News from 23 Scripps local TV markets is just a voice command away with the Flash Briefing service.
Scripps Brings Local News To Amazon Alexa
The E.W. Scripps Co. today launched its local television news brands on Alexa, Amazon’s voice-activated virtual assistant. News from 23 Scripps local TV markets can be accessed by voice command for users of Amazon Echo and all Alexa-enabled devices.
In many of its markets, Scripps is the only local news provider available on Alexa. It joins other outlets in offering news updates on the platform, including CNN, NPR and the Scripps-owned national news network Newsy. In each Flash Briefing, Scripps stations deliver top local news headlines, updated throughout the day.
“Through our broadcast, web and mobile products, and now through virtual assistants, our local TV stations are committed to delivering news in all the places where consumers are engaged,” said Brian Lawlor, Scripps SVP of broadcast. “As connected devices surge in popularity, our stations are tailoring their news and information to those platforms in order to deliver it into the home.”
The expansion to Alexa continues Scripps’ moves to build its brands across over-the-top video and audio platforms. Several months ago, the company launched Roku channels for each of its TV brands.
Local news headlines in Flash Briefing from Scripps stations can be enabled in the Skill Store of the Alexa app or on amazon.com. Once enabled, users can ask “Alexa, what’s the news?” or “Alexa, what’s my Flash Briefing?” and Alexa will deliver audio of the latest headline news from the selected Scripps market.
Comments (4)
Ron Burrus says:
May 3, 2017 at 11:17 am
Seems to me to be just another nail in the coffin of the 5pm, 6pm, & 10pm daily auto crash, weather overkill, and commercial glut-casts.
kendra campbell says:
May 3, 2017 at 11:45 am
“Alexa – Get me local crime, car crashes, weather hype, and lots of local car dealer commercials.”
Wagner Pereira says:
May 3, 2017 at 12:04 pm
Of course, no one from Scripps knew enough about Alexa so that in the TV Promos, they state “Alexa, what’s the news” which triggers all Alexas that can hear the TV to respond to the Stations Promos immediately giving NPR News, the default news provider.
Cheryl Thorne says:
May 3, 2017 at 9:01 pm
Just shows you these corporate suits are trying eve..everything to stay relevant because their local news products are dying in viewership before their eyes every day….However Scripps is a very good company unlike most of the rest of local tv companies..Cowboy Bobs got it nailed!!! Who watches local news any longer???