Very Local: Free Local News, Original Series & More

by HTVMA Solutions, Inc.
3.6 out of 5 stars8,807 customer ratings
Guidance Suggested
Price: Free Download
Sold by:Amazon.com Services, Inc
Works with: Game Controllers,Fire TV Voice Remote
Languages Supported: English

By placing your order, you agree to our Terms of Use

Latest updates

What's new in version 7.0.68-OTT
  • Simple bug fixes and performance improvements

Product Details

Release Date: 2012
Date first listed on Amazon: May 22, 2012
Developed By: HTVMA Solutions, Inc.
ASIN: B0085CQHZC
Customer reviews:
3.6 out of 5 stars8,807 customer ratings

Product features

  • Watch live programs 24/7 (available in select cities)
  • Timely investigative stories and consumer news
  • Automatic video playback
  • News on demand
  • Latest weather forecasts

Product description

Your local news & weather FREE to stream. Keep connected to your hometown with the news team you trust and discover original series and specials that explore your community and beyond.

Download Very Local to watch local news and video in these cities:
Albuquerque (KOAT), Baltimore (WBAL-TV), Birmingham (WVTM), Boston (WCVB), Burlington/Plattsburgh (WPTZ), Cincinnati (WLWT), Des Moines (KCCI), Fort Smith / Fayetteville (KHBS/KHOG), Greenville (WYFF), Jackson (WAPT), Kansas City (KMBC), Lancaster (WGAL), Louisville (WLKY), Manchester (WMUR), Milwaukee (WISN), Monterey (KSBW), New Orleans (WDSU), Oklahoma City (KOCO), Omaha (KETV), Orlando (WESH), Pittsburgh (WTAE), Portland (WMTW), Sacramento (KCRA), Savannah (WJCL), West Palm Beach (WPBF), Winston-Salem (WXII)

User Data Privacy

This information provided by the developer helps you understand the data this app collects from you and/or transfers to third parties.
To learn more, visit the developer’s privacy policy.
Learn what data is collected by this app and for what purpose:
User Info:
Name: Developer Advertising or Marketing
Email Address: Developer Advertising or Marketing
App info & performance:
Crash logs: Analytics
Device or other IDs:
Device or other ID: App functionality, Personalization, Developer Advertising or Marketing
App activity:
App interactions: Analytics
In-app search history: Analytics
Location:
Approximate location: App functionality, Analytics
Learn what data is transferred to third party by this app and for what purpose:
User Info:
Name: Developer Advertising or Marketing
App info & performance:
Crash logs: Analytics
App activity:
App interactions: Analytics
In-app search history: Analytics

Technical details

Size: 15.3MB
Version: 7.0.68-OTT
Developed By: HTVMA Solutions, Inc. ( Privacy Policy )
Application Permissions: ( Help me understand what permissions mean )
  • ACCESS_ADSERVICES_AD_ID
  • ACCESS_ADSERVICES_ATTRIBUTION
  • Access information about networks
  • Access information about Wi-Fi networks
  • Change network connectivity state
  • Enter Wi-Fi Multicast mode
  • Open network sockets
  • POST_NOTIFICATIONS
  • Get notified that the operating system has finished booting
  • PowerManager WakeLocks to keep processor from sleeping or screen from dimming
  • Receive message via Amazon Device
  • com.google.android.gms.permission.AD_ID
Minimum Operating System: Android 5.0
Approximate Download Time: Less than 2 minutes

Customer reviews

3.6 out of 5 stars
3.6 out of 5
8,807 global ratings

Customers say

Customers like the ease of use of the mobile application. For example, they say it's easy to navigate and set up. That said, some complain about the speed and options. They say it takes too long to upload and is not very local. Customers are also disappointed with the ads, viewing quality, and crashes. Opinions are mixed on quality and local news.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

32 customers mention23 positive9 negative

Customers find the mobile application easy to use. They say it's easy to navigate, set up, and install. Some customers also say the program is informative and easy to access on kindle and phone.

