Liberty Media Reports Results for Full Year and Fourth Quarter 2008
Posted on: Wednesday, 25 February 2009, 08:00 CST
- Announced a plan to split-off a majority of the assets and liabilities currently attributed to the Liberty Entertainment group into a separate public company.
- Through the DIRECTV share buyback, Liberty's economic ownership of DIRECTV increased to almost 54%, voting control remains at 48% per a standstill agreement.
- Reduced senior note balance by
$1.4 billion at Liberty Interactive. - In
February 2009 , agreed to invest$530 million in the form of loans to SIRIUS XM and receive an equity interest of 40%, which will be attributed to Liberty Capital. - Repurchased 1.6 million Liberty Capital shares from
October 30th, 2008 , throughFebruary 24th, 2009 , representing on a cumulative basis almost 26% of those shares.
"Given the turmoil in the financial markets we continue to reduce debt, manage risk and contain costs," stated
Maffei continued, "Last week we announced an agreement to invest in Sirius XM up to
LIBERTY INTERACTIVE GROUP - Liberty Interactive group's revenue decreased 4% to
QVC
QVC's total revenue decreased 8% in the fourth quarter to
"QVC continued to face challenging business and economic conditions in the fourth quarter of 2008 that adversely impacted revenue and adjusted OIBDA," stated
QVC's domestic revenue decreased 12% in the fourth quarter to
QVC's international revenue decreased slightly in the fourth quarter to
QVC Japan's revenue grew 19% and 11% in local currency in the fourth quarter and for the year, respectively. QVC Japan has successfully transitioned its product mix from health and beauty which historically was a significant portion of their sales but became highly regulated beginning in the first quarter 2007.
QVC Germany's revenue grew 6% and 3% in local currency in the fourth quarter and for the year, respectively. QVC Germany's average selling price decreased 3% and 2% for the fourth quarter and year, respectively, while units shipped increased 10% and 6%, respectively.
QVC UK's revenue in local currency decreased 4% in the fourth quarter and increased 2% for the year. The UK's average selling price in local currency increased 3% for the fourth quarter and remained flat for the year, while units shipped declined 6% for the quarter but increased 2% for the year.
QVC's outstanding bank debt was
eCommerce Businesses
Liberty Interactive's eCommerce businesses, which include Provide Commerce, Backcountry.com, Bodybuilding.com and BUYSEASONS, had positive financial results in the fourth quarter and continue to grow at a rapid pace. In the aggregate, the eCommerce businesses experienced revenue growth of 65% in the fourth quarter and 92% for the year and experienced adjusted OIBDA growth of 19% in the fourth quarter and 78% for the year. The increase in revenue for the quarter was primarily driven by the impact of the Bodybuilding.com acquisition mentioned above and strong organic growth at the other eCommerce companies. The increase in revenue for the year was due to the same factors as the fourth quarter as well as the inclusion of a full year of results from Backcountry.com, which was acquired in
Share Repurchases
There were no share repurchases of Liberty Interactive stock during the fourth quarter of 2008. Liberty has approximately
The businesses and assets attributed to Liberty Interactive group are engaged in, or are ownership interests in companies that are engaged in, video and on-line commerce, and currently include Liberty's subsidiaries QVC, Provide Commerce, Backcountry.com, Bodybuilding.com and BUYSEASONS and its interests in IAC/InterActiveCorp, HSN, Ticketmaster Entertainment, Tree.com, Interval Leisure Group, Expedia and GSI Commerce. Liberty has identified wholly-owned QVC as the principal operating segment of Liberty Interactive group.
