Charter Announce Renewal of Viacom Distribution Agreement

Sometimes cable companies like Charter, a provider of cable TV, Internet and phone bundles, has to renegotiate their contract with video content providers. Sometimes it can get messy.

Luckily for Charter subscribers, Charter Communications, Inc. and Viacom Inc. announced recently that they renewed a multi-year distribution contract. They also worked out a new partnership for co-producing original programming.

The programming Charter will provide Spectrum subscribers from Viacom's networks include channels like TV Land, Nickelodeon, MTV, VH1, BET,  Comedy Central, Spike, and CMT on the Spectrum Select tier across Charter's footprint. Other Viacom channels will be available on other Spectrum tiers like Spectrum Silver or Spectrum Gold. Spectrum subscribers will continue to be able to access Viacom's on-demand content on both set-top boxes and through the Charter apps.

Viacom and Charter have also entered into a partnership for co-production of new original content that will exclusively premiere on Charter's channels in the U.S. After Charter's exclusive premiere period Viacom will distribute the co-produced programming around the world, as well as in some domestic markets.

Unfortunately the companies have also agreed to collaborate on gathering viewership data, exploiting advertising opportunities, and making sure users aren't sharing passwords.

There were other parts of the agreement that they are not sharing.

Charter Communications Inc. is the second largest cable company in the United States. Charter provides broadband services, Spectrum TV™ video entertainment programming, Spectrum Internet™ access, and Spectrum Voice™. Spectrum Business® similarly provides business Internet access, data networking, business telephone, music, video and such.

Charter Gives Awards to Non Profits

Charter Communications, Inc. is a leading cable and Internet company. They are the second largest cable operator in the United States and the third largest TV provider over all (including DirecTV). Charter provides Spectrum TV™ Spectrum Internet™ access, and Spectrum Voice™. Spectrum Business® provides cost-effective broadband communications solutions to business organizations, such as business-to-business Internet access, telephone, video, data networking, music, and wireless backhaul. Charter also sells advertising and production services.

Charter Communications, Inc. recently announced the winners in its new philanthropic initiative called Spectrum Digital Education Grants. The Grants are given to nonprofit organizations that educate community members on how good broadband is and how to use it to make their lives better. Seems a little self-serving since Charter provides boadband Internet and cable TV, but it is a multi billion dollar corporation after all. The grants add up to around $400,000 which are part of a $1 million commitment to provide digital education in Charter communities through thesel grants. Also, Charter runs PSAs, workshops and webinars for local nonprofit organizations.

Charter received more than 200 applications for the grant.

Below is the list of the 17 winners:

Central Florida Urban League
Westcott Community Center
Austin Free-Net
San Diego Futures Foundation
Eliminate the Digital Divide
Kramden Institute
Connected Nation
DANEnet
LA's BEST
St. Louis Arc
Keystone Community Services
The Oasis Institute
Urban Leagues of Greater Kansas City, Shenango Valley and Rochester
Waipahu Community Association
LULAC National Educational Service Centers, Inc.

"We couldn't be more pleased with the interest generated and the quality of the submissions received for the Spectrum Digital Education Grant Program," said VP of Corporate Social Responsibility for Charter Communications, Rahman Khan. "After careful review, we are confident that the selected organizations will help further our mission to provide communities in need with the necessary tools to grow and prosper in the digital age."

Charter Spectrum Products Come in Bundles

If you weren’t paying attention, Charter Cable, Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks, merged a while back. It is all called Charter Spectrum now. After a more than a year integrating the services of the three Internet and Cable indusrty leaders, the new company, called Charter Spectrum is ready to provide great cable and Internet service all around the country. All three companies had service bundles where you could save money if you bough tmore than one service. 

The new company, Charter Spectrum, offers some great bundles with TV, Internet and phone. Charter Spectrum has a triple plays that starts at less than $100.00 a month. That is a good deal. You can watch Charter Spectrum TV at home or on the go with Charter’s Spectrum TV app. Unlike some other providers, Spectrum Internet doesn’t have a data cap and there is no long term contract. After the beginning of 2018 Charter will be offering wireless phones through Verizon’s mobile towers.

Charter Spectrum has most all of the premium channels like HBO, The Movie Channel, Showtime, Cinemax, Encore Networks, and NFL Network!

The Internet connection you get with a Charter Spectrum Triple Play Bundle is pretty fast up to 60 Mbps. Spectrum Internet also comes with a Spectrum Security Suite to protect your computer and such. And these days, online security is very important.