(10) Long-Term Debt

Debt is summarized as follows:

 

1.375% Cash Convertible Notes due 2023

On October 17, 2013, Liberty issued $1 billion aggregate principal amount of 1.375% Cash Convertible Senior Notes due 2023 ("Convertible Notes").  The Convertible Notes will mature on October 15, 2023 unless earlier repurchased by us or converted.  Interest on the Convertible Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15 of each year at a rate of 1.375% per annum. All conversion of the Convertible Notes will be settled solely in cash, and not through the delivery of any securities. Prior to the Recapitalization, the conversion rate for the Convertible Notes was 21.0859 shares of Series A Liberty Media Corporation common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes with an equivalent conversion price of $47.43 per share of Series A Liberty Media Corporation common stock.  

As a result of the Recapitalization, as discussed in note 2, the Convertible Notes are convertible into cash based on the product of the conversion rate specified in the indenture and the Securities Basket. The supplemental indenture entered into on April 15, 2016 in connection with the Recapitalization amends the conversion, adjustment and other provisions of the indenture to give effect to the Recapitalization 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 0.10 of a share of Series A Liberty Braves common stock, 1.0 share of Series A Liberty SiriusXM common stock and 0.25 of a share of Series A Liberty Formula One common stock. The Series A Liberty Braves common stock component of the Securities Basket was adjusted to 0.1087 pursuant to anti-dilution adjustments arising out of the distribution of subscription rights to purchase shares of Series C Liberty Braves common stock made to all holders of Liberty Braves common stock.

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.  Accordingly, changes in the fair value of this instrument are recognized as unrealized gains (losses) in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.  As of September 30, 2017, 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. In connection with the Recapitalization and the entry into the supplemental indenture on April 15, 2016, Liberty entered into amendments to the Bond Hedge Transaction with each of the counterparties to reflect the adjustments resulting from the Recapitalization. As of the effective date of the Recapitalization, the Bond Hedge Transaction covered, in the aggregate, 5,271,475 shares of Series A Liberty Formula One common stock, 21,085,900 shares of Series A Liberty SiriusXM common stock and 2,108,590 shares of Series A Liberty Braves common stock, subject to anti-dilution adjustments pertaining to the Convertible Notes, which was equal to the aggregate number of shares comprising the Securities Basket underlying the Convertible Notes at that time. The aggregate number of shares of Series A Liberty Braves common stock relating to the Bond Hedge Transaction was increased to 2,292,037, pursuant to anti-dilution adjustments arising out of the rights distribution (note 2). As of September 30, 2017, the basket price of the securities underlying the Bond Hedge Transaction was $53.78 per share. The expiration of these instruments is October 15, 2023. The fair value of these instruments is included in Other assets as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets, with changes in the fair value recorded as unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations.

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 expire over a period covering 81 days thereafter. Liberty may elect to settle its delivery obligation under the Warrant Transactions with cash. In connection with the Recapitalization, Liberty entered into amendments to the Warrant Transactions with each of the option counterparties to reflect the adjustments to the Warrant Transactions resulting from the Recapitalization (“Amended Warrant Transactions”).  As of the effective date of the Recapitalization, the Amended Warrant Transactions covered, in the aggregate, 5,271,475 shares of Series A Liberty Formula One common stock, 21,085,900 shares of Series A Liberty SiriusXM common stock and 2,108,590 shares of Series A Liberty Braves common stock, subject to anti-dilution adjustments. The aggregate number of shares of Series A Liberty Braves common stock relating to the Amended Warrant Transactions was increased to 2,292,037 pursuant to anti-dilution adjustments arising out of the rights distribution. The strike price of the warrants was adjusted, as a result of the Recapitalization and the rights offering, to $61.16 per share. As of September 30, 2017, the basket price of the securities underlying the Amended Warrant Transactions was $53.78 per share. The Amended Warrant Transactions 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 Convertible Notes, Bond Hedge Transaction and Warrant Transactions were attributed to the Formula One Group in the Recapitalization.

