Gray Television announced the consumer launch of all of its Big Four network-affiliated channels on the Syncbak app. As a result, in-market consumers who download the mobile app to their tablets or smartphones may now watch their local Gray station during time periods when the channels broadcast their licensed programming. Gray’s stations are not offering any content from a Big Four network through Syncbak at this time. With Syncbak’s geo-located authentication technology, consumers are only able to view channels while physically located within the television market of the station providing its signal via the Syncbak app.
Said Gray Television President and CEO Hilton Howell: “We know that our viewers want their local stations wherever they are, on whatever device they have in-hand. We are thrilled that we can give our viewers the local news and popular syndicated content that they want, when they want it.”
Local station programming can now be received on mobile devices, including smart phones, iPads, and various other tablet and mobile devices. The Syncbak app is available in the App Store and Google Play.
“Gray now joins the more than 200 broadcast stations that have chosen Syncbak for their mobile broadcast solution and we are pleased that Gray is among the first in their markets to provide on-the-go mobile access to viewers,” says Jack Perry, Syncbak’s founder and CEO.
Gray O&Os stations in 30 markets broadcasting 46 channels affiliated with one of the “Big 4 Networks” (ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC) and 42 additional channels of programming. 22 of Gray’s channels are affiliated with the CBS, 11 are affiliated with the NBC, eight with ABC and five with FOX.
Nielsen and Syncbak completed a two-week technical trial aimed at capturing and measuring viewing on mobile devices using Syncbak technology. The trial verified that broadcasters can obtain measurable online and mobile viewing using Syncbak technology. In collaboration with CBS, which is a strategic investor of Syncbak, Nielsen conducted a tablet and mobile measurement test with four CBS owned television stations in New York and Los Angeles – WCBS, WLNY, KCBS and KCAL. In these markets Nielsen successfully captured all viewing.
RBR-TVBR observation: The Big Four networks should take note and realize that this is an opportunity to crush Aereo. If the stations and networks allow full 24/7 streaming of TV affiliates’ signals, with viewing credit given in each market to each station, no one would be paying $9.99 a month for Aereo.
