Altice Completes Cablevision Acquisition

NEW YORK: With its acquisition of Cablevision Systems Corporation complete, Altice USA is now the fourth-largest cable operator in the U.S.

Altice reached a deal to purchase Cablevision in September 2015, and four months later completed its acquisition of Suddenlink. Combined they service more than 4.6 million customers across 20 states. 

“The completion of the Cablevision acquisition marks a critical step in the development of the Altice Group,” said Patrick Drahi, founder and controlling Shareholder of Altice. “Altice USA is a key pillar of our business and a powerful and dynamic growth platform. We are very excited about our U.S. business and the opportunities we see in this market. We will accelerate network investments and bring innovative products and services to U.S. customers by leveraging our global operational expertise, scale and resources. I wish to also thank the Dolan family for entrusting us with their life’s work at Cablevision, where they have developed under their pioneering stewardship one of America’s pre-eminent cable operations with best-in-class management talent.”

Dexter Goei, the president of Altice N.V., has been appointed chairman and CEO of Altice USA. He commented, “Altice USA is well positioned to grow as a leading communications and media group with its best infrastructure, most innovative and reliable services, and a committed customer-centric approach. Our immediate focus is on integrating our businesses within Altice, fostering their development through innovation and investment, and delivering on our plans to enhance the customer experience. Our very talented employees have great energy and enthusiasm, and we are confident that together we will help to build Altice USA to the benefit of our customers and the local communities that we serve.”

Plans for the business include “significantly” increasing broadband speeds through investments in network upgrades; the introduction of a low-price broadband offering; the launch of a “all-in-one home center;” a better customer interface; and improvements to its WiFi network.