SoftBank wins FCC nod for $4 billion WOW! deal, marking Japanese ownership

SoftBank Group Corp. secured U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approval to acquire regional internet provider WideOpenWest (WOW!). The FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau granted the authorization on July 27. This approval makes WOW! one of the first U.S. broadband operators with majority Japanese ownership.

SoftBank is acquiring DigitalBridge Group, the majority owner of WOW!, in a $4 billion transaction. The deal follows a late 2025 transaction where DigitalBridge and Crestview Partners took WOW! private. Crestview Partners will maintain a 37% stake in the company.

SoftBank confirmed that WOW!’s existing management and customer-facing teams will remain in place. The companies expect the transaction to close in the second half of 2026.