Optimum Communications (NASDAQ: ATUS) shifts 2026 executive pay to cash awards

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Optimum Communications, Inc. updated its 2026 executive compensation structure by granting deferred cash awards (DCAs) under its 2026 long-term incentive program. The Compensation Committee approved DCAs for CEO Dennis Mathew at $5,000,000, CFO Marc Sirota at $1,750,000, General Counsel & Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer Michael Olsen at $1,500,000, and President, Consumer Services Michael Parker at $1,125,000.

One-third of each DCA will vest on December 14 of 2026, 2027 and 2028, subject to continued service. DCAs represent 50% of the 2026 long-term incentive mix, with the remaining 50% expected as cash performance awards under the 2017 Long Term Incentive Plan. Long-term incentive targets, 2026 salaries, and bonus targets remain unchanged from 2025, but bonuses will now be measured and paid quarterly rather than annually.

false000170278000017027802026-03-122026-03-12

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):

March 13, 2026 (March 12, 2026)

Optimum Communications, Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Delaware
(State of Incorporation)
001-38126									38-3980194
(Commission File Number)									(IRS Employer Identification Number)
1 Court Square West
Long Island City,			New York						11101
(Address of principal executive offices)									(Zip Code)

(516) 803-2300

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class			Trading Symbol(s)			Name of each exchange on which registered
Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share			OPTU			New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company  ☐   

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐  

Item 5.02    Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On March 12, 2026, the Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Optimum Communications, Inc. (the “Company”) approved the grant of deferred cash awards (“DCAs”) to eligible participants, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (Dennis Mathew), Chief Financial Officer (Marc Sirota), General Counsel & Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer (Michael Olsen), and President, Consumer Services (Michael Parker), as part of the 2026 long-term incentive program (the “2026 LTIP”). One-third of the DCAs will vest on December 14 of 2026, 2027 and 2028, respectively, provided that the recipient continues to provide services to the Company through the vesting date. Mr. Mathew was granted DCA valued at $5,000,000; Mr. Sirota was granted DCA valued at $1,750,000; Mr. Olsen was granted DCA valued at $1,500,000; and Mr. Parker was granted DCA valued at $1,125,000. The foregoing description is a summary and is qualified by reference to the full text of the form of DCA agreement, a copy of which will be filed as an exhibit to the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ending March 31, 2026.

The DCAs represent 50% of the 2026 LTIP, with the other 50% of the 2026 LTIP anticipated to be granted in the form of cash performance award (“CPA”) pursuant to the Optimum Communications, Inc. (f/k/a Altice USA, Inc.) 2017 Long Term Incentive Plan, as amended. The 2026 long-term incentive target amounts of the combined DCA and anticipated CPA long-term incentive grants for Messrs. Mathew, Sirota, Olsen and Parker remain unchanged from 2025, with the DCAs replacing the restricted stock units that were granted in prior recent years.

Messrs. Mathew, Sirota, Olsen and Parker’s 2026 salary and short-term incentive compensation bonus plan target amounts also remain unchanged from 2025. However, the Committee has determined to set and assess the bonus plan targets and performance quarterly rather than annually, and any quarterly bonus amounts earned will be paid following the applicable quarter.

Item 9.01    Financial Statement and Exhibits

(d)

Exhibits.

Exhibit

Description

104

Cover Page Interactive Data File – the cover page XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

			OPTIMUM COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
Dated: March 13, 2026			By:			/s/ Michael E. Olsen
						Michael E. Olsen
						General Counsel & Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer

FAQ

What executive compensation changes did Optimum Communications (ATUS) approve for 2026?

Optimum Communications approved 2026 deferred cash awards for key executives as part of its long-term incentive program. These DCAs replace restricted stock units used in prior years while keeping overall 2026 long-term incentive targets consistent with 2025 levels for the same executives.

How large are the 2026 deferred cash awards for Optimum Communications (ATUS) executives?

The CEO received a DCA valued at $5,000,000, the CFO $1,750,000, the General Counsel & Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer $1,500,000, and the President, Consumer Services $1,125,000. These cash-based awards form half of each executive’s 2026 long-term incentive opportunity.

What are the vesting terms for Optimum Communications (ATUS) 2026 deferred cash awards?

One-third of each executive’s deferred cash award will vest on December 14 of 2026, 2027 and 2028. Vesting requires the executive to continue providing services to Optimum Communications through each applicable vesting date to receive the corresponding installment.

How does the 2026 long-term incentive mix at Optimum Communications (ATUS) differ from prior years?

For 2026, half of the long-term incentive is in deferred cash awards and the other half is anticipated as cash performance awards. This structure replaces restricted stock units used in recent years, while keeping total long-term incentive target amounts unchanged from 2025 for the named executives.

Did Optimum Communications (ATUS) change 2026 salaries or bonus targets for key executives?

The company kept 2026 salary levels and short-term incentive bonus plan target amounts for Messrs. Mathew, Sirota, Olsen and Parker unchanged from 2025. However, bonus performance goals will now be set and assessed quarterly, with any earned bonuses paid after each applicable quarter.

What is the role of cash performance awards in Optimum Communications (ATUS) 2026 LTIP?

Cash performance awards are expected to represent 50% of each executive’s 2026 long-term incentive. They will be granted under the Optimum Communications, Inc. 2017 Long Term Incentive Plan, complementing the deferred cash awards that make up the other half of the incentive mix.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

3 documents

Other Documents

• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION SCHEMA DOCUMENT 1.8 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION LABEL LINKBASE DOCUMENT 21.4 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION PRESENTATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT 12.3 KB