NewsON Expands Local News Coverage and Ownership with Addition of Sinclair Broadcast Group

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

NewsON, a venture dedicated to providing local news nationwide, today announced that Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. SBGI has joined NewsON with approximately 30 Sinclair-owned television stations participating in the NewsON service, thereby expanding NewsON's reach to almost 80% of the country. Sinclair Broadcast Group is one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies in the U.S. and also produces a wide range of award-winning local news content in communities across the country.

Today, NewsON features video content from 120 stations in 92 markets covering 76% of the U.S. population. With the Sinclair additions, it will grow to approximately 150 stations in 100 markets covering 80% of the U.S. population after full implementation later this year. Importantly, Sinclair will increase the range of choices within the NewsON app in many major U.S. markets, enabling consumers to get the local news content they want when they want it in one place.

NewsON is the first-of-its-kind service, launched November 4, 2015, that provides consumers with access to live and on-demand local newscasts and local news clips on mobile and connected TV devices. The free, ad-supported app features flexible navigation that encourages discovery, offering instant access to broadcast-quality video. It also enables users to search by market via an interactive map and for curated content linking coverage of breaking news events from multiple stations. The NewsON app has received a very favorable response from users, with positive ratings as well as expressions of gratitude for its service across platforms.

"We are delighted to welcome Sinclair as an investor and content participant, and believe that this milestone further demonstrates the value of the NewsON app in expanding the reach and relevance of local broadcast news," said Louis Gump, CEO of NewsON. "This strong start to 2016 builds on our growing momentum from last year and will increase our ability to serve customers across the country."

"NewsON is a great way for Sinclair Broadcast Group to deliver on our mission of innovating local news on a large scale," said Rob Weisbord, COO of Sinclair Digital Group. "We have a long track record of investing in news content and delivery for the communities we serve, and NewsON is an extension for us to reach important audience segments while extending and reinforcing our local news brands."

The NewsON app is available for Apple iPhone and iPad, Android phone and tablet, and on the Roku platform on Roku players and Roku TVs.

About NewsON

NewsON provides a nationwide lineup of local news from trusted, credible TV stations, giving consumers access to live and on-demand local newscasts and local news clips. NewsON is available for Apple iPhone and iPad, Android phone and tablet, and Roku devices, and offers a free, ad-supported app which features instant access to broadcast-quality video. The NewsON ownership group includes the ABC Owned Television Station Group, Cox Media Group, Hearst Television, Hubbard Broadcasting, Media General, Raycom Media and Sinclair Broadcast Group, and also includes additional station groups that are dedicated to serving customers across platforms in their communities and beyond.

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