American Broadcasting Company
Corporate brand
UnclaimedA major American commercial broadcast television network and one of the traditional Big Three U.S. television networks.
Last updated October 7, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
The American Broadcasting Company, commonly known as ABC, is a national American commercial broadcast television network owned by The Walt Disney Company. It is the flagship broadcast-network property of Disney Television Group and distributes entertainment, news, sports, daytime, late-night, and special-event programming through a nationwide system of owned-and-operated and affiliated television stations. ABC is one of the traditional Big Three U.S. television networks, alongside CBS and NBC. ABC traces its institutional origin to NBC's Blue Network, a radio network that was separated from NBC and sold in 1943 following regulatory pressure over the concentration of broadcast ownership. The independent operation adopted the American Broadcasting Company name and initially competed from a weaker position than the established CBS and NBC networks. ABC expanded into television in 1948, when the medium was still developing its national audience and station infrastructure. Its early television strategy relied on building affiliates, securing national advertisers, and developing programming that could distinguish the network from its larger rivals. A major turning point came in the mid-1950s, when ABC merged with United Paramount Theatres. Leonard Goldenson, the former head of United Paramount Theatres, helped guide the combined company and supported the development of commercially successful television series. The network subsequently improved its competitive position through prime-time entertainment, daytime programming, news, sports, and special events. By the 1960s and 1970s, ABC had become a central participant in American network television rather than a marginal challenger. The network's corporate development continued in the 1980s. Its parent company acquired an 80 percent interest in the cable sports channel ESPN in 1982. In 1985, American Broadcasting Companies merged with Capital Cities Communications, creating Capital Cities/ABC. That combination joined ABC's network and media assets with Capital Cities' television stations, radio stations, and publishing interests. The Walt Disney Company completed its acquisition of Capital Cities/ABC in 1996, bringing ABC into Disney's broader media portfolio. ABC's current programming model combines scheduled network distribution with digital and cross-platform delivery. ABC News supplies national television, radio, and digital journalism, while sports broadcasts are generally produced in coordination with ESPN and presented under ESPN on ABC branding. The network also distributes long-running daytime programs, prime-time scripted and unscripted series, late-night programming, award ceremonies, holiday specials, and selected professional and college sports. Its station group includes eight owned-and-operated stations and more than two hundred affiliates across the United States and territories, although station counts and affiliation arrangements change over time. ABC also maintains a broadcast center and news operations in New York City, while its principal network headquarters are in Burbank near Walt Disney Studios.
History
ABC began as NBC's Blue Network, an American radio network created in the 1920s. The Blue Network was separated from NBC and sold in 1943 after regulatory action concerning the control of multiple national radio networks. The independent operation became the American Broadcasting Company and developed radio programming while seeking a viable position against CBS and NBC. ABC entered television in 1948, several years after its radio separation. Its early television business faced disadvantages in station coverage, financial resources, and advertiser confidence. The network responded by developing an affiliate system and seeking programming capable of attracting national audiences. The expansion of television ownership during the 1950s created an opportunity for ABC, but the company still needed stronger management and additional assets to compete effectively. In the mid-1950s, ABC merged with United Paramount Theatres, a former Paramount Pictures theater subsidiary. The combined company was led by Leonard Goldenson, whose experience in exhibition and programming helped ABC improve its commercial performance. The network gradually established a stronger prime-time schedule and broadened its output across entertainment, news, daytime, and sports. During the 1960s and 1970s, ABC became one of the principal American television networks and ultimately joined CBS and NBC in the industry grouping commonly called the Big Three. ABC's corporate parent expanded into related media businesses during the early 1980s. In 1982, it acquired an 80 percent interest in ESPN, creating an important connection between the broadcast network and the emerging cable-sports business. In 1985, American Broadcasting Companies merged with Capital Cities Communications, whose holdings included broadcast stations, radio operations, and print publications. The resulting company, Capital Cities/ABC, operated ABC as one of its central media properties. The Walt Disney Company acquired Capital Cities/ABC in 1996. The transaction placed ABC within Disney's entertainment and media portfolio and created long-term synergies among broadcast television, sports, studio production, news, and distribution operations. ABC Circle Films and other production activities were subsequently reorganized within Disney's television-production structure, while Disney's distribution businesses handled many domestic and international rights. ABC's later history reflects the changing economics of broadcast television. The network retained a national schedule and a large affiliate base while increasing its reliance on cross-platform distribution, digital services, and partnerships with Disney's other media units. In 2006, the standalone ABC Sports division was discontinued; sports telecasts thereafter were generally produced with ESPN and presented as ESPN on ABC. ABC Radio's former network operations were sold in 2007, although ABC News continued to supply radio material and a later ABC Audio operation was established. In the current structure, ABC is principally a television network. Its schedule includes prime-time entertainment, daytime programming, national news, late-night shows, sports, award ceremonies, and seasonal specials. ABC News also operates television, digital, and radio services. The network is headquartered in Burbank, California, with additional operations in New York City. Its programming reaches viewers through eight owned-and-operated stations and a large affiliate network covering the United States and its territories, with limited availability in parts of Canada.
