- Annual Report (10-K)
February 26 2010 - 6:13AM
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Table of Contents
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
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(Mark One)
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ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009
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OR
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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For the transition period
from to
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Commission file number 1-34554
DIRECTV
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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DELAWARE
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26-4772533
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(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
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(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
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2230 East Imperial Highway, El Segundo, California
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90245
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(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
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(Zip Code)
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Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (310) 964-5000
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Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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Title of Each Class
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Name of Exchange on Which Registered
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Class A Common, $0.01 par value
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NASDAQ Global Select Market
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Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
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None
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Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
Yes
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No
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Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
Yes
o
No
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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
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No
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be
submitted and posted 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 and post such files). Yes
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No
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Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be
contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to
this Form 10-K.
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting
company. See definition of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
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Large accelerated filer
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Accelerated filer
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Non-accelerated filer
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(Do not check if a smaller
reporting company)
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Smaller reporting company
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Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes
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No
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As of June 30, 2009, the aggregate market value of our predecessor, The DIRECTV Group, Inc.'s, voting and non-voting common equity held
by non-affiliates was $11,041,195,097. This amount excludes Liberty Media Corporation's approximately 55% ownership interest in our outstanding common stock as of such date.
As
of February 22, 2010, the registrant had outstanding 913,331,533 shares of Class A common stock and 21,809,863 shares of Class B common stock.
Documents
incorporated by reference are as follows:
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Document
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Part and Item Number of Form 10-K
into which Incorporated
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DIRECTV Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement for Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on June 3, 2010
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Part I, Item 5
Part III, Items 10 through 14
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Table of Contents
DIRECTV
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page No.
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Part I
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Item 1. Business
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3
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Item 1A. Risk Factors
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22
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Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
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36
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Item 2. Properties
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36
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Item 3. Legal Proceedings
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Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
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Part II
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Item 5. Market for the Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder
Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
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40
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Item 6. Selected Financial Data
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42
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Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations
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43
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Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market
Risk
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71
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Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary
Data
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72
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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
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Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2009,
2008 and 2007
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73
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Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2009 and 2008
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74
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Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity for the Years Ended
December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
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75
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Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended
December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007
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76
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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2009,
2008 and 2007
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Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
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Item 9. Changes In and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and
Financial Disclosure
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123
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Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
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123
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Item 9B. Other Information
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126
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Part III
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Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
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126
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Item 11. Executive Compensation
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126
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Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder
Matters
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126
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Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
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126
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Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services
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126
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Part IV
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Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
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126
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Signatures
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136
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DIRECTV
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT FOR PURPOSE OF THE "SAFE HARBOR" PROVISIONS
OF THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995
This Annual Report on Form 10-K may contain certain statements that we believe are, or may be considered to be, "forward-looking statements"
within the meaning of various provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements generally can be identified by use of statements
that include phrases such as we "believe," "expect," "estimate," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "foresee," "project" or other similar words or phrases. Similarly, statements that describe our
objectives, plans or goals also are forward-looking statements. All of these forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, risk factors
discussed in more detail in Item 1A of this Annual Report, which could cause our actual results to differ materially from historical results or from those expressed or implied by the relevant
forward-looking statement. The forward-looking statements included in this Annual Report are made only as of the date of this Annual Report and we undertake no obligation to publicly update these
forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.
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PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
DIRECTV, which we also refer to as the company, we or us, is a leading provider of digital television entertainment in the United States and Latin America. We
operate two direct-to-home, or DTH, operating segments: DIRECTV U.S. and DIRECTV Latin America, which are differentiated by their geographic location and are engaged in
acquiring, promoting, selling and/or distributing digital entertainment programming via satellite to residential and commercial subscribers. In addition, beginning November 19, 2009, we own and
operate three regional sports networks, or RSNs, and own a 65% interest in Game Show Network, LLC, or GSN, a basic television network dedicated to game-related programming and
Internet interactive game playing. We account for our investment in GSN using the equity method of accounting.
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DIRECTV
U.S.
DIRECTV Holdings LLC and its subsidiaries, which we refer to as DIRECTV U.S., is the largest provider of DTH digital
television services and the second largest provider in the multi-channel video programming distribution, or MVPD, industry in the United States. As of December 31, 2009, DIRECTV U.S. had over
18.5 million subscribers.
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DIRECTV Latin
America.
DIRECTV Latin America, or DTVLA, is a leading provider of DTH digital television services throughout Latin America. DTVLA is
comprised of: PanAmericana, which provides services in Venezuela, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Puerto Rico and certain other countries in the region through our wholly-owned subsidiary, DIRECTV Latin
America, LLC, or DLA LLC; our 74% owned subsidiary, Sky Brasil Servicos Ltda., which we refer to as Sky Brazil; and our 41% equity method investment in Innova, S. de R.L. de C.V.,
or Sky Mexico. As of December 31, 2009, PanAmericana had approximately 2.7 million subscribers, Sky Brazil had approximately 1.9 million subscribers and Sky Mexico had
approximately 1.9 million subscribers.
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DIRECTV Sports
Networks.
DIRECTV Sports Networks LLC and its subsidiaries, or DSN, is comprised primarily of three regional sports television
networks based in Seattle, Washington, Denver, Colorado and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, currently known as FSN Northwest
TM
, FSN Rocky Mountain
TM
and FSN
Pittsburgh
TM
, respectively. The operating results of DSN beginning November 19, 2009 are reported as part of the "Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other" operating segment.
Liberty Transaction
On November 19, 2009, The DIRECTV Group, Inc., or DIRECTV Group, and Liberty Media Corporation, which we refer to as
Liberty or Liberty Media, obtained shareholder approval of and closed a series of related transactions which we refer to collectively as the Liberty Transaction. The Liberty Transaction included the
split-off of certain of the assets of the Liberty Entertainment group into Liberty Entertainment, Inc., or LEI, which was then split-off from Liberty. Following the
split-off, DIRECTV Group and LEI merged with subsidiaries of DIRECTV. As a result of the Liberty Transaction, DIRECTV Group, which is comprised of the DIRECTV U.S. and DIRECTV Latin
America businesses, and LEI, which held Liberty's 57% interest in DIRECTV Group, a 100% interest in three regional sports networks, a 65% interest in GSN, approximately $120 million in cash and
cash equivalents and approximately $2.1 billion of indebtedness and a series of related equity collars, became wholly-owned subsidiaries of DIRECTV.
The
holders of outstanding shares of DIRECTV Group common stock (other than direct or indirect subsidiaries of LEI) received one share of DIRECTV Class A common stock for each
share of DIRECTV Group common stock held. The holders of outstanding shares of LEI Series A common
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stock
and Series B common stock (other than Dr. John Malone and his family, or the Malones) received 1.11130 shares of DIRECTV Class A common stock for each share of LEI
Series A or Series B common stock held. The Malones received 1.11130 shares of DIRECTV Class B common stock for each share of LEI Series B common stock held.
DIRECTV
has two classes of common stock outstanding, Class A common stock and Class B common stock. The DIRECTV Class A common stock is entitled to one vote per
share and the Class B common stock is entitled to 15 votes per share. The DIRECTV Class A common stock trades on the NASDAQ® Global Select Market, or NASDAQ, under the ticker
"DTV". DIRECTV Group common stock has been delisted and no longer trades on the NASDAQ. The DIRECTV Class B common stock will not be listed on any stock exchange or automated dealer quotation
system. The Malones own all outstanding Class B common stock, and have agreed to limit their Class B voting rights to 24% of the total voting power of DIRECTV's common stock. Including
their Class A and Class B ownership interests, the Malones hold an approximate 2.7% economic interest and an approximate 24.3% voting interest in DIRECTV.
DIRECTV
Group has been treated as the acquiring corporation in the Liberty Transaction for accounting and financial reporting purposes and accordingly, the historical financial
statements of DIRECTV Group are reported as the historical financial statements of DIRECTV.
For
additional information regarding the Liberty Transaction, refer to Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements and Amendment No. 5 to DIRECTV's
Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the SEC on October 20, 2009.
DIRECTV
was incorporated in Delaware in 2009.
DIRECTV U.S.
Through DIRECTV U.S., we provide over 18.5 million subscribers with access to hundreds of channels of digital-quality video pictures and
CD-quality audio programming that we transmit directly to subscribers' homes or businesses via high-powered geosynchronous satellites.
We
believe we provide one of the most extensive collections of programming available in the MVPD industry. As of December 31, 2009, we distributed more than 2,000 digital video
and audio channels, including about 200 basic entertainment and music channels, 40 premium movie channels, over 50 regional and specialty sports networks, over 120 Spanish and other foreign language
special interest channels, over 31 pay-per-view movie and event choices, and over 130 national high-definition, or HD, television channels. Although we distribute
more than 1,500 local channelsover 500 in high-definitiona subscriber generally receives only the local channels in the subscriber's home market. In addition, we
offer an on demand service named DIRECTV on DEMAND which, as of the end of 2009, provided a selection of about 6,000 movie and television programs to our subscribers who have a broadband connection to
their set-top receiver. As of December 31, 2009, we provided local channel coverage in standard definition to markets covering about 95% of U.S. television households. In addition,
we provided HD local channels to markets representing approximately 92% of U.S. TV households. In the second quarter of 2010, we expect to further expand our offering of HD channels when the recently
launched DIRECTV 12 satellite begins operations.
We
also provide premium professional and collegiate sports programming such as the NFL SUNDAY TICKET package, which allows subscribers to view the largest selection of NFL
games available each Sunday during the regular season. Under our contract with the NFL, we have exclusive rights to provide this service through the 2014 season, including rights to provide related
broadband, HD, interactive and mobile services.
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DIRECTV
To
subscribe to the DIRECTV® service, subscribers acquire receiving equipment from either us, our national retailers, independent satellite television retailers or dealers,
or regional telephone companies, which we refer to as telcos. Most set-top receivers provided to new and existing subscribers are leased subsequent to the introduction of a lease program
on March 1, 2006. The receiving equipment consists of a small receiving satellite dish antenna, a digital set-top receiver and a remote control, which we refer to as a
DIRECTV® System. After acquiring and installing a DIRECTV System, subscribers activate the DIRECTV service by contacting us and subscribing to one of our programming packages.
Key Strengths
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Large Subscriber
Base.
We are the largest provider of DTH digital television services and the second largest MVPD provider in the United States, in each
case based on the number of subscribers. We believe that our large subscriber base provides us with the opportunity to obtain programming on favorable terms and secure unique and exclusive
programming. We also believe that our large subscriber base contributes to achieving other economies of scale in areas such as DIRECTV System equipment purchasing, customer service, installation and
repair service, broadcast operations and general and administrative services.
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Leading Brand
Name.
Results from a study we commissioned in 2009 indicated that 96% of consumers in the United States recognized the DIRECTV brand
name. We believe the strength of our brand name is an important factor in our ability to attract new subscribers. In addition, we believe our recognized brand name enhances our ability to secure
strategic alliances with programmers, distributors and other technology and service providers.
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Substantial Channel Capacity and Programming
Content.
As a result of our significant channel capacity, we believe we are able to deliver to our subscribers one of the widest
selections of local and national programming available today in the United States, including exclusive programming such as the NFL SUNDAY TICKET package and international programming. In addition, we
have a substantial amount of capacity in the Ka-Band spectrum which enables us to provide one of the most extensive national HD offerings currently available in the industry.
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High-Quality Digital Picture and Sound, Including HD
Programming.
Our video and audio programming is 100% digitally delivered, providing subscribers with digital-quality video and
CD-quality sound. We believe this compares favorably with most cable providers that frequently offer popular programming in an analog format and offer a selection of digital channels for
an additional fee. In addition, we believe we currently offer one of the nation's most comprehensive selections of HD channels, including the largest choice of 1080p movies.
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Strong Customer
Service.
We have attained top rankings in customer satisfaction studies for our industry. For example, we have been rated ahead of every
major cable company in customer service for nine consecutive years in the American Customer Satisfaction Index. We believe that providing high-quality customer service is an
important element in minimizing subscriber disconnection, or churn, and attracting new subscribers.
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Valuable Orbital Slots and Satellite-Based
Technology.
We believe our regulatory authorization to use desirable orbital slots and broadcast spectrum helps sustain our position as
one of the leading companies in the MVPD industry. The Federal Communications Commission, or FCC, has designated three direct broadcast satellite, or DBS, orbital slots in the Ku-Band
spectrum that provide full coverage across the 48 contiguous states of the United States, often referred to as CONUS coverage. Within these three orbital slots, there are 96 assigned DBS frequencies.
We hold licenses to broadcast our services from 46 of these 96 DBS frequencies. The FCC is
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DIRECTV
In
addition, we hold licenses in three orbital slots (99° west longitude, or WL, 101° WL, and 103° WL) in the Ka-Band spectrum. The satellites that have
been launched into these orbital slots have substantially increased our channel capacity, allowing us to provide one of the most extensive HD channel offerings currently available across the United
States. We also have obtained approval from the FCC to transmit our signal in the Ku-Band from one of our satellites that has been stationed at a temporary orbital location at
72.5° WL and from leased capacity on a satellite at 95° WL.
Our
satellite-based service provides us with many advantages over ground- based cable television services. We have the ability to distribute hundreds of channels to millions of recipients nationwide
with minimal incremental infrastructure cost per additional subscriber. In addition, we have comprehensive coverage to areas with low population density in the United States and the ability to quickly
introduce new services to a large number of subscribers.
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Strong Balance
Sheet.
We believe our substantial cash position and relatively low debt levels combined with our current and expected future cash
generation capability provides us with significant financial flexibility to improve shareholder value. Additionally, we have repurchased nearly $10 billion of our common stock over the last
four years, retiring approximately 34% of our outstanding shares, and have announced a new $3.5 billion share repurchase plan which we expect to complete during 2010.
Business Strategy
Our vision is to provide customers with the best video experience in the United States both inside and outside of the home by offering
subscribers unique, differentiated and compelling programming through leadership in content, technology and customer service.
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Offer Differentiated and Exclusive Content and
Services.
To fulfill our goal, we believe we must provide the most extensive collection of valuable programming and interactive services
to our customers.
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Provide the Most Extensive Collection of Valuable
Programming.
We believe that we currently have one of the most extensive collections of programming in the MVPD industry and our
strategy is to continue improving our offering. For example, we offer content which is not offered by other MVPD providers such as NFL SUNDAY TICKET where subscribers can watch up to 14 games each
week, most of which are offered in HD. We have also signed agreements to be the exclusive MVPD provider of NCAA® MEGA MARCH MADNESS®. In addition, we offer our customers The
101® Network, a free premium channel dedicated to the broadcast of unique and exclusive content including series such as Friday Night Lights, Deadwood®, Sleeper
Cell® and The Nine
TM
as well as concert performances by top-rated artists. In 2009, we also launched new shows on The 101 Network such as The Dan Patrick
Show
TM
and Trailer Park Boys®.
We
also believe we currently have one of the most extensive national HD channel offerings as well as the largest lineup of 1080p movies in the MVPD industry. Additionally, when our DIRECTV 12
satellite is put into service in the second quarter of 2010, we expect to have
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DIRECTV
the
capacity to broadcast approximately 200 national HD channels to nearly all U.S. television households. As part of this rollout, we plan on offering local channels in HD to 19 additional markets,
bringing the total number of HD local channel markets to 157covering over 95% of TV homes. Subscribers receiving local HD channels will generally only receive the channels broadcast in
their home market. Additionally, in 2010 we plan on being one of the first MVPD providers to offer dedicated 3D programming by introducing three 3D channels to our HD customers who have purchased 3D
television sets.
We
also expect to expand our DIRECTV on DEMAND, our video on demand, or VOD, service for subscribers that have the DIRECTV Plus® digital video recorder, or DVR, or DIRECTV
Plus® HD DVR set-top receivers. As of year end 2009, DIRECTV on DEMAND offered about 6,000 titles providing thousands of hours of top programming from the major broadcast and
cable networks, as well as popular movies. Most of the titles are offered free of charge and are downloaded from the Internet through a broadband connection for those subscribers with a DIRECTV Plus
HD DVR. In addition, we download top movies via our satellites to a customer's DVR hard drive. In 2010, we expect to introduce a new movie service, DIRECTV Cinema
TM
, which will
substantially increase the number of new release movies available for our customers to view and purchase from either their television, laptop computer or mobile telephone.
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Expand and Enhance Interactive Services.
We believe that
enhanced and interactive services play an important role in the subscriber experience. For example, NFL SUNDAY TICKET subscribers can view a mix-channel with up to 8 games on one screen
while the SUPERCAST
TM
service lets viewers access games and interactive statistics online through a personal computer. We also offer interactive services for many major tennis and golf
events, including the Masters® golf tournament, where we dedicate several extra channels of event coverage, interactive scoreboards and a mix channel, all of which no other MVPD operator
provides. In 2009, we launched our free TV Apps service, which are applications that appear on the TV, including Flickr®, weather forecasts and other user generated programs for customers
who connect their DIRECTV Plus HD DVR to their broadband router. We have added interactive applications for the 2010 Winter Olympics, such as medal count pages and special USA team coverage.
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Regional Sports Networks.
Our three regional sports
networks acquired in November 2009 provide us with promotional opportunities and will enable us to further develop unique and differentiated sports programming.
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Technology
Leadership.
We believe that technological leadership has been and will continue to be important to our ability to introduce services
that are easy to use and subscriber-friendly, while also reducing costs. We believe that advancements in technology will drive subscriber demand for enhanced DVRs and HD equipment, VOD, a whole-house
entertainment solution, mobile and portable devices.
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Introduce Multi-Room, Whole-House, Mobile and Portable
Services.
We believe that it is important for our subscribers to have multiple ways to access DIRECTV® programming
throughout the home and on devices outside of the home. Accordingly, in 2010 we will be introducing a multi-room viewing service. This service will enable customers with the proper
equipment to share content and recorded shows around the house. In the second half of 2010, we expect to introduce a home media center that will provide HD, DVR and standard-definition video
functionality throughout the home and allow customers to access stored content, including video, photos and music, seamlessly from any connected television
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DIRECTV
in
a home. We also intend to make DIRECTV programming more ubiquitous by offering it on portable and mobile devices, including cell phones. For example, in 2009, subscribers to our NFL SUNDAY
TICKET SuperFan® package were able to stream live NFL games to their mobile phones. In addition, we believe that our ongoing marketing relationships with the major wireless
telephony providers such as AT&T and Verizon provide us a unique opportunity to develop compelling applications for our customers.
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Enhance/Improve User Interface/Guide.
We are constantly
striving to improve our guide and user interface because it is important that our subscribers are able to access the many offerings we provide in as easy and intuitive a manner as possible. For
example, in January 2010 we introduced Smart Search which helps customers find what they are looking for on TV faster and easier as well as providing significantly more information about the
television programs and actors they are interested in watching.
DIRECTV
has led the industry in the application of remote DVR scheduling technology as over 2 million of our customers have scheduled over 12 million recordings remotely to DIRECTV DVRs
through 2009. We also introduced ScoreGuide
TM
in 2009 which, at the press of a button, enables customers to easily track scores and start times of major sporting events, see a list of
channels carrying each event and tune directly to those channels. In 2010, we expect to further expand ScoreGuide, to include Olympic and soccer coverage. Another example of our improved user
interface is GameSearch
TM
which automatically recognizes when a customer has tuned to a channel with a blacked-out sports game and immediately looks to see if the game is on
another channel. It then provides the customer a message telling them where to find the game or if it is unavailable.
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Enhance Sales and Marketing; Focus on High Quality Subscribers; Improve
Customer Service, Distribution and Installation.
We expect to continue to grow our subscriber base and maintain relatively low churn
levels by focusing on acquiring higher quality subscribers, as well as improving our customer service, distribution and installation.
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Enhance Sales and Marketing.
We expect to continue growing
our subscriber base through marketing programs that capitalize on the strength of our brand and extensive programming. In addition, we expect that our expanded national and local HD programming, as
well as many of our new services including multi-room viewing, DIRECTV Cinema and the home media center will increase sales from customers purchasing these services. We also intend
to continue focusing on local advertising and marketing to ensure that our competitive strengths are effectively targeted based on competitive factors, demographics and geography.
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Maintain Low Levels of Churn by Attracting High Quality
Subscribers.
We believe that in order to maintain churn at relatively low levels, we must continue to improve the overall quality of our
subscriber base by regularly refining our credit and identification policies to properly reflect the changing competitive and economic landscape. However, we believe it is also important to balance
churn levels by adjusting our upgrade and retention policies and costs to help assure appropriate financial returns.
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Improve Customer Service, Distribution and
Installation.
We strive to attain the gold standard in customer service throughout a customer's lifecycle. We expect to improve customer
service, distribution and installation services while also improving operational efficiencies. For example, in 2008 and 2009 we entered into several transactions which resulted in a substantial
portion of our previously outsourced service and installation network technicians becoming DIRECTV U.S. employees. By having these technicians as employees of
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DIRECTV
U.S., we have reduced turnover and improved the overall customer experience, and performance of the remaining outsourced technicians has also generally improved. We have also improved the
quality and usage of our web-based customer service capabilities, improved the tools that our customer service representatives have at their disposal, and simplified our customer bills. In
addition, we have implemented a new work order management system that has improved the scheduling and tracking of our installation and service calls including the use of wireless handheld devices so
that our service technicians can improve the efficiency of their daily work orders. In 2009, we have seen substantial improvements in many of our customer service and installation metrics and we
expect to make further improvements in 2010.
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Improve and Expand Relationships with Telcos.
In February
2009, AT&T began marketing a bundle of broadband Internet, telephone services and DIRECTV video service to new and existing customers. AT&T's territories include 22 states and cover approximately
44 million households. With this relationship, we now have agreements with the three major telecommunications companiesAT&T, Verizon and Qwestcovering approximately
90 million homes in the United States. We are also working with the telcos to develop new services including more integrated bundles and wireless applications.
Infrastructure
Satellites.
We currently have a fleet of twelve geosynchronous satellites, including eleven owned satellites and one leased
satellite. We have seven
Ku-Band satellites at the following orbital locations: 101° WL (three), 110° WL (one), 119° WL (one), 72.5° WL (one), and 95° WL
(one-leased). We also
have five Ka-Band satellites at our 99° WL (two) and 103° WL (three) orbital locations. The 72.5° WL orbital location is used pursuant to an arrangement
with Telesat Canada and Bell ExpressVu.
We
are currently evaluating whether to begin construction of an additional satellite to provide additional services as well as backup capacity. If we do decide to acquire such a
satellite, we expect that it would be launched and go into service in 2013.
Satellite Risk Management.
At times, we use launch and in-orbit insurance to mitigate the potential financial impact of
satellite fleet
launch and in-orbit failures unless the premium costs are considered to be uneconomical relative to the risk of satellite failure. The insurance generally does not compensate for business
interruption or loss of future revenues or subscribers. We rely on in-orbit spare satellites and excess transponder capacity at key orbital slots to mitigate the impact of a potential
satellite failure on our ability to provide service. However, programming continuity cannot be assured in all instances or in the event of multiple satellite losses.
Launch
insurance typically covers the time frame from ignition of the launch vehicle through separation of the satellite from the launch vehicle. In the past, we have launched satellites
without insurance. As of December 31, 2009, the net book value of DIRECTV U.S.' in-orbit satellites was $1,516 million, none of which is insured.
Digital Broadcast Centers.
To gather programming content, ensure its digital quality, and transmit content to our satellites, we
have built two
digital broadcast centers, located in Castle Rock, Colorado and Los Angeles, California. These facilities provide the majority of our national and local standard-definition and HD programming. We have
also built five uplink facilities which are used to provide HD local channels. Our broadcast centers receive programming from content providers via satellite, fiber optic cable and/or special tape.
Most satellite-delivered programming is then digitized, encoded and transmitted to our satellites. We designed each broadcast center and uplink facility with redundant systems to minimize service
interruptions.
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Installation Network.
The DIRECTV home service provider, or HSP, installation and service network performs installation,
upgrades and other service
call work for us. In 2008 and 2009, we entered into several transactions that brought a significant portion of this HSP network activity
in-house. We now directly employ nearly 4,000 technicians and utilize an additional 11,000 technicians from seven outsourced companies around the United States. The combined workforce
completed approximately 93% of all in-home visits in 2009. We set the standards for the quality of installation and service, perform quality control, manage inventory and monitor the
overall service network performance for nearly all of the third-party installation network.
Customer Service Centers.
As of December 31, 2009, we used 36 customer service centers employing over 16,000 customer
service representatives.
Most of these customer service centers are operated by Convergys Customer Management Group, Inc., Precision Response Corporation, Sitel Operating Corporation, N.E.W. Customer Service
Companies, Inc., VXI Global Solutions, Inc. and Teleperformance. We currently own and operate six customer service centers located in: Boise, Idaho; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Huntsville, Alabama;
Missoula, Montana; Huntington, West Virginia and Denver, Colorado that employ approximately 5,000 customer service representatives. Potential and existing subscribers can call a single telephone
number 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to request assistance for hardware, programming, installation, technical and other support. We continue to increase the functionality of
telephone-based and web-based self-care features in order to better manage customer service costs and improve service levels.
Competition
We face substantial competition in the MVPD industry and from emerging digital media distribution providers. Our competition includes
companies that offer video, audio, interactive programming, telephony, data and other entertainment services, including cable television, other DTH companies, telcos, wireless companies and companies
that are developing new technologies. Many of our competitors have access to substantially greater financial and marketing resources. We believe our brand, the quality and variety of video, audio and
interactive programming, quality of picture, access to service, availability of HD and DVR services, customer service and price are the key elements for attaining and retaining subscribers. Our over
18.5 million subscribers represent approximately 19% of MVPD subscribers at December 31, 2009.
-
-
Cable Television.
We encounter substantial competition in
the MVPD industry from cable television companies. According to the National Cable & Telecommunications Association's 2008 Industry Overview, 96% of the 128.6 million U.S. housing units
are passed by cable. Most cable television operators have a large, established customer base, and many have significant investments in companies that provide programming content. Approximately
100 million households subscribe to an MVPD service and approximately 62% of MVPD subscribers receive their programming from a cable operator. In addition, most cable providers have completed
network upgrades that allow for enhanced service offerings such as digital cable, HD channels, broadband Internet access and telephony services. Cable companies bundle these services, offering
discounts and providing one bill to the consumer.
-
-
Telephone Companies.
Several telcos have upgraded a
significant portion of their infrastructure by replacing their older copper wire telephone lines with high-speed fiber optic lines. These fiber lines provide the telcos with significantly
greater capacity enabling them to offer new and enhanced services, such as Internet access at much greater speeds and digital-quality video. For example, Verizon announced that at the end of 2009, it
had the capability to serve 15 million homes with fiber optic lines with the goal of having the capability to serve 18 million homes by the end of 2010. In addition, AT&T has begun
deploying fiber optic lines to neighborhoods and
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expects
to have the capability to serve approximately 30 million of its customers by the end of 2011. As of year end 2009, Verizon had nearly 3 million video subscribers and AT&T had
approximately 2 million video subscribers. Similar to the cable companies, the telcos expect to offer their customers multiple services at a discount on one bill.
-
-
Other Direct Broadcast Satellite and Direct-To-Home Satellite System
Operators.
We also compete with DISH Network Corporation, or DISH Network, which had over 14 million subscribers at the end of
2009, representing approximately 14% of MVPD subscribers. Other domestic and foreign satellite operators also have proposed to offer DTH satellite service to U.S. customers using U.S.-licensed
satellite frequencies or foreign-licensed frequencies that have the ability of covering the United States.
-
-
Video via the Internet.
With the large increase in the
number of consumers with broadband service, a significant amount of video content has become available on the Internet for users to download and view on their personal computers, televisions and other
devices. For example, Apple
TM
offers two hundred television shows and 400 movies for rental or purchase, some in high-definition, on the online iTunes® Store. In
addition, Hulu is an online video service website which provides free movies and TV shows from over 190 content providers including Fox, Disney, NBC Universal, MGM Studios, Sony Pictures
and Warner Bros. This content can be accessed on demand through its website and those of its partnersAOL, MSN, MySpace and Yahoo. In addition, several companies, such as Netflix,
Blockbuster and Amazon.com, have begun selling and renting movies via Internet download. For example, Netflix has a library of 17,000 movies and TV shows available for download to its over
12 million subscribers. There are also several similar initiatives by companies such as Intel, Microsoft and Sony to make it easier to view Internet-based video on television and personal
computer screens. Many television models, Blu-Ray Disc® players and gaming consoles like the Xbox® can be directly connected to the Internet and have the capacity
to stream video to the television.
-
-
Mobile Video.
Many companies are beginning to offer mobile
applications for video allowing consumers to watch video on the go. For example, AT&T offers mobile TV which provides users the ability to watch full length TV shows from ABC, CBS, ESPN and other
programmers on their cell phones. Verizon Wireless offers V Cast which allows subscribers to watch many of the top TV shows including college football and basketball on their mobile phone
for a modest fee. In addition other mobile applications and services are becoming available such as FLO TV
TM
service from Qualcomm. FLO TV provides portable TV with full length
shows from programmers such as Fox, CBS, Fox News Channel and ESPN on a portable device. Other cable and satellite distributors are also focused on distributing their content to their customers on the
go.
-
-
Small and Rural Telephone Companies.
Other telephone
companies are also finding ways to deliver video programming services over their wireline facilities or in a bundle with other MVPD providers. For example, DISH Network has agreements with Embarq,
CenturyTel, Windstream, TDS, and Frontier to bundle their individual DSL and telephony services with DISH Network's video service.
-
-
Local Broadcasters.
Most areas of the United States can
receive traditional digital television broadcasts of between three and ten channels. These broadcasters are often low to medium power operators with a limited coverage area and provide local, network
and syndicated programming typically free of charge. There are over 2,000 TV broadcast stations in the U.S. split among 210 TV markets.
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DIRECTV LATIN AMERICA
DTVLA is the leading provider of DTH digital television services throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, which includes Puerto
Rico. DTVLA provides a wide selection of high-quality local and international programming under the DIRECTV and SKY brands to approximately 2.7 million subscribers in PanAmericana
and approximately 1.9 million subscribers in Brazil. Our 41% owned affiliate, Sky Mexico, has more than 1.9 million subscribers in Mexico and certain countries in Central America.
