CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS INC MO

Previous wording

We are a leading broadband connectivity company and cable operator serving more than 32 million customers in 41 states through our Spectrum brand. Over an advanced communications network, we offer a full range of state-of-the-art residential and business services including Spectrum Internet, TV, Mobile and Voice. For small and medium-sized companies, Spectrum Business delivers the same suite of broadband products and services coupled with special features and applications to enhance productivity, while for larger businesses and government entities, Spectrum Enterprise provides highly customized, fiber-based solutions. Spectrum Reach delivers tailored advertising and production for the modern media landscape. We also distribute award-winning news coverage and sports programming to our customers through Spectrum Networks. See “Part I. Item 1. Business — Products and Services” for further description of these services, including customer statistics for different services.

Current wording

We are a leading broadband connectivity company and cable operator with services available to an estimated 57 million homes and businesses in 41 states through our Spectrum brand. Over an advanced communications network, we offer a full range of state-of-the-art residential and business services including Spectrum Internet, TV, Mobile and Voice. For small and medium-sized companies, Spectrum Business delivers the same suite of broadband products and services coupled with special features and applications to enhance productivity, while for larger businesses and government entities, Spectrum Enterprise provides highly customized, fiber-based solutions. Spectrum Reach delivers tailored advertising and production for the modern media landscape. We also distribute award-winning news coverage and sports programming to our customers through Spectrum Networks. See “Part I. Item 1. Business — Products and Services” for further description of these services, including customer statistics for different services.

Previous wording

We also continue to develop our video product. In September 2023, we entered into a new affiliation agreement with The Walt Disney Company ("Disney"), which provides a template for a new programming affiliation approach where we partner with content providers to provide access to both linear and app-based DTC content. In October 2023, we began deploying Xumo to new video customers. Xumo combines a live TV experience with access to hundreds of content applications, and features unified search and discovery along with a curated content offering based on the customer's interests and subscriptions. By continually improving our product set and offering consumers the opportunity to save money by switching to our services, we believe we can continue to penetrate our expanding footprint and sell additional products to our existing customers. We are also beginning to see operational benefits from the targeted investments we are making in employee wages and benefits to build employee skill sets and tenure, as well as the continued investments in digitization of our customer service platforms and proactive maintenance, all with the goal of improving the customer experience, reducing transactions and driving customer growth and retention.

Current wording

By continually improving our product set and offering consumers the opportunity to save money by switching to our services, we believe we can continue to penetrate our expanding footprint and sell additional products to our existing customers. We see operational benefits from the targeted investments we made in employee wages and benefits to build employee skill sets and tenure, as well as the continued investments in digitization of our customer service platforms, all with the goal of improving the customer experience, reducing transactions and driving customer growth and retention.

Previous wording

Growth in total revenue was primarily due to growth in our residential Internet customers and residential mobile lines partly offset by lower residential video and advertising sales revenues. Adjusted EBITDA and income from operations growth was driven by growth in revenue and increases in operating costs and expenses, primarily mobile device and other mobile direct costs and costs to service customers, partly offset by a decrease in programming expense. Income from operations was also affected by a gain on the sale of towers and lower depreciation and amortization expense, partly offset by an increase in stock compensation expense.

Current wording

Growth in total revenue was primarily due to mobile line growth and higher average revenue per customer, partly offset by lower customers. Adjusted EBITDA and income from operations growth was driven by growth in revenue and decreases in operating costs and expenses, primarily programming expense, partly offset by an increase in mobile device and other mobile direct costs.

Previous wording

Approximately 90% of our revenues for each of the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are attributable to monthly subscription fees charged to customers for our Internet, video, voice, mobile and commercial services as well as regional sports and news channels. Generally, these customer subscriptions may be discontinued by the customer at any time subject to a fee for certain commercial customers. The remaining 10% of our revenue is derived primarily from advertising revenues, franchise and other regulatory fee revenues (which are collected by us but then paid to local authorities), sales of mobile and video devices, processing fees or reconnection fees charged to customers to commence or reinstate service, installation, VOD and pay-per-view programming, and commissions related to the sale of merchandise by home shopping services.

Current wording

Approximately 90% of our revenues for each of the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 are attributable to monthly subscription fees charged to customers for our Internet, video, mobile, voice and commercial services as well as regional sports and news channels. Generally, these customer subscriptions may be discontinued by the customer at any time subject to a fee for certain commercial customers. The remaining 10% of our revenue is derived primarily from advertising revenues, franchise and other regulatory fee revenues (which are collected by us but then paid to local authorities), sales of mobile and video devices, processing fees or reconnection fees charged to customers to commence or reinstate service, installation, VOD and pay-per-view programming, and commissions related to the sale of merchandise by home shopping services.

