New York City bodegas are set to become community media hubs with the launch of Bodegas TV, a Smart TV streaming network designed specifically for neighborhood stores. The platform, announced on March 11, 2026, combines local news, entertainment programming, and community-driven advertising on screens installed inside bodegas. The initiative aims to install screens in 500 bodegas by 2026, with a long-term goal of reaching 2,000 stores across New York within the next three years.
Bodegas TV is designed to turn neighborhood stores into community media hubs, delivering hyperlocal news and entertainment while creating new revenue opportunities for store owners. The programming mix includes 50% local news content—such as breaking local news, community stories, and updates relevant to neighborhood residents—and 50% entertainment programming, including short-form entertainment, AI-generated content, micro-dramas, and cultural features. This combination allows stores to provide engaging content for customers while supporting local storytelling and journalism.
For bodega owners, the system is designed to be simple and hands-off. Bodegas TV provides Smart TV hardware at no cost to the retailer, and the network generates revenue through programmatic and direct-sold local advertising. Store owners participate in a revenue-sharing system, earning passive income without any operational work. All installation, technical maintenance, and ongoing support are handled by the Bodegas TV team.
The platform 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 dramatically reduces the cost of producing and distributing video news. The result is a scalable model that supports community-driven storytelling while expanding access to local information.
The network will begin its rollout in New York City bodegas, with a target of 500 participating stores by 2026 and expansion to 2,000 bodegas across the region within three years. Each participating store becomes part of a growing network delivering hyperlocal content, community news, and culturally relevant entertainment to customers throughout the day.
For more information about Bodegas TV, visit the company's website.
