Cox Communications’ Longtime CEO to Retire

James O. Robbins said he would retire at year-end after leading Cox Communications Inc. as president and chief executive for two decades.

Chief Operating Officer Patrick J. Esser will succeed him as president of the nation’s fourth-largest cable TV provider.

The outspoken, 63-year-old Robbins was a leader in pushing for better customer service and leading cable into the telephone business.

He also took on ESPN last year, helping to lower skyrocketing cable sports programming costs. Cox was taken private this year by its Atlanta-based parent company.