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8-K - Starz Acquisition LLClmc_q2earningsrelease.htm


Exhibit 99.1
LIBERTY MEDIA REPORTS SECOND QUARTER 2012 FINANCIAL RESULTS
 
Englewood, Colorado, August 8, 2012 - Liberty Media Corporation (“Liberty Media”) (Nasdaq: LMCA, LMCB) today reported second quarter 2012 results. Highlights include(1):

Increased STARZ and ENCORE subscriptions by 9% and 4%, respectively
Concluded debut season of Magic City, the STARZ Original series, with strong viewership throughout the season
Today announced intention to separate Liberty Media and Starz, LLC
Physically settled forward purchase contracts on SiriusXM and Live Nation increasing our ownership to 46% (on an as-converted basis) and 26%, respectively
Repurchased $96 million of Liberty Media stock from May 1, 2012 through July 31, 2012

“We are pleased to announce our plan to separate the assets of Liberty Media and Starz LLC, creating two separate asset-backed stocks,” said Greg Maffei, President and CEO of Liberty. “This transaction will provide better transparency on the Starz operating business, optimize the Starz capital structure, permit us to better pursue our strategic objectives, including creating two currencies that could be used for acquisitions and create significant liquidity at Liberty Media which preserves all our options with respect to SiriusXM and Live Nation.”

“Starz again posted impressive subscriber gains and we are excited for the upcoming premiere of season two of the STARZ Original series Boss next week,” Maffei continued. “In July, we physically settled our forward purchases of SiriusXM and Live Nation, increasing our ownership positions.”

Liberty's Board of Directors has authorized a plan to distribute to the stockholders of Liberty Media shares of a subsidiary that will hold all of the businesses, assets and liabilities of Liberty Media not associated with Starz, LLC. The transaction would be effected as a pro-rata dividend of shares of a newly created subsidiary to the stockholders of Liberty Media. The subsidiary, which would become a separate public company, would be called Liberty Media Corporation (“New Liberty”). The businesses, assets, liabilities not included in New Liberty would be part of a separate public company called Starz. Starz

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will consist of 100% of Starz, LLC, approximately $1.5 billion in debt (assuming full draw down of the Starz bank facility) and an undetermined amount of cash.

The spin-off is intended to be tax-free to stockholders of Liberty Media and its completion will be subject to various conditions, including the registration of the shares to be distributed, the receipt of an IRS private letter ruling, the opinions of tax counsel and required government approvals. The spin-off will not require a stockholder vote. Subject to such conditions, including those described above, the spin-off is currently expected to occur in late 2012.

Liberty Media
Liberty Media's revenue and adjusted OIBDA(2) remained relatively flat at $537 million and $126 million, respectively, in the second quarter, and operating income increased 7% to $101 million. The decrease in revenue was primarily due to a decrease in revenue at TruePosition which continues to be out of contract with one of its large customers. The increase in adjusted OIBDA and operating income was primarily driven by an increase at ANLBC offset by a decrease at Starz, LLC.

Starz, LLC
“The senior Starz team and I are very energized by the decision to make Starz its own independent company. I believe this stand-alone structure is the first step to unlocking the real potential growth opportunities for our businesses.” said Chris Albrecht, Starz, LLC, CEO. "The Starz subscription businesses are continuing their run of quarterly subscription highs, with STARZ achieving 20.7 million subscribers and Encore reaching 34.2 million at the end of the second quarter. We continue to add value to the networks with our investment in quality original programming, with our Golden Globe® winning series, 'Boss,' returning to STARZ for its second season later this month. Global anticipation is building for the fourth and final installment of 'Spartacus' in January 2013. David Goyer's new series, 'Da Vinci's Demons,' and the second season of 'Magic City' will round out our programming slate for the first half of 2013.”

Starz's revenue remained unchanged at $403 million for the second quarter. The increase in revenue for the Starz Channels business was offset by decreases in revenue for the Starz Distribution and Starz Animation businesses.

Starz's adjusted OIBDA decreased 8% to $108 million for the second quarter. The decrease was primarily as a result of a decrease in the Starz Channels business due to an increase in programming expenses associated with the mix of Starz original programming content.

Share Repurchases

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From May 1, 2012 through July 31, 2012, 1.1 million shares of Series A Liberty Capital common stock (Nasdaq: LMCA) were purchased at an average cost per share of $85.03 for total cash consideration of $95.9 million. Since the reclassification of the original Liberty Capital tracking stock on March 4, 2008 through July 31, 2012, 57.5 million shares have been repurchased at an average cost per share of $31.33 for total cash consideration of $1.8 billion. These repurchases represent 44.5% of the shares outstanding at the time of the introduction of the original Liberty Capital stock. Liberty Media has approximately $940 million remaining under its current stock repurchase authorization.

