UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
______________
FORM 10-Q
______________
(Mark One)
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 20202021
or
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
chtr-20210331_g1.jpg
Charter Communications, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware84-1496755
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
400 Atlantic StreetStamfordConnecticut06901
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)(Zip Code)
(203) 905-7801
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
Class A Common Stock $.001 Par ValueCHTRNASDAQ Global Select Market

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 ☐     Emerging growth company ☐ 

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 ☐ No x

Number of shares of Class A common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2020: 206,457,5402021: 188,666,160

Number of shares of Class B common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2020:2021: 1





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CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q FOR THE PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 20202021

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page No.

This quarterly report on Form 10-Q is for the three months ended March 31, 2020.2021. 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.

i



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,” “focused on” 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:

the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy, our customers, our vendors, local, state and federal governmental responses to the pandemic and our businesses generally;
our ability to sustain and grow revenues and cash flow from operations by offering Internet, video, voice, mobile, advertising and other services to residential and commercial customers, to adequately meet the customer experience demands in our service areas 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 ("DBS") operators, wireless broadband and telephone providers, digital subscriber line (“DSL”) providers, fiber to the home providers and providers of video content over broadband Internet connections;
general business conditions, unemployment levels and the level of activity in the housing sector and economic uncertainty or downturn, including the impacts of the Novel Coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic to our customers, our vendors and local, state and federal governmental responses to the pandemic;
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)consents and distribution requirements);
our ability to develop and deploy new products and technologies including mobile products and any other consumer services and service platforms;
any events that disrupt our networks, information systems or properties and impair our operating activities or our reputation;
the effects of governmental regulation on our business including subsidies to consumers, subsidies and incentives for competitors, 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;
general business conditions, economic uncertainty or downturn, including the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic to unemployment levels and the level of activity in the housing sector;us;
the ability to retainhire and hireretain 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.

ii



PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements.

CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(dollars in millions, except share data)
March 31,
2020
December 31,
2019
March 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
(unaudited)(unaudited)
ASSETSASSETSASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:CURRENT ASSETS:CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalentsCash and cash equivalents$2,908  $3,483  Cash and cash equivalents$772 $1,001 
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $175 and $151, respectively2,091  2,227  
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $173 and $217, respectivelyAccounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $173 and $217, respectively2,395 2,539 
Prepaid expenses and other current assetsPrepaid expenses and other current assets760  761  Prepaid expenses and other current assets496 369 
Total current assetsTotal current assets5,759  6,471  Total current assets3,663 3,909 
RESTRICTED CASH28  66  
INVESTMENT IN CABLE PROPERTIES:INVESTMENT IN CABLE PROPERTIES:INVESTMENT IN CABLE PROPERTIES:
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $29,038 and $27,656, respectively34,096  34,591  
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $32,587 and $31,639, respectivelyProperty, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $32,587 and $31,639, respectively34,184 34,357 
Customer relationships, netCustomer relationships, net6,955  7,453  Customer relationships, net5,185 5,615 
FranchisesFranchises67,322  67,322  Franchises67,322 67,322 
GoodwillGoodwill29,554  29,554  Goodwill29,554 29,554 
Total investment in cable properties, netTotal investment in cable properties, net137,927  138,920  Total investment in cable properties, net136,245 136,848 
OTHER NONCURRENT ASSETSOTHER NONCURRENT ASSETS2,838  2,731  OTHER NONCURRENT ASSETS3,531 3,449 
Total assetsTotal assets$146,552  $148,188  Total assets$143,439 $144,206 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITYLIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITYLIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:CURRENT LIABILITIES:CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilitiesAccounts payable and accrued liabilities$8,310  $8,885  Accounts payable and accrued liabilities$8,911 $8,867 
Current portion of long-term debtCurrent portion of long-term debt4,905  3,500  Current portion of long-term debt1,005 1,008 
Total current liabilitiesTotal current liabilities13,215  12,385  Total current liabilities9,916 9,875 
LONG-TERM DEBTLONG-TERM DEBT74,787  75,578  LONG-TERM DEBT83,882 81,744 
DEFERRED INCOME TAXESDEFERRED INCOME TAXES17,665  17,711  DEFERRED INCOME TAXES18,227 18,108 
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIESOTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES4,163  3,703  OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES4,233 4,198 
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Class A common stock; $0.001 par value; 900 million shares authorized;Class A common stock; $0.001 par value; 900 million shares authorized;Class A common stock; $0.001 par value; 900 million shares authorized;
211,487,495 and 209,975,963 shares issued, respectively—  —  
194,816,856 and 193,730,992 shares issued, respectively194,816,856 and 193,730,992 shares issued, respectively
Class B common stock; $0.001 par value; 1,000 shares authorized;Class B common stock; $0.001 par value; 1,000 shares authorized;Class B common stock; $0.001 par value; 1,000 shares authorized;
1 share issued and outstanding1 share issued and outstanding—  —  1 share issued and outstanding
Preferred stock; $0.001 par value; 250 million shares authorized;
0 shares issued and outstanding
Preferred stock; $0.001 par value; 250 million shares authorized;
0 shares issued and outstanding
—  —  
Preferred stock; $0.001 par value; 250 million shares authorized;
0 shares issued and outstanding
Additional paid-in capitalAdditional paid-in capital31,544  31,405  Additional paid-in capital29,037 29,000 
Retained earningsRetained earnings436  40  Retained earnings(4,388)(5,195)
Treasury stock at cost; 5,029,955 and 0 shares, respectively(2,352) —  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss—  —  
Treasury stock at cost; 6,150,696 and 0 shares, respectivelyTreasury stock at cost; 6,150,696 and 0 shares, respectively(3,652)
Total Charter shareholders’ equityTotal Charter shareholders’ equity29,628  31,445  Total Charter shareholders’ equity20,997 23,805 
Noncontrolling interestsNoncontrolling interests7,094  7,366  Noncontrolling interests6,184 6,476 
Total shareholders’ equityTotal shareholders’ equity36,722  38,811  Total shareholders’ equity27,181 30,281 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equityTotal liabilities and shareholders’ equity$146,552  $148,188  Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity$143,439 $144,206 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
1



CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(dollars in millions, except per share data)
Unaudited
Three Months Ended March 31,Three Months Ended March 31,
2020201920212020
REVENUESREVENUES$11,738  $11,206  REVENUES$12,522 $11,738 
COSTS AND EXPENSES:COSTS AND EXPENSES:COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Operating costs and expenses (exclusive of items shown separately below)Operating costs and expenses (exclusive of items shown separately below)7,432  7,236  Operating costs and expenses (exclusive of items shown separately below)7,711 7,432 
Depreciation and amortizationDepreciation and amortization2,497  2,550  Depreciation and amortization2,441 2,497 
Other operating (income) expenses, net (5) 
Other operating expenses, netOther operating expenses, net302 
9,936  9,781  10,454 9,936 
Income from operationsIncome from operations1,802  1,425  Income from operations2,068 1,802 
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSES):OTHER INCOME (EXPENSES):OTHER INCOME (EXPENSES):
Interest expense, netInterest expense, net(980) (925) Interest expense, net(983)(980)
Loss on extinguishment of debt(27) —  
Gain (loss) on financial instruments, net(318) 37  
Other pension benefits, net10   
Other income (expense), net (110) 
Other income (expenses), netOther income (expenses), net52 (326)
(1,306) (989) (931)(1,306)
Income before income taxesIncome before income taxes496  436  Income before income taxes1,137 496 
Income tax expenseIncome tax expense(29) (119) Income tax expense(216)(29)
Consolidated net incomeConsolidated net income467  317  Consolidated net income921 467 
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interestsLess: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests(71) (64) Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests(114)(71)
Net income attributable to Charter shareholdersNet income attributable to Charter shareholders$396  $253  Net income attributable to Charter shareholders$807 $396 
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO CHARTER SHAREHOLDERS:EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO CHARTER SHAREHOLDERS:EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO CHARTER SHAREHOLDERS:
BasicBasic$1.91  $1.13  Basic$4.22 $1.91 
DilutedDiluted$1.86  $1.11  Diluted$4.11 $1.86 
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basicWeighted average common shares outstanding, basic207,831,305  224,630,122  Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic191,404,527 207,831,305 
Weighted average common shares outstanding, dilutedWeighted average common shares outstanding, diluted212,810,613  227,595,365  Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted205,872,536 212,810,613 


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
2



CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(dollars in millions)
Unaudited
Class A Common StockClass B Common StockAdditional Paid-in CapitalRetained EarningsTreasury StockAccumulated Other Comprehensive LossTotal Charter Shareholders’ EquityNon-controlling InterestsTotal Shareholders’ EquityClass A Common StockClass B Common StockAdditional Paid-in CapitalRetained EarningsTreasury StockTotal Charter Shareholders’ EquityNon-controlling InterestsTotal Shareholders’ Equity
BALANCE, December 31, 2019$—  $—  $31,405  $40  $—  $—  $31,445  $7,366  $38,811  
BALANCE, December 31, 2020BALANCE, December 31, 2020$$$29,000 $(5,195)$$23,805 $6,476 $30,281 
Consolidated net incomeConsolidated net income—  —  —  396  —  —  396  71  467  Consolidated net income807 807 114 921 
Stock compensation expenseStock compensation expense—  —  90  —  —  —  90  —  90  Stock compensation expense134 134 134 
Exercise of stock optionsExercise of stock options—  —  93  —  —  —  93  —  93  Exercise of stock options
Issuance of equity—  —  23  —  —  —  23  —  23  
Purchases of treasury stockPurchases of treasury stock—  —  —  —  (2,352) —  (2,352) —  (2,352) Purchases of treasury stock(3,652)(3,652)(3,652)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest, net of taxPurchase of noncontrolling interest, net of tax—  —  (149) —  —  —  (149) (195) (344) Purchase of noncontrolling interest, net of tax(237)(237)(192)(429)
Change in noncontrolling interest ownership, net of taxChange in noncontrolling interest ownership, net of tax—  —  82  —  —  —  82  (109) (27) Change in noncontrolling interest ownership, net of tax131 131 (175)(44)
Distributions to noncontrolling interestDistributions to noncontrolling interest—  —  —  —  —  —  —  (39) (39) Distributions to noncontrolling interest(39)(39)
BALANCE, March 31, 2020$—  $—  $31,544  $436  $(2,352) $—  $29,628  $7,094  $36,722  
BALANCE, March 31, 2021BALANCE, March 31, 2021$$$29,037 $(4,388)$(3,652)$20,997 $6,184 $27,181 

Class A Common StockClass B Common StockAdditional Paid-in CapitalRetained EarningsTreasury StockAccumulated Other Comprehensive LossTotal Charter Shareholders’ EquityNon-controlling InterestsTotal Shareholders’ EquityClass A Common StockClass B Common StockAdditional Paid-in CapitalRetained EarningsTreasury StockTotal Charter Shareholders’ EquityNon-controlling InterestsTotal Shareholders’ Equity
BALANCE, December 31, 2018$—  $—  $33,507  $2,780  $—  $(2) $36,285  $7,987  $44,272  
BALANCE, December 31, 2019BALANCE, December 31, 2019$$$31,405 $40 $$31,445 $7,366 $38,811 
Consolidated net incomeConsolidated net income—  —  —  253  —  —  253  64  317  Consolidated net income396 396 71 467 
Stock compensation expenseStock compensation expense—  —  85  —  —  —  85  —  85  Stock compensation expense90 90 90 
Exercise of stock optionsExercise of stock options—  —  44  —  —  —  44  —  44  Exercise of stock options93 93 93 
Issuance of equityIssuance of equity23 23 23 
Purchases of treasury stockPurchases of treasury stock—  —  —  —  (940) —  (940) —  (940) Purchases of treasury stock(2,352)(2,352)(2,352)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest, net of taxPurchase of noncontrolling interest, net of tax—  —  (15) —  —  —  (15) (74) (89) Purchase of noncontrolling interest, net of tax(149)(149)(195)(344)
Change in noncontrolling interest ownership, net of taxChange in noncontrolling interest ownership, net of tax—  —  22  —  —  —  22  (29) (7) Change in noncontrolling interest ownership, net of tax82 82 (109)(27)
Distributions to noncontrolling interestDistributions to noncontrolling interest—  —  —  —  —  —  —  (39) (39) Distributions to noncontrolling interest(39)(39)
BALANCE, March 31, 2019$—  $—  $33,643  $3,033  $(940) $(2) $35,734  $7,909  $43,643  
BALANCE, March 31, 2020BALANCE, March 31, 2020$$$31,544 $436 $(2,352)$29,628 $7,094 $36,722 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
3



CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(dollars in millions)
Unaudited
Three Months Ended March 31,Three Months Ended March 31,
2020201920212020
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Consolidated net incomeConsolidated net income$467  $317  Consolidated net income$921 $467 
Adjustments to reconcile consolidated net income to net cash flows from operating activities:Adjustments to reconcile consolidated net income to net cash flows from operating activities:Adjustments to reconcile consolidated net income to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortizationDepreciation and amortization2,497  2,550  Depreciation and amortization2,441 2,497 
Stock compensation expenseStock compensation expense90  85  Stock compensation expense134 90 
Noncash interest income, netNoncash interest income, net(12) (55) Noncash interest income, net(7)(12)
Other pension benefits, net(10) (9) 
Loss on extinguishment of debt27  —  
(Gain) loss on financial instruments, net318  (37) 
Deferred income taxesDeferred income taxes(14) 81  Deferred income taxes156 (14)
Other, netOther, net(20) 98  Other, net(5)315 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions and dispositions:Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions and dispositions:Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions and dispositions:
Accounts receivableAccounts receivable136  155  Accounts receivable144 99 
Prepaid expenses and other assetsPrepaid expenses and other assets(104) (300) Prepaid expenses and other assets(182)(67)
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and otherAccounts payable, accrued liabilities and other(155) (199) Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other149 (155)
Net cash flows from operating activitiesNet cash flows from operating activities3,220  2,686  Net cash flows from operating activities3,751 3,220 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of property, plant and equipmentPurchases of property, plant and equipment(1,461) (1,665) Purchases of property, plant and equipment(1,821)(1,461)
Change in accrued expenses related to capital expendituresChange in accrued expenses related to capital expenditures(388) (376) Change in accrued expenses related to capital expenditures(75)(388)
Real estate investments through variable interest entitiesReal estate investments through variable interest entities(38) (39) Real estate investments through variable interest entities(50)(38)
Other, netOther, net37  —  Other, net(10)37 
Net cash flows from investing activitiesNet cash flows from investing activities(1,850) (2,080) Net cash flows from investing activities(1,956)(1,850)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Borrowings of long-term debtBorrowings of long-term debt4,339  6,884  Borrowings of long-term debt5,289 4,339 
Repayments of long-term debtRepayments of long-term debt(3,589) (5,572) Repayments of long-term debt(3,164)(3,589)
Payments for debt issuance costsPayments for debt issuance costs(41) (25) Payments for debt issuance costs(22)(41)
Issuance of equityIssuance of equity23  —  Issuance of equity23 
Purchase of treasury stockPurchase of treasury stock(2,352) (940) Purchase of treasury stock(3,652)(2,352)
Proceeds from exercise of stock optionsProceeds from exercise of stock options93  44  Proceeds from exercise of stock options93 
Purchase of noncontrolling interestPurchase of noncontrolling interest(393) (93) Purchase of noncontrolling interest(507)(393)
Distributions to noncontrolling interestDistributions to noncontrolling interest(39) (39) Distributions to noncontrolling interest(39)(39)
Borrowings for real estate investments through variable interest entitiesBorrowings for real estate investments through variable interest entities50 
Other, netOther, net(24) (4) Other, net12 (24)
Net cash flows from financing activitiesNet cash flows from financing activities(1,983) 255  Net cash flows from financing activities(2,024)(1,983)
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH(613) 861  
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH, beginning of period3,549  765  
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH, end of period$2,936  $1,626  
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTSNET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS(229)(613)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of periodCASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period1,001 3,549 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of periodCASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period$772 $2,936 
CASH PAID FOR INTERESTCASH PAID FOR INTEREST$1,050  $966  CASH PAID FOR INTEREST$1,017 $1,050 
CASH PAID FOR TAXESCASH PAID FOR TAXES$19  $ CASH PAID FOR TAXES$20 $19 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
4



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 a leading broadband connectivity company and cable operator. Over an advanced communicationshigh-capacity, two-way telecommunications network, the Company offers a full range of state-of-the-art residential and business services including Spectrum Internet, TV, Mobile and Voice. For small and medium-sized companies, Spectrum Business® delivers the same suite of broadband products and services coupled with special features and applications to enhance productivity, while for larger businesses and government entities, Spectrum Enterprise provides highly customized, fiber-based solutions. Spectrum Reach® delivers tailored advertising and production for the modern media landscape. The Company also distributes award-winning news coverage, sports and high-quality original programming to its customers through Spectrum Networks and Spectrum Originals.

