SCHEDULE 13D/A: WideOpenWest Completes Merger, Goes Private

WideOpenWest, Inc. has completed its merger, resulting in the company's delisting from the NYSE and transition to private ownership.

Summary

• WideOpenWest, Inc. (the "Issuer") completed its merger with Bandit Merger Sub, Inc., a subsidiary of Bandit Parent, LP, on December 31, 2025.
• Following the merger, the Issuer's shares were delisted from the New York Stock Exchange.
• The Issuer's obligations to file periodic reports under the Exchange Act have been terminated.
• WideOpenWest, Inc. is now privately held by the Reporting Persons (Crestview entities) and DigitalBridge Investments, LLC.
• Crestview Partners III GP, L.P. beneficially owns 31,856,414 Common Shares, representing approximately 37.170% of the outstanding shares.
• Crestview W1 Holdings, L.P. beneficially owns 25,142,311 Common Shares, representing approximately 29.336% of the outstanding shares.
• Crestview W1 TE Holdings, LLC beneficially owns 1,245,968 Common Shares, representing approximately 1.4538% of the outstanding shares.
• Crestview W1 Co-Investors, LLC beneficially owns 4,849,639 Common Shares, representing approximately 5.6586% of the outstanding shares.
• Crestview Advisors, L.L.C. beneficially owns 618,496 Common Shares, representing approximately 0.7217% of the outstanding shares.
• As of October 29, 2025, there were 85,703,763 outstanding Common Shares of the Issuer.
• Outstanding restricted share awards held by Rollover Stockholders became fully vested and were treated as Rollover Shares at the Effective Time of the merger.

Sentiment

Score: 5

Explanation: The filing reports the factual completion of a previously announced merger, leading to the company going private. This is an expected event, neither inherently positive nor negative in its reporting, though it has significant implications for former public shareholders.

Positives

• The merger completion provides a definitive exit for public shareholders at the agreed-upon terms (though specific price not detailed in this filing).
• Restricted share awards held by Rollover Stockholders became fully vested upon the merger's completion.

Negatives

• Public shareholders no longer have an equity interest in WideOpenWest, Inc. and will not participate in any future appreciation of the company.
• The delisting from the New York Stock Exchange eliminates liquidity for public shareholders.

Risks

• No new risks identified for public shareholders as the company is now private and no longer publicly traded.

Future Outlook

The company is now privately held, and as such, no public forward-looking statements or guidance are provided in this filing.

Industry Context

This transaction reflects a broader trend in the telecommunications and media sectors where private equity firms acquire publicly traded companies, often to implement long-term strategic changes away from public market pressures and quarterly reporting cycles. Such moves can allow for significant capital investments or restructuring without immediate shareholder scrutiny.

Management Changes

Corporate Governance

Related Party Transactions

• The merger itself involves related parties, as Crestview entities were significant shareholders and are now part of the private ownership group.
• Restricted share awards held by 'Rollover Stockholders' (who are likely insiders or affiliated parties) became fully vested and were treated as Rollover Shares in the merger.

Stakeholder Impact

• Shareholders: Public shareholders no longer hold shares and have lost liquidity and future public market participation.
• Employees: Rollover Stockholders with restricted share awards saw them fully vested, potentially providing a liquidity event for those individuals.
• New Owners (Crestview and DigitalBridge): Gained full control of WideOpenWest, Inc., allowing for private strategic direction and investment.

Next Steps

• The Issuer will continue as a privately held corporation, no longer subject to public reporting requirements.

Key Dates

Keywords

WideOpenWest, WOW, Merger, Delisting, Private Equity, Crestview Partners, DigitalBridge, Schedule 13D, Corporate Action