ABC�S FLAGSHIP NEWSCAST CHANGES ITS NAME TO
�WORLD NEWS WITH CHARLES GIBSON�
New Name Reflects �World News�� Place in the 24-Hour Digital Space
ABC�s evening newscast, �World News Tonight,� has changed its name to �World News with Charles Gibson,� ABC News President David Westin has announced. The change is effective today, July 19, 2006.
�The program we air at 6:30 p.m. each night remains our flagship broadcast, but it has evolved well beyond thirty minutes on television,� said Mr. Westin. �With an afternoon webcast downloaded by millions, and updated content available throughout the day on ABCNEWS.com, �World News� is always on. We are committed to expanding ABC News and �World News� into the 24-hour space created by the digital world, and it makes sense for that reality to be reflected in the title of the broadcast.�
Westin continued: �After a difficult 14 months, Charlie�s presence at �World News� brings a stability and momentum we have not known in some time. He�s our anchor, and it is only appropriate that the broadcast should bear his name,� said Mr. Westin.
The �World News� webcast, which debuted in January 2006, marked the first time a network newscast produced a unique program for the Internet audience. Last month the webcast was downloaded 7.6 millions times via ABCNEWS.com and iTunes. Weekly downloads have reached as high as 2 million. Mr. Gibson also anchors the 5:00 p.m., ET Information Network newscast on ABC News Radio.
ABC renamed its evening newscast �World News Tonight� in July 1978 with the debut of anchors Frank Reynolds, Peter Jennings and Max Robinson. In September 1984, it became �World News Tonight with Peter Jennings.� Following Mr. Jennings� death in August 2005, the broadcast became �World News Tonight.�
Going forward, the weekend editions of the broadcast will be called �World News Saturday� and �World News Sunday.�
ABC�s �World News with Charles Gibson� airs at 6:30 p.m., ET on the ABC Television Network. The �World News� webcast, is live at 3:00 p.m., ET, 7 days/week. It is available throughout the day at ABCNEWS.comhttp://www.wnt.abcnews.com/, on ABC News Now, through the iTunes Music Store (www.itunes.com), and on mobile phones via MobiTV, GoTV and Sprint TV Live.
Jon Banner is the executive producer of �World News with Charles Gibson.�
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