” said Wendy McMahon, president, ABC Owned Television Stations. “ABC is committed to featuring the stories and experiences of richly diverse communities that often go untold and yet bring an incredible perspective that must be heard.”

“Furthermore, we are just as committed to having a culture where diverse representation matters and is prevalent amongst our storytellers and behind the camera,” added Maxine Crooks, vice president of Talent Development.

Last year, ABC Owned Television Stations surveyed its viewers. The results revealed their audiences want to see more inclusive content. This led to the production of the first-of-its-kind docuseries, “Our America: Living While Black,” which aired across the eight stations and its connected TV apps.

“We continue to have ongoing and necessary conversations about diverse programming and representation,” said Jennifer Mitchell, senior vice president of Content Development, ABC Owned Television Stations. “Our viewers are responding positively. In fact, when we produced the first installment of the “Our America” series “Our America: Living While Black,” several of our stations received letters from community members expressing deep gratitude for taking the time to shine a light on the lives of Black Americans.”

The race and culture team has already produced various stories across the group including exclusive content for its connected TV apps. For Black History Month, they premiered “Our America: Hidden Stories,” a new series that highlights hidden histories by exploring people, places and events of historically underrepresented and marginalized communities that have contributed significantly to society but are not usually taught in classrooms or mentioned in history textbooks. And most recently, for Women’s History Month, they produced the second installment of the “Our America” series, “Our America: Women Forward,” a documentary that celebrates women across the country, sharing their stories of perseverance, hope and triumph.

Examples of race and culture content that aired across the station group:

ABC’S OWNED STATIONSRACE & CULTURE JOURNALISTS
WABC-TV NEW YORKCrystal Cranmore
KABC-TV LOS ANGELESAnabel Munoz
WLS-TV CHICAGOWill Jones
WPVI-TV PHILADELPHIATaRhonda Thomas
KTRK-TV HOUSTONCory McGinnis
KGO-TV SAN FRANCISCOJulian Glover
WTVD-TV RALEIGH DURHAMAkilah Davis
KFSN-FRESNOLinda Ha

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, 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 25, 2021

Media relations
Fonda Berosini
Disney Entertainment, Networks
Fonda.berosini@disney.com
Ambir Sniezko
ambir.sniezko@abc.com
Share this release

‘#BeLocalish: Deals & Steals’ Special Returns With a Spotlight on Women-Owned Businesses Beginning Friday March 26 – Sunday, March 28

‘#BeLocalish: Deals & Steals’ Special Will Air Across ABC Owned Television Stations and Stream Live on Its 32 Connected TV Apps on Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV and Roku

Viewers Can Shop Exclusive Deals From Featured Businesses at ShopLocalish.com

In support of Women’s History Month, ABC Owned Television Stations will feature women-owned businesses across the country in a half-hour special “#BeLocalish: Deals & Steals: Supporting Women-Owned Businesses.” The WABC-produced special will air across the eight owned stations beginning FRIDAY, MARCH 26 – SUNDAY, MARCH 28, and available to stream on each station’s connected TV app.Co-hosted by Tory Johnson of “GMA Deals & Steals” alongside WABC Eyewitness News’ Sam Champion, this is the fourth special in a series that follows the top-rated program’s premiere in May 2020, where the initial focus was on businesses in the tri-state region impacted by the pandemic. 

The upcoming special will feature incredible deals from 20 women-owned businesses located across the country. ABC’s Localish is also highlighting some of the women-owned businesses featured in the special such as Philadelphia-based Printfresh, a sustainable pajama company and  Kinsley Armelle, a custom jewelry brand based in Houston, Texas. The “Deals & Steals” special will air on the eight-owned stations’ linear broadcast and on Localish’s linear network, spanning across nearly 1,600 communities. The stations include 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, KFSN-TV Fresno and Localish network. 

