With a blockbuster, game-changing — and potential rule-changing — merger agreement with Nexstar Media Group awaiting regulatory scrutiny and hopeful approval, TEGNA has moved ahead with the launch of new local TV station-aligned mobile apps across 50 markets.
The goal? Bringing local news and weather to viewers no matter where they are in a preview of what ATSC 3.0 technology may bring to the smartphone.
In a pre-market announcement from Northern Virginia-headquartered TEGNA, the company led by CEO Mike Steib commented, “Thousands of original daily mobile videos in a scrolling vertical feed are personalized for users based on their individual preferences to keep them connected to the local stories that matter most to them.”
Overseeing the launch is veteran local TV executive Adrienne Roark, who serves as TEGNA’s Chief Content Officer. She commented, “Our audiences rely on us for credible, local coverage that helps them stay connected to their communities and make informed decisions in the moment. That’s why we’ve reimagined our newsrooms as story-first operations, built for speed and accuracy around the clock – not just fixed broadcast timeslots. This app is an expression of our local newsroom of the future, where great local journalism meets people exactly where they are, on the devices they use throughout the day.”
The new mobile app has first launched in beta testing at TEGNA stations in Atlanta, Denver, Indianapolis, and Seattle. The app is available for download in both the iPhone App Store and Google Play Store, with other TEGNA markets launching on a rolling basis over the next few weeks, the company said.
“By emphasizing digital design and the user experience, we’re delivering what audiences truly want: real-time, easy-to-watch video updates from trusted local reporters and weather teams,” said Dhanusha Sivajee, TEGNA’s Chief Experience Officer. “We’re encouraged with the early audience response and plan to release new mobile features on a regular basis tied to the valuable feedback we receive from our users.”
TEGNA Chief Technology Officer Kurt Rao added, “To make true 24/7 news coverage across all screens possible, we had to reimagine the software powering our local teams from end-to-end,” said Kurt Rao, Chief Technology Officer. “Employing cutting-edge technology has unlocked more time for the teams to create original content for streaming and mobile.”
— RBR+TVBR Washington Bureau, in Gainesville, Va.
