FCC Gives Charter-Cox Merger Green Light

We’re closer to a Cox–Charter union, with the FCC Wireline Competition Bureau on Friday giving its blessing to Charter’s $34.5 billion acquisition of Cox Communications.

The transaction is still working on state approvals, notably California, which just wrapped a series of public participation hearings on the deal. “We definitely have a possibility that we’re going to be holding hearings in this case in April,” Jamie Ormond, the California Administrative Law Judge assigned to the California Public Utilities Commission proceeding on the deal, said during Wednesday’s virtual public hearing. “We anticipate this decision to be issued before the statutory deadline in this case, which is the end of January of 2027.”

Charter and Cox certainly hope it doesn’t take that long and have been targeting a mid-year close. Charter has asked the CPUC to modify its “lengthy proceeding” schedule so that a final decision can occur no later than July 16 to provide sufficient time to conclude the proceeding prior to the end of the Hart-Scott-Rodino clearance period, which ends Sept. 15.

The FCC approval rejects a petition to deny the deal from Public Knowledge, the Communications Workers of America, Benton Institute for Broadband & Society and Center for Accessible Technology.

“The record indicates that the transaction will result in two primary public interest benefits. First, there will be improved and additional services made available to Cox’s current customers. Second, New Charter will be able to use its resources to become a stronger competitor in the broadband, mobile wireless, video and enterprise marketplaces, providing customers with additional services and cost-savings,” the Bureau order said. “We also recognize the Applicants’ commitment to promote investment in American workers.”

Charter has pledged to extend its minimum $20/hour wage to Cox workers and onshore all of the job functions currently handled offshore by Cox within 18 months of close, matching its own commitment to a 100% U.S.-based customer sales and service employee workforce.

In a statement, FCC Chair Brendan Carr applauded the merger. “This deal means that jobs are coming back to America that had been shipped overseas. It means that modern, high-speed networks will get built out in more communities across rural America. And it means that customers will get access to lower-priced plans.  On top of this, the deal enshrines protections against DEI discrimination,” he said.

On DEI, the FCC said Charter has committed to new safeguards to protect against DEI discrimination and has reaffirmed the commitment to equal opportunity and nondiscrimination. “Specifically, Charter commits to recruiting, hiring and promoting individuals based on the factors that matter most: skills, qualifications, and experience,” the FCC said.

Charter and Cox declined to offer comment Friday.

Charter and Cox announced the deal in May 2025. Within a year after the closing, the merged company will change its name to Cox Communications. But Spectrum will become the consumer-facing brand. The combined company will remain headquartered in Stamford, CT, and will maintain a significant presence on Cox’s Atlanta campus following the closing. Charter President/CEO Chris Winfrey will continue in his role, with Cox Enterprise Chair/CEO Alex Taylor joining the board as Chairman.