"...Overall, this app is easy to use and works very well with my Kindle Fire! =)" Read more

"...use the KCRA mobile app and screen cast to our TV but this is very easy to use...." Read more

"...It is not user friendly. I don't stream this anymore. Tried it for about 2 months and became frustrated...." Read more

"I like the fact I can wake up and watch the hourly news. It is easy to use and to find what you are looking for." Read more

107 customers mention52 positive55 negative

Customers are mixed about the quality of the mobile application. Some mention that it works fine, while others say that it completely failed and did not always work well. Some customers also say that the app stops halfway through and goes back to the beginning of the show.

"While the app itself for my Firestick is rather basic and a lower resolution, it is nice that I can view the news and weather for our local area...." Read more

"...Nice picture and audio quality.It is a free service app with ads...and some times those ads make the app glitch bit once and a while...make..." Read more

"...I used it without any issues.I just do not see much useful content here. Tried it a few times and will probably uninstall." Read more

"...Overall, this app is easy to use and works very well with my Kindle Fire! =)" Read more

80 customers mention52 positive28 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the local news provided by the app. Some find it a great source of local and regional news, while others say it doesn't provide the latest broadcast and doesn''t update to current news for hours.

"...is rather basic and a lower resolution, it is nice that I can view the news and weather for our local area...." Read more

"...What I don't like is the news is about 2 hours old." Read more

"...Nice picture and audio quality...." Read more

"I think it's a great source of local and regional news and t.v." Read more

30 customers mention6 positive24 negative

Customers are dissatisfied with the speed of the mobile application. They mention that it's slow, it'll slow them down, and it has no fast forward function. They also say that it takes too long to upload, load, and begin. Some customers also say it takes up to 8 hours to update.

"...Its like it off sync or, if videoed, off timing. Not sure why it can't be on at the actual time show starts. Otherwise I guess OK." Read more

"This app works some of the time. At other times, it indicates that it is waiting for data...." Read more

"...I get fairly updated broadcasts but they download very, very difficultly...." Read more

"...I also liked that I could fast forward through any part that I didn't want or need to watch..." Read more

11 customers mention0 positive11 negative

Customers find the options in the mobile application limited. For example, they say it's not very local, has very limited content, and doesn't have their city. They also mention that the maps are different and show different delays.

"This is not very local for me. The nearest station is the next state away...." Read more

"Not very local, uninstalled" Read more

"It's only local for the larger cities, which for me, is 5 hours away from my location. So, by definition, it is not "local"" Read more

"...The traffic data is completely useless - there are 3 choices for maps, each showing a different type of delay..." Read more

8 customers mention0 positive8 negative

Customers find the ads in the mobile application very annoying, with the same ads running over and over before every video. They also say the app is cluttered with ad content and the commercials interrupt the reporting mid-sentence. They say the adds have tripled and constantly run their own ABC channel 9 ads.

"...It is a free service app with ads...and some times those ads make the app glitch bit once and a while...make sure to clean your cache in app to help..." Read more

"...It constantly restarts the stream mideast through, interrupts stories with ads mid-sentence, and most recently it won't even load the stream...." Read more

"...Weird and super annoying." Read more

"The adds/commercials have tripled. The Menu is hard to navigate to the news streaming mode...." Read more

8 customers mention0 positive8 negative

Customers find the viewing quality of the mobile application troublesome, unwatchable, and boring. They also say the following stories is not fun, annoying, and frustrating.

"It was decent. Nothing exciting to watch." Read more

"...weather station so it is important I have access to it, but watching it is troublesome...." Read more

"The advertising across the top and the middle of the top stories news feed is annoying. Responsive and hasn't crashed, that's always a plus!" Read more

"...The only downfall is that I have to watch taped news. The live video program they use will not install on my kindle fire." Read more

7 customers mention0 positive7 negative

Customers are dissatisfied with the crashes of the mobile application. They mention that it crashes when it opens, keeps crashing their Firestick, and self-destructs. Some say that the application randomly stops.

