CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. /MO/ - Quarter Report: 2017 September (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

______________

FORM 10-Q

______________



(Mark One)
x		QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2017
or

o		TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Transition Period From to
Commission File Number: 001-33664

Charter Communications, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



Delaware		84-1496755
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

400 Atlantic Street Stamford, Connecticut 06901		(203) 905-7801
(Address of principal executive offices including zip code)		(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrants have submitted electronically and posted on their corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrants were required to submit and post such files). Yes x No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer x Accelerated filer o Non-accelerated filer o Smaller reporting company o Emerging growth company o

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes o No x

Number of shares of Class A common stock outstanding as of September 30, 2017: 248,610,434

Number of shares of Class B common stock outstanding as of September 30, 2017: 1

CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2017

TABLE OF CONTENTS



		Page No.
PART I	FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1	Financial Statements ‑ Charter Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
	Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016	1
	Consolidated Statements of Operations
	for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016	2
	Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
	for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016	3
	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
	for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016	4
	Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	5

Item 2	Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	33

Item 3	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk	51

Item 4	Controls and Procedures	52

PART II	OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1	Legal Proceedings	53

Item 1A	Risk Factors	53

Item 2	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	53

Item 6	Exhibits	53

Signatures		S- 1

Exhibit Index		E- 1

This quarterly report on Form 10-Q is for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017. The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) allows us to “incorporate by reference” information that we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you directly to those documents. In this quarterly report, “Charter,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Charter Communications, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This quarterly report includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), regarding, among other things, our plans, strategies and prospects, both business and financial including, without limitation, the forward-looking statements set forth in the “Results of Operations” and “Liquidity and Capital Resources” sections under Part I, Item 2. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in this quarterly report. Although we believe that our plans, intentions and expectations as reflected in or suggested by these forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot assure you that we will achieve or realize these plans, intentions or expectations. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions including, without limitation, the factors described under “Risk Factors” under Part I, Item 1A of our most recent Form 10-K filed with the SEC. Many of the forward-looking statements contained in this quarterly report may be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “should,” “planned,” “will,” “may,” “intend,” “estimated,” “aim,” “on track,” “target,” “opportunity,” “tentative,” “positioning,” “designed,” “create,” “predict,” “project,” “initiatives,” “seek,” “would,” “could,” “continue,” “ongoing,” “upside,” “increases” and “potential,” among others. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements we make in this quarterly report are set forth in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, in our annual report on Form 10-K, and in other reports or documents that we file from time to time with the SEC, and include, but are not limited to:


•	our ability to promptly, efficiently and effectively integrate acquired operations;

•

our ability to sustain and grow revenues and cash flow from operations by offering video, Internet, voice, advertising and other services to residential and commercial customers, to adequately meet the customer experience demands in our markets and to maintain and grow our customer base, particularly in the face of increasingly aggressive competition, the need for innovation and the related capital expenditures;

•

the impact of competition from other market participants, including but not limited to incumbent telephone companies, direct broadcast satellite operators, wireless broadband and telephone providers, digital subscriber line (“DSL”) providers, fiber to the home providers, video provided over the Internet by (i) market participants that have not historically competed in the multichannel video business, (ii) traditional multichannel video distributors, and (iii) content providers that have historically licensed cable networks to multichannel video distributors, and providers of advertising over the Internet;


•	general business conditions, economic uncertainty or downturn, unemployment levels and the level of activity in the housing sector;


•	our ability to obtain programming at reasonable prices or to raise prices to offset, in whole or in part, the effects of higher programming costs (including retransmission consents);


•	our ability to develop and deploy new products and technologies including wireless products, our cloud-based user interface, Spectrum Guide^®, and downloadable security for set-top boxes, and any other cloud-based consumer services and service platforms;


•	the effects of governmental regulation on our business or potential business combination transactions including costs, disruptions and possible limitations on operating flexibility related to, and our ability to comply with, regulatory conditions applicable to us as a result of the Time Warner Cable Inc. and Bright House Networks, LLC Transactions;


•	any events that disrupt our networks, information systems or properties and impair our operating activities or our reputation;


•	the ability to retain and hire key personnel;


•	the availability and access, in general, of funds to meet our debt obligations prior to or when they become due and to fund our operations and necessary capital expenditures, either through (i) cash on hand, (ii) free cash flow, or (iii) access to the capital or credit markets; and


•	our ability to comply with all covenants in our indentures and credit facilities, any violation of which, if not cured in a timely manner, could trigger a default of our other obligations under cross-default provisions.

All forward-looking statements attributable to us or any person acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. We are under no duty or obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this quarterly report.

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements.

CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(dollars in millions, except share data)



	September 30, 2017			December 31, 2016
	(unaudited)
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	2,164		$	1,535
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of
$103 and $124, respectively	1,652			1,432
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	316			333
Total current assets	4,132			3,300

INVESTMENT IN CABLE PROPERTIES:
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated
depreciation of $16,375 and $11,103, respectively	33,300			32,963
Customer relationships, net	12,589			14,608
Franchises	67,316			67,316
Goodwill	29,554			29,509
Total investment in cable properties, net	142,759			144,396

OTHER NONCURRENT ASSETS	1,337			1,371

Total assets	$	148,228		$	149,067

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	8,351		$	7,544
Current portion of long-term debt	2,068			2,028
Total current liabilities	10,419			9,572

LONG-TERM DEBT	66,064			59,719
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES	26,576			26,665
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES	2,591			2,745

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Class A common stock; $.001 par value; 900 million shares authorized;
271,017,357 and 268,897,792 shares issued, respectively	—			—
Class B common stock; $.001 par value; 1,000 shares authorized;
1 share issued and outstanding	—			—
Preferred stock; $.001 par value; 250 million shares authorized;
no shares issued and outstanding	—			—
Additional paid-in capital	39,773			39,413
Retained earnings	1,206			733
Treasury stock at cost; 22,406,923 and no shares, respectively	(7,748		)	—
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(2		)	(7		)
Total Charter shareholders’ equity	33,229			40,139
Noncontrolling interests	9,349			10,227
Total shareholders’ equity	42,578			50,366

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	148,228		$	149,067

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(dollars in millions, except per share data)

Unaudited



	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017			2016			2017			2016
REVENUES	$	10,458		$	10,037		$	30,979		$	18,728

COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Operating costs and expenses (exclusive of items shown separately below)	6,703			6,482			19,857			12,157
Depreciation and amortization	2,701			2,437			7,846			4,412
Other operating expenses, net	145			207			374			776
	9,549			9,126			28,077			17,345
Income from operations	909			911			2,902			1,383

OTHER EXPENSES:
Interest expense, net	(788		)	(724		)	(2,250		)	(1,771		)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	—			—			(35		)	(110		)
Gain (loss) on financial instruments, net	17			71			(15		)	16
Other pension benefits (costs)	(17		)	13			9			533
Other expense, net	(3		)	(5		)	(14		)	(10		)
	(791		)	(645		)	(2,305		)	(1,342		)

Income before income taxes	118			266			597			41
Income tax benefit (expense)	(26		)	(16		)	(99		)	3,135
Consolidated net income	92			250			498			3,176
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(44		)	(61		)	(156		)	(108		)
Net income attributable to Charter shareholders	$	48		$	189		$	342		$	3,068

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO CHARTER SHAREHOLDERS:
Basic	$	0.19		$	0.70		$	1.31		$	16.52
Diluted	$	0.19		$	0.69		$	1.29		$	15.23

Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic	253,923,805			271,263,259			262,074,603			185,706,106
Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted	258,341,851			275,373,202			266,363,602			208,460,148

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(dollars in millions)

Unaudited



	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017			2016			2017			2016
Consolidated net income	$	92		$	250		$	498		$	3,176
Net impact of interest rate derivative instruments	1			2			4			6
Foreign currency translation adjustment	1			(1		)	1			(1		)
Consolidated comprehensive income	94			251			503			3,181
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(44		)	(61		)	(156		)	(108		)
Comprehensive income attributable to Charter shareholders	$	50		$	190		$	347		$	3,073

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(dollars in millions)

Unaudited



	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017			2016
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Consolidated net income	$	498		$	3,176
Adjustments to reconcile consolidated net income to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	7,846			4,412
Stock compensation expense	198			168
Accelerated vesting of equity awards	43			202
Noncash interest income, net	(283		)	(148		)
Other pension benefits	(9		)	(533		)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	35			110
(Gain) loss on financial instruments, net	15			(16		)
Deferred income taxes	53			(3,170		)
Other, net	93			—
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	(101		)	(2		)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	37			85
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other	271			531
Net cash flows from operating activities	8,696			4,815

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(6,096		)	(3,437		)
Change in accrued expenses related to capital expenditures	276			86
Purchases of cable systems, net of cash acquired	—			(28,810		)
Change in restricted cash and cash equivalents	—			22,264
Other, net	(63		)	(8		)
Net cash flows from investing activities	(5,883		)	(9,905		)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Borrowings of long-term debt	12,115			5,997
Repayments of long-term debt	(5,534		)	(4,120		)
Payments for debt issuance costs	(83		)	(283		)
Issuance of equity	—			5,000
Purchase of treasury stock	(7,748		)	(448		)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	111			71
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	(922		)	—
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	(115		)	(55		)
Proceeds from termination of interest rate derivatives	—			88
Other, net	(8		)	—
Net cash flows from financing activities	(2,184		)	6,250

NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	629			1,160
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period	1,535			5
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period	$	2,164		$	1,165

CASH PAID FOR INTEREST	$	2,544		$	1,964
CASH PAID FOR TAXES	$	38		$	48

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)

1. Organization and Basis of Presentation

Organization

Charter Communications, Inc. (together with its controlled subsidiaries, “Charter,” or the “Company”) is the second largest cable operator in the United States and a leading broadband communications company providing video, Internet and voice services to residential and business customers. In addition, the Company sells video and online advertising inventory to local, regional and national advertising customers and fiber-delivered communications and managed information technology solutions to larger enterprise customers. The Company also owns and operates regional sports networks and local sports, news and lifestyle channels and sells security and home management services to the residential marketplace.

Charter is a holding company whose principal asset is a controlling equity interest in Charter Communications Holdings, LLC (“Charter Holdings”), an indirect owner of Charter Communications Operating, LLC (“Charter Operating”) under which substantially all of the operations reside. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions among consolidated entities have been eliminated.

The Company’s operations are managed and reported to its Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), the Company’s chief operating decision maker, on a consolidated basis. The CEO assesses performance and allocates resources based on the consolidated results of operations. Under this organizational and reporting structure, the Company has one reportable segment, cable services.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Accordingly, certain information and footnote disclosures typically included in Charter’s Annual Report on Form 10-K have been condensed or omitted for this quarterly report. The accompanying consolidated financial statements are unaudited and are subject to review by regulatory authorities. However, in the opinion of management, such financial statements include all adjustments, which consist of only normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the periods presented. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Areas involving significant judgments and estimates include capitalization of labor and overhead costs; depreciation and amortization costs; purchase accounting valuations of assets and liabilities including, but not limited to, property, plant and equipment, intangibles and goodwill; pension benefits; income taxes; contingencies and programming expense. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform with the 2017 presentation.

2. Mergers and Acquisitions

The Transactions

On May 18, 2016, the transactions contemplated by the Agreement and Plan of Mergers dated as of May 23, 2015 (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among Time Warner Cable Inc. (“Legacy TWC”), Charter Communications, Inc. prior to the closing of the Merger Agreement (“Legacy Charter”), CCH I, LLC, previously a wholly owned subsidiary of Legacy Charter and certain other subsidiaries of CCH I, LLC were completed (the “TWC Transaction,” and together with the Bright House Transaction described below, the “Transactions”). As a result of the TWC Transaction, CCH I, LLC became the new public parent company that holds the operations of the combined companies and was renamed Charter Communications, Inc. As of the date of completion of the Transactions, the total value of the TWC Transaction was approximately $85 billion, including cash, equity and Legacy TWC assumed debt.

CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)

(the “Contribution Agreement”), under which Charter acquired Legacy Bright House (the “Bright House Transaction”) for approximately $12.2 billion consisting of cash, convertible preferred units of Charter Holdings and common units of Charter Holdings. Pursuant to the Bright House Transaction, Charter became the owner of the membership interests in Legacy Bright House and the other assets primarily related to Legacy Bright House (other than certain excluded assets and liabilities and non-operating cash).

In connection with the TWC Transaction, Liberty Broadband purchased shares of Charter Class A common stock to partially finance the cash portion of the TWC Transaction consideration, and in connection with the Bright House Transaction, Liberty Broadband purchased shares of Charter Class A common stock (the “Liberty Transactions”).

Acquisition Accounting

Charter applied acquisition accounting to the Transactions. The total purchase price was allocated to the identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired and the liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values. The fair values were primarily based on third-party valuations using assumptions developed by management and other information compiled by management including, but not limited to, future expected cash flows. The excess of the purchase price over those fair values was recorded as goodwill.

The tables below present the final allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the Transactions.

TWC Allocation of Purchase Price



Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,058
Current assets	1,417
Property, plant and equipment	21,413
Customer relationships	13,460
Franchises	54,085
Goodwill	28,337
Other noncurrent assets	1,040
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(4,107		)
Debt	(24,900		)
Deferred income taxes	(28,120		)
Other long-term liabilities	(3,162		)
Noncontrolling interests	(4		)
	$	60,517

The Company made measurement period adjustments to the fair value of certain assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the TWC Transaction during the six months ended June 30, 2017 upon completion of the measurement period, including a decrease to working capital of $73 million and a decrease of $28 million to deferred income tax liabilities, resulting in a net increase of $45 million to goodwill.

CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)

Bright House Allocation of Purchase Price



Current assets	$	131
Property, plant and equipment	2,884
Customer relationships	2,150
Franchises	7,225
Goodwill	44
Other noncurrent assets	86
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	(330		)
Other long-term liabilities	(12		)
Noncontrolling interests	(22		)
	$	12,156

Selected Pro Forma Financial Information

The following unaudited pro forma financial information of the Company is based on the historical consolidated financial statements of Legacy Charter, Legacy TWC and Legacy Bright House and is intended to provide information about how the Transactions and related financing may have affected the Company’s historical consolidated financial statements if they had closed as of January 1, 2015. The pro forma financial information below is based on available information and assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable. The pro forma financial information is for illustrative and informational purposes only and is not intended to represent or be indicative of what the Company’s financial condition or results of operations would have been had the transactions described above occurred on the date indicated. The pro forma financial information also should not be considered representative of the Company’s future financial condition or results of operations.



	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
Revenues	$	29,748
Net income attributable to Charter shareholders	$	616
Earnings per common share attributable to Charter shareholders:
Basic	$	2.28
Diluted	$	2.25

CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)

3. Franchises, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Indefinite-lived and finite-lived intangible assets consist of the following as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016:



	September 30, 2017							December 31, 2016
	Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount		Gross Carrying Amount		Accumulated Amortization			Net Carrying Amount
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:
Franchises	$	67,316	$	—		$	67,316	$	67,316	$	—		$	67,316
Goodwill	29,554		—			29,554		29,509		—			29,509
Trademarks	159		—			159		159		—			159
Other intangible assets	—		—			—		4		—			4
	$	97,029	$	—		$	97,029	$	96,988	$	—		$	96,988

Finite-lived intangible assets:
Customer relationships	$	18,227	$	(5,638	)	$	12,589	$	18,226	$	(3,618	)	$	14,608
Other intangible assets	673		(181		)	492		615		(128		)	487
	$	18,900	$	(5,819	)	$	13,081	$	18,841	$	(3,746	)	$	15,095

Amortization expense related to customer relationships and other intangible assets for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $664 million and $2.1 billion, respectively, and was $748 million and $1.2 billion for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively.

The Company expects amortization expense on its finite-lived intangible assets will be as follows:



Three months ended December 31, 2017	$	662
2018	2,470
2019	2,187
2020	1,895
2021	1,611
Thereafter	4,256
	$	13,081

Actual amortization expense in future periods will differ from these estimates as a result of new intangible asset acquisitions or divestitures, changes in useful lives, impairments, adoption of new accounting standards and other relevant factors.

CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)

4. Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities consist of the following as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016:



	September 30, 2017		December 31, 2016
Accounts payable – trade	$	572	$	454
Deferred revenue	405		352
Accrued liabilities:
Programming costs	1,947		1,783
Labor	1,053		1,111
Capital expenditures	1,389		1,107
Interest	994		958
Taxes and regulatory fees	592		538
Property and casualty	399		394
Other	1,000		847
	$	8,351	$	7,544

5. Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consists of the following as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016:



	September 30, 2017				December 31, 2016
	Principal Amount		Accreted Value		Principal Amount		Accreted Value
CCO Holdings, LLC:
5.250% senior notes due March 15, 2021	$	500	$	497	$	500	$	496
6.625% senior notes due January 31, 2022	—		—		750		741
5.250% senior notes due September 30, 2022	1,250		1,234		1,250		1,232
5.125% senior notes due February 15, 2023	1,000		992		1,000		992
5.125% senior notes due May 1, 2023	1,150		1,142		1,150		1,141
5.750% senior notes due September 1, 2023	500		496		500		496
5.750% senior notes due January 15, 2024	1,000		992		1,000		991
5.875% senior notes due April 1, 2024	1,700		1,686		1,700		1,685
5.375% senior notes due May 1, 2025	750		745		750		744
5.750% senior notes due February 15, 2026	2,500		2,463		2,500		2,460
5.500% senior notes due May 1, 2026	1,500		1,489		1,500		1,487
5.875% senior notes due May 1, 2027	800		794		800		794
5.125% senior notes due May 1, 2027	3,250		3,215		—		—
5.000% senior notes due February 1, 2028	1,500		1,486		—		—
Charter Communications Operating, LLC:
3.579% senior notes due July 23, 2020	2,000		1,987		2,000		1,983
4.464% senior notes due July 23, 2022	3,000		2,976		3,000		2,973
4.908% senior notes due July 23, 2025	4,500		4,461		4,500		4,458
3.750% senior notes due February 15, 2028	1,000		985		—		—
4.200% senior notes due March 15, 2028	1,250		1,237		—		—
6.384% senior notes due October 23, 2035	2,000		1,981		2,000		1,980
6.484% senior notes due October 23, 2045	3,500		3,466		3,500		3,466
5.375% senior notes due May 1, 2047	2,500		2,506		—		—

CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)



6.834% senior notes due October 23, 2055	500			495			500			495
Credit facilities	8,768			8,681			8,916			8,814
Time Warner Cable, LLC:
5.850% senior notes due May 1, 2017	—			—			2,000			2,028
6.750% senior notes due July 1, 2018	2,000			2,068			2,000			2,135
8.750% senior notes due February 14, 2019	1,250			1,356			1,250			1,412
8.250% senior notes due April 1, 2019	2,000			2,177			2,000			2,264
5.000% senior notes due February 1, 2020	1,500			1,588			1,500			1,615
4.125% senior notes due February 15, 2021	700			732			700			739
4.000% senior notes due September 1, 2021	1,000			1,048			1,000			1,056
5.750% sterling senior notes due June 2, 2031 ^(a)	838			905			770			834
6.550% senior debentures due May 1, 2037	1,500			1,687			1,500			1,691
7.300% senior debentures due July 1, 2038	1,500			1,790			1,500			1,795
6.750% senior debentures due June 15, 2039	1,500			1,725			1,500			1,730
5.875% senior debentures due November 15, 2040	1,200			1,258			1,200			1,259
5.500% senior debentures due September 1, 2041	1,250			1,258			1,250			1,258
5.250% sterling senior notes due July 15, 2042 ^(b)	871			839			800			771
4.500% senior debentures due September 15, 2042	1,250			1,137			1,250			1,135
Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC:
8.375% senior debentures due March 15, 2023	1,000			1,243			1,000			1,273
8.375% senior debentures due July 15, 2033	1,000			1,315			1,000			1,324
Total debt	66,777			68,132			60,036			61,747
Less current portion:
5.850% senior notes due May 1, 2017	—			—			(2,000		)	(2,028		)
6.750% senior notes due July 1, 2018	(2,000		)	(2,068		)	—			—
Long-term debt	$	64,777		$	66,064		$	58,036		$	59,719


^(a)	Principal amount includes £625 million valued at $838 million and $770 million as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, using the exchange rate at the respective dates.


^(b)	Principal amount includes £650 million valued at $871 million and $800 million as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, using the exchange rate at the respective dates.

The accreted values presented in the table above represent the principal amount of the debt less the original issue discount at the time of sale, deferred financing costs, and, in regards to the Legacy TWC debt assumed, fair value premium adjustments as a result of applying acquisition accounting plus the accretion of those amounts to the balance sheet date. However, the amount that is currently payable if the debt becomes immediately due is equal to the principal amount of the debt. In regards to the fixed-rate British pound sterling denominated notes (the “Sterling Notes”), the principal amount of the debt and any premium or discount into US dollars is remeasured as of each balance sheet date. See Note 8. The Company has availability under the Charter Operating credit facilities of approximately $2.9 billion as of September 30, 2017.

CCO Holdings

In February 2016, CCO Holdings, LLC ("CCO Holdings") and CCO Holdings Capital Corp. ("CCO Holdings Capital") jointly issued $1.7 billion aggregate principal amount of 5.875% senior notes due 2024 and, in April 2016, they issued $1.5 billion aggregate principal amount of 5.500% senior notes due 2026 at a price of 100.075% of the aggregate principal amount. The net proceeds from both issuances were used to repurchase all of CCO Holdings’ 7.000% senior notes due 2019, 7.375% senior notes due 2020 and 6.500% senior notes due 2021 and to pay related fees and expenses and for general corporate purposes. These debt repurchases resulted in a loss on extinguishment of debt of $110 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.

CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)

In February 2017, CCO Holdings and CCO Holdings Capital jointly issued $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 5.125% senior notes due May 1, 2027. The net proceeds were used to redeem CCO Holdings’ 6.625% senior notes due 2022, pay related fees and expenses and for general corporate purposes. The Company recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt of $33 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 related to these transactions.

In March 2017, CCO Holdings and CCO Holdings Capital jointly issued an additional $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 5.125% senior notes due May 1, 2027 at a price of 99.0% of the aggregate principal amount. The net proceeds, as well as cash on hand, were used in April 2017 to redeem Time Warner Cable, LLC's 5.850% senior notes due 2017, pay related fees and expenses and for general corporate purposes. The Company recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt of $1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 related to these transactions.

In April 2017, CCO Holdings and CCO Holdings Capital jointly issued an additional $1.25 billion aggregate principal amount of 5.125% senior notes due May 1, 2027 at a price of 100.5% of the aggregate principal amount. The net proceeds were used to pay related fees and expenses and for general corporate purposes, including to fund buybacks of Charter Class A common stock or Charter Holdings common units.

In August 2017, CCO Holdings and CCO Holdings Capital jointly issued $1.5 billion aggregate principal amount of 5.000% senior notes due February 1, 2028. The net proceeds were used to pay related fees and expenses and for general corporate purposes, including to fund buybacks of Charter Class A common stock or Charter Holdings common units.

In October 2017, CCO Holdings and CCO Holdings Capital jointly issued $500 million aggregate principal amount of 4.000% senior notes due March 1, 2023 (the "2023 Notes") and an additional $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 5.000% senior notes due February 1, 2028 at a price of 98.5% of the aggregate principal amount (together with the notes issued in February, March, April and October 2017 described above, the "Notes"). The net proceeds were used to pay related fees and expenses and for general corporate purposes, including to fund buybacks of Charter Class A common stock or Charter Holdings common units.

The Notes are senior debt obligations of CCO Holdings and CCO Holdings Capital and rank equally with all other current and future unsecured, unsubordinated obligations of CCO Holdings and CCO Holdings Capital. They are structurally subordinated to all obligations of subsidiaries of CCO Holdings.

CCO Holdings may redeem some or all of the Notes at any time at a premium. Beginning in 2025 (2021 for 2023 Notes), the optional redemption price declines to 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.

In addition, at any time prior to varying dates in 2020 (2019 for the 2023 Notes), CCO Holdings may redeem up to 40% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes at a premium plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date, with the net cash proceeds of one or more equity offerings (as defined in the indenture); provided that certain conditions are met. In the event of specified change of control events, CCO Holdings must offer to purchase the outstanding Notes from the holders at a purchase price equal to 101% of the total principal amount of the Notes, plus any accrued and unpaid interest.

Charter Operating

In January 2017, Charter Operating entered into an amendment to its Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated May 18, 2016 (the “Credit Agreement”) decreasing the applicable LIBOR margin on both the term loan E and term loan F to 2.00% and eliminating the LIBOR floor. The Company recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt of $1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 related to these transactions.

In April 2017, Charter Operating and Charter Communications Operating Capital Corp. jointly issued $1.25 billion aggregate principal amount of 5.375% senior secured notes due May 1, 2047 at a price of 99.968% of the aggregate principal amount. The net proceeds were used to pay related fees and expenses and for general corporate purposes, including to fund buybacks of Charter Class A common stock or Charter Holdings common units.

CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)

principal amount. The net proceeds were used to pay related fees and expenses and for general corporate purposes, including to fund buybacks of Charter Class A common stock or Charter Holdings common units.

In September 2017, Charter Operating and Charter Communications Operating Capital Corp. jointly issued $1.25 billion aggregate principal amount of 4.200% senior notes due March 15, 2028 at a price of 99.757% of the aggregate principal amount and an additional $750 million aggregate principal amount of 5.375% senior secured notes due May 1, 2047 at a price of 98.969% of the aggregate principal amount (collectively together with the notes issued in April and July 2017 described above, the "Charter Operating Notes"). The net proceeds were used to pay related fees and expenses and for general corporate purposes, including to fund buybacks of Charter Class A common stock or Charter Holdings common units.

The Charter Operating Notes are guaranteed by CCO Holdings, Time Warner Cable, LLC, Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC and substantially all of the operating subsidiaries of Charter Operating. In addition, the Charter Operating Notes are secured by a perfected first priority security interest in substantially all of the assets of Charter Operating to the extent such liens can be perfected under the Uniform Commercial Code by the filing of a financing statement. The liens rank equally with the liens on the collateral securing obligations under the Charter Operating credit facilities and continue to exist as long as the liens securing such facilities exist. Charter Operating may redeem some or all of the Charter Operating notes at any time at a premium.

6. Common Stock

The following represents the Company's purchase of Charter Class A common stock and the effect on the consolidated statements of cash flows during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016.



	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017			2016			2017			2016
	Shares	$		Shares	$		Shares	$		Shares	$
Share buybacks	9,521,958	$	3,513	1,050,033	$	281	21,940,797	$	7,611	1,050,033	$	281
Income tax withholding	32,283	12		274,545	68		424,148	137		727,616	167
Exercise cost	1,433			28,397			41,978			47,190
	9,555,674	$	3,525	1,352,975	$	349	22,406,923	$	7,748	1,824,839	$	448

As of September 30, 2017, Charter had remaining board authority to purchase an additional $5.2 billion of Charter’s Class A common stock without taking into account shares or units that may be purchased from A/N. See Note 14. The Company also withholds shares of its Class A common stock in payment of income tax withholding owed by employees upon vesting of equity awards as well as exercise costs owed by employees upon exercise of stock options.

In December 2016, Charter’s board of directors approved the retirement of the then currently held treasury stock and those shares were retired as of December 31, 2016. The Company accounts for treasury stock using the cost method and includes treasury stock as a component of total shareholders’ equity.

7. Noncontrolling Interests

Noncontrolling interests represents consolidated subsidiaries of which the Company owns less than 100%. The Company is a holding company whose principal asset is a controlling equity interest in Charter Holdings, the indirect owner of the Company’s cable systems. Noncontrolling interests on the Company’s balance sheet primarily includes A/N’s equity interests in Charter Holdings, which is comprised of a common ownership interest and a convertible preferred ownership interest.

Net income (loss) of Charter Holdings attributable to A/N’s common noncontrolling interest for financial reporting purposes is based on the effective common ownership interest of approximately 10%, and was $6 million and $42 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, and $24 million and $53 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively. Net income (loss) of Charter Holdings attributable to the preferred noncontrolling interest for financial reporting purposes is based on the preferred dividend which was $37 million and $112 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, and $37 million and $55 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively.

CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)

Pursuant to the Letter Agreement (see Note 14), Charter Holdings purchased from A/N 1.4 million Charter Holdings common units at an average price per unit of $355.83, or $493 million during the three months ended September 30, 2017, and 2.7 million Charter Holdings common units at an average price per unit of $341.49, or $922 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The common units purchased during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 are reflected as a reduction in noncontrolling interest based on net carrying value of approximately $582 million with the remaining $340 million recorded as reduction of additional paid-in-capital, net of $131 million of deferred income taxes. As of September 30, 2017, A/N held 25.7 million Charter Holdings common units in addition to shares of Charter Class A common stock.

Noncontrolling interest and additional paid-in-capital were also adjusted during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 due to the changes in Charter Holdings' ownership. These adjustments resulted in a decrease to noncontrolling interest of approximately $336 million and a corresponding increase to additional paid-in-capital of $336 million, net of $128 million of deferred income taxes, for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

8. Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

The Company uses derivative instruments to manage interest rate risk on variable debt and foreign exchange risk on the Sterling Notes, and does not hold or issue derivative instruments for speculative trading purposes.

Interest rate derivative instruments are used to manage interest costs and to reduce the Company’s exposure to increases in floating interest rates. The Company manages its exposure to fluctuations in interest rates by maintaining a mix of fixed and variable rate debt. Using interest rate derivative instruments, the Company agrees to exchange, at specified intervals through 2017, the difference between fixed and variable interest amounts calculated by reference to agreed-upon notional principal amounts. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company had $850 million in notional amounts of interest rate derivative instruments outstanding. The notional amounts of interest rate derivative instruments do not represent amounts exchanged by the parties and, thus, are not a measure of exposure to credit loss. The amounts exchanged were determined by reference to the notional amount and the other terms of the contracts.

Cross-currency derivative instruments are used to effectively convert £1.275 billion aggregate principal amount of fixed-rate British pound sterling denominated debt, including annual interest payments and the payment of principal at maturity, to fixed-rate U.S. dollar denominated debt. The cross-currency swaps have maturities of June 2031 and July 2042. The Company is required to post collateral on the cross-currency derivative instruments when the derivative contracts are in a liability position. In May 2016, the Company entered into a collateral holiday agreement for 80% of both the 2031 and 2042 cross-currency swaps, which eliminates the requirement to post collateral for three years.

The effect of derivative instruments on the consolidated balance sheets is presented in the table below:



	September 30, 2017			December 31, 2016
Interest Rate Derivatives
Accrued interest	$	1		$	5
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	(1	)	$	(5	)

Cross-Currency Derivatives
Other long-term liabilities	$	125		$	251

The Company’s interest rate and cross-currency derivative instruments are not designated as hedges and are marked to fair value each period, with the impact recorded as a gain or loss on financial instruments, net in the consolidated statements of operations. While these derivative instruments are not designated as cash flow hedges for accounting purposes, management continues to believe such instruments are closely correlated with the respective debt, thus managing associated risk.

CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)

The effect of financial instruments on the consolidated statements of operations is presented in the table below.



	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017			2016			2017			2016
Gain (loss) on Financial Instruments, Net:
Change in fair value of interest rate derivative instruments	$	—		$	7		$	4		$	5
Change in fair value of cross-currency derivative instruments	68			17			126			(168		)
Foreign currency remeasurement of Sterling Notes to U.S. dollars	(50		)	49			(141		)	196
Loss on termination of interest rate derivative instruments	—			—			—			(11		)
Loss reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss due to discontinuance of hedge accounting	(1		)	(2		)	(4		)	(6		)
	$	17		$	71		$	(15	)	$	16

9. Fair Value Measurements

The accounting guidance establishes a three-level hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurements, based on the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date, as follows:


•	Level 1 – inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.


•	Level 2 – inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.


•	Level 3 – inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.

Financial Assets and Liabilities

The Company has estimated the fair value of its financial instruments as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 using available market information or other appropriate valuation methodologies. Considerable judgment, however, is required in interpreting market data to develop the estimates of fair value. Accordingly, the estimates presented in the accompanying consolidated financial statements are not necessarily indicative of the amounts the Company would realize in a current market exchange.

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, payables and other current assets and liabilities approximate fair value because of the short maturity of those instruments.

A portion of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 were invested in money market funds. The money market funds are valued at the closing price reported by the fund sponsor from an actively traded exchange which approximates fair value. The money market funds potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk. The amount invested within any one financial instrument did not exceed $500 million and $250 million as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, there were no significant concentrations of financial instruments in a single investee, industry or geographic location.

