The Byron Allen-led streaming platform is ad supported. It curates local news that is “geo-fenced” to users’ zip codes using software and artificial intelligence, Allen said in a statement. The platform has been in development for three years.
Local Now has more than 300 channels and is offered in “every zip code in the country,” according to Allen. The platform partners with News12, E.W. Scripps Co., Meredith Broadcasting and Cox Media Group for local news.
"Local Now is the most localized news and entertainment free-streaming service on the planet," said Allen, the founder, chairman and chief executive of Allen Media Group. “No other streaming service has this capability and advanced technology. We are well-positioned as the new global standard for free streaming."
Along with offering content from Allen Media Group brands such as The Weather Channel and Entertainment Studios Motion Pictures, Local Now also partners with several entertainment companies, including Lions Gate Entertainment Corp., Cinedigm Entertainment Group and Freestyle Digital Media.
Local Now is available on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and on the Android and IOS app stores, among other platforms. It is also available as a standalone channel on YouTube TV, Sling, Xumo, FuboTV, and Dish.
The launch of Local Now marks Allen’s latest push into broadcast news. In February 2020, Allen Media Group’s broadcast division acquired 11 local news stations from USA Television Holdings and USA Television MidAmerica Holdings for $305 million. In August 2020, it acquired KITV in Hawaii from SJL Broadcasting for $30 million, which operates multiple satellite stations in the region.
