KABC-TV
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KABC-TV (Channel 7, branded as "ABC7") is the American Broadcasting Company owned television station in the greater Los Angeles market. The station is the West Coast flagship of the ABC television network. The station's offices and studio are located in Glendale, California. Like many other television stations in the Los Angeles market, KABC-TV's transmitter is located on the summit of Mount Wilson. The station broadcasts its analog television signal on VHF channel 7 and digital television (DT) signal on UHF channel 53. Programming produced in high definition (HD) from the station's studio, ABC-TV network, and syndication airs on the station's 7.1 DT channel. KABC-TV's DT sub channel 7.2 (branded ABC7 Plus) rebroadcasts local newscasts, locally produced public affairs programs, network newscasts, and syndicated programs following their original airing on KABC-TV DT 7.1 as well as long form infomercials. KABC-TV DT sub channel 7.3 broadcasts low resolution local weather information and the station's Live Doppler 7000+ radar image. KABC-TV's standard definition (SD) signal is available on cable televison systems throughout the Los Angeles market. The station's 7.1 and 7.2 DT signals are available to digital cable customers. The station's HD and SD signals are also available to DirecTV and Dish Network customers within the Los Angeles market and nationwide for subscribers with distant market waivers.
History
As KECA-TV
KABC-TV went on the air as KECA-TV on September 16, 1949. It was one of the five original ABC owned and operated stations (all broadcasting on channel 7) along with WABC-TV New York, WLS-TV Chicago, KGO-TV San Francisco and WXYZ-TV Detroit.
As KABC-TV
On February 1, 1954 KECA changed its call letters to the present KABC-TV.
From the time of its initial sign-on as KECA in 1949 until 2000, KABC-TV was located at the ABC Television Center (now branded as The Prospect Studios), located in the Los Feliz/Silver Lake neighborhoods of Los Angeles, east of Hollywood. In December 2000, KABC-TV moved from its longtime Hollywood studios to a new state of the art facility in nearby Glendale, California, a short distance from ABC-TV west coast headquarters and parent Walt Disney Company headquarters located at Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California.
KABC-TV has used the famous "Circle 7" logo since 1962 (the same year ABC created and impleted its current logo), and augmented its bottom left quadrant with the ABC network "bug" in 1997. The station's news anchors and reporters wear Circle 7 lapel pins when they appear on camera.
On February 4, 2006 the station debuted upgraded HD studio cameras, switcher, a new news set, updated graphics and new theme music. Along with the in-house upgrades, several of the station's weather cameras have now also been upgraded to HD. The station's HD studio signal is down-converted for SD broadcast.
Former callsigns
- 1949–1954: KECA-TV
- 1954–present: KABC-TV
Logos
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KABC-TV logo from 1954 to 1957
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KABC-TV logo from 1957 to 1962
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KABC-TV logo from 1987 to 1989
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KABC-TV logo from 1989 to 1995
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KABC-TV logo from 1995 to 1999
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The Present ABC 7 logo, used since 1999
News Programming
KABC-TV adopted the Eyewitness News format in 1969, soon after it became a hit at sister station WABC-TV in New York City. Unlike the other ABC owned stations, KABC-TV used the original version of Cool Hand Luke that became associated with ABC's version of Eyewitness News well into the late 1980s, even after the others adopted News Series 2000, an updated version of the theme. The station's newscasts used a synthesized version of the old theme, composed by Frank Becker, during the mid-1980s. KABC-TV would pick up the NewsSeries 2000 package in 1990.
During the 1980s, KABC-TV was one of a few stations in the country to run a three-hour block of local news during weekday afternoons and early evenings from 4-7 p.m. The station reduced this block by one half hour in 1990, when it moved ABC World News Tonight from 7:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. KABC-TV is the only ABC station on the west coast to air ABC World News Tonight at 6:30 p.m. Most other west coast ABC owned stations and affiliates run this broadcast at 5:30 or 6:00 pm.
KABC-TV currently brands its newscasts as ABC7 Eyewitness News HD and it airs over 40 hours of live news programming each week, more than any other television station in Los Angeles. The station's news crews shoot video in SD 16:9 aspect ratio. News material from outside sources including ABC, ABC owned stations, its network affiliates, CNN and other sources shot in 4:3 aspect ratio are treated with graphic frames for HD broadcast in order to fill the void left due to screen difference of the two formats. The station currently utilizes the market's only news helicopter capable of shooting and transmitting HD video. The helicopter branded Air7HD made its on-air debut in February 2005. At times, due to current logistical and equipment limitations, video from Air7HD at times is only available in SD 16:9 aspect ratio. When this occurs, the helicopter is branded as Air7.
KABC-TV is the only Los Angeles television station with a full time daily presence in California's state capital, Sacramento. In late 2003, the station began pooling resources with sister stations KGO-TV and KFSN to hire a full time reporter and photographer to staff a Sacramento bureau following Arnold Schwarzenegger's election to the office of Governor during the 2003 California recall election).
