Liberty Media Corp - Quarter Report: 2023 March (Form 10-Q)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2023
OR
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number 001-35707
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
State of Delaware | 37-1699499 | |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |
12300 Liberty Boulevard | 80112 | |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (720) 875-5400
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class | Trading Symbol | Name of each exchange on which registered |
Series A Liberty SiriusXM Common Stock | LSXMA | The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC |
Series B Liberty SiriusXM Common Stock | LSXMB | The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC |
Series C Liberty SiriusXM Common Stock | LSXMK | The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC |
Series A Liberty Braves Common Stock | BATRA | The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC |
Series C Liberty Braves Common Stock | BATRK | The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC |
Series A Liberty Formula One Common Stock | FWONA | The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC |
Series C Liberty Formula One Common Stock | FWONK | The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC |
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. Yes ⌧ No ◻
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). Yes ⌧ No ◻
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.
Large Accelerated Filer ☒ | 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 ☐ No ☒
The number of outstanding shares of Liberty Media Corporation's common stock as of April 30, 2023 was:
Series A | Series B | Series C | |||||
Liberty SiriusXM common stock | 98,093,816 | 9,802,232 | 218,679,664 | ||||
Liberty Braves common stock | 10,314,735 | 981,262 | 41,817,514 | ||||
Liberty Formula One common stock | 23,973,877 | 2,445,666 | 207,974,112 |
Table of Contents
I-2
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(unaudited)
March 31, 2023 |
| December 31, 2022 |
| ||
amounts in millions |
| ||||
Assets | |||||
Current assets: | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 2,229 |
| 2,246 | |
Trade and other receivables, net |
| 701 |
| 837 | |
Other current assets |
| 706 |
| 768 | |
Total current assets |
| 3,636 |
| 3,851 | |
Investments in affiliates, accounted for using the equity method (note 6) |
| 993 |
| 952 | |
Property and equipment, at cost |
| 4,563 |
| 4,481 | |
Accumulated depreciation |
| (2,146) |
| (2,226) | |
| 2,417 |
| 2,255 | ||
Intangible assets not subject to amortization: | |||||
Goodwill |
| 19,341 |
| 19,341 | |
FCC licenses |
| 8,600 |
| 8,600 | |
Other |
| 1,366 |
| 1,366 | |
| 29,307 |
| 29,307 | ||
Intangible assets subject to amortization, net |
| 4,171 |
| 4,288 | |
Other assets |
| 1,809 |
| 1,811 | |
Total assets | $ | 42,333 |
| 42,464 | |
Liabilities and Equity | | ||||
Current liabilities: | | ||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | $ | 1,613 |
| 1,856 | |
Current portion of debt, including $490 million and $1,394 million measured at fair value, respectively (note 7) | 706 | 1,679 | | ||
Deferred revenue |
| 2,153 |
| 1,773 | |
Other current liabilities |
| 120 |
| 102 | |
Total current liabilities |
| 4,592 |
| 5,410 | |
Long-term debt, including $2,553 million and $1,937 million measured at fair value, respectively (note 7) |
| 15,690 |
| 14,953 | |
Deferred income tax liabilities |
| 2,088 |
| 2,101 | |
Other liabilities |
| 879 |
| 874 | |
Total liabilities | $ | 23,249 |
| 23,338 | |
(Continued)
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
I-3
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Continued)
(unaudited)
| March 31, 2023 |
| December 31, 2022 |
| ||
amounts in millions, |
| |||||
except share amounts |
| |||||
Stockholders' equity: | ||||||
Preferred stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 50,000,000 shares; no shares issued | $ |
| ||||
Series A Liberty SiriusXM common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 2,000,000,000 shares; and 98,093,908 shares at March 31, 2023 and 98,093,908 shares at December 31, 2022 (note 2) | 1 | 1 | ||||
Series A Liberty Braves common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 200,000,000 shares; and 10,314,744 shares at March 31, 2023 and 10,314,744 shares at December 31, 2022 (note 2) | ||||||
Series A Liberty Formula One common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 500,000,000 shares; and 23,973,877 shares at March 31, 2023 and 23,974,052 shares at December 31, 2022 (note 2) | ||||||
Series B Liberty SiriusXM common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 75,000,000 shares; and 9,802,232 shares at March 31, 2023 and 9,802,232 at December 31, 2022 (note 2) | ||||||
Series B Liberty Braves common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 7,500,000 shares; and 981,262 shares at March 31, 2023 and 981,262 at December 31, 2022 (note 2) | ||||||
Series B Liberty Formula One common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 18,750,000 shares; and 2,445,666 shares at March 31, 2023 and 2,445,666 shares at December 31, 2022 (note 2) | ||||||
Series C Liberty SiriusXM common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 2,000,000,000 shares; and 218,679,847 shares at March 31, 2023 and 218,618,614 shares at December 31, 2022 (note 2) | 2 | 2 | ||||
Series C Liberty Braves common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 200,000,000 shares; and 41,809,016 shares at March 31, 2023 and 41,749,434 shares at December 31, 2022 (note 2) | ||||||
Series C Liberty Formula One common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 500,000,000 shares; and 207,912,240 shares at March 31, 2023 and 207,445,741 shares at December 31, 2022 (note 2) | 2 | 2 | ||||
Additional paid-in capital |
| 1,395 |
| 1,408 | ||
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of taxes |
| (42) |
| (39) | ||
Retained earnings |
| 14,604 |
| 14,589 | ||
Total stockholders' equity |
| 15,962 |
| 15,963 | ||
Noncontrolling interests in equity of subsidiaries |
| 3,122 |
| 3,163 | ||
Total equity |
| 19,084 |
| 19,126 | ||
Commitments and contingencies (note 8) | ||||||
Total liabilities and equity | $ | 42,333 |
| 42,464 |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
I-4
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(unaudited)
Three months ended |
| |||||
March 31, |
| |||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| ||
amounts in millions, |
| |||||
except per share amounts |
| |||||
Revenue: | ||||||
Sirius XM Holdings revenue | $ | 2,144 |
| 2,186 | ||
Formula 1 revenue | 381 | 360 | ||||
Other revenue |
| 31 |
| 23 | ||
Total revenue |
| 2,556 |
| 2,569 | ||
Operating costs and expenses, including stock-based compensation (note 3): | ||||||
Cost of Sirius XM Holdings services (exclusive of depreciation shown separately below): | ||||||
Revenue share and royalties |
| 700 |
| 670 | ||
Programming and content |
| 150 |
| 140 | ||
Customer service and billing |
| 122 |
| 125 | ||
Other |
| 52 |
| 54 | ||
Cost of Formula 1 revenue (exclusive of depreciation shown separately below) | 206 | 195 | ||||
Subscriber acquisition costs |
| 90 |
| 90 | ||
Other operating expense |
| 118 |
| 90 | ||
Selling, general and administrative |
| 486 |
| 482 | ||
Impairment, restructuring and acquisition costs, net of recoveries (note 8) | 32 | — | ||||
Depreciation and amortization |
| 260 |
| 260 | ||
| 2,216 |
| 2,106 | |||
Operating income (loss) |
| 340 |
| 463 | ||
Other income (expense): | ||||||
Interest expense |
| (196) |
| (157) | ||
Share of earnings (losses) of affiliates, net (note 6) |
| (10) |
| (14) | ||
Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net (note 5) |
| (46) |
| 59 | ||
Other, net |
| 14 |
| 45 | ||
| (238) |
| (67) | |||
Earnings (loss) before income taxes |
| 102 |
| 396 | ||
Income tax (expense) benefit |
| (50) |
| (100) | ||
Net earnings (loss) |
| 52 |
| 296 | ||
Less net earnings (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interests |
| 37 |
| 65 | ||
Less net earnings (loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest | — | (9) | ||||
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty stockholders | $ | 15 |
| 240 | ||
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty stockholders: | ||||||
Liberty SiriusXM common stock | $ | 183 | 288 | |||
Liberty Braves common stock | (59) | (13) | ||||
Liberty Formula One common stock | (109) | (35) | ||||
$ | 15 | 240 |
(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 | ||||||
March 31, | ||||||
2023 |
| 2022 | ||||
Basic net earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty stockholders per common share | ||||||
Series A, B and C Liberty SiriusXM common stock | $ | 0.56 | 0.87 | |||
Series A, B and C Liberty Braves common stock | $ | (1.11) | (0.25) | |||
Series A, B and C Liberty Formula One common stock | $ | (0.47) | (0.15) | |||
Diluted net earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty stockholders per common share | ||||||
Series A, B and C Liberty SiriusXM common stock | $ | 0.38 | 0.82 | |||
Series A, B and C Liberty Braves common stock | $ | (1.22) | (0.25) | |||
Series A, B and C Liberty Formula One common stock | $ | (0.58) | (0.15) |
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 | ||||||
March 31, |
| |||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 | |||
amounts in millions | ||||||
Net earnings (loss) | $ | 52 |
| 296 | ||
Other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of taxes: | ||||||
Foreign currency translation adjustments |
| 4 |
| 9 | ||
Credit risk on fair value debt instruments gains (losses) |
| (4) |
| 5 | ||
Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period | — | 4 | ||||
Share of other comprehensive earnings (loss) of equity affiliates |
| 17 |
| 13 | ||
Recognition of previously unrealized (gains) losses on debt | (20) | (11) | ||||
Comprehensive earnings (loss) |
| 49 |
| 316 | ||
Less comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interests |
| 37 |
| 67 | ||
Less comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest | — | (9) | ||||
Comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty stockholders | $ | 12 |
| 258 | ||
| | | | | ||
Comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty stockholders: | | | | | | |
Liberty SiriusXM common stock | | $ | 185 | | 304 | |
Liberty Braves common stock | | | (59) | | (9) | |
Liberty Formula One common stock | | | (114) | | (37) | |
| | $ | 12 | | 258 |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
I-7
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(unaudited)
Three months ended | ||||||
March 31, | ||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| ||
amounts in millions | ||||||
Cash flows from operating activities: | ||||||
Net earnings (loss) | $ | 52 |
| 296 | ||
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities: | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
| 260 |
| 260 | ||
Stock-based compensation |
| 56 |
| 55 | ||
Non-cash impairment and restructuring costs | 8 | — | ||||
Share of (earnings) loss of affiliates, net |
| 10 |
| 14 | ||
Realized and unrealized (gains) losses on financial instruments, net |
| 46 |
| (59) | ||
Deferred income tax expense (benefit) |
| (6) |
| 55 | ||
Other, net |
| 2 |
| (33) | ||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities | ||||||
Current and other assets |
| 65 |
| (114) | ||
Payables and other liabilities |
| 168 |
| 77 | ||
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities |
| 661 |
| 551 | ||
Cash flows from investing activities: | ||||||
Investments in equity method affiliates and debt and equity securities |
| (169) |
| (9) | ||
Cash proceeds from dispositions | 34 | 97 | ||||
Capital expended for property and equipment, including internal-use software and website development |
| (281) |
| (111) | ||
Other investing activities, net |
| 1 |
| 34 | ||
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities |
| (415) |
| 11 | ||
Cash flows from financing activities: | ||||||
Borrowings of debt |
| 1,479 |
| 1,755 | ||
Repayments of debt |
| (1,690) |
| (1,242) | ||
Liberty stock repurchases | — | (239) | ||||
Subsidiary shares repurchased by subsidiary |
| (62) |
| (206) | ||
Cash dividends paid by subsidiary | (17) | (201) | ||||
Taxes paid in lieu of shares issued for stock-based compensation | (24) | (35) | ||||
Other financing activities, net |
| 57 |
| 4 | ||
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities |
| (257) |
| (164) | ||
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | 2 | (2) | ||||
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash |
| (9) |
| 396 | ||
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period |
| 2,276 |
| 2,924 | ||
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period | $ | 2,267 |
| 3,320 |
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:
March 31, | December 31, | |||||
2023 |
| 2022 | ||||
amounts in millions | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 2,229 | 2,246 | |||
30 | 22 | |||||
8 | 8 | |||||
Total cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period | $ | 2,267 | 2,276 |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
I-9
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity
(unaudited)
Three Months ended March 31, 2023
Stockholders' equity |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| Accumulated |
|
| Noncontrolling |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Additional | other | interest in | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Preferred | Liberty SiriusXM | 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, 2023 | $ | — | 1 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 |
| 1,408 | (39) |
| 14,589 |
| 3,163 |
| 19,126 | ||||||||||||
Net earnings (loss) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 15 |
| 37 |
| 52 | ||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive earnings (loss) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| — | (3) |
| — |
| — |
| (3) | |||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation |
| — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 51 | — |
| — |
| 9 |
| 60 | ||||||||||||
Withholding taxes on net share settlements of stock-based compensation | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| (24) | — |
| — |
| — |
| (24) | |||||||||||||
Shares repurchased by subsidiary |
| — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9 | — | — | (76) | (67) | ||||||||||||||||
Shares issued by subsidiary |
| — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| (11) | — |
| — |
| 11 | — | |||||||||||||
Dividends paid by subsidiary | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| — | — |
| — |
| (17) | (17) | ||||||||||||||
Other, net | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | (38) | — | — | (5) | (43) | |||||||||||||||||
Balance at March 31, 2023 | $ | — | 1 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 |
| 1,395 | (42) |
| 14,604 |
| 3,122 | 19,084 |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
I-10
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity
(unaudited)
Three Months ended March 31, 2022
Stockholders' equity |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
| Accumulated |
|
| Noncontrolling |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Additional | other | interest in | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Preferred | Liberty SiriusXM | 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, 2022 | $ | — | 1 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 |
| 1,954 | (5) |
| 12,718 |
| 3,590 | 18,262 | |||||||||||||
Net earnings (loss) (excludes net earnings (loss) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 240 | 56 | 296 | |||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive earnings (loss) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 18 | — | 2 |
| 20 | ||||||||||||||||
Stock-based compensation |
| — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 50 | — | — | 10 |
| 60 | |||||||||||||||
Withholding taxes on net share settlements of stock-based compensation | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | (35) | — | — | — | (35) | |||||||||||||||||
Liberty stock repurchases | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | (239) | — | — | — | (239) | |||||||||||||||||
Shares repurchased by subsidiary |
| — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | (50) | — | — | (150) |
| (200) | |||||||||||||||
Shares issued by subsidiary |
| — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | (15) | — | — | 15 | — | ||||||||||||||||
Dividends paid by subsidiary | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | (201) | (201) | |||||||||||||||||
Other, net | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | (11) | — | 33 | (32) | (10) | |||||||||||||||||
Balance at March 31, 2022 | $ | — | 1 | — | 2 | — | — | — | — | — | 2 |
| 1,654 | 13 |
| 12,991 |
| 3,290 | 17,953 |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
I-11
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 and entertainment industries primarily in North America and the United Kingdom. Liberty’s significant subsidiaries include Sirius XM Holdings Inc. ("Sirius XM Holdings"), Delta Topco Limited (the parent company of Formula 1) 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, 2022, 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, 2022.
