ABC News’ First Original Daily Program Created for Disney+ Will Be Anchored by Chief International Correspondent James Longman and Senior Political Correspondent Rachel Scott
The New Series Will Drop Episodes Weekdays at 6 a.m. ET, Joining Around-the-Clock ABC News Programming Available on Disney+
Today, ABC News and Disney+ announced “What You Need to Know,” a new weekday news show anchored by chief international correspondent James Longman and senior political correspondent Rachel Scott, which will premiere Monday, July 21, exclusively on Disney+. The short-form streaming series will be ABC News’ first original daily news program created for Disney+, with episodes premiering at 6 a.m. ET.
“What You Need to Know” is the fast, fresh way to stay ahead of the conversation as viewers start their day. From breaking headlines and the day’s biggest stories to entertainment buzz and viral videos, the show has everything you need to know. Each daily episode of “What You Need to Know” will be available on demand on Disney+ for 24 hours before refreshing with the next day’s news and headlines.
“We’re excited to be anchoring “What You Need to Know” as part of ABC News’ growing line-up of content on Disney+,” said Longman and Scott. “Our goal is to cut through the noise, break down the top headlines, and bring viewers up to speed on the top stories of the day. We come from different corners of the newsroom, from the frontlines of foreign conflicts to the halls of power in Washington D.C., so we’ve got all the bases covered. Wherever we go, we’re excited to bring you with us.”
“We are proud to launch this innovative series with Rachel and James, who meet viewers where they are with essential news, context and analysis to help them better understand the world around us,” said Almin Karamehmedovic, president of ABC News. “This new effort expands ABC News’ significant footprint on Disney+, allowing us to reach and connect with new and diverse audiences.”
“What You Need to Know is reimagining what a news experience can look like for Disney+ subscribers — delivering smart, bite-sized commentary on the stories that matter most,” said Alisa Bowen, president of Disney+. “With the trusted voices of ABC News at the helm, this show marks an exciting evolution of our news offering.”
The show joins around-the-clock ABC News programming available on Disney+, including all hours of “Good Morning America," "ABC World News Tonight with David Muir," "ABC News Live Prime with Linsey Davis," "Nightline," and ABC News Live streaming news channel content throughout the day.