Including Sky Mexico, DIRECTV and SKY service over 6.5 million customers throughout the region.
We
own 100% of PanAmericana (which operates principally in South America and the Caribbean, including Puerto Rico), 74% of Sky Brazil (which operates in Brazil), and 41% of Sky Mexico
(which operates in Mexico, Central America and the Dominican Republic). Globo Comunicações e Participações S.A., or Globo, owns the
other 26% of Sky Brazil and Grupo Televisa, S.A., or Televisa, owns the other 59% of Sky Mexico. The results of PanAmericana and Sky Brazil are consolidated in our results. We account for our
41% interest in Sky Mexico under the equity method of accounting.
In
connection with the approval of Liberty Media's acquisition of its equity interest in us from News Corporation in February 2008, the FCC required DTVLA to sever the "attributable
interests" between our DIRECTV Puerto Rico subsidiary and Liberty Cablevision of Puerto Rico, Ltd., or LCPR, by February 26, 2009. We assumed responsibility for satisfaction,
modification or waiver of this condition. In order to comply with terms of the FCC order, effective February 25, 2009, we placed the shares of DIRECTV Puerto Rico into a trust and appointed an
independent trustee who is required to oversee the management and operation of DIRECTV Puerto Rico, and has the authority, subject to certain conditions, to divest ownership of DIRECTV Puerto Rico. We
continue to consolidate the results of DIRECTV Puerto Rico following this transaction.
Key Strengths
-
-
High Quality Digital Picture and
Sound.
Our video and audio programming is 100% digitally delivered, providing subscribers with digital-quality picture and sound, as
well as interactive features. We believe that this compares favorably with cable providers in Latin America, who typically continue to broadcast only analog services or a combination of analog and
digital services to a large percentage of their subscribers.
-
-
Large Subscriber Base and Pan-Regional Scale of
Service.
On a regional basis, we are the largest provider of pay television services in Latin America. We believe that this scale
provides us with the opportunity to obtain programming on favorable terms, and contributes to economies of scale in other areas, such as customer service, equipment and technology purchasing and
broadcast operations.
-
-
Relationship with DIRECTV
U.S.
We believe that DTVLA's relationship with DIRECTV U.S. is a key strength. PanAmericana and Sky Brazil have aligned their
set-top receiver specifications and middleware technologies with those of DIRECTV U.S., allowing them to take advantage of DIRECTV U.S.' economies of scale. We believe it also allows DTVLA
to launch new features and services at a lower cost and move more rapidly than its competitors in Latin America. Sky Mexico is also in the process of aligning its set-top receiver
technology with DIRECTV U.S.
-
-
Leading
Brands.
DIRECTV and SKY continue to position their brands in Latin America as a leader in digital entertainment and the best quality
television available. In 2009, this was particularly accentuated by the aggressive positioning of our advanced products, such as DVRs
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Business Strategy
Our goal is to provide subscribers with the best video experience available. Our strategy focuses on leveraging DTVLA's competitive
advantages that differentiate our service offerings from those of our competitors.
-
-
Offer Unique
Content.
We expect that we can leverage our greater scale to offer unique and compelling content to subscribers. For example, in most of
the territories in which we operate we will be the only provider of television services where subscribers can see all of the 2010 FIFA World Cup games, and we are the only operator
distributing all of the games in high definition. In some cases, we have exclusive rights to 2010 FIFA World Cup games. Similarly, Sky Brazil, PanAmericana and Sky Mexico have licensed exclusive
rights through the 2011-2012 season to the Spanish soccer league, which in most countries is the second most popular soccer league, behind the local country leagues.
-
-
Increase DVR
Penetration.
A key aspect of our strategy is to use the availability of high quality, reasonably priced DVRs as a cornerstone to
distinguish our service from our competitors' services. We believe that our technology and pan-regional scale, as well as the relationship with DIRECTV U.S., can be leveraged to provide
DVRs that are more functional and less costly than those of our competitors. In most countries in which we operate, our competitors either do not offer DVRs or make them available on terms that have
significantly limited their penetration. As a result of this leadership position, as of the end of 2009, approximately 11% of our subscribers had DVR service.
-
-
Establish Leadership Position in
High-Definition.
PanAmericana and Sky Brazil launched HD services in 2008 and mid-2009, respectively. Other than
in Chile and Puerto Rico, our competitors have limited or no HD offerings and many face significant network capacity constraints that limit their ability to offer HD services on a significant scale.
Although we believe that the HD content offerings will be more limited in Latin America than in the United States for the next several years and the uptake of HD services in Latin America will be much
slower than in the United States, we expect that our ability to offer high quality HD services will provide another opportunity for us to differentiate the quality of our services from those of our
competitors. As of year end 2009, Sky Brazil offered its customers 30 HD channels and PanAmericana offered on average 8 HD channels.
-
-
Enhance Programming
Features.
We believe that we can differentiate our service from our competitors through the use of enhanced features such as
interactivity. For example, we first offered interactive services for soccer matches from the 2006 FIFA World Cup and will provide similar features for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. We have offered similar
interactive services for the United States Open and Major League Baseball®.
Infrastructure
We provide services in PanAmericana and Brazil from leased transponders on two satellites. Sky Mexico provides its services from leased
transponders on a separate satellite. Currently, these satellites
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DIRECTV
do
not have a backup, however we have arranged to lease a backup satellite which was successfully launched in February 2010 that will serve Sky Brazil and Sky Mexico. We anticipate that this satellite
will be available for operations in the second quarter of 2010.
See
Item 1A. "Risk Factors" below for additional information regarding satellite launch and operational risks.
Our
principal digital broadcast centers are located in the United States and Brazil. We also have several smaller satellite uplink facilities in the region.
Competition
The pay television and other emerging broadband video and data markets in Latin America are highly competitive. In each of our markets,
we compete primarily with other providers of pay television, who distribute their programming by satellite, cable, terrestrial microwave systems, traditional over-the-air
broadcasting or the Internet. In addition, in certain markets we face significant competition from illegal and informal sector pay television operations. We compete primarily on the basis of
programming selection, price, technology and quality.
In
most of the markets in which we operate, cable television is our principal competition. Cable services have been in commercial operation longer than other pay television platforms,
and have established large subscriber bases and widespread brand recognition. They have typically offered analog services for lower monthly fees and with lower upfront installation and connection fees
than we do. In addition, the cable operators with which we compete are in various stages of upgrading their networks to provide broadband and telephony services, and in some markets the major cable
operators are competing with us based principally on their offer of a "triple play" bundle of video, broadband and telephony services. In most cases, they discount the value of their programming
services in order to sell
broadband and telephony services, which can adversely affect the attractiveness of our offers to subscribers.
In
addition to competition from cable services, we face increasing competition from other providers of DTH services. Telefonica, the Spanish telephone company, launched DTH services in
Peru, Chile and Brazil in 2006, Colombia in 2007 and Venezuela in 2008. Telmex provides DTH service in Chile and Peru, and in 2009 it launched services in Brazil through its affiliate, Embratel. Oi,
the second fixed line incumbent in Brazil (in addition to Telefonica), launched a DTH service in 2009. Also, in Mexico a joint venture of EchoStar Corp. and MVS Comunicaciones launched a new DTH
service, with substantial commercial support and cooperation from Telmex, which due to regulatory restrictions is not currently permitted to provide its own video services in Mexico. These competitors
have significant resources and have proven their ability to grow their businesses rapidly. They typically seek to focus on offering lower-cost, limited services packages in support of
their telephony and broadband offerings, which can increase our churn and put pressure on our margins. Also, the existence of multiple DTH operators in a single market dilutes our ability to market
our DTH service as an alternative to cable, traditionally our principal competition.
In
a number of markets, existing wireline telephony operators have announced their intention to upgrade their infrastructure in order to provide new and enhanced services, including
video programming. These and other companies have announced plans to build wireless broadband networks that will also be capable of delivering broadband, telephony and video services. However, to date
only a very small number of such upgrades and build outs have been actively pursued on other than a test basis.
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ACQUISITIONS, STRATEGIC ALLIANCES AND DIVESTITURES
We review our competitive position on an ongoing basis and, from time to time, consider various acquisitions, strategic alliances and divestitures, including
potential wireless broadband investments or alliances, in order to continue to compete effectively, improve our financial results, grow our business and allocate our resources efficiently. We also
consider periodically making equity investments in companies with which we can jointly provide services to our subscribers.
GOVERNMENT REGULATION
We are subject to government regulation in the United States, primarily by the FCC, and similar regulatory agencies in Latin America and, to a certain extent, by
the legislative branches, other federal agencies, and state and local authorities in the countries where we operate. We are also subject to the rules and procedures of the International
Telecommunications Union, or ITU, a specialized agency of the United Nations within which governments and the private sector coordinate global telecommunications networks and services. Depending upon
the circumstances, noncompliance with legislation or regulations promulgated by these entities could result in the suspension or revocation of our licenses or registrations, the termination or loss of
contracts or the imposition of contractual damages, civil fines or criminal penalties.
This
section sets forth a summary of regulatory issues pertaining to our operations in the United States and is not intended to describe all present and proposed government regulation
and legislation affecting the MVPD industry or our business.
FCC Regulation Under the Communications Act and Related Acts.
The Communications Act and other related acts give the FCC broad
authority to regulate
the operations of our company.
The
ownership and operation of our DBS/DTH system is regulated by the FCC primarily for:
-
-
the licensing of DBS and DTH satellites, earth stations and ancillary authorizations;
-
-
the assignment of frequencies and orbital slots, the relocation of satellites to different orbital locations or the
replacement of an existing satellite with a new satellite;
-
-
compliance with the terms and conditions of assignments and authorizations, including required timetables for construction
and operation of satellites;
-
-
avoidance of interference by and to DBS/DTH operations with operations of other entities that make use of the radio
spectrum; and
-
-
compliance with the Communications Act and FCC rules governing U.S.- licensed DBS and DTH systems.
The
FCC grants authorizations to satellite operators that meet its legal, technical and financial qualification requirements. The FCC conditions such authorizations on satisfaction of
ongoing due diligence, construction, reporting and related obligations.
All
of our satellites and earth stations are or have been licensed by the FCC. Currently, two of our satellites are licensed by the government of Canada. While the FCC generally issues
DTH space station licenses for a fifteen-year term, DBS space station and earth station licenses are generally issued for a ten-year term, which is less than the useful life of
a healthy direct
broadcast satellite. Upon expiration of the initial license term, the FCC has the option to renew a satellite operator's license or authorize an operator to operate for a period of time on special
temporary authority, or decline to renew the license. If the FCC declines to renew the operator's license, the operator is required to cease operations and the frequencies it was previously authorized
to use would revert to the FCC.
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Currently,
we have several applications pending before the FCC, including applications to launch and operate future satellites to support DIRECTV's services. In general, the FCC's
approval of these applications is required for us to continue to expand our range of service offerings while increasing the robustness of our satellite fleet. We may not obtain these approvals in a
timely fashion or at all.
As
a DBS/DTH licensee and operator we are subject to a variety of Communications Act requirements, FCC regulations and copyright laws that could materially affect our business. They
include the following:
-
-
Local-into-Local Service and Limitation on
Retransmission of Distant Broadcast Television Signals.
The Satellite Home Viewer Improvement Act, or SHVIA, allows satellite carriers
to retransmit the signals of local broadcast television stations in the stations' local markets without obtaining authorization from the holders of copyrights in the individual programs carried by
those stations. Another portion of SHVIA, as amended by the Satellite Home Viewer Extension and Reauthorization Act of 2004, or SHVERA, also permits satellite retransmission of distant network
stations (those that originate outside of a satellite subscriber's local television market) only to "unserved households." A subscriber qualifies as an "unserved household" if he or she cannot
receive, over the air, a signal of sufficient intensity from a local station affiliated with the same network, or falls into one of a few other very limited exceptions. SHVERA also prohibits satellite
carriers from signing up a new subscriber to distant analog or digital signals if that subscriber lives in a local market where the satellite carrier provides local analog or local digital signals,
respectively. SHVERA imposes a number of notice and reporting requirements, and also permits satellite retransmission of distant stations in neighboring markets where they are determined by the FCC to
be "significantly viewed." In implementing SHVIA, the FCC has required satellite carriers to delete certain programming, including sports programming, from the signals of certain distant stations. In
addition, the FCC's continuing interpretation, implementation and enforcement of other provisions of SHVIA and SHVERA, as well as judicial decisions interpreting and enforcing these laws, could hamper
our ability to retransmit local and distant network and superstation signals, reduce the number of our existing or future subscribers that can qualify for receipt of these signals, impose costs on us
in connection with the process of complying with the rules, or subject us to fines, monetary damages or injunctions. Also, the FCC's sports blackout requirements, which apply to all distant network
signals, may require costly upgrades to our system. Further, an FCC order interpreting the requirement that satellite carriers retransmit local digital signals with "equivalent bandwidth" of
significantly viewed digital signals may constrain our ability to deliver such significantly viewed digital signals. The distant-signal provisions of SHVERA were set to expire at the end of 2009, but
Congress has extended that deadline to February 28, 2010. Congress may decline to renew those provisions, which could severely restrict our ability to retransmit distant signals. Congress could
also adopt amendments to SHVERA with respect to local or distant signals, including limiting the provision of distant signals. In particular, Congress is considering for the first time making
subscribers ineligible for distant signals where they can receive local digital multicast signals over the air. This could adversely affect our ability to deliver distant signals to our existing or
future subscribers.
-
-
Must Carry
Requirement.
SHVIA also imposes a must carry obligation on satellite carriers. This must carry obligation requires satellite carriers
that choose to take advantage of the statutory copyright license in a local market to carry upon request the signals of all qualifying television broadcast stations within that local market, subject
to certain limited exceptions. The FCC has implemented SHVIA's must carry requirement and adopted further detailed must carry rules covering our carriage of both commercial and
non-commercial broadcast television stations. These rules generally require us to carry all of the local broadcast stations requesting carriage in
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a
timely and appropriate manner in markets in which we choose to retransmit the signals of local broadcast stations. We have limited capacity, and the projected number of markets in which we can
deliver local broadcast programming will continue to be constrained because of the must carry requirement and may be reduced depending on the FCC's interpretation of its rules in pending and
future rulemaking and complaint proceedings, as well as judicial decisions interpreting must carry requirements. For example, the FCC issued an order requiring mandatory carriage of
high-definition digital signals in an increasing number of markets each year, requiring so-called "HD carry-one, carry-all" in all local markets served
by 2013. We may not be able to comply with these must carry rules, or compliance may mean that we will be required to use capacity that could otherwise be used for new or additional local or national
programming services. Moreover, Congress may amend the must carry rules when it considers SHVERA reauthorization. For example, Congress has in the past proposed legislation and may in the future enact
legislation that would require us to provide local channels via satellite in all markets in the United States. We currently provide local channel coverage to approximately 155 markets
representing approximately 95% of U.S. television households. If such legislation were enacted, we would be required to provide local channel coverage to an additional 55 markets representing about 5%
of U.S. television households on an accelerated timetable. We believe that the capital expenditures and ongoing costs to provide this coverage would not be covered by the incremental revenue from the
additional subscribers we could potentially gain in these markets. Moreover, depending upon the timetable imposed, we may not be able to comply in a timely manner.
-
-
Public Interest
Requirement.
Under a requirement of the Communications Act, the FCC has imposed certain public interest obligations on DBS operators,
including a requirement that such providers set aside four percent of channel capacity exclusively for noncommercial programming of an educational or informational nature, for which we must charge
programmers below-market rates and for which we may not impose additional charges on subscribers. FCC rules also require us to comply with a number of political broadcasting requirements to which
broadcasters are subject under the Communications Act, as well as limits on the commercialization of children's programming applicable to cable operators. We believe that we are in compliance with all
of these requirements, but some of them require our interpretations, which we believe are reasonable and consistent with industry practice. However, if we are challenged, the FCC may not agree with
our interpretations. In addition, the FCC could, in the future, attempt to impose additional public interest or content requirements on us, for example, by seeking to impose rules on indecent
programming.
-
-
Emergency Alert
System.
The Emergency Alert System, or EAS, requires participants to interrupt programming during nationally-declared emergencies and to
pass through emergency-related information. The FCC has adopted rules that require satellite carriers to participate in the "national" portion of EAS. It is also considering whether to mandate that
satellite carriers also interrupt programming for local emergencies and weather events. We believe that any such requirement would be very difficult to implement, would require costly changes to our
DBS/DTH system, and, depending on how it is implemented, could inconvenience or confuse our viewers. The FCC is also considering whether to require that EAS alerts be provided in multiple languages or
via text messages, which could also prove difficult and costly to implement depending upon the nature of any such requirement adopted.
-
-
Spectrum Allocation and License Assignment
Rules.
We depend upon the FCC's allocation of sufficient DBS frequencies and assignment of DBS licenses in order to operate our
business. DBS frequencies and available DBS orbital locations capable of supporting our business have become increasingly scarce. While we have obtained additional DTH service capacity and
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continue
to explore new sources of DBS/DTH capacity, there can be no assurance that we will obtain further capacity. In addition, the FCC had adopted a system of competitive bidding to assign licenses
for additional DBS frequencies. On June 21, 2005, the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit held that such an auction process was not authorized by statute. The FCC subsequently
voided the previous auction and implemented a freeze on applications for authority to provide DBS service in the United States using new frequencies or new orbital locations not assigned to the United
States in the ITU Region 2 Broadcasting Satellite Service, or BSS, Plan. On August 18, 2006, the FCC began a proceeding to identify a new system for assigning DBS authorizations. There can be
no assurance that we will be able to obtain additional DBS capacity under whatever system the FCC implements in the future.
In
2007, the FCC adopted new service and licensing rules for the BSS in the 17.3-17.8 GHz and 24.75-25.25 GHz bands, or
17
/
24
GHz BSS. This spectrum, also known
as the "reverse band" (in that transmissions from these satellites to consumers would occur in spectrum currently used for uplinking programming to traditional DBS satellites), could provide a new
source of additional DTH capacity. Among other things, the FCC established a licensing procedure under which the four parties with applications then pendingincluding
DIRECTVwould be allowed to amend their applications to conform to the new rules and would be entitled to have those applications processed on a co-equal basis with one another
before any new applications would be accepted. On July 28, 2009, the FCC granted four DIRECTV satellite applications in this band. However, foreign operators who may have international priority
have indicated an interest in using slots that may conflict with some or all of these licenses. One foreign licensed operator, Spectrum Five LLC, has filed a petition seeking reconsideration of
one of DIRECTV's licenses at an orbital location where Spectrum Five also proposes to operate, and that petition remains pending.
-
-
Rules Governing Co-Existence With Other Satellite and
Terrestrial Services and Service Providers in the MVPD Industry.
The FCC has adopted rules to allow non-geostationary orbit
fixed satellite services to operate on a co-primary basis in the same frequency band as the one used by direct broadcast satellite and Ku-Band-based fixed satellite
services. In the same proceeding, the FCC concluded that multi-channel video and data distribution services, or MVDDS, can share spectrum with DBS operators on a non-interference basis,
and adopted rules and a method for assigning licenses in that service, as well. While the FCC has established service and technical rules to govern the non-geostationary orbit and MVDDS
services to protect DBS operations from harmful interference, these rules may not be sufficient to prevent such interference, and the introduction of such services into spectrum used by us for DBS
service may have a material adverse impact on our operations. A number of aspects of these rules remain subject to judicial review. In addition, one MVDDS operator recently requested a waiver of the
applicable rules so that it could operate systems at substantially higher power levels in 80 markets where it holds MVDDS licenses. If granted, such a waiver may have a material adverse impact on our
operation in the affected markets. Although we have opposed that waiver request, there can be no assurance that the FCC will deny it.
On
August 18, 2006, the FCC released a notice of proposed rulemaking regarding the possible operation of "tweener" or "short spaced" satellitessatellites that would operate in the
same DBS uplink and downlink frequency bands as us, from orbital positions located in between those now assigned to the DBS service. This rulemaking follows applications by SES and Spectrum
Five LLC to operate tweener satellites. Under rules that the FCC is considering, a provider could, by complying with certain technical restrictions, operate a satellite in between two orbital
locations where we have already positioned our satellites without completing coordination of its operations with us and without demonstrating that such operations would not "affect" us as that
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term
is defined by the ITU. We have opposed this proposal, and believe that tweener satellites as proposed by applicants would cause interference to our current and planned operations and impose a
significant constraint on the further growth of our DIRECTV U.S. DBS service. We cannot predict what if any action the FCC may take or the effect of such a proceeding on our business.
On
November 29, 2006, despite the pendency of the tweener satellite rulemaking and over our opposition, the FCC's International Bureau granted Spectrum Five's application to operate a tweener
satellite at the 114.5
o
WL orbital location, only 4.5
o
away from our DBS satellites operating at the 110
o
WL and 119
o
WL orbital locations.
While the Bureau limited Spectrum Five's operations to levels below those at which the ITU deems one DBS system to "affect" another in the absence of agreement from all affected DBS operators
(including us), the Bureau's grant of Spectrum Five's application prior to coordination could ultimately permit Spectrum Five to operate at levels that would cause interference to our operations. On
February 1, 2008, the full FCC denied reconsideration of the International Bureau's order, but clarified that, if Spectrum Five is unable to coordinate its tweener satellite, it must file for a
modification of its authorization and demonstrate that its proposed operational parameters would not exceed the ITU trigger for coordination. To date, Spectrum Five has neither contacted us to attempt
coordination of its tweener system nor filed for modification of its authorization as directed by the FCC.
The
FCC has also adopted rules that require satellite operators to take certain measures to mitigate the dangers of collision and orbital debris. Among other things, these rules impose certain
requirements for satellite design and end-of-life disposal maneuvers for all satellites launched after March 18, 2002, which apply to eight of our in-orbit
satellites. We believe that we are in compliance with all of these requirements and expect that we will continue to be able to comply with them going forward, but the requirements for
end-of-life disposal could result in a slight reduction in the operational life of each new satellite.
-
-
Geographic Service
Rules.
The FCC requires DBS licensees to comply with certain geographic service obligations intended to foster the provision of DBS
service to subscribers residing in the states of Alaska and Hawaii. We believe that we are in compliance with these rules although, in the past, some have argued otherwise to the FCC. The FCC has not
acted on petitions filed several years ago by the State of Hawaii and an Alaska satellite television dealer. We cannot be sure that the FCC will agree with our view that we are in compliance with the
agency's geographic services rules, or that the FCC will not require us to make potentially cumbersome and costly changes to our offerings. The FCC has also adopted similar rules for the
17
/
24
GHz BSS service.
-
-
FCC Conditions Imposed In Connection With the Liberty and News
Corporation Transactions.
In approving Liberty's 2008 acquisition of News Corporation's equity investment in us, the FCC imposed a
number of regulatory conditions on us and Liberty, some of which directly or indirectly affected our business. In granting authority for the merger of Liberty Entertainment, Inc. and DIRECTV in
2009, the FCC conditioned its approval of the transaction on continued compliance with those conditions. Accordingly, the FCC has imposed on us program carriage conditions intended to prevent
discrimination against all forms of unaffiliated programming; and certain program access conditions intended to ensure non-discriminatory access to much of the programming carried on the
DIRECTV service. In particular, we may be required to submit to "baseball style" arbitration if we cannot arrive at terms for carriage of our regional sports network programming with an MVPD. We
cannot predict what effect our compliance with or the FCC's enforcement of these conditions will have on our business.
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Moreover,
in the transaction between News Corporation and Liberty, the Commission required us to sever all "attributable" links between DTVLA's subsidiary, DIRECTV Puerto Rico Ltd. ("DTVPR"),
and a Puerto Rico cable operator owned by an affiliate of Liberty. In order to comply with this condition, we put our entire interest in DTVPR into a divestiture trust in February 2009. However, we
cannot be sure that the FCC will agree with our view that the trust is sufficient to sever all attributable links between the two companies, or that it will not require us to undertake further
cumbersome and expensive measures to eliminate such attribution.
International Telecommunications Union Rules.
We are required by international rules to coordinate the use of the frequencies on
our satellites with
other satellite operators who may interfere with us or who may suffer interference from our operations.
Other Legal and Regulatory Requirements.
DBS/DTH providers are subject to other federal and state regulatory requirements, such
as Federal Trade
Commission, FCC and state telemarketing and advertising rules, and subscriber privacy rules similar to those governing other MVPDs. We have agreed with the Federal Trade Commission to
(1) review and monitor compliance with telemarketing laws by any companies we authorize to do telemarketing as well as by independent retailers, (2) investigate and respond to complaints
about alleged improper telemarketing and (3) terminate our relationship with marketers or retailers found in violation. Similarly, we have agreed with certain state attorneys general to comply
with advertising disclosure requirements and monitor compliance by independent retailers.
In
addition, although Congress has granted the FCC exclusive jurisdiction over the provision of DTH satellite services, aspects of DBS/DTH service remain regulated at the state and local
level. For example, the FCC has promulgated rules prohibiting restrictions by local government agencies, such as zoning commissions and private organizations, such as homeowners associations, on the
placement of DBS receiving antennas. Local governments and homeowners associations, however, may continue to regulate the placement of such antennas if necessary to accomplish a clearly defined public
safety objective or to preserve a recognized historic district, and may also apply to the FCC for a waiver of FCC rules if there are other local concerns of a special or unusual nature. In addition, a
number of state and local governments have attempted to impose consumer protection, customer service and other types of regulation on DBS operators. Also, while Congress has prohibited local taxation
of the provision of DBS service, taxation at the state level is permissible, and many states have imposed such taxes, and additional states have attempted to do so recently. Incident to conducting a
consumer directed business, we occasionally receive inquiries or complaints from authorities such as state attorneys general and state consumer protection offices. These matters are generally resolved
in the ordinary course of business.
In
Latin America, DTVLA and its subsidiaries are subject to laws and regulations in each country in which they operate that govern many of the same aspects of our operations as in the
United States, such as landing rights for satellites; spectrum, earth station and other licenses; must carry and other requirements with respect to the channels we carry; and regulations governing
telemarketing and customer service, etc. Regulatory regimes in Latin America are generally less developed than in the United States, and the application of existing laws and regulations to DBS
providers is at times uncertain. In addition, there are certain areas where regulations in Latin America are stricter than in the United States, such as regarding labor and consumer protection laws.
Foreign exchange laws in some countries can have a material impact on our ability to repatriate funds to the United States. Also, recently in several countries such as Brazil there have been proposed
laws that would require us to carry certain thresholds of domestic or "national" content which, if approved, could have a material impact on our subsidiaries operating in those countries.
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INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
All DIRECTV companies maintain active programs for identifying and protecting our important intellectual property. With the exception of certain U.S. trademark
registrations held by DIRECTV U.S., Sky Mexico and Sky Brazil pursuant to trademark license agreements and various intellectual property licensed from third parties, DIRECTV Group owns all of our
intellectual property for the benefit of our company and our subsidiaries.
We
believe that our growing portfolio of pending and issued patents are important assets. We presently hold over 1,950 issued patents worldwide relating to our past and present
businesses, including over 450 patents developed by, or otherwise relating to, the businesses of DIRECTV U.S. We hold a worldwide portfolio of over 1,100 trademarks in over 130 countries related to
the DIRECTV brand, the Cyclone Design and DIRECTV products and services. In particular, DIRECTV U.S. holds trademark registrations relating to its business, including registrations of the primary
"DIRECTV" and Cyclone Design trademarks. In many instances, these trademarks are licensed royalty-free to third parties for use in support of the DIRECTV U.S. business. We actively protect
our important patents, trademarks and other intellectual property rights against unauthorized or improper use by third parties.
ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION
We are subject to the requirements of federal, state, local and foreign environmental laws and regulations. These include laws regulating air emissions, water
discharge and universal and hazardous waste management activities. We have an environmental management function designed to track, facilitate and support our compliance with these requirements and
attempt to maintain compliance with all such requirements. We have made and will continue to make, as necessary, capital and other expenditures to comply with environmental requirements. We do not,
however, expect capital or other expenditures for environmental compliance to be material in 2010. In addition, we periodically review environmental stewardship concepts (such as green initiatives and
energy conservation strategies) and implement these whenever feasible. Environmental requirements are complex, change frequently and have become more stringent over time. Accordingly, we cannot
provide assurance that these requirements will not change or become more stringent in the future in a manner that could have a material adverse effect on our business.
We
are also subject to environmental laws requiring the investigation and cleanup of environmental contamination at facilities we formerly owned or operated or currently own or operate
or to which we sent hazardous wastes, including specified universal wastes, for treatment, service, disposal or recycling. We are aware of contamination at one of our former sites. We are in the
process of complying with the requirements stipulated by the government agency overseeing the site clean up and have allocated the funds to achieve the decontamination goals.
SEGMENT REPORTING DATA
Operating segment and principal geographic area data for 2009, 2008 and 2007 are summarized in Note 18 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial
Statements in Item 8, Part II of this Annual Report, which we incorporate herein by reference.
EMPLOYEES
As of December 31, 2009, DIRECTV U.S. had approximately 15,900 full-time and 300 part-time employees, DIRECTV Latin America had
approximately 5,700 full-time and 1,200 part-time employees and Sports Networks and Other had approximately 200 full-time employees.
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ACCESS TO COMPANY REPORTS
Our website address is www.directv.com. Our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on
Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished, if any, pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 are available free of charge
through our website as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. We are not incorporating by reference in this Annual Report on
Form 10-K any information on our website.
In
addition, our DIRECTV U.S. subsidiary, DIRECTV Holdings LLC, is a separate registrant with the SEC. You can access DIRECTV Holdings LLC's Annual Reports on
Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished, if any, pursuant to
Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 free of charge through our website at www.directv.com as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with,
or furnished to, the SEC.
***
DIRECTV,
DIRECT Plus, SuperFan, SUPERCAST, ScoreGuide, DIRECTV Cinema, Game Search, The 101 Network and the DIRECTV Cyclone Design are trademarks of The DIRECTV Group, Inc. and/or its
related entities. Other trademarks, service marks and trade names appearing in this Annual Report are the property of their respective holder.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
You should carefully consider the following risk factors, as well as the more detailed descriptions of our business elsewhere in this Annual Report. The risks
described below are not the only ones facing our company. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also adversely affect our business, financial condition or
results of operations.
