New show bridges gap between TV and Net

ABC News will begin airing a show aimed at bridging the gap between television and the Internet by offering viewers a chance to interact via email, chat and online balloting, company executives said today.

ABC News, together with ABCNews.com, will launch a morning show called "World News Now." As part of the show, anchors will read selected emails from viewers.

"The days of either watching television or using a computer independently of one another are quickly becoming obsolete," David Westin, president of ABC News, said in a statement.

Today's announcement comes as ABC's online arm is unveiling several programs aimed at bridging the gap between television and the Internet.

On Sept. 27, ABCNews.com debuted SamDonaldson@ABCNews.com, a 15-minute Webcast featuring news reports on a variety of issues.

In addition, the Net news service has begun sending daily emails from anchor Peter Jennings to registered users interested in knowing what he and his producers consider the most important news story of the day.

ABCNews.com is part of Go.com, the outcome of a merger between Infoseek and the Walt Disney Co.'s online unit, Buena Vista Internet Group.