Local Now is a free, ad-supported streaming app for iOS and Android that aggregates live local news, weather, and thousands of movies and TV shows.
The App DNA
What makes this app unique?
The service removes the financial barrier to live news and weather for cord-cutters, serving as a low-cost substitute for traditional cable packages.
For Cord-cutters and news-seekers looking for free access to live local news, weather, and a broad library of ad-supported entertainment.
What does it look like?
Key features
Aggregates live local news, weather, and traffic reports based on user location.
Provides access to over 400 live streaming channels.
Access to thousands of Hollywood movies and TV shows.
How much does it cost?
The service operates as a completely free, ad-supported model with no subscription tiers.
Velocity
Maintenance developmentperformanceShow more...
The app is currently in a maintenance phase, with only two releases identified over the last 149 days. Development activity is limited to minor stability improvements and bug fixes, with no evidence of new features or live operations. The current cadence of approximately one release every 2-3 months suggests a focus on basic upkeep rather than active product evolution.
Who built it?
Weather Group
3 apps tracked · News & Magazines
Local Now: News, TV & Movies
HBCU GOUser Sentiment
What do users think recently?
Fresh user feedback skews mixed. Users appreciate extensive library of live television channels and movies provides significant value for zero cost and localized weather reporting offers accurate and timely updates that users rely on for daily planning, but report persistent location reset issues force users to manually re-enter their area to access local content.
How are ratings & reviews evolving?
What users say, by theme
- Extensive library of live television channels and movies provides significant value for zero cost
- Localized weather reporting offers accurate and timely updates that users rely on for daily planning
- Minimalist audio design allows the application to open in a muted state for a quiet experience
- Persistent location reset issues force users to manually re-enter their area to access local content
50 of 50 recent reviews analyzed · high confidence · Mixed overall
Read the full review analysisUnlock 2 more frustration themes and 2 user requests, each backed by review evidence.
Access the full report for freeCompetition
Competitive landscape for Local Now: News, Movies & TV
How's the News & Magazines market?
Local Now occupies a niche in the News & Magazines category by bundling local weather with broad entertainment. The 3.96-star rating on Android across 3,443 reviews reflects a mixed reception, where content value is frequently offset by technical instability.
The rivals identified
The Analyst's Read
Key takeaways for Local Now: News, Movies & TV
Where is it heading?
The streaming market is consolidating around services that offer high-stability, ad-supported experiences. Local Now remains in maintenance mode, and without addressing the core navigation and playback bugs, it risks losing its user base to more stable, ad-supported alternatives.
- The 149-day update cadence without feature expansion leaves Local Now vulnerable to competitors with more frequent live-ops cycles.
- Persistent location-reset bugs (reported in reviews) erode the daily habit, which compounds the rating drag already visible on Android.
The SWOT
- Localized weather reporting acts as a daily retention hook
- Zero-cost model removes financial barriers for cord-cutters
- Persistent user-profile system would resolve location-entry friction
- Classic television series expansion would address top content requests
Next best moves
Ship persistent location-save logic because it is the top-requested fix → reduce session-start friction
+ 1 more prioritized moveThe counter-intuitive read
The reliance on localized weather is a double-edged sword: it drives daily habit…
Read the full takeSince the last report: Local Now remains in a maintenance phase with no new features or performance improvements. The update primarily refines the competitive positioning and clarifies the impact of technical bugs on ad-inventory revenue.
Bottom line
Fixing the location-persistence and playback stability would unlock the retention potential of the localized weather feature, which currently suffers from high friction. Prioritizing these technical repairs over new content will stabilize the daily active user base.
Unlock 3 critical frictions, 2 market threats, 1 more prioritized move and the analyst’s take.
Access the full report for freeFAQ
Is Local Now completely free to use?
Does Local Now provide accurate local weather?
Why does the app keep asking for my location?
Sources
- [1] Play Store listing, source
Report last updated