Our
business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially and adversely affected by the following:
We compete with other MVPDs, some of whom have greater resources than we do and levels of competition are increasing.
We compete in the MVPD industry against cable television, telcos and wireless companies and other land-based and satellite-
based system operators with service offerings including video, audio and interactive programming, data and other entertainment services and telephony service. Some of these competitors have greater
financial, marketing and other resources than we do.
Some
cable television operators have large, established customer bases and many cable operators have significant investments in, and access to, programming. According to the National
Cable & Telecommunications Association's 2008 Industry Overview, 96% of the 128.6 million U.S. housing units are passed by cable. Of the 128.6 million U.S. housing units,
approximately 97.6 million subscribe to an MVPD service and approximately 62% of MVPD subscribers receive their programming from a cable operator. Cable television operators have advantages
relative to us, including or as a result of:
-
-
being the incumbent MVPD operator with an established subscriber base in the territories in which we compete;
-
-
bundling their analog video service with expanded digital video services delivered terrestrially or via satellite, or with
efficient two-way high-speed Internet access or telephone service on upgraded cable systems;
-
-
having the ability to provide certain local and other programming, including HD programming, in geographic areas where we
do not currently provide local or local HD programming; and
-
-
having legacy arrangements for exclusivity in certain multiple dwelling units and planned communities.
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In addition, cable television operators have grown their subscriber bases through mergers and acquisitions, and a recent federal appeals court decision
invalidating the cap on the number of subscribers a single cable operator may allow them additional avenues for growth. Moreover, mergers, joint ventures and alliances among franchise, wireless or
private cable television operators, telcos,
broadband service providers and others may result in providers capable of offering bundled television, data and telecommunications services in competition with our services.
We
do not currently offer local channel coverage to markets covering approximately five percent of U.S. television households, which places us at a competitive disadvantage in those
markets. We also have been unable to secure certain international programming, due to exclusive arrangements of programming providers with certain competitors, which has constrained our ability to
compete for subscribers who wish to obtain such programming. And as discussed below, certain cable-affiliated programmers have withheld their programming from us in certain markets, which has further
constrained our ability to compete for subscribers in those markets.
In
the United States, various telcos and broadband service providers have deployed fiber optic lines directly to customers' homes or neighborhoods to deliver video services, which
compete with the DIRECTV service. It is uncertain whether we will be able to increase our satellite capacity, offer a significant level of new services in existing markets in which we compete or
expand to additional markets as may be necessary to compete effectively. Some of these various telcos and broadband service providers also sell the DIRECTV service as part of a bundle with their voice
and data services. A new broadly-deployed network with the capability of providing video, voice and data services could present a significant competitive challenge and, in the case of the telcos
currently selling the DIRECTV service, could result in such companies focusing less effort and resources selling the DIRECTV service or declining to sell it at all. We may be unable to develop other
distribution methods to make up for lost sales through the telcos.
As
a result of these and other factors, we may not be able to continue to expand our subscriber base or compete effectively against cable television or other MVPD operators in the
future.
Emerging digital media competition could materially adversely affect us.
Our business is focused on television, and we face emerging competition from other providers of digital media, some of which have
greater financial, marketing and other resources than we do. In particular, programming offered over the Internet has become more prevalent as broadband networks have improved their speed and quality
of service. Significant changes in consumer behavior with regard to the means by which they obtain video entertainment and information in response to this emerging digital media competition could
materially adversely affect our revenues and earnings or otherwise disrupt our business.
We depend on others to produce programming and programming costs are increasing.
We depend on third parties to provide us with almost all of our programming services, including third parties who are our affiliates
and third parties controlled by competitors. As discussed below, a limited number of cable-affiliated programmers have in the past denied us access to their programming. Our ability to compete
successfully will depend on our ability to continue to obtain desirable programming and deliver it to our subscribers at competitive prices. Our programming agreements generally have remaining terms
ranging from less than one to up to ten years and contain various renewal and cancellation provisions. We may not be able to renew these agreements on favorable terms, or at all, or these agreements
may be canceled prior to expiration of their original terms. If we are unable to renew any of these agreements or the other parties cancel the agreements, we may not
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be
able to obtain substitute programming, or if we are able to obtain such substitute programming, it may not be comparable in quality or cost to our existing programming.
In
addition, many of our programming agreements are long term agreements and contain fixed annual price increases. When offering new programming, or upon expiration of existing
contracts, programming suppliers have historically increased the rates they charge us for programming, increasing our costs. We expect this practice to continue. Increases in programming costs could
cause us to increase the rates that we charge our subscribers, which could in turn, especially in a difficult economic environment, cause subscribers to terminate their subscriptions or potential new
subscribers to refrain from subscribing to our service. Furthermore, due to the economy and other factors, we may be unable to pass programming cost increases on to our subscribers, which could have a
material adverse effect on our earnings or cash flow.
Increased subscriber churn or subscriber upgrade and retention costs could materially adversely affect our financial performance.
Turnover of subscribers in the form of subscriber service cancellations, or churn, has a significant financial impact on the results of
operations of any subscription television provider, including us, as does the cost of upgrading and retaining subscribers. Any increase in our upgrade and retention costs for our existing subscribers
may adversely affect our financial performance or cause us to increase our subscription rates, which could increase churn. Churn may also increase due to factors beyond our control, including churn by
subscribers who are unable to pay their monthly subscription fees, a slowing economy, significant signal theft, consumer fraud, a maturing subscriber base and competitive offers. Any of the risks
described in this Annual Report that could potentially have a material adverse impact on our cost or service quality or that could result in higher prices for
our subscribers could also, in turn, cause an increase in churn and consequently have a material adverse effect on our earnings and financial performance.
Our subscriber acquisition costs could materially increase.
We incur costs relating to subscribers acquired by us and subscribers acquired through third parties. These costs are known as
subscriber acquisition costs. For instance, we provide installation incentives to our retailers to enable them to offer standard professional installation as part of the subscriber's purchase or lease
of a DIRECTV System. In addition, we pay commissions to retailers for their efforts in offering a DIRECTV System at a lower cost to consumers. Our subscriber acquisition costs may materially increase
to the extent we continue or expand current sales promotion activities or introduce other more aggressive promotions, or due to increased competition. Any material increase in subscriber acquisition
costs from current levels would negatively impact our earnings and could materially adversely affect our financial performance.
Results are impacted by the effect of, and changes in, United States and Latin America economic conditions and weakening economic conditions may reduce subscriber spending
and our rate of growth of subscriber additions and may increase subscriber churn.
Our business may be affected by factors in the United States and other countries in which we operate that are beyond our control, such
as downturns in economic activity in a specific country or region, or in the MVPD industry. Factors such as interest rates and the health of the housing market may impact our business. A substantial
portion of our revenues comes from residential customers whose spending patterns may be affected by prevailing economic conditions. Our market share in multiple dwelling units such as apartment
buildings is lower than that of many of our competitors. If unemployment and foreclosures of single family residences increase, our earnings and financial
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performance
could be negatively affected more than those of our competitors. In addition, if our customers seek alternative means to obtain video entertainment, they may choose to purchase fewer
services from us. Due to the economic and competitive environment, we may need to spend more to acquire and retain customers who in turn spend less on our services. If our average monthly revenue per
subscriber, or ARPU, decreases, our margins could become compressed and the long term value of a customer would then decrease. The weak economy may affect our net subscriber additions and reduce
subscriber spending and, if these economic conditions continue or deteriorate further, our subscriber growth could decline and our churn rate could increase which would have a material adverse effect
on our earnings and financial performance.
DTVLA is subject to various additional risks associated with doing business internationally, which include political instability, economic instability, and foreign currency
exchange rate volatility.
All of DTVLA's operating companies are located outside the continental United States. DTVLA operates and has subscribers located
throughout Latin America and the Caribbean Basin, which makes it vulnerable to risks of conducting business in foreign markets, including:
-
-
difficulties and costs associated with complying with a wide variety of complex laws, treaties and regulations;
-
-
unexpected changes in political or regulatory environments;
-
-
longer payment cycles;
-
-
earnings and cash flows that may be subject to tax withholding requirements or the imposition of tariffs, exchange
controls or other restrictions;
-
-
difficulties and costs associated with the repatriation of cash from foreign countries to the United States;
-
-
political and economic instability;
-
-
import and export restrictions and other trade barriers;
-
-
difficulties in maintaining overseas subsidiaries and international operations;
-
-
difficulties in obtaining approval for significant transactions;
-
-
government takeover or nationalization of business; and
-
-
government mandated price controls.
In
the past, the countries that constitute some of DTVLA's largest markets, including Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and Venezuela have experienced economic crises, caused by external and
internal factors, and characterized by exchange rate instability, high inflation, high domestic interest rates, economic contraction, a reduction or cessation of international capital flows, a
reduction of liquidity in the banking sector and high unemployment. These economic conditions have often been related to political instability, including political violence. If these economic
conditions recur, they could substantially reduce the purchasing power of the population in our markets and materially adversely affect our business.
Because
DTVLA offers premium pay television programming, its business is particularly vulnerable to economic downturns. DTVLA has experienced, and may in the future experience, decreases
or instability in consumer demand for its programming, as well as subscriber credit problems. DTVLA's inability to adjust its business and operations to adequately address these issues could
materially adversely affect its revenues and ability to sustain profitable operations.
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Our ability to keep pace with technological developments is uncertain.
In the video industry, changes occur rapidly as new technologies are developed, which could cause our services and products that
deliver our services to become obsolete. We may not be able to keep pace with technological developments. If the new technologies on which we intend to focus our investments fail to achieve acceptance
in the marketplace or our technology does not work and requires significant cost to replace or fix, we could suffer a material adverse effect on our future competitive position, which could cause a
reduction in our revenues and earnings. For example, our competitors could be the first to obtain proprietary technologies that are perceived by the market as being superior. Further, after incurring
substantial costs, one or more of the technologies under development by us or any of our strategic partners could become obsolete prior to its introduction.
In
addition, technological innovation depends, to a significant extent, on the work of technically skilled employees. Competition for the services of these employees has been vigorous.
We cannot assure you that we will be able to continue to attract and retain these employees.
To
access technologies and provide products that are necessary for us to remain competitive, particularly in the area of broadband services, we may make future acquisitions and
investments and may enter into strategic partnerships with other companies. Such investments may require a commitment of significant capital and human and other resources. The value of such
acquisitions, investments and partnerships and the technology accessed may be highly speculative. Arrangements with third parties can lead to contractual and other disputes and dependence on the
development and delivery of necessary technology on third parties that we may not be able to control or influence. These relationships may commit us to technologies that are rendered obsolete by other
developments or preclude the pursuit of other technologies which may prove to be superior.
New
technologies could also create new competitors for us. Entities such as telcos are supporting digital video delivery over existing telephone lines and building out fiber optic lines
to enhance their capabilities to deliver programming services. Satellite operators such as SES have begun offering turn-key packages of digital programming on a wholesale basis for
distribution by rural telcos. In addition, programming services offered over the Internet have become more prevalent as broadband networks have improved their speed and quality of service. We may not
be able to compete successfully with new entrants in the market for video services.
Our business relies on intellectual property, some of which is owned by third parties, and we may inadvertently infringe patents and proprietary rights of others.
Many entities, including some of our competitors, have or may in the future obtain patents and other intellectual property rights that
cover or affect products or services
related to those that we currently offer or may offer in the future. In general, if a court determines that one or more of our services or the products used to transmit or receive our services
infringes on intellectual property owned by others, we and the applicable manufacturers or vendors may be required to cease developing or marketing those services and products, to obtain licenses from
the owners of the intellectual property or to redesign those services and products in such a way as to avoid infringing the intellectual property rights. If a third party holds intellectual property
rights, it may not allow us or the applicable manufacturers to use its intellectual property at any price, which could materially adversely affect our competitive position.
We
may not be aware of all intellectual property rights that our services or the products used to transmit or receive our services may potentially infringe. In addition, patent
applications in the United States are confidential until the Patent and Trademark Office issues a patent. Therefore, we cannot evaluate the extent to which our services or the products used to
transmit or receive our services may
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infringe
claims contained in pending patent applications. Further, without lengthy litigation, it is often not possible to determine definitively whether a claim of infringement is valid.
We
cannot estimate the extent to which we may be required in the future to obtain intellectual property licenses or the availability and cost of any such licenses. Those costs, and their
impact on our earnings, could be material. Damages in patent infringement cases may also include treble damages in certain circumstances. To the extent that we are required to pay royalties to third
parties to whom we are not currently making payments, these increased costs of doing business could materially adversely affect our operating results. We are currently being sued in patent
infringement actions related to use of technologies in our DTH business. There can be no assurance that the courts will conclude that our services or the products used to transmit or receive our
services do not infringe on the rights of third parties, that we or the manufacturers would be able to obtain licenses from these persons on commercially reasonable terms or, if we were unable to
obtain such licenses, that we or the manufacturers would be able to redesign our services or the products used to transmit or receive our services to avoid infringement. The final disposition of these
claims is not expected to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, but could possibly be material to our consolidated results of operations for any one period. Further,
no assurance can be given that any adverse outcome would not be material to our consolidated financial position.
See
"Legal ProceedingsIntellectual Property Litigation" in Part I, Item 3 of this Annual Report.
John C. Malone has significant influence over actions requiring stockholder approval and his interests may differ from ours.
The Chairman of our Board of Directors, John Malone, is also Chairman and Chief Executive of Liberty Media, Chairman of Liberty
Global, Inc., and owns significant voting interests in each of DIRECTV, Liberty Media, Liberty Global, and Discovery Communications, Inc. Mr. Malone, his wife and certain trusts
for the benefit of their children own shares of DIRECTV common stock, which represent approximately 24.3% of the total voting power of the outstanding shares of DIRECTV as of December 31, 2009.
DIRECTV has two classes of common stock, the Class A common stock entitling holders to one vote per share and the Class B common stock entitling holders to 15 votes per share. The shares
of DIRECTV Class B common stock also have certain limited consent rights with respect to certain share distributions and certain amendments to the DIRECTV Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation. By virtue of such rights as well as Mr. Malone's position as DIRECTV's Chairman, Mr. Malone may have significant influence over the outcome of any corporate transaction or
other matters submitted to DIRECTV stockholders for approval, including the election of directors, mergers, consolidations and the sale of all or substantially all of DIRECTV's assets.
We rely on key personnel
.
We believe that our future success will depend to a significant extent upon the performance of certain of our key executives. The loss
of certain of our key executives could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Construction or launch delays on satellites could materially adversely affect our revenues and earnings.
A key component of our business strategy is our ability to expand our offering of new programming and services, including increased
local and HD programming. In order to accomplish this goal, we need to construct and launch new satellites. The construction and launch of satellites are often subject to delays, including satellite
and launch vehicle construction delays, periodic unavailability of
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reliable
launch opportunities due to competition for launch slots, weather and also due to general delays that result when a launch provider experiences a launch failure, and delays in obtaining
regulatory approvals. A significant delay in the future delivery of any satellite would materially adversely affect the use of the satellite and thus could materially adversely affect our anticipated
revenues and earnings. If satellite construction schedules are not met, there can be no assurance that a
launch opportunity will be available at the time a satellite is ready to be launched. Certain delays in satellite construction could also jeopardize a satellite authorization that is conditioned on
timely construction and launch of the satellite.
Our satellites are subject to significant launch and operational risks.
Satellites are subject to significant operational risks relating to launch and while in orbit. Launch and operational risks include
launch failure, incorrect orbital placement or improper commercial operation. Launch failures result in significant delays in the deployment of satellites because of the need both to construct
replacement satellites, which can take up to 36 months, and obtain other launch opportunities. We estimate the overall historical loss rate for all launches of commercial satellites in the last
seven years to be approximately 5% but it may be higher. Any significant delays or failures in successfully launching and deploying our satellites could materially adversely affect our ability to
generate revenues. While we have traditionally purchased insurance covering the launch and, in limited cases, operation of our satellites, such policies typically cover the loss of the satellite
itself or a portion thereof, and not the business interruption or other associated direct and indirect costs. For example, we purchased launch insurance covering a portion of our DIRECTV 12 satellite,
which we launched at the end of 2009, and launch vehicle costs in the event of a total loss of the satellite prior to separation from the launch vehicle, but did not purchase in-orbit
insurance for it.
In-orbit
risks include malfunctions, commonly referred to as anomalies, and collisions with meteoroids, other spacecraft or other space debris. Anomalies occur as a result of
various factors, such as satellite manufacturing errors, problems with the power systems or control systems of the satellites and general failures resulting from operating satellites in the harsh
space environment. We work closely with our satellite manufacturers to determine and eliminate the potential causes of anomalies in new satellites and provide for redundancies of critical components
in the satellites as well as having backup satellite capacity. However, we cannot assure you that we will not experience anomalies in the future, nor can we assure you that our backup satellite
capacity will be sufficient for our business purposes. Any single anomaly or series of anomalies could materially adversely affect our operations and revenues and our relationships with our
subscribers, as well as our ability to attract new subscribers for our services. Anomalies may also reduce the expected useful life of a satellite, thereby creating additional expenses due to the need
to provide replacement or backup satellites and potentially reducing revenues if service is interrupted. Finally, the occurrence of anomalies may materially adversely affect our ability to insure our
satellites at commercially reasonable premiums, if at all. While some anomalies are currently covered by existing insurance policies, others are not now covered or may not be covered in the future.
Our
ability to earn revenue also depends on the usefulness of our satellites. Each satellite has a limited useful life. A number of factors affect the useful life of a satellite,
including, among other things:
-
-
the design;
-
-
the quality of its construction;
-
-
the durability of its component parts;
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-
-
the launch vehicle's insertion of the satellite into orbit;
-
-
any required movement, temporary or permanent, of the satellite;
-
-
the ability to continue to maintain proper orbit and control over the satellite's functions; and
-
-
the remaining on-board fuel following orbit insertion.
Generally,
the minimum design life of the satellites in our fleet is between 12 and 16 years. The actual useful lives of the satellites may be shorter or longer, in some cases
significantly. Our operating results could be adversely affected if the useful life of any of our satellites were significantly shorter than 12 years from the date of launch.
In
the event of a failure or loss of any of our satellites, we may relocate another satellite and use it as a replacement for the failed or lost satellite. In the event of a complete
satellite failure, our services provided via that satellite could be unavailable for several days or longer while backup in-orbit satellites are repositioned and services are moved. We are
not insured for any resultant lost revenues. The use of backup satellite capacity for our programming may require us to discontinue some programming services due to potentially reduced capacity on the
backup satellite. Any relocation of our satellites would require prior FCC approval and, among other things, a demonstration to the FCC that the replacement satellite would not cause additional
interference compared to the failed or lost satellite. Such FCC approval may not be obtained. We believe we have or will have in 2010, in-orbit satellite capacity to expeditiously recover
transmission of most DIRECTV U.S. programming in the event one of our in-orbit satellites fails. However, programming continuity cannot be assured in the event of multiple satellite
losses. DTVLA leases its satellites and may not have a readily available replacement in the event of a failure or loss of any of its satellites. Because we currently have no back-up
capacity in place for DTVLA, programming continuity in the countries in which DTVLA operates cannot be assured in the event of a single satellite loss.
The cost of commercial insurance coverage on our satellites or the loss of a satellite that is not insured could materially adversely affect our earnings.
We use in-orbit and launch insurance to mitigate the potential financial impact of satellite fleet in-orbit and
launch failures unless the premium costs are considered uneconomic relative to the risk of satellite failure. When insurance is obtained, it generally covers all or a portion of the unamortized book
value of covered satellites. Although the insurance does not compensate for business interruption or loss of future revenues or subscribers, we rely on in-orbit spare satellites and excess
transponder capacity at key orbital slots to mitigate the impact that a satellite failure may have on our ability to provide service.
The
price, terms and availability of insurance fluctuate significantly. Launch and in-orbit policies on satellites may not continue to be available on commercially reasonable
terms or at all. In addition to higher premiums, insurance policies may provide for higher deductibles, shorter coverage periods and satellite health-related policy exclusions.
Any
launch vehicle failure, or loss or destruction of any of our satellites, even if insured, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations,
our ability to comply with FCC regulatory obligations and our ability to fund the construction or acquisition of replacement satellites in a timely fashion, or at all.
At
December 31, 2009, the net book value of in-orbit satellites was $1,984 million, none of which was insured.
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We depend on the Communications Act for access to cable-affiliated programming and changes impacting that access could materially adversely affect us.
We purchase a substantial percentage of our programming from programmers that are affiliated with cable system operators, including key
RSNs. Currently, under certain provisions of the Communications Act governing access to programming, cable-affiliated programmers generally must sell and deliver their programming services to all
MVPDs on non-discriminatory terms and conditions. The Communications Act and the FCC rules also prohibit certain types of exclusive programming contracts involving programming from cable-
affiliated programmers.
Any
change in the Communications Act or the FCC's rules that would permit programmers that are affiliated with cable system operators to refuse to provide such programming or to impose
discriminatory terms or conditions could materially adversely affect our ability to acquire programming on a cost-effective basis, or at all. The Communications Act prohibitions on certain
cable industry exclusive contracting practices with cable-affiliated programmers were extended by the FCC through October 2012, though it is currently considering proposals that could shorten the term
of this extension if a cable operator could show that competition from new entrant MVPDs had reached a sufficient penetration level in the relevant marketing area.
In
addition, certain cable providers have denied us and other MVPDs access to a limited number of channels created by programmers with which the cable providers are affiliated. In other
cases, such programmers have denied MVPDs high definition feeds of such programming. The cable providers have asserted that they are not required to provide such programming (or resolution) due to the
manner in which that programming is distributed, which they argue is not covered by the program access provisions of the Communications Act. The FCC recently adopted new rules under which such
programming would also be subject to certain non-exclusivity and non-discrimination requirements. These rules have not yet gone into effect, and likely will be challenged in
court. In addition, they will require a further evidentiary showing by an MVPD seeking access to such programming. If these new rules are successfully challenged in court or we cannot make the
required evidentiary showing, we may continue to be precluded from obtaining such programming, which in turn could materially adversely affect our ability to compete in regions serviced by those cable
providers. Although the FCC also addressed some of these issues in a limited fashion by placing access conditions on certain regional sports networks affiliated with Time Warner Cable, Inc. and
Comcast Corporation, it is not clear that we will be able to assure continued access to this programming on fair and nondiscriminatory terms.
DIRECTV
itself is subject to similar restrictions with respect to certain programmers affiliated with us. The FCC imposed a number of conditions on its approval of Liberty Media's
acquisition of News Corporation's interest in DIRECTV in 2007. Among other things, those conditions require DIRECTV to offer national and regional programming services it controls to all MVPDs on
non-exclusive and non-discriminatory terms and conditions, and prohibits DIRECTV from entering into exclusive arrangements with affiliated programmers or unduly influencing
such programmers in their dealings with other MVPDs. The conditions also require DIRECTV to engage in "baseball style" arbitration if elected by an MVPD where the parties cannot agree on terms and
conditions for carriage of RSN programming owned, managed or controlled by DIRECTV. This condition currently applies to the three RSNs DIRECTV acquired from Liberty Media in 2009.
Changes to and implementation of statutory copyright license requirements may negatively affect our ability to deliver local and distant broadcast stations, as well as other
aspects of our business.
We carry the signals of distant broadcast stations pursuant to statutory copyright licenses contained in the Satellite Home Viewer
Improvement Act (SHVIA) and its successors, including the Satellite
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Home
Viewer Extension and Reauthorization Act of 2004 (SHVERA). Critical provisions of SHVERA related to distant signals were due to expire at the end of 2009, but Congress has extended that deadline
to February 28, 2010. Expiration of or changes to SHVERA, the FCC's interpretation, implementation and enforcement of provisions of SHVIA and SHVERA, as well as judicial decisions interpreting
and enforcing these laws, could hamper our ability to retransmit distant network and superstation signals, reduce the number of our existing or future subscribers that can qualify for receipt of these
signals, impose costs on us in connection with the process of complying with the rules, or subject us to fines, monetary damages or injunctions.
SHVERA,
related laws, and FCC implementing rules also govern our provision of local broadcast signals. While those provisions of SHVERA do not expire on February 28, 2010, they
may be changed by Congress. Such changes could limit our ability to deliver local broadcast signals. More generally, we have limited capacity, and the projected number of markets in which we can
deliver local broadcast programming will continue to be constrained because of SHVERA's "carry-one, carry-all" requirement and may be reduced depending on changes to that
requirement, the FCC's interpretation of its rules in pending and future rulemaking and complaint proceedings, as well as judicial decisions interpreting must carry requirements. We may not be able to
comply with these must carry rules, or compliance may mean that we are not able to use capacity that could otherwise be used for new or additional local or national programming services. In addition,
the FCC has issued an increasing obligation for carriage of local digital broadcast transmissions in HD format. We may be unable to comply with this requirement in markets where we currently carry
such signals
without ceasing HD local service entirely in some markets, and would be precluded from launching additional markets currently planned.
In
addition, the FCC has adopted rules requiring us to negotiate in good faith with broadcast stations seeking carriage outside of the mandatory carriage regime described elsewhere. The
rules for "retransmission consent" negotiations, which are similar to those that have applied to broadcast stations for years, require us to comply with certain indicia of good faith negotiation, as
well as to demonstrate good faith under a "totality of the circumstances" test. Failure to comply with these rules could subject us to administrative sanctions and other penalties.
Satellite programming signals have been stolen and may be stolen in the future, which could result in lost revenues and would cause us to incur incremental operating costs
that do not result in subscriber acquisition.
The delivery of subscription programming requires the use of conditional access technology to limit access to programming to only those
who subscribe and are authorized to view it. The conditional access system uses, among other things, encryption technology to protect the transmitted signal from unauthorized access. It is illegal to
create, sell or otherwise distribute software or devices to circumvent that conditional access technology. However, theft of cable and satellite programming has been widely reported, and the access
cards used in our conditional access system have been compromised in the past and could be compromised in the future.
We
have undertaken various initiatives with respect to our conditional access system to further enhance the security of the DIRECTV signal. To help combat signal theft, we provide our
subscribers with more advanced access cards that we believe significantly enhance the security of our signal. Currently, we believe these access cards have not been compromised. However, we cannot
guarantee that those advanced access cards will prevent the theft of our satellite programming signals in the future. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that we will succeed in developing the
technology we need to effectively restrict or eliminate signal theft. If our current access cards are compromised, our revenue and our ability to contract for video and audio services provided by
programmers could be
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materially
adversely affected. In addition, our operating costs could increase if we attempt to implement additional measures to combat signal theft.
The ability to maintain FCC licenses and other regulatory approvals is critical to our business.
If we do not obtain all requisite U.S. regulatory approvals for the construction, launch and operation of any of our existing or future
satellites for the use of frequencies at the orbital locations planned for these satellites or for the provision of service, or the licenses obtained impose operational restrictions on us, our ability
to generate revenue and profits could be materially adversely affected. In addition, under certain circumstances, existing licenses are subject to revocation or modification and upon expiration,
renewal may not be granted. If existing licenses are not renewed, or are revoked or materially modified, our ability to generate revenue could be materially adversely affected.
In
certain cases, satellite system operators are obligated by governmental regulation and procedures of the ITU to coordinate the operation of their systems with other users of the radio
spectrum in order to avoid causing interference to those other users. Coordination may require a satellite system operator to reduce power, avoid operating on certain frequencies, relocate its
satellite to another orbital location and/or otherwise modify planned or existing operations. For example, the FCC has conditionally granted Spectrum Five authority to provide DBS service using
frequencies assigned to it by the Government of the Netherlands from an orbital slot located halfway between slots at which we currently operate. Other operators have filed similar requests. We
believe this closer proximity, if ultimately implemented, would significantly increase the risk of interference which could adversely affect the quality of service provided to our subscribers. We may
not be able to successfully coordinate our satellites to the extent we are required to do so, and any modifications we make in the course of coordination, or any inability to successfully coordinate,
may materially adversely affect our ability to generate revenue. In addition, the FCC is currently conducting a rulemaking proceeding to consider, among other things, the adoption of operating
parameters under which such "tweener" systems would be automatically deemed coordinated.
Other
regulatory risks include, among others:
-
-
the relocation of satellites to different orbital locations if the FCC determines that relocation is in the public
interest;
-
-
the denial by the FCC of an application to replace an existing satellite with a new satellite, or to operate a satellite
beyond the term of its current authorization, or to operate an earth station to communicate with such satellite;
-
-
the loss of authorizations to operate satellites on certain frequencies at certain locations if we do not construct,
launch and operate satellites for those locations by certain dates; and
-
-
the authorization by the United States or foreign governments of the use of frequencies by third party satellite or
terrestrial facilities that have the potential to interfere with communication to or from our satellites, which could interfere with our contractual obligations or services to subscribers or other
business operations.
All
of our FCC satellite authorizations are subject to conditions imposed by the FCC in addition to the FCC's general authority to modify, cancel or revoke those authorizations. Use of
FCC licenses and other authorizations are often subject to conditions, including technical requirements and implementation deadlines. Failure to comply with such requirements, or comply in a timely
manner, could lead to the loss of authorizations and could have a material adverse effect on our ability to generate revenue. For example, loss of an authorization could potentially reduce the amount
of programming and other services available to our subscribers. The materiality of such a loss of
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authorization
would vary based upon, among other things, the orbital location at which the frequencies may be used.
In
addition, in connection with its approval of Liberty Media's acquisition of News Corporation's interest in DIRECTV in 2007, the FCC required the parties to the transaction to sever
all attributable links between DTVPR and Liberty Cablevision Puerto Rico, Ltd. (a subsidiary of Liberty Global, Inc. in which John Malone holds an interest). After attempts to sell DTVPR
were unsuccessful, DIRECTV placed its entire interest in DTVPR into a trust, and it is currently operated by an independent trustee pending divestiture. DIRECTV believes that this trust effectively
renders its interest in DTVPR non-attributable, consistent with past FCC precedent, and thus satisfies the FCC condition. However, the FCC has not ruled on the efficacy of the trust, and
may take a different view. If so, we may have to find an alternative method for severing the attributable links between the two companies, which could adversely effect our financial performance.