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 Chairman and 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 1 reportable segment, cable services.segment.

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’sthe Company'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, impairments of franchises and goodwill, pension benefits and income taxes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform with the 20202021 presentation.


5



CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)

2.    Franchises, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Indefinite-lived and finite-lived intangible assets consist of the following as of March 31, 20202021 and December 31, 2019:2020:

March 31, 2020December 31, 2019March 31, 2021December 31, 2020
Gross Carrying AmountAccumulated AmortizationNet Carrying AmountGross Carrying AmountAccumulated AmortizationNet Carrying AmountGross Carrying AmountAccumulated AmortizationNet Carrying AmountGross Carrying AmountAccumulated AmortizationNet Carrying Amount
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:Indefinite-lived intangible assets:Indefinite-lived intangible assets:
FranchisesFranchises$67,322  $—  $67,322  $67,322  $—  $67,322  Franchises$67,322 $— $67,322 $67,322 $— $67,322 
GoodwillGoodwill29,554  —  29,554  29,554  —  29,554  Goodwill29,554 — 29,554 29,554 — 29,554 
Wireless spectrum licensesWireless spectrum licenses464 — 464 464 — 464 
TrademarksTrademarks159  —  159  159  —  159  Trademarks159 — 159 159 — 159 
$97,035  $—  $97,035  $97,035  $—  $97,035  $97,499 $— $97,499 $97,499 $— $97,499 
Finite-lived intangible assets:Finite-lived intangible assets:Finite-lived intangible assets:
Customer relationshipsCustomer relationships$18,230  $(11,275) $6,955  $18,230  $(10,777) $7,453  Customer relationships$18,230 $(13,045)$5,185 $18,230 $(12,615)$5,615 
Other intangible assetsOther intangible assets405  (132) 273  405  (122) 283  Other intangible assets420 (169)251 420 (159)261 
$18,635  $(11,407) $7,228  $18,635  $(10,899) $7,736  $18,650 $(13,214)$5,436 $18,650 $(12,774)$5,876 

Amortization expense related to customer relationships and other intangible assets for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 and 2019 was $508$440 million and $578$508 million, respectively.
The Company expects amortization expense on its finite-lived intangible assets will be as follows:

Nine months ended December 31, 2020$1,366  
20211,599  
Nine months ended December 31, 2021Nine months ended December 31, 2021$1,162 
202220221,329  20221,332 
202320231,072  20231,075 
20242024821  2024824 
20252025575 
ThereafterThereafter1,041  Thereafter468 
$7,228  $5,436 

Actual amortization expense in future periods willcould 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.

3.    Investments

Real Estate Investments through Variable Interest Entities

In July 2018, the Company'sCompany entered into a build-to-suit lease arrangement with a single-asset special purpose entity ("SPE"SPE Building 1") to build athe first building in the building complex for the new Charter headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut obtained all approvals and was made effective.Connecticut. The SPE Building 1 obtained a first-lien mortgage note to finance the construction with fixed monthly payments through July 15, 2035 with a 5.612% coupon interest rate. All payments of the mortgage note are guaranteed by Charter. The initial term of the lease is 15 years commencing August 1, 2020, with no termination options. At the end of the lease term there is a mirrored put option for the SPE to sell the property to Charter and call option for Charter to purchase the property for a fixed purchase price. As

In April 2020, the Company has determinedentered into a build-to-suit lease agreement with a second special purpose entity (“SPE Building 2”) to build the adjoining building and atrium, in the building complex for the new Charter headquarters. As of March 31, 2021, Charter does not guarantee the financing for SPE Building 2. The initial term of the lease is 15 years commencing February 26, 2022, with no termination options. At the end of the lease term there is a put option for the SPE Building 2 to sell the property to Charter for a fixed price. If SPE Building 2 does not exercise the put option and the Company exercises its first renewal term there is call option for Charter to purchase property for a variable interest entity ("VIE")fixed purchase price in year 3 of which it became the primary beneficiary upon the effectiveness offirst renewal term.

6


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)

As the arrangement,Company has determined that SPE Building 1 and SPE Building 2 (collectively, the "SPEs") are variable interest entities ("VIEs") of which the Company became the primary beneficiary upon the effectiveness of the arrangements in July 2018 and April 2020, respectively, the Company has consolidated the assets and liabilities of the SPESPEs in its consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 20202021 and December 31, 20192020 as follows.

March 31, 2020December 31, 2019March 31, 2021December 31, 2020
AssetsAssetsAssets
Restricted cash$28  $66  
Current assetsCurrent assets$$
Property, plant and equipmentProperty, plant and equipment$335  $295  Property, plant and equipment$547 $490 
LiabilitiesLiabilitiesLiabilities
Current liabilitiesCurrent liabilities$13  $11  Current liabilities$41 $28 
Other long-term liabilitiesOther long-term liabilities$350  $350  Other long-term liabilities$522 $470 

Property, plant and equipment includes land, a parking garage and building construction costs, including the capitalization of qualifying interest. As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, otherOther long-term liabilities include $337 million and $339 million, respectively, in VIE'sincludes mortgage note liabilityliabilities and $13 million and $11 million, respectively, in liability-classified noncontrolling interestinterests for the SPEs recorded at amortized cost with accretion towards settlement of the put/call option in the lease.

The consolidated statementsleases. As of cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, and 2019 includes a decrease to restricted cash of $38other long-term liabilities include $465 million and $39$400 million respectively, primarily related to building construction costs.

Equity Investments

The Company recorded impairments on equity investments of approximately $110 million during the three months ended March 31, 2019 which were recorded in other income (expense), net in the consolidated statements of operations.SPE mortgage note liability, respectively.     

4.    Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities consist of the following as of March 31, 20202021 and December 31, 2019:2020:

March 31, 2020December 31, 2019March 31, 2021December 31, 2020
Accounts payable – tradeAccounts payable – trade$733  $786  Accounts payable – trade$724 $763 
Deferred revenueDeferred revenue477  460  Deferred revenue493 436 
Accrued liabilities:Accrued liabilities:Accrued liabilities:
Programming costsProgramming costs2,133  2,042  Programming costs2,074 1,940 
LaborLabor869  1,028  Labor1,070 1,374 
Capital expendituresCapital expenditures1,029  1,441  Capital expenditures1,121 1,227 
InterestInterest1,005  1,052  Interest1,057 1,083 
Taxes and regulatory feesTaxes and regulatory fees511  537  Taxes and regulatory fees553 555 
Property and casualtyProperty and casualty468  458  Property and casualty470 462 
Operating lease liabilitiesOperating lease liabilities218  214  Operating lease liabilities245 235 
OtherOther867  867  Other1,104 792 
$8,310  $8,885  $8,911 $8,867 

5.    Leases

Operating lease expenses were $108$115 million and $107$108 million for the three months ended March 31, 20202021 and 2019,2020, respectively, inclusive of $35 million and $36 million for each of the three months ended March 31, 20202021 and 2019, respectively,2020 of both short-term lease costs and variable lease costs that were not included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities.

Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities, recorded as operating cash flows in the statements of cash flows, were $73$81 million and $71$73 million for the three months ended March 31, 20202021 and 2019,2020, respectively. Operating lease right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease obligations were $65$96 million and $56$65 million for the three months ended March 31, 20202021 and 2019,2020, respectively.


7


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)

Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases is as follows.

March 31, 2020December 31, 2019
March 31, 2021December 31, 2020
Operating lease right-of-use assets: Operating lease right-of-use assets:  Operating lease right-of-use assets:
Included within other noncurrent assets Included within other noncurrent assets  $1,096  $1,092  Included within other noncurrent assets$1,242 $1,214 
Operating lease liabilities: Operating lease liabilities:  Operating lease liabilities:
Current portion included within accounts payable and accrued liabilities Current portion included within accounts payable and accrued liabilities  $218  $214  Current portion included within accounts payable and accrued liabilities$245 $235 
Long-term portion included within other long-term liabilities Long-term portion included within other long-term liabilities  984  979  Long-term portion included within other long-term liabilities1,128 1,110 
$1,202  $1,193  $1,373 $1,345 
Weighted average remaining lease term for operating leases Weighted average remaining lease term for operating leases  6.6 years6.6 yearsWeighted average remaining lease term for operating leases6.2 years6.4 years
Weighted average discount rate for operating leases Weighted average discount rate for operating leases  4.3 %4.4 %Weighted average discount rate for operating leases3.7 %3.9 %

Maturities of lease liabilities as of March 31, 2021 are as follows.

Operating leasesOperating leases
Nine months ended December 31, 2020$195  
2021267  
Nine months ended December 31, 2021Nine months ended December 31, 2021$237 
20222022229  2022297 
20232023201  2023273 
20242024164  2024230 
20252025182 
ThereafterThereafter412  Thereafter386 
Undiscounted lease cash flow commitmentsUndiscounted lease cash flow commitments1,468  Undiscounted lease cash flow commitments1,605 
Reconciling impact from discountingReconciling impact from discounting(266) Reconciling impact from discounting(232)
Lease liabilities on consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2020$1,202  
Lease liabilities on consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2021Lease liabilities on consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2021$1,373 

The Company has $60$64 million and $62$63 million of finance lease liabilities recognized in the consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 20202021 and December 31, 2019,2020, respectively, included within accounts payable and accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities. The related finance lease right-of-use assets are recorded in property, plant and equipment, net. The Company’s finance leases were not considered material for further supplemental lease disclosures.

6.    Long-Term Debt
Long-term debt consists of the following as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020:

March 31, 2021December 31, 2020
Principal AmountAccreted ValuePrincipal AmountAccreted Value
CCO Holdings, LLC:
4.000% senior notes due March 1, 2023$500 $498 $500 $498 
5.750% senior notes due February 15, 20261,750 1,733 2,500 2,475 
5.500% senior notes due May 1, 20261,500 1,493 1,500 1,492 
5.875% senior notes due May 1, 2027800 796 800 796 
5.125% senior notes due May 1, 20273,250 3,226 3,250 3,225 
5.000% senior notes due February 1, 20282,500 2,473 2,500 2,472 
5.375% senior notes due June 1, 20291,500 1,501 1,500 1,501 
4.750% senior notes due March 1, 20303,050 3,042 3,050 3,042 

8


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)

6. Long-Term Debt
4.500% senior notes due August 15, 20302,750 2,750 2,750 2,750 
4.250% senior notes due February 1, 20313,000 3,001 3,000 3,001 
4.500% senior notes due May 1, 20322,900 2,928 2,900 2,928 
Charter Communications Operating, LLC:
4.464% senior notes due July 23, 20223,000 2,993 3,000 2,992 
Senior floating rate notes due February 1, 2024900 902 900 902 
4.500% senior notes due February 1, 20241,100 1,095 1,100 1,094 
4.908% senior notes due July 23, 20254,500 4,477 4,500 4,475 
3.750% senior notes due February 15, 20281,000 989 1,000 989 
4.200% senior notes due March 15, 20281,250 1,242 1,250 1,241 
5.050% senior notes due March 30, 20291,250 1,242 1,250 1,242 
2.800% senior notes due April 1, 20311,600 1,583 1,600 1,583 
2.300% senior notes due February 1, 20321,000 991 1,000 991 
6.384% senior notes due October 23, 20352,000 1,983 2,000 1,983 
5.375% senior notes due April 1, 2038800 786 800 786 
3.500% senior notes due June 1, 20411,500 1,482 
6.484% senior notes due October 23, 20453,500 3,468 3,500 3,468 
5.375% senior notes due May 1, 20472,500 2,506 2,500 2,506 
5.750% senior notes due April 1, 20482,450 2,392 2,450 2,392 
5.125% senior notes due July 1, 20491,250 1,240 1,250 1,240 
4.800% senior notes due March 1, 20502,800 2,797 2,800 2,797 
3.700% senior notes due April 1, 20512,050 2,031 2,050 2,030 
3.900% senior notes due June 1, 20521,000 992 
6.834% senior notes due October 23, 2055500 495 500 495 
3.850% senior notes due April 1, 20611,850 1,809 1,350 1,339 
Credit facilities10,081 10,015 10,150 10,081 
Time Warner Cable, LLC:
4.000% senior notes due September 1, 20211,000 1,005 1,000 1,008 
5.750% sterling senior notes due June 2, 2031 (a)
862 917 854 911 
6.550% senior debentures due May 1, 20371,500 1,667 1,500 1,668 
7.300% senior debentures due July 1, 20381,500 1,761 1,500 1,763 
6.750% senior debentures due June 15, 20391,500 1,705 1,500 1,706 
5.875% senior debentures due November 15, 20401,200 1,253 1,200 1,254 
5.500% senior debentures due September 1, 20411,250 1,258 1,250 1,258 
5.250% sterling senior notes due July 15, 2042 (b)
896 866 889 859 
4.500% senior debentures due September 15, 20421,250 1,146 1,250 1,145 
Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC:
8.375% senior debentures due March 15, 20231,000 1,092 1,000 1,104 
8.375% senior debentures due July 15, 20331,000 1,266 1,000 1,270 
Total debt84,339 84,887 82,143 82,752 
Less current portion:
4.000% senior notes due September 1, 2021(1,000)(1,005)(1,000)(1,008)
Long-term debt$83,339 $83,882 $81,143 $81,744 
Long-term debt consists of the following
(a)Principal amount includes £625 million remeasured at $862 million and $854 million as of March 31, 20202021 and December 31, 2019:

