ABN
ABN (Autobot Broadcast News) is an amateur news network for the Autobots, reporting on the war and civilian events. It tends not to do so well in the ratings department. Though, hey, they have won at least one award (albeit through deception).
In negative polarity universes, the network acts as a vehicle of propaganda, and viewership is mandated by the state.
Fiction
Generation 1 continuity family
Wings Universe
As Bishop was trying to give the evening news, the studio camera was acting up and cutting him off with static. Eventually, he lost his patience with it and colorfully yelled at the camerabot, Spearhead, to just hit the camera, resolving the issue. He then got back to delivering the news. Around Cybertron #9
Bishop once interviewed Repugnus for the show at the beginning of the war, regarding the rampant infestations of giant ferocious insects of Cybertron's many city-states, believing the bot to be an entomologist. The Monsterbot blamed exotic mechanimal pet traders and owners abandoning them when they got too big and violent, a characteristic that Repugnus admired in them and stated that he trained them as guard dogs to dismember intruders. Bishop soon realized that Repugnus wasn't an entomologist, to which he confirmed that he didn't even know what the word meant, much to Bishop's dismay. Around Cybertron #10
Cassiopeia was outside the Elite Guard's headqaurters, reporting on their 20th succesful mission with no casualties. Just as she was doing this, her broadcast was interrupted by rival reporter, Slamdance, who thought it didn't matter as no one watched ABN, anyway. He then revealed that he was reporting on the disappearance of the Combaticons, though he didn't expect her to know it had even happened. Cassiopeia quickly pretended as if she did and reminded viewers to tune back in later to hear about it. Around Cybertron #11
Known members:
- Bishop, news anchor.
- Rook, news anchor.
- Andromeda, news anchor.
- Cassiopeia, reporter.
- Spearhead, camerabot.
Shattered Glass
Fun Publications Shattered Glass continuity
A mysterious energy surge was detected near the former Durax Hospital for Protoforms. Rook was quick to report that it was likely part of a twisted Decepticon plot to rebuild the hospital and deprive protoforms of the chance for whatever didn't kill them to make them stronger. Of course, the Autobot Civil Security Corps hadn't actually investigated yet, but there was still no doubt whatsoever that the Decepticons were responsible. Film at 2300. Around Cybertron #3
In an exclusive bit of breaking news, Rook turned the broadcast over to his new reporter Punch. Apparently the traitorous Autobots Skyfall and Zetar had been seen consorting with an unknown Decepticon near Iacon. Fortunately, Punch was able to get the scoop from an eyewitness and expose the sordid affair. Around Cybertron #4
Rook reported on the latest in entertainment news: the "infamous" comedic duo Dreadwind and Darkwind had been captured by Autobot forces and sentenced to death on account of their "painfully uplifting" comedy tours. Rook was there to report on every moment of their last words and subsequent execution in the smelting pool. Now that was a comedy act every upstanding Autobot could appreciate. Around Cybertron #5
Rook ended up delivering quite probably the most amazing news of his career—Megatron was dead! As he awaited the footage of Optimus Prime's reaction, he didn't envy the bot who would tell Prime the news that his vendetta would be denied. Until he found out that the bot in question was himself, as Prime had been watching the Around Cybertron broadcast. Oops. Around Cybertron #6
The ABN boss appointed Andromeda as the anchor while Rook was on "enforced vacation". However, in the middle of an interview with Mirage, breaking news of a coup attempt against Optimus Prime caused her to run off, leaving Rook free to reclaim his desk. It enjoyed his loving pats and sweet nothings until he was startled by Mirage in the interview chair. Around Cybertron #7
When Punch went undercover to report about the latest episode of "Decepticon troublemaking", Esmeral and Monstructor made him an offer to join their network, which he accepted, much to Rook's misery. Around Cybertron #8
Known members:
IDW Shattered Glass comic
Before the Great War broke out, Blaster was ABN's lead anchor, only to be caught on camera insulting the viewers' intelligence. He was promptly fired and replaced with Soundwave. When Soundwave attended one of Blaster's musical performances, he offered to try and get his predecessor an interview with ABN, only to be rebuked. Shattered Glass II #2
Known members:
Notes
- The ABN originated as a Shattered Glass counterpart to the TransTech Axiom Nexus News that Rook and Andromeda were reporters for. A distinct positive polarity version of the ABN was later established as part of the Wings Universe segment of Around Cybertron.
