Cable company’s stock falls over 57% after warning

  • WideOpenWest shares plummet over 57% after warning on subscriber losses
  • Loss of 5,000 subscribers reported from June 30 to Sept. 30
  • Chief Financial Officer predicts even worse losses in current quarter
  • Competition, price sensitivity, and fewer opportunities cited as reasons for subscriber churn
  • Rising prices and cell carriers’ offerings contribute to customer attrition
  • Delays in network construction also impacting company’s growth

Shares of WideOpenWest have taken a nosedive, losing more than half of their value, following the company’s warning of steeper subscriber losses in the current quarter. The cable company reported a loss of 5,000 subscribers, including 4,400 high-speed data subscribers, from June 30 to Sept. 30. Chief Financial Officer John Rego predicts that the losses in high-speed data subscribers will be even worse in the current quarter. WideOpenWest is facing challenges such as increasing competition, price sensitivity among consumers, and a slowdown in home sales, which means fewer opportunities to win new customers. The company also raised prices in July, leading some customers to switch to other broadband providers. Additionally, the company is seeing its subscriber base eroded by cell carriers’ wireless home internet offerings. WideOpenWest is also grappling with delays in network construction, hindering its expansion into new markets with better technology. Construction is lagging behind internal plans, according to Chief Executive Teresa Elder.

Public Companies: WideOpenWest (Unknown)
Private Companies:
Key People: John Rego (Chief Financial Officer), Teresa Elder (Chief Executive)

Factuality Level: 8
Justification: The article provides specific information about WideOpenWest’s stock performance, subscriber losses, and the reasons behind those losses. The information is presented in a straightforward manner without any obvious bias or opinion. However, the article lacks additional context or analysis, which could have provided a more comprehensive understanding of the situation.

Noise Level: 7
Justification: The article provides relevant information about WideOpenWest’s stock performance and subscriber losses. However, it lacks in-depth analysis or exploration of long-term trends or antifragility. It does not hold powerful people accountable or provide scientific rigor. The article stays on topic and supports its claims with examples, but it does not provide actionable insights or solutions.

Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: Shares of WideOpenWest

Presence of Extreme Event: No
Nature of Extreme Event: No
Impact Rating of the Extreme Event: No
Justification: The article pertains to the financial performance of WideOpenWest, a cable company. It discusses the company’s warning of steeper subscriber losses and the resulting decline in its stock value. There is no mention of an extreme event or its impact.

Reported publicly: www.marketwatch.com