ABC News is launching a new, exclusive daily news program that will stream on Disney+.
The network news division says that the new show, What You Need to Know, will be anchored by chief international correspondent James Longman and senior political correspondent Rachel Scott, with new episodes going live on Disney+ at 6 a.m. eastern.
Each episode will be available for 24 hours, before the next days’ episode replaces it.
ABC News programming is already available on Disney+, including replays of shows like Good Morning America and World News Tonight, as well as live streaming of breaking news. However, What You Need to Know will be the first ABC News program exclusive to the platform.
The show is described as having a short-form format, combining breaking news, entertainment segments and viral videos. The series is a significant expansion of original news in streaming. While Peacock has programming from NBC News, it may lose content from MSNBC and CNBC when Versant is spun out later this year. Likewise, the future of CNN on HBO Max is uncertain with that looming split.
Paramount+ does feature CBS News programming, but it has not had an original CBS News series since the 60 Minutes spinoff 60 Minutes Plus.
While the new show is not described as a part of the Good Morning America franchise, both Longman and Scott have appeared on the morning show frequently in recent months, and the early morning debut suggests a similar lighter tone. They have also filled in on GMA3 in the early afternoon. That show was previously known as GMA3: What You Need to Know. GMA3 is currently in flux, having lost both of its anchors last week.
“We are proud to launch this innovative series with Rachel and James, who meet viewers where they are with essential news, context and analysis to help them better understand the world around us,” said Almin Karamehmedovic, president of ABC News, in a statement. “This new effort expands ABC News’ significant footprint on Disney+, allowing us to reach and connect with new and diverse audiences.”
“We’re excited to be anchoring What You Need to Know as part of ABC News’ growing line-up of content on Disney+,” added Longman and Scott. “Our goal is to cut through the noise, break down the top headlines, and bring viewers up to speed on the top stories of the day. We come from different corners of the newsroom, from the frontlines of foreign conflicts to the halls of power in Washington D.C., so we’ve got all the bases covered. Wherever we go, we’re excited to bring you with us.”
“What You Need to Know is reimagining what a news experience can look like for Disney+ subscribers — delivering smart, bite-sized commentary on the stories that matter most,” said Alisa Bowen, president of Disney+. “With the trusted voices of ABC News at the helm, this show marks an exciting evolution of our news offering.”