Time Warner Cable stated that it would rather have its company grow through acquisitions than be bought by billionaire John Malone. The company has been looking at Cablevision and No.3 cable operator Cox Cable. Cablevision is the most coveted target by Time Warner according to three people familiar with the company's thinking.

Time Warner is the second biggest US cable operator. The cable company has more than 12 million subscribers. In recent months, Time Warner has contacted companies to discuss merger options, said source. However, said discussions did not push through to any serious consideration of a transaction. The source did not disclose how recent the talks transpired.

Cablevision and Georgia-based Cox are controlled by families who have not expressed any interest of going into a sale stated sources. The Dolan family controls 72.9% of Cablevision's company stock according to a proxy statement. Cox Enterprises is also privately held, family controlled cable provider firm.