Dedicated to expanding its network and channel brands across multiple platforms and connecting viewers with their favorite shows, Disney/ABC Television Group announced today that recently launched WATCH ABC authenticated service, which allows viewers access to 24/7 live viewing in more ways than ever before at home and on the go around town, is now available to viewers with participating TV subscription services in Houston. The service previously launched earlier this summer in the New York City (WABC-TV), Philadelphia (WPVI-TV), Los Angeles (KABC-TV), Chicago (WLS-TV), San Francisco (KGO-TV) and Raleigh-Durham (WTVD-TV) markets. Currently Disney/ABC Television Group has agreements in place for its authenticated WATCH products with a variety of Multichannel Video Program Distributors (MVPDs), including Comcast, Cablevision, Cox Communications, Charter Communications, Midcontinent Communications, Verizon FiOS and AT&T U-verse.
The WATCH ABC app is available on iOS and Kindle Fire devices, as well as select Android tablets, including Samsung Galaxy devices. Viewers can also access WATCH ABC online at WATCHABC.com.
The new WATCH ABC service is the first and only linear broadcasting service to provide authenticated viewers with live access to their favorite ABC shows and local market programming, as well as a variety of on-demand content in more ways than ever before, at home and on the go around town. In addition to allowing live linear streaming of viewers local ABC stations, the new authenticated WATCH ABC service includes on demand access to full episodes of ABCs daytime and primetime programming nationwide, online and via tablets and phones.
WATCH ABC will be available in Fresno (KFSN-TV), the final ABC Owned Station market to make the service available, prior to the launch of the new fall broadcast television season in September. Hearst Television also plans to launch the WATCH ABC service in their 13 ABC station markets, which include Boston, Pittsburgh, Kansas City and Milwaukee, in the coming months. Agreements with other station groups are expected to be announced prior to the launch of the new fall season.
The launch of WATCH ABC follows the successful rollout of three authenticated WATCH Disney services -- WATCH Disney Channel, WATCH Disney XD and WATCH Disney Junior -- in June 2012. Downloaded over 17 million times since their debut, the three WATCH Disney products provide authenticated users with both access to live, linear network streams as well as an extensive offering of advantaged window on demand episodes. In addition to WATCH ABC and the WATCH Disney services, Disney & ESPN Media Networks offers WatchESPN, an authenticated 24/7 live stream of six networks, including all of ESPNs sports and studio shows. Plans are also in place to roll out WATCH ABC Family in early 2014.
Over the past several years, the Disney/ABC Television Group has consistently unveiled innovative, award-winning multiplatform services and apps. In addition to the WATCH services, other notable DATG apps include the Disney Junior Appisode app, which offers true interactive viewing, allowing kids ages 2-7 to touch, tap, swipe, tilt, shake and talk their way through various fun-filled activities embedded into episodes of some of their favorite Disney Junior shows; the ABC Player and ABC Family Player apps, which make full ad supported episodes available for viewing; the ABC News app; and the Emmy Award-winning official Oscars app, which provided unique backstage viewing experiences for the 83rd, 84th, and 85th Academy Awards.
About Disney/ABC Television Group
The Disney/ABC Television Group is composed of The Walt Disney Companys (NYSE: DIS) global entertainment and news television properties, owned television stations, and radio stations. This includes ABC Entertainment Group, ABC News, ABC Owned Television Stations Group, Disney Channels Worldwide, ABC Family and SOAPnet, as well as Disney/ABC Domestic Television and Disney Media Distribution. The Companys 50% equity interest in A&E Networks rounds out the Groups portfolio of media businesses.
Media Contact:
Karen Hobson 818-569-7789 karen.hobson@disney.com
