CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. /MO/
For the period ended Sep 30, 2025. Filed Oct 31, 2025.
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A company's report for each of its first three quarters. The financial statements are not audited. It shows how the business has moved since the last annual report, and what management says changed.
Sep 30, 2025 · Filed Oct 31, 2025
What changed in Risk Factors?
Read the current filingPrevious report: 10-Q
Period ended 2025-06-30; filed 2025-07-25.
0001091667-25-000127
Item 1A. Risk FactorsCurrent report: 10-Q
Period ended 2025-09-30; filed 2025-10-31.
0001091667-25-000168
Item 1A. Risk FactorsThe baseline is this issuer’s latest earlier reporting period of the same form that was filed before the current report. A previous 10-Q is a different quarter, not a year-over-year comparison. Amendments are excluded.
Compared 63 previous paragraphs and 63 current paragraphs.
57 unchanged; 6 reworded; 0 added; 0 removed; 0 previous and 0 current paragraphs rearranged.
Tables are not compared: 0 previous and 0 current tables excluded. Dates, whitespace, punctuation and numbering changes are ignored; changes to financial figures remain significant.
A changed paragraph is not evidence that risk increased or decreased. An unchanged paragraph does not establish that risk stayed the same.
Reworded paragraphs (6)
Previous wording
The completion of the Cox Transactions is subject to a number of conditions, including, among other things, (i) the approval of the certificate amendment proposal by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the aggregate voting power of the outstanding shares of Charter Class A common stock and Class B common stock, voting together as a single class; (ii) the approval of the share issuance proposal by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes cast by the holders of Charter Class A common stock and Class B common stock, voting together as a single class; (iii) any applicable waiting period (and any extension thereof) under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act, and any commitments by the parties not to close before a certain date under any timing agreement entered into with a government entity, in each case, with respect to the Cox Transactions shall have expired or been terminated (solely with respect to the obligations of the Charter parties to close, without the imposition of a burdensome condition); (iv) the receipt of certain other required regulatory approvals, including approval of the FCC and certain local franchise authority, state franchising and state public utility commission approvals (solely with respect to the obligations of the Charter parties to close, without the imposition of a burdensome condition); (v) the absence of any law, rule, executive order, decree, judgment, injunction or other order (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) which makes unlawful, prohibits, delays, enjoins or otherwise prevents or restrains the completion of the Cox Transactions; (vi) each party’s representations and warranties being true and correct (subject to certain materiality and material adverse effect qualifications); (vii) the absence of a material adverse effect on each party; and (viii) each party having performed in all material respects its obligations under the Transaction Agreement.
Current wording
The completion of the Cox Transactions is subject to a number of conditions, including, among other things, (i) the approval of the certificate amendment proposal by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the aggregate voting power of the outstanding shares of Charter Class A common stock and Class B common stock, voting together as a single class; (ii) the approval of the share issuance proposal by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes cast by the holders of Charter Class A common stock and Class B common stock, voting together as a single class; (iii) any applicable waiting period (and any extension thereof) under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act, and any commitments by the parties not to close before a certain date under any timing agreement entered into with a government entity, in each case, with respect to the Cox Transactions shall have expired or been terminated (solely with respect to the obligations of the Charter parties to close, without the imposition of a burdensome condition); (iv) the receipt of certain other required regulatory approvals, including approval of the Federal Communications Commission and certain local franchise authority, state franchising and state public utility commission approvals (solely with respect to the obligations of the Charter parties to close, without the imposition of a burdensome condition); (v) the absence of any law, rule, executive order, decree, judgment, injunction or other order (whether temporary, preliminary or permanent) which makes unlawful, prohibits, delays, enjoins or otherwise prevents or restrains the completion of the Cox Transactions; (vi) each party’s representations and warranties being true and correct (subject to certain materiality and material adverse effect qualifications); (vii) the absence of a material adverse effect on each party; and (viii) each party having performed in all material respects its obligations under the Transaction Agreement.
