Hubbry Logo
LocalishLocalishMain
Open search
Localish
Community hub
Localish
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Contribute something
Localish
Localish
Localish
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Localish (formerly Live Well Network) is a digital multicast television network owned by ABC Owned Television Stations, a division of Disney.

Key Information

Localish's 24/7 channel streams on Hulu + Live and on linear TV. Its flagship shows including More in Common and Localish Legends air on ABC in major US cities, Localish.com, and Hulu. As of 2020, Localish reaches an audience of over 17 million TV households and 21 million social followers across ABC's platforms.[1]

History

[edit]

Disney launched its Localish media venture the week of September 20, 2018. Localish's lineup of TV and digital shows highlight a range of small businesses, local restaurants, and unique neighborhoods across America. With over 70% of its audience under the age of 45, the Localish network reaches millennials via locally sourced video stories released on ABC's digital, social and TV platforms. The first series, More in Common, had already appeared via Facebook Watch[2] on July 21, 2018.[3] The station group considered the possibility of an OTT (over-the-top or online) channel for the brand.[2] A More in Common compilation special was broadcast on all ABC stations' primary channels on November 4, 2018, then on WPVI in Philadelphia on November 3, and on the LiveWell Network subchannel (.2) from November 4 through 11, 2018.[4]

On January 21, 2020, ABC Owned Television Stations announced that the network would be rebranded as Localish on February 17, 2020. The rebranded network serves as an expansion of the Localish brand featuring several programs already featured on the Localish website.[5]

As Live Well Network

[edit]

Prior to launching Localish, ABC Owned Television Stations (ABCOTS) began development of a potential subchannel network in 2007. To appeal to ABC affiliates not owned and operated by the network, it was decided not to use ABC branding in any way.[6] Live Well Network was launched on April 27, 2009, in high definition on ABC's owned-and-operated stations as part of the stations' subchannels.[7][8][9] Initially, the network only had three hours of original programming that are looped throughout the day which was all sourced from ABC stations.[6] In September 2010, Belo became the first non-ABC group to sign on with the network, adding it to their stations on November 8, 2010. Not all of the Belo-owned stations originally aired the network in widescreen (unlike the ABC group), which led the network to drop the "HD" from its branding to become simply "Live Well Network".[10]

Two LWN owned and operated stations, WJRT and WTVG, were sold to Lilly Broadcasting closing on April 1, 2011.[11] On May 26, 2011, it was announced that a deal has been reached to air the network on nine Scripps-owned stations (several, but not all of them, are ABC affiliates).[12] In August 2011, the network picked up CBC Television's Steven and Chris for broadcast starting that fall.[13]

Logo for Live Well HD Network until 2010
Live Well Network's logo until 2020

On January 9, 2012, Citadel Communications announced that it would be adding Live Well to all five of its major network-affiliated stations (four of them ABC affiliates), bringing the network's reach to around 55% U.S. television households.[14] Young Broadcasting announced the addition of most of their stations to the network as of the end of January 2012; carriage agreements were maintained when Young was purchased by Media General in November 2013.[15]

In 2012, many ABC affiliates switching to the Live Well Network dropped Retro Television Network.[16] A 1-hour two-week LWN block was broadcast on Soapnet weeknights from 11 PM to 12 AM (ET/PT) starting on July 30, 2012, through Friday, August 10, 2012.[17]

The network lost affiliates in Memphis and Jackson, Tennessee in March 2013 as a result of the sale of Newport Television's stations to Nexstar Broadcasting (Nexstar generally does not carry subchannel networks in any form; WHBF-TV in Rock Island, Illinois, acquired by Nexstar in September 2013, eventually dropped LWN at the start of 2014, but it has since been replaced by a standard-definition simulcast of a sister station in the market).

