California regulators approve $34.5-billion Charter-Cox merger

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Set us as preferred California regulators have approved the sale of Cox Communications to cable giant Charter Communications — the final hurdle in a marathon review to clear the $34.5-billion cable consolidation.With Thursday’s sign-off by the California Public Utilities Commission, the mammoth merger is expected to close next week.The deal will make Charter’s Spectrum the dominant broadband internet and cable television service in Southern California with millions of customers scattered throughout Santa Barbara, Bakersfield, Los Angeles, Palos Verdes Estates, Newport Beach, Irvine, Riverside and San Diego.

Charter’s acquisition of Cox, unveiled 15 months ago, will solidify Charter’s status as the nation’s largest cable company, eclipsing Philadelphia-based Comcast Corp., which serves San Francisco and other Northern California communities.“This transformative deal will benefit millions of consumers who will soon have access to greater value and opportunities to save, including our fully converged mobile-broadband bundle savings guarantee, combined with our industry-leading Customer Commitment and the 100% U.S.-based sales and service employees Spectrum is known for,” Charter said in a statement.Hollywood Inc.

Spectrum owner Charter Communications is nearing the finish line in its long-awaited $34.5-billion purchase of Cox Enterprises to form the nation’s largest internet and cable television company.But consumer groups are seeking more protections for diversity and other measures.After weeks of behind-the-scenes wrangling, the Public Utilities Commission voted unanimously to approve two settlement agreements with Charter that allowed the merger to move forward.

The agency attached conditions that it hopes will protect consumers and expand broadband access.“This decision secures significant commitments ...