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.
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.
Liberty has entered into certain agreements with Qurate Retail, Inc. (“Qurate Retail”), Liberty TripAdvisor Holdings, Inc. (“TripCo”), Liberty Broadband Corporation (“Liberty Broadband”) and Liberty Media Acquisition Corporation (“LMAC”), all of which are, or were (in the case of LMAC) 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, other than Liberty’s equity interest in LMAC prior to its liquidation and dissolution in December 2022. 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 each of Qurate Retail and Liberty Broadband, including certain cross-indemnities. Pursuant to the Services
I-12
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
Agreements, Liberty provides Qurate Retail, TripCo, Liberty Broadband and LMAC (prior to termination) with general and administrative services including legal, tax, accounting, treasury and investor relations support. Qurate Retail, TripCo and Liberty Broadband reimburse Liberty 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. TripCo, Liberty Broadband and LMAC (prior to termination) reimburse Liberty for shared services and personnel based on a flat fee. Under the Facilities Sharing Agreements, Liberty shares office space and related amenities at its corporate headquarters with Qurate Retail, TripCo, Liberty Broadband and LMAC (prior to termination) at Liberty’s corporate headquarters. Under these various agreements, approximately $4 million and $6 million of these allocated expenses were reimbursed to Liberty during the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
In December 2019, each of TripCo, Liberty Broadband 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 are either 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 respective 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 December 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.
(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, Liberty Braves Group (the “Braves Group”) and the Liberty Formula One Group (the “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 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.
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 March 31, 2023, the Liberty SiriusXM Group is comprised of Liberty’s interests in Sirius XM Holdings and Live Nation, corporate cash, Liberty’s 1.375% Cash Convertible Senior Notes due 2023 (the “Convertible Notes”) and related financial instruments, Liberty’s 3.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2028, Liberty’s 2.125% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2048, Liberty’s 2.75% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2049, Liberty’s 0.5% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2050 and margin loan
I-13
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
obligations incurred by wholly-owned special purpose subsidiaries of Liberty. The Liberty SiriusXM Group retains intergroup interests in the Formula One Group and the Braves Group as of March 31, 2023. As of March 31, 2023, the Liberty SiriusXM Group has cash and cash equivalents of approximately $430 million, which includes $53 million of subsidiary cash. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, Sirius XM Holdings declared a quarterly dividend and paid in cash an aggregate amount of $94 million, of which Liberty received $77 million. On April 19, 2023, Sirius XM Holdings’ board of directors declared a quarterly dividend on its common stock in the amount of $0.0242 per share of common stock payable on May 24, 2023 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on May 5, 2023.
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 March 31, 2023, the Braves Group is comprised primarily of Braves Holdings, which indirectly owns the Atlanta Braves Major League Baseball Club (“ANLBC” or the “Atlanta Braves”), certain assets and liabilities associated with ANLBC’s stadium (the “Stadium”) and a mixed-use development around the Stadium that features retail, office, hotel and entertainment opportunities (the “Mixed-Use Development”) and corporate cash. The Formula One Group and the Liberty SiriusXM Group retain intergroup interests in the Braves Group as of March 31, 2023. As of March 31, 2023, the Braves Group has cash and cash equivalents of approximately $215 million, which includes $149 million of subsidiary cash.
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 March 31, 2023, 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, cash, an intergroup interest in the Braves Group and Liberty’s 2.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2027. The Liberty SiriusXM Group retains an intergroup interest in the Formula One Group. As of March 31, 2023, the Formula One Group has cash and cash equivalents of approximately $1,584 million, which includes $1,043 million of subsidiary cash.
During March 2023, the Formula One Group paid approximately $202 million to the Liberty SiriusXM Group to settle a portion of the intergroup interest in the Formula One Group held by the Liberty SiriusXM Group, as a result of the repurchase of a portion of the Convertible Notes, as described in note 7. The number of notional shares representing the intergroup interest in the Braves Group held by the Formula One Group is 6,792,903, representing an 11.0% intergroup interest at March 31, 2023. The number of notional shares representing the intergroup interest in the Braves Group held by the Liberty SiriusXM Group is 1,811,066, representing a 2.9% intergroup interest at March 31, 2023. The number of notional shares representing the intergroup interest in the Formula One Group held by the Liberty SiriusXM Group is 1,051,238, representing a 0.4% intergroup interest at March 31, 2023. The intergroup interests represent quasi-equity interests which are not represented by outstanding shares of common stock; rather, the Formula One Group and Liberty SiriusXM Group have attributed interests in the Braves Group, which are generally stated in terms of a number of shares of Liberty Braves common stock, and the Liberty SiriusXM Group also has an attributed interest in the Formula One Group, which is generally stated in terms of a number of shares of Liberty Formula One common stock. The intergroup interests may be settled, at the discretion of the board of directors of the Company (the “Board of Directors”), through the transfer of newly issued shares of Liberty Braves common stock and Liberty Formula One common stock, respectively, cash and/or other assets to the respective tracking stock group. Accordingly, 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. Similarly, 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. The offsetting amounts between tracking stock groups are eliminated in consolidation. The intergroup interests will remain outstanding until the settlement of the outstanding interests, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, through a transfer of securities, cash and/or other assets from the Braves Group or Formula One Group to the respective tracking stock group.
I-14
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
During November 2022, the Board of Directors authorized management of the Company to pursue a plan to redeem each outstanding share of its Liberty Braves common stock in exchange for one share of the corresponding series of common stock of a newly formed entity, Atlanta Braves Holdings, Inc. (the “Split-Off”). Atlanta Braves Holdings, Inc. will be comprised of the businesses, assets and liabilities attributed to the Braves Group. The intergroup interests in the Braves Group attributed to the Liberty SiriusXM Group and Formula One Group remaining immediately prior to the Split-Off, however, will be settled and extinguished in connection with the Split-Off.
Following the Split-Off, the Company intends to reclassify its then-outstanding shares of common stock into three new tracking stocks to be designated Liberty SiriusXM common stock, Liberty Formula One common stock and Liberty Live common stock, and, in connection therewith, provide for the attribution of the businesses, assets and liabilities of the Company’s remaining tracking stock groups among its newly created Liberty SiriusXM Group, Formula One Group and Liberty Live Group (the “Reclassification”).
The Split-Off and the Reclassification will be subject to various conditions. Both transactions will be conditioned on, among other things, certain requisite approvals of the holders of the Company’s common stock and the receipt of opinions of tax counsel. In addition, the Split-Off will be conditioned on the requisite approval of Major League Baseball. In addition, the Reclassification is dependent and conditioned on the approval and completion of the Split-Off, and will not be implemented unless the Split-Off is completed; however, the Split-Off is not dependent upon the approval of the Reclassification and may be implemented even if the Reclassification is not approved. Each of the Split-Off and the Reclassification is intended to be tax-free to stockholders of the Company, except with respect to the receipt of cash in lieu of fractional shares. Subject to the satisfaction of the conditions, the Company expects to complete the Split-Off and the Reclassification in the second quarter of 2023.
See Exhibit 99.1 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for unaudited attributed financial information for Liberty's tracking stock groups.
(3) 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.
I-15
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
Included in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations are the following amounts of stock-based compensation, as discussed below:
Three months ended | ||||||
March 31, | ||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| ||
amounts in millions | ||||||
Cost of Sirius XM Holdings services: | ||||||
Programming and content | $ | 7 |
| 8 | ||
Customer service and billing |
| 1 |
| 1 | ||
Other |
| 1 |
| 1 | ||
Other operating expense |
| 11 |
| 8 | ||
Selling, general and administrative |
| 36 |
| 37 | ||
$ | 56 |
| 55 |
Liberty—Grants of Awards
Options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2023 are summarized as follows:
Three Months Ended | |||||
March 31, 2023 | |||||
Options | Weighted | ||||
granted | average | ||||
(000's) | GDFV | ||||
Series C Liberty SiriusXM common stock, Liberty CEO (1) | 370 | $ | 10.34 | ||
Series C Liberty Formula One common stock, Formula 1 employee (2) | 71 | $ | 30.70 |
(1) | Grant cliff vests on December 29, 2023. Grant was made in connection with the CEO’s employment agreement. |
(2) | Grant vests in equal quarterly installments over 2023. |
The Company did not grant
to purchase or Liberty SiriusXM, Liberty Braves or Liberty Formula One common stock during the three months ended March 31, 2023.Also during the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company granted 31 thousand and 81 thousand performance-based RSUs of Series C common stock of Liberty Braves and Liberty Formula One, respectively, to our CEO. The RSUs had a GDFV of $34.44 per share and $75.12 per share, respectively, and cliff vest one year from the month of grant, subject to the satisfaction of certain performance objectives. Performance objectives, which are subjective, are considered in determining the timing and amount of compensation expense recognized. When the satisfaction of the performance objectives becomes probable, the Company records compensation expense. The probability of satisfying the performance objectives is assessed at the end of each reporting period.
Liberty calculates the GDFV for all of its equity classified options and the subsequent remeasurement of its liability classified options using the Black-Scholes Model. Liberty estimates the expected term of the options based on historical exercise and forfeiture data. The volatility used in the calculation for options is based on the historical volatility of Liberty common stock and the implied volatility of publicly traded Liberty options. Liberty uses a zero dividend rate and the risk-free rate for Treasury Bonds with a term similar to that of the subject options.
I-16
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
Liberty—Outstanding Awards
The following tables present the number and weighted average exercise price ("WAEP") of options 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 options.
Liberty SiriusXM
Series C | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
| Weighted |
| Aggregate | ||||||
average | intrinsic | |||||||||||
Liberty | remaining | value | ||||||||||
options (000's) | WAEP | life | (millions) | |||||||||
Outstanding at January 1, 2023 |
| 6,862 | $ | 39.83 | ||||||||
Granted |
| 370 | $ | 31.19 | ||||||||
Exercised |
| (213) | $ | 32.61 | ||||||||
Forfeited/Cancelled | (980) | $ | 31.33 | |||||||||
Outstanding at March 31, 2023 |
| 6,039 | $ | 40.94 | 3.4 | years | $ | — | ||||
Exercisable at March 31, 2023 |
| 3,722 | $ | 39.97 |
| 2.6 | years | $ | — |
Liberty Braves
Series C | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
| Weighted |
| Aggregate | ||||||
average | intrinsic | |||||||||||
Liberty | remaining | value | ||||||||||
options (000's) | WAEP | life | (millions) | |||||||||
Outstanding at January 1, 2023 |
| 3,108 | $ | 26.17 | ||||||||
Granted |
| — | $ | — | ||||||||
Exercised |
| (146) | $ | 18.32 | ||||||||
Forfeited/Cancelled | (4) | $ | 22.75 | |||||||||
Outstanding at March 31, 2023 |
| 2,958 | $ | 26.57 | 4.3 | years | $ | 21 | ||||
Exercisable at March 31, 2023 |
| 1,357 | $ | 25.68 |
| 4.1 | years | $ | 11 |
Liberty Formula One
Series C | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
| Weighted |
| Aggregate | ||||||
average | intrinsic | |||||||||||
Liberty | remaining | value | ||||||||||
options (000's) | WAEP | life | (millions) | |||||||||
Outstanding at January 1, 2023 |
| 7,086 | $ | 36.18 | ||||||||
Granted |
| 71 | $ | 75.12 | ||||||||
Exercised |
| (669) | $ | 29.06 | ||||||||
Forfeited/Cancelled | — | $ | — | |||||||||
Outstanding at March 31, 2023 |
| 6,488 | $ | 37.34 | 3.7 | years | $ | 243 | ||||
Exercisable at March 31, 2023 |
| 5,002 | $ | 35.08 |
| 3.5 | years | $ | 199 |
As of March 31, 2023, there were no
Series or Series options to purchase shares of Series A or Series B Liberty SiriusXM common stock, Liberty Formula common stock or Liberty common stock.I-17
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
As of March 31, 2023, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested Awards was approximately $35 million. Such amount will be recognized in the Company's condensed consolidated statements of operations over a weighted average period of approximately 1.2 years.
