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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

ý   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2008

OR

o

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                             to                            

Commission File Number 001-16615

LIBERTY MEDIA LLC
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

State of Delaware   20-5272297
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

 

 
12300 Liberty Boulevard
Englewood, Colorado
  80112
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (720) 875-5400

        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 and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes ý No o

        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 the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer o   Accelerated filer o   Non-accelerated filer ý
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
  Smaller reporting company o

        Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.    Yes o No ý

        The Registrant meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction H(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-Q, and is therefore filing this form with the reduced disclosure format.



LIBERTY MEDIA LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(unaudited)

 
  September 30,
2008
  December 31,
2007
 
 
  amounts in millions
 

Assets

             

Current assets:

             
 

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 3,874     3,135  
 

Trade and other receivables, net

    1,350     1,517  
 

Inventory, net

    1,157     975  
 

Program rights

    506     515  
 

Short-term marketable securities (note 4)

    523      
 

Financial instruments (note 10)

    983     23  
 

Other current assets

    143     144  
           
   

Total current assets

    8,536     6,309  
           

Investments in available-for-sale securities and other cost investments, including $598 million and $1,183 million pledged as collateral for share borrowing arrangements (note 6)

    3,969     17,569  

Long-term financial instruments (note 10)

    970     1,590  

Investments in affiliates accounted for using the equity method (note 7)

    15,742     1,817  

Investment in special purpose entity (note 8)

        750  

Property and equipment, at cost

   
1,977
   
1,894
 

Accumulated depreciation

    (660 )   (543 )
           

    1,317     1,351  
           

Intangible assets not subject to amortization:

             
 

Goodwill (note 9)

    8,073     7,855  
 

Trademarks

    2,514     2,515  
 

Other

    173     173  
           

    10,760     10,543  
           

Intangible assets subject to amortization, net

   
3,612
   
3,863
 

Other assets, net (note 8)

    1,620     1,857  
           
   

Total assets

  $ 46,526     45,649  
           

(continued)

I-1



LIBERTY MEDIA LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Continued)

(unaudited)

 
  September 30,
2008
  December 31,
2007
 
 
  amounts in millions
 

Liabilities and Member's Equity

             

Current liabilities:

             
 

Accounts payable

  $ 626     605  
 

Accrued interest

    105     148  
 

Other accrued liabilities

    832     936  
 

Financial instruments (note 10

    662     1,206  
 

Current portion of debt (note 11)

    1,566     191  
 

Accrued stock compensation

    225     207  
 

Current deferred income tax liabilities

    601     93  
 

Other current liabilities

    110     153  
           
   

Total current liabilities

    4,727     3,539  
           

Long-term debt, including $2,333 million and $3,690 million measured at fair value (note 11)

    12,699     11,524  

Long-term financial instruments (note 10)

    237     176  

Deferred income tax liabilities

    5,549     8,463  

Other liabilities

    1,656     1,565  
           
   

Total liabilities

    24,868     25,267  
           

Minority interests in equity of subsidiaries (note 8)

    131     866  

Member's equity:

             
 

Member's equity

    29,104     29,084  
 

Note receivable from parent

    (4,258 )   (3,624 )
 

Accumulated other comprehensive earnings, net of taxes

    225     4,073  
 

Accumulated deficit

    (3,544 )   (10,017 )
           
   

Total member's equity

    21,527     19,516  
           

Commitments and contingencies (note 14)

             
   

Total liabilities and member's equity

  $ 46,526     45,649  
           

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

I-2



LIBERTY MEDIA LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(unaudited)

 
  Three months
ended
September 30,
  Nine months
ended
September 30,
 
 
  2008   2007   2008   2007  
 
  amounts in millions
 

Revenue:

                         
 

Net retail sales

  $ 1,798     1,760     5,702     5,322  
 

Communications and programming services

    580     491     1,514     1,245  
                   

    2,378     2,251     7,216     6,567  
                   

Operating costs and expenses:

                         
 

Cost of sales

    1,179     1,116     3,645     3,338  
 

Operating

    582     497     1,581     1,358  
 

Selling, general and administrative, including stock-based compensation (note 3)

    348     222     908     655  
 

Depreciation and amortization

    179     176     532     499  
 

Impairment of long-lived assets

    34     41     34     41  
                   

    2,322     2,052     6,700     5,891  
                   
   

Operating income

    56     199     516     676  

Other income (expense):

                         
 

Interest expense

    (190 )   (173 )   (543 )   (468 )
 

Interest income-parent

    48     51     160     100  
 

Dividend and interest income-third party

    38     107     138     246  
 

Share of earnings (losses) of affiliates, net

    141     (1 )   351     24  
 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net (note 10)

    77     400     (245 )   493  
 

Gains (losses) on dispositions of assets, net

    (2 )   2     3,679     637  
 

Other than temporary declines in fair value of investments (note 6)

    (444 )       (445 )    
 

