Mike BairExecutive Vice President,Spectrum Networks
"While the way our audience consumes local news evolves, its essential role in communities remains unchanged."
Local Programming That Informs and Engages
Mike Bair is Executive Vice President, Spectrum Networks, with oversight of local Spectrum News networks in 14 states, a national streaming news network, a Spanish-language news network and two regional sports networks in Los Angeles.
A champion of the power of local news, Mike has guided Spectrum News’ mission to foster democracy by bringing best-in-class reporting to new audiences, with journalists embedded in the communities they serve. This focus on in-depth coverage of issues that matter most to those local communities has been recognized by viewers, with Spectrum News regularly outperforming local broadcast affiliates and national news networks.
At a time when Americans trust local news as the most important source for essential information, our unique blend of objective, community-based, local journalism is even more essential than ever.
– Mike Bair
Under his leadership, Spectrum News has grown, launching and expanding the reach of local news networks in Los Angeles, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Texas and Wisconsin.
Mike also has overseen the launches of Spectrum News’ mobile and connected TV apps, bringing local news to digital audiences, and debuted Spectrum News+, a national streaming news channel serving all Spectrum customers with the Spectrum News brand of trusted, relevant, objective local reporting.
In addition to news, Mike oversees the operation of the Company’s two regional sports networks in Los Angeles, Spectrum SportsNet and Spectrum SportsNet LA, the television homes of the Lakers and Dodgers, respectively. He has helped reach partnerships with the NBA and MLB, finding innovative new ways to expand the availability of our sports programming, simultaneously adding value for Spectrum customers and bringing access to fans throughout the region.
Mike’s Early Career
Mike’s career has been guided by the ethos of creating value out of startups and legacy assets in sports and news – envisioning a future for companies that is greater than the sum of their current parts. His unique background includes experience in news and entertainment and sports programming, along with leadership roles within the cable industry and at startup media companies.
Mike served as President of Madison Square Garden’s Media Group, where he led the strategic, operational and financial performance of MSG Networks, Fuse Music TV, MSG Interactive, MSG Radio, and all sponsorship and ad sales for the parent company. He also previously served as President, Product Management and Marketing for the cable division at Cablevision Systems Corporation (now Altice USA) and held executive positions at HBO, Showtime Networks and Ogilvy & Mather Advertising. Prior to joining Spectrum Networks in 2016, Mike was Chief Executive Officer at the startup streaming media company Bleachers Corp.
Mike received a B.A. in broadcast communications from Penn State University and, in 2014, was honored with the university’s Distinguished Alumni Award. He is currently on the Board of Directors for SportsNet New York (SNY).
Articles & Insights
Spectrum News in 2024: A Year of Expansion and Innovation
Spectrum News produced new content and extended the reach of its award-winning, trusted and unbiased journalism to new areas and via new platforms in 2024.
Read ArticleSpectrum News Expands, Debuting New Network in South Carolina
Spectrum News announced the launch of Spectrum News South Carolina, bringing its award-winning local journalism to the Spectrum TV lineup.
Read ArticleSpectrum News Launches Local News Network in St. Louis
Spectrum News St. Louis features local headlines at the top and bottom of every hour and hyperlocal weather forecasts every 10 minutes on the 1s.
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