One of the more interesting aspects of the new ABC app is that the network has added 38 full seasons of “throwback” shows, meaning that anyone can download the app and watch entire seasons of now-cancelled ABC series, without having to sign into a paid TV service account.
Advertisement
“Our team has completely re-imagined the digital viewing experience for ABC fans”, said Karin Gilford, ABC’s senior vice president of digital media, in a statement. Fans on Apple devices will benefit from a dynamic new interface that makes it easier to find shows.
The live TV aspect of the newly-dubbed ABCd will be available for 14 markets – Albuquerque/Santa Fe, Boston, Fort Smith/Fayetteville/Springdale/Rogers, Jackson, MS, Kansas City, Milwaukee, Monterey-Salinas, Oklahoma City, Omaha, Pittsburgh, Portland-Auburn, Savannah and West Palm Beach-Ft Pierce. Because the originals don’t need to find a TV-sized audience in order to stay “on the air”, so to speak, they’re able to tackle a broader variety of subjects and situations, compared with today’s television. The network’s five other new shows range in theme from music and cooking to a show for new moms. The new digital-only short-form series under the ABCd umbrella now available are listed below.
Three personalities from the digital foodie platform “Tastemade” (Erwan Heussaff, Lazarus Lynch and Megan Mitchell) provide viewers with techniques, tips and recipes, along with the personal stories behind the dishes they make.
ABC has big plans for its digital-only content going forward, with 40 other shows now in development. The older content will include shows like Felicity, School House Rock, My So-Called Life, Ugly Betty, and Sports Night.
Advertisement
All of which sounds a lot like the “webisode” strategies that ABC and other networks have tried in the past – generally because they really didn’t want you watching their TV shows anywhere but on TV, so they were hoping some digital bits and pieces would be enough for the Web. Fans interesting in downloading the ABC app can do so by heading over to the App Store and Apple TV App Store. They’ll all be available via a free, ad-supported service. This allows them to access local, national and syndicated programming, including their local news. The stations added are owned by Hearst, the first affiliate group to launch an ABC live feed. Now, it’s easier to navigate through the content, and the app has organized series into thematic collections, like “drama”, “funny”, “reality”, etc. According to AppleInsider, the enhancement was made especially for Apple, so whether you use the app on your iOS device or Apple TV, you will see the change. The new content is also available online.
