ABC to Offer News Shows to Europe Outlets

ABC News, seeking new overseas markets for its programs, said Wednesday it has been showing European broadcasters “Nightline” and will do the same with four more programs, including “World News Tonight.”

The programs are being sent via satellite to cable and TV companies in 23 countries in Western and Eastern Europe, including Rupert Murdoch’s new Sky Television direct broadcast satellite based in London, ABC said.

Once the European television officials have had a chance to look at ABC’s programs, the network’s executives will hold discussions with the companies interested in carrying them, an ABC News spokesman said.

The evening newscasts of NBC and CBS and ABC’s “Nightline” already are carried in some overseas markets, including Japan.

However, the top-rated “World News Tonight” is not yet broadcast overseas, said the ABC spokesman, Scott Richardson.

The new satellite transmission of “Nightline” to European broadcasters began on July 2. The other four programs will be shown during the next few months, but no schedule for their transmission has been set.

In addition to “World News Tonight,” the programs are “This Week with David Brinkley,” “The Health Show” and “Business World.”

ABC’s move is the latest of recent efforts by all three U.S. network news divisions to find new markets and revenues at a time the networks are losing audiences to cable and other viewing alternatives.

According to CBS, Dan Rather’s “CBS Evening News” is seen in France, Italy and Japan. Tom Brokaw’s “NBC Nightly News” is carried in Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Italy, the United Kingdom and Spain.

In addition to Japan, ABC’s “Nightline” is carried by broadcasters in New Zealand and Australia, and talks are under way to have it shown in Italy and in Taiwan, according to a network spokesman.

Ted Turner’s 24-hour Cable News Network, an early entry in the global news market, is seen in 90 countries.