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

  • November 2025 Roku button and LG partnership broaden top-of-funnel access quickly.
  • Haystack claims over 40 million registered users and 400-plus news providers.
  • Premium pricing at $4.99 monthly adds recurring revenue beyond ads.

What critics are saying

  • Roku and LG can replicate this aggregation layer, compressing distribution power by 2026.
  • Ad-supported news depends on volatile programmatic CPMs, weakening monetization during 2025 downturns.
  • No fresh funding since 2018 leaves Haystack vulnerable if growth stalls or channels defect.

What makes Haystack News unique

  • Haystack News pairs 400+ sources with personalized local playlists and live channels.
  • A Roku remote button launch in November 2025 improves default TV distribution.
  • The service spans smart TVs, mobile, web, and premium ad-free subscriptions.

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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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