-->

NBC Plans Streaming News Service Aimed at Younger Viewers

Article Featured Image

If NBC couldn’t attract streamers with comedy, maybe news will work.

While the broadcaster's last attempt at a streaming service didn’t end well (comedy subscription service SeeSo lasted under two years and was shuttered in November 2017), NBC now thinks news is the way to attract younger streamers. The company told reporters it's creating an online-only news service aimed at young people, and the service may debut in 2018 according to Andrew Lack, chairman of NBC News, quoted in Variety.

This won't be NBC's first experiment with online news streaming. The broadcaster is a major investor with Snap, and offers a news channel called "Stay Tuned" on Snapchat. The Los Angeles Times reports that "Stay Tuned" is seen by 33 million people each month, and three-quarters of the audience is under 25.

When the upcoming service launches, it will have plenty of online competition. CBS offers CBSN, which combines broadcast and online original content. Fox recently announced it will start a subscription service called Fox Nation. And Bloomberg streams original reporting on TicToc, a 24-hour video news channel available through Twitter.

The new service will be available to viewers who don't have a pay TV subscription. NBC hasn't decided yet if it will monetize the upcoming service through subscriptions, ads, or both.

Streaming Covers
Free
for qualified subscribers
Subscribe Now Current Issue Past Issues
Related Articles

NBCU Peacock Mixes Comforting Reruns and High-Profile Originals

Fans can tune in new versions of Battlestar Galactica, Saved By the Bell, and Punky Brewster, or watch familiar hits including The Office and Parks and Recreation.

NBCUniversal Will Launch a Free, Ad-Supported News Stream in May

The network will join ABC, CBS, Cheddar, and others in providing an ad-supported live news option for viewers who don't have pay TV.

NBCU Preps Watch Back, a Streaming Service That Rewards Viewers

Still in the planning stages, NBCU is reportedly creating a streaming video service that lets people trade their viewing time for points.

YouTube Invests $25M Supporting News Orgs, Providing Sources

Fake news creators have taken advantage of YouTube to spread malicious and uninformed clips. YouTube is joining with authoritative sources to fight back.

NBC to Stream Live Winter Olympics Video Over Snapchat

Just days after its surprisingly good quarterly earnings report, Snap says it's getting in the Olympic spirit and making NBC its first live TV partner.

Facebook Tweaks News Feed to Emphasize Longer Videos, Mid-Rolls

It will now consider completion percentage when ranking videos, and put more weight behind long-form videos than shorter ones.

NBC Announces Seeso, a Streaming Service Devoted to Comedy

With an impressive roster of online originals and broadcast favorites, Seeso hopes to satisfy comedy lovers for $3.99 per month.