You’re sitting there, coffee in hand, and the sirens start wailing. Or maybe you just need to know if the 40 is a parking lot before you head to work. We’ve all been there. Getting st louis channel 4 news live on your screen isn’t just about background noise; in this city, it’s often about survival or at least keeping your sanity during a snap freeze.
KMOV—which most of us just call "Channel 4" or the new "First Alert 4"—has changed a lot lately. If you haven't looked for a live stream in a year or two, you might be surprised to find that the old "just go to the website" trick isn't always the fastest way anymore.
Where to Find the Stream Right Now
Honestly, the most annoying thing about local news is trying to find the "Play" button when something big is happening. If you want st louis channel 4 news live, you have three main paths.
First, there’s the official First Alert 4 app. It’s free. It’s on the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. They push breaking news alerts directly to your lock screen, which is great until it’s 2:00 AM and they’re telling you about a water main break in a neighborhood you don't live in. But for live video? It’s solid.
The second way is through "FAST" channels—Free Ad-supported Streaming TV. If you have a Roku, Fire TV, or Apple TV, look for the Zeam app (formerly NewsON had a grip on this, but Zeam is the current big player for KMOV). You don't need a login. You just open the app, find St. Louis, and click the live feed.
Then you’ve got the heavy hitters for cord-cutters:
- YouTube TV: Includes the full KMOV broadcast.
- Hulu + Live TV: You get the local feed plus the CBS national stuff.
- DirectTV Stream: Usually the priciest, but they have the best image quality if you’re a stickler for resolution.
- FuboTV: A good middle ground if you also watch a lot of sports.
The Weather Factor: First Alert vs. 4Warn
You might remember the old "4Warn Weather" branding. They’ve mostly shifted to the "First Alert 4" name, part of a bigger branding move by Gray Television (the company that owns the station).
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The weather team, led by Chief Meteorologist Scott Connell, has doubled down on the "Impact Day" concept. If they tell you it’s a First Alert Weather Day, they aren't just saying it might rain. They’re saying your commute is going to be a disaster. They use a 250-meter radar now—which is fancy talk for "we can see the rain hitting your specific roof."
The Personalities: Who’s On Your Screen?
Local news is built on familiarity. It’s about the people you grew up watching.
Cory Stark and Samantha Jones are the anchors most people recognize from the evening blocks. Stark has been around since 2013 and has that classic, steady delivery you want when things get chaotic. Then you have Melanie Johnson, who joined a couple of years back and has become a staple for the evening reports.
If you’re a morning person, you’re likely seeing Matt Chambers. He’s got that high-energy "I’ve had four espressos" vibe that you either love or hate at 5:00 AM. Paige Hulsey is usually handling the traffic desk, which, let’s be real, is the most important part of the morning broadcast if you’re trying to navigate the "Spaghetti Junction" near downtown.
Why the "Live" Part Matters
Most people think they can just check Twitter (X) for news. They’re wrong. During the 2024 and 2025 storm seasons, the lag on social media was dangerous. Watching st louis channel 4 news live gives you the actual meteorologist’s interpretation of the data, not just an automated bot posting a map.
KMOV also tends to focus heavily on "The Investigators" unit. They do those long-form pieces on local government corruption or scammy contractors. If you catch the live broadcast at 6:00 PM or 10:00 PM, you’re getting the full context that the 30-second clips on Facebook totally miss.
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The Streaming Reality Check
Here is the thing no one tells you: The free live stream on the KMOV website or app is usually only for the news segments.
If you try to watch st louis channel 4 news live during the middle of the day when The Price is Right or a CBS NFL game is on, the stream will likely go dark or show a "program not available" screen. This is because of licensing. CBS owns the rights to the national shows, and KMOV only owns the rights to the local news.
If you want the 24/7 channel—including the soap operas and the football games—you have to use a paid service like YouTube TV or get a good old-fashioned digital antenna.
Setting Up a Digital Antenna
Don't scoff at the antenna. It's a one-time $30 purchase, and you get KMOV in uncompressed HD. Most streaming services actually compress the signal, so the "free" over-the-air version often looks better than the one you pay $80 a month for.
- Buy a "flat" indoor antenna.
- Stick it near a window facing south (towards the broadcast towers in South County).
- Run a "Channel Scan" on your TV settings.
- Channel 4.1 will be your primary KMOV feed.
Navigating the News 4 App
If you're using the app to watch st louis channel 4 news live, there are a few features you should actually toggle on.
Go into the settings and find "Geo-targeted alerts." This allows the app to send you weather warnings based on where your phone actually is, not just where you live. If you're working in Clayton but live in St. Charles, this is a lifesaver.
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Also, check the "Video on Demand" section. If you missed the morning traffic report, they usually upload the individual segments about 15 minutes after they air. It's much faster than sitting through the whole 30-minute show.
Common Misconceptions
Some people think KMOV and KSDK (Channel 5) are the same. They aren't. KMOV is a CBS affiliate; KSDK is NBC. While both cover St. Louis, Channel 4 tends to lean harder into the "First Alert" branding for safety and investigative "Surprise" stories.
Another big one: "The live stream is delayed."
Yes, it is. Usually by about 30 to 60 seconds. If you’re waiting for a winning lottery number or a specific sports score, your neighbor with an antenna will hear the news before your phone does.
What to Watch For in 2026
The station is leaning more into "community-driven" reporting. They’ve started a series of segments where they actually let viewers vote on which local issues the investigators should look into. It's a bit of a gimmick, sure, but it’s getting results in some of the underserved North County neighborhoods.
Also, keep an eye on their coverage of the "Great Day St. Louis" show. It’s their lifestyle program that airs at 9:00 AM. If you want hard news, skip it. If you want to know about the new BBQ joint in Soulard or a craft fair in Kirkwood, that’s your spot.
How to Get Your Story Featured
Got a tip? Don't just comment on their Facebook page; it gets buried. Use the "Report It" feature in the app. They actually have digital producers who scan those submissions for breaking news photos and videos.
Actionable Steps for St. Louis Residents
If you want to stay informed without the headache, do these three things:
- Download the First Alert 4 app but immediately go into settings and turn off "Non-Breaking" notifications. You don't need a buzz in your pocket every time a celebrity does something weird.
- Bookmark the "Live" page on their website on your work computer. It’s the easiest way to keep an eye on things during a snowstorm without looking like you're slacking off.
- Invest in a $20 digital antenna. Seriously. When the internet goes out during a massive thunderstorm—and in St. Louis, it will—that antenna is the only way you’re going to get live updates from the weather team.
Watching the news doesn't have to be a chore. Whether you're streaming on a phone or watching on a big screen, staying connected to the city is just easier when you know which buttons to press.