Award Winning Local Media Company Adds ‘Anytime, Anywhere’ News, Sports & Entertainment on Various Devices

San Diego, CA July 28, 2014.  To keep up with the rapid pace of consumer demand for 24-hour, real-time content, the U-T San Diego has significantly upgraded its digital platform, which has already experienced tremendous growth.

The media company has re-designed its U-T TV into a user-friendly, 100 percent digital platform that gives local and global audiences updated news and information at their fingertips. Instead of watching an entire show at a predetermined time, viewers will be able to access the content using any electronic device, anytime, anywhere. As part of the digital expansion, U-T TV has launched an app for the popular Roku streaming player, which has already had 2,250 downloads.

U-T TV’s revamp comes as the popularity of digital content continues to soar – for all ages. In fact, according to company stats, 26 percent of today’s Internet users are 55 and over, while 20 percent are ages 15 to 24, and 18 percent are 25 to 34. Meanwhile, online video consumption has grown over 800 percent in the last six years, with 89 million Americans watching 1.2 billion videos daily.

“As consumers shift away from traditional cable services to rich, real-time digital content, the U-T is committed to boosting its digital platform to feed the growing appetite for real time news and entertainment,” said U-T San Diego Chairman and Publisher Papa Doug Manchester.

In only two years since launching U-T TV, the station has quickly demonstrated a dynamic shift in meeting consumer demand for excellent content, switching to a news format in July 2013 and expanding the capabilities of its award-winning staff of photographers, videographers, reporters, producers, and on-air talent.

“Video is the fastest growing platform for consumers to review content, news, information, and entertainment,” said Mike Hodges, U-T San Diego’s president and COO. “U-T TV has become a top source for San Diegans who are hungry for real-time and meaningful coverage of significant and newsworthy events in their communities.”

San Diego’s cyber culture logged on to U-T TV in droves during the recent San Diego wildfires. During the week of the May 2014 wildfires, U-T TV viewership grew 175% (46,000) over the regular weekly viewing. U-T TV’s overall growth in 2014 has soared 109% (161,000) for weekly views the past month. To further demonstrate the demand for content, the U-T San Diego websites now have more than 1 million video views per month.

“The U-T’s new digital platform allows us to produce and provide rich and interactive content and featured segments on a daily basis,” said Jeff Light, Editor and President of News Content. “We have short form content to cater to viewers’ digital appetite, which includes video on demand, as well as more in-depth stories and information. This includes a variety of channels for sports, entertainment, business and more. We will continue to provide award-winning and quality content, on demand, on various platforms.”

U-T San Diego has received numerous awards for their quality and compelling journalism, including 12 Emmy’s since 2011. Earlier this month, U-T TV received several top honors at the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences 40th Annual Pacific Southwest Emmy® awards, which were presented June 14 at the La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad.

U-T TV staff – including Nelvin Cepeda – recently received 11 nominations and picked up five statuettes, the fourth highest total from the San Diego market of 10 news outlets that entered the contest. The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Pacific Southwest region includes San Diego, Las Vegas, Bakersfield, Palm Springs, San Luis Obispo, Santa Maria, and Santa Barbara.