LIBERTY ENTERTAINMENT GROUP - Liberty Entertainment group's revenue increased 26% to
In December Liberty announced a plan to split-off a majority of the assets and liabilities currently attributed to the Liberty Entertainment group into a separate public company. If the transaction is completed as currently contemplated, the split-off company will be comprised of approximately 54% of DIRECTV Group, 50% of GSN, 100% of FUN Technologies, 100% of Liberty Sports Group, 73% of PicksPal and an undetermined amount of cash, together with approximately
Starz Entertainment, LLC
Starz Entertainment's revenue increased 8% in the fourth quarter to
The increase in revenue in the fourth quarter of
Starz Entertainment's operating expenses decreased 6% for the quarter and increased 1% for the year. The decrease for the quarter was primarily due to decreases in programming and G&A expenses partially offset by increased marketing costs related to the new Starz original "Crash" and an increase in marketing support. The increase in operating expenses for the year was primarily due to increased marketing and advertising costs related to Starz new branding campaign and support of "Crash" and an increase in marketing support. These increases were partially offset by lower programming costs, which decreased from
Starz LLC Chairman and CEO
Share Repurchases
There were no share repurchases of Liberty Entertainment stock during the fourth quarter of 2008. Liberty has
The businesses and assets attributed to Liberty Entertainment group are engaged in, or are ownership interests in companies that are engaged in, television and internet distribution and programming, and currently include Liberty's subsidiaries Starz Entertainment, FUN Technologies, Liberty Sports Group, and PicksPal, its equity affiliates GSN and WildBlue Communications and its interest in DIRECTV. Liberty has identified Starz Entertainment as the principal operating segment of Liberty Entertainment group. As previously noted, Liberty issued the Liberty Entertainment group tracking stock on
LIBERTY CAPITAL GROUP - Liberty Capital group's revenue increased 44% to
Mr. Clasen said, "On the Starz Media side, as expected, we posted a loss for the year as we continued to invest in programming and as box office results for Overture Films and the home entertainment sales of our catalogue product fell short of our projections. We are nonetheless pleased that Overture, in its first full year of operation, released eight movies, with three actors earning Oscar or Golden Globe nominations, and finished 11th among all studios in overall box office. At Anchor Bay Entertainment strong sales of the first Overture releases to reach the home entertainment window partially offset less-than-projected sales of catalogue product."
Share Repurchases
From
The businesses and assets attributed to Liberty Capital group are all of Liberty's businesses and assets other than those attributed to the Liberty Interactive group and Liberty Entertainment group and include its subsidiaries Starz Media, TruePosition, Atlanta National League Baseball Club (the owner of the Atlanta Braves), and its interests in Time Warner and Sprint Nextel.
1. Please see page 12 of this press release for the definition of adjusted OIBDA and a discussion of management's use of this performance measure. Schedule 1 to this press release provides a reconciliation of adjusted OIBDA for each of Liberty's tracking stock groups to that group's operating income for the same period, as determined under GAAP. Schedule 2 to this press release provides a reconciliation of adjusted OIBDA for each of QVC, Starz Entertainment and Starz Media to that entity's operating income for the same period, as determined under GAAP.NOTES
Liberty Media Corporation operates and owns interests in a broad range of video and on-line commerce, media, communications and entertainment businesses. Those interests are currently attributed to three tracking stock groups: Liberty Interactive group, Liberty Entertainment group and Liberty Capital group.
Unless otherwise noted, the foregoing discussion compares financial information for the twelve months and three months ended
The following financial information is intended to supplement Liberty's consolidated statements of operations to be included in its Form 10-K.
Fair Value of Public Holdings and Derivatives (amounts in millions and include the value of September December derivatives) 30, 2008 31, 2008 InterActiveCorp $720 638 InterActiveCorp Spin-Off Companies (1) 548 325 Expedia (1) 1,046 570 Other 147 101 Total Attributed Liberty Interactive Group $2,461 1,634 DIRECTV (1) 14,224 12,757 Total Attributed Liberty Entertainment Group $14,224 12,757 Non Strategic Public Holdings (2) 4,405 3,895 Total Attributed Liberty Capital Group $4,405 3,895 (1) Represents fair value of Liberty's investments in the InterActiveCorp spin-off companies, Expedia and DIRECTV (including collar). In accordance with GAAP, Liberty accounts for these investments using the equity method of accounting and includes these investments in its consolidated balance sheet at their historical carrying values. (2) Represents Liberty's non-strategic public holdings which are accounted for at fair value including any associated equity derivatives on such investments. Also includes the liability associated with borrowed shares which totaled $598 million and $392 million at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2008, respectively.Cash and Debt
The following presentation is provided to separately identify cash and liquid investments and debt information.
