UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549
FORM
For the quarterly period ended
OR
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
State of | ||
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class | Trading Symbol | Name of each exchange on which registered |
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.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files).
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.
Accelerated Filer ☐ | Non-accelerated Filer ☐ | 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
The number of outstanding shares of Liberty Media Corporation's common stock as of October 31, 2020 was:
Series A | Series B | Series C | |||||
Liberty SiriusXM common stock | |||||||
Liberty Braves common stock | |||||||
Liberty Formula One common stock |
Table of Contents
I-2
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(unaudited)
September 30, 2020 |
| December 31, 2019 |
| ||
amounts in millions |
| ||||
Assets | |||||
Current assets: | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | |
| | |
Trade and other receivables, net |
| |
| | |
Other current assets |
| |
| | |
Total current assets |
| |
| | |
Investments in affiliates, accounted for using the equity method (note 7) |
| |
| | |
Property and equipment, at cost |
| |
| | |
Accumulated depreciation |
| ( |
| ( | |
| |
| | ||
Intangible assets not subject to amortization (note 8): | |||||
Goodwill |
| |
| | |
FCC licenses |
| |
| | |
Other |
| |
| | |
| |
| | ||
Intangible assets subject to amortization, net (note 8) |
| |
| | |
Other assets |
| |
| | |
Total assets | $ | |
| | |
Liabilities and Equity | |||||
Current liabilities: | |||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | $ | |
| | |
Current portion of debt (note 9) | | | |||
Deferred revenue |
| |
| | |
Other current liabilities |
| |
| | |
Total current liabilities |
| |
| | |
Long-term debt, including $ |
| |
| | |
Deferred income tax liabilities |
| |
| | |
Other liabilities |
| |
| | |
Total liabilities |
| |
| |
(Continued)
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
I-3
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Continued)
(unaudited)
| September 30, 2020 |
| December 31, 2019 |
| ||
amounts in millions, |
| |||||
except share amounts |
| |||||
Stockholders' equity: | ||||||
Preferred stock, $ |
|
| ||||
Series A Liberty SiriusXM common stock, $ | | | ||||
Series A Liberty Braves common stock, $ | ||||||
Series A Liberty Formula One common stock, $ | ||||||
Series B Liberty SiriusXM common stock, $ | ||||||
Series B Liberty Braves common stock, $ | ||||||
Series B Liberty Formula One common stock, $ | ||||||
Series C Liberty SiriusXM common stock, $ | | | ||||
Series C Liberty Braves common stock, $ | ||||||
Series C Liberty Formula One common stock, $ | | | ||||
Additional paid-in capital |
| |
| | ||
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of taxes |
| |
| ( | ||
Retained earnings |
| |
| | ||
Total stockholders' equity |
| |
| | ||
Noncontrolling interests in equity of subsidiaries |
| |
| | ||
Total equity |
| |
| | ||
Commitments and contingencies (note 10) | ||||||
Total liabilities and equity | $ | |
| |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
I-4
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(unaudited)
Three months ended |
| Nine months ended |
| |||||||
September 30, | September 30, |
| ||||||||
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| ||
amounts in millions, |
| |||||||||
except per share amounts |
| |||||||||
Revenue: | ||||||||||
Sirius XM Holdings revenue | $ | |
| |
| |
| | ||
Formula 1 revenue | | | | | ||||||
Other revenue |
| |
| |
| |
| | ||
Total revenue |
| |
| |
| |
| | ||
Operating costs and expenses, including stock-based compensation (note 4): | ||||||||||
Cost of services (exclusive of depreciation shown separately below): | ||||||||||
Revenue share and royalties |
| |
| |
| |
| | ||
Programming and content |
| |
| |
| |
| | ||
Customer service and billing |
| |
| |
| |
| | ||
Other |
| |
| |
| |
| | ||
Cost of Formula 1 revenue | | | | | ||||||
Subscriber acquisition costs |
| |
| |
| |
| | ||
Other operating expense |
| |
| |
| |
| | ||
Selling, general and administrative |
| |
| |
| |
| | ||
Acquisition and restructuring (note 3) | — | — | | | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
| |
| |
| |
| | ||
| |
| |
| |
| | |||
Operating income (loss) |
| |
| |
| |
| | ||
Other income (expense): | ||||||||||
Interest expense |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Share of earnings (losses) of affiliates, net (note 7) |
| ( |
| |
| ( |
| | ||
Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net (note 6) |
| |
| |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Other, net |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | ||
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |||
Earnings (loss) before income taxes |
| ( |
| |
| ( |
| | ||
Income tax (expense) benefit |
| ( |
| ( |
| |
| ( | ||
Net earnings (loss) |
| ( |
| |
| ( |
| | ||
Less net earnings (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interests |
| |
| |
| |
| | ||
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty stockholders | $ | ( |
| |
| ( |
| | ||
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty stockholders: | ||||||||||
Liberty SiriusXM common stock | $ | | | | | |||||
Liberty Braves common stock | ( | | ( | ( | ||||||
Liberty Formula One common stock | ( | | ( | ( | ||||||
$ | ( | | ( | |
(Continued)
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
I-5
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Continued)
(unaudited)
Three months ended |
| Nine months ended | ||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||
2020 |
| 2019 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 | ||||
Basic net earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty stockholders per common share | ||||||||||
Series A, B and C Liberty SiriusXM common stock | | | | | ||||||
Series A, B and C Liberty Braves common stock | ( | | ( | ( | ||||||
Series A, B and C Liberty Formula One common stock | ( | | ( | ( | ||||||
Diluted net earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty stockholders per common share | ||||||||||
Series A, B and C Liberty SiriusXM common stock | | | | | ||||||
Series A, B and C Liberty Braves common stock | ( | | ( | ( | ||||||
Series A, B and C Liberty Formula One common stock | ( | | ( | ( |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
I-6
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Earnings (Loss)
(unaudited)
Three months ended | Nine months ended | |||||||||
September 30, | September 30, |
| ||||||||
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 | |||
amounts in millions | ||||||||||
Net earnings (loss) | $ | ( |
| |
| ( |
| | ||
Other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of taxes: | ||||||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments |
| |
| ( |
| ( |
| | ||
Credit risk on fair value debt instruments gains (losses) |
| ( |
| ( |
| |
| ( | ||
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period | ( | | ( | | ||||||
Share of other comprehensive earnings (loss) of equity affiliates |
| |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Comprehensive earnings (loss) |
| ( |
| |
| ( |
| | ||
Less comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interests |
| |
| |
| |
| | ||
Comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty stockholders | $ | ( |
| |
| ( |
| | ||
Comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty stockholders: | ||||||||||
Liberty SiriusXM common stock | $ | ( | | | | |||||
Liberty Braves common stock | ( | | ( | ( | ||||||
Liberty Formula One common stock | ( | | ( | ( | ||||||
$ | ( | | ( | |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
I-7
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(unaudited)
Nine months ended | ||||||
September 30, | ||||||
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| ||
amounts in millions | ||||||
Cash flows from operating activities: | ||||||
Net earnings | $ | ( |
| | ||
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities: | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
| |
| | ||
Stock-based compensation |
| |
| | ||
Share of (earnings) loss of affiliates, net |
| |
| ( | ||
Realized and unrealized (gains) losses on financial instruments, net |
| |
| | ||
Deferred income tax expense (benefit) |
| ( |
| | ||
Other, net |
| |
| | ||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities | ||||||
Current and other assets |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Payables and other liabilities |
| ( |
| | ||
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities |
| |
| | ||
Cash flows from investing activities: | ||||||
Investments in equity method affiliates and debt and equity securities |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Return of investment in equity method affiliates | | — | ||||
Cash proceeds from sale of investments | | | ||||
Cash (paid) received for acquisitions, net of cash acquired | ( | | ||||
Capital expended for property and equipment, including internal-use software and website development |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Sales of short term investments and other marketable securities |
| — |
| | ||
Other investing activities, net |
| |
| ( | ||
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities |
| ( |
| | ||
Cash flows from financing activities: | ||||||
Borrowings of debt |
| |
| | ||
Repayments of debt |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Liberty SiriusXM stock repurchases | ( | ( | ||||
Subsidiary shares repurchased by subsidiary |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Proceeds from Liberty SiriusXM common stock rights offering | | — | ||||
Cash dividends paid by subsidiary | ( | ( | ||||
Taxes paid in lieu of shares issued for stock-based compensation | ( | ( | ||||
Other financing activities, net |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | ( | ( | ||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash |
| |
| | ||
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period |
| |
| | ||
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period | $ | |
| |
I-8
The following table reconciles cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash reported in our condensed consolidated balance sheets to the total amount presented in our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows:
September 30, | December 31, | |||||
2020 |
| 2019 | ||||
amounts in millions | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | | | |||
| | |||||
| | |||||
Total cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period | $ | | |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
I-9
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity
(unaudited)
Three Months ended September 30, 2020
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 June 30, 2020 | $ | — | | — | | — | — | — | — | — | |
| | |
| |
| |
| | ||||||||||||
Net earnings |
| — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| — | — |
| ( |
| |
| ( | ||||||||||||
Other comprehensive earnings (loss) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| — | ( |
| — |
| |
| ( | |||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation |
| — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| | — |
| — |
| |
| | ||||||||||||
Withholding taxes on net share settlements of stock-based compensation | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| ( | — |
| — |
| — |
| ( | |||||||||||||
Liberty SiriusXM stock repurchases | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | — | — | — | ( | |||||||||||||||||
Shares repurchased by subsidiary |
| — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | — | — | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||
Shares issued by subsidiary |
| — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| ( | — |
| — |
| | — | |||||||||||||
Other, net | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | — | — | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
Balance at September 30, 2020 | $ | — | | — | | — | — | — | — | — | |
| | |
| |
| | |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
I-10
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity
(unaudited)
Nine Months ended September 30, 2020
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, 2020 | $ | — | | — | | — | — | — | — | — | |
| | ( |
| |
| |
| | ||||||||||||
Net earnings |
| — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| — | — |
| ( |
| |
| ( | ||||||||||||
Other comprehensive earnings (loss) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| — | |
| — |
| ( |
| | |||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation |
| — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| | — |
| — |
| |
| | ||||||||||||
Withholding taxes on net share settlements of stock-based compensation | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| ( | — |
| — |
| — |
| ( | |||||||||||||
Liberty SiriusXM stock repurchases | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | — | — | — | ( | |||||||||||||||||
Shares repurchased by subsidiary |
| — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | — | — | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||
Shares issued by subsidiary |
| — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| ( | — |
| — |
| | — | |||||||||||||
Common stock issued pursuant to the Series C Liberty SiriusXM common stock rights offering | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | — | — | — | | |||||||||||||||||
Other, net | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | — | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
Balance at September 30, 2020 | $ | — | | — | | — | — | — | — | — | |
| | |
| |
| | |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
I-11
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity
(unaudited)
Three Months ended September 30, 2019
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 June 30, 2019 | $ | — | | — | | — | — | — | — | — | |
| | ( |
| |
| | | |||||||||||||
Net earnings |
| — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| — | — |
| |
| |
| | ||||||||||||
Other comprehensive earnings (loss) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| — | ( |
| — |
| ( |
| ( | |||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation |
| — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| | — |
| — |
| |
| | ||||||||||||
Liberty SiriusXM stock repurchases | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | — | — | — | ( | |||||||||||||||||
Shares repurchased by subsidiary |
| — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | — | — | ( |
| ( | |||||||||||||||
Shares issued by subsidiary |
| — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| ( | — |
| — |
| | | |||||||||||||
Other, net | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | — | — | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
Balance at September 30, 2019 | $ | — | | — | | — | — | — | — | — | |
| | ( |
| |
| | |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
I-12
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity
(unaudited)
Nine Months ended September 30, 2019
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, 2019 | $ | — | | — | | — | — | — | — | — | |
| | ( |
| |
| | | |||||||||||||
Net earnings |
| — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| — | — |
| |
| |
| | ||||||||||||
Other comprehensive earnings (loss) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| — | ( |
| — |
| |
| ( | |||||||||||||
Cumulative effect of accounting change | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| — | — |
| ( |
| — |
| ( | |||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation |
| — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| | — |
| — |
| |
| | ||||||||||||
Liberty SiriusXM stock repurchases | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | — | — | — | ( | |||||||||||||||||
Subsidiary shares issued as consideration in subsidiary acquisition | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | — | — | | | |||||||||||||||||
Shares repurchased by subsidiary |
| — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | — | — | ( |
| ( | |||||||||||||||
Shares issued by subsidiary |
| — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| ( | — |
| — |
| | | |||||||||||||
Other, net | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | — | — | | ( | |||||||||||||||||
Balance at September 30, 2019 | $ | — | | — | | — | — | — | — | — | |
| | ( |
| |
| | |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
I-13
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 ("Liberty," the "Company," "we," "us," or "our" 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. Liberty’s significant subsidiaries include Sirius XM Holdings Inc. ("Sirius XM Holdings"), Delta Topco Limited (the parent company of Formula 1) (“Delta Topco”) and Braves Holdings, LLC ("Braves Holdings"). Our most 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, 2019, 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. 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, 2019.
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 and (iii) the determination of the useful life of Sirius XM Holdings’ broadcast/transmission system to be its most significant estimates.
In December 2019, Chinese officials reported a novel coronavirus outbreak (“COVID-19”). COVID-19 has since spread internationally. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (“WHO”) assessed COVID-19 as a global pandemic, causing many countries throughout the world to take aggressive actions, including imposing travel restrictions and stay-at-home orders, closing public attractions and restaurants, and mandating social distancing practices. As a result, the start of the 2020 Formula 1 race calendar and the Major League Baseball season were delayed until the beginning of July 2020 and end of July 2020, respectively. In addition, in mid-March 2020, Live Nation suspended all large-scale live entertainment events due to COVID-19.
We are not presently aware of any events or circumstances arising from the COVID-19 pandemic that would require us to update our estimates or judgments or revise the carrying value of our assets or liabilities. Our estimates may change, however, as new events occur and additional information is obtained, any such changes will be recognized in the financial statements. Actual results could differ from estimates, and any such differences may be material to our financial statements.
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.
