ABC began broadcasting with a new local affiliate in Miami Monday, just months after Disney Entertainment struck an agreement with Sunbeam Television Corporation.
Under the deal established in March, ABC Miami will broadcast ABC’s national sports, news and entertainment programming over-the-air on Channel 7.2 in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale television market, according to a statement. ABC can also be accessed on local Chanel 18.
"We are incredibly excited to join forces with Sunbeam Television in South Florida moving forward as they not only share Disney’s enduring commitment to serving local communities, but they also recognize the value of ABC’s esteemed brand and the significant investments we’re making to our world-class network content," Susi D'Ambra Coplan, Disney Entertainment’s senior vice president of affiliate relations, said in a statement.
Paul Magnes, co-president of Sunbeam Television Corporation, echoed the sentiment.
"When the opportunity to affiliate with ABC became available, we knew that our combined resources would allow us to develop an extremely strong partnership," Magnes said. "As a family-owned company, we have been embedded in this community for nearly 70 years, with a commitment to local news and supporting non-profit organizations across South Florida."
The Walt Disney Company is the parent company of Disney Entertainment and ABC News.
Meanwhile, WPLG 10, ABC's former longtime affiliate has decided to become an independent focusing heavily on hyper-local programming to serve the Miami-Fort Lauderdale market.
WPLG has dramatically expanded its local news output, increasing from 56 hours to 93 hours of live news and sports programming per week starting Monday.
The new schedule includes:
- Weekdays: Local 10 News airs from 4:30 a.m. to 11 a.m., noon to 1 p.m., 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., and 9 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
- Weekends: News broadcasts from 5 a.m. to 11 a.m., 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., 9 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., and 11 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Staff Retention and Hiring: Unlike many stations facing layoffs, WPLG is hiring to support this expansion, posting dozens of new positions.