Interest rate derivative instruments are valued using a present value calculation based on an implied forward LIBOR curve (adjusted for Charter Operating’s and counterparties’ credit risk). The weighted average pay rate for the Company’s currently effective interest rate derivative instruments was 1.59% at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (exclusive of applicable spreads). The cross-currency derivative instruments are valued using a present value calculation based on expected forward interest and exchange rates (adjusted for Charter Operating’s and counterparties’ credit risk).

CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)

Financial instruments accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis are presented in the table below.



	September 30, 2017				December 31, 2016
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 1		Level 2
Assets
Money market funds	$	1,502	$	—	$	1,205	$	—

Liabilities
Interest rate derivative instruments	$	—	$	1	$	—	$	5
Cross-currency derivative instruments	$	—	$	125	$	—	$	251

A summary of the carrying value and fair value of debt as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 is as follows:



	September 30, 2017				December 31, 2016
	Carrying Value		Fair Value		Carrying Value		Fair Value
Senior notes and debentures	$	59,451	$	62,657	$	52,933	$	55,203
Credit facilities	$	8,681	$	8,788	$	8,814	$	8,943

The estimated fair value of the Company’s senior notes and debentures as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 is based on quoted market prices in active markets and is classified within Level 1 of the valuation hierarchy, while the estimated fair value of the Company’s credit facilities is based on quoted market prices in inactive markets and is classified within Level 2.

Nonfinancial Assets and Liabilities

The Company’s nonfinancial assets such as equity-method investments, franchises, property, plant, and equipment, and other intangible assets are not measured at fair value on a recurring basis; however, they are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances, such as when there is evidence that an impairment may exist. No material impairments were recorded during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016. Upon closing of the Transactions, all of Legacy TWC and Legacy Bright House nonfinancial assets and liabilities were recorded at fair values. See Note 2.

10. Operating Costs and Expenses

Operating costs and expenses, exclusive of items shown separately in the consolidated statements of operations, consist of the following for the periods presented:



	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2016		2017		2016
Programming	$	2,699	$	2,404	$	7,952	$	4,648
Regulatory, connectivity and produced content	523		515		1,553		944
Costs to service customers	1,943		2,016		5,798		3,663
Marketing	629		596		1,812		1,143
Transition costs	23		32		104		78
Other	886		919		2,638		1,681
	$	6,703	$	6,482	$	19,857	$	12,157

Programming costs consist primarily of costs paid to programmers for basic, premium, digital, video on demand, and pay-per-view programming. Regulatory, connectivity and produced content costs represent payments to franchise and regulatory authorities, costs directly related to providing video, Internet and voice services as well as payments for sports, local and news content produced

CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)

by the Company. Included in regulatory, connectivity and produced content costs is content acquisition costs for the Los Angeles Lakers’ basketball games and Los Angeles Dodgers’ baseball games which are recorded as games are exhibited over the applicable season. Costs to service customers include costs related to field operations, network operations and customer care for the Company’s residential and small and medium business customers, including internal and third-party labor for installations, service and repairs, maintenance, bad debt expense, billing and collection, occupancy and vehicle costs. Marketing costs represent the costs of marketing to current and potential commercial and residential customers including labor costs. Transition costs represent incremental costs incurred to integrate the TWC and Bright House operations and to increase the scale of the Company’s business as a result of the Transactions. See Note 2. Other includes corporate overhead, advertising sales expenses, indirect costs associated with the Company’s enterprise business customers and regional sports and news networks, property tax and insurance expense and stock compensation expense, among others.

11. Other Operating Expenses, Net

Other operating expenses, net consist of the following for the periods presented:



	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017			2016			2017			2016
Merger and restructuring costs	$	67		$	205		$	293		$	775
Special charges, net	80			4			86			10
Gain on sale of assets, net	(2		)	(2		)	(5		)	(9		)
	$	145		$	207		$	374		$	776

Merger and restructuring costs

Merger and restructuring costs represent costs incurred in connection with merger and acquisition transactions and related restructuring, such as advisory, legal and accounting fees, employee retention costs, employee termination costs related to the Transactions and other exit costs. The Company expects to incur additional merger and restructuring costs in connection with the Transactions. Changes in accruals for merger and restructuring costs from December 31, 2016 through September 30, 2017 are presented below:



	Employee Retention Costs			Employee Termination Costs			Transaction and Advisory Costs			Other Costs			Total
Liability, December 31, 2015	$	—		$	—		$	33		$	—		$	33
Liability assumed in the Transactions	80			9			3			—			92
Costs incurred	26			337			318			41			722
Cash paid	(99		)	(102		)	(329		)	(41		)	(571		)
Remaining liability, December 31, 2016	7			244			25			—			276

Costs incurred	4			186			3			57			250
Cash paid	(9		)	(253		)	(4		)	(45		)	(311		)
Remaining liability, September 30, 2017	$	2		$	177		$	24		$	12		$	215

In addition to the costs incurred indicated above, the Company recorded $6 million and $43 million of expense related to accelerated vesting of equity awards of terminated employees during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, and $57 million and $202 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively.

Special charges, net

Special charges, net primarily includes employee termination costs not related to the Transactions and net amounts of litigation settlements. In 2017, special charges, net also includes an $83 million charge related to the Company's withdrawal liability from

CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)

a multiemployer pension plan.

Gain on sale of assets, net

Gain on sale of assets, net represents the net gain recognized on the sales and disposals of fixed assets and cable systems.

12. Income Taxes

Substantially all of the Company’s operations are held through Charter Holdings and its direct and indirect subsidiaries. Charter Holdings and the majority of its subsidiaries are limited liability companies that are generally not subject to income tax. However, certain of these limited liability companies are subject to state income tax. In addition, the subsidiaries that are corporations are subject to income tax. Generally, the taxable income, gains, losses, deductions and credits of Charter Holdings are passed through to its members, Charter and A/N. Charter is responsible for its share of taxable income or loss of Charter Holdings allocated to it in accordance with the Charter Holdings Limited Liability Company Agreement (“LLC Agreement”) and partnership tax rules and regulations. As a result, Charter's primary deferred tax component recorded in the consolidated balance sheets relates to its excess financial reporting outside basis, excluding amounts attributable to nondeductible goodwill, over Charter's tax basis in the investment in Charter Holdings.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company recorded income tax expense of $26 million and $99 million, respectively. Income tax expense is generally recognized through increases in deferred tax liabilities as well as through current federal and state income tax expense. Income tax expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 was reduced by approximately $17 million and $88 million, respectively, due to the recognition of excess tax benefits resulting from share based compensation as a component of the provision for income taxes following the prospective application of Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (“ASU 2016-09”). Upon adoption of ASU 2016-09 on January 1, 2017, the Company recognized excess tax benefits of approximately $136 million in deferred tax assets that were previously not recognized in a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings. See Note 19.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company recorded income tax expense of $16 million and income tax benefit of $3.1 billion, respectively. The income tax benefit for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was primarily the result of a reduction of substantially all of Legacy Charter's preexisting valuation allowance associated with its deferred tax assets of approximately $3.3 billion as certain of the deferred tax liabilities that were assumed in connection with the closing of the TWC Transaction will reverse and provide a source of future taxable income. This tax benefit was partially offset by the tax effect of permanent differences for estimated nondeductible transaction costs and noncontrolling interest expense, a decrease to the anticipated blended state rate applied to Legacy Charter deferred tax balances as a result of the Transactions, and prior to the closing of the Transactions, increases (decreases) in deferred tax liabilities related to Charter’s franchises which are characterized as indefinite-lived for book financial reporting purposes.

Charter Holdings, the indirect owner of the Company’s cable systems, generally allocates its taxable income, gains, losses, deductions and credits proportionately according to the members’ respective ownership interests, except for special allocations required under Section 704(c) of the Internal Revenue Code and the Treasury Regulations (“Section 704(c)”). Pursuant to Section 704(c) and the LLC Agreement, each item of income, gain, loss and deduction with respect to any property contributed to the capital of the partnership shall, solely for tax purposes, be allocated among the members so as to take into account any variation between the adjusted basis of such property to the partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes and its initial gross asset value using the “traditional method” as described in the Treasury Regulations.

In determining the Company’s tax provision for financial reporting purposes, the Company establishes a reserve for uncertain tax positions unless such positions are determined to be “more likely than not” of being sustained upon examination, based on their technical merits. There is considerable judgment involved in making such a determination. The Company has recorded unrecognized tax benefits totaling approximately $171 million and $172 million, excluding interest and penalties, as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. The Company does not currently anticipate that its reserve for uncertain tax positions will significantly increase or decrease during 2017; however, various events could cause the Company’s current expectations to change in the future. These uncertain tax positions, if ever recognized in the financial statements, would be recorded in the consolidated statements of operations as part of the income tax provision.

CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)

No tax years for Charter, Charter Holdings, or Charter Communications Holding Company, LLC for income tax purposes, are currently under examination by the IRS. Legacy Charter’s tax years ending 2014 through 2016 remain subject to examination and assessment. Years prior to 2014 remain open solely for purposes of examination of Legacy Charter’s loss and credit carryforwards. The IRS is currently examining Legacy TWC’s income tax returns for 2011 through 2014. Legacy TWC’s tax year 2015 remains subject to examination and assessment. Prior to Legacy TWC’s separation from Time Warner Inc. (“Time Warner”) in March 2009 (the “Separation”), Legacy TWC was included in the consolidated U.S. federal and certain state income tax returns of Time Warner. The IRS is currently examining Time Warner’s 2008 through 2010 income tax returns. Time Warner’s income tax returns for 2005 to 2007, which are periods prior to the Separation, were settled with the exception of an immaterial item that has been referred to the IRS Appeals Division. The Company does not anticipate that these examinations will have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations. In addition, the Company is also subject to ongoing examinations of the Company’s tax returns by state and local tax authorities for various periods. Activity related to these state and local examinations did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, nor does the Company anticipate a material impact in the future.

13. Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing net income attributable to Charter shareholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common share considers the impact of potentially dilutive securities using the treasury stock and if-converted methods and is based on the weighted average number of shares used for the basic earnings per share calculation, adjusted for the dilutive effect of stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, equity awards with market conditions and Charter Holdings convertible preferred units and common units. Charter Holdings common and convertible preferred units were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and for the three months ended September 30, 2016 as their effect was antidilutive. The following is the computation of diluted earnings per common share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016.



	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2016		2017		2016
Numerator:
Net income attributable to Charter shareholders	$	48	$	189	$	342	$	3,068
Effect of dilutive securities:
Charter Holdings common units	—		—		—		53
Charter Holdings convertible preferred units	—		—		—		55
Net income attributable to Charter shareholders after assumed conversions	$	48	$	189	$	342	$	3,176

Denominator:
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic	253,923,805		271,263,259		262,074,603		185,706,106
Effect of dilutive securities:
Assumed exercise or issuance of shares relating to stock plans	4,418,046		4,109,943		4,288,999		2,736,562
Weighted average Charter Holdings common units	—		—		—		15,384,794
Weighted average Charter Holdings convertible preferred units	—		—		—		4,632,686
Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted	258,341,851		275,373,202		266,363,602		208,460,148

Basic earnings per common share attributable to Charter shareholders	$	0.19	$	0.70	$	1.31	$	16.52
Diluted earnings per common share attributable to Charter shareholders	$	0.19	$	0.69	$	1.29	$	15.23

CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)

14. Related Party Transactions

On May 23, 2015, in connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement and the amendment of the Contribution Agreement, Charter entered into the Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement with Liberty Broadband, A/N and Legacy Charter (the “Stockholders Agreement”) and the LLC Agreement with Liberty Broadband and A/N. As of the closing of the Merger Agreement and the Contribution Agreement on May 18, 2016, the Stockholders Agreement replaced Legacy Charter’s existing stockholders agreement with Liberty Broadband, dated September 29, 2014, and superseded the amended and restated stockholders agreement among Legacy Charter, Charter, Liberty Broadband and A/N, dated March 31, 2015.

Under the terms of the Stockholders Agreement, the number of Charter’s directors is fixed at 13, and includes its CEO. Upon the closing of the Bright House Transaction, two designees selected by A/N became members of the board of directors of Charter and three designees selected by Liberty Broadband continued as members of the board of directors of Charter. The remaining eight directors are not affiliated with either A/N or Liberty Broadband. Each of A/N and Liberty Broadband is entitled to nominate at least one director to each of the committees of Charter’s board of directors, subject to applicable stock exchange listing rules and certain specified voting or equity ownership thresholds for each of A/N and Liberty Broadband, and provided that the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Compensation and Benefit Committee each have at least a majority of directors independent from A/N, Liberty Broadband and the Company (referred to as the “unaffiliated directors”). Each of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Compensation and Benefits Committee is currently comprised of three unaffiliated directors and one designee of each of A/N and Liberty Broadband. A/N and Liberty Broadband also have certain other committee designation and other governance rights. Upon the closing of the Bright House Transaction, Mr. Thomas Rutledge, the Company’s CEO, became the chairman of the board of Charter.

In December 2016, Charter and A/N entered into a letter agreement (the "Letter Agreement") that requires A/N to sell to Charter or to Charter Holdings, on a monthly basis, a number of shares of Charter Class A common stock or Charter Holdings common units that represents a pro rata participation by A/N and its affiliates in any repurchases of shares of Charter Class A common stock from persons other than A/N effected by Charter during the immediately preceding calendar month, at a purchase price equal to the average price paid by Charter for the shares repurchased from persons other than A/N during such immediately preceding calendar month. A/N and Charter both have the right to terminate or suspend the pro rata repurchase arrangement on a prospective basis once Charter or Charter Holdings have repurchased shares of Class A common stock or Charter Holdings common units from A/N and its affiliates for an aggregate purchase price of $537 million which threshold has been reached.

The Company is aware that Dr. John Malone may be deemed to have a 37.9% voting interest in Liberty Interactive and is Chairman of the board of directors, an executive officer position, of Liberty Interactive. Liberty Interactive owns 38.2% of the common stock of HSN, Inc. (“HSN”) and has the right to elect 20% of the board members of HSN. Liberty Interactive wholly owns QVC, Inc. (“QVC”). The Company has programming relationships with HSN and QVC which pre-date the transaction with Liberty Media Corporation. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company recorded payments in aggregate of approximately $17 million and $50 million, respectively, and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company recorded payments in aggregate of approximately $18 million and $33 million, respectively, from HSN and QVC as part of channel carriage fees and revenue sharing arrangements for home shopping sales made to customers in the Company’s footprint.

Dr. Malone and Mr. Steven Miron, each a member of Charter’s board of directors, also serve on the board of directors of Discovery Communications, Inc., (“Discovery”) and the Company is aware that Dr. Malone owns 5.1% in the aggregate of the common stock of Discovery and has a 28.5% voting interest in Discovery for the election of directors. The Company is aware that Advance/Newhouse Programming Partnership (“A/N PP”), an affiliate of A/N and in which Mr. Miron is the CEO, owns 100% of the Series A preferred stock of Discovery and 100% of the Series C preferred stock of Discovery, representing approximately 34.6% of the outstanding equity of Discovery’s stock, on an as-converted basis. A/N PP has the right to appoint three directors out of a total of eleven directors to Discovery’s board to be elected by the holders of Discovery’s Series A preferred stock. In addition, Dr. Malone is a member of the board of directors of Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. ("Lions Gate", parent company of Starz, Inc.) and owns approximately 5.9% in the aggregate of the common stock of Lions Gate and has 8.1% of the voting power, pursuant to his ownership of Lions Gate Class A voting shares. The Company purchases programming from both Discovery and Lions Gate pursuant to agreements entered into prior to Dr. Malone and Mr. Miron joining Charter’s board of directors. Based on publicly available information, the Company does not believe that either Discovery or Lions Gate would currently be considered related parties. The amounts paid in the aggregate to Discovery and Lions Gate represent less than 3% of total operating costs and expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016.

CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)

The Company has agreements with certain equity-method investees pursuant to which the Company has made or received related party transaction payments. The Company recorded payments to equity-method investees totaling $62 million and $208 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, and $67 million and $108 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively. The Company recorded advertising revenues from transactions with equity-method investees totaling $3 million and $8 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, and $3 million and $4 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively.