I-14
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
Liberty has entered into certain agreements with Qurate Retail, Inc. (“Qurate Retail”), Liberty TripAdvisor Holdings, Inc. (“TripCo”), Liberty Broadband Corporation (“Liberty Broadband”), Liberty Expedia Holdings, Inc. (prior to July 2019) and GCI Liberty, Inc. (“GCI Liberty”), all of which are, or were (in the case of Liberty Expedia Holdings, Inc.), separate publicly traded companies, 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 GCI Liberty owns shares of Liberty Broadband’s Series C non-voting common stock). These agreements include Reorganization Agreements (in the case of Qurate Retail and Liberty Broadband only), Services Agreements, Facilities Sharing Agreements and Tax Sharing Agreements (in the case of Liberty Broadband only). In addition, as a result of certain corporate transactions, Liberty and Qurate Retail may have obligations to each other for certain tax related matters.
The Reorganization Agreements provide for, among other things, provisions governing the relationships between Liberty and the applicable counterparty, including certain cross-indemnities. Pursuant to the Services Agreements, Liberty provides the applicable counterparty with general and administrative services including legal, tax, accounting, treasury and investor relations support. Liberty is reimbursed by each counterparty for direct, out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Liberty in providing these services and, in the case of Qurate Retail, Qurate Retail's allocable portion of costs associated with any shared services or personnel based on an estimated percentage of time spent providing services to Qurate Retail. The remaining Services Agreements provide for the payment to Liberty of 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 the other companies. Under these various agreements, approximately $
In December 2019, each of TripCo, Liberty Broadband, GCI Liberty and Qurate Retail (collectively, the “Service Companies”) entered into an amendment to its respective services agreement with Liberty in connection with Liberty's entry into a new employment arrangement with Gregory B. Maffei, Liberty's President and Chief Executive Officer. Under the amended services agreements, components of Mr. Maffei's compensation will either be paid directly to him by each Service Company or reimbursed to Liberty, in each case, based on allocations among Liberty and the Service Companies set forth in the amended services agreement.
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 in the past have generally taken 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.
Braves Holdings revenue is seasonal, with the majority of revenue recognized during the second and third quarters which aligns with the baseball season.
Due to the delays of their respective 2020 seasons as a result of COVID-19, the majority of Braves Holdings revenue was recognized during the third quarter and the majority of Formula 1 revenue has been and will be recognized in the third and fourth quarters, respectively.
(2) Tracking Stocks
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 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
I-15
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
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 Holdings 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. 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.
On April 22, 2020, the Company’s board of directors approved the immediate reattribution of certain assets and liabilities between the Formula One Group and the Liberty SiriusXM Group (collectively, the “reattribution”).
The assets reattributed from the Formula One Group to the Liberty SiriusXM Group, valued at $
● | Liberty’s entire Live Nation stake, consisting of approximately |
● | a newly-created Formula One Group intergroup interest, consisting of approximately |
● | the bond hedge and warrants associated with the Convertible Notes; |
● | the entire Liberty SiriusXM Group intergroup interest, consisting of approximately |
● | a portion, consisting of approximately |
The reattributed liabilities, valued at $
● | the Convertible Notes; |
● | Liberty’s |
● | Liberty’s margin loan secured by shares of Live Nation (“Live Nation Margin Loan”). |
Similarly, $
● | a call spread between the Formula One Group and the Liberty SiriusXM Group with respect to |
● | a net cash payment of $ |
The reattribution is reflected in the Company’s financial statements on a prospective basis.
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. As of September 30, 2020, the Liberty SiriusXM Group is comprised of Liberty’s interests in Sirius XM Holdings and Live Nation, corporate cash, Liberty’s
I-16
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
Convertible Notes due 2023 and related financial instruments, Liberty’s
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. As of September 30, 2020, the Braves Group is comprised primarily 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 and corporate cash. The Formula One Group and the Liberty SiriusXM Group retain intergroup interests in the Braves Group. As of September 30, 2020, the Braves Group has cash and cash equivalents of approximately $
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. As of September 30, 2020, the Formula One Group is comprised of 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 interest in Formula 1, an intergroup interest in the Braves Group, Liberty’s
The number of notional shares representing the intergroup interest in the Braves Group held by the Formula One Group is
I-17
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
On April 22, 2020, the Company’s board of directors authorized management of the Company to cause subscription rights (the “Series C Liberty SiriusXM Rights”) to purchase shares of Series C Liberty SiriusXM common stock, par value $
See Exhibit 99.1 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for unaudited attributed financial information for Liberty's tracking stock groups.
(3) Acquisitions and Restructurings
Sirius XM Holdings acquisition of Pandora
On February 1, 2019, Sirius XM Holdings purchased all of the outstanding shares of Pandora Media, Inc. (“Pandora”) for $
The table below shows the value of the consideration paid in connection with the acquisition (in millions, except for exchange ratio and price per share of Sirius XM Holdings common stock):
Pandora common stock outstanding at January 31, 2019 | |||
Exchange ratio | |||
Sirius XM Holdings common stock issued | |||
Price per share of Sirius XM Holdings common stock as of January 31, 2019 | $ | ||
Value of Sirius XM Holdings common stock issued to Pandora stockholders pursuant to the transactions | | ||
Value of Sirius XM Holdings replacement equity awards attributable to pre-combination service | |||
Sirius XM Holdings' Pandora preferred stock investment cancelled | |||
Total consideration | $ | |
Sirius XM Holdings recognized $
I-18
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
The amounts of revenue and net loss of Pandora included in Liberty’s condensed consolidated statement of operations since the date of acquisition were $
The unaudited pro forma revenue and net earnings of Liberty, prepared utilizing the historical financial statements of Pandora, giving effect to acquisition accounting related adjustments made at the time of acquisition, as if the acquisition of Pandora discussed above occurred on January 1, 2019, are as follows:
Three months ended | Nine months ended | |||||
September 30, 2019 | September 30, 2019 | |||||
amounts in millions | ||||||
Revenue | $ | | | |||
Net earnings (loss) | $ | | | |||
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty stockholders | $ | | |
The pro forma results primarily include adjustments related to the amortization of acquired intangible assets, depreciation of property and equipment, acquisition costs, fair value gain or loss on the Pandora investment and associated tax impacts. 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 Pandora had occurred previously and the Company consolidated Pandora during the entirety of the period presented.
Sirius XM Holdings acquisition of Simplecast
On June 16, 2020, Sirius XM Holdings acquired Simplecast for $
Sirius XM Holdings restructuring of Automatic Labs
In May 2020, Sirius XM Holdings terminated the Automatic Labs Inc. ("Automatic") service, which was part of its connected services business. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, Sirius XM Holdings recorded $
Sirius XM Holdings acquisition of Stitcher
On October 16, 2020, Sirius XM Holdings acquired the assets of Stitcher, a pioneer in podcast production, distribution, and ad sales, from The E.W. Scripps Company (“Scripps”) and certain of its subsidiaries. Under the terms of the asset purchase agreement, Sirius XM Holdings paid $
I-19
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
(4) Stock-Based Compensation
Liberty grants, to certain of its directors, employees and employees of its subsidiaries, restricted stock, restricted stock units (“RSUs”) 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.
Included in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations are the following amounts of stock-based compensation, as discussed below:
Three months ended | Nine months ended | |||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| ||
amounts in millions | ||||||||||
Cost of services: | ||||||||||
Programming and content | $ | |
| |
| |
| | ||
Customer service and billing |
| |
| |
| |
| | ||
Other |
| |
| |
| |
| | ||
Other operating expense |
| |
| |
| |
| | ||
Selling, general and administrative |
| |
| |
| |
| | ||
$ | |
| |
| |
| |
Liberty—Grants of Awards
Awards granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 are summarized as follows:
Nine Months Ended | |||||
September 30, 2020 | |||||
Options | Weighted | ||||
granted | average | ||||
(000's) | GDFV | ||||
Series C Liberty SiriusXM common stock, Liberty employees (1) | | $ | | ||
Series C Liberty SiriusXM common stock, Liberty CEO (2) | | $ | | ||
Series C Liberty Formula One common stock, Liberty employees (1) | | $ | | ||
Series C Liberty Formula One common stock, Liberty CEO (2) | | $ | | ||
Series C Liberty Formula One common stock, Formula 1 employees (3) | | $ | | ||
Series C Liberty Braves common stock, Liberty employees (1) | | $ | | ||
Series C Liberty Braves common stock, Liberty CEO (2) | | $ | |
(1) | Grants vest between and |
(2) | Grants cliff vest on December 31, 2020. Grants were made in connection with the CEO’s employment agreement. |
(3) | Grants vest monthly over |
The Company did not grant
to purchase or Liberty SiriusXM, Liberty Braves or Liberty Formula One common stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2020.I-20
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
Also during the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company granted
Liberty calculates the GDFV for all of its equity classified Awards and the subsequent remeasurement of its liability classified 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
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, as well as the weighted average remaining life and aggregate intrinsic value of the Awards.
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, 2020 |
| | $ | | | $ | | ||||||||||||||||
Granted |
| — | $ | — | | $ | | ||||||||||||||||
Exercised |
| ( | $ | | ( | $ | | ||||||||||||||||
Forfeited/Cancelled | — | $ | — | — | $ | — | |||||||||||||||||
Outstanding at September 30, 2020 |
| | $ | |
| years | $ | — | | $ | | years | $ | | |||||||||
Exercisable at September 30, 2020 |
| | $ | |
| years | $ | — | | $ | |
| years | $ | |
I-21
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
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, 2020 |
| | $ | | | $ | | ||||||||||||||||
Granted |
| — | $ | — | | $ | | ||||||||||||||||
Exercised |
| — | $ | — | ( | $ | | ||||||||||||||||
Forfeited/Cancelled | — | $ | — | — | $ | — | |||||||||||||||||
Outstanding at September 30, 2020 |
| | $ | |
| years | $ | — | | $ | | years | $ | | |||||||||
Exercisable at September 30, 2020 |
| | $ | |
| years | $ | — | | $ | |
| years | $ | |
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, 2020 |
| | $ | | | $ | | ||||||||||||||||
Granted |
| — | $ | — | | $ | | ||||||||||||||||
Exercised |
| — | $ | — | ( | $ | | ||||||||||||||||
Forfeited/Cancelled | — | $ | — | — | $ | — | |||||||||||||||||
Outstanding at September 30, 2020 |
| | $ | |
| years | $ | — | | $ | | years | $ | | |||||||||
Exercisable at September 30, 2020 |
| | $ | |
| years | $ | — | | $ | |
| years | $ | |
As of September 30, 2020, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested Awards was approximately $
As of September 30, 2020, Liberty reserved
Sirius XM Holdings — Stock-based Compensation
Sirius XM Holdings granted various types of stock awards to its employees during the nine months ended September 30, 2020. As of September 30, 2020, Sirius XM Holdings has approximately
I-22
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
(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.
Excluded from diluted EPS for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 are approximately
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.
Three months ended September 30, | Nine months ended September 30, | ||||||||
2020 |
| 2019 (a) |
| 2020 |
| 2019 (a) | |||
numbers of shares in millions | |||||||||
Basic WASO |
| |
| | | | |||
Potentially dilutive shares |
| |
| | | | |||
Diluted WASO (b) |
| |
| | | |
(a) | As discussed in note 2, Liberty distributed subscription rights to holders of Liberty SiriusXM common stock, which were priced at a discount to the market value, to acquire additional shares of Series C Liberty SiriusXM common stock. The LSXMK rights offering, because of the discount, is considered a stock dividend and has been reflected retroactively in prior periods for the weighted average shares outstanding. |
(b) | As discussed in note 2, the Formula One Group’s intergroup interest in the Liberty SiriusXM Group was eliminated on April 22, 2020 in conjunction with the reattribution. The number of notional Liberty Sirius XM shares representing the intergroup interest held by the Formula One Group was |
I-23
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
which was generally stated in terms of a number of shares of stock issuable to the Formula One Group with respect to its interest in the Liberty SiriusXM Group. Each reporting period, the notional shares representing the intergroup interest were marked to fair value. As the notional shares underlying the intergroup interest were not represented by outstanding shares of common stock, such shares had not been officially designated Series A, B or C Liberty SiriusXM common stock. However, Liberty assumed that the notional shares would have been comprised of Series C Liberty SiriusXM common stock in order to not dilute voting percentages. Therefore, the market price of Series C Liberty SiriusXM common stock was used for the quarterly mark-to-market adjustment through the unaudited attributed condensed consolidated statements of operations. The notional shares representing the intergroup interest had no impact on the basic earnings per share weighted average number of shares outstanding. However, in periods where the Liberty SiriusXM Group had net earnings, the notional shares representing the intergroup interest were included in the diluted earnings per share WASO as if the shares had been issued and outstanding during the period. An adjustment was 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 ended September 30, | Nine months ended September 30, | ||||||||
2020 |
| 2019 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 | |||
| amounts in millions | ||||||||
Basic earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty SiriusXM stockholders | $ | | | | | ||||
Unrealized (gain) loss on the intergroup interest | NA | NA | ( | NA | |||||
Diluted earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty SiriusXM stockholders | $ | | | | |
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.
Three months ended September 30, | Nine months ended September 30, | ||||||||
2020 (a) |
| 2019 |
| 2020 (a) |
| 2019 (a) | |||
numbers of shares in millions | |||||||||
Basic WASO |
| |
| | | | |||
Potentially dilutive shares |
| |
| | | | |||
Diluted WASO (b) |
| |
| | | |
(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) | Prior to the reattribution, as discussed in note 2, the number of notional Liberty Braves shares representing the Formula One Group’s intergroup interest in the Braves Group was |
I-24
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
The intergroup interests are quasi-equity interests which are not represented by outstanding shares of common stock; rather, the Formula One Group and the Liberty SiriusXM Group have attributed values in the Braves Group which are generally stated in terms of a number of shares of stock issuable to the Formula One Group and the Liberty SiriusXM Group with respect to their interests in the Braves Group. Each reporting period, the notional shares representing the intergroup interests are marked to fair value. As the notional shares underlying the intergroup interests 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) related to the Formula One Group interest in the Braves Group would be comprised of Series C Liberty Braves common stock in order to not dilute voting percentages and the notional shares (if and when issued) related to the Liberty SiriusXM Group interest in the Braves Group would be comprised of Series A Liberty Braves common stock since Series A Liberty Braves common stock underlie the
Three months ended September 30, | Nine months ended September 30, | ||||||||
2020 |
| 2019 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 | |||
| amounts in millions | ||||||||
Basic earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty Braves stockholders | $ | ( | | ( | ( | ||||
Unrealized (gain) loss on the intergroup interests | | ( | ( | | |||||
Diluted earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty Braves stockholders | $ | ( | | ( | ( |
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.
