Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Investments In Affiliates Accounted For Using The Equity Method

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Investments In Affiliates Accounted For Using The Equity Method
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2014
Investments In Affiliates Accounted For Using The Equity Method  
Investments In Affiliates Accounted For Using The Equity Method
Investments in Affiliates Accounted for Using the Equity Method
Liberty has various investments accounted for using the equity method. The following table includes the Company's carrying amount and percentage ownership of the more significant investments in affiliates at March 31, 2014 and the carrying amount at December 31, 2013:
 
March 31, 2014
 
December 31, 2013
 
Percentage
ownership
 
Fair Value (Level 1)
 
Carrying
amount
 
Carrying
amount
 
 
 
dollar amounts in millions
Charter Communications
25
%
 
$
3,309

 
2,323

 
2,395

Live Nation (b)
26
%
 
1,132

 
396

 
409

 SIRIUS XM Canada
37
%
 
370

 
273

 
273

 Other
various

 
NA

 
229

 
222

 
 

 
 

 
$
3,221

 
3,299


The following table presents the Company's share of earnings (losses) of affiliates:
 
Three months ended
March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
 
amounts in millions
Charter Communications, Inc. (a)
$
(28
)
 
NA

SIRIUS XM
NA

 
8

Live Nation
(14
)
 
(19
)
SIRIUS XM Canada
1

 
1

Other
6

 
27

 
$
(35
)
 
17


(a)
As discussed below, Liberty acquired its interest in Charter Communications, Inc. during the three months ended June 30, 2013 for approximately $2.6 billion.

(b)
See note 8 for details regarding the number and fair value of shares pledged as collateral pursuant to certain margin loan agreements as of March 31, 2014.

Charter Communications, Inc.

In May 2013, Liberty Media completed a transaction with investment funds managed by, or affiliated with, Apollo Management, Oaktree Capital Management and Crestview Partners to acquire approximately 26.9 million shares of common stock and approximately 1.1 million warrants in Charter Communications, Inc. ("Charter") for approximately $2.6 billion, which represented an approximate 27% beneficial ownership, including warrants on an as if converted basis, in Charter, at the time of purchase, and a price per share of $95.50. Liberty accounts for the investment in Charter as an equity method affiliate based on the ownership interest obtained and the board seats held by Liberty appointed individuals. Liberty allocated the purchase price between the shares of common stock and the warrants acquired in the transaction by determining the fair value of the publicly traded warrants and allocating the remaining balance to the shares acquired, which resulted in an excess basis in the investment of $2.5 billion. The excess basis was primarily allocated to franchise fees, customer relationships, debt and goodwill based on a preliminary valuation of Charter's assets and liabilities.

SIRIUS XM Canada

In 2005, SIRIUS XM entered into agreements to provide SIRIUS XM Canada with the right to offer SIRIUS XM satellite radio service in Canada. The agreements have an initial ten year term and Sirius XM Canada has the unilateral option to extend the agreements for an additional five year term. SIRIUS XM receives a 15% royalty for all subscriber fees earned by SIRIUS XM Canada each month for its basic service and an activation fee for each gross activation of a SIRIUS XM Canada subscriber on the satellite radio system. SIRIUS XM Canada is obligated to pay SIRIUS XM a total of $70 million for the rights to broadcast and market National Hockey League (“NHL”) games for a ten year term. SIRIUS XM recognizes these payments on a gross basis as a principal obligor. The estimated fair value of deferred revenue from SIRIUS XM Canada as of the acquisition date was approximately $21 million, which is amortized on a straight-line basis through 2020, the end of the expected term of the agreements. SIRIUS XM provides chip sets as well other services and SIRIUS XM Canada reimburses SIRIUS XM for such costs. At March 31, 2014, SIRIUS XM has approximately $5 million and $20 million in related party assets and liabilities, respectively, related to these agreements described above with SIRIUS XM Canada which are recorded in other assets and other liabilities, respectively, in the condensed consolidated balance sheet. Additionally, SIRIUS XM recorded approximately $12 million in revenue, for the three months ended March 31, 2014, associated with these various agreements in the other revenue line in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.