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Press ReleaseJune 1, 2022

Spectrum News’ Coverage of Local Breaking News and Elections Drove More Than 2.5 Million Daily Households to its Linear and Digital Platforms in May

Spectrum News 1 Ranked Higher in Viewership than ABC, Fox, CNN and MSNBC on Primary Night in North Carolina

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STAMFORD, Conn. – In a month defined by major local breaking news and primary elections, more than 2.5 million daily viewing households turned to Spectrum News as their trusted source for local news and information in May. Outpacing CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, ABC, CBS, FOX AND NBC in average daily viewership for the month, Spectrum News ranked as the most-watched news network among Spectrum customers.*

In San Antonio (37%), Dallas (20%), Greensboro, N.C. (17%), Orlando (10%), and Cleveland (8%), the networks’ recorded the largest increases in Nielsen household ratings as compared to CNN, Fox News and MSNBC, and local broadcast news networks ABC, CBS, FOX AND NBC.** Other viewership highlights for the month include:

  • Spectrum News 1 in Texas’ live coverage of the tragic Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, TX on May 24 recorded significantly increased full-day viewership (24%), higher than CBS (22%), ABC (20%), Fox News (6%) and FOX (1%) across Texas. The Spectrum News App saw visits from more than 4,000 app users in Texas, the most of any day since launch and 130% more users than the previous 30-day average.
  • In North Carolina, Spectrum News 1’s live primary election night coverage on May 17 from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. recorded double-digit increases in viewership in Asheville (27%), Wilmington (25%) and Greensboro (17%).  During the three-hour live coverage, Spectrum News 1 recorded higher viewership than ABC, Fox, CNN and MSNBC.
  • In Kentucky, the network’s live primary election night coverage from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on May 17 recorded an average increase of 12% in viewership as compared to the previous 30-day average. Spectrum News 1’s websites in Kentucky drew a combined total of more than 12,000 unique visitors on Election Day, the most of any day in 2022.
  • In Buffalo, Spectrum News 1 was the first local news network to report on the shooting at the Tops Friendly Market in Buffalo on May 14. During wall-to-wall coverage from 4:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., viewership increased 111%, and peaked from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at 160%.  In that time period, Spectrum News 1 recorded more viewership than CBS, Fox, NBC, CNN, MSNBC and Fox News.
  • When inclement weather impacted Ohio on May 3, Spectrum News 1’s viewership from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. was up an average of 42%, outranking CNN and MSNBC in average viewership during that time period.  Toledo recorded the largest increase (119%) in viewership of any market.
  • Also in Ohio on May 3, the network’s live primary election night coverage from 7 p.m. to midnight drove an average viewership increase of 50% as compared to the daily average. Cleveland (66%) and Toledo (55%) recorded the largest increases in viewership during that time period. Spectrum News 1 Ohio’s websites recorded a combined total of 13,700 unique visitors on Election Day, a 91% increase from the previous 30-day average.   

*Spectrum set-top box data is sourced from all markets where Spectrum News has distribution, and are based on a minimum threshold of 5 consecutive minutes of viewing on one station to count as a viewing HH.

**Nielsen metrics are based on Live+SD, Total Day household impressions in the following DMAs: Austin, Buffalo, Charlotte, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Greensboro, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, New York, Orlando, Raleigh, San Antonio and Tampa.

About Spectrum Networks

Spectrum Networks is a series of 24/7 news and sports networks owned and operated by Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHTR), a leading broadband connectivity company and cable operator serving more than 32 million customers in 41 states. Spectrum Networks carry distinct, comprehensive, and exclusive local programming on over 30 networks across Charter’s footprint. More information on Spectrum Networks is available at spectrumlocalnews.com.

Media Contact

Stacey Mitch

310-531-1570

Stacey.Mitch@charter.com