Three months ended September 30, | Nine months ended September 30, | ||||||||
2020 (a) |
| 2019 |
| 2020 (a) | 2019 (a) | ||||
numbers of shares in millions | |||||||||
Basic WASO |
| |
| | | | |||
Potentially dilutive shares |
| |
| | | | |||
Diluted WASO (b) |
| |
| | | |
(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, the number of notional Formula One shares representing the Liberty SiriusXM Group’s intergroup interest in the Formula One Group is |
I-25
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
Liberty SiriusXM Group has an attributed value in the Formula One Group which is generally stated in terms of a number of shares of stock issuable to the Liberty SiriusXM Group with respect to its interest in the Formula One 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 Formula One common stock. However, Liberty has assumed that the notional shares (if and when issued) would be comprised of Series A Liberty Formula One common stock since Series A Formula One common stock underlie the |
Three months ended September 30, | Nine months ended September 30, | ||||||||
2020 |
| 2019 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 | |||
| amounts in millions | ||||||||
Basic earnings (loss) attributable to Formula One stockholders | $ | ( | | ( | ( | ||||
Unrealized (gain) loss on the intergroup interest | | NA | | NA | |||||
Diluted earnings (loss) attributable to Formula One stockholders | $ | ( | | ( | ( |
(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, 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.
I-26
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
Liberty's assets and liabilities measured at fair value are as follows:
Fair Value Measurements at | Fair Value Measurements at | |||||||||||||
September 30, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | |||||||||||||
|
| 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 | $ | |
| |
| — |
| |
| |
| — | ||
Debt and equity securities | $ | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | ||
Financial instrument assets | $ | |
| |
| |
| |
| | | |||
Debt | $ | |
| — |
| |
| |
| — |
| | ||
Financial instrument liabilities | $ | | — | | | — | |
The majority of Liberty's Level 2 financial instruments are debt related instruments and derivative instruments. 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 debt securities, financial instruments and debt or debt related instruments are reported in the foregoing table as Level 2 fair value. Debt and equity securities and 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, net
Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net are comprised of changes in the fair value of the following:
Three months ended | Nine months ended | |||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| ||
amounts in millions | ||||||||||
Debt and equity securities | $ | |
| |
| ( |
| | ||
Debt measured at fair value (a) | | ( | | ( | ||||||
Change in fair value of bond hedges (b) | ( | | ( | | ||||||
Other derivatives |
| — |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | ||
$ | |
| |
| ( |
| ( |
(a) | The Company elected to account for its exchangeable senior debentures and cash convertible notes using the fair value option. Changes in the fair value of the exchangeable senior debentures and cash convertible notes recognized in the condensed consolidated statements of operations are primarily due to market factors primarily driven by changes in the fair value of the underlying shares into which the debt is exchangeable. The Company isolates the portion of the unrealized gain (loss) attributable to changes in the instrument specific credit risk and recognizes such amount in other comprehensive earnings (loss). The change in the fair value of the exchangeable senior debentures and cash convertible notes attributable to changes in the instrument specific credit risk was a loss of $ |
I-27
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
respectively, and a gain of $ |
(b) | Contemporaneously with the issuance of the Convertible Notes, 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 9 for additional discussion of the bond hedges. |
(7) 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, 2020 and the carrying amount at December 31, 2019:
September 30, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | ||||||||||
| Percentage |
| Fair Value |
| Carrying |
| Carrying |
| |||
ownership | (Level 1) | amount | amount | ||||||||
dollar amounts in millions | |||||||||||
Liberty SiriusXM Group | |||||||||||
Live Nation (a) | | % | $ | | $ | | NA | ||||
Sirius XM Canada | | % | $ | NA | |
| | ||||
Other | NA | | | ||||||||
Total Liberty SiriusXM Group | | | |||||||||
Braves Group | |||||||||||
Other | various | NA | | | |||||||
Total Braves Group | | | |||||||||
Formula One Group | |||||||||||
Live Nation (a) | NA |
| | ||||||||
Other |
| various |
| NA |
| |
| | |||
Total Formula One Group | | | |||||||||
Consolidated Liberty | $ | |
| |
(a) | Liberty’s interest in Live Nation was reattributed from the Formula One Group to the Liberty SiriusXM Group effective April 22, 2020. See note 9 for details regarding the number and fair value of shares pledged as collateral as of September 30, 2020 pursuant to the Live Nation Margin Loan. |
I-28
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
The following table presents the Company's share of earnings (losses) of affiliates:
Three months ended | Nine months ended | |||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| ||
amounts in millions | ||||||||||
Liberty SiriusXM Group | ||||||||||
Live Nation (a) | $ | ( | NA | ( | NA | |||||
Sirius XM Canada | — |
| — |
| |
| | |||
Other | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||
Total Liberty SiriusXM Group | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||
Braves Group | ||||||||||
Other | ( |
| | ( | | |||||
Total Braves Group | ( | | ( | | ||||||
Formula One Group | ||||||||||
Live Nation (a) |
| NA |
| |
| ( |
| | ||
Other |
| |
| |
| |
| | ||
Total Formula One Group | | | ( | | ||||||
Consolidated Liberty | $ | ( |
| |
| ( |
| |
(a) | Liberty’s interest in Live Nation was reattributed from the Formula One Group to the Liberty SiriusXM Group effective April 22, 2020. |
Sirius XM Canada
As of September 30, 2020, Sirius XM Holdings holds a
Sirius XM Holdings has a loan to Sirius XM Canada in the aggregate amount of $
Sirius XM Holdings also entered into a Services Agreement and an Advisory Services Agreement with Sirius XM Canada. Each agreement has a
Sirius XM Holdings has approximately $
I-29
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
SoundCloud
In February 2020, Sirius XM Holdings completed a $
In addition to Sirius XM Holdings’ investment in SoundCloud, Pandora has an agreement with SoundCloud to be its exclusive U.S. ad sales representative. Through this arrangement, Pandora offers advertisers the ability to execute campaigns in the U.S. across the Pandora and SoundCloud listening platforms. Sirius XM Holdings recorded revenue share expense related to this agreement of $
(8) Intangible Assets
Goodwill
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill are as follows:
| Sirius XM Holdings |
| Formula 1 | Other |
| Total |
| |||
amounts in millions | ||||||||||
Balance at January 1, 2020 | $ | |
| | |
| | |||
Acquisition (a) |
| |
| — | — |
| | |||
Balance at September 30, 2020 | $ | |
| | |
| |
(a) | See note 3 for additional information regarding Sirius XM Holdings’ acquisition of Simplecast. |
Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization
September 30, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | |||||||||||||
| Gross |
|
| Net |
| Gross |
|
| Net |
| ||||
carrying | Accumulated | carrying | carrying | Accumulated | carrying | |||||||||
amount | amortization | amount | amount | amortization | amount | |||||||||
amounts in millions | ||||||||||||||
FIA Agreement | $ | | ( | | | ( | | |||||||
Customer relationships | | ( | |
| |
| ( |
| | |||||
Licensing agreements |
| | ( | |
| |
| ( |
| | ||||
Other |
| | ( | |
| |
| ( |
| | ||||
Total | $ | | ( | |
| |
| ( |
| |
Amortization expense for intangible assets with finite useful lives was $
I-30
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Remainder of 2020 |
| $ | |
|
2021 | $ | | ||
2022 | $ | | ||
2023 | $ | | ||
2024 | $ | |
I-31
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
(9) Long-Term Debt
Debt is summarized as follows:
Outstanding | Carrying value | ||||||||
| Principal |
| September 30, |
| December 31, |
| |||
September 30, 2020 | 2020 | 2019 | |||||||
amounts in millions | |||||||||
Liberty SiriusXM Group | |||||||||
Corporate level notes and loans: | |||||||||
$ | |
| | NA | |||||
| | | |||||||
| | NA | |||||||
| | | |||||||
Sirius XM Holdings Margin Loan | |
| |
| | ||||
Live Nation Margin Loan | — |
| — | NA | |||||
Subsidiary notes and loans: | |||||||||
Sirius XM | | | | ||||||
Sirius XM |
| — |
| — |
| | |||
Sirius XM | |
| | | |||||
Sirius XM | — |
| — |
| | ||||
Sirius XM | | | | ||||||
Sirius XM | | | | ||||||
Sirius XM | | | | ||||||
Sirius XM | | | — | ||||||
Pandora | | | | ||||||
Pandora | | | | ||||||
Sirius XM Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility |
| — |
| — |
| — | |||
Deferred financing costs | ( | ( | |||||||
Total Liberty SiriusXM Group | | | | ||||||
Braves Group | |||||||||
Subsidiary notes and loans: | |||||||||
Notes and loans |
| |
| |
| | |||
Deferred financing costs | ( | ( | |||||||
Total Braves Group | | | | ||||||
Formula One Group | |||||||||
Corporate level notes and loans: | |||||||||
NA | NA |
| | ||||||
| | | |||||||
| | | |||||||
NA | NA | | |||||||
Live Nation Margin Loan | NA | NA | | ||||||
Other | | | | ||||||
Subsidiary notes and loans: | |||||||||
Senior Loan Facility | | | | ||||||
Deferred financing costs | ( | ( | |||||||
Total Formula One Group | | | | ||||||
Total debt | $ | |
| |
| | |||
Debt classified as current |
| ( |
| ( | |||||
Total long-term debt | $ | |
| |
(1) Measured at fair value
I-32
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
On October 17, 2013, Liberty issued $
The Convertible Notes are convertible into cash based on the product of the conversion rate specified in the related indenture and the Securities Basket. A supplemental indenture entered into on April 15, 2016 amends the conversion, adjustment and other provisions of the indenture 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
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. See note 6 for information related to unrealized gains (losses) on debt measured at fair value. As of September 30, 2020, 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. On April 15, 2016, Liberty entered into amendments to the Bond Hedge Transaction. As of such date, the Bond Hedge Transaction covered, in the aggregate,
I-33
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
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 the remainder expire over a period covering
The Convertible Notes, Bond Hedge Transaction and Warrant Transactions were reattributed from the Formula One Group to the Liberty SiriusXM Group effective April 22, 2020.
In connection with the acquisition of Delta Topco on January 23, 2017, Liberty issued $
On August 17, 2016, Liberty closed a private offering of approximately $
I-34
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
Upon an exchange of debentures, Liberty, at its option, may deliver AT&T common stock, cash or a combination of AT&T common stock and cash. The number of shares of AT&T common stock attributable to a debenture represents an initial exchange price of approximately $
The debentures, as well as the associated cash proceeds, were attributed to the Formula One Group. Liberty has elected to account for the debentures using the fair value option. See note 6 for information related to unrealized gains (losses) on debt measured at fair value.
On March 6, 2018, Liberty closed a private offering of approximately $
In December 2018, Liberty closed a private offering of approximately $
On November 26, 2019, Liberty closed a private offering of approximately $
I-35
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
an exchange of debentures, Liberty, at its option, may deliver Sirius XM Holdings common stock, Series C Liberty SiriusXM common stock, cash or a combination of Sirius XM Holdings common stock, Series C Liberty SiriusXM common stock and/or cash. The number of shares of Sirius XM Holdings common stock attributable to a debenture represents an initial exchange price of approximately $
Margin Loans
Sirius XM Holdings Margin Loan
In March 2020, Liberty extended its margin loan agreement comprised of a $
Live Nation Margin Loan
On December 10, 2018, the Live Nation Margin Loan agreement was amended, increasing the borrowing capacity to $
Sirius XM
In June 2020, Sirius XM issued $
I-36
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
subsidiaries guarantee Sirius XM Holdings’ obligations under the notes. Sirius XM Holdings used the net proceeds from the offering to redeem all of its
Sirius XM Holdings
On July 9, 2020, Sirius XM Holdings redeemed all of the $
Sirius XM Holdings Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility
Sirius XM Holdings entered into a Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility (the "Credit Facility") with a syndicate of financial institutions with a total borrowing capacity of $
Braves Holdings Notes and Loans
In 2014, Braves Holdings, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, purchased
Carrying value |
| As of September 30, 2020 | |||||||||
September 30, |
| December 31, |
| Borrowing | Weighted avg | Maturity | |||||
2020 | 2019 |
| Capacity | interest rate | Date | ||||||
amounts in millions | |||||||||||
Operating credit facilities | $ | | various | ||||||||
Ballpark funding |
| ||||||||||
Term loan | | | NA | August 2021 | |||||||
Senior secured note | | | NA | September 2041 | |||||||
Floating rate notes | | | NA | September 2029 | |||||||
Mixed-use credit facilities and loans | | | | various | |||||||
Spring training credit facility | | | NA | December 2030 | |||||||
Total Braves Holdings | $ | | |
In August 2020, Braves Holdings amended the terms of its $
I-37
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
ongoing discussions with the counterparty to obtain waivers and covenant modifications. See below for additional information related to temporary changes to Braves Holdings’ debt covenants.
Formula 1 Loans
On August 3, 2017, Formula 1 increased the amount outstanding under a first lien term loan denominated in U.S. Dollars (the “Senior Loan Facility”) from $
On January 31, 2018, Formula 1 refinanced the Senior Loan Facility. As part of the refinancing, Formula 1 repaid $
Debt Covenants
The Sirius XM Holdings Credit Facility contains certain financial covenants related to Sirius XM Holdings’ leverage ratio. Braves Holdings’ debt contains certain financial covenants related to Braves Holdings’ debt service coverage ratio, fixed charge coverage ratio, debt yield ratio, capital expenditures and liquidity. The Formula 1 Senior Loan Facility contains certain financial covenants, including a leverage ratio. Additionally, Sirius XM Holdings’ Credit Facility, Braves Holdings’ debt, Formula 1 debt and other borrowings contain certain non-financial covenants. The Company, Sirius XM Holdings, Formula 1 and Braves Holdings are in compliance with all debt covenants as of September 30, 2020. Pursuant to an amendment to the Senior Loan Facility on June 26, 2020, subject to compliance by Formula 1 with certain financial conditions, the net leverage financial covenant does not apply until the quarter ended March 31, 2022. The relevant conditions applicable to Formula 1 include the maintenance of minimum liquidity (comprised of unrestricted cash and cash equivalent investments and available revolving credit facility commitments) of $
I-38
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
30, 2021, subject to certain conditions, including the maintenance of a minimum liquidity threshold, the increase in debt service reserves and certain other conditions.
