noun
local broadcast station; regional station
Refers to a local branch of a broadcasting network (TV or radio), as opposed to the central station in Tokyo or a key station.
そのニュースは地方局から全国に配信された。
The news was distributed nationwide from the local station.
彼は地元の地方局でアナウンサーをしている。
He works as an announcer at a local broadcast station in his hometown.
支局 is a branch office in general (e.g., of a newspaper or company), while 地方局 specifically implies a regional broadcasting station.
Compound of 地方 (region, locality) and 局 (station, office). The term is straightforward and modern.