In a bold move to meet the rising demand for hyper-local content, TEGNA Inc. announced a sweeping expansion of local news programming, adding more than 100 hours of daily newscasts across its 50+ markets. The initiative, which focuses on live and on-demand programming from 7 to 9 a.m., will be available on streaming platforms, connected TV apps, and station websites, ensuring viewers can access trusted local news when and where they want it.
The expansion, which began rolling out this summer, targets a critical morning time slot traditionally underserved by local broadcasters. Stations like KGW in Portland, Oregon, WCNC in Charlotte, North Carolina, and WKYC in Cleveland, Ohio, piloted the 7 a.m. livestreams earlier this year, with impressive results. Viewership in some markets surged by nearly 50% month-over-month, with even greater spikes during breaking news events or severe weather. By fall, TEGNA expects all 50+ markets to offer this live, local programming, delivering breaking news, weather, and traffic updates to over 100 million viewers.
“Local news drives daily decisions,” said Adrienne Roark, chief content officer at TEGNA. “With the debut of our new programming, our audiences will now have the option to watch live news produced by their trusted stations during a time of day when local coverage has been largely unavailable. In addition to serving our viewers, it will also create new opportunities for our advertisers to reach audiences regardless of where they are and how they consume our content.”
The initiative reflects TEGNA’s broader commitment to strengthening local journalism, a cornerstone of its mission. The new programming will be accessible through TEGNA’s station-specific Plus apps on platforms like Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV, as well as via station websites. In select markets, the content will also air on secondary broadcast networks, broadening its reach. This multi-platform approach ensures viewers can stay informed about their communities regardless of how they consume media.
The expansion has already shown promise in pilot markets. For example, during severe weather events, stations saw significant viewership spikes, underscoring the public’s reliance on local news for real-time updates. “This isn’t just about adding hours—it’s about enhancing the viewer experience and supporting our communities,” Roark added. “We’re confident this will strengthen our newsrooms and deliver value to all stakeholders.”
Local ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC affiliates under TEGNA’s umbrella are set to benefit from this initiative, which positions them as leaders in the evolving media landscape. Viewers can tune in by downloading their local station’s app or visiting its website, ensuring seamless access to the new morning newscasts.
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