Previous wording

We make judgments regarding the installation and construction activities to be capitalized. We capitalized direct labor and overhead of $2.3 billion and $1.8 billion for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. We capitalize direct labor and overhead using standards developed from actual costs and applicable operational data. We calculate standards annually (or more frequently if circumstances dictate) for items such as the labor rates, overhead rates, and the actual amount of time required to perform a capitalizable activity. For example, the standard amounts of time required to perform capitalizable activities are based on studies of the time required to perform such activities. Overhead rates are established based on an analysis of the nature of costs incurred in support of capitalizable activities, and a determination of the portion of costs that is directly attributable to capitalizable activities. The impact of changes that resulted from these studies were not material in the periods presented.

Current wording

We make judgments regarding the installation and construction activities to be capitalized. We capitalized direct labor and overhead of $2.4 billion and $2.3 billion for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. We capitalize direct labor and overhead using standards developed from actual costs and applicable operational data. We calculate standards annually (or more frequently if circumstances dictate) for items such as the labor rates, overhead rates, and the actual amount of time required to perform a capitalizable activity. For example, the standard amounts of time required to perform capitalizable activities are based on studies of the time required to perform such activities. Overhead rates are established based on an analysis of the nature of costs incurred in support of capitalizable activities, and a determination of the portion of costs that is directly attributable to capitalizable activities. The impact of changes that resulted from these studies were not material in the periods presented.

Previous wording

We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of our assets and liabilities and expected benefits of utilizing loss carryforwards, including indefinite lived carryovers such as the Section 163(j) interest limitation. Valuation allowances are established when management determines that it is more likely than not that some portion or the entire deferred tax asset will not be realized. In evaluating the need for a valuation allowance, management takes into account various factors, including the expected level of future taxable income, available tax planning strategies and reversals of existing taxable temporary differences. The impact on deferred taxes of changes in tax rates and tax law, if any, applied to the years during which temporary differences are expected to be settled, are reflected in the consolidated financial statements in the period of enactment. In determining our tax provision for financial reporting purposes, we establish a reserve for uncertain tax positions unless such positions are determined to be “more likely than not” of being sustained upon examination, based on their technical merits. There is considerable judgment involved in making such a determination. We recognize interest and penalties accrued on uncertain income tax positions as part of the income tax provision.

Current wording

We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of our assets and liabilities and expected benefits of utilizing loss carryforwards, including indefinite lived carryovers such as the Section 163(j) interest limitation. Valuation allowances are established when management determines that it is more likely than not that some portion or the entire deferred tax asset will not be realized. In evaluating the need for a valuation allowance, management takes into account various factors, including the expected level of future taxable income, available tax planning strategies and reversals of existing taxable temporary differences. The impact on deferred taxes of changes in tax rates and tax law, if any, applied to the years during which temporary differences are expected to be settled, are reflected in the consolidated financial statements in the period of enactment. In determining our tax provision for financial reporting purposes, we establish a reserve for uncertain tax positions unless such positions are determined to be “more likely than not” of being sustained upon examination, based on their technical merits. There is considerable judgment involved in making such a determination. We recognize interest and penalties accrued on uncertain income tax positions as part of the income tax provision. See Note 16 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements contained in “Part II. Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for additional discussion.

Previous wording

We sponsor qualified and unqualified defined benefit pension plans that provide pension benefits to a majority of employees who were employed by TWC before the merger with TWC. As of December 31, 2023, the accumulated benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets was $2.4 billion and $2.6 billion, respectively, and the net funded asset was recorded as a $149 million noncurrent asset, $3 million current liability and $19 million long-term liability. As of December 31, 2022, the accumulated benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets was $2.2 billion and $2.6 billion, respectively, and the net funded asset was recorded as a $362 million noncurrent asset, $5 million current liability and $17 million long-term liability. In June 2023, we purchased a buy-in group annuity contract from a highly rated insurer and in October 2023, we announced plans to fully terminate the qualified pension plan. The benefit obligation for the qualified pension plan as of December 31, 2023 of $2.4 billion was therefore determined on a plan termination basis for which it is assumed that a portion of eligible active and deferred vested participants will elect lump sum payments.

