ATLANTA -- Peter Jennings’ 25 Hours of Unprecedented Gavel-to-Gavel Convention Coverage Across ABC Television Network, Broadband and Wireless Platforms Launches 14-Week Programming Venture Leading to Election Night

Introducing: ABC News Now

Beginning Monday, July 26, at 12 p.m. and running through Election Day on November 2, Channel 2/WSB-TV and ABC will provide an unprecedented 24/7 news service with anchor Peter Jennings at the helm to be transmitted over WSB-TV’s digital signal. The vision is ABC News, in an informal and unharnessed manner, news reporting that is not regularly offered through traditional broadcast outlets. The backbone includes live events and major breaking news around the world, as well as hourly updates.

More Resources News Now Schedule-What's On WSB-TV and HDTV-Explainer

The combination of WSB-TV’s traditional news leadership in Atlanta and ABC’s desire to provide a digital news service, as well as the timing of the upcoming political conventions/elections proved to make this the opportune time to launch the service.

“We are excited to be the first station in the area to offer a second tier of live news and information programming to Georgians,” commented Channel 2, WSB-TV Vice President and General Manager Greg Stone. “Starting with the political conventions, our viewers will receive an expanded news service through the digital spectrum that is another first in the Atlanta market. Earlier this month, WSB-TV provided the first live HDTV telecast for its 44th annual July 4th parade.”

In addition to ABC News programming, WSB-TV will air regular local news updates from Channel 2 Action News.

In Georgia, viewers will be able to view the telecast free of charge on WSB-TV’s second digital channel. This service will only be available to viewers who have digital over-the-air receivers since most local cable companies do not yet carry the station’s digital signal. There are on-going negotiations between WSB-TV, Comcast and other local cable companies in the Atlanta market in an effort to gain carriage of the station’s digital signal. WSB-TV broadcasts its second signal on Channel 2.2.

More Information:

Peter Jennings will anchor 25 hours of ABC’s Vote 2004 gavel-to-gavel convention coverage, which will serve as the centerpiece of this unique 14-week programming venture. In addition to six hours of exclusive primetime coverage on the ABC Television Network, Mr. Jennings will anchor more than 19 hours of convention coverage on the news service that will be made available to Georgians through WSB-TV’s second digital channel.

Beyond its extensive convention and political coverage, ABC News will offer expanded news programming. ABC News will deliver live breaking news events, hourly news briefs and original reports from ABC News correspondents over the course of the 14 weeks, culminating in special election night coverage.

“ABC News is delivering old fashioned gavel-to-gavel coverage in a new way, with a new medium,” said David Westin, president of ABC News. “ABC News and Channel 2, WSB-TV are committed to bringing our audience the most complete coverage possible of this election, starting with 25 hours of primetime convention coverage and continuing through Election Night.”

Throughout the convention coverage ABC News analysts and correspondents will join Mr. Jennings. They include George Stephanopoulos, Kate Snow, Claire Shipman, Ron Claiborne, Linda Douglass, Sam Donaldson, Cokie Roberts, Dan Harris with the Kerry Campaign and Terry Moran with the Bush Campaign.

Programming Highlights

Political Coverage:

• 19 hours of gavel-to-gavel Democratic and Republican Convention coverage anchored largely by Peter Jennings. This offering is incremental to Peter’s 6 hours of primetime coverage for the primary ABC Network feed.
• Complete campaign coverage, from the end of the conventions through Election Day, with frequent live political events.
• Election returns and analysis provided by ABC News correspondents and personnel

Beyond Politics:

• Live, hourly, anchored news updates.
• Live coverage of events from around the country and the world.
• Innovative news programming, using behind-the-scenes editors/producers.
• Selected features drawn in part from previously aired ABC News programming.

ABC News Media Relations Contacts

• Cathie Levine (212) 456-4934
• Julie Summersgill (212) 456-2478
• Susan Sewell (212) 456-1508

Channel 2/WSB-TV Contacts:

• Jennifer Rigby, News Director (404) 897-7433
• Art Rogers, Programming Director (404) 897-7479
• Steve Riley, Creative Services Director (404) 897-7447
• Gene Faulkner, Director of Engineering (404) 897-7424