Where can Miami-Dade/Broward/Monroe county homes watch ABC programming? We know now
The looming seismic shift in local media – ABC switching its affiliation from WPLG-10 to a digital channel owned by WSVN-7 beginning in August – won’t leave sports fans in the dark.
Except for those with Dish Network, everyone else in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale market now knows where they will be able to watch ABC programming beginning on Aug. 4.
ABC programming will be available in high definition on Channel 18 on DirecTV, AT&T-uverse, Breezeline, YouTube TV, Hulu, Fubo and DirecTV Streaming.
Comcast Xfinity will air ABC programming in high definition on Channels 446 and 1018 and on standard definition on Channel 18.
Hotwire will carry ABC Miami on Channel 403 (high definition) and Channel 3 (standard definition), while Blue Stream will carry ABC Miami on Channel 3 (HD).
And viewers without cable or satellite service can watch ABC over-the-air, in high definition, on Channel 18.1 or 7.2.
As for Dish Network subscribers, the satellite service is expected to reach a deal with Sunbeam, WSVN’s parent company, to carry ABC programming in South Florida when WPLG-10 drops its ABC affiliation on Aug. 4. The channel number won’t be determined until a deal is struck.
In March, ABC’s parent company (Disney) and WPLG-10 (owned by Berkshire Hathaway) announced they are divorcing after a 69-year partnership because the parties could not agree on what WPLG would pay ABC to remain a network affiliate.
Their affiliation agreement ended in late December, and after months of negotiations, the sides opted for a breakup. E.R. Bert Medina, WPLG CEO and president, said in a statement, “We made a generous offer to ABC, but it became clear the two sides were not going to agree to a new deal.”
He said an agreement would have forced him to lay off employees. “Broadcast television stations across the country have announced massive layoffs in recent years,” he said.
Asking and answering some common questions:
Question: With WSVN-7 taking over ABC affiliation in the market, where will Fox programming air?
Answer: On Channel 7, just as it has for decades. Nothing is changing on Channel 7 – neither its programming nor its position on the dial in homes with or without cable or satellite service.
Q: What will WSVN call its new second station that’s airing ABC programming? And what else will it carry?
A: Sunbeam is calling the channel ABC Miami. Besides airing all ABC news, sports and entertainment programming (including the UM-Notre Dame game on Aug. 31), ABC Miami will simulcast WSVN-7’s news programming.
The company hasn’t decided what it will air on ABC Miami during the 2 1/2 hours a day when it’s not carrying Channel 7 newscasts or ABC programming.
“When the opportunity to affiliate with ABC became available, we knew that our combined resources would allow us to develop an extremely strong partnership,” Sunbeam co-president Paul Magnes said.
Q: What will air on WPLG-10 once ABC stops providing programming for the station on Aug. 4?
A: The station hasn’t unveiled its new lineup, but expect lots of news and other local programming.
WPLG recently hired a fourth sportscaster, Kacy Hintz, to join Will Manso, Clay Ferraro and David Lang in its department.
Q: How can you get all ABC sports and ESPN programming if you don’t want to pay for cable or satellite service?
A: Through a direct-to-consumer product that ESPN is launching in September. For $29.95 per month, the service, simply called ESPN, will include all sports programming currently available on ESPN, ABC, ESPN2, ESPNews, ESPNU, ACC Network and SEC Network, as well as ESPN plus content.
This story was originally published July 1, 2025 at 3:48 PM.
