Locast brings free local TV streams to South Dakota market

South Dakotans don’t need to fiddle with rabbit ears to watch local TV channels thanks to a new nonprofit streaming service.

Locast.org offers streams from Sioux Falls and Rapid City broadcasters, allowing any South Dakota resident with an internet connection to watch local network affiliates such as KTTW, KELO-TV, KSFY and KDLT, plus additional stations operated by those broadcasters.

The service went live this week, adding South Dakota to the select number of markets where Locast streams are available. Locast is part of the New York-based nonprofit called the Sports Fans Coalition, and provides streams in New York, Philadelphia, Denver and six other major cities.

South Dakota represents the nonprofit’s efforts to reach more rural parts of the United States, said David Goodfriend, the nonprofit’s chairman.

“Like much of rural America, many households in South Dakota cannot receive an over-the-air signal and in some cases are more likely to have access to broadband than to broadcast,” Goodfriend said in an email. “Now, with Locast, our friends in South Dakota can receive a strong, reliable video stream of their local programming, including critical news, weather, and local public interest programming.”

Locast is able to rebroadcast local network TV stations without a copyright license because it is a nonprofit and federal law grants such groups an exemption, according to Locast’s announcement.

Locast asks viewers to donate to help fund the service.

“In 2019, we hope to launch Locast.org in many other top-20 markets,” Goodfriend said. “However, our biggest obstacle is funding. This is why we’re asking users to contribute just five dollars per month.”