2.25% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2046

On August 17, 2016, Liberty closed a private offering of approximately $445 million aggregate principal amount of its 2.25% exchangeable senior debentures due 2046 (the “2.25% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2046”). Upon an exchange of debentures, Liberty, at its option, may deliver Time Warner common stock, cash or a combination of Time Warner common stock and cash. The number of shares of Time Warner common stock attributable to a debenture represents an initial exchange price of approximately $104.55 per share. A total of approximately 4.25 million shares of Time Warner common stock are attributable to the debentures. Interest is payable quarterly on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year, commencing December 31, 2016. The debentures may be redeemed by Liberty, in whole or in part, on or after October 5, 2021. Holders of the debentures also have the right to require Liberty to purchase their debentures on October 5, 2021. The redemption and purchase price will generally equal 100% of the adjusted principal amount of the debentures plus accrued and unpaid interest.

The debentures, as well as the associated cash proceeds, were attributed to the Formula One Group. Liberty used the net proceeds of the offering for the acquisition of an investment in Formula 1 during September 2016, as further described in note 3. Liberty has elected to account for the debentures using the fair value option. Accordingly, changes in the fair value of these instruments are recognized as unrealized gains (losses) in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.

On October 22, 2016, AT&T Inc. (“AT&T”) and Time Warner announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement under which AT&T will acquire Time Warner in a stock-and-cash transaction. The transaction is expected to close before year-end 2017, subject to approval by Time Warner shareholders and review by the U.S. Department of Justice, as well as potential review by the FCC. If the acquisition is consummated, in accordance with the terms of the indenture governing the 2.25% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2046, the cash portion of the acquisition consideration will be paid as an extraordinary additional distribution to holders of debentures, and the stock portion of the acquisition consideration will become reference shares attributable to the debentures. Additionally, if the acquisition is consummated, any amount of excess regular quarterly cash dividends paid on the AT&T reference shares will be distributed by the Company to holders of the debentures as an additional distribution.

1% Cash Convertible Notes due 2023

In connection with the Second Closing on January 23, 2017, Liberty issued $450 million aggregate principal amount of 1% Cash Convertible Senior Notes due 2023 at an interest rate of 1% per annum, which are convertible, under certain circumstances, into cash based on the trading prices of the underlying shares of Series C Liberty Formula One common stock and mature on January 30, 2023 (the ‘‘1% Cash Convertible Notes due 2023’’). The initial conversion rate for the notes will be 27.1091 shares of Series C Liberty Formula One common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes, equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $36.89 per share of Series C Liberty Formula One common stock. The conversion of the 1% Cash Convertible Notes due 2023 will be settled solely in cash, and not through the delivery of any securities. As discussed in note 3, Liberty used a portion of the net proceeds of the 1% Cash Convertible Notes due 2023 to fund an increase to the cash consideration payable to the selling shareholders of Formula 1 by approximately $400 million.

Margin Loans

$750 Million Margin Loan due 2018

During October 2016, Liberty refinanced a margin loan arrangement for a similar financial instrument with a term loan of $250 million and a $500 million undrawn line of credit, which is scheduled to mature during October 2018. The new term loan and any drawn portion of the revolver carries an interest rate of LIBOR plus 1.75% with the undrawn portion carrying a fee of 0.75%. Other terms of the agreement were substantially similar to the previous arrangement. Borrowings outstanding under this margin loan bore interest at a rate of 3.05% per annum at September 30, 2017. As of September 30, 2017, availability under the revolving line of credit was $500 million. 1,138.4 million shares of SIRIUS XM common stock held by Liberty with a value of $6,284 million were pledged as collateral to the $750 million margin loan due 2018 as of September 30, 2017. The margin loan contains various affirmative and negative covenants that restrict the activities of the borrower. The margin loan does not include any financial covenants.

Live Nation Margin Loan

 

On November 8, 2016, LMC LYV, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Liberty, entered into the Live Nation Margin Loan with available borrowing capacity of $500 million. This margin loan has a two year term and bears interest at a rate of LIBOR plus 2.25% and contains an undrawn commitment fee of 0.75% per annum. Borrowings outstanding under this margin loan bore interest at a rate of 3.55% per annum at September 30, 2017. Interest on the term loan is payable on the first business day of each calendar quarter. This loan was undrawn as of December 31, 2016. On January 20, 2017, LMC LYV, LLC drew $350 million under the margin loan, and the proceeds were used for the Second Closing, as discussed in note 3. As of September 30, 2017, availability under the Live Nation Margin Loan was $150 million. As discussed in notes 7 and 8, 53.7 million shares of the Company’s Live Nation common stock with a value of $2,341 million and 1.9 million shares of the Company’s Viacom common stock with a value of $52 million were pledged as collateral to the loan as of September 30, 2017.