Other, net

    (24 )   2     (25 )   7  
                   

    (356 )   388     3,070     1,039  
                   
   

Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and minority interests

    (300 )   587     3,586     1,715  

Income tax benefit (expense) (note 12)

    89     (235 )   1,876     (83 )

Minority interests in earnings of subsidiaries

    (8 )   (2 )   (29 )   (21 )
                   
   

Earnings (loss) from continuing operations

    (219 )   350     5,433     1,611  

Earnings from discontinued operations, net of taxes

                149  
                   
   

Net earnings (loss)

  $ (219 )   350     5,433     1,760  
                   

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

I-3



LIBERTY MEDIA LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Earnings (Loss)

(unaudited)

 
  Three months
ended
September 30,
  Nine months
ended
September 30,
 
 
  2008   2007   2008   2007  
 
  amounts in millions
 

Net earnings (loss)

  $ (219 )   350     5,433     1,760  
                   

Other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of taxes:

                         
   

Foreign currency translation adjustments

    (117 )   68     (41 )   90  
   

Unrealized holding losses arising during the period

    (44 )   (270 )   (766 )   (317 )
   

Recognition of previously unrealized losses (gains) on available-for-sale securities, net

    273     (1 )   (2,000 )   (397 )
   

Change in fair value of cash flow hedges

            (1 )    
                   
   

Other comprehensive earnings (loss)

    112     (203 )   (2,808 )   (624 )
                   

Comprehensive earnings (loss)

  $ (107 )   147     2,625     1,136  
                   

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

I-4



LIBERTY MEDIA LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(unaudited)

 
  Nine months
ended
September 30,
 
 
  2008   2007  
 
  amounts in millions
(note 4)

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

             
 

Net earnings

  $ 5,433     1,760  
 

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:

             
   

Earnings from discontinued operations

        (149 )
   

Depreciation and amortization

    532     499  
   

Impairment of long-lived assets

    34     41  
   

Stock-based compensation

    67     57  
   

Cash payments for stock-based compensation

    (22 )   (38 )
   

Noncash interest, net

    (123 )   (93 )
   

Share of earnings of affiliates, net

    (351 )   (24 )
   

Realized and unrealized losses (gains) on financial instruments, net

    245     (493 )
   

Gains on disposition of assets, net

    (3,679 )   (637 )
   

Other than temporary declines in fair value of investments

    445      
   

Minority interests in earnings of subsidiaries

    29     21  
   

Deferred income tax benefit

    (2,185 )   (36 )
   

Other noncash charges, net

    77     40  
   

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of the effects of acquisitions and dispositions:

             
     

Current assets

    (84 )   (245 )
     

Payables and other current liabilities

    (93 )   (12 )
           
       

Net cash provided by operating activities

    325     691  
           

Cash flows from investing activities:

             
 

Cash proceeds from dispositions

    24     477  
 

Net proceeds (payments) from settlement of financial instruments

    12     (66 )
 

Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired

    (77 )   (126 )
 

Cash received in exchange transactions

    465     1,154  
 

Capital expended for property and equipment

    (131 )   (254 )
 

Net sales (purchases) of short term investments

    79     (215 )
 

Investments in and loans to cost and equity investees

    (2,549 )   (91 )
 

Reclass of cash to short-term marketable securities

    (523 )    
 

Investment in special purpose entity

        (750 )
 

Net decrease (increase) in restricted cash

    367     (735 )
 

Net cash transfers to parent

    (474 )   (2,092 )
 

Other investing activities, net

    (60 )   (11 )
           
       

Net cash used by investing activities

    (2,867 )   (2,709 )
           

Cash flows from financing activities:

             
 

Borrowings of debt

    4,658     1,612  
 

Repayments of debt

    (1,284 )   (351 )
 

Contribution from minority owner

        751  
 

Other financing activities, net

    (94 )   (23 )
           
       

Net cash provided by financing activities

    3,280     1,989  
           

Effect of foreign currency exchange rates on cash

    1     10  
           

Net cash provided by discontinued operations:

             
 

Cash provided by operating activities

        8  
 

Cash used by investing activities

        (9 )
 

Change in available cash held by discontinued operations

        2  
           
       

Net cash provided by discontinued operations

        1  
           
       

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

    739     (18 )
       

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

    3,135     3,107  
           
       

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

  $ 3,874     3,089  
           

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

I-5



LIBERTY MEDIA LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Member's Equity

(unaudited)

Nine months ended September 30, 2008

 
  Member's
equity
  Note
receivable
from
parent
  Accumulated
other
comprehensive
earnings
  Accumulated
deficit
  Total
member's
equity
 
 
  amounts in millions
 

Balance at January 1, 2008

  $ 29,084     (3,624 )   4,073     (10,017 )   19,516  
 

Net earnings

                5,433     5,433  
 

Other comprehensive loss

            (2,808 )       (2,808 )
 

Cumulative effect of accounting change (note 6)

            (1,040 )   1,040      
 

Cash transfers to parent, net

        (474 )           (474 )
 

Intercompany interest income

        (160 )           (160 )
 

Stock compensation

    27                 27  
 

Other

    (7 )               (7 )
                       

Balance at September 30, 2008

  $ 29,104     (4,258 )   225     (3,544 )   21,527  
                       

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

I-6



LIBERTY MEDIA LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

September 30 , 2008
(unaudited)

(1)   Basis of Presentation

        The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Liberty Media LLC and its controlled subsidiaries (collectively, "Liberty" or the "Company," unless the context otherwise requires). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Liberty is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation ("LMC").

