Rumor mill: Charter ‘weighing fresh plan’ to buy Cox, will have GCI ‘flipped’ to it by Malone

No. 2 U.S. cable operator Charter Communications is once again considering the purchase of the nation’s No. 3 MSO, privately held Cox Communications, reports the New York Post, citing what it said are three unnamed sources.

The paper quoted one source as saying, “Tom wants to buy Cox,” referring to Charter Chairman and CEO Thomas Rutledge. 

“If [Cox] is going to sell it to anyone, they’re going to sell it to an old cable guy,” another source purportedly said.

Cox spokesman Todd Smith had no comment for FierceCable. Last week, he reiterated the Atlanta company’s position that it is not for sale amid a similar takeover rumor involving Altice USA.

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“Cox has been very clear and consistent that we are not for sale and, in fact, we’re aggressively investing in our network, products and strategic partnerships and investments of our own,” Smith said.

Charter reps also demurred comment. 

The sources conceded to the Post that Charter has made no formal approaches to Cox. 

RELATED: John Malone buys Alaska’s GCI for $1.12B

Charter is still integrating its purchases of Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks, assets it paid a combined $67.1 billion for last year. 

For its part, the Post made another interesting prediction. In April, telecom magnate John Malone and his Liberty Interactive—major shareholders in Charter—purchased Alaska’s General Communications Inc. (GCI) for $1.12 billion. 

Citing “cable watchers,” the paper predicted Malone will “flip” GCI over to Charter “at some point.”