World News Tonight

1953-2026
79 seasons
ABC
News

From the 1950's to the 1990's, the three major television networks (ABC, CBS, NBC) were, for the most part, the only source for national and international news. In the fall of 1953, John Charles Daly began anchoring the then-15-minute 'John Daly and the News' on the ABC television network. Daly, who served as host of the CBS game show 'What's My Line?' contemporaneously, anchored the newscast until 1960, with multiple hosts and formats succeeding him to the present day, with various title changes including 'ABC Evening News' from 1968 to 1978, 'World News Tonight' from 1978 to 2006, 'World News' from 2006 to 2009, and 'ABC World News' from 2009 to 2014. Since 2014 to present day (2024), the program has been called 'ABC World News Tonight'.

1953-2026
79 seasons
ABC
News

Alex Rodriguez Joining ABC News as a Contributor

The retired Yankee is becoming a broadcaster

Sun, May 28, 2017

Alex Rodriguez Joining ABC News as a Contributor

David Muir Is Ready to Take Over ABC World News

Five years ago, David Muir arrived at Los Angeles International Airport, where a crew from TMZ greeted him. "How does it feel to be the Brad Pitt of network news?" someone asked off camera. Muir wisely smiled, said, "Nice to see you," and moved on. "My apologies to Brad Pitt," the new anchor of ABC World News now says when asked about the encounter.

Wed, Aug 27, 2014

David Muir Is Ready to Take Over ABC World News

The Biz: Inside the ABC News Shakeup

Transitions are always tricky in TV news. Executives want to find a way to reach younger audiences. But it's hard to replicate the audience loyalty built up by older, established anchors who became famous during an earlier era of television. So ABC News deserves credit for the crafty transition plan announced Wednesday for ABC World News anchor Diane Sawyer. Here's what it means for...

Wed, Jun 25, 2014

Amanda Knox: Murder Trial Ordeal Feels Like Crawling Through Barbed Wire

Convicted — and then acquitted — killer Amanda Knox could possibly face another conviction, after last month's ruling by the Italian Supreme Court. The highest court ruled Knox's previous acquittal for the murder conviction of old roommate Meredith Kircher was suspended. Thus, a new trial will begin.

Wed, May 1, 2013

Amanda Knox: Murder Trial Ordeal Feels Like Crawling Through Barbed Wire

Yahoo! Unveils Losing Your Virginity with John Stamos, Ed Helms Comedy

Yahoo! unveiled its new slate of original programming at its newfront presentation Monday, including new comedy series from Ed Helms and John Stamos.

Tue, Apr 30, 2013

Yahoo! Unveils Losing Your Virginity with John Stamos, Ed Helms Comedy

Is Diane Sawyer Retiring From ABC World News This Year?

Is Diane Sawyer already planning an exit strategy? Less than four years after taking over ABC World News, the longtime TV journalist is said to be considering retiring later this year, The New York Daily News reports. "She has discussed with a few close friends and some people at ABC that she is....

Thu, Jan 31, 2013

Is Diane Sawyer Retiring From ABC World News This Year?

GLAAD Awards Honor Smash, Dancing with the Stars

Days after receiving an early renewal for Season 2, Smash was honored by GLAAD's Media Awards Saturday in New York City. Two of the show's producers, Neil Meron and Craig Zadan, accepted the Vito Russo award for special recognition. Zadan said being gay was "part of who I am, so it...

Sun, Mar 25, 2012

GLAAD Awards Honor Smash, Dancing with the Stars

The Biz: Jackie Kennedy In Her Own Words

Generations of Americans have seen thousands of pictures of Jacqueline Kennedy, but they seldom heard her voice after her time as first lady. "She gave very few interviews, so we had very little insight into what she was really thinking behind those incredible photographs," says ABC World News anchor Diane Sawyer. On September 13, in the two-hour special Jacqueline Kennedy: In Her Own Words, Sawyer unveils recorded conversations between the iconic and often mysterious former first lady and historian Arthur Schlesinger Jr.

Fri, Sep 9, 2011

The Biz: Jackie Kennedy In Her Own Words

Diane Sawyer Scores First Jaycee Dugard Interview

Another good get for Diane Sawyer: The ABC World News anchor will sit down with famous kidnapping victim Jaycee Dugard...

Wed, Jun 8, 2011

Diane Sawyer Scores First Jaycee Dugard Interview

CBS, NBC and ABC Expand Evening News for Bin Laden Coverage

Monday's editions of the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric, NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams and ABC's World News with Diane Sawyer will all be expanded to hour-long episodes focusing on the assassination of Osama bin Laden. Details on each broadcast are below...