SIRIUS XM Senior Notes and Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility

Senior Notes

During July 2017, SIRIUS XM issued $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 3.875% Senior Notes due 2022 (the “3.875% Notes”) and $1.5 billion aggregate principal amount of 5.00% Senior Notes due 2027 (the “5.00% Notes”). For both series of notes, interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on February 1 and August 1, commencing on February 1, 2018. The 3.875% Notes will mature on August 1, 2022 and the 5.00% Notes will mature on August 1, 2027.

On July 27, 2017, SIRIUS XM redeemed all of its 4.25% Notes for a total amount of $510 million.  This redemption resulted in a loss on extinguishment of debt of approximately $8 million in the third quarter of 2017.

On August 4, 2017, SIRIUS XM redeemed all of its 5.75% Notes for a total amount of $618 million.  This redemption resulted in a loss on extinguishment of debt of approximately $21 million in the third quarter of 2017.

On September 1, 2017, SIRIUS XM redeemed all of its 5.25% Notes for a total amount of $411 million.  This redemption resulted in a loss on extinguishment of debt of approximately $14 million in the third quarter of 2017.

Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility

SIRIUS XM has entered into a Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility (the "Credit Facility") with a syndicate of financial institutions with a total borrowing capacity of $1,750 million which matures in June 2020. The Credit Facility is guaranteed by certain of SIRIUS XM’s material domestic subsidiaries and is secured by a lien on substantially all of SIRIUS XM's assets and the assets of its material domestic subsidiaries. The proceeds of loans under the Credit Facility are used for working capital and other general corporate purposes, including financing acquisitions, share repurchases and dividends. Borrowings outstanding under the Credit Facility as of September 30, 2017 bore interest at a rate of 3.24% per annum. Interest on borrowings is payable on a monthly basis and accrues at a rate based on LIBOR plus an applicable rate. SIRIUS XM is also required to pay a variable fee on the average daily unused portion of the Credit Facility which as of September 30, 2017 was 0.30% per annum and is payable on a quarterly basis.  As of September 30, 2017, availability under the Credit Facility was $1,460 million.  

Braves Holdings Notes

In 2014, Braves Holdings, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, purchased 82 acres of land for the purpose of constructing a Major League Baseball facility and development of a mixed-use complex adjacent to the ballpark.  The new facility is expected to cost approximately $672 million and Braves Holdings expects to spend approximately $50 million in other costs and equipment related to the new ballpark.  Funding for the ballpark will be split between Braves Holdings, Cobb County, the Cumberland Improvement District (the “CID”) and Cobb-Marietta Coliseum and Exhibit Hall Authority (the “Authority”). The CID, Cobb County and the Authority were responsible for funding $392 million of ballpark related construction, and Braves Holdings is responsible for the remainder of cost, including cost overruns. Funding for ballpark initiatives by Braves Holdings has come from cash reserves and utilization of two credit facilities.

During September 2015, Braves Holdings entered into a $345 million term loan (the “Braves Term Loan”). The Braves Term Loan initially bore interest at LIBOR plus an applicable spread between 1.50% and 1.75% per annum (based on the debt service coverage ratio) and an unused commitment fee of 0.35% per annum based on the average daily unused portion of the Braves Term Loan, payable quarterly in arrears. In connection with entering into the Braves Senior Secured Note during August 2016 (discussed below), Braves Holdings partially repaid and reduced the capacity on the Braves Term Loan from $345 million to $130 million. As of September 30, 2017, the interest rate on the Braves Term Loan was 2.99%. The Braves Term Loan is scheduled to mature during August 2021. In connection with entering into the Braves Term Loan, Braves Holdings partially repaid and reduced the capacity on one of the credit facilities from $250 million to $85 million for a total capacity under the credit facilities of $185 million. As of September 30, 2017, the weighted average interest rate on the credit facilities was 2.46%. As of September 30, 2017, Braves Holdings has borrowed approximately $209 million under the Braves Term Loan and two facilities. During October 2017, Braves Holdings refinanced $75 million of the $130 million Braves Term Loan with floating rate notes and reduced the capacity on the Braves Term Loan to $55 million. The floating rate notes will bear interest at LIBOR plus 1.70% per annum and are scheduled to mature in September 2029. Subsequent to the refinancing, the Braves Term Loan will bear interest at LIBOR plus an applicable spread between 1.375% and 1.625% per annum.

