Bodegas TV today announced the launch of a Smart TV streaming network designed specifically for New York City bodegas, combining local news, entertainment programming, and community-driven advertising on screens inside neighborhood stores. The platform aims to install screens in 500 bodegas by 2026, with a long-term goal of reaching 2,000 stores across New York within three years.
The initiative turns neighborhood stores into community media hubs, delivering hyperlocal news and entertainment while creating new revenue opportunities for store owners. Bodegas TV combines AI-powered content production with local storytelling to create a continuous streaming channel for in-store viewing. The programming mix includes 50% local news content, such as breaking local news, community stories, and updates relevant to residents, produced by local reporters and creators. The other 50% is entertainment programming, including short-form content, AI-generated videos, micro-dramas, and cultural features.
For bodega owners, the system is designed to be hands-off. Bodegas TV provides Smart TV hardware at no cost and handles installation, technical maintenance, and ongoing support. Store owners participate in a revenue-sharing system where advertising revenue generates passive income without requiring operational work. The platform uses programmatic advertising and direct-sold local ads to fund the model.
The network also creates opportunities for local reporters, creators, and storytellers to produce content that reaches audiences directly inside their communities. By combining AI-assisted production tools with local journalism, Bodegas TV reduces the cost of producing and distributing video news, supporting community-driven storytelling. As stated in the announcement, the result is a scalable model that expands access to local information.
The rollout begins in New York City bodegas, targeting 500 stores by 2026 and expanding to 2,000 bodegas across the region within three years. Each store becomes part of a network delivering hyperlocal content, community news, and culturally relevant entertainment throughout the day. For more information, visit the Bodegas TV website.
