in 1987, warner communications and american express rendered mtv networks private, selling its assets (mtv, vh-1 and nickelodeon) to viacom for $685 million, ending warner's venture into cable television until it acquired hbo and cinemax as part of its merger with time inc. it would also return to basic cable in 1996 through the purchase of turner broadcasting system. warner retained warner cable (later renamed time warner cable after warner communications merger with time inc. to form time warner in 1990), which was later spun-off into a separate company in 2009. that unit would eventually become part of spectrum, a subsidiary of charter communications.