For the past few months, Charter Communications’ Spectrum, one of the nation’s biggest cable providers, has been shipping new customers a device, Xumo, that lets them stream live TV through an app, alongside streaming mainstays such as Netflix, Disney+ and Max. You can still get a traditional cable box instead, but only if you request it. Charter’s emphasis on Xumo is part of a strategy to bring streaming and live TV together in one package. The company wants Xumo to become a superstore for streaming apps and take a cut along the way.
The deal ensures CMG’s stations remain in Spectrum’s lineup with local news, entertainment and sports.
Roku has removed Charter’s Spectrum TV app from its Channel Store in the latest carriage dispute involving the streaming device maker. The app, which allows Charter’s Spectrum subscribers to watch live TV and on-demand programming, is still available for Roku owners who have previously downloaded it. However, you can no longer download it from the Roku Channel Store
Spectrum is planning a rate increase for cable TV customers, increasing broadcast TV fees to $16.45/month. The change will cause Spectrum’s broadcast TV fee to increase by $2.95/month. Those with Spectrum’s stream TV packages will also see the $2.95/month charge, taking the surcharge on those packages up to $8.95/month. The increases could come as early as next month.
Exclusives
Disputes between cable companies and program providers are typical this time of year. But the dispute between Charter Communications’ Spectrum TV and Tribune Media is beginning to feel anything but typical. Entering its eighth day, this skirmish could be the one that escalates into a prolonged battle.
In an open letter to the roughly six million subscribers of Charter’s Spectrum pay-TV service who are currently without Tribune Broadcasting affiliates in 24 markets, Tribune CEO Peter Kern blasted Charter for offering a “false picture” of the companies’ carriage negotiations.
Tribune Media and Charter’s Spectrum cable systems have agreed to extend the deadline for their carriage contract to 5 p.m. ET Wednesday, averting a blackout of 33 TV stations that would have taken effect at 12:01 a.m. Tuesday.
Tribune Broadcasting television stations in 24 markets across the United States have begun informing Charter Spectrum subscribers that they may lose the local news, traffic, weather, sports and entertainment programming […]
The Telemundo-owned Spanish-language multicast network’s programming is now available on Spectrum systems serving top Hispanic markets.
