Gray Television Introduces Local News Streaming Platform
‘Local News Live’ is now available on more than 500 Gray Television websites.
It can be hard for cord-cutters to find local news that keeps them up-to-date on events in their neck of the woods. Fortunately, Gray Television is here to help. The broadcaster has announced this week that its “Local News Live” streaming network is expanding its reach to help serve as many Gray station viewers as possible.
Local News Live is now available 24/7 on more than 500 Gray Television station websites, connected TV apps, and mobile apps. It’s also available on Gray stations during non-local news hours on several free ad-supported TV (FAST) channels. This new setup will allow streaming customers to get local and national news updates whenever they want, from wherever they are. Local News Live doesn’t quite have the reach of a streamer like Local Now, but it’s building fast.
“Our viewers value both local news and the unique, local perspectives on national stories Local News Live provides,” said Gray’s Chief Operating Officer, Sandy Breland. “Our goal is to give those viewers the flexibility to watch all the content they are looking for, at any time, from a trusted source.”
Debra Alfarone hosts Local News Live’s signature program, a daily roundup of the top news stories from Gray-owned affiliates from across the United States. That show airs at 2 p.m. ET daily, and Alfarone also fronts a series called “The Good Side,” which shines a light on ordinary people making a difference with their actions in stories that don’t usually make the news.
Gray has also announced that Local News Live’s flagship 2 p.m. show will be available in a new market. The company’s Columbia, South Carolina NBC affiliate WIS will now be getting the program, tallying another market that will get access to complete up-to-the-minute coverage of top local and national stories.
“We are excited to add Local News Live to our daytime lineup and provide viewers a broader scope of national coverage with local impact every day,” said WIS Vice President and General Manager Robby Thomas.
A survey recently released by Publisher's Clearing House, EShap and TVRev indicates that local news is still one of the most-watched programming segments on broadcast TV. Even Millennials and Gen Zers use broadcast TV to watch local news, despite the fact that they get most of their entertainment from other sources.
Another study from TVB indicates that broadcast news on local channels draws an audience 8-12 times larger than it does on streaming platforms, so expanding coverage for streaming users while keeping Local News Live available on linear television as well is a smart move on Gray’s part. The channel owner is having a busy week; it will also launch a new, hyper-local sports channel for Georgia viewers on Sunday, Oct. 1.