UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
ý | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 | |
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2009 |
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OR |
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o |
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
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For the transition period from to |
Commission File Number 001-16615
LIBERTY MEDIA LLC
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
State of Delaware | 20-5272297 | |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
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12300 Liberty Boulevard Englewood, Colorado |
80112 | |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (720) 875-5400
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ý No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes o No o
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer o | Accelerated filer o | Non-accelerated filer ý (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) |
Smaller reporting company o |
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. Yes o No ý
The Registrant meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction H(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-Q, and is therefore filing this form with the reduced disclosure format.
LIBERTY MEDIA LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(unaudited)
|
March 31, 2009 |
December 31, 2008 |
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---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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amounts in millions |
||||||||
Assets |
|||||||||
Current assets: |
|||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 4,658 | 3,135 | ||||||
Trade and other receivables, net |
1,329 | 1,563 | |||||||
Inventory, net |
967 | 1,032 | |||||||
Program rights |
476 | 497 | |||||||
Financial instruments (note 7) |
1,581 | 1,157 | |||||||
Other current assets |
163 | 235 | |||||||
Total current assets |
9,174 | 7,619 | |||||||
Investments in available-for-sale securities and other cost investments, including $387 million and $392 million pledged as collateral for share borrowing arrangements (note 5) |
2,815 | 2,859 | |||||||
Long-term financial instruments (note 7) |
824 | 1,328 | |||||||
Investments in affiliates, accounted for using the equity method (note 6) |
14,599 | 14,490 | |||||||
Property and equipment, at cost |
1,997 |
2,027 |
|||||||
Accumulated depreciation |
(724 | ) | (696 | ) | |||||
|
1,273 | 1,331 | |||||||
Intangible assets not subject to amortization (note 8): |
|||||||||
Goodwill |
6,518 | 6,550 | |||||||
Trademarks |
2,510 | 2,511 | |||||||
Other |
158 | 158 | |||||||
|
9,186 | 9,219 | |||||||
Intangible assets subject to amortization, net (note 8) |
3,353 |
3,489 |
|||||||
Other assets, at cost, net of accumulated amortization |
1,683 | 1,568 | |||||||
Total assets |
$ | 42,907 | 41,903 | ||||||
(continued)
I-1
LIBERTY MEDIA LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Continued)
(unaudited)
|
March 31, 2009 |
December 31, 2008 |
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amounts in millions |
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Liabilities and Equity |
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Current liabilities: |
||||||||||
Accounts payable |
$ | 433 | 550 | |||||||
Accrued interest |
68 | 103 | ||||||||
Other accrued liabilities |
729 | 999 | ||||||||
Financial instruments (note 7) |
387 | 392 | ||||||||
Current portion of debt (note 9) |
2,455 | 868 | ||||||||
Accrued stock compensation |
212 | 196 | ||||||||
Current deferred income tax liabilities |
888 | 781 | ||||||||
Other current liabilities |
269 | 236 | ||||||||
Total current liabilities |
5,441 | 4,125 | ||||||||
Long-term debt, including $1,921 million and $1,691 million measured at fair value (note 9) |
11,634 | 11,359 | ||||||||
Long-term financial instruments (note 7) |
187 | 189 | ||||||||
Deferred income tax liabilities |
4,548 | 4,910 | ||||||||
Other liabilities |
1,639 | 1,551 | ||||||||
Total liabilities |
23,449 | 22,134 | ||||||||
Equity |
||||||||||
Member's equity: |
||||||||||
Member's equity |
29,052 | 29,114 | ||||||||
Note receivable from parent (note 10) |
(4,441 | ) | (4,384 | ) | ||||||
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of taxes |
(3 | ) | 70 | |||||||
Accumulated deficit |
(5,282 | ) | (5,186 | ) | ||||||
Total member's equity |
19,326 | 19,614 | ||||||||
Noncontrolling interests in equity of subsidiaries |
132 | 155 | ||||||||
Total equity |
19,458 | 19,769 | ||||||||
Commitments and contingencies (note 11) |
||||||||||
Total liabilities and equity |
$ | 42,907 | 41,903 | |||||||
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
I-2
LIBERTY MEDIA LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Operations
(unaudited)
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Three months ended March 31, |
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2009 | 2008 | |||||||
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amounts in millions |
||||||||
Revenue: |
|||||||||
Net retail sales |
$ | 1,831 | 1,950 | ||||||
Communications and programming services |
494 | 401 | |||||||
|
2,325 | 2,351 | |||||||
Operating costs and expenses: |
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Cost of sales |
1,183 | 1,238 | |||||||
Operating |
456 | 441 | |||||||
Selling, general and administrative, including stock-based compensation (note 3) |
273 | 265 | |||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
178 | 177 | |||||||
|
2,090 | 2,121 | |||||||
Operating income |
235 | 230 | |||||||
Other income (expense): |
|||||||||
Interest expense |
(154 | ) | (166 | ) | |||||
Dividend and interest income-third party |
31 | 59 | |||||||
Interest income-parent (note 10) |
49 | 60 | |||||||
Share of earnings (losses) of affiliates, net (note 6) |
(66 | ) | 45 | ||||||
Realized and unrealized losses on financial instruments, net (note 7) |
(235 | ) | (285 | ) | |||||
Gains (losses) on dispositions, net (note 6) |
(2 | ) | 3,682 | ||||||
Other, net |
(47 | ) | (2 | ) | |||||
|
(424 | ) | 3,393 | ||||||
Earnings (loss) before income taxes |
(189 | ) | 3,623 | ||||||
Income tax benefit |
102 | 1,884 | |||||||
Net earnings (loss) |
(87 | ) | 5,507 | ||||||
Less net earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interests |
9 | 12 | |||||||
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty Media LLC member |
$ | (96 | ) | 5,495 | |||||
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
I-3
LIBERTY MEDIA LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Earnings (Loss)
(unaudited)
|
Three months ended March 31, |
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2009 | 2008 | |||||||
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amounts in millions |
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Net earnings (loss) |
$ | (87 | ) | 5,507 | |||||
Other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of taxes: |
|||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments |
(87 | ) | 94 | ||||||
Unrealized holding losses arising during the period |
(2 | ) | (644 | ) | |||||
Recognition of previously unrealized losses (gains) on available-for-sale securities, net |
1 | (2,273 | ) | ||||||
Share of other comprehensive loss of equity affiliates |
(15 | ) | (1 | ) | |||||
Other |
17 | (48 | ) | ||||||
Other comprehensive loss |
(86 | ) | (2,872 | ) | |||||
Comprehensive earnings (loss) |
(173 | ) | 2,635 | ||||||
Less comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interests |
(4 | ) | 24 | ||||||
Comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty Media LLC member |
$ | (169 | ) | 2,611 | |||||
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
I-4
LIBERTY MEDIA LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows
(unaudited)
|
Three months ended March 31, |
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2009 | 2008 | |||||||||
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amounts in millions |
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Cash flows from operating activities: |
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Net earnings (loss) |
$ | (87 | ) | 5,507 | |||||||
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities: |
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Depreciation and amortization |
178 | 177 | |||||||||
Stock-based compensation |
28 | 16 | |||||||||
Cash payments for stock-based compensation |
| (12 | ) | ||||||||
Share of losses (earnings) of affiliates, net |
66 | (45 | ) | ||||||||
Cash receipts from returns on equity investments |
28 | | |||||||||
Realized and unrealized losses on financial instruments, net |
235 | 285 | |||||||||
Losses (gains) on disposition of assets, net |
2 | (3,682 | ) | ||||||||
Deferred income tax benefit |
(201 | ) | (2,100 | ) | |||||||
Other noncash charges (credits), net |
52 | (41 | ) | ||||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of the effects of acquisitions and dispositions: |
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Current assets |
226 | 74 | |||||||||
Payables and other current liabilities |
(282 | ) | (155 | ) | |||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
245 | 24 | |||||||||
Cash flows from investing activities: |
|||||||||||
Cash proceeds from dispositions |
71 | 15 | |||||||||
Proceeds from settlement of financial instruments |
61 | 12 | |||||||||
Cash received in exchange transactions |
| 465 | |||||||||
Investments in and loans to cost and equity investees |
(418 | ) | (387 | ) | |||||||
Capital expenditures |
(39 | ) | (54 | ) | |||||||
Net sales of short term investments |
35 | 67 | |||||||||
Net decrease in restricted cash |
12 | 140 | |||||||||
Net cash transfers to parent |
(8 | ) | (75 | ) | |||||||
Other investing activities, net |
3 | (19 | ) | ||||||||
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities |
(283 | ) | 164 | ||||||||
Cash flows from financing activities: |
|||||||||||
Borrowings of debt |
1,970 | 1,102 | |||||||||
Repayments of debt |
(355 | ) | (498 | ) | |||||||
Other financing activities, net |
(17 | ) | (61 | ) | |||||||
Net cash provided by financing activities |
1,598 | 543 | |||||||||
Effect of foreign currency exchange rates on cash |
(37 | ) | 20 | ||||||||
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents |
1,523 | 751 | |||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period |
3,135 | 3,135 | |||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period |
$ | 4,658 | 3,886 | ||||||||
Available-for-sale security exchanged for consolidated subsidiaries, equity investment and cash |
$ | | 10,143 | ||||||||
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
I-5
LIBERTY MEDIA LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statement Of Equity
(unaudited)
Three months ended March 31, 2009
|
Member's equity |
Note receivable from parent |
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss) |
Accumulated deficit |
Noncontrolling interest in equity of subsidiaries |
Total equity |
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---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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amounts in millions |
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Balance at January 1, 2009 |
$ | 29,114 | (4,384 | ) | 70 | (5,186 | ) | 155 | 19,769 | |||||||||||
Net earnings (loss) |
| | | (96 | ) | 9 | (87 | ) | ||||||||||||
Other comprehensive loss |
| | (73 | ) | | (13 | ) | (86 | ) | |||||||||||
Stock compensation |
9 | | | | | 9 | ||||||||||||||
Cash transfers to parent, net |
| (8 | ) | | | | (8 | ) | ||||||||||||
Intercompany interest income |
| (49 | ) | | | | (49 | ) | ||||||||||||
Distribution to noncontrolling interest |
| | | | (18 | ) | (18 | ) | ||||||||||||
Effect of accounting change by equity affiliate |
(72 | ) | | | | | (72 | ) | ||||||||||||
Other |
1 | | | | (1 | ) | | |||||||||||||
Balance at March 31, 2009 |
$ | 29,052 | (4,441 | ) | (3 | ) | (5,282 | ) | 132 | 19,458 | ||||||||||
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
I-6
LIBERTY MEDIA LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
March 31, 2009
(unaudited)
(1) Basis of Presentation
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Liberty Media LLC and its controlled subsidiaries (collectively, "Liberty" or the "Company" unless the context otherwise requires). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Liberty is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation ("LMC").