September December (amounts in millions) 30, 2008 31, 2008 Cash and Cash Related Investments Attributable to: Liberty Interactive Group $1,442 832 Liberty Entertainment Group 1,076 807 Liberty Capital Group (1) 1,356 1,496 Total Liberty Consolidated Cash (GAAP) $3,874 3,135 Short-Term Investments Attributed to Liberty Capital Group (2) 523 104 Debt: Senior Notes and Debentures (3) $3,108 1,712 Senior Exchangeable Debentures -- 551 QVC Bank Credit Facility 5,200 5,230 Other 71 60 Total Attributed Liberty Interactive Group Debt 8,379 7,553 Less: Unamortized Discount (14) (9) Less: Fair Market Value Adjustment -- (413) Total Attributed Liberty Interactive Group Debt (GAAP) 8,365 7,131 Senior Exchangeable Debentures (4) 551 -- Liberty derivative borrowing 2,011 1,981 Other 53 52 Total Attributed Liberty Entertainment Group Debt 2,615 2,033 Less: Fair Market Value Adjustment (325) -- Total Attributed Liberty Entertainment Group Debt (GAAP) 2,290 2,033 Senior Exchangeable Debentures (4) 3,440 3,440 Bank Credit Facility 750 750 Other 753 760 Total Attributed Liberty Capital Group Debt 4,943 4,950 Less: Fair Market Value Adjustment (1,333) (1,887) Total Attributed Liberty Capital Group Debt (GAAP) 3,610 3,063 Total Consolidated Liberty Debt (GAAP) $14,265 12,227 (1) Does not include $530 million and $518 million of restricted cash on September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2008, respectively, that is reflected in other long-term assets in Liberty's condensed consolidated balance sheet. Please see discussion related to Investment in Special Purpose Entity in the footnotes to Liberty's consolidated financial statements to be included in its Form 10-K. (2) Represents the estimated fair value of Liberty's holdings in The Reserve Primary Fund. While Liberty expects to receive substantially all of its current holdings in the Primary Fund, it cannot be predicted when this will occur or the amount that will be received. Accordingly, Liberty has reclassified the investment from cash and cash equivalents to short-term investments. On February 20, 2009, Liberty received a $35 million distribution from the Primary Fund. (3) Face amount of Senior Notes and Debentures with no reduction for the unamortized discount. (4) Face amount of Senior Exchangeable Debentures with no reduction for the fair market value adjustment.Total attributed Liberty Interactive group cash and liquid investments decreased
Total attributed Liberty Entertainment group cash and liquid investments decreased
Total attributed Liberty Capital group cash and liquid investments and short-term investments decreased
Important Notice: Liberty Media Corporation (Nasdaq: LINTA, LINTB, LMDIA, LMDIB, LCAPA, LCAPB) President and CEO,
This press release includes certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements about financial guidance, business strategies, market potential, future financial performance, new service and product launches and other matters that are not historical facts. These forward-looking statements involve many risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements, including, without limitation, possible changes in market acceptance of new products or services, competitive issues, regulatory issues, the effect of recessionary economic conditions on Liberty's business strategies and ability to access to capital on acceptable terms, and the completion of the proposed split-off of a majority of the businesses of the Liberty Entertainment group. These forward looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and Liberty expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in Liberty's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. Please refer to the publicly filed documents of Liberty, including the most recent Form 10-K for additional information about Liberty and about the risks and uncertainties related to Liberty's business which may affect the statements made in this press release.
Additional Information
Nothing in this press release shall constitute a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell shares of the split-off company or any of the Liberty tracking stocks. The offer and sale of shares in the proposed split-off will only be made pursuant to an effective registration statement. Liberty stockholders and other investors are urged to read the registration statement to be filed with the SEC, including the proxy statement/prospectus to be contained therein, because it will contain important information about the transaction. A copy of the preliminary proxy statement/prospectus filed with the SEC is available, and the registration statement and definitive proxy statement/prospectus once filed will be available, free of charge at the SEC's website (http://www.sec.gov). Copies of the proxy statement/prospectus and the filings with the SEC that will be incorporated by reference in the proxy statement/prospectus can also be obtained, without charge, by directing a request to Liberty Media Corporation, 12300 Liberty Boulevard,
Participants in a Solicitation
The directors and executive officers of Liberty and other persons may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of proposals to approve the transaction. Information regarding Liberty's (and, if formed, Entertainment's) directors and executive officers and other participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be available in the proxy materials to be filed with the SEC.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
As a supplement to Liberty's consolidated statements of operations, to be included in its Form 10K, the following is a presentation of quarterly financial information and operating metrics on a stand-alone basis for the three largest privately held businesses (QVC, Starz Entertainment and Starz Media) owned by Liberty at
Please see below for the definition of adjusted OIBDA and a discussion of management's use of this performance measure. Schedule 2 to this press release provides a reconciliation of adjusted OIBDA for each identified entity to that entity's operating income for the same period, as determined under GAAP.