As of March 31, 2023, Liberty reserved 6.0 million, 3.0 million and 6.5 million shares of Series C common stock of Liberty SiriusXM, Liberty Braves and Liberty Formula One, respectively, for issuance under exercise privileges of outstanding stock options.
Sirius XM Holdings — Stock-based Compensation
Sirius XM Holdings granted various types of stock awards to its employees during the three months ended March 31, 2023. As of March 31, 2023, Sirius XM Holdings has approximately 141 million options outstanding of which approximately 95 million are exercisable, each with a WAEP per share of $5.52 and $5.36, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value of Sirius XM Holdings options outstanding and exercisable as of March 31, 2023 is $10 million and $10 million, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, Sirius XM Holdings granted approximately 8 million nonvested RSUs with a GDFV per share of $4.76. Stock-based compensation expense related to Sirius XM Holdings was $45 million for each of the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022. As of March 31, 2023, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested Sirius XM Holdings stock options and RSUs was $436 million. The Sirius XM Holdings unrecognized compensation cost will be recognized in the Company's condensed consolidated statements of operations over a weighted average period of approximately 2.4 years.
(4) 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 months ended March 31, 2023 are approximately 25 million potentially dilutive shares of Series A and Series C Liberty SiriusXM common stock, 9 million potentially dilutive shares of Series A and Series C Liberty Braves common stock and 8 million potentially dilutive shares of Series A and Series C Liberty Formula One common stock, primarily due to warrants issued in connection with the Bond Hedge Transaction (as defined in note 7) and shares of Series A Liberty Braves common stock and Series A Liberty Formula One common stock underlying the intergroup interests, because their inclusion would be antidilutive. The warrant transactions (as described in note 7) may have a dilutive effect with respect to the shares comprising the basket of Liberty’s tracking stocks as specified in the indenture, as amended, related to the Convertible Notes (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 are attributed to the Liberty SiriusXM Group.
I-18
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
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 March 31, | |||||
2023 |
| 2022 | |||
numbers of shares in millions | |||||
Basic WASO |
| 327 |
| 332 | |
Potentially dilutive shares (a) |
| 19 |
| 20 | |
Diluted WASO (b) |
| 346 |
| 352 |
(a) | Potentially dilutive shares are excluded from the computation of EPS during periods in which net losses are reported since the result would be antidilutive. |
(b) | For periods in which share settlement of the 2.125% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2048 and 2.75% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2049, which may be settled in shares of Series C Liberty SiriusXM common stock and 3.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2028, which may be settled in shares of Series A Liberty SiriusXM common stock, is dilutive, the numerator adjustment includes a reversal of the interest expense and the unrealized gain or loss recorded on the instruments during the period, net of tax where appropriate. As disclosed in note 7, the settlement of the 2.125% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2048 changed to solely cash, pursuant to a supplemental indenture entered into during February 2023. Accordingly, the impact of share settlement of the 2.125% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2048 was considered for purposes of calculating diluted WASO prior to the execution of the supplemental indenture. |
Additionally, a hypothetical mark to market adjustment on the shares of Series A Liberty SiriusXM common stock included in the Securities Basket underlying the warrants is included in the numerator adjustment in periods in which cash settlement of the warrants would be more dilutive than share settlement.
Three months ended March 31, | |||||
2023 |
| 2022 | |||
| amounts in millions | ||||
Basic earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty SiriusXM stockholders | $ | 183 | 288 | ||
Adjustments | (52) | 1 | |||
Diluted earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty SiriusXM stockholders | $ | 131 | 289 |
I-19
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
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 March 31, | |||||
2023 |
| 2022 | |||
numbers of shares in millions | |||||
Basic WASO |
| 53 |
| 53 | |
Potentially dilutive shares (a) |
| 1 |
| — | |
Diluted WASO (b) |
| 54 |
| 53 |
(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) | The number of notional shares representing the intergroup interest in the Braves Group held by the Formula One Group is 6,792,903 and the number of notional shares representing the intergroup interest in the Braves Group held by the Liberty SiriusXM Group is 1,811,066 as of March 31, 2023. |
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 Convertible Notes. Therefore, the market prices of Series C Liberty Braves and Series A Liberty Braves common stock are used for the quarterly mark-to-market adjustment for the intergroup interests held by Formula One Group and Liberty SiriusXM Group, respectively, through the unaudited attributed condensed consolidated statements of operations. The notional shares representing the intergroup interests have no impact on the basic WASO. However, if dilutive, the notional shares representing the intergroup interests are included in the diluted WASO as if the shares had been issued and outstanding during the period. For periods in which share settlement of the intergroup interests are dilutive, an adjustment is also made to the numerator in the diluted earnings per share calculation for the unrealized gain or loss incurred from marking the intergroup interests to fair value during the period. Additionally, a hypothetical mark to market adjustment on the shares of Series A Liberty Braves common stock included in the Securities Basket underlying the warrants is included in the numerator adjustment in periods in which cash settlement of the warrants would be more dilutive than share settlement.
I-20
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
Three months ended March 31, | |||||
2023 |
| 2022 | |||
| amounts in millions | ||||
Basic earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty Braves stockholders | $ | (59) | (13) | ||
Adjustments | (7) | — | |||
Diluted earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty Braves stockholders | $ | (66) | (13) |
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 March 31, | |||||
2023 |
| 2022 | |||
numbers of shares in millions | |||||
Basic WASO |
| 234 |
| 232 | |
Potentially dilutive shares (a) |
| 3 |
| 4 | |
Diluted WASO (b) |
| 237 |
| 236 |
(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 Liberty Formula One shares representing the Liberty SiriusXM Group’s intergroup interest in the Formula One Group is 1,051,238 shares as of March 31, 2023. The intergroup interest is a quasi-equity interest which is not represented by outstanding shares of common stock; rather, the 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 Liberty Formula One common stock underlie the Convertible Notes. Therefore, the market price of Series A Liberty Formula One common stock is used for the quarterly mark-to-market adjustment through the unaudited attributed condensed consolidated statements of operations. The notional shares representing the intergroup interest have no impact on the basic WASO. However, if dilutive, the notional shares representing the intergroup interest are included in the diluted WASO as if the shares had been issued and outstanding during the period. For periods in which share settlement of the intergroup interest is dilutive, an adjustment is 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. |
For periods in which share settlement of the 2.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2027, which may be settled in shares of Series C Liberty Formula One common stock, is dilutive, the numerator adjustment includes a reversal of the interest expense and the unrealized gain or loss recorded on the instrument during the period, net of tax where appropriate. Additionally, an adjustment is also made to the numerator for a hypothetical mark to
I-21
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
market adjustment on the shares of Series A Liberty Formula One common stock included in the Securities Basket underlying the warrants in periods in which cash settlement would be more dilutive than share settlement.
Three months ended March 31, | |||||
2023 |
| 2022 | |||
| amounts in millions | ||||
Basic earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty Formula One stockholders | $ | (109) | (35) | ||
Adjustments | (29) | — | |||
Diluted earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty Formula One stockholders | $ | (138) | (35) |
(5) 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.
Liberty's assets and liabilities measured at fair value are as follows:
Fair Value Measurements at | Fair Value Measurements at | |||||||||||||
March 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||
|
| 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 | $ | 1,794 |
| 1,794 |
| — |
| 2,026 |
| 2,026 |
| — | ||
Debt and equity securities | $ | 172 |
| 172 |
| — |
| 80 |
| 80 |
| — | ||
Financial instrument assets | $ | 184 |
| 91 |
| 93 |
| 393 |
| 86 |
| 307 | ||
Debt | $ | 3,043 |
| — |
| 3,043 |
| 3,331 |
| — |
| 3,331 |
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 included in the table above are included in the Other assets line item in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. As of March 31, 2023, $25 million and $159 million of financial instrument assets included in the table above are included in the Other current assets and Other assets line items, respectively, in the condensed consolidated balance sheet. As of December 31, 2022, $219 million and $174 million of financial instrument assets included in the table above are included in the Other current assets and Other assets line items, respectively, in the condensed consolidated balance sheet.
I-22
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
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 | ||||||
March 31, | ||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| ||
amounts in millions | ||||||
Debt and equity securities | $ | 6 |
| (5) | ||
Debt measured at fair value (a) | 55 | 69 | ||||
Change in fair value of bond hedges (b) | (110) | (68) | ||||
Other |
| 3 |
| 63 | ||
$ | (46) |
| 59 |
(a) | The Company elected to account for its exchangeable senior debentures and convertible notes (as described in note 7) using the fair value option. Changes in the fair value of the exchangeable senior debentures and 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 convertible notes attributable to changes in the instrument specific credit risk were losses of $7 million and $11 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company recognized $25 million of previously unrecognized gains related to the retirement of the 1% Convertible Notes (defined below), a portion of the 2.125% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2048 and a portion of the Convertible Notes, which was recognized through other, net in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The cumulative change since issuance was a gain of $32 million as of March 31, 2023, net of the recognition of previously unrecognized gains and losses. |
(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 7 for additional discussion of the bond hedges. |
I-23
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
(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 March 31, 2023 and the carrying amount at December 31, 2022:
March 31, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||
| Percentage |
| Fair Value |
| Carrying |
| Carrying |
| |||
ownership | (Level 1) | amount | amount | ||||||||
dollar amounts in millions | |||||||||||
Liberty SiriusXM Group | |||||||||||
Live Nation (a) | 30 | % | $ | 4,875 | $ | 157 | 158 | ||||
Sirius XM Canada | 70 | % | $ | NA | 601 |
| 597 | ||||
Other | NA | 104 | 68 | ||||||||
Total Liberty SiriusXM Group | 862 | 823 | |||||||||
Braves Group | |||||||||||
Other | various | NA | 94 | 95 | |||||||
Total Braves Group | 94 | 95 | |||||||||
Formula One Group | |||||||||||
Other |
| various |
| NA |
| 37 |
| 34 | |||
Total Formula One Group | 37 | 34 | |||||||||
Consolidated Liberty | $ | 993 |
| 952 |
(a) | See note 7 for details regarding the number and fair value of shares pledged as collateral as of March 31, 2023 pursuant to Liberty’s margin loan secured by shares of Live Nation (the “Live Nation Margin Loan”). |
The following table presents the Company's share of earnings (losses) of affiliates:
Three months ended | ||||||
March 31, | ||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| ||
amounts in millions | ||||||
Liberty SiriusXM Group | ||||||
Live Nation | $ | (6) | (21) | |||
Sirius XM Canada | 4 |
| 3 | |||
Other | (5) | — | ||||
Total Liberty SiriusXM Group | (7) | (18) | ||||
Braves Group | ||||||
Other | (1) |
| 4 | |||
Total Braves Group | (1) | 4 | ||||
Formula One Group | ||||||
Other |
| (2) |
| — | ||
Total Formula One Group | (2) | — | ||||
Consolidated Liberty | $ | (10) |
| (14) |
I-24
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
Sirius XM Canada
As of March 31, 2023, Sirius XM Holdings holds a 70% equity interest and 33% voting interest in Sirius XM Canada Holdings Inc. (“Sirius XM Canada”). Sirius XM Canada is accounted for as an equity method investment as Sirius XM Holdings does not have the ability to direct the most significant activities that impact Sirius XM Canada's economic performance.
On March 15, 2022, Sirius XM Holdings and Sirius XM Canada entered into an amended and restated services and distribution agreement which modified the existing Services Agreement and terminated the existing Advisory Agreement, each dated as of May 25, 2017. Pursuant to the amended and restated services and distribution agreement, the fee payable by Sirius XM Canada to Sirius XM Holdings was modified from a fixed percentage of revenue to a variable fee, based on a target operating profit for Sirius XM Canada. Such variable fee is expected to be evaluated annually based on comparable companies. In accordance with the amended and restated services and distribution agreement, the fee is payable on a monthly basis, in arrears, beginning January 1, 2022.
In May 2017, Sirius XM Holdings extended a loan to Sirius XM Canada in the principal amount of $131 million. Prior to the March 2022 amendment, cumulative note repayments by Sirius XM Canada were $10 million. In connection with the execution of the amended and restated services and distribution agreement, Sirius XM Holdings forgave $113 million in principal amount of such loan to Sirius XM Canada, leaving an outstanding principal amount of $8 million on such loan as of March 31, 2023. The principal amount that was forgiven by Sirius XM Holdings was considered satisfied as contributed capital to Sirius XM Canada.
Sirius XM Holdings recorded approximately $26 million and $27 million in revenue during the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, associated with these various agreements. Sirius XM Canada paid gross dividends to Sirius XM Holdings of less than $1 million during each of the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022.
SoundCloud
In February 2020, Sirius XM Holdings completed a $75 million investment in Series G Membership Units of SoundCloud Holdings, LLC (“SoundCloud”). The investment in SoundCloud is accounted for as an equity method investment as Sirius XM Holdings does not have the ability to direct the most significant activities that impact SoundCloud's economic performance.