KMCI-TV in Kansas City, Missouri, removed the network in favor of Bounce TV in October 2013, while Salt Lake City, Utah's KSL-TV would add Cozi TV at LWN's expense in January 2014. On February 17, 2014, KMOV in St. Louis dropped the network, as new owner Meredith Corporation plans on using the bandwidth for ATSC M/H mobile DTV, better known by the brand name Dyle (the subchannel was later re-launched to allow the launch of a replacement MyNetworkTV affiliate for the St. Louis area).[18]

The Phoenix DMA is the largest TV market which did not have a Live Well Network affiliate, since Scripps-owned KNXV-TV (an ABC affiliate) switched to Antenna TV in January 2014, citing viewer demand for the classic TV network as the reason for dropping Live Well.[19]

On June 9, 2014, network vice president Peggy Allen and ABC Owned Television Stations president Rebecca Campbell jointly announced to Live Well Network's staff that they planned to shut down the network in January 2015. Campbell and Allen said that despite the success of the network, the division wanted to prioritize "local content" and its "core local news brands".[20][21] Some of the network's shows may move to the fyi cable network, a network ABC holds a half-interest in with Hearst Corporation via the A&E Networks joint venture.[22] Many of the shows from ABC's stations were expected to end production.[23]

On January 13, 2015, via an announcement by Green Bay affiliate WBAY-TV (and later confirmed by Chicago media writer Robert Feder), ABC announced that the network would be extended for two further months from their previous close date of January 16, 2015 with a revised program schedule to allow their remaining affiliates additional time to find subchannel programming.[24][25]

Two days later, ABCOTS and the E. W. Scripps Company announced a pickup of Katz Broadcasting's new subchannel Laff, including the DT3 subchannels of the ABC O&O stations, as of April 15, 2015; within that announcement, ABCOTS stated that Live Well Network would continue on their eight stations on their DT2 subchannels in HD, but no longer be distributed outside of ABC O&O stations.[26][27] As of April 15, 2015, WBAY and all of the former Young stations now owned by Media General continued to run the network, with no mention of any new alternate programming for those subchannels. On May 29, 2015, Comcast was informed that Media General was dropping Live Well from their stations beginning May 30, 2015. Subsequently, the signal was pulled off the Media General stations at the close of business on May 29, with those stations either carrying still text cards apologizing for the end of the network and announcements of replacement programming to come, or carrying alternate station programming.[28] On October 31, 2015, the network lost its final affiliate station outside of the ABC O&O stations, Sinclair Broadcast Group's WJLA-DT3 in Washington, DC, replacing it with the company's newest subchannel network Comet.

As Localish

The network was rebranded as Localish in 2020. It is available on many free TV streaming services including ABC.com, Tubi, and DirecTV's free streaming platform, MyFree Directv. It is also available on pay TV services such as Hulu + Live and Fubo.

Programming

[edit]

As Live Well Network

[edit]

Many of the network's shows were produced by the local ABC Owned Television Stations.[22] Initially, the network only had three hours of original programming that looped throughout the day, all sourced from ABC stations.[6] The network expanded to six hours of original programming on January 11, 2011, when six more half-hour shows were added allowing the programming block to loop three times daily; with rotating episodes to ensure a given episode would not air more than twice in a day.[29]

By July 2011, the network was scheduling 18 hours of original programming with 1 hour set aside for local programming. In September 2011, 3 hours of children's E/I shows were added.[30] In February 2014, WPVI-TV Philadelphia and LWN were looking for participants for a pilot episode of Pop the Question, a reality series featuring wedding proposals.[31]

FYI, a cable specialty channel partly owned by Disney through A&E Networks, took over some of Live Well Network's programs with the network's contraction.[22] Sweet Retreats was picked up starting on October 10, 2014, by FYI.[32]

