LocalBTV
{{short description|Over-the-top streaming television service}}
{{Infobox company
| logo = LocalBTV logo.png
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| type = Streaming television
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| foundation = {{start date and age|2017|10|23}}
| defunct = Status unknown
| founder =
| location_city = Los Altos, California
| location_country = United States
| area_served = National Channels (Nationwide)
Local Channels (see markets served)
| key_people =
| products = Over-the-air television on Internet-connected devices
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| parent = Didja
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LocalBTV was an American streaming television service based in Los Altos, California and owned by Didja. The service allowed subscribers to view live and DVR recorded streams of over-the-air television as well as national channels on Internet-connected devices.{{Cite web|url=https://www.didjatv.com/#about|title=About |access-date=2018-05-01 |website=Didja}}
Background
Similar in concept to the defunct services Locast and Aereo, LocalBTV offered local channels via streaming. However, LocalBTV had indicated they would only carry local channels that permit them to do so, thus avoiding the legal issues Aereo had, and more recently, Locast.{{Cite web|url=https://www.techhive.com/article/3235179/streaming-services/btv-brings-local-tv-to-your-phone-and-desktop-for-free.html|title=BTV brings local TV to your phone and desktop for free|access-date=2018-05-01 |website=Techhive.com}} LocalBTV's target customers was viewers who cannot receive local antenna reception, or their cable, satellite, or streaming service does not carry the local broadcast channel they would like to watch.{{Cite web|url=http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/112680/didja-launches-socalbtv-in-los-angeles|title=Didja Launches 'SoCalBTV' in Los Angeles|access-date=2018-05-01 |website=tvnewscheck.com}}
Services
As of December 2022, none of the major networks were carried, but the service was hoping to carry them at a later time.{{Cite web|url=https://www.multichannel.com/news/didjas-local-ott-tv-app-streams-los-angeles|title=Didja's Local OTT TV App Streams into Los Angeles|access-date=2018-05-01 |website=Multichannel.com|date=9 April 2018 }}{{Cite web|url=https://www.fastcompany.com/90687250/locast-alternative-localbtv-local-channel-streaming-no-antenna|title=This free streaming service has the local channels others lack|date=2021-10-29|last=Newman|first=Jared|access-date=2021-10-29|website=Fast Company}} Some of the channels that LocalBTV had carried are primary and subchannels such as Cozi TV, The Country Network, getTV and NewsNet as well as bilingual channels.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cordcuttersnews.com/localbtv-launches-new-100-free-live-local-tv-streaming-service/|title=LocalBTV Launches a New 100% FREE Live Local TV Streaming Service|access-date=2018-05-01 |website=cordcuttersnews.com|date=23 October 2017 }}{{Cite web|url=https://localbtv.com/|title=What is LocalBTV?|access-date=2018-05-01 |website=LocalBTV}}{{Cite web|url=https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/didja-s-localbtv-adds-cozi-tv-and-telexitos-to-local-broadcast-app-1027677078|title=Didja's "LocalBTV" Adds COZI TV and TeleXitos To Local Broadcast App|access-date=2018-11-27 |website=Business Insider}} Some of the national channels available everywhere in the U.S. included NOST, Cozi TV, FNX and getTV, and multiple shopping networks. Also included with the app for the service was a program guide and cloud DVR service. The service was free with an optional paid version planned at a later date.{{Cite web|url=https://www.localbtv.com/faq|title=Frequently Asked Questions: How is LocalBTV different from cable or satellite?|access-date=2021-09-04 |website=LocalBTV}}
In November 2023, the website went down and the various apps are no longer functioning on various platforms.{{Cite web|url=https://cordcuttersnews.com/has-the-free-streaming-service-localbtv-has-been-offline-for-over-a-week-now/|title=The Free Streaming Service LocalBTV Has Been Offline For Over a Week Now|access-date=2023-12-01 |website=CordCuttersNews}} As of December 18, 2023, their website returned with a message that their services were temporarily paused with plans to return soon. As of October 2024, the website is no longer available.
Availability
LocalBTV's selection of national channels that were available in all markets in the United States. The selection of local channels on LocalBTV that were available in 53 media markets in the United States.{{Cite web|url=https://www.localbtv.com/markets|title=LocalBTV-Markets|website=LocalBTV|language=en-US|access-date=2023-06-08}}
- Albany-Schenectady
- Alexandria, Louisiana
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Bakersfield
- Biloxi
- Bismarck
- Boston
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Columbus-Opelika
- Dallas
- Detroit
- Fargo
- Fresno
- Hartford, Connecticut
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Jackson, Mississippi
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Missoula
- Monterey
- Nashville
- New York City
- Norfolk
- Orlando
- Palm Beach
- Pensacola
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland, Oregon
- Raleigh
- Reno
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- Santa Barbara/San Luis Obispo
- Seattle
- St. Louis
- Tampa
- Toledo
- Washington, D.C.
- Wichita-Hutchinson
Supported devices
The service was supported on various platforms such as laptops, smartphones, as well as Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV, and Roku streaming devices, including additional integration with Android TV's Live Channels app.{{Cite web|url=https://localbtv.com/watch|title=LocalBTV-Watch Now|access-date=2018-11-27 |website=LocalBTV}}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Internet streaming services}}
{{CATV USA}}
Category:2017 establishments in California
Category:American companies established in 2017