15. Contingencies

In August 2015, a purported stockholder of Charter, Matthew Sciabacucchi, filed a lawsuit in the Delaware Court of Chancery, on behalf of a putative class of Charter stockholders, challenging the transactions between Charter, TWC, A/N, and Liberty Broadband announced by Charter on May 26, 2015. The lawsuit names as defendants Liberty Broadband, Legacy Charter, the board of directors of Charter, and Charter. Plaintiff alleged that the Liberty Transactions improperly benefit Liberty Broadband at the expense of other Charter shareholders, and that Charter issued a false and misleading proxy statement in connection with the Transactions and the Liberty Transactions. Plaintiff requested, among other things, that the Delaware Court of Chancery enjoin the September 21, 2015 special meeting of Charter stockholders at which Charter stockholders were asked to vote on the Transactions and the Liberty Transactions until the defendants disclosed certain information relating to Charter, the Transactions and the Liberty Transactions. The disclosures demanded by the plaintiff included (i) certain unlevered free cash flow projections for Charter and (ii) a Form of Proxy and Right of First Refusal Agreement (“Proxy”) by and among Liberty Broadband, A/N, Legacy Charter and Charter, which was referenced in the description of the Second Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement, dated May 23, 2015, among Legacy Charter, Charter, Liberty Broadband and A/N. On September 9, 2015, Charter issued supplemental disclosures containing unlevered free cash flow projections for Charter. In return, the plaintiff agreed its disclosure claims were moot and withdrew its application to enjoin the Charter stockholder vote on the Transactions and the Liberty Transactions. Charter filed a motion to dismiss this litigation and on May 31, 2017, the court issued an opinion, concluding a number of issues but reserving ruling on Charter’s motion until further briefing can be done regarding whether plaintiff’s claims are direct or derivative. The parties are presently providing the additional briefing that the court seeks. Charter denies any liability, believes that it has substantial defenses, and intends to vigorously defend this suit. Although Charter is unable to predict the outcome of this lawsuit, it does not expect the outcome will have a material effect on its operations, financial condition or cash flows.

The California Attorney General and the Alameda County, California District Attorney are investigating whether certain of Legacy Charter’s waste disposal policies, procedures and practices are in violation of the California Business and Professions Code and the California Health and Safety Code. That investigation was commenced in January 2014. A similar investigation involving Legacy TWC was initiated in February 2012. Charter is cooperating with these investigations. While the Company is unable to predict the outcome of these investigations, it does not expect that the outcome will have a material effect on its operations, financial condition, or cash flows.

On December 19, 2011, Sprint Communications Company L.P. (“Sprint”) filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas alleging that Legacy TWC infringed 12 U.S. patents purportedly relating to Voice over Internet Protocol (“VoIP”) services. Over the course of the litigation Sprint dismissed its claims relating to five of the asserted patents, and shortly before trial Sprint dropped its claims with respect to two additional patents. A trial on the remaining five patents began on February 13, 2017. On March 3, 2017 the jury returned a verdict of $140 million against Legacy TWC and further concluded that Legacy TWC had willfully infringed Sprint’s patents. The court subsequently declined to enhance the damage award as a result of the purported willful infringement. On May 30, 2017, the court awarded Sprint an additional $6 million, representing pre-judgment interest on the damages award. On June 28, 2017, the Company filed its notice of appeal with the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. In addition to its appeal, the Company will continue to pursue indemnity from one of its vendors. The impact of the verdict was reflected in the adjustment to net current liabilities as described in Note 2. The Company does not expect that the outcome of this litigation will have a material adverse effect on its operations or financial condition. The ultimate outcome of this litigation or the pursuit of indemnity against the Company’s vendor cannot be predicted.

On October 23, 2015, the New York Office of the Attorney General (the “NY AG”) began an investigation of Legacy TWC's advertised Internet speeds and other Internet product advertising. On February 1, 2017, the NY AG filed suit in the Supreme Court for the State of New York alleging that Legacy TWC's advertising of Internet speeds was false and misleading. The suit seeks restitution and injunctive relief. On May 26, 2017, the Company moved to dismiss the NY AG’s complaint. The Company intends to defend itself vigorously. However, no assurances can be made that such defenses would ultimately be successful. At this time,

CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)

the Company does not expect that the outcome of this litigation will have a material adverse effect on its operations, financial condition or cash flows.

The Company is a defendant or co-defendant in several lawsuits involving alleged infringement of various patents relating to various aspects of its businesses. Other industry participants are also defendants in certain of these cases. In the event that a court ultimately determines that the Company infringes on any intellectual property rights, the Company may be subject to substantial damages and/or an injunction that could require the Company or its vendors to modify certain products and services the Company offers to its subscribers, as well as negotiate royalty or license agreements with respect to the patents at issue. While the Company believes the lawsuits are without merit and intends to defend the actions vigorously, no assurance can be given that any adverse outcome would not be material to the Company’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity. The Company cannot predict the outcome of any such claims nor can it reasonably estimate a range of possible loss.

The Company is party to lawsuits, claims and regulatory inquiries that arise in the ordinary course of conducting its business, including lawsuits claiming violation of wage and hour laws and breach of contract by vendors, including by one of its programmers. The ultimate outcome of these other legal matters pending against the Company cannot be predicted, and although such lawsuits and claims are not expected individually to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations or liquidity, such lawsuits could have, in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. Whether or not the Company ultimately prevails in any particular lawsuit or claim, litigation can be time consuming and costly and injure the Company’s reputation.

16. Stock Compensation Plans

Charter’s 2009 Stock Incentive Plan provides for grants of nonqualified stock options, incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, dividend equivalent rights, performance units and performance shares, share awards, phantom stock, restricted stock units and restricted stock. Directors, officers and other employees of the Company and its subsidiaries, as well as others performing consulting services for the Company, are eligible for grants under the 2009 Stock Incentive Plan.

Charter granted the following equity awards for the periods presented after applying the parent company merger ratio as a result of the Transactions, as applicable.



	Three Months Ended September 30,		Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017	2016	2017	2016
Stock options	20,900	275,400	1,167,100	5,980,800
Restricted stock	—	400	9,500	10,400
Restricted stock units	5,100	39,300	283,000	890,700

Charter stock options and restricted stock units cliff vest upon the three year anniversary of each grant. Certain stock options and restricted stock units vest based on achievement of stock price hurdles. Stock options generally expire ten years from the grant date and restricted stock units have no voting rights. Restricted stock generally vests one year from the date of grant. Legacy TWC restricted stock units that were converted into Charter restricted stock units generally vest 50% on each of the third and fourth anniversary of the grant date. Legacy TWC stock options that were converted into Charter stock options vest ratably over a four-year period and expire ten years from the grant date.

As of September 30, 2017, total unrecognized compensation remaining to be recognized in future periods totaled $242 million for stock options, $2 million for restricted stock and $209 million for restricted stock units and the weighted average period over which they are expected to be recognized is three years for stock options, one year for restricted stock and two years for restricted stock units.

The Company recorded $64 million and $198 million of stock compensation expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively and $81 million and $168 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, which is included in operating costs and expenses. The Company also recorded $6 million and $43 million of expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, and $57 million and $202 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, related to accelerated vesting of equity awards of terminated employees which is recorded in merger and restructuring costs.

CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)

17. Employee Benefit Plans

The Company sponsors two qualified defined benefit pension plans, the TWC Pension Plan and the TWC Union Pension Plan, that provide pension benefits to a majority of Legacy TWC employees. The Company also provides a nonqualified defined benefit pension plan for certain employees under the TWC Excess Pension Plan.

Pension benefits are based on formulas that reflect the employees’ years of service and compensation during their employment period. Actuarial gains or losses are changes in the amount of either the benefit obligation or the fair value of plan assets resulting from experience different from that assumed or from changes in assumptions. The Company has elected to follow a mark-to-market pension accounting policy for recording the actuarial gains or losses annually during the fourth quarter, or earlier if a remeasurement event occurs during an interim period.

The components of net periodic pension cost (benefit) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 consisted of the following:



	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017			2016			2017			2016
Service cost	$	—		$	51		$	—		$	86
Interest cost	33			34			101			55
Expected return on plan assets	(46		)	(47		)	(140		)	(70		)
Pension curtailment gain	—			—			—			(675		)
Remeasurement loss, net	30			—			30			157
Net periodic pension cost (benefit)	$	17		$	38		$	(9	)	$	(447	)

The service cost component of net periodic pension cost (benefit) is recorded in operating costs and expenses in the consolidated statements of operations while the remaining components are recorded in other pension benefits (costs). During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, settlements for lump-sum distributions to qualified and nonqualified pension plan participants exceeded the estimated annual interest cost of the plans. As a result, the pension liability and pension asset values were reassessed as of September 30, 2017 utilizing remeasurement date assumptions in accordance with the Company's mark-to-market pension accounting policy to record gains and losses in the period in which a remeasurement event occurs. The $30 million remeasurement loss recorded during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 was primarily driven by the adoption of the revised lump sum conversion mortality tables published by the Internal Revenue Service effective January 1, 2018, and the effects of a decrease of the discount rate from 4.20% at December 31, 2016 to 3.88% at September 30, 2017. The effects of these changes were partially offset by a gain to record pension assets to fair value at September 30, 2017. The expected long-term rate of return on plan assets remains at 6.50%.

The $675 million pension curtailment gain and $157 million net remeasurement loss recognized during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 resulted from an amendment to the plans made subsequent to the TWC Transaction. During the second quarter of 2016, the Company amended the pension plans to freeze future benefit accruals to current active plan participants, driving the recognition of the pension curtailment gain, as no future compensation increases or future service will be credited to participants of the pension plans. Upon announcement and approval of the plan amendment, the assumptions underlying the pension liability and pension asset values were reassessed utilizing remeasurement date assumptions, resulting in the net remeasurement loss.

The Company made no cash contributions to the qualified pension plans during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016; however, the Company may make discretionary cash contributions to the qualified pension plans in the future. Such contributions will be dependent on a variety of factors, including current and expected interest rates, asset performance, the funded status of the qualified pension plans and management’s judgment. For the nonqualified unfunded pension plan, the Company will continue to make contributions during 2017 to the extent benefits are paid.

CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)

18. Consolidating Schedules

Each of Charter Operating, TWC, LLC, TWCE, CCO Holdings and certain subsidiaries jointly, severally, fully and unconditionally guarantee the outstanding debt securities of the others (other than the CCO Holdings notes) on an unsecured senior basis and the condensed consolidating financial information has been prepared and presented pursuant to SEC Regulation S-X Rule 3-10, Financial Statements of Guarantors and Issuers of Guaranteed Securities Registered or Being Registered. Certain Charter Operating subsidiaries that are regulated telephone entities only become guarantor subsidiaries upon approval by regulators. This information is not intended to present the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the individual companies or groups of companies in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

The “Charter Operating and Restricted Subsidiaries” column is presented to comply with the terms of the Credit Agreement.

The “Safari Escrow Entities” column included in the condensed consolidating financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 consists of CCOH Safari, CCO Safari II and CCO Safari III. CCOH Safari, CCO Safari II and CCO Safari III issued the CCOH Safari notes, CCO Safari II notes and the CCO Safari III credit facilities, respectively. Upon closing of the TWC Transaction, the CCOH Safari notes became obligations of CCO Holdings and CCO Holdings Capital and the CCO Safari II notes and CCO Safari III credit facilities became obligations of Charter Operating and Charter Communications Operating Capital Corp. CCOH Safari merged into CCO Holdings and CCO Safari II and CCO Safari III merged into Charter Operating.

Condensed consolidating financial statements as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 and for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 follow.

CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)



Charter Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets
As of September 30, 2017

	Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries				Guarantor Subsidiaries
	Charter		Intermediate Holding Companies		CCO Holdings		Charter Operating and Restricted Subsidiaries		Eliminations			Charter Consolidated
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	—	$	190	$	—	$	1,974	$	—		$	2,164
Accounts receivable, net	46		33		—		1,573		—			1,652
Receivables from related party	20		616		51		—		(687		)	—
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	—		41		—		275		—			316
Total current assets	66		880		51		3,822		(687		)	4,132

INVESTMENT IN CABLE PROPERTIES:
Property, plant and equipment, net	—		234		—		33,066		—			33,300
Customer relationships, net	—		—		—		12,589		—			12,589
Franchises	—		—		—		67,316		—			67,316
Goodwill	—		—		—		29,554		—			29,554
Total investment in cable properties, net	—		234		—		142,525		—			142,759

INVESTMENT IN SUBSIDIARIES	59,684		68,003		85,011		—		(212,698		)	—
LOANS RECEIVABLE – RELATED PARTY	163		655		511		—		(1,329		)	—
OTHER NONCURRENT ASSETS	—		222		—		1,115		—			1,337

Total assets	$	59,913	$	69,994	$	85,573	$	147,462	$	(214,714	)	$	148,228

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’/MEMBER’S EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	13	$	835	$	339	$	7,164	$	—		$	8,351
Payables to related party	—		—		—		687		(687		)	—
Current portion of long-term debt	—		—		—		2,068		—			2,068
Total current liabilities	13		835		339		9,919		(687		)	10,419

LONG-TERM DEBT	—		—		17,231		48,833		—			66,064
LOANS PAYABLE – RELATED PARTY	—		—		—		1,329		(1,329		)	—
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES	26,514		23		—		39		—			26,576
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES	157		127		—		2,307		—			2,591

SHAREHOLDERS’/MEMBER’S EQUITY
Controlling interest	33,229		59,684		68,003		85,011		(212,698		)	33,229
Noncontrolling interests	—		9,325		—		24		—			9,349
Total shareholders’/member’s equity	33,229		69,009		68,003		85,035		(212,698		)	42,578

Total liabilities and shareholders’/member’s equity	$	59,913	$	69,994	$	85,573	$	147,462	$	(214,714	)	$	148,228

CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)



Charter Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets
As of December 31, 2016

	Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries				Guarantor Subsidiaries
	Charter		Intermediate Holding Companies		CCO Holdings		Charter Operating and Restricted Subsidiaries		Eliminations			Charter Consolidated
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	57	$	154	$	—	$	1,324	$	—		$	1,535
Accounts receivable, net	34		11		—		1,387		—			1,432
Receivables from related party	170		451		62		—		(683		)	—
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	—		33		—		300		—			333
Total current assets	261		649		62		3,011		(683		)	3,300

INVESTMENT IN CABLE PROPERTIES:
Property, plant and equipment, net	—		245		—		32,718		—			32,963
Customer relationships, net	—		—		—		14,608		—			14,608
Franchises	—		—		—		67,316		—			67,316
Goodwill	—		—		—		29,509		—			29,509
Total investment in cable properties, net	—		245		—		144,151		—			144,396

INVESTMENT IN SUBSIDIARIES	66,692		75,838		88,760		—		(231,290		)	—
LOANS RECEIVABLE – RELATED PARTY	—		640		494		—		(1,134		)	—
OTHER NONCURRENT ASSETS	—		214		—		1,157		—			1,371

Total assets	$	66,953	$	77,586	$	89,316	$	148,319	$	(233,107	)	$	149,067

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’/MEMBER’S EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	22	$	625	$	219	$	6,678	$	—		$	7,544
Payables to related party	—		—		—		683		(683		)	—
Current portion of long-term debt	—		—		—		2,028		—			2,028
Total current liabilities	22		625		219		9,389		(683		)	9,572

LONG-TERM DEBT	—		—		13,259		46,460		—			59,719
LOANS PAYABLE – RELATED PARTY	—		—		—		1,134		(1,134		)	—
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES	26,637		3		—		25		—			26,665
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES	155		64		—		2,526		—			2,745

SHAREHOLDERS’/MEMBER’S EQUITY
Controlling interest	40,139		66,692		75,838		88,760		(231,290		)	40,139
Noncontrolling interests	—		10,202		—		25		—			10,227
Total shareholders’/member’s equity	40,139		76,894		75,838		88,785		(231,290		)	50,366

Total liabilities and shareholders’/member’s equity	$	66,953	$	77,586	$	89,316	$	148,319	$	(233,107	)	$	149,067

CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)



Charter Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations
For the nine months ended September 30, 2017

	Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries						Guarantor Subsidiaries
	Charter			Intermediate Holding Companies			CCO Holdings			Charter Operating and Restricted Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Charter Consolidated
REVENUES	$	79		$	897		$	—		$	30,979		$	(976	)	$	30,979

COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Operating costs and expenses (exclusive of items shown separately below)	79			883			—			19,871			(976		)	19,857
Depreciation and amortization	—			7			—			7,839			—			7,846
Other operating expenses, net	—			—			—			374			—			374
	79			890			—			28,084			(976		)	28,077
Income from operations	—			7			—			2,895			—			2,902

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSES):
Interest income (expense), net	4			14			(631		)	(1,637		)	—			(2,250		)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	—			—			(33		)	(2		)	—			(35		)
Loss on financial instruments, net	—			—			—			(15		)	—			(15		)
Other pension benefits	—			—			—			9			—			9
Other expense, net	—			(12		)	—			(2		)	—			(14		)
Equity in income of subsidiaries	390			548			1,212			—			(2,150		)	—
	394			550			548			(1,647		)	(2,150		)	(2,305		)

Income before income taxes	394			557			548			1,248			(2,150		)	597
INCOME TAX EXPENSE	(52		)	(12		)	—			(35		)	—			(99		)
Consolidated net income	342			545			548			1,213			(2,150		)	498
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			(155		)	—			(1		)	—			(156		)
Net income	$	342		$	390		$	548		$	1,212		$	(2,150	)	$	342

CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)



Charter Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations
For the nine months ended September 30, 2016

	Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries									Guarantor Subsidiaries
	Charter			Intermediate Holding Companies			Safari Escrow Entities			CCO Holdings			Charter Operating and Restricted Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Charter Consolidated
REVENUES	$	231		$	797		$	—		$	—		$	18,728		$	(1,028	)	$	18,728

COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Operating costs and expenses (exclusive of items shown separately below)	231			781			—			—			12,173			(1,028		)	12,157
Depreciation and amortization	—			3			—			—			4,409			—			4,412
Other operating expenses, net	262			1			—			—			513			—			776
	493			785			—			—			17,095			(1,028		)	17,345
Income (loss) from operations	(262		)	12			—			—			1,633			—			1,383

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSES):
Interest income (expense), net	—			10			(390		)	(539		)	(852		)	—			(1,771		)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	—			—			—			(110		)	—			—			(110		)
Gain on financial instruments, net	—			—			—			—			16			—			16
Other pension benefits	—			—			—			—			533			—			533
Other expense, net	—			(8		)	—			—			(2		)	—			(10		)
Equity in income (loss) of subsidiaries	188			288			—			1,327			—			(1,803		)	—
	188			290			(390		)	678			(305		)	(1,803		)	(1,342		)

Income (loss) before income taxes	(74		)	302			(390		)	678			1,328			(1,803		)	41
INCOME TAX BENEFIT (EXPENSE)	3,142			(7		)	—			—			—			—			3,135
Consolidated net income (loss)	3,068			295			(390		)	678			1,328			(1,803		)	3,176
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			(107		)	—			—			(1		)	—			(108		)
Net income (loss)	$	3,068		$	188		$	(390	)	$	678		$	1,327		$	(1,803	)	$	3,068

CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)



Charter Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
For the nine months ended September 30, 2017

	Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries					Guarantor Subsidiaries
	Charter		Intermediate Holding Companies			CCO Holdings		Charter Operating and Restricted Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Charter Consolidated
Consolidated net income	$	342	$	545		$	548	$	1,213		$	(2,150	)	$	498
Net impact of interest rate derivative instruments	4		4			4		4			(12		)	4
Foreign currency translation adjustment	1		1			1		1			(3		)	1
Consolidated comprehensive income	347		550			553		1,218			(2,165		)	503
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—		(155		)	—		(1		)	—			(156		)
Comprehensive income	$	347	$	395		$	553	$	1,217		$	(2,165	)	$	347



Charter Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
For the nine months ended September 30, 2016

	Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries									Guarantor Subsidiaries
	Charter			Intermediate Holding Companies			Safari Escrow Entities			CCO Holdings			Charter Operating and Restricted Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Charter Consolidated
Consolidated net income (loss)	$	3,068		$	295		$	(390	)	$	678		$	1,328		$	(1,803	)	$	3,176
Net impact of interest rate derivative instruments	6			6			—			6			6			(18		)	6
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(1		)	(1		)	—			(1		)	(1		)	3			(1		)
Consolidated comprehensive income (loss)	$	3,073		$	300		$	(390	)	$	683		$	1,333		$	(1,818	)	$	3,181
Less: Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	—			(107		)	—			—			(1		)	—			(108		)
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	3,073		$	193		$	(390	)	$	683		$	1,332		$	(1,818	)	$	3,073

CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)



Charter Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows
For the nine months ended September 30, 2017

	Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries						Guarantor Subsidiaries
	Charter			Intermediate Holding Companies			CCO Holdings			Charter Operating and Restricted Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Charter Consolidated
NET CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES	$	95		$	80		$	(504	)	$	9,025		$	—		$	8,696

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	—			—			—			(6,096		)	—			(6,096		)
Change in accrued expenses related to capital expenditures	—			—			—			276			—			276
Contributions to subsidiaries	(111		)	—			(693		)	—			804			—
Distributions from subsidiaries	7,759			8,641			5,912			—			(22,312		)	—
Other, net	—			—			—			(63		)	—			(63		)
Net cash flows from investing activities	7,648			8,641			5,219			(5,883		)	(21,508		)	(5,883		)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Borrowings of long-term debt	—			—			4,747			7,368			—			12,115
Repayments of long-term debt	—			—			(775		)	(4,759		)	—			(5,534		)
Borrowings (repayments) loans payable - related parties	(163		)	—			—			163			—			—
Payments for debt issuance costs	—			—			(46		)	(37		)	—			(83		)
Purchase of treasury stock	(7,748		)	—			—			—			—			(7,748		)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	111			—			—			—			—			111
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	—			(922		)	—			—			—			(922		)
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	—			(115		)	—			—			—			(115		)
Contributions from parent	—			111			—			693			(804		)	—
Distributions to parent	—			(7,759		)	(8,641		)	(5,912		)	22,312			—
Other, net	—			—			—			(8		)	—			(8		)
Net cash flows from financing activities	(7,800		)	(8,685		)	(4,715		)	(2,492		)	21,508			(2,184		)

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	(57		)	36			—			650			—			629
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period	57			154			—			1,324			—			1,535

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period	$	—		$	190		$	—		$	1,974		$	—		$	2,164

CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)



Charter Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows
For the nine months ended September 30, 2016

	Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries									Guarantor Subsidiaries
	Charter			Intermediate Holding Companies			Safari Escrow Entities			CCO Holdings			Charter Operating and Restricted Subsidiaries			Eliminations			Charter Consolidated
NET CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES	$	(233	)	$	(27	)	$	(463	)	$	(533	)	$	6,071		$	—		$	4,815

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	—			—			—			—			(3,437		)	—			(3,437		)
Change in accrued expenses related to capital expenditures	—			—			—			—			86			—			86
Purchases of cable systems, net of cash acquired	(26,781		)	(2,022		)	—			—			(7		)	—			(28,810		)
Contribution to subsidiary	(996		)	(478		)	—			(437		)	—			1,911			—
Distributions from subsidiaries	23,417			25,437			—			3,455			—			(52,309		)	—
Change in restricted cash and cash equivalents	—			—			22,264			—			—			—			22,264
Other, net	—			—			—			—			(8		)	—			(8		)
Net cash flows from investing activities	(4,360		)	22,937			22,264			3,018			(3,366		)	(50,398		)	(9,905		)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Borrowings of long-term debt	—			—			—			3,201			2,796			—			5,997
Repayments of long-term debt	—			—			—			(2,937		)	(1,183		)	—			(4,120		)
Borrowings (payments) loans payable - related parties	—			(300		)	553			(71		)	(182		)	—			—
Payments for debt issuance costs	—			—			—			(73		)	(210		)	—			(283		)
Issuance of equity	5,000			—			—			—			—			—			5,000
Purchase of treasury stock	(448		)	—			—			—			—			—			(448		)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	71			—			—			—			—			—			71
Distributions to noncontrolling interest	—			(55		)	—			—			—			—			(55		)
Proceeds from termination of interest rate derivatives	—			—			—			—			88			—			88
Contributions from parent	—			996			—			478			437			(1,911		)	—
Distributions to parent	—			(23,417		)	(22,353		)	(3,084		)	(3,455		)	52,309			—
Other, net	—			5			(1		)	1			(5		)	—			—
Net cash flows from financing activities	4,623			(22,771		)	(21,801		)	(2,485		)	(1,714		)	50,398			6,250

NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	30			139			—			—			991			—			1,160
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period	—			—			—			—			5			—			5

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period	$	30		$	139		$	—		$	—		$	996		$	—		$	1,165

CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)

19. Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Accounting Standards Adopted January 1, 2017

In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which includes multiple provisions intended to simplify various aspects of the accounting for share-based payments. The new standard (1) requires all excess tax benefits and deficiencies to be recognized as income tax expense or benefit in the income statement in the period in which they occur regardless of whether the benefit reduces taxes payable in the current period, (2) requires classification of excess tax benefits as an operating activity on the statements of cash flows, (3) allows an entity to make an entity-wide accounting policy election to either estimate the number of awards that are expected to vest or account for forfeitures when they occur and (4) causes the threshold under which employee share-based awards partially settled in cash can qualify for equity classification to increase to the maximum statutory tax rates in the applicable jurisdiction. ASU 2016-09 will be effective for interim and annual periods after December 15, 2016 (January 1, 2017 for the Company). The new standard generally requires a modified retrospective transition through a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the beginning of the period of adoption, with certain provisions requiring either a prospective or retrospective transition. The Company adopted ASU 2016-09 on January 1, 2017. Upon adoption of ASU 2016-09, the Company recognized excess tax benefits of approximately $136 million in deferred tax assets that were previously not recognized in a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings. The Company will prospectively record a deferred tax benefit or expense associated with the difference between book and tax for stock compensation expense. On January 1, 2017, the Company also established an accounting policy election to assume zero forfeitures for stock award grants and account for forfeitures when they occur which prospectively impacts stock compensation expense. Other aspects of adoption ASU 2016-09 did not have a material impact to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-07, Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost ("ASU 2017-07"), which requires employers to report the service cost component of net periodic pension cost in the same line item as other compensation costs arising from services rendered during the period. The standard also requires the other components of net periodic cost be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component and outside of a subtotal of income from operations. ASU 2017-07 will be effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and early adoption is permitted. The new standard requires retrospective application and allows a practical expedient that permits an employer to use the amounts disclosed in its pension plan footnote for the prior comparative periods as the estimation basis for applying the retrospective presentation. The Company early adopted ASU 2017-07 on January 1, 2017 and utilized the practical expedient to estimate the impact on the prior comparative period information presented in interim and annual financial statements. The Company previously recorded service cost with other compensation costs in operating costs and expenses in the consolidated statements of operations, and recorded other pension benefits (costs), in other operating expenses, net. Adoption of the standard results in the reclassification of other pension benefits (costs) to other expenses, net (non-operating). Adopting the standard will reduce 2016 income from operations presented for comparative purposes in the 2017 annual financial statements by $899 million with a corresponding decrease to other expenses of $899 million, with no impact to net income. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the adoption of the standard resulted in reductions of income from operations by $13 million and $533 million, respectively, with corresponding decreases to other expenses, with no impact to net income. ASU 2017-07 does not impact the consolidated balance sheets or statements of cash flows.

Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014-09”), which is a comprehensive revenue recognition standard that will supersede nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP. The new standard provides a single principles-based, five-step model to be applied to all contracts with customers, which steps are to (1) identify the contract(s) with the customer, (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (3) determine the transaction price, (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract and (5) recognize revenue when each performance obligation is satisfied. ASU 2014-09 will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 (January 1, 2018 for the Company). The Company has substantially completed the review of its revenue arrangements and does not currently expect that the adoption of the new standard will have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or results of operations. However, the adoption is anticipated to result in the deferral of residential installation revenues and enterprise commission expenses over a period of time instead of recognized immediately. The adoption is also anticipated to result in the reclassification to operating costs and expenses the amortization of up-front fees paid to market and serve customers who reside in residential multiple dwelling units (“MDUs”) instead of amortized as an intangible to depreciation and amortization expense. The new standard also requires additional disclosures regarding the nature, timing and uncertainty of the Company’s

CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)

revenue transactions. The Company intends to adopt the provisions of the guidance using a cumulative effect adjustment as of the January 1, 2018 adoption date.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (“ASU 2016-02”), which requires lessees to recognize almost all leases on their balance sheet as a right-of-use asset and a lease liability. Lessees are allowed to account for short-term leases (i.e., leases with a term of 12 months or less) off-balance sheet, consistent with current operating lease accounting. For income statement purposes, the FASB retained a dual model, requiring leases to be classified as either operating or finance. Classification will be based on criteria that are largely similar to those applied in current lease accounting, but without explicit bright lines. ASU 2016-02 will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018 (January 1, 2019 for the Company). The new standard requires a modified retrospective transition through a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the beginning of the earliest period presented in the financial statements. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact that the adoption of ASU 2016-02 will have on its consolidated financial statements including identifying the population of leases, evaluating technology solutions and collecting lease data.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (“ASU 2016-15”), which clarifies how entities should classify cash receipts and cash payments related to eight specific cash flow matters on the statement of cash flows, with the objective of reducing existing diversity in practice. ASU 2016-15 will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 (January 1, 2018 for the Company). Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact that the adoption of ASU 2016-15 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment (“ASU 2017-04”), which eliminates step two from the goodwill impairment test. Under the new standard, to the extent the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds the fair value, the Company will record an impairment charge equal to the difference. The impairment charge recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. ASU 2017-04 will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019 (January 1, 2020 for the Company). Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed after January 1, 2017. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact that the adoption of ASU 2017-04 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-09, Scope of Modification Accounting ("ASU 2017-09"), which amends the scope of modification accounting for share-based payment arrangements. The ASU provides guidance on the types of changes to the terms or conditions of share-based payment awards to which an entity would be required to apply modification accounting. ASU 2017-09 will be applied prospectively to awards modified on or after the effective date. ASU 2017-09 will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 (January 1, 2018 for the Company). Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact that the adoption of ASU 2017-09 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

General

Charter Communications, Inc. (together with its controlled subsidiaries, “Charter”) is the second largest cable operator in the United States and a leading broadband communications services company providing video, Internet and voice services to approximately 27.0 million residential and business customers at September 30, 2017. In addition, we sell video and online advertising inventory to local, regional and national advertising customers and fiber-delivered communications and managed information technology ("IT") solutions to larger enterprise customers. We also own and operate regional sports networks and local sports, news and community channels and sell security and home management services to the residential marketplace.

Charter is a holding company whose principal asset is a controlling equity interest in Charter Communications Holdings, LLC (“Charter Holdings”), an indirect owner of Charter Communications Operating, LLC (“Charter Operating”) under which all of the operations reside. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions among consolidated entities have been eliminated.

The Transactions

Also, on May 18, 2016, Legacy Charter and Advance/Newhouse Partnership (“A/N”), the former parent of Bright House Networks, LLC (“Legacy Bright House”), completed their previously announced transaction, pursuant to a definitive Contribution Agreement (the “Contribution Agreement”), under which Charter acquired Legacy Bright House (the “Bright House Transaction”). Pursuant to the Bright House Transaction, Charter became the owner of the membership interests in Legacy Bright House and the other assets primarily related to Legacy Bright House (other than certain excluded assets and liabilities and non-operating cash).

In connection with the TWC Transaction, Legacy Charter and Liberty Broadband completed their previously announced transactions pursuant to their investment agreement, in which Liberty Broadband purchased shares of Charter Class A common stock to partially finance the cash portion of the TWC Transaction consideration, and in connection with the Bright House Transaction, Liberty Broadband purchased shares of Charter Class A common stock (the “Liberty Transactions”).

Comcast Wireless Cooperation Agreement

In May 2017, Charter announced an agreement with Comcast Corporation (“Comcast”) to, for one year, explore potential opportunities for operational cooperation in our respective wireless businesses to accelerate and enhance each company’s ability to participate in the national wireless marketplace. Charter and Comcast have each separately activated a mobile virtual network operator (“MVNO”) reseller agreement with Verizon Wireless, and have each agreed to explore working together in a number of potential operational areas in the wireless space, including: creating common operating platforms; technical standards development and harmonization; device forward and reverse logistics; and emerging wireless technology platforms. The efficiencies created are expected to provide more choice, innovative products and competitive prices for customers in each of our respective footprints. Additionally, the companies have agreed to work only together with respect to national mobile network operators, through potential commercial arrangements, including MVNOs and other material transactions in the wireless industry, for a period of one year. We intend to consider and pursue opportunities in the wireless space which may include entering into joint ventures or partnerships with wireless or cable providers which may require significant investment in our wireless business. There is no assurance we will enter into such arrangements or that if we do, that they will be successful.