2020, respectively, using the exchange rate at the respective dates.
March 31, 2020December 31, 2019
Principal AmountAccreted ValuePrincipal AmountAccreted Value
CCO Holdings, LLC:
5.250% senior notes due September 30, 20221,105  1,097  1,250  1,241  
5.125% senior notes due February 15, 2023—  —  1,000  995  
4.000% senior notes due March 1, 2023500  497  500  497  
5.125% senior notes due May 1, 20231,105  1,101  1,150  1,145  
5.750% senior notes due September 1, 2023—  —  500  497  
5.750% senior notes due January 15, 2024—  —  150  149  
5.875% senior notes due April 1, 20241,700  1,691  1,700  1,690  
5.375% senior notes due May 1, 2025750  746  750  746  
5.750% senior notes due February 15, 20262,500  2,472  2,500  2,471  
5.500% senior notes due May 1, 20261,500  1,491  1,500  1,491  
5.875% senior notes due May 1, 2027800  796  800  796  
5.125% senior notes due May 1, 20273,250  3,223  3,250  3,222  
5.000% senior notes due February 1, 20282,500  2,469  2,500  2,469  
5.375% senior notes due June 1, 20291,500  1,501  1,500  1,501  
4.750% senior notes due March 1, 20303,050  3,041  3,050  3,041  
4.500% senior notes due August 15, 20302,750  2,750  —  —  
4.500% senior notes due May 1, 20321,400  1,387  —  —  
Charter Communications Operating, LLC:
3.579% senior notes due July 23, 20202,000  1,998  2,000  1,997  
4.464% senior notes due July 23, 20223,000  2,988  3,000  2,987  
Senior floating rate notes due February 1, 2024900  902  900  902  
4.500% senior notes due February 1, 20241,100  1,093  1,100  1,093  
4.908% senior notes due July 23, 20254,500  4,472  4,500  4,471  
3.750% senior notes due February 15, 20281,000  988  1,000  987  
4.200% senior notes due March 15, 20281,250  1,241  1,250  1,240  
5.050% senior notes due March 30, 20291,250  1,241  1,250  1,241  
6.384% senior notes due October 23, 20352,000  1,983  2,000  1,982  
5.375% senior notes due April 1, 2038800  786  800  786  
6.484% senior notes due October 23, 20453,500  3,467  3,500  3,467  
5.375% senior notes due May 1, 20472,500  2,506  2,500  2,506  
5.750% senior notes due April 1, 20482,450  2,391  2,450  2,391  
5.125% senior notes due July 1, 20491,250  1,240  1,250  1,240  
4.800% senior notes due March 1, 20502,800  2,797  2,800  2,798  
6.834% senior notes due October 23, 2055500  495  500  495  
Credit facilities10,357  10,279  10,427  10,345  
Time Warner Cable, LLC:
5.000% senior notes due February 1, 2020—  —  1,500  1,503  
4.125% senior notes due February 15, 2021700  709  700  711  
4.000% senior notes due September 1, 20211,000  1,018  1,000  1,021  

9


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)

5.750% sterling senior notes due June 2, 2031 (a)
776  830  828  886  
6.550% senior debentures due May 1, 20371,500  1,673  1,500  1,675  
7.300% senior debentures due July 1, 20381,500  1,770  1,500  1,772  
6.750% senior debentures due June 15, 20391,500  1,711  1,500  1,713  
5.875% senior debentures due November 15, 20401,200  1,254  1,200  1,255  
5.500% senior debentures due September 1, 20411,250  1,258  1,250  1,258  
5.250% sterling senior notes due July 15, 2042 (b)
807  779  861  831  
4.500% senior debentures due September 15, 20421,250  1,143  1,250  1,142  
Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC:
8.375% senior debentures due March 15, 20231,000  1,137  1,000  1,148  
8.375% senior debentures due July 15, 20331,000  1,281  1,000  1,284  
Total debt79,050  79,692  78,416  79,078  
Less current portion:
5.000% senior notes due February 1, 2020—  —  (1,500) (1,503) 
3.579% senior notes due July 23, 2020(2,000) (1,998) (2,000) (1,997) 
4.125% senior notes due February 15, 2021(700) (709) —  —  
5.250% senior notes due September 30, 2022(1,105) (1,097) —  —  
5.125% senior notes due May 1, 2023(1,105) (1,101) —  —  
Long-term debt74,140  74,787  74,916  75,578  

(b)
(a)Principal amount includes £625 million remeasured at $776 million and $828 million as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively, using the exchange rate at the respective dates.
(b)Principal amount includes £650 million remeasured at $807$896 million and $861$889 million as of March 31, 20202021 and December 31, 2019,2020, respectively, using the exchange rate at the respective dates.

The accreted values presented in the table above represent the principal amount of the debt adjusted for original issue discount or premium at the time of sale, deferred financing costs, and, in regards to debt assumed in acquisitions, 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 is remeasured into US dollars as of each balance sheet date. See Note 9. The Company has availability under the Charter Operating credit facilities of approximately $4.7 billion as of March 31, 2020.2021.

In February 2020, CCO Holdings, LLC ("CCO Holdings")March 2021, Charter Operating and CCO HoldingsCharter Communications Operating Capital Corp. jointly issued $1.65$1.5 billion aggregate principal amount of 4.500%3.500% senior unsecuredsecured notes due 2030 at par and in March 2020, an additional $1.1 billion of the same series of notes were issuedJune 2041 at a price of 102.5%99.544% of the aggregate principal amount, $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 3.900% senior secured notes due June 2052 at a price of 99.951% of the aggregate principal amount and an additional $500 million aggregate principal amount of 3.850% senior secured notes due April 2061 at a price of 94.668% of the aggregate principal amount. Also in March 2020, CCO Holdings and CCO Holdings Capital Corp. issued $1.4 billion aggregate principal amount of 4.500% senior unsecured notes due 2032 at par. The net proceeds were or will be used to pay related fees and expenses and for general corporate purposes, including repaying certain indebtedness, including repayment of all of CCO Holdings' 5.250% senior notes due September 30, 2022, 5.125% senior notes due February 15, 2023, 5.125% senior notes due May 1, 2023, 5.750% senior notes due September 1, 2023 and 5.750% senior notes due January 15, 2024, as well as to fund potentialfunding buybacks of Charter Class A common stock and Charter Holdings common units.units as well as repaying certain indebtedness, including $750 million of CCO Holdings, LLC ("CCO Holdings") 5.750% notes due February 2026. The Company recorded a loss on extinguishment of debt of $27$29 million during the three months ended March 31, 20202021 related to these transactions.

The CCO Holdings notes are senior debt obligations of CCO Holdings and CCO Holdings Capital and rank equally with alltransactions which is recorded in in 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 2028 and 2029, the optional redemption price declines to 100% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.


10


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)

In addition, at any time prior to varying dates in 2023, 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 theincome (expenses), net cash proceeds of one or more equity offerings (as defined in the indenture); provided that certain conditions are met. In the eventconsolidated statements 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.

In April 2020, Charter Operating and Charter Communications Operating Capital Corp. jointly issued $1.6 billion aggregate principal amount of 2.800% senior secured notes due April 2031 at a price of 99.561% of the aggregate principal amount and $1.4 billion aggregate principal amount of 3.700% senior secured notes due April 2051 at a price of 99.217% of the aggregate principal amount. The net proceeds will be used to pay related fees and expenses and for general corporate purposes.operations.

The Charter Operating notes are guaranteed by CCO Holdings 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 and substantially all of its subsidiaries to the extent such liens can be perfected under the Uniform Commercial Code by the filing of a financing statement and the liens rank equally with the liens on the collateral securing obligations under the Charter Operating credit facilities. Charter Operating may redeem some or all of the Charter Operating notes at any time at a premium.

The Charter Operating notes are subject to the terms and conditions of the indenture governing the Charter Operating notes. The Charter Operating notes contain customary representations and warranties and affirmative covenants with limited negative covenants. The Charter Operating indenture also contains customary events of default.

In April 2021, CCO Holdings and CCO Holdings Capital Corp. jointly issued $1.0 billion of 4.500% senior unsecured notes due 2033 at par. The net proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes, including to fund potential buybacks of Charter Class A common stock and Charter Holdings common units, to repay certain indebtedness and to pay related fees and expenses.

The CCO Holdings notes are senior debt obligations of CCO Holdings and CCO Holdings Capital Corp. and rank equally with all other current and future unsecured, unsubordinated obligations of CCO Holdings and CCO Holdings Capital Corp. 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 2030, 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 2024, 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.


10


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)

7.    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 months ended March 31, 20202021 and 2019.2020.

Three Months Ended March 31,Three Months Ended March 31,
2020201920212020
Shares$Shares$Shares$Shares$
Share buybacksShare buybacks4,452,549  $2,176  2,615,717  $870  Share buybacks5,556,318 $3,474 4,452,549 $2,176 
Income tax withholdingIncome tax withholding335,654  176  214,615  70  Income tax withholding284,563 178 335,654 176 
Exercise costExercise cost241,752  94,219  Exercise cost309,815 241,752 
5,029,955  $2,352  2,924,551  $940  6,150,696 $3,652 5,029,955 $2,352 

Share buybacks includes 0.8 million shares of Charter Class A common stock purchased from Liberty Broadband Corporation (“Liberty Broadband”) during the three months ended March 31, 2021 at an average price of $621.16 for approximately $518 million pursuant to the LBB Letter Agreement. In April 2021, the Company purchased from Liberty Broadband an additional 0.7 million shares of Charter Class A common stock for approximately $460 million (see Note 19).

As of March 31, 2020,2021, Charter had remaining board authority to purchase an additional $286 million$1.2 billion of Charter’s Class A common stock and/or Charter Holdings common units. 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 2019,2020, Charter’s board of directors approved the retirement of the then currently held treasury stock and those shares were retired as of December 31, 2019.2020. The Company accounts for treasury stock using the cost method and includes treasury stock as a component of total shareholders’ equity.

In March 2020, pursuant to the terms of the Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement with Liberty Broadband, Corporation (“Liberty Broadband”), Advance/Newhouse Partnership (“A/N”) and Charter, dated May 23, 2015 (the "Stockholders Agreement"), Charter, Liberty and A/N closed on transactions in which Liberty Broadband and A/N exercised their preemptive right to purchase 35,112 and 20,182 shares, respectively, of Charter Class A common stock for a total purchase price of approximately $23 million.

8.    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

11


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)

Company’s cable systems. Noncontrolling interests on the Company’s balance sheet consist primarily of A/N's equity interests in Charter Holdings, which is comprised of a common ownership interest and a convertible preferred ownership interest.

Net income of Charter Holdings attributable to A/N’s common noncontrolling interest for financial reporting purposes is based on the weighted average effective common ownership interest of approximately 7% during 2021 and 8%, during 2020, and was $33$76 million and $26$33 million for the three months ended March 31, 20202021 and 2019,2020, respectively. Net income of Charter Holdings attributable to A/N's preferred noncontrolling interest for financial reporting purposes is based on the preferred dividend which was $38 million for each of the three months ended March 31, 20202021 and 2019.2020.


11


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)

The following table represents Charter Holdings' purchase of Charter Holdings common units from A/N pursuant to the A/N Letter Agreement (see Note 18)19) and the effect on total shareholders' equity during the three months ended March 31, 20202021 and 2019.2020.

Three Months Ended March 31,Three Months Ended March 31,
2020201920212020
Number of units purchasedNumber of units purchased795,607  302,942  Number of units purchased792,654 795,607 
Average price per unitAverage price per unit$494.54  $308.42  Average price per unit$639.27 $494.54 
Amount of units purchasedAmount of units purchased$393  $93  Amount of units purchased$507 $393 
Decrease in noncontrolling interest based on carrying valueDecrease in noncontrolling interest based on carrying value$(195) $(74) Decrease in noncontrolling interest based on carrying value$(192)$(195)
Decrease in additional paid-in-capital, net of taxDecrease in additional paid-in-capital, net of tax$(149) $(15) Decrease in additional paid-in-capital, net of tax$(237)$(149)

Total shareholders' equity was also adjusted during the three months ended March 31, 20202021 and 20192020 due to the changes in Charter Holdings' ownership as follows.

Three Months Ended March 31,Three Months Ended March 31,
2020201920212020
Decrease in noncontrolling interestDecrease in noncontrolling interest$(109) $(29) Decrease in noncontrolling interest$(175)$(109)
Increase in additional paid-in-capital, net of taxIncrease in additional paid-in-capital, net of tax$82  $22  Increase in additional paid-in-capital, net of tax$131 $82 

9.     Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

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

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 April 2019, the Company entered into a collateral holiday agreement for 60% of both the 2031 and 2042 cross-currency swaps, which eliminates the requirement to post collateral for three years, as well as a ten year collateral cap on the remaining 40% of the cross-currency swaps which limits the required collateral posting on that 40% of the cross-currency swaps to $150 million. In March 2021, the collateral holiday for 20% of the swaps was extended to November 2022 in consideration for the Company's agreement to post collateral over a threshold amount on that 20% portion of the swaps from March 2021 through October 2021. The fair value of the Company's cross-currency derivatives was $650$121 million and $224$184 million and is included in other long-term liabilities on its consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 20202021 and December 31, 2019,2020, respectively.

The Company’s 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.operations in other expenses, net. While these derivative instruments are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes, management continues to believe such instruments are closely correlated with the respective debt, thus managing associated risk.

12


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 onare recorded in other income (expenses), net in the consolidated statements of operations is presented inand consisted of the table below.following.
Three Months Ended March 31,Three Months Ended March 31,
2020201920212020
Gain (Loss) on Financial Instruments, Net:
Change in fair value of cross-currency derivative instrumentsChange in fair value of cross-currency derivative instruments$(426) $77  Change in fair value of cross-currency derivative instruments$63 $(426)
Foreign currency remeasurement of Sterling Notes to U.S. dollarsForeign currency remeasurement of Sterling Notes to U.S. dollars108  (40) Foreign currency remeasurement of Sterling Notes to U.S. dollars(15)108 
$(318) $37  
Gain (loss) on financial instruments, netGain (loss) on financial instruments, net$48 $(318)

10.    Fair Value Measurements

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 March 31, 20202021 and December 31, 20192020 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, restricted cash, receivables, payables and other current assets and liabilities approximate fair value because of the short maturity of those instruments.

As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, accounts receivable, net on the consolidated balance sheets includes approximately $344 million and $338 million of current equipment installment plan receivables, respectively, and other noncurrent assets includes approximately $168 million and $134 million of noncurrent equipment installment plan receivables, respectively.

Financial instruments accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis and classified within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy include the Company's cross-currency derivative instruments and were valued at $650$121 million and $224$184 million as of March 31, 20202021 and December 31, 2019,2020, respectively.

The estimated fair value of the Company’s senior notes and debentures as of March 31, 20202021 and December 31, 20192020 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. The carrying amount of the consolidated variable interest entity's mortgage note liability approximates fair value.