Previous wording
We are obligated to fund $4.0 billion of cash consideration under the Transaction Agreement which we expect to fund by incurring indebtedness, and expect to assume approximately $12.6 billion of Cox Communications’ outstanding net debt and finance leases in connection with the Cox Transactions, including Cox Communications’ outstanding unsecured notes as of Closing (the “Cox Notes”). The indentures and supplemental indentures governing the Cox Notes contain certain negative covenants, including restrictions on the incurrence of secured indebtedness and indebtedness of restricted subsidiaries. If our indebtedness increases more than expected, our operating results are lower than expected, or significant financial markets disruptions occur, our cash on hand and available liquidity under our existing credit facilities may be insufficient to fund the cash portion of the consideration. Further, completion of the Cox Transactions may constitute a “change of control repurchase event” under the supplemental indentures governing certain of the Cox Notes if, in connection with the Cox Transactions, each of S&P Global Ratings, Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and Fitch Ratings, Inc. downgrade the credit rating of certain series of Cox Notes to a rating below “investment grade” (regardless of whether the rating prior to such downgrade was “investment grade” or below “investment grade”) prior to 60 days following consummation of a change of control (which period may be extended in certain circumstances). In such a circumstance, Charter (or one of its subsidiaries that, at the time, is the primary obligor of such series of notes) would be required to offer to repurchase each applicable holder’s Cox Notes of such series at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of such series of Cox Notes repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest. In the event of such ratings downgrades, we may require additional debt financing to fund such repurchases, which may not be available on terms acceptable to us, or at all. A failure to make the applicable change of control offer or to pay the applicable change of control purchase price when due would result in a default in respect of the applicable series of Cox Notes and could result in a default under the terms of other indebtedness of Charter and its subsidiaries.
Current wording
We are obligated to fund $4.0 billion of cash consideration under the Transaction Agreement which we expect to fund by incurring indebtedness, and expect to assume approximately $12.4 billion of Cox Communications’ outstanding net debt and finance leases in connection with the Cox Transactions, including Cox Communications’ outstanding unsecured notes as of Closing (the “Cox Notes”). The indentures and supplemental indentures governing the Cox Notes contain certain negative covenants, including restrictions on the incurrence of secured indebtedness and indebtedness of restricted subsidiaries. If our indebtedness increases more than expected, our operating results are lower than expected, or significant financial markets disruptions occur, our cash on hand and available liquidity under our existing credit facilities may be insufficient to fund the cash portion of the consideration. Further, completion of the Cox Transactions may constitute a “change of control repurchase event” under the supplemental indentures governing certain of the Cox Notes if, in connection with the Cox Transactions, each of S&P Global Ratings, Moody’s Investors Service, Inc. and Fitch Ratings, Inc. downgrade the credit rating of certain series of Cox Notes to a rating below “investment grade” (regardless of whether the rating prior to such downgrade was “investment grade” or below “investment grade”) prior to 60 days following consummation of a change of control (which period may be extended in certain circumstances). In such a circumstance, Charter (or one of its subsidiaries that, at the time, is the primary obligor of such series of notes) would be required to offer to repurchase each applicable holder’s Cox Notes of such series at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of such series of Cox Notes repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest. In the event of such ratings downgrades, we may require additional debt financing to fund such repurchases, which may not be available on terms acceptable to us, or at all. A failure to make the applicable change of control offer or to pay the applicable change of control purchase price when due would result in a default in respect of the applicable series of Cox Notes and could result in a default under the terms of other indebtedness of Charter and its subsidiaries.
Previous wording
The Transaction Agreement contemplates that, at the Closing, Charter, A/N and Cox Enterprises will enter into the amended stockholders agreement, which will amend and restate in its entirety the existing stockholders agreement. If the Liberty Broadband merger is completed, the existing stockholders agreement, which sets forth, among other things, certain of Liberty Broadband’s governance rights with respect to Charter, will terminate with respect to Liberty Broadband. The Liberty Broadband side letter further provides that Liberty Broadband will cause the three Liberty Broadband designees serving on Charter’s board of directors (the “Charter Board”) to resign effective immediately prior to the effective time of the closing of the Liberty Broadband combination.
Current wording
The Transaction Agreement contemplates that, at the Closing, Charter, A/N and Cox Enterprises will enter into the amended stockholders agreement, which will amend and restate in its entirety the existing stockholders agreement. If the Liberty Broadband Combination is completed, the existing stockholders agreement, which sets forth, among other things, certain of Liberty Broadband’s governance rights with respect to Charter, will terminate with respect to Liberty Broadband. The Liberty Broadband side letter further provides that Liberty Broadband will cause the three Liberty Broadband designees serving on Charter’s board of directors (the “Charter Board”) to resign effective immediately prior to the effective time of the closing of the Liberty Broadband Combination.