Moreover,
some of our authorizations and future applications may be subject to petitions and oppositions, and there can be no assurance that our authorizations will not be canceled,
revoked or modified or that our applications will not be denied. Moreover, the FCC has adopted new rules for licensing satellites that may limit our ability to file applications and secure licenses in
the future.
Congress
has continued to shape the scope of the FCC's regulatory authority and enact legislation that affects our business. In addition, FCC proceedings to implement legislation and
enact additional
regulations are ongoing. The outcomes of these legislative or regulatory proceedings or their effect on our business cannot be predicted.
We control a substantial portion of interaction with our customers and we may not be as efficient or effective as our outsourced providers resulting in higher costs.
We have a number of insourced call centers and installation service providers to handle customer service calls, installations and
repairs. We may not be as efficient or effective as our outsourced providers resulting in higher costs. Also, there is a risk that our customer satisfaction could be impacted, which may lead to higher
subscriber churn and an inability to attract new subscribers. In addition, our outsourced providers could encounter financial difficulties, which may disrupt our ability to make installation service
calls or to provide a level of customer service we expect, and which also may lead to higher subscriber churn and an inability to attract new subscribers.
We have significant debt.
We have debt totaling $8.0 billion as of December 31, 2009. If we do not have sufficient income or other sources of cash,
it could affect our ability to service debt and pay other obligations.
As
a result of completing the merger transactions, we assumed, on a consolidated basis, approximately $1.9 billion of indebtedness to Bank of America and also assumed rights and
obligations connected with the related equity collars. We requested that Bank of America settle the equity collars prior to their expiration, pursuant to agreed upon market practices. In February
2010, we completed the settlement of the equity collars and repaid the indebtedness.
We face risks arising from possible union legislation in the United States.
There is a possibility that the proposed Employee Free Choice Act, or EFCA, may be enacted. The EFCA, also referred to as the "card
check" bill, if passed in its current form could significantly change the nature of labor relations in the United States, specifically, how union elections and contract negotiations are conducted.
With respect to our owned and operated home service provider installation
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business,
it would be easier for unions to win elections and we could face arbitrator-imposed labor scheduling, costs and standards. Therefore, the EFCA could impose more labor relations requirements
and union activity on our business, thereby potentially increasing our costs, and could have a material adverse effect on our overall competitive position. Currently, neither we nor most of our
outsourced home service provider installation vendors have any unions.
We may not be able to obtain or retain certain foreign regulatory approvals.
There can be no assurance that any current regulatory approvals held by us are, or will remain, sufficient in the view of foreign
regulatory authorities, or that any additional necessary approvals will be granted on a timely basis or at all, in all jurisdictions in which we operate, or that applicable restrictions in those
jurisdictions will not be unduly burdensome. The failure to obtain the authorizations necessary to operate satellites or provide satellite service internationally could have a material adverse effect
on our ability to generate revenue and our overall competitive position.
We may have a significant indemnity obligation to Liberty Media, which is not limited in amount or subject to any cap, if parts of the merger transactions are treated as a
taxable transaction.
Despite obtaining a private letter ruling from the IRS and an opinion of legal counsel to the effect that parts of the merger
transactions with Liberty Media qualified as a tax-free distribution for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the continuing validity of such ruling and opinion is subject to the accuracy of
factual representations and certain assumptions. Any inaccuracy in such representations could invalidate the ruling or failure to comply with any undertakings made in connection with such tax opinion,
could alter the conclusions reached in such opinion. Even if parts of the merger transactions otherwise qualify for tax-free treatment, it would result in a significant U.S. federal income
tax liability to Liberty Media if one or
more persons acquire a 50% or greater interest in the DIRECTV common stock as part of a plan or series of related transactions that includes the merger transactions within a certain time frame. The
process for determining whether an acquisition is part of a plan under these rules is complex, inherently factual and subject to interpretation of the facts and circumstances of a particular case.
Liberty Media or DIRECTV might inadvertently cause or permit a prohibited change in the ownership of DIRECTV to occur, thereby triggering a tax liability to Liberty Media.
In
addition, Liberty Media entered into a tax matters agreement with News Corporation in connection with the News/Liberty transaction in 2008, pursuant to which Liberty Media agreed,
among other things, to indemnify News Corporation and certain related persons for taxes resulting from actions taken by Liberty Media or its affiliates that cause the News/Liberty transaction (or
related restructuring transactions) not to qualify as tax-free transactions. Liberty Media's indemnification obligations to News Corporation and certain related persons are not limited in
amount or subject to any cap.
Under
a Tax Sharing Agreement between Liberty Media and us, we are obligated to indemnify Liberty Media and certain related persons for any losses and taxes resulting from the failure of
the merger transactions to be tax-free transactions in certain circumstances and from any losses resulting from Liberty Media's indemnity obligations to News Corporation under the tax
matters agreement between News Corporation and Liberty. If we are required to indemnify Liberty Media or certain related persons under the circumstances set forth in the Tax Sharing Agreement, we may
be subject to substantial liabilities not limited in amount or subject to any cap, which could materially adversely affect our financial position and short term operating results.
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We may determine to forgo certain transactions in order to avoid the risk of incurring significant tax-related liabilities.
We might determine to forgo certain transactions that might have otherwise been advantageous in order to preserve the
tax-free treatment of the Liberty Transaction or the News/Liberty transaction. In particular, we might determine to continue to operate certain of our business operations for the
foreseeable future even if a liquidation or sale of such business might have otherwise been advantageous. Moreover, we might determine to forgo certain transactions, including stock issuances, asset
dispositions or other strategic transactions for some period of time following the mergers so as not to run afoul of the 50-percent limitation. In addition, our potential indemnity
obligation under the Tax Sharing Agreement might discourage, delay or prevent a change of control transaction for some period of time following the Liberty Transaction.
The excess share provision in our charter has the effect of placing limitations on the shares held by certain stockholders, which may make it difficult for a third party to
acquire our company.
The excess share provision of our charter is designed to prevent transfers of our stock that could cause potentially adverse tax
effects relating to the Liberty Transaction. Accordingly, if during the first year after the Liberty Transaction closed there is a purported transfer or non-transfer event that meets
certain requirements, including causing a person to become, actually or constructively, the owner of 10% or more of any class of our capital stock, then that acquisition will be null and void to the
intended holder, such shares of our common stock will be transferred to a trust for the exclusive benefit of a charitable beneficiary, and the purported transferee will have no rights in such shares,
except to receive the lesser of (i)(A) the amount the transferee paid for such shares or (B) in the case of a non-transfer event or a purported transfer in which value was not given
for the shares, the fair market value of the stock on the date of such event or transfer and (ii) the net proceeds of the sale described in the next sentence. The trust is required to sell the
DIRECTV excess shares to a permitted transferee who will not trigger the application of the excess share provision. We also have the right to redeem DIRECTV excess shares held by the trust. These
provisions may make it difficult for a third party to make an offer to acquire our company.
The success of our regional sports networks, or RSNs, depends on audience acceptance of their programs and programming services which is difficult to predict.
Entertainment content production is an inherently risky business because the revenue derived from the production and distribution of a
cable program depends primarily upon its acceptance by the public, which is difficult to predict. The commercial success of a cable program depends on the quality and acceptance of other competing
programs released into the marketplace at or near the same time, the availability of alternative forms of entertainment and leisure time activities, general economic conditions and other tangible and
intangible factors, many of which are difficult to predict. Audience sizes for cable programming are important factors when cable and DTH satellite video providers negotiate affiliation agreements
with cable programmers and, in the case of cable programming, when advertising rates are negotiated. Consequently, low public acceptance of our RSNs' cable programs could hurt the ability of our RSNs
to maintain rates charged to affiliates, subscribers and advertisers. The success of our RSNs is dependent upon our ability to obtain and retain broadcast rights from professional sports teams,
college sports conferences and other sources of sports programming. There is no assurance that we will be able to obtain or retain such rights on terms that are economically reasonable or at all, and
our failure do to so could materially adversely affect the financial position and operating results of our RSNs.
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We face risks arising from the outcome of various legal proceedings.
We are involved in various legal proceedings, including those arising in the ordinary course of business and those described under the
caption "Legal Proceedings" in Item 3. Such matters include investigations and legal actions by state attorneys general where regulators may seek monetary damages and may also seek to require
or prohibit certain actions by the Company with regard to its current or potential customers. While we do not believe that any of these proceedings alone or in the aggregate will have a material
effect on our consolidated financial position, an adverse outcome in one or more of these matters or the imposition of conditions by regulators on the conduct of our business could be material to our
consolidated results of operations and cash flows for any one period. Further, no assurance can be given that any adverse outcome would not be material to our consolidated financial position.
We may face other risks described from time to time in periodic reports filed by us with the SEC.
We urge you to consider the above risk factors carefully in evaluating forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report. The
forward-looking statements included in this Annual Report are made only as of the date of this Annual Report and we undertake no obligation to publicly update these forward-looking statements to
reflect subsequent events or circumstances.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
As of December 31, 2009, we had approximately 230 owned and leased locations operating in the United States and Latin America. The major locations of the
DIRECTV U.S. segment include eight administrative offices, two broadcast centers and six call centers. The major locations of the DIRECTV Latin America segment include 10 administrative offices, four
broadcast centers and eight call centers. We consider our properties adequate for our present needs.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
(a) Material
pending legal proceedings, other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to the business, to which we became or were a party during the year ended
December 31, 2009 or subsequent thereto, but before the filing of the report, are summarized below:
Intellectual Property Litigation.
We are a defendant in several unrelated lawsuits claiming infringement of various patents
relating to various
aspects of our businesses. In certain of these cases other industry participants are also defendants, and also in certain of these cases we expect that any potential liability would be the
responsibility of our equipment vendors pursuant to applicable contractual indemnification provisions. To the extent that the allegations in these lawsuits can be analyzed by us at this stage of their
proceedings, we believe the claims are without merit and intend to defend the actions vigorously. The final disposition of these claims is not expected to have a material adverse effect on our
consolidated financial position, but could possibly be material to our consolidated results of operations of any one period. No assurance can be given that any adverse outcome would not be material to
our consolidated financial position.
Finisar Corporation.
As previously reported, we were successful in 2008 getting the jury verdict in the Finisar case vacated on appeal.
The original
verdict found the patent to be valid and willfully infringed, and the jury awarded approximately $79 million in damages. The trial court increased the
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damages
award by $25 million because of the jury finding of willful infringement and awarded pre-judgment interest of $13 million. DIRECTV was also ordered to pay into escrow
$1.60 per new set-top receiver manufactured for use with the DIRECTV system beginning June 17, 2006 and continuing until the patent expires in 2012 or was otherwise found to be
invalid. On April 18, 2008, the Court of Appeals reversed the verdict of the district court in part, vacated the findings of infringement, and remanded for further proceedings on the remaining
issues finding that the district court had applied erroneous interpretations of certain terms of the claims. On remand, we sought and obtained summary judgment on the invalidity of all remaining
claims, and the case against DIRECTV was dismissed on May 19, 2009. Finisar filed a Notice of Appeal with the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and oral argument on the appeal was held on
January 6, 2010. On January 8, 2010, the Court of Appeals affirmed per curiam the grant of summary judgment on all claims. This case is now resolved and there will be no further
proceedings in this matter.
Early Cancellation Fees.
In 2008, a number of plaintiffs filed putative class action lawsuits in state and federal courts
challenging the early
cancellation fees DIRECTV U.S. assesses its customers when they do not fulfill their programming commitments. Several of these lawsuits are pendingsome in California state court
purporting to represent statewide classes, and some in federal courts purporting to represent nationwide classes. The lawsuits seek both monetary and injunctive relief. While the theories of liability
vary, the lawsuits generally challenge these fees under state consumer protection laws as both unfair and inadequately disclosed to customers. Each of the lawsuits is at an early stage. Where
possible, we are moving to compel these cases to arbitration in accordance with our Customer Agreement, but in states such as California where the enforceability of the arbitration provision is
limited, we intend to defend against these allegations in court. We believe that our early cancellation fees are adequately disclosed, and represent reasonable estimates of the costs we incur when
customers cancel service before fulfilling their programming commitments.
From
time to time, we receive investigative inquiries or subpoenas from state authorities with respect to alleged violations of state statutes. These inquiries may lead to legal
proceedings in some cases. Currently, we are the subject of an investigation by a multistate group of state attorneys general regarding alleged violations of their respective state consumer protection
statutes. The state of Washington, originally a part of the multistate group, filed an action in Washington state court in December 2009 seeking injunctive relief and civil penalties of up to $2,000
per violation of Washington's Consumer Protection Act. The multistate investigation and the Washington lawsuit allege a variety of purported violations of the statutes, but primarily allege that we do
not adequately disclose the terms and conditions of consumer offers, including subscriber commitments and early cancellation fees. We are cooperating with the multistate group by providing information
about our sales and marketing practices and customer complaints. We are defending the Washington lawsuit.
Liberty Media Corporation Litigation.
We have been notified that a purported class action was filed on February 9, 2010 in
Delaware Chancery
Court against certain past and present directors of Liberty Media Corporation alleging, among other things, that the defendants breached their fiduciary duties as Liberty board members in connection
with the business terms and approval process by Liberty stockholders of the merger of Liberty Entertainment, Inc. with a subsidiary of DIRECTV as part of the Liberty Transaction. The plaintiff
purports to represent approximately 85 former LMDIB stockholders (other than the defendants) that allegedly held approximately 1.8 million LMDIB shares prior to the consummation of the Liberty
Transaction. The complaint alleges, among other things, that John Malone and certain other LMDIB stockholders received disparate allocation of consideration in the Liberty Transaction. The complaint
seeks equitable reallocation and disgorgement of the improper consideration received by the defendants and other relief. The defendants are seeking indemnification and have tendered defense of this
litigation to DIRECTV pursuant to agreements executed as part of
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the
Liberty Transaction. We are in the process of assessing the merits of the allegations in the complaint and the indemnification obligations of DIRECTV regarding this litigation.
Other.
We are subject to other legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of our business. The amount of
ultimate liability with
respect to such actions is not expected to materially affect our financial position, results of operations or liquidity.
(b) The
following previously reported legal proceedings were terminated during the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2009:
Legal Proceedings Regarding the Liberty Transaction.
As previously reported, multiple purported class action complaints were
filed against The
DIRECTV Group, Inc., Liberty Media and The DIRECTV Group Board of Directors in the Delaware Court of Chancery and California State Court on behalf of the public stockholders of DIRECTV Group.
Four stockholder class action complaints were brought in Delaware Chancery Court from May 12, 2009 to May 19, 2009, all of which were subsequently consolidated on May 22, 2009,
which we refer to as the Delaware Action. One stockholder class action complaint was brought in California State Court on May 29, 2009, which we refer to as the California Action. The
consolidated Delaware complaint and the California complaint alleged, among other things, that the members of the DIRECTV Group Board of Directors breached their fiduciary duties in approving the
merger agreement with Liberty Media. On October 16, 2009, all of the parties to the Delaware Action entered into a Stipulation and Agreement of Compromise, Settlement and Release. After a
hearing on November 25, 2009, the settlement agreement was approved by the Delaware court
and a final judgment was entered on that date. The terms of the settlement are set forth in the Stipulation and the Notice of Settlement filed as Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2, respectively to the
DIRECTV Group's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 20, 2009.
In
September 2009, the California Action was stayed pending conclusion of the consolidated Delaware Action. The ruling in the Delaware Action is expected to result in the formal
dismissal of the California Action.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
At the special meeting of stockholders held on November 19, 2009, the following matters were submitted to a vote of the stockholders of DIRECTV Group:
The adoption of the Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among Liberty Media Corporation, Liberty Entertainment, Inc., The
DIRECTV Group, Inc., DIRECTV, DTVG One, Inc. and DTVG Two, Inc. The final voting results were:
|
|
|
|
|
For
|
|
|
864,150,937
|
|
Against
|
|
|
8,123,875
|
|
Abstain
|
|
|
3,350,513
|
|
Majority of the Minority
|
|
|
|
|
For
|
|
|
317,890,782
|
|
Percent
|
|
|
78
|
%
|
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The approval of the Voting and Right of First Refusal Agreement by The DIRECTV Group, Inc., Liberty Entertainment, Inc.,
DIRECTV, John C. Malone, Leslie Malone, The Tracy L. Neal Trust A and the Evan D. Malone Trust A. The final voting results were:
|
|
|
|
|
For
|
|
|
856,431,240
|
|
Against
|
|
|
8,403,993
|
|
Abstain
|
|
|
10,790,092
|
|
Majority of the Minority
|
|
|
|
|
For
|
|
|
311,838,612
|
|
Percent
|
|
|
76
|
%
|
The adjournment of the special meeting, if there are not sufficient votes. The final voting results were:
|
|
|
|
|
For
|
|
|
836,464,877
|
|
Against
|
|
|
32,094,932
|
|
Abstain
|
|
|
7,060,081
|
|
No Vote
|
|
|
4,262
|
|
Majority of the Minority
|
|
|
|
|
For
|
|
|
296,185,172
|
|
Percent
|
|
|
72
|
%
|
All
matters voted on at the special meeting were approved.
***
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PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Common Stock Price
Our Class A common stock is publicly traded on The NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "DTV." The following table sets
forth for the quarters indicated the high and low sales prices for our Class A common stock, as reported on the NASDAQ Global Select Market. From January 1, 2008 through
November 18, 2009, the stock that traded was the common stock of The DIRECTV Group, Inc. On November 19, 2009, we completed our merger with Liberty Entertainment Inc., and
from that date, the stock traded on the NASDAQ is the Class A common stock of DIRECTV.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
High
|
|
Low
|
|
Fourth Quarter
|
|
$
|
34.25
|
|
$
|
25.16
|
|
Third Quarter
|
|
|
27.99
|
|
|
22.81
|
|
Second Quarter
|
|
|
26.00
|
|
|
21.47
|
|
First Quarter
|
|
|
24.28
|
|
|
18.81
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
High
|
|
Low
|
|
Fourth Quarter
|
|
$
|
26.52
|
|
$
|
17.70
|
|
Third Quarter
|
|
|
28.83
|
|
|
23.65
|
|
Second Quarter
|
|
|
29.10
|
|
|
24.26
|
|
First Quarter
|
|
|
26.82
|
|
|
18.20
|
|
As
of the close of business on February 22, 2010, there were 70,617 holders of record of our Class A common stock. Our Class B common stock held by the Malones is
not registered and does not trade on any public market.
Dividend Rights and Other Stockholder Matters
Holders of our common stock are entitled to such dividends and other distributions in cash, stock or property as may be declared by our
Board of Directors in its sole discretion, subject to the preferential and other dividend rights of any outstanding series of our preferred stock. There were no shares of our preferred stock
outstanding at December 31, 2009.
No
dividends on our common stock have been declared by our Board of Directors for more than five years. We have no current plans to pay any dividends on either class of our common stock.
We currently expect to use our future earnings, if any, for the development of our businesses or other corporate purposes, including share repurchases.
DIRECTV
U.S. is subject to restrictive covenants under its credit facility. These covenants limit the ability of DIRECTV U.S. to, among other things, make restricted payments, including
dividends, loans or advances to us.
Information
regarding compensation plans under which our equity securities may be issued is included in Item 12 through incorporation by reference to our Proxy Statement for the
Annual Meeting of Stockholders scheduled to be held on June 3, 2010.
40
Table of Contents
DIRECTV
Share Repurchase Program
Since 2006 our Board of Directors has approved multiple authorizations for the repurchase of over $13 billion of our
Class A common stock, including $3.5 billion of authorized repurchases announced on February 18, 2010. The authorizations allow us to repurchase our Class A common stock
from time to time through open market purchases and negotiated transactions or otherwise. The timing, nature and amount of such transactions will depend on a variety of factors, including market
conditions and the program may be suspended, discontinued or accelerated at any time. The sources of funds for the purchases is our existing cash on hand, cash from operations and potential additional
borrowings. Purchases are made on the open market, through block trades and other negotiated transactions. Repurchased shares are retired but remain authorized for registration and issuance in the
future.
All
purchases were made in accordance with Rule 10b-18 of Securities Exchange Act of 1934. A summary of the repurchase activity for the three months ended
December 31, 2009 is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Period
|
|
Total Number
of Shares
Purchased
|
|
Average Price
Paid Per Share
|
|
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs
|
|
Maximum Dollar
Value that May
Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plans
or Programs
|
|
|
|
(Amounts in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)
|
|
October 1 - 31, 2009
|
|
|
1
|
|
$
|
27.08
|
|
|
1
|
|
$
|
304
|
|
November 1 - 30, 2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
304
|
|
December 1 - 31, 2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
304
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
27.08
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
304
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share
repurchases were suspended from October 20, 2009 until February 2010, during the pendency of the vote on the Liberty Transaction and thereafter while the Collar Loan was
repaid and the associated equity collars were unwound.
For
additional information regarding our share repurchases see Note 13 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual
Report.
***
41
Table of Contents
DIRECTV
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years Ended and As of December 31,
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
2005
|
|
|
|
(Dollars in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)
|
|
Consolidated Statements of Operations Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
$
|
21,565
|
|
$
|
19,693
|
|
$
|
17,246
|
|
$
|
14,755
|
|
$
|
13,164
|
|
Total operating costs and expenses
|
|
|
18,892
|
|
|
16,998
|
|
|
14,760
|
|
|
12,398
|
|
|
12,531
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating profit
|
|
$
|
2,673
|
|
$
|
2,695
|
|
$
|
2,486
|
|
$
|
2,357
|
|
$
|
633
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from continuing operations attributable to DIRECTV
|
|
$
|
942
|
|
$
|
1,515
|
|
$
|
1,434
|
|
$
|
1,420
|
|
$
|
305
|
|
Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes attributable to DIRECTV
|
|
|
|
|
|
6
|
|
|
17
|
|
|
|
|
|
31
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income attributable to DIRECTV
|
|
$
|
942
|
|
$
|
1,521
|
|
$
|
1,451
|
|
$
|
1,420
|
|
$
|
336
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic earnings per common share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from continuing operations attributable to DIRECTV
|
|
$
|
0.96
|
|
$
|
1.36
|
|
$
|
1.20
|
|
$
|
1.13
|
|
$
|
0.22
|
|
Diluted earnings per common share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from continuing operations attributable to DIRECTV
|
|
$
|
0.95
|
|
$
|
1.36
|
|
$
|
1.20
|
|
$
|
1.12
|
|
$
|
0.22
|
|
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
985
|
|
|
1,110
|
|
|
1,195
|
|
|
1,262
|
|
|
1,388
|
|
Diluted
|
|
|
992
|
|
|
1,114
|
|
|
1,202
|
|
|
1,270
|
|
|
1,395
|
|
Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
$
|
18,260
|
|
$
|
16,539
|
|
$
|
15,063
|
|
$
|
15,141
|
|
$
|
15,630
|
|
Obligations under capital leases
|
|
|
586
|
|
|
584
|
|
|
57
|
|
|
91
|
|
|
80
|
|
Long-term debt
|
|
|
6,500
|
|
|
5,725
|
|
|
3,347
|
|
|
3,395
|
|
|
3,405
|
|
Total stockholders' equity
|
|
|
2,911
|
|
|
4,631
|
|
|
6,013
|
|
|
6,473
|
|
|
7,989
|
|
See
the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for additional information regarding other significant
transactions during each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009.
***
42
Table of Contents
DIRECTV
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following is a discussion of our results of operations and financial condition. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial
statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report. Information in this section is organized as follows:
-
-
Summary Results of Operations and Financial Condition
-
-
Significant Transactions Affecting the Comparability of the Results of Operations
-
-
Key Terminology
-
-
Executive Overview and Outlook
-
-
Results of Operations
-
-
Liquidity and Capital Resources
-
-
Contractual Obligations
-
-
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
-
-
Contingencies
-
-
Certain Relationships and Related-Party Transactions
-
-
Critical Accounting Estimates
-
-
Accounting Changes and New Accounting Pronouncements
-
-
Security Ratings
43
Table of Contents
DIRECTV
SUMMARY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
(Dollars in Millions, Except
Per Share Amounts)
|
|
Consolidated Statements of Operations Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
$
|
21,565
|
|
$
|
19,693
|
|
$
|
17,246
|
|
Total operating costs and expenses
|
|
|
18,892
|
|
|
16,998
|
|
|
14,760
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating profit
|
|
|
2,673
|
|
|
2,695
|
|
|
2,486
|
|
Interest income
|
|
|
41
|
|
|
81
|
|
|
111
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
(423
|
)
|
|
(360
|
)
|
|
(235
|
)
|
Liberty transaction and related charges
|
|
|
(491
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other, net
|
|
|
34
|
|
|
55
|
|
|
26
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from continuing operations before income taxes
|
|
|
1,834
|
|
|
2,471
|
|
|
2,388
|
|
Income tax expense
|
|
|
(827
|
)
|
|
(864
|
)
|
|
(943
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from continuing operations
|
|
|
1,007
|
|
|
1,607
|
|
|
1,445
|
|
Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
6
|
|
|
17
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
|
1,007
|
|
|
1,613
|
|
|
1,462
|
|
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
|
|
|
(65
|
)
|
|
(92
|
)
|
|
(11
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income attributable to DIRECTV
|
|
$
|
942
|
|
$
|
1,521
|
|
$
|
1,451
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amounts attributable to DIRECTV common shareholders:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from continuing operations, net of taxes
|
|
$
|
942
|
|
$
|
1,515
|
|
$
|
1,434
|
|
Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
6
|
|
|
17
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$
|
942
|
|
$
|
1,521
|
|
$
|
1,451
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic earnings per common share attributable to DIRECTV:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from continuing operations
|
|
$
|
0.96
|
|
$
|
1.36
|
|
$
|
1.20
|
|
Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.01
|
|
|
0.01
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$
|
0.96
|
|
$
|
1.37
|
|
$
|
1.21
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted earnings per common share attributable to DIRECTV:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from continuing operations
|
|
$
|
0.95
|
|
$
|
1.36
|
|
$
|
1.20
|
|
Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.01
|
|
|
0.01
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$
|
0.95
|
|
$
|
1.37
|
|
$
|
1.21
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
985
|
|
|
1,110
|
|
|
1,195
|
|
|
Diluted
|
|
|
992
|
|
|
1,114
|
|
|
1,202
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
(Dollars in Millions)
|
|
Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$
|
2,605
|
|
$
|
2,005
|
|
Total current assets
|
|
|
5,055
|
|
|
4,044
|
|
Total assets
|
|
|
18,260
|
|
|
16,539
|
|
Total current liabilities
|
|
|
5,701
|
|
|
3,585
|
|
Long-term debt
|
|
|
6,500
|
|
|
5,725
|
|
Redeemable noncontrolling interest
|
|
|
400
|
|
|
325
|
|
Total stockholders' equity
|
|
|
2,911
|
|
|
4,631
|
|
Reference should be made to the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
44
Table of Contents
DIRECTV
SUMMARY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION(continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
(Dollars in Millions)
|
|
Other Data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating profit before depreciation and amortization (1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating profit
|
|
$
|
2,673
|
|
$
|
2,695
|
|
$
|
2,486
|
|
Add: Depreciation and amortization expense
|
|
|
2,640
|
|
|
2,320
|
|
|
1,684
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating profit before depreciation and amortization
|
|
$
|
5,313
|
|
$
|
5,015
|
|
$
|
4,170
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating profit before depreciation and amortization margin
|
|
|
24.6
|
%
|
|
25.5
|
%
|
|
24.2
|
%
|
Cash flow information
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by operating activities
|
|
$
|
4,431
|
|
$
|
3,910
|
|
$
|
3,645
|
|
Net cash used in investing activities
|
|
|
(2,194
|
)
|
|
(2,388
|
)
|
|
(2,822
|
)
|
Net cash used in financing activities
|
|
|
(1,637
|
)
|
|
(600
|
)
|
|
(2,239
|
)
|
Free cash flow (2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by operating activities
|
|
$
|
4,431
|
|
$
|
3,910
|
|
$
|
3,645
|
|
Less: Cash paid for property and equipment
|
|
|
(2,012
|
)
|
|
(2,101
|
)
|
|
(2,523
|
)
|
Less: Cash paid for satellites
|
|
|
(59
|
)
|
|
(128
|
)
|
|
(169
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Free cash flow
|
|
$
|
2,360
|
|
$
|
1,681
|
|
$
|
953
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
(1)
-
Operating
profit before depreciation and amortization, which is a financial measure that is not determined in accordance with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP, can be calculated by adding amounts under the caption "Depreciation and amortization expense" to "Operating profit." This measure should be
used in conjunction with GAAP financial measures and is not presented as an alternative measure of operating results, as determined in accordance with GAAP. Our management and our Board of Directors
use operating profit before depreciation and amortization to evaluate the operating performance of our company and our business segments and to allocate resources and capital to business segments.
This metric is also used as a measure of performance for incentive compensation purposes and to measure income generated from operations that could be used to fund capital expenditures, service debt
or pay taxes. Depreciation and amortization expense primarily represents an allocation to current expense of the cost of historical capital expenditures and for acquired intangible assets resulting
from prior business acquisitions. To compensate for the exclusion of depreciation and amortization expense from operating profit, our management and our Board of Directors separately measure and
budget for capital expenditures and business acquisitions.
We
believe this measure is useful to investors, along with GAAP measures (such as revenues, operating profit and net income), to compare our operating performance to other communications,
entertainment and media service providers. We believe that investors use current and projected operating profit before depreciation and amortization and similar measures to estimate our current or
prospective enterprise value and make investment decisions. This metric provides investors with a means to compare operating results exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense. Our management
believes this is useful given the significant variation in depreciation and amortization expense that can result from the timing of capital expenditures, the capitalization of intangible assets,
potential variations in expected useful lives when compared to other companies and periodic changes to estimated useful lives.
Operating
profit before depreciation and amortization margin is calculated by dividing operating profit before depreciation and amortization by Revenues.
