ABC began in 1943 as the NBC Blue Network following an order by the Federal Communications Commission. The commission mandated this split to expand competition in radio broadcasting across the United States.
Roone Arledge became president of ABC News in 1977 after leading ABC Sports for many years. He transformed the division into a ratings leader through innovative programming models that attracted significant advertising revenue.
Scandal erupted on the 7th of October 1985 over Roone Arledges decision to cancel a thirteen-minute report about Marilyn Monroe. Critics argued the piece was well-documented compared to anything networks produced during Watergate while co-anchors Hugh Downs and Barbara Walters publicly criticized the cancellation.
ABC launched its online presence through ABCNews.com on the 15th of May 1997 via a joint venture called ABC News Internet Ventures. Starwave operated this site initially with a dedicated staff of approximately thirty employees using RealAudio and RealVideo technology for multimedia delivery.
December 2024 saw Disney settle a defamation lawsuit brought by Donald Trump through donating fifteen million dollars to his future presidential library foundation. The settlement included paying one million dollars in legal fees plus publishing statements expressing regret over George Stephanopoulos comments regarding E. Jean Carroll allegations.