Mon, May 2, 2011

CBS, NBC and ABC Expand Evening News for Bin Laden Coverage

The Biz: Bob Woodruff's Long Road to Recovery

On a table in Bob Woodruff's office at ABC News is a stack of flash cards with illustrations of household items. They are a reminder of the difficult days that followed for the correspondent after he suffered a traumatic brain injury from an improvised explosive device while reporting in Iraq. "I couldn't even say scissor," he says as he palms one card. "I couldn't say hammer. When I could finally say it, I spelled it h-a-m-o-r. This was my therapy in the first month or two after I woke up — just trying to name these things."

Tue, Feb 8, 2011

The Biz: Bob Woodruff's Long Road to Recovery

Fox, Jake Gyllenhaal Join Stand Up to Cancer Cause

Fox and Jake Gyllenhaal are among the latest to join the upcoming TV fundraiser Stand Up to Cancer.Fox will join the previously announced NBC, ABC and CBS in simulcasting the one-hour, commercial-free telethon Friday, Sept. 10, at 8/7c. Cable networks VH1, HBO Latino, TV One and G4 have also come onboard, alongside previously announced HBO, Discovery Health, E!, MLB Network and the Style Network.Stand Up to Cancer fundraiser returning in SeptemberOn Tuesday, Gyllenhaal will appear in ...

Tue, Jul 13, 2010

Fox, Jake Gyllenhaal Join Stand Up to Cancer Cause

Tonight's TV Hot List: Monday, Dec. 21, 2009

The Closer9/8c TNT The crime drama closes a three-show winter arc — and, by extension, its fifth season — with an episode that vaunts the return of head-butting Capt. Raydor (Mary McDonnell). Raydor reaches out to Major Crimes and top cop Brenda Leigh Johnson to help on a nerve-jangling internal investigation. It's a delicate matter swirling around the alleged spousal abuse of a female officer — but there is more to the case than meets the eye. Juxtaposing all this prime crime, as always, are domestic developments, as Fritz grows weary of Brenda's neglect.Read on for previews of The Sing-off, ABC World News with Diane Sawyer, Monday Night Football and the World Chocolate Championship.

Mon, Dec 21, 2009

Tonight's TV Hot List: Monday, Dec. 21, 2009

Cuomo Leaving Good Morning America for 20/20; Stephanopoulos, Chang Joining GMA

Chris Cuomo will leave Good Morning America to anchor 20/20; George Stephanopoulos and Juju Chang will join the morning news program, ABC announced Thursday."I have been blessed to be at GMA. I thank all of you," Cuomo, 39, said on Thursday's show. "[20/20] is a dream job for a journalist like me, but it was also a very difficult decision, because I am leaving a special place and crew and all of you and you are all part of my family. The good news is you never really leave family, so you're not going to see this mug every day, but you will see it often, especially when it matters."Diane Sawyer to leave GMA FridayCuomo, who has been on GMA for three years, will co-anchor 20/20 with ...

Thu, Dec 10, 2009

Cuomo Leaving Good Morning America for 20/20; Stephanopoulos, Chang Joining GMA

Diane Sawyer Announces This Week Will Be Her Last on Good Morning America

After estimating she's been on 2,881 shows in 10 years as Good Morning America co-anchor, Diane Sawyer announced on Monday's show that this week will be her last on the morning program. "You're really giving up...

Mon, Dec 7, 2009

Diane Sawyer Announces This Week Will Be Her Last on Good Morning America

Charles Gibson's Last Day on World News Tonight Set For Dec. 18

Charles Gibson's last day behind the desk of ABC's World News Tonight will be Dec. 18, TVGuide.com has confirmed....

Wed, Dec 2, 2009

Charles Gibson's Last Day on World News Tonight Set For Dec. 18

Charles Gibson to Leave World News Tonight

Charles Gibson announced Wednesday that he will stop anchoring ABC's World News Tonight at the end of the year.Gibson, 66, who has been ABC's anchor since 2006, will retire from full-time employment altogether, according to ABC News. "It has not been an easy decision to make," Gibson said in an e-mail to the World News staff Wednesday morning. "This has been my professional home for almost 35 years. And I love this news department, and all who work in it, to the depths of my soul."Good Morning America anchor Diane Sawyer, 63, will replace Gibson behind the newsdesk beginning in January 2010 ...

Wed, Sep 2, 2009

Charles Gibson to Leave World News Tonight

What Does "Bromance" Really Mean?