Current wording

We sponsor qualified and unqualified defined benefit pension plans that provide pension benefits to a majority of employees who were employed by TWC before the merger with TWC. As of December 31, 2024, the accumulated benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets was $2.2 billion and $2.3 billion, respectively, and the net funded asset was recorded as a $125 million noncurrent asset, $3 million current liability and $15 million long-term liability. As of December 31, 2023, the accumulated benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets was $2.4 billion and $2.6 billion, respectively, and the net funded asset was recorded as a $149 million noncurrent asset, $3 million current liability and $19 million long-term liability. In June 2023, we purchased a buy-in group annuity contract from a highly rated insurer and in October 2023, we announced plans to fully terminate the qualified pension plan. The benefit obligation for the qualified pension plan is determined on a plan termination basis for which it is assumed that a portion of eligible active and deferred vested participants will elect lump sum payments.

Previous wording

We recognized net periodic pension cost of $216 million in 2023 and net periodic pension benefit of $254 million in 2022. Net periodic pension benefit or cost is determined using certain assumptions, including the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, discount rate and mortality assumptions. We determined the discount rate used to compute pension cost based on the yield of a large population of high-quality corporate bonds with cash flows sufficient in timing and amount to settle projected future defined benefit payments. In developing the expected long-term rate of return on assets, we considered the current pension portfolio’s composition, past average rate of earnings, and our asset allocation targets. We used a discount rate of 4.65% to determine the December 31, 2023 pension plan benefit obligation. A decrease in the discount rate of 25 basis points would result in an $80 million increase in our pension plan benefit obligation as of December 31, 2023 and net periodic pension cost recognized in 2023 under our mark-to-market accounting policy. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets used to determine net periodic pension benefit for the year ended December 31, 2024 is expected to be 5.00%. A decrease in the expected long-term rate of return of 25 basis points to 4.75%, while holding all other assumptions constant, would result in a decrease in our 2024 net periodic pension benefit of approximately $6 million. See Note 21 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements contained in “Part II. Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for additional discussion on these assumptions.

Current wording

We recognized net periodic pension cost of $23 million and $216 million in 2024 and 2023, respectively. Net periodic pension benefit or cost is determined using certain assumptions, including the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, discount rate and mortality assumptions. We determined the discount rate used to compute pension cost based on the yield of a large population of high-quality corporate bonds with cash flows sufficient in timing and amount to settle projected future defined benefit payments. In developing the expected long-term rate of return on assets, we considered the current pension portfolio’s composition, past average rate of earnings, and our asset allocation targets. We used a discount rate of 5.08% to determine the December 31, 2024 pension plan benefit obligation. A decrease in the discount rate of 25 basis points would result in a $68 million increase in our pension plan benefit obligation as of December 31, 2024 and net periodic pension cost recognized in 2024 under our mark-to-market accounting policy. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets used to determine net periodic pension benefit for the year ended December 31, 2025 is expected to be 5.00%. A decrease in the expected long-term rate of return of 25 basis points to 4.75%, while holding all other assumptions constant, would result in an increase in our 2025 net periodic pension cost of approximately $6 million. See Note 20 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements contained in “Part II. Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for additional discussion on these assumptions.

Previous wording

Revenues. Total revenues grew $585 million or 1.1% during the year ended December 31, 2023 as compared to 2022 primarily due to growth in residential Internet revenue, mobile device sales and residential mobile service revenues partly offset by lower residential video and advertising sales revenues as well as $68 million of total customer credits related to the temporary loss of Disney programming during 2023.

Current wording

Revenues. Total revenues grew $478 million or 0.9% during the year ended December 31, 2024 as compared to 2023 primarily due to growth in mobile lines, average revenue per customer and advertising sales, partly offset by lower customers.

Previous wording

The increase related to rate and product mix was primarily due to promotional rate step-ups and rate adjustments, partly offset by lower bundled revenue allocation. Residential Internet customers grew by 132,000 in 2023 compared to 2022.

Current wording

The increase related to rate and product mix was primarily due to promotional rate step-ups and rate adjustments, partly offset by retention offers extended to customers that previously received an ACP subsidy. Residential Internet customers decreased by 510,000 in 2024 compared to 2023.

Previous wording

Residential video customers decreased by 994,000 in 2023 compared to 2022. The decrease related to rate and product mix was primarily due to a higher mix of lower cost video packages within our video customer base and $63 million of customer credits related to the temporary loss of Disney programming in 2023, offset by the pass-through of programming cost increases and promotional rate step-ups.

Current wording

Residential video customers decreased by 1,176,000 in 2024 compared to 2023. The increase related to rate and product mix was primarily due to promotional rate step-ups, video rate adjustments that pass-through programming rate increases and $63 million of customer credits related to the temporary loss of Disney programming in 2023, partly offset by a higher mix of lower priced video packages within our video customer base and costs required by accounting principles to be allocated to seamless entertainment applications and netted within video revenue.

Previous wording

Residential wireline voice customers decreased by 985,000 in 2023 compared to 2022.

