Spectrum Networks, owned and operated by Charter Communications, announced an agreement with New England Cable News and NBCUniversal to acquire substantially all of NECN’s assets, including its existing distribution agreements throughout New England.
The transaction expands Spectrum News’ regional footprint, enabling it to deliver local journalism to viewers across Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont. As part of the deal, Spectrum News will assume NECN’s current distribution agreements, extending its reach to new audiences across those states.
In the coming months, existing Spectrum News networks in Maine and Massachusetts will combine with NECN and rebrand as Spectrum News NECN. The newly combined network will be based in NECN’s Massachusetts studios and will remain available through NECN’s current distributors across New England. It will also be accessible to Spectrum customers in Maine and Massachusetts, as well as Comcast’s Xfinity TV customers in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont.
The acquisition marks a further expansion of Spectrum News’ national presence. In recent years, the company has launched multiple local linear television news networks, introduced its streaming news service Spectrum News+, rolled out the Spanish-language network Spectrum Noticias, and developed a mobile news app that has surpassed 6 million downloads. Spectrum News has also made its local connected TV news app available on Xumo Stream Box, Roku and Apple TV, broadening access across digital platforms.
Spectrum Networks operates 24/7 news and sports networks across more than 30 channels within Charter’s footprint, serving 58 million homes and businesses in 41 states through a U.S.-based workforce.
KEY QUOTE:
“This agreement represents a significant milestone for Spectrum News as we grow our operation in New England and expand our viewership to additional markets across the country. We look forward to building on a storied local news brand and honoring the importance of local news that serves communities throughout New England.”
Mike Bair, Executive Vice President of Spectrum Networks
