ABC7 celebrates 1 million Facebook fans

KABC-TV Los Angeles on Thursday achieved a social media milestone by attracting a Facebook following of more than 1 million people -- the first local TV station in the country to accomplish that feat.

To celebrate the historic event, ABC7 staffers posed outside the station's headquarters in Glendale, Calif., for a group photo that now proudly tops the ABC7 page.

According to KABC-TV Vice President and News Director Cheryl Fair, Facebook is a key component of ABC7's coverage and community outreach efforts.

"We 'like' the opportunity our Facebook page gives us to hear from and respond to people directly. It is wonderful to be able to interact with real people in real time," Fair said. "We hope the news and information ABC7 provides is useful, informative, and entertaining to them. We appreciate the stories, videos and pictures they give us and we pay attention to their comments and criticisms."

Launched about six years ago, ABC7's Facebook page has features a variety of compelling news items, contests and events.

The station's first post was on Nov. 7, 2008 -- an event for the annual earthquake preparedness initiative The Great Southern California Shakeout.