During August 2016, a subsidiary of Braves Holdings entered into a $200 million senior secured note which was funded during October 2016 (the “Braves Senior Secured Note”). The Braves Senior Secured Note bears interest at 3.77% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears. The Braves Senior Secured Note is scheduled to mature during August 2041. The proceeds from the Braves Senior Secured Note were used to partially repay the Braves Term Loan and to finance the stadium construction.

Due to Braves Holdings providing the initial funding of the project and its ownership of the land during the initial construction period, until the initial reimbursement by the Authority during September 2015 at which time the land was conveyed to the Authority, Braves Holdings was deemed the owner (for accounting purposes) of the stadium during the construction period and costs were classified as construction in progress (“CIP”) within the Property and equipment, net line item. Costs of the project were captured in CIP along with a corresponding financing obligation, reported in other liabilities, for amounts funded by the Authority. At the end of the construction period in March 2017, the Company performed an analysis and determined that due to Braves Holdings’ continuing involvement with the property as a result of the purchase option at the end of the lease term, the stadium did not qualify for sale-leaseback accounting treatment. Accordingly, Braves Holdings applied the financing method of accounting whereby Braves Holdings began making license payments and amortizing the financing obligation to the Authority using the effective interest rate method over a 30 year term. The stadium was reclassified from CIP and placed into service on March 31, 2017. Also at this time, Braves Holdings began depreciating the stadium over a 45 year estimated useful life.

In addition, Braves Holdings through affiliated entities and outside development partners are in the process of developing land around the ballpark for a mixed-use complex that is expected to feature retail, residential, office, hotel and entertainment opportunities.  The estimated cost for the mixed-use development is $558 million, of which Braves Holdings affiliated entities are expected to fund approximately $470 million through a mix of approximately $200 million in equity and $270 million in new debt. In December 2015, certain subsidiaries of Braves Holdings entered into three separate credit facilities totaling $207 million to fund a portion of the mixed use development costs. The maturity dates of the facilities range between December 2018 and December 2019, and all of the facilities contain two year extension options. Interest rates on the credit facilities bear interest at LIBOR plus an applicable spread between 2.0% and 2.6%, with certain step-downs upon lease of the mixed use facilities at the completion of construction. As of September 30, 2017,  $152 million was drawn on these facilities with a weighted average interest rate of 3.47%. As discussed in note 7, 464 thousand Time Warner shares were pledged as collateral to these facilities. The fair value of the shares pledged as of September 30, 2017 was $48 million. Additionally, in August 2016, a subsidiary of Braves Holdings entered into a credit facility with an availability of $30 million to fund a portion of the entertainment venue as part of the mixed use development. This facility matures during August 2020 and contains one twelve month extension option. The credit facility bears interest at LIBOR plus 3.25%, with a step-down upon completion of construction. As of September 30, 2017, the interest rate on this facility was 4.23%, and $24 million was drawn.

As of September 30, 2017, approximately $718 million has been spent to-date on the baseball facility, of which approximately $390 million of funding has been provided by the Authority, and $398 million has been spent to date on the mixed-use development.