Sourcing Production co. Show title Start date End date Host(s) Description
ABC Station KABC-TV Advice for Life April 2009 August 25, 2010
  • Maria Brandwynne, Life coach
  • Dr. Rick Shuman, psychotherapist
[33]		 General advice[9]
KGO-TV Home with Lisa Quinn Lisa Quinn One room make overs[9][34]
WLS-TV Let's Dish Chef Chris Koetke, Dean of the School of Culinary Arts at Kendall College[9] Cooking show[6]
KTRK-TV Mirror Mirror[6] Rebecca Spera Fashion and beauty tips[35]
KFSN-TV & 18Thirty Entertainment Motion 2015 Greg Aiello[21] Outdoor travel show[6][36]
WLS-TV and Answers Media, LLC Say Ahh... 2011[37]
  • Jane Hanson
  • Dr. Gerald Chodak
  • Belma Michael Johnson
  • Dr. Ted Epperly
  • Dawn Jackson Blatner
[38]		 Health and medical news[9]
WPVI-TV Mary Talks Money January 11, 2010 2011[37] Mary Caraccioli A financial advice and literacy show[29][39]
WABC-TV Gotta Know August 3, 2010 Heidi Jones[40] A high-tech gadget show[29]
KGO-TV Everyday Living 2011[37] Janelle Wang Lifestyle show[29][41]
KABC-TV Custom Fit fall 2010 2012[37] Lori Corbin, food and fitness coach Health living series covering a range of topics from dieting to workout routines[42]
KGO-TV Good Cookin’ Bruce Aidells, a chef, food commentator and best-selling author Cooking program[42]
WLS-TV Here's How, Right Now 2012[37] former HGTV host Joel Schmarje Provides instructions on non-professional needed household projects[42]
KABC-TV OTRC: On the Red Carpet[42] 2013[43] Rachel Smith and Chris Balish Entertainment magazine[42]
WPVI-TV We Owe What? January 12, 2012[44] Mary Caraccioli Host helps family with debt[44]
KFSN-TV & 18Thirty Entertainment[36] My Family Recipe Rocks Joey Fatone Home cooking[21]
KABC-TV Live Big with Ali Vincent September 4, 2011 Ali Vincent Weight loss & activities[45]
KGO-TV Food Rush September 8, 2012 Ryan Scott Follows a chef as he works his catering business, food truck and the opening of a new restaurant[46]
KTRK-TV Deals Consumer reporter Kat Cosley Donors or finding money-saving tips[35]
Miss America: Secrets Revealed January 7, 2013 January 11, 2013 Rebecca Spera Contestants makeup, beauty and other tips[47]
KTRK-TV Home Chef Showdown June 22, 2014 June 24, 2014 Ryan Scott Home cooks face off judged by a panel of chefs in this special three episode series[48]
WPVI-TV Knock It Off! July 6, 2014
  • Monica Mangin
  • Jess Jackson
 13 episodes; low cost one room make over[49]
WPVI-TV Sweet Retreats[22] October 10, 2014[32] Rene Syler[22]
Outside Answers Media Save My Planet January 11, 2010 2012[37] Eco-info series[29]
Canada syndicated My Green House 2012[37] An "Extreme Home Makeover" like show[29]
Frontera Media Productions & Luminair Film Productions[50] Mexico: One Plate At A Time[21] Rick Bayless From (PBS) network Mexican food series[29]
Associated Television International Laura McKenzie's Traveler fall 2010 Laura McKenzie Travel to various sought-after destinations[42]
Entertainment Concepts International Treasure Hunters Roadshow 2013[37] Andy St. Clair Seeks out eclectic collector's items[42]
CBC Television Steven and Chris September 12, 2011[13] 2016 Steven Sabados
Chris Hyndman		 Lifestyle talk show, Series canceled in 2015 following Chris Hyndman's death
Basil Street Media Food for Thought with Claire Thomas[51] Claire Thomas Program from ABC's syndicated block Litton's Weekend Adventure for FCC E/I compliance; cooking
Everyday Health Everyday Health[51]
E/I Litton program; health and wellness
Everyday Health & Truim Recipe Rehab[51] Daniel Boome E/I Litton program; cooking and health
The Television Syndication Company Real Life 101[51] Christie and Shawn E/I program; career exploration
Hiring America, LLC Hiring America 2019 2020 Gigi Stone Woods Assisting veterans in finding jobs[52]
Pickler & Ben 2019 2020 Kellie Pickler
Ben Aaron[53]		 Syndicated day time variety show
Brandstar Military Makeover R. Lee Ermey Home improvement for veterans[54]
The Balancing Act Julie Moran and Olga Villaverde Advertorial[54]

Localish

[edit]

Localish content was originally available via online (ABC.com and stations' website, ABC apps), its over-the-top platforms (Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV), social media (Facebook Watch, Twitter, YouTube Instagram) and syndicated by Oath and Apple News.[2]

Show title Start date End date Production co. Host(s) Description
More in Common July 21, 2018 Launched on Facebook Watch[3]
Secretly Awesome September 20, 2018 Locals' top spots[2]
My Go-To Local influencers showing their favorite hangouts[2]
Worth the Wait Looks into if the wait at the hotspots is really worth it[2]
Staycation October 2018 A travel series[2]
Bite Sized Food series[2]
Pumped Fitness series[2]
All Good February 17, 2020 Features people making positive change[5]
Glam Lab Beauty and self-care newest products and trends tested[5]
Out of Office Vacation videos[5]
Stroke of Genius Finding the inspiration behind America's most talented artists[5]

Video quality

[edit]

The network broadcasts in a lower-bandwidth form of 720p HD format in order to preserve bandwidth for the main HD station signal and additional 480i digital subchannels.