QUARTERLY SUMMARY (amounts in millions) 4Q07 1Q08 2Q08 3Q08 4Q08 Liberty Interactive Group QVC (100%) Revenue - Domestic $1,676 1,176 1,181 1,073 1,481 Revenue - International 658 589 580 568 655 Revenue - Total $2,334 1,765 1,761 1,641 2,136 Adjusted OIBDA - Domestic $396 281 286 221 282 Adjusted OIBDA - International 135 106 101 91 134 Adjusted OIBDA - Total $531 387 387 312 416 Operating Income $396 250 253 175 278 Gross Margin - Domestic 35.4% 36.4% 37.0% 34.3% 32.1% Gross Margin - International 37.3% 36.8% 37.3% 35.7% 36.6% Liberty Entertainment Group STARZ ENTERTAINMENT (100%) Revenue $265 273 275 278 285 Adjusted OIBDA $48 74 68 78 81 Operating Income $30 60 53 63 (1,151) Subscription Units - Starz 16.3 16.8 17.0 17.4 17.7 Subscription Units - Encore 30.7 31.4 31.3 31.6 31.7 Liberty Capital Group STARZ MEDIA (100%) Revenue $59 62 57 104 98 Adjusted OIBDA $(90) (24) (19) (82) (64) Operating Income $(277) (27) (22) (86) (260) ANNUAL SUMMARY (amounts in millions) 2007 2008 Liberty Interactive Group QVC (100%) Revenue - Domestic $5,208 4,911 Revenue - International 2,189 2,392 Revenue - Total $7,397 7,303 Adjusted OIBDA - Domestic $1,244 1,070 Adjusted OIBDA - International 408 432 Adjusted OIBDA - Total $1,652 1,502 Operating Income $1,114 956 Gross Margin - Domestic 36.5% 34.8% Gross Margin - International 37.3% 36.6% Liberty Entertainment Group STARZ ENTERTAINMENT GROUP (100%) Revenue $1,066 1,111 Adjusted OIBDA $264 301 Operating Income $210 (975) Liberty Capital Group STARZ MEDIA (100%) Revenue $254 321 Adjusted OIBDA $(143) (189) Operating Income $(342) (395)NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
This press release includes a presentation of adjusted OIBDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, for each of Liberty's tracking stock groups and each of QVC, Starz Entertainment and Starz Media together with a reconciliation to that group's or entity's operating income, as determined under GAAP. Liberty defines adjusted OIBDA as revenue less cost of sales, operating expenses, and selling, general and administrative expenses (excluding stock and other equity-based compensation) and excludes depreciation and amortization and restructuring and impairment charges that are included in the measurement of operating income pursuant to GAAP.
Liberty believes adjusted OIBDA is an important indicator of the operational strength and performance of its businesses, including the ability to service debt and fund capital expenditures. In addition, this measure allows management to view operating results and perform analytical comparisons and benchmarking between businesses and identify strategies to improve performance. Because adjusted OIBDA is used as a measure of operating performance, Liberty views operating income as the most directly comparable GAAP measure. Adjusted OIBDA is not meant to replace or supercede operating income or any other GAAP measure, but rather to supplement such GAAP measures in order to present investors with the same information that Liberty's management considers in assessing the results of operations and performance of its assets. Please see the attached schedules for applicable reconciliations.
SCHEDULE 1
The following table provides a reconciliation of adjusted OIBDA for each of Liberty Interactive group, Liberty Entertainment group, and Liberty Capital group to that group's operating income calculated in accordance with GAAP for the three months ended
The following table provides a reconciliation of adjusted OIBDA to earnings from continuing operations before income taxes and minority interest for the years ended
SCHEDULE 2
The following table provides a reconciliation of adjusted OIBDA for QVC, Starz Entertainment and Starz Media to that entity's operating income calculated in accordance with GAAP for the three months ended
SOURCE Liberty Media Corporation
Source: PR Newswire
Related Articles
- Rogers Reports Fourth Quarter 2008 Financial and Operating Results
- Perot Systems to Webcast Fourth Quarter 2008 Results of Operations on February 10th
- Mesa Air Group Reports Fourth Quarter 2008 Revenue and Earnings
- Gulfport Energy Corporation Schedules Third Quarter 2008 Financial and Operational Results Conference Call
- US Airways Group, Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2008 Results
- Storm Cat Energy Corporation Announces Second Quarter 2008 Financial and Operating Results
- Abraxas Schedules Second Quarter 2008 Financial and Operating Results Conference Call
- Second Quarter 2008 Revenue in Line With Guidance - Full Year 2008 Outlook Confirmed
- US Airways Group, Inc. Reports Second Quarter 2008 Results
- VimpelCom to Release First Quarter 2008 Financial and Operating Results on Wednesday, June 4, 2008
User Comments (0)

RSS Feeds