        Liberty, through its ownership of interests in subsidiaries and other companies, is primarily engaged in the video and on-line commerce, media, communications and entertainment industries in North America, South America, Europe and Asia.

        The accompanying interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X as promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the results for such periods have been included. The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in Liberty's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

        The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Liberty considers (i) the estimate of the fair value of its long-lived assets (including goodwill) and any resulting impairment charges, (ii) its accounting for income taxes, (iii) its assessment of other-than-temporary declines in fair value of its investments and (iv) its estimates of retail-related adjustments and allowances to be its most significant estimates.

        Liberty holds investments that are accounted for using the equity method. Liberty does not control the decision making process or business management practices of these affiliates. Accordingly, Liberty relies on management of these affiliates to provide it with accurate financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP that Liberty uses in the application of the equity method. In addition, Liberty relies on audit reports that are provided by the affiliates' independent auditors on the financial statements of such affiliates. The Company is not aware, however, of any errors in or possible misstatements of the financial information provided by its equity affiliates that would have a material effect on Liberty's condensed consolidated financial statements.

        Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified for comparability with the 2008 presentation.

(2)   Recent Accounting Pronouncements

        In December 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141 (revised 2007), "Business Combinations" ("Statement 141R"). Statement 141R replaces Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 141, "Business Combinations" ("Statement 141"), although it retains the fundamental requirement in Statement 141 that the acquisition method of accounting be used for all business combinations. Statement 141R

I-7



LIBERTY MEDIA LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)


establishes principles and requirements for how the acquirer in a business combination (a) recognizes and measures the assets acquired, liabilities assumed and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree, (b) recognizes and measures the goodwill acquired in a business combination or a gain from a bargain purchase and (c) determines what information to disclose regarding the business combination. Statement 141R applies prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first fiscal year after December 15, 2008.

        In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 160, "Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements" ("Statement 160"). Statement 160 establishes accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary, commonly referred to as minority interest. Among other matters, Statement 160 requires (a) the noncontrolling interest be reported within equity in the balance sheet and (b) the amount of consolidated net income attributable to the parent and to the noncontrolling interest to be clearly presented in the statement of income. Statement 160 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. Statement 160 is to be applied prospectively, except for the presentation and disclosure requirements, which shall be applied retrospectively for all periods presented. Liberty expects that its adoption of Statement 160 in 2009 will impact the accounting for the purchase and sale and the presentation of the noncontrolling interests in its subsidiaries.

(3)   Stock-Based Compensation

        Certain of the Company's employees and employees of its subsidiaries hold options, stock appreciation rights ("SARs") and options with tandem SARs (collectively, "Awards") to purchase shares of LMC's Series A and Series B Liberty Capital, Liberty Interactive and Liberty Entertainment common stock. The Awards generally vest over a 4-5 year period and expire 7-10 years from the date of grant. Upon exercise of Awards that are settled in common stock, LMC issues new shares from its authorized, but unissued shares.

        LMC calculates the grant-date fair value for all of its equity classified awards and any subsequent remeasurement of its liability classified awards using the Black-Scholes Model. LMC estimates the expected term of the Awards based on historical exercise and forfeiture data. The volatility used in the calculation for Awards granted in 2008 is 25.3% for Liberty Interactive Awards and 19.7% for Liberty Capital and Liberty Entertainment Awards. The volatility used in the calculation for Awards granted in 2007 is 20.8% for Liberty Interactive Awards and 17.5% for Liberty Capital Awards and is based on the historical volatility of LMC's stocks and the implied volatility of publicly traded LMC options. LMC uses the risk-free rate for Treasury Bonds with a term similar to that of the subject options.

        Included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations are the following amounts of stock-based compensation (amounts in millions):

Three months ended:

       
 

September 30, 2008

  $ 24  
 

September 30, 2007

  $ 17  

Nine months ended:

       
 

September 30, 2008

  $ 67  
 

September 30, 2007

  $ 57  

I-8



LIBERTY MEDIA LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

        As of September 30, 2008, the total compensation cost related to unvested LMC equity awards was approximately $66 million. Such amount will be recognized in the Company's consolidated statements of operations over a weighted average period of approximately 1.8 years.

