ABC Enhances Streaming App, Adds Classic Shows

BURBANK: ABC has revamped its streaming app, now offering full seasons of 38 classic shows, new original short-form series and a redesigned interface.

At launch, seven new comedy and lifestyle digital series developed in-house by ABC Comedy Development, ABC Daytime and ABC Digital Media, are available. More than 40 additional series are in development and will roll out monthly.

Full seasons of past shows now available to stream include Brothers & Sisters, Dirty Sexy Money, Ellen, Felicity, FlashForward, My So-Called Life, Once Upon a Time in Wonderland, School House Rock and Ugly Betty.

In addition to adding new content, the ABC digital experience has been redesigned with an improved user interface exclusively on iPhone, iPad, iPod touch and Apple TV. The redesign is meant to make it easier to find current shows and special curated collections.

ABC has also expanded the footprint for its 24-hour network live stream. Pay-TV subscribers with participating providers can now access ABC’s live 24-hour feed—including local, national and syndicated programming—using the ABC app for desktop, mobile and connected-TV devices in 14 Hearst Television ABC markets.

“Our team has completely reimagined the digital viewing experience for ABC fans,” said Karin Gilford, the senior VP of digital media at ABC Television Network. “In addition to the current ABC shows that fans know and love, we are introducing new ABCd original digital series that are fun, fresh and perfect for mobile, and we are making full seasons of all-time favorite shows available for binging. Fans on Apple devices will benefit from a dynamic new interface that makes it easier to find shows. All of this allows us to expand beyond the bounds of our linear schedule and extend ABC storytelling to viewers across screens and platforms.”

“With our new digital comedy series, our creative team is able to experiment and push storytelling boundaries to create content that is daring, empowering, inclusive, emotional and true to life,” added Samie Falvey, the executive VP of comedy and international scripted development at ABC Entertainment. “We hope this will be an opportunity for our existing talent to flex their creative muscles, and also an opportunity for audiences to discover and champion new emerging content creators.”

“Whether the topic is love, saving money, or food, ABCd’s unscripted slate features some of today’s most irreverent, fresh and authentic voices offering insight, humor and practical advice on the subjects our viewers care about most,” said Lisa Hackner, the executive VP of daytime and syndicated programming at ABC Entertainment Network.