In addition to Sirius XM Holdings’ investment in SoundCloud, Pandora has an agreement with SoundCloud to be its exclusive ad sales representative in the U.S. and certain European countries. Through this arrangement, Pandora offers advertisers the ability to execute campaigns across the Pandora and SoundCloud platforms. Sirius XM Holdings recorded revenue share expense related to this agreement of $12 million and $13 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Sirius XM Holdings also had related party liabilities of $17 million and $19 million as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, related to this agreement.
I-25
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
(7) Long-Term Debt
Debt is summarized as follows:
Outstanding | Carrying value | ||||||||
| Principal |
| March 31, |
| December 31, |
| |||
March 31, 2023 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
amounts in millions | |||||||||
Liberty SiriusXM Group | |||||||||
Corporate level notes and loans: | |||||||||
1.375% Cash Convertible Senior Notes due 2023 (1) | $ | 199 |
| 215 | 968 | ||||
3.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2028 (1) | 575 | 585 | — | ||||||
2.125% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2048 (1) | 275 | 275 | 382 | ||||||
2.75% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2049 (1) | 586 | 544 | 559 | ||||||
0.5% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2050 (1) | 920 | 908 | 920 | ||||||
Sirius XM Holdings Margin Loan | 875 |
| 875 |
| 875 | ||||
Live Nation Margin Loan | — |
| — | — | |||||
Subsidiary notes and loans: | |||||||||
Sirius XM 3.125% Senior Notes due 2026 | 1,000 | 992 | 992 | ||||||
Sirius XM 5.0% Senior Notes due 2027 | 1,500 | 1,493 | 1,492 | ||||||
Sirius XM 4.0% Senior Notes due 2028 | 2,000 | 1,983 | 1,982 | ||||||
Sirius XM 5.50% Senior Notes due 2029 | 1,250 | 1,240 | 1,240 | ||||||
Sirius XM 4.125% Senior Notes due 2030 | 1,500 | 1,487 | 1,487 | ||||||
Sirius XM 3.875% Senior Notes due 2031 | 1,500 | 1,485 | 1,485 | ||||||
Pandora 1.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2023 | 118 | 118 | 193 | ||||||
Sirius XM Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility |
| 210 |
| 210 |
| 80 | |||
Sirius XM Incremental Term Loan | 500 | 500 | 500 | ||||||
Deferred financing costs | (10) | (12) | |||||||
Total Liberty SiriusXM Group | 13,008 | | | 12,900 | | 13,143 | |||
Braves Group | |||||||||
Subsidiary notes and loans: | | ||||||||
Notes and loans |
| 542 |
| 542 |
| 546 | |||
Deferred financing costs | (4) | (4) | |||||||
Total Braves Group | 542 | | | 538 | | 542 | |||
Formula One Group | |||||||||
Corporate level notes and loans: | |||||||||
1% Cash Convertible Notes due 2023 (1) | — | — | 44 | ||||||
2.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2027 (1) | 475 | 516 | 458 | ||||||
Other | 63 | 63 | 63 | ||||||
Subsidiary notes and loans: | |||||||||
Senior Loan Facility | 2,420 | 2,386 | 2,389 | ||||||
Deferred financing costs | (7) | (7) | |||||||
Total Formula One Group | | | 2,958 | | | 2,958 | | 2,947 | |
Total debt | $ | 16,508 |
| 16,396 |
| 16,632 | |||
Debt classified as current |
| (706) |
| (1,679) | |||||
Total long-term debt | $ | 15,690 |
| 14,953 |
(1) Measured at fair value
I-26
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
1.375% Cash Convertible Senior Notes due 2023
On October 17, 2013, Liberty issued $1 billion aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Notes. The Convertible Notes will mature on October 15, 2023 unless earlier repurchased by us or converted. Accordingly, the Convertible Notes are classified as a current liability in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. 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 conversions of the Convertible Notes will be settled solely in cash, and not through the delivery of any securities. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, Liberty paid approximately $662 million to repurchase approximately $591 million aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Notes.
Since the date of issuance, the conversion, adjustment and other provisions of the indenture have been amended to give effect to certain transactions. The consideration due upon conversion of any Convertible Note shall be determined based on the Securities Basket, consisting of 0.1087 of a share of Series A Liberty Braves common stock, 1.0163 shares of Series A Liberty SiriusXM common stock and 0.25 of a share of Series A Liberty Formula One common stock as of March 31, 2023.
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 5 for information related to unrealized gains (losses) on debt measured at fair value.
Additionally, contemporaneously with the issuance of the Convertible Notes, Liberty entered into a bond hedge transaction (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 components of the Securities Basket, 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 the components of the Securities Basket. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, Liberty received approximately $83 million for the settlement of the portion of the bond hedge related to the repurchase of Convertible Notes described above. As of March 31, 2023, the Bond Hedge Transaction covered, in the aggregate, 1,051,238 shares of Series A Liberty Formula One common stock, 4,273,491 shares of Series A Liberty SiriusXM common stock and 457,078 shares of Series A Liberty Braves common stock, subject to anti-dilution adjustments pertaining to the Convertible Notes, which is equal to the aggregate number of shares comprising the Securities Basket underlying the Convertible Notes. The bond hedge expires on October 15, 2023 and is included in Other current assets as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 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 underlying shares of the Convertible Notes and Bond Hedge Transaction, subject to anti-dilution adjustments. The first expiration date of the warrants is January 16, 2024 and the remainder expire over a period covering 81 days thereafter. Liberty may elect to settle its delivery obligation under the warrant transactions with cash. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, Liberty paid approximately $44 million for the settlement of the portion of the obligation under the warrants related to the repurchase of Convertible Notes described above. As of March 31, 2023, the warrants covered, in the aggregate, 1,051,238 shares of Series A Liberty Formula One common stock, 4,273,491 shares of Series A Liberty SiriusXM common stock and 457,078 shares of Series A Liberty Braves common stock, subject to anti-dilution adjustments. The strike price of the warrants, based on the basket of shares, was $61.16 per share as of March 31, 2023. As of March 31, 2023, the basket price of the securities underlying the warrants was $49.18 per share, which is the same as the basket price of the securities underlying
I-27
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
the Bond Hedge Transaction. The warrants 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 warrants are attributed to the Liberty SiriusXM Group.
1% Cash Convertible Notes due 2023
On January 23, 2017, Liberty issued $450 million cash convertible notes at an interest rate of 1% per annum, which were convertible, under certain circumstances, into cash based on the trading prices of the underlying shares of Series C Liberty Formula One common stock and matured on January 30, 2023 (the ‘‘1% Convertible Notes’’). The initial conversion rate for the notes was approximately 27.11 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% Convertible Notes was settled solely in cash, and not through the delivery of any securities. In January 2023, Liberty paid approximately $47 million to settle the remaining 1% Convertible Notes.
2.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2027
On August 12, 2022, Liberty issued $475 million convertible notes at an interest rate of 2.25% per annum, which, at Liberty’s election, are convertible into cash, shares of Series C Liberty Formula One common stock or a combination of cash and shares of Series C Liberty Formula One common stock and mature on August 15, 2027. The initial conversion rate for the notes is approximately 11.6198 shares of Series C Liberty Formula One common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes, equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $86.06 per share of Series C Liberty Formula One common stock. The notes are attributed to the Formula One Group. Liberty has elected to account for the notes using the fair value option. See note 5 for information related to unrealized gains (losses) on debt measured at fair value.
3.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2028
On March 10, 2023 Liberty issued $575 million convertible notes at an interest rate of 3.75% per annum, which, at Liberty’s election, are convertible into cash, shares of Series A Liberty SiriusXM common stock or a combination of cash and shares of Series A Liberty SiriusXM common stock and mature on March 15, 2028. The initial conversion rate for the notes is approximately 25.9000 shares of Series A Liberty SiriusXM common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes, equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $38.61 per share of Series A Liberty SiriusXM common stock. The notes are attributed to the Liberty SiriusXM Group. Liberty has elected to account for the notes using the fair value option. See note 5 for information related to unrealized gains (losses) on debt measured at fair value.
2.125% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2048
On March 6, 2018, Liberty closed a private offering of approximately $400 million aggregate principal amount of its 2.125% exchangeable senior debentures due 2048 (the “2.125% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2048”). Upon an exchange of debentures, pursuant to a supplemental indenture entered into in February 2023, Liberty could deliver solely cash to satisfy its exchange obligations. The number of shares of Sirius XM Holdings common stock attributable to a debenture represented an initial exchange price of approximately $8.02 per share. A total of approximately 49.9 million shares of Sirius XM Holdings common stock were attributable to the debentures. Interest was payable quarterly on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year. The debentures could be redeemed by Liberty, in whole or in part, on or after April 7, 2023. Holders of the debentures also had the right to require Liberty to purchase their debentures on April 7, 2023. Accordingly, the 2.125% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2048 are classified as a current liability
I-28
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, Liberty paid approximately $112 million to repurchase approximately $112 million aggregate principal amount of the debentures. In April 2023, Liberty paid approximately $275 million to settle the remaining debentures. The debentures were attributed to the Liberty SiriusXM Group. Liberty elected to account for the debentures using the fair value option. See note 5 for information related to unrealized gains (losses) on debt measured at fair value.
2.75% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2049
On November 26, 2019, Liberty closed a private offering of approximately $604 million aggregate principal amount of its 2.75% exchangeable senior debentures due 2049 (the “2.75% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2049”). Upon 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 $8.62 per share. A total of approximately 70 million shares of Sirius XM Holdings common stock are attributable to the debentures. Interest is payable quarterly in arrears on March 1, June 1, September 1 and December 1 of each year, commencing March 1, 2020. The debentures may be redeemed by Liberty, in whole or in part, on or after December 1, 2024. Holders of the debentures also have the right to require Liberty to purchase their debentures on December 1, 2024. The redemption and purchase price will generally equal 100% of the adjusted principal amount of the debentures plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date, plus any final period distribution. The debentures are attributed to the Liberty SiriusXM Group. Liberty has elected to account for the debentures using the fair value option. See note 5 for information related to unrealized gains (losses) on debt measured at fair value.
0.5% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2050
In November 2020, Liberty closed a private offering of approximately $920 million aggregate principal amount of its 0.5% exchangeable senior debentures due 2050 (the “0.5% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2050”). Upon an exchange of debentures, Liberty, at its option, may deliver Live Nation common stock, cash or a combination of Live Nation common stock and/or cash. The number of shares of Live Nation common stock attributable to a debenture represents an initial exchange price of approximately $90.10 per share. A total of approximately 10 million shares of Live Nation common stock are attributable to the debentures. Interest is payable quarterly on March 1, June 1, September 1 and December 1 of each year, commencing March 1, 2021. The debentures may be redeemed by Liberty, in whole or in part, on or after September 1, 2024. Holders of the debentures also have the right to require Liberty to purchase their debentures on September 1, 2024. The redemption and purchase price will generally equal 100% of the adjusted principal amount of the debentures plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date, plus any final period distribution. The debentures are attributed to the Liberty SiriusXM Group. Liberty has elected to account for the debentures using the fair value option. See note 5 for information related to unrealized gains (losses) on debt measured at fair value.
Margin Loans
Sirius XM Holdings Margin Loan
In February 2021, Liberty Siri MarginCo, LLC (“Siri MarginCo”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Liberty, amended its margin loan agreement secured by shares of Sirius XM Holdings common stock (the “Sirius XM Holdings Margin Loan”) that was comprised of an $875 million term loan and an $875 million revolving line of credit. The term loan and any drawn portion of the revolver carried an interest rate of LIBOR plus 2.00% with the undrawn portion carrying a fee of 0.50%. In March 2023, Siri MarginCo amended the Sirius XM Holdings Margin Loan, increasing the revolving line of credit to $1,075 million, extending the maturity to March 2026 and changing the interest rate to the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus 2.25%. Borrowings outstanding under the Sirius XM Holdings Margin Loan
I-29
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
bore interest at a rate of 7.25% per annum at March 31, 2023. As of March 31, 2023, availability under the Sirius XM Holdings Margin Loan was $1,075 million. As of March 31, 2023, 1.0 billion shares of the Company’s Sirius XM Holdings common stock with a value of $3,970 million were held in
accounts related to the Sirius XM Holdings Margin Loan. 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 9, 2020, the Live Nation Margin Loan agreement was amended, reducing the borrowing capacity to $200 million, increasing the interest rate to LIBOR plus 2.0%, decreasing the undrawn commitment fee to 0.5% per annum and extending the maturity date to December 9, 2022. On December 3, 2021, the margin loan was amended, increasing the borrowing capacity to $400 million. On May 9, 2022, the margin loan was amended, replacing the delayed draw term loan with a $400 million revolving line of credit, changing the interest rate to the Adjusted Term SOFR plus Term SOFR Adjustment (0.1%) plus 2.0% and extending the maturity to May 9, 2025. Interest on the margin loan is payable on the last business day of each calendar quarter. As of March 31, 2023, availability under the Live Nation Margin Loan was $400 million. As of March 31, 2023, 9.0 million shares of the Company’s Live Nation common stock with a value of $628 million were
to the loan. The Live Nation Margin Loan contains various affirmative and negative covenants that restrict the activities of the borrower. The loan agreement does not include any financial covenants. The Live Nation Margin Loan is attributed to the Liberty SiriusXM Group.Pandora 1.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2023
Sirius XM Holdings acquired $193 million aggregate principal amount of the 1.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2023 (the “Pandora Notes due 2023”) as part of the acquisition of Pandora Media, Inc. in 2019. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, certain investors exercised their right to require a Special Repurchase, as defined in the indenture governing such notes, and Pandora repurchased $75 million principal amount of the Pandora Notes due 2023 with cash for an aggregate purchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of repurchase. The Pandora Notes due 2023 were not convertible into common stock and were not redeemable as of March 31, 2023.