LMC Awards

        During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, LMC granted 5,510, 20,570 and 4,095,574 options to purchase shares of Series A Liberty Capital, Series A Liberty Entertainment and Series A Liberty Interactive common stock, respectively, to employees of certain subsidiaries. LMC used the Black-Scholes Model to estimate the grant date fair value of such options. Such options granted in 2008 had a weighted average grant-date fair value of $4.12, $6.51 and $3.84 per option, respectively.

        On March 3, 2008, LMC effected a recapitalization whereby its Old Liberty Capital common stock was reclassified into Liberty Entertainment common stock (on a 4-for-1 basis) and Liberty Capital common stock (on a 1-for-1 basis) (the "Reclassification").

        The following tables present the number and weighted average exercise price ("WAEP") of options, SARs and options with tandem SARs to purchase LMC common stock granted to certain officers, employees and directors of the Company.

 
  Series A
Liberty
Capital
common
stock
  WAEP   Series B
Liberty
Capital
common
stock
  WAEP   Old
Series A
Liberty
Capital
common
stock
  WAEP   Old
Series B
Liberty
Capital
common
stock
  WAEP  
 
  numbers of options in thousands
 

Outstanding at January 1, 2008

                        2,787   $ 97.21     1,498   $ 101.37  
 

Granted

    6   $ 16.17                                
 

Exercised

    (20 ) $ 11.04     (90 ) $ 12.69     (6 ) $ 62.91            
 

Forfeited

    (7 ) $ 14.20               (1 ) $ 92.47            
 

Converted in connection with the Reclassification

    2,780   $ 14.20     1,498   $ 15.05     (2,780 )         (1,498 )      
                                           

Outstanding at September 30, 2008

    2,759   $ 14.22     1,408   $ 15.20                      
                                           

Exercisable at September 30, 2008

    2,046   $ 13.89     1,408   $ 15.20                      
                                           

 

 
  Series A
Liberty
Interactive
common
stock
  WAEP   Series B
Liberty
Interactive
common
stock
  WAEP  
 
  numbers of options in thousands
 

Outstanding at January 1, 2008

    24,811   $ 19.97     7,491   $ 23.41  
 

Granted

    4,096   $ 14.08            
 

Exercised

    (36 ) $ 12.62            
 

Forfeited

    (2,078 ) $ 17.98            
                       

Outstanding at September 30, 2008

    26,793   $ 19.21     7,491   $ 23.41  
                       

Exercisable at September 30, 2008

    14,579   $ 20.53     7,491   $ 23.41  
                       

I-9



LIBERTY MEDIA LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 
  Series A
Liberty
Entertainment
common stock
  WAEP   Series B
Liberty
Entertainment
common stock
  WAEP  
 
  numbers of options in thousands
 

Outstanding at January 1, 2008

                     
 

Issued in connection with the Reclassification

    11,120   $ 20.74     5,993   $ 21.57  
 

Granted

    20   $ 25.54            
 

Exercised

    (359 ) $ 19.17            
 

Forfeited

    (26 ) $ 23.61            
                       

Outstanding at September 30, 2008

    10,755   $ 20.79     5,993   $ 21.57  
                       

Exercisable at September 30, 2008

    7,906   $ 20.29     5,993   $ 21.57  
                       

        The following table provides additional information about outstanding options to purchase LMC common stock at September 30, 2008.

 
  No. of
outstanding
options
(000's)
  WAEP of
outstanding
options
  Weighted
average
remaining
life
  Aggregate
intrinsic
value
(000's)
  No. of
exercisable
options
(000's)
  WAEP of
exercisable
options
  Aggregate
intrinsic
value
(000's)
 

Series A Capital

    2,759   $ 14.22   4.1 years   $ 2,146     2,046   $ 13.89   $ 1,705  

Series B Capital

    1,408   $ 15.20   2.4 years   $     1,408   $ 15.20   $  

Series A Interactive

    26,793   $ 19.21   4.8 years   $     14,579   $ 20.53   $  

Series B Interactive

    7,491   $ 23.41   2.7 years   $     7,491   $ 23.41   $  

Series A Entertainment

    10,755   $ 20.79   4.1 years   $ 49,515     7,906   $ 20.29   $ 41,257  

Series B Entertainment

    5,993   $ 21.57   2.7 years   $ 19,335     5,993   $ 21.57   $ 19,335  

(4)   Supplemental Disclosures to Statements of Cash Flows

 
  Nine months
ended
September 30,
 
 
  2008   2007  
 
  amounts in millions
 

Cash paid for acquisitions:

             
 

Fair value of assets acquired

  $ 77     164  
 

Net liabilities assumed

    (17 )   (33 )
 

Deferred tax liabilities

    17     3  
 

Minority interest

        (1 )
 

Common stock issued

        (7 )
           
   

Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired

  $ 77     126  
           

Available-for-sale securities exchanged for consolidated subsidiaries, equity investment and cash