Cable carriage is also featured in the ABC O&O markets (for example Xfinity in Chicago, Fresno, Houston, Philadelphia, and San Francisco; Spectrum in Los Angeles and the Research Triangle; Altice USA in New York City), either as a full HD feed or a 480i standard definition version.[55][56] As of December 2017, WLS-TV only carries a standard definition version of the network due to a channel sharing agreement with UniMas station WXFT-DT which requires a high definition broadcast of that station.

Affiliates

[edit]

Localish is available over-the-air as a digital subchannel of the following stations:

List of Localish affiliates[57]
Media market State Station Channel
Fresno California KFSN-DT2 30.2
Los Angeles KABC-DT2 7.2
San Francisco KGO-DT2 7.2
Chicago Illinois WLS-DT2 7.2
Raleigh–Durham North Carolina WTVD-DT2 11.2
New York City New York WABC-DT2 7.2
Philadelphia Pennsylvania WPVI-DT2 6.2
Houston Texas KTRK-DT2 13.2

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Localish

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Localish is a national television and digital media network owned by ABC Owned Television Stations, a division of The Walt Disney Company, that focuses on positive storytelling about communities across America, highlighting extraordinary people, places, and passions through short-form videos and original series. Launched initially as a digital-first brand in July 2018 with the Facebook Watch series More in Common, which featured stories of Americans bridging divides, Localish expanded to broadcast television on February 17, 2020, as a rebranding of ABC's former Live Well Network. The network emphasizes uplifting content, including bite-sized episodes on local culture, cuisine, hidden stories, and community initiatives, with programming such as Localish Presents and over 10 original primetime shows. It reaches more than 17 million television households in major U.S. cities via multicast channels on ABC stations and garners over 26 million followers across social media platforms. Full episodes and videos are available for streaming on services like Hulu, Roku, Samsung TV+, and Tubi, promoting themes of "good news, good people, and good living."

History

Origins as Live Well Network

The Live Well Network was launched on April 27, 2009, by , a division of , as a high-definition digital multicast network focused on lifestyle programming. This initiative aimed to capitalize on the additional broadcast capacity created by the ongoing transition to digital over-the-air , which enabled stations to offer multiple subchannels without requiring cable subscriptions. At the time, traditional cable lifestyle channels were facing fragmentation and rising costs, prompting broadcasters like ABC to develop free, accessible alternatives to attract viewers interested in wellness and content. The network's initial programming slate consisted of six original half-hour series designed to provide practical advice and entertainment in areas such as , , home decor, and fitness, including Let's Dish (featuring healthy cooking demonstrations), Home with Lisa Quinn (on ), Mirror, Mirror ( tips), Say Ahh... (medical insights), Motion (exercise routines), and Advice for Life (). These shows were produced primarily by ABC's owned-and-operated stations, emphasizing relatable, everyday topics to engage a national audience seeking inspirational lifestyle content. Early distribution was confined to the digital subchannels (typically .2) of ABC's 10 owned stations in major markets, including in New York, in , in , in Philadelphia, and KGO-TV in , reaching approximately 24% of U.S. television households. This limited rollout allowed ABC to test the format on its core infrastructure before potential expansion, with the network also available online via LiveWellHD.com and on mobile devices. The service later evolved, eventually rebranding as Localish in to shift toward local storytelling.

