Indianapolis News from 13 WTHR is a local news and weather application for Indianapolis residents, featuring live video and interactive radar on iOS and Android.
The App DNA
What makes this app unique?
The app serves as a primary source for time-sensitive local information, such as severe weather alerts and school closings, which users access to plan their daily routines.
For Residents of the Indianapolis, Indiana area seeking local news, weather updates, and live broadcast coverage.
What does it look like?
Key features
Live newscasts and exclusive mobile-only video content. Increases session duration to maximize ad-impression inventory.
Local radar maps with hourly and 7-day forecasts. Drives recurring daily visits via high-frequency utility.
Real-time updates on local school status. Seasonal utility drives traffic spikes during weather events.
How much does it cost?
The app is entirely free and monetizes through ad inventory displayed within the news and video feeds.
Velocity
Maintenance developmentperformanceopaqueShow more...
The app maintains a low-frequency release cadence, shipping approximately 0.14 releases per week. Development is currently focused exclusively on stability and minor technical improvements, with no evidence of new features or live operations. The release notes remain consistently opaque, providing no insight into specific functional changes. This pattern reflects a maintenance-focused development cycle.
Who built it?
TEGNA
13+ apps tracked · News & Magazines
KENS5+
WNEP+
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WBIR 10+
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12 News KPNX ArizonaUser Sentiment
What do users think recently?
The recent review mood reads upset. Users appreciate long-term users appreciate the historical value of the news station as a reliable local source, but report the latest update forces video-only content which makes it difficult for users to read news.
How are ratings & reviews evolving?
What users say, by theme
- Long-term users appreciate the historical value of the news station as a reliable local source
- The latest update forces video-only content which makes it difficult for users to read news
64 of 99 recent reviews analyzed · high confidence · Upset overall
Read the full review analysisUnlock 2 more frustration themes and 1 user request, each backed by review evidence.
Access the full report for freeCompetition
Competitive landscape for Indianapolis News from 13 WTHR
How's the News & Magazines market?
Indianapolis News from 13 WTHR currently holds the #92 position on the US News & Magazines chart. The gap between its established broadcast brand and the 3.3-star rating on Android signals that current interface changes are failing to meet the needs of the existing user base.
Read the market outlookThe rivals identified
Unlock the deeper market read.
Access the full report for freeThe Analyst's Read
Key takeaways for Indianapolis News from 13 WTHR
Where is it heading?
The local news category is consolidating around apps that provide immediate, readable utility. Indianapolis News from 13 WTHR is currently exposed due to its recent interface regressions, which prioritize ad-inventory growth over the user's need for quick information access.
- Performance regressions in the latest release (crashes, slow loading) erode the daily habit, which compounds the rating drag already visible on Android.
- The shift to video-exclusive content forces churn among readers who rely on the app for written news, accelerating user dissatisfaction.
The SWOT
- Live broadcast integration maximizes ad-impression inventory
- School-closing utility drives seasonal traffic spikes
- Surface weather alerts to restore daily utility
Next best moves
Restore text-based article navigation because users report the video-only shift makes reading news impossible → recover daily active habit
+ 1 more prioritized moveThe counter-intuitive read
The app's #92 chart position is a liability…
Read the full takeSince the last report: The app's competitive assessment has shifted to highlight specific navigation and interface failures as primary threats to its market position. While the underlying product remains in a maintenance cycle, the SWOT analysis now explicitly links UI-driven user frustration to the risk of losing audience share to rivals.
Bottom line
Indianapolis News from 13 WTHR must pivot its interface to restore text readability, as the current video-first design is actively alienating its core audience. Stabilizing the app's performance will unlock the retention potential of its local weather and school-closing utility.
Unlock 3 critical frictions, 1 market threat, 1 more prioritized move and the analyst’s take.
Access the full report for freeFAQ
Is Indianapolis News from 13 WTHR free to use?
Does the app provide real-time weather alerts?
Why is it difficult to read news articles in the app?
Sources
Report last updated