Liberty Media Corporation owns interests in a broad range of media, communications and entertainment businesses. Those interests include its subsidiaries Starz, LLC, Atlanta National League Baseball Club, Inc. and TruePosition, Inc., interests in SiriusXM and Live Nation and minority equity investments in Barnes & Noble, Time Warner Inc. and Viacom.

FOOTNOTES

1)
Liberty Media's President and CEO, Gregory B. Maffei, will discuss these highlights and other matters in Liberty Media's earnings conference call which will begin at 10:45 a.m. (ET) on August 8, 2012. For information regarding how to access the call, please see “Important Notice” later in this document.
2)
For a definition of adjusted OIBDA and applicable reconciliations see the accompanying schedules.


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NOTES

Unless otherwise noted, the foregoing discussion compares financial information for the three months ended June 30, 2012 to the same period in 2011.

The following financial information is intended to supplement Liberty Media's condensed consolidated statements of operations to be included in its Form 10-Q.

Fair Value of Public Holdings
(amounts in millions)
3/31/2012
6/30/2012
SiriusXM debt and equity(1)
$
6,368

5,283

Live Nation debt and equity(2)
392

384

Barnes & Noble investment(3)
232

277

Non-strategic public holdings(4)
1,175

1,219

     Total Liberty Media
$
8,167

7,163

(1)
Represents the fair value of Liberty Media's debt and equity investments in SiriusXM. The fair value of Liberty Media's convertible preferred stock is calculated on an as-if-converted basis into common stock. In accordance with GAAP, Liberty Media accounts for the convertible preferred stock using the equity method of accounting and includes this in its consolidated balance sheet at historical carrying value of $247 million and $80 million at March 31, 2012 and June 30, 2012, respectively.
(2)
Represents the fair value of Liberty Media's debt and equity investments. In accordance with GAAP, Liberty Media accounts for its investment in the equity of Live Nation using the equity method of accounting and includes it in its consolidated balance sheet at its historical carrying value of $337 million and $349 million at March 31, 2012 and June 30, 2012, respectively.
(3)
Represents the carrying value of Liberty Media's preferred equity investment in Barnes & Noble, which is accounted for at fair value on Liberty Media's balance sheet.
(4)
Represents Liberty Media's non-strategic public holdings which are accounted for at fair value.

Cash and Debt
The following presentation is provided to separately identify cash and liquid investments and debt information.
(amounts in millions)
3/31/2012
6/30/2012
Cash and liquid investments(1)
$
2,234

1,813

Less: Short-term marketable securities
319

10

Total Liberty Media Cash (GAAP)
$
1,915

1,803

 
 
 
Debt:
 
 
Starz bank facility
505

505

Other
39

38

Total Liberty Media Debt (GAAP)
$
544

543

 
 
 
(1)
Includes $319 million and $10 million of short-term marketable securities with an original maturity greater than 90 days as of March 31, 2012 and June 30, 2012, respectively.

Total Liberty Media group cash and liquid investments decreased $421 million, primarily as a result of stock repurchases, payments made on financial instruments and investments made on cost and equity investees. These outflows were partially offset by cash provided by operating activities. Total Liberty Media debt decreased by $1 million, as a result of capital lease payments.

Important Notice: Liberty Media Corporation (Nasdaq: LMCA, LMCB) President and CEO, Gregory B. Maffei will discuss Liberty Media's earnings release in a conference call which will begin at 10:45 a.m. (ET) on August 8, 2012. The call can be accessed by dialing (888) 587-0613 or (719) 457-2654 at least 10 minutes prior to the start time. Replays of the conference call can be accessed until 12:15 p.m. (ET) August 15, 2012, by dialing (888) 203-1112 or (719) 457-0820 plus the pass code 4996345#. The call will also be broadcast live across the Internet and archived on our website. To access the webcast go to http://www.libertymedia.com/events. Links to this press release will also be available on the Liberty Media website.


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This press release includes certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements about business strategies, market potential, future financial prospects, new service and product launches including original content programming, new distribution platforms for our programming, the continuation of our stock repurchase plans, the proposed separation from Starz, LLC including the potential benefits flowing therefrom 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 matters affecting our businesses, continued access to capital on terms acceptable to Liberty Media, changes in law, market conditions conducive to stock repurchases and the satisfaction or waiver, if applicable, of the conditions to the separation from Starz, LLC. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and Liberty Media 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 Media'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 Media, including the most recent Forms 10-Q and 10-K, for additional information about Liberty Media and about the risks and uncertainties related to Liberty Media's business which may affect the statements made in this press release.

Contact: Courtnee Ulrich (720) 875-5420

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SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
As a supplement to Liberty Media's consolidated statements of operations, to be included in its Form 10-Q, the following is a presentation of quarterly financial information and operating metrics on a stand-alone basis for the largest privately held business (Starz, LLC) owned by Liberty Media at June 30, 2012, which Liberty Media has identified as a reportable segment.

