Table of Contents

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

 

 

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2017

OR

 

 

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from                to                

Commission File Number 001-35707

LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

 

State of Delaware

 

37-1699499

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

 

 

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 (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒    No ☐

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 ☒    No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company,  or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Large accelerated filer ☒

 

Accelerated filer ☐

 

Non-accelerated filer ☐
(do not check if smaller
reporting company)

 

Smaller reporting company ☐

 

Emerging growth company ☐

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. Yes ☐    No ☒

The number of outstanding shares of Liberty Media Corporation's common stock as of April 30, 2017 was:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series A

 

Series B

 

Series C

 

Liberty SiriusXM common stock

 

102,507,107

 

9,870,856

 

223,303,130

 

Liberty Braves common stock

 

10,238,291

 

986,791

 

38,241,742

 

Liberty Formula One common stock

 

25,612,508

 

2,466,778

 

173,916,106

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

Table of Contents

 

Table of Contents

 

 

 

 

LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) 

I-3

LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Operations (unaudited) 

I-5

LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Earnings (Loss) (unaudited) 

I-7

LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (unaudited) 

I-8

LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity (unaudited) 

I-9

LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) 

I-10

 

 

 

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

I-41

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

I-58

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

I-59

 

 

 

Part II - Other Information 

II-1

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

II-1

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

II-1

 

Item 6. Exhibits

II-2

 

 

 

SIGNATURES 

II-3

EXHIBIT INDEX 

II-4

 

 

I-2


 

Table of Contents

LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 31, 2017

    

December 31, 2016

 

 

amounts in millions

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

1,071

 

562

 

Trade and other receivables, net

 

280

 

240

 

Other current assets

 

357

 

227

 

Total current assets

 

1,708

 

1,029

 

Investments in available-for-sale securities and other cost investments (note 7)

 

582

 

1,309

 

Investments in affiliates, accounted for using the equity method (note 8)

 

1,101

 

1,117

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property and equipment, at cost

 

3,329

 

3,182

 

Accumulated depreciation

 

(863)

 

(830)

 

 

 

2,466

 

2,352

 

Intangible assets not subject to amortization (note 9):

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

18,313

 

14,345

 

FCC licenses

 

8,600

 

8,600

 

Other

 

1,073

 

1,073

 

 

 

27,986

 

24,018

 

Intangible assets subject to amortization, net (note 9)

 

6,467

 

1,072

 

Other assets

 

692

 

480

 

Total assets

$

41,002

 

31,377

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Equity

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

$

971

 

985

 

Current portion of debt

 

48

 

 5

 

Deferred revenue

 

2,466

 

1,877

 

Other current liabilities

 

27

 

 5

 

Total current liabilities

 

3,512

 

2,872

 

Long-term debt, including $2,107 million and $1,546 million measured at fair value at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively (note 10)

 

13,306

 

8,013

 

Deferred income tax liabilities

 

2,646

 

2,025

 

Other liabilities

 

762

 

751

 

Total liabilities

 

20,226

 

13,661

 

 

 (Continued)

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

I-3


 

Table of Contents

LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Continued)

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

March 31, 2017

    

December 31, 2016

 

 

 

amounts in millions,

 

 

 

except share amounts

 

Stockholders' equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 50,000,000 shares; no shares issued

 

 

 —

 

 —

 

Series A Liberty SiriusXM common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 2,000,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 102,504,517 shares at March 31, 2017 and 102,390,088 shares at December 31, 2016  (note 2)

 

 

 1

 

 1

 

Series A Liberty Braves common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 200,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 10,238,161 shares at March 31, 2017 and 10,231,185 shares at December 31, 2016 (note 2)

 

 

 —

 

 —

 

Series A Liberty Formula One common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 500,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 25,608,045 shares at March 31, 2017 and 25,593,352 shares at December 31, 2016 (note 2)

 

 

 —

 

 —

 

Series B Liberty SiriusXM common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 75,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 9,870,856 shares at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (note 2)

 

 

 —

 

 —

 

Series B Liberty Braves common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 7,500,000 shares; issued and outstanding 986,791 shares at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (note 2)

 

 

 —

 

 —

 

Series B Liberty Formula One common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 18,750,000 shares; issued and outstanding 2,466,778 shares at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (note 2)

 

 

 —

 

 —

 

Series C Liberty SiriusXM common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 2,000,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 223,273,754 shares at March 31, 2017 and 222,936,204 shares at December 31, 2016 (note 2)

 

 

 2

 

 2

 

Series C Liberty Braves common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 200,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 38,238,293 shares at March 31, 2017 and 38,215,276 shares at December 31, 2016  (note 2)

 

 

 —

 

 —

 

Series C Liberty Formula One common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 500,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 173,888,913 shares at March 31, 2017 and 55,737,179 shares at December 31, 2016 (note 2)

 

 

 2

 

 1

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

3,331

 

87

 

Accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of taxes

 

 

(62)

 

(62)

 

Retained earnings

 

 

11,706

 

11,727

 

Total stockholders' equity

 

 

14,980

 

11,756

 

Noncontrolling interests in equity of subsidiaries

 

 

5,796

 

5,960

 

Total equity

 

 

20,776

 

17,716

 

Commitments and contingencies (note 11)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and equity

 

$

41,002

 

31,377

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

I-4


 

Table of Contents

LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Operations

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

    

2017

    

2016

 

 

 

amounts in millions,

 

 

 

except per share amounts

 

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subscriber revenue

 

$

1,078

 

1,009

 

Formula 1 revenue

 

 

96

 

 —

 

Other revenue

 

 

221

 

195

 

Total revenue

 

 

1,395

 

1,204

 

Operating costs and expenses, including stock based compensation (note 4):

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of subscriber services (exclusive of depreciation shown separately below):

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue share and royalties

 

 

277

 

252

 

Programming and content

 

 

96

 

85

 

Customer service and billing

 

 

97

 

97

 

Other

 

 

27

 

33

 

Cost of Formula 1 revenue

 

 

68

 

 —

 

Subscriber acquisition costs

 

 

127

 

132

 

Other operating expense

 

 

41

 

47

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

 

239

 

201

 

Legal settlement, net (note 11)

 

 

 —

 

(511)

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

164

 

87

 

 

 

 

1,136

 

423

 

Operating income (loss)

 

 

259

 

781

 

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

(140)

 

(84)

 

Share of earnings (losses) of affiliates, net (note 8)

 

 

(4)

 

(12)

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net (note 6)

 

 

(12)

 

(8)

 

Other, net

 

 

17

 

 7

 

 

 

 

(139)

 

(97)

 

Earnings (loss) before income taxes

 

 

120

 

684

 

Income tax (expense) benefit

 

 

(76)

 

(257)

 

Net earnings (loss)

 

 

44

 

427

 

Less net earnings (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interests

 

 

65

 

63

 

Net earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty stockholders

 

$

(21)

 

364

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty stockholders:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liberty Media Corporation common stock

 

$

 —

 

364

 

Liberty SiriusXM common stock

 

 

124

 

 —

 

Liberty Braves common stock

 

 

(49)

 

 —

 

Liberty Formula One common stock

 

 

(96)

 

 —

 

 

 

$

(21)

 

364

 

(Continued)

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

I-5


 

Table of Contents

LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Operations (Continued)

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2017

    

2016

 

Basic net earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty stockholders per common share
(notes 2 and 5)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series A, B and C Liberty Media Corporation common stock

 

$

NA

 

1.09

 

Series A, B and C Liberty SiriusXM common stock

 

 

0.37

 

NA

 

Series A, B and C Liberty Braves common stock

 

 

(1.00)

 

NA

 

Series A, B and C Liberty Formula One common stock

 

 

(0.55)

 

NA

 

Diluted net earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty stockholders per common share
(notes 2 and 5)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series A, B and C Liberty Media Corporation common stock

 

$

NA

 

1.08

 

Series A, B and C Liberty SiriusXM common stock

 

 

0.37

 

NA

 

Series A, B and C Liberty Braves common stock

 

 

(1.00)

 

NA

 

Series A, B and C Liberty Formula One common stock

 

 

(0.55)

 

NA

 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

I-6


 

Table of Contents

 

LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Earnings (Loss)

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

    

2017

    

2016

 

 

 

amounts in millions

 

Net earnings (loss)

 

$

44

 

427

 

Other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of taxes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

 

 

 —

 

 8

 

Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period

 

 

(2)

 

 —

 

Share of other comprehensive earnings (loss) of equity affiliates

 

 

 2

 

 —

 

Comprehensive earnings (loss)

 

 

44

 

435

 

Less comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interests

 

 

65

 

65

 

Comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty stockholders

 

$

(21)

 

370

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty stockholders:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liberty Media Corporation common stock

 

$

NA

 

370

 

Liberty SiriusXM common stock

 

 

124

 

NA

 

Liberty Braves common stock

 

 

(51)

 

NA

 

Liberty Formula One common stock

 

 

(94)

 

NA

 

 

 

$

(21)

 

370

 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

I-7


 

Table of Contents

LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

    

2017

    

2016

 

 

 

amounts in millions

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

 

$

44

 

427

 

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

164

 

87

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

44

 

34

 

Share of (earnings) loss of affiliates, net

 

 

 4

 

12

 

Realized and unrealized (gains) losses on financial instruments, net

 

 

12

 

 8

 

Noncash interest expense

 

 

 2

 

 2

 

Losses (gains) on dilution of investment in affiliate

 

 

(2)

 

 2

 

Deferred income tax expense (benefit)

 

 

126

 

114

 

Other, net

 

 

 4

 

 1

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current and other assets

 

 

 8

 

(23)

 

Payables and other liabilities

 

 

(3)

 

223

 

Net cash provided (used) by operating activities

 

 

403

 

887

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments in and loans to cost and equity investees

 

 

(5)

 

(11)

 

Net cash paid for the acquisition of Formula 1

 

 

(1,647)

 

 —

 

Capital expended for property and equipment

 

 

(156)

 

(67)

 

Purchases of short term investments and other marketable securities

 

 

 —

 

(99)

 

Sales of short term investments and other marketable securities

 

 

 —

 

53

 

Other investing activities, net

 

 

11

 

(1)

 

Net cash provided (used) by investing activities

 

 

(1,797)

 

(125)

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Borrowings of debt

 

 

1,844

 

335

 

Repayments of debt

 

 

(1,154)

 

(111)

 

Proceeds from issuance of Series C Liberty Formula One common stock

 

 

1,550

 

 —

 

Subsidiary shares repurchased by subsidiary

 

 

(306)

 

(594)

 

Cash dividends paid by subsidiary

 

 

(15)

 

 —

 

Taxes paid in lieu of shares issued for stock-based compensation

 

 

(22)

 

(4)

 

Other financing activities, net

 

 

 5

 

13

 

Net cash provided (used) by financing activities

 

 

1,902

 

(361)

 

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 1

 

 —

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

509

 

401

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

 

562

 

201

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

1,071

 

602

 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

I-8


 

Table of Contents

LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statement Of Equity

(unaudited)

Three months ended March 31, 2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders' equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

 

Accumulated

    

 

    

Noncontrolling

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional

 

other

 

 

 

interest in

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred

 

Liberty Sirius XM

 

Liberty Braves

 

Liberty Formula One

 

Paid-in

 

comprehensive

 

Retained

 

equity of

 

Total

 

 

    

Stock

 

Series A

    

Series B

    

Series C

 

Series A

    

Series B

    

Series C

 

Series A

    

Series B

    

Series C

    

Capital

 

earnings (loss)

    

earnings

    

subsidiaries

    

equity

 

 

 

amounts in millions

 

Balance at January 1, 2017

 

$

 —

 

 1

 

 —

 

 2

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 1

 

87

 

(62)

 

11,727

 

5,960

 

17,716

 

Net earnings

 

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

(21)

 

65

 

44

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

25

 

 —

 

 —

 

 9

 

34

 

Withholding taxes on net share settlements of stock-based compensation

 

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

(22)

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

(22)

 

Issuance of stock upon exercise of stock options

 

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 5

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 5

 

Shares issued in private placement transaction

 

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

1,550

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

1,550

 

Shares issued as consideration in acquisition of Formula 1

 

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 1

 

1,616

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

1,617

 

Delta Topco Exchangeable Notes conversion option

 

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

145

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

145

 

Shares repurchased by subsidiary

 

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

(67)

 

 —

 

 —

 

(232)

 

(299)

 

Shares issued by subsidiary

 

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

(9)

 

 —

 

 —

 

 9

 

 —

 

Dividends paid by subsidiary

 

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

(15)

 

(15)

 

Other, net

 

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 1

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 1

 

Balance at March 31, 2017

 

$

 —

 

 1

 

 —

 

 2

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 2

 

3,331

 

(62)

 

11,706

 

5,796

 

20,776

 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

I-9


 

Table of Contents

LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

(1)   Basis of Presentation

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include all the accounts of Liberty Media Corporation and its controlled subsidiaries (formerly named Liberty Spinco, Inc.) ("Liberty" or the "Company" unless the context otherwise requires). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Liberty, through its ownership of interests in subsidiaries and other companies, is primarily engaged in the media, communications and entertainment industries globally. The significant subsidiaries include Sirius XM Holdings Inc. ("SIRIUS XM"), Delta Topco Limited (the parent company of Formula 1) (“Delta Topco”) and Braves Holdings, LLC ("Braves Holdings"). Our significant investment accounted for under the equity method is Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. ("Live Nation"). 

The accompanying (a) condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2016, which has been derived from audited financial statements, and (b) the 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 (“SEC”). 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. Additionally, certain prior period amounts have been reclassified for comparability with current period presentation. 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, 2016.

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. The Company considers (i) fair value measurement of non-financial instruments, (ii) accounting for income taxes, (iii) assessments of other-than-temporary declines in fair value of its investments and (iv) the determination of the useful life of SIRIUS XM’s broadcast/transmission system 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 the Company 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 misstatements of the financial information provided by its equity affiliates that would have a material effect on Liberty's condensed consolidated financial statements. 

Liberty has entered into certain agreements with Liberty Interactive Corporation (“Liberty Interactive”), Starz, Liberty TripAdvisor Holdings, Inc. (“TripCo”), Liberty Broadband Corporation (“Liberty Broadband”), CommerceHub, Inc. (“CommerceHub”) and Liberty Expedia Holdings (“Expedia Holdings”), all of which are separate publicly traded companies (other than Starz after its acquisition by Lions Gate Entertainment Corp.), in order to govern relationships between the companies. None of these entities has any stock ownership, beneficial or otherwise, in any of the others (except that Liberty Interactive owns shares of Liberty Broadband’s Series C non-voting common stock). These agreements include Reorganization Agreements (in the case of Starz and Liberty Broadband only), Services Agreements, Facilities Sharing Agreements (excluding CommerceHub), a Lease Agreement (in the case of Starz only) and Tax Sharing Agreements (in the case of Starz and Liberty Broadband only).

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LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

The Reorganization Agreements provide for, among other things, provisions governing the relationships between Liberty and each of Liberty Interactive, Starz and Liberty Broadband, respectively, including certain cross-indemnities. Pursuant to the Services Agreements, Liberty provides Liberty Interactive, Starz, TripCo, Liberty Broadband, CommerceHub and Expedia Holdings with general and administrative services including legal, tax, accounting, treasury and investor relations support. Liberty Interactive, Starz, TripCo, Liberty Broadband, CommerceHub and Expedia Holdings reimburse Liberty for direct, out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Liberty in providing these services and, in the case of Liberty Interactive and Starz, Liberty Interactive's and Starz's respective allocable portion of costs associated with any shared services or personnel based on an estimated percentage of time spent providing services to each respective company, while TripCo, Liberty Broadband, CommerceHub and Expedia Holdings pay an annual fee for the provision of these services. Under the Facilities Sharing Agreements, Liberty shares office space and related amenities at its corporate headquarters with Liberty Interactive, TripCo, Liberty Broadband and Expedia Holdings. Under these various agreements approximately $6 million and $5 million of these allocated expenses were reimbursed to Liberty during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Under the Lease Agreement, Starz leases its corporate headquarters from Liberty. The Lease Agreement with Starz for their corporate headquarters requires a payment of approximately $4 million annually, subject to certain increases based on the Consumer Price Index.

Seasonality

Formula 1 recognizes the majority of its revenue and expenses in connection with World Championship race events (“Events”) that take place in different countries around the world throughout the year. The Events generally take place between March and November each year. As a result, the revenue and expenses recognized by Formula 1 are generally lower during the first quarter as compared to the rest of the quarters throughout the year.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued new accounting guidance on revenue from contracts with customers.  The new guidance requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. This new guidance also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. In March 2016, the FASB issued additional guidance which clarifies principal versus agent considerations, and in April 2016, the FASB issued further guidance which clarifies the identification of performance obligations and the implementation guidance for licensing. The updated guidance will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in GAAP when it becomes effective and permits the use of either a full retrospective or modified retrospective transition method. This guidance is currently effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017. We currently plan to adopt this guidance under the modified retrospective transition method. We have identified the Company’s various revenue streams and are currently working with our subsidiaries to evaluate the quantitative effects of the new guidance. We will continue to provide updates as to the progress of our evaluation in our quarterly reports during 2017.

In March 2016, the FASB issued new accounting guidance on share-based payment accounting. The areas for simplification in this update involve several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, forfeiture calculations, and classification on the statement of cash flows. We early adopted this new guidance in the third quarter of 2016. In accordance with the new guidance, excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies are recognized as income tax benefit or expense rather than as additional paid-in capital. The Company has elected to recognize forfeitures as they occur rather than continue to estimate expected forfeitures. In addition, pursuant to the new guidance, excess tax benefits are classified as an operating activity on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. The recognition of excess tax benefits and deficiencies are applied prospectively. The presentation changes for excess tax benefits have been applied retrospectively in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations, resulting in the reclassification of $73 million of

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LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

excess tax benefits for the three months ended March 31, 2016 from cash flows from financing activities to cash flows from operating activities.

In February 2016, the FASB issued new accounting guidance on lease accounting. This guidance requires a company to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities arising from operating leases in the statement of financial position. Additionally, the criteria for classifying a lease as a finance lease versus an operating lease are substantially the same as the previous guidance. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and early adoption is permitted. We plan to adopt this guidance on January 1, 2019. Companies are required to use a modified retrospective approach to adopt this guidance.  The Company is currently working with its consolidated subsidiaries to evaluate the impact of the adoption of this new guidance on our consolidated financial statements, including identifying the population of leases, evaluating technology solutions and collecting lease data.

In January 2016, the FASB issued new accounting guidance that is intended to improve the recognition and measurement of financial instruments. The new guidance requires equity investments with readily determinable fair values (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income and simplifies the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values by requiring a qualitative assessment to identify impairment. The new standard is effective for the Company for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company has not yet determined the effect of the standard on its ongoing financial reporting.

