It’s Newsy

Scripps’ digital news service relaunched October 1 as an all-news channel, targeting cord cutters 

Another all-news channel has launched. But this one – called Newsy, isn’t entirely new. 

But Scripps is revamping the network to add to their growing stable of digital subchannels, with one joining a space now dominated by CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, and others – but targeted to cord cutters. On Friday, Newsy relaunched as a free 24-hour, over-the-air broadcast channel available on most Ion stations including Chicago’s WCPX-TV channel 38.7, covering 90 percent of the country’s television homes. Newsy is also available via some of Scripps’ traditional network affiliates, including Cincinnati’s WCPO-TV on channel 9.6, where Scripps’ headquarters are located.  The company has boosted their investment in over-the-air broadcasting and digital subchannels, acquiring Katz Communications in 2017 and Ion last year

Newsy is being positioned as a ‘neutral” news channel without opinion, “rooted in fact-based, transparent reporting that focuses on the “why” of every story.” The channel’s position is not unlike those of NewsNation and CNBC’s The News With Shepard Smith, as both have struggled with disappointing ratings since their respective launches last year. In fact, former NewsNation anchor Rob Nelson is now part of the Newsy team, anchoring the 3-6 p.m. Central block named Newsy Reports. Like Nexstar with NewsNation, Scripps plans to lean on its Big Four network-affiliated local stations for content. 

Other programming in Newsy’s block include Morning Rush, Newsy Live, Evening DeBrief, and prime-time shows Newsy Tonight and In The Loop With Christian Bryant, with weekends consisting of live coverage and shows Good To Know, This Half Hour, In Real Life, and The Race – shows that also air on some Scripps stations. The Management team at Newsy includes CNBC and ESPN alum Brian Donlon and former Weather Channel, CNN, and MSNBC veteran Adrienne Carr. 

“Amid an increasingly polarized and divided national climate, Newsy will seize upon this opportunity to serve more Americans seeking quality objective journalism,” Scripps Networks President Lisa Knutson said when the news was announced back in April. “As TV viewers ‘self-bundle’ by combining free television with subscription video-on-demand services, Newsy will build on its successes in OTT by joining the other Scripps Networks in the over the air marketplace to bring these viewers high-quality, free news programming.”

Newsy has opened thirteen news bureaus across the country, including here in Chicago and plan to open more. Most of Newsy’s shows are being anchored out of Atlanta. 

While Newsy may be new to most viewers, it originally launched in 2008 as a news content aggregator for numerous websites (such as AOL and Mashable) Acquired by Scripps in 2014, Newsy took over the cable and satellite space of the former Retirement Living TV in 2017. 

In addition to over-the-air coverage, Newsy is available for free on streaming video devices Roku, Chromecast, Apple TV, and Amazon Fire; video platforms such as Sling, YouTube, Xumo, Pluto TV, Tubi, and Samsung TV Plus; as apps on Samsung, LG, Sony, and Vizio sets; smart speakers Alexa and Google Assistant and audio app Stitcher. But one place you won’t find Newsy are cable and satellite providers as in an unusual move, Scripps removed Newsy from those platforms June 30, essentially giving up the channel space. 

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