How CBSN is taking its brand local

By Matt Collins Article may include affiliate links

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.