Charter digital video customers increase 43,300 in 4Q09

Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010
Charter Communications logo

ST. LOUIS — Charter Communications, Inc. (along with its subsidiaries, the “Company” or “Charter”) today reported financial and operating results for the three months and year ended December 31, 2009.

Charter served approximately 12.7 million revenue generating units (RGUs) as of December 31, 2009. Approximately 57% of Charter’s customers subscribe to a bundle, up from 53% in the fourth quarter of 2008. Charter’s pro forma ARPU for the fourth quarter of 2009 was $117.43, an increase of 8.1% compared to fourth quarter 2008, primarily as a result of higher bundled penetration.

Digital video customers increased by approximately 43,300 and basic video customers decreased by approximately 56,900 during the fourth quarter. Video ARPU was $62.06 for the fourth quarter of 2009, up 4.7% year-over-year.

As of December 31, 2009, Charter served approximately 5.3 million customers, and the Company’s 12.7 million RGUs were comprised of 4.8 million basic video, 3.2 million digital video, 3.1 million HSI and 1.6 million telephone customers.

Charter completed its financial restructuring in November 2009, reducing debt by approximately $8 billion, or 40%.

Summary of Operating Statistics – Digital Video:

                                                                  Approximate as of
                                        -------------------------------------------
                                               Actual                     Pro Forma
                                        -------------  ----------------------------
                                         December 31,  September 30,   December 31,
                                                 2009           2009           2008
                                        -------------  -------------  -------------

Customers                                   3,218,100      3,174,800      3,132,200
Quarterly net gain                             43,300         22,700         22,400
Penetration of basic video customers            66.7%          65.0%          62.3%

Set-top terminals deployed                  4,794,500      4,713,500      4,548,200

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