A summary of the carrying value and fair value of debt as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 is as follows:

March 31, 2020December 31, 2019
Carrying ValueFair ValueCarrying ValueFair Value
Senior notes and debentures$69,413  $72,108  $68,733  $74,938  
Credit facilities$10,279  $9,610  $10,345  $10,448  


13


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)

A summary of the carrying value and fair value of debt as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 is as follows:

March 31, 2021December 31, 2020
Carrying ValueFair ValueCarrying ValueFair Value
Senior notes and debentures$74,872 $82,191 $72,671 $84,163 
Credit facilities$10,015 $10,032 $10,081 $10,063 

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.  When such impairments are recorded, fair values are generally classified within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy.

11.    Revenues

The Company’s revenues by product line are as follows:

Three Months Ended March 31,Three Months Ended March 31,
2020201920212020
InternetInternet$4,407  $4,024  Internet$5,086 $4,407 
VideoVideo4,422  4,384  Video4,344 4,422 
VoiceVoice457  504  Voice399 457 
Residential revenueResidential revenue9,286  8,912  Residential revenue9,829 9,286 
Small and medium businessSmall and medium business996  945  Small and medium business1,012 996 
EnterpriseEnterprise622  643  Enterprise638 622 
Commercial revenueCommercial revenue1,618  1,588  Commercial revenue1,650 1,618 
Advertising salesAdvertising sales365  345  Advertising sales344 365 
MobileMobile258  140  Mobile492 258 
OtherOther211  221  Other207 211 
$11,738  $11,206  $12,522 $11,738 

12.     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 March 31,Three Months Ended March 31,
2020201920212020
Programming Programming  $2,892  $2,865  Programming$2,988 $2,892 
Regulatory, connectivity and produced content Regulatory, connectivity and produced content  551  561  Regulatory, connectivity and produced content600 551 
Costs to service customers Costs to service customers  1,848  1,822  Costs to service customers1,804 1,848 
Marketing Marketing  766  735  Marketing751 766 
Mobile Mobile  374  260  Mobile572 374 
Other Other  1,001  993  Other996 1,001 
$7,432  $7,236  $7,711 $7,432 

14


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)


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 video and voice services as well as payments for sports, local and news content produced 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.contract period. Costs to service customers include costs related to field operations, network operations and customer care for the Company’s residential and small and medium businessSMB customers, including internal and third-party labor for the non-capitalizable portion of 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

14


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)

and residential customers including labor costs. Mobile costs represent costs associated with the Company's mobile service such as device and service costs, marketing, sales and commissions, retail stores, personnel costs, and taxes, among others. 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.

13.     Other Operating (Income) Expenses, Net

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

Three Months Ended March 31,Three Months Ended March 31,
2020201920212020
Special charges, netSpecial charges, net$16  (4) Special charges, net$255 $16 
(Gain) loss on sale of assets, net(9) (1) 
(Gain) loss on disposal of assets, net(Gain) loss on disposal of assets, net47 (9)
$ $(5) $302 $

Special charges, net

Special charges, net primarily includes employee termination costs and net amounts of litigation settlements.settlements, including the $220 million tentative settlement with Sprint Communications Company L.P. (“Sprint”) and T-Mobile USA, Inc. ("T-Mobile") discussed in Note 20, and employee termination costs.

(Gain) loss on saledisposal of assets, net

(Gain) loss on saledisposal of assets, net represents the net (gain) loss recognized on the sales and disposals of fixed assets and cable systems.

14.     Other Income (Expenses), Net
14.
Other income (expenses), net consist of the following for the periods presented:

Three Months Ended March 31,
20212020
Loss on extinguishment of debt (see Note 6)$(29)$(27)
Gain (loss) on financial instruments, net (see Note 9)48 (318)
Other pension benefits, net (see Note 21)18 10 
Gain on equity investments, net15 
$52 $(326)

15.     Stock Compensation Plans

Charter’s stock incentive plans provide 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

15


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)

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 stock incentive plans.

Charter granted the following equity awards for the periods presented.

Three Months Ended March 31,Three Months Ended March 31,
2020201920212020
Stock optionsStock options1,253,700  1,750,900  Stock options1,225,000 1,253,700 
Restricted stock unitsRestricted stock units408,300  673,700  Restricted stock units345,100 408,300 

Charter stock options and restricted stock units generally cliff vest three years from the date of 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.

As of March 31, 2020,2021, total unrecognized compensation remaining to be recognized in future periods totaled $307$374 million for stock options, $0.2 million for restricted stock and $358$357 million for restricted stock units and the weighted average period over which they are expected to be recognized is two years for stock options, one month for restricted stock and two years for restricted stock units.

The Company recorded stock compensation expense of $90$134 million and $85$90 million for the three months ended March 31, 20202021 and 2019,2020, respectively, which is included in operating costs and expenses.


15


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)

15.16.    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.

The Company recorded income tax expense of $29$216 million and $119$29 million for the three months ended March 31, 20202021 and 2019,2020, respectively. Income tax expense decreasedincreased during the three months ended March 31, 20202021 compared to the corresponding period in 20192020 primarily as a result of increased recognition of excess tax benefits resulting from share-based compensation during 2020 and an internal entity simplification that increased expense in 2019.higher pretax income.

On March 18, 2020, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act ("FFCR Act"), and on March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act ("CARES Act") were each enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The FFCR Act and the CARES Act contain numerous tax provisions, such as deferring payroll tax payments, establishing a credit for the retention of certain employees, relaxing limitations on the deductibility of interest, and updating the definition of qualified improvement property. This legislation currently has no material impact to income tax expense on the Company’s financial statements.

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.


16


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)

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 $244$316 million and $230$298 million, excluding interest and penalties, as of March 31, 20202021 and December 31, 2019,2020, respectively. The Company does not currently anticipate that its reserve for uncertain tax positions will significantly increase or decrease during 2020;2021; 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.

No tax years for Charter are currently under examination by the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") for income tax purposes. Charter's 2016 through 20192020 tax years remain open for examination and assessment. Charter’s short period return dated May 17, 2016 (prior to the merger with Time Warner Cable Inc. ("TWC") and acquisition of Bright House Networks, LLC ("Bright House") transactions)) and prior years remain open solely for purposes of examination of Charter’s loss and credit carryforwards. The IRS is currently examining Charter Holdings’ income tax return for 2016. Charter Holdings’ 2017 through 20192020 tax years remain open for examination and assessment. The IRS is currently examining TWC’s income tax returns for 2011 through 2014. TWC’s tax year 2015 remains subject to examination and assessment. Prior to TWC’s separation from Time Warner Inc. (“Time Warner”) in March 2009, TWC was included in the consolidated U.S. federal and certain state income tax returns of Time Warner. The IRS has examined Time Warner’s 2008 through 2010 income tax returns and the results are under appeal. 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 months ended March 31, 2020,2021, nor does the Company anticipate a material impact in the future.


16


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)

16.17.    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 units of 15 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and Charter Holdings common and convertible preferred units of 27 million and 31 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, were not included in the

17


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)

computation of diluted earnings per share as their effect would have been antidilutive. The following is the computation of diluted earnings per common share for the three months ended March 31, 20202021 and 2019.2020.

Three Months Ended March 31,Three Months Ended March 31,
2020201920212020
Numerator:Numerator:Numerator:
Net income attributable to Charter shareholdersNet income attributable to Charter shareholders$396  $253  Net income attributable to Charter shareholders$807 $396 
Effect of dilutive securities:Effect of dilutive securities:
Charter Holdings convertible preferred unitsCharter Holdings convertible preferred units38 
Net income attributable to Charter shareholders after assumed conversionsNet income attributable to Charter shareholders after assumed conversions$845 $396 
Denominator:Denominator:Denominator:
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basicWeighted average common shares outstanding, basic207,831,305  224,630,122  Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic191,404,527 207,831,305 
Effect of dilutive securities:Effect of dilutive securities:Effect of dilutive securities:
Assumed exercise or issuance of shares relating to stock plansAssumed exercise or issuance of shares relating to stock plans4,979,308  2,965,243  Assumed exercise or issuance of shares relating to stock plans5,134,509 4,979,308 
Weighted average Charter Holdings convertible preferred unitsWeighted average Charter Holdings convertible preferred units9,333,500 
Weighted average common shares outstanding, dilutedWeighted average common shares outstanding, diluted212,810,613  227,595,365  Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted205,872,536 212,810,613 
Basic earnings per common share attributable to Charter shareholdersBasic earnings per common share attributable to Charter shareholders$1.91  $1.13  Basic earnings per common share attributable to Charter shareholders$4.22 $1.91 
Diluted earnings per common share attributable to Charter shareholdersDiluted earnings per common share attributable to Charter shareholders$1.86  $1.11  Diluted earnings per common share attributable to Charter shareholders$4.11 $1.86 

17.18.     Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income equaled net income attributable to Charter shareholders for each of the three months ended March 31, 20202021 and 2019.2020.

18.19.     Related Party Transactions

The following sets forth certain transactions in which the Company and the directors, executive officers, and affiliates of the Company are involved.

Liberty Broadband and A/N

Under the terms of the Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement, with Liberty Broadband, A/N and Charter, dated May 23, 2015, the number of Charter’s directors is fixed at 13, and includes its CEO. Two designees selected by A/N are members of the board of directors of Charter and three designees selected by Liberty Broadband are 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 Charter (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 designationdesignations and other governance rights. Mr. Thomas Rutledge, the Company’s CEO, is the chairman of the board of Charter.

In December 2017,2016, Charter and A/N entered into an amendment to thea letter agreement, as amended in December 2017 (the “Letter“A/N 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

17


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)

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.

18


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)


In February 2021, Charter and Liberty Broadband entered into a letter agreement (the “LBB Letter Agreement”). The CompanyLBB Letter Agreement implements Liberty Broadband’s obligations under the Stockholders Agreement to participate in share repurchases by Charter. Under the LBB Letter Agreement, Liberty Broadband will sell to Charter, generally on a monthly basis, a number of shares of Charter Class A common stock representing an amount sufficient for Liberty Broadband’s ownership of Charter to be reduced such that it does not exceed the ownership cap then applicable to Liberty Broadband under the Stockholders Agreement at a purchase price per share equal to the volume weighted average price per share paid by Charter for shares repurchased during such immediately preceding calendar month other than (i) purchases from A/N, (ii) purchases in privately negotiated transactions or (iii) purchases for the withholding of shares of Charter Class A common stock pursuant to equity compensation programs of Charter.

Gregory Maffei, a director of Charter and President and CEO and director and holder of 12.6% voting interest in Liberty Broadband, is aware thatChairman of the board of directors of Qurate Retail, Inc. ("Qurate") and Dr. John Malone, a director emeritus of Charter and Chairman of the board of directors and holder of 48.8%45.8% of voting interest in Liberty Broadband, may be deemed to have a 40.9%also serves on the Qurate board of directors. As reported in SEC filings of Qurate, Mr. Maffei and Dr. Malone, Mr. Maffei has ownership of an approximate 6.3% voting interest in Qurate Retail, Inc. ("Qurate")Quarate and is on the boardDr. Malone has ownership of directors ofan approximate 41.2% voting interest in Qurate. Qurate wholly owns HSN, Inc. (“HSN”) and QVC, Inc. (“QVC”). The Company has programming relationships with HSN and QVC. For each of the three months ended March 31, 20202021 and 2019,2020, the Company recorded revenue in aggregate of approximately $11 million and $12 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, a member of Charter’s board of directors, also serve on the board of directors of Discovery, Communications, Inc., (“Discovery”). The Company is aware thatAs reported in Discovery's SEC filings, Dr. Malone owns 1.2% of the series A common stock, 93.6% of the series B common stock and 3.6% of the series C common stock of Discovery and has a 27.9% voting interest in Discovery for the election of directors. The Company is aware thatAs reported in Discovery's SEC filings, Advance/Newhouse Programming Partnership (“A/N PP”), an affiliate of A/N and ofin which Mr. Miron is the CEO, owns 100% of the Series A-1 preferred stock of Discovery and 100% of the Series C-1 preferred stock of Discovery and has a 23.9% voting interest for matters other than the election of directors. A/N PP also has the right to appoint three directors out of a total of twelve directors to Discovery’s board. The Company purchases programming from Discovery. Based on publicly available information, the Company does not believe that Discovery would currently be considered a related party. The amount paid in the aggregate to Discovery represents less than 2% of total operating costs and expenses for the three months ended March 31, 20202021 and 2019.2020.

Equity Investments

The Company has agreements with certain equity investees pursuant to which the Company has made or received related party transaction payments. The Company recorded payments to equity investees totaling $63$58 million and $86$63 million during the three months ended March 31, 20202021 and 2019,2020, respectively.

19.20.     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 involving Charter, TWC, A/N, and Liberty Broadband announced by Charter on May 26, 2015. The lawsuit, which named as defendants Charter and its board of directors, alleged that the transactions resulted from breaches of fiduciary duty by Charter’s directors and that Liberty Broadband improperly benefited from the challenged transactions at the expense of other Charter stockholders. The lawsuit has proceeded to the discovery phase. Charter denies any liability, believes that it has substantial defenses, and is vigorously defending this lawsuit. 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 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 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 United States District Court for the District of Kansas alleging that TWC infringed certain U.S. patents purportedly relating to Voice over Internet Protocol (“VoIP”) services. At the trial, the jury returned a verdict of $140 million against TWC and further concluded that TWC had willfully infringed Sprint’s patents. The court subsequently declined to enhance the damage award as a result of the purported willful infringement and awarded Sprint an additional $6 million, representing pre-judgment interest on the damages award. The Company has now paid the verdict, interest and costs in full. The Company continues to pursue indemnity from one of its vendors and has brought a patent suit against Sprint (TC Tech, LLC v. Sprint) in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware implicating Sprint's LTE technology.  The ultimate outcomes of the pursuit of indemnity against the Company’s

1819


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)

vendor and the TC Tech litigation cannot be predicted. The Company does not expect the outcome of its indemnity claim nor the outcome of the TC Tech litigation will have a material adverse effect on its operations or financial condition.

Sprint filed a second patent suit against Charter and Bright House Networks, LLC on December 2, 2017 in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware. This suit alleges infringement of 119 patents related to the Company's provision of VoIP services (tenVoice over Internet Protocol (“VoIP”) services. Sprint previously sued TWC with respect to eight of these patents and obtained a final judgment of $151 million inclusive of interest and costs, which were assertedthe Company paid in November 2019. The Company has also brought a patent suit against Legacy TWCSprint (TC Tech, LLC v. Sprint) in the matter described above).

On February 18, 2020 Sprint filed a lawsuit against Charter, Bright House, and TWC in the District Court for Johnson County, Kansas. Sprint alleges that Charter misappropriated trade secrets from Sprint years ago through employees hired by Bright House. Sprint asserts that the alleged trade secrets relate to the VoIP business of Charter and Bright House. Charter has removed this case to the United States District Court for the District of Kansas.Delaware implicating Sprint's LTE technology and a similar suit against T-Mobile in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas.

Sprint filed a thirdsubsequent patent suit against Charter on May 17, 2018 in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. This suit alleges infringement of two patents related to the Company's video on demand services. The court transferred this case to the United States District Court for the District of Delaware on December 20, 2018 pursuant to an agreement between the parties.

On February 18, 2020, Sprint filed a lawsuit against Charter, Bright House and TWC. Sprint alleges that Charter misappropriated trade secrets from Sprint years ago through employees hired by Bright House. Sprint asserts that the alleged trade secrets relate to the VoIP business of Charter, TWC and Bright House. The case is now pending in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas.

