How CBSN is taking its brand local

By The MixDex Wire

CBS has launched the first local version of its CBSN service, CBSN New York, Dec. 13, 2018.

• The service, which is a joint effort between the station’s owned television station and interactive divisions, is the first of four planned streaming OTT services in major local markets.
• CBSN New York draws both its name and format from CBSN, a national streaming news offering CBS launched in November 2014.
• According to data released by CBS, CBSN has seen 30 percent year over year growth in average monthly viewers.
• September 2018 was the network’s second most watched month to date, following November 2016.
• Nearly 80 percent of CBSN viewers are between the ages of 18 and 49, with an average age of 38.
• CBSN New York is features anchors and reporters from WCBS, the network’s flagship O&O and WLNY, the independent O&O in the market.
• In addition, CBSN also uses staffers dedicated exclusively to the service.
• The service is available streaming on the CBSNewYork.com, connected televisions and through the station’s app.
• CBSN New York features live streams of WCBS and WLNY’s regularly scheduled newscasts and additional weekday one-hour newscasts at 7 a.m., 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. that will be produced exclusively for CBSN New York.
• In addition, CBSN New York will provide live continuous coverage of breaking news events and an extensive library of local news content that will be available for on-demand viewing.
• In New York City, CBSN competes with 24 hour local cable channels NY1, owned by Spectrum, and Altice’s News 12 Networks.
• NBC tried its hand in a local cable news focused network called “New York Nonstop” in 2009, but shuttered it in favor of digital subnet Cozi TV.