TEGNA’s Locked On Podcast Network Expands YouTube Presence, Launches NBA Draft Special and First Daily HBCU Podcast
TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA) has expanded its Locked On sports podcast network, now featuring 20 shows available on YouTube and TEGNA's OTT apps in select markets. Since its YouTube debut in May 2021, Locked On has amassed over 160,000 hours of watch time and 1 million views. Key upcoming initiatives include a Locked On NBA Draft special on July 29, co-produced with WFAA, and the launch of Locked On HBCU, a podcast focused on HBCU sports debuting August 2. The network aims to elevate diverse voices in coverage and capitalize on its growing audience.
- Locked On shows boast over 160,000 hours of watch time and 1 million views since May 2021.
- Locked On plans to launch new programming initiatives to boost audience engagement.
- The network targets a younger audience with 52% under 35, capitalizing on growing trends in digital content.
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TEGNA Inc.’s (NYSE: TGNA) Locked On, the leading local sports podcast network with daily shows for all “Big 4” professional sports leagues and major college programs, today announced that 20 of its shows are now available as YouTube channels, as well as on TEGNA station’s OTT apps in select markets.
Since the launch of the network’s first YouTube channel in May 2021, Locked On’s channels have generated more than 160,000 total hours of watch time and more than 1 million video views, which average more than 10 minutes each (source: YouTube).
“Locked On’s growth on YouTube reflects the appetite of our very engaged and diverse audience,” said Adam Ostrow, TEGNA’s chief digital officer. “Nearly 52 percent of our YouTube audience is younger than 35, and 20 percent of Locked On’s total watch time comes from connected TVs and video game consoles.”
Locked On’s impressive audience growth is expected to be buoyed in the coming month by two exciting programming initiatives: A Locked On NBA Draft 2021 special, co-produced in partnership with WFAA, on Thursday, July 29, and the Monday, Aug. 2 debut of Locked On HBCU, a podcast fully dedicated to HBCU sports and athletes.
“We launched Locked On with the simple premise of giving sports fans hyper-focused news and perspectives they crave,” said David Locke, Locked On’s president and founder. “We are continuing to fulfill this promise with our first NBA Draft special, which will offer real-time, in-depth analysis through our vast network of local sports analysts and experts who will cover the event in its entirety.”
“In addition, we’re thrilled to welcome Locked On HBCU to our slate of more than 180 podcasts,” Locke continued. “This is the first daily podcast solely dedicated to covering HBCU sports and athletes and is led by diverse voices and talent across our company.”
More than 30 Analysts and Local Experts to be Featured in Live Locked On NBA Draft Special
The live Locked On NBA Draft 2021 special, a co-production with WFAA, TEGNA’s Dallas ABC affiliate, will be hosted by John Karalis (Locked On NBA and Locked On Celtics), Chad Ford (Chad Ford’s NBA Big Board) and Rafael Barlowe (Locked On NBA Draft). On Thursday, July 29, the trio will anchor the show from WFAA’s Dallas studio and bring local Locked On team podcast hosts into the coverage for expert analysis of draft picks.
Locked On’s coverage, which is the only NBA Draft 2021 program featuring more than 30 analysts and local experts, will commence one hour before the start of the NBA Draft and include both rounds. In addition to the show’s availability on Locked On NBA’s YouTube channel, Facebook page and Twitter feed, it will be available to stream on TEGNA stations’ OTT apps for Roku and Fire TV, mobile apps and websites.
Locked On Launches First Daily HBCU Podcast Initiative
Launching on Monday, Aug. 2, Locked On HBCU is dedicated to HBCU athletes, football and basketball and features correspondents across the HBCU landscape, including TEGNA on-air and sports talent. They will join host Reggie Flood of “The Big Tyme Sports Network” on New Orleans’ WBOK 1230 AM to cover each sport and team throughout The 107 – whether MEAC, SWAC, SIAC, CIAA, GCAC, or otherwise. Regardless of division or conference, Locked On HBCU will provide in-depth knowledge of each athletic program.
“We believe elevating Black collegiate sports and the voices that cover them is long overdue,” said Ross Jackson, Locked On’s college podcast channel coordinator and partnership manager. “On the field, hardwood, diamond, and in the bandstands, HBCU sports and culture is unparalleled, yet unsung.”
While Flood will headline Locked On HBCU, the podcast will feature on-air talent with an HBCU background and/or who are passionate about HBCU sports, including:
- Mo Carter,sports director for WDZK (TEGNA’s Fox station in Huntsville, Ala.)
- Lesli Foster, news anchor at WUSA (TEGNA’s CBS station in Washington, D.C.)
- Ashley Holder, sports reporter at WGRZ (TEGNA’s NBC station in Buffalo, N.Y.)
- Jeff Jones, sports director at KVUE (TEGNA’s ABC station in Austin, Texas)
- Cory Mose, sports reporter at KWES (TEGNA’s NBC station in Midland-Odessa, Texas)
- Arnold Payne, senior sports photojournalist at WFAA (TEGNA’s ABC station in Dallas, Texas)
- David Schiele, sports reporter at WBIR (TEGNA’s NBC station in Knoxville, Tenn.)
- Allison Seymour, news anchor at WUSA (TEGNA’s CBS station in Washington, D.C.)
- Reese Waters, on-air talent at “WUSA9 at 7 p.m.” (TEGNA’s CBS station in Washington, D.C.)
Locked On HBCU will be available across TEGNA markets and on the Audacy app, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Facebook Podcasts, Stitcher and other podcast platforms.
To view Locked On’s current YouTube channels, please visit: Locked On NFL; Locked On NBA; Locked On Big 10; Locked On Fantasy Basketball; Locked On Bears (Chicago, Ill.); Locked On Broncos (Denver, Colo.); Locked On Cardinals (Phoenix, Ariz.); Locked On Chiefs (Kansas City, Mo.); Locked On Cowboys (Dallas, Texas); Locked On Saints (New Orleans, La.); Locked On Bulls (Chicago, Ill.); Locked On Celtics (Boston, Mass.); Locked On Lakers (Los Angeles, Calif.); Locked On Mavericks (Dallas, Texas); Locked On Pelicans (New Orleans, La.); Locked On Rockets (Houston, Texas); Locked On Warriors (San Francisco, Calif.); Locked On Astros (Houston, Texas); and Locked On Reds (Cincinnati, Ohio); and Locked On Buckeyes (Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio).
About Locked On
Founded in 2016, Locked On produces 180 podcasts, providing in-depth coverage of every NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL team plus major college sports teams. The leading sports podcast network publishes more than 650 podcast episodes each week, generating eight million listens a month. Its podcasts were downloaded more than 80 million times in 2020. Locked On also produces industry-leading, league-wide daily podcasts for fantasy sports, sports betting, the NFL Draft and national shows featuring industry-renowned writers, reporters and insiders. Power 5 college conference experts deliver daily podcasts for college basketball and football fans for each major conference. More information at lockedonpodcasts.com.
About TEGNA
TEGNA Inc. (NYSE: TGNA) is an innovative media company that serves the greater good of our communities. Across platforms, TEGNA tells empowering stories, conducts impactful investigations and delivers innovative marketing solutions. With 64 television stations in 51 U.S. markets, TEGNA is the largest owner of top 4 network affiliates in the top 25 markets among independent station groups, reaching approximately 39 percent of all television households nationwide. TEGNA also owns leading multicast networks True Crime Network, Twist and Quest. TEGNA offers innovative solutions to help businesses reach consumers across television, digital and over-the-top (OTT) platforms, including Premion, TEGNA’s OTT advertising service. For more information, visit www.TEGNA.com.
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