The Desk appreciates the support of readers who purchase products or services through links on our website. Learn more...

Locast rolls out to Cleveland, bringing service to 30 TV markets

Streaming service Locast is expanding once again, bringing its local TV service to viewers in Cleveland, the company announced on Wednesday.

The rollout is the 30th launch by Locast since it started operations in early 2018.

Locast offers live streams of local broadcast stations affiliated with ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, the CW, PBS and others. The company operates as a not-for-profit and exploits a loophole in federal copyright law that allows organizations to relay broadcast TV signals without compensating the owners of those stations.

The company has found an unusual ally in pay television companies, including AT&T and Dish Network, who have promoted Locast as an alternative to viewers during carriage disputes with station owners. Some have integrated the Locast app within their own Internet-connected set-top boxes.

Locast doesn’t offer its services everywhere, instead bringing on markets where it makes financial sense to do so (Locast asks viewers to donate $5 a month and interrupts their streams every 15 minutes until they fork over the cash). As of Wednesday, the company says it now serves TV viewers in half of the United States.

Never miss a story

Get free breaking news alerts and twice-weekly digests delivered to your inbox.

We do not share your e-mail address with third parties; you can unsubscribe at any time.

Photo of author

About the Author:

Matthew Keys

Matthew Keys is the award-winning founder and editor of TheDesk.net, an authoritative voice on broadcast and streaming TV, media and tech. With over ten years of experience, he's a recognized expert in broadcast, streaming, and digital media, with work featured in publications such as StreamTV Insider and Digital Content Next, and past roles at Thomson Reuters and Disney-ABC Television Group.