VIZIO Launches New Local Channel Category in WatchFree+ Streaming Service — Adding 20 Channels

Rhea-AI Summary

VIZIO has launched a new local channel category in its WatchFree+ streaming service, offering 20 local market news channels from FOX and Gray Television. VIZIO smart TV owners can now access local news coverage in major US markets such as Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Dallas-Fort Worth, Atlanta, and Washington DC.

The expanded lineup includes FOX and Gray Television channels for major US markets with strong WatchFree+ viewership

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- VIZIO (NYSE: VZIO) announced today a new local channel category is now available in its popular free streaming service, WatchFree+, improving search and discovery for consumers looking for the latest in regional news, weather, sports and more. With 20 local market news channels from FOX and Gray Television, VIZIO smart TV owners can now tune into local news coverage across top designated market areas (DMAs) including Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Dallas-Fort Worth, Atlanta, and Washington DC.

VIZIO Launches New Local Channel Category in WatchFree+ Streaming Service — Adding 20 Channels (Photo: Business Wire)

The WatchFree+ programming guide provides a complete list of free channels available in the new local channel category, including:

FOX channels:
1.	WAGA (FOX 5 - Atlanta) - Ch. 945
2.	WTTG (FOX 5 - Washington DC) - Ch. 946
3.	WJBK (FOX 2 - Detroit) - Ch. 947
4.	KDFW (FOX 4 - Dallas) - Ch. 948
5.	WTVT (FOX 13 - Tampa Bay) - Ch. 949
6.	KTVU (FOX 2 - San Francisco) - Ch. 950
7.	WTXF (FOX 29 - Philadelphia) - Ch. 951
8.	WOFL (FOX 35 Orlando) - Ch. 952
9.	KCPQ (FOX 13 Seattle) - Ch. 953
10.	KTTV (FOX 11 - Los Angeles) - Ch. 955
Gray Television channels:
11.	WANF Atlanta News First (Independent - Atlanta) - Ch. 961
12.	KTVK/KPHO Arizona's Family (CBS 5 - Phoenix) - Ch. 962
13.	WOIO Cleveland 19 News (CBS 19 - Cleveland/Akron) - Ch. 963
14.	WBTV News (CBS 3 - Charlotte) - Ch. 964
15.	KPTV (FOX 12 - Portland) - Ch. 965
16.	KMOV4 News (CBS 4 - St. Louis) - Ch. 966
17.	WSMV4 News (CBS 4 - Nashville) - Ch. 967
18.	KCTV5 News (CBS 5 - Kansas City) - Ch. 968
19.	WFSB Eyewitness News 3 (CBS 3 - Hartford/New Haven) - Ch. 969
20.	WXIX-TV (FOX19 Now - Cincinnati) - Ch. 970
Existing local channels include:
21.	CBS News Los Angeles - Ch. 160
22.	CBS News New York - Ch. 161
23.	News 12 New York - Ch. 162

“We are thrilled to partner with VIZIO in launching these local channels on WatchFree+,” said Pat LaPlatney, President & Co-CEO of Gray Television. “From Atlanta to Phoenix to Cleveland, viewers can now stay connected to their local news, weather, and sports, all with the convenience of their VIZIO Smart TV.”

WatchFree+ provides VIZIO users with access to a wide range of local and national news channels, including but not limited to TD Ameritrade Network, Bloomberg Originals, CBC News, CBS News, Cheddar News, CNN RePlay, FOX Weather, LiveNOW from FOX, NBC News NOW, Reuters, Scripps News, The Hill, USA TODAY, WeatherNation, Yahoo Finance.

"VIZIO's expansion of local market news in WatchFree+ marks an exciting milestone for smart TV owners across the United States,” said Katherine Pond, Group Vice President, Platform Content & Partnerships at VIZIO. “Through our collaboration with Gray Television and FOX, we make it possible for millions of users to stay connected with their communities with relevant and timely content through our WatchFree+ streaming service.”

To access local channels on WatchFree+, VIZIO smart TV owners can simply navigate to the WatchFree+ app on their devices, select local channels from the categories menu and choose the desired channel from the programming guide. Once selected, users can favorite the channel for seamless navigation and future viewing.

WatchFree+ is like cable TV, but streaming and free. With hundreds of channels and thousands of popular on-demand TV series and movies, there is something for everyone.

About VIZIO

Founded and headquartered in Orange County, California, our mission at VIZIO Holding Corp. (NYSE: VZIO) is to deliver immersive entertainment and compelling lifestyle enhancements that make our products the center of the connected home. We are driving the future of televisions through our integrated platform of cutting-edge Smart TVs and powerful operating system. We also offer a portfolio of innovative sound bars that deliver consumers an elevated audio experience. Our platform gives content providers more ways to distribute their content and advertisers more tools to connect with the right audience.

For more information, visit VIZIO.com and follow VIZIO on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230719118440/en/

Press Contact for VIZIO

Melissa Hourigan

Fabric Media

720-608-1919

melissa@fabricmedia.net

Source: VIZIO Holding Corp

FAQ

What is the new feature announced by VIZIO?

VIZIO has launched a new local channel category in its WatchFree+ streaming service.

How many local market news channels are included in the new category?

The new category includes 20 local market news channels from FOX and Gray Television.

Which major US markets are covered by the new local channels?

The new local channels cover major US markets such as Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Dallas-Fort Worth, Atlanta, and Washington DC.

How can VIZIO smart TV owners access the local channels?

VIZIO smart TV owners can access the local channels by navigating to the WatchFree+ app, selecting local channels from the categories menu, and choosing the desired channel from the programming guide.

What other channels are available on WatchFree+?

WatchFree+ offers access to a wide range of local and national news channels, including TD Ameritrade Network, Bloomberg Originals, CBC News, CBS News, Cheddar News, CNN RePlay, FOX Weather, LiveNOW from FOX, NBC News NOW, Reuters, Scripps News, The Hill, USA TODAY, WeatherNation, and Yahoo Finance.