Whether you’re trying to catch the latest episode of “Abbott Elementary,” tune into “The Bachelor,” or watch ESPN sports coverage on a broadcast network, finding your local ABC station can sometimes be confusing.
With over 250 ABC affiliate stations across the United States, the channel number varies depending on your location and TV service provider.
This guide will help you find ABC in your area and explore the various ways to watch ABC programming.
What is ABC?
The American Broadcasting Company (ABC) is one of the oldest and most established broadcast networks in the United States, with a history dating back to 1943 when it began as a radio network. ABC expanded into television in 1948, following NBC and CBS into the visual medium. In 1995, ABC became part of The Walt Disney Company, joining a media empire that includes ESPN, Hulu, Disney+, and various other entertainment properties.
As a major network, ABC reaches millions of viewers across the country through its extensive network of affiliate stations. Currently, ABC has eight owned-and-operated stations and affiliation agreements with more than 240 other television stations nationwide, ensuring nearly universal coverage across the United States.
Shows Available on ABC
ABC offers a diverse slate of programming across multiple genres:
Drama Series: ABC is home to long-running hits like “Grey’s Anatomy” (on air since 2005) and popular dramas including “9-1-1,” “The Good Doctor,” “The Rookie,” “Will Trent,” and “Station 19.”
Comedy Shows: The network features award-winning comedies like “Abbott Elementary,” along with “The Conners” and “Not Dead Yet.”
Reality and Competition Shows: ABC is famous for its reality franchises, including “The Bachelor,” “The Bachelorette,” “American Idol,” “Shark Tank,” and competition shows like “Celebrity Family Feud” and “Holey Moley.”
Sports Coverage: Through its partnership with ESPN, ABC broadcasts a significant amount of sports programming, including NBA games, college football and basketball, NHL hockey, MLB baseball, and NFL matchups.
News Programming: ABC produces respected news programs including “ABC World News Tonight,” “Good Morning America,” “Nightline,” “20/20,” and the daytime talk show “The View.”
ABC Channel Numbers by Location
ABC’s channel number varies by location and TV provider. Here’s an expanded list of ABC channel assignments in cities across the United States:
| City | Local Station | Cox | DIRECTV | DISH | Optimum | Spectrum | Xfinity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM | 7 | — | 7 | 7 | — | — | 7 |
| Atlanta, GA | 2 | — | 2 | 2 | — | 2 | 2 |
| Austin, TX | 24 | — | 24 | 24 | — | 24 | — |
| Bakersfield, CA | 23 | — | 23 | 23 | — | — | 23 |
| Baltimore, MD | 2 | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | 2 |
| Boston, MA | 5 | — | 5 | 5 | — | — | 5 |
| Buffalo, NY | 7 | — | 7 | 7 | — | 7 | — |
| Charlotte, NC | 9 | — | 9 | 9 | — | 9 | — |
| Chicago, IL | 7 | — | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Cincinnati, OH | 9 | — | 9 | 9 | — | 9 | — |
| Cleveland, OH | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | — | 5 | — |
| Colorado Springs, CO | 13 | — | 13 | 13 | — | — | 13 |
| Columbus, OH | 6 | — | 6 | 6 | — | 6 | 6 |
| Dallas, TX | 8 | — | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Denver, CO | 7 | — | 7 | 7 | — | — | 7 |
| Detroit, MI | 7 | — | 7 | 7 | — | — | 7 |
| El Paso, TX | 7 | — | 7 | 7 | — | 7 | — |
| Fort Lauderdale, FL | 10 | — | 10 | 10 | — | — | 10 |
| Fresno, CA | 30 | — | 30 | 30 | — | — | 30 |
| Houston, TX | 13 | — | 13 | 13 | — | 13 | 13 |
| Indianapolis, IN | 6 | — | 6 | 6 | — | 6 | 6 |
| Jacksonville, FL | 25 | — | 25 | 25 | — | — | 25 |
| Kansas City, MO | 9 | — | 9 | 9 | — | — | 9 |
| Las Vegas, NV | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | — | — | — |
| Los Angeles, CA | 7 | — | 7 | 7 | — | 7 | — |
| Louisville, KY | 11 | — | 11 | 11 | — | 11 | — |
| Memphis, TN | 24 | — | 24 | 24 | — | — | 24 |
| Miami, FL | 10 | — | 10 | 10 | — | — | 10 |
| Milwaukee, WI | 12 | — | 12 | 12 | — | 12 | — |
| Minneapolis, MN | 5 | — | 5 | 5 | — | — | 5 |
| Nashville, TN | 2 | — | 2 | 2 | — | 2 | — |
| New Orleans, LA | 26 | — | 26 | 26 | — | — | — |
| New York, NY | 7 | — | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | — |
| Oklahoma City, OK | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | — | — | — |
| Orlando, FL | 9 | — | 9 | 9 | — | 9 | 9 |
| Philadelphia, PA | 6 | — | 6 | 6 | — | — | 6 |
