Charter Communications is marshaling the resources of its local television news operations in California for a new YouTube-specific news initiative that will offer long-form, digital-first reporting from its Spectrum News channels.
The franchise, called “More On That,” will air as a recap program each Thursday at 8 p.m. local time on Spectrum News networks across the state, with digital reporting published throughout the week on the Spectrum News California YouTube channel.
The series is designed to move beyond the time constraints of traditional television news, giving reporters more room to explore topics including housing, health care, technology, agriculture and climate change.
“California’s biggest stories rarely have simple explanations, and that is exactly the gap ‘More On That’ is designed to fill,” Seth Katz, the Senior Director of Production at Spectrum Networks, said in a statement on Monday. “Being digital-first allows us to reach more viewers while giving a glimpse of the type of reporting that can be found on Spectrum News every day, providing real context on the issues affecting the lives of Californians.”
Katz leads a team that includes Brent Cannon in Fresno, Mary Strong in Palm Springs, Muna Sadek in Sacramento and Raquel Maria Dillon and Jack Molmud in San Francisco. Spectrum News said additional journalists will be based in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Luis Obispo.
Emmy Award-winning journalist and producer Lisa Ling will also contribute stories.
The launch is part of Spectrum News’ broader multi-platform expansion. The company has added local linear news networks, the Spectrum News Plus streaming service, Spanish-language Spectrum Noticias and connected television apps for Xumo Stream Box, Roku and Apple TV.
Spectrum News said its mobile app has surpassed 6.5 million downloads.
In California, Spectrum News is available to Spectrum TV customers on Channel 1 and through the Spectrum TV app on mobile devices, Xumo Stream Box, Apple TV and Roku. Spectrum News is also available to Comcast’s Xfinity TV subscribers in the state.
