Spectrum Lawsuit 2026, Kentucky Class Action Claims $28 Broadcast TV Surcharge Is a Hidden Fee—Are You Eligible?
Spectrum faces a Kentucky federal class action lawsuit alleging the cable provider deceptively charges customers a $28 monthly “Broadcast TV Surcharge” that appears to be a government-mandated fee but is actually a disguised price increase under Spectrum’s control. The lawsuit, filed by Richard Wookey in June 2025, claims Charter Communications uses the surcharge to secretly inflate cable TV rates while profiting from charges that allegedly far exceed actual retransmission costs paid to local broadcast stations.
What Is the Spectrum Broadcast TV Surcharge Lawsuit About?
The Spectrum class action lawsuit centers on the company’s “Broadcast TV Surcharge” fee that appears on millions of cable TV subscribers’ monthly bills. According to court filings in Kentucky federal court, plaintiff Richard Wookey alleges Charter Communications, doing business as Spectrum Cable, uses deceptively named fees to make customers believe the charges are externally mandated when they are actually discretionary company charges.
The lawsuit claims Spectrum represents the Broadcast TV Surcharge as a “pass-through fee reflecting charges from local broadcast or affiliate TV stations,” implying the fee is required by outside broadcasters or government entities. However, the complaint alleges there is no external mandate for the charge from any broadcaster or government agency.
Per the suit, the surcharge is “entirely within Spectrum’s control” and represents a source of profit for the company. The lawsuit further alleges that Spectrum’s actual retransmission costs paid to local stations are far lower than the approximately $28-per-month Broadcast TV Surcharge issued to all Spectrum subscribers.
Why the $28 Monthly Fee Matters to Millions of Customers
Spectrum serves millions of cable television customers across the United States. The Broadcast TV Surcharge has become a significant monthly expense—$28 adds up to $336 annually per household.
According to the complaint, if Spectrum’s representations were accurate and the fee was truly a pass-through cost, the company would be paying Louisville, Kentucky stations alone over $33 million annually in retransmission fees. The lawsuit alleges the actual costs are nowhere near that amount, suggesting Spectrum pockets the difference as profit.
The lawsuit claims this violates state and federal laws requiring cable operators to transparently disclose the total cost of programming. Because Spectrum does not list the Broadcast TV Surcharge with or include it in the advertised price point for its services, consumers believe it is not included in the base service fee.
This pricing structure allegedly makes it impossible for consumers to accurately compare Spectrum’s rates with competitor offerings before subscribing.
Who Filed the Lawsuit and Who Can Join?
Richard Wookey, a former television broadcast employee from Louisville, filed the class action lawsuit in Kentucky federal court. The case is being handled by the Law Office of Winton and Hiestand.
The Spectrum class action looks to represent anyone in Kentucky who was charged a Broadcast TV Surcharge as part of their personal, family, or household-use Spectrum subscription within the applicable statute of limitations.
If you are a current or former Spectrum Cable subscriber in Kentucky who was charged the Broadcast TV Surcharge, you may be automatically included in the class. You do not need to take action to be part of the lawsuit unless you want to opt out or object to the settlement terms if a settlement is reached.
What Legal Claims Does the Lawsuit Make?
The complaint alleges Spectrum violated Kentucky consumer protection laws through deceptive and misleading advertising practices. Specifically, the lawsuit claims Charter Communications engaged in:
Deceptive fee labeling by naming the charge “Broadcast TV Surcharge” to make it appear government-related or externally mandated when it is actually a discretionary company charge.
False advertising by representing the fee as a mere pass-through cost for retransmitting broadcast television signals when it allegedly includes substantial profit margins.
Unfair billing practices by failing to include the surcharge in advertised service prices, preventing consumers from understanding the true total cost before subscribing.
Wookey argues that these practices constitute violations of state consumer protection statutes that prohibit deceptive trade practices and require transparent pricing disclosures.
Current Status of the Spectrum Lawsuit as of January 2026
As of January 2026, the Spectrum Broadcast TV Surcharge lawsuit remains in active litigation in Kentucky federal court. No settlement has been announced, and the case has not yet proceeded to trial.
The Law Office of Winton and Hiestand continues investigating how much money Spectrum could be taking from customers through the allegedly deceptive surcharge. Discovery proceedings are ongoing to determine the actual retransmission costs Spectrum pays to local broadcast stations compared to the surcharge amounts collected from subscribers.
Consumer complaints about Spectrum’s fees continue mounting. On social media and consumer complaint websites, Spectrum customers from multiple states report frustration with steadily increasing fees and surcharges that appear on their bills without clear explanation.
What Spectrum Says About the Allegations
Spectrum has not publicly commented on the specific allegations in the Kentucky class action lawsuit. However, the company maintains on its website that the Broadcast TV Surcharge reflects charges from local broadcast or affiliate TV stations.
Charter Communications, Spectrum’s parent company, typically denies wrongdoing in class action lawsuits and argues that its billing practices comply with all applicable laws and regulations. The company has not filed a formal response to the complaint as of January 2026.
Industry observers note that broadcast retransmission fees have become a contentious issue across the cable industry, with disputes between cable operators and broadcast station owners sometimes resulting in channel blackouts when negotiations break down.
Other Spectrum Lawsuits and Consumer Complaints
The Broadcast TV Surcharge case is not the only legal challenge Spectrum faces over allegedly deceptive fees. In December 2018, Charter Spectrum settled a New York Attorney General lawsuit for $62.5 million over claims the company failed to deliver the reliable and fast internet service it promised.