-
(2)
-
Free
cash flow, which is a financial measure that is not determined in accordance with GAAP, can be calculated by deducting amounts under the captions "Cash
paid for property and equipment" and "Cash paid for satellites" from "Net cash provided by operating activities" from the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. This financial measure should be used
in conjunction with other GAAP financial measures and is not presented as an alternative measure of cash flows from operating activities, as determined in accordance with GAAP. Our management and our
Board of Directors use free cash flow to evaluate the cash generated by our current subscriber base, net of capital expenditures, for the purpose of allocating resources to activities such as adding
new subscribers, retaining and upgrading existing subscribers, for additional capital expenditures and other capital investments or transactions and as a measure of performance for incentive
compensation purposes. We believe this measure is useful to investors, along with other GAAP measures (such as cash flows from operating and investing activities), to compare our operating performance
to other communications, entertainment and media companies. We believe that investors also use current and projected free cash flow to determine the ability of revenues from our current and projected
subscriber base to fund required and discretionary spending and to help determine our financial value.
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SUMMARY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION(concluded)
Selected Segment Data
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
(Dollars in Millions)
|
|
DIRECTV U.S.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
$
|
18,671
|
|
$
|
17,310
|
|
$
|
15,527
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
% of total revenues
|
|
|
86.6
|
%
|
|
87.9
|
%
|
|
90.0
|
%
|
Operating profit
|
|
$
|
2,410
|
|
$
|
2,330
|
|
$
|
2,402
|
|
Add: Depreciation and amortization expense
|
|
|
2,275
|
|
|
2,061
|
|
|
1,448
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating profit before depreciation and amortization
|
|
$
|
4,685
|
|
$
|
4,391
|
|
$
|
3,850
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating profit margin
|
|
|
12.9
|
%
|
|
13.5
|
%
|
|
15.5
|
%
|
Operating profit before depreciation and amortization margin
|
|
|
25.1
|
%
|
|
25.4
|
%
|
|
24.8
|
%
|
Segment assets
|
|
$
|
12,408
|
|
$
|
12,546
|
|
$
|
12,297
|
|
Capital expenditures
|
|
|
1,485
|
|
|
1,765
|
|
|
2,326
|
|
DIRECTV Latin America
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
$
|
2,878
|
|
$
|
2,383
|
|
$
|
1,719
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
% of total revenues
|
|
|
13.3
|
%
|
|
12.1
|
%
|
|
10.0
|
%
|
Operating profit
|
|
$
|
331
|
|
$
|
426
|
|
$
|
159
|
|
Add: Depreciation and amortization expense
|
|
|
366
|
|
|
264
|
|
|
235
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating profit before depreciation and amortization
|
|
$
|
697
|
|
$
|
690
|
|
$
|
394
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating profit margin
|
|
|
11.5
|
%
|
|
17.9
|
%
|
|
9.2
|
%
|
Operating profit before depreciation and amortization margin
|
|
|
24.2
|
%
|
|
29.0
|
%
|
|
22.9
|
%
|
Segment assets
|
|
$
|
3,772
|
|
$
|
3,301
|
|
$
|
2,456
|
|
Capital expenditures
|
|
|
584
|
|
|
447
|
|
|
336
|
|
Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
$
|
16
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
% of total revenues
|
|
|
0.1
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating loss
|
|
$
|
(68
|
)
|
$
|
(61
|
)
|
$
|
(75
|
)
|
Add: Depreciation and amortization expense
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
(5
|
)
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating loss before depreciation and amortization
|
|
$
|
(69
|
)
|
$
|
(66
|
)
|
$
|
(74
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Segment assets
|
|
$
|
2,080
|
|
$
|
692
|
|
$
|
310
|
|
Capital expenditures
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
17
|
|
|
30
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
$
|
21,565
|
|
$
|
19,693
|
|
$
|
17,246
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating profit
|
|
$
|
2,673
|
|
$
|
2,695
|
|
$
|
2,486
|
|
Add: Depreciation and amortization expense
|
|
|
2,640
|
|
|
2,320
|
|
|
1,684
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating profit before depreciation and amortization
|
|
$
|
5,313
|
|
$
|
5,015
|
|
$
|
4,170
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating profit margin
|
|
|
12.4
|
%
|
|
13.7
|
%
|
|
14.4
|
%
|
Operating profit before depreciation and amortization margin
|
|
|
24.6
|
%
|
|
25.5
|
%
|
|
24.2
|
%
|
Total assets
|
|
$
|
18,260
|
|
$
|
16,539
|
|
$
|
15,063
|
|
Capital expenditures
|
|
|
2,071
|
|
|
2,229
|
|
|
2,692
|
|
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DIRECTV
SIGNIFICANT TRANSACTIONS AFFECTING THE COMPARABILITY OF THE RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Acquisitions
Liberty Transaction.
On November 19, 2009, The DIRECTV Group, Inc., or DIRECTV Group, and Liberty Media Corporation, which we
refer to
as Liberty or Liberty Media, obtained shareholder approval of and closed a series of related transactions which we refer to collectively as the Liberty Transaction. The Liberty Transaction included
the split-off of certain of the assets of the Liberty Entertainment group into Liberty Entertainment, Inc., or LEI, which was then split-off from Liberty. Following the
split-off, DIRECTV Group and LEI merged with subsidiaries of DIRECTV. As a result of Liberty Transaction, DIRECTV Group, which is comprised of the DIRECTV U.S. and DIRECTV Latin America
businesses, and LEI, which held Liberty's 57% interest in DIRECTV Group, a 100% interest in three regional sports networks, a 65% interest in Game Show Network, LLC, approximately
$120 million in cash and cash equivalents and approximately $2.1 billion of indebtedness and a series of related equity collars became wholly-owned subsidiaries of DIRECTV.
The
Liberty Transaction has been accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting pursuant to accounting standards for business combinations. DIRECTV Group has been treated as
the acquiring corporation for accounting and financial reporting purposes, and accordingly the historical financial
statements of DIRECTV Group have become the historical financial statements of DIRECTV. The acquisition date fair value of consideration paid, in the form of DIRECTV common stock, for the assets and
liabilities of LEI (excluding LEI's interest in DIRECTV Group) has been allocated to a premium expensed at the close of the transaction and to LEI's other tangible and intangible assets acquired and
liabilities assumed based on their estimated acquisition date fair values, with any excess being treated as goodwill. The assets, liabilities and results of operations of LEI have been consolidated
beginning on the acquisition date, November 19, 2009.
As
a result of the Liberty Transaction, we recorded $491 million in charges to "Liberty transaction and related charges" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year
ended December 31, 2009, which is comprised of: a $337 million charge related to a premium paid to LEI shareholders to complete the merger in the form of an equity interest that exceeded
the fair value of net assets acquired by DIRECTV; $43 million of costs incurred to complete the transaction, including legal, accounting, financial printing, investment banking and other costs;
and $111 million in net losses recorded for the partial settlement of the equity collars and stock options and stock appreciation rights held by Liberty employees subsequent to the acquisition
date, and adjustments of the equity collars and stock options and stock appreciation rights carried as liabilities to fair value as of December 31, 2009.
As
part of the Liberty Transaction, we assumed a credit facility with a principal balance of $1,878 million, which we refer to as the Collar Loan, and a series of related equity
collars which were in a liability position with an estimated acquisition date fair value of $369 million. In connection with the assumption of the Collar Loan, we agreed with the lending bank
to promptly repay the Collar Loan and settle the equity collars, which is based on DTV shares. From the acquisition date to December 31, 2009, we repaid a total of $751 million,
including $676 million in principal payments and $75 million in payments to settle a portion of the equity collars.
Cash
paid, net of cash acquired in connection with the transaction was $97 million and includes a $226 million repayment of LEI's existing loan from Liberty at the close of
the transaction and $43 million of cash paid for transaction costs, partially offset by $120 million in cash at LEI, and $56 million of cash at the regional sports networks.
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See
Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report, which we incorporate herein by reference. Financial
Statements and Supplementary Data for additional information regarding these transactions and Amendment No. 5 to DIRECTV's Registration Statement on Form S-4 filed with the
SEC on October 20, 2009.
180 Connect.
In July 2008, we acquired 100% of 180 Connect's outstanding common stock and exchangeable shares. Simultaneously,
in a
separate transaction, UniTek USA, LLC acquired 100% of 180 Connect's cable service operating unit and operations in certain of our installation services markets in exchange for satellite
installation operations in certain markets and $7 million in cash. These transactions provide us with control over a significant portion of DIRECTV U.S.' home service provider network. We paid
$91 million in cash, net of the $7 million we received from UniTek USA, for the acquisition, including the equity purchase price, repayment of assumed debt and related transaction costs.
Darlene Transaction.
On January 30, 2007, we acquired Darlene's 14% equity interest in DLA LLC for $325 million in cash.
We
accounted for this acquisition using the purchase method of accounting.
Other Developments
In addition to the items described above, the following items had a significant effect on the comparability of our operating results
and financial position as of and for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007:
Lease Program.
On March 1, 2006, DIRECTV U.S. introduced a new set-top receiver lease program. Prior to March 1, 2006, we
expensed most set-top receivers provided to new and existing DIRECTV U.S. subscribers upon activation as a subscriber acquisition or upgrade and retention cost in the Consolidated
Statements of Operations. Subsequent to the introduction of our lease program, we lease most set-top receivers provided to new and existing subscribers, and therefore capitalize the
set-top receivers in "Property and equipment, net" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The
following table sets forth the amount of DIRECTV U.S. set-top receivers we capitalized, and depreciation expense we recorded, under the lease program for the years ended
December 31:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capitalized subscriber leased equipment:
|
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
(Dollars in Millions)
|
|
Subscriber leased equipmentsubscriber acquisitions
|
|
$
|
564
|
|
$
|
599
|
|
$
|
762
|
|
Subscriber leased equipmentupgrade and retention
|
|
|
419
|
|
|
537
|
|
|
774
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total subscriber leased equipment capitalized
|
|
$
|
983
|
|
$
|
1,136
|
|
$
|
1,536
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation expensesubscriber leased equipment
|
|
$
|
1,333
|
|
$
|
1,100
|
|
$
|
645
|
|
Financing Transactions.
On September 22, 2009, DIRECTV U.S. issued $1 billion in five year 4.750% senior notes due in 2014 at
a 0.3%
discount resulting in $997 million of proceeds. DIRECTV U.S. also issued $1 billion in 10 year 5.875% senior notes due in 2019 at a 0.7% discount resulting in $993 million
of proceeds.
On
September 22, 2009, DIRECTV U.S. purchased, pursuant to a tender offer, $583 million of its then outstanding $910 million 8.375% senior notes at a price of
103.125% plus accrued and unpaid interest, for a total of $603 million. On September 23, 2009, DIRECTV U.S. exercised its right to redeem the remaining $327 million of the 8.375%
senior notes at a price of 102.792% plus accrued and
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unpaid
interest. DIRECTV U.S. redeemed the remaining 8.375% senior notes on October 23, 2009 for a total of $339 million.
The
purchase of our 8.375% senior notes resulted in a 2009 pre-tax charge of $34 million, $21 million after tax, of which $29 million resulted from the
premium paid for redemption of our 8.375% senior notes and $5 million resulted from the write-off of deferred debt issuance costs and other transaction costs. The charge was
recorded in "Other, net" in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
In
May 2008, DIRECTV U.S. issued $1.5 billion in senior notes and amended its senior secured credit facility to include a new $1.0 billion Term Loan C. The
senior notes bear interest at a rate of 7.625% and the principal balance is due in May 2016. The Term Loan C currently bears interest at a rate of 5.25% and was issued at a 1% discount.
Principal payments on the Term Loan C began on September 30, 2008. The principal is payable in installments with the final installment due in April 2013.
Venezuela Exchange Controls.
We are required to obtain Venezuelan government approval to exchange Venezuelan bolivars fuerte into U.S.
dollars at the
official rate of 2.15 Venezuelan bolivars fuerte per U.S. dollar. Additionally, a legal parallel exchange process exists, however the rates implied by transactions in the parallel market are
significantly higher than the official rate (recently 5 to 7 bolivars fuerte per U.S. dollar). The official approval process has been delayed in recent periods and our Venezuelan subsidiary has in
many cases relied on the parallel exchange process to settle U.S. dollar obligations and to repatriate accumulated cash balances. As a result, we recorded a $213 million charge in 2009 and a
$29 million charge in 2008 in "General and administrative expenses" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations in connection with the exchange of accumulated Venezuelan cash balances to U.S.
dollars using the parallel exchange process. See "Liquidity and Capital Resources" below for additional information and the implications of the devaluation of the Venezuelan currency in
January 2010.
Sky Brazil Functional Currency.
Based on cumulatively significant changes in economic facts and circumstances, we have determined that
the local
Brazilian currency should be the functional currency of Sky Brazil for purposes of financial statement translation beginning in the second quarter of 2009. As a result of this change in functional
currency, changes in exchange rates result in gain or losses, which we record in "Other, net" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations related to the
revaluation of U.S. dollar denominated monetary assets and liabilities, such as cash deposits, notes payable and capital lease obligations held by Sky Brazil. During 2009, we recorded a net foreign
currency transaction gain of $62 million in "Other, net" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations related to U.S. dollar denominated monetary assets and liabilities held by Sky Brazil.
Other Than Temporary Impairment.
In 2009, we recognized a $45 million charge for the other than temporary impairment of certain of
our
investments in "Other, net" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
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Share Repurchase Program.
Since 2006 our Board of Directors approved multiple authorizations for the repurchase of our common stock. The
following
table sets forth information regarding shares repurchased and retired for the years ended December 31:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
(Amounts in Millions, Except
Per Share Amounts)
|
|
Total cost of repurchased and retired shares
|
|
$
|
1,696
|
|
$
|
3,174
|
|
$
|
2,025
|
|
Average price per share
|
|
|
23.79
|
|
|
24.12
|
|
|
23.48
|
|
Number of shares repurchased and retired
|
|
|
71
|
|
|
131
|
|
|
86
|
|
KEY TERMINOLOGY
Revenues.
We earn revenues mostly from monthly fees we charge subscribers for subscriptions to basic and premium channel programming,
HD programming
and access fees, pay-per-view programming, and seasonal and live sporting events. We also earn revenues from monthly fees that we charge subscribers with multiple
non-leased set-top receivers (which we refer to as mirroring fees), monthly fees we charge subscribers for leased set-top receivers, monthly fees we charge
subscribers for digital video recorder, or DVR, service, hardware revenues from subscribers who lease or purchase set-top receivers from us, our published programming guide, warranty
service fees and advertising services.
Broadcast Programming and Other.
These costs primarily include license fees for subscription service programming,
pay-per-view programming, live sports and other events. Other costs include expenses associated with the publication and distribution of our programming guide, continuing
service fees paid to third parties for active subscribers, warranty service costs and production costs for on-air advertisements we sell to third parties.
Subscriber Service Expenses.
Subscriber service expenses include the costs of customer call centers, billing, remittance processing and
certain home
services expenses, such as in-home repair costs.
Broadcast Operations Expenses.
These expenses include broadcast center operating costs, signal transmission expenses (including costs
of collecting
signals for our local channel offerings), and costs of monitoring, maintaining and insuring our satellites. Also included are engineering expenses associated with deterring theft of our signal.
Subscriber Acquisition Costs.
These costs include the cost of set-top receivers and other equipment, commissions we pay to national
retailers, independent satellite television retailers, dealers, telcos, and the cost of installation, advertising, marketing and customer call center expenses associated with the acquisition of new
subscribers. Set-top receivers leased to new subscribers are capitalized in "Property and equipment, net" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and depreciated over their useful lives. The
amount of set-top receivers capitalized each period for subscriber acquisitions is included in "Cash paid for property and equipment" in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
Upgrade and Retention Costs.
Upgrade and retention costs are associated with upgrade efforts for existing subscribers that we believe
will result in
higher average monthly revenue per subscriber, or ARPU, and lower churn. Our upgrade efforts include subscriber equipment upgrade programs for DVR, HD and HD DVR receivers and local channels, our
multiple set-top receiver offer and similar initiatives. Retention costs also include the costs of installing and providing hardware under our movers program for subscribers relocating to
a new residence. Set-top receivers leased to existing subscribers under upgrade and retention programs are capitalized in "Property and equipment, net" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
and depreciated over their useful lives. The amount of set-top receivers
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DIRECTV
capitalized
each period for upgrade and retention programs is included in "Cash paid for property and equipment" in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
General and Administrative Expenses.
General and administrative expenses include departmental costs for legal, administrative services,
finance,
marketing and information technology. These costs also include expenses for bad debt and other operating expenses, such as legal settlements, and gains or losses from the sale or disposal of fixed
assets.
Average Monthly Revenue Per Subscriber.
We calculate ARPU by dividing average monthly revenues for the period (total revenues during
the period
divided by the number of months in the period) by average subscribers for the period. We calculate average subscribers for the period by adding the number of subscribers as of the beginning of the
period and for each quarter end in the current year or period and dividing by the sum of the number of quarters in the period plus one.
Average Monthly Subscriber Churn.
Average monthly subscriber churn represents the number of subscribers whose service is disconnected,
expressed as a
percentage of the average total number of subscribers. We calculate average monthly subscriber churn by dividing the average monthly number of disconnected subscribers for the period (total
subscribers disconnected, net of reconnects, during the period divided by the number of months in the period) by average subscribers for the period.
Subscriber Count.
The total number of subscribers represents the total number of subscribers actively subscribing to our service,
including seasonal
subscribers, subscribers who are in the process of
relocating and commercial equivalent viewing units. In March 2008, we implemented a change in DIRECTV U.S.' commercial pricing and packaging to increase our competitiveness. As a result, during
the first quarter of 2008, DIRECTV U.S. made a one-time downward adjustment to the subscriber count of approximately 71,000 subscribers related to commercial equivalent viewing units.
SAC.
We calculate SAC, which represents total subscriber acquisition costs stated on a per subscriber basis, by dividing total
subscriber acquisition
costs for the period by the number of gross new subscribers acquired during the period. We calculate total subscriber acquisition costs for the period by adding together "Subscriber acquisition costs"
expensed during the period and the amount of cash paid for equipment leased to new subscribers during the period.
EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW AND OUTLOOK
The United States and the other countries in which we operate are continuing to undergo a period of substantial economic uncertainty.
As discussed in "Competition" in Item 1, in addition to cable and satellite system operators, we are experiencing increasing competition from telcos and other emerging digital media
distribution providers. A more severe downturn in economic activity or further competitive pressures could have a detrimental impact on our forecasted revenue, operating margins, net subscriber
additions, free cash flow and net income. Please refer to "Risk Factors" in Item 1A for a further discussion of risks which may affect forecasted results or our business generally.
DIRECTV U.S.
Our revenue growth is generated by both increases in the average monthly rates we earn from subscribers, or ARPU, and
increases in the
total number of subscribers. In 2010, we expect revenue growth in the mid-to-high single digit percentage range. We anticipate higher ARPU growth in 2010, offset by a reduction
in revenue growth from net subscriber additions compared to 2009.
In
2010, as a result of the anticipated growth in revenues, the economies of scale in our business, and lower gross subscriber additions, we expect operating profit before depreciation
and amortization growth in the low-teens percentage range.
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In
2010, we expect capital expenditures to approximate capital expenditures reported for 2009.
DIRECTV Latin America.
In 2010, we expect revenue growth of roughly half of the growth experienced in 2009. Although we anticipate net
subscriber
additions to be similar to 2009, this growth will likely be partially offset by lower ARPU in the region caused by the recently announced devaluation of the Venezuelan currency, discussed in more
detail below under "Liquidity and Capital Resources".
As
a result of the anticipated growth in revenues and the economies of scale in Latin America, in 2010 we expect operating profit before depreciation and amortization growth of more than
20%.
In
2010, we expect capital expenditures in Latin America to exceed 2009 capital expenditures due to anticipated higher gross subscriber additions and increased sales of advanced
products.
DIRECTV.
At the consolidated DIRECTV level, we anticipate free cash flow, or cash provided by operating activities less capital
expenditures, to grow
in the mid-single digit percent range. The improvements in operating profit before depreciation and amortization are expected to be partly offset by an increase in cash paid for income
taxes due to the anticipated increase in pre-tax earnings and the cessation of benefits realized during the past two years associated with two Federal economic stimulus programs in the
U.S. as well as higher capital expenditures at DIRECTV Latin America and higher expected interest expense.
2010
diluted earnings per common share is expected to more than double compared to 2009. The expected increase in 2010 is due to the anticipated growth in operating profit before
depreciation and amortization, lower depreciation and amortization expense, and a continued decline in weighted average common shares outstanding due to anticipated share repurchases.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Year Ended December 31, 2009 Compared with the Year Ended December 31, 2008
Consolidated Results of Operations
We discuss changes for each of our segments in more detail below.
Revenues.
The following table presents our revenues by segment:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues by segment:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change
|
|
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
$
|
|
%
|
|
|
|
(Dollars in Millions)
|
|
DIRECTV U.S.
|
|
$
|
18,671
|
|
$
|
17,310
|
|
$
|
1,361
|
|
|
7.9
|
%
|
DIRECTV Latin America
|
|
|
2,878
|
|
|
2,383
|
|
|
495
|
|
|
20.8
|
%
|
Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other
|
|
|
16
|
|
|
|
|
|
16
|
|
|
N/A
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Revenues
|
|
$
|
21,565
|
|
$
|
19,693
|
|
$
|
1,872
|
|
|
9.5
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The
increase in our total revenues was due to subscriber growth and higher ARPU at DIRECTV U.S. and DIRECTV Latin America.
52
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DIRECTV
Operating profit before depreciation and amortization.
The following table presents our operating profit (loss) before depreciation and
amortization
by segment:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating profit (loss) before depreciation and amortization by segment:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change
|
|
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
$
|
|
%
|
|
|
|
(Dollars in Millions)
|
|
DIRECTV U.S.
|
|
$
|
4,685
|
|
$
|
4,391
|
|
$
|
294
|
|
|
6.7
|
%
|
DIRECTV Latin America
|
|
|
697
|
|
|
690
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
1.0
|
%
|
Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other
|
|
|
(69
|
)
|
|
(66
|
)
|
|
(3
|
)
|
|
4.5
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating profit before depreciation and amortization
|
|
$
|
5,313
|
|
$
|
5,015
|
|
$
|
298
|
|
|
5.9
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The
increase in total operating profit before depreciation and amortization was due to higher gross profit from the increase in revenues, partially offset by higher subscriber
acquisition, upgrade and retention and general and administrative costs at both DIRECTV U.S. and DIRECTV Latin America.
Operating profit.
The following table presents our operating profit (loss) by segment:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating profit (loss) by segment:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change
|
|
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
$
|
|
%
|
|
|
|
(Dollars in Millions)
|
|
DIRECTV U.S.
|
|
$
|
2,410
|
|
$
|
2,330
|
|
$
|
80
|
|
|
3.4
|
%
|
DIRECTV Latin America
|
|
|
331
|
|
|
426
|
|
|
(95
|
)
|
|
(22.3
|
)%
|
Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other
|
|
|
(68
|
)
|
|
(61
|
)
|
|
(7
|
)
|
|
11.5
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating profit
|
|
$
|
2,673
|
|
$
|
2,695
|
|
$
|
(22
|
)
|
|
(0.8
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The
decrease in our operating profit was primarily due to increased depreciation and amortization from the DIRECTV U.S. and DIRECTV Latin America set-top receiver lease
programs, more than offsetting our increase in operating profit before depreciation and amortization.
Interest income.
The decrease in interest income to $41 million in 2009 from $81 million in 2008 was due to lower interest
rates and
lower average cash balances due mostly to the use of cash to fund our share repurchase program.
Interest expense.
The increase in interest expense to $423 million in 2009 from $360 million in 2008 was due to an increase
in the
average debt balance compared to 2008, partially offset by decreased interest rates. We capitalized $18 million of interest costs in both 2008 and 2009.
Liberty transaction and related charges.
In 2009 we incurred $491 million in costs related to the Liberty Transaction, which is
comprised of a
$337 premium paid to LEI shareholders, $111 million in net losses for the partial settlement and fair-value adjustments related to the equity collars and non-employee
stock options and stock appreciation rights and $43 million of charges for transaction related costs.
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DIRECTV
Other, net.
The significant components of "Other, net" were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
Change
|
|
|
|
(Dollars in Millions)
|
|
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries
|
|
$
|
51
|
|
$
|
55
|
|
$
|
(4
|
)
|
Net foreign currency transaction gain
|
|
|
62
|
|
|
|
|
|
62
|
|
Loss from impairment of investments
|
|
|
(45
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
(45
|
)
|
Loss on early extinguishment of debt
|
|
|
(34
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
(34
|
)
|
Net gain (loss) from sale of investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
Other
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
34
|
|
$
|
55
|
|
$
|
(21
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
In
2009, Other, net decreased due primarily to the recognition of a charge for the other than temporary impairment of investments, a loss on the early extinguishment of our 8.375% senior
notes and decreased earnings from our unconsolidated subsidiaries, partially offset by a foreign currency transaction gain related to net U.S. dollar denominated liabilities held by Sky Brazil.
Income tax expense.
The increase in the effective tax rate to 45% in 2009 from 35% in 2008 is primarily attributable to the
non-recoverability of Liberty Transaction related charges.
Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes.
During 2008, we recorded a net $6 million adjustment as a result of the
expiration of the
statute of limitations in the federal jurisdiction offset by the write-off of foreign incentive income tax benefits related to previously divested businesses.
Noncontrolling interests in net earnings of subsidiaries.
We recognized noncontrolling interest in net earnings of subsidiaries of
$65 million
in 2009 and $92 million in 2008 at Sky Brazil. Noncontrolling interest in net earnings of subsidiaries in 2009 decreased due to lower net income at Sky Brazil.
54
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DIRECTV
DIRECTV U.S. Segment
The following table provides operating results and a summary of key subscriber data for the DIRECTV U.S. segment:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
$
|
|
%
|
|
|
|
(Dollars in Millions, Except Per
Subscriber Amounts)
|
|
Revenues
|
|
$
|
18,671
|
|
$
|
17,310
|
|
$
|
1,361
|
|
|
7.9
|
%
|
Operating costs and expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Costs of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Broadcast programming and other
|
|
|
8,027
|
|
|
7,424
|
|
|
603
|
|
|
8.1
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
Subscriber service expenses
|
|
|
1,268
|
|
|
1,139
|
|
|
129
|
|
|
11.3
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
Broadcast operations expenses
|
|
|
274
|
|
|
265
|
|
|
9
|
|
|
3.4
|
%
|
|
|
Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subscriber acquisition costs
|
|
|
2,478
|
|
|
2,191
|
|
|
287
|
|
|
13.1
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
Upgrade and retention costs
|
|
|
1,045
|
|
|
1,027
|
|
|
18
|
|
|
1.8
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
General and administrative expenses
|
|
|
894
|
|
|
873
|
|
|
21
|
|
|
2.4
|
%
|
Depreciation and amortization expense
|
|
|
2,275
|
|
|
2,061
|
|
|
214
|
|
|
10.4
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating costs and expenses
|
|
|
16,261
|
|
|
14,980
|
|
|
1,281
|
|
|
8.6
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating profit
|
|
$
|
2,410
|
|
$
|
2,330
|
|
$
|
80
|
|
|
3.4
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating profit before depreciation and amortization
|
|
$
|
4,685
|
|
$
|
4,391
|
|
$
|
294
|
|
|
6.7
|
%
|
Total number of subscribers (000's) (1)
|
|
|
18,560
|
|
|
17,621
|
|
|
939
|
|
|
5.3
|
%
|
ARPU
|
|
$
|
85.48
|
|
$
|
83.90
|
|
$
|
1.58
|
|
|
1.9
|
%
|
Average monthly subscriber churn %
|
|
|
1.53
|
%
|
|
1.47
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
4.1
|
%
|
Gross subscriber additions (000's)
|
|
|
4,273
|
|
|
3,904
|
|
|
369
|
|
|
9.5
|
%
|
Subscriber disconnections (000's)
|
|
|
3,334
|
|
|
3,043
|
|
|
291
|
|
|
9.6
|
%
|
Net subscriber additions (000's)
|
|
|
939
|
|
|
861
|
|
|
78
|
|
|
9.1
|
%
|
Average subscriber acquisition costsper subscriber (SAC)
|
|
$
|
712
|
|
$
|
715
|
|
$
|
(3
|
)
|
|
(0.4
|
)%
|
-
(1)
-
As
discussed above in "Key Terminology," during 2008, we had a one-time downward adjustment to our subscriber count of approximately 71,000
subscribers related to commercial equivalent viewing units. This adjustment did not affect our revenue, operating profit, cash flows, net subscriber additions or average monthly subscriber churn.
Subscribers.
In 2009, gross subscriber additions increased primarily due to more aggressive promotions, marketing of the
AT&T/DIRECTV bundle which
began in February 2009, higher demand for advanced services and the impact of the transition to digital programming by broadcasters in the first half of 2009. Net subscriber additions increased from
2008 primarily due to the increase in gross additions, partially offset by higher subscriber disconnections due to a higher average monthly churn rate on a larger subscriber base. Average monthly
subscriber churn increased primarily due to stricter upgrade and retention policies for existing customers as well as more aggressive competitor promotions combined with a weaker economy.
55
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DIRECTV
Revenues.
DIRECTV U.S.' revenues increased as a result of the larger subscriber base and higher ARPU. The increase in ARPU resulted
primarily from
price increases on programming packages, higher HD and DVR product penetration, partially offset by more competitive customer promotions, the elimination of satellite lease revenue and lower premium
movie package buy rates.
Operating profit before depreciation and amortization.
The improvement of operating profit before depreciation and amortization was
primarily due to
the gross profit generated from the higher
revenues, partially offset by higher subscriber acquisition costs principally related to the increase in gross subscriber additions.
Broadcast
programming and other costs increased due to the larger number of subscribers in 2009 and annual program supplier rate increases. Subscriber service expenses increased
primarily due to a larger subscriber base in 2009 and costs associated with service quality improvement initiatives.