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 Holdings’ publicly traded debt securities, not reported at fair value, are as follows (amounts in millions):
| September 30, 2020 |
| ||
Sirius XM | $ | | ||
Sirius XM | $ | | ||
Sirius XM | $ | | ||
Sirius XM | $ | | ||
Sirius XM | $ | | ||
Sirius XM | $ | | ||
Pandora | $ | | ||
Pandora | $ | |
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 September 30, 2020.
(10) 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 (current and former), coaches and executives have entered into long-term employment contracts whereby such individuals' compensation is guaranteed. Amounts due under guaranteed contracts as of September 30, 2020 aggregated $
I-39
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
Potential Impact of COVID-19
The business operations of Formula 1, the Atlanta Braves and Live Nation initially were largely, if not completely, suspended at the outset of COVID-19, and continue to be impacted. These businesses may be required to hold a smaller number of events than originally planned or may not be able to reschedule previously canceled or postponed events. The current year regular baseball season was comprised of
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 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.
Pre-1972 Sound Recording Litigation. On October 2, 2014, Flo & Eddie Inc. filed a class action suit against Pandora in the federal district court for the Central District of California. The complaint alleges a violation of California Civil Code Section 980, unfair competition, misappropriation and conversion in connection with the public performance of sound recordings recorded prior to February 15, 1972 (“pre-1972 recordings”). On December 19, 2014, Pandora filed a motion to strike the complaint pursuant to California’s Anti-Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation statute, which following denial of Pandora’s motion was appealed to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. In March 2017, the Ninth Circuit requested certification to the California Supreme Court on the substantive legal questions. The California Supreme Court accepted certification. In May 2019, the California Supreme Court issued an order dismissing consideration of the certified questions on the basis that, following the enactment of the Orrin G. Hatch-Bob Goodlatte Music Modernization Act, Pub. L. No. 115-264, 132 Stat. 3676 (2018) (the “MMA”), resolution of the questions posed by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals was no longer “necessary to . . . settle an important question of law.”
The MMA grants a potential federal preemption defense to the claims asserted in the aforementioned lawsuits. In July 2019, Pandora took steps to avail itself of this preemption defense, including making the required payments under the MMA for certain of its uses of pre-1972 recordings. Based on the federal preemption contained in the MMA (along with other considerations), Pandora asked the Ninth Circuit to order the dismissal of the Flo & Eddie, Inc. v. Pandora Media, Inc. case. On October 17, 2019, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a memorandum disposition concluding that the question of whether the MMA preempts Flo and Eddie's claims challenging Pandora's performance of pre-1972 recordings "depends on various unanswered factual questions" and remanded the case to the District Court for further proceedings.
Sirius XM Holdings believes it has substantial defenses to the claims asserted in this action, and intends to defend this action vigorously.
Copyright Royalty Board Proceeding to Determine the Rate for Statutory Webcasting. Pursuant to Sections 112 and 114 of the Copyright Act, the Copyright Royalty Board (the “CRB”) initiated a proceeding in January 2019 to set the rates and terms by which webcasters may perform sound recordings via digital transmission over the internet and make
I-40
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
ephemeral reproductions of those recordings during the 2021-2025 rate period under the authority of statutory licenses provided under Sections 112 and 114 of the Copyright Act. Sirius XM Holdings filed a petition to participate in the proceeding on behalf of its Sirius XM and Pandora businesses, as did other webcasters including Google Inc. and the National Association of Broadcasters. SoundExchange, a collective organization that collects and distributes digital performance royalties to artists and copyright holders, represents the various copyright owner participants in the proceeding, including Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, and Warner Music Group. Because the proceeding focuses on setting statutory rates for non-interactive online music streaming (commonly identified as “webcasting”), the proceeding will set the rates that Pandora pays for music streaming on its free, ad-supported tier and that Sirius XM pays for streaming on its subscription internet radio service. This proceeding will not set the rates that Sirius XM Holdings pays for its other music offerings (satellite radio, business establishment services) or that it pays for interactive streaming on the Pandora Plus and Pandora Premium services.
In September 2019, the participants filed written direct statements, including proposed rates and terms for the 2021-2025 period. Sirius XM Holdings and other webcaster participants proposed rates below the existing statutory rates, which for commercial webcasters are currently set at $
During the summer, the CRB held a multi-week hearing which concluded in September 2020. An initial determination by the CRB is expected to be issued during the first half of 2021.
(11) 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 (as defined below) 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 (as defined below). In addition, the Company reviews nonfinancial measures such as subscriber growth, churn and penetration.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company has identified the following subsidiaries as its reportable segments:
● | Sirius XM Holdings is a consolidated subsidiary that operates |
I-41
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
Holdings acquired Pandora on February 1, 2019, at which time it began consolidating the results of the Pandora business. |
● | Formula 1 is a global motorsports business that holds exclusive commercial rights with respect to the World Championship, an annual, approximately |
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 significant 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
The following table disaggregates revenue by segment and by source:
Three months ended | Nine months ended | |||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| ||
amounts in millions | ||||||||||
Liberty SiriusXM Group |
|
|
| |||||||
Sirius XM Holdings: | ||||||||||
Subscriber | $ | | | |
| | ||||
Advertising |
| | | |
| | ||||
Equipment | | | | | ||||||
Other | | | | | ||||||
Total Liberty SiriusXM Group | | | | | ||||||
Braves Group |
|
|
|
| ||||||
Corporate and other: |
|
|
|
| ||||||
Baseball |
| |
| |
| |
| | ||
Development |
| |
| |
| |
| | ||
Total Braves Group | | | | | ||||||
Formula One Group | ||||||||||
Formula 1: | ||||||||||
Primary | | | | | ||||||
Other | | | | | ||||||
Total Formula One Group | | | | | ||||||
Consolidated Liberty | $ | |
| |
| |
| |
Our subsidiaries’ customers generally pay for services in advance of the performance obligation and therefore these prepayments are recorded as deferred revenue. The deferred revenue is recognized as revenue in our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations as the services are provided. Changes in the contract liability balance for Sirius XM Holdings during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 were not materially impacted by other factors. The opening and closing balances for our deferred revenue related to Formula 1 and Braves Holdings for the nine months ended
I-42
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
September 30, 2020 were approximately $
Significant portions of the transaction prices for Formula 1 and Braves Holdings are related to undelivered performance obligations that are under contractual arrangements that extend beyond one year. The Company anticipates recognizing revenue from the delivery of such performance obligations of approximately $
For segment reporting purposes, the Company defines Adjusted OIBDA as revenue less operating expenses, and selling, general and administrative expenses excluding all stock-based compensation, separately reported litigation settlements and restructuring and impairment charges. The Company believes this measure is an important indicator of the operational strength and performance of its businesses, by identifying those items that are not directly a reflection of each business’ performance or indicative of ongoing business trends. 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.
Adjusted OIBDA is summarized as follows:
Three months ended | Nine months ended | |||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| ||
amounts in millions | ||||||||||
Liberty SiriusXM Group | ||||||||||
Sirius XM Holdings | $ | |
| |
| |
| | ||
Corporate and other |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Total Liberty SiriusXM Group |
| |
| |
| |
| | ||
Braves Group | ||||||||||
Corporate and other |
| |
| |
| ( |
| | ||
Total Braves Group |
| |
| |
| ( |
| | ||
Formula One Group |
|
| ||||||||
Formula 1 |
| |
| |
| ( |
| | ||
Corporate and other | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||
Total Formula One Group | | | ( | | ||||||
Consolidated Liberty | $ | |
| |
| |
| |
I-43
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
Other Information
September 30, 2020 | ||||||||
| Total |
| Investments |
| Capital |
| ||
assets | in affiliates | expenditures | ||||||
amounts in millions | ||||||||
Liberty SiriusXM Group | ||||||||
Sirius XM Holdings | $ | |
| |
| | ||
Corporate and other | | | — | |||||
Total Liberty SiriusXM Group | | | | |||||
Braves Group | ||||||||
Corporate and other | | | | |||||
Total Braves Group | | | | |||||
Formula One Group | ||||||||
Formula 1 | | — | | |||||
Corporate and other |
| |
| |
| | ||
Total Formula One Group | | | | |||||
Elimination (1) | ( | — | — | |||||
Consolidated Liberty | $ | |
| |
| |
(1) | This amount is primarily comprised of the call spread between the Formula One Group and the Liberty SiriusXM Group with respect to the Live Nation shares that were reattributed to the Liberty SiriusXM Group and the intergroup interests in the Braves Group held by the Formula One Group and the Liberty SiriusXM Group and the intergroup interest in the Formula One Group held by the Liberty SiriusXM Group, as discussed in note 2. The Braves Group intergroup interests attributable to the Formula One Group and the Liberty SiriusXM Group are presented as assets of the Formula One Group and Liberty SiriusXM Group, respectively, and are presented as liabilities of the Braves Group in the attributed financial statements. The Formula One Group intergroup interest attributable to the Liberty SiriusXM Group is presented as an asset of the Liberty SiriusXM Group and is presented as a liability of the Formula One Group in the attributed financial statements. The offsetting amounts between tracking stock groups are eliminated in consolidation. |
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LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
The following table provides a reconciliation of Adjusted OIBDA to Operating income (loss) and Earnings (loss) before income taxes:
Three months ended | Nine months ended | |||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| ||
amounts in millions | ||||||||||
Adjusted OIBDA | $ | |
| |
| |
| | ||
Legal settlements and reserves | — | — | | ( | ||||||
Stock-based compensation |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Acquisition and restructuring (note 3) | — | — | ( | ( | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Operating income (loss) | | | | | ||||||
Interest expense |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Share of earnings (losses) of affiliates, net |
| ( |
| |
| ( |
| | ||
Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net |
| |
| |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Other, net |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Earnings (loss) before income taxes | $ | ( |
| |
| ( |
| |
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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 projected sources and uses of cash; the payment of dividends by Sirius XM Holdings Inc. (“Sirius XM Holdings”); fluctuations in interest rates and stock prices; the impacts of COVID-19 (as defined below); the impact of accounting policies and pronouncements; and the anticipated non-material impact of certain contingent liabilities related to legal and tax proceedings and other matters arising in the ordinary course of business. Where, in any forward-looking statement, we express an expectation or belief as to future results or events, such expectation or belief is expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance that the expectation or belief will result or be achieved or accomplished. The following include some but not all of the factors (as they relate to our consolidated subsidiaries and equity affiliates) that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated:
● | the impact of the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic and local, state and federal governmental responses to the pandemic on the economy, our customers, our vendors and our businesses generally; |
● | 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; |
● | our future financial performance, including availability, terms and deployment of capital; |
● | 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 Holdings’ satellites, could negatively impact our results and brand; |
● | royalties for music rights have increased and may continue to do so in the future; |
● | the outcome of any pending or threatened litigation or investigation; |
● | availability of qualified personnel; |
● | changes in, or failure or inability to comply with, government regulations, including, without limitation, regulations of the Federal Communications Commission 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; |
● | consumer spending levels, including the availability and amount of individual consumer debt; |
● | rapid technological and industry changes; |
● | impairments of 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; |
● | the regulatory and competitive environment of the industries in which we, and the entities in which we have interests, operate; and |
● | threatened terrorist attacks, political unrest in international markets and ongoing military action around the world. |
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For additional risk factors, please see Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and Part II, Item 1A. Risk Factors of our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2020 and June 30, 2020. Any 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, 2019.
The information contained herein relates to Liberty Media Corporation and its controlled subsidiaries ("Liberty," the "Company," "we," "us," or "our" unless the context otherwise requires).
Overview
We own controlling and non-controlling interests in a broad range of media, communications and entertainment companies. Our largest operating subsidiary, which is also a reportable segment, is Sirius XM Holdings. Sirius XM Holdings provides a subscription based satellite radio service through its Sirius XM business and operates a music discovery platform through its Pandora business, which was acquired by Sirius XM Holdings on February 1, 2019. Sirius XM features 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 and through the internet via applications for mobile devices, home devices and other consumer electronic equipment. The Pandora business operates a music, comedy and podcast streaming discovery platform, offering a personalized experience for each listener wherever and whenever they want to listen, whether through mobile devices, car speakers or connected devices. Formula 1 is a wholly-owned 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 Major League Baseball Club (“ANLBC”), certain of the Atlanta Braves' minor league clubs and certain assets and liabilities associated with ANLBC’s stadium and mixed use development project (the “Development Project”).
In addition to the foregoing businesses, we hold ownership interests in Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. ("Live Nation") and through Sirius XM Holdings, Sirius XM Canada Holdings, Inc. (“Sirius XM Canada”) and SoundCloud Holdings, LLC (“SoundCloud”), which we account for as equity method investments; and we hold investments and related financial instruments in public companies such as AT&T, which are accounted for at their respective fair market values and are included in the “Corporate and other” category.
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 Holdings 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. Holders of tracking stock are also not represented by
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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.
On April 22, 2020, the Company’s board of directors approved the immediate reattribution of certain assets and liabilities between the Formula One Group and the Liberty SiriusXM Group (collectively, the “reattribution”).
