ABC News announced ambitious plans to expand its 24-hour digital news operation, offering a suite of multimedia services through television, the Internet and mobile phones.
The network will build on ABC News Now, which launched as an experimental broadcast for digital television, high-speed Internet and wireless devices during the national political conventions last summer. The trial ended in January, although service has continued for wireless users through mobile broadcasters MobiTV, GoTV and SmartVideo.
ABC News Now is also available to 30 million homes through Internet service providers America Online, Comcast, Yahoo! and SBC.
The expanded service will feature 50 hours of on-demand video per month, allowing users to view news reports in any order. A traditional “linear” format will also be offered, providing traditional newscasts, and 10 ABC affiliates will offer localized content. Network executives said they hope to expand the number of affiliates providing localized content.
Meanwhile, while the company prepares for the network’s July relaunch, network executives are working to sell the channel directly to cable and satellite TV providers. ABC has reportedly given the channel about $7 million to cover infrastructure and personnel costs.