  $ 10,144     1,718  
           

        At September 30, 2008, Liberty's short-term marketable securities represent an investment in The Reserve Primary Fund (the "Primary Fund"), a money market fund that has suspended redemptions and is being liquated. In mid-September, the net asset value of the Primary Fund decreased below $1

I-10



LIBERTY MEDIA LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)


per share. Accordingly, Liberty recorded a $6 million loss to recognize its pro rata share of the estimated loss in this investment. Liberty has requested the redemption of its investment in the Primary Fund, and expects distributions will occur as the Primary Fund's assets mature or are sold. While Liberty expects to receive substantially all of its current holdings in the Primary Fund, it cannot predict when this will occur or the amount it will receive. Accordingly, Liberty has reclassified its investment from cash and cash equivalents to short-term investments in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2008. Subsequent to September 30, 2008, Liberty received a distribution of $268 million from the Primary Fund.

(5)   Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value

        Effective January 1, 2008, Liberty adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, "Fair Value Measurements" ("Statement 157"). Statement 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value under GAAP and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. In February 2008, the FASB issued Staff Position No. 157-2, "Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157" ("FSP 157-2"). FSP 157-2 delayed the effective date of Statement 157 for (i) non-financial assets and liabilities that are not remeasured at fair value on a recurring basis and (ii) fair value measurements required for impairment analysis of goodwill, identifiable intangible assets and other long-lived assets. The provisions of FSP 157-2 are effective for the Company's fiscal year beginning January 1, 2009. The Company's assets and liabilities measured at fair value are as follows:

 
   
  Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2008 Using  
Description
  Total   Quoted prices in
active markets for
identical assets
(Level 1)
  Significant other
observable
inputs
(Level 2)
  Significant
unobservable
inputs
(Level 3)
 
 
  amounts in millions
 

Available-for-sale securities

  $ 4,460     3,689     771      

Financial instrument assets

  $ 1,953         1,953      

Financial instrument liabilities

  $ 899     598     301      

Debt

  $ 2,333         2,333      

        The Company uses the Black Scholes Model to estimate fair value for the majority of its Level 2 financial instrument assets and liabilities using observable inputs such as exchange-traded equity prices, risk-free interest rates, dividend yields and volatilities. For the Company's debt instruments reported at fair value, the Company gets quoted market prices. However, the Company does not believe such instruments are traded on "active markets." Accordingly, the debt instruments are reported in the foregoing table as Level 2 fair value.

(6)   Investments in Available-for-Sale Securities and Other Cost Investments

        Effective January 1, 2008, Liberty adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 159, "The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115" ("Statement 159"). Statement 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments, such as available-for-sale ("AFS") securities, and certain other items at fair value and to recognize the changes in fair value of such instruments in the entity's statement of operations. Previously under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 115, entities were required to recognize changes in fair value of AFS securities in the balance sheet in accumulated other comprehensive earnings. Liberty has entered into economic hedges for many of its non-strategic AFS securities (although such instruments are not accounted for as fair value hedges by

I-11



LIBERTY MEDIA LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)


the Company). Changes in the fair value of these economic hedges are reflected in Liberty's statement of operations as unrealized gains (losses). In order to better match the changes in fair value of the subject AFS securities and the changes in fair value of the corresponding economic hedges in the Company's financial statements, Liberty has elected to apply the provisions of Statement 159 to those of its AFS securities ("Statement 159 Securities") which it considers to be non-strategic. Accordingly, changes in the fair value of Statement 159 Securities, as determined by quoted market prices, are reported in realized and unrealized gain (losses) on financial instruments in the accompanying September 30, 2008 condensed consolidated statement of operations. The amount of unrealized gains related to the Statement 159 Securities and included in accumulated other comprehensive earnings in the Company's balance sheet as of the date of adoption of Statement 159 aggregated $1,040 million and has been reclassified to accumulated deficit. The total value of AFS securities for which the Company has elected the fair value option aggregated $3,067 million as of September 30, 2008. Liberty continues to account for its investment in IAC/InterActiveCorp under the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 115.

        Investments in available-for-sale securities and other cost investments are summarized as follows:

 
  September 30,
2008
  December 31,
2007
 
 
  amounts in millions
 

IAC/InterActiveCorp ("IAC")

  $ 720     1,863  

Time Warner Inc. ("Time Warner")(1)

    1,346     1,695  

News Corporation

        10,647  

Sprint Nextel Corporation(2)

    533     1,150  

Motorola, Inc.(3)

    528     1,187  

Viacom, Inc. 

    189     333  

Embarq Corporation(4)

    177     216  

Other(5)

    476     478  
           
     

Consolidated Liberty

  $ 3,969     17,569  
           

(1)
Includes $119 million and $150 million of shares pledged as collateral for share borrowing arrangements at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively.

(2)
Includes $55 million and $118 million of shares pledged as collateral for share borrowing arrangements at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively.

