Spectrum News Networks have seen big increases in viewership as more turn to the news for the latest information about the Coronavirus outbreak.
As the growing COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect communities across the country, Spectrum News networks have adapted their programming to provide the most relevant coverage on how the coronavirus is impacting local communities, and reaching new viewers by telling the stories and delivering the information people need to stay safe and informed.
“With families, businesses and neighbourhoods adapting to social distancing, the need for communities to rally around each other and remain connected is vital,” said Mike Bair, Executive Vice President of Spectrum Networks. “Our communities rely on us to deliver highly localised news and information, focused on getting viewers all of the information they need during these unprecedented times.”
In addition to daily around-the-clock coverage, Spectrum News’ local networks have launched segments and series on linear and digital platforms to help viewers better understand the developing situation, and the direct impact it has on each community.
In light of the need to self-quarantine on a moment’s notice, Spectrum News anchors across the country are being set up with “home anchor kits” that include a full camera and lighting setup to allow them to transmit live reports, host prime-time shows and anchor full newscasts from their homes.
NY1 Noticias anchor Patsi Arias and Spectrum News 1 Southern California anchor Alex Cohen are among the first Spectrum journalists to broadcast from their homes using the anchor kits. Additionally, journalists continue to report, shoot and edit their stories safely from the field.
Spectrum’s newsrooms are uniquely set up this way, with a distributed workforce that enables Spectrum News to maximise its local resources to produce the most hyper-local reporting outside the confines of a newsroom.
During this time of crisis, viewers are turning to Spectrum News networks for the relevant news and information they need to stay informed.
Spectrum News Networks Facts
> Spectrum News networks were viewed by more than 5.2 million subscribers from March 16-22, which represents over half the total universe of Spectrum’s video subscribers that have access to a Spectrum News network;
> Spectrum News posted a 71% increase in HH ratings in its 10 metered markets (detailed below), the second highest increase of all the local broadcast networks and cable networks. In those markets, > Spectrum News’ 71% increase more than doubled the increases from: MSNBC (+32%), The CW (+30%), ABC (+25%), NBC (+22%), CBS (+8%), FOX (+5%) and nearly doubled that of Fox News Channel (+36%);
> From March 16-22, Spectrum News networks in NYC (NY1), Tampa (Bay News 9) and Orlando (News 13) were the highest viewed stations, based on total hours viewed out of all TV networks in their respective markets;
> Spectrum News’ digital platforms had 11.6M page views – more than twice the daily average from February 10-March 8.