(3)  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents consist of investments which are readily convertible into cash and have maturities of three months or less at the time of acquisition.

Receivables

Receivables are reflected net of an allowance for doubtful accounts and sales returns. Such allowance aggregated $20 million and $12 million at December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Activity in the year ended December 31, 2018 included an increase of $68 million of bad debt charged to expense and $60 million of write-offs. Activity in the year ended December 31, 2017 included an increase of $57 million of bad debt charged to expense and $55 million of write-offs. Activity in the year ended December 31, 2016 included an increase of $56 million of bad debt charged to expense and $53 million of write-offs.

Investments

All marketable equity and debt securities held by the Company are carried at fair value, generally based on quoted market prices and changes in the fair value of such securities are reported in realized and unrealized gain (losses) on financial instruments in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. The Company elected the measurement alternative (defined as the cost of the security, adjusted for changes in fair value when there are observable prices, less impairments) for its equity securities without readily determinable fair values. The total value of marketable debt and equity securities aggregated $1,195 million and $1,047 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

For those investments in affiliates in which the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence, the equity method of accounting is used. Under this method, the investment, originally recorded at cost, is adjusted to recognize the Company’s share of net earnings or losses of the affiliate as they occur rather than as dividends or other distributions are received. Losses are limited to the extent of the Company’s investment in, advances to and commitments for the investee. In the event the Company is unable to obtain accurate financial information from an equity affiliate in a timely manner, the Company records its share of earnings or losses of such affiliate on a lag.

Changes in the Company’s proportionate share of the underlying equity of an equity method investee, which result from the issuance of additional equity securities by such equity investee, are recognized in the statement of operations through the other, net line item. To the extent there is a difference between our ownership percentage in the underlying equity of an equity method investee and our carrying value, such difference is accounted for as if the equity method investee were a consolidated subsidiary.

The Company continually reviews its equity investments to determine whether a decline in fair value below the carrying value is other than temporary. The primary factors the Company considers in its determination are the length of time that the fair value of the investment is below the Company’s carrying value; the severity of the decline; and the financial condition, operating performance and near term prospects of the investee. In addition, the Company considers the reason for the decline in fair value, be it general market conditions, industry specific or investee specific; analysts’ ratings and estimates of 12-month share price targets for the investee; changes in stock price or valuation subsequent to the balance sheet date; and the Company’s intent and ability to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for a recovery in fair value. If the decline in fair value is deemed to be other than temporary, the carrying value of the equity method investment is written down to fair value. In situations where the fair value of an investment is not evident due to a lack of a public market price or other factors, the Company uses its best estimates and assumptions to arrive at the estimated fair value of such investment. The Company’s assessment of the foregoing factors involves a high degree of judgment and accordingly, actual results may differ materially from the Company’s estimates and judgments. Writedowns for equity method investments are included in share of earnings (losses) of affiliates.

The Company performs a qualitative assessment for equity securities without readily determinable fair values each reporting period to determine whether the security could be impaired. If the qualitative assessment indicates that an impairment could exist, we estimate the fair value of the investments, and, to the extent the security’s fair value is less than its carrying value, an impairment is recorded in the consolidated statements of operations. 

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

All of the Company’s derivatives, whether designated in hedging relationships or not, are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value. If the derivative is designated as a fair value hedge, the changes in the fair value of the derivative and of the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk are recognized in earnings. If the derivative is designated as a cash flow hedge, the effective portions of changes in the fair value of the derivative are recorded in other comprehensive earnings and are recognized in the statement of operations when the hedged item affects earnings. Ineffective portions of changes in the fair value of cash flow hedges are recognized in earnings. If the derivative is not designated as a hedge, changes in the fair value of the derivative are recognized in earnings. None of the Company’s derivatives are currently designated as hedges.

The fair value of certain of the Company’s derivative instruments are estimated using the Black-Scholes model. The Black-Scholes model incorporates a number of variables in determining such fair values, including expected volatility of the underlying security and an appropriate discount rate. The Company obtained volatility rates from pricing services based on the expected volatility of the underlying security over the remaining term of the derivative instrument. A discount rate was obtained at the inception of the derivative instrument and updated each reporting period, based on the Company’s estimate of the discount rate at which it could currently settle the derivative instrument. The Company considered its own credit risk as well as the credit risk of its counterparties in estimating the discount rate. Considerable management judgment was required in estimating the Black-Scholes variables.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment consisted of the following:

Property and equipment, including significant improvements, is stated at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method using estimated useful lives. Depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2018,  2017 and 2016 was $251 million, $230 million and $186 million, respectively.