"I only give a product one star when it is completely broken and unusable. Sadly the WMUR App for Fire TV qualifies...." Read more

"...Sadly am only able to issue 3 stars because of the disappointing crash factor. Its maddening because it slows me down." Read more

"...I am watching a news show (WCVB5), it gets about 10mins in then randomly stops, takes you right back to the start of the program again...." Read more

"...Nothing. No activity, no keys, it will self destruct and return to main Firestick menu after a while.Want to make it work?..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

Robert M. in GA
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazed that from Fire TV I can watch my local news and weather!
Reviewed in the United States on June 27, 2019
Verified Purchase
While the app itself for my Firestick is rather basic and a lower resolution, it is nice that I can view the news and weather for our local area. New Hampshire only has one network TV station (other than PBS) and the mountains in the way block the signal. Since I don't have cable or satellite TV, it is nice to be able to view the local news without paying $$$ per month for 100s of stations I never watch.
One person found this helpful
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Kim P.
1.0 out of 5 stars You can only watch live and can't fast forward
Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2020
Verified Purchase
I used to be able to watch my local news channel on demand, not live. I liked it that way, it didn't matter what time I got up or what time I wanted to watch the news, it was available to me. I also liked that I could fast forward through any part that I didn't want or need to watch (except I couldn't forward through commercials and I didn't mind that, they have to pay for it somehow). For instance I do not have kids or grandkids so other than a general feeling of sympathy for them and a strong desire to not have them spread covid, I don't want to watch news segments about kids going back to school, I want to be able to fast forward through that. Since my news channel moved to Very Local, though, I can't do any of that. My channel is now only available live, not on demand, and there is no fast forward function at all. I went ahead and deleted the app and haven't watched my news channel since. Shameful to take away our options like they did!
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madmax
5.0 out of 5 stars LOCAL NEWS...AWESOMENESS
Reviewed in the United States on December 6, 2021
Verified Purchase
Really like the simplicity of finding all my local news stations in one place !! Nice picture and audio quality.
It is a free service app with ads...and some times those ads make the app glitch bit once and a while...make sure to clean your cache in app to help also...but it's only once awhile so no biggie for a free thing !!
Still great to have and worth downloading the app...enjoy it 👍 👍
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Dave
3.0 out of 5 stars Works
Reviewed in the United States on December 11, 2021
Verified Purchase
This app worked well. I used it without any issues.

I just do not see much useful content here. Tried it a few times and will probably uninstall.
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T. L.
4.0 out of 5 stars Finally! WMUR for my Kindle Fire!
Reviewed in the United States on May 29, 2012
Verified Purchase
I'm pleased to see that Wmur has finally got an app for the Kindle Fire! Now, I can. quickly access the latest news and weather updates without needing to turn on my television or my laptop or, Login to my Facebook account.

The video quality, surprisingly, was poor. I was expecting better. I'm not sure if this is due to the Kindle or the app so, I won't dock any stars from my rating.

I am disappointed there wasn't an interactive radar similar to the one that is available on the website. A zoom feature that allows me to pinpoint exact where a storm cell might be headed, would be very beneficial in the weather section of the app. Perhaps, zooming capabilties on the radar map could be implemented in a future update?

Also, having an alert sent from the app for breaking news or an approaching thunderstorm, would make for another really great feature that might be considered as well.

Overall, this app is easy to use and works very well with my Kindle Fire! =)
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mickthecat
5.0 out of 5 stars Works well gets channel 5
Reviewed in the United States on March 1, 2022
Verified Purchase
This works way better than that other awful local station app located. The only issue with it is it won't always give you the latest newscast. It's an hour or two delayed so 4pm news at 6 which is fine but also at the wrong time it won't give you news as it calls Chronicle the "latest newscast". Still better than fussing with an antenna
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David Diskin
2.0 out of 5 stars Better Than Previous Version
Reviewed in the United States on December 5, 2020
Verified Purchase
Update: After enjoying this new app for a few months, it no longer works consistently. It constantly restarts the stream mideast through, interrupts stories with ads mid-sentence, and most recently it won't even load the stream.

