TV stations know that if they want to survive they need to continue to move more into the digital space.

The ABC O&O’s are doing just that. ABC says that they are is investing in a new local data journalism initiative aimed at driving hyperlocal, high-impact community reporting.

“The ABC owned television stations proudly serve our eight local markets, and with investments in data journalism, we are able to reach deeper into the heart of those communities to deliver news and information that our viewers care about most,” said Wendy McMahon, president of ABC Owned TV Stations.

ABC says that they will add a new team across its eight newsrooms that will make data journalism a mainstream, daily core of ABC’s newsrooms, staffed by a group of next-generation data journalists and led by newly hired director of Data Journalism, John Kelly.

“Open data is an incredible asset in informing citizens and holding those in power accountable. It’s our duty as local journalists to discover, investigate and communicate important information hiding in data,” said Anna Robertson, vice president of ABC Owned TV Stations Content and Partner Innovation. “This initiative will enable us to supercharge our commitment to putting data journalism at the heart of our newsrooms on a daily basis.”