ABC News Radio is facing scrutiny after it delayed coverage of Sen. Lindsey Graham’s death over the weekend because it aired pre-recorded newscasts during overnight hours.
The longtime South Carolina Republican senator, 71, died Saturday evening, July 11, 2026, after a brief and sudden illness. His office announced the news around 2:42 a.m. ET Sunday. A preliminary medical examiner’s report attributed the death to an aortic dissection.
However, ABC News Radio’s 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. ET newscasts did not include the breaking story. Affiliates first received network notification via email around 4:30 a.m., and an obituary was added to the Newscall system at 3:30 a.m.
The network had been using pre-recorded or re-aired newscasts overnight for nearly two years, a cost-saving practice that left some stations without immediate updates on major overnight developments.
While some higher-level executives at affiliate groups knew about it, many operational staff were not informed.
Local stations, such as WTOP in Washington, D.C., filled the gap with their own anchors providing immediate coverage, including multiple updates and interviews starting shortly after the announcement.
The incident has prompted questions about ABC News Radio’s overnight operations, especially as the network has gained more affiliates following changes in the radio news landscape. It also raises broader discussions about FCC disclosure rules for non-live content and the balance between cost efficiency and timely news delivery in a 24/7 media environment.