Expansion and operational changes

Following the initial launch, the Live Well Network expanded its carriage to additional ABC affiliates and independent stations, culminating in availability on the eight ABC owned-and-operated stations' digital subchannels by 2015. The planned shutdown in early 2015 was reversed, initially maintaining distribution on affiliates and a national footprint reaching approximately 64% of U.S. households. However, later in 2015, national distribution ceased, limiting carriage primarily to these O&Os and reducing reach to about 23% of households (approximately 28 million). To bolster its programming slate, the network introduced syndicated content, including the lifestyle series The Balancing Act, which featured practical advice on , , and home topics, alongside other acquired shows like Mirror/Mirror and Let's Dish. Partnerships with external producers and ABC station groups enabled the development of original wellness series, such as food and travel-focused programs produced in collaboration with outlets like KGO-TV in , emphasizing inspirational stories and everyday improvement. Despite these efforts, encountered significant operational challenges, including persistently low viewership ratings and difficulty attracting advertisers, which nearly led to its discontinuation in 2014. With audience shares remaining minimal amid rising competition from on-demand streaming services like and , executives prompted format adjustments toward more actionable, practical lifestyle advice to better engage fragmented viewers. In July 2018, ABC launched Localish as a digital-first brand on , featuring the series More in Common to highlight stories bridging community divides, marking an early shift toward local narratives while Live Well continued on broadcast subchannels.

Rebranding to Localish

On January 21, 2020, Wendy McMahon, president of , announced the of the Live Well Network to Localish, effective , 2020, across all eight ABC-owned markets. This transformation marked the culmination of a multiplatform evolution for the network, shifting from national lifestyle programming to a focus on authentic, community-driven narratives sourced from local ABC stations. The rebranding was motivated by a desire to align with evolving viewer preferences for positive, stories that celebrate urban and suburban life, reflecting ABC's commitment to serving its communities through innovative storytelling. McMahon emphasized elevating "the best of local" by featuring uplifting content about everyday resilience and connections in American cities and towns, aiming to engage a younger, digitally native audience amid broader shifts in . This strategic pivot came at the onset of the , which began impacting the U.S. in early 2020, allowing Localish to quickly adapt its format to highlight community strength during challenging times. The immediate rollout on included updated on-air graphics and branding elements, alongside the debut of expanded programming on multicast digital subchannels, integrating short- and long-form series produced with contributions from ABC station journalists. Pilot-like debut episodes incorporated user-generated and station-sourced local content, such as stories from initiatives like "More In Common," to foster a sense of shared community experiences. Early reception was positive, with the launch reaching approximately 14 million households and boosting engagement through integrated promotions that encouraged viewer submissions and interactions.

Ownership and operations

Parent company and corporate structure

Localish is owned and operated by (OTV), a division of Disney Entertainment Television within . acquired American Broadcasting Companies, Inc. (ABC), including its owned stations, in a $19 billion deal completed in 1996, integrating OTV into Disney's broader media portfolio. OTV oversees eight flagship ABC-affiliated stations in major U.S. markets, including in New York, in , and in , which function as primary production hubs for Localish content. Localish operates as a key digital multicast network on these stations' subchannels, complementing other OTV-distributed networks such as Charge! to maximize spectrum utilization and audience reach. Within OTV's corporate structure, Localish supports a multiplatform emphasizing digital-first, community-oriented programming that fosters with ABC's news and entertainment divisions, such as through shared storytelling on ABC platforms and . This integration enhances viewer engagement across linear TV, streaming, and digital channels, aligning with Disney's goal of localized content distribution. A notable corporate milestone for OTV occurred in 2024, when it renewed a broadcast affiliation agreement with to expand multicast carriage for networks like Charge!, bolstering the infrastructure that supports assets such as Localish.

Headquarters and production facilities

Localish's primary headquarters is in New York, New York. Production facilities for Localish are integrated across the eight , enabling localized content creation. Key studios include those of in New York at 7 Hudson Square, which supports urban storytelling segments; in at 190 North State Street, focusing on Midwest community narratives; and in at 4100 City Avenue, dedicated to regional lifestyle programming. These sites produce original video content tailored to local audiences, with over 700 pieces generated by the owned stations in the network's first year alone. The operational workflow centers on digital multicast management from ABC's facilities in , where national coordination occurs. Content is aggregated centrally before distribution, incorporating remote contributions from ABC affiliate stations nationwide (approximately 170 affiliates as of 2023) to feed hyper-local stories into the 24/7 programming schedule.