Liberty, through its ownership of interests in subsidiaries and other companies, is primarily engaged in the video and on-line commerce, media, communications and entertainment industries in North America, South America, Europe and Asia.
Effective January 1, 2009, Liberty adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 160, "Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements" ("Statement 160"). Statement 160 establishes accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary, commonly referred to as minority interest. Among other matters, Statement 160 requires (a) the noncontrolling interest be reported within equity in the balance sheet and (b) the amount of consolidated net income attributable to the parent and to the noncontrolling interest to be clearly presented in the statement of income. Statement 160 and EITF Topic 08-6 also require that SAB 51 Gains for subsidiaries be recorded in equity and SAB 51 Gains for equity affiliates be recorded in earnings. Liberty has applied the provisions of Statement 160 prospectively, except for the presentation and disclosure requirements, which have been applied retrospectively for all periods presented.
The accompanying interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X as promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the results for such periods have been included. The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in Liberty's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Liberty considers (i) fair value measurement, (ii) accounting for income taxes, (iii) assessments of other-than-temporary declines in fair value of its investments and (iv) estimates of retail-related adjustments and allowances to be its most significant estimates.
Liberty holds investments that are accounted for using the equity method. Liberty does not control the decision making process or business management practices of these affiliates. Accordingly, Liberty relies on management of these affiliates to provide it with accurate financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP that Liberty uses in the application of the equity method. In addition, Liberty relies on audit reports that are provided by the affiliates' independent auditors on the financial statements of such affiliates. The Company is not aware, however, of any errors in or possible
I-7
LIBERTY MEDIA LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
misstatements of the financial information provided by its equity affiliates that would have a material effect on Liberty's condensed consolidated financial statements.
(2) Split Off Transaction
During the fourth quarter of 2008, the Board of Directors of LMC approved a plan to redeem a portion of the outstanding shares of LMC's Entertainment Group tracking stock for all of the outstanding shares of a newly formed subsidiary of LMC, Liberty Entertainment, Inc. ("LEI"), (the "Redemption"). The Redemption and resulting separation of LEI from LMC are referred to as the "Split Off."
At the time of the Split Off, LEI will hold Liberty's interests in The DIRECTV Group, Inc. ("DIRECTV") (and related collars and debt), Liberty Sports Holdings, Inc. ("Liberty Sports Group") and Game Show Network, LLC ("GSN") and $30 million in cash. In addition, Liberty and LEI have entered into a revolving credit facility pursuant to which Liberty will provide LEI with up to $300 million principal amount of loans. The Split Off is conditioned on, among other matters, receipt of stockholder approval and receipt of a private letter ruling from the IRS and a tax opinion from tax counsel and is expected to occur in the second half of 2009. The Split Off will be accounted for at historical cost due to the fact that the LEI common stock is to be distributed pro rata to holders of Liberty Entertainment tracking stock.
On May 3, 2009, LMC and LEI entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement") with DIRECTV and other parties named therein, pursuant to which, after LMC completes the Split Off, LEI and DIRECTV will combine under a new parent company (the "Merger Transaction"). The Merger Transaction is subject to certain closing conditions.
(3) Stock-Based Compensation
Certain of the Company's employees and employees of its subsidiaries hold options and stock appreciation rights ("SARs") to purchase shares of LMC common stock (collectively, "Awards"). The Company accounts for stock-based compensation pursuant to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), "Share-Based Payment" ("Statement 123R"). Statement 123R generally requires companies to measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an Award of equity instruments (such as stock options and restricted stock) based on the grant-date fair value of the Award, and to recognize that cost over the period during which the employee is required to provide service (usually the vesting period of the Award). Statement 123R also requires companies to measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an Award of liability instruments (such as stock appreciation rights that will be settled in cash) based on the current fair value of the Award, and to remeasure the fair value of the Award at each reporting date.
Included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations are the following amounts of stock-based compensation (amounts in millions):
Three months ended: |
|||||
March 31, 2009 |
$ | 28 | |||
March 31, 2008 |
$ | 16 |
I-8
LIBERTY MEDIA LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
During the three months ended March 31, 2009, LMC granted primarily to employees of QVC, Inc. ("QVC"), a subsidiary of Liberty, 6.7 million options to purchase shares of Series A Liberty Interactive common stock. Such options had a weighted average grant-date fair value of $.85.
The Company has calculated the grant-date fair value for all of its equity classified awards and any subsequent remeasurement of its liability classified awards using the Black-Scholes Model. The Company estimates the expected term of the Awards based on historical exercise and forfeiture data. The volatility used in the calculation for Awards is based on the historical volatility of LMC's stocks and the implied volatility of publicly traded LMC options. The Company uses a zero dividend rate and the risk-free rate for Treasury Bonds with a term similar to that of the subject options.
LMCOutstanding Awards
The following table presents the number and weighted average exercise price ("WAEP") of options and SARs to purchase LMC common stock granted to certain officers and employees of the Company.
|
Series A | |||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Liberty Capital |
WAEP | Liberty Interactive |
WAEP | Liberty Entertainment |
WAEP | ||||||||||||||
|
numbers of options in thousands |
|||||||||||||||||||
Outstanding at January 1, 2009 |
4,031 | $ | 10.83 | 31,361 | $ | 16.48 | 15,978 | $ | 19.77 | |||||||||||
Granted |
1 | $ | 5.14 | 6,700 | $ | 4.30 | 4 | $ | 17.32 | |||||||||||
Exercised |
| | (14 | ) | $ | 15.31 | ||||||||||||||
Forfeited |
(15 | ) | $ | 13.89 | (920 | ) | $ | 14.72 | (45 | ) | $ | 22.23 | ||||||||
Outstanding at March 31, 2009 |
4,017 | $ | 10.82 | 37,141 | $ | 14.33 | 15,923 | $ | 19.76 | |||||||||||
Exercisable at March 31, 2009 |
2,277 | $ | 13.57 | 16,655 | $ | 19.87 | 8,855 | $ | 20.25 | |||||||||||
The following table provides additional information about outstanding options to purchase LMC common stock at March 31, 2009.
|
No. of outstanding options (000's) |
WAEP of outstanding options |
Weighted average remaining life |
Aggregate intrinsic value (000's) |
No. of exercisable options (000's) |
WAEP of exercisable options |
Aggregate intrinsic value (000's) |
||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Series A Capital |
4,017 | $ | 10.82 | 4.6 years | $ | 4,314 | 2,277 | $ | 13.57 | $ | 264 | ||||||||||
Series B Capital |
1,408 | $ | 15.20 | 1.9 years | $ | | 1,408 | $ | 15.20 | $ | | ||||||||||
Series A Interactive |
37,141 | $ | 14.33 | 5.1 years | $ | | 16,655 | $ | 19.87 | $ | | ||||||||||
Series B Interactive |
7,491 | $ | 23.41 | 2.2 years | $ | | 7,491 | $ | 23.41 | $ | | ||||||||||
Series A Entertainment |
15,923 | $ | 19.76 | 4.6 years | $ | 25,541 | 8,855 | $ | 20.25 | $ | 12,666 | ||||||||||
Series B Entertainment |
5,993 | $ | 21.57 | 2.2 years | $ | 652 | 5,993 | $ | 21.57 | $ | 652 |
As of March 31, 2009, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested LMC equity Awards was approximately $85 million. Such amount will be recognized in the Company's consolidated statements of operations over a weighted average period of approximately 2 years.
Subsequent to March 31, 2009, LMC completed an exchange offer pursuant to which eligible employees of QVC and BuySeasons were offered the opportunity to exchange all (but not less than all) of their outstanding stock options to purchase shares of Series A Liberty Interactive common stock ("LINTA") with an exercise price greater than $7.00 for new options to acquire shares of LINTA.
I-9
LIBERTY MEDIA LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Eligible option holders tendered an aggregate of 11,311,787 shares of LINTA. In exchange, LMC granted the tendering option holders an aggregate of 2,828,022 options to purchase shares of LINTA with an exercise price of $3.41 per share and 2,828,022 options to purchase shares of LINTA with an exercise price of $6.00 per share.
(4) Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value
Liberty uses the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, "Fair Value Measurements" ("Statement 157") to account for assets and liabilities that are required to be reported at fair value. Statement 157 defines fair value, prescribes a framework for measuring fair value under GAAP and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.
Statement 157 provides a hierarchy that prioritizes inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels. Level 1 inputs are quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date. Level 2 inputs are inputs, other than quoted market prices included within Level 1, that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.