“Our partnership with Tory around “#BeLocalish: Deals & Steals” gives our viewers an opportunity to support the small businesses they love – and get some great deals in the process. Viewers will be inspired by the resilience, ambition and ingenuity of the women they’ll meet in our 30-minute special and can purchase their products instantly via a QR code or on ShopLocalish.com,” said Anna Robertson, VP of Content and Partner Innovation for ABC owned television stations.

With the COVID-19 crisis having a disproportionate toll on women, “#BeLocalish: Deals & Steals” reflects the station group’s ongoing commitment to support small businesses and protect jobs impacted by this unprecedented global health and economic crisis. The decision to feature women-owned businesses across the stations’ linear platforms gives these companies national brand exposure with the potential viewership of 17 million and an additional 17 million viewers when it airs on the Localish network in the eight markets. 

The special will highlight popular product categories including beauty products, pajamas and paraffin booties, hair care, food, accessories, kitchen and home, and a “Shark Tank” winner’s business. Viewers will be able to shop featured products at an exclusive, limited-time discounted rate of at least 50% off, made available for 24 hours after the airing of the special at ShopLocalish.com. 

Some of the featured businesses on “#BeLocalish: Deals & Steals: Supporting Women-Owned Businesses” are the following: 

  • Live Tinted, a makeup product line for every skin tone that started with a viral video of its founder using red lipstick to hide dark circles under her eyes
  • SHEEX, New Jersey-based former basketball coaches who decided to turn the comfort of athletic performance material into bedding 
  • NaturAll Club, a hair product developed by a Philadelphia woman who, frustrated with commercial hair products that left her hair damaged, created an all-natural hair care product from fruits and vegetables 
  • Safe Grabs, a “Shark Tank” winner with a Houston-based business that makes silicone mats to protect hands from being burned by hot kitchenware
  • SHOLDIT, the invention of a woman who bought a $20 sewing machine to make a scarf with a zippered pocket, so she could carry her things without having to carry a purse
  • Vicky Cakes, a tasty pancake and waffle mix passed down through generations, from a woman who wants families to come together and bond over breakfast

*Viewers can view the linear broadcast in each market’s respective owned station and shop the full list of featured products online, ShopLocalish.com. The special will also air on the Localish network (check local listings for airdate information). 

STATIONDAYDATETIME
ABC13/KTRK-TVFriday3/263:30 p.m. CDT
ABC7/WLS-TVFriday3/266:30 p.m. CDT
ABC7/WABC-TVFriday3/267:30 p.m. EDT
ABC7/KGO-TVSaturday3/274:00 p.m. PDT
ABC7/KABC-TVSaturday3/276:30 p.m. PDT
ABC11/WTVD-TVSaturday3/277:00 p.m. PDT
6ABC/ WPVI-TVSaturday3/277:30 p.m. PDT
ABC30/KFSN-TVSaturday3/277:30 p.m. PDT

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.

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.

Press Release

March 24, 2021

Media relations
Fonda Berosini
Disney Entertainment, Networks
Fonda.berosini@disney.com
Ambir Sniezko
ambir.sniezko@abc.com
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ABC7/KABC-TV Los Angeles Presents a Women’s History Month Town Hall, ‘Women’s Health’ To Address Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities Impacting Women

The Town Hall Will Air on ABC7 on Thursday, March 25 (4:30 p.m. PDT)

Viewers Can Stream Live on abc7.com and ABC7’s connected TV apps on Amazon FireTV, Android TV, Apple TV and Roku

KABC-TV, Southern California’s most-watched television station, presents a Women’s History Month one-hour town hall, “Women’s Health,” addressing racial and ethnic health disparities impacting women of color airing Thursday, March 25 (4:30 p.m. PDT). The event will be hosted by ABC7 Eyewitness News anchors David Ono and Ellen Leyva, who will present a panel of experts to answer viewers’ questions.

Studies show that women of color have worse health outcomes than white women, and nearly twice as many women of color describe themselves as being in fair or poor health. The panel of experts will address the importance of self-care specifically for women, access to health care, and how diseases and conditions that include diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer and obesity impact communities of color.