Overview

Since 2012, Legacy Charter has actively invested in its network and operations and has improved the quality and value of the products and packages that it offers. Through the roll-out of Spectrum pricing and packaging ("SPP") across Legacy Charter, we have simplified our offers and improved our packaging of products, delivering more value to new and existing customers. Further, through the transition of our Legacy Charter markets to our all-digital platform, we increased our offerings to more than 200 HD channels in most of the Legacy Charter markets and offered Internet speeds of at least 60 or 100 Mbps, among other benefits. We

believe that this product set combined with improved customer service, as we insource our workforce in our call centers and in our field operations, has led to lower customer churn and longer customer lifetimes.

In September 2016, we began launching SPP to Legacy TWC and Legacy Bright House markets and as of September 30, 2017, we offer SPP in all Legacy TWC and Legacy Bright House markets. In the second half of 2017, we began converting the remaining Legacy TWC and Legacy Bright House analog markets to an all-digital platform. The bulk of this all-digital initiative will take place in 2018. Our corporate organization, as well as our marketing, sales and product development departments, are now centralized. Field operations are managed through eleven regional areas, each designed to represent a combination of designated marketing areas and managed with largely the same set of field employees that were with the three legacy companies prior to completion of the Transactions. Over a multi-year period, Legacy TWC and Legacy Bright House customer care centers will migrate to Legacy Charter's model of using segmented, virtualized, U.S.-based in-house call centers. We are focused on deploying superior products and service with minimal service disruptions as we integrate our information technology and network operations. We expect customer and financial results to trend similarly to Legacy Charter following the implementation of Legacy Charter's operating strategies across the Legacy TWC and Legacy Bright House markets. As a result of implementing our operating strategy across Legacy TWC and Legacy Bright House, we cannot be certain that we will be able to grow revenues or maintain our margins at recent historical rates.

We realized revenue, Adjusted EBITDA and income from operations during the periods presented as follows (in millions; all percentages are calculated using whole numbers. Minor differences may exist due to rounding).



	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2016		% Change		2017		2016		% Change
	Actual
Revenues	$	10,458	$	10,037	4.2	%	$	30,979	$	18,728	65.4	%
Adjusted EBITDA	$	3,819	$	3,636	5.0	%	$	11,320	$	6,739	68.0	%
Income from operations	$	909	$	911	(0.2	)%	$	2,902	$	1,383	109.8	%



	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2016
	Actual		Pro forma		% Change
Revenues	$	30,979	$	29,748	4.1	%
Adjusted EBITDA	$	11,320	$	10,611	6.7	%
Income from operations	$	2,902	$	2,813	3.2	%

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as consolidated net income plus net interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, stock compensation expense, loss on extinguishment of debt, (gain) loss on financial instruments, net, other pension (benefits) costs, other (income) expense, net and other operating (income) expenses, such as merger and restructuring costs, special charges and gain (loss) on sale or retirement of assets. See “—Use of Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow” for further information on Adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow.

Growth in total revenue and Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the corresponding prior period was primarily due to growth in our Internet and commercial businesses, and growth for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the corresponding prior period was primarily due to the Transactions. On a pro forma basis for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, assuming the Transactions occurred as of January 1, 2015, total revenue growth was primarily due to growth in our Internet and commercial businesses offset by an early contract termination benefit at Legacy TWC and Legacy Bright House in 2016 and lower advertising sales revenue due to a decrease in political and local advertising. In addition to the items noted above, Adjusted EBITDA growth on a pro forma basis was affected by increases in programming costs and transition costs offset by decreases in costs to service customers and other operating expenses. Income from operations on a pro forma basis was additionally affected by an increase in depreciation and amortization offset by a decrease in merger and restructuring costs.

On a pro forma basis, income from operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 has been reduced from what was previously reported by $549 million to reflect the adoption of Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-07, Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost ("ASU 2017-07"). For more information, see Note 19 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements contained in “Item 1. Financial Statements.”

We incurred the following transition costs in connection with the Transactions (in millions).



	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2016		2017		2016
Operating expenses	$	23	$	32	$	104	$	78
Other operating expenses	$	67	$	205	$	293	$	775
Interest expense	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	390
Capital expenditures	$	125	$	109	$	287	$	273

Amounts included in transition operating expenses and transition capital expenditures represent incremental costs incurred to integrate the Legacy TWC and Legacy Bright House operations and to bring the three companies’ systems and processes into a uniform operating structure. Costs are incremental and would not be incurred absent the integration. Other operating expenses associated with the Transactions represent merger and restructuring costs and include advisory, legal and accounting fees, employee retention costs, employee termination costs and other exit costs. Interest expense associated with the Transactions represents interest incurred on the CCO Safari II, CCO Safari III and CCOH Safari notes issued in advance of the closing of the Transactions, the proceeds of which were held in escrow to finance the Transactions.

Our net losses in prior years were principally attributable to insufficient revenue to cover the combination of operating expenses, interest expenses that we incur on our debt, depreciation expenses resulting from the capital investments we have made, and continue to make, in our cable properties, amortization expenses related to our customer relationship intangibles and higher non-cash income tax expense. Although we have incurred net income since completion of the Transactions, we will incur significant increases in interest expense and depreciation and amortization as a result of the Transactions and will incur restructuring and transition costs for at least two years from acquisition date, and as a result, we may incur net losses in the future.

All customer statistics as of September 30, 2017 include the operations of Legacy TWC, Legacy Bright House and Legacy Charter, each of which is based on individual legacy company reporting methodology. These methodologies differ and their differences may be material. Statistical reporting will be conformed over time to a single reporting methodology. The following table summarizes our customer statistics for video, Internet and voice as of September 30, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands except per customer data and footnotes).



	Approximate as of
	September 30,
	2017 (a)		2016 (a)(b)
Customer Relationships (c)
Residential	25,470		24,551
Small and Medium Business	1,523		1,367
Total Customer Relationships	26,993		25,918

Residential Primary Service Units (“PSU”)
Video	16,542		16,887
Internet	22,282		21,017
Voice	10,405		10,288
	49,229		48,192

Monthly Residential Revenue per Residential Customer (d)	$	110.12	$	109.70

Small and Medium Business PSUs
Video	440		388
Internet	1,321		1,185
Voice	881		751
	2,642		2,324

Monthly Small and Medium Business Revenue per Customer (e)	$	206.64	$	214.53

Enterprise PSUs (f)	108		93

(a)

We calculate the aging of customer accounts based on the monthly billing cycle for each account. On that basis, as of September 30, 2017 and 2016, customers include approximately 218,300 and 200,900 customers, respectively, whose accounts were over 60 days past due, approximately 20,300 and 15,200 customers, respectively, whose accounts were over 90 days past due, and approximately 12,000 and 8,900 customers, respectively, whose accounts were over 120 days past due.

(b)

In the second quarter of 2017, we conformed the seasonal customer program in the Legacy Bright House footprint to our program. Prior to the plan change, Legacy Bright House customers enrolling in the seasonal plan were charged a one-time fee and counted as customer disconnects, and as new connects, when moving off the seasonal plan. Under our seasonal plan, residential customers pay a reduced monthly fee while the seasonal plan is active and remain reported as customers. Excluding the impact of net customer disconnect activity related to the previous seasonal plan, Legacy Bright House residential customer relationships, video, Internet and voice PSUs at September 30, 2016 would have been higher by approximately 54,000, 48,000, 66,000 and 45,000 respectively.

(c)

Customer relationships include the number of customers that receive one or more levels of service, encompassing video, Internet and voice services, without regard to which service(s) such customers receive. Customers who reside in residential multiple dwelling units (“MDUs”) and that are billed under bulk contracts are counted based on the number of billed units within each bulk MDU. Total customer relationships excludes enterprise customer relationships.


(d)	Monthly residential revenue per residential customer is calculated as total residential video, Internet and voice quarterly revenue divided by three divided by average residential customer relationships during the respective quarter.


(e)	Monthly small and medium business revenue per customer is calculated as total small and medium business quarterly revenue divided by three divided by average small and medium business customer relationships during the respective quarter.


(f)	Enterprise PSUs represent the aggregate number of fiber service offerings counting each separate service offering as an individual PSU.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

For a discussion of our critical accounting policies and the means by which we develop estimates therefore, see “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K. There have been no material changes from the critical accounting policies described in our Form 10-K.

Results of Operations

We completed the Transactions on May 18, 2016 and have included the Legacy TWC and Legacy Bright House operating results since that date. In accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), operating results from Legacy TWC and Legacy Bright House prior to the closing of the Transactions have been excluded. For purposes of management’s discussion and analysis, we have given explanations of increases and decreases in our results of operations on an actual basis, as well as on a pro forma basis assuming the Transactions occurred as of January 1, 2015. Due to the size of the Transactions, we believe that providing a discussion of our results of operations on a pro forma basis provides management and investors a more meaningful perspective on our financial and operational performance and trends. The results of operations data on a pro forma basis are provided for illustrative purposes only and are based on available information and assumptions that we believe are reasonable and do not purport to represent what our actual consolidated results of operations would have been had the Transactions occurred as of January 1, 2015, nor are they necessarily indicative of future consolidated results of operations or consolidated financial position.

See Exhibit 99.1 in Charter's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 filed with the SEC on November 3, 2016 for pro forma financial information for each quarter of 2015 and the first and second quarter of 2016.

The following table sets forth the consolidated statements of operations for the periods presented (dollars in millions, except per share data):



	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017			2016			2017			2016
Revenues	$	10,458		$	10,037		$	30,979		$	18,728

Costs and Expenses:
Operating costs and expenses (exclusive of items shown separately below)	6,703			6,482			19,857			12,157
Depreciation and amortization	2,701			2,437			7,846			4,412
Other operating expenses, net	145			207			374			776
	9,549			9,126			28,077			17,345
Income from operations	909			911			2,902			1,383

Other Expenses:
Interest expense, net	(788		)	(724		)	(2,250		)	(1,771		)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	—			—			(35		)	(110		)
Gain (loss) on financial instruments, net	17			71			(15		)	16
Other pension benefits (costs)	(17		)	13			9			533
Other expense, net	(3		)	(5		)	(14		)	(10		)
	(791		)	(645		)	(2,305		)	(1,342		)

Income before income taxes	118			266			597			41
Income tax benefit (expense)	(26		)	(16		)	(99		)	3,135
Consolidated net income	92			250			498			3,176
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(44		)	(61		)	(156		)	(108		)

Net income attributable to Charter shareholders	$	48		$	189		$	342		$	3,068

EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO CHARTER SHAREHOLDERS:
Basic	$	0.19		$	0.70		$	1.31		$	16.52
Diluted	$	0.19		$	0.69		$	1.29		$	15.23

Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic	253,923,805			271,263,259			262,074,603			185,706,106
Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted	258,341,851			275,373,202			266,363,602			208,460,148

Revenues. Total revenues grew $421 million and $12.3 billion for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the corresponding periods in 2016, respectively, primarily due to increases in the number of residential Internet and commercial business customers as well as price adjustments offset by a decrease in basic video customers and advertising sales, and in the nine month period due to the Transactions which increased total revenues by approximately $11.4 billion. On a pro forma basis, assuming the Transactions occurred as of January 1, 2015, total revenue growth was 4.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the corresponding period in 2016.

Revenues by service offering were as follows (dollars in millions; all percentages are calculated using whole numbers. Minor differences may exist due to rounding):



	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2016		% Change		2017		2016		% Change
	Actual
Video	$	4,213	$	4,094	2.9	%	$	12,416	$	7,869	57.8	%
Internet	3,556		3,206		10.9	%	10,467		5,960		75.6	%
Voice	611		728		(16.1	)%	1,955		1,286		51.9	%
Residential revenue	8,380		8,028		4.4	%	24,838		15,115		64.3	%

Small and medium business	931		867		7.4	%	2,755		1,589		73.3	%
Enterprise	553		508		8.9	%	1,640		903		81.6	%
Commercial revenue	1,484		1,375		8.0	%	4,395		2,492		76.3	%

Advertising sales	373		420		(11.1	)%	1,091		729		49.9	%
Other	221		214		3.0	%	655		392		66.9	%
	$	10,458	$	10,037	4.2	%	$	30,979	$	18,728	65.4	%



	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2016
	Actual		Pro forma		% Change
Video	$	12,416	$	12,292	1.0	%
Internet	10,467		9,376		11.6	%
Voice	1,955		2,186		(10.6	)%
Residential revenue	24,838		23,854		4.1	%

Small and medium business	2,755		2,518		9.4	%
Enterprise	1,640		1,499		9.4	%
Commercial revenue	4,395		4,017		9.4	%

Advertising sales	1,091		1,190		(8.2	)%
Other	655		687		(4.8	)%
	$	30,979	$	29,748	4.1	%

Video revenues consist primarily of revenues from basic and digital video services provided to our residential customers, as well as franchise fees, equipment rental and video installation revenue. Residential video customers decreased by 345,000 from September 30, 2016 to September 30, 2017.

The increase in video revenues is attributable to the following (dollars in millions):



	Three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to three months ended September 30, 2016 Increase / (Decrease)			Nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to nine months ended September 30, 2016 Increase / (Decrease)
Bundle revenue allocation and price adjustments	$	140		$	169
Increase in video on demand and pay-per-view	55			45
Decrease in average basic video customers	(76		)	(102		)
TWC Transaction	—			3,806
Bright House Transaction	—			629
	$	119		$	4,547

On a pro forma basis, assuming the Transactions occurred as of January 1, 2015, the increase in video revenues is attributable to the following (dollars in millions):



	Nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to nine months ended September 30, 2016 Increase / (Decrease)
Bundle revenue allocation and price adjustments	$	299
Increase in video on demand and pay-per-view	46
Decrease in average basic video customers	(221		)
	$	124

Residential Internet customers grew by 1,265,000 customers from September 30, 2016 to September 30, 2017. The increase in Internet revenues from our residential customers is attributable to the following (dollars in millions):



	Three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to three months ended September 30, 2016 Increase / (Decrease)		Nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to nine months ended September 30, 2016 Increase / (Decrease)
Increase in average residential Internet customers	$	205	$	410
Price adjustments, bundle revenue allocation and service level changes	145		258
TWC Transaction	—		3,268
Bright House Transaction	—		571
	$	350	$	4,507

On a pro forma basis, assuming the Transactions occurred as of January 1, 2015, the increase in Internet revenues is attributable to the following (dollars in millions):



	Nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to nine months ended September 30, 2016 Increase / (Decrease)
Increase in average residential Internet customers	$	629
Price adjustments, bundle revenue allocation and service level changes	462
	$	1,091

Residential voice customers grew by 117,000 customers from September 30, 2016 to September 30, 2017. The change in voice revenues from our residential customers is attributable to the following (dollars in millions):



	Three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to three months ended September 30, 2016 Increase / (Decrease)			Nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to nine months ended September 30, 2016 Increase / (Decrease)
Bundle revenue allocation and price adjustments	$	(126	)	$	(180	)
Increase in average residential voice customers	9			20
TWC Transaction	—			707
Bright House Transaction	—			122
	$	(117	)	$	669

On a pro forma basis, assuming the Transactions occurred as of January 1, 2015, the decrease in voice revenues is attributable to the following (dollars in millions):



	Nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to nine months ended September 30, 2016 Increase / (Decrease)
Bundle revenue allocation and price adjustments	$	(271	)
Increase in average residential voice customers	40
	$	(231	)

Small and medium business PSUs grew by 318,000 from September 30, 2016 to September 30, 2017. The increase in small and medium business commercial revenues is attributable to the following (dollars in millions):



	Three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to three months ended September 30, 2016 Increase / (Decrease)			Nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to nine months ended September 30, 2016 Increase / (Decrease)
Increase in small and medium business customers	$	100		$	195
Price adjustments	(36		)	(58		)
TWC Transaction	—			890
Bright House Transaction	—			139
	$	64		$	1,166

On a pro forma basis, assuming the Transactions occurred as of January 1, 2015, the increase in small and medium business commercial revenues is attributable to the following (dollars in millions):



	Nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to nine months ended September 30, 2016 Increase / (Decrease)
Increase in small and medium business customers	$	299
Price adjustments	(62		)
	$	237

Enterprise PSUs increased 15,000 from September 30, 2016 to September 30, 2017. Enterprise commercial revenues increased $45 million and $737 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the corresponding periods in 2016, respectively, primarily due to growth in customers and in the nine month period due to the Transactions which increased enterprise commercial revenues by $655 million. On a pro forma basis, assuming the Transactions occurred as of January 1, 2015, enterprise commercial revenues increased $141 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the corresponding period in 2016 primarily due to growth in customers.