The Company's assets and liabilities measured at fair value are as follows:
|
|
Fair Value Measurements at March 31, 2009 Using | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Description
|
Total | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) |
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) |
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) |
|||||||||
|
|
amounts in millions |
|||||||||||
Available-for-sale securities |
$ | 2,776 | 2,538 | 238 | | ||||||||
Financial instrument assets |
$ | 2,405 | | 2,405 | | ||||||||
Financial instrument liabilities |
$ | 574 | 387 | 187 | | ||||||||
Debt |
$ | 1,921 | | 1,921 | |
The Company uses the Black Scholes Model to estimate fair value for the majority of its Level 2 financial instrument assets and liabilities using observable inputs such as exchange-traded equity prices, risk-free interest rates, dividend yields and volatilities obtained from pricing services. For the Company's debt instruments reported at fair value, the Company gets quoted market prices from pricing services or from evidence of observable inputs, some of which may be obtained using third-party brokers. However, the Company does not believe such instruments are traded on "active markets," as defined in Statement 157. Accordingly, the debt instruments are reported in the foregoing table as Level 2 fair value.
Statement 157 requires the incorporation of a credit risk valuation adjustment in the Company's fair value measurements to estimate the impact of both its own nonperformance risk and the nonperformance risk of its counterparties. The Company estimates credit risk associated with its and its counterparties nonperformance primarily by using observable credit default swap rates for terms similar to those of the remaining life of the instrument, adjusted for any master netting arrangements or other factors that provide an estimate of nonperformance risk. These are Level 3 inputs. However, as the credit risk valuation adjustments were not significant, the Company continues to report its equity collars, interest rate swaps and put options as Level 2.
I-10
LIBERTY MEDIA LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(5) Investments in Available-for-Sale Securities and Other Cost Investments
All marketable equity and debt securities held by the Company are classified as available-for-sale ("AFS") and are carried at fair value generally based on quoted market prices. Liberty accounts for certain of its AFS securities pursuant to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159, "The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115" ("Statement 159"). Statement 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments, such as AFS securities, and certain other items at fair value and to recognize the changes in fair value of such instruments in the entity's statement of operations. Liberty has entered into economic hedges for many of its non-strategic AFS securities (although such instruments are not accounted for as fair value hedges by the Company). Changes in the fair value of these economic hedges are reflected in Liberty's statement of operations as unrealized gains (losses). In order to better match the changes in fair value of the subject AFS securities and the changes in fair value of the corresponding economic hedges in the Company's financial statements, Liberty has elected to apply the provisions of Statement 159 to those of its AFS securities ("Statement 159 Securities") which it considers to be non-strategic. Accordingly, changes in the fair value of Statement 159 Securities, as determined by quoted market prices, are reported in realized and unrealized gain (losses) on financial instruments in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations. The total value of AFS securities for which the Company has elected the fair value option aggregated $2,083 million as of March 31, 2009.
Investments in AFS securities and other cost investments are summarized as follows:
|
March 31, 2009 |
December 31, 2008 |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
amounts in millions |
||||||
Time Warner Inc.(1) |
$ | 661 | 1,033 | ||||
Time Warner Cable Inc.(2) |
213 | | |||||
IAC/InterActiveCorp ("IAC") |
549 | 638 | |||||
Sprint Nextel Corporation ("Sprint")(3) |
312 | 160 | |||||
Motorola, Inc.(4) |
313 | 328 | |||||
Viacom, Inc. |
132 | 145 | |||||
Embarq Corporation(5) |
165 | 157 | |||||
Other(6) |
470 | 398 | |||||
Consolidated Liberty |
$ | 2,815 | 2,859 | ||||
I-11
LIBERTY MEDIA LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Unrealized Holdings Gains and Losses
Unrealized holding gains and losses related to investments in AFS securities are summarized below.
|
March 31, 2009 | December 31, 2008 | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Equity securities |
Debt securities |
Equity securities |
Debt securities |
|||||||||
|
amounts in millions |
||||||||||||
Gross unrealized holding gains |
$ | 33 | 3 | 9 | | ||||||||
Gross unrealized holding losses |
$ | (22 | ) | | (4 | ) | |
The aggregate fair value of securities with unrealized holding losses at March 31, 2009 was $549 million. None of these securities had unrealized losses for more than 12 continuous months.
(6) Investments in Affiliates Accounted for Using the Equity Method
Liberty has various investments accounted for using the equity method. The following table includes Liberty's carrying amount and percentage ownership of the more significant investments in affiliates at March 31, 2009 and the carrying amount at December 31, 2008:
|
March 31, 2009 | December 31, 2008 |
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Percentage ownership |
Carrying amount |
Carrying amount |
|||||||
|
|
dollar amounts in millions |
||||||||
DIRECTV |
54% | $ | 12,970 | 13,085 | ||||||
Expedia, Inc. ("Expedia") |
24% | 557 | 559 | |||||||
Sirius XM Radio Inc. ("Sirius") |
40% | 387 | | |||||||
Other |
various | 685 | 846 | |||||||
|
$ | 14,599 | 14,490 | |||||||
The following table presents Liberty's share of earnings (losses) of affiliates:
|
Three months ended March 31, |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2009 | 2008 | |||||
|
amounts in millions |
||||||
DIRECTV |
$ | 32 | 36 | ||||
Expedia |
9 | 12 | |||||
Sirius |
| | |||||
Other |
(107 | ) | (3 | ) | |||
|
$ | (66 | ) | 45 | |||
I-12
LIBERTY MEDIA LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
DIRECTV
On February 27, 2008, Liberty completed a transaction with News Corporation (the "News Corporation Exchange") in which Liberty exchanged all of its 512.6 million shares of News Corporation common stock valued at $10,143 million on the closing date for a subsidiary of News Corporation that held an approximate 41% interest in DIRECTV, three regional sports television networks that now comprise Liberty Sports Group and $463 million in cash. In addition, Liberty incurred $21 million of acquisition costs. Liberty recognized a pre-tax gain of $3,666 million in the first quarter of 2008 based on the difference between the fair value and the cost basis of the News Corporation shares exchanged.
Liberty accounted for the News Corporation Exchange as a nonmonetary exchange under APB Opinion No. 29 "Accounting for Nonmonetary Transactions." Accordingly, Liberty recorded the assets received at an amount equal to the fair value of the News Corporation common stock given up. Such amount was allocated to DIRECTV and Liberty Sports Group based on their relative fair values as follows (amounts in millions):
Cash |
$ | 463 | |||
DIRECTV |
10,765 | ||||
Liberty Sports Group |
448 | ||||
Deferred tax liability |
(1,512 | ) | |||
Total |
$ | 10,164 | |||
Liberty estimated the fair values of Liberty Sports Group and DIRECTV's assets using a combination of discounted cash flows and market prices for comparable assets.
At the time of closing, the value attributed to Liberty's investment in DIRECTV exceeded Liberty's proportionate share of DIRECTV's equity by $8,022 million. Due to additional purchases of DIRECTV stock by Liberty and stock repurchases by DIRECTV, such excess basis has increased to $10,517 million as of March 31, 2009. Such amount has been allocated within memo accounts used for equity accounting purposes to DIRECTV's assets and liabilities. Amortization related to the intangible assets with identifiable useful lives within the memo accounts is included in Liberty's share of earnings of DIRECTV in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of operations and aggregated $75 million and $23 million (net of related taxes) for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and for the one month ended March 31, 2008, respectively.
On April 3, 2008, Liberty purchased 78.3 million additional shares of DIRECTV common stock in a private transaction for cash consideration of $1.98 billion. Liberty funded the purchase with borrowings against a newly executed equity collar on 110 million DIRECTV common shares. As of May 5, 2008, Liberty's ownership in DIRECTV was approximately 47.9%, and Liberty and DIRECTV entered into a standstill agreement. Pursuant to the standstill agreement, in the event Liberty's ownership interest goes above 47.9% due to stock repurchases by DIRECTV Liberty has agreed to vote its shares of DIRECTV which represent the excess ownership interest above 47.9% in the same proportion as all DIRECTV shareholders other than Liberty. Accordingly, although Liberty's economic ownership in DIRECTV is above 50%, Liberty continues to account for such investment using the equity method of accounting. Liberty records its share of DIRECTV's earnings based on its economic interest in DIRECTV.