Programming

Content philosophy and format

Localish's content philosophy centers on delivering uplifting, hyperlocal narratives that spotlight the positive aspects of American communities, emphasizing authenticity, , and shared human connections to foster trust and engagement among viewers. The network prioritizes stories of local heroes, cultural events, and innovative everyday experiences, drawing from diverse urban and regional perspectives to highlight universal themes while celebrating regional uniqueness. This approach aims to counterbalance negative news cycles by focusing on inspirational content that builds community pride and bridges divides. In terms of format, Localish employs a hybrid structure blending long-form 30-minute episodes suitable for broadcast with shorter digital segments, typically 5-10 minutes, to accommodate multiplatform consumption. These include themed programming blocks that explore lifestyle inspirations, such as daily life innovations and cultural discoveries, often structured without on-screen hosts to let the stories unfold organically through compelling visuals and narration. The content is designed for quick engagement, with hooks in the first few seconds to capture mobile audiences. Production emphasizes a digital-native style, integrating locally sourced material from ' reporters and community contributors with professional editing and voiceover for polished authenticity. Stories are often originated at the eight ABC stations, ensuring relevance before national adaptation. Since its rebranding, Localish has shifted from prior wellness-focused programming to this community-centric model, producing hundreds of original videos annually to maintain a fresh, viewer-driven pipeline.

Key series and episodes

Localish Life serves as a flagship series for the network, launched in 2024, and focuses on hosted segments by local personalities highlighting inspiring stories of community, resilience, and everyday heroes across the . Episodes often explore themes of personal and communal growth, including post-disaster rebuilds such as hurricane relief efforts featured in 2025 segments on recovery in affected regions. By 2025, the series had produced numerous installments, contributing to Localish's extensive library of over 500 episodes overall, with collaborations involving local influencers and ABC on-air talent to bring authentic voices to the forefront. A notable 2025 , "New Beginnings" (Season 1, Episode 11, aired January 28), delves into stories of reinvention and , spotlighting initiatives in Midwest cities where communities transform challenges into opportunities for growth, such as through local businesses and revitalization projects. This installment exemplifies the series' emphasis on positive transformation, featuring narratives from tattoo parlors aiding personal reinvention to broader neighborhood revamps. As of November 2025, Localish Life continued airing new episodes, including themed content on community events and seasonal stories. Among other prominent series, Localish Presents operates as an since 2021, offering one-off documentaries that capture unique cultural moments, including episodes on vibrant local festivals and traditions that showcase regional heritage and community bonds. Complementing this, Bite Size Episodes delivers short-form content starting in the network's early digital phase, with clips highlighting viral local trends and innovative small-town stories, such as 2024 features on inventive community projects and hidden culinary gems. These series collectively underscore Localish's commitment to bite-sized, uplifting narratives drawn from diverse locales.

Distribution

Broadcast affiliates

Localish is primarily distributed over-the-air through the eight , which serve as its core affiliates. These stations carry the network on dedicated digital subchannels, typically positioned as the second multicast slot (e.g., in New York on virtual channel 7.2, in on 7.2, and in on 7.2). This setup allows free access via antenna in major markets including New York, , , , , , Raleigh-Durham, and Fresno, reaching over 17 million U.S. television households. Beyond the owned stations, Localish is available on a limited number of additional over-the-air translators and low-power stations in select markets, such as the High Desert region of California (K26MW-D on 7.2) and (K30QC-D on 7.2), extending coverage to approximately 79 million potential viewers, or about 25% of the U.S. population, as of 2025. There is no widespread carriage on non-owned ABC affiliates operated by groups like Sinclair or Nexstar, limiting broader national penetration compared to major networks. Distribution occurs via ATSC 1.0 multicast slots on these stations, with ongoing industry transitions to in some markets potentially enabling enhanced video quality for Localish in the future, though no specific implementations for the network have been announced as of late 2025. Access to Localish via broadcast has been indirectly affected by carriage disputes involving ABC feeds, notably the October 2025 blackout on , which removed local ABC stations nationwide and disrupted availability for subscribers relying on integrated streaming services. This incident highlighted vulnerabilities in hybrid viewing options but did not impact pure over-the-air reception.