In October 2016, the FASB issued new accounting guidance on income tax accounting associated with intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory. This accounting update, which is part of the FASB's simplification initiative, is intended to reduce diversity in practice and the complexity of tax accounting, particularly for those transfers involving intellectual property. This new guidance requires an entity to recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. The guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. Upon adoption, an entity may apply the new guidance only on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment directly to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this new guidance on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In January 2017, the FASB issued new accounting guidance to simplify the measurement of goodwill impairment. Under the new guidance, an entity will no longer perform a hypothetical purchase price allocation to measure goodwill impairment. Instead, impairment will be measured using the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of the reporting unit. The guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted for goodwill impairment tests with measurement dates after January 1, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the effect that the updated standard will have on its financial statements and related disclosures.

(2) Tracking Stocks

During November 2015, Liberty’s board of directors authorized management to pursue a recapitalization of the Company’s common stock into three new tracking stock groups, one to be designated as the Liberty Braves common stock, one to be designated as the Liberty Media common stock and one to be designated as the Liberty SiriusXM common stock (the “Recapitalization”), and to cause to be distributed subscription rights related to the Liberty Braves common stock following the creation of the new tracking stocks.

 

The Recapitalization was completed on April 15, 2016 and the newly issued shares commenced trading or quotation in the regular way on the Nasdaq Global Select Market or the OTC Markets, as applicable, on Monday, April 18, 2016.  In

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LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

May 2016, the IRS completed its review of the Recapitalization and notified Liberty that it agreed with the nontaxable characterization of the transaction. The operating results prior to the Recapitalization are attributed to Liberty stockholders in the aggregate. However, the information in the following footnotes has been presented by tracking stock groups for all periods presented in order to enhance the information provided to users of these financial statements.

 

In the Recapitalization, each issued and outstanding share of Liberty’s existing common stock was reclassified and exchanged for (a) 1 share of the corresponding series of Liberty SiriusXM common stock, (b) 0.1 of a share of the corresponding series of Liberty Braves common stock and (c) 0.25 of a share of the corresponding series of Liberty Media common stock on April 15, 2016. Cash was paid in lieu of the issuance of any fractional shares.

 

Following the creation of the tracking stocks, Series A, Series B and Series C Liberty Braves common stock trade under the symbols BATRA/B/K respectively, Series A, Series B and Series C Liberty Media common stock traded under the symbols LMCA/B/K, respectively, and Series A, Series B and Series C Liberty SiriusXM common stock trade under the symbols LSXMA/B/K, respectively. Shortly following the Second Closing (as defined below) of the acquisition of Formula 1, the Liberty Media Group and Liberty Media common stock were renamed the Liberty Formula One Group (the “Formula One Group”) and the Liberty Formula One common stock, respectively, and the corresponding ticker symbols for the Series A, Series B and Series C Liberty Media common stock were changed to FWONA/B/K, respectively. Each series (Series A, Series B and Series C) of the Liberty SiriusXM common stock trades on the Nasdaq Global Select Market. Series A and Series C Liberty Braves common stock trade on the Nasdaq Global Select Stock Market and Series B Liberty Braves common stock is quoted on the OTC Markets. Series A and Series C Liberty Formula One common stock continue to trade on the Nasdaq Global Select Market and the Series B Liberty Formula One common stock continues to be quoted on the OTC Markets. Although the Second Closing, and the corresponding tracking stock name and the ticker symbol change, were not completed until January 23 and 24, 2017, respectively, historical information of the Liberty Media Group and Liberty Media common stock is referred to herein as the Formula One Group and Liberty Formula One common stock, respectively, for all periods presented.

 

In addition, following the creation of the new tracking stocks, Liberty distributed to holders of its Liberty Braves common stock subscription rights to acquire shares of Series C Liberty Braves common stock in order to raise capital to repay the Intergroup Note (as defined below) and for working capital purposes. The rights offering was fully subscribed on June 16, 2016 with 15,833,634 shares of Series C Liberty Braves common stock issued at a price per share of $12.80 to those rightsholders exercising basic and, if applicable, oversubscription privileges. Approximately $150 million of the proceeds from the rights offering were used to repay the outstanding balance on the Intergroup Note and accrued interest to Liberty. The remaining proceeds will be used for future development costs attributed to the Liberty Braves Group (the “Braves Group”). In September 2016, the IRS completed its review of the distribution of the Liberty Braves subscription rights and notified Liberty that it agreed with the nontaxable characterization of the distribution.

 

Additionally, as a result of the Recapitalization, the Convertible Notes (note 10) are convertible into cash based on the product of the conversion rate specified in the indenture and the basket of tracking stocks into which each outstanding share of Series A Liberty common stock has been reclassified (the “Securities Basket”). The Series A Liberty Braves common stock component of the Securities Basket was subsequently adjusted pursuant to anti-dilution adjustments arising out of the distribution of subscription rights to purchase shares of Series C Liberty Braves common stock made to all holders of Liberty Braves common stock. Furthermore, the Company entered into amended agreements with the counterparties with regard to adjustments related to the Recapitalization to the outstanding Series A common stock warrants as well as the outstanding cash convertible note hedges and purchased call options. See note 10 for a more detailed discussion of the amendments made to these financial instruments as a result of the Recapitalization.

 

A tracking stock is a type of common stock that the issuing company intends to reflect or "track" the economic performance of a particular business or "group," rather than the economic performance of the company as a whole. While the Liberty SiriusXM Group, Braves Group and Formula One Group have separate collections of businesses, assets and

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LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

liabilities attributed to them, no group is a separate legal entity and therefore cannot own assets, issue securities or enter into legally binding agreements. Therefore, the Liberty SiriusXM Group, Braves Group and Formula One Group do not represent separate legal entities, but rather represent those businesses, assets and liabilities that have been attributed to each respective group. Holders of tracking stock have no direct claim to the group's stock or assets and therefore, do not own, by virtue of their ownership of a Liberty tracking stock, any equity or voting interest in a public company, such as SIRIUS XM or Live Nation, in which Liberty holds an interest and that is attributed to a Liberty tracking stock group, such as the Liberty SiriusXM Group or the Formula One Group.  Holders of tracking stock are also not represented by separate boards of directors. Instead, holders of tracking stock are stockholders of the parent corporation, with a single board of directors and subject to all of the risks and liabilities of the parent corporation.

 

The Liberty SiriusXM common stock is intended to track and reflect the separate economic performance of the businesses, assets and liabilities attributed to the Liberty SiriusXM Group. Liberty attributed to the Liberty SiriusXM Group its subsidiary SIRIUS XM, corporate cash, and its margin loan obligation incurred by a wholly-owned special purpose subsidiary of Liberty. As of March 31, 2017, the Liberty SiriusXM Group has cash and cash equivalents of approximately $330 million, which includes $230 million of subsidiary cash. On January 24, 2017, SIRIUS XM’s board of directors declared a quarterly dividend on its common stock in the amount of $0.01 per share of common stock to stockholders of record at the close of business on February 7, 2017. The dividend was paid in cash on February 28, 2017 in the amount of $47 million, of which Liberty received $32 million. On April 25, 2017, SIRIUS XM’s board of directors declared a quarterly dividend on its common stock in the amount of $0.01 per share of common stock payable on May 31, 2017 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on May 10, 2017.

 

The Liberty Braves common stock is intended to track and reflect the separate economic performance of the businesses, assets and liabilities attributed to the Braves Group. Liberty attributed to the Braves Group its subsidiary, Braves Holdings, LLC (“Braves Holdings”), which indirectly owns the Atlanta Braves Major League Baseball Club (“ANLBC”) and certain assets and liabilities associated with ANLBC’s stadium and mixed use development project (the “Development Project”), corporate cash and all liabilities arising under a note from Braves Holdings to Liberty, with a total capacity of up to $165 million of borrowings by Braves Holdings (the “Intergroup Note”) relating to funds borrowed and used for investment in the Development Project. As previously discussed, $150 million was outstanding under the Intergroup Note that was repaid during June 2016 using proceeds from the subscription rights offering, and the Intergroup Note agreement was cancelled. The remaining proceeds of the subscription rights offering were attributed to the Braves Group. As of March 31, 2017, the Braves Group has cash and cash equivalents of approximately $115 million, which includes subsidiary cash.

The Liberty Formula One common stock is intended to track and reflect the separate economic performance of the businesses, assets and liabilities attributed to the Formula One Group. Liberty attributed to the Formula One Group all of the businesses, assets and liabilities of Liberty other than those specifically attributed to the Braves Group or the Liberty SiriusXM Group, including Liberty’s interests in Live Nation, minority equity investments in Time Warner, Inc. (“Time Warner”) and Viacom, Inc. (“Viacom”), the recovery received in connection with the Vivendi lawsuit, cash, Liberty’s 1.375% Cash Convertible Notes due 2023 and related financial instruments,  Liberty’s 2.25% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2046 and Liberty’s 1% Cash Convertible Notes due 2023.  Additionally, as discussed in more detail in note 3, on September 7, 2016 Liberty, through its indirect wholly owned subsidiary Liberty GR Cayman Acquisition Company, entered into two definitive stock purchase agreements relating to the acquisition of Delta Topco, the parent company of Formula 1, a global motorsports business. The first purchase agreement was completed on September 7, 2016 and provided for the acquisition of slightly less than a 20% minority stake in Formula 1 on an undiluted basis. On October 27, 2016 under the terms of the first purchase agreement, Liberty acquired an additional incremental equity interest of Delta Topco, maintaining Liberty’s investment in Delta Topco on an undiluted basis and increasing slightly to 19.1% on a fully diluted basis. Liberty’s interest in Delta Topco and by extension Formula 1 was attributed to the Formula One Group. Liberty acquired 100% of the fully diluted equity interests of Delta Topco, other than a nominal number of shares held by certain Formula 1 teams, in a closing under the second purchase agreement (and following the unwind of the first purchase

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LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

agreement) on January 23, 2017 (the “Second Closing”). As of March 31, 2017, the Formula One Group has cash and cash equivalents of approximately $626 million, which includes $432 million of subsidiary cash.  

As part of the Recapitalization, the Formula One Group initially held a 20% intergroup interest in the Braves Group. As a result of the rights offering, the number of notional shares representing the intergroup interest held by the Formula One Group was adjusted to 9,084,940,  representing a 15.5% intergroup interest in the Braves Group at March 31, 2017. The intergroup interest is a quasi-equity interest which is not represented by outstanding shares of common stock; rather, the Formula One Group has an attributed value in the Braves Group which is generally stated in terms of a number of shares of Series C Liberty Braves common stock issuable to the Formula One Group with respect to its interest in the Braves Group. The intergroup interest may be settled, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, through the transfer of newly issued shares of Liberty Braves common stock, cash and/or other assets to the Formula One Group. Accordingly, the intergroup interest attributable to the Formula One Group is presented as an asset and the intergroup interest attributable to the Braves Group is presented as a liability in the attributed financial statements and the offsetting amounts between tracking stock groups are eliminated in consolidation. The intergroup interest will remain outstanding until the redemption of the outstanding interest, at the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors, through a  transfer of securities, cash and/or other assets from the Braves Group to the Formula One Group.

See Exhibit 99.1 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for unaudited attributed financial information for Liberty's tracking stock groups.

(3)  Formula 1 Transactions

 

On September 7, 2016 Liberty, through its indirect wholly owned subsidiary Liberty GR Cayman Acquisition Company, entered into two definitive stock purchase agreements relating to the acquisition of Delta Topco, the parent company of Formula 1, a global motorsports business, from a consortium of sellers led by CVC Capital Partners (“CVC”). The first purchase agreement was completed on September 7, 2016 and provided for Liberty’s acquisition of slightly less than a 20% minority stake in Formula 1 on an undiluted basis for $746 million, funded entirely in cash (which is equal to $821 million in consideration less a $75 million discount to be repaid by Liberty to selling stockholders upon completion of the acquisition). On October 27, 2016, under the terms of the first purchase agreement, Liberty acquired an additional incremental equity interest of Delta Topco, maintaining Liberty’s investment in Delta Topco on an undiluted basis and increasing slightly to 19.1% on a fully diluted basis. On January 23, 2017, Liberty completed the acquisition of 100% of the fully diluted equity interests of Delta Topco, other than a nominal number of shares held by certain Formula 1 teams, in a closing under the second purchase agreement (and following the unwind of the first purchase agreement). Prior to the Second Closing, CVC continued to be the controlling shareholder of Formula 1, and Liberty did not have any voting interests or board representation in Formula 1. As a result, we concluded that we did not have significant influence over Formula 1, and therefore our initial investment in Formula 1 was accounted for as a cost investment until the completion of the Second Closing, at which time we began consolidating Formula 1.

The transaction price for the acquisition represented an enterprise value for Formula 1 of approximately $8.0 billion and an equity value of approximately $4.4 billion, calculated at the time of the first closing. The total consideration at the time of closing was $4.7 billion comprised of $3.05 billion of cash (including the investments made under the first purchase agreement during 2016) and approximately $1.6 billion represented by approximately 56 million newly issued shares of Series C Liberty Formula One common stock.

In connection with the transaction, Liberty entered into a $500 million margin loan on November 8, 2016, secured by shares of Live Nation and Viacom public equity securities held by Liberty (the ‘‘Live Nation Margin Loan’’). No amounts were drawn on the Live Nation Margin Loan at December 31, 2016. Liberty drew approximately $350 million to

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LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

use for the purchase of Formula 1, on January 20, 2017, leaving $150 million available to be drawn. See note 10 for additional discussion regarding the Live Nation Margin Loan.

Concurrently with the Second Closing on January 23, 2017, the Company issued 62 million new shares of Series C Liberty Formula One common stock, which are subject to market co-ordination and lock-up agreements, to certain third party investors at a price per share of $25.00. As a result, the stock component of the consideration payable to the selling shareholders in the Formula 1 acquisition was decreased by 62 million shares, and the cash component of the consideration payable to the selling shareholders in the Formula 1 acquisition was increased by $1.55 billion.  

Also concurrently with the Second Closing, the Company used a portion of the net proceeds of its $450 million cash convertible senior notes offering, as discussed in note 10, to increase the cash consideration payable to the selling shareholders by approximately $400 million. The additional 19 million shares of Series C Liberty Formula One common stock that would otherwise have been issued to the selling shareholders based on the per share purchase price of $21.26 have been held in reserve by the Company for possible sale to Formula 1 teams.  To the extent such shares are not sold to Formula 1 teams within six months following the Second Closing, the shares will not be issued.  

In connection with the Second Closing, Delta Topco issued $351 million subordinated exchangeable notes, upon the conversion of certain outstanding Delta Topco loan notes, that bear interest at 2% per annum and mature in July 2019, exchangeable into cash or newly issued shares of Series C Liberty Formula One common stock (the “Delta Topco Exchangeable Notes”). See note 10 for additional discussion of this debt instrument.

The preliminary acquisition price allocation for Formula 1 is as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

Ownership interest held prior to the Second Closing

 

$

759

 

Controlling interest acquired

 

 

3,939

 

Total acquisition price

 

$

4,698

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

644

 

Receivables

 

 

136

 

Goodwill

 

 

3,968

 

Intangible assets subject to amortization

 

 

5,484

 

Other assets

 

 

131

 

Deferred revenue

 

 

(141)

 

Debt

 

 

(4,528)

 

Other liabilities assumed

 

 

(505)

 

Deferred tax liabilities

 

 

(491)

 

 

 

$

4,698

 

 

Goodwill is calculated as the excess of the consideration transferred over the identifiable net assets acquired and represents the future economic benefits expected to arise from other intangible assets acquired that do not qualify for separate recognition, including assembled workforce, value associated with future customers, continued innovation and noncontractual relationships. Formula 1 amortizable intangible assets were comprised of an agreement with the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (“FIA Agreement”) ($3.6 billion with a remaining useful life of approximately 35 years) and customer relationships of $1.9 billion with a weighted average remaining life of approximately 11.5 years. The FIA owns the World Championship and has granted Formula 1 the exclusive commercial rights to the World Championship until the end of 2110. None of the acquired goodwill is expected to be deductible for tax purposes.  As of March 31, 2017,

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LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

the valuation related to the acquisition of a controlling interest in Formula 1 is not final, and the acquisition price allocation is preliminary and subject to revision. The primary areas of the acquisition price allocation that are not yet finalized are related to certain intangible assets, liabilities and tax balances.

Included in net earnings (loss) for the three months ended March 31, 2017 is a loss of approximately $167 million related to Formula 1’s operations since the date of acquisition, which includes amortization expense, net of income taxes, of approximately $38 million, primarily related to the amortization of the fair value step-up of amortizable intangible assets acquired.

The unaudited pro forma revenue and net earnings of Liberty, prepared utilizing the historical financial statements of Formula 1, giving effect to acquisition accounting related adjustments made at the time of acquisition, as if the acquisition of Formula 1 discussed above occurred on January 1, 2016, are as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2017

 

2016

 

 

 

amounts in millions

 

Revenue

 

$

1,396

 

1,301

 

Net earnings (loss)

 

$

(31)

 

216

 

Net earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty shareholders

 

$

(96)

 

153

 

 

 

The pro forma results include adjustments primarily related to the amortization of acquired intangible assets. The pro forma information is not representative of the Company’s future results of operations nor does it reflect what the Company’s results of operations would have been if the acquisition of Formula 1 had occurred previously and the Company consolidated Formula 1 during the periods presented.

 

(4)   Stock-Based Compensation

Liberty grants, to certain of its directors, employees and employees of its subsidiaries, restricted stock, restricted stock units and stock options to purchase shares of its common stock (collectively, "Awards"). The Company measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for an equity classified Award (such as stock options and restricted stock) based on the grant-date fair value (“GDFV”) of the Award, and recognizes that cost over the period during which the employee is required to provide service (usually the vesting period of the Award). The Company measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for a liability classified Award based on the current fair value of the Award, and remeasures the fair value of the Award at each reporting date.

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LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

Included in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations are the following amounts of stock-based compensation, a portion of which relates to SIRIUS XM, as discussed below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

    

2017

    

2016

 

 

 

(amounts in millions)

 

Cost of subscriber services:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Programming and content

 

$

 7

 

 4

 

Customer service and billing

 

 

 1

 

 1

 

Other

 

 

 1

 

 1

 

Other operating expense

 

 

 4

 

 3

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

 

31

 

25

 

 

 

$

44

 

34

 

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2017, and in connection with our CEO’s employment agreement, Liberty granted approximately 149 thousand and 171 thousand options of Series C Liberty Braves common stock and Series C Liberty Formula One common stock, respectively, and 50 thousand restricted stock units of Series C Liberty Formula One common stock, of which 29 thousand restricted stock units were performance-based. Such options had a weighted average GDFV of $6.02 per share and $8.96 per share, respectively, and the restricted stock units had a GDFV of $33.92 per share. These options mainly vest on December 31, 2017, the time-based restricted stock units vested immediately upon grant, and the performance-based restricted stock units cliff vest in one year, subject to satisfaction of certain performance objectives. Performance objectives, which are subjective, are considered in determining the timing and amount of the compensation expense recognized. As the satisfaction of the performance objectives becomes probable, the Company records compensation expense. The value of the grant is remeasured at each reporting period.

 

Also during the three months ended March 31, 2017, Liberty granted 2.0 million options to Formula 1 employees to purchase shares of Series C Liberty Formula One common stock.  Such options had a weighted average GDFV of $8.16 per share and vest monthly over one year.