Sirius XM Holdings Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility and Incremental Term Loan
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 $1,750 million which matures in August 2026. The Credit Facility is guaranteed by certain of Sirius XM Holdings’ material domestic subsidiaries and is secured by a lien on substantially all of Sirius XM Holdings' assets and the assets of its material domestic subsidiaries. Interest on borrowings is payable on a monthly basis and accrues at a rate based on either the SOFR or LIBOR plus an applicable rate. Pursuant to an amendment to the Credit Facility entered into during March 2023, interest on borrowings on or after July 1, 2023 will no longer be based on LIBOR. Borrowings outstanding under the Credit Facility bore interest at a rate of 7.09% per annum as of March 31, 2023. Sirius XM Holdings is required to pay a variable fee on the average daily unused portion of the Credit Facility which was 0.25% per annum as of March 31, 2023 and is payable on a quarterly basis. The Credit Facility contains customary covenants, including a maintenance covenant. Availability under the Credit Facility was $1,540 million as of March 31, 2023.
On April 11, 2022, Sirius XM Holdings entered into an amendment to the Credit Facility to incorporate an incremental term loan borrowing of $500 million which matures on April 11, 2024. Interest on the incremental term loan borrowing is based on SOFR plus an applicable rate. Borrowings outstanding under the incremental term loan bore interest at a rate of 5.85% per annum as of March 31, 2023.
I-30
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
Braves Holdings Notes and Loans
Braves Holdings’ debt, primarily related to the Stadium and Mixed-Use Development, is summarized as follows:
Carrying value |
| As of March 31, 2023 | |||||||||
March 31, |
| December 31, |
| Borrowing | Weighted avg | Maturity | |||||
2023 | 2022 |
| Capacity | interest rate | Date | ||||||
dollar amounts in millions | |||||||||||
Operating credit facilities | $ | — | — | 275 | NA | various | |||||
Ballpark funding |
| ||||||||||
Senior secured note | 169 | 172 | NA | 3.77% | September 2041 | ||||||
Stadium credit facility | 43 | 44 | 44 | 6.18% | July 2026 | ||||||
Spring training credit facility | 30 | 30 | NA | 3.65% | December 2030 | ||||||
Mixed-use credit facilities and loans | 300 | 300 | 428 | 5.12% | various | ||||||
Total Braves Holdings | $ | 542 | 546 |
Formula 1 Loans
On November 23, 2022, Formula 1 refinanced its previous $2.9 billion first lien Term Loan B and $500 million revolving credit facility with a new $725 million first lien Term Loan A, a refinanced $1.7 billion Term Loan B and a new $500 million revolving credit facility (collectively, the “Senior Loan Facility”). The Term Loan A and revolving credit facility mature on January 15, 2028 and the Term Loan B matures on January 15, 2030. As of March 31, 2023, there were no outstanding borrowings under the $500 million revolving credit facility. The margin for the Term Loan B is 3.25% with the potential to step down to 3.00% if a certain leverage test is met. This leverage test was met as of March 31, 2023. The margin for the new Term Loan A and revolving credit facility is between 1.50% and 2.25% depending on leverage ratios, amongst other things, and is fixed at 1.75% for the first year. The reference rate for the Term Loan A, Term Loan B and dollar borrowings under the revolving credit facility is Term SOFR. The interest rate on the Senior Loan Facility was approximately 7.62% as of March 31, 2023. The Senior Loan Facility remains non-recourse to Liberty. The Senior Loan Facility is secured by share pledges and floating charges over Formula 1’s primary operating companies with certain cross guarantees. Additionally, in order to manage its interest rate risk, as of March 31, 2023, Formula 1 has interest rate swaps on $2.1 billion of the $2.4 billion Senior Loan Facility which expire during the first quarter of 2024 and has entered into $1.1 billion of forward starting swaps with a termination date in December 2029 and an optional early termination date in December 2027.
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 and debt yield ratio. 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 were in compliance with their debt covenants as of March 31, 2023.
I-31
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
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):
| March 31, 2023 |
| ||
Sirius XM 3.125% Senior Notes due 2026 | | $ | 884 | |
Sirius XM 5.0% Senior Notes due 2027 | | $ | 1,365 | |
Sirius XM 4.0% Senior Notes due 2028 | | $ | 1,683 | |
Sirius XM 5.50% Senior Notes due 2029 | | $ | 1,105 | |
Sirius XM 4.125% Senior Notes due 2030 | | $ | 1,192 | |
Sirius XM 3.875% Senior Notes due 2031 | | $ | 1,133 | |
Pandora 1.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2023 | | $ | 117 |
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 March 31, 2023.
(8) 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
Long-term employment contracts provide for, among other items, annual compensation for certain Atlanta Braves players (current and former) and other employees. Amounts due under such contracts as of March 31, 2023 aggregated $1,007 million, which is payable as follows: $220 million in 2023, $149 million in 2024, $142 million in 2025, $135 million in 2026 and $361 million thereafter. In addition to the foregoing amounts, certain players, coaches and executives may earn incentive compensation under the terms of their employment contracts.
Sirius XM Holdings Restructuring
During the three months ended March 31, 2023, Sirius XM Holdings initiated measures to pursue greater efficiency and to realign its business and focus on strategic priorities. As part of these measures, Sirius XM Holdings reduced the size of its workforce by approximately 475 roles, or 8%. Sirius XM Holdings recorded a charge of $23 million, primarily related to severance and other employee costs. In addition, Sirius XM Holdings vacated one of its leased locations. Sirius XM Holdings assessed the recoverability of the carrying value of the operating lease right of use asset related to this
I-32
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
location and determined that the carrying value of the asset was not recoverable. As a result, Sirius XM Holdings recorded an impairment of $5 million to reduce its carrying value to its estimated fair value. Additionally, Sirius XM Holdings accrued expenses of $2 million for which it will not recognize any future economic benefits, and wrote off fixed assets of less than $1 million in connection with furniture and equipment located at the impaired office space. These changes were recorded to impairment, restructuring and acquisition costs, net of recoveries in the condensed consolidated statements of operations during the three months ended March 31, 2023.
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 (“anti-SLAPP”) 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.
In October 2020, the District Court denied Pandora’s renewed motion to dismiss the case under California’s anti-SLAPP statute, finding the case no longer qualified for anti-SLAPP due to intervening changes in the law, and denied Pandora’s renewed attempt to end the case. Alternatively, the District Court ruled that the preemption defense likely did not apply to Flo & Eddie’s claims, in part because the District Court believed that the MMA did not apply retroactively. Pandora promptly appealed the District Court’s decision to the Ninth Circuit, and moved to stay appellate briefing pending the appeal of a related case against Sirius XM. On January 13, 2021, the Ninth Circuit issued an order granting the stay of appellate proceedings pending the resolution of a related case against Sirius XM.
On August 23, 2021, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit issued an Opinion in a related case, Flo & Eddie Inc. v. Sirius XM Radio Inc. The related case also concerned a class action suit brought by Flo & Eddie Inc. regarding the public performance of pre-1972 recordings under California law. Relying on California’s copyright statute, Flo & Eddie argued that California law gave it the “exclusive ownership” of its pre-1972 songs, including the right of public performance. The Ninth Circuit reversed the District Court’s grant of partial summary judgment to Flo & Eddie
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LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
Inc. The Ninth Circuit held that the District Court in this related case erred in concluding that “exclusive ownership” under California’s copyright statute included the right of public performance. The Ninth Circuit remanded the case for entry of judgment consistent with the terms of the parties’ contingent settlement agreement, and on October 6, 2021, the parties to the related case stipulated to its dismissal with prejudice. The Flo & Eddie Inc. v. Sirius XM Radio Inc. decision is precedential in the Ninth Circuit, and therefore Sirius XM Holdings believes substantially narrows the claims that Flo & Eddie may continue to assert against Pandora.
Following issuance of the Flo & Eddie Inc. v. Sirius XM Radio Inc. opinion, on September 3, 2021, the Ninth Circuit lifted the stay of appellate proceedings in Flo & Eddie, Inc. v. Pandora Media, LLC. Pandora promptly filed an appeal of the District Court’s order denying the renewed motion to dismiss the case under California’s anti-SLAAP statute.
On June 2, 2022, the Ninth Circuit upheld the District Court’s order denying dismissal of the case under California’s anti-SLAPP statute, finding that Pandora had failed to demonstrate that Flo & Eddie’s claims arise from Pandora’s protected conduct. As part of the decision, the Ninth Circuit noted that Pandora had forcefully argued that the Court’s decision in Flo & Eddie Inc. v. Sirius XM Radio Inc., and other decisions under New York, Florida and Georgia law, foreclosed Flo & Eddie’s claims as a matter of law. Because the case has been pending for over seven years, the Ninth Circuit remanded the case to the District Court and directed “the district court to consider expedited motions practice on the legal validity of Flo & Eddie’s claims in light of the intervening precedent.”
On September 29, 2022, Flo & Eddie filed an Amended Complaint, and on October 13, 2022, Pandora filed an Answer to the Amended Complaint. In accordance with the directive of the Ninth Circuit, the parties have agreed to a schedule for a Motion for Summary Judgment. In November 2022, Pandora filed a Motion for Summary Judgment and briefing on this Motion is complete.
(9) 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.
Liberty’s chief operating decision maker evaluates performance and makes decisions about allocating resources to the Company’s reportable 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 three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company has identified the following subsidiaries as its reportable segments:
● | Sirius XM Holdings is a consolidated subsidiary that operates two complementary audio entertainment businesses, Sirius XM and Pandora and Off-platform. Sirius XM features music, sports, entertainment, comedy, talk, news, traffic and weather channels and other content, as well as podcasts and infotainment services, in the United States on a subscription fee basis. Sirius XM’s packages include live, curated and certain exclusive and on demand programming. The Sirius XM service is distributed through its two proprietary satellite radio systems and streamed via applications for mobile devices, home devices and other consumer electronic equipment. Sirius XM also provides connected vehicle services and a suite of in-vehicle data services. Pandora and Off-platform operates a music and podcast streaming discovery platform. Pandora is available as an ad-supported radio service, a radio subscription service, called Pandora |
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LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
Plus, and an on-demand subscription service, called Pandora Premium. Pandora also sells advertising on other audio platforms in widely distributed podcasts, which are considered to be off-platform services. |
● | 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 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. |
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 | ||||||
March 31, | ||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| ||
amounts in millions | ||||||
Liberty SiriusXM Group |
| |||||
Sirius XM Holdings: | ||||||
Subscriber | $ | 1,691 | 1,713 | |||
Advertising |
| 375 | 383 | |||
Equipment | 46 | 53 | ||||
Other | 32 | 37 | ||||
Total Liberty SiriusXM Group | 2,144 | 2,186 | ||||
Braves Group |
|
| ||||
Corporate and other: | |
|
| |||
Baseball | |
| 18 |
| 11 | |
Mixed-Use Development | |
| 13 |
| 12 | |
Total Braves Group | | 31 | 23 | |||
Formula One Group | | |||||
Formula 1: | | |||||
Primary | | 314 | 287 | |||
Other | | 67 | 73 | |||
Total Formula One Group | | 381 | 360 | |||
Consolidated Liberty | | $ | 2,556 | 2,569 |
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 three months ended March 31, 2023 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 three months ended March 31,
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LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
2023 were approximately $466 million and $860 million, respectively. The primary cause for the increase related to the receipt of cash from our customers in advance of satisfying our performance obligations.