Charter, T-Mobile and Sprint have tentatively reached a settlement of all of the foregoing suits that would result in a payment of $220 million by Charter to T-Mobile. The Company can give no assurance that this tentative settlement will be finalized. Pending finalization of the settlement and in the event the settlement is not finalized, the Company will vigorously defend these Sprint suits and prosecute the suits it has brought against T-Mobile and Sprint. While the Company is vigorously defending these suits and is unable to predict the outcome of the Sprintthese lawsuits, the Companyit does not expect that the litigation will have a material effect on its operations, financial condition, or cash flows.

In addition to the Sprint litigation described above, the Company is a defendant or co-defendant in several additional lawsuits involving alleged infringement of various intellectual property relating to various aspects of its businesses. Other industry participants are also defendants in certain of these cases or related cases. In the event that a court ultimately determines that the Company infringes on any intellectual property, 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 intellectual property 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 other lawsuits, claims and regulatory inquiries that arise in the ordinary course of conducting its business. 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.

20.21.     Employee Benefit Plans

The Company sponsors three qualified defined and nonqualified defined benefit pension plans and one nonqualified defined benefit pension plan that provide pension benefits to a majority of employees who were employed by TWC before the merger with TWC.
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. No future compensation increases or future service will be credited to participants of the pension plans given the frozen nature of the plans.


1920


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)

The components of net periodic pension benefit (costs) for the three months ended March 31, 20202021 and 20192020 are recorded in in other pension benefits,income (expenses), net in the consolidated statements of operations and consisted of the following:

Three Months Ended March 31,Three Months Ended March 31,
2020201920212020
Interest costInterest cost$(28) $(32) Interest cost$(24)$(28)
Expected return on plan assetsExpected return on plan assets38  41  Expected return on plan assets42 38 
Net periodic pension benefitsNet periodic pension benefits$10  $ Net periodic pension benefits$18 $10 

The Company made no cash contributions to the qualified pension plans during the three months ended March 31, 20202021 and 2019;2020; 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 20202021 to the extent benefits are paid.

21.22.     Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Accounting Standards Adopted January 1, 2020

ASU No. 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial2020-06, Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity's Own Equity (“ASU 2016-13”2020-06”)

In June 2016,August 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-13,2020-06, which requires a financial asset (or a groupreduces the number of financial assets) measured at amortized cost basisaccounting models for convertible instruments, amends diluted earnings per share calculations for convertible instruments and allows more contracts to be assessedqualify for impairment under the current expected credit loss model rather than an incurred loss model. The measurement of expected credit losses is based on relevant information about past events, including historical experience, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the reported amount.  The primary financial assets of the Company in scope ofequity classification. ASU 2016-13 include accounts receivables and equipment installment plan notes receivables.  The Company adopted ASU 2016-13 on January 1, 2020. The adoption of ASU 2016-13 did not have a material impact to the Company's consolidated financial statements.

ASU No. 2018-15, Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract ("ASU 2018-15")

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15 which requires upfront implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement (or hosting arrangement) that is a service contract to be amortized to hosting expense over the term of the arrangement, beginning when the module or component of the hosting arrangement is ready for its intended use. The Company adopted ASU 2018-15 on January 1, 2020. The adoption of ASU 2018-15 did not have a material impact to the Company's consolidated financial statements.

ASU No. 2019-02, Improvements to Accounting for Costs of Films and License Agreements for Program Materials ("ASU 2019-02")

In March 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-02 which aligns the accounting for production costs of an episodic television series with the accounting for production costs of films regarding cost capitalization, amortization, impairment, presentation and disclosure. The Company adopted ASU 2019-02 on January 1, 2020. The adoption of ASU 2019-02 did not have a material impact to the Company's consolidated financial statements.

ASU No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (“ASU 2019-12”)

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, which is intended to simplify various aspects related to accounting for income taxes. ASU 2019-12 removes certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and also clarifies and amends existing guidance to improve consistent application. ASU 2019-122020-06 will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020.2021. Early adoption is permitted. The Company elected to early adopt ASU 2019-122020-06 on January 1, 2020.2021. The adoption of ASU 2019-122020-06 did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

2021


CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
(dollars in millions, except per share amounts and where indicated)


22.    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 "Intermediate Holding Companies" column includes the assets and liabilities of the captive insurance company, a company wholly-owned by Charter outside of Charter Holdings and which does not, directly or indirectly, own any interest in Charter Holdings. The “Charter Operating and Restricted Subsidiaries” column is presented to comply with the terms of the Credit Agreement.

Comprehensive income equaled net income attributable to Charter shareholders for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019. Condensed consolidating financial statements as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 and for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 follow.


21


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 March 31, 2020
Non-Guarantor SubsidiariesGuarantor Subsidiaries
CharterIntermediate Holding CompaniesCCO HoldingsCharter Operating and Restricted SubsidiariesEliminationsCharter Consolidated
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents$—  $248  $200  $2,460  $—  $2,908  
Accounts receivable, net—  34  —  2,057  —  2,091  
Receivables from related party18  143  41  —  (202) —  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 57  —  699  —  760  
Total current assets22  482  241  5,216  (202) 5,759  
RESTRICTED CASH—  28  —  —  —  28  
INVESTMENT IN CABLE PROPERTIES:
Property, plant and equipment, net—  719  —  33,377  —  34,096  
Customer relationships, net—  —  —  6,955  —  6,955  
Franchises—  —  —  67,322  —  67,322  
Goodwill—  —  —  29,554  —  29,554  
Total investment in cable properties, net—  719  —  137,208  —  137,927  
INVESTMENT IN SUBSIDIARIES47,193  53,157  76,925  —  (177,275) —  
LOANS RECEIVABLE – RELATED PARTY278  727  567  —  (1,572) —  
OTHER NONCURRENT ASSETS 372  —  2,464  —  2,838  
Total assets$47,495  $55,485  $77,733  $144,888  $(179,049) $146,552  
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’/MEMBER’S EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities$26  $656  $314  $7,314  $—  $8,310  
Payables to related party—  —  —  202  (202) —  
Current portion of long-term debt—  —  2,198  2,707  —  4,905  
Total current liabilities26  656  2,512  10,223  (202) 13,215  
LONG-TERM DEBT—  —  22,064  52,723  —  74,787  
LOANS PAYABLE – RELATED PARTY—  —  —  1,572  (1,572) —  
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES17,591  19  —  55  —  17,665  
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES250  545  —  3,368  —  4,163  
SHAREHOLDERS’/MEMBER’S EQUITY
Controlling interest29,628  47,193  53,157  76,925  (177,275) 29,628  
Noncontrolling interests—  7,072  —  22  —  7,094  
Total shareholders’/member’s equity29,628  54,265  53,157  76,947  (177,275) 36,722  
Total liabilities and shareholders’/member’s equity$47,495  $55,485  $77,733  $144,888  $(179,049) $146,552  


22


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, 2019
Non-Guarantor SubsidiariesGuarantor Subsidiaries
CharterIntermediate Holding CompaniesCCO HoldingsCharter Operating and Restricted SubsidiariesEliminationsCharter Consolidated
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents$—  $234  $500  $2,749  $—  $3,483  
Accounts receivable, net 31  —  2,195  —  2,227  
Receivables from related party34  264  59  —  (357) —  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets10  40  —  711  —  761  
Total current assets45  569  559  5,655  (357) 6,471  
RESTRICTED CASH—  66  —  —  —  66  
INVESTMENT IN CABLE PROPERTIES:
Property, plant and equipment, net—  683  —  33,908  —  34,591  
Customer relationships, net—  —  —  7,453  —  7,453  
Franchises—  —  —  67,322  —  67,322  
Goodwill—  —  —  29,554  —  29,554  
Total investment in cable properties, net—  683  —  138,237  —  138,920  
INVESTMENT IN SUBSIDIARIES49,024  55,266  76,409  —  (180,699) —  
LOANS RECEIVABLE – RELATED PARTY260  699  545  —  (1,504) —  
OTHER NONCURRENT ASSETS 378  —  2,351  —  2,731  
Total assets$49,331  $57,661  $77,513  $146,243  $(182,560) $148,188  
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’/MEMBER’S EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities$18  $725  $296  $7,846  $—  $8,885  
Payables to related party—  —  —  357  (357) —  
Current portion of long-term debt—  —  —  3,500  —  3,500  
Total current liabilities18  725  296  11,703  (357) 12,385  
LONG-TERM DEBT—  —  21,951  53,627  —  75,578  
LOANS PAYABLE – RELATED PARTY—  —  —  1,504  (1,504) —  
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES17,641  15  —  55  —  17,711  
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES227  554  —  2,922  —  3,703  
SHAREHOLDERS’/MEMBER’S EQUITY
Controlling interest31,445  49,024  55,266  76,409  (180,699) 31,445  
Noncontrolling interests—  7,343  —  23  —  7,366  
Total shareholders’/member’s equity31,445  56,367  55,266  76,432  (180,699) 38,811  
Total liabilities and shareholders’/member’s equity$49,331  $57,661  $77,513  $146,243  $(182,560) $148,188  


23


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 three months March 31, 2020
Non-Guarantor SubsidiariesGuarantor Subsidiaries
CharterIntermediate Holding CompaniesCCO HoldingsCharter Operating and Restricted SubsidiariesEliminationsCharter Consolidated
REVENUES$13  $303  $—  $11,736  $(314) $11,738  
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Operating costs and expenses (exclusive of items shown separately below)13  278  —  7,452  (311) 7,432  
Depreciation and amortization—   —  2,493  —  2,497  
Other operating expense, net—  —  —  10  (3)  
13  282  —  9,955  (314) 9,936  
Income from operations—  21  —  1,781  —  1,802  
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSES):
Interest income (expense), net  (297) (695) —  (980) 
Loss on extinguishment of debt—  —  (27) —  —  (27) 
Loss on financial instruments, net—  —  —  (318) —  (318) 
Other pension benefits, net—  —  —  10  —  10  
Other income (expense), net—  (2) —  11  —   
Equity in income of subsidiaries405  459  783  —  (1,647) —  
410  464  459  (992) (1,647) (1,306) 
Income before income taxes410  485  459  789  (1,647) 496  
Income tax expense(14) (9) —  (6) —  (29) 
Consolidated net income396  476  459  783  (1,647) 467  
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests—  (71) —  —  —  (71) 
Net income$396  $405  $459  $783  $(1,647) $396  


24


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 three months ended March 31, 2019
Non-Guarantor SubsidiariesGuarantor Subsidiaries
CharterIntermediate Holding CompaniesCCO HoldingsCharter Operating and Restricted SubsidiariesEliminationsCharter Consolidated
REVENUES$12  $282  $—  $11,203  $(291) $11,206  
COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Operating costs and expenses (exclusive of items shown separately below)12  282  —  7,242  (300) 7,236  
Depreciation and amortization—   —  2,547  —  2,550  
Other operating income, net—  (10) —  (4)  (5) 
12  275  —  9,785  (291) 9,781  
Income from operations—   —  1,418  —  1,425  
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSES):
Interest income (expense), net  (254) (683) —  (925) 
Gain on financial instruments, net—  —  —  37  —  37  
Other pension benefits, net—  —  —   —   
Other expense, net—  —  —  (110) —  (110) 
Equity in income of subsidiaries302  350  604  —  (1,256) —  
305  359  350  (747) (1,256) (989) 
Income before income taxes305  366  350  671  (1,256) 436  
Income tax expense(52) —  —  (67) —  (119) 
Consolidated net income253  366  350  604  (1,256) 317  
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests—  (64) —  —  —  (64) 
Net income$253  $302  $350  $604  $(1,256) $253  


25


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 three months ended March 31, 2020
Non-Guarantor SubsidiariesGuarantor Subsidiaries
CharterIntermediate Holding CompaniesCCO HoldingsCharter Operating and Restricted SubsidiariesEliminationsCharter Consolidated
NET CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES$ $24  $(276) $3,466  $—  $3,220  
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment—  —  —  (1,461) —  (1,461) 
Change in accrued expenses related to capital expenditures—  —  —  (388) —  (388) 
Real estate investments through variable interest entities—  (38) —  —  —  (38) 
Contributions to subsidiaries(117) (27) (4,273) —  4,417  —  
Distributions from subsidiaries2,352  2,685  4,629  —  (9,666) —  
Other, net—  (2) —  39  —  37  
Net cash flows from investing activities2,235  2,618  356  (1,810) (5,249) (1,850) 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Borrowings of long-term debt—  —  4,177  162  —  4,339  
Repayments of long-term debt—  —  (1,858) (1,731) —  (3,589) 
Borrowings (repayments) of loans payable - related parties(5) —  —   —  —  
Payments for debt issuance costs—  —  (41) —  —  (41) 
Issuance of equity23  —  —  —  —  23  
Purchase of treasury stock(2,352) —  —  —  —  (2,352) 
Proceeds from exercise of stock options93  —  —  —  —  93  
Purchase of noncontrolling interest—  (393) —  —  —  (393) 
Distributions to noncontrolling interest—  (38) —  (1) —  (39) 
Contributions from parent—  117  27  4,273  (4,417) —  
Distributions to parent—  (2,352) (2,685) (4,629) 9,666  —  
Other, net—  —  —  (24) —  (24) 
Net cash flows from financing activities(2,241) (2,666) (380) (1,945) 5,249  (1,983) 
NET DECREASE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH—  (24) (300) (289) —  (613) 
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH, beginning of period—  300  500  2,749  —  3,549  
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH, end of period$—  $276  $200  $2,460  $—  $2,936  


26


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 three months ended March 31, 2019
Non-Guarantor SubsidiariesGuarantor Subsidiaries
CharterIntermediate Holding CompaniesCCO HoldingsCharter Operating and Restricted SubsidiariesEliminationsCharter Consolidated
NET CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES$(1) $—  $(226) $2,913  $—  $2,686  
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment—  (67) —  (1,665) 67  (1,665) 
Change in accrued expenses related to capital expenditures—  —  —  (376) —  (376) 
Real estate investments through variable interest entities—  (39) —  —  —  (39) 
Contribution to subsidiaries(44) (9) (9) —  62  —  
Distributions from subsidiaries941  1,040  1,266  —  (3,247) —  
Other, net—  —  —  67  (67) —  
Net cash flows from investing activities897  925  1,257  (1,974) (3,185) (2,080) 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Borrowings of long-term debt—  —  —  6,884  —  6,884  
Repayments of long-term debt—  —  —  (5,572) —  (5,572) 
Payments for debt issuance costs—  —  —  (25) —  (25) 
Purchase of treasury stock(940) —  —  —  —  (940) 
Proceeds from exercise of stock options44  —  —  —  —  44  
Purchase of noncontrolling interest—  (93) —  —  —  (93) 
Distributions to noncontrolling interest—  (38) —  (1) —  (39) 
Contributions from parent—  44    (62) —  
Distributions to parent—  (941) (1,040) (1,266) 3,247  —  
Other, net—  —  —  (4) —  (4) 
Net cash flows from financing activities(896) (1,028) (1,031) 25  3,185  255  
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH—  (103) —  964  —  861  
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH, beginning of period—  465  —  300  —  765  
CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH, end of period$—  $362  $—  $1,264  $—  $1,626  


27


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 a leading broadband connectivity company and cable operator serving more than 2931 million customers in 41 states through itsour Spectrum brand. Over an advanced communicationshigh-capacity, two-way telecommunications network, we offer a full range of state-of-the-art residential and business services including Spectrum Internet, TV, Mobile and Voice. For small and medium-sized companies, Spectrum Business® delivers the same suite of broadband products and services coupled with special features and applications to enhance productivity, while for larger businesses and government entities, Spectrum Enterprise provides highly customized, fiber-based solutions. Spectrum Reach® delivers tailored advertising and production for the modern media landscape. We also distribute award-winning news coverage, sports and high-quality original programming to our customers through Spectrum Networks and Spectrum Originals.