 

Additionally, Liberty granted 148 thousand, 19 thousand and 77 thousand options to purchase shares of Series C common stock of Liberty SiriusXM, Liberty Braves and Liberty Formula One, respectively, during the three months ended March 31, 2017. Such options had a weighted average GDFV of $9.64,  $6.11 and $9.25 per share, respectively, and mainly vest semi-annually over four years.    

 

The Company did not grant any options to purchase Series A or Series B of Liberty SiriusXM, Liberty Braves or Liberty Formula One common stock during the three months ended March 31, 2017.  

Liberty calculates the GDFV for all of its equity classified awards and the subsequent remeasurement of its liability classified and certain performance-based awards using the Black-Scholes Model. Liberty 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 Liberty common stock and the implied volatility of publicly traded Liberty options. Liberty uses a zero dividend rate and the risk-free rate for Treasury Bonds with a term similar to that of the subject Awards.

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Table of Contents

LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

Liberty—Outstanding Awards

The following tables present the number and weighted average exercise price ("WAEP") of Awards to purchase Liberty common stock granted to certain officers, employees and directors of the Company and certain Awards of employees of Lions  Gate Entertainment Corp. (formerly employees of Starz).  

Liberty SiriusXM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series A

 

Series C

 

 

    

    

    

 

    

Weighted

    

Aggregate

 

    

    

 

    

Weighted

    

Aggregate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

average

 

intrinsic

 

 

 

 

 

average

 

intrinsic

 

 

 

Liberty

 

 

 

remaining

 

value

 

Liberty

 

 

 

remaining

 

value

 

 

 

Awards (000's)

 

WAEP

 

life

 

(millions)

 

Awards (000's)

 

WAEP

 

life

 

(millions)

 

Outstanding at January 1, 2017

 

2,018

 

$

19.39

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,008

 

$

25.91

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

 —

 

$

 —

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

148

 

$

39.21

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

(142)

 

$

15.08

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(326)

 

$

15.52

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeited/Cancelled

 

 —

 

$

 —

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(49)

 

$

32.61

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at March 31, 2017

 

1,876

 

$

19.71

 

2.7

years

 

$

36

 

10,781

 

$

26.38

 

4.5

years

 

$

134

 

Exercisable at March 31, 2017

 

1,857

 

$

19.65

 

2.7

years

 

$

36

 

5,322

 

$

23.18

 

3.7

years

 

$

83

 

Liberty Braves

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series A

 

Series C

 

 

    

    

    

 

    

Weighted

    

Aggregate

 

    

    

 

    

Weighted

    

Aggregate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

average

 

intrinsic

 

 

 

 

 

average

 

intrinsic

 

 

 

Liberty

 

 

 

remaining

 

value

 

Liberty

 

 

 

remaining

 

value

 

 

 

Awards (000's)

 

WAEP

 

life

 

(millions)

 

Awards (000's)

 

WAEP

 

life

 

(millions)

 

Outstanding at January 1, 2017

 

189

 

$

11.30

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,073

 

$

14.92

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

 —

 

$

 —

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

168

 

$

23.45

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

(9)

 

$

8.63

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(12)

 

$

10.91

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeited/Cancelled

 

 —

 

$

 —

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(5)

 

$

18.84

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at March 31, 2017

 

180

 

$

11.44

 

2.7

years

 

$

 2

 

1,224

 

$

16.11

 

4.8

years

 

$

 9

 

Exercisable at March 31, 2017

 

178

 

$

11.41

 

2.7

years

 

$

 2

 

551

 

$

13.59

 

3.8

years

 

$

 6

 

 

Liberty Formula One

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series A

 

Series C

 

 

    

    

    

 

    

Weighted

    

Aggregate

 

    

    

 

    

Weighted

    

Aggregate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

average

 

intrinsic

 

 

 

 

 

average

 

intrinsic

 

 

 

Liberty

 

 

 

remaining

 

value

 

Liberty

 

 

 

remaining

 

value

 

 

 

Awards (000's)

 

WAEP

 

life

 

(millions)

 

Awards (000's)

 

WAEP

 

life

 

(millions)

 

Outstanding at January 1, 2017

 

455

 

$

11.55

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,611

 

$

15.18

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

 —

 

$

 —

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,263

 

$

33.98

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

(15)

 

$

11.39

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(80)

 

$

9.71

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeited/Cancelled

 

 —

 

$

 —

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(12)

 

$

18.83

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at March 31, 2017

 

440

 

$

11.56

 

2.7

years

 

$

 9

 

4,782

 

$

24.16

 

5.7

years

 

$

48

 

Exercisable at March 31, 2017

 

436

 

$

11.53

 

2.7

years

 

$

 9

 

1,227

 

$

13.81

 

3.8

years

 

$

25

 

I-19


 

Table of Contents

LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

As of March 31, 2017, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested Awards was approximately $42 million.  Such amount will be recognized in the Company's condensed consolidated statements of operations over a weighted average period of approximately 2.2 years.

As of March 31, 2017, Liberty reserved 12.7 million, 1.4 million and 5.2 million shares of Series A and Series C common stock of Liberty SiriusXM, Liberty Braves and Liberty Formula One, respectively, for issuance under exercise privileges of outstanding stock Awards.

SIRIUS XM - Stock-based Compensation

SIRIUS XM granted various types of stock awards to its employees during the three months ended March 31, 2017. As of March 31, 2017, SIRIUS XM has approximately 316 million options outstanding of which approximately 113 million are exercisable, each with a weighted-average exercise price per share of $3.54 and $2.84, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value of SIRIUS XM options outstanding and exercisable as of March 31, 2017 is $509 million and $260 million, respectively. The stock-based compensation expense related to SIRIUS XM was $29 million and $24 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. As of March 31, 2017, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested SIRIUS XM stock options and restricted stock units was $253 million. The SIRIUS XM unrecognized compensation cost will be recognized in the Company's condensed consolidated statements of operations over a weighted average period of approximately 2.4 years. 

(5)   Earnings Attributable to Liberty Media Corporation Stockholders Per Common Share

Basic earnings (loss) per common share ("EPS") is computed by dividing net earnings (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding (“WASO”) for the period. Diluted EPS presents the dilutive effect on a per share basis of potential common shares as if they had been converted at the beginning of the periods presented, including any necessary adjustments to earnings (loss) attributable to shareholders.

As discussed in note 2, on April 15, 2016, the Company completed a recapitalization of its common stock into three new tracking stock groups, one designated as the Liberty SiriusXM common stock, one designated as the Liberty Braves common stock and one designated as the Liberty Media common stock. As further discussed in note 2, the Liberty Media common stock was renamed Liberty Formula One common stock on January 24, 2017 shortly after the Second Closing. The operating results prior to the Recapitalization are attributed to Liberty Media Corporation stockholders in the aggregate, and the operating results subsequent to the Recapitalization are attributed to the respective tracking stock groups.

Excluded from diluted EPS for the three months ended March 31, 2017 are approximately 21 million potentially dilutive shares of Series A Liberty SiriusXM common stock, 2 million potentially dilutive shares of Series A Liberty Braves common stock and 8 million potentially dilutive shares of Series A Liberty Formula One common stock, primarily due to warrants issued in connection with the Bond Hedge Transaction (note 10), because their inclusion would be antidilutive. The Amended Warrant Transactions (note 10) may have a dilutive effect with respect to the shares comprising the Securities Basket underlying the warrants to the extent that the settlement price exceeds the strike price of the warrants, and the warrants are settled in shares comprising such Securities Basket. The warrants and any potential future settlement have been attributed to the Formula One Group.  Additionally, the Delta Topco Exchangeable Notes may have a dilutive effect to the extent that the settlement price exceeds the strike price of the notes, and the Delta Topco Exchangeable Notes are settled in shares of Series C Liberty Formula One common stock.  

I-20


 

Table of Contents

LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

Series A, Series B and Series C Liberty Media Corporation Common Stock

The basic and diluted EPS calculations are based on the following weighted average outstanding shares of common stock. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liberty Media Corporation Common Stock

 

 

 

Three months

 

Three months

 

 

 

ended

 

ended

 

 

    

March 31, 2017

    

March 31, 2016

 

 

 

numbers of shares in millions

 

Basic WASO

 

NA

 

335

 

Potentially dilutive shares

 

NA

 

 2

 

Diluted WASO

 

NA

 

337

 

Series A, Series B and Series C Liberty SiriusXM Common Stock

The basic and diluted EPS calculations are based on the following weighted average outstanding shares of common stock. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liberty SiriusXM Common Stock

 

 

 

Three months

 

Three months

 

 

 

ended

 

ended

 

 

    

March 31, 2017

    

March 31, 2016

 

 

 

numbers of shares in millions

 

Basic WASO

 

335

 

NA

 

Potentially dilutive shares

 

 4

 

NA

 

Diluted WASO

 

339

 

NA

 

Series A, Series B and Series C Liberty Braves Common Stock

The basic and diluted EPS calculations are based on the following weighted average outstanding shares of common stock. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liberty Braves Common Stock

 

 

 

Three months

 

Three months

 

 

 

ended

 

ended

 

 

    

March 31, 2017 (a)(b)

    

March 31, 2016

 

 

 

numbers of shares in millions

 

Basic WASO

 

49

 

NA

 

Potentially dilutive shares

 

10

 

NA

 

Diluted WASO

 

59

 

NA

 


(a)

Potentially dilutive shares are excluded from the computation of diluted EPS during periods in which losses are reported since the result would be antidilutive.

(b)

As discussed in note 2, following the Recapitalization and Series C Liberty Braves common stock rights offering, the number of notional shares representing the Formula One Group’s intergroup interest in the Braves Group was adjusted to 9,084,940 shares. The intergroup interest is a quasi-equity interest which is not

I-21


 

Table of Contents

LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

represented by outstanding shares of common stock; rather, the Formula One Group has an attributed value in the Braves Group which is generally stated in terms of a number of shares of stock issuable to the Formula One Group with respect to its interest in the Braves Group. Each reporting period, the notional shares representing the intergroup interest are marked to fair value. As the notional shares underlying the intergroup interest are not represented by outstanding shares of common stock, such shares have not been officially designated Series A, B or C Liberty Braves common stock. However, Liberty has assumed that the notional shares (if and when issued) would be comprised of Series C Liberty Braves common stock in order to not dilute voting percentages. Therefore, the market price of Series C Liberty Braves common stock is used for the quarterly mark-to-market adjustment through the unaudited attributed condensed consolidated statements of operations. The notional shares representing the intergroup interest have no impact on the basic earnings per share weighted average number of shares outstanding. However, the notional shares representing the intergroup interest are included in the diluted earnings per share WASO as if the shares had been issued and outstanding during the period. An adjustment is also made to the numerator in the diluted earnings per share calculation for the unrealized gain or loss incurred from marking the intergroup interest to fair value during the period as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months

 

Three months

 

 

 

ended

 

ended

 

 

 

March 31, 2017

    

March 31, 2016

 

 

    

amounts in millions

 

Basic earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty Braves shareholders

$

(49)

 

NA

 

Unrealized (gain) loss on the intergroup interest

 

28

 

NA

 

Diluted earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty Braves shareholders

$

(21)

 

NA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series A, Series B and Series C Liberty Formula One Common Stock

The basic and diluted EPS calculations are based on the following weighted average outstanding shares of common stock. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liberty Formula One Common Stock

 

 

 

Three months

 

Three months

 

 

 

ended

 

ended

 

 

    

March 31, 2017

    

March 31, 2016

 

Basic WASO

 

numbers of shares in millions

 

Potentially dilutive shares

 

173

 

NA

 

Diluted WASO

 

 6

 

NA

 

 

 

179

 

NA

 

 

 

 

 

 

(6)   Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value

For assets and liabilities required to be reported at fair value, GAAP 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,

I-22


 

Table of Contents

LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

either directly or indirectly. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.  Liberty does not have any assets or liabilities required to be measured at fair value considered to be Level 3.

Liberty's assets and liabilities measured at fair value are as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair Value Measurements at

 

Fair Value Measurements at

 

 

 

March 31, 2017

 

December 31, 2016

 

 

    

 

 

    

Quoted

    

 

    

 

    

Quoted

    

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

prices

 

 

 

 

 

prices

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

in active

 

Significant

 

 

 

in active

 

Significant

 

 

 

 

 

 

markets

 

other

 

 

 

markets

 

other

 

 

 

 

 

 

for identical

 

observable

 

 

 

for identical

 

observable

 

 

 

 

 

 

assets

 

inputs

 

 

 

assets

 

inputs

 

Description

 

Total

 

(Level 1)

 

(Level 2)

 

Total

 

(Level 1)

 

(Level 2)

 

 

 

amounts in millions

 

Cash equivalents

 

$

631

 

631

 

 —

 

289

 

289

 

 —

 

Available-for-sale securities

 

$

518

 

518

 

 —

 

489

 

489

 

 —

 

Financial instrument assets

 

$

370

 

16

 

354

 

286

 

16

 

270

 

Debt

 

$

2,107

 

 —

 

2,107

 

1,546

 

 —

 

1,546

 

 

The majority of Liberty's Level 2 financial assets and debt are primarily investments in debt related instruments and derivative instruments. The Company notes that these assets and liabilities are not always traded publicly or not considered to be traded on "active markets," as defined in GAAP.  The fair values for such instruments are derived from a typical model using observable market data as the significant inputs or a trading price of a similar asset or liability is utilized.  Accordingly, those available-for-sale securities, financial instruments and debt or debt related instruments are reported in the foregoing table as Level 2 fair value. The financial instrument assets classified as Level 1 and Level 2 in the table above are included in the Other assets line item in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

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,

 

 

    

2017

    

2016

 

 

 

amounts in millions

 

Fair Value Option Securities

 

$

30

 

24

 

Debt measured at fair value (a)

 

 

(116)

 

(3)

 

Change in fair value of bond hedges (b)

 

 

78

 

(28)

 

Other derivatives

 

 

(4)

 

(1)

 

 

 

$

(12)

 

(8)

 


(a)

Debt measured at fair value consists of the 2.25% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2046, the 1% Cash Convertible Notes due 2023 and the 1.375% Cash Convertible Notes due 2023, all as defined and discussed in note 10. Liberty elected to account for these instruments at fair value upon issuance. The 2.25% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2046, issued in August 2016, are marked to market based on the trading price of the underlying shares of Time Warner common stock and other observable market data as the significant inputs (Level 2). The 1% Cash Convertible Notes due 2023, issued in January 2017, are marked to market based on the trading price of the underlying shares of Series C Liberty Formula One common stock and other observable market data as the significant inputs (Level 2). The 1.375% Cash Convertible Notes due 2023, issued in October 2013, are

I-23


 

Table of Contents

LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

marked to market based on the trading price of underlying basket of Series A Liberty SiriusXM, Liberty Braves and Liberty Formula One securities and other observable market data as the significant inputs (Level 2).

(b)

Contemporaneously with the issuance of the 1.375% Cash Convertible Notes due 2023, Liberty entered into privately negotiated cash convertible note hedges, which are expected to offset potential cash payments Liberty would be required to make in excess of the principal amount of the convertible notes, upon conversion of the notes. The bond hedges are marked to market based on the trading price of underlying Series A Liberty SiriusXM, Liberty Braves and Liberty Formula One securities and other observable market data as the significant inputs (Level 2). See note 10 for additional discussion of the bond hedges. 

(7)   Investments in Available-for-Sale Securities and Other Cost Investments

All marketable equity securities held by the Company are classified as available-for-sale ("AFS") and are carried at fair value generally based on quoted market prices. GAAP 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 (the "fair value option"). The Company has elected the fair value option for those of its AFS securities which it considers to be non-strategic ("Fair Value Option Securities"). Accordingly, changes in the fair value of Fair Value Option Securities, as determined by quoted market prices, are reported in realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations.

I-24


 

Table of Contents

LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

Investments in AFS securities, including Fair Value Option Securities separately aggregated, and other cost investments are summarized as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

March 31,

    

December 31,

 

 

 

2017

 

2016

 

 

 

amounts in millions

 

Liberty SiriusXM Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other AFS and cost investments

 

$

 —

 

 —

 

Total attributed Liberty SiriusXM Group

 

 

 —

 

 —

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Braves Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other AFS and cost investments

 

 

 8

 

 8

 

Total attributed Braves Group

 

 

 8

 

 8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Formula One Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair Value Option Securities

    

 

 

    

 

 

Time Warner (a)

 

 

416

 

411

 

Viacom (b)

 

 

86

 

65

 

Other equity securities

 

 

16

 

13

 

Total Fair Value Option Securities

 

 

518

 

489

 

AFS and cost investments

 

 

 

 

 

 

Formula 1 (c)

 

 

 —

 

759

 

Other AFS and cost investments

 

 

56

 

53

 

Total AFS and cost investments

 

 

56

 

812

 

Total attributed Formula One Group

 

 

574

 

1,301

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Liberty

 

$

582

 

1,309

 


(a)

See note 10 for details regarding the number and fair value of shares pledged as collateral pursuant to the Braves Holdings mixed-use development facility as of March 31, 2017.

(b)

See note 10 for details regarding the number and fair value of shares pledged as collateral pursuant to the Live Nation Margin Loan as of March 31, 2017.

(c)

See note 3 for details regarding the Company’s acquisition of Formula 1 during the three months ended March 31, 2017.

Unrealized Holding Gains and Losses

There were no unrealized holding gains and losses related to investments in AFS securities as of March 31, 2017 or December 31, 2016.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I-25


 

Table of Contents

LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

(8)   Investments in Affiliates Accounted for Using the Equity Method

Liberty has various investments accounted for using the equity method. The following table includes the Company's carrying amount and percentage ownership of the more significant investments in affiliates at March 31, 2017 and the carrying amount at December 31, 2016:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 31, 2017

 

December 31, 2016

 

 

    

Percentage

    

Fair Value

    

Carrying

    

Carrying

 

 

 

ownership

 

(Level 1)

 

amount

 

amount

 

 

 

dollar amounts in millions

 

Liberty SiriusXM Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SIRIUS XM Canada

 

37

%

$

196

 

$

165

 

164

 

Total Liberty SiriusXM Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

165

 

164

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Braves Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

various

 

 

NA

 

 

48

 

61

 

Total Braves Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

48

 

61

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Formula One Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Live Nation (a)

 

34

%

$

2,115

 

 

721

 

731

 

Other

 

various

 

 

NA

 

 

167

 

161

 

Total Formula One Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

888

 

892

 

Consolidated Liberty

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

1,101

 

1,117

 


(a)

See note 10 for details regarding the number and fair value of shares pledged as collateral pursuant to certain margin loan agreements as of March 31, 2017.  