I-13
LIBERTY MEDIA LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
The market value of the Company's investment in DIRECTV was $12,505 million and $12,571 million at March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively. Summarized unaudited financial information for DIRECTV is as follows:
DIRECTV Consolidated Balance Sheets
|
March 31, 2009 |
December 31, 2008 |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
amounts in millions |
|||||||
Current assets |
$ | 4,035 | 4,044 | |||||
Satellites, net |
2,440 | 2,476 | ||||||
Property and equipment, net |
4,179 | 4,171 | ||||||
Goodwill |
3,760 | 3,753 | ||||||
Intangible assets |
1,069 | 1,172 | ||||||
Other assets |
923 | 923 | ||||||
Total assets |
$ | 16,406 | 16,539 | |||||
Current liabilities |
$ | 3,562 | 3,585 | |||||
Deferred income taxes |
562 | 524 | ||||||
Long-term debt |
5,696 | 5,725 | ||||||
Other liabilities |
1,743 | 1,749 | ||||||
Redeemable noncontrolling interest |
325 | 325 | ||||||
Equity |
4,518 | 4,631 | ||||||
Total liabilities and equity |
$ | 16,406 | 16,539 | |||||
DIRECTV Consolidated Statements of Operations
|
Three months ended March 31, |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2009 | 2008 | ||||||
|
amounts in millions |
|||||||
Revenue |
$ | 4,901 | 4,591 | |||||
Costs of revenue |
(2,461 | ) | (2,288 | ) | ||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
(1,350 | ) | (1,122 | ) | ||||
Depreciation and amortization |
(666 | ) | (524 | ) | ||||
Operating income |
424 | 657 | ||||||
Interest expense |
(101 |
) |
(63 |
) |
||||
Other income, net |
13 | 19 | ||||||
Income tax expense |
(124 | ) | (230 | ) | ||||
Net earnings |
$ | 212 | 383 | |||||
I-14
LIBERTY MEDIA LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Expedia
The market value of the Company's investment in Expedia was $629 million and $570 million at March 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively. Summarized unaudited financial information for Expedia is as follows:
Expedia Consolidated Balance Sheets
|
March 31, 2009 |
December 31, 2008 |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
amounts in millions |
|||||||
Current assets |
$ | 1,091 | 1,199 | |||||
Property and equipment |
240 | 248 | ||||||
Goodwill |
3,520 | 3,539 | ||||||
Intangible assets |
818 | 833 | ||||||
Other assets |
80 | 75 | ||||||
Total assets |
$ | 5,749 | 5,894 | |||||
Current liabilities |
$ | 2,041 | 1,566 | |||||
Deferred income taxes |
199 | 190 | ||||||
Long-term debt |
895 | 1,545 | ||||||
Other liabilities |
214 | 212 | ||||||
Equity |
2,400 | 2,381 | ||||||
Total liabilities and equity |
$ | 5,749 | 5,894 | |||||
Expedia Consolidated Statements of Operations
|
Three months ended March 31, |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2009 | 2008 | ||||||
|
amounts in millions |
|||||||
Revenue |
$ | 636 | 688 | |||||
Cost of revenue |
(144 | ) | (152 | ) | ||||
Gross profit |
492 | 536 | ||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
(381 | ) | (428 | ) | ||||
Amortization |
(9 | ) | (18 | ) | ||||
Restructuring charges |
(9 | ) | | |||||
Operating income |
93 | 90 | ||||||
Interest expense |
(22 | ) | (16 | ) | ||||
Other income (expense) |
(4 | ) | 6 | |||||
Income tax expense |
(27 | ) | (29 | ) | ||||
Net earnings |
$ | 40 | 51 | |||||
Spin Off Companies from IAC
IAC completed the spin off of HSN, Inc. ("HSN"), Interval Leisure Group, Inc., Ticketmaster Entertainment, Inc. ("Ticketmaster") and Tree.com, Inc. (collectively, the "IAC Spin Off Companies")
I-15
LIBERTY MEDIA LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
on August 21, 2008. Liberty received an approximate 30% ownership interest in each of the IAC Spin Off Companies. Liberty allocated its carrying value in IAC prior to the spin off among IAC and the IAC Spin Off Companies based on their relative fair values at the time of the spin off. Liberty received no super voting shares in and has no special voting arrangements with respect to any of the IAC Spin Off Companies (other than with respect to the election of directors), and therefore, accounts for its interests using the equity method of accounting. Liberty has elected to record its share of earnings/losses for each of the IAC Spin Off Companies on a three month lag due to timeliness considerations. Liberty's share of losses of the IAC Spin Off Companies aggregated $104 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009.
Sirius XM Radio Inc.
During the first quarter of 2009, Liberty made investments/commitments in Sirius totaling approximately $579 million. Liberty's initial investment was the open market purchase of Sirius bonds for $18 million. Such bonds are accounted for by Liberty as AFS debt securities and are marked to market each reporting period. On February 17, 2009, Liberty and Sirius entered into a senior secured loan agreement (the "Senior Loan") whereby Liberty loaned Sirius $250 million at an interest rate of 15% and made a commitment to loan an additional $30 million to fund qualifying expenditures by Sirius. In exchange for making the Senior Loan, Liberty received a $30 million origination fee. Liberty has accounted for the origination fee as a discount to the Senior Loan and is amortizing it to interest income over the term of the Senior Loan. On March 6, 2009, Liberty (i) purchased $100 million of a new senior loan facility of a subsidiary of Sirius ("Subsidiary Senior Loan"), (ii) purchased $61 million of bank debt of such subsidiary directly from the lending group and (iii) committed to make a loan of $150 million to such subsidiary in December 2009 ("Subsidiary Commitment"). In addition, Liberty received voting preferred stock of Sirius, which has substantially the same rights and preferences as common shareholders of Sirius, for a cash payment of $12,500. This preferred stock is convertible into common stock equal to 40% of fully diluted equity.
Liberty has allocated the total consideration paid for the Subsidiary Loan, the Subsidiary Commitment and the preferred stock to each of the instruments based on the relative fair values of such instruments.
Since the amount of bank debt purchased from the lending group was a transaction with an outside third party and not with Sirius directly, this investment has not been included in the allocation, but has initially been recorded at the amount invested ($61 million).
Based on Liberty's voting rights and its conclusion that the preferred stock is in-substance common stock in accordance with the criteria in EITF 02-14, Liberty accounts for its investment in the Sirius preferred stock using the equity method of accounting. Liberty has elected to record its share of earnings/losses for Sirius on a three-month lag due to timeliness considerations. As of March 31, 2009, such preferred stock had a market value of $905 million based on the value of the common stock into which it is convertible.
I-16
LIBERTY MEDIA LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(7) Financial Instruments
The Company's financial instruments are summarized as follows:
Type of financial instrument
|
March 31, 2009 |
December 31, 2008 |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
amounts in millions |
|||||||
Assets |
||||||||
Equity collars(1) |
$ | 2,302 | $ | 2,392 | ||||
Other |
103 | 93 | ||||||
|
2,405 | 2,485 | ||||||
Less current portion |
(1,581 | ) | (1,157 | ) | ||||
|
$ | 824 | $ | 1,328 | ||||
Liabilities |
||||||||
Borrowed shares |
$ | 387 | $ | 392 | ||||
Other |
187 | 189 | ||||||
|
574 | 581 | ||||||
Less current portion |
(387 | ) | (392 | ) | ||||
|
$ | 187 | $ | 189 | ||||
Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Financial Instruments
Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments are comprised of changes in the fair value of the following:
|
Three months ended March 31, |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2009 | 2008 | |||||
|
amounts in millions |
||||||
Statement 159 Securities |
$ | 10 | (1,421 | ) | |||
Exchangeable senior debentures |
(235 | ) | 337 | ||||
Equity collars |
(50 | ) | 558 | ||||
Borrowed shares |
5 | 432 | |||||
Other derivatives |
35 | (191 | ) | ||||
|
$ | (235 | ) | (285 | ) | ||
I-17
LIBERTY MEDIA LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(8) Intangible Assets
Goodwill
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill are as follows:
|
QVC | Starz Entertainment, LLC |
Other | Total | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
amounts in millions |
|||||||||||||
Balance at January 1, 2009 |
$ | 5,363 | 132 | 1,055 | 6,550 | |||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments |
(30 | ) | | | (30 | ) | ||||||||
Other |
| | (2 | ) | (2 | ) | ||||||||
Balance at March 31, 2009 |
$ | 5,333 | 132 | 1,053 | 6,518 | |||||||||
Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization
Amortization expense for intangible assets with finite useful lives was $129 million and $131 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Based on its amortizable intangible assets as of March 31, 2009, Liberty expects that amortization expense will be as follows for the next five years (amounts in millions):
Remainder of 2009 |
$ | 356 | ||
2010 |
$ | 448 | ||
2011 |
$ | 409 | ||
2012 |
$ | 372 | ||
2013 |
$ | 368 |
I-18
LIBERTY MEDIA LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(9) Long-Term Debt
Debt is summarized as follows:
|
|
Carrying value | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Outstanding principal March 31, 2009 |
||||||||||
|
March 31, 2009 |
December 31, 2008 |
|||||||||
|
amounts in millions |
||||||||||
Senior notes and debentures |
|||||||||||
7.875% Senior Notes due 2009 |
$ | 104 | 104 | 104 | |||||||
7.75% Senior Notes due 2009 |
13 | 13 | 13 | ||||||||
5.7% Senior Notes due 2013 |
803 | 801 | 801 | ||||||||
8.5% Senior Debentures due 2029 |
287 | 284 | 284 | ||||||||
8.25% Senior Debentures due 2030 |
505 | 501 | 501 | ||||||||
3.25% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2031 |
541 | 198 | 138 | ||||||||
Exchangeable senior debentures |
|||||||||||
3.125% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2023 |
1,264 | 998 | 918 | ||||||||
4% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2029 |
869 | 291 | 256 | ||||||||
3.75% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2030 |
810 | 254 | 241 | ||||||||
3.5% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2031 |
495 | 180 | 138 | ||||||||
Liberty bank facility |
750 | 750 | 750 | ||||||||
Liberty derivative loan |
2,263 | 2,263 | 625 | ||||||||
QVC bank credit facilities |
5,225 | 5,225 | 5,230 | ||||||||
DIRECTV Collar Loan |
1,999 | 1,999 | 1,981 | ||||||||
Other subsidiary debt |
228 | 228 | 247 | ||||||||
Total consolidated Liberty debt |
$ | 16,156 | 14,089 | 12,227 | |||||||
Less current maturities |
(2,455 | ) | (868 | ) | |||||||
Total long-term debt |
$ | 11,634 | $ | 11,359 | |||||||
Exchangeable Senior Debentures
Subsequent to March 31, 2009, the Company voluntarily settled total return swaps with respect to $400 million principal amount of its 4% Exchangeable Senior Debentures and $350 million principal amount of its 3.75% Exchangeable Senior Debentures and retired such debt.
Liberty Derivative Loan
During the first quarter of 2009, Liberty made additional net borrowings of $1,638 million against the present value of its Sprint derivatives. Such debt is due when the derivatives expire in 2009 and 2010 and is expected to largely offset the proceeds to be received by Liberty upon expiration of the derivatives.
QVC Bank Credit Facilities
QVC is party to an unsecured $3.5 billion bank credit facility dated March 3, 2006 (the "March 2006 Credit Agreement"). The March 2006 Credit Agreement is comprised of two $800 million U.S. dollar term loans, a $600 million multi-currency term loan that was drawn in U.S. dollars, a $650 million U.S. dollar revolving loan and a $650 million multi-currency revolving loan. Substantially
I-19
LIBERTY MEDIA LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
all revolving loans were fully drawn as of March 31, 2009. The foregoing multi-currency loans can be made, at QVC's option, in U.S. dollars, Japanese yen, U.K. pound sterling or euros. All loans are due and payable on March 3, 2011.
