LG has officially announced a major upgrade to its webOS smart TV platform, focusing heavily on improving how users discover and consume news content. Recognizing that news remains one of the most important content categories for TV viewers worldwide, LG is introducing a brand-new News Portal, meaningful web browser enhancements, and a strategic partnership with Haystack News.
These updates are part of LG’s long-term strategy to make webOS a more content-centric, personalized, and user-friendly smart TV ecosystem. With news consumption shifting toward on-demand video, live streams, and audio formats, LG aims to bring everything into one seamless interface.
LG Partners With Haystack News to Simplify News Access
One of the most significant announcements is LG’s partnership with Haystack News, a popular streaming service known for aggregating news content from more than 400 local, national, and international news channels.
Dedicated Haystack News Button on LG Magic Remote
As part of this collaboration, LG Smart TVs sold in the United States and Canada starting in 2026 will come bundled with an LG Magic Remote featuring a dedicated Haystack News button. This hardware-level integration allows users to instantly launch news content without navigating through multiple menus or apps.
This move highlights LG’s intent to treat news as a core entertainment category—similar to streaming platforms like Netflix or YouTube—rather than just another app buried inside the interface.
Deep Integration With webOS 25 and Above
Beyond the physical remote button, Haystack News will also be deeply integrated into the webOS interface on TVs running webOS 25 or newer. Users will be able to discover live and on-demand news content organically while browsing the home screen, making the experience smoother and more intuitive.
Introducing the New webOS News Portal
The highlight of LG’s webOS update is the introduction of a centralized News Portal, designed to act as a one-stop destination for news discovery.
What Is the LG News Portal?
The webOS News Portal is accessible through a dedicated Q-card on the home screen, making it easy to spot and launch. Instead of jumping between multiple apps, users can access a wide range of news formats—video, live TV, and audio—from a single hub.
LG has designed this portal to reduce friction and save time, especially for users who regularly watch news on their smart TVs.
Availability by Region
The News Portal will roll out to LG Smart TVs running webOS 25 in the following nine regions:
- United States
- United Kingdom
- Germany
- France
- Spain
- Italy
- Mexico
- Brazil
- South Korea
This global rollout indicates LG’s ambition to standardize news consumption across major markets.
Key Features of the LG webOS News Portal
LG has packed the News Portal with features that cater to different types of news consumers—from casual viewers to daily news followers.
1. Trending News Section
The Trending News section highlights popular and breaking stories using a curated feed. It includes live and on-demand video clips, primarily sourced from Haystack News and other selected providers.
This ensures users stay updated on what’s happening globally and locally without actively searching.
2. Live News Through LG Channels
LG has also integrated LG Channels, its free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) service, directly into the News Portal. This allows users to watch live news channels at no additional cost, making the platform more appealing to cord-cutters.
3. Audio News and Podcasts via LG Radio+
Understanding that many users prefer audio content, LG has added LG Radio+ support. This enables access to news podcasts and audio programs, turning the TV into a complete multimedia news device.
4. Content From Major News Organizations
The portal will feature selected content from well-known national and international news outlets, ensuring credibility and diversity in coverage. LG has emphasized quality curation to avoid overwhelming users with irrelevant sources.
Enhanced webOS Web Browser Focused on News Consumption
In addition to the News Portal, LG has significantly upgraded the webOS web browser, making it more useful for reading and discovering news online.
Faster Access From the Home Screen
The updated browser can now be launched directly from the home screen, reducing steps and improving accessibility. This makes it easier for users who prefer reading articles instead of watching videos.
Region-Based Search Results
One of the most important improvements is the region-aware search engine. Search results are now automatically optimized based on the user’s location, ensuring that local and relevant news sources appear first.
Smarter and Cleaner Interface
The browser UI has been redesigned to show:
- Shortcuts to frequently visited websites
- Recommended websites below the search bar
- A dedicated Trending News section
- A “Picks for You” section powered by algorithms
These changes make browsing news faster and more personalized, similar to modern mobile browsers.
Personalized Content Recommendations
The “Picks for You” feature uses user interests and browsing behavior to recommend relevant stories. LG states that personalization is handled responsibly, aiming to improve discovery without compromising user experience.
Why This webOS Update Matters for LG Smart TV Users
LG’s latest webOS enhancements signal a clear shift toward content-first smart TV experiences. By combining hardware integration, software personalization, and free streaming options, LG is positioning its TVs as a primary destination for daily news consumption.
Key Benefits for Users
- Faster access to trusted news sources
- Reduced app-hopping
- Free live news through LG Channels
- Personalized recommendations
- Unified video, audio, and web-based news
This update also strengthens LG’s competitive position against other smart TV platforms like Android TV, Google TV, and Samsung Tizen.
Final Thoughts
With the launch of the webOS News Portal, Haystack News partnership, and a smarter web browser, LG is redefining how news is consumed on smart TVs. These updates make webOS more intuitive, personalized, and content-rich, especially for users who rely on television as their primary news source.
As LG Smart TVs running webOS 25 and above begin receiving these features, users can expect a more streamlined and engaging news experience—one that blends live TV, on-demand video, podcasts, and web articles into a single, easy-to-navigate platform.