Streaming and digital platforms

Localish is available as a 24/7 streaming channel on Hulu + Live TV, where subscribers can access live broadcasts and on-demand episodes of its programming. The network also streams as a free ad-supported television (FAST) service on , , and , enabling cord-cutters to watch without additional subscriptions. On ABC.com, Localish maintains a dedicated hub featuring curated playlists such as "Localish Presents," which showcases short-form videos highlighting local stories and personalities. These digital extensions extend to social media, with embeds and clips shared on platforms like Facebook and YouTube, contributing to a collective reach of over 34 million users across ABC Owned Television Stations' social channels. The network integrates into the ABC app for iOS and Android devices, offering dedicated sections for live streaming and on-demand content, alongside support in smart TV apps. Expansions to connected TV platforms include availability on Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, and Roku through ABC's 32 connected TV apps. As of early 2024 (covering 2023 data), ABC Owned Television Stations reported 62 million monthly digital visitors and 2.2 billion streaming minutes viewed, with sustained growth continuing into 2025 amid rising cord-cutting trends, as reflected in broader increases in OTT viewing for local content.

Technical aspects

Video and audio specifications

Localish employs a standard video resolution of at 60 frames per second for its multicast broadcasts on digital subchannels, optimizing bandwidth usage while delivering high-definition viewing on ABC owned-and-operated stations. This format supports upgradability to on deployments, enabling enhanced clarity on compatible receivers. For streaming, content is offered in on platforms such as . Audio specifications include stereo AC-3 encoding for broadcast transmissions, ensuring efficient delivery across subchannels while maintaining clear sound. On streaming services, select episodes incorporate options to elevate the listening experience for featured programs. These choices prioritize compatibility and quality within the constraints of environments. Video compression adheres to H.264/AVC standards for widespread device and receiver compatibility in ATSC 1.0 broadcasts, with supporting HEVC/H.265 to improve bandwidth efficiency and higher resolutions. Live Well Network included HD programming since 2013, with Localish continuing 720p high-definition multicast following the 2020 rebrand to boost viewer engagement and content appeal.

Device compatibility and accessibility

Localish content is accessible across a range of consumer devices, ensuring broad availability for viewers. It is supported on smart TVs such as Roku and Samsung models, as well as streaming devices including Amazon Fire TV and Apple TV, through dedicated ABC station apps that deliver live and on-demand programming. Mobile applications for iOS and Android devices further extend compatibility, allowing streaming on smartphones and tablets. For cord-cutters, over-the-air (OTA) reception via antenna tuners enables access on compatible televisions tuned to ABC Owned Television Stations' digital subchannels. Accessibility features are integrated to promote inclusivity, aligning with federal regulations and network initiatives. Closed captions are provided in compliance with (FCC) standards for video programming to assist deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers. Audio descriptions are available as part of ABC's services for visually impaired audiences. Multilingual are offered in certain episodes, supporting diverse linguistic needs without altering the core English-language broadcast. User interaction is enhanced through intuitive app controls, including on-demand pausing and rewinding for seamless viewing experiences on supported platforms. Offline downloads of Localish episodes are available exclusively to Hulu subscribers via the Hulu app on compatible mobile devices, enabling playback without an internet connection subject to expiration policies. Voice assistant integration, such as with Amazon Alexa on Echo devices, supports natural-language episode searches and playback commands on supported platforms. These enhancements also address compatibility issues on older devices by optimizing app performance and extending support for legacy streaming hardware.