A portion of the interest on funds borrowed to finance the construction of the Braves ballpark and mixed-use development as well as the launch of SIRIUS XM’s satellites and launch vehicles is capitalized. Capitalized interest is recorded as part of the asset’s cost and depreciated over the asset’s useful life. Capitalized interest costs for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 was approximately  $12 million and $10 million, respectively, which related to the construction of SIRIUS XM’s satellites during the year ended December 31, 2018 and construction of the Braves ballpark and mixed-use development and SIRIUS XM’s satellites during the year ended December 31, 2017.

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets with estimable useful lives are amortized over their respective estimated useful lives to their estimated residual values, and reviewed for impairment upon certain triggering events. Goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite useful lives (collectively, “indefinite lived intangible assets”) are not amortized, but instead are tested for impairment at least annually. Our annual impairment assessment of our indefinite-lived intangible assets is performed during the fourth quarter of each year.

In January 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued new accounting guidance to simplify the measurement of goodwill impairment. Under the new guidance, an entity no longer performs a hypothetical purchase price allocation to measure goodwill impairment. Instead, a goodwill impairment is measured using the difference between the carrying value and the fair value of the reporting unit. The Company early adopted this guidance during the fourth quarter of 2017.

The accounting guidance permits entities to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative goodwill impairment test. The accounting guidance also allows entities the option to bypass the qualitative assessment for any reporting unit in any period and proceed directly to the quantitative impairment test. The entity may resume performing the qualitative assessment in any subsequent period.

In evaluating goodwill on a qualitative basis, the Company reviews the business performance of each reporting unit and evaluates other relevant factors as identified in the relevant accounting guidance to determine whether it is more likely than not that an indicated impairment exists for any of our reporting units. The Company considers whether there are any negative macroeconomic conditions, industry specific conditions, market changes, increased competition, increased costs in doing business, management challenges, the legal environments and how these factors might impact company specific performance in future periods. As part of the analysis, the Company also considers fair value determinations for certain reporting units that have been made at various points throughout the current and prior years for other purposes. If based on the qualitative analysis it is more likely than not that an impairment exists, the Company performs the quantitative impairment test.

The quantitative goodwill impairment test compares the estimated fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying value. Developing estimates of fair value requires significant judgments, including making assumptions about appropriate discount rates, perpetual growth rates, relevant comparable market multiples, public trading prices and the amount and timing of expected future cash flows. The cash flows employed in Liberty’s valuation analysis are based on management’s best estimates considering current marketplace factors and risks as well as assumptions of growth rates in future years. There is no assurance that actual results in the future will approximate these forecasts.

The accounting guidance also permits entities to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. The accounting guidance also allows entities the option to bypass the qualitative assessment for any indefinite-lived intangible asset in any period and proceed directly to the quantitative impairment test. The entity may resume performing the qualitative assessment in any subsequent period. If the qualitative assessment supports that it is more likely than not that the carrying value of the Company’s indefinite-lived intangible assets, other than goodwill, exceeds its fair value, then a quantitative assessment is performed. If the carrying value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess.

Impairment of Long-lived Assets

The Company periodically reviews the carrying amounts of its property and equipment and its intangible assets (other than goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles) to determine whether current events or circumstances indicate that such carrying amounts may not be recoverable. If the carrying amount of the asset group is greater than the expected undiscounted cash flows to be generated by such asset group, an impairment adjustment is to be recognized. Such adjustment is measured by the amount that the carrying value of such asset groups exceeds their fair value. The Company generally measures fair value by considering sale prices for similar assets or by discounting estimated future cash flows using an appropriate discount rate. Considerable management judgment is necessary to estimate the fair value of asset groups. Accordingly, actual results could vary significantly from such estimates. Asset groups to be disposed of are carried at the lower of their financial statement carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.

Noncontrolling Interests

The Company reports noncontrolling interests of subsidiaries within equity in the balance sheet and the amount of consolidated net income attributable to the parent and to the noncontrolling interest is presented in the statement of operations. Also, changes in ownership interests in subsidiaries in which the Company maintains a controlling interest are recorded in equity.

