ABC freshens news for Pacific

When ABC named its new anchor team for “World News Tonight” on Monday, the network also announced a new initiative aimed at freshening the evening news for West Coast audiences, who usually see a broadcast that has been taped three hours earlier in New York.

Currently, all three networks update developing stories for the West Coast feed and, in the case of breaking news, have their anchors stay on for live newscast. But ABC said that it is going to air three broadcasts.

Elizabeth Vargas and Bob Woodruff will anchor all three as well as an earlier online newscast in the afternoon.

The new rundown, beginning Jan. 3:

* 6:30 p.m. ET -- The traditional newscast for East Coast and Midwest viewers.

* 8:30 p.m. ET -- A second broadcast aimed at West Coast affiliates that show network news at 5:30 p.m. PT.

* 9:30 p.m. ET -- A final broadcast for cities where audiences will get a live “World News Tonight” at 6:30 p.m. PT.

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-- Matea Gold