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.

Overview

AsIn the COVID-19first quarters of both 2021 and 2020, the Novel Coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic develops andhas significantly impacts the United States, we have continued to deliver services uninterrupted by the pandemic. Because we have invested significantly inimpacted how our network and through normal course capacity increases, we expect to be able to continue to respond to the significant increase in network activity from the private and public response to COVID-19. Our front-line service infrastructure in call centers and field operations is experiencing higher service transaction volume and is performing well although we have seen increased wait times for customer calls to our call centers. Much of that increase in activity is being driven by increased demand for our connectivity services to residential, healthcare, government and educational customers. The response to our Remote Education Offer ("REO") pursuant to which new customers with students or educators in the household are eligible to receive our Internet service for free for 60 days has generated 119,000 new Internet accounts in March, while new connects for our residential Internet services, when excluding the REO, were also up in March as compared to March 2019. We are also participating in the Federal Communications Commission's ("FCC") Keep Americans Connected pledge, pausing collection efforts and related disconnects for residential and small and medium business customers with COVID-19 related payment challenges. In addition, we have offered a seasonal plan at reduced rates to small and medium business customers that have temporarily closed or because these customers have reduced their service offerings to their own customers ("SMB Seasonal Plan"). As we do our part as a major provider of Internet services in the United States by, among other things, enabling social distancing through telecommuting and e-learning across our footprint of 41 states, we are focused on promoting the health and safety of our employees and customers. We have invested significantly in our self-service infrastructure, and we are seeing an accelerated adoption by customers of our self-installation and digital self-service capabilities.

However, we cannot predict the ultimate impact of COVID-19 on our business, including the depth and duration of the economic impact to our residential and business customers’ ability to pay foruse our products and services, including the impact of extended unemployment benefitshow they interact with us, and other stimulus packageshow our employees work and what assistance we may provide services to our customers. In addition, there is uncertainty regardingDuring the impactfirst quarter of government emergency declarations,2021, customer activity levels remained below normal which contributed to lower operating expense from reduced service transactions and significantly lower bad debt, however, we expect those trends to slowly return to pre-COVID-19 levels throughout 2021 as the ability of our supplierseconomy reopens and vendors to provide products and services to us, the pace of new housing construction, changes in business spend in our local and national ad sales business, the effects to our employees’ health and safety and resulting reorientation of our worknormal activities and the risk of limitations on the deployment and maintenance of our services (including by limiting our customer support and on-site service repairs and installations).resume.

Although the ultimate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic cannot be predicted, we remain focused on driving customer relationship growth by deploying superior products and services packaged with attractive pricing. Further, we expect to continue to drive customer relationship growth through sales of bundled services and improving customer retention despite the expectation for continued losses of video and wireline voice customers. With the completion of our all-digital conversion, roll-out of DOCSIS 3.1 technology across our footprint, and the integration of TWC and Bright House substantially complete, we expect continued lower cable capital intensity in 2020.

Our Spectrum Mobile service is offered to customers subscribing to our Internet service and runs on Verizon'sVerizon Communications Inc.'s ("Verizon") mobile network combined with Spectrum WiFi. In March 2020, we launched 5G service offerings and we expect that, along with broader availability of our Spectrum Mobile bring-your-own-device program, to contribute to the growth of our mobile business. We also continue to explore ways to drive even more mobile traffic to our network. We intend to use Citizens Broadband Radio Service (“CBRS”) Priority Access Licenses (“PALs”) we purchased in 2020, along with unlicensed CBRS spectrum to build our own 5G mobile network which we plan to use in combination with our mobile virtual network operator (“MVNO”) reseller agreement with Verizon and WiFi network in

28


conjunction with additional unlicensed,to enhance the customer’s experience and potentially licensed, spectrum to improve network performance and expand capacity to offer consumers a superior mobile service at a lower totalour cost to us. Further, we have experimental wireless licenses from the FCC that we are utilizing to test next generation mobile services in several service areas around the country.structure.

We believe Spectrum-branded mobile services will drive higher sales of our core products, create longer customer lives and increase profitability and cash flow over time. As a result of growth costs associated with our new mobile product line, we cannot be certain that we will be able to grow revenues or maintain our margins at recent historical rates. During the three months ended March 31, 20202021 and 2019,2020, our mobile product line increased revenues by $258$492 million and $140$258 million, respectively, reduced Adjusted EBITDA by approximately $116$80 million and $120$116 million, respectively, and reduced free cash flow by approximately $184 million and $260 million, respectively. Primarily as a result of growth-related sales and $291 million, respectively. Asmarketing and other customer acquisition costs for mobile services, and depending on the pace of that growth, we expect mobile Adjusted EBITDA will continue to grow our mobile service and scale the business, webe negative. We also expect continuedto continue to see negative impacts to Adjusted EBITDA, as well as negative working capital impactsfree cash flow from the timing of device-related cash flows when we sell the handset or tabletdevices to customers pursuant to equipment installment plans.plans and capital expenditures related to retail store and CBRS build-out.

22



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 March 31,Three Months Ended March 31,
20202019% Change20212020% Change
RevenuesRevenues$11,738  $11,206  4.8 %Revenues$12,522 $11,738 6.7 %
Adjusted EBITDAAdjusted EBITDA$4,396  $4,055  8.4 %Adjusted EBITDA$4,945 $4,396 12.5 %
Income from operationsIncome from operations$1,802  $1,425  26.5 %Income from operations$2,068 $1,802 14.8 %

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income attributable to Charter shareholders plus net income attributable to noncontrolling interest, net interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, stock compensation expense, (gain) loss on financial instruments, net, other pension (benefits) costs, other (income) expense,expenses, net and other operating (income) expenses, net, such as 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 for the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to the corresponding prior period was primarily due to growth in our residential Internet mobile and commercial businessmobile customers. Adjusted EBITDA and income from operations growth was impacted by growth in revenue and increases in operating costsreduced service transactions and expenses, primarily mobile, marketing and programming. Income from operations was also affected by a decrease in depreciation and amortization expense.lower bad debt.


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The following table summarizes our customer statistics for Internet, video, mobilevoice and voicemobile as of March 31, 20202021 and 20192020 (in thousands except per customer data and footnotes).

Approximate as ofApproximate as of
March 31,March 31,
2020 (a)
2019 (a)
2021 (a)
2020 (a)
Customer Relationships (b)
Customer Relationships (b)
Customer Relationships (b)
ResidentialResidential27,745  26,591  Residential29,361 27,745 
Small and Medium Business1,976  1,863  
Small and Medium Business ("SMB")Small and Medium Business ("SMB")2,071 1,976 
Total Customer RelationshipsTotal Customer Relationships29,721  28,454  Total Customer Relationships31,432 29,721 
Residential Primary Service Units (“PSU”)
Monthly Residential Revenue per Residential Customer (c)
Monthly Residential Revenue per Residential Customer (c)
$112.18 $112.73 
Monthly SMB Revenue per SMB Customer (d)
Monthly SMB Revenue per SMB Customer (d)
$163.79 $168.83 
InternetInternet25,471  24,023  Internet
ResidentialResidential27,357 25,471 
SMBSMB1,877 1,775 
Total Internet CustomersTotal Internet Customers29,234 27,246 
VideoVideo15,550  15,952  Video
ResidentialResidential15,483 15,550 
SMBSMB579 524 
Total Video CustomersTotal Video Customers16,062 16,074 
VoiceVoice9,360  10,015  Voice
Monthly Residential Revenue per Residential Customer (c)
$112.73  $112.47  
Small and Medium Business PSUs
Internet1,775  1,664  
Video524  509  
Voice1,162  1,072  
Monthly Small and Medium Business Revenue per Customer (d)
$168.83  $170.64  
ResidentialResidential9,113 9,360 
SMBSMB1,238 1,162 
Total Voice CustomersTotal Voice Customers10,351 10,522 
Mobile LinesMobile Lines1,372  310  Mobile Lines
ResidentialResidential2,605 1,359 
SMBSMB70 13 
Total Mobile LinesTotal Mobile Lines2,675 1,372 
Enterprise PSUs (e)
269  253  
Enterprise Primary Service Units ("PSUs") (e)
Enterprise Primary Service Units ("PSUs") (e)
276269 

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(a)
(a)We calculate the aging of customer accounts based on the monthly billing cycle for each account. On that basis, as of March 31, 20202021 and 2019,2020, customers include approximately 140,800125,100 and 171,100140,800 customers, respectively, whose accounts were over 60 days past due, approximately 12,50026,500 and 19,50012,500 customers, respectively, whose accounts were over 90 days past due and approximately 8,20020,000 and 20,8008,200 customers, respectively, whose accounts were over 120 days past due. As detailedIncluded in the table below, our customer counts include thoseMarch 31, 2021 aging statistics are approximately 26,900 residential voice customers who connected as part of our Remote Education Offer and those customers who wethat would have notbeen disconnected inunder our normal timelines associated with our Keep Americans Connected pledge.collection policies, but were not due to certain state mandates in place.
(b)Customer relationships include the number of customers that receive one or more levels of service, encompassing Internet, video 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 exclude enterprise and mobile-only customer relationships.
(c)Monthly residential revenue per residential customer is calculated as total residential Internet, video and voice quarterly revenue divided by three divided by average residential customer relationships during the respective quarter. Monthly residential revenue per residential customersquarter and excludes mobile revenue and customers.
(d)Monthly small and medium businessSMB revenue per SMB customer is calculated as total small and medium businessSMB quarterly revenue divided by three divided by average small and medium businessSMB customer relationships during the respective quarter. Monthly smallquarter and medium business revenue per small and medium customer excludes mobile revenue and customers.
(e)Enterprise PSUs represent the aggregate number of fiber service offerings counting each separate service offering at each customer location as an individual PSU.


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The table above includes the impact on ending customers of COVID-19 related offers and programs launched by us in the first quarter of 2020 as follows (in thousands).

Remote Education Offer (a)
Keep Americans Connected (b)
Small and Medium Business Seasonal Plan (c)
Total
Residential
Customer Relationships119   n/a  120  
Internet PSUs119   n/a  120  
Video PSUs46  
(d)
 n/a  47  
Voice PSUs34  
(d)
—  n/a  34  
Mobile Lines 
(d)
—  n/a   
Small and Medium Business
Customer Relationshipsn/a  —    
Internet PSUsn/a  —    
Video PSUsn/a  —    
Voice PSUsn/a  —    
Mobile Linesn/a  —  —  —  

(a)The REO represents residential customers participating in our free 60-day Internet offer available to households with K-12 and/or college students or educators who are not currently Spectrum Internet customers. These residential customers are generally eligible to purchase additional products and services (i.e., video, voice and mobile) at current promotional rates.
(b)As part of our pledge to the FCC, Keep Americans Connected customers represents customers who would have been disconnected by quarter end as a result of non-payment under our normal policies, but were not disconnected and collection efforts paused due to COVID-19 related payment challenges. As of quarter end, approximately 140,000 residential customers had requested protection from disconnection under the pledge of which 1,000 would have been disconnected for non-payment under our normal policies. At the end of April, 36,000 of those 140,000 customers’ outstanding balance is now fully current, and in total nearly 50% have made partial or full payments since entering disconnection protection. However, at the end of April, 67,000 of those 140,000 customers now have past due balances beyond the point of normal disconnection.
(c)Small and Medium Business Seasonal Plan represents small and medium business customers who have requested a reduced level of service and now pay a reduced price for their service due to temporary business closure or because these customers have reduced their service offering to their own customers.
(d)Customers that connected as part of the REO who have subscribed to products in addition to Spectrum Internet (i.e., video, voice, mobile) during the 60-day free Internet offer. Billings are not deferred for these additional services. Approximately 5,000 and 1,000 of the REO customers were current video and voice customers, respectively.

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 20192020 Annual Report on Form 10-K. There have been no material changes from the critical accounting policies described in our Form 10-K.


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Results of Operations

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

Three Months Ended March 31,Three Months Ended March 31,
2020201920212020
RevenuesRevenues$11,738  $11,206  Revenues$12,522 $11,738 
Costs and Expenses:Costs and Expenses:Costs and Expenses:
Operating costs and expenses (exclusive of items shown separately below)Operating costs and expenses (exclusive of items shown separately below)7,432  7,236  Operating costs and expenses (exclusive of items shown separately below)7,711 7,432 
Depreciation and amortizationDepreciation and amortization2,497  2,550  Depreciation and amortization2,441 2,497 
Other operating (income) expenses, net (5) 
Other operating expenses, netOther operating expenses, net302 
9,936  9,781  10,454 9,936 
Income from operationsIncome from operations1,802  1,425  Income from operations2,068 1,802 
Other Income (Expenses):Other Income (Expenses):Other Income (Expenses):
Interest expense, netInterest expense, net(980) (925) Interest expense, net(983)(980)
Loss on extinguishment of debt(27) —  
Gain (loss) on financial instruments, net(318) 37  
Other pension benefits, net10   
Other income (expense), net (110) 
Other income (expenses), netOther income (expenses), net52 (326)
(1,306) (989) (931)(1,306)
Income before income taxesIncome before income taxes496  436  Income before income taxes1,137 496 
Income tax expenseIncome tax expense(29) (119) Income tax expense(216)(29)
Consolidated net incomeConsolidated net income467  317  Consolidated net income921 467 
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interestsLess: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests(71) (64) Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests(114)(71)
Net income attributable to Charter shareholdersNet income attributable to Charter shareholders$396  $253  Net income attributable to Charter shareholders$807 $396 
EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO CHARTER SHAREHOLDERS:EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO CHARTER SHAREHOLDERS:EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO CHARTER SHAREHOLDERS:
BasicBasic$1.91  $1.13  Basic$4.22 $1.91 
DilutedDiluted$1.86  $1.11  Diluted$4.11 $1.86 
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basicWeighted average common shares outstanding, basic207,831,305  224,630,122  Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic191,404,527 207,831,305 
Weighted average common shares outstanding, dilutedWeighted average common shares outstanding, diluted212,810,613  227,595,365  Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted205,872,536 212,810,613 

Revenues. Total revenues grew $532$784 million for the three months ended March 31, 20202021 compared to the corresponding period in 20192020 primarily due to increases in the number of residential Internet and commercial businessmobile customers and price adjustments as well as an increase in our mobile service offset by a decrease in video customers.adjustments.

