Charter Stock Sinks As Internet Subscriber Losses Worsen; Could A Comcast Merger Be The Next Move?

Charter Communications’ shares fell 5% in early trading after it reported losing 233,000 internet customers in the third quarter, adding to concerns about competition and the outlook for its broadband business. The decline has fuelled speculation about a possible merger with Comcast, which faces similar pressures as it prepares to separate NBCUniversal from its connectivity business.

The losses comprised 156,000 customers at legacy Charter and 77,000 at legacy Cox, which Charter acquired for $34.5 billion in August; the combined company had 34.3 million internet customers at quarter end. Video customers fell by 77,000 to 13.8 million, while wireless added 1.8 million customers over the past year, reaching 13.5 million. Revenue rose 9% year on year to $14.9 billion, and chief executive Chris Winfrey outlined $2 billion in planned cost cuts and reaffirmed $1 billion in merger synergies; the shares had fallen 43% in 2026 to date.