Current wording

Residential wireline voice customers decreased by 1,076,000 in 2024 compared to 2023.

Previous wording

Enterprise revenues increased $93 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 as compared to the corresponding period in 2022 primarily due to an increase in Internet PSUs partly offset by lower wholesale PSUs. Enterprise PSUs increased by 19,000 in 2023 compared to 2022.

Current wording

Enterprise revenues increased $113 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 as compared to the corresponding period in 2023 primarily due to an increase in Internet PSUs. Enterprise PSUs increased by 16,000 in 2024 compared to 2023.

Previous wording

Advertising sales revenues consist primarily of revenues from commercial advertising customers, programmers and other vendors, as well as local cable and advertising on regional sports and news channels. Advertising sales revenues decreased $331 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 as compared to the corresponding period in 2022 primarily due to a decrease in political revenue.

Current wording

Advertising sales revenues consist primarily of revenues from commercial advertising customers, programmers and other vendors, as well as local cable and advertising on regional sports and news channels. Advertising sales revenues increased $229 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 as compared to the corresponding period in 2023 primarily due to an increase in political ad revenue and advanced advertising partly offset by lower local and national ad revenue.

Previous wording

Other revenues consist of revenue from mobile and video device sales, processing fees, regional sports and news channels (excluding intercompany charges or advertising sales on those channels), subsidy revenue, home shopping, wire maintenance fees and other miscellaneous revenues. Other revenues increased approximately $623 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 as compared to the corresponding period in 2022 primarily due to higher mobile device sales partially offset by lower processing fees.

Current wording

Other revenues consist of revenue from mobile and video device sales, processing fees, regional sports and news channels (excluding intercompany charges or advertising sales on those channels), subsidy revenue, home shopping, wire maintenance fees and other miscellaneous revenues. Other revenues increased approximately $248 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 as compared to the corresponding period in 2023 primarily due to higher mobile device sales.

Previous wording

Operating costs and expenses. The increase in our operating costs and expenses, exclusive of items shown separately in the consolidated statements of operations, was attributable to the following (dollars in millions):

Current wording

Operating costs and expenses. The decrease in our operating costs and expenses, exclusive of items shown separately in the consolidated statements of operations, was attributable to the following (dollars in millions):

Previous wording

Programming costs were approximately $10.6 billion and $11.6 billion for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, representing 32% and 35% of total operating costs and expenses, respectively. Programming costs consist primarily of costs paid to programmers for basic, premium, video on demand, and pay-per-view programming. Programming costs decreased as a result of a higher mix of lower cost video packages within our video customer base, fewer customers and a $61 million benefit related to the temporary loss of Disney programming during 2023, partly offset by contractual rate adjustments, including renewals and increases in amounts paid for retransmission consent.

Current wording

Programming costs were approximately $9.7 billion and $10.6 billion for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, representing 29% and 32% of total operating costs and expenses, respectively. Programming costs consist primarily of costs paid to programmers for basic, premium, video on demand, and pay-per-view programming. Programming costs decreased as a result of fewer video customers and a higher mix of lower cost video packages within our video customer base as well as costs required by accounting principles to be allocated to seamless entertainment applications and netted within video revenue, partly offset by contractual rate adjustments, including renewals and increases in amounts paid for retransmission consent as well as a $61 million benefit related to the temporary loss of Disney programming during 2023.

Previous wording

Other costs of revenue increased $783 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the corresponding period in 2022 primarily due to higher mobile device sales and higher other mobile direct costs due to an increase in mobile lines, partially offset by lower regulatory pass-through fees and original content costs.

Current wording

Other costs of revenue increased $764 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the corresponding period in 2023 primarily due to higher mobile service direct costs and mobile device sales due to an increase in mobile lines.

Previous wording

Stock compensation expense increased during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the corresponding prior period primarily due to an increase in equity awards granted. Corporate, costs to sell and service bulk properties and enterprise costs increased primarily due to higher labor costs while property tax and insurance expense decreased during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the corresponding prior period primarily as a result of adjustments related to favorable development on prior year workers' compensation claims.

Current wording

Property tax and insurance expense increased during the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the corresponding prior period primarily as a result of an adjustment in 2023 related to favorable development on prior year workers' compensation claims.

Previous wording

Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense decreased by $207 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the corresponding period in 2022 primarily due to certain assets acquired in acquisitions becoming fully depreciated offset by an increase in depreciation as a result of more recent capital expenditures.

Current wording

Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense decreased by $23 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the corresponding period in 2023 primarily due to certain assets acquired in acquisitions becoming fully depreciated offset by an increase in depreciation as a result of more recent capital expenditures.