Revenue Recognition

In May 2014, the FASB issued new accounting guidance on revenue from contracts with customers. The new guidance requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. This new guidance also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. In March 2016, the FASB issued additional guidance which clarifies principal versus agent considerations, and in April 2016, the FASB issued further guidance which clarifies the identification of performance obligations and the implementation guidance for licensing. The updated guidance replaced most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). The Company adopted the new guidance, which established Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606 (“ASC 606” or the “new revenue standard”), effective January 1, 2018 under the modified retrospective transition method. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2018 are presented under ASC 606, while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with the Company’s historic accounting under ASC 605.

As part of adopting the new revenue standard under the modified retrospective transition method, the Company elected to utilize certain practical expedients as permitted under ASC 606. The Company elected to apply the guidance from ASC 606 only to contracts that were not completed as of January 1, 2018. Completed contracts are those contracts for which substantially all of the revenue had been recognized under ASC 605. The Company also elected to utilize the practical expedient for contract modifications. For modified contracts, the Company did not separately evaluate the effects of each contract modification that occurred prior to January 1, 2018. Instead, the Company reflected the aggregate effect of all contract modifications (on a contract-by-contract basis) that occurred prior to January 1, 2018 by identifying the satisfied and unsatisfied performance obligations and allocating the transaction price to such performance obligations.

Sales, value add, and other taxes when collected concurrently with revenue producing activities are excluded from revenue. Incremental costs of obtaining a contract are expensed when the amortization period of the asset is one year or less. To the extent the incremental costs of obtaining a contract relate to a period greater than one year, the Company amortizes such incremental costs in a manner that is consistent with the transfer to the customer of the goods or services to which the asset relates. If, at contract inception, we determine the time period between when we transfer a promised good or service to a customer and when the customer pays us for that good or service is one year or less, we do not adjust the promised amount of consideration for the effects of a significant financing component.

The cumulative effect of the changes made to the consolidated balance sheet as of January 1, 2018 for the adoption of ASC 606 are as follows:

 

In accordance with the new revenue standard requirements, the following table illustrates the impact on our reported results in the consolidated statements of operations assuming we did not adopt the new revenue standard on January 1, 2018. Other than previously discussed, upon the adoption of the revenue standard on January 1, 2018, there were no additional material adjustments to our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2018.

 

Our 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 consolidated statement of operations as the services are provided. Changes in the contract liability balance for SIRIUS XM during the year ended December 31, 2018 were not materially impacted by other factors. The opening and closing balances for our deferred revenue related to Formula 1 and Braves Holdings was approximately $59 million and $154 million, respectively. The primary cause for the increase related to the receipt of cash from our customers in advance of satisfying our performance obligations.

As the majority of SIRIUS XM contracts are one year or less, SIRIUS XM utilized the optional exemption under ASC 606 and has not disclosed information about the remaining performance obligations for contracts which have original expected durations of one year or less. As of December 31, 2018, less than ten percent of the SIRIUS XM total deferred revenue balance related to contracts that extended beyond one year. These contracts primarily include prepaid data trials which are typically provided for three to five years as well as for self-pay customers who prepay for their audio subscriptions for up to three years in advance. These amounts will be recognized on a straight-line basis as SIRIUS XM’s services are provided.

 

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 $1,905 million in 2019,  $1,779 million in 2020,  $4,603 million in 2021 through 2026, and $449 million thereafter, primarily recognized through 2035. We have not included any amounts in the undelivered performance obligations amounts for Formula 1 and Braves Holdings for those performance obligations that relate to a contract with an original expected duration of one year or less.

 

Below is a summary of the impacts of the new revenue standard on SIRIUS XM, Formula 1 and Braves Holdings.

 

SIRIUS XM

The following table disaggregates SIRIUS XM’s revenue by source:

 

The new revenue standard primarily impacts how SIRIUS XM accounts for revenue share payments as well as other immaterial impacts.

SIRIUS XM previously recorded revenue share related to paid-trials as Revenue share and royalties expense. Under the new guidance, SIRUS XM has recorded these revenue share payments as a reduction to revenue as the payments do not transfer a distinct good or service to SIRIUS XM. Prior to the adoption, a portion of deferred revenue was for the revenue share related to paid trials. Under the new revenue standard, SIRIUS XM reclassified the revenue share related to paid-trials existing as of the date of adoption from current portion of deferred revenue to accounts payable and accrued liabilities. For new paid-trials, the net amount of the paid trial will be recorded as deferred revenue and the portion of revenue share will be recorded to accounts payable and accrued liabilities.

