TEGNA Inc. rolled out a new mobile application on January 28 2026 that is now live in 50 local markets. The app delivers a scrolling vertical feed of thousands of original daily videos produced by the company’s reporters and meteorologists, with content personalized to each user’s interests.
During a limited beta phase that began in Atlanta, Denver, Indianapolis and Seattle, the app generated a tenfold increase in video plays and a 40 percent rise in user sessions compared with the company’s existing mobile offerings, indicating strong early adoption and engagement.
The launch is a cornerstone of TEGNA’s broader digital transformation, which includes 24‑hour story‑first newsrooms and a focus on mobile and connected‑TV distribution. By adding a mobile‑first video platform, the company is creating new advertising inventory that leverages advanced targeting to connect brands with engaged local audiences.
TEGNA’s leadership has set a goal of double‑digit growth in owned‑and‑operated digital products. The app launch is expected to accelerate that trajectory, especially after the company reported a 19.3 percent year‑over‑year decline in digital revenue in Q3 2025 and a 5 percent decline in Q1 2025, while Q4 2024 saw a 20 percent increase driven by political advertising. The new platform is positioned to offset past revenue volatility and drive future growth.
Chief Content Officer Adrienne Roark said the app represents “the local newsroom of the future, where great journalism meets people exactly where they are.” Chief Experience Officer Dhanusha Sivajee highlighted the personalization engine, describing it as a “pyramid” that narrows to specific interests as users engage more. Chief Technology Officer Kurt Rao noted that the platform’s underlying software “unlocked more time for teams to create original content for streaming and mobile.”
The launch also signals TEGNA’s competitive stance against peers such as Sinclair Broadcast Group and Gray Television, both of whom are investing heavily in digital platforms. It comes at a time when the company is awaiting regulatory review of its pending merger with Nexstar Media Group, underscoring TEGNA’s commitment to executing its digital strategy while navigating a major corporate transaction.
Advertising revenue is expected to rise as the app introduces new inventory and advanced targeting, allowing brands to reach local audiences with higher precision. Early beta data suggest that the platform can command higher CPMs than the company’s existing mobile inventory, positioning TEGNA to capture a larger share of the growing local digital advertising market.
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