Previous wording

Interest expense, net. Net interest expense increased by $632 million in 2023 from 2022 primarily due to an increase in weighted average interest rates as well as an increase in weighted average debt outstanding of approximately $2.2 billion.

Current wording

Interest expense, net. Net interest expense increased by $41 million in 2024 from 2023 primarily due to an increase in weighted average interest rates, partly offset by a decrease in weighted average debt.

Previous wording

Other income (expense), net. The change in other income (expense), net is attributable to the following (dollars in millions):

Current wording

Other expense, net. The change in other expense, net is attributable to the following (dollars in millions):

Previous wording

Net income attributable to Charter shareholders. Net income attributable to Charter shareholders was $4.6 billion and $5.1 billion for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, primarily as a result of the factors described above.

Current wording

Net income attributable to Charter shareholders. Net income attributable to Charter shareholders was $5.1 billion and $4.6 billion for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, primarily as a result of the factors described above.

Previous wording

Management and Charter’s Board of Directors use Adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow to assess our performance and our ability to service our debt, fund operations and make additional investments with internally generated funds. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA generally correlates to the leverage ratio calculation under our credit facilities or outstanding notes to determine compliance with the covenants contained in the facilities and notes (all such documents have been previously filed with the SEC). For the purpose of calculating compliance with leverage covenants, we use Adjusted EBITDA, as presented, excluding certain expenses paid by our operating subsidiaries to other Charter entities. Our debt covenants refer to these expenses as management fees, which fees were in the amount of $1.4 billion for each of the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.

Current wording

Management and Charter’s Board of Directors use Adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow to assess our performance and our ability to service our debt, fund operations and make additional investments with internally generated funds. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA generally correlates to the leverage ratio calculation under our credit facilities or outstanding notes to determine compliance with the covenants contained in the facilities and notes (all such documents have been previously filed with the SEC). For the purpose of calculating compliance with leverage covenants, we use Adjusted EBITDA, as presented, excluding certain expenses paid by our operating subsidiaries to other Charter entities. Our debt covenants refer to these expenses as management fees, which fees were in the amount of $1.5 billion and $1.4 billion for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Previous wording

We have significant amounts of debt and require significant cash to fund principal and interest payments on our debt. The principal amount of our debt as of December 31, 2023 was $97.6 billion, consisting of $12.4 billion of credit facility debt, $57.9 billion of investment grade senior secured notes and $27.3 billion of high-yield senior unsecured notes. Our split credit rating allows us to access both the investment grade debt market and the high yield debt market.

Current wording

We have significant amounts of debt and require significant cash to fund principal and interest payments on our debt. The principal amount of our debt as of December 31, 2024 was $93.8 billion, consisting of $10.3 billion of credit facility debt, $56.2 billion of investment grade senior secured notes and $27.3 billion of high-yield senior unsecured notes. Our split credit rating allows us to access both the investment grade debt and the high yield debt markets. In June 2024, our bankruptcy remote special purpose vehicle entered into a senior secured revolving credit facility to finance the purchase of equipment installment plan receivables with a number of financial institutions (the “EIP Financing Facility”). As of December 31, 2024, the carrying value of the EIP Financing Facility was $1.1 billion. For more information on the EIP Financing Facility, see Note 9 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements contained in “Part II. Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

Previous wording

Our projected cash needs and projected sources of liquidity depend upon, among other things, our actual results, and the timing and amount of our expenditures. As we continue to grow our market penetration of our mobile product, we will continue to experience negative working capital impacts from the timing of device-related cash flows when we sell devices to customers pursuant to equipment installment plans. Further, in 2022, Charter became a meaningful federal cash tax payer as the majority of our net operating losses had been utilized. Free cash flow was $3.5 billion and $6.1 billion for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. See table below for factors impacting free cash flow during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to 2022. As of December 31, 2023, the amount available under our credit facilities was approximately $5.2 billion and cash on hand was approximately $709 million. We expect to utilize free cash flow, cash on hand and availability under our credit facilities as well as future refinancing transactions to further extend the maturities of our obligations. The timing and terms of any refinancing transactions will be subject to market conditions among other considerations. Additionally, we may, from time to time, and depending on market conditions and other factors, use cash on hand and the proceeds from securities offerings or other borrowings to retire our debt through open market purchases, privately negotiated purchases, tender offers or redemption provisions. We believe we have sufficient liquidity from cash on hand, free cash flow and Charter Operating’s revolving credit facility as well as access to the capital markets to fund our projected cash needs.