Activation fees were previously recognized over the expected subscriber life using the straight-line method. Under the new guidance, activation fees have been recognized over a one month period from activation as the activation fees are non-refundable and they do not convey a material right. Loyalty payments to major automakers (“OEMs”) were previously expensed when incurred as subscriber acquisition costs. Under the new guidance, these costs have been capitalized in other current assets as costs to obtain a contract and these costs will be amortized to subscriber acquisition costs over an average self-pay subscriber life of that OEM. These changes do not have a material impact to the consolidated financial statements.

The following is a description of the principal activities from which SIRIUS XM generates its revenue - including from self-pay and paid promotional subscribers, advertising, and sales of equipment.

Subscriber revenue. Subscriber revenue consists primarily of subscription fees and other ancillary subscription based revenues. Revenue is recognized on a straight line basis when the performance obligations to provide each service for the period are satisfied, which is over time as SIRIUS XM’s subscription services are continuously transmitted and can be consumed by customers at any time. Consumers purchasing or leasing a vehicle with a factory-installed satellite radio typically receive between a three and twelve month subscription to SIRIUS XM’s service. In certain cases, the subscription fees for these consumers are prepaid by the applicable automaker. Prepaid subscription fees received from automakers or directly from consumers are recorded as deferred revenue and amortized to revenue ratably over the service period which commences upon sale. Activation fees are recognized over one month as the activation fees are non-refundable and do not provide for a material right to the customer. There is no revenue recognized for unpaid trial subscriptions. In some cases, SIRIUS XM pays a loyalty fee to the OEM when it receives a certain amount of payments from self-pay customers acquired from that OEM. These fees are considered incremental costs to obtain a contract and are therefore recognized as an asset and amortized to Subscriber acquisition costs over an average subscriber life. Revenue share and loyalty fees paid to an OEM offering a paid trial are accounted for as a reduction of revenue as the payment does not provide a distinct good or service.

Advertising revenue. SIRIUS XM recognizes revenue from the sale of advertising as performance obligations are satisfied upon airing of the advertising; therefore, revenue is recognized at a point in time when each advertising spot is transmitted. Agency fees are calculated based on a stated percentage applied to gross billing revenue for SIRIUS XM’s advertising inventory and are reported as a reduction of advertising revenue. Additionally, SIRIUS XM pays certain third parties a percentage of advertising revenue. Advertising revenue is recorded gross of such revenue share payments as SIRIUS XM controls the advertising service including the ability to establish pricing and SIRIUS XM is primarily responsible for providing the service. Advertising revenue share payments are recorded to revenue share and royalties during the period in which the advertising is transmitted.

Equipment revenue. Equipment revenue and royalties from the sale of satellite radios, components and accessories are recognized when the performance obligation is satisfied and control is transferred, which is generally upon shipment. Revenue is recognized net of discounts and rebates. Shipping and handling costs billed to customers are recorded as revenue. Shipping and handling costs associated with shipping goods to customers are reported as a component of Cost of subscriber services.

Music Royalty and Other revenue. Music royalty and other revenue primarily consists of U.S. music royalty fees ("MRF") collected from subscribers. The related costs SIRIUS XM incurs for the right to broadcast music and other programming are recorded as revenue share and royalties expense. Fees received from subscribers for the MRF are recorded as deferred revenue and amortized to revenue ratably over the service period as the royalties relate to the subscription services which are continuously delivered to SIRIUS XM’s customers.

SIRIUS XM revenue is reported net of any taxes assessed by a governmental authority that is both imposed on, and concurrent with, a specific revenue-producing transaction between a seller and a customer in the consolidated statements of operations.

Formula 1

The following table disaggregates Formula 1’s revenue by source:

 

Upon entering into a new arrangement, Formula 1 occasionally incurs certain incremental costs of obtaining a contract. These incremental costs relate to commission amounts that will be paid over the life of the contract for which the recipient does not have any substantive future performance requirement to earn such commission. Accordingly, the commission costs will be capitalized and amortized over the life of the contract. Upon adoption of the new revenue standard, Formula 1 recorded a contract cost asset and a corresponding commission payable.