(3)
Includes $371 million and $833 million of shares pledged as collateral for share borrowing arrangements at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively.

(4)
Includes $18 million and $22 million of shares pledged as collateral for share borrowing arrangements at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively.

(5)
Includes $35 million and $60 million of shares pledged as collateral for share borrowing arrangements at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively.

IAC

        In the first quarter of 2008, Liberty purchased an additional 14 million shares of IAC common stock in a private transaction for cash consideration of $339 million.

I-12



LIBERTY MEDIA LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

        During the three months ended September 30, 2008, Liberty determined that its investment in IAC had experienced an other than temporary decline in value. As a result, Liberty recognized a $440 million impairment loss in the third quarter of 2008 prior to the spin offs described below. The primary factors Liberty considered in determining the timing of the recognition of such impairment were the length of time IAC traded below Liberty's cost basis and the lack of near-term prospects for recovery.

        On August 21, 2008, IAC completed the spinoff of four separate subsidiaries, HSN, Inc. ("HSN"), Interval Leisure Group, Inc. ("Interval"), Ticketmaster and Tree.com, Inc. ("Lending Tree"), to its shareholders, including Liberty. Liberty holds an approximate 30% ownership interest in each of these companies and accordingly, accounts for them using the equity method of accounting.

News Corporation

        On February 27, 2008, Liberty exchanged all of its shares of News Corporation common stock for a subsidiary of News Corporation. See note 7 for further discussion of this transaction.

Time Warner

        On May 17, 2007, Liberty completed a transaction with Time Warner (the "Time Warner Exchange") in which Liberty exchanged approximately 68.5 million shares of Time Warner common stock valued at $1,479 million on the closing date for a subsidiary of Time Warner which holds Atlanta National League Baseball Club, Inc. ("ANLBC"), Leisure Arts, Inc. ("Leisure Arts") and $984 million in cash. Liberty recognized a pre-tax gain of $582 million based on the difference between the fair value and the weighted average cost basis of the Time Warner shares exchanged.

CBS Corporation

        On April 16, 2007, Liberty completed a transaction with CBS Corporation (the "CBS Exchange") pursuant to which Liberty exchanged all of its 7.6 million shares of CBS Class B common stock valued at $239 million on the closing date for a subsidiary of CBS that holds WFRV and WJMN Television Station, Inc. ("WFRV TV Station") and approximately $170 million in cash. Liberty recognized a pre-tax gain of $31 million based on the difference between the fair value and the weighted average cost basis of the CBS shares exchanged.

Unrealized Holding Gains and Losses

        Unrealized holding gains and losses related to investments in available-for-sale securities are summarized below.

 
  September 30, 2008   December 31, 2007  
 
  Equity
securities
  Debt
securities
  Equity
securities
  Debt
securities
 
 
  amounts in millions
 

Gross unrealized holding gains

  $ 82         6,249      

Gross unrealized holding losses

  $             (12 )

I-13



LIBERTY MEDIA LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(7)   Investments in Affiliates Accounted for Using the Equity Method

        Liberty has various investments accounted for using the equity method. The following table includes Liberty's carrying amount and percentage ownership of the more significant investments in affiliates at September 30, 2008 and the carrying amount at December 31, 2007:

 
  September 30, 2008   December 31, 2007  
 
  Percentage
ownership
  Carrying
amount
  Carrying
amount
 
 
   
  dollar amounts in millions
 

The DIRECTV Group, Inc. ("DIRECTV")

    50.5 % $ 13,027      

Expedia, Inc. ("Expedia")

    24.1 %   1,352     1,301  

Other

    various     1,363     516  
                 

        $ 15,742     1,817  
                 

        The following table presents Liberty's share of earnings (losses) of affiliates:

 
  Nine months
ended
September 30,
 
 
  2008   2007  
 
  amounts in millions
 

DIRECTV

  $ 301      

Expedia

    58     52  

Other

    (8 )   (28 )
           

  $ 351     24  
           

DIRECTV

        On February 27, 2008, Liberty completed a transaction with News Corporation (the "News Corporation Exchange") in which Liberty exchanged all of its 512.6 million shares of News Corporation common stock valued at $10,144 million on the closing date for a subsidiary of News Corporation that held an approximate 41% interest in DIRECTV, Liberty Sports Group and $465 million in cash. In addition, Liberty incurred $21 million of acquisition costs. Liberty recognized a pre-tax gain of $3,666 million based on the difference between the fair value and the cost basis of the News Corporation shares exchanged.