QVC is party to a second credit agreement dated October 4, 2006, as amended on March 20, 2007 (the "October 2006 Credit Agreement"), which provides for an additional unsecured $1.75 billion credit facility, consisting of an $800 million initial term loan and $950 million of delayed draw term loans, all of which has been drawn. The loans are scheduled to mature on October 4, 2011.
All loans under the March 2006 Credit Agreement and the October 2006 Credit Agreement bear interest at a rate equal to (i) LIBOR for the interest period selected by QVC plus a margin that varies based on QVC's leverage ratio or (ii) the higher of the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50% or the prime rate announced by the respective Administrative Agent from time to time. QVC is required to pay a commitment fee quarterly in arrears on the unused portion of the commitments. Such fees have not been significant to date.
The credit agreements contain restrictive covenants, which require among other things, the maintenance of certain financial ratios and include limitations on indebtedness, liens, encumbrances, dispositions, guarantees and dividends. QVC was in compliance with its debt covenants at March 31, 2009.
QVC Interest Rate Swap Arrangements
QVC is party to ten separate interest rate swap arrangements with an aggregate notional amount of $2,200 million to manage the cash flow risk associated with interest payments on its variable rate debt. The swap arrangements provide for QVC to make fixed payments at rates ranging from 4.9575% to 5.2928% and to receive variable payments at 3 month LIBOR. All of the swap arrangements expire in March 2011 contemporaneously with the maturity of the March 2006 Credit Agreement. Until December 2008, Liberty accounted for the swap arrangements as cash flow hedges with the effective portions of changes in the fair value reflected in other comprehensive earnings in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet. In December 2008, QVC elected interest terms under its credit facilities that do not effectively match the terms of the swap arrangements. As a result, the swaps no longer qualify as cash flow hedges under Statement No. 133. Accordingly, changes in the fair value of the swaps are now reflected in realized and unrealized gains or losses on financial instruments in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations.
QVC is also party to two interest rate swap arrangements with an aggregate notional amount of $600 million. These swap arrangements, which expire in October 2010, provide for QVC to make fixed payments at 3.07% and to receive variable payments at 3 month LIBOR. These swap arrangements do not qualify as cash flow hedges under Statement 133.
DIRECTV Collar Loan
In April 2008, Liberty entered into an equity collar (the "DIRECTV Collar") for 110 million shares of DIRECTV common stock and a related credit facility (the "Collar Loan") against the present value of the put value of such collar. At the time of closing, Liberty borrowed $1,977 million. The Collar Loan is due as the DIRECTV Collar terminates in six tranches from June 2009 through August 2012. Each tranche is repayable during a six-month period based upon a formula that factors in several variables including the market price of DIRECTV common stock. Interest accrues at an effective weighted average interest rate of 3.5% and is due and payable as each tranche matures. Borrowings are collateralized by the puts underlying the Collar Loan and 170 million shares of DIRECTV common stock owned by Liberty.
I-20
LIBERTY MEDIA LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
In November 2008, Liberty chose to unwind 50% of the first tranche of the DIRECTV Collar. The first tranche expires in 2009 and originally had 22.5 million DIRECTV shares underlying it. As part of this transaction, Liberty repaid the portion of the Collar Loan ($228.4 million) associated with the shares that were unwound. Such repayment was funded with (1) proceeds from the collar unwind ($45.5 million), (2) funds borrowed from the remaining capacity of the Collar Loan ($181.1 million) and (3) cash on hand ($1.8 million). As a result of this transaction, the amount of the Collar Loan due in 2009 is approximately $258 million including accrued interest.
The DIRECTV Collar contains a provision that allows the counterparty to terminate a portion of the DIRECTV Collar if the total number of shares of DIRECTV underlying the DIRECTV Collar exceeds 20% of the outstanding public float of DIRECTV common stock. In the event the counterparty chooses to terminate a portion of the DIRECTV Collar, the repayment of the corresponding debt would be accelerated. The counterparty has agreed to waive its right to terminate a portion of the DIRECTV Collar until early June 2009, subject to the condition that the total number of shares underlying the DIRECTV Collar does not exceed 23% of the outstanding public float of DIRECTV common stock. As of March 31, 2009, the total number of shares underlying the DIRECTV Collar did not exceed the 23% limit.
Other Subsidiary Debt
Other subsidiary debt at March 31, 2009 is comprised of capitalized satellite transponder lease obligations and bank debt of certain subsidiaries.
Fair Value of Debt
Liberty estimates the fair value of its debt based on the quoted market prices for the same or similar issues or on the current rate offered to Liberty for debt of the same remaining maturities. The fair value of Liberty's publicly traded debt securities that are not reported at fair value in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2009 is as follows (amounts in millions):
Fixed rate senior notes |
$ | 727 | ||
Senior debentures |
$ | 426 |
Due to the low risk nature of the Collar Loan, Liberty believes that the carrying amount approximates fair value. Due to its variable rate nature, Liberty believes that the carrying amount of its subsidiary debt and other parent debt, approximated fair value at March 31, 2009.
(10) Transactions with Related Parties
The Company has made interest-bearing cash advances to LMC. Such advances, including accrued interest, aggregated $4,441 million as of March 31, 2009. Interest, which accrues daily at 1-year LIBOR plus 1.35% (4.5% at March 31, 2009), aggregated $49 million and $60 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008.
I-21
LIBERTY MEDIA LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(11) Commitments and Contingencies
Film Rights
Starz Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Liberty, provides premium video programming distributed by cable operators, direct-to-home satellite providers, telephone companies, other distributors and the Internet throughout the United States. Starz Entertainment has entered into agreements with a number of motion picture producers which obligate Starz Entertainment to pay fees ("Programming Fees") for the rights to exhibit certain films that are released by these producers. The unpaid balance of Programming Fees for films that were available for exhibition by Starz Entertainment at March 31, 2009 is reflected as a liability in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet. The balance due as of March 31, 2009 is payable as follows: $60 million in 2009, $11 million in 2010 and $2 million thereafter.
Starz Entertainment has also contracted to pay Programming Fees for films that have been released theatrically, but are not available for exhibition by Starz Entertainment until some future date. These amounts have not been accrued at March 31, 2009. Starz Entertainment's estimate of amounts payable under these agreements is as follows: $330 million in 2009; $245 million in 2010; $98 million in 2011; $94 million in 2012; $84 million in 2013 and $211 million thereafter.
In addition, Starz Entertainment is also obligated to pay Programming Fees for all qualifying films that are released theatrically in the United States by studios owned by The Walt Disney Company ("Disney") through 2012 and all qualifying films that are released theatrically in the United States by studios owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment ("Sony") through 2016. Films are generally available to Starz Entertainment for exhibition 10-12 months after their theatrical release. The Programming Fees to be paid by Starz Entertainment are based on the quantity and the domestic theatrical exhibition receipts of qualifying films. As these films have not yet been released in theatres, Starz Entertainment is unable to estimate the amounts to be paid under these output agreements. However, such amounts are expected to be significant. In February 2009, Disney announced that it has agreed to enter into a long-term distribution arrangement with DreamWorks Studios. Under the terms of this arrangement, Disney will handle distribution and marketing for approximately six DreamWorks films each year. As a result of this arrangement, the number of qualifying films under Starz Entertainment's output agreement with Disney may be higher than it would have been otherwise.
In connection with an option exercised by Sony to extend the Sony contract through 2013, Starz Entertainment has agreed to pay Sony a total of $190 million in four annual installments of $47.5 million beginning in 2011. Starz Entertainment's payments to Sony will be amortized ratably as programming expense over the three-year period beginning when Starz Entertainment receives the first qualifying film released theatrically by Sony in 2011. In December 2008, Starz Entertainment entered into a new agreement with Sony for theatrical releases through 2016. Under the extension, Starz Entertainment has agreed to pay Sony $120 million in three equal annual installments beginning in 2015. Such payments will be amortized ratably as programming expense over the three-year period beginning when Starz Entertainment receives the first qualifying film released theatrically by Sony in 2014.
Guarantees
Liberty guarantees Starz Entertainment's obligations under certain of its studio output agreements. At March 31, 2009, Liberty's guarantees for obligations for films released by such date aggregated $720 million. While the guarantee amount for films not yet released is not determinable, such amount
I-22
LIBERTY MEDIA LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
is expected to be significant. As noted above, Starz Entertainment has recognized the liability for a portion of its obligations under the output agreements. As this represents a direct commitment of Starz Entertainment, a consolidated subsidiary of Liberty, Liberty has not recorded a separate indirect liability for its guarantee of these obligations.
In connection with agreements for the sale of certain assets, Liberty typically retains liabilities that relate to events occurring prior to its sale, such as tax, environmental, litigation and employment matters. Liberty generally indemnifies the purchaser in the event that a third party asserts a claim against the purchaser that relates to a liability retained by Liberty. These types of indemnification guarantees typically extend for a number of years. Liberty is unable to estimate the maximum potential liability for these types of indemnification guarantees as the sale agreements typically do not specify a maximum amount and the amounts are dependent upon the outcome of future contingent events, the nature and likelihood of which cannot be determined at this time. Historically, Liberty has not made any significant indemnification payments under such agreements and no amount has been accrued in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements with respect to these indemnification guarantees.
Sports Rights
Liberty Sports Group has entered into agreements with various professional and collegiate sports teams and leagues to purchase the rights to broadcast games through 2020. At March 31, 2009, such commitments aggregated $1,514 million and are due as follows: $117 million in 2009; $134 million in 2010; $133 million in 2011; $121 million in 2012; $105 million in 2013 and $904 million thereafter.
