Vizio’s smart television sets are now able to provide local news feeds from more than 220 markets across the United States after integrating content streams from Allen Media Group’s Local Now, the companies announced this month.
The integration involves Vizio’s free, ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) platform, WatchFree Plus (stylized as WatchFree+), which is integrated into all modern Vizio-branded smart TVs sold in the U.S.
Using geolocation, Vizio WatchFree Plus learns the precise media market where a user is based, and then prominently delivers a Local Now-branded news feed that uses artificial intelligence to curate and report local stories of interest. Local News populates 223 news feeds using the technology; Allen Media says Local Now is able to cover every media market in the country using that technology.
“The launch of Local Now on Vizio WatchFree Plus strengthens our commitment to delivering hyper-local news and entertainment at no cost to viewers, making it more accessible and convenient than ever before,” said Byron Allen, the founder, chairman and CEO of Allen Media. “Now millions of Vizio users can access the largest footprint of local FAST channels that feature free premium news, entertainment, sports, weather, and more 24/7.”
Local Now’s AI-powered local news feed is also available on a handful of other platforms, including Google’s YouTube TV. As a service Local Now offers local news streams from Allen Media-owned TV stations, as well as those owned or operated by Comcast’s NBC Universal, Paramount’s CBS News & Stations, the E. W. Scripps Company, Cox Media Group, Hearst Television and other local broadcasters.