Current wording

Our projected cash needs and projected sources of liquidity depend upon, among other things, our actual results, and the timing and amount of our expenditures. Free cash flow was $4.3 billion and $3.5 billion for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. See table below for factors impacting free cash flow during the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to 2023. As of December 31, 2024, the amount available under our credit facilities was approximately $6.3 billion and cash on hand was approximately $459 million. We expect to utilize free cash flow, cash on hand and availability under our credit facilities as well as future refinancing transactions to further extend the maturities of our obligations. The timing and terms of any refinancing transactions will be subject to market conditions among other considerations. Additionally, we may, from time to time, and depending on market conditions and other factors, use cash on hand and the proceeds from securities offerings or other borrowings to retire our debt through open market purchases, privately negotiated purchases, tender offers or redemption provisions. We believe we have sufficient liquidity from cash on hand, free cash flow and Charter Operating’s revolving credit facility as well as access to the capital markets to fund our projected cash needs.

Previous wording

We continue to evaluate the deployment of our cash on hand and anticipated future free cash flow, including investing in our business growth and other strategic opportunities, including expanding the capacity of our network, the expansion of our network through our rural broadband construction initiative, the build-out and deployment of our CBRS spectrum, and mergers and acquisitions as well as stock repurchases and dividends. Charter's target leverage of net debt to the last twelve months Adjusted EBITDA remains at 4 to 4.5 times Adjusted EBITDA, and up to 3.5 times Adjusted EBITDA at the Charter Operating first lien level. Charter's leverage ratio was 4.42 times Adjusted EBITDA as of December 31, 2023. As Adjusted EBITDA grows, we expect to increase the total amount of our indebtedness to maintain leverage within Charter's target leverage range. Excluding purchases from Liberty Broadband discussed below, during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, Charter purchased in the public market approximately 6.9 million and 14.5 million shares, respectively, of Charter Class A common stock for approximately $2.7 billion and $7.1 billion, respectively. Since the beginning of its buyback program in September 2016 through the year ended December 31, 2023, Charter has purchased in the public market approximately 158.3 million shares of Class A common stock and Charter Holdings common units for approximately $72.0 billion, including purchases from Liberty Broadband and A/N discussed below.

Current wording

We continue to evaluate the deployment of our cash on hand and anticipated future free cash flow, including investing in our business growth and other strategic opportunities, including expanding the capacity of our network, the expansion of our network through our rural broadband construction initiative, the build-out and deployment of our CBRS spectrum, and mergers and acquisitions as well as stock repurchases and dividends. Charter's target leverage of net debt to the last twelve months Adjusted EBITDA remains at 4 to 4.5 times Adjusted EBITDA, and up to 3.5 times Adjusted EBITDA at the Charter Operating first lien level. Charter's leverage ratio was 4.13 times Adjusted EBITDA as of December 31, 2024. As Adjusted EBITDA grows, we expect to increase the total amount of our indebtedness to maintain leverage within Charter's target leverage range. Excluding purchases from Liberty Broadband discussed below, during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, Charter purchased in the public market approximately 2.7 million and 6.9 million shares, respectively, of Charter Class A common stock for approximately $822 million and $2.7 billion, respectively. Since the beginning of its buyback program in September 2016 through the year ended December 31, 2024, Charter has purchased in the public market approximately 162.6 million shares of Class A common stock and Charter Holdings common units for approximately $73.4 billion, including purchases from Liberty Broadband and A/N discussed below.

Previous wording

In February 2021, Charter and Liberty Broadband entered into a letter agreement (the “LBB Letter Agreement”). The LBB Letter Agreement implements Liberty Broadband’s obligations under the Stockholders Agreement to participate in share repurchases by Charter. Under the LBB Letter Agreement, Liberty Broadband will sell to Charter, generally on a monthly basis, a number of shares of Charter Class A common stock representing an amount sufficient for Liberty Broadband’s ownership of Charter to be reduced such that it does not exceed the ownership cap then applicable to Liberty Broadband under the Stockholders Agreement at a purchase price per share equal to the volume weighted average price per share paid by Charter for shares repurchased during such immediately preceding calendar month other than (i) purchases from A/N, (ii) purchases in privately negotiated transactions or (iii) purchases for the withholding of shares of Charter Class A common stock pursuant to equity compensation programs of Charter. Charter purchased from Liberty Broadband 1.0 million and 6.2 million shares of Charter Class A common stock for approximately $394 million and $3.0 billion during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Current wording