The assets reattributed from the Formula One Group to the Liberty SiriusXM Group, valued at $2.8 billion, consisted of:
● | Liberty’s entire Live Nation stake, consisting of approximately 69.6 million shares of Live Nation common stock; |
● | a newly-created Formula One Group intergroup interest, consisting of approximately 5.3 million notional shares of Liberty Formula One common stock, to cover exposure under Liberty’s 1.375% cash convertible senior notes due 2023 (the “Convertible Notes”); |
● | the bond hedge and warrants associated with the Convertible Notes; |
● | the entire Liberty SiriusXM Group intergroup interest, consisting of approximately 1.9 million notional shares of Liberty SiriusXM common stock, thereby eliminating the Liberty SiriusXM Group intergroup interest; and |
● | a portion, consisting of approximately 2.3 million notional shares of Liberty Braves common stock, of the Formula One Group’s intergroup interest in the Braves Group, to cover exposure under the Convertible Notes. |
The reattributed liabilities, valued at $1.3 billion, consisted of:
● | the Convertible Notes; |
● | Liberty’s 2.25% exchangeable senior debentures due 2048; and |
● | Liberty’s margin loan secured by shares of Live Nation (“Live Nation Margin Loan”). |
Similarly, $1.5 billion of net asset value has been reattributed from the Liberty SiriusXM Group to the Formula One Group, comprised of:
● | a call spread between the Formula One Group and the Liberty SiriusXM Group with respect to 34.8 million of the Live Nation shares that were reattributed to the Liberty SiriusXM Group; and |
● | a net cash payment of $1.4 billion from the Liberty SiriusXM Group to the Formula One Group, which was funded by a combination of (x) cash on hand, (y) an additional $400 million drawn from the Company’s existing margin loan secured by shares of common stock of Sirius XM Holdings, resulting in an aggregate outstanding balance of $750 million, and (z) the creation of an intergroup loan obligation from the Liberty SiriusXM Group to the Formula One Group in the principal amount of $750 million, plus interest thereon, which was repaid with the proceeds from the rights offering described below (the “Intergroup Loan”). |
The reattribution is reflected in the Company’s financial statements on a prospective basis.
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. As of September 30, 2020, the Liberty SiriusXM Group is primarily comprised of Liberty’s interests in Sirius XM Holdings and Live Nation, corporate cash, Liberty’s 1.375% Cash Convertible Notes due 2023 and related financial instruments, Liberty’s 2.125% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2048, Liberty’s 2.25% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2048, Liberty’s 2.75% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2049 and margin loan obligations incurred by wholly-owned special purpose subsidiaries of Liberty. As of September 30, 2020, the Liberty SiriusXM Group has cash and cash equivalents of approximately $137 million, which includes approximately $33 million of subsidiary cash. Additionally, the Liberty SiriusXM Group retains an approximate 3.8% intergroup interest in the Braves Group and an approximate 2.2% intergroup interest in the Formula One Group as of September 30, 2020.
Sirius XM Holdings is the only operating subsidiary attributed to the Liberty SiriusXM Group. In the event Sirius XM Holdings were to become insolvent or file for bankruptcy, Liberty’s management would evaluate the circumstances at such time and take appropriate steps in the best interest of all of its stockholders, which may not be in the best interest of a
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particular group or groups when considered independently. In such a situation, Liberty’s management and its board of directors would have several approaches at their disposal, including, but not limited to, the conversion of the Liberty SiriusXM common stock into another tracking stock of Liberty, the reattribution of assets and liabilities among Liberty’s tracking stock groups or the restructuring of Liberty’s tracking stocks to either create a new tracking stock structure or eliminate it altogether. On February 1, 2019, Sirius XM Holdings acquired Pandora. See note 3 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for more information regarding the acquisition of Pandora.
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. As of September 30, 2020, the Braves Group is primarily comprised of Braves Holdings, which indirectly owns ANLBC and certain assets and liabilities associated with ANLBC’s stadium and the Development Project, and corporate cash. As of September 30, 2020, the Braves Group has cash and cash equivalents of approximately $213 million. Additionally, the Liberty SiriusXM Group and the Formula One Group retain intergroup interests in the Braves Group.
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. As of September 30, 2020, 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 interest in Formula 1, an approximate 11.3% intergroup interest in the Braves Group, Liberty’s 1% Cash Convertible Notes due 2023 and Liberty’s 2.25% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2046. The Formula One Group has cash and cash equivalents of approximately $1,586 million as of September 30, 2020, which includes $139 million of subsidiary cash.
On April 22, 2020, the Company’s board of directors authorized management of the Company to cause subscription rights (the “Series C Liberty SiriusXM Rights”) to purchase shares of Series C Liberty SiriusXM common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“LSXMK”), in a rights offering (the “LSXMK rights offering”) to be distributed to holders of Series A Liberty SiriusXM common stock, par value $0.01 per share, Series B Liberty SiriusXM common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and LSXMK. In the LSXMK rights offering, Liberty distributed 0.0939 of a Series C Liberty SiriusXM Right for each share of Series A, Series B or Series C Liberty SiriusXM common stock held as of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on May 13, 2020. Fractional Series C Liberty SiriusXM Rights were rounded up to the nearest whole right. Each whole Series C Liberty SiriusXM Right entitled the holder to purchase, pursuant to the basic subscription privilege, one share of LSXMK at a subscription price of $25.47, which was equal to an approximate 20% discount to the volume weighted average trading price of LSXMK for the 3-day trading period ending on and including May 8, 2020. Each Series C Liberty SiriusXM Right also entitled the holder to subscribe for additional shares of LSXMK that were unsubscribed for in the LSXMK rights offering pursuant to an oversubscription privilege. The LSXMK rights offering commenced on May 18, 2020, which was also the ex-dividend date for the distribution of the Series C Liberty SiriusXM Rights. The LSXMK rights offering expired at 5:00 p.m. New York City time, on June 5, 2020 and was fully subscribed with 29,594,089 shares of LSXMK issued to those rightsholders exercising basic and, if applicable, oversubscription privileges. The proceeds from the LSXMK rights offering, which aggregated approximately $754 million, were used to repay the outstanding balance on the Intergroup Loan and accrued interest.
In December 2019, Chinese officials reported a novel coronavirus outbreak. COVID-19 has since spread internationally. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (“WHO”) assessed COVID-19 as a global pandemic, causing many countries throughout the world to take aggressive actions, including imposing travel restrictions and stay-at-home orders, closing public attractions and restaurants, and mandating social distancing practices. As a result, the start of the 2020 Formula 1 race calendar and the Major League Baseball season were delayed until the beginning of July 2020 and end of July 2020, respectively. In addition, in mid-March 2020, Live Nation suspended all large-scale live entertainment events due to COVID-19. As a result, the Company’s results of operations have been negatively impacted by COVID-19 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020. Further, Formula 1, the Atlanta Braves and Live Nation will continue to be materially impacted by COVID-19 and local state, and federal government actions taken in response, which will have a negative impact on our results of operations and financial condition in future periods.
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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 | Nine months ended | |||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| ||
amounts in millions | ||||||||||
Revenue | ||||||||||
Liberty SiriusXM Group | ||||||||||
Sirius XM Holdings | $ | 2,025 |
| 2,011 |
| 5,851 |
| 5,732 | ||
Total Liberty SiriusXM Group | 2,025 | 2,011 | 5,851 | 5,732 | ||||||
Braves Group | ||||||||||
Corporate and other | 110 |
| 212 |
| 143 |
| 442 | |||
Total Braves Group | 110 | 212 | 143 | 442 | ||||||
Formula One Group | ||||||||||
Formula 1 | 597 | 633 | 660 | 1,499 | ||||||
Total Formula One Group | 597 | 633 | 660 | 1,499 | ||||||
Consolidated Liberty | $ | 2,732 |
| 2,856 |
| 6,654 |
| 7,673 | ||
Operating Income (Loss) | ||||||||||
Liberty SiriusXM Group | ||||||||||
Sirius XM Holdings | $ | 461 |
| 459 |
| 1,310 |
| 1,196 | ||
Corporate and other | (10) | (5) | (34) | (22) | ||||||
Total Liberty SiriusXM Group | 451 | 454 | 1,276 | 1,174 | ||||||
Braves Group | ||||||||||
Corporate and other | (16) | 21 | (93) | 6 | ||||||
Total Braves Group | (16) | 21 | (93) | 6 | ||||||
Formula One Group | ||||||||||
Formula 1 | (104) | 44 | (363) | 23 | ||||||
Corporate and other |
| (11) |
| (12) |
| (40) |
| (35) | ||
Total Formula One Group | (115) | 32 | (403) | (12) | ||||||
Consolidated Liberty | $ | 320 |
| 507 |
| 780 |
| 1,168 | ||
Adjusted OIBDA | ||||||||||
Liberty SiriusXM Group | ||||||||||
Sirius XM Holdings | $ | 661 |
| 659 |
| 1,915 |
| 1,871 | ||
Corporate and other | (7) | (4) | (26) | (10) | ||||||
Total Liberty SiriusXM Group | 654 | 655 | 1,889 | 1,861 | ||||||
Braves Group | ||||||||||
Corporate and other | 5 | 45 | (49) | 73 | ||||||
Total Braves Group | 5 | 45 | (49) | 73 | ||||||
Formula One Group | ||||||||||
Formula 1 | 14 | 162 | (34) | 372 | ||||||
Corporate and other |
| (6) |
| (8) |
| (26) |
| (23) | ||
Total Formula One Group | 8 | 154 | (60) | 349 | ||||||
Consolidated Liberty | $ | 667 |
| 854 |
| 1,780 |
| 2,283 |
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Revenue. Our consolidated revenue decreased $124 million and $1,019 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year. The decreases were driven by decreases in revenue for Formula 1 and Braves Holdings, partially offset by increases in revenue for Sirius XM Holdings. See "Results of Operations—Businesses" below for a more complete discussion of the results of operations of Sirius XM Holdings, Formula 1 and Braves Holdings.
Operating income (loss). Our consolidated operating income decreased $187 million and $388 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year. The decrease for the three months ended September 30, 2020 was primarily driven by decreases of $148 million and $38 million in Formula 1 and Braves Holdings operating results, respectively, partially offset by a $2 million improvement in Sirius XM Holdings operating results. The decrease for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was primarily driven by decreases of $386 million and $100 million in Formula 1 and Braves Holdings operating results, respectively, partially offset by a $114 million improvement in Sirius XM Holdings operating results. See "Results of Operations—Businesses" below for a more complete discussion of the results of operations of Sirius XM Holdings, 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 Holdings 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 $180 million and $217 million of stock-based compensation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The decrease in stock compensation expense is primarily due to decreases at Braves Holdings and Sirius XM Holdings. As of September 30, 2020, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested Liberty equity awards was approximately $28 million. Such amount will be recognized in our condensed consolidated statements of operations over a weighted average period of approximately 2.4 years. Additionally, as of September 30, 2020, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested Sirius XM Holdings stock options and restricted stock units was $418 million. The Sirius XM Holdings unrecognized compensation cost will be recognized in our condensed consolidated statements of operations over a weighted average period of approximately 2.7 years.
Adjusted OIBDA. To provide investors with additional information regarding our financial results, we also disclose Adjusted OIBDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure. We define Adjusted OIBDA as operating income (loss) plus depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, separately reported litigation settlements, restructuring, acquisition and other related costs 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 by identifying those items that are not directly a reflection of each business’ performance or indicative of ongoing business trends. In addition, this measure allows us to view operating results, perform analytical comparisons and benchmarking between businesses and identify strategies to improve performance. Accordingly, Adjusted OIBDA should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, operating income, net income, cash flow provided
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by operating activities and other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The following table provides a reconciliation of Operating income (loss) to Adjusted OIBDA:
Three months ended | Nine months ended | |||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| ||
amounts in millions | ||||||||||
Operating income (loss) | $ | 320 | 507 | 780 | 1,168 | |||||
Depreciation and amortization |
| 279 |
| 271 |
| 812 |
| 790 | ||
Stock-based compensation |
| 68 |
| 76 |
| 180 |
| 217 | ||
Legal settlements and reserves | — | — | (16) | 25 | ||||||
Acquisition and restructuring | — | — | 24 | 83 | ||||||
Adjusted OIBDA | $ | 667 |
| 854 |
| 1,780 |
| 2,283 |
Consolidated Adjusted OIBDA decreased $187 million and $503 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year. The decrease in Adjusted OIBDA for the three months ended September 30, 2020 was primarily due to decreases of $148 million and $40 million in Formula 1 and Braves Holdings Adjusted OIBDA, respectively. The decrease in Adjusted OIBDA for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was primarily due to decreases of $406 million and $122 million in Formula 1 and Braves Holdings Adjusted OIBDA, respectively, partially offset by a $44 million increase in Sirius XM Holdings Adjusted OIBDA. See "Results of Operations—Businesses" below for a more complete discussion of the results of operations of Sirius XM Holdings, Formula 1 and Braves Holdings.
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Other Income and Expense
Components of Other Income (Expense) are presented in the table below.
Three months ended | Nine months ended | |||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| ||
amounts in millions | ||||||||||
Interest expense | ||||||||||
Liberty SiriusXM Group | $ | (116) | (115) | (347) | (326) | |||||
Braves Group | (6) | (6) | (19) | (20) | ||||||
Formula One Group | (31) | (48) | (114) | (149) | ||||||
Consolidated Liberty | $ | (153) |
| (169) |
| (480) |
| (495) | ||
Share of earnings (losses) of affiliates, net | ||||||||||
Liberty SiriusXM Group | $ | (183) | (7) | (331) | (18) | |||||
Braves Group | (5) | 4 | (2) | 13 | ||||||
Formula One Group | 1 | 58 | (109) | 74 | ||||||
Consolidated Liberty | $ | (187) |
| 55 |
| (442) |
| 69 | ||
Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net | ||||||||||
Liberty SiriusXM Group | $ | (39) | (10) | (228) | 6 | |||||
Braves Group | — | (2) | (10) | (6) | ||||||
Formula One Group | 55 | 26 | 75 | (171) | ||||||
Consolidated Liberty | $ | 16 |
| 14 |
| (163) |
| (171) | ||
Other, net | ||||||||||
Liberty SiriusXM Group | $ | (36) | (51) | (19) | (42) | |||||
Braves Group | (1) | — | (1) | 1 | ||||||
Formula One Group | 5 | 4 | 19 | 23 | ||||||
Consolidated Liberty | $ | (32) |
| (47) |
| (1) |
| (18) | ||
$ | (356) |
| (147) |
| (1,086) |
| (615) |
Interest expense. Consolidated interest expense decreased $16 million and $15 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year. Interest expense for the Formula One Group decreased during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 due to a decrease in the average amount of corporate and subsidiary debt outstanding. Interest expense for the Liberty SiriusXM Group increased during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 due to an increase in the average amount of corporate and subsidiary debt outstanding. As previously disclosed, certain debt was reattributed from the Formula One Group to the Liberty SiriusXM Group effective April 22, 2020. The interest related to such debt is reflected in interest expense for the Formula One Group prior to the reattribution and in interest expense for the Liberty SiriusXM Group following the reattribution.