References

  1. https://abcotvpress.com/stations/localish/
  2. https://abc.com/show/467e832e-7311-493d-bc2f-058b026b0193
  3. https://nabpilot.org/the-abc-tv-station-group-goes-after-mobile-millennials-with-localish/
  4. https://6abc.com/post/localish-launches-as-broadcast-network%3B-heres-how-to-watch/5939316/
  5. https://www.instagram.com/localish/?hl=en
  6. https://tubitv.com/live/618763/localish
  7. https://abc7chicago.com/archive/6779492/
  8. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/live-well-networks-demise-follows-710477/
  9. https://variety.com/2014/tv/news/abc-to-end-live-well-network-digital-channel-in-january-1201216529/
  10. https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/disneyabc-owned-live-well-network-fastest-growing-digital-network/
  11. https://robertfeder.dailyherald.com/2015/01/16/abcs-live-well-network-isnt-dead-yet/
  12. https://variety.com/2015/tv/news/abc-sticks-with-live-well-digital-channel-adds-comedy-net-1201408301/
  13. https://chicagobusinessinfo.com/reviews/remembering-live-well-network-episode-archives
  14. https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Live_Well_Network
  15. https://www.chicagotribune.com/2014/06/09/abc-ending-its-live-well-network-2/
  16. https://tvnewscheck.com/digital/article/abc-oos-localish-expands-with-diginet-rebranding/
  17. https://www.nexttv.com/news/abc-rebranding-live-well-broadcast-diginet-to-localish
  18. https://abc.com/news/738b22cf-b0ea-4374-bbaa-5d2ce4e5a7bc/category/2147204
  19. https://tvnewscheck.com/digital/article/pandemic-broadens-world-of-abcs-localish/
  20. https://www.nexttv.com/news/abcs-localish-goes-nationalish
  21. https://abcotvpress.com/
  22. https://www.companieshistory.com/who-owns-abc/
  23. https://www.justice.gov/archive/atr/public/press_releases/1996/0505.pdf
  24. https://sbgi.net/charge-and-abc-owned-television-stations-enter-into-new-network-affiliation-agreement/
  25. https://digitalcontentnext.org/blog/2019/04/15/how-abcs-localish-harnesses-hyperlocal-and-positivity-to-engage-audiences-and-drive-revenue/
  26. https://www.linkedin.com/company/localish
  27. https://abc7ny.com/post/wabc-tv-eyewitness-news-history/6407864/
  28. https://abc7chicago.com/post/abc7chicago-abc7-abc-7-chicago-wls-tv/37885/
  29. https://6abc.com/contact/
  30. https://abc7ny.com/post/localish-launches-as-broadcast-network/5936858/
  31. https://abc.com/show/467e832e-7311-493d-bc2f-058b026b0193/about-the-show
  32. https://digiday.com/future-of-tv/abcs-localish-using-facebook-incubate-tv-shows/
  33. https://abc.com/show/467e832e-7311-493d-bc2f-058b026b0193/playlist/pl555783085
  34. https://abc.com/shows/localish/news/updates/abc-launches-new-digital-brand-localish
  35. https://abc.com/news/f8d3231f-13c5-4e9a-82ae-cd5dc96eff3e/category/2147204
  36. https://abc7ny.com/videoClip/14821589/
  37. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlsYCbrow0M
  38. https://abc.com/episode/3ac9268b-5cc4-499f-b13a-f65fac553aee/playlist/pl551127435
  39. https://abc.com/video/3ac9268b-5cc4-499f-b13a-f65fac553aee/playlist/PL555293607
  40. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLnwAEAM2Mw
  41. https://tv.youtube.com/browse/best-of-localish-UCXWXssX31Mm30HxTzh6gTmQ
  42. https://abc.com/show/467e832e-7311-493d-bc2f-058b026b0193/playlist/pl555210210
  43. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtkixPBq85OIvsHxQq04-95p6X8bczoPb
  44. https://www.rabbitears.info/search.php?request=network_search&network=Localish
  45. https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-415053A1.pdf
  46. https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/youtube-tv-blackout-loses-abc-espn-disney-networks-1236566477/
  47. https://www.hulu.com/network/abc-localish-66a98f90-8f2b-4618-b08f-d73d74c0a5fd
  48. https://abc.com/show/467e832e-7311-493d-bc2f-058b026b0193/playlist/pl556785930
  49. https://abcotvpress.com/aotv_type/localish/
  50. https://abc.com/
  51. https://www.nielsen.com/insights/2025/local-news-goes-over-the-top-ott-app-viewing-is-growing-in-us-markets/
  52. https://www.rabbitears.info/market.php?request=print_market&mktid=803
  53. https://help.hulu.com/article/hulu-video-quality
  54. https://www.atsc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/A52-2018.pdf
  55. https://professional.dolby.com/siteassets/tv/home/dolby-vision/dolby_atsc3_hdbk_digi_v04_share.pdf
  56. https://www.atsc.org/atsc-documents/type/3-0-standards/
  57. https://www.adweek.com/convergent-tv/abc-multicasts-live-well-hd-channel-113613/
  58. https://abc7chicago.com/post/abc7-chicago-streaming-app-amazon-fire-tv-roku-android/6101260/
  59. https://abc7ny.com/post/download-abc7ny-apps-connected-devices-mobile-news-amazon-echo/7357414/
  60. https://abc.com/audio-description
  61. https://www.fcc.gov/audio-description
  62. https://help.hulu.com/article/hulu-downloads
  63. https://abc7chicago.com/post/download-abc-7-chicago-apps-connected-devices-mobile-news-amazon-echo/7186747/
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
Contribute something
User Avatar
No comments yet.