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 $2,204 million for the remainder of
, $2,256 million in , $2,010 million in , $5,250 million in through 2031, and $1,133 million thereafter, primarily recognized through . 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.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 | ||||||
March 31, | ||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| ||
amounts in millions | ||||||
Liberty SiriusXM Group | ||||||
Sirius XM Holdings | $ | 625 |
| 690 | ||
Corporate and other |
| (11) |
| (5) | ||
Total Liberty SiriusXM Group |
| 614 |
| 685 | ||
Braves Group | ||||||
Corporate and other |
| (31) |
| (19) | ||
Total Braves Group |
| (31) |
| (19) | ||
Formula One Group |
| |||||
Formula 1 |
| 117 |
| 122 | ||
Corporate and other | (12) | (10) | ||||
Total Formula One Group | | 105 | 112 | |||
Consolidated Liberty | | $ | 688 |
| 778 |
I-36
LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)
(unaudited)
Other Information
March 31, 2023 | ||||||||
| Total |
| Investments |
| Capital |
| ||
assets | in affiliates | expenditures | ||||||
amounts in millions | ||||||||
Liberty SiriusXM Group | ||||||||
Sirius XM Holdings | $ | 29,501 |
| 696 |
| 205 | ||
Corporate and other | 702 | 166 | — | |||||
Total Liberty SiriusXM Group | 30,203 | 862 | 205 | |||||
Braves Group | ||||||||
Corporate and other | 1,518 | 94 | 14 | |||||
Total Braves Group | 1,518 | 94 | 14 | |||||
Formula One Group | ||||||||
Formula 1 | 9,210 | — | 9 | |||||
Corporate and other |
| 1,768 |
| 37 |
| 53 | ||
Total Formula One Group | 10,978 | 37 | 62 | |||||
Elimination (1) | (366) | — | — | |||||
Consolidated Liberty | $ | 42,333 |
| 993 |
| 281 |
(1) | This amount is primarily comprised of 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. See note 2 for information regarding the intergroup interests. 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. |
The following table provides a reconciliation of Adjusted OIBDA to Operating income (loss) and Earnings (loss) before income taxes:
Three months ended | ||||||
March 31, | ||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| ||
amounts in millions | ||||||
Adjusted OIBDA | $ | 688 |
| 778 | ||
Impairment, restructuring and acquisition costs, net of recoveries (note 8) | (32) | — | ||||
Stock-based compensation |
| (56) |
| (55) | ||
Depreciation and amortization |
| (260) |
| (260) | ||
Operating income (loss) | 340 | 463 | ||||
Interest expense |
| (196) |
| (157) | ||
Share of earnings (losses) of affiliates, net |
| (10) |
| (14) | ||
Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net |
| (46) |
| 59 | ||
Other, net |
| 14 |
| 45 | ||
Earnings (loss) before income taxes | $ | 102 |
| 396 |
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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 direct and indirect impacts of the coronavirus pandemic (“COVID-19”); the proposed Split-Off and Reclassification, each as defined below; 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 continuing global and regional economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and other public health-related risks and events on our customers, our vendors and our businesses generally; |
● | our ability to obtain additional financing on acceptable terms and cash in amounts sufficient to service debt and other financial obligations; |
● | our and our subsidiaries’ indebtedness could adversely affect operations and could limit the ability of our subsidiaries to react to changes in the economy or our industry; |
● | the success of businesses attributed to each of our tracking stock groups; |
● | our and Sirius XM Holdings’ ability to realize the benefits of acquisitions or other strategic investments; |
● | the impact of weak and uncertain economic conditions on consumer demand for products, services and events offered by our businesses attributed to each of our tracking stock groups; |
● | the outcome of pending or future litigation; |
● | the operational risks of our subsidiaries and business affiliates with operations outside of the United States (“U.S.”); |
● | our ability to use net operating loss, disallowed business interest and tax credit carryforwards to reduce future tax payments; |
● | the ability of our subsidiaries and business affiliates to comply with government regulations, including, without limitation, Federal Communications Commission requirements, consumer protection laws and competition laws, and adverse outcomes from regulatory proceedings; |
● | the regulatory and competitive environment of the industries in which we, and the entities in which we have interests, operate; |
● | changes in the nature of key strategic relationships with partners, vendors and joint venturers; |
● | competition faced by Sirius XM Holdings; |
● | the ability of Sirius XM Holdings to attract and retain subscribers and listeners; |
● | the ability of Sirius XM Holdings to market its services and sell advertising; |
● | the ability of Sirius XM Holdings to maintain revenue growth from its advertising products; |
● | the ability of Sirius XM Holdings to protect the security of personal information about its customers; |
● | the interruption or failure of Sirius XM Holdings’ information technology and communication systems; |
● | the impact of the market for music rights on Sirius XM Holdings and the rates Sirius XM Holdings must pay for rights to use musical works; |
● | the impact of supply chain issues on Sirius XM Holdings and the auto industry that it relies on; |
● | the impact of our equity method investment in Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. (“Live Nation”) on our net earnings and the net earnings of the Liberty SiriusXM Group; |
● | challenges by tax authorities in the jurisdictions where Formula 1 operates; |
● | changes in tax laws that affect Formula 1 and the Formula One Group (as defined below); |
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● | the ability of Formula 1 to expand into new markets; |
● | the relationship between the United Kingdom (“U.K.”) and the European Union (“E.U.”) following Brexit; |
● | the establishment of rival motorsports events or other circumstances that impact the competitive position of Formula 1; |
● | changes in consumer viewing habits and the emergence of new content distribution platforms; |
● | the impact of organized labor on the Braves Group; |
● | the impact of an expansion of Major League Baseball (“MLB”); |
● | the level of broadcasting revenue that Braves Holdings (as defined below) receives; |
● | the impact of the Mixed-Use Development (as defined below) on the Braves Group (as defined below) and its ability to manage the project; |
● | the risks associated with the Company as a whole, even if a holder does not own shares of common stock of all of our groups; |
● | market confusion that results from misunderstandings about our capital structure; |
● | geopolitical incidents, accidents, terrorist acts, natural disasters, including the effects of climate change, or other events that cause one or more events to be cancelled or postponed, are not covered by insurance, or cause reputational damage to our subsidiaries and business affiliates; |
● | challenges related to assessing the future prospects of tracking stock groups based on past performance. |
● | our ability to recognize anticipated benefits from the proposed Split-Off and the Reclassification; |
● | the possibility that we may be unable to obtain stockholder approvals required for the Split-Off and/or the Reclassification; |
● | the possibility that our business may suffer as a result of uncertainty surrounding the Split-Off and the Reclassification; and |
● | the possibility that the Split-Off and the Reclassification may have unexpected costs. |
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, 2022. 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, 2022.
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 and entertainment companies. Our largest operating subsidiary, which is also a reportable segment, is Sirius XM Holdings. Sirius XM Holdings operates two complementary audio entertainment businesses, Sirius XM and Pandora and Off-platform. Sirius XM features music, sports, entertainment, comedy, talk, news, traffic and weather channels and other content, as well as podcasts and infotainment services, in the U.S. on a subscription fee basis. Sirius XM’s packages include live, curated and certain exclusive and on demand programming. Sirius XM is distributed through its two proprietary satellite radio systems and streamed via applications for mobile devices, home devices and other consumer electronic equipment. Sirius XM also provides connected vehicle services and a suite of in-vehicle data services. The Pandora and Off-platform business operates a music, comedy and podcast streaming platform. Pandora is available as an ad-supported radio service, a radio subscription service (Pandora Plus), and an on-demand subscription service (Pandora Premium). Through Sirius XM
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Holdings, we have investments in Sirius XM Canada Holdings, Inc. (“Sirius XM Canada”) and SoundCloud Holdings, LLC (“SoundCloud”), which we account for as equity method investments.
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"), an investment in Live Nation and corporate expenses. “Corporate and Other” also includes investments and related financial instruments in public companies, which are accounted for at their respective fair market values.
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, the Liberty Braves Group (the “Braves Group”) and the Liberty Formula One Group (the “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 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.
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 March 31, 2023, 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 Senior Notes due 2023 and related financial instruments, Liberty’s Convertible Senior Notes due 2028, Liberty’s 2.125% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2048, Liberty’s 2.75% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2049, Liberty’s 0.5% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2050 and margin loan obligations incurred by wholly-owned special purpose subsidiaries of Liberty. The Liberty SiriusXM Group retains an approximate 2.9% intergroup interest in the Braves Group and an approximate 0.4% intergroup interest in the Formula One Group as of March 31, 2023. As of March 31, 2023, the Liberty SiriusXM Group has cash and cash equivalents of approximately $430 million, which includes approximately $53 million of subsidiary cash.
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 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.
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 March 31, 2023, the Braves Group is primarily comprised of Braves Holdings, which indirectly owns the Atlanta Braves Major League Baseball Club (“ANLBC”), certain assets and liabilities associated with ANLBC’s stadium (the “Stadium”) and a mixed-use development around the Stadium that features retail, office, hotel and entertainment opportunities (the “Mixed-Use Development”) and corporate cash. Additionally, the Liberty
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SiriusXM Group and the Formula One Group retain approximate 2.9% and 11.0% intergroup interests, respectively, in the Braves Group as of March 31, 2023. As of March 31, 2023, the Braves Group has cash and cash equivalents of approximately $215 million.
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 March 31, 2023, 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 11.0% intergroup interest in the Braves Group and Liberty’s 2.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2027. The Liberty SiriusXM Group retains an approximate 0.4% intergroup interest in the Formula One Group as of March 31, 2023. The Formula One Group has cash and cash equivalents of approximately $1,584 million as of March 31, 2023, which includes $1,043 million of subsidiary cash.
During November 2022, the Board of Directors authorized management of the Company to pursue a plan to redeem each outstanding share of its Liberty Braves common stock in exchange for one share of the corresponding series of common stock of a newly formed entity, Atlanta Braves Holdings, Inc. (the “Split-Off”). Atlanta Braves Holdings, Inc. will be comprised of the businesses, assets and liabilities attributed to the Braves Group. The intergroup interests in the Braves Group attributed to the Liberty SiriusXM Group and Formula One Group remaining immediately prior to the Split-Off, however, will be settled and extinguished in connection with the Split-Off.
Following the Split-Off, the Company intends to reclassify its then-outstanding shares of common stock into three new tracking stocks to be designated Liberty SiriusXM common stock, Liberty Formula One common stock and Liberty Live common stock, and, in connection therewith, provide for the attribution of the businesses, assets and liabilities of the Company’s remaining tracking stock groups among its newly created Liberty SiriusXM Group, Formula One Group and Liberty Live Group (the “Reclassification”).
The Split-Off and the Reclassification will be subject to various conditions. Both transactions will be conditioned on, among other things, certain requisite approvals of the holders of the Company’s common stock and the receipt of opinions of tax counsel. In addition, the Split-Off will be conditioned on the requisite approval of MLB. Further, the Reclassification is dependent and conditioned on the approval and completion of the Split-Off, and will not be implemented unless the Split-Off is completed; however, the Split-Off is not dependent upon the approval of the Reclassification and may be implemented even if the Reclassification is not approved. Each of the Split-Off and the Reclassification is intended to be tax-free to stockholders of the Company, except with respect to the receipt of cash in lieu of fractional shares. Subject to the satisfaction of the conditions, the Company expects to complete the Split-Off and the Reclassification in the second quarter of 2023.
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Results of Operations—Consolidated
General. Provided in the tables below is 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 | ||||||
March 31, | ||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| ||
amounts in millions | ||||||
Revenue | ||||||
Liberty SiriusXM Group | ||||||
Sirius XM Holdings | $ | 2,144 |
| 2,186 | ||
Total Liberty SiriusXM Group | 2,144 | 2,186 | ||||
Braves Group | ||||||
Corporate and other | 31 |
| 23 | |||
Total Braves Group | 31 | 23 | ||||
Formula One Group | ||||||
Formula 1 | 381 | 360 | ||||
Total Formula One Group | 381 | 360 | ||||
Consolidated Liberty | $ | 2,556 |
| 2,569 | ||
Operating Income (Loss) | ||||||
Liberty SiriusXM Group | ||||||
Sirius XM Holdings | $ | 387 |
| 493 | ||
Corporate and other | (14) | (9) | ||||
Total Liberty SiriusXM Group | 373 | 484 | ||||
Braves Group | | | | | ||
Corporate and other | (49) | (40) | ||||
Total Braves Group | (49) | (40) | ||||
Formula One Group | ||||||
Formula 1 | 35 | 34 | ||||
Corporate and other |
| (19) |
| (15) | ||
Total Formula One Group | 16 | 19 | ||||
Consolidated Liberty | $ | 340 |
| 463 | ||
Adjusted OIBDA | ||||||
Liberty SiriusXM Group | ||||||
Sirius XM Holdings | $ | 625 |
| 690 | ||
Corporate and other | (11) | (5) | ||||
Total Liberty SiriusXM Group | 614 | 685 | ||||
Braves Group | ||||||
Corporate and other | (31) | (19) | ||||
Total Braves Group | (31) | (19) | ||||
Formula One Group | ||||||
Formula 1 | 117 | 122 | ||||
Corporate and other |
| (12) |
| (10) | ||
Total Formula One Group | 105 | 112 | ||||
Consolidated Liberty | $ | 688 |
| 778 |
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Revenue. Our consolidated revenue decreased $13 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year, driven by a decrease in revenue for Sirius XM Holdings, partially offset by increases in revenue for Formula 1 and Braves 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 $123 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year, primarily driven by $106 million and $6 million decreases in Sirius XM Holdings and Braves Holdings operating results, respectively. 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, Formula 1 and Braves Holdings, (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 $56 million and $55 million of stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. As of March 31, 2023, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested Liberty equity awards was approximately $35 million. Such amount will be recognized in our condensed consolidated statements of operations over a weighted average period of approximately 1.2 years. Additionally, as of March 31, 2023, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested Sirius XM Holdings stock options and restricted stock units was $436 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 2.4 years.
