Spectrum News’ Live Debates and Extensive Hurricane Coverage Boost Month-Over-Month Ratings Growth

STAMFORD, Conn. – In a month marked by a devastating hurricane and the buildup to the 2022 midterm elections, Spectrum News’ exclusive general election debates and extensive, around-the-clock weather coverage, reinforced Spectrum News as the go-to source for reliable news, weather and politics for Spectrum audiences. Across its 14 Nielsen-rated markets,* Spectrum News recorded month-over-month viewership growth of 6%, while CNN (-17%), MSNBC (-8%) and NBC (-2%) decreased an average of -5% in viewership, underscoring Americans’ overwhelming trust in local news and its ability to keep them informed about their community.**

In October, Spectrum News outperformed ABC, FOX, NBC, CNN as well as Fox News and MSNBC*** in daily viewership, averaging more than 2.2 million daily viewing households across its linear and digital platforms.

Locally, six Spectrum News networks, Dallas (28%), Charlotte, NC (19%), New York City (19%), Milwaukee, WI (16%), Greensboro, NC (9%), and Orlando (9%), had higher month-over-month viewership growth than CNN, Fox News and MSNBC.*

Local viewership highlights from September 27 – October 31 include:****

• In New York, Spectrum News held the only scheduled debate for governor with incumbent Governor Kathy Hochul and U.S. Representative Lee Zeldin on October 25. During the debate, which aired from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET, Spectrum News NY1 was the most-watched news network among Spectrum customers, besting ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC as well as CNN, Fox News and MSNBC, and also recorded an increase in viewership of 134%. Across Upstate New York, Spectrum News 1 networks outperformed CNN, Fox News and MSNBC during the hour-long debate, and also recorded average increases in viewership of 243%.
• On the day of Spectrum News’ debate for governor, the Spectrum News App in New York was downloaded a record-breaking 28,966 times, the most of any day since launch.
• In New York City, Spectrum News’ live U.S. Senate debate with incumbent U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Joseph Pinion on October 30 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET drove an increase in Nielsen viewership of 27% as compared to the previous four Sundays in October.*
• Spectrum Bay News 9 (Tampa) ranked as the most-watched network among Spectrum customers for live weather and news coverage of Hurricane Ian from September 26 through September 30, outperforming ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, and The Weather Channel, also recording increases in viewership of 111%. During the same five-day period, Spectrum News 13’s (Orlando) live coverage recorded an increase in viewership of 89%. On September 28, a few hours before Hurricane Ian made landfall, Bay News 9’s and News 13’s live coverage from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. ET recorded an average of 52% more viewership than The Weather Channel, and also outperformed ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, CNN, Fox News and MSNBC. Overall viewership on both networks increased an average of 198% for that time period.
• During Hurricane Ian on September 28, the Spectrum News App recorded 24,500 downloads, the most downloads since the launch of app in Florida.
• In North Carolina, Spectrum News 1’s coverage of Hurricane Ian from September 26 through September 30 drove increases in viewership of 22% as compared to the previous 30-day average. On September 30, Spectrum News 1’s live full-day coverage recorded an increase in viewership of 78% across all markets, drawing higher viewership than The Weather Channel and FOX.
• Also in North Carolina, Spectrum News 1’s exclusive U.S. Senate debate with candidates Cheri Beasley and Ted Budd on October 7 from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. ET drew higher viewership than primetime programming on NBC, FOX, CNN and MSNBC, and recorded overall increases in viewership of 33%. In Raleigh and Greensboro, the debate drew more viewers than ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC, as well as CNN, Fox News and MSNBC.
• In Los Angeles, Spectrum News 1 was the only local news network to carry live coverage of the LA City Council meeting on October 11, following the leaked audio of racist remarks by city council members. During the live coverage from 10 a.m. through 1 p.m. PT, Spectrum News 1 was the most-watched network among Spectrum customers, outperforming ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, CNN, Fox News and MSNBC, and recording an increase in viewership of 35%.
• In Milwaukee, Spectrum News 1’s wall-to-wall coverage of severe storms and tornadoes on October 12 from noon to 1 p.m. CT was 19 times higher than The Weather Channel, and also recorded significant increases in viewership of 356%.

*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.

** Spectrum News/Morning Consult national poll of 5,000 US adults on sentiments about and trust of local news, July 11, 2022.

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

****Ratings averages are as compared to the previous 30-day average, unless noted otherwise. 

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

Stacey.Mitch@charter.com