Formula 1 Notes and Loans

Bank Loans

Formula 1 had a first lien term loan denominated in Euros totaling $42 million, which was repaid on June 30, 2017. 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 $3.1 billion to $3.3 billion and extended its maturity to February 2024. In addition, on August 3, 2017, the revolving credit facility under the Senior Loan Facility was increased from $75 million to $500 million. As part of a refinancing of the Senior Loan Facility in March 2017, $628 million of the Senior Loan Facility was considered repaid and then borrowed due to a change in the mix of counterparties in the Senior Loan Facility. As part of the refinancing in March 2017, the interest rate on the Senior Loan Facility was reduced from LIBOR plus 3.75% per annum to LIBOR plus 3.25% per annum, with a LIBOR floor on the U.S. Dollar denominated debt of 1%. In September 2017, the interest rate on the Senior Loan Facility was reduced to LIBOR plus 3.0% per annum. The interest rate on the Senior Loan Facility was approximately 4.24% as of September 30, 2017. The Senior Loan Facility is secured by share pledges, bank accounts and floating charges over Formula 1’s primary operating companies with certain cross guarantees. Additionally, as of September 30, 2017, Formula 1 has interest rate swaps on $2.7 billion of the $3.3 billion Senior Loan Facility in order to manage its interest rate risk.

Formula 1 also had a second lien facility, which had $1 billion outstanding at the time of the acquisition of Formula 1 by Liberty. In May 2017, Liberty issued 12.9 million shares of Series C Liberty Formula One common stock and used the net proceeds of approximately $388 million to repay a portion of the second lien facility. Formula 1 fully repaid the second lien facility during the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

Delta Topco Exchangeable Notes

As discussed in note 3, in connection with the Second Closing on January 23, 2017, Delta Topco issued $351 million in subordinated exchangeable debt instruments upon the conversion of certain outstanding Delta Topco loan notes. The Delta Topco Exchangeable Notes bear interest at 2% per annum, mature in July 2019 and are exchangeable into cash or newly issued shares of Series C Liberty Formula One common stock at the election of Delta Topco. Interest is payable by either, at the discretion of Delta Topco, (i) issuing payment-in-kind notes or (ii) cash. The Delta Topco Exchangeable Notes are attributed to the Formula One Group.

   

The Delta Topco Exchangeable Notes may be exchanged at the option of the noteholder into shares of Series C Liberty Formula One common stock, subject to Delta Topco’s right to instead redeem such Delta Topco Exchangeable Notes for cash. At any time when the total principal amount of the Delta Topco Exchangeable Notes outstanding and owned by the noteholder or its affiliates is less than the total principal amount originally issued to such noteholder, then Delta Topco will have the right to require the noteholder to exchange any or all of such noteholder’s Delta Topco Exchangeable Notes for shares of Series C Liberty Formula One common stock or cash (at Delta Topco’s election). Additionally, if a noteholder proposes to transfer any of its Delta Topco Exchangeable Notes to a person other than a permitted transferee, then Delta Topco will have the option to redeem such Delta Topco Exchangeable Notes for cash. However, if Delta Topco does not timely exercise its right to effect this redemption for cash, then the Delta Topco Exchangeable Notes proposed to be transferred will be automatically exchanged prior to transfer into shares of Series C Liberty Formula One common stock. In September 2017, $323 million aggregate principal amount of Delta Topco Exchangeable Notes were exchanged for 14.5 million shares of Series C Liberty Formula One common stock. In October 2017, Delta Topco initiated an exchange offer for the remaining outstanding Delta Topco Exchangeable Notes.

The debt host component of the Delta Topco Exchangeable Notes was recorded as debt, at fair value (level 2), with the related discount amortized over the expected term of the loan using the effective interest rate method, while the embedded conversion option was recorded in additional paid-in capital. Upon settlement, the Company will record a true-up to additional paid-in capital for the amount and type (cash or shares of Series C Liberty Formula One common stock) of settlement. As the Company has the option to settle the liability in shares of Series C Liberty Formula One common stock, the debt host component is presented as a long-term liability in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2017.

Debt Covenants

The SIRIUS XM Credit Facility contains certain financial covenants related to SIRIUS XM’s leverage ratio. The Braves Term Loan contains certain financial covenants related to Braves Holdings’ debt service coverage ratio and capital expenditures.  Additionally, SIRIUS XM’s Credit Facility, the Braves Term Loan, Formula 1 debt and other borrowings contain certain non-financial covenants.  The Company, SIRIUS XM, Formula 1 and Braves Holdings are in compliance with all debt covenants as of September 30, 2017.

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's publicly traded debt securities, not reported at fair value, are as follows (amounts in millions):

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, 2017.