3225


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 March 31,Three Months Ended March 31,
20202019% Change20212020% Change
InternetInternet$4,407  $4,024  9.5 %Internet$5,086 $4,407 15.4 %
VideoVideo4,422  4,384  0.9 %Video4,344 4,422 (1.8)%
VoiceVoice457  504  (9.4)%Voice399 457 (12.6)%
Residential revenueResidential revenue9,286  8,912  4.2 %Residential revenue9,829 9,286 5.8 %
Small and medium businessSmall and medium business996  945  5.4 %Small and medium business1,012 996 1.6 %
EnterpriseEnterprise622  643  (3.2)%Enterprise638 622 2.5 %
Commercial revenueCommercial revenue1,618  1,588  1.9 %Commercial revenue1,650 1,618 2.0 %
Advertising salesAdvertising sales365  345  5.7 %Advertising sales344 365 (5.8)%
MobileMobile258  140  85.0 %Mobile492 258 90.7 %
OtherOther211  221  (4.4)%Other207 211 (2.0)%
$11,738  $11,206  4.8 %$12,522 $11,738 6.7 %

The increase in Internet revenues from our residential customers is attributable to the following (dollars in millions):

Three months ended
March 31, 20202021
compared to
three months ended
March 31, 20192020
Increase / (Decrease)
Increase in average residential Internet customers$225358 
Increase related to rate, product mix and bundle allocation changes321 158 
$383679 

Residential Internet customers grew by 1,448,0001,886,000 customers from March 31, 20192020 to March 31, 2020 of which 119,000 were added pursuant to the REO program.2021. The increase related to rate, product mix and bundle allocation changes was primarily due to price adjustments including annual increases, promotional roll-off.roll-off and higher bundled revenue allocation.

Video revenues consist primarily of revenues from basic and digital video services provided to our residential customers, as well as franchise fees, equipment service fees and video installation revenue. The increasedecrease in video revenues is attributable to the following (dollars in millions):

Three months ended
March 31, 20202021
compared to
three months ended
March 31, 20192020
Increase / (Decrease)
IncreaseDecrease related to rate, product mix and bundle allocation changes$178 
Decrease in average residential video customers(47)(126)
Decrease in video on demand and pay-per-view(20)
(14)Decrease in installation(10)
Decrease in average residential video customers(1)
$38 (78)

The increasedecrease related to rate, product mix and bundle allocation changes was primarily due to a higher mix of lower cost video packages within our video customer base and lower bundled revenue allocation, partly offset by price adjustments including annual increases and promotional roll-off partly offset by a higher mix of streaming and lighter video packages within our video customer base.roll-off. Residential video customers decreased by 402,00067,000 from March 31, 20192020 to March 31, 2020.2021.

3326



The decrease in voice revenues from our residential customers is attributable to the following (dollars in millions):

Three months ended
March 31, 20202021
compared to
three months ended
March 31, 20192020
Increase / (Decrease)
Decrease related to rate and bundle allocation changes$(47)
Decrease in average residential voice customers(11)
$(34)
Decrease related to rate changes(58)(13)
$(47)

The decrease related to rate and bundle allocation changes was impacted by value-based pricing and changes in bundled revenue allocations. Residential wireline voice customers decreased by 655,000247,000 customers from March 31, 20192020 to March 31, 2020. The decrease related to rate changes was primarily due to value-based pricing.2021.

The increase in small and medium businessSMB commercial revenues is attributable to the following (dollars in millions):

Three months ended
March 31, 20202021
compared to
three months ended
March 31, 20192020
Increase / (Decrease)
Increase in small and medium businessSMB customers$6247 
Decrease related to rate and product mix changes(31)(11)
$5116 

Small and medium businessSMB customers grew by 113,00095,000 from March 31, 20192020 to March 31, 2020.2021. The decrease related to rate and product mix changes was primarily due to value-based pricing related to Spectrum pricing and packaging ("SPP"), and some continuing COVID-19 related seasonal plans, net of promotional roll-off and price adjustments.

Enterprise revenues decreased $21increased $16 million during the three months ended March 31, 20202021, respectively, compared to the corresponding period in 20192020 primarily due to the sale of non-strategic assetsan increase in the third quarter of 2019Internet and video enterprise PSUs offset by growth in customers.lower wholesale PSUs. Enterprise PSUs increased 16,0007,000 from March 31, 20192020 to March 31, 2020.2021.

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 increased $20decreased $21 million during the three months ended March 31, 20202021 as compared to the corresponding period in 20192020 primarily due to an increasea decrease in political revenue, partially offset by lower local ad revenues due to COVID-19.higher advanced advertising.

During the three months ended March 31, 20202021 and 2019,2020, mobile revenues represented approximately $131$228 million and $116$131 million of device revenues, respectively, and approximately $127$264 million and $24$127 million of service revenues, respectively. AsThe increases in revenues are a result of increases in the number of mobile lines from 1,372,000 as of March 31, 2020 we had 1,372,000to 2,675,000 mobile lines.lines as of March 31, 2021.

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, video device sales, wire maintenance fees and other miscellaneous revenues. Other revenues decreased $10$4 million during the three months ended March 31, 20202021 compared to the corresponding period in 20192020 primarily due to a decrease in home security revenue, late payment fees andoffset by an increase in regional sports and news channels revenue offset by the sale of video devices.revenue.


3427


Operating costs and expenses. The increasesincrease 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
March 31, 20202021
compared to
three months ended
March 31, 20192020
Increase / (Decrease)
Programming$2796 
Regulatory, connectivity and produced content49 (10)
Costs to service customers(44)26 
Marketing(15)31 
Mobile198 114 
Other(5)
$196279 

Programming costs were approximately $3.0 billion and $2.9 billion, representing 39% of total operating costs and expense for both the three months ended March 31, 20202021 and 2019, representing 39% and 40% of total operating costs and expenses,2020, respectively. Programming costs consist primarily of costs paid to programmers for basic, digital, premium, video on demand, and pay-per-view programming. The increase in programmingProgramming costs is primarilyincreased as a result of contractual rate adjustments, including renewals and increases in amounts paid for retransmission consents partlyconsent offset by a higher mix of lower cost video customers, pay-per-view and nonrecurring benefits.packages within our video customer base. We expect programming rates per customer 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 and broadcast station groups 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.programming. We have been unable to fully pass these increases on to our customers and do not expect to be able to do so in the future without a potential loss of customers.

Regulatory, connectivity and produced content decreased $10increased $49 million during the three months ended March 31, 20202021, respectively, compared to the corresponding period in 20192020 primarily due to lower regulatory pass-through feeshigher sports rights costs as a result of more basketball games during the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to the corresponding period in 2020 as the prior period had postponement of games and sports and news rights fees driven by fewerthe current period had additional games due to COVID-19 postponements offset by higher original programming costs and coststhe delayed start of video devices sold to customers.the 2020 - 2021 NBA season as a result of COVID-19.

Costs to service customers increased $26decreased $44 million during the three months ended March 31, 20202021 compared to the corresponding period in 20192020 primarily due to highera decrease in bad debt expense. Bad debt expense increased due to higher expected losses as a result of COVID-19, recognizedlower write-offs and higher recoveries enhanced by the stimulus packages offset by higher labor costs resulting from our commitment to a minimum $20 per hour wage in accordance2022, along with the new credit loss accounting standard. For more information, see Note 21 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements contained in “Item 1. Financial Statements”.5.8% customer growth.

Mobile costs of $374$572 million and $260$374 million for the three months ended March 31, 20202021 and 2019,2020, respectively, were comprised of mobile device costs and mobile service, customer acquisition and operating costs. The increase is attributable to an increase in the number of mobile lines.


28


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

Three months ended
March 31, 20202021
compared to
three months ended
March 31, 20192020
Increase / (Decrease)
Corporate costs$14 (30)
Advertising sales expense(17)
11 Property tax and insurance(6)
Stock compensation expense44 
Enterprise(23)
Other
$(5)

EnterpriseCorporate costs decreased during the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to the corresponding prior period primarily due to a non-recurring adjustment to bonuses related to COVID-19. Advertising sales expense decreased due to lower cost of sales fees driven by lower revenue, as well as lower bad debt. Stock compensation expense increased during the salethree months ended March 31, 2021 compared to the corresponding period in 2020 primarily due to changes in certain equity award provisions that result in additional expense at the time of non-strategic assets in the third quarter of 2019.

35


grant.

Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense decreased by $53$56 million during the three months ended March 31, 20202021 compared to the corresponding period in 20192020 primarily due to a decrease in depreciation and amortization as certain assets acquired in acquisitions become fully depreciated offset by an increase in depreciation as a result of more recent capital expenditures.

Other operating (income) expenses, net. The change in other operating (income) expenses, net is attributable to the following (dollars in millions):

Three months ended
March 31, 20202021
compared to
three months ended
March 31, 20192020
Increase / (Decrease)
Special charges, net$20239 
(Gain) loss on saledisposal of assets, net56 (8)
$12295 

See Note 13 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements contained in “Item 1. Financial Statements” for more information.

Interest expense, net. Net interest expense increaseddecreased by $55$3 million for the three months ended March 31, 20202021 compared to the corresponding period in 2019 primarily as a2020. The decrease in net interest expense is the result of reductions in weighted average interest rates offset by an increase in weighted average debt outstanding of approximately $4.5$4.6 billion during the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to the corresponding period in 2020. The increase in weighted average debt outstanding is primarily due to the issuance of notes throughout 20192020 and 20202021 for general corporate purposes including stock buybacks and debt repayments offset by a reduction in weighted average interest rates.repayments.

Loss on extinguishment of debt.
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Other income (expenses), net. Loss on extinguishment of debt of $27 million forThe change in other income (expenses), net is attributable to the three months ended March 31, 2020 represents losses recognized as a result of the purchase of CCO Holdings notes. For more information, seefollowing (dollars in millions):

Three months ended
March 31, 2021
compared to
three months ended
March 31, 2020
Increase / (Decrease)
Loss on extinguishment of debt$(2)
Gain (loss) on financial instruments, net366 
Other pension benefits, net
Gain on equity investments, net
$378 

See Note 614 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements contained in “Item 1. Financial Statements.”

Gain (loss) on financial instruments, net. We recorded a loss on financial instruments of $318 million during the three months ended March 31, 2020 and a gain of $37 million during the three months ended March 31, 2019. Gains and losses on financial instruments are primarily recognized due to changes in the fair value of 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. ForStatements” for more information, see Note 9 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements contained in “Item 1. Financial Statements.”

Other pension benefits, net. Net other pension benefits increased by $1 million during the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to the corresponding period in 2019. For more information, see Note 20 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements contained in “Item 1. Financial Statements.”

Other income (expense), net. Other income (expense), net primarily represents equity gains (losses) on our equity investments. Other income (expense), net also includes an impairment on equity investments of approximately $110 million during the three months ended March 31, 2019.information.

Income tax expense. We recognized income tax expense of $29$216 million and $119$29 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, and 2019, respectively. Income tax expense decreased during the three months ended March 31, 2020 compared to the corresponding period in 2019The increase is primarily as a result of increased recognition of excess tax benefits resulting from share-based compensation during 2020 and an internal entity simplification that increased expense in 2019.higher pretax income. For more information, see Note 1516 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 and the preferred dividend of $38 million for each of the three months ended March 31, 20202021 and 2019.2020. For more information, see Note 8 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements contained in “Item 1. Financial Statements.”


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Net income attributable to Charter shareholders. Net income attributable to Charter shareholders increased from $253 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 to $396 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 to $807 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 primarily as a result of the factors described above.

Use of Adjusted EBITDA and Free Cash Flow

We use certain measures that are not defined by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("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, net income attributable to Charter shareholders 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 net income attributable to Charter shareholders 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 $311$277 million and $300$311 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, and 2019, respectively.

Three Months Ended March 31,
20202019
Net income attributable to Charter shareholders$396  $253  
Plus: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest71  64  
Interest expense, net980  925  
Income tax expense29  119  
Depreciation and amortization2,497  2,550  
Stock compensation expense90  85  
Loss on extinguishment of debt27  —  
(Gain) loss on financial instruments, net318  (37) 
Other pension benefits, net(10) (9) 
Other, net(2) 105  
Adjusted EBITDA$4,396  $4,055  
Net cash flows from operating activities$3,220  $2,686  
Less: Purchases of property, plant and equipment(1,461) (1,665) 
Change in accrued expenses related to capital expenditures(388) (376) 
Free cash flow$1,371  $645  


3730


A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow to net income attributable to Charter shareholders and net cash flows from operating activities, respectively, is as follows (dollars in millions).

Three Months Ended March 31,
20212020
Net income attributable to Charter shareholders$807 $396 
Plus: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest114 71 
Interest expense, net983 980 
Income tax expense216 29 
Depreciation and amortization2,441 2,497 
Stock compensation expense134 90 
Other expenses, net250 333 
Adjusted EBITDA$4,945 $4,396 
Net cash flows from operating activities$3,751 $3,220 
Less: Purchases of property, plant and equipment(1,821)(1,461)
Change in accrued expenses related to capital expenditures(75)(388)
Free cash flow$1,855 $1,371 

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.

Recent Events

In February 2020, CCO HoldingsMarch 2021, Charter Operating and CCO HoldingsCharter Communications Operating Capital Corp. jointly issued $1.65$1.5 billion aggregate principal amount of 4.500%3.500% senior unsecuredsecured notes due 2030 at par and in March 2020, an additional $1.1 billion of the same series of notes were issuedJune 2041 at a price of 102.5%99.544% of the aggregate principal amount, $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 3.900% senior secured notes due June 2052 at a price of 99.951% of the aggregate principal amount and an additional $500 million aggregate principal amount of 3.850% senior secured notes due April 2061 at a price of 94.668% of the aggregate principal amount. Also in March 2020, CCO Holdings and CCO Holdings Capital Corp. issued $1.4 billion aggregate principal amount of 4.500% senior unsecured notes due 2032 at par. The net proceeds were or will be used to pay related fees and expenses and for general corporate purposes, including funding buybacks of Charter Class A common stock and Charter Holdings common units as well as repaying certain indebtedness, including repayment of all$750 million of CCO Holdings' 5.250% senior notes due September 30, 2022, 5.125% seniorHoldings, LLC 5.750% notes due February 15, 2023, 5.125%2026.

In April 2021, CCO Holdings and CCO Holdings Capital Corp. jointly issued $1.0 billion of 4.500% senior unsecured notes due May 1, 2023, 5.750% senior notes due September 1, 2023 and 5.750% senior notes due January 15, 2024, as well as2033 at par. The net proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes, including to fund potential buybacks of Charter Class A common stock and Charter Holdings common units.

In April 2020, Charter Operatingunits, to repay certain indebtedness and Charter Communications Operating Capital Corp. jointly issued $1.6 billion aggregate principal amount of 2.800% senior secured notes due April 2031 at a price of 99.561% of the aggregate principal amount and $1.4 billion aggregate principal amount of 3.700% senior secured notes due April 2051 at a price of 99.217% of the aggregate principal amount. The net proceeds will be used to pay related fees and expenses and for general corporate purposes.expenses.

