For over 75 years, American Broadcasting Company (ABC) has delivered acclaimed news programs, groundbreaking dramas, fan-favorite comedies, and history-making reality shows into living rooms across America.
And for today‘s viewers, one of the most popular ways to tune into ABC is through Spectrum – one of the nation‘s largest cable TV providers boasting over 31 million subscribers.
This comprehensive guide will equip you, as a Spectrum subscriber, with insider knowledge and tools to access the full range of ABC content. You‘ll learn insider details like:
- The technology that enabled ABC to make the leap from radio to TV
- The major mergers that built ABC into a broadcasting powerhouse
- How streaming has created new opportunities while threatening broadcast networks
- Steps to watch ABC live or on-demand on multiple devices
- An in-depth look at ABC‘s top-rated sister stations also available on Spectrum
From how to locate your local ABC affiliate channel by zip code to binge-worthy shows you can only watch through Spectrum, read on for 2500+ words of expert analysis!
Paving the Way for ABC to Conquer TV
Decades before streaming and on-demand libraries, transmitting images along with sound into American living rooms was an enormous technical challenge.
The American Broadcasting Company has its modest beginnings in 1943 when Edward J. Noble purchased the struggling NBC Blue Radio Network for $8 million during a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) selloff. It was rebranded as the American Broadcasting Company with Noble using his technical know-how as owner of electronics company Emerson Radio and Phonograph to expand operations during World War II shortages and limitations. Engineers found workarounds, such as building radio transmitters from used parts, to keep ABC broadcasting throughout the war.
But Noble had his eye on the future – television. As early as 1944, he began acquiring TV stations to build ABC‘s reach on this side of the industry. However, TV was still in its experimental phase with less than 9,000 households owning sets by 1946. Over 100,000 homes owned TV sets when ABC made its first telecast in 1948 – showing there was now real potential despite skepticism from critics.
The challenge from 1948-1954 was creating coaxial cable and TV station infrastructure across the U.S. to power ABC broadcasts into localized markets. This "networking on the fly" was complex – requiring innovations like the beam relay system using strategically placed repeater towers for long-distance signal transmission when coaxial cable connecting both coasts didn‘t yet exist.
Despite the technical complications, ABC attracted advertisers with popular shows and rose to the #3 spot behind NBC and CBS by 1954. Backed by strategic mergers and the cultivation of new talent in front and behind the cameras, ABC cemented itself as a formidable TV network known for pushing programming boundaries in the 60s/70s with progressive series tackling current issues.
Now owned by Disney since 1996, ABC has maximized cross-promotional opportunities. Disney also continues to expand ABC‘s streaming capabilities and online libraries to evolve with changing viewer habits in the internet age we live in today.
Tracking the Mergers & Acquisitions Behind ABC‘s Evolution
Today‘s television landscape barely resembles its early days when broadcast networks controlled 92% of audiences in a much simpler media universe. Now splintered across basic and premium cable channels plus a growing list of streaming platforms, ABC has worked hard through pivotal mergers to retain relevancy and ranking:
United Paramount Merger (1953) – Struggling ABC chooses merger with United Paramount Theaters exhibition chain, bringing a much-needed infusion of talent, content, and over $30 million funding to revive the network. Hits like crime drama The Untouchables finally give ABC competitive footing.
Capital Cities Communications (1986) – After ABC loses half its value from ‘69 to ‘85, Capital Cities Communications acquires the network and transforms its corporate culture and ratings situation through smarter programming like Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and Lost.
The Walt Disney Company (1996) – In Disney‘s $19 billion purchase, analysts believe more value will be driven through ABC providing promotional vehicle for Disney entities like Marvel, Lucasfilm, FX Networks while continuing to air its established hits and news programs.
Today, ABC owns 238 affiliate stations reaching nearly every U.S. TV market. By maximizing ownership consolidated under Disney while incubating new formats like reality competitions and cinematic TV dramas, ABC retains its competitive edge despite audiences dividing attention across more entertainment sources than ever before.
Streaming – Both Opportunity & Threat for Broadcast TV
From video on demand to accessing episodes from nearly any internet-connected device, streaming opens fantastic convenience for viewers. But for ad-reliant broadcast networks like ABC, streaming (and piracy) poses huge financial threats. Most notably:
Rise of Ad-Free Subscription Services – Netflix began the trend audiences now embrace of paying monthly fees to stream content without ads. But ad revenue has long buoyed network profits. As more viewers shift to commercial-free options, networks must adapt.
Loss of Syndication & Licensing Revenue – Hit network shows retiring from live broadcasts have typically moved into syndication across cable channels and locally-owned affiliates for years to come. However, old seasons streamable on demand removes the profitability of these secondary markets.
Live news and sports broadcasts are increasingly becoming broadcasting‘s bulwark against audience erosion from streaming‘s on-demand libraries. As ABC‘s parent company Disney further enters the streaming sphere with Disney+ and Hulu, balancing strengthening digital platforms while protecting ad-based broadcasting models remains a key challenge.