In February 2021, Charter and Liberty Broadband entered into a letter agreement (the “Existing LBB Letter Agreement”), as amended by the Stockholders and Letter Agreement Amendment. The Existing LBB Letter Agreement implemented Liberty Broadband’s obligations under the Existing Stockholders Agreement to participate in share repurchases by Charter. Under the Existing LBB Letter Agreement, Liberty Broadband sold to Charter, generally on a monthly basis, a number of shares of Charter Class A common stock representing an amount sufficient for Liberty Broadband’s ownership of Charter to be reduced such that it did not exceed the ownership cap then applicable to Liberty Broadband under the Existing Stockholders Agreement at a purchase price per share equal to the volume weighted average price per share paid by Charter for shares repurchased during such immediately preceding calendar month other than (i) purchases from A/N, (ii) purchases in privately negotiated transactions or (iii) purchases for the withholding of shares of Charter Class A common stock pursuant to equity compensation programs of Charter. The Stockholders and Letter Agreement Amendment sets forth, among other things, the terms of Liberty Broadband’s participation in Charter’s share repurchases during the period between the execution of the merger agreement and the effective time of the merger agreement. Pursuant to the Stockholders and Letter Agreement Amendment, each month during the pendency of the proposed transaction, Charter will repurchase shares of Charter Class A common stock from Liberty Broadband in an amount equal to the greater of (i) $100 million and (ii) the Liberty Broadband minimum liquidity threshold as set forth in the Stockholders and Letter Agreement Amendment, provided that if any repurchase would reduce Liberty Broadband’s equity interest in Charter below 25.25% after giving effect to such repurchase or if all or a portion of such repurchase is not permitted under applicable law, then Charter shall instead loan to Liberty Broadband an amount equal to the lesser of (x) the repurchase amount that cannot be repurchased and (y) the Liberty Broadband minimum liquidity threshold as set forth in the Stockholders and Letter Agreement Amendment less the repurchase amount that is repurchased, with such loan on the terms set forth in the Stockholders and Letter Agreement Amendment. From and after the date Liberty Broadband’s exchangeable debentures are no longer outstanding, the amount of monthly repurchases will be the lesser of (i) $100 million and (ii) an amount equal to the sum of (x) the amount needed, in the reasonable judgment of Charter, to maintain an unrestricted cash balance of Liberty Broadband and its subsidiaries (other than GCI, GCI Spinco and their respective subsidiaries) of $50 million plus (y) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Liberty Broadband margin loan. The purchase price payable by Charter to Liberty Broadband in connection with such m…

Excerpt shortened here; the source contains the full paragraph.

Previous wording

In December 2016, Charter and A/N entered into a letter agreement, as amended in December 2017 (the "A/N Letter Agreement"), that requires A/N to sell to Charter or to Charter Holdings, on a monthly basis, a number of shares of Charter Class A common stock or Charter Holdings common units that represents a pro rata participation by A/N and its affiliates in any repurchases of shares of Charter Class A common stock from persons other than A/N effected by Charter during the immediately preceding calendar month, at a purchase price equal to the average price paid by Charter for the shares repurchased from persons other than A/N during such immediately preceding calendar month. A/N and Charter both have the right to terminate or suspend the pro rata repurchase arrangement on a prospective basis. During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, Charter Holdings purchased from A/N 1.1 million and 3.2 million Charter Holdings common units, respectively, for approximately $427 million and $1.6 billion, respectively.

Current wording

In December 2016, Charter and A/N entered into a letter agreement, as amended in December 2017 (the “A/N Letter Agreement”), that requires A/N to sell to Charter or to Charter Holdings, on a monthly basis, a number of shares of Charter Class A common stock or Charter Holdings common units that represents a pro rata participation by A/N and its affiliates in any repurchases of shares of Charter Class A common stock from persons other than A/N effected by Charter during the immediately preceding calendar month, at a purchase price equal to the average price paid by Charter for the shares repurchased from persons other than A/N during such immediately preceding calendar month. A/N and Charter both have the right to terminate or suspend the pro rata repurchase arrangement on a prospective basis. During the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, Charter Holdings purchased from A/N 0.6 million and 1.1 million Charter Holdings common units, respectively, for approximately $189 million and $427 million, respectively.

Previous wording

As of December 31, 2023, Charter had remaining board authority to purchase an additional $170 million of Charter’s Class A common stock and/or Charter Holdings common units, excluding purchases from Liberty Broadband. Although Charter expects to continue to buy back its common stock consistent with its leverage target range, Charter is not obligated to acquire any particular amount of common stock, and the timing of any purchases that may occur cannot be predicted and will largely depend on market conditions and other potential uses of capital. Purchases may include open market purchases, tender offers or negotiated transactions.

