· Firestick.io Team · Guides · 12 min read
How to Install & Use Very Local on NVIDIA Shield TV (2026 Guide)
Very Local brings free local news and live TV to your NVIDIA Shield TV. This guide covers the Google Play Store method, sideloading as a backup, and what to watch once you're in.
Most Shield TV owners set it up for 4K gaming and Netflix, then discover the thing is actually a free streaming machine hiding in plain sight. Very Local is a TEGNA-backed app that delivers free local news, lifestyle programming, and live TV from stations across the US — no subscription, no credit card, just ad-supported local content on demand.
Getting it onto your Shield TV is straightforward — usually. The Play Store is the cleanest path, but availability can be region-dependent. I’ve been running the Shield TV Pro as my main living room box for years, and I tested every install method to make sure this guide actually works when you sit down with your remote.
To install Very Local on NVIDIA Shield TV: open the Google Play Store, search “Very Local,” and install the free TEGNA app directly. If it doesn’t appear in your region, enable Developer Options, install the Downloader app, and sideload the APK from the official Very Local website. The app is completely free and ad-supported — no account required to start watching.
What I Tested
I ran both install methods on a NVIDIA Shield TV Pro (2019) running Android TV 11, connected via Ethernet to a 500 Mbps fiber line. I confirmed the Developer Options unlock process, tested the Downloader sideload workflow, and ran Very Local through its live TV and on-demand features. Where Play Store availability varies by region, I’ll flag it so you’re not left staring at an empty search result.
Method 1: Google Play Store (Always Try This First)
The Shield TV runs full Android TV with real Google Play Store access — not a stripped-down app store like Amazon’s. Very Local has an Android TV build, so the Play Store is your fastest and cleanest route.
Install Very Local via Google Play Store
4 stepsOpen the Google Play Store
From the Shield TV home screen, scroll to the Apps row and open Google Play Store. Alternatively, press the Google Assistant button on your remote and say “Open Play Store” — it’ll take you straight there.
Search for Very Local
Navigate to the search bar at the top of the Play Store and type “Very Local”. The official app is published by TEGNA Inc. Look for the Very Local branding — red and white, news-focused iconography. Don’t install any lookalike apps.
Install the App
Select the Very Local listing and tap Install. It’s free — no payment prompt. The app is lightweight and installs in under a minute on most connections.
Launch and Set Your Market
Open Very Local from your app library. You can browse as a guest immediately or create a free account to save preferences. When prompted, select your local market — this surfaces relevant local news stations and live programming for your area.
Method 2: Sideload Very Local on NVIDIA Shield TV
When the Play Store doesn’t cooperate, sideloading is your backup. The Shield TV handles this better than most Android TV devices — Developer Options are accessible, and the Downloader app makes the whole process manageable from your couch.
Enable Developer Options on NVIDIA Shield TV
4 stepsOpen Settings
From the Shield TV home screen, navigate to the Settings gear icon in the top-right corner of the screen, or press and hold the Home button on your remote and select Settings.
Go to Device Preferences → About
Select Device Preferences, then scroll down to About and open it.
Unlock Developer Options
In the About menu, find Build and tap it seven times with your remote’s select button. After the fourth or fifth tap you’ll see a countdown — “You are X steps away from being a developer.” Keep tapping until the notification reads “You are now a developer.”
Enable Apps from Unknown Sources
Go back to Device Preferences — you’ll now see a Developer Options entry at the bottom of the list. Open it and toggle Apps from Unknown Sources to ON. For tighter control, you can enable this only for the Downloader app once it’s installed.
Install Downloader and Sideload Very Local
4 stepsInstall Downloader from Play Store
Open the Google Play Store and search for “Downloader” — the app by AFTVnews. Install it. This is the standard Android TV sideloading tool and works perfectly on Shield TV.
Open Downloader and Navigate to the APK
Launch Downloader. You’ll see a URL entry field on the home screen. Type the official Very Local website address to locate their APK download page, or use the built-in browser to search “Very Local APK official download” and find the TEGNA-hosted link.
Download the APK File
Once you’ve entered the correct URL, Downloader will fetch and download the APK file. The progress bar shows download status — this usually takes under 30 seconds on a decent connection.
Install and Launch
When the download completes, Downloader automatically prompts the install screen. Select Install and wait for Android TV to process it. Once complete, select Open to launch Very Local immediately, or Done to find it in your app library later.
