Cox cable subscribers across Southern California can watch Dodgers games on TV again. Charter Communications completed its $34.5-billion acquisition of Cox Communications on Thursday, Aug. 20, and the most immediate payoff for local viewers is the activation of SportsNet LA on former Cox systems starting this weekend.

The Dodgers-owned channel will light up for subscribers in Palos Verdes, Orange County, San Diego and Las Vegas, the Los Angeles Times reported. Cox had refused to carry SportsNet LA since the channel launched in February 2014, citing the Dodgers' high license fees. The blackout lasted more than a decade.

"Together, we will bring the best products, at the best price, coupled with the highest level of customer service to more customers across our expanded 45-state Spectrum footprint," Charter CEO Chris Winfrey said in a statement Thursday.

By mid-September, all Cox customers will transition to Spectrum branding, pricing and packaging. Subscribers can keep their existing pricing or switch to a Spectrum bundle that includes Disney+, Hulu, ESPN and Paramount+. Charter is also offering Cox internet customers a free year of Spectrum Mobile service if they switch carriers.

What it means for California

The deal creates the nation's largest cable and broadband company, with roughly 37 million customers across 45 states. Charter will serve more than 6 million customers in California alone, spanning its existing Spectrum territory in Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties plus Cox's footprint in Rancho Palos Verdes, Rolling Hills Estates and large parts of Orange and San Diego counties.

The California Public Utilities Commission unanimously approved the merger on Aug. 13, the final regulatory hurdle after the FCC gave its consent in February. As part of the settlement, Charter committed to:

• Spending at least $275 million on California network upgrades, including completing 1-gigabit service across legacy Spectrum areas within three years
• Investing $30 million in digital literacy training and device access for low-income communities
• Participating in California's low-income broadband subsidy program for five years
• Providing free broadband and Wi-Fi for approximately 50 schools, libraries and community centers

CPUC President John Reynolds said at the Aug. 13 vote that staff would monitor and enforce the settlement terms to ensure Californians see improved service after the transaction.

Corporate reshuffling

Within a year, Charter will rename its parent company Cox Communications, honoring the Cox family legacy. The Spectrum consumer brand stays. Alex Taylor, chairman and CEO of Cox Enterprises and great-grandson of Ohio press baron James M. Cox, becomes Charter's new board chairman. Chris Winfrey continues as CEO.

Charter acquired the privately held Cox through a combination of stock and approximately $4 billion in cash. Cox Enterprises now owns about 26% of the combined company.

Charter and Cox first announced the merger in May 2025. Charter stockholders approved it in July 2025 with more than 99% of votes cast in favor.

The next milestone for local subscribers: the full Spectrum transition in mid-September, when Cox branding disappears from bills and set-top boxes across Southern California.