Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Investments In Affiliates Accounted For Using The Equity Method

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Investments In Affiliates Accounted For Using The Equity Method
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2015
Investments in Affiliates Accounted for Using the Equity Method  
Investments In Affiliates Accounted For Using The Equity Method

 

 

 

 

 

(6)   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 September 30, 2015 and the carrying amount at December 31, 2014:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 30, 2015

 

December 31, 2014

 

 

    

Percentage

    

Fair Value

    

Carrying

    

Carrying

 

 

 

ownership

 

(Level 1)

 

amount

 

amount

 

 

 

dollar amounts in millions

 

Live Nation (a)

 

27

%

$

1,292

 

$

395

 

396

 

SIRIUS XM Canada

 

37

%

$

174

 

 

160

 

237

 

Other

 

various

 

 

NA

 

 

204

 

218

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

759

 

851

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended 

 

Nine months ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

    

2015

    

2014

    

2015

    

2014

 

 

 

amounts in millions

 

Charter (b)

 

$

NA

 

(34)

 

NA

 

(87)

 

Live Nation (a)

 

 

23

 

21

 

6

 

18

 

SIRIUS XM Canada

 

 

1

 

2

 

(3)

 

3

 

Other

 

 

5

 

5

 

(11)

 

13

 

 

 

$

29

 

(6)

 

(8)

 

(53)

 


(a)

See note 8 for details regarding the number and fair value of shares pledged as collateral pursuant to certain margin loan agreements as of September 30, 2015.  

(b)

As discussed in note 1, Liberty’s investment in Charter was spun off as part of the Broadband Spin-Off, which was completed on November 4, 2014. Our share of losses related to Charter included $21 million and $53 million of losses due to the amortization of the excess basis of our investment during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively,

 

Charter Communications, Inc.

 

In May 2013, Liberty completed a transaction with investment funds managed by, or affiliated with, Apollo Management, Oaktree Capital Management and Crestview Partners to acquire approximately 26.9 million shares of common stock and approximately 1.1 million warrants in Charter for approximately $2.6 billion, which represented an approximate 27% beneficial ownership in Charter (including warrants on an as if converted basis) at the time of purchase, and a price per share of $95.50. Liberty accounted for the investment in Charter as an equity method affiliate based on the ownership interest obtained and the board seats held by Liberty appointed individuals. Liberty funded the purchase with a combination of cash on hand and debt (as discussed in note 8).  During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, in addition to Liberty’s share of losses of Charter, the Company recognized $11 million and $61 million in losses, respectively, due to warrant and stock option exercises at Charter below Liberty's book basis per share. Dilution losses are included in the other, net line in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations. As discussed in note 1, Liberty’s investment in Charter was spun off to stockholders as part of the Broadband Spin-Off, which was completed on November 4, 2014. Liberty ceased recording the results of Charter in its financial statements as of the date of the completion of the Broadband Spin-Off.

 

SIRIUS XM Canada

 

SIRIUS XM has entered into agreements to provide 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 September 30, 2015, SIRIUS XM has approximately $3 million and $12 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 $9 million in current related party assets at September 30, 2015 due to programming 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 $18 million and $12 million in revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $44 million and $36 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, 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 and $5 million during the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $12 million and $39 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.