NBC4 Washington: Local DC News icon
NBC4 Washington for iOS: A Comprehensive Look at DC's Go-To Local News App

by NBCUniversal Media, LLC

4.5
IOSNews
If you need a dedicated source for news in the District and surrounding areas, the NBC4 Washington app provides a focused stream of local reporting. This app consolidates breaking news, weather, traffic, and live broadcasts into a single mobile portal. Perfect for residents and commuters, it functions as a digital companion to the long-standing television broadcast.

Detailed Review

The NBC4 Washington app serves as the primary mobile extension of the WRC-TV news operation, aiming to deliver timely local coverage to users across the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. Positioned within a competitive market of national news aggregators and hyperlocal blogs, the app stakes its value on the credibility and depth of its parent organization's reporting resources. Its core proposition is immediacy and relevance for an audience whose daily lives are directly impacted by Beltway politics, Maryland and Virginia suburbs, and the region's notoriously complex infrastructure. Analysis of the app reveals a feature set built around immediacy and multimedia. The home screen prioritizes a top-story carousel and a continuously updating feed of local headlines. A persistent navigation bar provides quick access to key sections: Watch Live for streaming the broadcast channel, Weather with detailed forecasts from the Storm Team 4 meteorologists, and Traffic with color-coded maps of major arteries like I-495 and I-66. The ‘Watch’ tab archives recent news segments, investigative reports, and special features, offering on-demand viewing that goes beyond simple text articles. For personalized alerts, users can configure notifications for breaking news, severe weather, or specific topics, though the granularity of these controls could be more extensive. In real-world usage, the app proves most valuable during critical local events. A commuter can check the traffic section for incidents on the Metro or a crash on the American Legion Bridge before heading out. During a severe thunderstorm warning, the detailed radar maps and video updates from the weather team provide specific, actionable information for individual counties. The live stream function allows viewers to catch press conferences from the District Building or Capitol Hill without needing a television. The interface is generally straightforward, though some users might find the visual design slightly utilitarian compared to more polished national news apps, and ad integration within the article flow is noticeable. As a relatively new offering, user reviews are still accumulating, but early feedback indicates strong appreciation for the focused local coverage. Comments often highlight the reliability of weather forecasts and the convenience of the live broadcast stream. Some initial feedback points to desires for a more customizable news feed and occasional playback stability issues with archived video segments. The lack of a built-in podcast player for NBC4's audio content is a noted omission that other local station apps sometimes include. Overall, the NBC4 Washington app delivers on its promise as a comprehensive, trustworthy source for regional news. Its strengths lie in its direct access to the station's video reporting and specialized weather and traffic data. The primary limitation is its singular focus; it is an essential tool for those invested in the DMV area but holds less value for users seeking broader national or international headlines. For Washingtonians, it represents a solid, if occasionally workmanlike, digital newsstand.

Key Features

  • **Live Stream & On-Demand Video:** Watch the NBC4 Washington broadcast live or replay recent news segments, weather reports, and investigative pieces directly within the app.
  • **Storm Team 4 Weather:** Access detailed local forecasts, interactive radar maps, and severe weather alerts specifically tailored for the D.C., Maryland, and Virginia region.
  • **Real-Time Traffic Updates:** View color-coded traffic flow maps and incident reports for major highways and roads, aiding daily commute planning.
  • **Customizable Breaking News Alerts:** Receive push notifications for major local news stories and severe weather, though topic-specific filters are somewhat basic.
  • **Integrated News Feed:** Scroll a continuously updated list of local headlines covering politics, crime, community events, and sports from the NBC4 newsroom.

Why Users Love It

Hyperlocal focus with trusted reporting
Essential live weather and traffic tools

Perfect for: Perfect for residents and commuters in the Washington D.C. metro area who prioritize dependable local news, weather, and traffic information.

Screenshots

NBC4 Washington: Local DC News screenshot 1NBC4 Washington: Local DC News screenshot 2NBC4 Washington: Local DC News screenshot 3NBC4 Washington: Local DC News screenshot 4NBC4 Washington: Local DC News screenshot 5NBC4 Washington: Local DC News screenshot 6

Ranking History

Track NBC4 Washington: Local DC News's performance in News over the last 30 days

Top 5
Top 10
Top 15
Below 15

Current Rank

#45

Best Rank

#45

All-time high

Average Rank

#45

30-day average

User Reviews

Bottom Line Bina
Jul 9, 2024

Are you aware that you’ve been dropped by Apple TV. I tried the download your app and received this message: “The NBC Washington App - will no longer be supported on Apple TV. The best way to watch is on the NBC Washington DC News Streaming Channel. For more information head to NBCWASHINGTON.COM/WATCH or Find us here: Roku Samsung TV plus Peacock (which is NBC so no we can’t) XUMO Play The NBC WASHINGTON APP & APPLE TV Are you aware that you’ve been dropped by Apple TV. I tried the download your app and received this message: “The NBC Washington App - will no longer be supported on Apple TV. The best way to watch is on the NBC Washington DC News Streaming Channel. For more information head to NBCWASHINGTON.COM/WATCH or Find us here: Roku Samsung TV plus Peacock (which is NBC so no we can’t) XUMO Play

CW2 O'B.
Oct 10, 2024

Great job, handy tabs on the opening screen, with forecasts, radar at my fingertips. Thank you. Excellent update 8.0.1 Great job, handy tabs on the opening screen, with forecasts, radar at my fingertips. Thank you.

Feathertop
Nov 3, 2021

I appreciate all of the information and details that go into the NBC Washington app, especially where the weather is concerned. The most recent update allows me to see the temperature and precipitation in real time, and the 10 day forecast is a big help. I do have one small suggestion to make: I customized my notifications to only receive certain news stories, and yet I still somehow receive notifications on breaking news and others that I specifically requested not to receive notifications from. If this in anyway can be changed to only have the selected news be the ones you selected the notifications for and not everything else that you didn’t want notifications for, that would be great. I love this app so much, and I highly recommend it! Fantastic App, With Just One Thing I appreciate all of the information and details that go into the NBC Washington app, especially where the weather is concerned. The most recent update allows me to see the temperature and precipitation in real time, and the 10 day forecast is a big help. I do have one small suggestion to make: I customized my notifications to only receive certain news stories, and yet I still somehow receive notifications on breaking news and others that I specifically requested not to receive notifications from. If this in anyway can be changed to only have the selected news be the ones you selected the notifications for and not everything else that you didn’t want notifications for, that would be great. I love this app so much, and I highly recommend it!

DBS1971
Oct 25, 2021

I work long hours and am not able to view the channel on TV when I might want. But, between alerts and being able to view segments on tape or the live weather map, I get what I need. Easily navigated for a non-techie like me. Admit News4 is my fave anyway, but the app stands on its own. On the go, but in the know I work long hours and am not able to view the channel on TV when I might want. But, between alerts and being able to view segments on tape or the live weather map, I get what I need. Easily navigated for a non-techie like me. Admit News4 is my fave anyway, but the app stands on its own.

sdr250
Jan 2, 2025

Your updated weather section won’t let me scroll in any direction to see the rest of the forecast. As soon as I do it takes me to the other daily and weekly forecast. I’m just looking for a quick reference not the detailed summary. Please put it back the way it was. Homepage forecast Your updated weather section won’t let me scroll in any direction to see the rest of the forecast. As soon as I do it takes me to the other daily and weekly forecast. I’m just looking for a quick reference not the detailed summary. Please put it back the way it was.

App Details

Developer

NBCUniversal Media, LLC

Platform

ios

Rating

4.5

Last Updated

12/5/2025