After Success on Twitter, Bloomberg's TicToc Plans to Launch Linear Channel Later This Year

At The Pay TV Show, Jean Ellen Cowgill, GM of TicToc shared that the company plans to launch a linear channel later this year. The network which initially launched on Twitter, has already expanded their streams to airports and cabs, but hopes a fully dedicated linear channel will expand their growth. Last year, it was reported that the streaming news network was averaging 750,000 daily viewers.

It is unclear where the channel will live, whether it will be on Live TV Streaming Services like Sling TV, Hulu Live TV, and YouTube TV, free ad-supported services like Pluto TV, or exclusively through their own app. This follows CBS and ABC which launched CBSN and ABC News Live in November 2014 and May 2018 respectively, and upstart Cheddar which was recently acquired by Altice for $200mm. The trend to launch free ad-supported news networks comes in the face of cord-cutting, which seems to be the motive for Bloomberg who launched TicToc in 2017.

The company will focus on longer form content for the linear channel. Last week at the Twitter’s New Front event, TicToc announced that they would expand coverage to include global events like the G20 Summit, United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and World Economic Forum.

While Bloomberg with TicToc has focused on national news, others have started to focus on local news. Sinclair Media Group has launched local news through their affiliates on their free streaming service STIRR. In December, CBS launched CBSN New York, and expect to expand to Los Angeles, Boston, Chicago, and San Francisco this year.

Offer Terms

Only valid for new DIRECTV STREAM subscribers.
Only valid once per household.
You must pay and maintain service for at least one month to be eligible.
Purchase must be completed on the DIRECTV STREAM website.
You’ll receive gift card 4-6 weeks after purchase (~2 weeks after your first month).
Cannot be combined with any other promotion and won’t be eligible if you try to use a coupon code or cash back from another site.

Offer Terms

Only valid for new Sling TV subscribers to Sling Orange, Blue, or Sling Orange + Blue.
Only valid once per household.
You must pay and maintain service for at least one month to be eligible.
You must click from The Streamable and complete your purchase on the Sling TV website.
You’ll receive gift card 4-6 weeks after purchase (~2 weeks after your first month).
Cannot be combined with any other promotion and won’t be eligible if you try to use a coupon code or cash back from another site.

Offer Terms

Only valid for new Hulu Live TV subscribers.
Only valid once per household.
You must pay and maintain service for at least one month to be eligible.
You must click from The Streamable and complete your purchase on the Hulu Live TV website.
You’ll receive gift card 4-6 weeks after purchase (~2 weeks after your first month).
Cannot be combined with any other promotion and won’t be eligible if you try to use a coupon code or cash back from another site.

After Success on Twitter, Bloomberg’s TicToc Plans to Launch Linear Channel Later This Year

DIRECTV STREAM Cash Back

Offer Terms

Sling TV Cash Back

Offer Terms

Hulu Live TV Cash Back

Offer Terms