ABC News Launches New Products Across Mobile, Web and OTT

ByABC News
July 14, 2016, 1:15 PM

— -- ABC News launches new apps for iPhone, Android and Apple TV, along with a new homepage that includes expanded capabilities that enhance the user experience across every screen. Product highlights include a more prominent placement of video, an amplified live multi-stream offering that supports up to 8 simultaneous streams and even more sophisticated cross platform alerts that provide for greater personalization.

Launching ahead of the RNC and DNC, ABC News introduces a Special Event feature for mobile and web, with a unique design that brings text, video, photo, and live updates front-and-center during major events and breaking news. New highlights for each product include:

ABC News App for iOS and Android
- Live tab: An immersive live video-only section features up to 8 simultaneous streams in an easily scrollable format - Enhanced Alerts: Personalization by location and content preferences live alongside a highly customizable Alerts feed- In-line video: Video autostarts in “Quiet Watch” mode as a user scrolls through content feeds- Listen tab: Includes a continually updated ABC News Radio audio stream, as well as podcasts from ABC News programs and originals including “Powerhouse Politics” and “10% Happier with Dan Harris”

ABC News App on Apple TV
- Live multi-stream experience: New functionality allows users to watch multiple live streams at once; users can access up to 8 live streams directly from the top shelf of the Apple TV Home screen. - App launches directly into video: With either VOD or Live video, launching the app delivers a next-gen TV feel that helps users stay informed with breaking news and coverage of events around the world- Local Markets: App auto detects location and delivers news from the nearest local station; App currently supports up to 30 markets, including 8 owned stations; - Curated Playlists: Highly curated content for the OTT audience with a topical focus on trending topics, original series, and the best of ABC News on-air programming- Exclusive tvOS design: Builds on two years of OTT development experience, creating an advanced tvOS-only user interface

ABC News Homepage

- Web alerts: The personalization and customization of alerts once only found in phone apps is now available on the web, including both breaking news and personalized alerts - Live video bar: Supports up to 8 simultaneous livestreams- Highly impactful, responsive design: Developed with a mobile-first sensibility to feature beautiful images and video content alongside traditional headline formats

ABC News VP Colby Smith sent the following memo to staff today:

Team –

I’m excited to announce that today we launch our new homepage, along with new apps for iPhone, Android, and Apple TV.

Over the last many months, the product and audience development teams have been hard at work to develop products that enhance the user experience and provide for seamless consumption across every screen.

We’ve added new video capabilities, including a live multi-stream offering that supports up to 8 simultaneous streams, as well as cross-platform push alerts with even greater personalization and sophistication.

Over time, push alerts may become the primary discovery point of our stories on mobile devices. Our goal is to offer our audience the smartest and most helpful alerts, better than any publisher in the world.

And – since we know that our loyal TV & Radio audiences are also our app users, we’ve further developed the show sections to provide the latest and highly curated content from ABC News broadcast programming, alongside digital originals and features. In addition, the new in-app ‘Listen’ tab includes a continually updated ABC News Radio audio stream and brings forth some of the our acclaimed original podcasts, including “10% Happier with Dan Harris” and “Powerhouse Politics.”

A big thanks to Doug Vance, Kristen Hague, Steve Hsu, Ryan Cardone, Anthony Castellano, Marc Rullo and the entire technology team, as well as all who provided their thoughts and feedback as we take this major step forward in reimagining storytelling for the modern audience.

I encourage everyone to go to visit the new site homepage and download our new apps (if you haven’t already). We’ve created a slack channel called #product_pitches for candid feedback and will thoughtfully consider each submission.

This is just the start. Always putting our audience first, we will deliberately and relentlessly evolve to lead the industry in defining the future of news and storytelling.

Colby

-ABC-