Ah yes, the bromance. If you're like most people, you can't make it through a day without hearing or reading the term somewhere. They concept has become so popular that its definition has warranted its own segment on ABC World News. Hey, if girls have "girlfriends," it's only fair that men get to refer to their guy friends with their own endearing term as well. Watch it now! | More online videosYour take: Do you like this term or do you think it's just one of those trendy combo terms? Would/do you ever use it to refer to two guys hanging out?

Mon, Apr 14, 2008

World Champion: ABC News Hits Decade-long High

ABC's World News with Charles Gibson just won its first quarter in more than a decade, averaging eight million total viewers to NBC's 7.5 mil. CBS' Evening News with Katie Couric owned third place with 6.1 mil. ABC's was the only evening newcast to gain viewers during the time frame, up seven percent, as NBC and CBS dipped four and nine percent, respectively.On the cable front, Variety notes, Fox News won its 22nd straight quarter by drawing 1.5 million prime-time viewers, fueled by The O'Reilly Factor's dominance at 8 pm with 2.2 mil non-spinning heads.

Thu, Jul 5, 2007

Short Cuts: SNL, Keith Partridge, Hot Kisses and More!

Julia Louis-Dreyfus will host Saturday Night Live on March 17. Snow Patrol is musical guest.... A David Cassidy memoir in which the Partridge Family heartthrob recalls his drug use and wild romps and discusses his "oft-complimented endowment" will only be released in Britian, says the New York Daily News, as it doesnt have a U.S. publisher.... ABC's World News with Charles Gibson was the top-rated evening newscast last week.... Naomi Watts and longtime beau Liev Schreiber are expecting their first child together. Yawn.... Sawyer smoochin' Kate? Alex macking on Addison? Cast your vote for TV's sexiest kiss in the new TVGuide.com poll.

Wed, Feb 28, 2007

To Iraq and Back: ABC's Woodruff Meets the Press

After getting injured in a roadside attack near Baghdad on Jan. 29, 2006, ABC newsman Bob Woodruff remembers seeing his body floating on a cloud below him. He passed out and didn't wake up for 36 days. Once out of his medically induced coma, he saw his wife, Lee, and said through a pained smile, "Honey, where have you been?"It's been a long journey back for Woodruff, but on Tuesday at 10 pm/ET, he returns to ABC News with an hourlong special, To Iraq and Back, in which he reports on his rehabilitation and how traumatic brain injuries like his are taking a toll on troops in Iraq. A book about his ordeal (In an Instant, written with his wife) is also hitting bookstores this week.Meeting with reporters on Monday, Woodruff looked and sounded like the man who was named coanchor of World News Tonight in late 2005. The only noticeable difference is his occasional searching for a word. He's been relearning language skills, and says he's seeing improvement all the time. "Will I get back to 1...

Tue, Feb 27, 2007

ABC's Elizabeth Vargas: I Wasn't Baby-Booted

Onetime World News Tonight coanchor Elizabeth "I'm Almost Too Hot for People to Focus On What I'm Saying" Vargas insists that she was not, as speculated/surmised/reported, "pushed out" of the plum gig when she announced her pregnancy a year ago. Rather, she told Oprah on Tuesday, it was her call to commit to monitoring more "domestic affairs." "I was finding it more and more difficult to do the [coanchor] job the way I wanted to do it, which is 100 percent, and still be a great mother," she shared. Noting that her firstborn, Zachary, now 3, "really paid a price for the hours I was gone," Vargas said. "For me, it just wasnt working."

Wed, Jan 24, 2007

World News Anchor: Gibson In, Vargas Out

Charles Gibson has been named the sole anchor of World News Tonight, effective May 29, it was announced Tuesday by ABC News president David Westin. Gibson, who will perform double duty as coanchor of Good Morning America until the end of June, will replace Elizabeth Vargas, who upon returning from her imminent maternity leave will anchor 20/20 and contribute to prime-time specials. Says Vargas in a statement, "My doctors have asked that I cut back my schedule considerably, and what works best for me and my family is to return to 20/20 as I raise my new baby and young son." The naming of Gibson to World News' anchor chair also affords Vargas' coanchor, Bob Woodruff, time to recover from the injuries he suffered while reporting from Iraq. "All of us look forward to that day [when Woodruff returns]," Westin says. "But it will be on Bob's timetable, not ours."

Tue, May 23, 2006

BAD NEWS

On Sunday, while riding shotgun with an Iraqi Army unit near Baghdad, ABC World News Tonight anchor Bob Woodruff and cameraman Doug Vogt were injured in a roadside bombing, Reuters reports. Both journalists underwent surgery in Iraq, then were flown to a U.S. military base in Germany for further treatment, the Associated Press says. They remain in serious but stable condition.

Mon, Jan 30, 2006