- TEGNA (TGNA, Financial) launches a major expansion of local news programming with over 100 hours of daily content.
- The expansion targets 50+ markets, reaching over 100 million viewers through streaming platforms and station websites.
- Initial market tests show a viewership increase of up to 50%, especially during severe weather and breaking news.
TEGNA Inc. (TGNA) has announced a significant expansion of its local news programming, adding live and on-demand newscasts from 7-9 a.m. daily across more than 50 markets. This move will provide over 100 hours of fresh news content daily, including breaking news, weather, and traffic updates, aimed at reaching over 100 million viewers.
The rollout of this new programming will begin in the summer of 2025, initially launching in 35 markets, with plans to extend to 50+ markets by the fall. Early testing in cities such as Portland, Charlotte, and Cleveland demonstrated promising results, with viewership increasing by nearly 50% month-over-month and even higher spikes observed during instances of severe weather or breaking news.
Viewers will be able to access these new morning newscasts through TEGNA station Plus apps available on streaming devices such as Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV, or directly via station websites. In select markets, the expanded programming will also be available on secondary broadcast networks, providing a multi-platform viewing experience.
This strategic move by TEGNA not only addresses the changing habits of news consumers but also opens up new advertising revenue opportunities during premium morning hours, capitalizing on the growing trend of connected TV consumption. By broadening the distribution of local news content, TEGNA aims to strengthen its newsroom capabilities, enhance viewer experience, and offer valuable reach for advertisers.
Adrienne Roark, TEGNA's Chief Content Officer, emphasized the company's commitment to local news and its potential to deliver value to stakeholders by expanding the availability of trusted local news content during a time of day previously underserved.
For more information on the expansion and access to the local morning livestreams from 7-9 a.m., viewers are encouraged to download TEGNA station Plus apps or visit their local station's website.
