If you‘re a DirecTV subscriber wondering where to find the ABC channel, you‘ve come to the right place! ABC is available on DirecTV channel 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 24, 25, 28, or 30 depending on your location in the United States. To get the exact channel number, check the table below for your local city and regional area. This will tell you the specific DirecTV assignment to tune into for ABC.
Now let‘s dive deeper into ABC‘s long broadcasting history and the kinds of shows you can expect to enjoy once you‘ve found the right station number!
A Historical Journey Through ABC‘s Eight Decades on the Air
ABC has been a fixture of American television for over 80 years. Here‘s a more expansive look at the major milestones and eras that defined this trailblazing network‘s rise to becoming one of the "Big Three" broadcasters:
1943 – From NBC Blue to ABC
ABC traces its formation back to 1943 when NBC was forced to sell its NBC Blue radio network under antitrust pressures. Businessman Edward J. Noble purchased the network and rechristened it as the American Broadcasting Company, planting the seeds for what would become one of the longest-running broadcasters.
Mid-1940s and 1950s – Shaky Start During the Golden Age
In ABC‘s early years during the "Golden Age of Radio", it struggled to gain a foothold against mighty competitors NBC and CBS. In 1948, ABC had just five primary affiliated stations compared to NBC‘s 68 affiliates according to historical records. By 1951, ABC had only generated $4 million in revenue, dwarfed by NBC‘s $130 million. The network lost money and flirted with bankruptcy over these formative years.
1954 – Walt Disney Partnership Turns Fortunes Around
ABC‘s outlook changed thanks to a partnership with an emerging entertainment icon who was new to television – Walt Disney. When Disney proposed an anthology series called Disneyland in 1954, ABC greenlit the idea as its first major attempt at entertainment programming.
The show (later rebranded Walt Disney‘s Wonderful World of Color in 1961) became a surprise smash for ABC. By 1955, it had drawn 40 million viewers, quadrupling ABC‘s audience according to Nielsen ratings. This bold Disney deal put ABC on steadier financial ground after years of uncertainty.
1960s and 1970s – The Rise to Competitiveness
With shows like Batman premiering in 1966 and The Mod Squad in 1968, ABC began making up ground on dominant rivals CBS and NBC. By the 1970s, ABC had firmly cemented itself as competitive. Breakthrough programs like the miniseries Roots in 1977 and Charlie‘s Angels in 1976 powered ABC‘s ascent.
The network took a huge leap forward with the launch of Monday Night Football in 1970. ABC‘s coverage of the primetime National Football League games was a ratings juggernaut, contributing to ABC unseating NBC as the number one network by the late 1970s.
1980s – Sitcom Domination
ABC‘s meteoric rise continued in the 1980s led by its slate of hit family sitcoms like Happy Days, The Love Boat, Full House and Roseanne. These programs dominated ratings, especially among younger audiences. According to Nielsen, the 1983 sitcom Webster finished in TV‘s top 10 most-watched shows for the decade.
1990s – Disney Takeover and Continued Success
The 1990s marked a major shift when The Walt Disney Company acquired ABC in 1996, leading to cross-promotions with Disney‘s portfolio of brands. However, ABC still rode high on its popular sitcoms including Home Improvement and breakout TGIF shows.
According to Nielsen, ABC finished the 1999-2000 TV season with an average 12.1 million viewers in primetime – its highest viewership in 14 years. Now under Disney‘s wing, the network entered the new millennium poised for continued relevance.
2000 to Today – Prestigious Dramas and New Hits
ABC began producing primetime dramas with cinematic prestige in the 2000s and beyond. Sophisticated shows like Lost, Desperate Housewives, Grey‘s Anatomy and Once Upon a Time defined this era.
In the 2010s, ABC found success with long-running franchises like The Bachelor dating series. Fan favorites like Modern Family ruled ABC‘s comedy lineup. Today, ABC has endured losses but continues airing acclaimed series such as breakout sitcom Abbott Elementary while remaining competitive for viewership across age groups.
Now that you understand ABC‘s illustrious background, let‘s explore everything the network has to offer on its programming lineup today!
A Spectrum of Entertainment Awaits on ABC
Once you‘ve located the local ABC station on your DirecTV dial, you‘ll gain access to a stellar mix of shows spanning sitcoms, dramas, reality competitions, news and more.
Acclaimed Dramas
ABC cemented its reputation for compelling dramas over the past two decades. Flagship series like Grey‘s Anatomy continue going strong with their emotional storytelling and strong casts. Other highlights include the Nathan Fillion-led cop drama The Rookie and its 2021 spinoff The Rookie: Feds. Medical tale The Good Doctor is another recent addition praised for its thoughtful portrayal of autism.
Laugh-Out-Loud Comedies
On the lighter side, ABC boasts comedies acclaimed for their sharp wit and inclusiveness. Word-of-mouth sensation Abbott Elementary stars Quinta Brunson as an idealistic teacher and drew ABC‘s largest comedy audience since Modern Family. Nostalgic coming-of-age tale The Wonder Years and topical reboot The Conners are more bright spots on ABC‘s sitcom slate.
Unscripted Hits
Many of ABC‘s most enduring franchises stem from unscripted formats. The whirlwind romance of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette reliably pull heartstrings season after season. Dancing with the Stars combines celebrity with ballroom dancing competition. Business reality show Shark Tank gives promising entrepreneurs a shot at investor funding.
Games and Quizzes
ABC packs its schedule with reimagined versions of classic game shows. Survey game Celebrity Family Feud and trivia challenge The $100,000 Pyramid put stars on the hot seat. The high-stakes Celebrity Jeopardy! revival lets famous contestants test their smarts. New games like The Final Straw and Generation Gap add variety to ABC‘s lineup.
News and Information
As a leader in news coverage, ABC offers acclaimed programs to stay informed. Flagship evening broadcast ABC World News Tonight with David Muir remains competitive in viewership with its "America Strong" segments. Good Morning America rules the dawn hours with its winning mix of hard news and pop culture coverage.
Venerable newsmagazine 20/20 continues making headlines with its investigative journalism. Late-night mainstay Nightline provides in-depth storytelling. Outspoken panel show The View weighs in on hot topics of the day.
Sports and Events
Sports have long been an ABC mainstay, especially NFL matchups on the iconic Monday Night Football. Thanks to parent company Disney which owns ESPN, ABC also provides coverage of the NBA Finals, Major League Baseball, the Indianapolis 500, X Games and more major sporting events. Music fans can tune in for the American Music Awards, CMA Awards and others.
With this immense variety across genres, ABC truly offers something for all tastes and interests. Once you locate ABC through the DirecTV channel finder above, you‘ll have a wealth of acclaimed entertainment at your fingertips.
So tap that channel number into your remote and dive into the multi-dimensional programming universe awaiting on ABC! The network promises captivating stories, laughs and insights for viewers of all ages.