Telemundo Expands FAST Local News with Southwest Channel

Telemundo's expansion of FAST local news channels into the Southwest directly addresses a specific demographic demand for culturally relevant, free content. This move demonstrates a continued effort by broadcasters to monetize local news assets via streaming, thereby extending reach beyond traditional linear viewership. Competitors in the Spanish-language media landscape will need to assess their own FAST strategies; watch for similar regional FAST channel launches from other major broadcast groups targeting specific linguistic or geographic audiences.

The trend of established broadcasters launching Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television (FAST) channels for local news continues to gain momentum. As reported by NextTV in April 2026, Gray Television announced the expansion of its local news FAST channels, with a focus on offering more localized content to viewers in underserved markets. This strategy mirrors Telemundo's, aiming to capture audiences that have migrated from traditional linear television to streaming. Similarly, a report from MediaPost in February 2026 highlighted that Scripps Networks significantly grew its audience on its local news FAST channels, indicating sustained viewer interest in free, accessible local information. The increasing competition in the FAST sector for local news is also driving platform partnerships. For instance, a May 2026 article in Broadcasting+Cable noted that several local broadcast groups are prioritizing integration with major streaming platforms like Amazon Fire TV Channels and Roku, similar to Telemundo's distribution strategy. This reflects a broader industry movement towards making local news content ubiquitous across various connected TV environments. The growth in local news FAST channels is also drawing increased ad spend, with eMarketer predicting in March 2026 that local news will become a more significant portion of overall FAST ad revenue as advertisers seek to target specific demographics effectively.