Charter’s Spectrum Networks has
launched the Spectrum News App, offering video- and text-based stories and live linear video feeds from its more than 30 TV news networks.
The mobile-first service, free for all of Charter
Spectrum's 28 million residential internet, TV and mobile customers, is intended as a value-add to help maintain and grow Spectrum’s broadband and video customer base.
Non-customers are
being offered a 30-day free trial for the news app.
The app, currently available for iOS and Android phones and tablets via the Apple and Google Play Stores, will come preloaded on some
Spectrum Mobile phones starting later this year.
Users input their zip codes to receive hyperlocal news.
The news is being generated by expanded multimedia news teams in all of
Spectrum Networks’ markets, including Columbus, Ohio; Louisville, Kentucky; Los Angeles; Milwaukee; New York; Raleigh, North Carolina; Tampa Bay, Florida; and its Washington, D.C., bureau.
In addition, Spectrum is enhancing the app’s coverage through partnerships with major daily newspapers, digital news and radio outlets and other media in Florida, New York, Los Angeles,
Ohio, Wisconsin, Texas, Kentucky, and North Carolina.
On Friday, Charter reported that it added a net 102,000 video subscribers in the second quarter — bucking the negative video subs
trend that has impacted all pay-TV providers, including Charter, for years.
The video growth was driven by Charter’s significant growth in residential and SMB broadband customers in the
period: up 755,000.
The broadband growth was driven both by the pandemic’s stay-at-home dynamics and special Charter offers, including a free 60-day “remote education” trial
for households with K-12 and college students, and a reduced-rate seasonal plan for small businesses impacted by the pandemic. Charter also paused disconnects and collection efforts as part of the
FCC’s Keep Americans Connected Pledge.