Employment Contracts
The Atlanta Braves and certain of their players and coaches have entered into long-term employment contracts whereby such individuals' compensation is guaranteed. Amounts due under guaranteed contracts as of March 31, 2009 aggregated $231 million, which is payable as follows: $80 million in 2009, $63 million in 2010, $49 million in 2011 and $39 million in 2012. In addition to the foregoing amounts, certain players and coaches may earn incentive compensation under the terms of their employment contracts.
Operating Leases
Liberty and its subsidiaries lease business offices, have entered into satellite transponder lease agreements and use certain equipment under lease arrangements.
Litigation
Liberty has contingent liabilities related to legal and tax proceedings and other matters arising in the ordinary course of business. Although it is reasonably possible Liberty may incur losses upon conclusion of such matters, an estimate of any loss or range of loss cannot be made. In the opinion of management, it is expected that amounts, if any, which may be required to satisfy such contingencies will not be material in relation to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.
(12) Information About Liberty's Operating Segments
Liberty, through its ownership interests in subsidiaries and other companies, is primarily engaged in the video and on-line commerce, media, communications and entertainment industries. Each of the
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LIBERTY MEDIA LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Company's businesses is separately managed. Liberty identifies its reportable segments as (A) those consolidated subsidiaries that represent 10% or more of its consolidated revenue, pre-tax earnings or total assets and (B) those equity method affiliates whose share of earnings represent 10% or more of Liberty's pre-tax earnings. The segment presentation for prior periods has been conformed to the current period segment presentation.
Liberty evaluates performance and makes decisions about allocating resources to its operating segments based on financial measures such as revenue, Adjusted OIBDA, gross margin, average sales price per unit, number of units shipped and revenue or sales per customer equivalent. In addition, Liberty reviews nonfinancial measures such as subscriber growth, penetration, website visitors, conversion rates and active customers, as appropriate.
Liberty defines Adjusted OIBDA as revenue less cost of sales, operating expenses, and selling, general and administrative expenses (excluding stock-based compensation). Liberty believes this measure is an important indicator of the operational strength and performance of its businesses, including each business's ability to service debt and fund capital expenditures. In addition, this measure allows management to view operating results and perform analytical comparisons and benchmarking between businesses and identify strategies to improve performance. This measure of performance excludes depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, separately reported litigation settlements and restructuring and impairment charges that are included in the measurement of operating income pursuant to GAAP. Accordingly, Adjusted OIBDA should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, operating income, net income, cash flow provided by operating activities and other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. Liberty generally accounts for intersegment sales and transfers as if the sales or transfers were to third parties, that is, at current prices.
For the three months ended March 31, 2009, Liberty has identified the following businesses as its reportable segments:
Liberty's reportable segments are strategic business units that offer different products and services. They are managed separately because each segment requires different technologies, distribution channels and marketing strategies. The accounting policies of the segments that are also consolidated subsidiaries are the same as those described in the Company's summary of significant policies.
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LIBERTY MEDIA LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
Performance Measures
|
Three months ended March 31, | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2009 | 2008 | ||||||||||||
|
Revenue | Adjusted OIBDA |
Revenue | Adjusted OIBDA |
||||||||||
|
amounts in millions |
|||||||||||||
Consolidated Subsidiaries |
||||||||||||||
QVC |
$ | 1,593 | 319 | 1,765 | 387 | |||||||||
Starz Entertainment |
296 | 108 | 273 | 74 | ||||||||||
Starz Media |
102 | 5 | 62 | (24 | ) | |||||||||
Corporate and other |
334 | 9 | 251 | (14 | ) | |||||||||
Consolidated Liberty |
$ | 2,325 | 441 | 2,351 | 423 | |||||||||
Equity Affiliate |
||||||||||||||
DIRECTV |
$ | 4,901 | 1,090 | 4,591 | 1,181 | |||||||||
Other Information
|
March 31, 2009 | ||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Total assets |
Investments in affiliates |
Capital expenditures |
||||||||
|
amounts in millions |
||||||||||
Consolidated Subsidiaries |
|||||||||||
QVC |
$ | 13,427 | 8 | 25 | |||||||
Starz Entertainment |
1,434 | | | ||||||||
Starz Media |
598 | | | ||||||||
Corporate and other |
27,448 | 14,591 | 14 | ||||||||
Consolidated Liberty |
$ | 42,907 | 14,599 | 39 | |||||||
Equity Affiliate |
|||||||||||
DIRECTV |
$ | 16,406 | 539 | ||||||||
The following table provides a reconciliation of segment Adjusted OIBDA to earnings (loss) before income taxes:
|
Three months ended March 31, |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2009 | 2008 | ||||||
|
amounts in millions |
|||||||
Consolidated segment Adjusted OIBDA |
$ | 441 | 423 | |||||
Stock-based compensation |
(28 | ) | (16 | ) | ||||
Depreciation and amortization |
(178 | ) | (177 | ) | ||||
Interest expense |
(154 | ) | (166 | ) | ||||
Share of earnings (losses) of affiliates |
(66 | ) | 45 | |||||
Realized and unrealized losses on financial instruments, net |
(235 | ) | (285 | ) | ||||
Gains (losses) on dispositions, net |
(2 | ) | 3,682 | |||||
Other, net |
33 | 117 | ||||||
Earnings (loss) before income taxes |
$ | (189 | ) | 3,623 | ||||
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Information Regarding Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding our business, product and marketing strategies; new service offerings; revenue growth and subscriber trends at QVC, Inc. and Starz Entertainment, LLC; anticipated programming and marketing costs at Starz Entertainment; the recoverability of our goodwill and other long-lived assets; counterparty performance under our derivative arrangements; the estimated value of our derivative instruments; and the anticipated non-material impact of certain contingent liabilities related to legal and tax proceedings and other matters arising in the ordinary course of business. Where, in any forward-looking statement, we express an expectation or belief as to future results or events, such expectation or belief is expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance that the expectation or belief will result or be achieved or accomplished. The following include some but not all of the factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated:
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For additional risk factors, please see Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008. These forward-looking statements and such risks, uncertainties and other factors speak only as of the date of this Quarterly Report, and we expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein, to reflect any change in our expectations with regard thereto, or any other change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.
The following discussion and analysis provides information concerning our results of operations and financial condition. This discussion should be read in conjunction with our accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.
Overview
We own controlling and non-controlling interests in a broad range of video and on-line commerce, media, communications and entertainment companies. Our more significant operating subsidiaries, which are also our principal reportable segments, are QVC, Inc. and Starz Entertainment, LLC. QVC markets and sells a wide variety of consumer products in the United States and several foreign countries, primarily by means of televised shopping programs on the QVC networks and via the Internet through its domestic and international websites. Starz Entertainment provides premium programming distributed by cable operators, direct-to-home satellite providers, telephone companies, other distributors and the Internet throughout the United States.
Our "Corporate and Other" category includes our other consolidated subsidiaries and corporate expenses. Our other consolidated subsidiaries include Provide Commerce, Inc., Backcountry.com, Inc., Bodybuilding.com, LLC, Starz Media, LLC, FUN Technologies, Inc., Atlanta National League Baseball Club, Inc. ("ANLBC"), Liberty Sports Holdings, LLC, Leisure Arts, Inc., TruePosition, Inc., BuySeasons, Inc. and WFRV and WJMN Television Station, Inc. Provide operates an e-commerce marketplace of websites for perishable goods, including flowers and fruits and desserts, as well as upscale personalized gifts. Backcountry operates eight websites offering outdoor and backcountry sports gear and clothing. Bodybuilding manages two websites related to sports nutrition, body building and fitness. Starz Media develops, acquires, produces and distributes live-action, and animated films and television productions for the theatrical, home video, television and other ancillary markets in the United States and internationally. FUN operates websites that offer casual skill games and fantasy sports services. ANLBC owns the Atlanta Braves, a major league baseball club, as well as certain of the Atlanta Braves' minor league clubs. Liberty Sports Group is comprised of three regional sports television networksFSN Rocky Mountain, FSN Northwest and FSN Pittsburgh. Leisure Arts publishes and markets needlework, craft, decorating, entertaining and other lifestyle interest "how-to" books. TruePosition provides equipment and technology that deliver location-based services to wireless users. BuySeasons operates BuyCostumes.com and CelebrateExpress.com, online retailers of costumes, accessories, décor and party supplies. WFRV TV Station is a CBS broadcast affiliate that serves Green Bay, Wisconsin and Escanaba, Michigan.
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In addition to the foregoing businesses, we hold an approximate 54% ownership interest in The DIRECTV Group, Inc. and a 24% ownership interest in Expedia, Inc., which we account for as equity method investments, and we continue to maintain investments and related financial instruments in public companies such as Time Warner, Time Warner Cable, IAC/InterActiveCorp and Sprint Nextel Corporation, which are accounted for at their respective fair market values and are included in corporate and other.
Split Off Transaction
During the fourth quarter of 2008, LMC's board of directors approved a plan to redeem a portion of the outstanding shares of LMC's Entertainment Group tracking stock for all of the outstanding shares of a newly formed subsidiary of LMC, Liberty Entertainment, Inc. The Redemption and resulting separation of LEI from our company are referred to as the "Split Off."
At the time of the Split Off, LEI will hold our interests in DIRECTV (and related collars and debt), Liberty Sports Group and GSN and $30 million in cash. In addition, we and LEI have entered into a revolving credit facility pursuant to which we will provide LEI with up to $300 million principal amount of loans. The Split Off is conditioned on, among other matters, receipt of LMC stockholder approval and receipt of a private letter ruling from the IRS and a tax opinion from tax counsel and is expected to occur in the second half of 2009.
Results of Operations
To assist you in understanding and analyzing our business in the same manner we do, we have organized the following discussion of our results of operations into two parts: Consolidated Operating Results and Operating Results by Business.
