Anchored by James Longman and Rachel Scott, What You Need To Know will deliver fast, on-demand news every morning exclusively on Disney+.
[New York, USA] – July 14, 2025 — ABC News is set to make a major expansion into the streaming space with the launch of its first original daily news show for Disney+, titled What You Need To Know, premiering July 21. The program will be anchored by seasoned correspondents James Longman and Rachel Scott.
Designed as a fast-paced and informative morning news update, each episode will premiere at 6 a.m. ET and remain available on demand for 24 hours before the next edition drops. The format is tailored for modern streaming audiences who want a concise, impactful news digest to start their day.
“It’s a fast, fresh way to stay ahead of the conversation as viewers start their day,” ABC News stated in a press release.
📺 From Broadcast Legacy to Streaming Innovation
The new show marks a strategic evolution of the “What You Need To Know” brand, which was previously the subtitle of GMA3 — the third hour of Good Morning America. That title was recently shortened to simply GMA3, and the new daily streaming show inherits its informative tone while tailoring it to Disney+’s digital audience.
James Longman, ABC’s Chief International Correspondent, and Rachel Scott, Senior Political Correspondent, are both familiar faces to GMA and ABC News viewers. Their combination of global and domestic expertise is expected to bring well-rounded, compelling content to the show.
🎥 Expanding the ABC News Footprint on Disney+
ABC News President Almin Karamehmedovic emphasized the importance of this new venture in a statement:
“This new effort expands ABC News’ significant footprint on Disney+, allowing us to reach and connect with new and diverse audiences.”
This move follows Disney’s broader strategy of blending premium entertainment and live content on its streaming platform. Disney+ already offers on-demand access to a wide range of ABC News programs including:
- Good Morning America
- ABC World News Tonight with David Muir
- ABC News Live Prime with Linsey Davis
- Nightline
- ABC News Live streaming channel
By adding a daily original news show, Disney+ is further positioning itself as a one-stop destination for both entertainment and reliable journalism.