Current wording

As of December 31, 2024, Charter had remaining board authority to purchase an additional $961 million of Charter’s Class A common stock and/or Charter Holdings common units, excluding purchases from Liberty Broadband. Although Charter expects to continue to buy back its common stock consistent with its leverage target range, Charter is not obligated to acquire any particular amount of common stock, and the timing of any purchases that may occur cannot be predicted and will largely depend on market conditions and other potential uses of capital. Purchases may include open market purchases, tender offers or negotiated transactions.

Previous wording

Free cash flow decreased $2.6 billion during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the corresponding prior period due to the following (dollars in millions):

Current wording

Free cash flow increased $767 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the corresponding prior period due to the following (dollars in millions):

Previous wording

Cash and Cash Equivalents. We held $709 million and $645 million in cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Current wording

Cash and Cash Equivalents. We held $459 million and $709 million in cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. In addition, we held $47 million in restricted cash included in prepaid and other current assets in our consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2024.

Previous wording

Operating Activities. Net cash provided by operating activities decreased $492 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily due to a negative change in working capital and an increase in cash paid for interest and taxes, partly offset by an increase in Adjusted EBITDA and the payment of litigation settlements in 2022.

Current wording

Operating Activities. Net cash provided by operating activities decreased $3 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023, primarily due to an increase in cash paid for interest and taxes and the payment of litigation settlements in 2024, partly offset by an increase in Adjusted EBITDA.

Previous wording

Investing Activities. Net cash used in investing activities for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 was $11.1 billion and $9.1 billion, respectively. The increase in cash used was primarily due to an increase in capital expenditures and changes in accrued expenses related to capital expenditures.

Current wording

Investing Activities. Net cash used in investing activities was $10.7 billion and $11.1 billion for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The decrease in cash used was primarily due to changes in accrued expenses related to capital expenditures as a result of extended vendor payment terms in connection with our implementation of a supply chain financing program.

Previous wording

Financing Activities. Net cash used in financing activities decreased $2.5 billion during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022 primarily due to a decrease in the purchase of treasury stock and noncontrolling interest partly offset by a decrease in the amount by which borrowings of long-term debt exceeded repayments.

Current wording

Financing Activities. Net cash used in financing activities increased $737 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023 primarily due to an increase in the amount by which repayments of long-term debt exceeded borrowings, partly offset by a decrease in the purchase of treasury stock and noncontrolling interest and borrowings under the EIP Financing Facility.

Previous wording

We have significant ongoing capital expenditure requirements. Capital expenditures were $11.1 billion and $9.4 billion for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The increase was primarily due to an increase in line extensions in connection with our subsidized rural construction initiative and continued residential and commercial network expansion. The increase in capital expenditures excluding line extensions was primarily driven by higher spend on network evolution, support capital and customer premise equipment, particularly Xumo. See the table below for more details.

Current wording

We have significant ongoing capital expenditure requirements. Capital expenditures were $11.3 billion and $11.1 billion for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase was primarily driven by an increase in line extensions in connection with our subsidized rural construction initiative, partly offset by a decrease in customer premise equipment. See the table below for more details.

Previous wording

We currently expect full year 2024 capital expenditures to total between $12.2 billion and $12.4 billion, including line extensions of approximately $4.5 billion and network evolution spend of approximately $1.6 billion. The actual amount of capital expenditures in 2024 will depend on a number of factors including, but not limited to, the pace of our network evolution and expansion initiatives, supply chain timing and growth rates in our residential and commercial businesses.

Current wording

We currently expect full year 2025 capital expenditures to total approximately $12 billion, including line extensions of approximately $4.2 billion and network evolution spend of approximately $1.5 billion. The actual amount of capital expenditures in 2025 will depend on a number of factors including, but not limited to, the pace of our network evolution and expansion initiatives, supply chain timing and growth rates in our residential and commercial businesses.

Previous wording

Our capital expenditures are funded primarily from cash flows from operating activities and borrowings on our credit facility. In addition, our accrued liabilities related to capital expenditures increased $172 million and $553 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Current wording

Our capital expenditures are funded primarily from cash flows from operating activities and borrowings on our credit facility. In addition, our accrued liabilities related to capital expenditures increased $1.1 billion and $172 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Previous wording

(c)Upgrade/rebuild includes costs to modify or replace existing fiber/coaxial cable networks, including our network evolution initiative which started in 2022.

Current wording

(c)Upgrade/rebuild includes costs to modify or replace existing fiber/coaxial cable networks, including our network evolution initiative.

Previous wording

(f)The subsidized rural construction initiative subcategory includes projects for which we are receiving subsidies from federal, state and local governments (for which separate reporting was initiated in 2022), excluding customer premise equipment and installation.

Current wording

(f)The subsidized rural construction initiative subcategory includes projects for which we are receiving subsidies from federal, state and local governments, excluding customer premise equipment and installation.