Consolidated Operating Results
|
Three months ended March 31, |
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2009 | 2008 | |||||||
|
amounts in millions |
||||||||
Revenue |
|||||||||
QVC |
$ | 1,593 | 1,765 | ||||||
Starz Entertainment |
296 | 273 | |||||||
Starz Media |
102 | 62 | |||||||
Corporate and other |
334 | 251 | |||||||
Consolidated Liberty |
$ | 2,325 | 2,351 | ||||||
Adjusted OIBDA |
|||||||||
QVC |
$ | 319 | 387 | ||||||
Starz Entertainment |
108 | 74 | |||||||
Starz Media |
5 | (24 | ) | ||||||
Corporate and other |
9 | (14 | ) | ||||||
Consolidated Liberty |
$ | 441 | 423 | ||||||
Operating Income (Loss) |
|||||||||
QVC |
$ | 178 | 250 | ||||||
Starz Entertainment |
95 | 60 | |||||||
Starz Media |
2 | (27 | ) | ||||||
Corporate and other |
(40 | ) | (53 | ) | |||||
Consolidated Liberty |
$ | 235 | 230 | ||||||
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Revenue. Our consolidated revenue decreased $26 million or 1.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2009, as compared to the corresponding prior year period. Such decrease is due primarily to a $172 million decrease for QVC offset by increases for our e-commerce businesses ($53 million), Starz Media ($40 million), Liberty Sports Group ($36 million) and Starz Entertainment ($23 million). The increase for Liberty Sports Group is the result of having a full quarter of revenue in 2009, as compared with one month in 2008. See Results of Business below for a more complete discussion of QVC's and Starz Entertainment's results of operations.
Adjusted OIBDA. We define Adjusted OIBDA as revenue less cost of sales, operating expenses and selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses (excluding stock compensation). Our chief operating decision maker and management team use this measure of performance in conjunction with other measures to evaluate our businesses and make decisions about allocating resources among our businesses. We believe this is an important indicator of the operational strength and performance of our businesses, including each business's ability to service debt and fund capital expenditures. In addition, this measure allows us to view operating results, perform analytical comparisons and benchmarking between businesses and identify strategies to improve performance. This measure of performance excludes such costs as depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, separately reported litigation settlements and restructuring and impairment charges that are included in the measurement of operating income pursuant to GAAP. Accordingly, Adjusted OIBDA should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, operating income, net income, cash flow provided by operating activities and other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. See note 12 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for a reconciliation of Adjusted OIBDA to Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes.
Consolidated Adjusted OIBDA increased $18 million or 4.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2009, as compared to the corresponding prior year period. Such increase is due primarily to increases for Starz Entertainment ($34 million), Starz Media ($29 million) and Liberty Sports Group ($21 million) partially offset by a $68 million decrease for QVC. Starz Media's revenue and Adjusted OIBDA increased in 2009 primarily due to the timing of theatrical and home video revenue and related expenses associated with films released by Overture Films. Theatrical print costs and advertising expenses related to the release of a film are recognized at the time the advertisements are run and generally exceed the theatrical revenue earned from the film. In addition, amortization of film production costs begins when revenue recognition begins. Although there can be no assurance, the expectation when films are approved for production or acquisition is that the ultimate revenue to be earned from theatrical release, home video and pay-per-view and premium television distribution, which revenue may be earned over several years, will exceed the costs associated with the film.
Stock-based compensation. Stock-based compensation includes compensation related to (1) options and stock appreciation rights ("SARs") for shares of LMC common stock that are granted to certain of our officers and employees, (2) phantom stock appreciation rights ("PSARs") granted to officers and employees of certain of our subsidiaries pursuant to private equity plans and (3) amortization of restricted stock grants.
We recorded $28 million and $16 million of stock compensation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The increase in stock compensation expense in 2009 relates to our liability awards and is due to an increase in our stock prices. As of March 31, 2009, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested LMC equity awards was approximately $85 million. Such amount will be recognized in our consolidated statements of operations over a weighted average period of approximately 2 years.
Operating income. Our consolidated operating income increased $5 million or 2.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2009, as compared to the corresponding prior year period. Such increase is
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the net result of the increases for Starz Entertainment and Starz Media, partially offset by the decrease for QVC.
Other Income and Expense
Interest expense. Consolidated interest expense decreased 7.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2009, as compared to the corresponding prior year period. Such decrease is due primarily to the 2008 retirement of certain of our senior notes and debentures and lower rates on our variable rate debt, partially offset by borrowings against our derivative positions.
Dividend and interest income-third party. Interest income decreased in 2009 due to lower interest rates.
Share of earnings (losses) of affiliates. The following table presents our share of earnings (losses) of affiliates:
|
Three months ended March 31, |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2009 | 2008 | |||||
|
amounts in millions |
||||||
DIRECTV |
$ | 32 | 36 | ||||
Expedia |
9 | 12 | |||||
Sirius |
| | |||||
Other |
(107 | ) | (3 | ) | |||
|
$ | (66 | ) | 45 | |||
As previously described, we acquired a 41% ownership interest in DIRECTV upon consummation of the News Corporation Exchange in February 2008. We subsequently purchased additional shares of DIRECTV for approximately $1.98 billion. Such purchase, coupled with DIRECTV's stock repurchases, has increased our ownership percentage to 54% as of March 31, 2009. Due to a voting arrangement with DIRECTV that limits our ability to control DIRECTV, we continue to account for our investment using the equity method. Our share of earnings of DIRECTV for the three months ended March 31, 2009 includes $75 million of amortization (net of related taxes) of identifiable intangibles included in our excess basis as described in note 6 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. Summarized results of operations information for DIRECTV derived from its historical financial statements are as follows:
|
Three months ended March 31, |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2009 | 2008 | ||||||
|
amounts in millions |
|||||||
Revenue |
$ | 4,901 | 4,591 | |||||
Costs of revenue |
(2,461 | ) | (2,288 | ) | ||||
SG&A expenses |
(1,350 | ) | (1,122 | ) | ||||
Depreciation and amortization |
(666 | ) | (524 | ) | ||||
Operating income |
424 | 657 | ||||||
Interest expense |
(101 |
) |
(63 |
) |
||||
Other income, net |
13 | 19 | ||||||
Income tax expense |
(124 | ) | (230 | ) | ||||
Net earnings |
$ | 212 | 383 | |||||
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DIRECTV achieved growth in revenue in 2009 due primarily to a larger subscriber base in 2009, partially offset by lower pay-per-view, premium movie channel and advertising revenue. DIRECTV's average revenue per subscriber was relatively flat in 2009, as compared to 2008. The revenue growth was offset by higher subscriber acquisition, upgrade and retention costs, as well as higher programming costs, which resulted in lower operating income. For a more detailed discussion of DIRECTV's results of operations, please see their Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2009 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). We have had no part in the preparation of DIRECTV's filings with the SEC and are not incorporating by reference any such filing in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Our "other" share of losses in 2009 include $46 million for Ticketmaster and $48 million for HSN. As we record our share of losses for these affiliates on a three month lag, the losses reflected in our first quarter 2009 results include our share of goodwill impairment charges recorded by Ticketmaster and HSN in the fourth quarter of 2008 that are in excess of other than temporary impairment charges that we recorded on these investments in the fourth quarter of 2008.
Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments. Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments are comprised of changes in the fair value of the following:
|
Three months ended March 31, |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2009 | 2008 | |||||
|
amounts in millions |
||||||
Statement 159 Securities |
$ | 10 | (1,421 | ) | |||
Exchangeable senior debentures |
(235 | ) | 337 | ||||
Equity collars |
(50 | ) | 558 | ||||
Borrowed shares |
5 | 432 | |||||
Other derivatives |
35 | (191 | ) | ||||
|
$ | (235 | ) | (285 | ) | ||
Gains (losses) on dispositions. Gains on dispositions in 2008 include $3,666 million related to the News Corporation Exchange.
Income taxes. Our effective tax rate in 2009 is 54.0% and exceeds the U.S. federal income tax rate of 35% due to state tax benefits. In 2008, we had pre-tax income of $3,623 million and an income tax benefit of $1,884 million. The News Corporation Exchange completed in 2008 qualifies as an IRC Section 355 transaction, and therefore does not trigger federal or state income tax obligations. In addition, upon consummation of this exchange transaction, deferred tax liabilities previously recorded for the difference between our book and tax bases in our News Corporation investment in the amount of $1,791 million were reversed with an offset to income tax benefit.
Net earnings (loss). Our net earnings (loss) were $(87) million and $5,507 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively, and were the result of the above-described fluctuations in our revenue and expenses.
Operating Results by Business
QVC. QVC is a retailer of a wide range of consumer products, which are marketed and sold primarily by merchandise-focused televised shopping programs and via the Internet. In the United States, QVC's live programming is aired through its nationally televised shopping network 24 hours a day ("QVC-US"). Internationally, QVC's program services are based in the United Kingdom ("QVC-UK"), Germany ("QVC-Germany") and Japan ("QVC-Japan"). QVC-UK broadcasts 24 hours
I-31
a day with 17 hours of live programming, and QVC-Germany and QVC-Japan each broadcast live 24 hours a day.
QVC's operating results are as follows:
|
Three months ended March 31, |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2009 | 2008 | ||||||
|
amounts in millions |
|||||||
Net revenue |
$ | 1,593 | 1,765 | |||||
Cost of sales |
(1,033 | ) | (1,120 | ) | ||||
Gross profit |
560 | 645 | ||||||
Operating expenses |
(158 | ) | (169 | ) | ||||
SG&A expenses (excluding stock-based compensation) |
(83 | ) | (89 | ) | ||||
Adjusted OIBDA |
319 | 387 | ||||||
Stock-based compensation |
(4 | ) | (5 | ) | ||||
Depreciation and amortization |
(137 | ) | (132 | ) | ||||
Operating income |
$ | 178 | 250 | |||||
Net revenue is generated in the following geographical areas:
|
Three months ended March 31, |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2009 | 2008 | |||||
|
amounts in millions |
||||||
QVC-US |
$ | 1,053 | 1,176 | ||||
QVC-UK |
117 | 172 | |||||
QVC-Germany |
223 | 249 | |||||
QVC-Japan |
200 | 168 | |||||
|
$ | 1,593 | 1,765 | ||||
QVC's net revenue decreased 9.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2009, as compared to the corresponding prior year period. Such decrease is comprised of $210 million due to a 11.5% decrease in the number of units shipped, $56 million due to unfavorable foreign currency rates and $21 million due to lower shipping and handling revenue. These decreases were partially offset by a $76 million increase due to a 5.4% increase in the average sales price per unit ("ASP") and $39 million due to a decrease in estimated product returns. Returns as a percent of gross product revenue decreased from 19.9% to 18.9% and reflect a shift in the mix from jewelry to home products, which typically have lower return rates.
