Here’s what Spectrum’s acquisition of Cox means for internet and cable customers in the 352

Spectrum's all-stock purchase of Cox was completed last month, and rebranding will be rolling out to former Cox subscribers starting September 16.

a crew works on installing fiber optic cable

Metro ServicesMetro CreativeFormer Cox subscribers won't see any changes to their plan or pricing for the time being.

MARION COUNTY, FL (352today.com) – On August 20, 2026, Charter Communications—which most internet and cable customers know as Spectrum—completed its acquisition of Cox Communications in an all-stock deal. This deal effectively made Charter/Spectrum the largest provider of broadband internet and fiber-delivered video in the nation.

On Wednesday, September 16, Charter/Spectrum will begin “branding and service integration” for existing Cox customers across the country, which basically means customers will stop getting a bill from Cox and seeing the Cox logo when they fire up their TV, and will start seeing Spectrum everywhere.

Cable and internet mergers, acquisitions and branding changes are probably familiar to longtime Florida residents, though this is arguably the biggest one since Charter bought Time Warner and Bright House 10 years ago.

So, what does all of this mean for Cox internet customers in the North Central Florida region—and particularly in the Ocala area, where Cox has generally been the provider of choice—with regard to plans, billing and so forth?

Well, don’t panic, because it doesn’t appear to mean much, at least in the short term.

Your Cox bill

According to a statement from Patrick Paterno, senior director (of) field communications for Spectrum, there will be no immediate changes to your plan or pricing if you were a Cox customer in the area.

“No action is required for Ocala customers to keep their current service—any changes are the customer’s choice,” read the statement.

Former Cox customers can also opt to switch to one of Spectrum’s plans and its attendant pricing, though no information is available regarding whether or not former Cox customers will be eligible for any “new customer” Spectrum promotions.

Your new perks

The takeover brings with it a few new value-added items that existing Spectrum customers have been able to take advantage of:

A free year of Spectrum Mobile (*eligible Cox Internet customers only)
TV customers get free accounts for certain streaming apps, including HBO Max, Disney+/Hulu, ESPN, Paramount+, Peacock, AMC+, ViX and more (basic/ad-supported plans)
Access to Spectrum’s 100 percent U.S.-based 24/7 customer service

Additional elements of the Spectrum-Cox acquisition include the fact that Spectrum will be hiring 1,000 new employees across former Cox markets, and the Spectrum Foundation’s $50 million investment in local communities.

So, the long and short of it is, if you’re a former Cox subscriber in the North Central Florida area who suddenly finds all your internet stuff branded as Spectrum, you don’t have to do anything, pick a new plan, or deal with a change in price. For now.