Last Thursday, KABC-TV (ABC7) – the Los Angeles affiliate of ABC and the #1 rated television station in the Los Angeles area – became the first local TV station to reach one million Facebook likes.
The station’s first post was on November 7, 2008 about an event for the annual earthquake preparedness initiative ‘The Great Southern California Shakeout.’ Since then, the station uses its Facebook page to post news items, contests, and events, and it has become a key component of its viewer outreach efforts.
“Facebook gives us the ability to extend the reach of our trusted news brand and interact directly with our viewers in a variety of ways,” Cheryl Fair, Vice President and News Director, ABC7, Los Angeles, tells Lost Remote. “When there is breaking news or other stories we know would be of interest to our viewers, Facebook provides another opportunity to reach them wherever they are whenever it happens. And, whether it’s comments or criticisms about coverage or sharing stories, video or pictures of news in their communities, our viewers have embraced the opportunity to engage and be a part of the Eyewitness News team.”
Local affiliates have a tremendous social advantage, with a self-selecting audience based on a narrow location: a marketer’s dream. For KABC, reaching one million likes is a big accomplishment, but more, it is an opportunity to stay ahead of its local competition.