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Share of earnings (losses) of affiliates. The following table presents our share of earnings (losses) of affiliates:
Three months ended | Nine months ended | |||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| ||
amounts in millions | ||||||||||
Liberty SiriusXM Group | ||||||||||
Live Nation (a) | $ | (177) | NA | (321) | NA | |||||
Sirius XM Canada | — |
| — |
| 8 |
| 2 | |||
Other | (6) |
| (7) |
| (18) |
| (20) | |||
Total Liberty SiriusXM Group | (183) | (7) | (331) | (18) | ||||||
Braves Group | ||||||||||
Other | (5) | 4 | (2) | 13 | ||||||
Total Braves Group | (5) | 4 | (2) | 13 | ||||||
Formula One Group | ||||||||||
Live Nation (a) |
| NA |
| 54 |
| (112) |
| 61 | ||
Other |
| 1 |
| 4 |
| 3 |
| 13 | ||
Total Formula One Group | 1 | 58 | (109) | 74 | ||||||
Consolidated Liberty | $ | (187) |
| 55 |
| (442) |
| 69 |
(a) | Liberty’s interest in Live Nation was reattributed from the Formula One Group to the Liberty SiriusXM Group effective April 22, 2020. |
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 | Nine months ended | |||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| ||
amounts in millions | ||||||||||
Debt and equity securities | $ | 4 |
| 18 |
| (109) |
| 89 | ||
Debt measured at fair value | 44 |
| (62) |
| 326 |
| (295) | |||
Change in fair value of bond hedges | (32) |
| 68 |
| (282) |
| 107 | |||
Other derivatives |
| — |
| (10) |
| (98) |
| (72) | ||
$ | 16 |
| 14 |
| (163) |
| (171) |
The changes in unrealized gains (losses) on debt and equity securities are due to market factors primarily driven by changes in the fair value of the stock underlying these financial instruments.
Changes in unrealized gains (losses) on debt measured at fair value are due to market factors primarily driven by changes in the fair value of the underlying shares into which the debt is exchangeable.
Liberty issued $1 billion of cash convertible notes and entered into a bond hedge transaction on the same amount of underlying shares in October 2013. 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 losses on other derivatives are primarily driven by changes in the fair value of Formula 1’s interest rate swaps.
Other, net. Other, net expense decreased $15 million and $17 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year. The decreases were primarily driven by
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a decrease in losses on extinguishment of debt related to Sirius XM Holdings. As previously disclosed, Liberty’s investment in Live Nation was reattributed from the Formula One Group to the Liberty SiriusXM Group effective April 22, 2020. Accordingly, any gains or losses on dilution of our investment in Live Nation are reflected in Formula One Group’s results prior to the reattribution and in Liberty SiriusXM Group’s results following the reattribution.
Income taxes. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, we had losses before income taxes of $36 million and $306 million, respectively, and income tax expense of $7 million and income tax benefit of $3 million, respectively. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, we had earnings before income taxes of $360 million and $553 million, respectively, and income tax expense of $98 million and $226 million, respectively. For the three months ended September 30, 2020, the Company recognized additional tax expense for changes to our valuation allowance, partially offset by tax benefits from a change in tax rate in certain foreign jurisdictions. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company recognized additional tax expense due to changes to our valuation allowance and the effect of state income taxes, partially offset by tax benefits from a change in the tax rate in certain foreign jurisdictions and the utilization of federal tax credits. For the three months ended September 30, 2019, the Company recognized additional tax expense due to the effect of state income taxes and changes in our valuation allowance, partially offset by deductible stock-based compensation, the effect of foreign income taxed at rates lower than the U.S. income tax rate of 21% and federal income tax credits. For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company recognized additional tax expense due to a change in the effective state tax rate used to measure deferred taxes and changes in our valuation allowance, primarily as a result of the acquisition of Pandora discussed in note 3 of the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements and the effect of state income taxes, partially offset by deductible stock-based compensation, the effect of foreign income taxed at rates lower than the U.S. federal income tax rate of 21% and federal income tax credits.
Net earnings. We had net losses of $43 million and $303 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, and net earnings of $262 million and $327 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively. The changes in net earnings and losses were the result of the above-described fluctuations in our revenue, expenses and other gains and losses.
Material Changes in Financial Condition
As of September 30, 2020, substantially all of our cash and cash equivalents were invested in U.S. Treasury securities, securities of 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. As of September 30, 2020, Liberty had $231 million of unencumbered marketable equity securities.
Liberty does not have a debt rating.
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As of September 30, 2020 Liberty's cash and cash equivalents were as follows:
|
| |||
Cash and Cash | ||||
Equivalents | ||||
amounts in millions | ||||
Liberty SiriusXM Group | ||||
Sirius XM Holdings | $ | 33 |
| |
Corporate and other | 104 | |||
Total Liberty SiriusXM Group | $ | 137 | ||
Braves Group | ||||
Corporate and other | $ | 213 |
| |
Total Braves Group | $ | 213 | ||
Formula One Group | ||||
Formula 1 | $ | 139 | ||
Corporate and other | 1,447 | |||
Total Formula One Group | $ | 1,586 |
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 Holdings, which has significant cash and cash provided by operating activities, although due to Sirius XM Holdings 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 a restricted payment (“RP”) test imposed by the first lien term loan and the revolving credit facility at Formula 1 is not met. However, Formula 1 does not have the ability to make a RP to Liberty during the waiver period, as discussed previously. Pursuant to the RP test, Liberty does not have access to Formula 1’s cash when the leverage ratio (defined as net debt divided by covenant earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization for the trailing twelve months) exceeds a certain threshold. The RP test has not been met as of September 30, 2020. As of September 30, 2020, Formula 1 has not made any distributions to Liberty. If distributions are made in the future, the RP test, pro forma for such distributions, would have to be met. 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. As of September 30, 2020, Liberty had $600 million available under Liberty’s margin loan secured by shares of Sirius XM Holdings and $270 million available under Liberty’s margin loan secured by shares of Live Nation.
As stated in note 9 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements, the Company, Sirius XM Holdings, Formula 1 and Braves Holdings are in compliance with all debt covenants as of September 30, 2020. Braves Holdings amended various agreements, as discussed below, but is expected to be out of compliance with certain debt covenants related to one of its mixed-use loans as of December 31, 2020. Braves Holdings is in ongoing discussions with the counterparty to obtain waivers and covenant modifications. Pursuant to an amendment to Formula 1’s Senior Loan Facility on June 26, 2020, subject to compliance by Formula 1 with certain financial conditions, the net leverage financial covenant does not apply until the quarter ended March 31, 2022. The relevant conditions applicable to Formula 1 include the maintenance of minimum liquidity (comprised of unrestricted cash and cash equivalent investments and available revolving credit facility commitments) of $200 million and certain restrictions on dividends, other payments and the incurrence of additional debt. Formula 1 has the ability to recommence the requirement to comply with the net leverage financial covenant prior to the quarter ended March 31, 2022, in which case the relevant additional conditions will cease to apply. Pursuant to an amendment to Braves Holdings’ $85 million credit facility on August 20, 2020, the fixed charge coverage ratio does not apply until the quarter ending March 31, 2022, subject to certain conditions, including the maintenance of minimum liquidity thresholds throughout the waiver period and certain other restrictions. Braves Holdings could recommence the requirement to comply with the fixed charge coverage ratio beginning with the quarter ending December 31, 2021, in which case the relevant additional conditions will cease to apply. In addition, on August 20, 2020, Braves Holdings amended the debt agreements related to its ballpark funding, waiving the debt service coverage covenant until the quarter ending September 30, 2021, subject to certain conditions, including the maintenance of a minimum liquidity threshold, the increase in debt service reserves and certain other conditions.
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See Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk for disclosures related to the anticipated effects of the transition away from London Inter-bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) as a benchmark for establishing the rate of interest on Liberty’s margin loans, Sirius XM Holdings’ borrowings under its Credit Facility and Formula 1’s borrowings under its Senior Loan Facility.
Nine months ended | ||||||
September 30, | ||||||
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| ||
Cash Flow Information |
| amounts in millions | ||||
Liberty SiriusXM Group cash provided (used) by operating activities | $ | 1,379 | 1,437 | |||
Braves Group cash provided (used) by operating activities | (56) | 57 | ||||
Formula One Group cash provided (used) by operating activities | (267) | 276 | ||||
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities |
| $ | 1,056 |
| 1,770 | |
Liberty SiriusXM Group cash provided (used) by investing activities | $ | (339) | 508 | |||
Braves Group cash provided (used) by investing activities | (65) | (76) | ||||
Formula One Group cash provided (used) by investing activities | 95 | (22) | ||||
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities |
| $ | (309) |
| 410 | |
Liberty SiriusXM Group cash provided (used) by financing activities | $ | (1,399) | (1,903) | |||
Braves Group cash provided (used) by financing activities | 149 | 39 | ||||
Formula One Group cash provided (used) by financing activities | 1,172 | 10 | ||||
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities |
| $ | (78) |
| (1,854) |
Liberty’s primary uses of cash during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 (excluding cash used by Sirius XM Holdings, Formula 1 and Braves Holdings) were $204 million of Series A and Series C Liberty SiriusXM common stock repurchases and the repayment of $130 million outstanding under Liberty’s margin loan secured by shares of Live Nation. These uses were primarily funded by returns of investments in equity method affiliates and dividends from Sirius XM Holdings. In connection with the reattribution, Liberty borrowed $400 million under the margin loan secured by shares of Sirius XM Holdings. The proceeds from the LSXMK rights offering, which aggregated approximately $754 million, were used to repay the outstanding balance on the Intergroup Loan and accrued interest.
Sirius XM Holdings’ primary uses of cash were the repayment of long-term debt, repurchase and retirement of outstanding Sirius XM Holdings common stock, additions to property and equipment, dividends paid to stockholders and investments in equity method investments. The Sirius XM Holdings uses of cash were funded by borrowings of debt and cash provided by operating activities. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, Sirius XM Holdings declared a cash dividend each quarter, and paid in cash an aggregate amount of $175 million, of which Liberty received $126 million. On October 6, 2020, Sirius XM Holdings’ board of directors declared a quarterly dividend on its common stock in the amount of $0.014641 per share of common stock payable on November 30, 2020 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on November 6, 2020.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, Formula 1 borrowed against its revolving credit facility and then repaid the outstanding balance in full.
Braves Holdings’ primary uses of cash were operating expenses and capital expenditures for continued expansion of the mixed-use development, funded primarily by net borrowings of debt.
The projected uses of Liberty's cash (excluding Sirius XM Holdings’, Formula 1’s and Braves Holdings’ uses of cash) are primarily the investment in existing or new businesses, debt service, including further repayment of the margin loan secured by shares of Sirius XM Holdings 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, borrowing capacity under margin loans and outstanding or new debt instruments, or dividends or distributions from operating subsidiaries. Liberty may be required to make net payments of income tax liabilities to settle items under discussion with tax authorities.
Sirius XM Holdings’ uses of cash are expected to be capital expenditures, including the construction of replacement satellites, working capital requirements, interest payments, taxes and scheduled maturities of outstanding debt. Liberty
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expects Sirius XM Holdings to fund its projected uses of cash with cash provided by operations, cash on hand and borrowings under its existing credit facility.
Sirius XM Holdings does not expect the COVID-19 pandemic and its related economic impact to affect its capital and financial resources, including its liquidity position. The COVID-19 pandemic has not impacted Sirius XM Holdings’ ability to access its traditional funding sources. The pandemic has not increased Sirius XM Holdings’ costs of, or reduced its access to, capital under its revolving credit facility or the debt capital markets, and Sirius XM Holdings does not believe it is reasonably likely to do so in the near-term. In addition, Sirius XM Holdings does not believe that the pandemic will affect its ongoing ability to meet the covenants in its debt instruments, including under its revolving credit facility.
Formula 1’s uses of cash are expected to be debt service payments and operating expenses. Although Formula 1’s operating cash flows are expected to decrease as a result of COVID-19, Liberty expects Formula 1 to fund its projected uses of cash with cash provided by operations, cash on hand and other sources of liquidity.
Braves Holdings’ uses of cash are expected to be expenditures related to the mixed-use development, debt service payments and operating expenses. Although Braves Holdings’ operating cash flows are expected to decrease as a result of COVID-19, Liberty expects Braves Holdings to fund its projected uses of cash with cash on hand, cash provided by operations and through the borrowings under construction loans.
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. Sirius XM Holdings operates two complementary audio entertainment businesses, Sirius XM and Pandora.
Sirius XM features 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 and through the internet via applications for mobile devices, home devices and other consumer electronic equipment. Sirius XM’s satellite radios are primarily distributed through automakers, retailers, and its website. The Sirius XM service is also available through its user interface, called “360L,” which combines Sirius XM’s satellite and streaming services into a single, cohesive in-vehicle entertainment experience. The primary source of revenue for the Sirius XM business is generated from subscription fees, with most of its customers subscribing to monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual plans. The Sirius XM business also derives revenue from advertising on select non-music channels, direct sales of its satellite radios and accessories, and other ancillary services. As of September 30, 2020, the Sirius XM business had approximately 34.4 million subscribers.
In addition to its audio entertainment businesses, Sirius XM provides connected vehicle services to several automakers. These services are designed to enhance the safety, security and driving experience of consumers. Sirius XM also offers a suite of data services that includes graphical weather, fuel prices, sports schedules and scores and movie listings, a traffic information service that includes information as to road closings, traffic flow and incident data to consumers with compatible in-vehicle navigation systems, and real-time weather services in vehicles, boats and planes. The Sirius XM business also holds a 70% equity interest and 33% voting interest in Sirius XM Canada.
In May 2020, Sirius XM Holdings terminated the Automatic Labs Inc. (“Automatic”) service, which was part of its connected services business. Automatic operated a service for consumers and auto dealers and offered an install-it-yourself adapter and mobile application, which transformed older vehicles into connected vehicles. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, Sirius XM Holdings recorded $24 million of restructuring expenses related to the termination of the service.