 

The following table presents the Company's share of earnings (losses) of affiliates:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

    

2017

    

2016

 

 

 

amounts in millions

 

Liberty SiriusXM Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

SIRIUS XM Canada

 

$

 3

 

 7

 

Total Liberty SiriusXM Group

 

 

 3

 

 7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Braves Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

 3

 

 2

 

Total Braves Group

 

 

 3

 

 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Formula One Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

Live Nation

 

 

(15)

 

(17)

 

Other

 

 

 5

 

(4)

 

Total Formula One Group

 

 

(10)

 

(21)

 

Consolidated Liberty

 

$

(4)

 

(12)

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

SIRIUS XM Canada

 

SIRIUS XM has entered into agreements to provide Sirius XM Canada Holdings Inc. (“SIRIUS XM Canada”) with the right to offer SIRIUS XM satellite radio service in Canada. The various license and services agreements with SIRIUS XM Canada will expire in 2017 and 2020. SIRIUS XM receives a percentage based royalty of 10% and 15% for certain types of subscription revenue earned by SIRIUS XM Canada for the distribution of Sirius and XM platforms, respectively, royalties for activation fees and premium services and reimbursement for other charges. At March 31, 2017, SIRIUS XM has approximately $3 million and $7 million in current and noncurrent related party liabilities, respectively, related to these agreements described above with SIRIUS XM Canada which are recorded in current and noncurrent other liabilities, respectively, in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet.  Additionally, SIRIUS XM has approximately $7 million in current related party assets at March 31, 2017 due to activation fees and streaming and chipset costs for which SIRIUS XM Canada reimburses SIRIUS XM that are recorded in other current assets in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet. SIRIUS XM recorded approximately $12 million and $10 million in revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, associated with these various agreements in the other revenue line in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. SIRIUS XM Canada declared dividends to SIRIUS XM of $4 million during each of the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016. 

On May 12, 2016, a subsidiary of SIRIUS XM, Sirius XM Radio Inc. (“Sirius XM Radio”), entered into an arrangement agreement (the “Arrangement Agreement”) with SIRIUS XM Canada. Pursuant to the Arrangement Agreement, SIRIUS XM Radio and certain Canadian shareholders will form a new company to acquire shares of SIRIUS XM Canada not already owned by them pursuant to a plan of arrangement (the “Transaction”). In connection with the Transaction, SIRIUS XM Canada’s shareholders will be entitled to elect to receive, for each share of SIRIUS XM Canada held, C$4.50 (U.S.$3.50 as of May 12, 2016) in (i) cash, (ii) shares of SIRIUS XM’s common stock, (iii) a security exchangeable for shares of SIRIUS XM’s common stock, or (iv) a combination thereof; provided that no more than 50% of the total consideration in the Transaction (or up to 35 million shares) will be issued in SIRIUS XM common stock and exchangeable shares. All of the obligations of SIRIUS XM Radio under the Arrangement Agreement are guaranteed by SIRIUS XM.

Following the Transaction, SIRIUS XM Radio is expected to hold a 70%  equity interest and 33% voting interest in SIRIUS XM Canada, with the remainder of the voting power and equity interest held by Slaight Communications and Obelysk Media, two of SIRIUS XM Canada’s current Canadian shareholders. SIRIUS XM Radio expects to contribute to SIRIUS XM Canada approximately U.S. $275 million in connection with the Transaction (assuming that all shareholders elect to receive cash in connection with the Transaction), which amount is expected to be used to pay the cash consideration to SIRIUS XM Canada’s shareholders and will be decreased proportionately if shareholders elect to receive consideration in shares of SIRIUS XM common stock or securities exchangeable for SIRIUS XM common stock.

The Transaction has been approved by the shareholders of SIRIUS XM Canada and has received the required court approval and approval by the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission.  The Transaction is expected to close in May 2017.

 

 

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Table of Contents

LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

(9)   Intangible Assets

Goodwill

Goodwill increased approximately $4.0 billion due to the acquisition of Formula 1 during the three months ended March 31, 2017, as discussed in note 3.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

SIRIUS XM

    

Formula 1

 

Other

    

Total

 

 

 

amounts in millions

 

Balance at January 1, 2017

 

$

14,165

 

 —

 

180

 

14,345

 

Acquisitions

 

 

 —

 

3,968

 

 —

 

3,968

 

Balance at March 31, 2017

 

$

14,165

 

3,968

 

180

 

18,313

 

Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 31, 2017

 

December 31, 2016

 

 

    

Gross

    

 

    

Net

    

Gross

    

 

    

Net

 

 

 

carrying

 

Accumulated

 

carrying

 

carrying

 

Accumulated

 

carrying

 

 

 

amount

 

amortization

 

amount

 

amount

 

amortization

 

amount

 

 

 

amounts in millions

 

FIA Agreement

 

$

3,630

 

(29)

 

3,601

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

Customer relationships

 

 

2,684

 

(285)

 

2,399

 

830

 

(228)

 

602

 

Licensing agreements

 

 

334

 

(131)

 

203

 

316

 

(109)

 

207

 

Other

 

 

699

 

(435)

 

264

 

686

 

(423)

 

263

 

Total

 

$

7,347

 

(880)

 

6,467

 

1,832

 

(760)

 

1,072

 

Amortization expense for intangible assets with finite useful lives was $116 million and $39 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Based on its amortizable intangible assets as of March 31, 2017, Liberty expects that amortization expense will be as follows for the next five years (amounts in millions):

 

 

 

 

 

 

Remainder of 2017

    

$

482

 

2018

 

$

566

 

2019

 

$

538

 

2020

 

$

516

 

2021

 

$

480

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

(10) Long-Term Debt

Debt is summarized as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding

 

Carrying value

 

 

    

Principal

    

March 31,

    

December 31,

 

 

 

March 31, 2017

 

2017

 

2016

 

 

 

amounts in millions

 

Liberty SiriusXM Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate level notes and loans:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Margin Loans

 

$

250

 

 

250

 

250

 

Subsidiary notes and loans:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SIRIUS XM 5.75% Senior Notes due 2021

 

 

600

 

 

597

 

596

 

SIRIUS XM 5.25% Senior Secured Notes due 2022

 

 

400

 

 

405

 

405

 

SIRIUS XM 4.25% Senior Notes due 2020

 

 

500

 

 

497

 

497

 

SIRIUS XM 4.625% Senior Notes due 2023

 

 

500

 

 

496

 

496

 

SIRIUS XM 6% Senior Notes due 2024

 

 

1,500

 

 

1,487

 

1,487

 

SIRIUS XM 5.375% Senior Notes due 2025

 

 

1,000

 

 

991

 

990

 

SIRIUS XM 5.375% Senior Notes due 2026

 

 

1,000

 

 

990

 

989

 

SIRIUS XM Credit Facility

 

 

530

 

 

530

 

390

 

SIRIUS XM leases

 

 

11

 

 

11

 

14

 

Less deferred financing costs

 

 

 

 

 

(7)

 

(7)

 

Total Liberty SiriusXM Group

 

 

6,291

 

 

6,247

 

6,107

 

Braves Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subsidiary notes and loans:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes and loans

 

 

420

 

 

420

 

338

 

Less deferred financing costs

 

 

 

 

 

(10)

 

(10)

 

Total Braves Group

 

 

420

 

 

410

 

328

 

Formula One Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate level notes and loans:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.375% Cash Convertible Notes due 2023

 

 

1,000

 

 

1,132

 

1,076

 

1% Cash Convertible Notes due 2023

 

 

450

 

 

494

 

 —

 

2.25% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2046

 

 

445

 

 

481

 

470

 

Live Nation Margin Loan

 

 

350

 

 

350

 

 —

 

Other

 

 

35

 

 

35

 

37

 

Subsidiary notes and loans:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bank Loans

 

 

3,844

 

 

3,862

 

 —

 

Delta Topco Exchangeable Notes

 

 

351

 

 

359

 

 —

 

Less deferred financing costs

 

 

 

 

 

(16)

 

 —

 

Total Formula One Group

 

 

6,475

 

 

6,697

 

1,583

 

Total debt

 

$

13,186

 

 

13,354

 

8,018

 

Less debt classified as current

 

 

 

 

 

(48)

 

(5)

 

Total long-term debt

 

 

 

 

$

13,306

 

8,013

 

1.375% Cash Convertible Notes due 2023

On October 17, 2013, Liberty issued $1 billion aggregate principal amount of 1.375% Cash Convertible Senior Notes due 2023 ("Convertible Notes").  The Convertible Notes will mature on October 15, 2023 unless earlier repurchased by us

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Table of Contents

LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

or converted.  Interest on the Convertible Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15 of each year at a rate of 1.375% per annum. All conversion of the Convertible Notes will be settled solely in cash, and not through the delivery of any securities. Prior to the Recapitalization, the conversion rate for the Convertible Notes was 21.0859 shares of Series A Liberty Media Corporation common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes with an equivalent conversion price of $47.43 per share of Series A Liberty Media Corporation common stock.

As a result of the Recapitalization, as discussed in note 2, the Convertible Notes are convertible into cash based on the product of the conversion rate specified in the indenture and the Securities Basket. The supplemental indenture entered into on April 15, 2016 in connection with the Recapitalization amends the conversion, adjustment and other provisions of the indenture to give effect to the Recapitalization and provides that the conversion consideration due upon conversion of any Convertible Note shall be determined as if references in the indenture to one share of Series A Liberty Media Corporation common stock were instead a reference to the Securities Basket, initially consisting of 0.10 of a share of Series A Liberty Braves common stock, 1.0 share of Series A Liberty SiriusXM common stock and 0.25 of a share of Series A Liberty Formula One common stock. The Series A Liberty Braves common stock component of the Securities Basket was adjusted to 0.1087 pursuant to anti-dilution adjustments arising out of the distribution of subscription rights to purchase shares of Series C Liberty Braves common stock made to all holders of Liberty Braves common stock.

Holders of the Convertible Notes may convert their notes at their option at any time prior to the close of business on the second business day immediately preceding the maturity date of the notes under certain circumstances. Liberty has elected to account for this instrument using the fair value option.  Accordingly, changes in the fair value of this instrument are recognized as unrealized gains (losses) in the statement of operations.  As of March 31, 2017, the Convertible Notes are classified as a long term liability in the condensed consolidated balance sheet, as the conversion conditions have not been met as of such date.

Additionally, contemporaneously with the issuance of the Convertible Notes, Liberty entered into privately negotiated cash convertible note hedges and purchased call options (the “Bond Hedge Transaction”). The Bond Hedge Transaction is expected to offset potential cash payments Liberty would be required to make in excess of the principal amount of the Convertible Notes, upon conversion of the notes in the event that the volume-weighted average price per share of the Series A Liberty Media Corporation common stock, as measured under the cash convertible note hedge transactions on each trading day of the relevant cash settlement averaging period or other relevant valuation period, was greater than the strike price of Series A Liberty Media Corporation common stock, which corresponded to the conversion price of the Convertible Notes. In connection with the Recapitalization and the entry into the supplemental indenture on April 15, 2016, Liberty entered into amendments to the Bond Hedge Transaction with each of the counterparties to reflect the adjustments resulting from the Recapitalization. As of the effective date of the Recapitalization, the Bond Hedge Transaction covered, in the aggregate, 5,271,475 shares of Series A Liberty Formula One common stock, 21,085,900 shares of Series A Liberty SiriusXM common stock and 2,108,590 shares of Series A Liberty Braves common stock, subject to anti-dilution adjustments pertaining to the Convertible Notes, which was equal to the aggregate number of shares comprising the Securities Basket underlying the Convertible Notes at that time. The aggregate number of shares of Series A Liberty Braves common stock relating to the Bond Hedge Transaction was increased to 2,292,037, pursuant to anti-dilution adjustments arising out of the rights distribution (note 2). As of March 31, 2017, the basket price of the securities underlying the Bond Hedge Transaction was $49.70 per share. The expiration of these instruments is October 15, 2023. The fair value of these instruments is included in Other assets as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets, with changes in the fair value recorded as unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Concurrently with the Convertible Notes and Bond Hedge Transaction, Liberty also entered into separate privately negotiated warrant transactions under which Liberty sold warrants relating to the same number of shares of common stock as underlie the Bond Hedge Transaction, subject to anti-dilution adjustments (“Warrant Transactions”). The first expiration date of the warrants is January 16, 2024 and expire over a period covering 81 days thereafter. Liberty may elect to settle

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Table of Contents

LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

its delivery obligation under the Warrant Transactions with cash. In connection with the Recapitalization, Liberty entered into amendments to the Warrant Transactions with each of the option counterparties to reflect the adjustments to the Warrant Transactions resulting from the Recapitalization (“Amended Warrant Transactions”).  As of the effective date of the Recapitalization, the Amended Warrant Transactions covered, in the aggregate, 5,271,475 shares of Series A Liberty Formula One common stock, 21,085,900 shares of Series A Liberty SiriusXM common stock and 2,108,590 shares of Series A Liberty Braves common stock, subject to anti-dilution adjustments. The aggregate number of shares of Series A Liberty Braves common stock relating to the Amended Warrant Transactions was increased to 2,292,037 pursuant to anti-dilution adjustments arising out of the rights distribution. The strike price of the warrants was adjusted, as a result of the Recapitalization and the rights offering, to $61.16 per share. As of March 31, 2017, the basket price of the securities underlying the Amended Warrant Transactions was $49.70 per share. The Amended Warrant Transactions may have a dilutive effect with respect to the shares comprising the Securities Basket underlying the warrants to the extent that the settlement price exceeds the strike price of the warrants, and the warrants are settled in shares comprising such Securities Basket.

The Convertible Notes, Bond Hedge Transaction and warrant transactions were attributed to the Formula One Group in the Recapitalization.

2.25% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2046

On August 17, 2016, Liberty closed a private offering of approximately $445 million aggregate principal amount of its 2.25% exchangeable senior debentures due 2046 (the “2.25% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2046”). Upon an exchange of debentures, Liberty, at its option, may deliver Time Warner common stock, cash or a combination of Time Warner common stock and cash. The number of shares of Time Warner common stock attributable to a debenture represents an initial exchange price of approximately $104.55 per share. A total of approximately 4.25 million shares of Time Warner common stock are attributable to the debentures. Interest is payable quarterly on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year, commencing December 31, 2016. The debentures may be redeemed by Liberty, in whole or in part, on or after October 5, 2021. Holders of the debentures also have the right to require Liberty to purchase their debentures on October 5, 2021. The redemption and purchase price will generally equal 100% of the adjusted principal amount of the debentures plus accrued and unpaid interest.

The debentures, as well as the associated cash proceeds, were attributed to the Formula One Group. Liberty used the net proceeds of the offering for the acquisition of an investment in Formula 1 during September 2016, as further described in note 3.  Liberty has elected to account for the debentures using the fair value option. Accordingly, changes in the fair value of these instruments are recognized as unrealized gains (losses) in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

On October 22, 2016, AT&T Inc. (“AT&T”) and Time Warner announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which AT&T will acquire Time Warner in a stock-and-cash transaction. The transaction is expected to close before year-end 2017, subject to approval by Time Warner shareholders and review by the U.S. Department of Justice, as well as potential review by the FCC. If the acquisition is consummated, in accordance with the terms of the indenture governing the 2.25% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2046, the cash portion of the acquisition consideration will be paid as an extraordinary additional distribution to holders of debentures, and the stock portion of the acquisition consideration will become reference shares attributable to the debentures. Additionally, if the acquisition is consummated, any amount of excess regular quarterly cash dividends paid on the AT&T reference shares will be distributed by the Company to holders of the debentures as an additional distribution.

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Table of Contents

LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

1% Cash Convertible Notes due 2023

In connection with the Second Closing on January 23, 2017, Liberty issued $450 million convertible cash notes at an interest rate of 1% per annum, which are convertible, under certain circumstances, into cash based on the trading prices of the underlying shares of Series C Liberty Formula One common stock and mature on January 30, 2023 (the ‘‘1% Cash Convertible Notes due 2023’’). The initial conversion rate for the notes will be 27.1091 shares of Series C Liberty Formula One common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes, equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $36.89 per share of Series C Liberty Formula One common stock. The conversion of the 1% Cash Convertible Notes due 2023 will be settled solely in cash, and not through the delivery of any securities. As discussed in note 3, Liberty used a portion of the net proceeds of the 1% Cash Convertible Notes due 2023 to fund an increase to the cash consideration payable to the selling shareholders of Formula 1 by approximately $400 million.

Margin Loans

$750 Million Margin Loan due 2018

During October 2016, Liberty refinanced a  margin loan arrangement for a similar financial instrument with a term loan of $250 million and a $500 million undrawn line of credit, which is scheduled to mature during October 2018. The new term loan and any drawn portion of the revolver carries an interest rate of LIBOR plus 1.75% with the undrawn portion carrying a fee of 0.75%.  Other terms of the agreement were substantially similar to the previous arrangement. Borrowings outstanding under this margin loan bore interest at a rate of 2.75% per annum at March 31, 2017. As of March 31, 2017, availability under the revolving line of credit was $500 million. 1,138.4 million shares of SIRIUS XM common stock held by Liberty with a value of $5,863 million were pledged as collateral to the $750 million margin loan due 2018 as of March 31, 2017. The margin loan contains various affirmative and negative covenants that restrict the activities of the borrower. The loan agreement does not include any financial covenants.

Live Nation Margin Loan

 

On November 8, 2016, LMC LYV, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Liberty, entered into a margin loan agreement with an availability of $500 million with various lender parties (the “Live Nation Margin Loan”).  This margin loan has a two year term and bears interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 2.25% and contains an undrawn commitment fee of 0.75% per annum. Borrowings outstanding under this margin loan bore interest at a rate of 3.28% per annum at March 31, 2017. Interest on the term loan is payable on the first business day of each calendar quarter. This loan was undrawn as of December 31, 2016. On January 20, 2017, LMC LYV, LLC drew $350 million under the margin loan, and the proceeds were used for the Second Closing, as discussed in note 3. As of March 31, 2017, availability under the Live Nation Margin Loan was $150 million. 53.7 million shares of the Company’s Live Nation common stock with a value of $1,632 million and 1.9 million shares of the Company’s Viacom common stock with a value of $86 million were pledged as collateral to the loan as of March 31, 2017.

SIRIUS XM Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility

SIRIUS XM has entered into a Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility (the "Credit Facility") with a syndicate of financial institutions with a total borrowing capacity of $1,750 million which matures in June 2020. The Credit Facility is guaranteed by certain of SIRIUS XM’s material domestic subsidiaries and is secured by a lien on substantially all of SIRIUS XM's assets and the assets of its material domestic subsidiaries. The proceeds of loans under the Credit Facility are used for working capital and other general corporate purposes, including financing acquisitions, share repurchases and dividends. Borrowings outstanding under the Credit Facility as of March 31, 2017 bore interest at a rate of 2.63% per annum. Interest on borrowings is payable on a monthly basis and accrues at a rate based on LIBOR plus an applicable rate.

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Table of Contents

LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

SIRIUS XM is also required to pay a variable fee on the average daily unused portion of the Credit Facility which as of March 31, 2017 was 0.25% per annum and is payable on a quarterly basis.  As of March 31, 2017, availability under the Credit Facility was $1,220 million.  

