ABC, Affiliates Plan 24-Hour News Channel--Report

But the plan for a competitor to cable news channels like CNN could be scrapped if federal regulators do not require cable television operators to carry new digital signals being developed by broadcasters, the magazine said on its online edition.

"We're working with ABC to develop a joint affiliate/network initiative that's heavy on localism," Deb McDermott, chair of the ABC Television Affiliates Association and Executive Vice President of television owner Young Broadcasting, was quoted as saying.

ABC, which has been testing digital broadcasting, confirmed it was talking with affiliates, but declined to give details.

"We are in discussions with our affiliate board regarding uses of the digital spectrum that can benefit the networks, our affiliates and the public," the network said in a statement.

Traditional television networks like ABC are developing digital channels they can broadcast over the air, part of the move to high definition and digital television.

ABC also wants the Federal Communications Commission to require cable operators to carry the channels it creates, an issue regulators are considering.

ABC's 10 owned stations plan to roll out digital broadcasts soon, after testing at the network's KFSN in Fresno, California.

KFSN has been testing three digital streams, including a rebroadcast of its main channel, a local news and public affairs channel and a weather channel, Walter Liss, president of ABC Owned Television Stations, said in a letter to the Federal Communications Commission last week.