Newsy channel ceased its cable and over-the-air television operations on June 30, 2021, to focus on streaming and digital platforms.
Newsy, which started as a digital video news service, was acquired by the E.W. Scripps Company in 2014. Initially, it aimed to provide straightforward, opinion-free news coverage primarily to a millennial audience. Over time, Newsy expanded its reach by launching on cable in 2017, hoping to fill a niche for younger viewers who wanted news without the punditry that dominates cable news.
However, as the media landscape continued to evolve with a significant shift towards digital consumption, Scripps decided to reevaluate Newsy’s distribution strategy. The company noticed a trend where more viewers were cutting the cord and opting for streaming services over traditional cable subscriptions. In response to these changes, Scripps announced in May 2021 that Newsy would transition away from cable and broadcast television to focus entirely on over-the-top (OTT) streaming services.
The transition was part of a broader strategy by Scripps to realign its portfolio and invest more heavily in digital and OTT platforms, which they believed offered more growth potential. As a result, Newsy has since been available on various streaming platforms, including its own website, and continues to provide news content tailored to a digital audience. This move allowed Newsy to capitalize on the growing number of viewers who prefer to consume news content online, on-demand, and on various devices.