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Spectrum News debuts free streaming channel on Xumo Play

A news anchor for Spectrum News Plus during a broadcast in April 2023. (Still frame courtesy Charter Communications/Spectrum News, Graphic by The Desk)
A news anchor for Spectrum News Plus during a broadcast in April 2023. (Still frame courtesy Charter Communications/Spectrum News, Graphic by The Desk)

Spectrum News has launched its national news channel through free streaming platform Xumo Play, marking the first time the network has been within reach of news consumers beyond Spectrum TV’s footprint.

The national news channel, called Spectrum News Plus (stylized as Spectrum News+), was previously only available to customers of Spectrum TV and Spectrum Internet.

“This marks a significant milestone in Spectrum News’ mission to bring its trusted news and information to a broader audience, expanding access to quality, unbiased reporting,” said Alison Hellman, the Senior Vice President and General Manager of Spectrum News. “Our Spectrum News reporters embedded throughout the communities we serve and in our nation’s capital deliver extensive coverage of the major issues and local stories that really matter to our viewers. And in any national election year, we have the unique ability to make the national conversation locally relevant.”

The decision to launch Spectrum News Plus on Xumo Play was likely not a coincidence: The free, ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) platform is operated by Xumo, a joint venture between Charter and peer telecom service Comcast. Spectrum News Plus offers local news reports from Spectrum News bureaus across the country, including New York, Los Angeles and Dallas-Fort Worth.

“The launch of Spectrum News Plus on Xumo Play gives our viewers another great option for staying informed on the latest events and happenings, especially during a critical election year,” said Stefan Van Engen, the Vice President of Programming and Partnerships at Xumo. “News is one of the most-viewed genres on Xumo Play, and the addition of Spectrum News Plus further enriches our lineup and demonstrates our commitment to delivering quality programming for viewers.”

In addition to Spectrum News Plus, Xumo Play offers more than a dozen other streaming news channels, including NBC News Now, LiveNow from Fox, BBC News, Sky News, CBS News 24/7, ABC News Live, Cheddar, Bloomberg TV and Scripps News.

Xumo Play is available across a number of streaming TV platforms, including Roku, Amazon’s Fire TV, Android TV (Google TV), Apple TV, Samsung’s Tizen OS and LG webOS. The app is also available as a free download on iOS and Android devices.

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About the Author:

Matthew Keys

Matthew Keys is a nationally recognized, award-winning journalist with over a decade of experience reporting on the business of media, broadcast television, streaming video platforms and emerging technology. He is the founder, publisher, and editor of TheDesk.net, a trusted source for in-depth news and analysis on the evolving media landscape.

Matthew’s reporting has appeared in major industry outlets, including StreamTV Insider, Digital Content Next and KnowTechie, where he covers topics at the intersection of journalism, streaming services, and digital media innovation. Throughout his career, he has held editorial roles at respected organizations such as Thomson Reuters, Tribune Media, the Disney-ABC Television Group and McNaughton Newspapers.

Known for his accuracy, clarity, and deep industry insight, Matthew continues to provide reliable reporting and thought leadership in a rapidly changing media environment. His work is frequently cited by industry leaders, analysts, and trade publications.