DigitalBridge Group, Inc. and Crestview Partners completed a take‑private transaction of WideOpenWest, Inc. (WOW!) on December 31, 2025, paying $5.20 in cash for each share of WOW! stock and valuing the company at roughly $1.5 billion in enterprise value. The deal removes WOW! from public trading and delists its common shares from the NYSE.
Prior to the transaction, WOW! reported 2024 revenue of $630.90 million, down 8.13% from the previous year, and a net loss of $58.80 million. The declining top line and loss profile underscored the need for fresh capital to fund fiber‑optic upgrades and to support the company’s long‑term network expansion plans.
DigitalBridge’s own performance in the third quarter of 2025 provides context for the acquisition. The company reported revenue of $3.82 million versus an analyst estimate of $98.46 million, a miss driven largely by a one‑time restructuring charge. However, earnings per share of $0.12 beat the consensus estimate of $0.0979, a result attributed to disciplined cost management and operational leverage that offset the revenue shortfall.
The strategic rationale for the deal centers on expanding DigitalBridge’s fiber‑broadband footprint and accelerating network‑modernization initiatives across the United States. By taking WOW! private, DigitalBridge gains the flexibility to invest aggressively in high‑capacity, low‑latency infrastructure that is increasingly demanded by AI, cloud, and enterprise workloads. The acquisition also positions DigitalBridge to capture a larger share of the growing market for high‑performance connectivity.
Jonathan Friesel, Senior Managing Director and Head of Fiber at DigitalBridge, said the transaction “opens a new era of growth for WOW! and allows us to invest in network and customer experience enhancements, pursue operational excellence, and deliver an exceptional connected experience over WOW!’s high‑performance networks.” Brian Cassidy, President and Head of Media at Crestview Partners, added that the private‑company structure “provides strategic flexibility and resources to compete more effectively in its markets and pursue long‑term growth.” Teresa Elder, CEO of WOW! at the time of the agreement, noted that the deal “brings new opportunities for our stakeholders and strengthens our position as a trusted provider of fast, reliable, and affordable broadband.”
On December 30, 2025, SoftBank announced its intent to acquire DigitalBridge for $16.00 per share. The announcement introduced a new layer of strategic context for DigitalBridge’s shareholders and has influenced market expectations for the company’s future trajectory. While the SoftBank deal does not alter the terms of the WOW! transaction, it signals a broader shift in DigitalBridge’s ownership structure and potential capital allocation priorities.
Analysts have expressed mixed views on the combined impact of the WOW! acquisition and the SoftBank takeover. Some view the fiber expansion as a long‑term value driver, while others remain cautious about the timing of capital deployment and the integration challenges that accompany a large network acquisition. Overall, the market recognizes the strategic fit of WOW! within DigitalBridge’s portfolio and the potential for accelerated growth in high‑capacity broadband services.
The completion of the WOW! deal marks a significant milestone for DigitalBridge’s fiber strategy, adding a robust network footprint and a customer base that spans residential, business, and wholesale markets. With the backing of Crestview Partners and the strategic flexibility afforded by a private structure, DigitalBridge is positioned to accelerate investment in fiber upgrades, enhance service quality, and capture a larger share of the high‑performance connectivity market that underpins the next wave of digital transformation.
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