 

The following is a description of principal activities from which Formula 1 generates its revenue.

 

Primary revenue. Formula 1 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. 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. Primary revenue derived from the commercial exploitation of the World Championship is (i) recognized on an event by event basis for those performance obligations associated with a specific event based on the fees within the underlying contractual arrangement and (ii) recognized over time for those performance obligations associated with a period of time that is greater than a single specific event (for example, over the entire race season or calendar year) based on the fees within the underlying contractual arrangement.

 

Other revenue. Formula 1 earns other revenue from miscellaneous and ancillary sources, primarily related to administering the shipment of cars and equipment to and from the events outside of Europe and revenue from the sale of tickets to the Formula One Paddock Club event-based hospitality at certain of the motor races. To the extent such revenue relates to services provided or rights associated with a specific event, the revenue is recognized upon occurrence of the related event and to the extent such revenue relates to services provided or rights over a longer period of time, the revenue is recognized over time.

 

Braves Holdings

 

The following table disaggregates Braves Holdings’ revenue by source:

 

 

 

The new revenue standard primarily impacted Braves Holdings revenue recognition related to broadcast rights revenue. Under the old revenue standard, Braves Holdings recognized revenue from its broadcast rights arrangements limited to the amounts that were not contingent on the provision of future goods or services, which resulted in revenue recognition approximating the cash received. Upon adoption of the new revenue standard, Braves Holdings is required to estimate the entire transaction price of the contractual arrangements and recognize revenue allocated to each of the performance obligations within the contractual arrangements as those performance obligations are satisfied. Such performance obligations are typically satisfied over time and result in differences between revenue recognized and cash received, dependent on how far into a contractual arrangement Braves Holdings is at any given reporting period. The new revenue standard resulted in an immaterial change in revenue recognized during the year ended December 31, 2018 and an immaterial effect to the consolidated balance sheet as compared to the old revenue standard.

 

The following is a description of principal activities from which Braves Holdings generates its revenue.

 

Baseball revenue. Revenue for Braves Holdings ticket sales, signage and suites are recognized on a per game basis during the baseball season based on a pro rata share of total revenue earned during the entire baseball season to the total number of home games during the season. Broadcasting rights are recognized on a per game basis during the baseball season based on the pro rata number of games played to date to the total number of games during the season. Concession and parking revenue are recognized on a per game basis during the baseball season. Major League Baseball (“MLB”) revenue is earned throughout the year based on an estimate of revenue generated by MLB on behalf of the 30 MLB clubs. Sources of MLB revenue include distributions from the MLB Central Fund, distributions from MLB Properties and revenue sharing income, if applicable.

Development revenue. Revenue from Braves Holdings’ minimum rents are recognized on a straight-line basis over the terms of their respective lease agreements. Some retail tenants are required to pay overage rents based on sales over a stated base amount during the lease term. Overage rents are only recognized when each tenant’s sales exceed the applicable sales threshold. Tenants reimburse Braves Holdings for a substantial portion of Braves Holdings operating expenses, including common area maintenance, real estate taxes and property insurance. Braves Holdings accrues reimbursements from tenants for recoverable portions of all these expenses as revenue in the period the applicable expenditures are incurred. Braves Holdings recognizes differences between estimated recoveries and the final billed amounts in the subsequent year. These differences were not material in any period presented. Sponsorship revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over each annual period. Parking revenue is recognized daily based on actual usage.

Cost of Subscriber Services

Revenue Share

SIRIUS XM shares a portion of its subscription revenue earned from self-pay subscribers and paid promotional subscribers with certain automakers. The terms of the revenue share agreements vary with each automaker, but are typically based upon the earned audio revenue as reported or gross billed audio revenue. Such shared revenue is recorded as an expense and not as a reduction to revenue.

Programming Costs

Programming costs which are for a specified number of events are amortized on an event-by-event basis; programming costs which are for a specified season or include programming through a dedicated channel are amortized over the season or period on a straight-line basis. SIRIUS XM allocates a portion of certain programming costs which are related to sponsorship and marketing activities to selling, general and administrative expense on a straight-line basis over the term of the agreement.

Cost of Formula 1 Revenue

Cost of Formula 1 revenue consists of team payments and 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, F2 and GP3 cars, parts and maintenance services, television production and post-production services, advertising production services and digital and social media activities. These costs are largely variable in nature and relate directly to revenue opportunities.

