LocalBTV

LocalBTV
Company typeStreaming television
FoundedOctober 23, 2017; 7 years ago (2017-10-23)
DefunctStatus unknown
Headquarters
Los Altos, California
,
United States
Area served
National Channels (Nationwide)
Local Channels (see markets served)
ProductsOver-the-air television on Internet-connected devices
ParentDidja
Websitewww.localbtv.com

LocalBTV is an American streaming television service based in Los Altos, California and owned by Didja. The service allows subscribers to view live and DVR recorded streams of over-the-air television as well as national channels on Internet-connected devices.[1]

Background

Similar in concept to the defunct services Locast and Aereo, LocalBTV offers local channels via streaming. However, LocalBTV has indicated they will only carry local channels that permit them to do so, thus avoiding the legal issues Aereo had, and more recently, Locast.[2] LocalBTV's target customers are viewers who cannot receive local antenna reception, or their cable, satellite, or streaming service does not carry the local broadcast channel they would like to watch.[3]

Services

As of December 2022, none of the major networks are carried, but the service is hoping to carry them at a later time.[4][5] Some of the channels that LocalBTV currently carries are primary and subchannels such as Cozi TV, The Country Network, getTV and NewsNet as well as bilingual channels.[5][6][7][8] Some of the national channels available everywhere in the U.S. include NOST, Cozi TV, FNX and getTV, and multiple shopping networks. Also included with the app for the service is a program guide and cloud DVR service. Currently, the service is free with an optional paid version planned at a later date.[9]

In November 2023, the website went down and the various apps are no longer functioning on various platforms.[10] As of December 18, 2023, their website returned with a message that their services were temporarily paused with plans to return soon. As of September 2024, no further status updates have been made on the still running website.

Availability

LocalBTV's selection of national channels are available in all markets in the United States. Currently, the selection of local channels on LocalBTV are available in 53 media markets in the United States.[11]

Supported devices

Currently, the service is supported on various platforms such as laptops, smartphones, as well as Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV, and Roku streaming devices, including additional integration with Android TV's Live Channels app.[12]

See also

References

  1. ^ "About". Didja. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
  2. ^ "BTV brings local TV to your phone and desktop for free". Techhive.com. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
  3. ^ "Didja Launches 'SoCalBTV' in Los Angeles". tvnewscheck.com. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
  4. ^ "Didja's Local OTT TV App Streams into Los Angeles". Multichannel.com. 9 April 2018. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
  5. ^ a b Newman, Jared (2021-10-29). "This free streaming service has the local channels others lack". Fast Company. Retrieved 2021-10-29.
  6. ^ "LocalBTV Launches a New 100% FREE Live Local TV Streaming Service". cordcuttersnews.com. 23 October 2017. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
  7. ^ "What is LocalBTV?". LocalBTV. Retrieved 2018-05-01.
  8. ^ "Didja's "LocalBTV" Adds COZI TV and TeleXitos To Local Broadcast App". Business Insider. Retrieved 2018-11-27.
  9. ^ "Frequently Asked Questions: How is LocalBTV different from cable or satellite?". LocalBTV. Retrieved 2021-09-04.
  10. ^ "The Free Streaming Service LocalBTV Has Been Offline For Over a Week Now". CordCuttersNews. Retrieved 2023-12-01.
  11. ^ "LocalBTV-Markets". LocalBTV. Retrieved 2023-06-08.
  12. ^ "LocalBTV-Watch Now". LocalBTV. Retrieved 2018-11-27.