Cox Said to Discuss Merger With Malone-Backed Charter

Cox Communications Inc., the third-largest U.S. cable provider, has held talks about combining with Charter Communications Inc., according to two people with knowledge of the matter.

Cox President Pat Esser has discussed a deal with representatives from Liberty Media Corp., which owns a 27 percent stake in Charter, said one of the people, who asked not to be identified because the negotiations are private. The structure of a potential deal hasn’t been determined, including which company might be the acquirer, the other person said. Cox and Charter also haven’t begun direct talks, the people said.