Charter (NASDAQ: CHTR) updates pay package for CCO Adam Ray

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Charter Communications, Inc. entered into a new employment agreement with Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer Adam Ray, effective January 19, 2026 and running through January 19, 2028 unless ended earlier. The deal sets a minimum annual base salary of $750,000 and a target annual cash bonus equal to 160% of his base salary. Beginning in 2027, Ray is to receive annual equity awards with a grant date fair value of at least $4,250,000 in a mix of options and restricted stock units.

On January 20, 2026, he also received a one-time top up equity award with a grant date fair value of $500,000 that cliff vests on the third anniversary of grant, subject to continued employment. If Charter terminates him without cause or he resigns for good reason, he is eligible for cash severance equal to 2.0 times his base salary plus target bonus for that year, 24 months of COBRA cost reimbursement, and up to 12 months of executive outplacement services. He remains subject to confidentiality, intellectual property, and nondisparagement obligations, a two-year noncompetition covenant, and one-year nonsolicitation covenants.

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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): January 16, 2026

Charter Communications, Inc.

CCO Holdings, LLC

CCO Holdings Capital Corp.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

001-33664						84-1496755
001-37789						86-1067239
333-112593-01						20-0257904
(Commission File Number)						(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

400 Washington Blvd.

Stamford, Connecticut 06902

(Address of principal executive offices including zip code)

(203) 905-7801

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

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 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, $.001 Par Value			CHTR			NASDAQ Global Select Market

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 January 16, 2026, Charter Communications, Inc. (“Charter”) entered into an employment agreement (the “Agreement”) with Adam Ray, Charter’s Executive Vice President, Chief Commercial Officer.

The Agreement, which is effective as of January 19, 2026, has a term ending January 19, 2028 (or upon an earlier termination of employment) and provides that Mr. Ray will continue to serve as Executive Vice President, Chief Commercial Officer. The Agreement provides that Mr. Ray will receive an annual base salary of at least $750,000 and a target annual cash bonus opportunity of 160% of his annual base salary. Commencing in 2027 and during the term, Mr. Ray will be granted equity awards with a grant date fair value of at least $4,250,000, with such awards granted in a mix of options and restricted stock units. Pursuant to the Agreement, on January 20, 2026, Mr. Ray was granted a top up award with a grant date fair value of $500,000, consisting of a mix of options and restricted stock units, which award shall cliff vest on the third anniversary of the grant date, subject to his continued employment with Charter through such date. Mr. Ray will also continue to participate in Charter’s employee benefit plans and receive perquisites as generally provided to other senior executives of Charter. In addition, consistent with Mr. Ray’s prior employment agreement, Charter will continue to reimburse Mr. Ray for all reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in connection with the performance of his duties.

If the employment of Mr. Ray is terminated involuntarily by Charter without cause or by him for good reason, he would be entitled to (a) a cash severance payment equal to the product of 2.0 multiplied by the sum of his annual base salary and target annual bonus opportunity for the year in which the termination occurs, (b) a cash payment equal to the cost of COBRA coverage for 24 months following termination, and (c) up to 12 months of executive-level outplacement services.

The termination benefits described above are subject to Mr. Ray’s execution of a release of claims in favor of Charter and its affiliates. In addition, Mr. Ray has agreed to comply with covenants (a) concerning nondisclosure of confidential information, assignment of intellectual property and nondisparagement of Charter, (b) concerning noncompetition for two years following termination, and (c) concerning nonsolicitation of customers and employees of Charter for one year following termination.

The foregoing summary of the Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text thereof, which is filed herewith as Exhibit 10.1 and incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

ITEM 9.01. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS.

Exhibit						Description
10.1*						Employment Agreement between Charter Communications, Inc. and Adam Ray, dated January 16, 2026.
104						The cover page from this Current Report on Form 8-K, formatted in Inline XBRL

* Filed herewith

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, each of Charter Communications, Inc., CCO Holdings, LLC and CCO Holdings Capital Corp. has duly caused this Current Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

			CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
			Registrant
			By:						/s/ Kevin D. Howard
									Kevin D. Howard
Date: January 22, 2026									Executive Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Controller
			CCO Holdings, LLC
			Registrant
			By:						/s/ Kevin D. Howard
									Kevin D. Howard
Date: January 22, 2026									Executive Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Controller
			CCO Holdings Capital Corp.
			Registrant
			By:						/s/ Kevin D. Howard
									Kevin D. Howard
Date: January 22, 2026									Executive Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Controller

FAQ

What executive agreement did Charter Communications (CHTR) disclose?

Charter Communications disclosed a new employment agreement with Adam Ray, its Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, effective January 19, 2026 and ending January 19, 2028 unless terminated earlier.

What is Adam Ray’s salary and bonus opportunity under the new Charter (CHTR) contract?

Under the agreement, Adam Ray will receive an annual base salary of at least $750,000 and a target annual cash bonus opportunity equal to 160% of his base salary.

What equity awards will Adam Ray receive from Charter Communications?

Beginning in 2027 and during the term, Adam Ray will be granted equity awards with a grant date fair value of at least $4,250,000 per year, in a mix of stock options and restricted stock units.

What is the top up equity award granted to Adam Ray in 2026?

On January 20, 2026, Adam Ray received a top up equity award with a grant date fair value of $500,000, consisting of options and restricted stock units that cliff vest on the third anniversary of the grant date, subject to his continued employment.

What severance benefits can Adam Ray receive if his employment with Charter ends?

If Adam Ray is terminated involuntarily without cause or leaves for good reason, he is entitled to a cash severance equal to 2.0 times the sum of his annual base salary and target bonus for that year, a cash payment equal to the cost of 24 months of COBRA coverage, and up to 12 months of executive-level outplacement services, subject to a release of claims.

What restrictive covenants apply to Adam Ray under the new Charter agreement?

Adam Ray agreed to covenants covering confidentiality, intellectual property assignment, and nondisparagement, a two-year noncompetition period following termination, and one-year nonsolicitation of Charter customers and employees.