Sinclair NewsON was purchased by Zeam
In a significant move, streaming technology provider Zeam has announced the acquisition of NewsON, a local streaming news service previously owned by Sinclair. This deal marks a significant expansion and strengthening of local and hyperlocal news offerings in the United States.
With the integration of NewsON's broad local news aggregation (over 275 TV stations nationwide) into Zeam's advanced streaming technology platform, Zeam will now deliver local news content in every U.S. measured television market, across all 201 Nielsen designated market areas. This move increases the availability and accessibility of trusted local news for viewers.
The acquisition has several key impacts. NewsON’s local news streams, which were previously powered by Sinclair, will now operate as a standalone service under the new name "NewsON. Powered by Zeam." This consolidation of two previous competing platforms improves content breadth and consistency for viewers.
Zeam's innovative live streaming technology encourages broadcasters to invest in hyperlocal content, such as live coverage from local venues and events. This fosters deeper community connections and enhances the production of hyperlocal news.
Moreover, Zeam's technology enables dynamic, local-level ad insertion, allowing stations to more effectively target audiences and increase advertising revenue. Zeam has demonstrated success in delivering billions of dynamically inserted ads, demonstrating strong advertising engagement and financial impact for local broadcasters.
Both Zeam and Sinclair executives emphasize that the deal strengthens the role of local broadcast journalism in communities by supporting stations' competitiveness and growth beyond traditional linear TV models.
Zeam, launched by Jack Perry and his team in 2024, provides streaming technologies and services to a large number of clients, including live local broadcasts on Paramount+, the NFL, Amazon, Apple TV, Roku, Hulu, fuboTV, and hundreds of other apps and websites. The company also has partnerships with CBS, Gray Media, News Press & Gazette, Morgan Murphy, Tegna, and other local broadcast groups.
In a statement, Jack Perry, CEO of Zeam, stated that the acquisition is shaping the future of local broadcast journalism and reinforcing its essential role in American communities. Sinclair, on the other hand, expressed confidence that under Zeam's leadership, the NewsON platform will continue to support stations and strengthen the value of local journalism.
The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Sinclair has announced that it is embarking on a comprehensive review of its assets and broadcasting business on the same day as the acquisition announcement.
In summary, Zeam’s acquisition of NewsON enhances the availability, quality, and financial viability of local and hyperlocal news streaming in the U.S., ensuring viewers have expanded access to trusted local news while empowering local stations with advanced streaming tools and targeted advertising capabilities.
