Web/Android/iOS/Roku: Whether you just want to keep up with the news in your community when you travel, or you’re curious how issues are presented on networks around the country, NewsOn can show you. The service has local news from over 170 stations to stream, all for free, to virtually any device.
NewsOn uses your location to show you available broadcasts in your area to start with, but you can always open the search bar from the left side menu to look for broadcasts in a specific area, region, city, or even search by callsign to see if you can locate a particular station. The service touts over 170 stations from 110 markets around the United States, and you can watch old newscasts for up to 48 hours after they air (after which they’re gone.)
The webapp is simple enough to use, but if you install the mobile app for Android or iOS, you get an interactive map to browse, switch stations, see previous broadcasts, and more. The Roku app brings all of that to your TV, without you having to connect an OTA antenna, or switch inputs. Best of all, the service is completely free, albeit ad-supported.
Let’s be fair: local news isn’t always the best for a number of reasons, but it’s always illuminating to see how local markets, anchors, and get a feel for issues that matter in those communities, people reacting to events, tragedies, and celebrations in those areas, and if you’re a long way from home, for example, it can help you feel connected to your hometown, or where your friends and family might live, and that’s a nice perk for a free service.