ABC 7 to expand weekend late newscast to an hour

ABC 7 Chicago announced Thursday that it will lengthen its Saturday and Sunday late newscasts, becoming the first station in Chicago to provide an hour of news coverage starting at 10 p.m. on the weekends.

“As the most-watched news station in Chicago, we are very pleased to reaffirm our commitment to local news by providing viewers with expanded coverage on the weekends,” said Jennifer Graves, vice president and news director.

The late Saturday top-rated newscasts with anchors Ravi Baichwal, Karen Jordan, sports anchor Rafer Weigel and meteorologist Phil Schwarz will be an hour long starting on Dec. 10, after the conclusion of the college football season, the station announced.

Hourlong newscasts on Sundays will begin Nov. 6.

The same crew of anchors will continue to present the half-hour newscasts at 5 p.m. on weekends.