Charter Communications officially closed its $34.5 billion acquisition of Cox Communications on Thursday, creating the largest internet and video provider in the United States by subscriber base.
The deal, which Charter announced in May 2025, cleared its final regulatory hurdle when the California Public Utility Commission voted to approve it last week. The combined company now operates in 45 states and serves roughly 37 million customers. According to a report by Variety, the merged entity will change its parent company name to Cox Communications within a year, while continuing to operate its services under the Spectrum brand across all markets.
Charter also completed a separate all-stock acquisition of Liberty Broadband as part of the closing. With that transaction finished, John Malone's Liberty Broadband ceased to be a direct shareholder in Charter and no longer designates directors to the company's board. Malone, who first invested in Charter in 2013, called the combination a stronger and more competitive company. "When Liberty first invested in Charter more than a decade ago, we saw an opportunity to build scale behind a great management team and operating model," Malone said in a statement. "The combination of Charter and Cox creates a stronger, more competitive company to further invest and innovate, while giving Liberty Broadband shareholders a direct interest in its future."
Charter president and CEO Chris Winfrey will continue to lead the combined company and serve on its board. Alex Taylor, previously chairman and CEO of Cox Enterprises, has been appointed chairman of the newly merged company. Eric Zinterhofer, formerly Charter's chairman, has been named lead independent director.
Winfrey struck an optimistic tone in his own statement. "The addition of Cox to the Spectrum footprint is one that can be celebrated by customers, employees and investors alike," he said. "Together, we will bring the best products, at the best price, coupled with the highest level of customer service to more customers across our expanded 45-state Spectrum footprint. And Cox employees will soon have access to all the programs and benefits that have made Charter an employer of choice where its 100% U.S.-based employees can build long-term careers."
The company will remain headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, while maintaining a significant presence at Cox's Atlanta campus. Spectrum plans to launch its full suite of products in former Cox markets in mid-September. Charter is also offering one free year of mobile service to Cox internet customers who do not already subscribe to Cox Mobile.
To secure FCC approval, Charter committed to bring onshore all job functions currently handled offshore by Cox within 18 months. It also committed to extending its $20 per hour minimum starting wage to Cox workers. Charter additionally added new safeguards against what it described as DEI discrimination, reaffirming a commitment to recruiting, hiring, and promoting individuals based on skills, qualifications, and experience.
