Scripps brings local news to Amazon Alexa

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May 03, 2017, 09:00 ET

CINCINNATI, May 3, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The E.W. Scripps Company (NYSE: SSP) has launched its local television news brands on Alexa, Amazon's voice-activated virtual assistant. News from 23 Scripps local TV markets is just a voice command away for users of Amazon Echo and all Alexa-enabled devices.

In many of its markets, Scripps is the only local news provider available on Alexa. It joins other top news outlets in offering news updates on the platform, including CNN, NPR and the Scripps-owned national news network Newsy. In each Flash Briefing, Scripps stations deliver top local news headlines, updated throughout the day.

"Through our broadcast, web and mobile products, and now through virtual assistants, our local TV stations are committed to delivering news in all the places where consumers are engaged," said Brian Lawlor, senior vice president of broadcast for Scripps. "As connected devices surge in popularity, our stations are tailoring their news and information to those platforms in order to deliver it into the home."

The expansion to Alexa continues Scripps' commitment to building its brands across over-the-top video and audio platforms. Several months ago, the company launched Roku channels for each of its TV brands, which are receiving high engagement times on that platform.

Local news headlines in Flash Briefing from Scripps stations can be enabled in the Skill Store of the Alexa app or on amazon.com. Once enabled, users can ask, "Alexa, what's the news?" or "Alexa, what's my flash briefing?" and Alexa will deliver audio of the latest headline news from the selected Scripps market.

About Scripps

The E.W. Scripps Company (NYSE: SSP) serves audiences and businesses through a growing portfolio of television, radio and digital media brands. Scripps is one of the nation's largest independent TV station owners, with 33 television stations in 24 markets and a reach of nearly one in five U.S. households. It also owns 34 radio stations in eight markets. Scripps also runs an expanding collection of local and national digital journalism and information businesses, including multi-platform satire and humor brand Cracked, podcast industry leader Midroll Media and over-the-top video news service Newsy. Scripps also produces television shows including "The List" and "The Now," runs an award-winning investigative reporting newsroom in Washington, D.C., and serves as the longtime steward of the nation's largest, most successful and longest-running educational program, the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Founded in 1878, Scripps has held for decades to the motto, "Give light and the people will find their own way."

SOURCE The E.W. Scripps Company