ABC 7 Eyewitness News thread

[Encore 323 79]

Here is the photo version of ABC 7’s new state of the art set, one of the LARGEST local news sets in the country to date. The last couple of photos was just taken at around 5:15pm this evening showcasing Marc Brown, Michelle Fisher, chief meteorologist Dallas Raines, and meteorologist Danny Romero behind him updating the traffic maps for the evening traffic reports.

As already stated by myself and others, the studio is basically a near-replica of WABC but just suited for KABC’s needs and it feels like something that you expect from Southern California’s News Leader. The debate between KABC and KTLA on who has the higher quality studio in the LA market goes either way or both ways depending on what metrics you use.
 

 

Edited March 10 by Encore 323

[CraigViewer 107]

It's a gorgeous set!  Here are some other photos of the new set, as well:

Edited March 10 by CraigViewer

[MorningNews 1711]

I actually don’t think it’s a replica of WABC other than the strong blue theme. KABC’s is significantly more dynamic than WABC’s, both great in their own rights but KABC’s is truly remarkable. Very similar to KTLA’s set which is also top notch.

 

Their ability to consistently exceed expectations on this stuff is insane.
 

*please let KTRK get something this grand*

[MeAndTheGraphics 16]

1 hour ago, Encore 323 said:

Here is the photo version of ABC 7’s new state of the art set, one of the LARGEST local news sets in the country to date. The last couple of photos was just taken at around 5:15pm this evening showcasing Marc Brown, Michelle Fisher, chief meteorologist Dallas Raines, and meteorologist Danny Romero behind him updating the traffic maps for the evening traffic reports.

As already stated by myself and others, the studio is basically a near-replica of WABC but just suited for KABC’s needs and it feels like something that you expect from Southern California’s News Leader. The debate between KABC and KTLA on who has the higher quality studio in the LA market goes either way or both ways depending on what metrics you use.
 

 

This is very nice set, and a lot roomier too.

[GraphicsMan 345]

4 hours ago, MorningNews said:

I actually don’t think it’s a replica of WABC other than the strong blue theme. KABC’s is significantly more dynamic than WABC’s, both great in their own rights but KABC’s is truly remarkable. Very similar to KTLA’s set which is also top notch.

 

Their ability to consistently exceed expectations on this stuff is insane.
 

*please let KTRK get something this grand*

KABC has the best set in LA and in the ABC O&O group hands down.

[MediaZone4K 2661]

10 hours ago, Encore 323 said:

Here is the photo version of ABC 7’s new state of the art set, one of the LARGEST local news sets in the country to date. The last couple of photos was just taken at around 5:15pm this evening showcasing Marc Brown, Michelle Fisher, chief meteorologist Dallas Raines, and meteorologist Danny Romero behind him updating the traffic maps for the evening traffic reports.

As already stated by myself and others, the studio is basically a near-replica of WABC but just suited for KABC’s needs and it feels like something that you expect from Southern California’s News Leader. The debate between KABC and KTLA on who has the higher quality studio in the LA market goes either way or both ways depending on what metrics you use.
 

 

 

4 hours ago, GraphicsMan said:

KABC has the best set in LA and in the ABC O&O group hands down.

 

IMO KTLA still has the best set. My bias being their window pane anchor desk tops KABC's common place seamless-video wall. (KABC has this as well but its not visible from the main desk) 

 

Other than that, solid set. Not too flat. Contains great depth. I really like the staircase in the background, another subtle element that adds depth. It reminds me of CNN and WFLA.

 

Love the skyline window video walls at the corners of the studio. That element for me elevates this from WABC's set. I love how much space LA news studios have!

 

Once again the California stations beat their east coast counterparts.

Edited March 10 by MediaZone4K

[Encore 323 79]

Here is a clip from Eyewitness News Mornings at 6am featuring John Gregory, Rachel Brown, Tony Cabrera, and meteorologist Shayla Girardin in today for Leslie Lopez the AccuWeather center (not seen/behind this photo). I like how the sunrise elements are incorporated into those window walls for the morning show. The 7 and 8am streaming shows will definitely utilize that interview area for sure.

[sfomspphl 545]

9 hours ago, MediaZone4K said:

 

 

IMO KTLA still has the best set. My bias being their window pane anchor desk tops KABC's common place seamless-video wall. (KABC has this as well but its not visible from the main desk) 

 

Other than that, solid set. Not too flat. Contains great depth. I really like the staircase in the background, another subtle element that adds depth. It reminds me of CNN and WFLA.

 

Love the skyline window video walls at the corners of the studio. That element for me elevates this from WABC's set. I love how much space LA news studios have!

 

Once again the California stations beat their east coast counterparts.

 

KTLA has a more memorable and better framed 2-shot with the masthead logo above and the horizontal elements. KABC has more memorable studio wide elements.

 

For the KABC set I wonder what the desk that's positioned in front of the interview set will be used for. 

[24994J 5888]

19 minutes ago, sfomspphl said:

For the KABC set I wonder what the desk that's positioned in front of the interview set will be used for. 

 

Danny Romero used it for a traffic report at 4, yesterday.

 

I suck. No he didn't. Never mind.

