Paul Allen mulls Charter options, including sale

NEW YORK, Aug 15 (Reuters) - Charter Communications CHTR.O controlling shareholder and Chairman Paul Allen is considering alternatives for the cable operator, including taking the company private, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Wednesday.

Allen, one of Microsoft Corp's (MSFT.O) co-founders, could recapitalize the company, take it private or sell it, he said in the amended regulatory filing.

Charter's uncertain future has made it an acquisition target by other cable operators, including Time Warner Cable (TWC.N), whose executives have publicly expressed interest in the past.

A representative for Allen was not immediately available for comment. A Charter spokeswoman declined to comment.

Allen holds 52 percent of Charter and 91 percent of its voting power.

Charter earlier this month posted a narrower quarterly loss of $360 million, or 98 cents a share, compared with a loss of $382 million, or $1.20 a share, in the quarter a year ago.

Its revenue rose 8.4 percent to $1.5 billion.

The company is highly leveraged, with $19.6 billion in long-term debt and $81 million in cash on hand.

Separately, Allen said earlier this month that he would cut his stake in DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc DWA.N to nearly 7 million shares from 21 million shares. He also said he plans to resign from the DreamWorks board.

Charter shares closed down 9 cents at $2.57 on the Nasdaq stock market. (Reporting by Robert MacMillan)