Panelists include the following:

  • Cynthia E. Muñoz, Ph.D., MPH psychologist, American Diabetes Association
  • Tracie Kimbrough, cancer survivor and “Reach to Recovery” volunteer, American Cancer Society
  • Dr. Karol Watson, cardiologist at UCLA Health, volunteer expert for the American Heart Association 
  • Dr. Sonal Patel, Allergy & Immunology, Allergy and Internal Medicine/Pediatrics, American Lung Association

The virtual town hall will air on ABC7 and viewers can stream it live on abc7.com, ABC7 Los Angeles app, and ABC7 Los Angeles connected TV apps for Amazon FireTV, Android TV, Apple TV and Roku. A recording of the virtual town hall will also be available at ABC7.com and ABC7’s connected TV apps following the live stream.

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/abc7la/ 
Twitter:https://twitter.com/ABC7
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/ABC7/

Press Release

February 24, 2021

Media relations
Fonda Berosini
Disney Entertainment, Networks
Fonda.berosini@disney.com
Ambir Sniezko
ambir.sniezko@abc.com
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ABC11/WTVD-TV Raleigh Durham Joins Local Initiative To Advance Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in North Carolina Media

ABC 11 will work with the North Carolina Media Equity Project, a Pilot at Elon University

ABC11/WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham joins the NC Local News Workshop at Elon University in the North Carolina Media Equity Project, a pilot program launched to advance diversity, equity and inclusion in North Carolina media.

The project grew out of national and local conversations stemming from the Black Lives Matter movement. It brings media organizations together “as a learning cohort and support network” to be more inclusive when serving North Carolina residents who are Black, Native American, Latino, LGBTQ, and other diverse groups who lack representation in media.

“Our team is excited to be part of this groundbreaking project and we know we will learn and grow from the experience,” said Rob Elmore, President and General Manager, ABC11/WTVD-TV. “We are committed to ensuring that the content and culture at our station reflects the rich diversity of the communities we serve here in North Carolina.”  

ABC11’s participants who meet with the cohort regularly include news director Bervette Carree, director of Community Engagement Monica Barnes,  manager of Operations and Business planning Kaila Mitchell and president and general manager Rob Elmore.

The station’s mission is to inform, serve and reflect the diverse communities it serves. At the start of February, ABC11 announced its month-long exclusive Black History Month content, which included a weeklong series paying homage to North Carolina’s historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU), a “vaccine equity” town hall addressing disparities in communities of color, and numerous specials that focus on the Black culture and experience.  

ABC11 is joined by six other media organizations who will gather in four quarterly sessions and have agreed to work together in a long-term commitment to change internal practices and culture across their respective organizations.

About ABC11/WTVD-TV Raleigh-Durham
The only local news station with three downtown newsrooms (Raleigh/Fayetteville/Durham), ABC11 Eyewitness News is the No. 1 morning newscast, with the station providing 47.5 hours of local news every week, serving more than 1 million households in a 23-county area in North Carolina and Virginia. Eyewitness News also provides news, weather and sports information 24 hours a day on ABC11.com, the ABC11 mobile news app and the new connected TV app available on Roku, Fire, Apple, and Android TVs. ABC11 WTVD is one of eight ABC Owned Stations as part of the Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution division. For more information, go to http://www.abc11.com.

Website:http://www.abc11.com
Twitter:https://twitter.com/ABC11_WTVD
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/abc11_wtvd/
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/ABC11/

Press Release

February 17, 2021

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

Disney Enterprises, Inc.*

WABC News executive Chad Matthews has been named the president and general manager of WABC-TV, announced Wendy McMahon, president, ABC Owned Television Stations. In his new role, Matthews has overall management responsibility for ABC7/WABC-TV and its ancillary businesses.  