Please see below for the definition of adjusted OIBDA and a discussion of why management believes the presentation of adjusted OIBDA provides useful information for investors. Schedule 2 to this press release provides a reconciliation of adjusted OIBDA for Starz, LLC to its operating income for the same period, as determined under GAAP.

QUARTERLY SUMMARY
(amounts in millions)
2Q11
3Q11
4Q11
1Q12
2Q12
Starz, LLC
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue
$
403

389

432

405

403

Adjusted OIBDA
118

107

93

127

108

Operating income
112

101

87

120

100

Subscription units - Starz
19.0

19.0

19.6

20.1

20.7

Subscription units - Encore
32.9

32.8

33.2

33.6

34.2

 
 
 
 
 
 

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

This press release includes a presentation of adjusted OIBDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, for Liberty Media and Starz LLC, together with a reconciliation to that entity's operating income, as determined under GAAP. Liberty Media defines adjusted OIBDA as revenue less operating expenses, and selling, general and administrative expenses (excluding stock and other equity-based compensation) and excludes from that definition depreciation and amortization, restructuring and impairment charges and legal settlements that are included in the measurement of operating income pursuant to GAAP.

Liberty Media believes adjusted OIBDA is an important indicator of the operational strength and performance of its businesses, including each business' 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 Media views operating income as the most directly comparable GAAP measure. Adjusted OIBDA is not meant to replace or supersede 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 Media's management considers in assessing the results of operations and performance of its assets. Please see the attached schedules for applicable reconciliations.


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SCHEDULE 1

The following table provides a reconciliation of adjusted OIBDA for Liberty Media to operating income calculated in accordance with GAAP for the three months ended June 30, 2011, September 30, 2011, December 31, 2011, March 31, 2012 and June 30, 2012, respectively.

QUARTERLY SUMMARY
(amounts in millions)
2Q11
3Q11
4Q11
1Q12
2Q12
Liberty Media
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted OIBDA
$
124

129

323

110

126

Depreciation and amortization
(20
)
(15
)
(13
)
(13
)
(15
)
Stock compensation expense
(10
)
(3
)
(8
)
(8
)
(10
)
Gain (loss) on legal settlement


(9
)


Operating Income
$
94

111

293

89

101

 
 
 
 
 
 

SCHEDULE 2

The following table provides a reconciliation of adjusted OIBDA for Starz, LLC to its operating income calculated in accordance with GAAP for the three months ended June 30, 2011, September 30, 2011, December 31, 2011, March 31, 2012 and June 30, 2012, respectively.

QUARTERLY SUMMARY
(amounts in millions)
2Q11
3Q11
4Q11
1Q12
2Q12
Starz, LLC
 
 
 
 
 
Adjusted OIBDA
$
118

107

93

127

108

Depreciation and amortization
(5
)
(4
)
(5
)
(4
)
(5
)
Stock compensation expense
(1
)
(2
)
(1
)
(3
)
(3
)
Operating Income
$
112

101

87

120

100

 
 
 
 
 
 


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LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (unaudited)
 
6/30/2012
 
12/31/2011
 
amounts in millions
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
    Cash and cash equivalents
$
1,803

 
 
2,070

 
    Trade and other receivables, net
307
 
 
 
288

 
    Program rights
491
 
 
 
442

 
    Short term marketable securities
10
 
 
 
299

 
    Restricted cash
19
 
 
 
709

 
    Financial instruments
216
 
 
 

 
    Deferred income tax assets
76
 
 
 
61

 
    Other current assets
51
 
 
 
45

 
        Total current assets
2,973
 
 
 
3,914

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investments in available-for-sale securities and other cost investments
1,913
 
 
 
1,859

 
Investments in affiliates, accounted for using the equity method
732
 
 
 
567

 
Property and equipment, at cost
506
 
 
 
504

 
Accumulated depreciation
(302
)
 
 
(289
)
 
 
204
 
 
 
215

 
Intangible assets not subject to amortization
475
 
 
 
475

 
Intangible assets subject to amortization, net
125
 
 
 
135

 
Program rights
302
 
 
 
320

 
Other assets, at cost, net of accumulated amortization
207
 
 
 
238

 
        Total assets
$
6,931

 
 
7,723

 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
    Accounts payable
$
10
 
 
 
15

 
    Accrued liabilities
266
 
 
 
313

 
    Current portion of debt
17
 
 
 
754

 
    Deferred revenue
121
 
 
 
63

 
    Other current liabilities
39
 
 
 
85

 
        Total current liabilities
453
 
 
 
1,230

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Long-term debt
526
 
 
 
541

 
Deferred income tax liabilities
336
 
 
 
411

 
Other liabilities
288
 
 
 
290

 
        Total liabilities
1,603
 
 
 
