x
x
The Raleigh-Durham–Fayetteville DMA covers more than 2.7 million residents across the Research Triangle, Fort Liberty, and rapidly growing suburbs from Johnston County to the Sandhills. Newsrooms balance legislative coverage, higher-education research, biotech jobs, and ACC rivalries while serving diverse communities with bilingual and hyperlocal storytelling.
WRAL, ABC11, CBS 17, and FOX 50 operate data journalism labs, education beats, and weather teams that track hurricanes, severe storms, and rapid growth across Wake, Durham, and Orange counties.
Public broadcasters PBS North Carolina and WUNC partner with universities on science explainers and civic forums, while Spectrum News 1 and NC Newsline deliver policy coverage from the General Assembly.
In-migration from tech hubs boosts housing, transit, and workforce reporting, and military families near Fort Liberty rely on Triangle news outlets for relocation resources and veteran services.
Latino, Black, and rural newsrooms—including Enlace Latino NC, Triangle Tribune, and Chatham News + Record—expand representation through bilingual newsletters, podcasts, and community events.
ACC rivalries, Canes hockey, and Durham Bulls baseball power year-round viewing, while local newscasts and public radio provide trusted updates on research breakthroughs and legislative moves.
Universities and tech campuses consume WRAL TechWire, GrepBeat, and American Underground newsletters, and student journalists produce podcasts and TikToks that influence campus communities.
Approximately 74% of households maintain paid streaming bundles, layering Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, and ESPN+ with antenna reception for storm resilience and ACC Network access.
Bilingual households stream Vix, Peacock, and YouTube creators covering immigration, entrepreneurship, and southern cuisine, while Research Triangle commuters tune into podcasts during I-40 and I-540 drives.
| Indicator | Latest Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| DMA population | approximately 2.7 million residents (2024) | Nielsen DMA Rankings |
| DMA market rank | Rank 22 among U.S. markets (2024) | Nielsen DMA Rankings |
| Streaming penetration | about 74% of households with paid OTT services | Nielsen The Gauge, 2024 |
| ACC basketball telecast reach | roughly 58% of TV households during March Madness | Nielsen Sports, 2024 |
| Local news share | approximately 39% of daily viewing | Nielsen Local TV, 2024 |
Survey data shows strong trust in WRAL, ABC11, WUNC, and PBS North Carolina for storm tracking, health research, and legislative explainers, while nonprofit outlets bolster accountability reporting in fast-growing counties.
Community organizations and HBCU media labs collaborate with mainstream outlets on civic engagement, ensuring coverage reflects historically marginalized voices throughout the Triangle.
UNC, Duke, NC State, and NC Central athletics dominate seasonal viewing, with fans mixing linear broadcasts, ACC Network, and team podcasts for comprehensive analysis.
Residents embrace food, tech, and arts storytelling through INDY Week, Our State, and social creators who highlight entrepreneurial ecosystems, craft beverages, and regional music scenes.