Matthews replaces Debra OConnell, who was elevated to president of Networks for Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution last fall, and is now responsible for operational leadership for all of the Company’s linear television networks, including the ABC broadcast network, and its cable channels, as well as oversight of the ABC Owned Stations, Nat Geo Media and commercial marketing across the networks and home entertainment. 

“As news director of WABC, Chad has repeatedly proven his incredible dedication to the station and the community ABC7 serves,” said McMahon. “During his tenure, he led the direction and modernization of the market’s leading local television news and information brand, increasing audience reach and engagement while expertly navigating change and driving innovation. Chad is an insightful, forward-thinking and collaborative executive who will continue successfully leading ABC7/WABC-TV forward.” 

“It is an honor and privilege to lead New York City’s and the nation’s No. 1 station,” said Matthews. “Since the first day I walked in the door in May 2000, I have been in awe of both the leadership and the many talented individuals that collectively make Channel 7 the most-watched station in the country. Together, we will continue to serve the tri-state region. We have never been more committed to creating impactful programming and lifesaving information for our viewers during these unprecedented times.I am extremely proud to lead this amazing team who not only care about the quality of work produced but also, just as importantly, the diverse communities we serve.”

As the news director of WABC for the past three years, Matthews oversaw the overall function of exclusive content creation and operations for WABC’s television and digital channels as well as the launch of connected TV apps on Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV and Roku. In 2020, he successfully transitioned the station to a remote workforce to produce Eyewitness News without interruption during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, finishing the year with the largest audience of any television station in the nation and carrying a wider margin of success than it had in 2019. During his tenure, the station’s digital platforms experienced record growth adding more than 4 million unique viewers in 2020 alone, a more-than 20% increase from the prior year. Matthews is an award-winning news executive with a total of six Emmy® Awards, four of them as recent as 2020 when WABC won for best newscast in every daypart. He and his Eyewitness News colleagues were presented with the prestigious Governors Award commemorating WABC’s 50th anniversary.

Matthews has an extensive background in local TV journalism and significantly in the tri-state region. He started his career at WABC in 2000 and was promoted to senior executive producer in 2002. He spent 12 years in senior roles for Eyewitness News and won both a Peabody Award in 2001 as the live control room producer for the station’s 9/11 coverage and an Emmy Award in 2007 for Best Evening Newscast. In 2012, Matthews temporarily left WABC for a five-year stint as assistant news director at NBC-owned WTVJ in South Florida. At WTVJ, he won another Emmy Award in 2017 for breaking news coverage during the Ft. Lauderdale airport shooting incident before returning to WABC as the assistant news director later that year.

Matthews has a Bachelor of Arts in mass communication from Westfield State University. In 2020, he proudly served as a board member for the nonprofit organization Dance to Unite, which provides free dance instruction and promotes diversity for inner-city children. He’s a member of NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ Journalists and serves as a senior adviser and executive champion on PRIDE at ABC News and ABC Owned Television Stations Business Employee Resource Group.

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.

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

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 four Broadcast & Cable awards 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.

*COPYRIGHT ©2021 Disney Enterprises, Inc. All photography is copyrighted material and is for editorial use only. Images are not to be archived, altered, duplicated, resold, retransmitted or used for any other purposes without written permission of Disney Media Entertainment and Distribution. Images are distributed to the press in order to publicize current programming. Any other usage must be licensed. Photos posted for Web use must be at the low resolution of 72dpi, no larger than 2×3 in size. 

Press Release

February 1, 2021

Media relations
Fonda Berosini
Disney Entertainment, Networks
Fonda.berosini@disney.com
Ambir Sniezko
ambir.sniezko@abc.com
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Houston’s Longtime Broadcast Anchor Tom Koch Leaves Lasting Legacy at ABC13/KTRK-TV Houston

Tom Koch, who joined ABC13/KTRK-TV Houston in 1982 as a reporter before becoming the co-anchor of Houston’s No. 1 morning newscast, will celebrate his last day on air Friday, May 28, 2021, announced Wendy Granato, president and general manager, KTRK. As co-anchor of the morning newscast, Houstonians have started their day with Koch for 33 years. He also co-anchored ABC13’s top-rated 4:00 p.m. news for eight years.

