BottomBounce
2 days ago
Spectrum (Charter Communications) has faced multiple lawsuits, including class actions and a significant verdict for the murder of a cable customer, with claims ranging from robocalls to safety negligence and unfair billing practices.
Here's a breakdown of some of the key lawsuits involving Spectrum:
1. Murder of a Cable Customer:
Case:
A jury in Texas found Charter Communications liable for $7 billion in punitive damages and $337.5 million in compensatory damages in the case of Betty Thomas, an 83-year-old woman who was stabbed to death by a Spectrum cable technician in December 2019.
Allegations:
The lawsuit claimed that Charter Spectrum failed to properly vet its employees, leading to the hiring of Roy Holden, who had a criminal record and lied about his work history.
Outcome:
A judge later lowered the punitive damages to $750 million, but the company was still found liable for over $1.1 billion in damages, including pre-judgment interest.
Further Details:
The family of Betty Thomas argued that Charter Spectrum's actions were the "proximate cause" of her death and that the company had ignored red flags about the employee in question.
Publicity:
The case garnered significant media attention, with articles appearing in publications like The Verge and Ars Technica.
2. Class Action Lawsuits:
Unfair Billing Practices:
A class action lawsuit claimed that Charter Communications misled consumers by continuing to charge for a full month of internet service even after customers had canceled, ClassAction.org.
Robocalls:
Several class action lawsuits alleged that Spectrum placed unsolicited robocalls to consumers' cell phones without proper consent, violating the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA).
Secret Recording of Sales Calls:
A class action lawsuit claimed that Charter Communications violated California law by secretly recording inbound and outbound sales calls without consumers' knowledge or consent.
Wage and Hour Violations:
Charter Communications faced a class action lawsuit alleging wage and hour, and break period violations.
Disney Carriage Dispute:
A class action lawsuit was filed in relation to a dispute between Charter and Disney over carriage fees, which led to a blackout of Disney-owned channels on Spectrum.
3. Other Lawsuits:
EEOC Disability Discrimination Lawsuit:
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) filed a lawsuit against Charter Communications, alleging disability discrimination, which was settled with Charter Communications agreeing to pay $60,000 and provide other relief.
Lawsuit After Journalist's Death:
The family of Spectrum 13 reporter Dylan Lions, who was shot and killed while covering a story, filed a lawsuit against Spectrum News 13's parent company, Charter Communications, alleging negligence in sending the reporter to the scene.
4. Additional Information:
Class Action Lawsuits:
If you believe you may be included in a class action lawsuit against Spectrum, you can check ClassAction.org for more information.
Spectrum's Response:
Charter Communications has responded to some of these lawsuits by stating that it is committed to providing its customers with exceptional service and that it is confident that they will be satisfied with their Spectrum experience. $CHTR
77Port
3 years ago
Amazing, but after today's financing, this company is never running out of money.
https://ir.charter.com/news-releases/news-release-details/charter-prices-40-billion-senior-secured-notes
STAMFORD, Conn., Sept. 27, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: CHTR) (along with its subsidiaries, "Charter") today announced that its subsidiaries, Charter Communications Operating, LLC and Charter Communications Operating Capital Corp. (collectively, the "Issuers"), have priced $4.0 billion in aggregate principal amount of notes consisting of the following securities:
77Port
4 years ago
July 15, 2021. "ViacomCBS Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAC, VIACA) and Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: CHTR) today announced comprehensive, multi-year distribution agreements..."
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210715005313/en/
NEW YORK & STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ViacomCBS Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAC, VIACA) and Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: CHTR) today announced comprehensive, multi-year distribution agreements for the continued carriage of ViacomCBS’ leading portfolio of broadcast, entertainment, news and sports networks, in addition to licensing ViacomCBS’ suite of streaming services, including Paramount+, Pluto TV, BET+ and Noggin, for future distribution to Spectrum customers.
“We are pleased to have reached a new deal to deliver ViacomCBS’ expansive portfolio of popular brands and premium programming for Spectrum audiences to enjoy, plus greater choice in how they consume our content,” said Ray Hopkins, President, U.S. Network Distribution, ViacomCBS. “Charter is a valued partner, and we look forward to deepening our long-standing relationship.”
Added Tom Montemagno, Executive Vice President of Programming Acquisition for Charter: “These comprehensive agreements with ViacomCBS recognize the fast-changing pace of the subscription video business and provide us the flexibilities to adapt for the benefit of our customers while also furthering our strategic interests in the advanced advertising realm and aggregated video store concept with the addition of the streaming apps.”
ViacomCBS and Charter also will expand their existing collaboration around addressable media and advanced advertising.
Others terms of the agreements were not disclosed.
About ViacomCBS
ViacomCBS (NASDAQ: VIAC; VIACA) is a leading global media and entertainment company that creates premium content and experiences for audiences worldwide. Driven by iconic consumer brands, its portfolio includes CBS, Showtime Networks, Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, BET, Paramount+, Pluto TV and Simon & Schuster, among others. The company delivers the largest share of the U.S. television audience and boasts one of the industry’s most important and extensive libraries of TV and film titles. In addition to offering innovative streaming services and digital video products, ViacomCBS provides powerful capabilities in production, distribution and advertising solutions.
For more information about ViacomCBS, please visit www.viacomcbs.com and follow @ViacomCBS on social platforms.
VIAC-IR
About Charter
Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ:CHTR) is a leading broadband connectivity company and cable operator serving more than 31 million customers in 41 states through its Spectrum brand. Over an advanced communications network, the company offers a full range of state-of-the-art residential and business services including Spectrum Internet®, TV, Mobile and Voice.
For small and medium-sized companies, Spectrum Business® delivers the same suite of broadband products and services coupled with special features and applications to enhance productivity, while for larger businesses and government entities, Spectrum Enterprise provides highly customized, fiber-based solutions. Spectrum Reach® delivers tailored advertising and production for the modern media landscape. The company also distributes award-winning news coverage, sports and high-quality original programming to its customers through Spectrum Networks and Spectrum Originals. More information about Charter can be found at corporate.charter.com.
I-Man
8 years ago
All I am saying is Charter (Spectrum) is a Monopoly in any other word IMHO and in America that will not be allowed to continue too much longer... Hiding behind subsidiary brand names of recent acquisitions and such is not fooling anyone, especially the new Administration coming in.. Just think back to mid 80's and Ma Bell then... Anti-Trust/Monopoly laws I feel real strong will come into effect regarding CHTR and smoke screens and lawyer loopholes to avoid detection with Time Warner, AT&T acquisitions will not fool anyone with common sense...
I believe to avoid being called a "monopoly" something like 60% or more of a brand control cannot be seen publicly, so they simply obtain rights to the name of what businesses they acquire and control that to keep CHTR to look like it don't own/control 60% or more of CATV market... But it does. MNRO is trying to do same damn thing with all its past 4 years of acquiring mid level auto repair centers yet gets control of their name and leaves name the same on buildings- but it all is controlled by MNRO... Monopoly in disguise if you wish...
Just what I see and I guess age makes a difference, because the only ones to get away with anti Trust/Monopoly issues was MSFT under Clinton's 1st term whereas Bill Gates made deal with State Department to NOT pursue the banking license then he wanted to get from US Treasury, in exchange, to incorporate "keys" in his software thereafter that ONLY FBI could access any computer/program for "security purposes"...