NBCUniversal signs deal with Amazon to launch Local News, Telemundo FAST Channels

NBCUniversal has signed a distribution deal with Amazon to offer15 local news and Spanish-language Telemundo free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channels across its Fire TV platform. “We are excited to grow our existing partnership with Amazon, expanding the reach of our local news content to millions of people on Fire TV and Echo Show devices,” Mat Schnaars, President, NBCUniversal Content Distribution, said in a statement. “News continues to be a top choices for viewers and we are proud to reach new audiences with best-in-class journalism from our local stations.”

The deal gives U.S.-based Amazon customers access to local breaking news coverage and original content from NBCU’s local stations as the region sees a decline in TV network news viewership and an upward trend for FAST distribution. The new FAST (free ad-supported streaming TV) channels will present all-day coverage from NBC and Telemundo stations from the top TV regions “News continues to be a top choice for viewers, and we are proud to reach new audiences with best-in-class journalism from our local stations,” said Matt Schnaars, president, NBCUniversal Content Distribution, in a statement.

The channels include NBC New York News, NBC Los Angeles News, NBC Chicago News, NBC Philadelphia News, NBC Dallas News, NBC Washington, D.C. News, NBC Boston News, NBC Bay Area News, NBC South Florida News, NBC San Diego News and NBC Connecticut News. The four Telemundo FAST channels are Noticias Telemundo Noreste, Noticias Telemundo California, Noticias Telemundo Texas and Noticias Telemundo Florida.

Other NBCUniversal properties available on Fire TV include Peacock, “Today All Day” and “Dateline 24/7.” The platform also features apps for NBC, Bravo, E!, Oxygen, Syfy, USA, Universal Kids, MSNBC, NBC News, CNBC, NBC Sports and Telemundo.