Subscriber
acquisition costs increased primarily due to an increase in gross subscriber additions compared to 2008 and increased marketing and advertising costs. SAC per subscriber,
which includes the cost of capitalized set-top receivers, decreased primarily due to lower set-top receiver costs and greater savings related to the increased usage of
refurbished set-top receivers through our lease program.
Upgrade
and retention costs increased in 2009 primarily due to the larger subscriber base, partially offset by decreased installation costs and decreased spending on other programs due
to stricter spending policies.
General
and administrative expenses increased in 2009 primarily due to increased labor and benefit expense from the increase in headcount within our owned and operated home service
provider installation business, partially offset by a $14 million charge in 2008 for the write-off of accounts receivable for equipment and other costs incurred to effect the
orderly transition of services from one of our home service providers that ceased operations.
Operating profit.
The increase in operating profit was primarily due to higher operating profit before depreciation and amortization,
partially
offset by higher depreciation and amortization expense in 2009 resulting from the capitalization of set-top receivers under the lease program.
56
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DIRECTV
DIRECTV Latin America Segment
The following table provides operating results and a summary of key subscriber data for the DIRECTV Latin America segment:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
$
|
|
%
|
|
|
|
(Dollars in Millions, Except Per
Subscriber Amounts)
|
|
Revenues
|
|
$
|
2,878
|
|
$
|
2,383
|
|
$
|
495
|
|
|
20.8
|
%
|
Operating profit before depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
697
|
|
|
690
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
1.0
|
%
|
Operating profit
|
|
|
331
|
|
|
426
|
|
|
(95
|
)
|
|
(22.3
|
)%
|
Other data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ARPU
|
|
$
|
57.12
|
|
$
|
55.07
|
|
$
|
2.05
|
|
|
3.7
|
%
|
Average monthly subscriber churn % (1)
|
|
|
1.75
|
%
|
|
1.78
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
(1.7
|
)%
|
Total number of subscribers (000's) (2)
|
|
|
4,588
|
|
|
3,883
|
|
|
705
|
|
|
18.2
|
%
|
Gross subscriber additions (000's)
|
|
|
1,575
|
|
|
1,393
|
|
|
182
|
|
|
13.1
|
%
|
Net subscriber additions (000's)
|
|
|
692
|
|
|
623
|
|
|
69
|
|
|
11.1
|
%
|
-
(1)
-
In
the year ended December 31, 2008, DIRECTV Latin America had a subscriber adjustment totaling 78,000 subscribers in Sky Brazil as a result of the
inconsistent application of churn policies in previous periods and the completion of the Sky Brazil and DIRECTV Brazil business integration.
-
(2)
-
DIRECTV
Latin America subscriber data excludes subscribers of the Sky Mexico platform. We migrated approximately 3,000 subscribers from DIRECTV Latin
America to Sky Mexico during 2009 and migrated approximately 19,000 subscribers from DIRECTV Latin America to Sky Mexico during 2008. Additionally, we migrated approximately 16,000 subscribers from a
local pay television service provider in Latin America to Sky Brazil during 2009. Net subscriber additions as well as churn exclude the effect of these migrations.
The
increase in net subscriber additions was due to strong subscriber demand across the region, particularly in Colombia, Brazil and Puerto Rico, increased demand for DVR, HD and
pre-paid services, as well as targeted customer promotions. The decrease in average monthly subscriber churn was primarily due to two downward subscriber adjustments in 2008 totaling
78,000 subscribers. Excluding these subscriber adjustments, churn would have increased 17 basis points principally due to the growth of DTVLA's prepaid business.
Revenues
increased in 2009 primarily due to strong subscriber and ARPU growth. ARPU increased mainly due to price increases in Venezuela, Brazil and Argentina, as well as higher fees for
HD and DVR services, partially offset by foreign currency devaluations, particularly in Brazil and Argentina.
The
higher operating profit before depreciation and amortization is primarily due to the gross profit generated from the higher revenues, partially offset by higher general and
administrative expense due primarily to $213 million in currency related transaction fees in Venezuela, an increase in subscriber acquisition costs mostly due to an increase in gross subscriber
additions and higher subscriber service costs primarily related to customer service improvement initiatives and the larger subscriber base.
57
Table of Contents
DIRECTV
The
lower operating profit was primarily due to the increase in operating profit before depreciation and amortization, offset by higher depreciation and amortization expense primarily
due to an increase in basic and advance product receivers leased over the last year.
Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other
Operating loss from Sports Networks, Elimination and Other increased to $68 million in 2009 from $61 million in 2008.
Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other primarily consisted of corporate operating costs until November 19, 2009 when we completed the Liberty Transaction and acquired the RSNs.
Year Ended December 31, 2008 Compared with the Year Ended December 31, 2007
Consolidated Results of Operations
We discuss changes for each of our segments in more detail below.
Revenues.
The following table presents our revenues by segment:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues by segment:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change
|
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
$
|
|
%
|
|
|
|
(Dollars in Millions)
|
|
DIRECTV U.S.
|
|
$
|
17,310
|
|
$
|
15,527
|
|
$
|
1,783
|
|
|
11.5
|
%
|
DIRECTV Latin America
|
|
|
2,383
|
|
|
1,719
|
|
|
664
|
|
|
38.6
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Revenues
|
|
$
|
19,693
|
|
$
|
17,246
|
|
$
|
2,447
|
|
|
14.2
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The
increase in our total revenues was due to higher ARPU and subscriber growth at DIRECTV U.S. and DIRECTV Latin America.
Operating profit before depreciation and amortization.
The following table presents our operating profit (loss) before depreciation and
amortization
by segment:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating profit (loss) before depreciation and amortization by segment:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change
|
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
$
|
|
%
|
|
|
|
(Dollars in Millions)
|
|
DIRECTV U.S.
|
|
$
|
4,391
|
|
$
|
3,850
|
|
$
|
541
|
|
|
14.1
|
%
|
DIRECTV Latin America
|
|
|
690
|
|
|
394
|
|
|
296
|
|
|
75.1
|
%
|
Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other
|
|
|
(66
|
)
|
|
(74
|
)
|
|
8
|
|
|
(10.8
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating profit before depreciation and amortization
|
|
$
|
5,015
|
|
$
|
4,170
|
|
$
|
845
|
|
|
20.3
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The
increase in total operating profit before depreciation and amortization was due to higher gross profit from the increase in revenues, partially offset by higher subscriber
acquisition, upgrade and retention and general and administrative costs at both DIRECTV U.S. and DIRECTV Latin America.
58
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DIRECTV
Operating profit.
The following table presents our operating profit (loss) by segment:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating profit (loss) by segment:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change
|
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
$
|
|
%
|
|
|
|
(Dollars in Millions)
|
|
DIRECTV U.S.
|
|
$
|
2,330
|
|
$
|
2,402
|
|
$
|
(72
|
)
|
|
(3.0
|
)%
|
DIRECTV Latin America
|
|
|
426
|
|
|
159
|
|
|
267
|
|
|
167.9
|
%
|
Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other
|
|
|
(61
|
)
|
|
(75
|
)
|
|
14
|
|
|
(18.7
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating profit
|
|
$
|
2,695
|
|
$
|
2,486
|
|
$
|
209
|
|
|
8.4
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The
increase in our operating profit was primarily due to increased operating profit before depreciation and amortization, partially offset by the increase in depreciation and
amortization expense due to the DIRECTV U.S. lease program.
Interest income.
The decrease in interest income to $81 million in 2008 from $111 million in 2007 was due to lower interest
rates and
lower average cash balances due mostly to the use of cash to fund our share repurchase program.
Interest expense.
The increase in interest expense from $235 million in 2007 to $360 million in 2008 was due to an increase
in the
average debt balance compared to 2007 and lower capitalization of interest cost in 2008. We capitalized $18 million of interest costs in 2008 and $51 million in 2007. The reduction in
the capitalization of interest costs was due to the successful completion and launch of two satellites.
Other, net.
The significant components of "Other, net" were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
Change
|
|
|
|
(Dollars in Millions)
|
|
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries
|
|
$
|
55
|
|
$
|
35
|
|
$
|
20
|
|
Net gain (loss) from sale of investments
|
|
|
1
|
|
|
(6
|
)
|
|
7
|
|
Other
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
(3
|
)
|
|
2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
55
|
|
$
|
26
|
|
$
|
29
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income tax expense.
We recognized income tax expense of $864 million in 2008 compared to $943 million in 2007. The lower
income tax
expense in 2008 is primarily attributable to foreign earnings taxed at less than our domestic statutory rates, a partial reversal of a valuation allowance on deferred tax assets of foreign
subsidiaries as a result of recent profitability and recognition of tax credits due to state tax legislation.
Net Income attributable to noncontrolling interests.
We recognized net income attributable to noncontrolling interest in net earnings of
subsidiaries
of $92 million in 2008 and $11 million in 2007
primarily from Sky Brazil. Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest in 2008 increased due to higher net income and $23 million from the partial reversal of a valuation allowance on
deferred tax assets at Sky Brazil attributable to the noncontrolling interest holder.
Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes.
During 2008, we recorded a net $6 million adjustment as a result of the
expiration of the
statute of limitations in the federal jurisdiction offset by the write-off of foreign incentive income tax benefits related to previously divested businesses. During 2007, we recorded a
$17 million reduction to our unrecognized tax benefits as a result of a settlement of a foreign withholding dispute from a previously divested business.
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DIRECTV
DIRECTV U.S. Segment
The following table provides operating results and a summary of key subscriber data for the DIRECTV U.S. segment:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
$
|
|
%
|
|
|
|
(Dollars in Millions, Except Per
Subscriber Amounts)
|
|
Revenues
|
|
$
|
17,310
|
|
$
|
15,527
|
|
$
|
1,783
|
|
|
11.5
|
%
|
Operating costs and expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Costs of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Broadcast programming and other
|
|
|
7,424
|
|
|
6,681
|
|
|
743
|
|
|
11.1
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
Subscriber service expenses
|
|
|
1,139
|
|
|
1,137
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
0.2
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
Broadcast operations expenses
|
|
|
265
|
|
|
216
|
|
|
49
|
|
|
22.7
|
%
|
|
|
Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subscriber acquisition costs
|
|
|
2,191
|
|
|
1,901
|
|
|
290
|
|
|
15.3
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
Upgrade and retention costs
|
|
|
1,027
|
|
|
958
|
|
|
69
|
|
|
7.2
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
General and administrative expenses
|
|
|
873
|
|
|
784
|
|
|
89
|
|
|
11.4
|
%
|
Depreciation and amortization expense
|
|
|
2,061
|
|
|
1,448
|
|
|
613
|
|
|
42.3
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating costs and expenses
|
|
|
14,980
|
|
|
13,125
|
|
|
1,855
|
|
|
14.1
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating profit
|
|
$
|
2,330
|
|
$
|
2,402
|
|
$
|
(72
|
)
|
|
(3.0
|
)%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating profit before depreciation and amortization
|
|
$
|
4,391
|
|
$
|
3,850
|
|
$
|
541
|
|
|
14.1
|
%
|
Total number of subscribers (000's) (1)
|
|
|
17,621
|
|
|
16,831
|
|
|
790
|
|
|
4.7
|
%
|
ARPU
|
|
$
|
83.90
|
|
$
|
79.05
|
|
$
|
4.85
|
|
|
6.1
|
%
|
Average monthly subscriber churn %
|
|
|
1.47
|
%
|
|
1.51
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
(2.6
|
)%
|
Gross subscriber additions (000's)
|
|
|
3,904
|
|
|
3,847
|
|
|
57
|
|
|
1.5
|
%
|
Subscriber disconnections (000's)
|
|
|
3,043
|
|
|
2,969
|
|
|
74
|
|
|
2.5
|
%
|
Net subscriber additions (000's)
|
|
|
861
|
|
|
878
|
|
|
(17
|
)
|
|
(1.9
|
)%
|
Average subscriber acquisition costsper subscriber (SAC)
|
|
$
|
715
|
|
$
|
692
|
|
$
|
23
|
|
|
3.3
|
%
|
-
(1)
-
As
discussed above in "Key Terminology," during 2008, we had a one-time downward adjustment to our subscriber count of approximately 71,000
subscribers related to commercial equivalent viewing units. This adjustment did not affect our revenue, operating profit, cash flows, net subscriber additions or average monthly subscriber churn.
Subscribers.
In 2008, gross subscriber additions increased primarily due to growth in the direct sales and retail distribution channels
due in large
part to more attractive promotions and higher demand for HD and DVR services, partially offset by the loss of a distribution relationship with BellSouth during the last three quarters of 2008. Average
monthly subscriber churn decreased primarily due to increased sales of HD and DVR services as well as from lower involuntary churn associated with the continued effect of stringent credit policies.
Net subscriber additions declined slightly from 2007 as the increase in gross additions was offset by higher subscriber disconnections.
Revenues.
DIRECTV U.S.' revenues increased as a result of higher ARPU and the larger subscriber base. The increase in ARPU resulted
primarily from
price increases on programming
60
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DIRECTV
packages,
higher HD and DVR service fees, and an increase in lease fees due to higher average number of receivers per subscriber, partially offset by more competitive customer promotions and slightly
lower upfront equipment fees.
Operating profit before depreciation and amortization.
The improvement of operating profit before depreciation and amortization was
primarily due to
the gross profit generated from the higher revenues, partially offset by higher subscriber acquisition, upgrade and retention costs for the increased number of new and existing customers adding HD and
DVR services, as well as increased general and administrative costs.
Broadcast
programming and other costs increased due to annual program supplier rate increases and the larger number of subscribers in 2008. Subscriber service expenses remained
essentially flat with a larger subscriber base in 2008 due to the cost savings from a decline in customer call volume and a
lower call handle time. Broadcast operations expense increased in 2008 due primarily to costs to support advanced services, HD enhancements and VOD.
Subscriber
acquisition costs increased due to higher sales, marketing and advertising costs and higher costs associated with the acquisition of higher quality and advanced product
customers. SAC per subscriber, which includes the cost of capitalized set-top receivers, increased due to higher sales, marketing and advertising costs and higher costs associated with the
acquisition of higher quality and advanced product customers, partially offset by lower set-top receiver costs.
Upgrade
and retention costs increased in 2008 due to an increase in the movers program and other marketing programs.
General
and administrative expenses increased in 2008 primarily due to a $25 million one-time gain recognized in the second quarter of 2007 related to hurricane
insurance recoveries, a $14 million charge in 2008 for the write-off of accounts receivable for equipment and other costs incurred to effect the orderly transition of services from
one of our home service providers that ceased operations, $24 million in charges associated with the settlement of multiple legal proceedings and an increase in labor and benefit costs.
Operating profit.
The increase in operating profit was primarily due to higher operating profit before depreciation and amortization,
partially
offset by higher depreciation and amortization expense in 2008 resulting from the capitalization of set-top receivers under the lease program.
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DIRECTV
DIRECTV Latin America Segment
The following table provides operating results and a summary of key subscriber data for the DIRECTV Latin America segment:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Change
|
|
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
$
|
|
%
|
|
|
|
(Dollars in Millions, Except Per Subscriber Amounts)
|
|
Revenues
|
|
$
|
2,383
|
|
$
|
1,719
|
|
$
|
664
|
|
|
38.6
|
%
|
Operating profit before depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
690
|
|
|
394
|
|
|
296
|
|
|
75.1
|
%
|
Operating profit
|
|
|
426
|
|
|
159
|
|
|
267
|
|
|
167.9
|
%
|
Other data:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ARPU
|
|
$
|
55.07
|
|
$
|
48.33
|
|
$
|
6.74
|
|
|
13.9
|
%
|
Average monthly subscriber churn %
|
|
|
1.78
|
%
|
|
1.38
|
%
|
|
|
|
|
29.0
|
%
|
Total number of subscribers (000's) (1)
|
|
|
3,883
|
|
|
3,279
|
|
|
604
|
|
|
18.4
|
%
|
Gross subscriber additions (000's)
|
|
|
1,393
|
|
|
1,080
|
|
|
313
|
|
|
29.0
|
%
|
Net subscriber additions (000's)
|
|
|
623
|
|
|
588
|
|
|
35
|
|
|
6.0
|
%
|
-
(1)
-
DIRECTV
Latin America subscriber data exclude subscribers of the Sky Mexico platform. Net subscriber additions as well as churn exclude the effect of the
migration of approximately 19,000 subscribers from Central America to Sky Mexico in 2008 and approximately 20,000 in 2007.
The
increase in net subscriber additions was due to higher gross subscriber additions mainly in Brazil, Argentina and Venezuela, partially offset by higher churn of 1.78% in the region.
The increase in churn was due to two downward subscriber adjustments totaling 78,000 subscribers in Sky Brazil as a result of the inconsistent application of churn policies in previous periods and the
completion of the Sky Brazil and DIRECTV Brazil business integration. Excluding these subscriber adjustments in the current year, churn would have been 1.58%, which is higher than the prior year
period primarily due to increased competition, higher churn in our prepaid business and a more challenging macroeconomic environment.
Revenues
increased in 2008 primarily due to strong subscriber and ARPU growth. ARPU increased mainly due to favorable exchange rates in Brazil in the first three quarters of 2008, as
well as strong ARPU growth in PanAmericana, particularly in Venezuela and Argentina.
The
higher operating profit before depreciation and amortization is primarily due to the gross profit generated from the higher revenues, partially offset by an increase in subscriber
acquisition costs mostly due to the 29% increase in gross additions, higher general and administrative expense due primarily to $29 million in currency related transaction fees in Venezuela and
increased costs related to foreign currency exchange rate appreciation.
The
higher operating profit was primarily due to the increase in operating profit before depreciation and amortization partially offset by higher depreciation and amortization expense.
Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other
Operating loss from Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other decreased to $61 million in 2008 from $75 million in 2007.
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DIRECTV
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Our principal sources of liquidity are our cash, cash equivalents and the cash flow that we generate from our operations. From 2007 to 2009 we experienced
significant growth in net cash provided by operating activities and free cash flow. We expect net cash provided by operating activities and free cash flow to continue to grow and believe that our
existing cash balances and cash provided by operations will be sufficient to fund our existing business plan. Additionally, as of December 31, 2009, DIRECTV U.S. had the ability to borrow up to
$500 million under its existing credit facility, which is available until 2011. Borrowings under this facility may be required to fund strategic investment opportunities should they arise.
At
December 31, 2009, our cash and cash equivalents totaled $2.6 billion compared with $2.0 billion at December 31, 2008.
As
a measure of liquidity, the current ratio (ratio of current assets to current liabilities) was 0.89 at December 31, 2009 and 1.13 at December 31, 2008. Working capital
decreased by $1,105 million to a $646 million deficit at December 31, 2009 from working capital of $459 million at December 31, 2008. The decrease during the period
was mostly due to the increase in our current debt balance due to the assumption of debt and the related equity collars as part of the Liberty Transaction.
Summary Cash Flow Information
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
(Dollars in Millions)
|
|
Net cash provided by operating activities
|
|
$
|
4,431
|
|
$
|
3,910
|
|
$
|
3,645
|
|
Net cash used in investing activities
|
|
|
(2,194
|
)
|
|
(2,388
|
)
|
|
(2,822
|
)
|
Net cash used in financing activities
|
|
|
(1,637
|
)
|
|
(600
|
)
|
|
(2,239
|
)
|
Free cash flow:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by operating activities
|
|
$
|
4,431
|
|
$
|
3,910
|
|
$
|
3,645
|
|
Less: Cash paid for property, equipment and satellites
|
|
|
(2,071
|
)
|
|
(2,229
|
)
|
|
(2,692
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Free cash flow
|
|
$
|
2,360
|
|
$
|
1,681
|
|
$
|
953
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash Flows Provided By Operating Activities
The increases in net cash provided by operating activities in 2009 and 2008 were primarily due to our higher operating profit before
depreciation and amortization, which resulted from the higher gross profit generated from an increase in revenues, and in 2009 due to lower payments for income taxes compared to 2008. Cash paid for
income taxes was $484 million in 2009, $706 million in 2008 and $408 million in 2007. The decrease in cash paid for income taxes in 2009 resulted mainly from decreased income from
continuing operations and prior year tax credits.
Cash Flows Used In Investing Activities
During both 2008 and 2009, we experienced a reduction in set-top receiver costs and benefited from the use of refurbished
set-top receivers from the DIRECTV U.S. lease program, which resulted in a reduction in capital expenditures for property and equipment in 2008 and 2009.
Also
at DIRECTV U.S., during 2007, 2008 and 2009, we were in the process of constructing three satellites. We have completed and placed two of these satellites into service, which
resulted in decreasing satellite capital expenditures over the three year period. We expect to place the last of these
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DIRECTV
satellites
in service in the second quarter of 2010. Additionally, our capital expenditures for broadcast facilities and equipment to support our HD programming has decreased from 2007 to 2009 as we
have largely completed the build out of the infrastructure necessary to launch HD programming both locally and nationally.
These
decreases in capital expenditures for property and equipment have been offset by an increase in capital expenditures in Latin America for set-top receivers provided to
subscribers under lease programs. Part of our business strategy in Latin America is to increase advanced product and multi-box penetrations; therefore, our capital expenditures in Latin
America are expected to increase.
Additionally,
we paid $37 million in 2009, $204 million in 2008 and $348 million in 2007 for investments, net of cash acquired, in various companies and
$97 million, net of cash acquired, as part of the Liberty
Transaction. These transactions are described in Notes 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report. Also, in 2007 we had cash
flows from investing activities resulting from net cash proceeds received from the sale of short-term investments. Our cash spending on investment in companies is discretionary and we may
fund strategic investment opportunities should they arise in the future.
Cash Flows Used in Financing Activities
Under stock repurchase plans approved by our Board of Directors we completed the repurchase of our common stock as follows:
$1,696 million during 2009, $3,174 million during 2008, and $2,025 million during 2007. In February 2010, we announced an increase in the amount of authorized repurchases to
$3.5 billion, which is expected to be completed during 2010. We may make purchases under this program in the open market, through negotiated transactions or otherwise. The timing, nature and
amount of such transactions will depend on a variety of factors, including market conditions, and the program may be suspended, discontinued or accelerated at any time. The sources of funds for the
purchases under the remaining authorization are our existing cash on hand, cash from operations and potential additional borrowings.
During
2008 we had $2,490 million of net cash proceeds from the issuance of senior notes and borrowings under our senior secured credit facility which were completed in May 2008
and received a $160 million capital contribution in connection with Liberty's acquisition of its equity interest in us from News Corporation. During 2009, we had $1,990 million of net
cash proceeds from the issuance of senior notes which were completed in September 2009. We also repaid $1,018 million of our long-term debt, and paid approximately
$751 million to settle a portion of the debt and related equity collars assumed as part of the Liberty Transaction.
Free Cash Flow
Free cash flow increased in 2009 as compared to 2008 due to an increase in net cash provided by operating activities described above,
and the decrease in capital expenditures and the decrease in cash paid for taxes described above. The decrease in capital expenditures resulted from lower costs for set-top receivers
capitalized under the DIRECTV U.S. lease program and lower capital expenditures for satellite and broadcast facilities and equipment to support HD programming partially offset by increased capital
expenditures in Latin America for subscriber leased equipment.
During
2010, we expect continued free cash flow growth primarily as a result of the anticipated increase in operating profit before depreciation and amortization.
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DIRECTV
Debt
At December 31, 2009, we had $8,010 million in total outstanding borrowings, bearing a weighted average interest rate of
5.0%. Our outstanding borrowings primarily consist of notes payable, the Collar Loan and amounts borrowed under a senior secured credit facility of DIRECTV U.S. as more fully described in
Note 9 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8, Part II of this Annual Report, which we incorporate herein by reference.
During
the first quarter of 2010, we paid $1,537 million to repay the remaining principal balance of the Collar Loan and settle the related equity collars, and accordingly will
report a gain of approximately $65 million in the first quarter of 2010 related to the Collar Loan.
Our
notes payable and senior secured credit facility mature as follows: $308 million in 2010, $108 million in 2011, $20 million in 2012, $1,887 million in
2013, $1,000 million in 2014 and $3,500 million thereafter. These amounts do not reflect potential prepayments that may be required under our senior secured credit facility, which could
result from a computation that we are required to make at each year end under the credit agreement. We were not required to make a prepayment for the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008.
Covenants and Restrictions.
The senior secured credit facility requires DIRECTV U.S. to comply with certain financial covenants. The
senior notes and
the senior secured credit facility also include covenants that restrict DIRECTV U.S.' ability to, among other things, (i) incur additional indebtedness, (ii) incur liens,
(iii) pay dividends or make certain other restricted payments, investments or acquisitions, (iv) enter into certain transactions with affiliates, (v) merge or consolidate with
another entity, (vi) sell, assign, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets, and (vii) make voluntary prepayments of certain debt, in each case subject to
exceptions as provided in the credit agreement and senior notes indentures. DIRECTV U.S.' 4.750% and 5.875% senior notes are rated as investment grade and have fewer covenants and restrictions than
our other senior notes. Should DIRECTV U.S. fail to comply with these covenants, all or a portion of its borrowings under the senior notes and senior secured credit facility could become immediately
payable and its revolving credit facility could be terminated. At December 31, 2009, DIRECTV U.S. was in compliance with all such covenants and we expect to continue to be in compliance with
all covenants in 2010.
Contingencies
As discussed in Note 19 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual
Report, Globo has the right to exchange Sky Brazil shares for cash or our common shares. If Globo exercises this right, we have the option to elect to pay the consideration in cash, shares of our
common stock, or a combination of both.
Venezuela Exchange Controls.
Through December 31, 2009 we utilized the official exchange rate of 2.15 bolivars fuerte per U.S.
dollar to
translate the financial statements of our Venezuelan subsidiary. This rate has been fixed despite significant inflation in Venezuela in recent periods. We are required to obtain Venezuelan government
approval to exchange Venezuelan bolivars fuerte into U.S. dollars at the official rate, or alternatively, a legal parallel exchange process exists, however the rates implied by transactions in the
parallel market are significantly higher than the official rate (recently 5 to 7 bolivars fuerte per U.S. dollar). The official approval process has been delayed in recent periods and our Venezuelan
subsidiary has relied on the parallel exchange process to settle U.S. dollar obligations and to repatriate accumulated cash balances. As a result we recorded a $213 million charge during the
year ended December 31, 2009 and a $29 million charge during the year ended December 31, 2008 in "General and administrative expense" in the Consolidated Statements of
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DIRECTV
Operations
in connection with the exchange of accumulated Venezuelan cash balances to U.S. dollars using the parallel exchange process.
In
January 2010, the Venezuelan government announced the creation of a dual exchange rate system, including an exchange rate of 4.3 bolivars fuerte per U.S. dollar for most of the
activities of our Venezuelan operations. As a result of this devaluation, we estimate an approximate $6 million charge to net income in the first quarter of 2010 related to the adjustment of
net bolivars fuerte denominated monetary assets to the new official exchange rate. We will also begin reporting the operating results of our Venezuelan subsidiary in the first quarter of 2010 using
the devalued rate, which will result in a 50% reduction in revenues and local currency operating costs. As a result of our policy of repatriating excess cash balances using the parallel exchange rate
beginning in 2009, we do not expect a significant reduction in operating profits from our Venezuelan operations in 2010 due to the devaluation of the official exchange rate as the effect of
devaluation will be offset by lower charges for the repatriation of cash.
We
currently expect to continue to repatriate cash generated in Venezuela in excess of local operating requirements, and to the extent we are unable to obtain timely approval to exchange
bolivars fuerte at the official rate, we may use the legal parallel exchange process and we expect to incur additional
charges in the future. Using the official exchange rate as of December 31, 2009, our Venezuelan subsidiary had Venezuelan bolivar fuerte denominated assets of $15 million in excess of
Venezuelan bolivar fuerte denominated liabilities, including cash of $33 million as of December 31, 2009.
Other.
Several factors may affect our ability to fund our operations and commitments that we discuss in "Contractual Obligations",
"Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements" and "Contingencies" below. In addition, our future cash flows may be reduced if we experience, among other things, significantly higher subscriber
additions than planned, increased subscriber churn or upgrade and retention costs, higher than planned capital expenditures for satellites and broadcast equipment, satellite anomalies or signal theft
or if we are required to make a prepayment on our term loans under DIRECTV U.S.' senior secured credit facility. Additionally, DIRECTV U.S.' ability to borrow under the senior secured credit facility
is contingent upon DIRECTV U.S. meeting financial and other covenants associated with its facility as more fully described above.
CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
The following table sets forth our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2009, including the future periods in which payments are expected. Additional
details regarding these obligations are
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provided
in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 referenced in the table.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Payments Due By Period
|
|
Contractual Obligations
|
|
Total
|
|
Less than
1 year
|
|
1-3 years
|
|
3-5 years
|
|
More than
5 years
|
|
|
|
(Dollars in Millions)
|
|
Long-term debt obligations (Note 9) (a)
|
|
$
|
9,102
|
|
$
|
665
|
|
$
|
830
|
|
$
|
3,473
|
|
$
|
4,134
|
|
Purchase obligations (Note 19) (b)
|
|
|
9,696
|
|
|
1,805
|
|
|
3,705
|
|
|
2,745
|
|
|
1,441
|
|
Operating lease obligations (Note 19) (c)
|
|
|
402
|
|
|
65
|
|
|
118
|
|
|
74
|
|
|
145
|
|
Capital lease obligations (Note 11)
|
|
|
930
|
|
|
89
|
|
|
171
|
|
|
159
|
|
|
511
|
|
Other long-term liabilities reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets under GAAP (Note 19) (d)
|
|
|
140
|
|
|
91
|
|
|
49
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total (e)
|
|
$
|
20,270
|
|
$
|
2,715
|
|
$
|
4,873
|
|
$
|
6,451
|
|
$
|
6,231
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
(a)
-
Long-term
debt obligations include interest calculated based on the rates in effect at December 31, 2009, however, the obligations do not
reflect potential prepayments that may be required under DIRECTV U.S.' senior secured credit facility, if any, or permitted under its indentures.