Braves Holdings Notes

In 2014, Braves Holdings, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, purchased 82 acres of land for the purpose of constructing a Major League Baseball facility and development of a mixed-use complex adjacent to the ballpark.  The new facility is expected to cost approximately $672 million and Braves Holdings expects to spend approximately $50 million in other costs and equipment related to the new ballpark.  Funding for the ballpark will be split between Braves Holdings, Cobb County, the Cumberland Improvement District (the “CID”) and Cobb-Marietta Coliseum and Exhibit Hall Authority (the “Authority”).  The CID, Cobb County and the Authority were responsible for funding $392 million of ballpark related construction, and Braves Holdings is responsible for the remainder of cost, including cost overruns.  The Authority issued $368 million in bonds during September 2015. Braves Holdings received $103 million of the bond proceeds during September 2015 as reimbursement for project costs paid for by Braves Holdings prior to the funding of the bonds. Funding for ballpark initiatives by Braves Holdings has come from cash reserves and utilization of two credit facilities.

During September 2015, Braves Holdings entered into a $345 million term loan (the “Braves Term Loan”). The Braves Term Loan initially bore interest at LIBOR plus an applicable spread between 1.50% and 1.75% per annum (based on the debt service coverage ratio) and an unused commitment fee of 0.35% per annum based on the average daily unused portion of the Braves Term Loan, payable quarterly in arrears. In connection with entering into the Braves Senior Secured Note during August 2016 (discussed below), Braves Holdings partially repaid and reduced the capacity on the Braves Term Loan from $345 million to $130 million. As of March 31, 2017, the interest rate on the Braves Term Loan was 2.03%. The Braves Term Loan is scheduled to mature during August 2021. In connection with entering into the Braves Term Loan, Braves Holdings partially repaid and reduced the capacity on one of the credit facilities from $250 million to $85 million for a total capacity under the credit facilities of $185 million. As of March 31, 2017, the weighted average interest rate on the credit facilities was 1.78%. As of March 31, 2017, Braves Holdings has borrowed approximately $101 million under the Braves Term Loan and two facilities.

During August 2016, a subsidiary of Braves Holdings entered into a $200 million senior secured note which was funded during October 2016 (the “Braves Senior Secured Note”). The Braves Senior Secured Note bears interest at 3.77% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears. The Braves Senior Secured Note is scheduled to mature during August 2041. A portion of the proceeds from the Braves Senior Secured Note were used to partially repay the Braves Term Loan, and the remaining funds will be used to finance the stadium construction.

Due to Braves Holdings providing the initial funding of the project and its ownership of the land during the initial construction period, until the initial reimbursement by the Authority during September 2015 at which time the land was conveyed to the Authority, Braves Holdings was deemed the owner (for accounting purposes) of the stadium during the construction period and costs were classified as construction in progress (“CIP”) within the Property and equipment, net line item. Costs of the project were captured in CIP along with a corresponding financing obligation, reported in other liabilities, for amounts funded by the Authority. At the end of the construction period in March 2017, the Company performed an analysis and determined that due to Braves Holdings’ continuing involvement with the property as a result of the purchase option at the end of the lease term, the stadium did not qualify for sale-leaseback accounting treatment. Accordingly, Braves Holdings applied the financing method of accounting whereby Braves Holdings began making license payments and amortizing the financing obligation to the Authority using the effective interest rate method over a 30 year term. The stadium was reclassified from CIP and placed into service on March 31, 2017. Also at this time, Braves Holdings began depreciating the stadium over a 45 year estimated useful life.

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LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

In addition, Braves Holdings through affiliated entities and outside development partners are in the process of developing land around the ballpark for a mixed-use complex that is expected to feature retail, residential, office, hotel and entertainment opportunities.  The estimated cost for mixed-use development is $558 million, of which Braves Holdings affiliated entities are expected to fund approximately $490 million through a mix of approximately $200 million in equity and $290 million in new debt. In December 2015, certain subsidiaries of Braves Holdings entered into three separate credit facilities totaling $207 million to fund a portion of the mixed use development costs. The maturity dates of the facilities range between December 2018 and December 2019, and all of the facilities contain two year extension options. Interest rates on the credit facilities bear interest at LIBOR plus an applicable spread between 2.0% and 2.6%, with certain step-downs upon lease of the mixed use facilities at the completion of construction. As of March 31, 2017,  $104 million was drawn on these facilities with a weighted average interest rate of 2.97%. As discussed in note 7,  464 thousand Time Warner shares were pledged as collateral to these facilities. The fair value of the shares pledged as of March 31, 2017 was $45 million. Additionally, in August 2016, a subsidiary of Braves Holdings entered into a credit facility with an availability of $30 million to fund a portion of the entertainment venue as part of the mixed use development. This facility matures during August 2020 and contains one twelve month extension option. The credit facility bears interest at LIBOR plus 3.25%, with a step-down upon completion of construction. As of March 31, 2017, the interest rate on this facility was 4.23%, and $15 million was drawn. 

As of March 31, 2017, approximately $653 million has been spent to-date on the baseball facility, of which approximately $378 million of funding has been provided by the Authority, and $354 million has been spent to date on the mixed-use development.

Formula 1 Notes and Loans

Bank Loans

Formula 1 has two first lien term loans outstanding, $3.1 billion denominated in U.S. Dollars (the “$3.1 billion Senior Loan Facility”) that matures on February 1, 2024 and $42 million outstanding denominated in Euros that matures on July 30, 2021  (together, the “Senior Loan Facilities”). The $3.1 billion Senior Loan Facility  was modified as part of a refinancing during March 2017. Although the total amount outstanding under the $3.1 billion Senior Loan Facility did not change, $628 million of the $3.1 billion Senior Loan Facility was considered repaid and then borrowed due to a change in the mix of counterparties in the $3.1 billion Senior Loan Facility.  As part of the refinancing, the interest rate on the Senior Loan Facilities was reduced from LIBOR plus 3.75% per annum to LIBOR plus 3.25% per annum, with a LIBOR floor on the U.S. Dollar denominated debt of 1%. The weighted average interest rate on the Senior Loan Facilities was approximately 4.6% as of March 31, 2017. The Senior Loan Facilities are secured by share pledges, bank accounts and floating charges over Formula 1’s primary operating companies with certain cross guarantees. Additionally, as of March 31, 2017, Formula 1 has entered into interest rate swaps on $2.7 billion of the $3.1 billion Senior Loan Facility in order to manage its interest rate risk.

Formula  1 also has a Second Lien Facility with $1 billion outstanding at the time of acquisition by Liberty. The Second Lien Facility matures on July 29, 2022. Formula 1 repaid $300 million outstanding on the Second Lien Facility during March 2017. The Second Lien Facility bears interest at LIBOR plus 6.75% per annum, subject to a LIBOR floor of 1%.  The interest rate on the Second Lien Facility was 8.07% as of March 31, 2017.

Delta Topco Exchangeable Notes

As discussed in note 3, in connection with the Second Closing on January 23, 2017, Delta Topco issued $351 million in subordinated exchangeable debt instruments upon the conversion of certain outstanding Delta Topco loan notes. The Delta Topco Exchangeable Notes bear interest at 2% per annum, mature in July 2019 and are exchangeable into cash or

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LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

newly issued shares of Series C Liberty Formula One common stock at the election of Delta Topco. Interest is payable by either, at the discretion of Delta Topco, (i) issuing payment-in-kind notes or (ii) cash. The Delta Topco Exchangeable Notes are attributed to the Formula One Group.

   

The Delta Topco Exchangeable Notes may be exchanged at the option of the noteholder into shares of Series C Liberty Formula One common stock, subject to Delta Topco’s right to instead redeem such Delta Topco Exchangeable Notes for cash. At any time when the total principal amount of the Delta Topco Exchangeable Notes outstanding and owned by the noteholder or its affiliates is less than the total principal amount originally issued to such noteholder, then Delta Topco will have the right to require the noteholder to exchange any or all of such noteholder’s Delta Topco Exchangeable Notes for shares of Series C Liberty Formula One common stock or cash (at Delta Topco’s election). Additionally, if a noteholder proposes to transfer any of its Delta Topco Exchangeable Notes to a person other than a permitted transferee, then Delta Topco will have the option to redeem such Delta Topco Exchangeable Notes for cash. However, if Delta Topco does not timely exercise its right to effect this redemption for cash, then the Delta Topco Exchangeable Notes proposed to be transferred will be automatically exchanged prior to transfer into shares of Series C Liberty Formula One common stock. Although the exact number of shares of Series C Liberty Formula One common stock which may become issuable upon any of these events cannot be predicted, if all Delta Topco Exchangeable Notes were tendered in connection with a noteholder optional exchange on July 22, 2019, which is just before the maturity date, the maximum number of shares of Series C Liberty Formula One common stock issuable upon the exchange would be approximately 15.7 million shares, assuming interest on the Delta Topco Exchangeable Notes is not issued in the form of payment-in-kind notes.

The debt host component of the Delta Topco Exchangeable Notes is recorded as debt while the embedded conversion option is recorded in additional paid-in capital,  with the related premium amortized over the expected term of the loan, using the effective interest rate method. Upon settlement, the Company will record a true-up to additional paid-in capital for the amount and type (cash or shares of Series C Liberty Formula One  common stock) of settlement. As the Company has the option to settle the liability in shares of Series C Liberty Formula One common stock, the debt host component is presented as a long-term liability in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2017. 

Debt Covenants

The SIRIUS XM Credit Facility contains certain financial covenants related to SIRIUS XM’s leverage ratio. The Braves Term Loan contains certain financial covenants related to Braves Holdings’ debt service coverage ratio and capital expenditures.  Additionally, SIRIUS XM’s Credit Facility, the Braves Term Loan, Formula 1 debt and other borrowings contain certain non-financial covenants.  The Company, SIRIUS XM, Formula 1 and Braves Holdings are in compliance with all debt covenants as of March 31, 2017.

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LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

Fair Value of Debt

The fair value, based on quoted market prices of the same instruments but not considered to be active markets (Level 2), of SIRIUS XM's publicly traded debt securities, not reported at fair value, are as follows (amounts in millions):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

March 31, 2017

 

SIRIUS XM 5.75% Senior Notes due 2021

 

$

625

 

SIRIUS XM 5.25% Senior Secured Notes due 2022

 

$

415

 

SIRIUS XM 4.25% Senior Notes due 2020

 

$

506

 

SIRIUS XM 4.625% Senior Notes due 2023

 

$

511

 

SIRIUS XM 6% Senior Notes due 2024

 

$

1,609

 

SIRIUS XM 5.375% Senior Notes due 2025

 

$

1,024

 

SIRIUS XM 5.375% Senior Notes due 2026

 

$

1,023

 

Due to the variable rate nature of the Credit Facility, margin loans and other debt the Company believes that the carrying amount approximates fair value at March 31, 2017. 

(11)   Commitments and Contingencies

Guarantees

In connection with agreements for the sale of assets by the Company or its subsidiaries, the Company may retain liabilities that relate to events occurring prior to its sale, such as tax, environmental, litigation and employment matters. The Company generally indemnifies the purchaser in the event that a third party asserts a claim against the purchaser that relates to a liability retained by the Company. These types of indemnification obligations may extend for a number of years. The Company is unable to estimate the maximum potential liability for these types of indemnification obligations as the sale agreements may 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, the Company 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.

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, 2017 aggregated $278 million, which is payable as follows: $98 million in 2017,  $79 million in 2018,  $41 million in 2019,  $29 million in 2020 and $31 million thereafter. In addition to the foregoing amounts, certain players and coaches may earn incentive compensation under the terms of their employment contracts.

Operating Leases

The Company and its subsidiaries lease business offices, have entered into satellite transponder lease agreements and use certain equipment under lease arrangements.

Litigation

The Company has contingent liabilities related to legal and tax proceedings and other matters arising in the ordinary course of business. Although it is reasonably possible the Company may incur losses upon conclusion of such matters, an

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LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

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.

Vivendi Settlement.   In connection with a commercial transaction that closed during 2002 among Liberty, Vivendi Universal S.A. (“Vivendi”) and the former USA Holdings, Inc., Liberty brought suit against Vivendi and Universal Studios, Inc. in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, alleging, among other things, breach of contract and fraud by Vivendi. On June 25, 2012, a jury awarded Liberty damages in the amount of €765 million, plus prejudgment interest, in connection with a finding of breach of contract and fraud by the defendants.  On January 17, 2013, the court entered judgment in favor of Liberty in the amount of approximately €945 million, including prejudgment interest. The parties negotiated a stay of the execution of the judgment during the pendency of the appeal.  Vivendi has filed notice of its appeal of the judgment to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. During the first quarter of 2016, Liberty entered into a settlement with Vivendi which resulted in a $775 million payment to settle all claims related to the dispute described above. Following the payment of a contingency fee to our legal counsel, as well as amounts payable to Liberty Global plc, an additional plaintiff in the action, Liberty recognized a net pre-tax gain on the legal settlement of approximately $511 million. This settlement resulted in a dismissal of all appeals and mutual releases of the parties.

SoundExchange Royalty Claims.   In August 2013, SoundExchange, Inc. filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia alleging that SIRIUS XM underpaid royalties for statutory licenses during the 2007-2012 rate period in violation of the regulations established by the Copyright Royalty Board for that period.  SoundExchange principally alleges that SIRIUS XM improperly reduced its calculation of gross revenue, on which the royalty payments are based, by deducting non-recognized revenue attributable to pre-1972 recordings and Premier package revenue that is not “separately charged” as required by the regulations. SIRIUS XM believes that it properly applied the gross revenue exclusions contained in the regulations established by the Copyright Royalty Board. SoundExchange is seeking compensatory damages of not less than $50 million and up to $100 million or more, payment of late fees and interest and attorneys’ fees and costs.

In August 2014, the United States District Court for the District of Columbia in response to SIRIUS XM’s motion to dismiss the complaint, stayed the case on the grounds that the case properly should be pursued in the first instance before the Copyright Royalty Board rather than the District Court.  In its opinion, the District Court concluded that the gross revenue exclusions in the regulations established by the Copyright Royalty Board for the 2007-2012 period were ambiguous and did not, on their face, make clear whether our royalty calculation approaches were permissible under the regulations.  In December 2014, SoundExchange filed a petition with the Copyright Royalty Board requesting an order interpreting the applicable regulations.

On January 10, 2017, the Copyright Royalty Board issued a ruling concluding that SIRIUS XM correctly interpreted the revenue exclusions applicable to pre-1972 recordings, but in certain cases did not apply those exclusions properly.  The ruling further indicated that SIRIUS XM improperly claimed a revenue exclusion based on its Premier package upcharge, because, in the judges’ view, the portion of the package that contained programming that did not include sound recordings was not offered for a “separate charge” in accordance with the regulations.  On March 9, 2017, the Copyright Royalty Board issued an order withdrawing its January 10, 2017 ruling in its entirety and requesting that the parties submit briefs addressing certain jurisdictional issues related to this proceeding.

Rulings by the Copyright Royalty Board are subject to limited legal review by the Register of Copyrights.  SIRIUS XM expects that any ruling by the Copyright Royalty Board in this matter (and any potential review by the Register of Copyrights) will be transmitted back to the District Court for further proceedings, such as adjudication claims relating to

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LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

damages and defenses.  SIRIUS XM believes it has substantial defenses to SoundExchange claims that can be asserted, including in proceedings in the District Court, and will continue to defend this action vigorously.

This matter is titled SoundExchange, Inc. v. Sirius XM Radio, Inc., No.13-cv-1290-RJL (D.D.C.), and Determination of Rates and Terms for Preexisting Subscription Services and Satellite Digital Audio Radio Services, United States Copyright Royalty Board, No. 2006-1 CRB DSTRA.  Information concerning the action is publicly available in filings under the docket numbers. This matter is not related to certain claims under state law brought by owners of pre-1972 recording copyrights arising out of our use and performance of those recordings.

At March 31, 2017, SIRIUS XM concluded that a loss, in excess of its recorded liabilities, is reasonably possible in connection with the SoundExchange royalty claims.  The estimable portion of such possible loss ranges from $0 to $70 million plus any related interest or late fees.  Based on SIRIUS XM’s defenses, such a loss is not considered probable at this time and no liability for such additional loss has been recorded at March 31, 2017.  The matters underlying this estimated range and the estimable portion of reasonably possible losses may change from time to time and the actual possible loss may vary from this estimate.

(12)   Information About Liberty's Operating Segments

The Company, through its ownership interests in subsidiaries and other companies, is primarily engaged in the media, communications and entertainment industries. The Company identifies its reportable segments as (A) those consolidated subsidiaries that represent 10% or more of its consolidated annual revenue, annual Adjusted OIBDA or total assets and (B) those equity method affiliates whose share of earnings represent 10% or more of the Company's annual pre-tax earnings.

The Company evaluates performance and makes decisions about allocating resources to its operating segments based on financial measures such as revenue and Adjusted OIBDA. In addition, the Company reviews nonfinancial measures such as subscriber growth, churn and penetration.

The Company defines Adjusted OIBDA as revenue less operating expenses, and selling, general and administrative expenses excluding all stock-based compensation. The Company 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. The Company 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, 2017, the Company has identified SIRIUS XM and Formula 1 as its reportable segments. SIRIUS XM is a consolidated subsidiary that provides a subscription based satellite radio service.  SIRIUS XM transmits music, sports, entertainment, comedy, talk, news, traffic and weather channels as well as infotainment services in the United States on a subscription fee basis through its two proprietary satellite radio systems - the Sirius system and the XM system.  Subscribers can also receive music and other channels, plus features such as SiriusXM On Demand and MySXM, over SIRIUS XM’s Internet radio service, including through applications for mobile devices. Formula 1 is a global motorsports business that holds exclusive commercial rights with respect to the World Championship, an annual, approximately nine-month long, motor race-based competition in which teams compete for the Constructors'

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LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

Championship and drivers compete for the Drivers' Championship. The World Championship takes place on various circuits with a varying number of events taking place in different countries around the world each season. Formula 1 is responsible for the commercial exploitation and development of the World Championship as well as various aspects of its management and administration. The Company acquired a controlling interest in Formula 1 on January 23, 2017, at which time it began consolidating the results of the Formula 1 business.

The Company's segments are strategic business units that offer different products and services. They are managed separately because each segment requires different technologies, differing revenue sources and marketing strategies. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the Company's summary of significant policies in the Company's annual financial statements filed on Form 10-K.

Performance Measures

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended  March 31,

 

 

 

2017

 

2016

 

 

    

 

 

    

Adjusted

    

 

    

Adjusted

 

 

 

Revenue

 

OIBDA

 

Revenue

 

OIBDA

 

 

 

amounts in millions

 

Liberty SiriusXM Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SIRIUS XM

 

$

1,294

 

500

 

1,200

 

439

 

Corporate and other

 

 

 —

 

(4)

 

 —

 

 —

 

Total Liberty SiriusXM Group

 

 

1,294

 

496

 

1,200

 

439

 

Braves Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate and other

 

 

 5

 

(29)

 

 4

 

(36)

 

Total Braves Group

 

 

 5

 

(29)

 

 4

 

(36)

 

Formula One Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Formula 1

 

 

96

 

18

 

NA

 

NA

 

Corporate and other

 

 

 —

 

(18)

 

 —

 

(12)

 

Total Formula One Group

 

 

96

 

 —

 

 —

 

(12)

 

Consolidated Liberty

 

$

1,395

 

467

 

1,204

 

391

 

 

 

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LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(unaudited)

Other Information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 31, 2017

 

 

    

Total

    

Investments

    

Capital

 

 

 

assets

 

in affiliates

 

expenditures

 

 

 

amounts in millions

 

Liberty SiriusXM Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SIRIUS XM

 

$

26,973

 

165

 

54

 

Corporate and other

 

 

128

 

 —

 

 —

 

Total Liberty SiriusXM Group

 

 

27,101

 

165

 

54

 

Braves Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate and other

 

 

1,658

 

48

 

102

 

Total Braves Group

 

 

1,658

 

48

 

102

 

Formula One Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Formula 1

 

 

9,827

 

 —

 

 —

 

Corporate and other

 

 

2,659

 

888

 

 —

 

Total Formula One Group

 

 

12,486

 

888

 

 —

 

Elimination (1)

 

 

(243)

 

 —

 

 —

 

Consolidated Liberty

 

$

41,002

 

1,101

 

156

 


(1)

This is primarily the intergroup interest in the Braves Group held by the Formula One Group, as discussed in note 2. The intergroup interest attributable to the Formula One Group is presented as an asset and the intergroup interest attributable to the Braves Group is presented as a liability in the attributed financial statements and the offsetting amounts between tracking stock groups are eliminated in consolidation.

