Charter Gets Final State Approval for $21.9 Billion Cox Deal

Charter Communications received the final approval needed to buy fellow cable and broadband provider Cox Communications after making concessions to California regulators, including a commitment to provide affordable internet plans for low-income households. Charter agreed to acquire Cox in May 2025 in a $21.9 billion deal. The Federal Communications Commission signed off in February after Charter rolled back some diversity, equity and inclusion policies in line with the commission’s request. The other 44 states where the companies do business already approved the deal.  California was the last state to give its approval. Regulators there had raised concerns about whether the DEI policy changes would conflict with state rules. The state requires that Charter report diversity data on its 6,300-employee California workforce and on business with suppliers owned by underrepresented populations.