Regional CBSN New York makes local news debut on Apple TV

CBS Television Stations and CBS Interactive launched Wednesday the expected regional streaming channel of WCBS TV New York through the CBSN news app, the first local TV news service that will allow Apple TV viewers to watch live and pre-recorded news coverage.

The 24/7 channel began airing live content at 1 pm ET, Wednesday.

The channel is not a separate, standalone tvOS app, but is embedded in the CBSN app, available for free through the Apple TV App Store.

The CBSN New York plans on airing many stories seen on the terrestrial Channel 2 station, but will also have a separate on-air staff anchoring many of its own, exclusive content. Content will include news, weather, and features like ‘Snapshot New York’ focused on the New York City region.

From an initial review, it doesn’t appear any of the content will be available on-demand through the CBSN app, at least not at launch, but only available as a continuous feed.

CBSN New York features live streams of WCBS and WLNY’s regularly scheduled terrestrial newscasts and additional weekday one-hour newscasts at 7:00 AM, 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM 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.

CBS announced last August it planned on launching various local news streaming services and would launch CBSN New York by years end. The broadcaster now plans on launching a streaming feed of its Los Angeles stations KCBS and KCAL in “early 2019.” the companies said in a prepared statement. Other major markets will be added in 2019, the company said.

Each CBSN Local service will feature live streams of CBS Television Stations’ regularly scheduled early morning, daytime and evening newscasts and additional daily newscasts that will be produced exclusively for CBSN Local. The services will provide live continuous coverage of breaking news events and on-demand content. The CBSN Local programming is expected to be led by anchors and reporters at local CBS television stations.

CBS said the new local services will be supported by advertising and will ultimately be included as live channels on CBS All Access in those markets. CBS All Access is a subscription-based app available on Apple TV.

The CBSN app has been available on Apple TV since November of 2014. The company said nearly 80 percent of its viewers are between the ages of 18 and 49, with an average age of 38.