The following table provides a reconciliation of segment Adjusted OIBDA to Operating income (loss) and Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

    

2017

    

2016

 

 

 

amounts in millions

 

Consolidated segment Adjusted OIBDA

 

$

467

 

391

 

Legal settlement, net (note 11)

 

 

 —

 

511

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

(44)

 

(34)

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

(164)

 

(87)

 

Operating income (loss)

 

 

259

 

781

 

Interest expense

 

 

(140)

 

(84)

 

Share of earnings (losses) of affiliates, net

 

 

(4)

 

(12)

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net

 

 

(12)

 

(8)

 

Other, net

 

 

17

 

 7

 

Earnings (loss) before income taxes

 

$

120

 

684

 

 

 

 

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Item 2.    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

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 SIRIUS XM Holdings Inc. ("SIRIUS XM"); the recoverability of our goodwill and other long-lived assets; the performance of our equity affiliates; our projected sources and uses of cash; SIRIUS XM's stock repurchase program; and the anticipated non-material impact of certain contingent liabilities related to legal and tax proceedings; the integration of Delta Topco Limited (“Delta Topco”) and by extension Formula 1 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 (as they relate to our consolidated subsidiaries and equity affiliates) that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated: 

·

consumer demand for our products and services and our ability to adapt to changes in demand;

·

competitor responses to our businesses’ products and services;

·

uncertainties inherent in the development and integration of new business lines and business strategies;

·

uncertainties associated with product and service development and market acceptance, including the development and provision of programming for satellite radio and telecommunications technologies;

·

our businesses’ significant dependence upon automakers;

·

our businesses’ ability to attract and retain subscribers in the future is uncertain;

·

our future financial performance, including availability, terms and deployment of capital;

·

the integration of Formula 1;

·

our ability to successfully integrate and recognize anticipated efficiencies and benefits from the businesses we acquire;

·

the ability of suppliers and vendors to deliver products, equipment, software and services;

·

interruption or failure of our information technology and communication systems, including the failure of SIRIUS XM’s satellites, could negatively impact our results and brand;

·

changes and uncertainties in the market for music rights;

·

the outcome of any pending or threatened litigation;

·

availability of qualified personnel;

·

changes in, or failure or inability to comply with, government regulations, including, without limitation, regulations of the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) and consumer protection laws, and adverse outcomes from regulatory proceedings;

·

changes in the nature of key strategic relationships with partners, vendors and joint venturers;

·

general economic and business conditions and industry trends including the current economic downturn;

·

consumer spending levels, including the availability and amount of individual consumer debt;

·

rapid technological and industry changes;

·

harmful interference our businesses’ service may experience from new wireless operations;

·

impairments by third-party intellectual property rights;

·

our indebtedness could adversely affect operations and could limit the ability of our subsidiaries to react to changes in the economy or our industry;

·

failure to protect the security of personal information about our businesses’ customers, subjecting our businesses to potentially costly government enforcement actions or private litigation and reputational damage;

·

capital spending for the acquisition and/or development of telecommunications networks and services;

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·

the impact of AT&T’s agreement to acquire Time Warner on our 2.25% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2046;

·

the regulatory and competitive environment of the industries in which we, and the entities in which we have interests, operate; and

·

natural catastrophes, threatened terrorist attacks, political unrest in international markets and ongoing military action around the world.

For additional risk factors, please see Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. 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, 2016. See note 1 in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for an overview of new accounting standards that we have adopted or that we plan to adopt that have had or may have an impact on our financial statements.

Overview

We own controlling and non-controlling interests in a broad range of media, communications and entertainment companies. Our most significant operating subsidiary, which is also a reportable segment, is SIRIUS XM. SIRIUS XM provides a subscription based satellite radio service.  SIRIUS XM transmits music, sports, entertainment, comedy, talk, news, traffic and weather channels as well as infotainment services in the United States on a subscription fee basis through its two proprietary satellite radio systems - the Sirius system and the XM system.  Subscribers can also receive their music and other channels, plus features such as SiriusXM On Demand and MySXM, over SIRIUS XM’s Internet radio service, including through applications for mobile devices.  Additionally, Liberty acquired a controlling interest in Delta Topco, the parent company of Formula 1, on January 23, 2017. Beginning on this date, Formula 1 is a consolidated subsidiary and is also a reportable segment. Formula 1 is a global motorsports business that holds exclusive commercial rights with respect to the World Championship, an annual, approximately nine-month long, motor race-based competition in which teams compete for the Constructors' Championship and drivers compete for the Drivers' Championship. The World Championship takes place on various circuits with a varying number of events (“Events”) taking place in different countries around the world each season. Formula 1 is responsible for the commercial exploitation and development of the World Championship as well as various aspects of its management and administration. 

Our "Corporate and Other" category includes our consolidated subsidiary, Braves Holdings, LLC ("Braves Holdings") and corporate expenses. Braves Holdings owns the Atlanta Braves, a Major League Baseball club, as well as certain of the Atlanta Braves' minor league clubs.

In addition to the foregoing businesses, we hold ownership interests in Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. ("Live Nation") and through SIRIUS XM, SIRIUS XM Canada, 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”) and Viacom, Inc. (“Viacom”), which are accounted for at their respective fair market values and are included in corporate and other.

As discussed in note 2 of the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements, on April 15, 2016, Liberty completed a reclassification of the Company’s common stock into three new tracking stock groups, one designated as the Liberty Braves common stock, one designated as the Liberty Media common stock and one designated as the Liberty SiriusXM common stock (the “Recapitalization”). Upon completion of the Second Closing, as discussed below, the Liberty Media Group was renamed the Liberty Formula One Group (the “Formula One Group”).  Although the Recapitalization was not effective for all periods presented herein, information has been presented among the tracking stock groups for all periods presented as if the Recapitalization had been completed as of January 1, 2016. This attribution

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of historical financial information does not purport to be what actual results and balances would have been if the Recapitalization had actually occurred and been in place during the periods prior to April 15, 2016. Operating results prior to the Recapitalization are attributed to Liberty stockholders in the aggregate.

A tracking stock is a type of common stock that the issuing company intends to reflect or "track" the economic performance of a particular business or "group," rather than the economic performance of the company as a whole. While the Liberty SiriusXM Group, Liberty Braves Group (the “Braves Group”) and Formula One Group have separate collections of businesses, assets and liabilities attributed to them, no group is a separate legal entity and therefore cannot own assets, issue securities or enter into legally binding agreements. Therefore, the Liberty SiriusXM Group, Braves Group and Formula One Group do not represent separate legal entities, but rather represent those businesses, assets and liabilities that have been attributed to each respective group. Holders of tracking stock have no direct claim to the group's stock or assets and therefore, do not own, by virtue of their ownership of a Liberty tracking stock, any equity or voting interest in a public company, such as SIRIUS XM or Live Nation, in which Liberty holds an interest and that is attributed to a Liberty tracking stock group, such as the Liberty SiriusXM Group or the Formula One Group. Holders of tracking stock are also not represented by separate boards of directors. Instead, holders of tracking stock are stockholders of the parent corporation, with a single board of directors and subject to all of the risks and liabilities of the parent corporation.

The term "Liberty SiriusXM Group" does not represent a separate legal entity, rather it represents those businesses, assets and liabilities that have been attributed to that group. Following the Recapitalization, the Liberty SiriusXM Group is primarily comprised of Liberty’s subsidiary, SIRIUS XM, corporate cash and a margin loan obligation incurred by a wholly-owned special purpose subsidiary of Liberty. As of March 31, 2017, the Liberty SiriusXM Group has cash and cash equivalents of approximately $330 million, which includes approximately $230 million of subsidiary cash.

The term "Braves Group" does not represent a separate legal entity, rather it represents those businesses, assets and liabilities that have been attributed to that group. Following the Recapitalization, the Braves Group is primarily comprised of Braves Holdings, which indirectly owns the Atlanta Braves Major League Baseball Club (“ANLBC”) and certain assets and liabilities associated with ANLBC’s stadium and mixed use development project (the “Development Project”), corporate cash and all liabilities arising under a note from Braves Holdings to Liberty, with a total capacity of up to $165 million of borrowings by Braves Holdings (the “Intergroup Note”) relating to funds to be borrowed and used for investment in the Development Project. As discussed below, the Intergroup Note, including accrued interest, was repaid during June 2016 using proceeds from the subscription rights offering and the Intergroup Note agreement was cancelled. As of March 31, 2017, the Braves Group has cash and cash equivalents of approximately $115 million, which includes subsidiary cash.

 

Following the Recapitalization, Liberty issued subscription rights to acquire shares of Series C Liberty Braves tracking stock. The rights offering was fully subscribed on June 16, 2016 with 15,833,634 shares of Series C Liberty Braves common stock issued at a price per share of $12.80 to those rightsholders exercising basic and, if applicable, oversubscription privileges. Approximately $150 million of the proceeds from the rights offering were used to repay the outstanding balance on the Intergroup Note and accrued interest to Liberty. The remaining proceeds will be used for future development costs attributed to the Braves Group. In September 2016, the IRS completed its review of the distribution of the Liberty Braves subscription rights and notified Liberty that it agreed with the nontaxable characterization of the distribution.

 

The term "Formula One Group" does not represent a separate legal entity, rather it represents those businesses, assets and liabilities that have been attributed to that group. Following the Recapitalization, the Formula One Group is primarily comprised of all of the businesses, assets and liabilities of Liberty other than those specifically attributed to the Liberty SiriusXM Group or the Braves Group, including Liberty’s interests in Formula 1 and Live Nation, minority equity investments in Time Warner, Inc. and Viacom, Inc., the recovery received in connection with the Vivendi lawsuit and cash, Liberty’s 1.375% Cash Convertible Notes due 2023 and related financial instruments, Liberty’s 2.25% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2046 and Liberty’s 1% Cash Convertible Notes due 2023.  Following the creation of the tracking stocks and the closing of the Series C Liberty Braves common stock rights offering, the Formula One Group retains an intergroup interest in the Braves Group of approximately 15.5% as of March 31, 2017. The Formula One Group has cash and cash equivalents of approximately $626 million as of March 31, 2017, which includes approximately $432 million of subsidiary cash.

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As discussed in note 3 of the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements, on September 7, 2016 Liberty, through its indirect wholly owned subsidiary Liberty GR Cayman Acquisition Company, entered into two definitive stock purchase agreements relating to the acquisition of Delta Topco, the parent company of Formula 1. The transactions contemplated by the first purchase agreement were completed on September 7, 2016, resulting in the acquisition of slightly less than a 20% minority stake in Formula 1 on an undiluted basis. On October 27, 2016 under the terms of the first purchase agreement, Liberty acquired an additional incremental equity interest of Delta Topco, maintaining Liberty’s investment in Delta Topco on an undiluted basis and increasing slightly to 19.1% on a fully diluted basis.  Liberty acquired 100% of the fully diluted equity interests of Delta Topco, other than a nominal number of shares held by certain Formula 1 teams, in a closing under the second purchase agreement (and following the unwind of the first purchase agreement) on January 23, 2017 (the “Second Closing”). Liberty’s acquired interest in Delta Topco and by extension Formula 1, along with existing Formula 1 cash and debt (which is non-recourse to Liberty), was attributed to the Formula One Group upon completion of the Second Closing.

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Results of Operations—Consolidated

General.    We provide in the tables below information regarding our Consolidated Operating Results and Other Income and Expense, as well as information regarding the contribution to those items from our reportable segments. The "Corporate and other" category consists of those assets or businesses which do not qualify as a separate reportable segment. For a more detailed discussion and analysis of the financial results of our principal reportable segment see "Results of Operations—Businesses" below.

Consolidated Operating Results

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

    

2017

    

2016

 

 

 

amounts in millions

 

Revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liberty SiriusXM Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

SIRIUS XM

 

$

1,294

 

1,200

 

Total Liberty SiriusXM Group

 

 

1,294

 

1,200

 

Braves Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate and other

 

 

 5

 

 4

 

Total Braves Group

 

 

 5

 

 4

 

Formula One Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

Formula 1

 

 

96

 

NA

 

Corporate and other

 

 

 —

 

 —

 

Total Formula One Group

 

 

96

 

 —

 

Consolidated Liberty

 

$

1,395

 

1,204

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating Income (Loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liberty SiriusXM Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

SIRIUS XM

 

$

381

 

336

 

Corporate and other

 

 

(9)

 

 —

 

Total Liberty SiriusXM Group

 

 

372

 

336

 

Braves Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate and other

 

 

(33)

 

(43)

 

Total Braves Group

 

 

(33)

 

(43)

 

Formula One Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

Formula 1

 

 

(57)

 

NA

 

Corporate and other

 

 

(23)

 

488

 

Total Formula One Group

 

 

(80)

 

488

 

Consolidated Liberty

 

$

259

 

781

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted OIBDA

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liberty SiriusXM Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

SIRIUS XM

 

$

500

 

439

 

Corporate and other

 

 

(4)

 

 —

 

Total Liberty SiriusXM Group

 

 

496

 

439

 

Braves Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate and other

 

 

(29)

 

(36)

 

Total Braves Group

 

 

(29)

 

(36)

 

Formula One Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

Formula 1

 

 

18

 

NA

 

Corporate and other

 

 

(18)

 

(12)

 

Total Formula One Group

 

 

 —

 

(12)

 

Consolidated Liberty

 

$

467

 

391

 

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Revenue.    Our consolidated revenue increased $191 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. The increase was primarily due to $96 million of Formula 1 revenue recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2017 as a result of the Company’s acquisition of Formula 1 on January 23, 2017 as well as revenue growth at SIRIUS XM ($94 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017) as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. Additionally, Braves Holdings revenue increased $1 million during the three months ended March 31, 2017, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. See "Results of Operations—Businesses"  below for a more complete discussion of the results of operations of SIRIUS XM, Formula 1 and Braves Holdings, including a discussion of the SIRIUS XM, Formula 1 and Braves Holdings results on a comparative basis.

Operating income (loss).    Our consolidated operating income decreased $522 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. The decrease in operating income was primarily a result of the favorable one-time net $511 million Vivendi lawsuit settlement during the first quarter of 2016, as discussed in note 11 of the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. Consolidated Liberty operating income was also impacted by an increase in Liberty SiriusXM Group operating income of $36 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and an improvement of the Braves Group operating loss of $10 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017.  Formula One Group operating income decreased $57 million during the period due to the acquisition of Formula 1 during the three months ended March 31, 2017. Exclusive of the impact of the Vivendi lawsuit settlement and acquisition of Formula 1, Formula One Group operating income remained flat. See "Results of Operations—Businesses" below for a more complete discussion of the results of operations of SIRIUS XM, Formula 1 and Braves Holdings.

Stock-based compensation.    Stock-based compensation includes compensation related to (1) options and stock appreciation rights for shares of our common stock that are granted to certain of our officers and employees, (2) options, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and other stock-based awards granted to officers, employees and certain third parties of our subsidiaries, SIRIUS XM and Formula 1,  (3) phantom stock appreciation rights granted to officers and employees of our subsidiary, Braves Holdings, pursuant to private equity plans and (4) amortization of restricted stock and performance-based restricted stock unit grants.

We recorded $44 million and $34 million of stock compensation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The increase in stock compensation expense is primarily due to an increase in SIRIUS XM stock compensation expense.  As of March 31, 2017, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested Liberty equity awards was approximately $42 million. Such amount will be recognized in our condensed consolidated statements of operations over a weighted average period of approximately 2.2 years.  Additionally, as of March 31, 2017, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested SIRIUS XM stock options and restricted stock units was $253 million.  The SIRIUS XM unrecognized compensation cost will be recognized in our condensed consolidated statements of operations over a weighted average period of approximately 2.4 years.

Adjusted OIBDA.    We define Adjusted OIBDA as revenue less operating expenses and selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses excluding all stock-based compensation, separately reported litigation settlements and restructuring and impairment charges. 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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“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 Operating income (loss) and Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes.

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As separately reported in note 11 of the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements, the settlement associated with the future use of pre-1972 sound recordings is being recognized as a component of Adjusted OIBDA as revenue and share royalties expense in periods through 2017. Revenue share and royalties (included in operating income (loss)) includes $10 million for each of the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 attributable to the amortization in connection with the Capitol Records lawsuit settlement.

Consolidated Adjusted OIBDA improved $76 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. The increase in Adjusted OIBDA was due to improvements in Liberty SiriusXM Group, Braves Group and Formula One Group Adjusted OIBDA of $57 million,  $7 million and $12 million, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2017. See "Results of Operations—Businesses" below for a more complete discussion of the results of operations of SIRIUS XM, Formula 1 and Braves Holdings.

Other Income and Expense

Components of Other Income (Expense) are presented in the table below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

    

2017

    

2016

 

 

 

amounts in millions

 

Interest expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liberty SiriusXM Group

 

$

(84)

 

(81)

 

Braves Group

 

 

 —

 

 —

 

Formula One Group

 

 

(56)

 

(3)

 

Consolidated Liberty

 

$

(140)

 

(84)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share of earnings (losses) of affiliates, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liberty SiriusXM Group

 

$

 3

 

 7

 

Braves Group

 

 

 3

 

 2

 

Formula One Group

 

 

(10)

 

(21)

 

Consolidated Liberty

 

$

(4)

 

(12)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liberty SiriusXM Group

 

$

 —

 

 —

 

Braves Group

 

 

 —

 

 —

 

Formula One Group

 

 

(12)

 

(8)

 

Consolidated Liberty

 

$

(12)

 

(8)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liberty SiriusXM Group

 

$

 6

 

 1

 

Braves Group

 

 

 3

 

 —

 

Formula One Group

 

 

 8

 

 6

 

Consolidated Liberty

 

$

17

 

 7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(139)

 

(97)

 

Interest expense.    Consolidated interest expense increased $56 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. The increase  was due to an increase in the average amount of corporate and subsidiary debt outstanding during the period. Approximately $46 million of interest expense attributable to debt held at Formula 1 is included in the Company’s results for the three months ended March 31, 2017. Additionally, as discussed in note 10 of the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements, Liberty closed a private offering of approximately $445 million aggregate principal amount of 2.25% exchangeable senior debentures on August 17, 2016.   Furthermore, as  also discussed in note 10 of the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements, Liberty issued $450 million convertible cash notes at an interest rate of 1% per annum on January 23, 2017, in connection with the

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acquisition of Formula 1. Lastly, as also discussed in note 10 of the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements, on January 20, 2017, Liberty drew $350 million under the Live Nation Margin Loan which bears interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 2.25% and contains an undrawn commitment fee of 0.75% per annum. 

