Charter Communications announces acquisitions; will serve 23.9 million customers

Charter Communications will merge with Time Warner Cable and Bright House. The combination of Charter, Time Warner Cable and Bright House will create a broadband services and technology company serving 23.9 million customers in 41 states.

The deal values Time Warner Cable at $78.7 billion.

Time Warner Cable Inc is among the largest providers of video, high-speed data and voice services in the United States, connecting 15 million customers to entertainment, information and each other. Time Warner Cable Business Class offers data, video and voice services to businesses of all sizes, cell tower backhaul services to wireless carriers and enterprise-class, cloud-enabled hosting, managed applications and services. Time Warner Cable Media, the advertising sales arm of Time Warner Cable, offers national, regional and local companies innovative advertising solutions.

\"Today's announcement is good news for customers and potential customers, as well as our employees, since we will be in a stronger position to deliver competitive services, invest in advanced technology, and develop innovative products that will compete with global and national brands,\" said Steve Miron, Chief Executive Officer of Bright House Networks.

Charter will, also, acquire Bright House Networks for $10.4 billion.

Bright House Networks is the sixth largest owner and operator of cable systems in the U.S. and the second largest in Florida, with technologically advanced systems located in five states including Florida, Alabama, Indiana, Michigan and California and two of the top 20 DMAs. Bright House Networks serves approximately 2.5 million customers who subscribe to one or more of its video, high-speed data, home security and automation and voice services.

The combination of Charter, Time Warner Cable and Bright House will create a broadband services and technology company serving 23.9 million customers in 41 states.

\"Put simply, the scale of New Charter, along with the combined talents we can bring to bear, position us to deliver a communications future that will unleash the full power of the two-way, interactive cable network,\" said Robert D. Marcus, Chairman and CEO of Time Warner Cable.

New Charter will be led by Tom Rutledge, who will serve as President and CEO. Additionally, Rutledge will be offered a new five-year employment agreement. At the close of the transactions, New Charter's Board of Directors will consist of 13 directors including Mr. Rutledge, who will be offered the position of Chairman. The remaining 12 directors will include seven independent directors nominated by the independent directors serving on Charter's Board of Directors, two directors designated by Advance/Newhouse, and three directors designated by Liberty Broadband. Charter's current Chairman since 2009, Eric Zinterhofer, will continue to serve on New Charter's Board.

The Charter-Time Warner Cable transaction is subject to approval by both Charter and Time Warner Cable shareholders, regulatory review, and other customary conditions. The Charter-Advance/Newhouse transaction is subject to several conditions, including the completion of the Time Warner Cable acquisition (subject to certain exceptions if Time Warner Cable enters into another sale transaction) and a separate vote on the Liberty transactions, and regulatory approval. The three companies expect to close the announced transactions by the end of 2015.

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