“Tom embodies everything you’d want in a journalist and local news anchor,” said Granato. “He’s compassionate and curious with an amazing ability to elevate everyone around him. I’ve had the privilege of working side by side with Tom on many projects throughout the years and he is truly one of the ABC13 greats!”

From the beginning, Koch immersed himself in serving Greater Houston, covering some of the most compelling stories that shaped the city. He co-anchored many of the station’s live special events and parades including the July 4th Freedom Over Texas, Chevron Houston Marathon, Houston Symphony Concerts, Mayor’s Holiday Lighting, the Dedication of the Bush Library, the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Parade and many more.

“For nearly 40 years, I’ve been honored and humbled that so many people welcomed me into their homes every day,” said Koch. “It’s been a dream come true for a small-town Wisconsin kid to be part of this incredible station and truly great city of Houston. But I’ve decided it’s time to step aside, turn off that early morning alarm and wake up to a new adventure.” 

A respected and award-winning journalist, Koch has extensive experience telling thousands of stories – from trailing hurricanes across the Gulf Coast to covering Houston City Hall to NASA to the State Legislature and political conventions. His international reports include the election of new popes at the Vatican, the ‘90s oil boom in the former Soviet Republic of Azerbaijan, earthquakes in Central America, and American astronauts launching into space from Kazakhstan.

“Tom’s incredible broadcasting career spanning nearly 40 years is beyond measure,” said Rehan Aslam, vice president of News, KTRK. “He has led our coverage through some of Houston’s best times and hardest times. He did it all with leadership, professionalism and an authentic devotion to this city. He has traveled across the country and around the world to bring us memorable stories from a Houstonian’s perspective. A great colleague, friend and committed member of our communities, Tom is ABC13 and he will be missed.”

The week of May 24, ABC13 plans to host an on-air celebration featuring Koch and his many achievements, with a final send-off on Friday, May 28, 2021.

Koch adds:“A giant thank you to our viewers for supporting me, staying with me, being part of this incredible journey and making this dream come true. I hope in some small way I’ve touched your life by keeping you informed, prepared for the day ahead and sending you off with a smile. To my colleagues and management at ABC13, thank you for believing in me, always having my back and making me shine. To my wife and two daughters, words can’t describe your love, support and inspiration or your forgiveness for sometimes long hours away from home and grouchiness because of 2:30 a.m. wake-up calls. I love the phrase ’make your own adventure.’ I have done just that with all of Houston behind me. Wish me well on my new journey.”

Editor’s Note:
Photos courtesy of ABC13/KTRK-TV Houston*
*Top Row 3rd Photo: Tom Koch and Samica Knight co-anchor desk/Photo credit: Al Torres Photography

About ABC13/KTRK-TV Houston
For over 50 years, ABC13 has been Houston’s news leader from sign-on to sign-off. Broadcasting 49 hours of locally produced newscasts each week, ABC13 is the top-rated and most-watched news station among the Houston-area viewers. ABC13 also leads the market in its digital media efforts, with top rankings for its website, abc13.com, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. ABC13 delivers live and streaming content on Roku, Fire TV, Amazon and AppleTV in the ABC13 Houston App. ABC13 is deeply invested in the Houston community, spotlighting Houston’s diversity with community affairs programs covering issues that affect different segments of the population – from local town halls to ABC13+. The station also hosts several community projects throughout the year including Share Your Holidays, an annual food drive benefiting the Houston Food Bank; and our E-cycle Drive, a collection/recycling effort for outdated electronic equipment in conjunction with Earth Day. ABC13 is also known for broadcasting the city’s major events including the annual July 4th Freedom Over Texas celebration, The Chevron Marathon, Houston Pride and The Houston Rodeo Parade. 

Twitter:https://twitter.com/abc13houston
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/abc13houston/
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/abc13Houston/