Starting March 17, 2025, Gray Media’s Local News Live afternoon newscast will expand its reach to 37 more of the group’s local television stations. The one-hour program, showcasing top stories from Gray newsrooms nationwide, will air weekdays at 2 p.m. Eastern in most markets.
This significant expansion increases Local News Live’s presence to 46 television markets, impacting over 19 million households, according to Nielsen. This timeslot traditionally features syndicated court, talk, and lifestyle shows, or in some cases, soap operas. Many of these broadcasts will air on Gray stations unaffiliated with major networks, including digital subchannels associated with The CW or MyNetworkTV.
This simulcast strategy benefits Gray by boosting Local News Live’s visibility amongst linear viewers and addresses the current syndication drought. Recent years have seen numerous high-profile show cancellations, impacting stations relying on syndicated programming, although some continue with repackaged repeats. While true crime remains popular, the lack of new syndicated shows creates an opportunity for Local News Live.
Debra Alfarone, Anchor and National Correspondent, leads the program, providing live breaking news coverage and local perspectives. She also hosts “The Good Side,” focusing on solutions-based stories. The program incorporates live reports from local news teams and national/international news with a local focus. Gray’s Washington, D.C., Bureau contributes daily updates, including White House briefings from Jon Decker, White House Correspondent and Senior National Editor. Peter Zampa, Senior National Correspondent, reports live from New York City, covering Wall Street and the United Nations.
“Local News Live is uniquely positioned to deliver the stories the nation is talking about through a distinctly local lens,” stated Lisa Allen, General Manager of Gray’s Washington Operations. “We are excited to increase our footprint and deliver impactful news and information to millions more viewers.”
Initially launched in February 2021 as a national free ad-supported streaming service, Local News Live continues its digital presence across Gray station websites, connected TV apps, and mobile apps, providing non-stop access to local and national news.