ABC News "is close to a deal with its affiliates that it hopes will take ABC News Now from the backwaters of the Internet to the forefront of TV journalism, affiliate sources" tell TVNewsDay.

In the potential arrangement, "affliates would be full partners in the venture and contribute local segments every half hour."

More: "The whole venture depends on ABC and the affiliate board working out a final agreement. To that end, they are set to meet again later this month in Los Angeles." Here's the in-depth story...