Charlotte is one of the fastest growing cities in America and attracts 57,000 residents each year and is home to more than 40,000 businesses.   These numbers are expected to grow to 130,000 (in-migration) and 142,000 (total businesses) respectively over the next 20 years. This rapid growth would make the Charlotte of 2030 equivalent to the 2010 cities of Chicago, Houston, Atlanta, Boston, SanFrancisco and Seattle.

Charlotte, known as the Queen City, is currently ranked as the 25^th largest television market in the U.S. amid a total of 210 total television markets as measured by Nielsen Media Research. The designated market area (DMA) (coverage area) consists of 22 counties with a total population of 2,827,225. The Charlotte metro area consists of 6 counties: Mecklenburg, York-SC, Gaston, Union, Cabarrus and Anson that when combined, represent 60% of the total DMA television households.

Mecklenburg County alone contains 32% of the total DMA television households which represents 365,270 households. The next largest county, York in South Carolina, only represents 8% of the total DMA television households at 87,920. The latest Nielsen Media Research sweep period indicates that WSOC-TV was the top choice of viewers in the DMA, Metro area and Mecklenburg County. In fact, WSOC-TV is 40% stronger in Mecklenburg County than the nearest broadcast competitor (M-Su 5a-2a) among adult viewers between the ages of 25-54.

Since its founding in April 1957, WSOC-TV has taken significant pride in its commitment to news and information throughout the 22 counties it serves in North and South Carolina.  True to its slogan, Covering the Carolinas, WSOC-TV is the proven market leader in news and information on television and online at wsoctv.com.  Cox Media Group Charlotte which consists of WSOC-TV, TV64 and wsoctv.com,  takes this role seriously and is dedicated to leadership, excellence and quality service to our communities as the Carolinas’ dominant news, information and communications source.

Source: Nielsen Media Research. November 2011. Charlotte Chamber of Commerce 2010.