More than 66 million consumers across demographic categories are using the Internet while camped out on their sofas watching TV, according to market research firm In-Stat. Based on In-Stat’s recent survey "U.S. TV Viewers Response to Economic Turmoil," 33 percent of all male respondents, across age groups, reported that they are sometimes using a computer simultaneously while watching TV. Among some male age groups, the behavior was as high as 50 percent. In contrast, about 25 percent of female respondents reported using a PC while watching TV. One-fifth of all respondents reported doing instant messaging while watching TV, with similar responses among females and males.

However, the survey also indicates that U.S. consumers could drop spending on mobile, broadband and pay TV services by nearly $5 billion due to economic turmoil. It also indicates that about 15 percent of U.S. respondents intend to cut back spending on subscription-TV, broadband, and mobile services in response to economic pressures.

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Friday–July 24

Charter Says See You in September

If there was a subliminal message hiding in Charter’s 2Q26 earnings call Friday, it was, “Wait ’til September.” That’s when the Cox deal closes, a new COO arrives, and the promotional hangover fades. But first, it’s got to deal with worsening broadband losses and a revenue decline.

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