Charter Communications said Friday it would buy privately held rival Cox Communications for $21.9 billion, uniting two of the largest US cable and broadband operators as they battle streaming giants and mobile carriers for customers.American media companies are considering options for their once lucrative cable TV businesses that are now in decline as millions of consumers pivot to streamers such as Netflix.The merger — one of the biggest deals of the year globally — will help Charter better bundle broadban ...

Charter Communications Inc (NASDAQ:CHTR) is in focus this morning, after the cable giant announced a merger with Cox Communications in a deal valued at $34.5 billion. The agreement, which includes $21.9 billion in equity and $12.6 billion in net debt, marks one of the largest U.S. corporate mergers in the past year and could reshape the competitive landscape across broadband and cable.Last seen up 3.3% to trade at $433.47, Charter stock is pacing for its fifth-straight win and 14th gain in the last 16 sessi ...