Edited March 10 by 24994J

[FiveNews 481]

KABC has a history of having large studios. Anyone remember when they used separate sets for the morning/4p/6p news and another set for the 5p/11p? Their new set could definitely hold two news desks.

 

 

[Vlad 406]

KABC once again has the best O&O news set, after WABC's reign being the top for just about a year, KABC has dethroned them. Sorry WABC, I love you, but I think KABC has the edge, once again. KABC also has the advantage of the extra space. The So-Cal region and the city of LA itself (more sprawl and spreadout) despite the nation's second largest city is massive compared to NYC (way more denser and but less land area) so the scale matches that. They've got the space and they are making use of that.

 

KABC out of all the O&Os are the best of the best when it comes to their on air look and overall design. Only minor critique I have are some of the sentiments that ABC 7 Denver had. It's a bit too blue and too reminiscent of their sister here in NY. For a So-Cal set, it should've been a little more different, perhaps a lighter shade of blue like what they had before, or maybe more warmer colors (brown, yellow) which they did incorporate in some of the other areas of the set. Even the new Circle 7 logo could've been a different shade of blue than what WABC uses just to be able to know whose who. Now with the two stations presenting in a way that's almost identical it may be challenging for the average person to understand or distinguish between the two. 

 

The lighter colors, music, and individuality that they had in the past will be surely missed.

 

I truly miss the previous KABC music cuts and the NG Eyewitness News themes (Awaken and Valor) they would've been so much more ideal to complement the new studio, but they insist on using the WABC Dispatch theme which to me, still feels out of place for the region but its what they want.

 

Overall it's great look for them. Excited to see how they maximize the use of the set, especially that staircase! . I don't think i've ever seen staircases in any US local news or national news studio before. Bravo to them!

Edited March 11 by Vlad

[FiveNews 481]

WFAA and WFLA have staircases on their sets.

[Encore 323 79]

3 hours ago, Vlad said:

KABC once again has the best O&O news set, after WABC's reign being the top for just about a year, KABC has dethroned them. Sorry WABC, I love you, but I think KABC has the edge, once again. KABC also has the advantage of the extra space. The So-Cal region and the city of LA itself (more sprawl and spreadout) despite the nation's second largest city is massive compared to NYC (way more denser and but less land area) so the scale matches that. They've got the space and they are making use of that.

 

KABC out of all the O&Os are the best of the best when it comes to their on air look and overall design. Only minor critique I have are some of the sentiments that ABC 7 Denver had. It's a bit too blue and too reminiscent of their sister here in NY. For a So-Cal set, it should've been a little more different, perhaps a lighter shade of blue like what they had before, or maybe more warmer colors (brown, yellow) which they did incorporate in some of the other areas of the set. Even the new Circle 7 logo could've been a different shade of blue than what WABC uses just to be able to know whose who. Now with the two stations presenting in a way that's almost identical it may be challenging for the average person to understand or distinguish between the two. 

 

The lighter colors, music, and individuality that they had in the past will be surely missed.

 

I truly miss the previous KABC music cuts and the NG Eyewitness News themes (Awaken and Valor) they would've been so much more ideal to complement the new studio, but they insist on using the WABC Dispatch theme which to me, still feels out of place for the region but its what they want.

 

Overall it's great look for them. Excited to see how they maximize the use of the set, especially that staircase! . I don't think i've ever seen staircases in any US local news or national news studio before. Bravo to them!

I was showing my dad, who is from the Caribbean and has lived in LA for over 50 years a video of the new set and he thought that the monitor in the foreground of the main new desk was showing the skyline of New York City even though it is clearly Downtown LA. To be fair, Downtown LA has changed a lot over the years and most people either pass through the area/don't have the time to actually take a good look at the skyline unless you are hiking to a viewing point or something like that. Most average viewers should know what DTLA looks like but I get why it is challenging for some folks.

Edited March 11 by Encore 323

[HanSolo 467]

3 hours ago, Vlad said:

 

 

Even the new Circle 7 logo could've been a different shade of blue than what WABC uses just to be able to know whose who. Now with the two stations presenting in a way that's almost identical it may be challenging for the average person to understand or distinguish between the two. 

 

What average person is trying to distinguish between them? Nobody outside a group like this cares one bit, because they don’t watch New York and LA. People watch their own local channels.

 

And if a person happens to be traveling from one city to the other, and is watching the local news, they’re not analyzing if one happens to look like the one from back home because it uses the most unusual color of…checks notes…blue. 

[Encore 323 79]

2 hours ago, HanSolo said:

What average person is trying to distinguish between them? Nobody outside a group like this cares one bit, because they don’t watch New York and LA. People watch their own local channels.

 

And if a person happens to be traveling from one city to the other, and is watching the local news, they’re not analyzing if one happens to look like the one from back home because it uses the most unusual color of…checks notes…blue. 

This is exactly what I said before HanSolo's comment. These little details do not matter much to people because most average viewers don't have the time to be comparing and contrasting those things. Most people would say just give me the local news I need to know and that is it. 