| Phoenix, AZ | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | — | — | — |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 4 | — | 4 | 4 | — | — | 14 |
| Portland, OR | 2 | — | 2 | 2 | — | — | 2 |
| Raleigh, NC | 11 | — | 11 | 11 | — | 11 | — |
| Sacramento, CA | 10 | — | 10 | 10 | — | — | 10 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | 4 | — | 4 | 4 | — | — | 4 |
| San Antonio, TX | 12 | — | 12 | 12 | — | 12 | — |
| San Diego, CA | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | — | 10 | — |
| San Francisco, CA | 7 | — | 7 | 7 | — | — | 7 |
| San Jose, CA | 7 | — | 7 | 7 | — | 7 | 7 |
| Seattle, WA | 4 | — | 4 | 4 | — | — | 4 |
| St. Louis, MO | 30 | — | 30 | 30 | — | 30 | — |
| Tampa, FL | 28 | — | 28 | 28 | — | 28 | 28 |
| Tucson, AZ | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | — | — | 9 |
| Tulsa, OK | 8 | — | 8 | 8 | — | — | — |
| Virginia Beach, VA | 13 | — | 13 | 13 | — | 13 | — |
| Washington, DC | 7 | — | 7 | 7 | — | — | — |
This expanded list covers most major metropolitan areas, but ABC has affiliate stations in virtually every television market in the country. If your city isn’t listed above, you can find your local ABC channel by:
- Using your TV’s channel guide
- Visiting your TV provider’s website
- Checking ABC’s official station finder
- Entering your zip code in a TV provider lookup tool
Interestingly, in many major markets, ABC is frequently found on channel 7 (Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Denver, Detroit) or other single-digit channels, reflecting its status as one of the original major broadcast networks.
How to Watch ABC?
There are multiple ways to access ABC programming beyond traditional cable or satellite subscriptions:
1. Traditional TV Services
Most cable and satellite providers include ABC in their basic packages:
- Cable providers: Xfinity, Spectrum, Cox, Optimum
- Satellite providers: DIRECTV, DISH
2. Over-the-Air Antenna
Since ABC is a broadcast network, you can receive it for free with a digital antenna. This one-time purchase eliminates monthly subscription fees and typically provides excellent HD picture quality. Popular antenna options include:
- Mohu Leaf (60-mile range)
- Mohu Blade (50-mile range)
3. Live TV Streaming Services
Several internet-based streaming services carry local ABC stations:
- YouTube TV: $82.99/month
- Hulu + Live TV: $82.99–$95.99/month
- Fubo: $14.99–$94.99/month
- DIRECTV STREAM: $84.99–$154.99/month
The availability of ABC on these services depends on your location, but coverage is extensive in most markets.
4. ABC App and Hulu
The ABC app and website allow you to stream recent episodes with a cable provider login. However, most viewers prefer Hulu for on-demand ABC content, as:
- Hulu offers next-day streaming of most ABC shows
- The basic Hulu plan starts at $9.99/month
- Hulu’s interface and user experience are generally superior to the ABC app
- Hulu + Live TV includes live ABC programming in most markets
ABC’s Position in American Television
As one of the “Big Four” American broadcast networks alongside NBC, CBS, and FOX, ABC plays a significant role in American television culture. The network has produced iconic shows throughout television history, from “General Hospital” (on air since 1963) to modern hits like “Grey’s Anatomy” and “The Bachelor” franchise.
ABC’s corporate connection to Disney and ESPN has strengthened its sports offerings, making it a destination for major sporting events alongside its entertainment programming. This integration with Disney’s broader media portfolio has allowed ABC to remain competitive in an increasingly fragmented television landscape.
Suggested Reads:
Conclusion: Find ABC’s Channel Number According to Your Location And Cable Providers
Finding ABC on your TV doesn’t need to be complicated. Whether you’re watching through a traditional cable/satellite provider, streaming service, or free over-the-air antenna, ABC’s diverse programming is widely accessible across the United States.
ABC is included in basic TV packages for most viewers, with the exact channel number varying by location and provider. For cord-cutters, options like digital antennas, streaming services, and Hulu provide convenient alternatives to access ABC’s popular shows, trusted news programs, and exciting sports coverage.
No matter how you choose to watch, ABC’s blend of entertainment, news, and sports programming continues to make it a staple in American homes, just as it has been for over 75 years.
