WideOpenWest 2025 Q2 Earnings Wider Losses Despite Greenfield Growth

WideOpenWest (WOW) reported its fiscal 2025 Q2 earnings on August 11, 2025. The results missed expectations, with the company recording a wider net loss and declining revenue. While management highlighted growth in greenfield markets and fiber expansion, earnings disappointed investors in the short term. The company provided no third-quarter guidance due to a pending transaction but maintained 2025 capital expenditure plans.

Revenue

WideOpenWest’s total revenue fell by 9.2% year-over-year to $144.20 million in the second quarter of 2025, compared to $158.80 million in the same period in 2024. This decline reflected ongoing subscriber losses in traditional services, though greenfield and Edge-Out market expansion showed promise.

Earnings/Net Income

The company’s earnings deteriorated sharply, with a loss of $0.22 per share in the second quarter of 2025, compared to a loss of $0.13 per share in the second quarter of 2024. This marked a 69.2% increase in the per-share loss. On an absolute basis, the net loss widened to $-17.80 million, a 64.8% increase from $-10.80 million in the prior-year period. These results highlight the continued pressure on profitability amid strategic investment in growth initiatives.

Price Action

The stock price of WideOpenWest has shown mixed short-term performance. It rose 5.30% during the latest trading day and edged up 0.90% during the most recent full trading week. However, it has declined 15.92% month-to-date as of the earnings report date.

Post Earnings Price Action Review

The strategy of buying WideOpenWest shares on the day of positive revenue reports and holding for 30 days has not yielded favorable results over the past three years. Despite revenue outperforming estimates on three occasions—August 2024, February 2025, and May 2025—each purchase resulted in significant losses over the 30-day period. The most recent purchase on May 11, 2025, at $5.65, led to a 40.35% decline in value by June 11, 2025. Cumulatively, the three trades resulted in a 77.50% loss. In contrast, the S&P 500 gained 42.86% over the same period. The poor performance of WOW stock, despite revenue beats, suggests that investors may have remained skeptical of the company’s long-term earnings potential and broader market dynamics.

CEO Commentary

Teresa L. Elder, CEO of WideOpenWest, highlighted strong momentum in greenfield markets, including the passage of 15,500 new homes during the quarter with a 16% penetration rate. She emphasized the success of fiber-to-the-home expansion in Central Florida, Brighton, and other markets, driven by high-speed data demand and customer service. Although the company lost 3,900 HSD subscribers overall, Elder noted that growth in greenfield and Edge-Out markets is pushing toward a net add inflection point. She also pointed to a 4.9% year-over-year increase in average revenue per user (ARPU) to $75.30, driven by rate hikes and higher-tier demand.

Guidance

Due to the pending transaction, the company did not provide third-quarter guidance but reiterated that 2025 capital expenditure plans remain unchanged. John Rego noted that Q2 capital spending amounted to $47.9 million, with greenfield expansion on track for $60–70 million in 2025. The company remains focused on HSD growth, simplified pricing strategies, and cost discipline, with the 2025 Edge-Out vintage reaching 5,000 homes and a 28% penetration rate.

Additional News

In Nigeria, the government recently endorsed the rebranding of telecom company T2 as a key initiative to boost the country’s telecommunications sector. This move aligns with broader efforts to enhance digital infrastructure and service delivery across the nation. Meanwhile, MTN Ghana outperformed its Nigerian counterpart in H1 earnings, signaling a shift in market dynamics in the region. The Nigerian government also unveiled a rollout plan for a 125,000km fiber network, a major step toward expanding broadband access nationwide. These developments highlight the growing importance of telecommunications and fiber infrastructure in the region, where companies like WideOpenWest are investing heavily in long-term growth.