Cable giants Charter and Cox are merging — but don't expect the cord-cutting bloodbath to reverse

The nation's biggest pay-TV provider is getting even bigger — and not a moment too soon. Cable giant Charter unveiled plans on Friday to merge with Cox in a $34.5 billion deal. The deal could offer the companies a lifeline at a time when the pay-TV business is on shaky ground and losing subscribers to cord-cutting.A Charter-Cox combination would be better equipped to battle Comcast in broadband internet, cellphone service, and pay TV. Leaders at both companies pitched the merger as a win for customers, emp ...