During the three months ended March 31, 2009, the changes in revenue and expenses were impacted by changes in the exchange rates for the UK pound sterling, the euro and the Japanese yen. In the event the U.S. dollar strengthens against these foreign currencies in the future, QVC's revenue
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and operating cash flow will be negatively impacted. The percentage increase (decrease) in revenue for each of QVC's geographic areas in dollars and in local currency is as follows:
|
Percentage increase (decrease) in net revenue |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Three months ended March 31, 2009 |
||||||
|
U.S. dollars | Local currency | |||||
QVC-US |
(10.5 | )% | (10.5 | )% | |||
QVC-UK |
(32.0 | )% | (5.6 | )% | |||
QVC-Germany |
(10.4 | )% | 2.8 | % | |||
QVC-Japan |
19.0 | % | 5.9 | % |
Revenue of QVC-US continues to be negatively impacted in 2009 by a slow retail environment with weakness experienced in the jewelry, apparel and accessories categories. The home area was able to maintain its prior year sales level due to growth in the electronics and kitchen product categories. QVC-US has experienced a decrease in shipping and handling revenue due to an increase in promotional offers. QVC-UK showed a decline in net revenue in local currency primarily due to a decline in the sales of jewelry and home products, offset slightly by an increase in sales of apparel products. QVC-Germany's net revenue in local currency increased during the three months ended March 31, 2009 due to efforts to grow the beauty business. While QVC-Germany experienced a decline in sales in the home, jewelry and apparel categories, the accessories category, which includes beauty products, increased from 15% to 24% of the total product sales mix. QVC-Japan has shown an increase in net revenue in local currency due primarily to an increase in jewelry and fashion accessories. Japan continues to show weakness in the health and beauty product categories due to the heightened regulatory focus on such products.
The QVC service is already received by substantially all of the cable television and direct broadcast satellite homes in the U.S. and Germany. In addition, the rate of growth in households is expected to diminish in the UK and Japan. Therefore, future sales growth will primarily depend on additions of new customers from homes already receiving the QVC service and growth in sales to existing customers. QVC's future sales may also be affected by (i) the willingness of cable and satellite distributors to continue carrying QVC's programming service, (ii) QVC's ability to maintain favorable channel positioning, which may become more difficult as distributors convert analog customers to digital, (iii) changes in television viewing habits because of personal video recorders, video-on-demand and IP television and (iv) general economic conditions.
QVC's gross profit percentage decreased from 36.5% to 35.2% during the three months ended March 31, 2009, as compared to the corresponding prior year period. Such decrease is primarily due to lower initial product margins for jewelry, home and apparel products.
QVC's operating expenses are principally comprised of commissions, order processing and customer service expenses, credit card processing fees, telecommunications expense and production costs. Operating expenses decreased 6.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2009, as compared to the corresponding prior year period. As a percentage of net revenue, operating expenses were 9.9% and 9.6% in 2009 and 2008, respectively. The 2009 increase in operating expenses as a percent of revenue is due primarily to production costs, which are generally fixed costs.
QVC's SG&A expenses include personnel, information technology, provision for doubtful accounts, credit card income and marketing and advertising expenses. Such expenses decreased 6.7% during the three months ended March 31, 2009, as compared to the corresponding prior year period. This decrease is primarily due to lower personnel expenses of $9 million and increased credit card income of $4 million. Personnel expenses decreased primarily related to a reduction in workforce administered in the fourth quarter of 2008 as well as lower bonus accruals. These decreases were partially offset by a
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$6 million increase in the bad debt provision. QVC has experienced an increase in write-offs and reserves related to its installment receivables and private label credit card. Such increases in bad debt are due to an increase in customer use of the installment payment plan offered by QVC and to the recessionary economic conditions.
Starz Entertainment. Starz Entertainment provides premium programming distributed by cable operators, direct-to-home satellite providers, telephone companies, other distributors and the Internet throughout the United States. Substantially all of Starz Entertainment's revenue is derived from the delivery of movies to subscribers under affiliation agreements with television video programming distributors. Some of Starz Entertainment's affiliation agreements provide for payments to Starz Entertainment based on the number of subscribers that receive Starz Entertainment's services. Starz Entertainment also has fixed-rate affiliation agreements with certain of its customers. Pursuant to these agreements, the customers pay an agreed-upon rate regardless of the number of subscribers. The agreed-upon rate is contractually increased annually or semi-annually as the case may be. The affiliation agreements expire in 2009 through 2013. During the three months ended March 31, 2009, 57.8% of Starz Entertainment's revenue was generated by its three largest customers, Comcast, DIRECTV and Dish Network, each of which individually generated more than 10% of Starz Entertainment's revenue for such period. Subsequent to March 31, 2009, Starz Entertainment and DIRECTV extended their affiliation agreement until June 30, 2013 with substantially the same economic terms as the existing affiliation agreement. Notwithstanding the June 2013 termination date, each of DIRECTV and Starz Entertainment can cause the affiliation agreement to expire if the Merger Agreement is terminated for certain specified reasons. If the affiliation agreement expires under these circumstances, Starz Entertainment and DIRECTV would revert to the previous affiliation agreement which would continue on a month-to-month basis unless terminated by either party upon 60 days written notice. Comcast's affiliation agreement to distribute Encore expires in September 2009. DISH Network's affiliation agreement expires in June 2009.
Starz Entertainment's operating results are as follows:
|
Three months ended March 31, |
|||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
2009 | 2008 | ||||||
|
amounts in millions |
|||||||
Revenue |
$ | 296 | 273 | |||||
Operating expenses |
(161 | ) | (167 | ) | ||||
SG&A expenses |
(27 | ) | (32 | ) | ||||
Adjusted OIBDA |
108 | 74 | ||||||
Stock-based compensation |
(9 | ) | (10 | ) | ||||
Depreciation and amortization |
(4 | ) | (4 | ) | ||||
Operating income |
$ | 95 | 60 | |||||
Starz Entertainment's revenue increased 8.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2009, as compared to the corresponding prior year period. Such increase in revenue is comprised of $13 million due to a higher effective rate for Starz Entertainment's services and $10 million due to growth in the weighted average number of subscriptions.
The Starz movie service and Encore and the Encore thematic multiplex channels ("EMP") movie service are the primary drivers of Starz Entertainment's revenue. Starz average subscriptions increased 8.1% in 2009; and EMP average subscriptions increased 2.4% in 2009. The effects on revenue of these increases in subscriptions units are somewhat mitigated by the fixed-rate affiliation agreements that Starz Entertainment has entered into in recent years. In this regard, approximately 36.9% of Starz Entertainment's revenue in 2009 was earned under its fixed-rate affiliation agreements.
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Starz Entertainment's operating expenses decreased 3.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2009, as compared to the corresponding prior year period. Such decrease is due primarily to a reduction in license fees, which decreased from $157 million in 2008 to $149 million in 2009. Such decrease in license fees is due to a decrease in the percentage of first-run movie exhibitions (which have a relatively higher cost per title) as compared to the number of library product exhibitions ($17 million), partially offset by higher effective rates ($6 million) and the amortization of production costs for original series ($3 million).
Starz Entertainment's SG&A expenses decreased 15.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2009, as compared to the corresponding prior year period. Such decrease is due primarily to lower personnel costs.
Starz Entertainment has outstanding phantom stock appreciation rights held by its former chief executive officer. Starz Entertainment also has a long-term incentive plan for certain members of its current management team. Compensation relating to the PSARs and the long-term incentive plan has been recorded based upon the estimated fair value of Starz Entertainment. The amount of expense associated with the PSARs and the long-term incentive plan is generally based on the change in the fair value of Starz Entertainment.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
In accordance with Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including its chief executive officer, principal accounting officer and principal financial officer (the "Executives"), of the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Executives concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2009 to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in its reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms.
There has been no change in the Company's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the three months ended March 31, 2009 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control over financial reporting.
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LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION
For information regarding institution of, or material changes in, material legal proceedings that have been reported this fiscal year, reference is made to Part I, Item 3 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 24, 2009. There have been no material developments in such legal proceedings during the three months ended March 31, 2009.
Listed below are the exhibits which are filed as a part of this Report (according to the number assigned to them in Item 601 of Regulation S-K):
31.1 | Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification* | ||
31.2 | Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification* | ||
31.3 | Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification* | ||
32 | Section 1350 Certification** |
II-1
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
LIBERTY MEDIA LLC |
||||
Date: May 14, 2009 |
By: |
/s/ GREGORY B. MAFFEI Gregory B. Maffei President and Chief Executive Officer |
||
Date: May 14, 2009 |
By: |
/s/ DAVID J.A. FLOWERS David J.A. Flowers Senior Vice President and Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer) |
||
Date: May 14, 2009 |
By: |
/s/ CHRISTOPHER W. SHEAN Christopher W. Shean Senior Vice President and Controller (Principal Accounting Officer) |
II-2
Listed below are the exhibits which are filed as a part of this Report (according to the number assigned to them in Item 601 of Regulation S-K):
31.1 | Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification* | ||
31.2 | Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification* | ||
31.3 | Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification* | ||
32 | Section 1350 Certification** |