The Pandora business operates a music, comedy and podcast streaming discovery platform, offering a personalized experience for each listener wherever and whenever they want to listen, whether through mobile devices, car speakers or connected devices. Pandora enables listeners to create personalized stations and playlists, discover new content, hear artist- and expert-curated playlists, podcasts and select Sirius XM content, as well as search and play songs and albums on-demand. Pandora is available as an ad-supported radio service, a radio subscription service, called Pandora Plus, and
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an on-demand subscription service, called Pandora Premium. As of September 30, 2020, Pandora had approximately 6.4 million subscribers. The majority of revenue from the Pandora business is generated from advertising on its ad-supported radio service. In addition, Pandora has an arrangement with SoundCloud to be its exclusive U.S. ad sales representative. Through this arrangement, Pandora is able to offer advertisers the ability to execute campaigns in the U.S. across the Pandora and SoundCloud listening platforms. In addition, through AdsWizz Inc., Pandora provides a comprehensive digital audio advertising technology platform, which connects audio publishers and advertisers with a variety of ad insertion, campaign trafficking, yield optimization, programmatic buying, marketplace and podcast monetization solutions. As of September 30, 2020, the Pandora business had approximately 58.6 million monthly active users.
Sirius XM Holdings is a separate publicly traded company and additional information about Sirius XM Holdings can be obtained through its website and public filings, which are not incorporated by reference herein.
Results of Operations
Liberty acquired a controlling interest in Sirius XM Holdings on January 18, 2013 and applied acquisition accounting and consolidated the results of Sirius XM Holdings from that date. The results presented below include the impacts of accounting adjustments for Liberty’s acquisition of Sirius XM Holdings in the current and prior periods.
Sirius XM Holdings acquired Pandora on February 1, 2019. Although Pandora’s results are only included in Sirius XM Holdings’ results beginning on February 1, 2019, we believe a discussion of Sirius XM and Pandora’s combined results for all periods presented promotes a better understanding of the overall results of the combined businesses. For comparative purposes, we are presenting the pro forma results of Sirius XM Holdings for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019. The pro forma financial information was prepared based on the historical financial information of Sirius XM Holdings and Pandora and assuming the acquisition of Pandora took place on January 1, 2019. The pro forma results primarily include adjustments related to one additional month of Pandora’s operations, amortization of acquired intangible assets, depreciation of property and equipment, acquisition costs and associated tax impacts. The financial information below is presented for illustrative purposes only and does not purport to represent the actual results of operations of Sirius XM Holdings had the business combination occurred on January 1, 2019, or to project the results of operations of Sirius XM Holdings or Liberty for any future periods.
As of September 30, 2020, there is an approximate 26% noncontrolling interest in Sirius XM Holdings, and the net earnings (loss) of Sirius XM Holdings attributable to such noncontrolling interest is eliminated through the noncontrolling interest line item in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of operations.
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Sirius XM Holdings’ operating results were as follows:
Three months ended | Nine months ended | |||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| ||
(actual) | (pro forma) | (actual) | (pro forma) | |||||||
amounts in millions | ||||||||||
Sirius XM: | ||||||||||
Subscriber revenue |
| $ | 1,462 |
| 1,424 |
| 4,372 |
| 4,196 | |
Advertising revenue | 39 | 51 | 108 | 149 | ||||||
Equipment revenue | 47 | 45 | 113 | 127 | ||||||
Other revenue | 39 |
| 46 |
| 115 |
| 127 | |||
Total Sirius XM revenue | 1,587 | 1,566 | 4,708 | 4,599 | ||||||
Pandora: | ||||||||||
Subscriber revenue | 132 | 132 | 385 | 401 | ||||||
Advertising revenue | 306 | 315 | 758 | 852 | ||||||
Total Pandora revenue | 438 | 447 | 1,143 | 1,253 | ||||||
Total revenue | 2,025 |
| 2,013 |
| 5,851 |
| 5,852 | |||
Operating expenses (excluding stock-based compensation included below): | ||||||||||
Sirius XM cost of services | (610) |
| (599) |
| (1,795) | (1,761) | ||||
Pandora cost of services (excluding legal reserve) | (274) |
| (275) |
| (800) | (815) | ||||
Subscriber acquisition costs | (110) |
| (101) |
| (257) |
| (313) | |||
Selling, general and administrative expenses (excluding legal settlement) | (317) |
| (318) |
| (919) |
| (943) | |||
Other operating expenses | (53) |
| (63) |
| (165) |
| (179) | |||
Adjusted OIBDA | 661 |
| 657 |
| 1,915 |
| 1,841 | |||
Legal settlements and reserves | — | — | 16 | (25) | ||||||
Acquisition and restructuring | — | — | (24) | — | ||||||
Stock-based compensation | (58) |
| (65) |
| (165) |
| (182) | |||
Depreciation and amortization | (142) |
| (135) |
| (432) |
| (411) | |||
Operating income |
| $ | 461 |
| 457 |
| 1,310 |
| 1,223 |
Sirius XM Subscriber revenue includes self-pay and paid promotional subscriptions, U.S. Music Royalty Fees and other ancillary fees. Subscriber revenue increased approximately 3% and 4% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year. The increases were primarily attributable to higher self-pay revenue as a result of increases in certain subscription plans and higher U.S. Music Royalty Fees due to a higher music royalty rate, partially offset by lower paid promotional revenue.
Sirius XM Advertising revenue includes the sale of advertising on Sirius XM’s non-music channels. Advertising revenue decreased approximately 24% and 28% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year. The decreases were primarily due to lower advertising spend as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, primarily on news and sports channels due to the cancellation of live sporting events.
Sirius XM Equipment revenue includes revenue and royalties from the sale of satellite radios, components and accessories. Equipment revenue increased approximately 4% for the three months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year driven by higher royalty revenue as new vehicle production increased as automakers pushed to get back to pre-COVID-19 levels. Equipment revenue decreased approximately 11% for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year driven by lower royalty revenue as new vehicle production decreased due to the impact of COVID-19 and by lower direct sales to customers.
Sirius XM Other revenue includes service and advisory revenue from Sirius XM Canada, connected vehicle services, and ancillary revenue. Other revenue decreased approximately 15% and 9% for the three and nine months ended September
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30, 2020, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year primarily driven by lower revenue generated by connected vehicle services.
Pandora subscriber revenue includes fees charged for Pandora Plus and Pandora Premium subscriptions. Pandora subscriber revenue was flat and decreased 4% during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year. For the three month period, higher revenue from growth in Pandora Premium plans was offset by a decrease due to the expiration in 2019 of the one-year promotional subscriptions generated through and expired agreement with T-Mobile. The decrease for the nine month period was primarily due to the expiration of the one-year promotional subscriptions generated through an expired agreement with T-Mobile.
Pandora advertising revenue is generated primarily from audio, display and video advertising from on-platform and off-platform advertising. Pandora advertising revenue decreased 3% and 11% during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year. The decreases were primarily due to lower advertising spend as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sirius XM Cost of 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 include royalties for transmitting content, including streaming royalties, as well as automaker, content provider and advertising revenue share. Revenue share and royalties increased 3% for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year. The increases were due to overall greater revenue subject to music royalties and revenue share. |
● | Programming and Content includes costs to acquire, create, promote and produce content. Programming and content costs were flat for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year. Higher content licensing costs for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and higher personnel costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 were offset by one-time benefits for reduced sports programming as a result of shortened sports seasons due to COVID-19. |
● | 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 costs were relatively flat and decreased 2% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year. The decrease for the nine month period was driven by reduced staffing resulting from stay at home orders issued in countries in which Sirius XM’s vendors operate call centers. |
● | 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 services were flat and increased 4% during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year. The increase for the nine month period was primarily driven by higher cloud hosting and wireless costs associated with Sirius XM’s 360L platform and its streaming and connected vehicle services, partially offset by lower direct sales to consumers and lower inventory reserves. |
Pandora Cost of services (excluding legal reserve) includes revenue share and royalties, programming and content costs, customer service and billing expenses and other ancillary costs. Pandora costs of services were flat and decreased 2% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year.
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● | Revenue share and royalties include licensing fees paid for streaming music or other content to Pandora’s subscribers and listeners as a well as revenue share paid to third party ad servers. Pandora makes payments to third party ad servers for the period the advertising impressions are delivered or click-through actions occur, and accordingly, Pandora records this as a cost of service in the related period. Revenue share and royalties decreased 2% and 4% during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year due to lower listening hours. The decrease for the nine month period was also driven by lower costs resulting from the presence of minimum guarantees associated with direct license agreements with major record labels which ended in 2019. |
● | Programming and content includes costs to produce live listener events and promote content. Programming and content increased 300% and 111% during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year primarily due to higher production costs and personnel related costs. |
● | Customer service and billing includes transaction fees on subscription purchases through mobile app stores and bad debt expense. Customer service and billing costs were flat and increased 6% during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year driven by higher bad debt expense, partially offset by lower transaction costs. |
● | Other includes costs associated with content streaming, maintaining Pandora’s streaming radio and on-demand subscription services and creating and serving advertisements through third party ad servers. Other costs decreased 13% and 7% during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year due to decreases in streaming costs. |
Subscriber acquisition costs are costs only associated with Sirius XM’s satellite radio and connected vehicle services and include hardware subsidies paid to radio manufacturers, distributors and automakers; subsidies paid for chipsets and certain other components used in manufacturing radios; device royalties for certain radios and chipsets; product warranty obligations; and freight. The majority of subscriber acquisition costs are incurred and expensed in advance of acquiring a subscriber. Subscriber acquisition costs do not include advertising costs, marketing, loyalty payments to distributors and dealers of satellite radios or revenue share payments to automakers and retailers of satellite radios. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, subscriber acquisition costs increased approximately 9% and decreased approximately 18%, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year. The increase for the three month period was driven by higher OEM installations as automakers pushed to produce pre-COVID-19 volumes, partially offset by lower hardware subsidies as certain subsidy rates decreased. The decrease for the nine month period was driven by a decline in OEM installations as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as lower hardware subsidies as certain subsidy rates decreased.
Selling, general and administrative expenses (excluding legal settlement) includes costs of marketing, advertising, media and production, including promotional events and sponsorships; cooperative and artist marketing; personnel costs; facilities costs, finance, legal, human resources and information technology costs. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, selling, general and administrative expense were flat and decreased 3%, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year. The decrease for the nine month period was primarily due to lower personnel costs, lower travel and entertainment costs and the resolution of a sales and use tax audit during the second quarter of 2020, partially offset by additional subscriber communications, retention programs and acquisition campaigns and higher legal costs.
Other operating expenses include engineering, design and development costs consisting primarily of compensation and related costs to develop chipsets and new products and services, including streaming and connected vehicle services, research and development for broadcast information systems and costs associated with the incorporation of Sirius XM’s radios into new vehicles manufactured by automakers. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 other operating expenses decreased approximately 16% and 8%, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year, driven by lower personnel costs.
Legal settlements and reserves for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 relates to the reversal of a pre-Pandora acquisition reserve of $16 million for royalties. This benefit is included in the revenue share and royalties line item in the
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accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2020. Legal settlements and reserves for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 relates to a one-time $25 million legal settlement reserve for Do-Not-Call litigation. This charge is included in the selling, general and administrative expense line item in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The aforementioned reserve and legal settlement have been excluded from Adjusted OIBDA for the corresponding periods as they were not part of Sirius XM Holdings’ normal operations and do not relate to the on-going performance of the business.
Acquisition and restructuring costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 relate to costs associated with the termination of the Automatic service and the acquisition of Simplecast.
Stock-based compensation decreased 11% and 9% during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year. The decreases are primarily due to decreases in Pandora’s stock-based compensation.
Depreciation and amortization expense increased 5% for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year. The increase is primarily due to higher depreciation and amortization expense related to additional assets placed in-service.
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 place on various circuits with various Events. The 2020 World Championship calendar was originally scheduled to have 22 Events. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the start of the 2020 season was postponed until early July, with certain Events being cancelled and others rescheduled to later dates. The 2020 World Championship revised calendar consists of 17 Events. The 2019 World Championship calendar consisted of 21 Events. 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 its primary revenue from the commercial exploitation and development of the World Championship through a combination of entering into 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.
Formula 1’s operating results were as follows:
Three months ended | Nine months ended | |||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| ||
amounts in millions | ||||||||||
Primary Formula 1 revenue | $ | 524 |
| 553 |
| 549 |
| 1,282 | ||
Other Formula 1 revenue | 73 |
| 80 |
| 111 |
| 217 | |||
Total Formula 1 revenue | 597 |
| 633 |
| 660 |
| 1,499 | |||
Operating expenses (excluding stock-based compensation included below): | ||||||||||
Cost of Formula 1 revenue | (551) |
| (434) |
| (610) | (1,023) | ||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses | (32) |
| (37) |
| (84) |
| (104) | |||
Adjusted OIBDA | 14 |
| 162 |
| (34) |
| 372 | |||
Stock-based compensation | (3) | (5) | (11) | (15) | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization | (115) |
| (113) |
| (318) |
| (334) | |||
Operating income (loss) |
| $ | (104) |
| 44 |
| (363) |
| 23 | |
Number of Events | 10 | 7 | 10 | 16 |
Primary Formula 1 revenue is derived from the commercial exploitation and development of the World Championship through a combination of 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
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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 decreased $29 million and $733 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year. Race promotion revenue was significantly lower during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year primarily due to the fact that fans were prohibited at all but one Event during the current year which led to one-time changes in the contractual terms of the originally scheduled Events that remained on the revised 2020 calendar and limited revenue from the other Events that have been added. Additionally, the altered schedule triggered lower broadcasting fees pursuant to the contractual terms within certain broadcasting agreements and also led to other one-time changes as fees were renegotiated for the current year, leading to overall lower than originally contracted broadcasting revenue. Additionally, Formula 1 has been prevented from delivering all of the elements of a typical sponsorship offering with the cancellation of certain events to which contracted sponsorship inventory related, and with limited activities at the Events that have taken place due to the lack of fans and inability to operate services such as hospitality, leading to one-time changes in sponsorship contracts. Despite these changes impacting the different components of primary Formula 1 revenue, broadcasting and sponsorship revenue increased during the three months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year due to the impact of higher proportionate recognition of season-based income resulting from three additional Events during the current period and the impact of recognizing revenue over fewer Events in 2020, although these effects were more than offset by lower race promotion revenue. Primary Formula 1 revenue decreased during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year due to the impact of lower proportionate recognition of season-based income from six fewer Events during the current period and lower fees due to the contractual decreases as a result of COVID-19, as discussed previously.
