Charter Communications Doesn't Need To Make Buys, CEO Says--Update

Charter Communications Inc. (CHTR) Chief Executive Tom Rutledge said Tuesday that the cable operator doesn't need any acquisitions to be a successful company, despite recent reports that it is pursuing Time Warner Cable Inc. (TWC).

Responding to a query on CNBC about how "hypotheticals" for a deal for Time Warner Cable might play out, he said: "I think any of the hypotheticals are possible. It's obviously a very frothy experience at the moment as you've seen."

He added, "Charter doesn't need any acquisitions to be a successful company. ... We can grow this company pretty much anywhere where it's under penetrated because of the assets that cable has."

Charter, which is backed by Liberty Media Corp., has been courting Time Warner Cable's management for months but has been rebuffed. Still, it is laying the groundwork for a deal by arranging about $25 billion in debt financing, according to people familiar with the matter.

Charter could be battling other suitors, including Cox Communications Inc. and Comcast Corp. (CMCSA), both of which are considering whether to make bids for Time Warner Cable.

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