Charter Communications has launched its Spectrum App Store, a centralized marketplace for customers to manage and bundle streaming services onto a single monthly bill. The move is a direct attempt to solve streaming fatigue and make its own video packages more valuable.
An old dog's new trick: The strategy is a direct consequence of Charter's high-stakes 2023 carriage dispute with Disney. The cable company now bundles ad-supported versions of major streamers—like Peacock, Paramount+, and the Disney+/Hulu bundle—into its TV packages, claiming it provides over $125 in monthly value to stop subscribers from cutting the cord.
The 'hell, yes' moment: The launch event saw former rivals celebrating the new model. AMC Networks CEO Kristin Dolan said the partnership drove nearly 900,000 new activations for AMC+, calling it a "hell, yes" moment. ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro admitted the relationship with Charter is now the "best it's ever been" after their bruising public fight.
Credibility crisis: But Charter's biggest hurdle isn't technical—it's credibility. In a blunt admission, CEO Chris Winfrey said the company has conditioned its subscribers to be wary. "Customers don’t trust the cable company," Winfrey said, acknowledging that most people assume the included streaming subscriptions are just a free trial waiting to expire.
In a play for the future, Charter also announced a partnership with Apple to stream select live Los Angeles Lakers games on the Apple Vision Pro. As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, the deal marks the first time live sports will hit the headset, putting fans in a virtual courtside seat.
Also on our radar: Charter is promoting the new experience with a "Seamless Entertainment" ad campaign starring comedian Tracy Morgan. Beyond the living room, the company is also making other strategic moves, striking a B2B connectivity deal with Amazon and planning to introduce a new WiFi 7 router with 5G backup in 2026.