Share of earnings (losses) of affiliates.  The following table presents our share of earnings (losses) of affiliates:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

    

2017

    

2016

 

 

 

amounts in millions

 

Liberty SiriusXM Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

SIRIUS XM Canada

 

$

 3

 

 7

 

Total Liberty SiriusXM Group

 

 

 3

 

 7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Braves Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

 3

 

 2

 

Total Braves Group

 

 

 3

 

 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Formula One Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

Live Nation

 

 

(15)

 

(17)

 

Other

 

 

 5

 

(4)

 

Total Formula One Group

 

 

(10)

 

(21)

 

Consolidated Liberty

 

$

(4)

 

(12)

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net. Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments are comprised of changes in the fair value of the following:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

    

2017

    

2016

 

 

 

amounts in millions

 

Fair Value Option Securities

 

$

30

 

24

 

Debt measured at fair value

 

 

(116)

 

(3)

 

Change in fair value of bond hedges

 

 

78

 

(28)

 

Other derivatives

 

 

(4)

 

(1)

 

 

 

$

(12)

 

(8)

 

The gains on Fair Value Option Securities are due to improvements in market values for Liberty's public portfolio during the periods presented.

On August 17, 2016, Liberty closed a private offering of approximately $445 million aggregate principal amount of its 2.25% exchangeable senior debentures due 2046 (the “2.25% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2046”) which are accounted for at fair value. Upon an exchange of debentures, Liberty, at its option, may deliver Time Warner common stock, cash or a combination of Time Warner common stock and cash. The primary driver of the change in the fair value of the 2.25% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2046 are changes in the underlying price of Time Warner common stock.

Liberty issued $450 million convertible cash notes on January 23, 2017 at an interest rate of 1% per annum, which are convertible, under certain circumstances, into cash based on the trading prices of the underlying shares of Series C Liberty Formula One common stock and mature on January 30, 2023 (the ‘‘1% Convertible Notes’’) which are accounted for at fair value. The primary driver of the change in the fair value of the 1% Convertible Notes are changes in the underlying price of Series C Liberty Formula One common stock.

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Liberty issued $1 billion of cash convertible notes in October 2013 which are accounted for at fair value, as elected by Liberty at the issuance of the notes.  At the same time Liberty entered into a bond hedge transaction on the same amount of underlying shares.  These derivatives are marked to fair value on a recurring basis. Changes in the fair value are included in the realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net line item.  The primary driver of the change in the current period is the change in the fair value of the underlying stock. 

The unrealized loss on other derivatives for the three months ended March 31, 2017 is primarily due to losses on Formula 1 interest rate swaps.

Other, net.  Other, net gains for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 are due to interest and dividend income and the gain on sale of certain fixed assets.

Income taxes.  We had income tax expense of $76 million and $257 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2017 was higher than the federal tax rate of 35% primarily due to losses in foreign jurisdictions taxed at rates lower than the 35% U.S. federal tax rate and the impact of current period state income taxes. Tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2016 was higher than the federal tax rate of 35% due to the impact of state income taxes.

Net earnings.  We had net earnings of $44 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017, and $427 million and for the three months ended March 31, 2016. The change in net earnings was the result of the above-described fluctuations in our revenue, expenses and other gains and losses.

Material Changes in Financial Condition

As of March 31, 2017, substantially all of our cash and cash equivalents were invested in U.S. Treasury securities, other government agencies, AAA rated money market funds and other highly rated financial and corporate debt instruments.

The following are potential sources of liquidity: available cash balances, cash generated by the operating activities of our subsidiaries (to the extent such cash exceeds the working capital needs of the subsidiaries and is not otherwise restricted), proceeds from asset sales, monetization of our public investment portfolio (including derivatives), debt borrowings and equity issuances, and dividend and interest receipts.

Liberty does not have a debt rating.

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As of March 31, 2017 Liberty's liquidity position consisted of the following:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

 

    

Unencumbered

 

 

 

Cash and Cash

 

Fair Value Option

 

 

 

Equivalents

 

AFS Securities

 

 

 

amounts in millions

 

Liberty SiriusXM Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sirius XM

 

$

230

 

 

Corporate and other

 

 

100

 

 —

 

Total Liberty SiriusXM Group

 

$

330

 

 —

 

Braves Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate and other

 

$

115

 

 —

 

Total Braves Group

 

$

115

 

 —

 

Formula One Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

Formula 1

 

$

432

 

 

Corporate and other

 

 

194

 

387

 

Total Formula One Group

 

$

626

 

387

 

To the extent Liberty recognizes any taxable gains from the sale of assets, we may incur tax expense and be required to make tax payments, thereby reducing any cash proceeds. Liberty has a controlling interest in SIRIUS XM which has significant cash and cash provided by operating activities, although due to SIRIUS XM being a separate public company and the significant noncontrolling interest, we do not have ready access to their cash. Cash held by Formula 1 is accessible by Liberty, except when certain restricted payment tests imposed by the Senior Loan Facilities at Formula 1 are not met. Certain tax consequences may reduce the net amount of cash that Liberty is able to utilize for corporate purposes. Liberty believes that it currently has appropriate legal structures in place to repatriate foreign cash as tax efficiently as possible and meet the business needs of the Company.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

    

2017

    

2016

 

Cash Flow Information

 

amounts in millions

 

Liberty SiriusXM Group cash provided (used) by operating activities

 

$

304

 

356

 

Braves Group cash provided (used) by operating activities

 

 

12

 

30

 

Formula One Group cash provided (used) by operating activities

 

 

87

 

501

 

Net cash provided (used) by operating activities

 

$

403

 

887

 

Liberty SiriusXM Group cash provided (used) by investing activities

 

$

(61)

 

(34)

 

Braves Group cash provided (used) by investing activities

 

 

(86)

 

(45)

 

Formula One Group cash provided (used) by investing activities

 

 

(1,650)

 

(46)

 

Net cash provided (used) by investing activities

 

$

(1,797)

 

(125)

 

Liberty SiriusXM Group cash provided (used) by financing activities

 

$

(200)

 

(332)

 

Braves Group cash provided (used) by financing activities

 

 

82

 

46

 

Formula One Group cash provided (used) by financing activities

 

 

2,020

 

(75)

 

Net cash provided (used) by financing activities

 

$

1,902

 

(361)

 

Liberty’s primary use of cash during the three months ended March 31, 2017 (excluding cash used by SIRIUS XM, Formula 1 and Braves Holdings) was the $1.6 billion net cash paid to acquire a controlling interest in Formula 1, as discussed in note 3 of the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. This investment was funded by cash on hand, the issuance of Series C Liberty Formula One common stock to third parties and borrowings under new debt instruments issued during November 2016 and January 2017.  

SIRIUS XM's primary uses of cash were the repurchase of outstanding SIRIUS XM common stock and dividends paid to stockholders.  The SIRIUS XM uses of cash were funded by cash provided by operating activities, borrowings of debt and cash on hand. On January 24, 2017, SIRIUS XM’s board of directors declared a quarterly dividend on its common stock in the amount of $0.01 per share of common stock to stockholders of record at the close of business on February 7,

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2017. The dividend was paid in cash on February 28, 2017 in the amount of $47 million, of which Liberty received $32 million. On April 25, 2017, SIRIUS XM’s board of directors declared a quarterly dividend on its common stock in the amount of $0.01 per share of common stock payable on May 31, 2017 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on May 10, 2017. SIRIUS XM’s board of directors expects to declare regular quarterly dividends, in an aggregate annual amount of $0.04 per share of common stock.

Braves Holdings incurred approximately $102 million of capital expenditures during the three months ended March 31, 2017 related to the construction of the new Braves Holdings ballpark facility and adjacent mixed-use complex. Braves Holdings’ capital expenditures were funded through the use of cash on hand, borrowings of debt and proceeds of $203 million received from the Series C Liberty Braves common stock rights offering during 2016.  

The projected uses of Liberty's cash (excluding SIRIUS XM’s and Braves Holdings’ uses of cash) are primarily the investment in existing or new businesses, debt service, including further repayment of the margin loans and the potential buyback of common stock under the approved share buyback program. Liberty expects to fund its projected uses of cash with cash on hand, cash from operations and borrowing capacity under margin loans and outstanding credit facilities. Liberty may be required to make net payments of income tax liabilities to settle items under discussion with tax authorities.

SIRIUS XM's uses of cash are expected to be capital expenditures, including the construction of replacement satellites, working capital requirements, legal settlements, interest payments, taxes, scheduled maturities of outstanding debt, repurchases of its common stock in accordance with its approved share buyback program, the payment of dividends and strategic opportunities. Liberty expects SIRIUS XM to fund its projected uses of cash with cash on hand, cash provided by operations and borrowings under the existing credit facility.

Formula 1’s uses of cash are expected to be debt service payments as well as continued investment in its business. Liberty expects Formula 1 to fund its projected uses of cash with cash on hand and cash provided by operations.

Braves Holdings’ estimated capital expenditures for the remainder of 2017 include approximately $242 million, primarily for the construction of the new ballpark facility and adjacent mixed-use complex, excluding amounts to be paid for by joint venture partners. See note 10 in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for further details. Liberty expects Braves Holdings to fund its projected uses of cash with cash on hand, cash from operations and borrowing capacity under outstanding term loans and credit facilities.

We believe that the available sources of liquidity are sufficient to cover our projected future uses of cash.

Results of Operations—Businesses

SIRIUS XM Holdings Inc.  SIRIUS XM transmits music, sports, entertainment, comedy, talk, news, traffic and weather channels as well as infotainment services in the United States on a subscription fee basis through their proprietary satellite radio systems.  Subscribers can also receive their music and other channels, plus features such as SiriusXM On Demand and MySXM, over SIRIUS XM’s Internet radio service, including through applications for mobile devices, home devices and other consumer electronic equipment.  SIRIUS XM is also a leader in providing connected vehicle services. Its connected vehicle services are designed to enhance the safety, security and driving experience for vehicle operators while providing marketing and operational benefits to automakers and their dealers.  Subscribers and subscription-based revenue and expenses associated with its connected vehicle services are not included in the subscriber count.  SIRIUS XM has agreements with every major automaker ("OEMs") to offer satellite radios in their vehicles from which SIRIUS XM acquires the majority of its subscribers.  SIRIUS XM also acquires subscribers through the marketing to owners and lessees of vehicles that include factory-installed satellite radios that are not currently subscribing to SIRIUS XM services.  Additionally, SIRIUS XM distributes its radios through retailers online and at locations nationwide and through its website.  Satellite radio services are also offered to customers of certain daily rental car companies.  SIRIUS XM's primary source of revenue is subscription fees, with most of its customers subscribing on an annual, semi-annual, quarterly or monthly plan.  SIRIUS XM offers discounts for prepaid, longer-term subscription plans, as well as multiple subscription discounts.  SIRIUS XM also derives revenue from activation and other fees, the sale of advertising on select non-music channels, the direct sale of satellite radios and accessories, and other ancillary services, such as weather, traffic and data services.  SIRIUS XM is a separate publicly traded company and additional information about SIRIUS XM can be obtained through its website and public filings.

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As of March 31, 2017, SIRIUS XM had approximately 31.6 million subscribers, which is an increase of approximately 1% from 31.3 million subscribers as of December 31, 2016. Of the 31.6 million subscribers at March 31, 2017, approximately 26.2 million were self-pay subscribers and approximately 5.4 million were paid promotional subscribers.  These subscriber totals include subscribers under regular pricing plans; discounted pricing plans; subscribers that have prepaid, including payments either made or due from automakers for subscriptions included in the sale or lease price of a vehicle; subscribers to SIRIUS XM Internet services who do not also have satellite radio subscriptions; and certain subscribers to SIRIUS XM's weather, traffic, and data services who do not also have satellite radio subscriptions.

We acquired a controlling interest in SIRIUS XM on January 18, 2013 and applied acquisition accounting and consolidated the results of SIRIUS XM from that date.  For comparison purposes we are presenting the stand alone results of SIRIUS XM prior to any acquisition accounting adjustments in the current and prior periods for a discussion of the operations of SIRIUS XM.  For the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, see the reconciliation of the results reported by SIRIUS XM to the results reported by Liberty included below. As of March 31, 2017, there is an approximate 32% noncontrolling interest in SIRIUS XM, and the net earnings (loss) of SIRIUS XM attributable to such noncontrolling interest is eliminated through the noncontrolling interest line item in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of operations.

SIRIUS XM's stand alone operating results were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

    

2017 (1)

    

2016(1)

 

 

 

amounts in millions

 

Subscriber revenue

 

$

1,078

 

1,010

 

Other revenue

 

 

216

 

191

 

Total revenue

 

 

1,294

 

1,201

 

Operating expenses (excluding stock-based compensation included below):

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of subscriber services

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue share and royalties

 

 

(277)

 

(252)

 

Programming and content

 

 

(89)

 

(81)

 

Customer service and billing

 

 

(96)

 

(96)

 

Other

 

 

(26)

 

(32)

 

Subscriber acquisition costs

 

 

(127)

 

(132)

 

Other operating expenses

 

 

(20)

 

(16)

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

 

(159)

 

(152)

 

Adjusted OIBDA

 

 

500

 

440

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

(29)

 

(24)

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

(77)

 

(68)

 

Operating income

 

$

394

 

348

 


(1)

See the reconciliation of the results reported by SIRIUS XM to the results reported by Liberty included below.

Subscriber revenue includes subscription, activation and other fees. Subscriber revenue increased approximately 7% for the three months ended March 31, 2017, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. The increase  was primarily attributable to a 5% increase in the daily weighted average number of subscribers and a 2% increase SIRIUS XM’s average monthly revenue per subscriber that resulted from certain rate increases implemented in 2016.

Other revenue includes advertising revenue, royalties, equipment revenue and other ancillary revenue.  For the three months ended March 31, 2017, other revenue increased approximately 13%, as compared to the corresponding prior year period. The most significant change in other revenue was the result of an increase in revenue from the U.S. Music Royalty Fee due to an increase in the number of subscribers and subscribers paying at a higher rate. Furthermore, advertising revenue increased during the three month period due to a greater number of advertising spots sold and transmitted as well as increases in rates charged per spot.  

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Cost of subscriber services includes revenue share and royalties, programming and content costs, customer service and billing expenses and other ancillary costs associated with providing the satellite radio service.

·

Revenue Share and Royalties includes distribution and content provider revenue share, royalties for transmitting content and web streaming, and advertising revenue share. Revenue share and royalties increased 10% for the three months ended March 31, 2017, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. The increase was due to overall greater revenue subject to royalty and revenue sharing agreements and a 5% increase in the statutory royalty rate applicable to SIRIUS XM’s use of post-1972 recordings. Additionally, revenue share and royalties for each of the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 includes $10 million attributable to the amortization in connection with the Capitol Records lawsuit settlement.

·

Programming and Content includes costs to acquire, create, promote and produce content. Programming and content costs increased 10% for the three months ended March 31, 2017  as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. The increase was primarily due to the renewal of programming agreements at higher costs as well as increased talent and personnel-related costs.

·

Customer Service and Billing includes costs associated with the operation and management of SIRIUS XM’s internal and third party customer service centers and SIRIUS XM’s subscriber management systems as well as billing and collection costs, bad debt expense and transaction fees. Customer service and billing expense remained flat for the three months ended March 31, 2017, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. A decrease in customer service and billing expense due to lower call center costs due to lower contact rates and lower agent rates during the period was partially offset by increased transaction fees from a higher subscriber base and higher bad debt expense. 

·

Other includes costs associated with the operation and maintenance of SIRIUS XM’s terrestrial repeater networks; satellites; satellite telemetry, tracking and control systems; satellite uplink facilities; studios; and delivery of SIRIUS XM’s Internet streaming service and connected vehicle services as well as costs from the sale of satellite radios, components and accessories and provisions for inventory allowance attributable to products purchased for resale in SIRIUS XM’s direct to consumer distribution channels. Other costs of subscriber services decreased 19% for the three months ended March 31, 2017, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. The decrease in the three month period was driven primarily by lower wireless costs from SIRIUS XM’s connected vehicle services, costs related to SIRIUS XM’s terrestrial repeater network, lower sales to distributors and consumers and lower personnel-related costs.

Subscriber acquisition costs include hardware subsidies paid to radio manufacturers, distributors and automakers, including subsidies paid for chipsets and certain other components used in manufacturing radios; device royalties for certain radios and chipsets; commissions paid to automakers and retailers; product warranty obligations; freight; and provisions for inventory allowances attributable to inventory consumed in OEM and retail distribution channels. The majority of subscriber acquisition costs are incurred and expensed in advance of, or concurrent with, acquiring a subscriber.  For the three months ended March 31, 2017, subscriber acquisition costs decreased approximately 4%,  as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. The decrease for the three month period was driven by reductions to OEM hardware subsidy rates and lower subsidized costs related to the transition of chipsets, partially offset by higher radio installations.

Other operating expenses include engineering, design and development costs consisting primarily of compensation and related costs to develop chipsets and new products and services. For the three months ended March 31, 2017 other operating expense increased 25%, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. The increase was driven primarily by additional costs associated with the development of SIRIUS XM’s streaming and internet-based video products as well as increased personnel costs.

Selling, general and administrative expense includes costs of marketing, advertising, media and production, including promotional events and sponsorships; cooperative marketing; compensation and related personnel costs; facilities costs, finance, legal, human resources and information technology costs. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, selling, general and administrative expense increased  5% as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year.  The increase

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was due to additional subscriber communications, retention programs and acquisition campaigns as well as higher legal costs, partially offset by lower consulting costs. 

Stock-based compensation increased 21% during the three months ended March 31, 2017, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. The increase in stock-based compensation expense is primarily due to an increase in the number of awards granted since March 31, 2016.

Depreciation and amortization increased 13% during the three months ended March 31, 2017, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. The increase for the three month period was driven by the acceleration of amortization related to a shorter useful life of certain software. 