We use this app every morning to watch our local (Sacramento) news station. It recently replaced a prior app that was similar in function but took a lot longer to load and often crashed or buffered on commercials.

The new app is definitely better. It could use improvements, but we're happy to have easy access on our Fire TV to local news.

If the developers are reading this, please fix a few things. First, a progress bar when you pause would be helpful. Likewise, the option to rewind or fast forward would be nice. Occasionally the video completely restarts from the beginning while it's halfway through -- not sure why, but it's annoying. Commercials interrupt the reporting mid-sentence which is jarring.
3 people found this helpful
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Eric S.
5.0 out of 5 stars Now able to get a local tv station for news and weather
Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2021
Verified Purchase
I have not had "cable" for over a year now and for the most part do not miss it. I always watch shows that are NOT on standard cable so why have it. The only thing I missed is the local weather report. The local station did have an app on the firestick but it was very limited by only having certain short news spots and did not always work well. This new Very Local app lets me watch full 30 minute news casts or just the latest weather report. I love it.
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Top reviews from other countries

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Netz
4.0 out of 5 stars Very Local
Reviewed in Brazil on January 29, 2021
Verified Purchase
Boa opção de canais locais americanos. Assista notícias de várias cidades.
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the_eskimo
2.0 out of 5 stars Does work some of the times. Very Local is Very Buggy.
Reviewed in Canada on December 2, 2020
Verified Purchase
This is a revised review. I upgraded it from one to two stars, because this app has begun to work... not at all times, but at least some of the times, which is a huge improvement compared to none at all previously.

On the good side: This app regroups many streamings from Hearst TV stations across the country. Previously, there was one app for each TV station and storage being tight on a FireTV stick, this is very welcome. The way the menu is structured, there is also an expectation that it would be easy to switch from one TV station to another. The intent is there, but it doesn't work all that well.

On the bad side:
-The app bitterly complains most of the time that there is an ad blocker. The FireTV stick is NOT behind an ad blocker and ads display just fine system-wide, including ironically... in this very app.

-There are numerous crashes. Restarting the app sometimes helps, but often you have to reboot the FireTV stick and waits for the stick to finish booting. This is frustrating and there's no garantee that the app will work well the second time. It may... or it may not.

-When the older individual apps were around, video updates were simply queued in, and they would nicely stream right after the current video that you're watching end. NOT SO with Very Local: The video you're watching gets brutally interrupted, then the app gets confused for a few minutes wondering what to do next and only then the new updated video begins streaming. Awful. Worse, even a software update will suddenly interrupt the current streaming! One wonders: Why this app doesn't display a pop-up at startup that a software update is available like all apps do? Such a glaring oversight is an indication of a very poorly written app.

-It is a painful task to switch from one station to another. In New England, there are several Hearst stations that I'm interested in, WCVB-5 Boston, WMUR-9 Manchester NH and WMTW-8 Portland ME. The menu makes it looks easy to switch from one station to another... except that the app gets confused, as it will automatically stream videos... from the previous station. It takes some persuasions to eventually get the app streams video from the new TV station that you want to watch. Again, that's a sign of a poorly written app.

This app is visibly not up to Amazon standards nor any standard for that matter. Saddly the older apps it replaced have all been disabled, so you're stuck with the Very Local app whether you like it or not.

If you're a cord cutter and can't watch live these stations, you're essentially out of luck with your FireTV stick. You have to cross your fingers that this app will bother to work OK... and at least long enough to watch an entire video before something happens.
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DisscFrench
1.0 out of 5 stars One Star
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 10, 2017
Verified Purchase
Drivel
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Mary Dhanani
3.0 out of 5 stars Only covers certain USA cities.
Reviewed in Canada on November 5, 2022
Verified Purchase
This website only covers a few USA cities and nothing in Canada. I deleted the App shortly after downloading it.
One person found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
1.0 out of 5 stars Canada
Reviewed in Canada on December 6, 2023
Verified Purchase
not much good when it is not local to Canada
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