As part of that settlement, Spectrum agreed to issue refunds and offer free streaming services to affected New York customers. Eligible customers received bill credits starting in March 2019.
Spectrum has also faced class action lawsuits in Florida over allegedly unlawful Wi-Fi activation fees charged to former Bright House Networks customers after Charter acquired Bright House and rebranded it as Spectrum.
According to those complaints, Spectrum charged a $9.99 Wi-Fi “Activation Fee” to customers who already had Wi-Fi service through Bright House, despite Charter’s promise that legacy customers would not experience new charges on their Spectrum accounts.
How to Determine If You Are Eligible
To determine if you are a class member in the Spectrum Broadcast TV Surcharge lawsuit, ask yourself these questions:
Are you a Kentucky resident? The current lawsuit is limited to Kentucky residents who subscribed to Spectrum Cable television service.
Did you have Spectrum cable TV service? The lawsuit covers cable television subscribers, not internet-only or phone-only customers.
Were you charged the Broadcast TV Surcharge? Check your Spectrum bills for a line item labeled “Broadcast TV Surcharge” or similar language.
Was the service for personal or household use? Business accounts are typically excluded from consumer class actions.
If you answer yes to all these questions, you are likely a class member. You do not need to file a claim at this stage—class members are automatically included unless they choose to opt out.
What to Do If You Believe You Were Overcharged
If you are a Kentucky Spectrum subscriber who was charged the Broadcast TV Surcharge and believe you may be affected by this lawsuit, you have several options:
Monitor the case for updates. Check the Law Office of Winton and Hiestand website or court records for case developments, settlement announcements, or claim filing deadlines.
Keep your billing records. Save copies of all Spectrum bills showing the Broadcast TV Surcharge. These documents may be important evidence if the case proceeds to settlement or trial.
Consider consulting an attorney. If you want to understand your legal options, including whether to stay in the class or opt out to pursue individual claims, contact a consumer protection attorney. Many class action attorneys offer free initial consultations.
Submit your information to class counsel. The Law Office of Winton and Hiestand has created a form on their website where affected Kentucky Spectrum subscribers can submit information about their potential claims. Submitting the form does not create an attorney-client relationship but allows the law firm to evaluate your potential claim.
When to Seek Legal Advice
You should consider consulting a lawyer if:
You were a Kentucky Spectrum subscriber charged the Broadcast TV Surcharge and want to understand whether staying in the class or opting out better serves your interests.
You experienced additional billing issues with Spectrum beyond the Broadcast TV Surcharge and want to explore individual legal claims.
You receive official notice of a settlement and need help understanding your options, claim filing requirements, or potential payout amounts.
You want to object to settlement terms because you believe they are unfair to class members.
Remember that class action lawsuits often take years to resolve. Settlement negotiations, if they occur, typically happen after extensive discovery and motion practice. Trial dates, if no settlement is reached, are usually set many months or even years in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Spectrum Lawsuit
What is the Spectrum lawsuit about?
The Spectrum lawsuit alleges Charter Communications deceives customers by charging a $28 monthly “Broadcast TV Surcharge” represented as an externally mandated or pass-through fee when it is actually a discretionary charge under Spectrum’s control that includes undisclosed profits. The lawsuit claims this violates Kentucky consumer protection laws.
Who is eligible for the Spectrum lawsuit?
Kentucky residents who subscribed to Spectrum Cable television service for personal, family, or household use and were charged the Broadcast TV Surcharge within the applicable statute of limitations are eligible class members. Business accounts are typically excluded from consumer class actions.
How many consumers are affected by the Spectrum lawsuit?
The lawsuit does not specify an exact number of affected Kentucky consumers, but Spectrum serves millions of cable television customers nationwide. The Kentucky class likely includes thousands of current and former Spectrum cable TV subscribers who were charged the Broadcast TV Surcharge.
What are the specific allegations in the Spectrum case?
The lawsuit alleges Spectrum deceptively names the fee to make it appear government-mandated, falsely advertises it as a pass-through cost when it includes profit margins, and fails to include the surcharge in advertised prices, preventing consumers from understanding total costs before subscribing.
How do I check if I’m eligible for the Spectrum lawsuit?
Review your Spectrum bills for a “Broadcast TV Surcharge” line item. If you are a Kentucky resident who had Spectrum cable TV service for personal or household use and were charged this fee, you are likely a class member. Visit the Law Office of Winton and Hiestand website for more information.
What is the deadline to join the Spectrum class action?
There is currently no claim filing deadline because no settlement has been reached. If you are a Kentucky class member, you are automatically included in the lawsuit unless you choose to opt out. Deadlines for opting out, objecting, or filing claims will be announced if a settlement is reached.
Where can I find official information about the Spectrum lawsuit?
Visit the Law Office of Winton and Hiestand website at louisvillelawoffice.com/spectrum for information about the case. Court documents can be accessed through the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky’s online docket system or PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records).
Last Updated: January 31, 2026
Disclaimer: This article provides general information about the Spectrum Broadcast TV Surcharge lawsuit and is not legal advice. For specific questions about your eligibility or legal rights, consult a qualified attorney.
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About the Author
Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
Her writing blends real legal insight with plain-English explanations, helping readers stay informed and legally aware.
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