The station has its own Doppler radar weather system (branded "Doppler 7000+") on the summit of Oat Mountain in the Santa Susana mountain range. This system is used by the station's weather department in conjunction with the National Weather Service NEXRAD network and other resources to provide viewers with weather forecasts and storm warnings.
Notable on-air personalities who have worked for the station's news department in the past include the late Jerry Dunphy, Lisa McRee, Harold Greene (current news anchor KCBS-TV), Laura Diaz (current news anchor KCBS-TV), Paul Moyer (current news anchor KNBC), Chuck Henry (currently at KNBC), Dr. George Fischbeck, the late Judd Rose, Bill Weir (currently co-host of Good Morning America Weekend Edition), former National Football League (NFL) player and current NFL Director of Operations Gene Washington, NFL Hall of Fame inductee Lynn Swann, former NFL player Jim Hill (currently sports anchor at KCBS-TV, former NFL player the late Bob Chandler and former Major League Baseball player Rick Monday (current Los Angeles Dodgers radio analyst and play-by-play announcer).
During the 1970's and 1980's the station's newscasts often included spirited mini debates and commentaries reflecting various political viewpoints. Several notable politicians and political pundits appeared on these segments including Proposition 13 backer the late Howard Jarvis, former U.S. Representative and U.S. Senator John Tunney, Bruce Herschensohn, Bill Press and the late Baxter Ward.
The Los Angeles television market is one of the most competitive for news coverage in the nation. Currently during the weekday 5 a.m. to 7 a.m. time period there are a total of five english language and two spanish language stations airing newscasts. KABC-TV has held the market lead in overall ratings for its newscasts over the past three decades although it has frequently exchanged leads with KNBC in head-to-head competition during specific time slots. The station's 4 p.m. newscast currently benefits from a large audience lead-in advantage generated by the syndicated The Oprah Winfrey Show. In May 2006, KABC-TV fell to third place in ratings at 11 p.m. behind a resurgent KCBS-TV and KNBC. KCBS-TV had not been a serious contender in Los Angeles news ratings since the early 1970's with the exception of a brief period in the mid-1990s when it tied KABC-TV for first place at 6 p.m.
Newscasts
Weekdays
- Eyewitness News HD This Morning - 5:00 - 7:00 a.m.
- anchored by Phillip Palmer and Kathy Vara with Garth Kemp on weather and Jane Monreal with traffic
- Eyewitness News HD @ 11AM - 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
- anchored by David Ono and Jovana Lara with Garth Kemp on weather
- Eyewitness News HD @ 4PM - 4:00 - 5:00 a.m.
- anchored by Marc Brown and Michelle Tuzee with Dallas Raines on weather
- Eyewitness News HD @ 5PM - 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
- anchored by David Ono and Ellen Leyva with Dallas Raines on weather and Rob Fukuzaki on sports
- Eyewitness News HD @ 6PM - 6:00 - 6:30 p.m.
- anchored by Marc Brown and Michelle Tuzee with Dallas Raines on weather and Rob Fukuzaki on sports
- Eyewitness News HD @ 11PM - 11:00 - 11:35 p.m.
- anchored by Marc Brown and Michelle Tuzee with Dallas Raines on weather and Rob Fukuzaki on sports
Saturdays
- Eyewitness News HD This Morning - 5:00 - 7:00 a.m.
- anchored by John Gregory and Lisa Hernandez with Christine Clayburg on weather
- Eyewitness News HD - 12:00 - 12:30 p.m. (occasionally pre-empted by ABC Sports programming)
- anchored by John Gregory and Lisa Hernandez with Christine Clayburg on weather
- Eyewitness News HD @ 4:30PM - 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.
- anchored by Micah Olhman and Leslie Sykes with Danny Romero on weather and Curt Sandoval with sports
- Eyewitness News HD @ 6PM - 6:00 - 6:30 p.m.
- anchored by Micah Olhman and Leslie Sykes with Danny Romero on weather and Curt Sandoval with sports
- Eyewitness News HD @ 11PM - 11:00 - 11:35 p.m.
- anchored by Micah Olhman and Leslie Sykes with Danny Romero on weather and Curt Sandoval with sports
Sundays
- Eyewitness News HD This Morning - 5:00 - 6:00 a.m.
- anchored by John Gregory and Lisa Hernandez with Christine Clayburg on weather
- Eyewitness News HD This Morning - 7:00 - 8:00 a.m.
- anchored by John Gregory and Lisa Hernandez with Christine Clayburg on weather
- Eyewitness News HD This Morning - 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
- anchored by John Gregory and Lisa Hernandez with Christine Clayburg on weather
- Eyewitness Newsmakers - 11:00 - 11:30 a.m. with Adrienne Alpert
- Eyewitness News HD @ 4:30PM - 4:30 - 5:30PM
- anchored by Micah Olhman and Leslie Sykes with Danny Romero on weather and Curt Sandoval with sports
- Eyewitness News HD @ 6PM - 6:00 - 6:30 p.m.
- anchored by Micah Olhman and Leslie Sykes with Danny Romero on weather and Curt Sandoval with sports
- Eyewitness News HD @ 11PM - 11:00 - 11:35 p.m.