Subscriber Acquisition Costs

Subscriber acquisition costs consist of costs incurred to acquire new subscribers and include hardware subsidies paid to radio manufacturers, distributors and automakers, including subsidies paid to automakers who include a satellite radio and a prepaid subscription to SIRIUS XM service in the sale or lease price of a new vehicle; subsidies paid for chipsets and certain other components used in manufacturing radios; device royalties for certain radios and chipsets; commissions paid to retailers and automakers as incentives to purchase, install and activate radios; product warranty obligations; freight; and provisions for inventory allowance attributable to inventory consumed in SIRIUS XM’s automaker and retail distribution channels. Subscriber acquisition costs do not include advertising costs, loyalty payments to distributors and dealers of radios and revenue share payments to automakers and retailers of radios.

Subsidies paid to radio manufacturers and automakers are expensed upon installation, shipment, receipt of product or activation and are included in Subscriber acquisition costs because SIRIUS XM is responsible for providing the service to the customers. Commissions paid to retailers and automakers are expensed upon either the sale or activation of radios. Chipsets that are shipped to radio manufacturers and held on consignment are recorded as inventory and expensed as subscriber acquisition costs when placed into production by radio manufacturers. Costs for chipsets not held on consignment are expensed as subscriber acquisition costs when the automaker confirms receipt.

Stock-Based Compensation

As more fully described in note 14, Liberty has granted to its directors, employees and employees of its subsidiaries options and restricted stock to purchase shares of Liberty common stock (collectively, “Awards”). The Company measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for an Award based on the grant-date fair value 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).

Included in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations are the following amounts of stock-based compensation:

In March 2016, the FASB issued new accounting guidance on share-based payment accounting. The areas for simplification in this update involve several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, forfeiture calculations, and classification on the statement of cash flows. We early adopted this new guidance in the third quarter of 2016. The Company applied the new guidance prospectively from January 1, 2016. In accordance with the new guidance, excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies are recognized as income tax benefit or expense rather than as additional paid-in capital. The Company has elected to recognize forfeitures as they occur rather than continue to estimate expected forfeitures. In addition, pursuant to the new guidance, excess tax benefits are classified as an operating activity on the consolidated statements of cash flows. The recognition of excess tax benefits and deficiencies are applied prospectively. For tax benefits that were not previously recognized and for adjustments to compensation cost based on actual forfeitures, the Company recorded a cumulative-effect adjustment in retained earnings as of January 1, 2016 in the amount of $66 million.

In June 2018, the FASB issued new accounting guidance which expands the scope of existing accounting guidance for stock-based compensation to include share-based payments made to nonemployees. The new guidance substantially aligns the accounting for payments made to nonemployees and employees. Upon adoption, equity classified share-based awards to nonemployees will be measured at fair value on the grant date of the awards, entities will need to assess the probability of satisfying performance conditions if any are present and awards will continue to be classified according to existing accounting guidance upon vesting, which eliminates the need to reassess classification upon vesting, consistent with awards granted to employees. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and early adoption is permitted. SIRIUS XM, the Company’s only subsidiary with nonemployee share-based payment arrangements, elected to early adopt this guidance effective July 1, 2018. Upon adoption, the previously liability-classified awards were reclassified to equity. The impact of the adoption of this guidance was a $22 million increase to additional paid-in capital, $3 million decrease in opening retained earnings, $7 million increase in noncontrolling interest in equity of subsidiaries and a decrease of $26 million in accounts payable and accrued liabilities. 

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying value amounts and income tax bases of assets and liabilities and the expected benefits of utilizing net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. The deferred tax assets and liabilities are calculated using enacted tax rates in effect for each taxing jurisdiction in which the Company operates for the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Net deferred tax assets are then reduced by a valuation allowance if the Company believes it more likely than not such net deferred tax assets will not be realized. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of an enacted change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

When the tax law requires interest to be paid on an underpayment of income taxes, the Company recognizes interest expense from the first period the interest would begin accruing according to the relevant tax law. Such interest expense is included in interest expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Any accrual of penalties related to underpayment of income taxes on uncertain tax positions is included in other income (expense) in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

In October 2016, the FASB issued new accounting guidance on income tax accounting associated with intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory. This accounting update, which is part of the FASB’s simplification initiative, is intended to reduce diversity in practice and the complexity of tax accounting, particularly for those transfers involving intellectual property. This new guidance requires an entity to recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. The guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017. Upon adoption, an entity may apply the new guidance only on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment directly to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. The Company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2018. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In February 2018, the FASB issued new accounting guidance on comprehensive income to provide an option for an entity to reclassify the stranded tax effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) enacted in December 2017, as discussed in note 11, from accumulated other comprehensive income directly to retained earnings. The stranded tax effects result from the remeasurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities which were originally recorded in comprehensive income but whose remeasurement is reflected in the income statement. The guidance is effective for interim and fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect this new guidance will have a material impact to its consolidated financial statements or related disclosures.

Earnings Attributable to Liberty 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 that were outstanding for the period at the Company. 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.

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

Excluded from diluted EPS for the period subsequent to the Recapitalization through December 31, 2016 are approximately 21 million potentially dilutive shares of Series A Liberty SiriusXM common stock, 2 million potentially dilutive shares of Series A Liberty Braves common stock and 5 million potentially dilutive shares of Series A Liberty Formula One common stock, primarily due to warrants issued in connection with the Bond Hedge Transaction (note 10), because their inclusion would be antidilutive. The Amended Warrant Transactions (as defined and discussed in note 10) may have a dilutive effect with respect to the shares comprising the Securities Basket underlying the warrants to the extent that the settlement price exceeds the strike price of the warrants, and the warrants are settled in shares comprising such Securities Basket. The warrants and any potential future settlement have been attributed to the Formula One Group.

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

The basic and diluted EPS calculation is based on the following weighted average shares outstanding (“WASO”) of Liberty’s common stock. Excluded from diluted EPS for the periods from January 1, 2016 through the Recapitalization are 23 million potential common shares, primarily due to warrants issued in connection with the Bond Hedge Transaction (as defined and discussed in note 10) because their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.

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. Excluded from diluted EPS for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 are 22 million and 22 million potentially dilutive shares of Liberty SiriusXM common stock, respectively, because their inclusion would be antidilutive.

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. Excluded from diluted EPS for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 are 2 million and 2 million potentially dilutive shares of Liberty Braves common stock, respectively, because their inclusion would be antidilutive.

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. Excluded from diluted EPS for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 are 8 million and 5 million potentially dilutive shares of Liberty Formula One common stock, respectively, because their inclusion would be antidilutive.

Reclasses and Adjustments

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified for comparability with the current year presentation.

Estimates

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’s broadcast/transmission system to be its most significant estimates.

The Company holds investments that are accounted for using the equity method. The Company does not control the decision making process or business management practices of these affiliates. Accordingly, the Company 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, the Company 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 the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2016, the FASB issued new accounting guidance on lease accounting. This guidance requires a company to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities arising from operating leases in the statement of financial position. Additionally, the criteria for classifying a lease as a finance lease versus an operating lease are substantially the same as the previous guidance. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and early adoption is permitted. We plan to adopt this guidance on January 1, 2019 and expect to elect certain practical expedients under the transition guidance. Additionally, the Company plans elect the optional transition method that allows for a cumulative-effect adjustment in the period of adoption and does not plan to restate prior periods. The Company is currently working with its consolidated subsidiaries to evaluate the impact of the adoption of this new guidance on our consolidated financial statements, including identifying the population of leases, evaluating technology solutions and collecting lease data.

SIRIUS XM’s leases consist of repeater leases, facility leases and equipment leases. SIRIUS XM expects the adoption of the new guidance will result in the recognition of right-of-use assets of approximately $360 million and lease liabilities of approximately $370 million in its consolidated balance sheets for operating leases and will not impact its consolidated statements of operations or debt.

Braves Holdings is evaluating the impact of the new guidance with respect to its baseball stadium, which is accounted for as a financing obligation under the current build-to-suit lease guidance. The transition guidance for a build-to-suit lease arrangement requires the lessee to derecognize the assets and liabilities that were recognized solely as a result of a transaction’s build-to-suit designation under the current guidance, with any difference recorded as an adjustment to equity as of the adoption date. Braves Holdings will then apply the general lessee guidance under the new standard to the baseball stadium lease, including classifying it as either a finance or operating lease, and record a right-of-use asset and lease liability on the balance sheet, which will be initially measured at the present value of the remaining lease payments over the lease term.