NewsON App: Free Local News on Firestick and Android

What is the NewsON app?

NewsON is a free streaming app that carries live and recent newscasts from local US television stations. It is funded by adverts, so there is no subscription and no sign-up. It has long been a favourite of cord-cutters in the United States who want local news without an aerial or cable package.

What can you watch on NewsON?

• Live local newscasts from participating US stations when they are on air.
• Recent bulletins on demand, typically from the last couple of days.
• Short news clips organised by story.
• A station map so you can pick a city and see what is available.

Availability depends on which stations take part, and the line-up changes over time.

How to install NewsON on Firestick

1. From the Fire TV home screen, open search and type NewsON.
2. Select the app and choose Get or Download.
3. Open it and allow location access if you want nearby stations suggested, or browse the map manually.

If the app does not appear in search, your Amazon account region may not list it. It is an official store app, so there is no need to sideload anything.

Installing NewsON on Android devices

1. Open the Google Play Store on your phone, tablet or Android TV.
2. Search NewsON and install it.
3. Open the app, choose a station from the list or map, and start watching.

It is also available on other platforms such as iPhone and some smart TVs.

Is NewsON actually free?

Yes. It is ad-supported, so expect short adverts before and during some content. There are no in-app payments for the news itself.

Is NewsON useful in the UK?

Honestly, only for some people. All of its stations are American, so it suits US expats keeping up with home, people with family in the States, or anyone who follows US news closely. Some content may be limited outside the US. It does not carry UK regional news.

Using NewsON alongside a UK IPTV service

For British viewers, live UK and world news comes through your normal channels. An IPTV UK subscription includes the UK national and regional news channels plus international news in English, all with a seven-day TV guide. NewsON can sit alongside it on the same Fire Stick for American local coverage.

Tips for getting the best out of NewsON

• Save favourite stations so they appear at the top.
• Check bulletin times: live streams only run when the station is broadcasting news.
• Use a wired or strong Wi-Fi connection; see our buffering guide for tips.

Potential downsides

• US-only stations, with nothing for UK regions.
• Adverts can be frequent.
• Coverage varies by city, and not every station streams live.

Final thoughts

NewsON is a neat free extra if you want American local news. For everything British, from the news channels to live sport and entertainment, try the 24-hour IPTV free trial and see the full UK IPTV channel line-up.