        Liberty accounted for the News Corporation Exchange as a nonmonetary exchange under APB opinion No. 29 "Accounting for Nonmonetary Transactions." Accordingly, Liberty recorded the assets received at an amount equal to the fair value of the News Corporation common stock given up. Such

I-14



LIBERTY MEDIA LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)


amount was allocated to DIRECTV and Liberty Sports Group based on their relative fair values as follows (amounts in millions):

Cash

  $ 465  

DIRECTV

    10,763  

Liberty Sports Group

    450  

Deferred tax liability

    (1,513 )
       
 

Total

  $ 10,165  
       

        The value attributed to Liberty's investment in DIRECTV exceeded Liberty's proportionate share of DIRECTV's equity by $8,213 million. Such amount has been allocated within memo accounts used for equity accounting purposes as follows (amounts in millions):

Subscriber list

  $ 2,381  

Trade name

    2,677  

Orbital slots

    3,693  

Goodwill

    2,546  

Satellites

    167  

Software technology

    527  

Deferred tax liability

    (3,778 )
       
 

Total

  $ 8,213  
       

        Liberty estimated the fair values of Liberty Sports Group and DIRECTV's assets using a combination of discounted cash flows and market prices for comparable assets. Such estimates are preliminary and are subject to change upon completion of Liberty's purchase price allocation process. Liberty has ascribed a useful life of 7 years to the subscriber list, 12 years to the satellites, 8 years to the technology and indefinite lives to the orbital slots, tradenames and goodwill. Amortization related to the intangible assets with identifiable useful lives within the memo accounts is included in Liberty's share of earnings of DIRECTV in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of operations and aggregated $153 million (net of related taxes) for the 7 months ended September 30, 2008.

        On April 3, 2008, Liberty purchased 78.3 million additional shares of DIRECTV common stock in a private transaction for cash consideration of $1.98 billion. Liberty funded the purchase with borrowings against a newly executed equity collar on 110 million DIRECTV common shares. As of May 5, 2008, Liberty's ownership in DIRECTV was approximately 47.9%, and Liberty and DIRECTV entered into a standstill agreement. Pursuant to the standstill agreement, in the event Liberty's ownership interest goes above 47.9% due to stock repurchases by DIRECTV Liberty has agreed to vote its shares of DIRECTV which represent the excess ownership interest above 47.9% in the same proportion as all DIRECTV shareholders other than Liberty. Accordingly, although Liberty's economic ownership in DIRECTV is above 50%, Liberty continues to account for such investment using the equity method of accounting. Liberty records its share of DIRECTV's earnings based on its economic interest in DIRECTV.

        During the period from February 27, 2008 to September 30, 2008, subsidiaries of Liberty recognized aggregate revenue of $183 million from DIRECTV for distribution of their programming. In addition, subsidiaries of Liberty made aggregate payments of $21 million to DIRECTV for carriage and

I-15



LIBERTY MEDIA LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)


marketing. The fair value of the Company's investment in DIRECTV was $14,366 million at September 30, 2008. Summarized unaudited financial information for DIRECTV is as follows:

 
  September 30, 2008  
 
  amounts in millions
 

Current assets

  $ 5,022  

Satellites, net

    2,515  

Property and equipment, net

    4,044  

Goodwill

    3,786  

Intangible assets

    1,275  

Other assets

    873  
       
 

Total assets

  $ 17,515  
       

Current liabilities

 
$

3,387
 

Deferred income taxes

    613  

Long-term debt

    5,755  

Other liabilities

    1,764  

Minority interest

    71  

Stockholders' equity

    5,925  
       
 

Total liabilities and equity

  $ 17,515  
       
 
  Nine months
ended
September 30, 2008
 
 
  amounts in millions
 

Revenue

  $ 14,379  

Costs of revenue

    (7,122 )

Selling, general and administrative expenses

    (3,466 )

Depreciation and amortization

    (1,675 )
       
 

Operating income

    2,116  

Interest expense

    (248 )

Other income, net

    33  

Income tax expense

    (712 )
       
 

Net earnings

  $ 1,189  
       

I-16



LIBERTY MEDIA LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Expedia

        The fair value of the Company's investment in Expedia was $1,046 million and $2,189 million at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively. Summarized unaudited financial information for Expedia is as follows:

 
  September 30, 2008  
 
  amounts in millions
 

Current assets

  $ 1,286  

Property and equipment

    242  

Goodwill

    6,304  

Intangible assets

    1,075  

Other assets

    82  
       
 

Total assets

  $ 8,989  
       

Current liabilities

 
$

2,051
 

Deferred income taxes

    390  

Long-term debt

    1,144  

Other liabilities

    236  

Minority interest

    58  

Stockholders' equity

    5,110  
       
 

Total liabilities and equity

  $ 8,989  
       
 
  Nine months
ended
September 30,
 
 
  2008   2007  
 
  amounts in millions
 

Revenue

  $ 2,316     2,000  

Cost of revenue

    (498 )   (416 )
           
 

Gross profit

    1,818     1,584  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

    (1,306 )   (1,124 )

Amortization

    (52 )   (59 )
           
 

Operating income

    460     401  

Interest expense

   
(49

)
 
(35

)

Other income (expense), net

    (5 )   18  

Income tax expense

    (164 )   (153 )
           
 