- 2015
ABC Audio is established
[1]A later ABC radio-content operation was established, continuing ABC News-related audio distribution after the earlier radio-network divestiture.
- 2007
Sale of ABC Radio operations
[1]ABC's former radio network operations were sold to Citadel Broadcasting, reducing ABC's direct broadcasting focus primarily to television.
- 2006
ABC Sports is integrated with ESPN
[1]The standalone ABC Sports division was discontinued and ABC sports broadcasts increasingly became ESPN-produced presentations under the ESPN on ABC identity.
- 1996
Disney acquisition
[1]The Walt Disney Company acquired Capital Cities/ABC, bringing the network into Disney's media portfolio.
- 1985
Capital Cities merger
[1]American Broadcasting Companies merged with Capital Cities Communications to form Capital Cities/ABC.
- 1982
Acquisition of an interest in ESPN
[1]ABC's corporate parent acquired an 80 percent interest in ESPN, establishing a lasting relationship between ABC and Disney's sports-media operations.
- 1950
Merger with United Paramount Theatres
[1]ABC merged with United Paramount Theatres, adding the management and exhibition background associated with Leonard Goldenson.
- 1948
ABC enters television
[1]ABC expanded from radio into television, joining the developing U.S. commercial television network industry.
- 1943
Blue Network becomes an independent broadcaster
[1]NBC's Blue Network was sold and became the independent broadcasting operation that developed into the American Broadcasting Company.
Products and positioning
A broad-reach, mass-market American commercial television network combining entertainment, news, sports, daytime programming, and live events, with distribution supported by Disney's television and digital businesses.
News
ABC News
ABC's news division provides national television journalism, digital reporting, radio material, political programming, morning news, evening news, and late-night newsmagazine content. Its major programs include Good Morning America, ABC World News Tonight, This Week, and Nightline. ABC News Radio and ABC Audio extend parts of the operation to affiliated radio stations and audio audiences.
Entertainment programming
ABC Entertainment
ABC Entertainment represents the network's scripted and unscripted entertainment schedule, including prime-time series, comedies, dramas, reality formats, variety programming, and late-night content. It is the principal consumer-facing entertainment arm of the television network and works within Disney's broader television-production and distribution structure.
Sports broadcasting · 2006
ESPN on ABC
ESPN on ABC is the branding used for sports programming produced or coordinated by ESPN for ABC. Depending on rights agreements and the season, its output has included NBA, NHL, NFL, college football and basketball, Major League Baseball, WNBA, the X Games, the Little League World Series, and selected major events and awards programming.
Daytime television
ABC Daytime
ABC Daytime is the network's daytime programming block. Its current and recent identity has been built around programs such as The View, GMA: The Third Hour, and the long-running soap opera General Hospital. Historically, the schedule also included numerous other soap operas, game shows, talk programs, and lifestyle formats.
Daytime drama · 1963
General Hospital
General Hospital is ABC's long-running daytime soap opera and its longest-running entertainment program. The series became a durable part of the ABC Daytime schedule and a prominent example of the network's continuing investment in serialized daytime drama.
Talk show · 1997
The View
The View is a daytime discussion and talk program built around a rotating panel of co-hosts. It combines topical conversation, interviews, cultural coverage, and political discussion and serves as one of ABC's best-known daytime franchises.
Morning news · 1975
Good Morning America
Good Morning America is ABC's flagship morning news and lifestyle program. It combines news reporting, interviews, weather, consumer features, entertainment coverage, and human-interest segments and is supported by the wider ABC News organization.
Brand decisions
2007
Divest ABC Radio network operationsM&ABackground
Disney was concentrating ABC's identity and resources more heavily on television and related media operations.
Action taken
ABC Radio's former network operations were sold to Citadel Broadcasting.
Aftermath
ABC's direct broadcasting activities became predominantly television-focused, while ABC News continued to supply radio content and a later ABC Audio operation was created.
2006
Integrate ABC sports production with ESPNStrategyBackground
Disney increasingly coordinated its broadcast and cable sports assets and treated ESPN as the primary sports-production organization.
Action taken
The standalone ABC Sports division was closed, and subsequent sports telecasts on ABC were generally produced in association with ESPN under ESPN on ABC branding.
Aftermath
ABC continued to carry selected sports rights while sports production, presentation, and rights strategy became more closely tied to ESPN.
Sources2 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/american-broadcasting-company · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled