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

Liberty has various investments accounted for using the equity method. The following table includes the Company's carrying amount and percentage ownership of the more significant investments in affiliates at June 30, 2015 and the carrying amount at December 31, 2014:

 

 

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

 

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Charter Communications, Inc.

 

In May 2013, Liberty completed a transaction with investment funds managed by, or affiliated with, Apollo Management, Oaktree Capital Management and Crestview Partners to acquire approximately 26.9 million shares of common stock and approximately 1.1 million warrants in Charter for approximately $2.6 billion, which represented an approximate 27% beneficial ownership in Charter (including warrants on an as if converted basis) at the time of purchase, and a price per share of $95.50. Liberty accounted for the investment in Charter as an equity method affiliate based on the ownership interest obtained and the board seats held by Liberty appointed individuals. Liberty funded the purchase with a combination of cash on hand and debt (as discussed in note 8).  During the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, in addition to Liberty’s share of losses of Charter the Company recognized $4 million and $50 million in losses, respectively, due to warrant and stock option exercises at Charter below Liberty's book basis per share. Dilution losses are included in the other, net line in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations. As discussed in note 1, Liberty’s investment in Charter was spun off to stockholders as part of the Broadband Spin-Off, which was completed on November 4, 2014. Liberty ceased recording the results of Charter in its financial statements as of the date of the completion of the Broadband Spin-Off.

 

SIRIUS XM Canada

 

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 percentage based royalty for certain types of subscription revenue earned by SIRIUS XM Canada each month for the distribution of Sirius and XM channels, royalties for activation fees and reimbursement for other charges. At June 30, 2015, SIRIUS XM has approximately $5 million and $12 million in current and noncurrent related party liabilities, respectively, related to these agreements described above with SIRIUS XM Canada which are recorded in current and noncurrent other liabilities, respectively, in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet.  Additionally, SIRIUS XM has approximately $4 million in current related party assets at June 30, 2015 due to programming and chipset costs for which SIRIUS XM Canada reimburses SIRIUS XM that are recorded in other current assets in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet. SIRIUS XM recorded approximately $13 million in revenue for each of the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 and $26 million and $24 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, associated with these various agreements in the other revenue line in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.  SIRIUS XM Canada declared dividends to SIRIUS XM of $4 million and $30 million during the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 and $8 million and $34 million during the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.