The following tables reconcile the results reported by SIRIUS XM, used for comparison purposes above to understand SIRIUS XM’s operations, to the results reported by Liberty for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended  March 31, 2017

 

 

    

As

    

 

 

As

 

 

 

reported

 

Acquisition

 

reported

 

 

 

by

 

Accounting

 

by

 

 

 

SIRIUS XM

 

Adjustments

 

Liberty

 

 

 

amounts in millions

 

Subscriber revenue

 

$

1,078

 

 —

 

1,078

 

Other revenue

 

 

216

 

 —

 

216

 

Total revenue

 

 

1,294

 

 —

 

1,294

 

Operating expenses (excluding stock-based compensation included below):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of subscriber services

 

 

(488)

 

 —

 

(488)

 

Subscriber acquisition costs

 

 

(127)

 

 —

 

(127)

 

Other operating expenses

 

 

(20)

 

 —

 

(20)

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

 

(159)

 

 —

 

(159)

 

Adjusted OIBDA

 

 

500

 

 —

 

500

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

(29)

 

 —

 

(29)

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

(77)

 

(13)

 

(90)

 

Operating income

 

$

394

 

(13)

 

381

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended  March 31, 2016

 

 

 

As

 

 

 

As

 

 

 

reported

 

Acquisition

 

reported

 

 

 

by

 

Accounting

 

by

 

 

 

SIRIUS XM

 

Adjustments

 

Liberty

 

 

 

amounts in millions

 

Subscriber revenue

 

$

1,010

 

(1)

 

1,009

 

Other revenue

 

 

191

 

 —

 

191

 

Total revenue

 

 

1,201

 

(1)

 

1,200

 

Operating expenses (excluding stock-based compensation included below):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of subscriber services (excluding legal settlement)

 

 

(461)

 

 —

 

(461)

 

Subscriber acquisition costs

 

 

(132)

 

 —

 

(132)

 

Other operating expenses

 

 

(16)

 

 —

 

(16)

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

 

(152)

 

 —

 

(152)

 

Adjusted OIBDA

 

 

440

 

(1)

 

439

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

(24)

 

 —

 

(24)

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

(68)

 

(11)

 

(79)

 

Operating income

 

$

348

 

(12)

 

336

 

Formula 1.  Formula 1 is a global motorsports business that holds exclusive commercial rights with respect to the World Championship, an annual, approximately nine-month long, motor race-based competition in which teams compete for the Constructors' Championship and drivers compete for the Drivers' Championship. The World Championship takes

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place on various circuits with a varying number of events taking place in different countries around the world each season. Formula 1 is responsible for the commercial exploitation and development of the World Championship as well as various aspects of its management and administration. Formula 1 derives the majority of its revenue from race promotion, broadcasting and advertising and sponsorship arrangements. A significant majority of the race promotion, broadcasting and advertising and sponsorship contracts specify payments in advance and annual increases in the fees payable over the course of the contracts.

We acquired a controlling interest in Formula 1 on January 23, 2017 and applied acquisition accounting and consolidated the results of Formula 1 from that date.  Prior to the acquisition of our controlling interest, we maintained an investment in Formula 1 since September 7, 2016 which was accounted for as a cost method investment.  Although Formula 1’s results are only included in Liberty’s results for the period from January 23, 2017 through March 31, 2017, we believe a discussion of Formula 1’s results for all periods presented promotes a better understanding of the overall results of its business. For comparison and discussion purposes we are presenting the pro forma results of Formula 1 for the full three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, inclusive of acquisition accounting adjustments. The pro forma financial information was prepared based on the historical financial information of Formula 1 and assuming the acquisition of Formula 1 took place on January 1, 2016. The acquisition price allocation related to the Formula 1 business combination is preliminary.  Accordingly, the pro forma adjustments are based on this preliminary allocation and have been made solely for the purpose of providing comparative pro forma financial information. The financial information below is presented for illustrative purposes only and does not purport to represent what the results of operations of Formula 1 would actually have been had the business combination occurred on January 1, 2016, or to project the results of operations of Liberty for any future periods. The pro forma adjustments are based on available information and certain assumptions that Liberty management believes are reasonable. The pro forma adjustments are directly attributable to the business combination and are expected to have a continuing impact on the results of operations of Liberty.

Formula 1’s pro forma operating results were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

    

2017

    

2016

 

 

 

amounts in millions

 

Primary Formula 1 revenue

 

$

79

 

74

 

Other Formula 1 revenue

 

 

18

 

23

 

Total Formula 1 revenue

 

 

97

 

97

 

Operating expenses (excluding stock-based compensation included below):

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of Formula 1 revenue

 

 

(69)

 

(72)

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

 

(20)

 

(19)

 

Adjusted OIBDA

 

 

 8

 

 6

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

(5)

 

 —

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

(108)

 

(104)

 

Operating income (loss)

 

$

(105)

 

(98)

 

Primary Formula 1 revenue represents the majority of Formula 1’s revenue and is derived from the following streams:

·

race promotion fees earned from granting the rights to host, stage and promote each Event on the World Championship calendar;

·

broadcasting fees earned from licensing the right to broadcast Events on television and other platforms, including the internet; and

·

advertising and sponsorship fees earned from the sale of World Championship and Event-related advertising and sponsorship rights.

Primary Formula 1 revenue accounted for 81% and 76% of total pro forma Formula 1 revenue for each of the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

 

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Pro forma Primary Formula 1 revenue increased by $5 million during the three months ended March 31, 2017 as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. One Event took place in each of the periods presented. Race promotion fees increased slightly due to a contractual increase for the 2017 Event.  Broadcasting revenue increased during the three months ended March 31, 2017 as compared to the same period in the prior year due to the impact of slightly higher proportionate recognition of season-based income during the current period and the impact of certain contractual rate increases which more than offset the adverse impact of weaker prevailing foreign currency exchange rates used to translate a small number of Great Britain Pound- and Euro-denominated contracts into US Dollars.  1/20 (5.0%) of broadcasting revenue was recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2017, compared to 1/21 (4.8%) during the three months ended March 31, 2016. Advertising and sponsorship revenue increased during the three months ended March 31, 2017 as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year as a result of a rate increase on one contract.

 

Other Formula 1 revenue is generated from the operation of the Paddock Club at most Events, freight and related logistical and travel services, support races at Events (either from the direct operation of the Formula 2 (formerly GP2) and GP3 series which are owned by Formula 1 or from the licensing of other third party series or individual race events), various TV production and post-production activities, digital media services and other ancillary operations.

 

The $5 million reduction in pro forma Other Formula 1 revenue during the three months ended March 31, 2017 as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year was primarily attributable to lower Formula 2 and GP3 series income, largely due to lower support fees paid by GP3 series’ competing teams in the current year as a result of lower spend by GP3 series’ competing teams during the current year due to the second year of the GP3 vehicle cycle.

Cost of Formula 1 revenue 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2017 (1)

    

2016

 

 

 

amounts in millions

 

Team payments

 

$

(47)

 

(46)

 

Other costs of Formula 1 revenue

 

 

(22)

 

(26)

 

Cost of Formula 1 revenue

 

$

(69)

 

(72)

 

Pro forma Cost of Formula 1 revenue decreased approximately $3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2017 as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. Cost of Formula 1 revenue consists primarily of Team payments.

Team payments increased by $1 million during the three months March 31, 2017 as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. The increase in pro forma Team payments during 2017 was attributable to the pro rata recognition impact of the cost recognition policy being applied to fixed and variable Prize Fund elements.

 

Other costs of Formula 1 revenue include hospitality costs, which are principally related to catering and other aspects of the production and delivery of the Paddock Club, and circuit rights’ fees payable under various agreements with race promoters to acquire certain commercial rights at Events, including the right to sell advertising, hospitality and support race opportunities. Other costs include annual FIA regulatory fees, advertising and sponsorship commissions and those incurred in the provision and sale of freight, travel and logistical services, Formula 2 and GP3 cars, parts and maintenance services, television production and post-production services, advertising production services and digital and social media activities. These costs are largely variable in nature and relate directly to revenue opportunities. Pro forma Other costs of Formula 1 revenue decreased by $4 million during the three months ended March 31, 2017 as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. The decrease in other costs of Formula 1 revenue during 2017 was primarily attributable to lower spend by GP3 series’ competing teams during the current year due to the second year of the GP3 vehicle cycle.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses include personnel costs, legal, professional and other advisory fees, bad debt expense, rental expense, IT costs, non-Event-related travel costs, insurance premiums, maintenance and utility

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costs and other general office administration costs. Pro forma Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $1 million during the three months ended March 31, 2017 as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. The increase in selling, general and administrative expense during 2017 was primarily driven by higher personnel costs as a result of additional headcount due to the acquisition by Liberty, partially offset by an improvement in foreign exchange related gains during the three months ended March 31, 2017 as compared to the corresponding prior year period.  

Stock-based compensation expense during 2017 relates to costs arising from grants of Series C Liberty Formula One common stock options and restricted stock units to members of Formula 1 management during March 2017, subsequent to the acquisition of Formula 1 by Liberty.  

Depreciation and amortization includes depreciation of fixed assets and amortization of intangible assets. The pro forma depreciation and amortization increased $4 million during the three months ended March 31, 2017, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. The increase for the three month period was driven by an increase in amortization expense as a result of acquisition accounting adjustments. 

Braves Holdings.   Braves Holdings is our wholly owned subsidiary that indirectly owns and operates the Atlanta Braves Major League Baseball club and five minor league baseball clubs (the Gwinnett Braves, the Mississippi Braves, the Rome Braves, the Danville Braves and the GCL Braves). Braves Holdings also operates a baseball academy in the Dominican Republic and leases a baseball facility from a third party in connection with its academy. Braves Holdings had exclusive operating rights to Turner Field, the home stadium of the Atlanta Braves, until December 31, 2016 pursuant to an Operating Agreement with the Atlanta Fulton County Recreation Authority. Effective for the 2017 season, the Braves relocated into a new ballpark located in Cobb County, a suburb of Atlanta. The facility is leased from Cobb County, Cobb-Marietta Coliseum and Exhibit Hall Authority and will offer a range of activities and eateries for fans. Braves Holdings participated in the construction of the new stadium and is participating in the construction of an adjacent mixed-use development project, which we refer to as the Development Project.

Operating results attributable to Braves Holdings are as follows: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

    

2017

    

2016

 

 

 

amounts in millions

 

Total revenue

 

$

 5

 

 4

 

Operating expenses (excluding stock-based compensation included below):

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other operating expenses

 

 

(17)

 

(28)

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

 

(13)

 

(12)

 

Adjusted OIBDA

 

 

(25)

 

(36)

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

(2)

 

(2)

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

(2)

 

(5)

 

Operating income

 

$

(29)

 

(43)

 

Revenue is derived from three primary sources: ballpark operations (ticket sales, concessions, corporate sales, suites and premium seat fees), local broadcast rights and national broadcast, licensing and other shared Major League Baseball revenue streams. Braves Holdings revenue is seasonal, with the majority of revenue recognized during the second and third quarters which aligns with the baseball season. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, revenue increased $1 million, as compared to the corresponding prior year period.  The increase for the three month period was primarily due to an increase in ballpark operations revenue, as an exhibition ballgame was played at the new stadium on March 31, 2017 whereas no games were played during the first quarter of 2016.  

Other operating expenses primarily include costs associated with baseball and stadium operations. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, other operating expenses decreased $11 million, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. The decrease for the three month period was the result of prior year costs not incurred during the current

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year related to the acceleration of player salary expense as a result of released and injured players during the first quarter of 2016.

Selling, general and administrative expense includes costs of marketing, advertising, finance and related personnel costs. For the three months ended March 31, 2017, selling, general and administrative expense increased $1 million as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. The increase was primarily due to costs incurred with the Development Project during the current period.   

Stock-based compensation remained flat during the three months ended March 31, 2017 as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. Stock-based compensation expense is attributable to awards vested during the periods presented.

Depreciation and amortization decreased $3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2017 as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year as a result of certain intangible assets becoming fully amortized subsequent to March 31, 2016. 

 

Item 3.    Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

We are exposed to market risk in the normal course of business due to our ongoing investing and financial activities. Market risk refers to the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in stock prices and interest rates. The risk of loss can be assessed from the perspective of adverse changes in fair values, cash flows and future earnings. We have established policies, procedures and internal processes governing our management of market risks and the use of financial instruments to manage our exposure to such risks.

We are exposed to changes in interest rates primarily as a result of our borrowing and investment activities, which include investments in fixed and floating rate debt instruments and borrowings used to maintain liquidity and to fund business operations. The nature and amount of our long-term and short-term debt are expected to vary as a result of future requirements, market conditions and other factors. We manage our exposure to interest rates by maintaining what we believe is an appropriate mix of fixed and variable rate debt. We believe this best protects us from interest rate risk. We have achieved this mix by (i) issuing fixed rate debt that we believe has a low stated interest rate and significant term to maturity, (ii) issuing variable rate debt with appropriate maturities and interest rates and (iii) entering into interest rate swap arrangements when we deem appropriate. As of March 31, 2017, our debt is comprised of the following amounts:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Variable rate debt

 

 

Fixed rate debt

 

 

    

Principal

    

Weighted avg

    

 

Principal

    

Weighted avg

 

 

 

amount

 

interest rate

 

 

amount

 

interest rate

 

 

 

dollar amounts in millions

 

Liberty SiriusXM Group

 

$

780

 

2.7

%  

 

$

5,511

 

5.4

%

Braves Group

 

$

170

 

2.6

%

 

$

250

 

3.4

%

Formula One Group

 

$

1,493

 

5.9

%

 

$

4,982

 

3.6

%

The Company is exposed to changes in stock prices primarily as a result of our significant holdings in publicly traded securities. We continually monitor changes in stock markets, in general, and changes in the stock prices of our holdings, specifically. We believe that changes in stock prices can be expected to vary as a result of general market conditions, technological changes, specific industry changes and other factors. We periodically use equity collars and other financial instruments to manage market risk associated with certain investment positions. These instruments are recorded at fair value based on option pricing models and other appropriate methods.

At March 31, 2017, the fair value of our AFS securities was $518 million. Had the market price of such securities been 10% lower at March 31, 2017, the aggregate value of such securities would have been approximately $52 million lower.  Additionally, our stock in Live Nation and SIRIUS XM Canada (two of our equity method affiliates) are publicly traded securities which are not reflected at fair value in our balance sheet. These securities are also subject to market risk that is not directly reflected in our statement of operations, and had the market price of such securities been 10% lower at March 31, 2017 the aggregate value of such securities would have been $231  million lower.

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Item 4.    Controls and Procedures

In accordance with Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), 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 Quarterly Report. Based on that evaluation, the Executives concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2017 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, 2017 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.    Legal Proceedings 

 

Pre-1972 Sound Recording Matters

 

In August 2013, SoundExchange, Inc. filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia alleging that SIRIUS XM underpaid royalties for statutory licenses during the 2007-2012 period in violation of the regulations established by the Copyright Royalty Board (“CRB”) for that period. SoundExchange principally alleges that SIRIUS XM improperly reduced its calculation of gross revenue, on which the royalty payments are based, by deducting non-recognized revenue attributable to pre-1972 recordings and Premier package revenue that is not “separately charged” as required by the regulations. SoundExchange is seeking compensatory damages of not less than $50 million and up to $100 million or more, payment of late fees and interest and attorneys’ fees and costs.

 

In August 2014, the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, in response to SIRIUS XM’s motion to dismiss the complaint, stayed the case on the grounds that it properly should be pursued in the first instance before the CRB rather than the District Court.  In its opinion, the District Court concluded that the gross revenue exclusions in the regulations established by the CRB for the 2007-2012 period were ambiguous and did not, on their face, make clear whether SIRIUS XM’s royalty calculation approaches were permissible under the regulations.  In December 2014, SoundExchange filed a petition with the CRB requesting an order interpreting the applicable regulations.

 

On January 10, 2017, the CRB issued a ruling concluding that SIRIUS XM correctly interpreted the revenue exclusions applicable to pre-1972 recordings, but in certain cases did not apply those exclusions properly.  The ruling further indicated that SIRIUS XM improperly claimed a revenue exclusion based on its Premier package upcharge, because, in the Judges’ view, the portion of the package that contained programming that did not include sound recordings was not offered for a “separate charge” in accordance with the regulations. On March 9, 2017, the CRB issued an order withdrawing its January 10, 2017 ruling in its entirety and requesting that the parties submit briefs addressing certain jurisdictional issues related to this proceeding.

 

Rulings by the CRB are subject to limited legal review by the Register of Copyrights.  SIRIUS XM expects that any ruling by the CRB in this matter (and any potential review by the Register of Copyrights) will be transmitted back to the District Court for further proceedings, such as adjudication claims relating to damages and defenses.  SIRIUS XM believes it has substantial defenses to SoundExchange claims that can be asserted, including in proceedings in the District Court, and will continue to defend this action vigorously.

 

This matter is titled SoundExchange, Inc. v. Sirius XM Radio, Inc., No.13-cv-1290-RJL (D.D.C.), and Determination of Rates and Terms for Preexisting Subscription Services and Satellite Digital Audio Radio Services, United States Copyright Royalty Board, No. 2006-1 CRB DSTRA.  Information concerning the action is publicly available in filings under the docket numbers.  This matter is not related to certain claims under state law brought by owners of pre-1972 recording copyrights arising out of our use and performance of those recordings.

 

Item 2.    Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 

 

Share Repurchase Programs

 

On January 11, 2013 (ratified February 26, 2013) Liberty Media Corporation announced that its board of directors authorized $450 million of repurchases of Liberty common stock from that day forward. An additional authorization of $300 million in Liberty share repurchases was approved by the Liberty board of directors on October 9, 2014. In August 2015, our board of directors authorized an additional $1 billion of Liberty common stock repurchases. The amount previously authorized for share repurchases may be used to repurchase Series A and Series C Liberty SiriusXM common stock, Liberty Braves common stock and Liberty Media common stock.

 

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Table of Contents

There were no repurchases of Series A or Series C Liberty SiriusXM common stock, Liberty Braves common stock or Liberty Formula One common stock during the three months ended March 31, 2017. As of March 31, 2017, $1.3 billion was available to be used for share repurchases of Series A and Series C Liberty SiriusXM common stock, Liberty Braves common stock and Liberty Formula One common stock under the Company’s share repurchase program.

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2017,  71 shares and 141 shares of Series A and Series C Liberty Formula One common stock, respectively, 329 shares and 657 shares of Series A and Series C Liberty SiriusXM common stock, respectively, and 29 shares and 57 shares of Series A and Series C Liberty Braves common stock, respectively, were surrendered by certain of our officers and employees to pay withholding taxes and other deductions in connection with the vesting of their restricted stock and restricted stock units.

 

Item 6.    Exhibits

(a)  Exhibits

Listed below are the exhibits which are filed as a part of this Quarterly 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*

32

Section 1350 Certification**

99.1

Unaudited Attributed Financial Information for Tracking Stock Groups*

101.INS

XBRL Instance Document*

101.SCH

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document*

101.CAL

XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document*

101.LAB

XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document*

101.PRE

XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document*

101.DEF

XBRL Taxonomy Definition Document*

 


* Filed herewith

** Furnished herewith

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SIGNATURES

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 CORPORATION

Date:

May 9, 2017

By:

/s/ GREGORY B. MAFFEI

 

 

 

Gregory B. Maffei

President and Chief Executive Officer

Date:

May 9, 2017

By:

/s/ MARK D. CARLETON

 

 

 

Mark D. Carleton

Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

 

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

Listed below are the exhibits which are filed as a part of this Quarterly 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*

32

Section 1350 Certification**

99.1

Unaudited Attributed Financial Information for Tracking Stock Groups*

101.INS

XBRL Instance Document*

101.SCH

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document*

101.CAL

XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document*

101.LAB

XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document*

101.PRE

XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document*

101.DEF

XBRL Taxonomy Definition Document*

 

 

 


* Filed herewith

** Furnished herewith

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