Overview of Our Contractual Obligations and Liquidity

We have significant amounts of debt. The principal amount of our debt as of March 31, 20202021 was $79.1$84.3 billion, consisting of $10.4$10.1 billion of credit facility debt, $44.3$50.8 billion of investment grade senior secured notes and $24.4$23.5 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. As we continue to grow our mobile services, we expect an initial funding period to grow a new product as well as negative working capital impacts from the timing of device-related cash flows when we sell the handset or tabletdevices to customers pursuant to equipment installment plans. Free cash flow was $1.4$1.9 billion and $645 million$1.4 billion for the three months ended March 31, 20202021 and 2019,2020, respectively. See table below for factors impacting free cash flow during the three months ended March 31, 20202021 compared to the corresponding prior period. As of March 31, 2020,2021, the amount available under our credit facilities was approximately $4.7 billion and cash on hand was approximately $2.9 billion.$772 million. We expect to utilize free cash

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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 among other considerations. 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. Charter's target leverage of net debt to the last twelve months Adjusted EBITDA remains at 4 to 4.5 times Adjusted EBITDA, and up to 3.5 times Adjusted EBITDA at the Charter Operating first lien level. Our leverage ratio was 4.4 times Adjusted EBITDA as of March 31, 2020.2021. As Adjusted EBITDA grows, we expect to increase the total amount of our indebtedness to maintain leverage within Charter's target leverage range. During the three months ended March 31, 20202021 and 2019,2020, Charter purchased approximately 4.54.7 million and 2.64.5 million shares, respectively, of Charter Class A common stock, respectively, for approximately $3.0 billion and $2.2 billion, and $870respectively. Since the beginning of its buyback program in September 2016 through March 31, 2021, Charter has purchased approximately 92.4 million respectively.shares of Class A common stock for approximately $37.6 billion, excluding purchases by Liberty Broadband Corporation (“Liberty Broadband”) discussed below.

In December 2017,2016, Charter and Advance/Newhouse Partnership (“A/NN”) entered into an amendment to thea letter agreement, as amended in December 2017 (the "Letter"A/N 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

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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. During each of the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, Charter Holdings purchased from A/N 0.8 million and 0.3 million Charter Holdings common units, respectively, for approximately $507 million and $393 million, respectively.

In February 2021, Charter and Liberty Broadband entered into a letter agreement (the “LBB Letter Agreement”). The LBB Letter Agreement implements Liberty Broadband’s obligations under the Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement with Charter, Liberty Broadband and A/N, dated as of May 23, 2015 (as amended, the “Stockholders Agreement”) to participate in share repurchases by Charter. Under the LBB Letter Agreement, Liberty Broadband will sell to Charter, generally on a monthly basis, a number of shares of Charter Class A common stock representing an amount sufficient for Liberty Broadband’s ownership of Charter to be reduced such that it does not exceed the ownership cap then applicable to Liberty Broadband under the Stockholders Agreement at ana purchase price per share equal to the volume weighted average price per unitshare paid by Charter for shares repurchased during such immediately preceding calendar month other than (i) purchases from A/N, (ii) purchases in privately negotiated transactions or (iii) purchases for the withholding of $494.54 and $308.42, or $393 million and $93 million, duringshares of Charter Class A common stock pursuant to equity compensation programs of Charter. During the three months ended March 31, 2020 and March 31, 2019, respectively.2021, Charter purchased from Liberty Broadband 0.8 million shares of Charter Class A common stock for approximately $518 million. In April 2021, the Company purchased from Liberty Broadband an additional 0.7 million shares of Charter Class A common stock for approximately $460 million.

As of March 31, 2020,2021, Charter had remaining board authority to purchase an additional $286 million$1.2 billion of Charter’s Class A common stock and/or Charter Holdings common units. Although Charter expects to continue to buy back its common stock consistent with its leverage target range, 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, geographic clustering of assets, 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.


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Free Cash Flow

Free cash flow increased $726$484 million during the three months ended March 31, 20202021 compared to the corresponding prior period in 20192020 due to the following (dollars in millions).

Three months ended
March 31, 20202021
compared to
three months ended
March 31, 20192020
Increase / (Decrease)
Increase in Adjusted EBITDA$341549 
Changes in working capital, excluding change in accrued interest312 
Decrease in capital expenditures515 204 
IncreaseDecrease in cash paid for interest, net23 
(86)Increase in capital expenditures(360)
Other, net(243)(45)
$726484 

Free cash flow was reduced by $260$184 million and $291$260 million during the three months ended March 31, 20202021 and 2019,2020, respectively, due to mobile with impacts negatively affecting working capital, capital expenditures and Adjusted EBITDA.

Limitations on Distributions

Distributions by our subsidiaries to a parent company for payment of principal on parent company notes are restricted under CCO Holdings indentures and Charter Operating credit facilities governing our indebtedness, unless there is no default under the applicable indenture and credit facilities, and unless each applicable subsidiary’sentity’s leverage ratio test is met at the time of such distribution. As of March 31, 2020,2021, there was no default under any of these indentures or credit facilities, and each subsidiaryapplicable entity met its applicable leverage ratio tests based on March 31, 20202021 financial results. 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 (CCO Holdings) 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, 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.


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Historical Operating, Investing, and Financing Activities

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash.Equivalents. We held $2.9 billion$772 million and $3.5$1.0 billion in cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, 20202021 and December 31, 2019,2020, respectively. We also held $28 million and $66 million in restricted cash as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively, representing escrowed funds of a consolidated variable interest entity. See Note 3 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements contained in “Item 1. Financial Statements.”

Operating Activities. Net cash provided by operating activities increased $534$531 million during the three months ended March 31, 20202021 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2019,2020, primarily due to an increase in Adjusted EBITDA of $341 million and changes in working capital, excluding the change in accrued interest and accrued expenses related to capital expenditures, that used $324 million less cash offset by an increase in cash paid for interest, net of $86 million and cash paid for taxes, net of $33$549 million.

Investing Activities. Net cash used in investing activities was $1.9$2.0 billion and $2.1$1.9 billion for the three months ended March 31, 20202021 and 2019,2020, respectively. The decreaseincrease in cash used was primarily due to a decreasean increase in capital expenditures offset by lower changes in accrued expenses related to capital expenditures.

Financing Activities. Net cash used in financing activities was $2.0 billion for each of the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 and net cash provided by financing activities was $255 million foras the three months ended March 31, 2019. The increase in cash used was primarily due to an increase in the purchase of treasury stock and noncontrolling interest and a decreasewas offset by an increase in the amount by which borrowings of long-term debt exceeded repayments.


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Capital Expenditures

We have significant ongoing capital expenditure requirements.  Capital expenditures were $1.5$1.8 billion and $1.7$1.5 billion for the three months ended March 31, 20202021 and 2019,2020, respectively.  The decreaseincrease was primarily due to loweran increase in scalable infrastructure as a result of timing of spend and lower customer premise equipment expenditures driven by aaugmentation of network capacity for customer growth and usage, with incremental spending to reclaim network headroom maintained prior to COVID-19, and higher mix of boxless video outlets, increasing customer self-installations and fewer SPP migrations.line extensions driven by continued network expansion, including to rural areas. See the table below for more details.
 
We currently expect 20202021 cable capital expenditures, excluding Rural Digital Opportunity Fund ("RDOF") investments which will begin later this year, to declinebe relatively consistent as a percentage of cable revenue versus 2019.2020. The actual amount of our capital expenditures in 20202021 will depend on a number of factors including further spend related to product development 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 decreased by $388$75 million and $376$388 million for the three months ended March 31, 20202021 and 2019,2020, respectively.

The following tables present our major capital expenditures categories in accordance with National Cable and Telecommunications Association (“NCTA”) disclosure guidelines for the three months ended March 31, 20202021 and 2019.2020. 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 March 31,Three Months Ended March 31,
2020201920212020
Customer premise equipment (a)Customer premise equipment (a)$463  $565  Customer premise equipment (a)$489 $463 
Scalable infrastructure (b)Scalable infrastructure (b)170  297  Scalable infrastructure (b)411 170 
Line extensions (c)Line extensions (c)343  321  Line extensions (c)399 343 
Upgrade/rebuild (d)Upgrade/rebuild (d)129  131  Upgrade/rebuild (d)145 129 
Support capital (e)Support capital (e)356  351  Support capital (e)377 356 
Total capital expendituresTotal capital expenditures$1,461  $1,665  Total capital expenditures$1,821 $1,461 
Capital expenditures included in total related to:Capital expenditures included in total related to:Capital expenditures included in total related to:
Commercial servicesCommercial services$333 $261 
MobileMobile$87  $88  Mobile$112 $87 
Commercial services$261  $305  


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(a)Customer premise equipment includes costs incurred at the customer residence to secure new customers and revenue generating units, including customer installation costs and customer premise equipment (e.g., set-top boxesdigital receivers 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).

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

See Note 2122 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements contained in “Item 1. Financial Statements” for a discussion of recently issued accounting standards.


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Item 3.     Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

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

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 April 2019, we entered into a collateral holiday agreement for 60% of both the 2031 and 2042 cross-currency swaps, which eliminates the requirement to post collateral for three years, as well as a ten year collateral cap on the remaining 40% of the cross-currency swaps which limits the required collateral posting on that 40% of the cross-currency swaps to $150 million. In March 2021, the collateral holiday for 20% of the swaps was extended to November 2022 in consideration for our agreement to post collateral over a threshold amount on that 20% portion of the swaps from March 2021 through October 2021. For more information, see Note 9 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements contained in “Item 1. Financial Statements.”

As of March 31, 20202021 and December 31, 2019,2020, the weighted average interest rate on credit facility debt was approximately 2.6%1.7% and 3.3%1.7%, respectively, and the weighted average interest rate on the senior notes was approximately 5.3%5.0% and 5.4%5.1%, respectively, resulting in a blended weighted average interest rate of 5.0%4.6% and 5.1%4.7%, respectively. The interest rate on approximately 86%87% of the total principal amount of our debt was effectively fixed as of March 31, 20202021 and December 31, 2019.2020.

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 March 31, 20202021 (dollars in millions).

20202021202220232024ThereafterTotalFair Value20212022202320242025ThereafterTotalFair Value
Debt:Debt:Debt:
Fixed-RateFixed-Rate$2,000  $1,700  $4,105  $2,605  $2,800  $54,583  $67,793  $71,223  Fixed-Rate$1,000 $3,000 $1,500 $1,100 $4,500 $62,258 $73,358 $81,267 
Average Interest RateAverage Interest Rate3.58 %4.05 %4.68 %6.16 %5.33 %5.45 %5.33 %Average Interest Rate4.00 %4.46 %6.92 %4.50 %4.91 %5.11 %5.08 %
Variable RateVariable Rate$207  $277  $277  $436  $1,165  $8,895  $11,257  $10,494  Variable Rate$208 $277 $436 $1,165 $5,320 $3,575 $10,981 $10,956 
Average Interest RateAverage Interest Rate1.73 %1.60 %1.72 %1.82 %2.09 %2.28 %2.20 %Average Interest Rate1.50 %1.60 %2.09 %2.83 %3.23 %3.99 %3.31 %

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 March 31, 20202021 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

41


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.

In January 2020, we completed the implementation of an Enterprise Resource Planning ("ERP") system and related boundary systems which improved the efficiency of certain financial and related transactional processes. As a result of the implementation of a new ERP and related boundary systems, we designed, implemented and are operating new information technology general controls, and revised and updated certain process-level controls.

Except as described above in the preceding paragraph, duringDuring the quarter ended March 31, 2020,2021, 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.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.     Legal Proceedings.

See Note 1920 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements contained in “Item 1. Financial Statements” for Legal Proceedings.

Item 1A.     Risk Factors.

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20192020 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 except as indicated below.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic could materially affect our financial condition and results of operations.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has significantly increased economic and demand uncertainty. It is likely that the current pandemic or continued spread of COVID-19 will cause a significant economic recession. At this time, we cannot predict the duration of any business disruption and the ultimate impact of COVID-19 on our business, including the depth and duration of the economic impact to our residential and business customers’ ability to pay for our products and services including the impact of extended unemployment benefits and other stimulus packages and what assistance we may provide to our customers. In addition, there is uncertainty regarding the impact of government emergency declarations, the ability of our suppliers and vendors to provide products and services to us, the pace of new housing construction, changes in business spend in our local and national ad sales business, the effects to our employees’ health and safety and resulting reorientation of our work activities, and the risk of limitations on the deployment and maintenance of our services (including by limiting our customer support and on-site service repairs and installations). The degree to which COVID-19 impacts our results will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including, but not limited to, the duration and spread of the outbreak, its severity, the actions to contain the virus or treat its impact, and how quickly and to what extent normal economic and operating conditions can resume.10-K.

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

On March 2, 2020, Charter sold: (1) 35,112 shares of Charter Class A common stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $14.91 million to Liberty Broadband; and (2) 20,182 shares of Charter Class A common stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $8.56 million to A/N. The shares were sold in private transactions pursuant to the exercise of preemptive rights by Liberty Broadband and A/N under the Second Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement, dated May 23, 2015 by and among Charter, A/N and Liberty Broadband. These sales were exempt from registration under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933.

(C)Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer

The following table presents Charter’s purchases of equity securities completed during the first quarter of 20202021 (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)
January 1 - 31, 20202,625,809$502.632,501,835$1,315
February 1 - 29, 20201,157,750$530.39723,090$793
March 1 - 31, 20201,246,396$437.051,227,624$286
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)
January 1 - 31, 20211,907,537$635.231,718,845$1,133
February 1 - 28, 20211,514,273$613.721,191,522$287
March 1 - 31, 20212,728,886$624.332,645,951$1,231

(1)Includes 123,974, 434,660188,692, 322,751 and 18,77282,935 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 January, February and March 2020,2021, respectively.
(2)During the three months ended March 31, 2020,2021, Charter purchased approximately 4.55.6 million shares of its Class A common stock for approximately $2.2 billion.$3.5 billion, which includes 0.8 million Charter class A common shares purchased from Liberty Broadband pursuant to the LBB Letter Agreement at an average price per unit of $621.16, or $518 million. Charter Holdings purchased 0.8 million Charter Holdings common units from A/N at an average price per unit of $494.54,$639.27, or $393$507 million, during the three months ended March 31, 2020.2021. As of March 31, 2020,2021, Charter had remaining board authority to purchase an additional $286 million$1.2 billion of Charter’s Class A common stock and/or Charter Holdings common units. In addition to open market purchases including pursuant to Rule

43


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 wouldmay also trigger the repurchases from A/N pursuant to and to the extent provided in the A/N Letter Agreement or Liberty pursuant to the LBB Letter Agreement.

Item 6.     Exhibits.

See Exhibit Index.

4436



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
Date: May 1, 2020April 30, 2021Executive Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Controller


S-1




Exhibit Index
ExhibitDescription
  
10.1
10.2
10.3
10.4
10.5
10.2 10.6
10.3 10.7
10.4 
10.5 
10.6 
10.7 
10.8 
10.9 
10.10 
10.11 
31.1
31.2
32.1
32.2
101
The following financial information from Charter Communications, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2020,2021, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 1, 2020,April 30, 2021, formatted in iXBRL (inline eXtensible Business Reporting Language) includes: (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets; (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Operations; (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity; (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; and (vi) the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
104Cover Page, formatted in iXBRL and contained in Exhibit 101.



E-1