You’re trying to find out when Jeopardy! actually starts or if the local news is getting pushed back by a Monday Night Football blowout. It happens. KABC-TV, known to basically everyone in Southern California as ABC7, has one of the most jam-packed schedules in the country because they produce more local news hours than almost anyone else.
Keeping track of the KABC Los Angeles schedule isn't just about knowing what's on at 7:00 PM; it's about navigating a massive local institution that has been broadcasting from Glendale since the late eighties. They don't just follow the standard ABC network feed. They tweak it. They localize it.
If you grew up in the Inland Empire, the OC, or the Valley, the "Circle 7" logo is basically part of the furniture. But with the rise of streaming and digital subchannels, the linear grid has become a bit of a maze.
Why the Morning Grind Starts Earlier Than You Think
Most people wake up to the news. But at KABC, the morning "grind" starts while most of us are still in deep REM sleep.
The live local news kicks off at 4:00 AM. It’s a marathon. You have Leslie Lopez or Brianna Ruffalo giving you the first look at the Cajon Pass traffic or the inevitable 405 slowdown before the sun even touches the San Gabriel Mountains. This block runs straight through until 7:00 AM.
Then, the national feed takes over. Good Morning America (GMA) hits the airwaves from 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM. But here’s the thing: KABC doesn't just stop there. They jump right back into local coverage at 9:00 AM with Eyewitness News at 9am. It’s a specific Southern California strategy. While other stations might air syndicated talk shows, ABC7 doubles down on the local beat.
The Midday Shuffle
After the 9:00 AM news, things get a little more "daytime TV." You’ve got Live with Kelly and Mark at 10:00 AM. It’s been a staple forever.
Then comes The View at 11:00 AM. If there’s a major breaking news event—think a brush fire in Malibu or a high-speed pursuit through East LA—this is usually where the schedule gets wonky. KABC is notorious for breaking into regular programming for "Live Mega Dopper 7000" updates or helicopter footage.
The midday news at 11:00 AM (on many stations) is actually at 12:00 PM on KABC. It’s an hour-long block that leads into the soap opera era.
General Hospital still holds down the 1:00 PM slot. Port Charles hasn't moved in decades.
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The Afternoon News Wall: A Los Angeles Phenomenon
This is where the KABC Los Angeles schedule gets truly unique compared to ABC affiliates in smaller markets. Around 2:00 PM, while some people are hitting their afternoon slump, ABC7 starts a massive ramp-up of local content.
You usually see GMA3: What You Need to Know followed by The News at 3pm.
Yes, 3:00 PM.
Most cities don't get local news until 5:00 PM or 6:00 PM. In Los Angeles, the commute starts early, and so does the news. From 3:00 PM all the way until 6:30 PM, it is a relentless stream of Eyewitness News. David Ono, Marc Brown, and the rest of the veteran crew dominate this block.
- 3:00 PM: Early afternoon local news.
- 4:00 PM: The heavy-hitter afternoon block.
- 5:00 PM: The traditional "dinner time" news.
- 6:00 PM: The final local wrap-up before the national desk takes over.
At 6:30 PM, David Muir takes the reins for ABC World News Tonight. It’s the highest-rated evening newscast in the country, and in LA, it serves as the bridge between the local workday and the "Prime Access" hour.
Jeopardy and Wheel: The Untouchables
If you mess with Jeopardy! at 7:00 PM or Wheel of Fortune at 7:30 PM, the viewers will let you know. Fast.
These two shows are the backbone of the evening schedule. Even during major breaking news, KABC tries their hardest to keep these intact. Jeopardy! has a cult-like following in Southern California. If there’s a pre-emption for a Lakers special or a political debate, they often move these shows to their digital subchannel, 7.2, or air them after the 11:00 PM news.
Prime Time and the Late Night Transition
Prime time (8:00 PM to 11:00 PM) is mostly dictated by ABC New York. You’re looking at Grey's Anatomy, The Rookie (which is actually filmed in LA, often right near the station), and the usual rotation of reality hits like The Bachelor or American Idol.
But the 11:00 PM slot is sacred.
Eyewitness News at 11pm is the final word for the day. It’s usually 35 minutes of the most critical updates, weather for the next day's commute, and sports highlights.
Then comes the late-night heavyweights:
- Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35 PM. Jimmy’s show is taped just down the road at the El Capitan Entertainment Centre on Hollywood Boulevard. It feels like a local show even though it's national.
- Nightline follows Jimmy at 12:37 AM for those who want a deeper dive into one specific story.
The Sports Factor: When the Schedule Breaks
Nothing disrupts the KABC Los Angeles schedule like sports.
Since ABC and ESPN are both under the Disney umbrella, Monday Night Football often calls KABC home. When the Rams or Chargers are playing on a Monday, the entire afternoon and evening grid gets shuffled. The news gets pushed to the "blue bar" at the bottom of the screen, or moved to a different time slot entirely.
The same goes for the NBA Finals or the Oscars. The Academy Awards is basically a local holiday for KABC. They spend the entire day doing "On the Red Carpet" specials. If you’re looking for your regular Sunday evening programming during the Oscars, forget it. It’s all glitz, glamour, and local reporters asking actors who they’re wearing.
Navigating the Multi-Channel Reality
In the old days, you just had Channel 7. Now, the schedule is split across several digital "multicast" streams. If the main channel is showing a Dodgers post-game special, check the subchannels.
- 7.1: The main HD broadcast (the one we’ve been talking about).
- 7.2: Usually Localish. This channel is great. It features short-form storytelling about local spots in SoCal—best taco trucks in Boyle Heights, hiking trails in Altadena, that kind of thing.
- 7.3: Often carries Laff, which is just sitcom reruns like Home Improvement or That '70s Show.
How to Get the Most Accurate Daily Updates
Honestly, the "printed" TV guides are useless now because news moves too fast. If you want the real-time KABC Los Angeles schedule, the best way to see it is through the station's own "Live Stream" section on their website or app.
They also use a ticker at the top of their website to announce if Wheel of Fortune is being moved to 1:30 AM due to a presidential address or a local emergency.
Another pro tip: follow their weather team on social media. Dallas Raines or Leslie Lopez often post "Schedule Alerts" if a weather event is going to trigger extended coverage that bumps your favorite show.
Actionable Steps for the SoCal Viewer
If you’re tired of missing shows or being surprised by a schedule change, do these three things:
- Download the ABC7 Los Angeles App: Turn on "Breaking News" notifications. They don't just send alerts for crimes; they send alerts when the programming grid changes unexpectedly.
- Check the 7.2 Subchannel: If the news is running long on 7.1, sometimes the syndicated shows like Jeopardy! will "slide" over to the digital subchannel so you don't miss the Final Jeopardy clue.
- Use the "Live" Tab: If you're away from your TV, the KABC website streams all their local news segments live. You don't need a cable login for the news portions.
The schedule at KABC is a living thing. It breathes with the city. Whether it’s a fire in the canyons or a parade in Pasadena, the station prioritizes being "Eyewitnesses" over sticking to a rigid script. It can be annoying when your show is late, but in a city as chaotic as Los Angeles, that flexibility is kind of why people keep tuning in.
Check the clock, watch the skies, and keep the remote handy. Channel 7 isn't going anywhere, even if the 4:00 PM news starts at 3:59 PM.