ABC Streaming & Viewing Options for Spectrum Subscribers
While streaming apps offer options to view ABC programming outside traditional TV sets, Spectrum subscribers can access the full breadth of current ABC content through:
ABC App – Verify your TV provider credentials at ABC.com or in the ABC app to unlock live streams for your area, the latest episodes, and over 5,300 on-demand items.
Spectrum TV App – The Spectrum app utilizes your home Wi-Fi network to deliver hundreds of live channels and thousands of on-demand shows/movies to phones, tablets, laptops and connected TVs.
Hulu – This popular streaming service ($7.99/month with ads or $14.99/month without ads) grants access to thousands of episodes from ABC‘s current shows the day after airing. However, local live feeds are only accessible in limited cases so the ABC/Spectrum app works better for real-time viewing.
YouTube TV, DirecTV Stream, FuboTV – These streaming TV bundles all include ABC in certain packages, though channel availability varies by region. Plans cost between $70-$100 monthly but also contain dozens of extra stations.
Thanks to Spectrum‘s high-speed fiber internet reaching 84 million homes nationwide, subscribers can conveniently stream ABC programming through official apps or on-demand services.
Next, we‘ll switch gears to highlight Spectrum‘s channel packages and hardware available to access ABC before outlining the network‘s top sister stations.
Navigating ABC and Spectrum Packaging
While antenna over-the-air signals can access ABC in many regions, cable providers like Spectrum offer more reliable HD streams along with DVR functionalities. Here‘s what subscribers need to know:
Finding Your Local Channel – ABC local affiliate stations available in Spectrum‘s lineup receive channel placements based on regional lineups starting in the low digits. Refer below or check Zip code lookup tools:
| Metro Area | Channel |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | 7 |
| San Antonio, TX | 13 |
| Dallas, TX | 8 |
| Philadelphia, PA | 6 |
| Tampa, FL | 13 |
Spectrum TV Plans – All Spectrum plans from Select ($74.99/month) to Ultimate ($124.99/month) include ABC alongside over 200 other popular channels. Higher tiers feature more channels and available add-ons like specialty sports networks and premium movie channels.
Equipment & DVR – Leasing a Spectrum receiver (high-definition or DVR) comes included in plans to decode signals. Unlimited recordings to the Spectrum Cloud DVR cost only an extra $5 monthly for convenient programs retrieval from any compatible devices.
For the 75+ channels plans start with along with equipment/infrastructure perks, Spectrum presents reasonable value for access to ABC and the ability to maximize streaming versatility through official apps.
Next, we‘ll explore the spectrum of ABC sister stations Spectrum carries.
The Best of ABC Sister Channels on Spectrum
Beyond ABC‘s own programming, subsidiary Disney-owned channels also accessible through Spectrum TV subscriptions offer award-winning sports coverage, kid-friendly animation, documentary treasures, and cutting-edge adult series.
ESPN Networks – As the #1 cable network since 2011 regardless of genre, Disney-owned ESPN anchors Spectrum channel bundles by broadcasting 24/7 sports news, commentary, films, and live events from every league like Monday Night Football. Signature studio programs (SportsCenter), betting shows (Daily Wager), and debate series (First Take) rack up huge ratings along with original ESPN documentaries constantly earning Peabody and Emmy awards.
Disney Channel & Disney Junior – Beloved by kids age 2-14, these Disney cable networks focus on family comedies, animated adventures, and audience-participation programs like Mickey Mouse Funhouse or The Puppy Dog Pals Show. Flagship series like Raven‘s Home or Mira, Royal Detective score big with core demographics while new movies always spur excitement.
FX Networks – Combining prestige dramas that constantly earn Emmy and Golden Globe nods (American Horror Story) along with clever, boundary-pushing comedies (It‘s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, What We Do In The Shadows), FX has honed a brand catering to Gen X and millennials. Critically-praised docuseries like The New York Times Presents and New Yorker documentaries also drive viewership while tackling compelling true stories.
Together with ABC, Spectrum provides many channels satisfying sports addicts, animation lovers, true crime devotees, comedy connoisseurs and everyone in between!
Conclusion: Get Streaming With ABC on Spectrum
We‘ve covered the broadcast technology breakthroughs enabling ABC programming to beam into living rooms. We‘ve followed mergers that built ABC into a Disney-owned titan boasting highly-rated news programs, reality competitions, family comedies and daring dramas. Whether accessed through cable set-top boxes or multi-device streaming set-ups, Spectrum subscribers can conveniently access ABC along with sports powerhouse ESPN, animation leader Disney Channel and other coveted channels.
So power on your television sets…and power on your devices to start streaming ABC and all its stellar sister stations with Spectrum TV. We hope this 2500-word expert guide has broken down everything needed to cut the cord and wire up with ABC through Spectrum for years of award-winning entertainment to come!
){kind=link}