Adjusted OIBDA. To provide investors with additional information regarding our financial results, we also disclose Adjusted OIBDA, which is a non-GAAP (as defined below) 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 by operating activities and other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). The following table provides a reconciliation of Operating income (loss) to Adjusted OIBDA:
Three months ended | ||||||
March 31, | ||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| ||
amounts in millions | ||||||
Operating income (loss) | $ | 340 | 463 | |||
Depreciation and amortization |
| 260 |
| 260 | ||
Stock-based compensation |
| 56 |
| 55 | ||
Impairment, restructuring and acquisition costs, net of recoveries | 32 | — | ||||
Adjusted OIBDA | $ | 688 |
| 778 |
Consolidated Adjusted OIBDA decreased $90 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year, primarily due to decreases of $65 million, $9 million and $5 million in Sirius XM Holdings, Braves Holdings and Formula 1 Adjusted OIBDA, respectively. 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 | ||||||
March 31, | ||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| ||
amounts in millions | ||||||
Interest expense | ||||||
Liberty SiriusXM Group | $ | (136) | (122) | |||
Braves Group | (9) | (6) | ||||
Formula One Group | (51) | (29) | ||||
Consolidated Liberty | $ | (196) |
| (157) | ||
Share of earnings (losses) of affiliates, net | ||||||
Liberty SiriusXM Group | $ | (7) | (18) | |||
Braves Group | (1) | 4 | ||||
Formula One Group | (2) | — | ||||
Consolidated Liberty | $ | (10) |
| (14) | ||
Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net | ||||||
Liberty SiriusXM Group | $ | 2 | 61 | |||
Braves Group | (1) | 5 | ||||
Formula One Group | (47) | (7) | ||||
Consolidated Liberty | $ | (46) |
| 59 | ||
Other, net | ||||||
Liberty SiriusXM Group | $ | 3 | 20 | |||
Braves Group | 1 | 20 | ||||
Formula One Group | 10 | 5 | ||||
Consolidated Liberty | $ | 14 |
| 45 | ||
$ | (238) |
| (67) |
Interest expense. Consolidated interest expense increased $39 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. Interest expense for the Liberty SiriusXM Group increased during the three months ended March 31, 2023 primarily due to an increase in interest rates on the margin loan secured by shares of Sirius XM Holdings common stock and interest expense for the Formula One Group increased during the three months ended March 31, 2023 primarily due to an increase in interest rates on Formula 1’s Senior Loan Facility.
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Share of earnings (losses) of affiliates. The following table presents our share of earnings (losses) of affiliates:
Three months ended | ||||||
March 31, | ||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| ||
amounts in millions | ||||||
Liberty SiriusXM Group | ||||||
Live Nation | $ | (6) | (21) | |||
Sirius XM Canada | 4 |
| 3 | |||
Other | (5) |
| — | |||
Total Liberty SiriusXM Group | (7) | (18) | ||||
Braves Group | ||||||
Other | (1) | 4 | ||||
Total Braves Group | (1) | 4 | ||||
Formula One Group | ||||||
Other |
| (2) |
| — | ||
Total Formula One Group | (2) | — | ||||
Consolidated Liberty | $ | (10) |
| (14) |
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 | ||||||
March 31, | ||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| ||
amounts in millions | ||||||
Debt and equity securities | $ | 6 |
| (5) | ||
Debt measured at fair value | 55 |
| 69 | |||
Change in fair value of bond hedges | (110) |
| (68) | |||
Other |
| 3 |
| 63 | ||
$ | (46) |
| 59 |
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. The primary driver of the change in the fair value of bond hedges is the change in the fair value of the underlying stock.
Other unrealized gains (losses) are primarily driven by changes in the fair value of Formula 1’s interest rate swaps.
Other, net. Other, net income decreased $31 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year, driven by gains on the sale of three minor league teams at Braves Holdings recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2022, tax related expense pursuant to a tax sharing agreement with Qurate Retail, Inc. and losses on dilution of our investment in Live Nation recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2023, partially offset by an increase in interest and dividend income.
Income taxes. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, we had earnings before income taxes of $102 million and income tax expense of $50 million. During the three months ended March 31, 2022, we had earnings before income
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taxes of $396 million and income tax expense of $100 million. For the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company recognized additional tax expense primarily due to certain losses that are not deductible for tax purposes and the effect of state income taxes, partially offset by tax credits and incentives generated by our alternative energy investments. For the three months ended March 31, 2022, the Company recognized additional tax expense primarily due to the effect of state income taxes.
Net earnings. We had net earnings of $52 million and $296 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The changes were the result of the above-described fluctuations in our revenue, expenses and other gains and losses.
Material Changes in Financial Condition
As of March 31, 2023, substantially all of our cash and cash equivalents were invested in U.S. Treasury securities, other government securities or government guaranteed funds, 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 net asset sales, monetization of our public investment portfolio (including derivatives), debt borrowings and equity issuances, and dividend and interest receipts. As of March 31, 2023, Liberty had $172 million of unencumbered marketable equity securities.
Liberty does not have a debt rating.
As of March 31, 2023 Liberty's cash and cash equivalents were as follows:
|
| |||
Cash and Cash | ||||
Equivalents | ||||
amounts in millions | ||||
Liberty SiriusXM Group | ||||
Sirius XM Holdings | $ | 53 |
| |
Corporate and other | 377 | |||
Total Liberty SiriusXM Group | $ | 430 | ||
Braves Group | ||||
Corporate and other | $ | 215 |
| |
Total Braves Group | | $ | 215 | |
Formula One Group | | | | |
Formula 1 | | $ | 1,043 | |
Corporate and other | | 541 | ||
Total Formula One Group | | $ | 1,584 |
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 noncontrolling interest, we do not have ready access to its cash, except through dividends. 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. 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. As of March 31, 2023, 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. As of March 31, 2023, Liberty had $1,075 million available under Liberty’s margin loan secured by shares of Sirius XM Holdings and $400 million available under Liberty’s margin loan secured by shares of Live Nation. 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.
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As stated in note 7 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements, the Company, Sirius XM Holdings, Formula 1 and Braves Holdings are in compliance with their debt covenants as of March 31, 2023.
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 Braves Holdings’ borrowings under certain of its mixed-use credit facilities.
Three months ended | ||||||
March 31, | ||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| ||
Cash Flow Information |
| amounts in millions | ||||
Liberty SiriusXM Group cash provided (used) by operating activities | $ | 319 | 335 | |||
Braves Group cash provided (used) by operating activities | 85 | 81 | ||||
Formula One Group cash provided (used) by operating activities | 257 | 135 | ||||
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities |
| $ | 661 |
| 551 | |
Liberty SiriusXM Group cash provided (used) by investing activities | $ | (242) | (90) | |||
Braves Group cash provided (used) by investing activities | (14) | 38 | ||||
Formula One Group cash provided (used) by investing activities | (159) | 63 | ||||
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities |
| $ | (415) |
| 11 | |
Liberty SiriusXM Group cash provided (used) by financing activities | $ | (9) | (133) | |||
Braves Group cash provided (used) by financing activities | 1 | (26) | ||||
Formula One Group cash provided (used) by financing activities | (249) | (5) | ||||
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities |
| $ | (257) |
| (164) |
Liberty’s primary uses of cash during the three months ended March 31, 2023 (excluding cash used by Sirius XM Holdings, Formula 1 and Braves Holdings) were $256 million of net debt repayments and $125 million of investments in equity securities, which were primarily funded by cash on hand and the quarterly cash dividend from Sirius XM Holdings.
Sirius XM Holdings’ primary uses of cash were additions to property and equipment, dividends paid to stockholders, debt repayments and repurchase and retirement of outstanding Sirius XM Holdings common stock. Sirius XM Holdings’ uses of cash were funded by borrowings of debt and cash provided by operating activities. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, Sirius XM Holdings declared a quarterly dividend and paid in cash an aggregate amount of $94 million, of which Liberty received $77 million. On April 19, 2023, Sirius XM Holdings’ board of directors declared a quarterly dividend on its common stock in the amount of $0.0242 per share of common stock payable on May 24, 2023 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on May 5, 2023.
During the three months ended March 31, 2023, Formula 1 generated cash from operations and did not have any material uses of cash.
Braves Holdings’ primary uses of cash were debt service and capital expenditures, funded primarily by cash on hand and cash from operations.
The projected uses of Liberty's cash (excluding Sirius XM Holdings’, Formula 1’s and Braves Holdings’ uses of cash) are primarily capital expenditures, the investment in existing or new businesses, debt service 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 expects to receive quarterly cash dividends from Sirius XM Holdings, which are non-taxable because Liberty and Sirius XM Holdings are members of the same consolidated federal income tax group. 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. In addition, Sirius XM Holdings’ board of directors expects to declare regular quarterly dividends. Liberty expects Sirius XM Holdings
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to fund its projected uses of cash with cash provided by operations, cash on hand and borrowings under its existing credit facility.
Formula 1’s uses of cash are expected to be capital expenditures, debt service payments and operating expenses. Liberty expects Formula 1 to fund its projected uses of cash with cash on hand and cash provided by operations.
Braves Holdings’ uses of cash are expected to be expenditures related to the Mixed-Use Development and debt service payments. Liberty expects Braves Holdings to fund its projected uses of cash with cash on hand, cash provided by operations and through 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 and Off-platform.
Sirius XM features music, sports, entertainment, comedy, talk, news, traffic and weather channels and other content, as well as podcasts and infotainment services, in the U.S. on a subscription fee basis. Sirius XM’s packages include live, curated and certain exclusive and on demand programming. The Sirius XM service is distributed through its two proprietary satellite radio systems and streamed via applications for mobile devices, home devices and other consumer electronic equipment. Satellite radios are primarily distributed through automakers, retailers and Sirius XM’s website. The Sirius XM service is also available through its in-car 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 subscription fees, with most of its customers subscribing to monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual plans. Sirius XM also derives revenue from advertising on select non-music channels, which is sold under the SXM Media brand, direct sales of its satellite radios and accessories, and other ancillary services. As of March 31, 2023, the Sirius XM business had approximately 34.0 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 and fuel prices, a traffic information service and real-time weather services in boats and airplanes. The Sirius XM business also holds a 70% equity interest and 33% voting interest in Sirius XM Canada.
The Pandora and Off-platform business operates a music and podcast streaming discovery platform, offering a personalized experience for each listener wherever and whenever they want to listen, whether through computers, tablets, mobile devices, vehicle 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 (Pandora Plus), and an on-demand subscription service (Pandora Premium). As of March 31, 2023, Pandora had approximately 6.2 million subscribers.
The majority of revenue from Pandora is generated from advertising on its ad-supported radio service which is sold under the SXM Media brand. Pandora also derives subscription revenue from its Pandora Plus and Pandora Premium subscribers. Pandora also sells advertising on other audio platforms and in widely distributed podcasts, which are considered to be off-platform services. Pandora has an arrangement with SoundCloud to be its exclusive ad sales representative in the U.S. and certain European countries and offer advertisers the ability to execute campaigns across the Pandora and SoundCloud platforms. Pandora also has arrangements to serve as the ad sales representative for certain podcasts. In addition, through AdsWizz Inc., Pandora provides a comprehensive digital audio and programmatic 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.
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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.
On November 1, 2021, Liberty entered into an exchange agreement with certain counterparties to acquire an aggregate of 43,658,800 shares of Sirius XM Holdings common stock in exchange for the issuance by Liberty to the counterparties of an aggregate of 5,347,320 shares of Series A Liberty SiriusXM common stock. Following the closing of the exchange on November 3, 2021, Liberty and Sirius XM Holdings became members of the same consolidated tax group. The tax sharing agreement with Sirius XM Holdings, dated February 1, 2021, governs the allocation of consolidated and combined tax liabilities and sets forth agreements with respect to other tax matters.
Also on November 1, 2021, Sirius XM Holdings entered into (i) an agreement with Liberty whereby Liberty agreed not to effect any merger with Sirius XM Holdings pursuant to Section 253 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (or any successor to such statute) without obtaining the prior approval of a special committee of the Sirius XM Holdings board of directors, all of whom are independent of Liberty (the “Special Committee”) (or any successor special committee of Sirius XM Holdings’ independent and disinterested directors) and (ii) an agreement regarding certain tax matters relating to the exchange. Each of these agreements was negotiated by the Special Committee with Liberty.
As of March 31, 2023, there is an approximate 17% 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 | ||||||
March 31, | ||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| ||
amounts in millions | ||||||
Sirius XM: | ||||||
Subscriber revenue |
| $ | 1,563 |
| 1,582 | |
Advertising revenue | 41 | 47 | ||||
Equipment revenue | 46 | 53 | ||||
Other revenue | 32 |
| 37 | |||
Total Sirius XM revenue | 1,682 | 1,719 | ||||
Pandora and Off-platform: | ||||||
Subscriber revenue | 128 | 131 | ||||
Advertising revenue | 334 | 336 | ||||
Total Pandora and Off-platform revenue | 462 | 467 | ||||
Total revenue | 2,144 |
| 2,186 | |||
Operating expenses (excluding stock-based compensation included below): | ||||||
Sirius XM cost of services | (663) |
| (649) | |||
Pandora and Off-platform cost of services | (352) |
| (330) | |||
Subscriber acquisition costs | (90) |
| (90) | |||
Selling, general and administrative expenses | (346) |
| (368) | |||
Other operating expenses | (68) |
| (59) | |||
Adjusted OIBDA | 625 |
| 690 | |||
Impairment, restructuring and acquisition costs, net of recoveries | (32) | — | ||||
Stock-based compensation | (45) |
| (45) | |||
Depreciation and amortization | (161) |
| (152) | |||
Operating income |
| $ | 387 |
| 493 |
Sirius XM Subscriber revenue includes self-pay and paid promotional subscriptions, U.S. Music Royalty Fees and other ancillary fees. Subscriber revenue decreased approximately 1% for the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year, primarily driven by a reduction in paid promotional revenue resulting from lower overall rates from automakers offering paid promotional subscriptions and from lower revenue generated from connected vehicle services, partially offset by an increase in self-pay revenue.
Sirius XM Advertising revenue includes the sale of advertising on Sirius XM’s non-music channels. Advertising revenue decreased approximately 13% for the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year, primarily due to a decrease in the number of spots sold and aired, primarily on news, talk and entertainment channels.