Advertising sales revenues consist primarily of revenues from commercial advertising customers, programmers and other vendors, as well as local cable and advertising on regional sports and news channels. Advertising sales revenues decreased $47 million during the three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the corresponding period in 2016 primarily due to a decrease in political advertising. Advertising sales revenues increased $362 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the corresponding period in 2016 primarily due to the Transactions which increased advertising sales revenues by $425 million. On a pro forma basis, assuming the Transactions occurred as of January 1, 2015, advertising sales revenues decreased $99 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the corresponding period in 2016 primarily due to a decrease in political and local advertising.

Other revenues consist of revenue from regional sports and news channels (excluding intercompany charges or advertising sales on those channels), home shopping, late payment fees, wire maintenance fees and other miscellaneous revenues. Other revenues increased $7 million and $263 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods in 2016. The Transactions increased other revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the corresponding period in 2016 by $255 million. On a pro forma basis, assuming the Transactions occurred as of January 1, 2015, other revenues decreased by $32 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the corresponding period in 2016 primarily due to a settlement incurred in 2016 related to an early contract termination at Legacy TWC and Legacy Bright House.

Operating costs and expenses. The increases in our operating costs and expenses, exclusive of items shown separately in the consolidated statements of operations, are attributable to the following (dollars in millions):



	Three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to three months ended September 30, 2016 Increase / (Decrease)			Nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to nine months ended September 30, 2016 Increase / (Decrease)
Programming	$	295		$	3,304
Regulatory, connectivity and produced content	8			609
Costs to service customers	(73		)	2,135
Marketing	33			669
Transition costs	(9		)	26
Other	(33		)	957
	$	221		$	7,700

Programming costs were approximately $2.7 billion and $2.4 billion, representing 40% and 37% of total operating costs and expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $8.0 billion and $4.6 billion, representing 40% and 38% of total operating costs and expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The increase in operating costs and expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the corresponding prior period was primarily due to an increase in programming costs and the Transactions.

The change in other expense is attributable to the following (dollars in millions):



	Three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to three months ended September 30, 2016 Increase / (Decrease)			Nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to nine months ended September 30, 2016 Increase / (Decrease)
Corporate costs	$	(35	)	$	225
Enterprise	4			240
Advertising sales expense	12			245
Property tax and insurance	1			115
Stock compensation expense	(17		)	30
Other	2			102
	$	(33	)	$	957

The increase in other expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the corresponding prior period was primarily due to the Transactions.

On a pro forma basis, assuming the Transactions occurred as of January 1, 2015, increases in our operating costs and expenses, exclusive of items shown separately in the consolidated statements of operations, are attributable to the following (dollars in millions):



	Nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to nine months ended September 30, 2016 Increase / (Decrease)
Programming	$	724
Regulatory, connectivity and produced content	(17		)
Costs to service customers	(135		)
Marketing	8
Transition costs	26
Other	(105		)
	$	501

On a pro forma basis, assuming the Transactions occurred as of January 1, 2015, programming costs were approximately $7.2 billion, representing 37% of total operating costs and expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.

Programming costs consist primarily of costs paid to programmers for basic, digital, premium, video on demand, and pay-per-view programming. The increase in programming costs for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and nine months ended September 30, 2017, on a pro forma basis assuming the Transactions occurred as of January 1, 2015, compared to the corresponding periods in 2016 is primarily a result of contractual rate adjustments, including renewals and increases in amounts paid for retransmission consents, higher expanded basic package customers and higher pay-per-view events offset by synergies as a result of the Transactions. We expect programming expenses will continue to increase due to a variety of factors, including annual increases imposed by programmers with additional selling power as a result of media consolidation, increased demands by owners of broadcast stations for payment for retransmission consent or linking carriage of other services to retransmission consent, and additional programming, particularly new services. We have been unable to fully pass these increases on to our customers nor do we expect to be able to do so in the future without a potential loss of customers.

Costs to service customers decreased $73 million and $135 million during the three months ended September 30, 2017 and nine months ended September 30, 2017, on a pro forma basis assuming the Transactions occurred as of January 1, 2015, compared to the corresponding periods in 2016 due to benefits from combining Legacy TWC and Legacy Bright House into Charter, including lower employee benefit and maintenance costs, higher labor and material capitalization with increases in placement of new customer equipment and improved productivity.

On a pro forma basis, assuming the Transactions occurred as of January 1, 2015, the increase in other expense is attributable to the following (dollars in millions):



	Nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to nine months ended September 30, 2016 Increase / (Decrease)
Corporate costs	$	(139	)
Enterprise	21
Advertising sales expense	38
Property tax and insurance	(15		)
Stock compensation expense	(21		)
Other	11
	$	(105	)

Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense increased by $264 million during the three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the corresponding period in 2016 primarily as a result of higher capital expenditures in the current year. Depreciation and amortization expense increased by $3.4 billion during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the corresponding period in 2016 primarily as a result of additional depreciation and amortization related to the Transactions, inclusive of the incremental amounts as a result of the higher fair values recorded in acquisition accounting.

Other operating expenses, net. The decrease in other operating expenses, net are attributable to the following (dollars in millions):



	Three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to three months ended September 30, 2016 Increase / (Decrease)			Nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to nine months ended September 30, 2016 Increase / (Decrease)
Merger and restructuring costs	$	(138	)	$	(482	)
Special charges, net	76			76
(Gain) loss on sale of assets, net	—			4
	$	(62	)	$	(402	)

The decrease in merger and restructuring costs during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the corresponding periods in 2016 is primarily due to a decrease of approximately $118 million and $208 million, respectively, of employee termination and retention costs. The decrease during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the corresponding period in 2016 is also due to approximately $262 million of contingent financing and advisory transaction fees paid at the closing of the Transactions in 2016. The increase in special charges, net during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the corresponding period in 2016 is primarily due to an $83 million charge related to the Company's withdrawal liability from a multiemployer pension plan. See Note 11 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements contained in “Item 1. Financial Statements.”

Interest expense, net. Net interest expense increased by $64 million and $479 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the corresponding periods in 2016 primarily as a result of an increase in weighted average debt outstanding primarily due to the issuance of notes in 2017. Interest expense associated with debt assumed from Legacy TWC

also increased interest expense during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the corresponding period in 2016 by approximately $350 million.

Loss on extinguishment of debt. Loss on extinguishment of debt of $35 million and $110 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, primarily represents losses recognized as a result of repurchases of CCO Holdings, LLC ("CCO Holdings") notes. For more information, see Note 5 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements contained in “Item 1. Financial Statements.”

Gain (loss) on financial instruments, net. We recorded a gain of $17 million and a loss of $15 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively and gains of $71 million and $16 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively. Gains and losses on financial instruments are recognized due to changes in the fair value of our interest rate and our cross currency derivative instruments, and the foreign currency remeasurement of the fixed-rate British pound sterling denominated notes (the “Sterling Notes”) into U.S. dollars. For more information, see Note 8 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements contained in “Item 1. Financial Statements.”

Other pension benefits (costs). Other pension benefits decreased by $30 million and $524 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods in 2016. The decrease during the three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the corresponding period in 2016 was primarily due to a third quarter 2017 remeasurement as a result of significant lump sum settlement payments to participants. The decrease during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the corresponding period in 2016 was also affected by a $675 million pension curtailment gain offset by an $157 million net remeasurement loss recognized in 2016 that resulted from an amendment to the plans made subsequent to the TWC Transaction. For more information, see Note 17 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements contained in “Item 1. Financial Statements.”

Other expense, net. Other expense, net primarily represents equity losses on our equity-method investments.

Income tax benefit (expense). We recognized income tax expense of $26 million and $99 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, and income tax expense of $16 million and income tax benefit of $3.1 billion for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively. Income tax expense is recognized primarily through increases in deferred tax liabilities, as well as through current federal and state income tax expense. Income tax expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 was reduced by approximately $17 million and $88 million, respectively, due to the recognition of excess tax benefits resulting from share based compensation as a component of the provision for income taxes following the prospective application of ASU 2016-09. For more information, see Note 19 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements contained in “Item 1. Financial Statements.” Income tax expense for the three months ended September 30, 2016 was also impacted by a change in a state tax law that resulted in approximately $44 million of tax benefit. Income tax benefit for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 was the result of a reduction of substantially all of Legacy Charter's preexisting valuation allowance associated with its deferred tax assets of approximately $3.3 billion as certain of the deferred tax liabilities that were assumed in connection with the closing of the TWC Transaction will reverse and provide a source of future taxable income. For more information, see Note 12 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements contained in “Item 1. Financial Statements.”

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest. Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest for financial reporting purposes represents A/N’s portion of Charter Holdings’ net income based on its effective common unit ownership interest of approximately 10% and the preferred dividend of $37 million and $112 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, and $37 million and $55 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively. For more information, see Note 7 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements contained in “Item 1. Financial Statements.”

Net income attributable to Charter shareholders. Net income attributable to Charter shareholders decreased from $189 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 to $48 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, and from $3.1 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 to $342 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 primarily as a result of the factors described above. On a pro forma basis, assuming the Transactions occurred as of January 1, 2015, net income attributable to Charter shareholders was $616 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.

Use of Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow

We use certain measures that are not defined by GAAP to evaluate various aspects of our business. Adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow are non-GAAP financial measures and should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, consolidated net income and net cash flows from operating activities reported in accordance with GAAP. These terms, as defined by us, may not

be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. Adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow are reconciled to consolidated net income and net cash flows from operating activities, respectively, below.

Adjusted EBITDA eliminates the significant non-cash depreciation and amortization expense that results from the capital-intensive nature of our businesses as well as other non-cash or special items, and is unaffected by our capital structure or investment activities. However, this measure is limited in that it does not reflect the periodic costs of certain capitalized tangible and intangible assets used in generating revenues and our cash cost of financing. These costs are evaluated through other financial measures.

Free cash flow is defined as net cash flows from operating activities, less capital expenditures and changes in accrued expenses related to capital expenditures.

Management and Charter’s board of directors use Adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow to assess our performance and our ability to service our debt, fund operations and make additional investments with internally generated funds. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA generally correlates to the leverage ratio calculation under our credit facilities or outstanding notes to determine compliance with the covenants contained in the facilities and notes (all such documents have been previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”)). For the purpose of calculating compliance with leverage covenants, we use Adjusted EBITDA, as presented, excluding certain expenses paid by our operating subsidiaries to other Charter entities. Our debt covenants refer to these expenses as management fees, which were $262 million and $791 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, and $231 million and $535 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively.



	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017			2016			2017			2016
	Actual
Consolidated net income	$	92		$	250		$	498		$	3,176
Plus: Interest expense, net	788			724			2,250			1,771
Income tax (benefit) expense	26			16			99			(3,135		)
Depreciation and amortization	2,701			2,437			7,846			4,412
Stock compensation expense	64			81			198			168
Loss on extinguishment of debt	—			—			35			110
(Gain) loss on financial instruments, net	(17		)	(71		)	15			(16		)
Other pension (benefits) costs	17			(13		)	(9		)	(533		)
Other, net	148			212			388			786
Adjusted EBITDA	$	3,819		$	3,636		$	11,320		$	6,739

Net cash flows from operating activities	$	2,908		$	2,801		$	8,696		$	4,815
Less: Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(2,393		)	(1,748		)	(6,096		)	(3,437		)
Change in accrued expenses related to capital expenditures	79			(52		)	276			86
Free cash flow	$	594		$	1,001		$	2,876		$	1,464



	Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2016
	Pro forma
Consolidated net income	$	830
Plus: Interest expense, net	2,155
Income tax expense	288
Depreciation and amortization	7,060
Stock compensation expense	219
Loss on extinguishment of debt	110
Gain on financial instruments, net	(16		)
Other pension benefits	(549		)
Other, net	514
Adjusted EBITDA	$	10,611

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Introduction

This section contains a discussion of our liquidity and capital resources, including a discussion of our cash position, sources and uses of cash, access to credit facilities and other financing sources, historical financing activities, cash needs, capital expenditures and outstanding debt.

2017 Financing Activities

In January 2017, Charter Operating entered into an amendment to its Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated May 18, 2016 decreasing the applicable LIBOR margin on both the term loan E and term loan F to 2.00% and eliminating the LIBOR floor.

In July 2017, Charter Operating and Charter Communications Operating Capital Corp. jointly issued $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 3.750% senior notes due February 15, 2028 at a price of 99.166% of the aggregate principal amount and an additional $500 million aggregate principal amount of 5.375% senior secured notes due May 1, 2047 at a price of 106.529% of the aggregate principal amount. The net proceeds were used to pay related fees and expenses and for general corporate purposes, including to fund buybacks of Charter Class A common stock or Charter Holdings common units.

In September 2017, Charter Operating and Charter Communications Operating Capital Corp. jointly issued $1.25 billion aggregate principal amount of 4.200% senior notes due March 15, 2028 at a price of 99.757% of the aggregate principal amount and an additional $750 million aggregate principal amount of 5.375% senior secured notes due May 1, 2047 at a price of 98.969% of the aggregate principal amount. The net proceeds were used to pay related fees and expenses and for general corporate purposes, including to fund buybacks of Charter Class A common stock or Charter Holdings common units.

In October 2017, CCO Holdings and CCO Holdings Capital jointly issued $500 million aggregate principal amount of 4.000% senior notes due March 1, 2023 and an additional $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 5.000% senior notes due February 1, 2028 at a price of 98.5% of the aggregate principal amount. The net proceeds were used to pay related fees and expenses and for general corporate purposes, including to fund buybacks of Charter Class A common stock or Charter Holdings common units.

Overview of Our Contractual Obligations and Liquidity

We have significant amounts of debt. The principal amount of our debt as of September 30, 2017 was $66.8 billion, consisting of $8.8 billion of credit facility debt, $40.6 billion of investment grade senior secured notes and $17.4 billion of high-yield senior unsecured notes. Our business requires significant cash to fund principal and interest payments on our debt.

Our projected cash needs and projected sources of liquidity depend upon, among other things, our actual results, and the timing and amount of our expenditures. Free cash flow was $594 million and $2.9 billion for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, and was $1.0 billion and $1.5 billion for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively. As of September 30, 2017, the amount available under our credit facilities was approximately $2.9 billion and cash on hand was approximately $2.2 billion. We expect to utilize free cash flow, cash on hand and availability under our credit facilities as well as future refinancing transactions to further extend the maturities of our obligations. The timing and terms of any refinancing transactions will be subject to market conditions. Additionally, we may, from time to time, and depending on market conditions and other factors, use cash on hand and the proceeds from securities offerings or other borrowings to retire our debt through open market purchases, privately negotiated purchases, tender offers or redemption provisions. We believe we have sufficient liquidity from cash on hand, free cash flow and Charter Operating’s revolving credit facility as well as access to the capital markets to fund our projected cash needs.

We continue to evaluate the deployment of our cash on hand and anticipated future free cash flow including to invest in our business growth and other strategic opportunities, including mergers and acquisitions as well as stock repurchases and dividends. Our target leverage remains at 4 to 4.5 times, and up to 3.5 times at the Charter Operating level. We may increase the total amount of our indebtedness to maintain leverage within our target leverage range. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, we purchased approximately 9.5 million and 21.9 million shares, respectively, of Charter Class A common stock for approximately $3.5 billion and $7.6 billion, respectively. As of September 30, 2017, Charter had remaining board authority to purchase an additional $5.2 billion of Charter’s Class A common stock without taking into account shares or units that may be purchased from A/N. Charter is not obligated to acquire any particular amount of common stock, and the timing of any purchases that may occur cannot be predicted and will largely depend on market conditions and other potential uses of capital. Purchases may include open market purchases, tender offers or negotiated transactions. As possible acquisitions, swaps or dispositions arise, we actively review them against our objectives including, among other considerations, improving the operational efficiency, clustering, product development or technology capabilities of our business and achieving appropriate return targets, and we may participate to the extent we believe these possibilities present attractive opportunities. However, there can be no assurance that we will actually complete any acquisitions, dispositions or system swaps, or that any such transactions will be material to our operations or results.

