Hearst Offers Up Free Streaming App from its Stations

While the young people are not watching TV, Hearst is hoping to reach them on another level.

The company has is launching its bouquet of “Very Local” over-the-top streaming TV channels, spanning all 26 U.S. media markets it operates in.

The streaming channels are free and it is another way that Hearst is looking to reach younger viewers who aren’t watching TV the way Americans used to.

The streaming service which is ad supported offers a national version, as well as those for local the company’s local TV markets.

The content is centered on newscasts from its stations and is available on-demand within 90 minutes after the newscasts air.

“Consumers are diversifying the channels through which they consume media. We want to meet them where they are,” said Hearst Television’s SVP of streaming video services Andrew Fitzgerald. He joined Hearst Television in 2017 from Twitter, where he headed Twitter Moments, originally as chief digital content officer.

“If you missed today’s newscast or in-depth weather report, or if you just want to enjoy great local story-telling that celebrates your community, it will be on Very Local,” Fitzgerald said.

The streaming service is available across a large number of devices.

H/T Variety