Other Formula 1 revenue is generated from miscellaneous and ancillary sources primarily related to facilitating the shipment of cars and equipment to and from events outside of Europe, revenue from the sale of tickets to the Formula One Paddock Club at most Events, support races at Events (either from the direct operation of the Formula 2 and Formula 3 series or from the licensing of other third party series or individual race events), various television production and post-production activities, digital and social media services and other ancillary operations. The $7 million decrease in Other Formula 1 revenue during the three months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year was attributable to the non-operation of the Formula One Paddock Club and lower freight revenue, partially offset by increased revenue from the Formula 2 and Formula 3 series due to three additional Events in the current period. Other Formula 1 revenue decreased $106 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year due to six fewer Events in the current year period and the impact of COVID-19 related restrictions, such as the non-operation of the Paddock Club, limited freight services, the non-operation of fan festivals and business forums and lower Formula 2 and Formula 3 series income.
Cost of Formula 1 revenue
Three months ended | Nine months ended | |||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||
2020 |
| 2019 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 | ||||
amounts in millions | ||||||||||
Team payments | $ | (441) | (335) | (441) | (766) | |||||
Other costs of Formula 1 revenue | (110) | (99) | (169) | (257) | ||||||
Cost of Formula 1 revenue | $ | (551) | (434) | (610) | (1,023) |
Cost of Formula 1 revenue increased $117 million and decreased $413 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year.
Team payments are recognized on a pro-rata basis across the Events of the World Championship calendar. The increase in team payments during the three months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year was partially attributable to one-time fees paid to teams upon signing the 2021 Concorde Agreement and the pro rata recognition of estimated fixed and variable Prize Fund elements (which are expected to be lower in the current
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year), driven by three additional Events in the current year period and the recognition of costs over fewer total Events. The decrease in team payments during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year was attributable to the pro rata recognition of estimated fixed and variable Prize Fund elements (which are expected to be lower in the current year), driven by six fewer Events in the current year period and the recognition of costs over fewer total Events, partially offset by the one-time fees paid to teams upon signing the 2021 Concorde Agreement.
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 Federation Internationale de l’Automobile regulatory fees, advertising and sponsorship commissions and those incurred in the provision and sale of freight, travel and logistical services, Formula 2 and Formula 3 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. Other costs increased $11 million and decreased $88 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year primarily due to the differing number of Events in each period. The increase in other costs for the three months ended September 30, 2020 was partially offset by lower hospitality and freight costs. The decrease in other costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was also attributable to a reduction in hospitality, freight and travel expenses due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Selling, general and administrative expenses include personnel costs, legal, professional and other advisory fees, bad debt expense, rental expense, information technology costs, non-Event-related travel costs, insurance premiums, maintenance and utility costs and other general office administration costs. Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $5 million during the three months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the prior year period primarily due to foreign exchange gains in the current year period compared to losses in the prior year period and lower discretionary marketing expenditures. Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $20 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year driven by certain cost reduction initiatives while Events were not taking place, resulting in lower personnel costs, legal and professional fees and lower discretionary marketing expenditures.
Stock-based compensation expense 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. Stock-based compensation expense decreased $2 million and $4 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year due to the vesting of outstanding awards and a decrease in the fair value of the underlying awards.
Depreciation and amortization includes depreciation of fixed assets and amortization of intangible assets. Depreciation and amortization increased $2 million during the three months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year primarily due to an increase in the pro rata recognition of amortization of rights related to the legacy Concorde Agreement, driven by three additional Events in the current period recognized over fewer total Events, partially offset by a decrease in amortization expense related to certain intangible assets acquired in the acquisition of Formula 1 by Liberty. Depreciation and amortization decreased $16 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year due to a decrease in amortization expense related to certain intangible assets acquired in the acquisition of Formula 1 by Liberty and a decrease in the pro rata recognition of amortization of rights related to the legacy Concorde Agreement, driven by six fewer Events in the current period recognized over fewer total Events.
Braves Holdings. Braves Holdings is our wholly-owned subsidiary that indirectly owns and operates ANLBC and six Minor League Baseball Clubs (the Gwinnett Stripers, the Mississippi Braves, the Rome Braves, the Danville Braves, the GCL Braves and the Dominican Summer League). ANLBC’s ballpark is located in Cobb County, a suburb of Atlanta. The facility is leased from Cobb County, Cobb-Marietta Coliseum and Exhibit Hall Authority and the area surrounding the stadium offers a range of activities and eateries for fans. Braves Holdings and its affiliates participated in the construction of the new stadium and the construction of the adjacent mixed-use development project, which we refer to as the Development Project.
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Due to COVID-19, Major League Baseball postponed the start of the 2020 season until late July. The current year regular season was comprised of 60 games, without fans in attendance. The 2020 minor league season was cancelled. Braves Holdings does not expect to generate material revenue from the Braves’ participation in the 2020 post-season given the structure of the Major League Baseball playoffs to accommodate COVID-19 safety protocols, but Braves Holdings will incur modest expenses due to travel and other associated costs.
Operating results attributable to Braves Holdings were as follows:
Three months ended | Nine months ended | |||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| 2020 |
| 2019 |
| ||
amounts in millions | ||||||||||
Baseball revenue | $ | 102 | 203 | 119 | 415 | |||||
Development revenue | 8 | 9 | 24 | 27 | ||||||
Total Braves Holdings revenue | 110 |
| 212 |
| 143 |
| 442 | |||
Operating expenses (excluding stock-based compensation included below): | ||||||||||
Other operating expenses | (90) |
| (145) |
| (143) |
| (305) | |||
Selling, general and administrative expenses | (14) |
| (21) |
| (45) |
| (60) | |||
Adjusted OIBDA | 6 |
| 46 |
| (45) |
| 77 | |||
Stock-based compensation | (2) |
| (3) |
| 11 |
| (11) | |||
Depreciation and amortization | (19) |
| (20) |
| (54) |
| (54) | |||
Operating income |
| $ | (15) |
| 23 |
| (88) |
| 12 | |
Home Games | 30 | 40 | 30 | 81 |
Revenue includes amounts generated from Braves Holdings’ baseball and development operations. Baseball 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. Development revenue is derived from the mixed-use facilities and primarily includes rental income. The majority of Braves Holdings’ revenue has historically been recognized during the second and third quarters which aligns with a normal baseball season, consisting of approximately 160 games. However, the 2020 regular season was played entirely during the third quarter and consisted of only 60 games. The decreases in baseball revenue in the current year periods were primarily driven by fewer games in the current year, resulting in lower broadcasting revenue. In addition, without fans in attendance for any games, ballpark operations revenue was lower due to decreased ticket and concession sales. The decreases in development revenue in the current year periods were primarily driven by the deferral of rental income from the mixed-use facilities.
Other operating expenses primarily include costs associated with baseball and stadium operations. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, other operating expenses decreased $55 million and $162 million, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year. The decreases in the current year periods were primarily due to lower player salaries, as players were paid a pro-rata portion of their salaries, and lower facility and game day expenses, as there were fewer games in the current year, all without fans in attendance.
Selling, general and administrative expense includes costs of marketing, advertising, finance and related personnel costs. Selling, general and administrative expense decreased $7 million and $15 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year. The decreases during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 were primarily driven by lower marketing expense and fewer games in the current year periods.
Stock-based compensation decreased $1 million and $22 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year, driven by a decrease in the valuation of outstanding Braves Holdings awards.
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Depreciation and amortization was relatively flat for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, as compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year.
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 September 30, 2020, 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 |
| $ | 750 |
| 2.3 | % | $ | 10,333 |
| 3.8 | % | |
Braves Group | $ | 343 | 1.8 | % | $ | 371 | 3.7 | % | ||||
Formula One Group |
| $ | 832 | 3.5 | % | $ | 2,800 |
| 4.6 | % |
Liberty’s borrowings under margin loans, Sirius XM Holdings’ borrowings under its Credit Facility and Formula 1’s borrowings under its Senior Loan Facility carry a variable interest rate based on LIBOR as a benchmark for establishing the rate of interest. LIBOR is the subject of national, international and other regulatory guidance and proposals for reform. On July 27, 2017, the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates LIBOR, announced that it intends to phase out LIBOR by the end of 2021. It is unclear if at that time LIBOR will cease to exist or if new methods of calculating LIBOR will be established such that it continues to exist after 2021. The consequences of these developments cannot be entirely predicted, but could include an increase in the cost of borrowings under the aforementioned debt instruments. In preparation for the expected phase out of LIBOR, and to the extent alternate reference rates were not included in existing debt agreements, Liberty, SiriusXM Holdings and Formula 1 expect to incorporate alternative reference rates when amending these facilities, as applicable.
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 September 30, 2020, the fair value of our marketable debt and equity securities was $231 million. Had the market price of such securities been 10% lower at September 30, 2020, the aggregate value of such securities would have been approximately $23 million lower. Additionally, our stock in Live Nation (one of our equity method affiliates), a publicly traded security, is not reflected at fair value in our balance sheet. This security is also subject to market risk that is not directly reflected in our statement of operations, and had the market price of such security been 10% lower at September 30, 2020 the aggregate value of such security would have been $375 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 and principal accounting and 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 September 30, 2020 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 September 30, 2020 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control over financial reporting. We have not experienced any material impact to our internal controls over financial reporting despite the fact that most of our employees are working remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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PART II—OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended on March 31, 2020 include "Legal Proceedings" under Item 3 of Part I and Item 1 of Part II, respectively. There have been no material changes from the legal proceedings described in these Forms 10-K and 10-Q, except as described below.
Copyright Royalty Board Proceeding to Determine the Rate for Statutory Webcasting. Pursuant to Sections 112 and 114 of the Copyright Act, the Copyright Royalty Board (the “CRB”) initiated a proceeding in January 2019 to set the rates and terms by which webcasters may perform sound recordings via digital transmission over the internet and make ephemeral reproductions of those recordings during the 2021-2025 rate period under the authority of statutory licenses provided under Sections 112 and 114 of the Copyright Act. Sirius XM Holdings filed a petition to participate in the proceeding on behalf of its Sirius XM and Pandora businesses, as did other webcasters including Google Inc. and the National Association of Broadcasters. SoundExchange, a collective organization that collects and distributes digital performance royalties to artists and copyright holders, represents the various copyright owner participants in the proceeding, including Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, and Warner Music Group. Because the proceeding focuses on setting statutory rates for non-interactive online music streaming (commonly identified as “webcasting”), the proceeding will set the rates that Pandora pays for music streaming on its free, ad-supported tier, and that Sirius XM pays for streaming on its subscription internet radio service. This proceeding will not set the rates that Sirius XM Holdings pays for its other music offerings (satellite radio, business establishment services) or that it pays for interactive streaming on the Pandora Plus and Pandora Premium services.
In September 2019, the participants filed written direct statements, including proposed rates and terms for the 2021-2025 period. Sirius XM Holdings and other webcaster participants proposed rates below the existing statutory rates, which for commercial webcasters are currently set at $0.0018 per performance for non-subscription transmissions (such as offered by our Pandora ad-supported business) and $0.0024 per performance for subscription transmissions (such as offered by our Sirius XM internet radio service). SoundExchange has proposed increasing the commercial webcasting rates to $0.0028 per performance for non-subscription transmissions and $0.0031 per performance for subscription transmissions.
During the summer, the CRB held a multi-week hearing which concluded in September 2020. An initial determination by the CRB is expected to be issued during the first half of 2021.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Share Repurchase Programs
In August 2015, our board of directors authorized $1 billion of Liberty Media Corporation common stock repurchases, which could be used to repurchase any of the Series A and Series C of each of Liberty SiriusXM common stock, Liberty Braves common stock and Liberty Formula One common stock. In November 2019, our board of directors authorized an additional $1 billion of Series A and Series C shares of each of Liberty SiriusXM common stock, Liberty Braves common stock and Liberty Formula One common stock repurchases.
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A summary of the repurchase activity for the three months ended September 30, 2020 is as follows:
Series A Liberty SiriusXM Common Stock | Series C Liberty SiriusXM Common Stock |
| |||||||||||||
|
|
| (c) Total Number |
| (d) Maximum Number |
| |||||||||
of Shares | (or Approximate Dollar |
| |||||||||||||
Purchased as | Value) of Shares that |
| |||||||||||||
(a) Total Number | (b) Average | (a) Total Number | (b) Average | Part of Publicly | May Yet Be Purchased |
| |||||||||
of Shares | Price Paid per | of Shares | Price Paid per | Announced Plans or | Under the Plans or |
| |||||||||
Period | Purchased | Share | Purchased | Share | Programs | Programs (in millions) |
| ||||||||
July 1-31, 2020 | — | $ | — | — | $ | — |
| — | $ | 1,230 | |||||
August 1-31, 2020 | 114,317 | $ | 34.99 | 531,390 | $ | 35.75 |
| 645,707 | $ | 1,207 | |||||
September 1-30, 2020 | 286,148 | $ | 34.95 | 950,594 | $ | 34.45 |
| 1,236,742 | $ | 1,164 | |||||
Total | 400,465 | 1,481,984 |
| 1,882,449 |
There were no repurchases of Series A Liberty Braves common stock or Liberty Formula One common stock and no repurchases of Series C Liberty Braves common stock or Liberty Formula One common stock during the three months ended September 30, 2020.
During the three months ended September 30, 2020, no shares of Liberty Formula One common stock, Liberty SiriusXM common stock or Liberty Braves common stock were surrendered by 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):
Exhibit No. | Name | |
31.1 | ||
31.2 | ||
32 | ||
99.1 | Unaudited Attributed Financial Information for Tracking Stock Groups* | |
101.INS | Inline XBRL Instance Document* - The instance document does not appear in the interactive data file because its XBRL tags are embedded within the inline XBRL document. | |
101.SCH | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document* | |
101.CAL | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document* | |
101.LAB | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document* | |
101.PRE | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document* | |
101.DEF | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Definition Document* | |
104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101) |
* 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: | November 5, 2020 | By: | /s/ GREGORY B. MAFFEI |
Gregory B. Maffei President and Chief Executive Officer | |||
Date: | November 5, 2020 | By: | /s/ BRIAN J. WENDLING |
Brian J. Wendling Chief Accounting Officer and Principal Financial Officer |
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