It’s despised by the nation’s “Big Four” networks and the NAB isn’t quite fond of it, either.
That’s not stopping Locast from rolling out its not-for-profit “donation”-fueled model of delivering local TV stations via an IP-based delivery platform in yet another market.
In an email to “Locast Nation,” Locast.org Founder and Chairman David Goodfriend revealed that the Tri-Cities, Va.-Tenn. DMA is now able to receive streaming local TV service from Locast.
The addition of Johnson City, Kingsport and Bristol, between Roanoke and Knoxville on Interstate 81, makes Locast now available in 32 markets.
For Goodfriend, it is providing a vitally essential service by giving locals the ability to view what’s already available for free — every broadcast TV station. To accomplish this, Locast takes the signals and brings them to local viewers via a geotargeted platform that uses apps and web browsers.
The nation’s TV networks and the NAB don’t like this, and want retransmission fee compensation. Locast argues that, unlike a vMVPD, it is a non-profit and simply bringing to users what it can already get at no-cost.
The non-profit status of Locast is crux to its argument, as it continues to add new markets.
“We are a nonprofit and rely on user donations of just $5 per month to support the ongoing operations and expansion of our nonprofit service,” Goodfriend reminded recipients of the Locast.org email.
For this launch, Locast collaborated with the municipally-owned local electric and communications utility Bristol Tennessee Essential Services (BTES) to locate its data server.
Local stations include Nexstar-owned dual CBS/ABC-affiliated WJHL-11; PBS member station WETP-2; dual NBC/The CW Network affiliate WCYB-5, owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group; and Sinclair-operated FOX affiliate WEMT-39, licensed to Cunningham Broadcasting.