Free Cash Flow

Free cash flow decreased $407 million and increased $1.4 billion during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, compared to the corresponding prior periods in 2016 due to the following (dollars in millions).



	Three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to three months ended September 30, 2016 Increase / (Decrease)			Nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to nine months ended September 30, 2016 Increase / (Decrease)
Increase in Adjusted EBITDA	$	183		$	4,581
Decrease in merger and restructuring costs	87			323
Increase in capital expenditures	(645		)	(2,659		)
Decrease (increase) in cash paid for interest, net	61			(606		)
Changes in working capital, excluding change in accrued interest	(123		)	(237		)
Other, net	30			10
	$	(407	)	$	1,412

Limitations on Distributions

Distributions by our subsidiaries to a parent company for payment of principal on parent company notes are restricted under indentures and credit facilities governing our indebtedness, unless there is no default under the applicable indenture and credit facilities, and unless each applicable subsidiary’s leverage ratio test is met at the time of such distribution. As of September 30, 2017, there was no default under any of these indentures or credit facilities, and each subsidiary met its applicable leverage ratio tests based on September 30, 2017 financial results. Such distributions would be restricted, however, if any such subsidiary fails to meet these tests at the time of the contemplated distribution. There can be no assurance that they will satisfy these tests at the time of the contemplated distribution. Distributions by Charter Operating for payment of principal on parent company notes are further restricted by the covenants in its credit facilities.

However, without regard to leverage, during any calendar year or any portion thereof during which the borrower is a flow-through entity for tax purposes, and so long as no event of default exists, the borrower may make distributions to the equity interests of the borrower in an amount sufficient to make permitted tax payments.

In addition to the limitation on distributions under the various indentures discussed above, distributions by our subsidiaries may be limited by applicable law, including the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, under which our subsidiaries may only make distributions if they have “surplus” as defined in the act.

Historical Operating, Investing, and Financing Activities

Cash and Cash Equivalents. We held $2.2 billion and $1.5 billion in cash and cash equivalents as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.

Operating Activities. Net cash provided by operating activities increased $3.9 billion during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016, primarily due to an increase in Adjusted EBITDA of $4.6 billion offset by an increase in cash paid for interest, net of $606 million as a result of the Transactions.

Investing Activities. Net cash used in investing activities was $5.9 billion and $9.9 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The decrease in cash used was primarily due to the acquisition of Legacy TWC and Legacy Bright House in 2016 offset by an increase in capital expenditures as a result of the Transactions.

Financing Activities. Net cash used in financing activities was $2.2 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and net cash provided by financing activities was $6.3 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The decrease in cash provided was primarily due to a decrease in equity issued for the acquisition of Legacy TWC and Legacy Bright House in 2016 and an increase in the purchase of treasury stock and noncontrolling interest in 2017 offset by an increase in borrowings of long-term debt exceeding repayments.

Capital Expenditures

We have significant ongoing capital expenditure requirements. Capital expenditures were $2.4 billion and $6.1 billion for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, and $1.7 billion and $3.4 billion for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively. The increase during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to 2016 was driven by the Transactions. On a pro forma basis, assuming the Transactions occurred as of January 1, 2015, capital expenditures increased $439 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the corresponding period in 2016. The increase during the three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to 2016 was primarily due to higher spend on customer premise equipment due to the launch of SPP and our all-digital initiative and higher scalable infrastructure costs and support primarily due to the timing of spend. See the table below for more details.

The actual amount of our capital expenditures in 2017 will depend on a number of factors, including the pace of transition planning to service a larger customer base as a result of the Transactions, our all-digital transition in the Legacy TWC and Legacy Bright House markets and growth rates of both our residential and commercial businesses.

Our capital expenditures are funded primarily from cash flows from operating activities and borrowings on our credit facility. In addition, our accrued liabilities related to capital expenditures increased by $276 million and $86 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

The following tables present our major capital expenditures categories on an actual and pro forma basis, assuming the Transactions occurred as of January 1, 2015, in accordance with National Cable and Telecommunications Association (“NCTA”) disclosure guidelines for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016. The disclosure is intended to provide more consistency in the reporting of capital expenditures among peer companies in the cable industry. These disclosure guidelines are not required disclosures under GAAP, nor do they impact our accounting for capital expenditures under GAAP (dollars in millions):



	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2016		2017		2016
	Actual
Customer premise equipment (a)	$	855	$	662	$	2,579	$	1,177
Scalable infrastructure (b)	632		441		1,282		937
Line extensions (c)	319		249		864		467
Upgrade/rebuild (d)	163		156		415		307
Support capital (e)	424		240		956		549
Total capital expenditures	$	2,393	$	1,748	$	6,096	$	3,437

Capital expenditures included in total related to:
Commercial services	$	339	$	306	$	941	$	566
Transition (f)	$	125	$	109	$	287	$	273



	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
	Pro Forma
Customer premise equipment (a)	$	2,074
Scalable infrastructure (b)	1,556
Line extensions (c)	751
Upgrade/rebuild (d)	461
Support capital (e)	815
Total capital expenditures	$	5,657

Capital expenditures included in total related to:
Commercial services	$	931
Transition (f)	$	273


(a)	Customer premise equipment includes costs incurred at the customer residence to secure new customers and revenue generating units. It also includes customer installation costs and customer premise equipment (e.g., set-top boxes and cable modems).


(b)	Scalable infrastructure includes costs not related to customer premise equipment, to secure growth of new customers and revenue generating units, or provide service enhancements (e.g., headend equipment).


(c)	Line extensions include network costs associated with entering new service areas (e.g., fiber/coaxial cable, amplifiers, electronic equipment, make-ready and design engineering).


(d)	Upgrade/rebuild includes costs to modify or replace existing fiber/coaxial cable networks, including betterments.


(e)	Support capital includes costs associated with the replacement or enhancement of non-network assets due to technological and physical obsolescence (e.g., non-network equipment, land, buildings and vehicles).


(f)	Transition represents incremental costs incurred to integrate the Legacy TWC and Legacy Bright House operations and to bring the three companies' systems and processes into a uniform operating structure.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

See Note 19 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements contained in “Item 1. Financial Statements” for a discussion of recently issued accounting standards.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

We use derivative instruments to manage interest rate risk on variable debt and foreign exchange risk on the Sterling Notes, and do not hold or issue derivative instruments for speculative trading purposes.

Interest rate derivative instruments are used to manage interest costs and to reduce our exposure to increases in floating interest rates. We manage our exposure to fluctuations in interest rates by maintaining a mix of fixed and variable-rate debt. Using interest rate derivative instruments, we agree to exchange, at specified intervals through 2017, the difference between fixed and variable interest amounts calculated by reference to agreed-upon notional principal amounts.

Cross-currency derivative instruments are used to effectively convert £1.275 billion aggregate principal amount of fixed-rate British pound sterling denominated debt, including annual interest payments and the payment of principal at maturity, to fixed-rate U.S. dollar denominated debt. The cross-currency derivative instruments have maturities of June 2031 and July 2042. We are required to post collateral on the cross-currency derivative instruments when such instruments are in a liability position. In May 2016, we entered into a collateral holiday agreement for 80% of both the 2031 and 2042 cross-currency swaps, which eliminates the requirement to post collateral for three years. For more information, see Note 8 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements contained in “Item 1. Financial Statements.”

As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the weighted average interest rate on the credit facility debt, including the effects of our interest rate swap agreements, was approximately 3.3% and 2.9%, respectively, and the weighted average interest rate on the senior notes was approximately 5.7% and 5.9%, respectively, resulting in a blended weighted average interest rate of 5.4% as of both time periods. The interest rate on approximately 88% and 87% of the total principal amount of our debt was effectively fixed, including the effects of our interest rate swap agreements as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.

The table set forth below summarizes the fair values and contract terms of financial instruments subject to interest rate risk maintained by us as of September 30, 2017 (dollars in millions).



	2017			2018			2019			2020			2021			Thereafter			Total			Fair Value
Debt:
Fixed-Rate	$	—		$	2,000		$	3,250		$	3,500		$	2,200		$	47,059		$	58,009		$	62,657
Average Interest Rate	—		%	6.75		%	8.44		%	4.19		%	4.32		%	5.64		%	5.70		%

Variable Rate	$	49		$	197		$	296		$	1,716		$	2,928		$	3,582		$	8,768		$	8,788
Average Interest Rate	3.13		%	3.58		%	3.77		%	4.07		%	4.07		%	4.68		%	4.29		%

Interest Rate Instruments:
Variable to Fixed-Rate	$	850		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—		$	850		$	1
Average Pay Rate	3.84		%	—		%	—		%	—		%	—		%	—		%	3.84		%
Average Receive Rate	3.68		%	—		%	—		%	—		%	—		%	—		%	3.68		%

As of September 30, 2017, we had $850 million in notional amounts of interest rate derivative instruments outstanding. The notional amounts of interest rate derivative instruments do not represent amounts exchanged by the parties and, thus, are not a measure of our exposure to credit loss. The amounts exchanged are determined by reference to the notional amount and the other terms of the contracts.

The estimated fair value of the interest rate derivative instruments is determined using a present value calculation based on an implied forward LIBOR curve (adjusted for Charter Operating’s and counterparties’ credit risk). Interest rates on variable-rate debt are estimated using the average implied forward LIBOR for the year of maturity based on the yield curve in effect at September 30, 2017 including applicable bank spread.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

As of the end of the period covered by this report, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we have evaluated the effectiveness of our design and operation of disclosure controls and procedures with respect to the information generated for use in this quarterly report. The evaluation was based upon reports and certifications provided by a number of executives. Based on, and as of the date of that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurances that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.

In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, our management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Based upon the evaluation, we believe that our controls provide such reasonable assurances.

On May 18, 2016, we completed the Transactions and as a result, we have incorporated internal controls over significant processes specific to the Transactions and to activities post-Transactions that we believe to be appropriate and necessary in consideration of the related integration, including controls associated with the Transactions for the valuations of certain Legacy TWC and Legacy Bright House assets and liabilities assumed, as well as adoption of common financial reporting and internal control practices for the combined company. In January 2017, we consolidated our separate human resource platforms into one platform which resulted in significant changes to the nature and type of certain internal controls for the most recent fiscal quarter. As we further integrate Legacy TWC and Legacy Bright House, we will continue to validate the effectiveness and integration of internal controls.

Except as described above in the preceding paragraph, during the quarter ended September 30, 2017, there was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 includes “Legal Proceedings” under Item 3 of Part I. Other than as described in Note 15 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements contained in “Item 1. Financial Statements,” there have been no material changes from the legal proceedings described in our Form 10-K.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 includes "Risk Factors" under Item 1A of Part I. There have been no material changes from the updated risk factors described in our Form 10-K.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

The following table presents Charter’s purchases of equity securities completed during the third quarter of 2017 (dollars in millions, except per share amounts):



Period	Total Number of Shares Purchased ⁽¹⁾	Average Price Paid per Share	Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs ⁽²⁾	Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs ⁽²⁾
July 1 - 31, 2017	2,821,905	$340.25	2,809,011	$2,897
August 1 - 31, 2017	2,452,094	$391.57	2,441,604	$6,951
September 1 - 30, 2017	4,281,675	$374.82	4,271,343	$5,189


⁽¹⁾	Includes 12,894, 10,490 and 10,332 shares withheld from employees for the payment of taxes and exercise costs upon the exercise of stock options or vesting of other equity awards for the months of July, August and September 2017, respectively.

⁽²⁾

During the three months ended September 30, 2017, Charter purchased approximately 9.5 million shares of its Class A common stock for approximately $3.5 billion. As of September 30, 2017, Charter had remaining board authority to purchase an additional $5.2 billion of Charter’s Class A common stock without taking into account shares or units that may be purchased from A/N. In December 2016, Charter and A/N entered into the Letter Agreement that requires A/N to sell to Charter or to Charter Holdings, on a monthly basis, a number of shares of Charter Class A common stock or Charter Holdings common units that represents a pro rata participation by A/N and its affiliates in any repurchases of shares of Charter Class A common stock from persons other than A/N effected by Charter during the immediately preceding calendar month, at a purchase price equal to the average price paid by Charter for the shares repurchased from persons other than A/N during such immediately preceding calendar month. A/N and Charter both have the right to terminate or suspend the pro rata repurchase arrangement on a prospective basis once Charter or Charter Holdings have repurchased shares of Class A common stock or Charter Holdings common units from A/N and its affiliates for an aggregate purchase price of $537 million which threshold has been reached. Charter Holdings purchased from A/N 1.4 million Charter Holdings common units at an average price per unit of $355.83, or $493 million during the three months ended September 30, 2017. In addition to open market purchases including pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 plans adopted from time to time, Charter may also buy shares of Charter Class A common stock, from time to time, pursuant to private transactions outside of its Rule 10b5-1 plan and any such repurchases would also trigger the repurchases from A/N pursuant to and to the extent provided in the Letter Agreement.

Item 6. Exhibits.

See Exhibit Index.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, Charter Communications, Inc. has duly caused this quarterly report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.



	CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC.,
	Registrant

	By:	/s/ Kevin D. Howard
		Kevin D. Howard
		Senior Vice President - Finance, Controller and
Date: October 26, 2017		Chief Accounting Officer

S- 1

Exhibit Index



Exhibit		Description

10.1		Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 6, 2017, among Charter Communications Operating, LLC, Charter Communications Operating Capital Corp., the guarantors party thereto and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee and collateral agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the current report on Form 8-K filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on July 12, 2017 (File No. 001-33664)).
10.2		Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, dated July 6, 2017, relating to the 3.750% Senior Notes due 2028, among Charter Communications Operating, LLC, Charter Communications Operating Capital Corp., the guarantors party thereto and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, as representative of the several Purchasers (as defined therein) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the current report on Form 8-K filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on July 12, 2017 (File No. 001-33664)).
10.3		Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, dated July 6, 2017, relating to the 5.375% Senior Notes due 2047, among Charter Communications Operating, LLC, Charter Communications Operating Capital Corp., the guarantors party thereto and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, as representative of the several Purchasers (as defined therein) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the current report on Form 8-K filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on July 12, 2017 (File No. 001-33664)).
10.4		Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 8, 2017, among CCO Holdings, LLC, CCO Holdings Capital Corp. and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the current report on Form 8-K filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on August 14, 2017 (File No. 001-33664)).
10.5		Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, dated August 8, 2017, relating to the 5.000% Senior Notes due 2028, among CCO Holdings, LLC, CCO Holdings Capital Corp. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, as representative of the several Purchasers (as defined therein) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the current report on Form 8-K filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on August 14, 2017 (File No. 001-33664)).
10.6		Seventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 18, 2017, among Charter Communications Operating, LLC, Charter Communications Operating Capital Corp., the guarantors party thereto and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee and collateral agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the current report on Form 8-K filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on September 21, 2017 (File No. 001-33664)).
10.7		Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, dated September 18, 2017, relating to the 4.200% Senior Secured Notes due 2028, among Charter Communications Operating, LLC, Charter Communications Operating Capital Corp., the guarantors party thereto and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., as representatives of the several Purchasers (as defined therein) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the current report on Form 8-K filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on September 21, 2017 (File No. 001-33664)).
10.8		Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement, dated September 18, 2017, relating to the 5.375% Senior Secured Notes due 2047, among Charter Communications Operating, LLC, Charter Communications Operating Capital Corp., the guarantors party thereto and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., as representatives of the several Purchasers (as defined therein) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the current report on Form 8-K filed by Charter Communications, Inc. on September 21, 2017 (File No. 001-33664)).
31.1*		Certificate of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/Rule 15d-14(a) under the under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
31.2*		Certificate of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/Rule 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
32.1*		Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Chief Executive Officer).
32.2*		Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Chief Financial Officer).
101**		The following financial statements from Charter Communications, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 26, 2017, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets; (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Operations; (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income; (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; and (vi) the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

_____________


*	Filed herewith.


**	This exhibit will not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78r) or otherwise subject to the liability of that section. Such exhibit will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference

E- 1

into any filing under the Securities Act or Securities Exchange Act, except to the extent that the company specifically incorporates it by reference.

E- 2