2,472

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity:
 
 
 
    Total stockholders' equity
5,333
 
 
 
5,261

 
    Noncontrolling interests in equity of subsidiaries
(5
)
 
 
(10
)
 
        Total equity
5,328
 
 
 
5,251

 
Commitments and contingencies
 
 
 
        Total liabilities and equity
$
6,931

 
 
7,723

 
 
 
 
 
 
 






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LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (unaudited)
 
Three months ended
 
Six months ended
 
6/30/2012
6/30/2011
 
6/30/2012
6/30/2011
 
amounts in millions
 REVENUE:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    Communications and programming services
$
537

 
 
538

 
 
977
 
 
 
1,511

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    Operating
323
 
 
 
332

 
 
569
 
 
 
725

 
Selling, general and administrative, including stock-based compensation
98
 
 
 
92

 
 
190
 
 
 
199

 
    Legal settlement
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
(7
)
 
    Depreciation and amortization
15
 
 
 
20

 
 
28
 
 
 
41

 
 
436
 
 
 
444

 
 
787
 
 
 
958

 
    Operating income
101
 
 
 
94

 
 
190
 
 
 
553

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 OTHER INCOME (EXPENSES):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    Interest expense
(7
)
 
 
(3
)
 
 
(14
)
 
 
(10
)
 
    Share of earnings (losses) of affiliates, net
22
 
 
 
(22
)
 
 
13
 
 
 
(50
)
 
Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net
(73
)
 
 
54

 
 
40
 
 
 
176

 
    Other, net
29
 
 
 
26

 
 
55
 
 
 
49

 
 
(29
)
 
 
55

 
 
94
 
 
 
165

 
 Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
72
 
 
 
149

 
 
284
 
 
 
718

 
    Income tax (expense) benefit
85
 
 
 
(61
)
 
 
11
 
 
 
(298
)
 
 Net earnings (loss)
157
 
 
 
88

 
 
295
 
 
 
420

 
    Less net earnings (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interests
1
 
 
 
(1
)
 
 
2
 
 
 

 
 Net earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty Media Corporation shareholders
$
156

 
 
89

 
 
293
 
 
 
420

 
 Net earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty Media Corporation shareholders:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    Liberty Capital common stock
$
156

 
 
22

 
 
293
 
 
 
301

 
    Liberty Starz common stock
NA
 
 
 
67

 
 
NA
 
 
 
119

 
 
$
156
 
 
 
89

 
 
293
 
 
 
420

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

















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LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited)
 
Six months ended
 
6/30/2012
 
6/30/2011
 
amounts in millions
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
    Net earnings
$
295
 
 
 
420

 
    Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
        Depreciation and amortization
28
 
 
 
41

 
        Amortization of program rights
384
 
 
 
347

 
        Cash payments for program rights
(410
)
 
 
(370
)
 
        Stock-based compensation
18
 
 
 
21

 
        Cash payments for stock-based compensation
(30
)
 
 
(9
)
 
        Share of (earnings) losses of affiliates, net
(13
)
 
 
50

 
        Realized and unrealized (gains) losses on financial instruments, net
(40
)
 
 
(176
)
 
        Losses (gains) on disposition of assets, net
 
 
 
2

 
        Change in tax accounts from Liberty Interactive, net
 
 
 
42

 
        Deferred income tax expense
(87
)
 
 
217

 
        Other noncash charges (credits), net
(3
)
 
 
(327
)
 
        Changes in operating assets and liabilities
 
 
 
            Current and other assets
5
 
 
 
(192
)
 
            Payables and other liabilities
(16
)
 
 
212

 
 Net cash provided (used) by operating activities
131
 
 
 
278

 
 
 
 
 
 CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
    Cash proceeds from dispositions
87
 
 
 

 
    Proceeds (payments) on financial instruments, net
(311
)
 
 

 
    Investments in and loans to cost and equity investees
(207
)
 
 
(82
)
 
    Repayment of loans by cost and equity investees
43
 
 
 
189

 
    Capital expended for property and equipment
(6
)
 
 
(6
)
 
    Net sales (purchases) of short term investments
289
 
 
 
189

 
    Net (increase) decrease in restricted cash
690
 
 
 
(145
)
 
    Reattribution of cash to Liberty Interactive
 
 
 
(264
)
 
    Other investing activities, net
 
 
 
(1
)
 
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities
585
 
 
 
(120
)
 
 
 
 
 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
    Borrowings of debt
 
 
 
1

 
    Repayments of debt
(752
)
 
 
(58
)
 
    Repurchases of Liberty common stock
(233
)
 
 
(96
)
 
    Other financing activities, net
2
 
 
 
7

 
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities
(983
)
 
 
(146
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
            Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
(267
)
 
 
12

 
            Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
2,070
 
 
 
2,090

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
1,803

 
 
2,102

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



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