Previous wording
Based on Charter’s share count as of June 30, 2025, Charter expects that Cox Enterprises will own approximately 23.7% of the combined entity’s diluted shares outstanding, on an as-exchanged, as-converted basis and assuming the contemporaneous closing of the previously announced Liberty Broadband merger. Pursuant to the amended stockholders agreement and the amended certificate of incorporation, the size of the Charter Board will continue to be fixed at 13 directors, and at the Closing, the directors then serving as A/N’s designees will continue to serve on the Charter Board and three designees selected by Cox Enterprises (with the prior approval of Charter (not to be unreasonably withheld)) will become members of the Charter Board. Thereafter, each of Cox Enterprises and A/N will be entitled to designate up to three nominees to be elected to the Charter Board provided that each maintains certain specified voting or equity ownership thresholds. Cox Enterprises and A/N will be required to vote (subject to the applicable voting cap) their respective shares of Charter common stock for the director nominees nominated by the nominating committee of the Charter Board, including the respective designees of Cox Enterprises and A/N, and against any other nominees, except that, with respect to the directors that were not designated by either Cox Enterprises or A/N (the “Unaffiliated Directors”), Cox Enterprises and A/N must instead vote in the same proportion as the voting securities are voted by stockholders other than Cox Enterprises and A/N or any group (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) which includes any of them are voted, if doing so would cause a different outcome with respect to the Unaffiliated Directors. Cox Enterprises and A/N also will have certain committee designation and other governance rights. Additionally, the amended stockholders agreement will provide that each of Cox Enterprises and A/N will be subject to certain limits on acquisitions of Charter shares (30% in the case of Cox Enterprises; 19% in the case of A/N). In addition, any shares owned by Cox Enterprises or A/N in excess of its applicable voting cap (30% in the case of Cox Enterprises; 15% in the case of A/N) must be voted in proportion to the public stockholders of Charter, other than with respect to certain excluded matters.
Current wording
Based on Charter’s share count as of September 30, 2025, Charter expects that Cox Enterprises will own approximately 24.8% of the combined entity’s diluted shares outstanding, on an as-exchanged, as-converted basis and assuming the contemporaneous closing of the previously announced Liberty Broadband Combination. Pursuant to the amended stockholders agreement and the amended certificate of incorporation, the size of the Charter Board will continue to be fixed at 13 directors, and at the Closing, the directors then serving as A/N’s designees will continue to serve on the Charter Board and three designees selected by Cox Enterprises (with the prior approval of Charter (not to be unreasonably withheld)) will become members of the Charter Board. Thereafter, each of Cox Enterprises and A/N will be entitled to designate up to three nominees to be elected to the Charter Board provided that each maintains certain specified voting or equity ownership thresholds. Cox Enterprises and A/N will be required to vote (subject to the applicable voting cap) their respective shares of Charter common stock for the director nominees nominated by the nominating committee of the Charter Board, including the respective designees of Cox Enterprises and A/N, and against any other nominees, except that, with respect to the directors that were not designated by either Cox Enterprises or A/N (the “Unaffiliated Directors”), Cox Enterprises and A/N must instead vote in the same proportion as the voting securities are voted by stockholders other than Cox Enterprises and A/N or any group (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) which includes any of them are voted, if doing so would cause a different outcome with respect to the Unaffiliated Directors. Cox Enterprises and A/N also will have certain committee designation and other governance rights. Additionally, the amended stockholders agreement will provide that each of Cox Enterprises and A/N will be subject to certain limits on acquisitions of Charter shares (30% in the case of Cox Enterprises; 19% in the case of A/N). In addition, any shares owned by Cox Enterprises or A/N in excess of its applicable voting cap (30% in the case of Cox Enterprises; 15% in the case of A/N) must be voted in proportion to the public stockholders of Charter, other than with respect to certain excluded matters.
Previous wording
We have significant debt, with total principal amount of approximately $94.3 billion and a leverage ratio of 4.1 times Adjusted EBITDA as of June 30, 2025. We expect to incur additional debt in the future as Charter plans to maintain leverage near the midpoint of its stated 4.0 to 4.5 times Adjusted EBITDA target leverage range (net debt divided by the last twelve months Adjusted EBITDA) in the period leading up to the Closing and to fund the $4.0 billion of cash consideration required in the Cox Transactions using debt. Charter will also assume Cox Communications' approximately $12.6 billion of net debt and finance leases as part of the Cox Transactions. Charter plans to adjust its long-term target leverage range after Closing to 3.5 to 4.0 times Adjusted EBITDA but will still have a significant amount of debt.
Current wording
We have significant debt, with total principal amount of approximately $95.0 billion and a leverage ratio of 4.2 times Adjusted EBITDA as of September 30, 2025. We expect to incur additional debt in the future as Charter plans to maintain leverage near the midpoint of its stated 4.0 to 4.5 times Adjusted EBITDA target leverage range (net debt divided by the last twelve months Adjusted EBITDA) in the period leading up to the Closing and to fund the $4.0 billion of cash consideration required in the Cox Transactions using debt. Charter will also assume Cox Communications' approximately $12.4 billion of net debt and finance leases as part of the Cox Transactions. Charter plans to adjust its long-term target leverage range after Closing to 3.5 to 4.0 times Adjusted EBITDA but will still have a significant amount of debt.
Previous wording
•make us vulnerable to interest rate increases, in part because approximately 11% of our borrowings as of June 30, 2025 were, and may continue to be, subject to variable rates of interest;
Current wording
•make us vulnerable to interest rate increases, in part because approximately 13% of our borrowings as of September 30, 2025 were, and may continue to be, subject to variable rates of interest;