How to Use Very Local on NVIDIA Shield TV
Once you’re inside the app, Very Local is well-organized for a D-pad remote. Content is broken into a few main sections:
- Live TV — Real-time broadcasts from TEGNA-owned stations in your selected market. Local news, weather, and affiliate programming
- On Demand — Catch-up clips, full news segments, and original TEGNA lifestyle shows on replay
- My Market — Your regional hub. Change this in the settings if you travel or want to follow news from another city
- Categories — Browse by content type: news, weather, entertainment, lifestyle, sports
The Shield TV remote’s D-pad handles all navigation cleanly — I didn’t hit any “you need a mouse cursor” moments that plague some sideloaded Android apps. Live TV starts in a few seconds on a wired connection. On-demand content loads similarly quickly.
One honest limitation: Very Local’s content depth depends entirely on your market. Major metros — Dallas, Atlanta, Denver, Phoenix, DC — have robust local news coverage. Smaller markets have noticeably less. If you’re outside a TEGNA footprint, the app has far less to offer.
Get Surfshark VPN — Native Android TV App
→Very Local: Is It Worth Installing?
Very Local
- Completely free — no subscription or credit card needed
- Live TV + on-demand in a single app
- Works with Android TV remote — no cursor mode issues
- TEGNA market coverage across major US cities
✓ Pros
- 100% free with no subscription tier required
- Live local TV news from TEGNA stations in supported markets
- Available on Google Play Store — clean install on Shield TV
- D-pad friendly interface works well from the couch
- On-demand catch-up so you don't miss local broadcasts
✕ Cons
- Coverage limited to TEGNA-owned markets — smaller cities get thin content
- Ad-supported with unskippable breaks during live programming
- Play Store availability inconsistent by region — may require sideloading
- No DVR, recording, or cloud storage features
Best Alternatives to Very Local on NVIDIA Shield TV
If Very Local doesn’t cover your market — or you just want more channels alongside it — these are the apps I keep installed on my Shield TV for live and free content.
| App | Live TV | On Demand | Cost | Play Store |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏆 Very Local | Yes (TEGNA markets) | Yes | Free | Yes (region-dependent) |
| Most Channels Pluto TV | 250+ channels | Strong library | Free | Yes |
| Plex | Live news channels | 50,000+ titles | Free (w/ ads) | Yes |
| Best On-Demand Tubi | Some live channels | 50,000+ titles | Free | Yes |
Pluto TV is my first recommendation when Very Local’s market coverage falls short. It carries 250+ free live channels — including local news feeds, national news networks, and lifestyle content — with zero sign-up required. It’s on Google Play Store for Shield TV and starts immediately.
Plex (free tier) has quietly built one of the better free live TV offerings, including local-adjacent news channels and a massive on-demand library. If you have a NAS or home media server, the Shield TV is arguably the best Plex client money can buy. The free tier alone is worth the install.
Tubi focuses more on on-demand movies and TV shows than live news, but it carries some live news content and is genuinely the best free on-demand library available on Shield TV — 50,000+ titles, completely free, available directly on Google Play.
Kodi is the power-user option. Pair it with an IPTV addon and a source like Unify IPTV and you can pull in hundreds of live channels — including local news markets that no single app covers. The setup curve is steeper; see our Kodi installation guide for the full process (the Shield TV steps are similar, just via Google Play instead of sideloading).
Stremio is better for movies and scripted series than local news, but it’s worth having on your Shield TV. Pair it with Real-Debrid for premium stream quality on on-demand content.
How the Shield TV Compares for Streaming Apps
The NVIDIA Shield TV’s full Android TV OS is its biggest streaming advantage over dedicated streamers — you get real Play Store access, sideloading without hoops, and enough processing power that apps never feel sluggish. If you’re deciding between the Shield and a Fire TV device, our Firestick vs NVIDIA Shield comparison breaks down exactly where each wins.
For the full rundown on what the Shield TV can do in 2026, including hardware updates and whether it’s still worth buying, see our NVIDIA Shield TV 2026 guide.
Get More Free Live TV on Your Shield TV
Very Local is a great free add for TEGNA markets, but it works best as part of a broader free streaming stack. For hundreds of live channels beyond what Very Local covers — including sports, international, and more local news options — Unify IPTV runs cleanly on Android TV and fills the gaps Very Local leaves behind.
Try Unify IPTV on NVIDIA Shield TV
→For more free streaming options that work on Android TV devices, our best Firestick apps roundup covers the major players — most of them are available on Shield TV through Google Play as well.
Firestick vs NVIDIA Shield — Full Comparison
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Last updated: March 2026
