Haystack News

Haystack News

Free ad-supported video news aggregator

Overview

Company Does Not Provide H1B Sponsorship

Haystack News provides free, ad-supported streaming of local, national, and international video news. It aggregates news content from partners and offers live 24/7 channels plus on-demand clips, delivered through a personalized playlist that uses the viewer’s location and interests. The platform runs ads within streams to monetize, with a premium subscription available to remove ads. It works across many devices, including smart TVs, OTT boxes, and mobile apps, and includes features like an interactive Newsline ticker. Haystack News differentiates itself by securing local news coverage in over 90% of U.S. markets through partnerships with nearly 300 broadcast stations and by combining personalized, short-form clips with live feeds on an ad-supported model. Its goal is to give cord-cutters and other viewers easy access to a broad, personalized news experience without needing a traditional cable subscription.

About Haystack News

Simplify's Rating
Why Haystack News is rated
C
Rated C on Competitive Edge
Rated B on Growth Potential
Rated D+ on Differentiation

Industries

Data & Analytics

Consumer Software

Entertainment

Company Size

11-50

Company Stage

Early VC

Total Funding

$4.5M

Headquarters

San Francisco, California

Founded

2013

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • AAA Rewards added Haystack Premium in April 2026, opening subscription distribution.
  • Fox added LiveNow clips in January 2026, expanding national programming inventory.
  • Android Automotive OS support shipped in June 2026, reaching in-car screens.

What critics are saying

  • Fox, CBS, Hearst, and Nexstar control supply; any carriage pullout cuts inventory fast.
  • Roku and platform partners can change placement, and Haystack owns no hardware.
  • One major partner revolt, especially Fox or CBS, would make Haystack undifferentiated overnight.

What makes Haystack News unique

  • Haystack News bundles 400-plus sources, mixing local stations with national brands.
  • Its Roku button and Android Automotive support widen distribution across living rooms and cars.
  • Personalized live and on-demand clips create a lean-back, cord-cutter news experience.

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Funding

Total Funding

$4.5M

Below

Industry Average

Funded Over

3 Rounds

Early VC funding comparison data is currently unavailable. We're working to provide this information soon!
Early VC Funding Comparison
Coming Soon

Benefits

Remote Work Options

Flexible Work Hours

Growth & Insights

Headcount

6 month growth

0%

1 year growth

0%

2 year growth

-2%

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