Allen Media’s Local Now Adds 18 CBS FAST Channels

The Allen Media Group digital platform Local Now — a free streaming service for hyper-local news, weather, sports, traffic and entertainment — has expanded its local news footprint with the launch of 14 free ad-supported television (FAST) channels from CBS Stations.

In addition to this local news content, Local Now has added to its lineup CBS News Streaming; CBS Sports Golazo Network, a 24/7 streaming channel dedicated to soccer; as well as channels featuring CBS Media Ventures’ syndicated newsmagazine Inside Edition; and Dabl, a network that features programming from the libraries of lifestyle experts including Martha Stewart and Emeril Lagasse, among others.

Local Now viewers can now stream 14 local news FAST channels in the CBS Stations portfolio. The minutes streamed by these channels are up 61% so far this year compared to the same period in 2022; and the last 12 months are the 12 biggest months since CBS became the first station group to stream local news in 2018, according to Allen Media. The local stations are:

• Baltimore (WJZ-TV)
• Bay Area (KPIX-TV)
• Boston (WBZ-TV)
• Chicago (WBBM-TV)
• Colorado (KCNC-TV)
• Detroit (WWJ-TV)
• Los Angeles (KCAL9 TV)
• Miami (WFOR-TV)
• Minnesota (WCCO-TV)
• New York (WCBS-TV)
• Philadelphia (KYW-TV)
• Pittsburgh (KDKA-TV)
• Sacramento (KOVR-TV)
• Texas (KTVT-TV)

“Local Now is the leading free streaming service for local news, so this partnership with CBS – a trusted local news source for millions of Americans – was an undeniable match,” said Byron Allen, founder/chairman/CEO of Allen Media Group. “And with the addition of CBS News and CBS Sports Golazo Network, we’re simultaneously able to expand our entertainment content offering for our audience. We’re excited for what’s ahead with our great partners at CBS.”

“Bringing our FAST channels to Local Now represents the next step in accelerating the growth of our streaming business,” said Wendy McMahon, president and CEO, CBS News and Stations and CBS Media Ventures. “We’re seeing significant increases in the total minutes streamed on our platforms this year. Partnering with the Allen Media Group will help us expand our reach even further, and not just in local news, but also with our flagship CBS News national streaming channel, CBS Sports Golazo Network, Inside Edition and Dabl.”

“It has been a pleasure for us to work with Byron and his team to bring our streams to Local Now,” added Sahand Sepehrnia, SVP, streaming, CBS Stations. “As Wendy said, this partnership allows us to build upon our momentum and attract more viewers to 18 CBS FAST Channels — and potentially more channels in the months ahead.”