Local broadcast streamer Locast is now natively integrated into Vizio’s line of smart television sets, the company announced on Wednesday.
The launch marks the first time Locast has integrated its streaming service into a native operating system on a smart television.
The Locast app will appear automatically on Vizio’s line of SmartCast television sets alongside other apps like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Disney Plus and YouTube TV.
In addition to Vizio TV sets, Locast is available on Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Roku and Android TV (Google TV) hardware as well as on smartphones, tablets and web browsers.
Locast offers free access to dozens of over-the-air broadcast stations in more than three dozen major metropolitan areas. Channels included in most areas include local ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox and CW stations along with local PBS member stations.
While the service is free to access, it includes an interruption every 15 minutes with a request to donate at least $5 a month. A monthly donation removes the request; Locast also offers a philanthropic initiative called the Locast Cares Program that provides uninterrupted access to its service to 25,000 customers for at least one year.