 

* The above statement is just a reflection of how most average viewers think and does not reflect how I view and discuss local news aesthetics, just in case anyone is confused. *

Edited March 11 by Encore 323

[Jase 1164]

On 3/10/2026 at 1:17 AM, GraphicsMan said:

KABC has the best set in LA and in the ABC O&O group hands down.

 

Maybe LA, but not the ABC O&O, imo. Stairs to nowhere, non-functional computer monitors, etc..That alone should disqualify them.

[mouseboy33 137]

1 hour ago, Encore 323 said:

This is exactly what I said before HanSolo's comment. These little details do not matter much to people because people don't have the time to be comparing and contrasting those things. Just give me the local news I need to know and that is it.

Huh? I find news sets discussion interesting. 

Edited March 11 by mouseboy33
.

[Encore 323 79]

24 minutes ago, mouseboy33 said:

Huh? I find news sets discussion interesting. 

I said what I said because most average viewers doesn't really pay much attention to certain minor details. With that being said, I also find discussion about news sets interesting.

I hope that clears up your confusion with me.

Edited March 11 by Encore 323

[MorningNews 1711]

4 hours ago, Jase said:

 

Maybe LA, but not the ABC O&O, imo. Stairs to nowhere, non-functional computer monitors, etc..That alone should disqualify them.

Who would you say is better in the station group? None of the station’s are bad but KABC’s just blows them all out of the water. KTLA is close but I don’t think there’s another local news set in the country that looks this incredible.

[GraphicsMan 345]

5 hours ago, Jase said:

 

Maybe LA, but not the ABC O&O, imo. Stairs to nowhere, non-functional computer monitors, etc..That alone should disqualify them.

Are you kidding me every other set in the station group is almost a carbon copy this brings variation.

[Encore 323 79]

It’s Oscar Sunday and ABC 7 rolled out a big promo at 12:45pm today during Oscars coverage featuring the stability of the talent, breaking news, weather, and traffic coverage on Eyewitness News Mornings, 7 DAYS A WEEK, and of course, AIR7. Wendy Granato has really been making her mark with ordering these promos, hiring good talent and showing off what makes ABC 7 so trusted over the last couple of years since Cheryl Fair’s retirement because I don’t think the station has done this much promos since the 2000s from what I remember. KTLA can’t even match this level of stability on their morning news anymore with all the Nexstar layoff drama going on there.

Edited March 15 by Encore 323

[CraigViewer 107]

4 hours ago, Encore 323 said:

It’s Oscar Sunday and ABC 7 rolled out a big promo at 12:45pm today during Oscars coverage featuring the stability of the talent, breaking news, weather, and traffic coverage on Eyewitness News Mornings, 7 DAYS A WEEK, and of course, AIR7. Wendy Granato has really been making her mark with ordering these promos, hiring good talent and showing off what makes ABC 7 so trusted over the last couple of years since Cheryl Fair’s retirement because I don’t think the station has done this much promos since the 2000s from what I remember. KTLA can’t even match this level of stability on their morning news anymore with all the Nexstar layoff drama going on there.

It appears that ABC7 has combined both the weekday and weekend morning anchors in this new morning show promo that debuted today.  Anyway, these are all sleek promos, and it's wise for Granato and Co. at ABC7 to relentlessly promote their newscasts and the Eyewitness News brand, for that matter, to audiences.  It further drives it home and resonates more with viewers that way.

Edited March 16 by CraigViewer

[GraphicsMan 345]

22 hours ago, CraigViewer said:

It appears that ABC7 has combined both the weekday and weekend morning anchors in this new morning show promo that debuted today.  Anyway, these are all sleek promos, and it's wise for Granato and Co. at ABC7 to relentlessly promote their newscasts and the Eyewitness News brand, for that matter, to audiences.  It further drives it home and resonates more with viewers that way.

Why KABC will always be #1, and they can definitively say they don’t even have to put in English category because they also beat the Spanish stations too there the overall leader. They might be the only O&O that can say that the other ones either lose to Univision are just are in 2nd place.

[CraigViewer 107]

2 hours ago, GraphicsMan said:

Why KABC will always be #1, and they can definitively say they don’t even have to put in English category because they also beat the Spanish stations too there the overall leader. They might be the only O&O that can say that the other ones either lose to Univision are just are in 2nd place.

Like ABC7 in Los Angeles, in media markets where ABC has owned and operated stations, the O&O stations tend to have more stability than its competitors, and have higher-rated newscasts, as well.  It's an interesting pattern that I have noticed over the years, and speaks to these stations, or the O&O group that the stations are under doing something right, for sure.

Edited March 17 by CraigViewer

[Jase 1164]

On 3/11/2026 at 7:07 PM, MorningNews said:

Who would you say is better in the station group? None of the station’s are bad but KABC’s just blows them all out of the water. KTLA is close but I don’t think there’s another local news set in the country that looks this incredible.

 

WABC is the best in the ABC O&O group, imo. If we were to compare the 3 main areas (home base, weather center and interview area), there's no way I would put KABC ahead of them. While KABC has more space...bigger isn't better. Plus, I don't like how the logo looks against the white background, the blue floor, etc.. There's nothing really anything KABC did that's unique or revolutionary, imo.