-
(b)
-
Purchase
obligations consist primarily of broadcast programming commitments, regional professional team rights agreements, service contract commitments and
satellite launch contracts. Broadcast programming commitments include guaranteed minimum contractual commitments that are typically based on a flat fee or a minimum number of required subscribers
subscribing to the related programming. Actual payments may exceed the minimum payment requirements if the actual number of subscribers subscribing to the related programming exceeds the minimum
amounts. Service contract commitments include minimum commitments for the purchase of services that have been outsourced to third parties, such as billing services, telemetry, tracking and control
services and broadcast center services. In most cases, actual payments, which are typically based on volume, usually exceed these minimum amounts.
-
(c)
-
Certain
of the operating leases contain escalation clauses and renewal or purchase options, which we do not consider in the amounts disclosed.
-
(d)
-
Payments
due by period for other long-term liabilities reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheet under GAAP do not include payments that could
be made related to our net unrecognized tax benefits liability, which amounted to $367 million as of December 31, 2009. The timing and amount of any future payments is not reasonably
estimable, as such payments are dependent on the completion and resolution of examinations with tax authorities. We do not expect a significant payment related to these obligations within the next
twelve months.
-
(e)
-
Excluded
from these obligations are the $1,202 million Collar Loan and the related $400 million equity collars. During the first quarter of
2010, we paid the remaining principal balance of the loan and settled the equity collars.
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
As of December 31, 2009, we were contingently liable under standby letters of credit and bonds in the aggregate amount of $35 million primarily
related to insurance deductibles.
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CONTINGENCIES
For a discussion of "Contingencies", see Note 19 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual
Report, which we incorporate herein by reference.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS
For a discussion of "Certain Relationships and Related-Party Transactions," see Note 17 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in
Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report, which we incorporate herein by reference.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to
make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect amounts reported. Management bases its estimates, judgments and assumptions on historical experience and on various other factors that are
believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making estimates, actual results reported for future periods may be affected by changes in those
estimates. The following represents what we believe are the critical accounting policies that may involve a higher degree of estimation, judgment and complexity. For a summary of our significant
accounting policies, including those discussed below, see Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report.
Multi-Year Programming Contracts for Live Sporting Events.
We charge the cost of multi-year programming contracts for live
sporting events with minimum guarantee payments, such as DIRECTV U.S.' agreement with the NFL, based on the contractual rates in the contract per season, unless the contractual rates are inconsistent
with the relative value of the programming from season to season, in which case we record the expense based on the ratio of each period's sports programming package revenues to the estimated total
package revenues to be earned over the contract period. Management evaluates estimated total programming package revenues at least annually. Estimates of forecasted revenues rely on assumptions
regarding the number of subscribers to a given sporting events package and the estimated package price throughout the contract. While we base our estimates on past experience and other relevant
factors, actual results could differ from our estimates. If actual results were to significantly vary from forecasted amounts, the profit recorded on such contracts in a future period could vary from
current rates and the resulting change in profits recorded could be material to our consolidated results of operations.
Income Taxes.
We must make certain estimates and judgments in determining provisions for income taxes. These estimates and judgments
occur in the
calculation of tax credits, tax benefits and deductions, and in the calculation of certain tax assets and liabilities, which arise from differences in the timing of recognition of revenue and expense
for tax and financial statement purposes.
We
assess the recoverability of deferred tax assets at each reporting date and where applicable, record a valuation allowance to reduce the total deferred tax asset to an amount that
will, more-likely-than-not, be realized in the future. Our assessment includes an analysis of whether deferred tax assets will be realized in the ordinary course of
operations based on the available positive and negative evidence, including the scheduling of deferred tax liabilities and forecasted income from operating activities. The underlying assumptions we
use in forecasting future taxable income require significant judgment. In the event that actual income from operating activities differs from forecasted amounts, or if we change our estimates of
forecasted income from operating activities, we could record additional charges or reduce allowances in order to adjust the carrying value of deferred tax assets to their realizable amount. Such
adjustments could be material to our consolidated financial statements.
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DIRECTV
In
addition, the recognition of a tax benefit for tax positions involves dealing with uncertainties in the application of complex tax regulations. Judgment is required in assessing the
future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our financial statements or tax returns. We provide for taxes for uncertain tax positions where assessments have not been received. We
believe such tax reserves are adequate in relation to the potential for additional assessments. Once established, we adjust these amounts only when more information is available or when an event
occurs necessitating a change to the reserves. Future events such as changes in the facts or law, judicial decisions regarding the application of existing law or a favorable audit outcome will result
in changes to the amounts provided.
Contingent Matters.
Determining when, or if, an accrual should be recorded for a contingent matter, including but not limited to legal
and tax
issues, and the amount of such accrual, if any, requires a significant amount of management judgment and estimation. We develop our judgments and estimates in consultation with outside counsel based
on an analysis of potential outcomes. Due to the uncertainty of determining the likelihood of a future event occurring and the potential financial statement impact of such an event, it is possible
that upon further development or resolution of a contingent matter, we could record a charge in a future period that would be material to our consolidated financial statements.
Depreciable Lives of Leased Set-Top Receivers.
We currently lease most set-top receivers provided to new and existing
subscribers and therefore capitalize the cost of those set-top receivers. We depreciate capitalized set-top receivers at DIRECTV U.S. over a three year estimated useful life,
which is based on, among other things, management's judgment of the risk of technological obsolescence. Changes in the estimated useful lives of set-top receivers capitalized could result
in significant changes to the amounts
recorded as depreciation expense. Based on the book value of the DIRECTV U.S. set-top receivers capitalized as of December 31, 2009, if we extended the depreciable life of the
set-top receivers by one half of a year, it would result in an approximately $200 million reduction in annual depreciation expense.
Valuation of Long-Lived Assets.
We evaluate the carrying value of long-lived assets to be held and used, other than goodwill
and intangible assets with indefinite lives, when events and circumstances warrant such a review. We consider the carrying value of a long-lived asset impaired when the anticipated
undiscounted future cash flow from such asset is separately identifiable and is less than its carrying value. In that event, we recognize a loss based on the amount by which the carrying value exceeds
the fair value of the long-lived asset. We determine fair value primarily using the estimated future cash flows associated with the asset under review, discounted at a rate commensurate
with the risk involved, and other valuation techniques. We determine losses on long-lived assets to be disposed of in a similar manner, except that we reduce the fair value for the cost of
disposal. Changes in estimates of future cash flows could result in a write-down of the asset in a future period.
Valuation of Goodwill and Intangible Assets with Indefinite Lives.
We evaluate the carrying value of goodwill and intangible assets
with indefinite
lives annually in the fourth quarter or more frequently when events and circumstances change that would more likely than not result in an impairment loss. We completed our annual impairment testing
during the fourth quarter of 2009, and determined that there was no impairment of goodwill or intangible assets with indefinite lives. As of December 31, 2009, the fair value of each reporting
unit and our intangible assets with indefinite lives significantly exceed their carrying values. See Note 6 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II,
Item 8 of this Annual Report, which we incorporate herein by reference.
The
goodwill evaluation requires the estimation of the fair value of reporting units where we record goodwill. We determine fair values primarily using estimated cash flows discounted at
a rate
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DIRECTV
commensurate
with the risk involved, when appropriate. Estimation of future cash flows requires significant judgment about future operating results, and can vary significantly from one evaluation to
the next. Risk adjusted discount rates are not fixed and are subject to change over time. As a result, changes in estimated future cash flows and/or changes in discount rates could result in a
write-down of goodwill or intangible assets with indefinite lives in a future period which could be material to our consolidated financial statements.
ACCOUNTING CHANGES AND NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
For a discussion of accounting changes and new accounting pronouncements see Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in
Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report, which we incorporate herein by reference.
SECURITY RATINGS
Debt ratings by the various rating agencies reflect each agency's opinion of the ability of issuers to repay debt obligations as they come due and expected loss
given a default. Ratings in the Baa range for Moody's Investors Service, and the BBB range for Standard & Poor's Ratings Services, or S&P, and the BBB range for Fitch Ratings, generally
indicate adequate current protection of interest payments and principal security, with certain protective elements lacking. Ratings in the Ba range for Moody's and the BB range for S&P and Fitch,
generally indicate moderate protection of interest and principal payments, potentially outweighed by exposure to uncertainties or adverse conditions. In general, lower ratings result in higher
borrowing costs. A security rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold securities and may be subject to revision or withdrawal at any time by the assigning rating organization.
Currently,
DIRECTV has the following security rating:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Corporate
|
|
Outlook
|
Standard & Poor's
|
|
BBB-
|
|
Stable
|
Currently,
DIRECTV U.S. has the following security ratings:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Senior Secured
|
|
Senior Unsecured
|
|
Corporate
|
|
Outlook
|
Standard & Poor's
|
|
BBB-
|
|
BBB-
|
|
BBB-
|
|
Stable
|
Moody's
|
|
Baa2
|
|
Ba2
|
|
Ba1
|
|
Stable
|
Fitch
|
|
BBB
|
|
BBB-
|
|
BBB-
|
|
Stable
|
***
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DIRECTV
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The following discussion and the estimated amounts generated from the sensitivity analyses referred to below include forward-looking statements of market risk
which assume for analytical purposes that certain adverse market conditions may occur. Actual future market conditions may differ materially from such assumptions and the amounts noted below are the
result of analyses used for the purpose of assessing possible risks and the mitigation thereof. Accordingly, you should not consider the forward-looking statements as our projections of future events
or losses.
General
Our cash flows and earnings are subject to fluctuations resulting from changes in foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates and
changes in the market value of our equity investments. We manage our exposure to these market risks through internally established policies and procedures and, when deemed appropriate, through the use
of derivative financial instruments. We enter into derivative instruments only to the extent considered necessary to meet our risk management objectives, and do not enter into derivative contracts for
speculative purposes.
Foreign Currency Risk
We generally conduct our business in U.S. dollars with some business conducted in a variety of foreign currencies and therefore we are
exposed to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. Our objective in managing our exposure to foreign currency changes is to reduce earnings and cash flow volatility associated with foreign
exchange rate fluctuations. Accordingly, we may enter into foreign exchange contracts to mitigate risks associated with foreign currency denominated assets, liabilities, commitments and anticipated
foreign currency transactions. The gains and losses on derivative foreign exchange contracts offset changes in value of the related exposures. As of December 31, 2009, we had no significant
foreign currency exchange contracts outstanding. The impact of a hypothetical 10% adverse change in exchange rates on our net assets would be a loss of $109 million, net of taxes, at
December 31, 2009, a significant portion of which would be recorded in "Foreign currency translation activity during the period" in our Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders'
Equity.
Interest Rate Risk
We are subject to fluctuating interest rates, which may adversely impact our consolidated results of operations and cash flows. We had
outstanding debt of $8,010 million at December 31, 2009, which consisted of DIRECTV U.S.' fixed rate borrowings of $4,490 million, collar loan of $1,202 million and
variable rate borrowings of $2,316 million. As of December 31, 2009, a hypothetical one percentage point increase in interest rates related to our outstanding variable rate debt would
have increased our annual interest expense by approximately $23 million.
***
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DIRECTV
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To
the Board of Directors and Stockholders of DIRECTV
El Segundo, California
We
have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of DIRECTV (formerly, The DIRECTV Group, Inc.) (the "Company") as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the
related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders' equity, comprehensive income, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009. Our
audits also included the financial statement schedules listed in the Index at Item 15. These financial statements and financial statement schedules are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial statements and financial statement schedules based on our audits.
We
conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in
the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement
presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In
our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of DIRECTV at December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the results
of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of
America. Also, in our opinion, such financial statement schedules, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly, in all material
respects, the information set forth therein.
As
discussed in Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted new accounting standards for the accounting and
reporting of noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries, also known as minority interests and effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted new accounting standards regarding the financial
statement classification and measurement of equity securities that are subject to mandatory redemption requirements or whose redemption is out of the control of the issuer.
We
have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of
December 31, 2009, based on the criteria established in
Internal ControlIntegrated Framework
issued by the Committee of Sponsoring
Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 25, 2010 expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
|
|
|
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
|
|
|
Los
Angeles, California
February 25, 2010
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DIRECTV
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
(Dollars in Millions, Except Per
Share Amounts)
|
|
Revenues
|
|
$
|
21,565
|
|
$
|
19,693
|
|
$
|
17,246
|
|
Operating costs and expenses
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Costs of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Broadcast programming and other
|
|
|
9,064
|
|
|
8,298
|
|
|
7,346
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subscriber service expenses
|
|
|
1,525
|
|
|
1,290
|
|
|
1,240
|
|
|
|
|
|
Broadcast operations expenses
|
|
|
341
|
|
|
360
|
|
|
323
|
|
|
|
Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subscriber acquisition costs
|
|
|
2,773
|
|
|
2,429
|
|
|
2,096
|
|
|
|
|
|
Upgrade and retention costs
|
|
|
1,092
|
|
|
1,058
|
|
|
976
|
|
|
|
|
|
General and administrative expenses
|
|
|
1,457
|
|
|
1,243
|
|
|
1,095
|
|
Depreciation and amortization expense
|
|
|
2,640
|
|
|
2,320
|
|
|
1,684
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating costs and expenses
|
|
|
18,892
|
|
|
16,998
|
|
|
14,760
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating profit
|
|
|
2,673
|
|
|
2,695
|
|
|
2,486
|
|
Interest income
|
|
|
41
|
|
|
81
|
|
|
111
|
|
Interest expense
|
|
|
(423
|
)
|
|
(360
|
)
|
|
(235
|
)
|
Liberty transaction and related charges
|
|
|
(491
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other, net
|
|
|
34
|
|
|
55
|
|
|
26
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from continuing operations before income taxes
|
|
|
1,834
|
|
|
2,471
|
|
|
2,388
|
|
Income tax expense
|
|
|
(827
|
)
|
|
(864
|
)
|
|
(943
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from continuing operations
|
|
|
1,007
|
|
|
1,607
|
|
|
1,445
|
|
Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
6
|
|
|
17
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
|
1,007
|
|
|
1,613
|
|
|
1,462
|
|
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
|
|
|
(65
|
)
|
|
(92
|
)
|
|
(11
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income attributable to DIRECTV
|
|
$
|
942
|
|
$
|
1,521
|
|
$
|
1,451
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amounts attributable to DIRECTV common shareholders:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from continuing operations, net of taxes
|
|
$
|
942
|
|
$
|
1,515
|
|
$
|
1,434
|
|
Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
6
|
|
|
17
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$
|
942
|
|
$
|
1,521
|
|
$
|
1,451
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic earnings attributable to DIRECTV per common share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from continuing operations
|
|
$
|
0.96
|
|
$
|
1.36
|
|
$
|
1.20
|
|
Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.01
|
|
|
0.01
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$
|
0.96
|
|
$
|
1.37
|
|
$
|
1.21
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted earnings attributable to DIRECTV per common share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from continuing operations
|
|
$
|
0.95
|
|
$
|
1.36
|
|
$
|
1.20
|
|
Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
0.01
|
|
|
0.01
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$
|
0.95
|
|
$
|
1.37
|
|
$
|
1.21
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding (in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic
|
|
|
985
|
|
|
1,110
|
|
|
1,195
|
|
|
Diluted
|
|
|
992
|
|
|
1,114
|
|
|
1,202
|
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
73
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DIRECTV
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
(Dollars in Millions,
Except Share Data)
|
|
ASSETS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents
|
|
$
|
2,605
|
|
$
|
2,005
|
|
|
|
Accounts receivable, net
|
|
|
1,625
|
|
|
1,423
|
|
|
|
Inventories
|
|
|
212
|
|
|
192
|
|
|
|
Deferred income taxes
|
|
|
217
|
|
|
68
|
|
|
|
Prepaid expenses and other
|
|
|
396
|
|
|
356
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current assets
|
|
|
5,055
|
|
|
4,044
|
|
Satellites, net
|
|
|
2,338
|
|
|
2,476
|
|
Property and equipment, net
|
|
|
4,138
|
|
|
4,171
|
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
4,164
|
|
|
3,753
|
|
Intangible assets, net
|
|
|
1,131
|
|
|
1,172
|
|
Investments and other assets
|
|
|
1,434
|
|
|
923
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
|
$
|
18,260
|
|
$
|
16,539
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
|
|
$
|
3,757
|
|
$
|
3,115
|
|
|
|
Unearned subscriber revenues and deferred credits
|
|
|
434
|
|
|
362
|
|
|
|
Current portion of long-term debt
|
|
|
1,510
|
|
|
108
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current liabilities
|
|
|
5,701
|
|
|
3,585
|
|
Long-term debt
|
|
|
6,500
|
|
|
5,725
|
|
Deferred income taxes
|
|
|
1,070
|
|
|
524
|
|
Other liabilities and deferred credits
|
|
|
1,678
|
|
|
1,749
|
|
Commitments and contingencies
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Redeemable noncontrolling interest
|
|
|
400
|
|
|
325
|
|
Stockholders' equity
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Common stock and additional paid-in capital$0.01 par value, 3,500,000,000 shares authorized, 911,377,919 shares issued and outstanding of DIRECTV
Class A common stock at December 31, 2009, $0.01 par value, 30,000,000 shares authorized, 21,809,863 shares issued and outstanding of DIRECTV Class B common stock at December 31, 2009 and $0.01 par value, 3,000,000,000 shares
authorized, 1,024,182,043 shares issued and outstanding of The DIRECTV Group, Inc. common stock at December 31, 2008
|
|
|
6,689
|
|
|
8,318
|
|
|
|
Accumulated deficit
|
|
|
(3,722
|
)
|
|
(3,559
|
)
|
|
|
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
|
|
|
(56
|
)
|
|
(128
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total stockholders' equity
|
|
|
2,911
|
|
|
4,631
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
|
|
$
|
18,260
|
|
$
|
16,539
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
74
Table of Contents
DIRECTV
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The
DIRECTV
Group, Inc.
Common
Shares
|
|
DIRECTV
Class A
Common
Shares
|
|
DIRECTV
Class B
Common
Shares
|
|
Common
Stock and
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
|
|
Accu-
mulated
Deficit
|
|
Accu-
mulated
Other
Compre-
hensive
Loss,
net of
taxes
|
|
Non-
controlling
Interest
|
|
Total
Stock-
holders'
Equity
|
|
Redeem-
able Non-
controlling
Interest
|
|
Net
Income
|
|
|
|
(Dollars in Millions, Except Share Data)
|
|
Balance at January 1, 2007
|
|
|
1,226,490,193
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
9,566
|
|
$
|
(3,107
|
)
|
$
|
(48
|
)
|
$
|
62
|
|
$
|
6,473
|
|
$
|
270
|
|
|
|
|
Net Income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,451
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,451
|
|
|
11
|
|
$
|
1,462
|
|
Stock repurchased and retired
|
|
|
(86,173,710
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(692
|
)
|
|
(1,333
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2,025
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock options exercised and restricted stock units vested and distributed
|
|
|
7,951,720
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
118
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
118
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share-based compensation expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
49
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
49
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax benefit from stock option exercises
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(11
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(11
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purchase of Darlene Investments LLC's interest in DIRECTV Latin America
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(62
|
)
|
|
(62
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustment to initially record cumulative effect of adopting accounting standard for uncertainty in income taxes, net of tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustment to record adoption of accounting standard to change measurement date provisions of defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans, net
of tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustment to the fair value of redeemable noncontrolling interest
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(19
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(19
|
)
|
|
19
|
|
|
|
|
Amortization of amounts resulting from changes in defined benefit plan experience and actuarial assumptions, net of tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16
|
|
|
|
|
|
16
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign currency translation activity during the period
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealized gains on securities, net of tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12
|
|
|
|
|
|
12
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2007
|
|
|
1,148,268,203
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,029
|
|
|
(2,995
|
)
|
|
(21
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
6,013
|
|
|
300
|
|
|
|
|
Net Income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,521
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,521
|
|
|
92
|
|
$
|
1,613
|
|
Stock repurchased and retired
|
|
|
(131,476,804
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,089
|
)
|
|
(2,085
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(3,174
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock options exercised and restricted stock units vested and distributed
|
|
|
7,390,644
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
105
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
105
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share-based compensation expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
51
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
51
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax benefit from stock option exercises
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Capital contribution
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
160
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
160
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustment to the fair value of redeemable noncontrolling interest
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
67
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
67
|
|
|
(67
|
)
|
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(20
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(20
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amortization of amounts resulting from changes in defined benefit plan experience and actuarial assumptions, net of tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(87
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
(87
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unrealized losses on securities, net of tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(20
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
(20
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2008
|
|
|
1,024,182,043
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8,318
|
|
|
(3,559
|
)
|
|
(128
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
4,631
|
|
|
325
|
|
|
|
|
Net Income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
942
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
942
|
|
|
65
|
|
$
|
1,007
|
|
Stock repurchased and retired
|
|
|
(71,242,534
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(591
|
)
|
|
(1,105
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,696
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock options exercised and restricted stock units vested and distributed
|
|
|
4,191,329
|
|
|
1,898,770
|
|
|
|
|
|
35
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
35
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liberty Transaction
|
|
|
(957,130,838
|
)
|
|
909,479,149
|
|
|
21,809,863
|
|
|
(1,145
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,145
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share-based compensation expense
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
55
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
55
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax benefit from stock option exercises
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustment to the fair value of redeemable noncontrolling interest
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(16
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(16
|
)
|
|
16
|
|
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amortization of amounts resulting from changes in defined benefit plan experience and actuarial assumptions, net of tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(2
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
(2
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cumulative effect of change in functional currency at Sky Brazil
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(112
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
(112
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign currency translation activity during the period
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
179
|
|
|
|
|
|
179
|
|
|
(6
|
)
|
|
|
|
Unrealized gains on securities, net of tax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Balance at December 31, 2009
|
|
|
|
|
|
911,377,919
|
|
|
21,809,863
|
|
$
|
6,689
|
|
$
|
(3,722
|
)
|
$
|
(56
|
)
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
2,911
|
|
$
|
400
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
75
Table of Contents
DIRECTV
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
(Dollars in Millions)
|
|
Net income
|
|
$
|
1,007
|
|
$
|
1,613
|
|
$
|
1,462
|
|
Other comprehensive income (loss):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amortization of amounts resulting from changes in defined benefit plan experience and actuarial assumptions, net of tax
|
|
|
(2
|
)
|
|
(87
|
)
|
|
16
|
|
|
Foreign currency translation adjustments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cumulative effect of change in functional currency at Sky Brazil
|
|
|
(112
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Foreign currency translation activity during the period
|
|
|
179
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1
|
)
|
|
Unrealized holding (losses) gains on securities, net of taxes
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
(20
|
)
|
|
12
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive income
|
|
|
1,079
|
|
|
1,506
|
|
|
1,489
|
|
|
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
|
|
|
(59
|
)
|
|
(92
|
)
|
|
(11
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comprehensive income attributable to DIRECTV.
|
|
$
|
1,020
|
|
$
|
1,414
|
|
$
|
1,478
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The
accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
76
Table of Contents
DIRECTV
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31,
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
(Dollars in Millions)
|
|
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income
|
|
$
|
1,007
|
|
$
|
1,613
|
|
$
|
1,462
|
|
|
Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes
|
|
|
|
|
|
(6
|
)
|
|
(17
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from continuing operations
|
|
|
1,007
|
|
|
1,607
|
|
|
1,445
|
|
|
Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
|
|
2,640
|
|
|
2,320
|
|
|
1,684
|
|
|
|
Amortization of deferred revenues and deferred credits
|
|
|
(48
|
)
|
|
(104
|
)
|
|
(98
|
)
|
|
|
Dividends received
|
|
|
94
|
|
|
35
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share-based compensation expense
|
|
|
55
|
|
|
51
|
|
|
49
|
|
|
|
Net loss from impairment of investments
|
|
|
45
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net foreign currency transaction gain
|
|
|
(62
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liberty transaction and related charges
|
|
|
491
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deferred income taxes
|
|
|
441
|
|
|
107
|
|
|
439
|
|
|
|
Other
|
|
|
(3
|
)
|
|
(24
|
)
|
|
(15
|
)
|
|
|
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts and notes receivable
|
|
|
(141
|
)
|
|
95
|
|
|
(166
|
)
|
|
|
|
Inventories
|
|
|
(12
|
)
|
|
18
|
|
|
(45
|
)
|
|
|
|
Prepaid expenses and other
|
|
|
(5
|
)
|
|
(96
|
)
|
|
46
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
|
|
|
(215
|
)
|
|
(23
|
)
|
|
255
|
|
|
|
|
Unearned subscriber revenues and deferred credits
|
|
|
55
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
72
|
|
|
|
|
Other, net
|
|
|
89
|
|
|
(84
|
)
|
|
(21
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash provided by operating activities
|
|
|
4,431
|
|
|
3,910
|
|
|
3,645
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash paid for property and equipment
|
|
|
(2,012
|
)
|
|
(2,101
|
)
|
|
(2,523
|
)
|
|
Cash paid for satellites
|
|
|
(59
|
)
|
|
(128
|
)
|
|
(169
|
)
|
|
Cash paid for Liberty transaction, net of cash acquired
|
|
|
(97
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Investment in companies, net of cash acquired
|
|
|
(37
|
)
|
|
(204
|
)
|
|
(348
|
)
|
|
Purchase of short-term investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(588
|
)
|
|
Sale of short-term investments
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
748
|
|
|
Other, net
|
|
|
11
|
|
|
45
|
|
|
58
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash used in investing activities
|
|
|
(2,194
|
)
|
|
(2,388
|
)
|
|
(2,822
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash proceeds from debt issuance
|
|
|
1,990
|
|
|
2,490
|
|
|
|
|
|
Debt issuance costs
|
|
|
(14
|
)
|
|
(19
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
Repayment of long-term debt
|
|
|
(1,018
|
)
|
|
(53
|
)
|
|
(220
|
)
|
|
Repayment of collar loan
|
|
|
(751
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase in short-term borrowings
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
|
Repayment of other long-term obligations
|
|
|
(116
|
)
|
|
(117
|
)
|
|
(121
|
)
|
|
Common shares repurchased and retired
|
|
|
(1,696
|
)
|
|
(3,174
|
)
|
|
(2,025
|
)
|
|
Capital contribution
|
|
|
|
|
|
160
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock options exercised
|
|
|
35
|
|
|
105
|
|
|
118
|
|
|
Taxes paid in lieu of shares issued for share-based compensation
|
|
|
(72
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation
|
|
|
5
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
7
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash used in financing activities
|
|
|
(1,637
|
)
|
|
(600
|
)
|
|
(2,239
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
|
|
|
600
|
|
|
922
|
|
|
(1,416
|
)
|
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year
|
|
|
2,005
|
|
|
1,083
|
|
|
2,499
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year
|
|
$
|
2,605
|
|
$
|
2,005
|
|
$
|
1,083
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash paid for interest
|
|
$
|
412
|
|
$
|
334
|
|
$
|
230
|
|
|
Cash paid for income taxes
|
|
|
484
|
|
|
706
|
|
|
408
|
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
77
Table of Contents
DIRECTV
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1: Description of Business
DIRECTV, which we sometimes refer to as the company, we, or us, is a leading provider of digital television entertainment in the United States and Latin America.
We operate two direct-to-home, or DTH, operating segments: DIRECTV U.S. and DIRECTV Latin America, which are differentiated by their geographic location and are engaged in
acquiring, promoting, selling and/or distributing digital entertainment programming via satellite to residential and commercial subscribers. Beginning November 19, 2009 we also operate three
regional sports networks and own a 65% interest in Game Show Network LLC, or GSN, a basic television network dedicated to game-related programming and Internet interactive game
playing. We account for our investment in GSN using the equity method of accounting.
-
-
DIRECTV
U.S.
DIRECTV Holdings LLC and its subsidiaries, which we refer to as DIRECTV U.S., is the largest provider of DTH digital
television services and the second largest provider in the multi-channel video programming distribution, or MVPD, industry in the United States.
-
-
DIRECTV Latin
America.
DIRECTV Latin America, or DTVLA, is a leading provider of DTH digital television services throughout Latin America. DTVLA is
comprised of: PanAmericana, which provides services in Venezuela, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Puerto Rico and certain other countries in the region through our wholly-owned subsidiary, DIRECTV Latin
America, LLC, or DLA LLC; our 74% owned subsidiary Sky Brasil Servicos Ltda., which we refer to as Sky Brazil; and our 41% equity method investment in Innova, S. de R.L. de C.V.,
or Sky Mexico.
-
-
DIRECTV Sports
Networks.
DIRECTV Sports Networks LLC and its subsidiaries is comprised primarily of three regional sports television networks
based in Seattle, Washington, Denver, Colorado and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, currently known as FSN Rocky Mountain, FSN Northwest and FSN Pittsburgh, respectively. The operating results of DSN
beginning November 19, 2009 are reported as part of the "Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other" operating segment.
Liberty Transaction
On November 19, 2009, The DIRECTV Group, Inc., or DIRECTV Group, and Liberty Media Corporation, which we refer to as
Liberty or Liberty Media, obtained shareholder approval of and closed a series of related transactions which we refer to collectively as the Liberty Transaction. The Liberty Transaction included the
split-off of certain of the assets of the Liberty Entertainment group into Liberty Entertainment, Inc., or LEI, which was then split-off from Liberty. Following the
split-off, DIRECTV Group and LEI merged with subsidiaries of DIRECTV. As a result of the Liberty Transaction, DIRECTV Group, which is comprised of the DIRECTV U.S. and DIRECTV Latin
America businesses, and LEI, which held Liberty's 57% interest in DIRECTV Group, a 100% interest in three regional sports networks, a 65% interest in GSN, approximately $120 million in cash and
cash equivalents and approximately $2.1 billion of indebtedness and a related series of equity collars became wholly-owned subsidiaries of DIRECTV.
DIRECTV
Group has been treated as the acquiring corporation in the Liberty Transaction for accounting and financial reporting purposes and accordingly, the historical financial
statements of DIRECTV Group are reported as the historical financial statements of DIRECTV in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements.
