ABC has long been a laggard among TV networks in offering content through smart TVs and streaming media players. That changed today with the launch of the ABC News channel on Roku. ABC News offers multiple live streams (no authentication required!) along with a large video on demand library.
In an e-mail, the network’s vice president of digital, Colby Smith, told the ABC News staff that the launch of the Roku channel is "another big step in putting our audience in control of how and when they get their news. Roku users now have ABC News live video and on demand content, local news from several major markets and a wide range of historical video footage from ABC News’ archives. During breaking news and special events, Roku customers will have immediate access to multiple content streams, live 24/7."
Similar to CBS News' Roku channel, ABC News launches on your TV with a live feed. The back arrow on your remote will send you to the VOD library, where you can also access the live streams, including the main feed, Now on ABC News. The VOD library includes videos under Featured and Top Stories, but also has categories that change based on current news topics. Examples of currently available video categories are In Depth: Hillary Clinton Email Controversy and In Depth: Racist Frat Video. Other topics include This Week in History, Lifestyle and Fun, and Tech News.
Almost overlooked are several links at the very bottom of the ABC News home menu. Here you will find an even larger library:
Sections give you access news videos in the following categories:
- U.S.
- Entertainment
- Politics
- International
- Health
- Technology
- Money
- Investigative
- Travel
Shows offers segments from the following popular ABC News programs:
- Good Morning America
- World News Tonight
- Nightline
- This Week
- 20/20
Local is a collection of news segments from ABC affiliates in the following cities (the list will hopefully expand to include additional markets):
- New York
- Los Angeles
- Chicago
- Houston
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- San Antonio
- Boston
- Milwaukee
- Albuqueque
- Fresno
- San Francisco
- Minneapolis/St. Paul
- Honolulu
- Raleigh
Looking for something specific? Press the * button on your Roku remote to pull up the channel's search function.
ABC News is available on all current generation Roku devices (those introduced after June 2011 and including Roku 3 (4200X), Roku 2 (2720X), Roku 1 (2710X), Roku Streaming Stick, both HDMI (3500X) and Roku Ready (3400X, 3420X) versions, Roku LT (2400X, 2450X, 2700X), Roku 2 HD (3000X), Roku 2 XD (3050X), Roku 2 XS (3100X) and the Roku HD (2500X) and on Roku TVs.
Add the ABC News channel from your Roku by going to Streaming Channels >>> New, or by using the Add Channel option here: www.roku.com/channels#!details/54065/abc-news (you will be required to log into your Roku account).