- anchored by Micah Olhman and Leslie Sykes with Danny Romero on weather and Curt Sandoval with sports
On Air Personalities
News Anchors
- Marc Brown - 4PM, 6PM and 11PM
- John Gregory - Weekend Mornings (also does general assignment reporting on weekdays)
- Lisa Hernandez - Weekend Mornings (also does general assignment reporting on weekdays)
- Jovana Lara - 11AM, (also does general assignment reporting)
- Elen Leyva - 5PM
- Micah Ohlman - Weekend Afternoons and 11PM (also does general assignment reporting on weekdays)
- David Ono - 11AM and 5PM
- Phillip Palmer - 5AM and 6AM (also does general assignment reporting)
- Leslie Sykes - Weekend Afternoons and 11PM (also does general assignment reporting on weekdays)
- Michelle Tuzee - 4PM, 6PM and 11PM
- Kathy Vara - 5AM and 6AM
Weather
- Christine Clayburg - Weekend Mornings
- Garth Kemp - 5AM, 6AM and 11AM
- Dallas Raines - Chief Meteorologist (4PM, 5PM, 6PM and 11PM)
- Danny Romero - Weekend Afternoons and 11PM
Sports
- Rob Fukuzaki - 5PM, 6PM and 11PM
- John Hartung - (sports reporter and fill in sports anchor)
- Curt Sandoval - Weekend Afternoons and 11PM
Traffic
- Alysha Del Valle - 4PM (Airwatch Contract)
- Jane Monreal - 5AM and 6AM
- Sabina Mora - 4PM (Airwatch Contract)
Reporters
- Adrienne Alpert (staff general assignment reporter, also hosts weekly show "Eyewitness Newsmakers")
- Bob Banfield (Inland Empire Bureau Chief)
- Wendy Burch (freelance general assignment reporter)
- Lori Corbin aka: "The Food Coach" (Food, Nutrition, Exercise)
- Denise Dador "Health Specialist"
- Eileen Frere (Orange County Bureau Chief)
- Sid Garcia (staff general assignment reporter)
- Gene Gleeson (part time general assignment reporter)
- Carlos Granda (staff general assignment reporter)
- Rob Hayes (staff general assignment reporter)
- Miriam Hernandez (staff general assignment reporter)
- Robert Holguin (staff general assignment reporter)
- Dave Kunz "Automotive Specialist"
- Melissa McBride (freelance general assignment reporter)
- Leslie Miller (staff general assignment reporter)
- Nanette Miranda (Sacramento Bureau Chief)
- John North (staff political and general assignment reporter)
- George Pennacchio aka: "The Entertainment Guru"
- Amy Powell (freelance general assignment reporter)
- Elsa Ramon (staff general assignment reporter)
- Scott Reiff (staff Air7HD pilot/reporter) 5AM, 6AM
- Ric Romero "Consumer Affairs Specialist"
- Leo Stallworth (staff general assignment reporter)
- Leanne Suter (freelance general assignment reporter)
- Bill Thomas (freelance reporter Air7HD)
Other Programming
KABC-TV is also the Los Angeles home of syndicated shows The Oprah Winfrey Show, Live with Regis and Kelly, Ebert & Roeper, Urban Latino, Teen Kids News, Entertainers with Byron Allen, Ron Hazelton's HouseCalls, Beautiful Homes and Great Estates, and Business Week. The station also carries syndicated daily HD broadcasts of Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy!.
KABC-TV produces several local shows including Vista L.A. (which profiles Latino life in Southern California), and Eye on L.A. (which has been on the air in some form since the early 1980s). On weekends, the station airs Eyewitness Newsmakers, hosted by reporter Adrienne Alpert.
The station produces a sports variety type show branded ABC7 Sports Zone which normally originates from the ESPN Zone located at Downtown Disney in Anaheim. This show airs occasionally following network telecasts of NCAA football and NBA games. Although most ABC7 Sports Zone shows originate from the ESPN Zone, the show is occasionally produced at the station's studios in Glendale.
On the day that ABC telecasts the Academy Awards show, KABC-TV produces a live pre-awards show branded An Evening at the Academy Awards: The Arrivals prior to the network show featuring red carpet interviews and fashion commentary. This show also airs on the network's owned stations and is syndicated to several ABC affiliates and other broadcasters outside the country. The station also produces and broadcasts a show following the network's broadcast of the Academy Awards show branded An Evening at the Academy Awards: The Winners.
In the past, KABC featured various locally produced shows such as AM Los Angeles; a morning talk show which at various times featured personalities Regis Philbin, Sarah Purcell Tawny Little, Cristina Ferrare, Cyndy Garvey, and Steve Edwards as hosts and 330, a local afternoon talk show also hosted by Edwards.
Newscast Titles
- Channel 7 Eyewitness News (1970-1996) also used on ABC owned stations WABC-TV and WLS-TV
- ABC 7 Eyewitness News (1997-present)
- ABC 7 Eyewitness News HD (February 2006-present)