Sirius XM Equipment revenue includes revenue and royalties from the sale of satellite radios, components and accessories. Equipment revenue decreased approximately 13% for the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year, driven by lower chipset production as well as lower royalty rates.
Sirius XM Other revenue includes service and advisory revenue from Sirius XM Canada, connected vehicle services, and ancillary revenue. Other revenue decreased 14% for the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year, driven by lower revenue generated by Sirius XM’s connected vehicle services and lower royalty revenue generated by Sirius XM Canada.
Pandora and Off-platform subscriber revenue includes fees charged for Pandora Plus, Pandora Premium and Stitcher subscriptions. Pandora and off-platform subscriber revenue decreased 2% during the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year, primarily driven by a decrease in the Pandora Plus subscriber base.
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Pandora and Off-platform advertising revenue is generated primarily from audio, display and video advertising from on-platform and off-platform advertising. Pandora and Off-platform advertising revenue decreased 1% during the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year, primarily due to a lower streaming sell-through, partially offset by higher podcasting and programmatic revenue.
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 2% for the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year, driven by higher web streaming royalty rates as well as the expiration of certain licenses covering pre-1972 sound recordings. |
● | Programming and Content includes costs to acquire, create, promote and produce content. Programming and content costs increased 5% for the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year, driven by content licensing costs and live performance production costs. |
● | 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 flat for the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year, driven by lower call center costs, offset by higher transaction costs and bad debt expense. |
● | 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 and 360L streaming 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 during the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year, driven by lower data center and component costs, offset by higher contractor and shipping costs. |
Pandora and Off-platform Cost of services includes revenue share and royalties, programming and content costs, customer service and billing expenses and other ancillary costs. Pandora and Off-platform costs of services increased 7% for the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year.
● | Revenue share and royalties include licensing fees paid for streaming music or other content costs related to podcasts as 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 increased 8% during the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year, primarily due to costs related to an increase in certain web streaming royalty rates, primarily related to advertising revenue. |
● | Programming and content includes costs to produce live listener events and promote content. Programming and content increased 50% during the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year, primarily due to higher podcast license fees as well as higher 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 decreased 14% during the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year, primarily driven by lower transaction fees and bad debt expense. |
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● | 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 20% during the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year, driven by lower personnel-related costs as well as lower streaming costs resulting from a decline in listener hours. |
Subscriber acquisition costs are costs only associated with Sirius XM’s satellite radio 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 months ended March 31, 2023, higher chipset installations, which grew 7% compared to the corresponding period in the prior year, were offset by lower hardware subsidy rates.
Selling, general and administrative expenses 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 months ended March 31, 2023, selling, general and administrative expense decreased 6%, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year, primarily due a decrease in advertising and marketing to support Sirius XM Holdings’ brands and streaming marketing expenditures, partially offset by higher litigation, personnel-related and software 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 months ended March 31, 2023 other operating expenses increased approximately 15%, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year, driven by higher personnel-related and cloud hosting costs.
Impairment, restructuring and acquisition costs, net of recoveries include impairment charges, net of insurance recoveries, restructuring expenses associated with the abandonment of certain leased office spaces, employee severance charges associated with organizational changes and acquisition costs. During the three months ended March 31, 2023, Sirius XM Holdings recorded $23 million associated with severance and other employee costs and $9 million primarily related to a vacated office space.
Stock-based compensation was flat during the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year.
Depreciation and amortization expense increased 6% for the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year, primarily driven by an increase in capitalized software and hardware.
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 throughout the world. 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, media rights and sponsorship contracts specify payments in advance and annual increases in the fees payable over the course of the contracts. The 2022 World Championship calendar was originally scheduled to have 23 Events. However, following the cancellation of the Russian Grand Prix, and confirmation that it would not be replaced in May 2022, only 22 Events took place. There are currently 23 Events scheduled in 2023.
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Formula 1’s operating results were as follows:
Three months ended | ||||||
March 31, | ||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| ||
amounts in millions | ||||||
Primary Formula 1 revenue | $ | 314 |
| 287 | ||
Other Formula 1 revenue | 67 |
| 73 | |||
Total Formula 1 revenue | | 381 |
| 360 | ||
Operating expenses (excluding stock-based compensation): | ||||||
Cost of Formula 1 revenue | (206) |
| (195) | |||
Selling, general and administrative expenses | (58) |
| (43) | |||
Adjusted OIBDA | 117 |
| 122 | |||
Depreciation and amortization | (82) |
| (88) | |||
Operating income (loss) |
| $ | 35 |
| 34 | |
| | | | | | |
Number of Events | 2 | 2 |
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, fees from certain race promoters to license additional commercial rights from Formula 1 to secure Formula 2 and Formula 3 races at their Events and from technical service fees from promoters to support the origination of program footage), media rights fees (earned from licensing the right to broadcast Events and Formula 2 and Formula 3 races on television and other platforms, F1 TV subscriptions and other related services, the origination of program footage, footage from Formula 1’s archives and the licensing of radio broadcast and other ancillary media rights) and sponsorship fees (earned from the sale of World Championship and Event-related advertising and sponsorship rights and the servicing of such rights, rights to advertise on Formula 1’s digital platforms and at non-Championship related events).
Primary Formula 1 revenue increased $27 million during the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. Media rights revenue increased due to continued growth in F1 TV subscription revenue as well as increased revenue pursuant to certain new and renewed broadcasting agreements. Race promotion revenue increased due to annual contractual increases in fees. Sponsorship revenue increased during the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year due to revenue from new sponsors and additional revenue from existing sponsors.
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, various television production activities and other ancillary operations. Other Formula 1 revenue decreased $6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. The decrease was primarily due to lower freight income during the three months ended March 31, 2023, driven by lower air costs, and to higher revenue during the three months ended March 31, 2022 related to Formula 2 / Formula 3 car chassis sales. The impact of these factors was partially offset by increased hospitality revenue from higher Paddock Club attendance at the same two races during the three months ended March 31, 2023.
Cost of Formula 1 revenue
| | Three months ended | ||||
| | March 31, | ||||
| | 2023 |
| 2022 | ||
| | amounts in millions | ||||
Team payments | | $ | (112) | (100) | ||
Other costs of Formula 1 revenue | | | (94) | (95) | ||
Cost of Formula 1 revenue | | $ | (206) | (195) |
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Cost of Formula 1 revenue increased $11 million during the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year.
Team payments are recognized on a pro-rata basis across the Events of the World Championship calendar. The increases in team payments during the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year, were attributable to the pro rata recognition of expected increased team payments.
Other costs of Formula 1 revenue include costs incurred in the provision and sale of freight, travel and logistical costs, 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 also include annual Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (“FIA”) regulatory fees, advertising and sponsorship commissions and costs related to 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 total Formula 1 revenue opportunities. Other costs were relatively flat during the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year, as the same two Events took place in both periods and significantly lower air freight costs were offset by increased Paddock Club costs associated with higher hospitality attendance as well as higher commissions and partner servicing costs associated with increased Primary F1 revenue streams.
Selling, general and administrative expenses include personnel costs, legal, professional and other advisory fees, bad debt expense, rental expense, information technology costs, insurance premiums, maintenance and utility costs and other general office administration costs. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $15 million during the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year, primarily due to higher personnel, information technology and marketing costs.
Depreciation and amortization includes depreciation of property and equipment and amortization of intangible assets. Depreciation and amortization decreased $6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year primarily due to a decrease in amortization expense related to certain intangible assets acquired in the acquisition of Formula 1 by Liberty.
Braves Holdings. Braves Holdings is our wholly-owned subsidiary that indirectly owns and operates ANLBC. In addition, Braves Holdings indirectly owned and operated three Professional Development League clubs (the Gwinnett Stripers, Mississippi Braves and Rome Braves) until they were sold in January 2022. 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 Stadium and the Mixed-Use Development.
In December 2021, the Collective Bargaining Agreement, which requires MLB clubs to sign players using a uniform contract, expired and MLB commenced a lockout of the Major League players. As a result of the lockout, the start of the 2022 regular season was delayed. A new five-year Collective Bargaining Agreement was signed in March 2022 and the regular season began in April. Despite the delayed start of the 2022 season, a full regular season was played.
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Operating results attributable to Braves Holdings were as follows:
Three months ended | ||||||
March 31, | ||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| ||
amounts in millions | ||||||
Baseball revenue | $ | 18 | 11 | |||
Mixed-Use Development revenue | 13 | 12 | ||||
Total Braves Holdings revenue | 31 |
| 23 | |||
Operating expenses (excluding stock-based compensation included below): | ||||||
Other operating expenses | (39) |
| (23) | |||
Selling, general and administrative expenses | (18) |
| (17) | |||
Adjusted OIBDA | (26) |
| (17) | |||
Stock-based compensation | (2) |
| (2) | |||
Depreciation and amortization | (15) |
| (18) | |||
Operating income (loss) |
| $ | (43) |
| (37) | |
Home Games | — | — |
Revenue includes amounts generated from Braves Holdings’ baseball and development operations. Baseball revenue is derived from two primary sources: baseball event revenue (ticket sales, concessions, advertising sponsorships, suites and premium seat fees) and broadcasting revenue (including national and local broadcast rights). Mixed-Use Development revenue is derived primarily from rental income. Braves Holdings revenue increased $8 million during the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. Baseball revenue increased during the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year, due to an increase in spring training home games and increased special events at the ballpark. Mixed-Use Development revenue increased during the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year, due to rental income related to tenant recoveries.
Other operating expenses primarily include costs associated with baseball and stadium operations. For the three months ended March 31, 2023, other operating expenses increased $16 million, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year, primarily driven by increases in player salaries, due to the delayed start of the 2022 season, MLB shared expenses, baseball operations expenses and facility and game day expenses for spring training games.
Selling, general and administrative expense includes costs of marketing, advertising, finance and related personnel costs. Selling, general and administrative expense increased $1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year due to increased promotion and marketing initiatives for the 2023 season and higher personnel costs.
Stock-based compensation was flat during the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year.
Depreciation and amortization decreased $3 million during the three months ended March 31, 2023, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year due to a reduction in amortization expense related to amateur player rights.
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.
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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 March 31, 2023, 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 |
| $ | 1,585 |
| 6.8 | % | $ | 11,423 |
| 3.7 | % | |
Braves Group | $ | 113 | 6.9 | % | $ | 429 | 4.1 | % | ||||
Formula One Group |
| $ | 351 | 7.6 | % | $ | 2,607 |
| 3.6 | % |
Braves Holdings’ borrowings under certain of its mixed-use credit facilities carry a variable interest rate based on LIBOR as a benchmark for establishing the rate of interest. In 2017, the U.K.’s Financial Conduct Authority (the "FCA"), which regulates LIBOR, announced that it intends to phase out LIBOR. On March 5, 2021, the FCA announced that all LIBOR settings will either cease to be provided by any administrator or no longer be representative: (a) immediately after December 31, 2021, in the case of the one week and two month U.S. dollar settings; and (b) immediately after June 30, 2023, in the case of the remaining U.S. dollar settings. The U.S. Federal Reserve has also advised banks to cease entering into new contracts that use USD LIBOR as a reference rate. The Alternative Reference Rate Committee, a committee convened by the Federal Reserve that includes major market participants, has identified the Secured Overnight Financing Rate, a new index calculated by short-term repurchase agreements, backed by Treasury securities, as its preferred alternative rate for LIBOR. Accordingly, any changes in the methods by which LIBOR is determined or regulatory activity related to LIBOR’s phaseout could cause LIBOR to perform differently than in the past or cease to exist. The consequences of these developments cannot be entirely predicted, but could include an increase in the cost of borrowings under the aforementioned debt instruments. To the extent alternate reference rates are not included in existing debt agreements, Braves Holdings expects 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 March 31, 2023, the fair value of our marketable equity securities was $172 million. Had the market price of such securities been 10% lower at March 31, 2023, the aggregate value of such securities would have been approximately $17 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 March 31, 2023 the aggregate value of such security would have been $488 million lower.
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 March 31, 2023 to
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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 March 31, 2023 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control over financial reporting.
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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, 2022 includes "Legal Proceedings" under Item 3 of Part I. Refer to note 8 in the accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements for changes in the legal proceedings described in the Form 10-K.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Share Repurchase Programs
In November 2019, our board of directors authorized the repurchase of $1 billion of the Company’s common stock. In May 2022, our board of directors authorized the repurchase of an additional $1 billion of the Company’s common stock.
There were no repurchases of Series A Liberty SiriusXM common stock, Liberty Braves common stock or Liberty Formula One common stock and no repurchases of Series C Liberty SiriusXM common stock, Liberty Braves common stock or Liberty Formula One common stock during the three months ended March 31, 2023. As of March 31, 2023, approximately $1.1 billion was available for future share repurchase under our share repurchase program.
During the three months ended March 31, 2023, 1,243 shares of Liberty Formula One common stock, 275 shares of Liberty SiriusXM common stock and 28 shares of 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, restricted stock units and options.
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: | May 5, 2023 | By: | /s/ GREGORY B. MAFFEI |
Gregory B. Maffei President and Chief Executive Officer | |||
Date: | May 5, 2023 | By: | /s/ BRIAN J. WENDLING |
Brian J. Wendling Chief Accounting Officer and Principal Financial Officer |
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