As
a result of the Liberty Transaction, Liberty's 57% ownership interest in DIRECTV Group has been effectively distributed to certain of Liberty's shareholders. DIRECTV has two classes
of common stock outstanding, Class A common stock and Class B common stock. The DIRECTV Class A common
78
Table of Contents
DIRECTV
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(continued)
stock
is entitled to one vote per share and the Class B common stock is entitled to 15 votes per share. The DIRECTV Class A common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, or
NASDAQ, under the ticker "DTV". DIRECTV Group common stock has been delisted and no longer trades on the NASDAQ. The DIRECTV Class B common stock will not be listed on any stock exchange or
automated dealer quotation system. Dr. John Malone and his family, or the Malones, own all outstanding Class B common stock, and have agreed to limit their Class B voting rights
to 24% of the total voting power of DIRECTV's common stock. Including their Class A and Class B ownership interests, the Malones hold an approximate 2.7% economic interest and an
approximate 24.3% voting interest in DIRECTV.
See
Note 3 for additional information regarding these transactions.
Note 2: Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation
We present our accompanying financial statements on a consolidated basis and include our accounts and those of our domestic and foreign
subsidiaries that we control through equity ownership or for which we are deemed to be the primary beneficiary, after elimination of intercompany accounts and transactions. We allocate earnings and
losses to noncontrolling interests only to the extent of a noncontrolling investor's investment in a subsidiary.
Use of Estimates in the Preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements
We prepare our consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of
America, which requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported herein. We base our estimates and assumptions on historical experience and on various other factors that we
believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making estimates, our actual results reported in future periods may be affected by changes in those
estimates.
Revenue Recognition
We recognize subscription and pay-per-view revenues when programming is broadcast to subscribers. We recognize
subscriber fees for multiple set-top receivers, our published programming guide, warranty services and equipment rental as revenue, as earned. We recognize advertising revenues when the
related services are performed. We defer programming payments received from subscribers in advance of the broadcast as "Unearned subscriber revenues and deferred credits" in the Consolidated Balance
Sheets until earned. We recognize revenues to be received under contractual commitments on a straight line basis over the minimum contractual period.
Broadcast Programming and Other
We recognize the costs of television programming distribution rights when we distribute the related programming. We recognize the costs
of television programming rights to distribute live sporting events for a season or tournament to expense using the straight-line method over the course of the season or tournament.
However, we charge the cost of multi-year programming contracts for live sporting events with minimum guarantee payments, such as DIRECTV U.S.' agreement with the NFL, based on the
contractual rates in the contract per season, unless the contractual rates are inconsistent with the relative value of the programming from season to season, in which case we record the expense based
on the ratio of each period's sports programming package revenues to the estimated total package
79
Table of Contents
DIRECTV
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(continued)
revenues
to be earned over the contract period. We evaluate estimated total contract revenues at least annually.
We
defer advance payments in the form of cash and equity instruments from programming content providers for carriage of their signal and recognize them as a reduction of "Broadcast
programming and other" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations on a straight-line basis over the related contract term. We record equity instruments at fair value based on quoted
market prices or values determined by management.
Subscriber Acquisition Costs
Subscriber acquisition costs consist of costs we incur to acquire new subscribers. We include the cost of set-top receivers
and other equipment, commissions we pay to national retailers, independent satellite television retailers, dealers, telephone communication companies and the cost of installation, advertising,
marketing and customer call center expenses associated with the acquisition of new subscribers in subscriber acquisition costs. We expense these costs as incurred, or when subscribers activate the
DIRECTV® service, as appropriate, except for the cost of set-top receivers leased to new subscribers which we capitalize in "Property and equipment, net" in the Consolidated
Balance Sheets. Although paid in advance, the retailer or dealer earns substantially all commissions paid for customer acquisitions over 12 months from the date of subscriber activation. Should
the subscriber cancel our service during the 12 month service period, we are reimbursed for the unearned portion of the commission by the retailer or dealer and record a decrease to subscriber
acquisition costs. We include the amount of our set-top receivers capitalized each period for subscriber acquisition activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows under the
caption "Cash paid for property and equipment." See Note 5 for additional information.
Upgrade and Retention Costs
Upgrade and retention costs consist primarily of costs we incur for loyalty programs offered to existing subscribers. The costs for
loyalty programs include the costs of installing or providing hardware under our movers program (for subscribers relocating to a new residence), multiple set-top receiver offers, digital
video recorder, or DVR, high-definition, or HD, local channel upgrade programs and other similar initiatives, and third party commissions we incur for the sale of additional
set-top receivers to existing subscribers. We expense these costs as incurred, except for the cost of set-top receivers leased to existing subscribers which we capitalize in
"Property and equipment, net" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. We include the amount of our set-top receivers capitalized each period for upgrade and retention activities in the
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows under the caption "Cash paid for property and equipment." See Note 5 for additional information.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments we purchase with original maturities of three months or less.
Inventories
We state inventories at the lower of average cost or market. Inventories consist of finished goods for DIRECTV System equipment and
DIRECTV System access cards.
80
Table of Contents
DIRECTV
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(continued)
Property and Equipment, Satellites and Depreciation
We carry property and equipment, and satellites at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. The amounts we capitalize for satellites
currently being constructed and those that have been successfully launched include the costs of construction, launch, launch insurance, incentive obligations and related capitalized interest. We
generally compute depreciation using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. We amortize leasehold improvements over the lesser of the life of the asset or
term of the lease.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are carried at historical cost and are subject to write-down, as
needed, based upon an impairment analysis that we must perform at least annually, or sooner if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not result in an impairment loss. We
perform our annual impairment analysis in the fourth quarter of each year. If an impairment loss results from the annual impairment test, we would record the loss as a pre-tax charge to
operating income.
We
amortize other intangible assets using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives, which range from 5 to 20 years.
Valuation of Long-Lived Assets
We evaluate the carrying value of long-lived assets to be held and used, other than goodwill and intangible assets with
indefinite lives, when events and circumstances warrant such a review. We consider the carrying value of a long-lived asset impaired when the anticipated undiscounted future cash flow from
such asset is separately identifiable and is less than its carrying value. In that event, we would recognize a loss based on the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the
long-lived asset. We determine fair value primarily using estimated future cash flows associated with the asset under review, discounted at a rate commensurate with the risk involved, or
other valuation techniques. We determine losses on long-lived assets to be disposed of in a similar manner, except that we reduce the fair value for the cost of disposal.
Foreign Currency
The U.S. dollar is the functional currency for most of our foreign operations. We recognize gains and losses resulting from
remeasurement of these operations' foreign currency denominated assets, liabilities and transactions into the U.S. dollar in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
We
also have foreign operations where the local currency is their functional currency. Accordingly, these foreign entities translate assets and liabilities from their local currencies to
U.S. dollars using year end exchange rates while income and expense accounts are translated at the average rates in effect during the year. We record the resulting translation adjustment as part of
accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), which we refer to as OCI, a separate component of stockholders' equity.
Investments and Financial Instruments
We maintain investments in equity securities of unaffiliated companies. We carry non-marketable equity securities at cost.
We consider marketable equity securities available-for-sale and they are carried at current fair value based on quoted market prices with unrealized gains or losses (excluding
other-than-temporary losses), net of taxes, reported as part of OCI. We continually review our investments to determine whether a decline in fair value below the cost basis is
81
Table of Contents
DIRECTV
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(continued)
"other-than-temporary."
We consider, among other factors: the magnitude and duration of the decline; the financial health and business outlook of the investee, including
industry and sector performance, changes in technology, and operational and financing cash flow factors; and our intent and ability to hold the investment. If we judge the decline in fair value to be
other-than-temporary, we write-down the cost basis of the security to fair value and recognize the amount in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as part of
"Other, net" and record it as a reclassification adjustment from OCI.
We
account for investments in which we own at least 20% of the voting securities or have significant influence under the equity method of accounting. We record equity method investments
at cost and adjust for the appropriate share of the net earnings or losses of the investee. We record investee losses up to the amount of the investment plus advances and loans made to the investee,
and financial guarantees made on behalf of the investee.
The
carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, investments and other assets, accounts payable, and amounts included in accrued liabilities and other meeting the
definition of a financial instrument approximated their fair values at December 31, 2009 and 2008.
Debt Issuance Costs
We defer costs we incur to issue debt and amortize these costs to interest expense using the straight-line method over the
term of the respective obligation.
Share-Based Payment
We grant restricted stock units and common stock options to our employees and directors.
We
record compensation expense equal to the fair value of stock-based awards at the date approved on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of up to three
years, reduced for estimated forfeitures and adjusted for anticipated payout percentages related to the achievement of performance targets.
Income Taxes
We determine deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the difference between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and
liabilities, using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which we expect the differences to reverse. We must make certain estimates and judgments in determining income tax provisions, assessing
the likelihood of recovering our deferred tax assets, and evaluating tax positions.
We
recognize a benefit in "Income tax expense" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for uncertain tax positions that are more-likely-than-not
to be sustained upon examination, measured at the largest amount that has a greater than 50% likelihood of
being realized upon settlement. Unrecognized tax benefits represent tax benefits taken or expected to be taken in income tax returns, for which the benefit has not yet been recognized in "Income tax
expense" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations due to the uncertainty of whether such benefits will be ultimately realized. We recognize interest and penalties accrued related to unrecognized
tax benefits in "Income tax expense" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Unrecognized tax benefits are recorded in "Income tax expense" in the Consolidated Statement of Operations at such
time that the benefit is effectively settled.
82
Table of Contents
DIRECTV
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(continued)
Advertising Costs
We expense advertising costs primarily in "Subscriber acquisition costs" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as incurred.
Advertising expenses, net of payments received from programming content providers for marketing support, were $317 million in 2009, $301 million in 2008, and $261 million in 2007.
Market Concentrations and Credit Risk
We sell programming services and extend credit, in amounts generally not exceeding $200 each, to a large number of individual
residential subscribers throughout the United States and most of Latin America. As applicable, we maintain allowances for anticipated losses.
Accounting Changes
Noncontrolling interests.
On January 1, 2009 we adopted new accounting standards for the accounting and
reporting of noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries, also known as minority interests, in consolidated financial statements. The new standards also provide guidance on accounting for changes in the
parent's ownership interest in a subsidiary and establishes standards of accounting for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary due to the loss of control. Reporting entities must now present certain
noncontrolling interests as a component of equity and present net income and consolidated comprehensive income attributable to the parent and the noncontrolling interest separately in the consolidated
financial statements. These new standards are required to be applied prospectively, except for the presentation and disclosure requirements, which must be applied retrospectively for all periods
presented. As a result of our adoption of these standards, "Net income" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations now includes net income attributable to noncontrolling interest as compared to the
previous presentation, where net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest was deducted in the determination of net income. Additionally, the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows are now
presented using net income as calculated pursuant to the new accounting requirements.
On
January 1, 2009 we adopted the revisions made by the SEC to accounting standards regarding the financial statement classification and measurement of equity securities that are
subject to mandatory redemption requirements or whose redemption is outside the control of the issuer. The revisions to the accounting guidance require that redeemable noncontrolling interests, such
as Globo Comunicacoes e Participacoes S.A.'s, or Globo's, redeemable noncontrolling interest in Sky Brazil described in Note 19 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements that
are redeemable at the option of the holder be recorded outside of permanent equity at fair value, and the redeemable noncontrolling interests be adjusted to their fair value at each balance sheet
date. Adjustments to the carrying amount of a redeemable noncontrolling interest are recorded to retained earnings (or additional paid-in-capital in the absence of retained
earnings). As a result of the adoption of this accounting requirement, we have reported Globo's redeemable noncontrolling interest in Sky Brazil in "Redeemable noncontrolling interest" at fair value
in the Consolidated Balance for each period presented. See Note 19 for additional information.
83
Table of Contents
DIRECTV
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(continued)
The
following tables present the changes to previously reported amounts in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as a result of the adoption of the revised guidance:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2008
|
|
As
Originally
Reported
|
|
As
Adjusted
|
|
Effect of
Change
|
|
|
|
(Dollars in Millions)
|
|
Redeemable noncontrolling interest
|
|
$
|
103
|
|
$
|
325
|
|
$
|
222
|
|
Common stock and additional paid in capital
|
|
|
8,540
|
|
|
8,318
|
|
|
(222
|
)
|
Total stockholders' equity
|
|
|
4,853
|
|
|
4,631
|
|
|
(222
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2007
|
|
As
Originally
Reported
|
|
As
Adjusted
|
|
Effect of
Change
|
|
|
|
(Dollars in Millions)
|
|
Redeemable noncontrolling interest
|
|
$
|
11
|
|
$
|
300
|
|
$
|
289
|
|
Common stock and additional paid in capital
|
|
|
9,318
|
|
|
9,029
|
|
|
(289
|
)
|
Total stockholders' equity
|
|
|
6,302
|
|
|
6,013
|
|
|
(289
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2006
|
|
As
Originally
Reported
|
|
As
Adjusted
|
|
Effect of
Change
|
|
|
|
(Dollars in Millions)
|
|
Redeemable noncontrolling interest
|
|
$
|
|
|
$
|
270
|
|
$
|
270
|
|
Common stock and additional paid in capital
|
|
|
9,836
|
|
|
9,566
|
|
|
(270
|
)
|
Total stockholders' equity
|
|
|
6,681
|
|
|
6,473
|
|
|
(208
|
)
|
Business Combinations.
On January 1, 2009 we adopted a new business combination accounting standard that requires the acquiring
entity in a
business combination to record 100% of all assets and liabilities acquired, including goodwill and any non-controlling interest, generally at their fair values for all business
combinations, whether partial, full or step acquisitions. Under the new standard, certain contingent assets and liabilities, as well as contingent consideration, are also required to be recognized at
fair value on the date of acquisition and acquisition-related transaction and restructuring costs will be expensed. Additionally, disclosures are required describing the nature and financial effect of
the business combination and the standard also changes the accounting for certain income tax assets recorded in purchase accounting. The adoption of the new accounting requirements as required, on
January 1, 2009, changed the way we account for adjustments to deferred tax asset valuation allowances recorded in purchase accounting for prior business combinations so that adjustments to
these deferred tax asset valuation allowances will no longer be recorded to goodwill but rather adjustments will be recorded in "Income tax expense" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Additionally, the adoption of the new accounting guidance changed the accounting for all business combinations we consummate after January 1, 2009.
Sky Brazil Functional Currency.
Based on cumulatively significant changes in economic facts and circumstances, we have determined that
the local
Brazilian currency should be the functional currency of Sky Brazil for purposes of financial statement translation beginning in the second quarter of 2009. As a result of this change in functional
currency, on April 1, 2009 we recorded a $165 million decrease to previously reported values for nonmonetary assets and a $53 million increase in our related deferred income tax
assets and liabilities, and an offsetting $112 million decrease to the "Cumulative translation adjustment", a component of "Accumulated other comprehensive loss" in stockholders' equity in the
Consolidated Balance Sheets. In addition, as a result of this change in functional currency, changes in
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DIRECTV
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(continued)
exchange
rates will result in gains or losses, which will be recorded in "Other, net" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations related to the revaluation of U.S. dollar denominated monetary assets
and liabilities, such as cash deposits, notes payable and capital lease obligations held by Sky Brazil. During 2009, we recorded a net foreign currency transaction gain of $62 million in
"Other, net" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations related to U.S. dollar denominated monetary assets and liabilities held by Sky Brazil.
Fair Value Recognition, Measurement and Disclosure.
On January 1, 2008 we adopted new accounting standards which permit, but do
not require,
companies to report at fair value the majority of recognized financial assets, financial liabilities and firm commitments. Under this standard, unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair
value option is elected are reported in earnings at each subsequent reporting date. Our adoption of these accounting standards did not have any effect on our consolidated financial statements, as we
have not elected to report subject instruments at fair value.
On
January 1, 2008 we adopted new accounting standards for fair value measurements which defines fair value, sets out a framework for measuring fair value under accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements of assets and liabilities to include disclosure about inputs used in the
determination of fair value using the following three categories:
Level 1:
Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2:
Observable market based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.
Level 3:
Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.
The
new accounting standards apply under other accounting pronouncements previously issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, that require or permit fair value
measurements. Our adoption of the new accounting standards did not have any effect on our consolidated financial statements.
Payments to Manufacturers and Resellers.
On January 1, 2008 we adopted new accounting standards which provide guidance to service
providers
regarding the proper reporting of consideration given to manufacturers or resellers of equipment necessary for an end-customer to receive its services. Depending on the circumstances, such
consideration is reported as either an expense or a reduction of revenues. Our adoption of the new accounting standards did not have any effect on our consolidated financial statements.
Uncertain Tax Positions.
We adopted accounting standards for accounting for uncertainty in income taxes on January 1, 2007, the
cumulative
effect of which resulted in a $5 million increase to "Accumulated deficit" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of the date of adoption, our unrecognized tax benefits and accrued interest
totaled $204 million, including $166 million of tax positions the recognition of which would affect the annual effective income tax rate. As of the date of adoption, we have accrued
$45 million in interest and penalties as part of our liability for unrecognized tax benefits. See Note 10 for additional information regarding unrecognized tax benefits.
Pensions.
On December 31, 2007, we adopted new accounting standards that requires the measurement of plan assets and benefit
obligations as of
the date of our fiscal year end and accordingly resulted in a change in our measurement date, which was previously November 30. As a result of the adoption of this provision, we recorded an
adjustment of $1 million to recognize net periodic benefit
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DIRECTV
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(continued)
cost
for the one month difference to "Accumulated deficit" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2007.
New Accounting Standards
Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities.
In June 2009, the FASB issued revisions to consolidation accounting standards for variable
interest
entities, or VIEs. The new standard replaces the quantitative-based risks and rewards calculation for determining which enterprise, if any, has a controlling financial interest in a variable interest
entity. Instead, the new approach is qualitative and focused on identifying which enterprise has the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the entity's performance and
(1) the obligation to absorb the losses of an entity or (2) the right to receive benefits from the entity. As a result of the changed requirements, it is possible that an entity's
previous assessment of a VIE will change, and the standard now requires ongoing reassessments of whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a VIE. Disclosure requirements under the new
standard have been enhanced, and now include disclosure of the method the entity used to determine whether they are the primary beneficiary of the VIE. We do not expect the adoption of these changes
to have an effect on our consolidated results of operations and financial position, when adopted, as required, on January 1, 2010.
Multiple Element Revenue Arrangements.
In September 2009, the FASB approved a revised standard for revenue arrangements with multiple
deliverables.
Under the revised standard, the criteria for determining whether a deliverable should be considered a separate unit of accounting has changed to remove a limitation for separation to only items with
objective and reliable evidence of fair value. Instead, the revised standard allows entities to use the "best estimate of selling price" in addition to third-party evidence or actual selling prices
for determining the fair value of a deliverable. The standard also includes additional disclosure requirements for revenue arrangements for multiple deliverables. We currently do not expect the
adoption of the revised standard to have an effect on our consolidated results of operations and financial position, when adopted, as required, on January 1, 2011.
Note 3: Acquisitions
On November 19, 2009, DIRECTV Group and Liberty Media, obtained shareholder approval of and closed a series of related
transactions which we refer to collectively as the Liberty Transaction. The Liberty Transaction included the split-off of certain of the assets of the Liberty Entertainment group into LEI,
which was then split-off from Liberty. Following the split-off, DIRECTV Group and LEI merged with subsidiaries of DIRECTV. As a result of Liberty Transaction, DIRECTV Group,
which is comprised of the DIRECTV U.S. and DIRECTV Latin America businesses, and LEI, which held Liberty's 57% interest in DIRECTV Group, a 100% interest in three regional sports networks, a 65%
interest in Game Show Network, LLC, approximately $120 million in cash and cash equivalents and approximately $2.1 billion of indebtedness and a related series of equity collars
became wholly-owned subsidiaries of DIRECTV.
DIRECTV
Group entered into the Liberty Transaction to eliminate the approximate 57% ownership interest in DIRECTV group held by Liberty Media, thereby reducing the concentration of
voting power in a single stockholder or group of affiliated stockholders. The merger also resulted in greater liquidity of the DIRECTV common stock, greater operating and governance independence and
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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(continued)
the
elimination of the risk that Liberty could transfer control of DIRECTV without DIRECTV public stockholders participating in any control premium.
The
holders of outstanding shares of DIRECTV Group common stock (other than direct or indirect subsidiaries of LEI) received one share of DIRECTV Class A common stock for each
share of DIRECTV Group common stock held. The holders of outstanding shares of LEI Series A common stock and Series B common stock (other than the Malones) received 1.11130 shares of
DIRECTV Class A common stock for each share of LEI Series A or Series B common stock held. The Malones received 1.11130 shares of DIRECTV Class B common stock for each
share of LEI Series B common stock held. Based on these terms, DIRECTV issued 408.4 million Class A shares to the holders of DIRECTV Group common stock other than LEI, and
501.1 million Class A and 21.8 million Class B shares to the former LEI shareholders. The 931.3 million total Class A and Class B shares issued by
DIRECTV was 25.8 million less than the 957.1 million DIRECTV Group common shares outstanding immediately preceding the merger, as the exchange ratio contemplated the fact that LEI would
be contributing net liabilities (excluding LEI's interest in DIRECTV Group) to DIRECTV.
The
Liberty Transaction has been accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting pursuant to accounting standards for business combinations. DIRECTV Group has been treated as
the acquiring corporation in the Liberty Transaction for accounting and financial reporting purposes, and accordingly the historical financial statements of DIRECTV Group have become the historical
financial statements of DIRECTV. The acquisition date fair value of consideration paid, in the form of DIRECTV common stock, for the assets and liabilities of LEI (excluding LEI's interest in DIRECTV
Group) has been
allocated to a premium expensed at the close of the transaction as discussed in more detail below and to LEI's other tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their
estimated acquisition date fair values, with any excess being treated as goodwill. The assets, liabilities and results of operations of LEI have been consolidated beginning on the acquisition date,
November 19, 2009.
The
following table sets forth the preliminary allocation of the purchase price to the LEI net liabilities assumed on November 19, 2009 (dollars in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current assets
|
|
$
|
244
|
|
Property and equipment
|
|
|
5
|
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
341
|
|
Investments and other assets
|
|
|
754
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets acquired
|
|
$
|
1,344
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current liabilities
|
|
$
|
2,492
|
|
Other liabilities
|
|
|
305
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities assumed
|
|
$
|
2,797
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net liabilities assumed
|
|
$
|
1,453
|
|
|
|
|
|
Costs
incurred to complete the transaction, including legal, accounting, financial printing, investment banking and other costs, totaled $43 million and have been included as an
expense in "Liberty transaction and related charges" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2009.
We
currently expect that none of the goodwill will be deductible for tax purposes. Goodwill is primarily related to the value of the three regional sports networks' intangibles that do
not qualify for
87
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DIRECTV
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(continued)
separate
recognition, such as exploitable advertising space, assembled production and distribution networks and assembled workforces.
The
exchange ratio of LEI common stock to DIRECTV Group common stock was determined in a manner such that LEI stockholders as a group received a premium in the form of a larger economic
interest in DIRECTV than would have been otherwise determined based on the relative fair values of DIRECTV Group and LEI. This premium, calculated as the value of the economic interest in DIRECTV
distributed to LEI stockholders based on the fair value of the merged assets of DIRECTV as of November 19, 2009, in excess of the acquisition date fair value of the assets and liabilities of
LEI, amounted to $337 million and has been expensed as a disproportionate distribution upon completion of the mergers in "Liberty transaction and related charges" in the Consolidated Statements
of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2009.
The
premium was calculated as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
Former LEI shareholder interest in the fair value of the net assets of DIRECTV
|
|
$
|
16,054
|
|
Less: Fair value of net assets contributed by LEI, including 57% interest in DIRECTV Group
|
|
|
15,717
|
|
|
|
|
|
Premium
|
|
$
|
337
|
|
|
|
|
|
As
part of the mergers, DIRECTV assumed 16.7 million common stock options and stock appreciation rights issued by LEI. Since many of the replacement awards are held by individuals
who remained employees of Liberty and did not become employees or directors of DIRECTV, they are reported as a liability at fair value by DIRECTV in accordance with accounting standards for
non-employee awards. See Note 15 for additional information regarding these stock based awards.
Also,
the assumed indebtedness includes related equity collars which were in a liability position with an estimated negative fair value of approximately $369 million as of the
acquisition date. We account for the derivative financial instruments of the equity collars acquired as a net asset or liability at fair value. Adjustments to the fair values of the stock based awards
and the equity collars are recorded in "Liberty transaction and related charges" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. See Note 9 for additional information regarding the indebtedness
and equity collars.
For
the year ended December 31, 2009, amounts charged to "Liberty transaction and related charges" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations totaled $491 million, and
include, the $337 million premium, $111 million of net losses recorded for the partial settlement and fair value adjustment of the equity collars and non-employee stock based
awards from the acquisition date to December 31, 2009 and the $43 million of acquisition related costs.
Cash
paid, net of cash acquired in connection with the transaction was $97 million and includes a $226 million repayment of LEI's existing loan from Liberty at the close of
the transaction and $43 million of cash paid for transaction costs, partially offset by $120 million in cash at LEI, and $56 million of cash at the regional sports networks.
We
assigned $228 million to definite lived intangible assets of the regional sports networks for affiliate and advertising relationships. The weighted average live of these
intangibles is 19 years. These intangibles are included in the Trade name and other component of "Intangible assets, net" in the Consolidated balance sheets.
The
following selected unaudited pro forma information is being provided to present a summary of the combined results of DIRECTV and Liberty Entertainment for the years ended
December 31, 2009
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DIRECTV
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(continued)
and
2008 as if the acquisition had occurred as of the beginning of the period, giving effect to purchase accounting adjustments. The pro forma data is presented for informational purposes only and may
not necessarily reflect the results of our operations had LEI operated as part of us for the period presented, nor are they necessarily indicative of the results of future operations. The pro forma
information excludes the effect of non-recurring charges.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years Ended
December 31,
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
(Dollars in Millions)
|
|
Revenues
|
|
$
|
21,753
|
|
$
|
19,905
|
|
Net income attributable to DIRECTV
|
|
|
1,113
|
|
|
1,651
|
|
180 Connect.
In July 2008, we acquired 100% of 180 Connect Inc.'s outstanding common stock and exchangeable shares. Simultaneously,
in a
separate transaction, UniTek USA, LLC acquired 100% of 180 Connect's cable service operating unit and operations in certain of our installation services markets in exchange for satellite
installation operations in certain markets and $7 million in cash. These transactions provide us with control over a significant portion of DIRECTV U.S.' home service provider network. We paid
$91 million in cash, net of the $7 million we received from UniTek USA, for the acquisition, including the equity purchase price, repayment of assumed debt and related transaction costs.
We
accounted for the 180 Connect acquisition using the purchase method of accounting, and began consolidating the results from the date of acquisition. The December 31, 2009
consolidated financial statements reflect the final allocation of the $91 million net purchase price to assets acquired and the liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values at the
date of acquisition using information currently available. The assets acquired included approximately $5 million in cash. The excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the
net assets has been recorded as goodwill, $28 million of which will be deductible for tax purposes.
The
following table sets forth the final allocation of the purchase price to the 180 Connect net assets acquired in July 2008 (dollars in millions):
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current assets
|
|
$
|
18
|
|
Property and equipment
|
|
|
16
|
|
Goodwill
|
|
|
97
|
|
Investments and other assets
|
|
|
51
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets acquired
|
|
$
|
182
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total current liabilities
|
|
$
|
83
|
|
Other liabilities
|
|
|
8
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities assumed
|
|
$
|
91
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets acquired
|
|
$
|
91
|
|
|
|
|
|
The
following selected unaudited pro forma information is being provided to present a summary of the combined results of DIRECTV and 180 Connect for 2008 as if the acquisition had
occurred as of the beginning of the respective periods, giving effect to purchase accounting adjustments. The pro forma data is presented for informational purposes only and may not necessarily
reflect the results of
89
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DIRECTV
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(continued)
our
operations had 180 Connect operated as part of us for each of the periods presented, nor are they necessarily indicative of the results of future operations. The pro forma information excludes the
effect of non-recurring charges.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Years Ended
December 31, 2008
|
|
|
|
(Dollars in Millions,)
|
|
Revenues
|
|
$
|
19,693
|
|
Net income
|
|
|
1,479
|
|
On January 30, 2007, we acquired Darlene's 14% equity interest in DLA LLC for $325 million in cash. We accounted
for the acquisition of this interest using the purchase method of accounting.
Note 4: Accounts Receivable, Net
The following table sets forth the amounts recorded for "Accounts receivable, net" in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
(Dollars in Millions)
|
|
Subscriber
|
|
$
|
1,036
|
|
$
|
918
|
|
Trade and other
|
|
|
645
|
|
|
555
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Subtotal
|
|
|
1,681
|
|
|
1,473
|
|
Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts
|
|
|
(56
|
)
|
|
(50
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts receivable, net
|
|
$
|
1,625
|
|
$
|
1,423
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note 5: Satellites, Net and Property and Equipment, Net
The following table sets forth the amounts recorded for "Satellites, net" and "Property and equipment, net" in our Consolidated Balance Sheets at
December 31:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Estimated
Useful Lives
(years)
|
|
2009
|
|
2008
|
|
|
|
(Dollars in Millions)
|
|
Satellites
|
|
|
10-16
|
|
$
|
2,839
|
|
$
|
2,956
|
|
Satellites under construction
|
|
|
|
|
|
354
|
|
|
292
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,193
|
|
|
3,248
|
|
Less: Accumulated depreciation
|
|
|
|
|
|
(855
|
)
|
|
(772
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Satellites, net
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
2,338
|
|
$
|
2,476
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Land and improvements
|
|
|
9-30
|
|
$
|
37
|
|
$
|
37
|
|
Buildings and leasehold improvements
|
|
|
2-40
|
|
|
361
|
|
|
342
|
|
Machinery and equipment
|
|
|
2-23
|
|
|
3,337
|
|
|
3,211
|
|
Subscriber leased set-top receivers
|
|
|
3-7
|
|
|
5,636
|
|
|
4,853
|
|
Construction in-progress
|
|
|
|
|
|
360
|
|
|
271
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
9,731
|
|
|
8,714
|
|
Less: Accumulated depreciation
|
|
|
|
|
|
(5,593
|
)
|
|
(4,543
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property and equipment, net
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
4,138
|
|
$
|
4,171
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
90
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DIRECTV
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(continued)