Raleigh, N.C. , (January 22, 2009) -- The WRAL iPhone application has taken the App Store by storm, entering the Top 10 with a No. 9 ranking among free news apps in just three weeks.
The app, designed by News Over Wireless (NOW), takes advantage of the iPhone's unique multi-touch interface and features local news, video, weather forecasts, traffic images and more from WRAL-TV, based in Raleigh, N.C.
"WRAL's iPhone application has really taken off, showing the incredible demand for local content with a great design," said Sam Matheny, NOW general manager. "It is striking to see how often the word 'love' appears in the App Store's customer reviews—viewers are very passionate about the app."
The first local TV iPhone app now includes national ads supported by NOW's proprietary ad router and network of ad partners. This has jump-started a new revenue stream for the station, including opportunities for local advertising.
"We've had a busy news week with the Inauguration and a snow storm both on Tuesday," said WRAL.com General Manager John Clark. "We're very pleased with the overwhelming viewer response to the iPhone app. Knowing that we have reached our audience through this new channel during such major news events is extremely exciting."
NOW currently partners with 114 local and national media companies to provide custom mobile applications and services delivering news, entertainment and information to mobile phone users. The WRAL app is the company's first iPhone app and several more are scheduled for 2009.
NOW is a leading provider of advertising-supported mobile web sites, subscription-based premium applications and video channels. These solutions create additional revenue streams for partners and the opportunity to reach millions of mobile users via the top U.S. carriers such as AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, Nextel and Qwest.
The WRAL iPhone app can be downloaded from the App Store. Users can access the download link by visiting http://mobile.wral.com or searching for "WRAL" in the App Store.
About News Over Wireless and Capitol Broadcasting Company
News Over Wireless is part of CBC New Media Group, LLC, a division of Capitol Broadcasting Company. News Over Wireless works with broadcasters and wireless phone carriers to provide news and information on mobile phones through video channels, downloadable applications and mobile web sites. For more information, visit www.newsoverwireless.com.
Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc. is a diversified communications company which owns and/or operates WRAL-TV, WRAL Digital, WRAL-FM, WRAL-HD2, 99.9 The Fan, Microspace, the North Carolina News Network, CBC New Media Group and Wolfpack Sports Marketing in Raleigh, NC; WJZY-TV and WMYT-TV in Charlotte, NC; WILM-TV and Sunrise Broadcasting in Wilmington, NC; WRAZ-TV and The Durham Bulls in Durham, NC; and real estate interests including the American Tobacco Project and Diamond View office buildings in Durham, NC.