ABC O&Os Present ‘California Dreaming: The Future Of The Golden State’

While California is grappling with income inequality, wildfires and earthquakes, some say the state is not the home they remember. California Dreaming: The Future of the Golden State is a five-part series from ABC Owned Television Stations, in partnership with National Geographic, that will look at the future of what the California dream means and the people working to find solutions to keep the dream alive.

California Dreaming runs Monday, Feb. 1, through Friday, Feb. 5, culminating in a 30-minute special that airs Saturday, Feb. 6.The special is a collaboration between the three owned ABC stations in California and will air in the newscast on KABC Los Angeles, KGO San Francisco and KFSN Fresno. The series and an extended version will also be available to stream across the stations’ connected TV apps and Hulu.

Viewers tuning in to their local ABC newscast will hear the stories of former Californians who left the Golden State and those who chose to stay. While each episode explores housing, the cost of living, wildfires and earthquakes, it also shares real-time solutions. The series spotlights in-depth interviews with elected officials, local leaders, experts, who give insight into the progress to resolve these issues and highlight the inescapable beauty, allure and one-of-a-kind opportunities that California offers.

Episode 1 – State of the State: While many friends, neighbors and co-workers are moving out, most are staying put. Experts share what is being done to slow down the migration.

Episode 2 – Wildfires: 2020 saw record-breaking heat and acres burned by wildfires. ABC’s meteorologists explain how extreme weather conditions have contributed to the increase of wildfires. Coupled with hundreds of millions of dead trees caused by drought periods, priming California’s forest, and grasslands for the next inferno. However, there’s hope. Experts and local officials discuss the work that is underway to help lessen the effects of wildfires, and t ir ideas could save the West Coast.

Episode 3 – Cost of Living: We share the same beautiful state but live in completely different worlds: the wealthy and those who struggle financially. With the world’s fifth largest economy, what can we do to bridge California’s economic divide? It is not only a question for the experts. Everyday people share their journey of how they are tackling challenges they never imagined — and succeeding.

Episode 4 – Earthquakes: “THE BIG ONE.” Californians have been warned about it for decades. With the disruption faced in 2020, have we forgotten about California’s most destructive environmental threat? There’s hope. Viewers will see the newest technology helping Californians prepare.

Episode 5 – The California Dream: California is one of the most culturally diverse and progressive states in the United States. Californians have always shown resilience, no matter what comes our way. Maybe it’s the sound of the surf or the dependable sunshine that inspires Californians to rise together day after day. Meet the people making waves and discover the places that still make the California dream come true for everyone.

All linear times for the series air in the newscast of KABC (4 p.m. PT), KGO (6 p.m.) and KFSN (6 p.m.).

The 30-minute documentary airs Saturday, Feb. 6, at 9 p.m., on all three stations, with an encore on all three on Saturday, Feb. 13, at 9 p.m.

An extended version of the documentary is available on the stations’ connected TV apps ABC7 Los Angeles, ABC7 San Francisco, ABC30 Fresno. Viewers can download the Apps on Roku, AppleTV, Amazon FireTV, AndroidTV and HULU to watch the series.