Net earnings

  $ 242     231  
           

I-17



LIBERTY MEDIA LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Spin Off Companies from IAC

        As described in note 6, IAC completed the spin off of HSN, Interval, Ticketmaster and Lending Tree (the "IAC Spin Off Companies") on August 21, 2008. Liberty received an approximate 30% ownership interest in each of the Spin Off Companies. Liberty allocated its carrying value in IAC prior to the spin off among IAC and the IAC Spin Off Companies based on their relative fair values at the time of the spin off. Liberty received no super voting shares in and has no special voting arrangements with respect to any of the IAC Spin Off Companies, and therefore, accounts for its interests using the equity method of accounting. Liberty has elected to record its share of earnings/losses for each of the Spin Off Companies on a three month lag due to timeliness considerations. Since the spin off occurred in the third quarter of 2008, Liberty will record its initial share of income or losses for the Spin Off Companies in the fourth quarter of 2008.

(8)   Investment in Special Purpose Entity

        In April 2007, Liberty and a third party financial institution (the "Financial Institution") jointly created a series of special purpose entities (the "Investment Fund"). Pursuant to the terms of the Investment Fund, a Liberty subsidiary borrowed $750 million from the Financial Institution with the intent to invest such proceeds in a portfolio of selected debt and mezzanine-level instruments of companies in the telecommunications, media and technology sectors (the "Debt Securities"). One of the special purpose entities ("MFC") in the Investment Fund was a variable interest entity of which the Financial Institution was deemed the primary beneficiary and thus its parent for consolidation purposes. Liberty contributed the borrowed funds to MFC in exchange for a mandatorily redeemable preferred stock interest. MFC subsequently invested the proceeds as an equity investment in another special purpose entity ("LCAP Investments LLC") which will make and hold the investments in the Debt Securities. A Liberty subsidiary separately made a nominal investment in LCAP Investments LLC which allows it to serve as its Managing Member. LCAP Investments LLC is considered a variable interest entity of which Liberty is deemed the primary beneficiary as a result of various special profit and loss allocations set forth in the governing agreements. As a result, LCAP Investments LLC is treated as a consolidated subsidiary of Liberty. Liberty is required to post cash collateral for the benefit of the Financial Institution of up to 20% of the cost of the Debt Securities.

        Prior to the first quarter of 2008, the various accounting treatment determinations noted above for MFC and LCAP Investments LLC, as prescribed by FIN 46, "Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities," and Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 150, "Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Both Liabilities and Equity," and related interpretations, resulted in Liberty recording a balance sheet gross-up of the elements in the Investment Fund. The cash balances and Debt Securities held by LCAP Investments LLC are consolidated with Liberty and included in restricted cash and available-for-sale securities, respectively. The $750 million of bank financing held by the Liberty subsidiary is included in Liberty's consolidated debt balance. In addition, the preferred stock interest in MFC was presented separately as a long-term asset, and the equity interest held by MFC in LCAP Investments LLC was reflected as minority interest in Liberty's condensed consolidated balance sheet. The structural form of the Investment Fund did not meet the GAAP requirements necessary to offset, net or otherwise eliminate the gross-up of balance sheet accounts.

        In the first quarter of 2008 and as a result of the occurrence of certain triggering events contained in the terms of the Investment Fund, a portion of the Investment Fund structure was unwound, and MFC was liquidated. Accordingly, Liberty's preferred stock investment in MFC and the minority interest in LCAP Investments LLC were eliminated in equal amounts.

I-18



LIBERTY MEDIA LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

        The amount of restricted cash in the Investment Fund at September 30, 2008 is $530 million and is reflected in other long-term assets in Liberty's condensed consolidated balance sheet.

(9)   Intangible Assets

Goodwill

        Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 are as follows:

 
  QVC, Inc.   Starz
Entertainment, LLC
  Other   Total  
 
  amounts in millions
 

Balance at January 1, 2008

  $ 5,419     1,371     1,065     7,855  
 

Acquisitions(1)

            299     299  
 

Impairment(2)

            (34 )   (34 )
 

Foreign currency translation

    (31 )       (3 )   (34 )
 

Other

    (2 )       (11 )   (13 )
                   

Balance at September 30, 2008

  $ 5,386     1,371     1,316     8,073  
                   

(1)
The increase in goodwill relates primarily to the News Corporation Exchange. The amount of goodwill recorded of $249 million represents the difference between the value allocated to Liberty Sports Group and the estimated fair value of the Liberty Sports Group identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired. Such goodwill is subject to adjustment pending the completion of the Company's purchase price allocation process.

(2)
During the third quarter of 2008, Liberty determined that the goodwill related to WFRV TV Station was impaired. Liberty has estimated the amount of such impairment based on the information available at the time of the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. Any subsequent adjustments to such impairment will be reflected in Liberty's financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2008.

Amortizable Intangible Assets

        Amortization of intangible assets with finite useful lives was $389 million and $384 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Based on its current amortizable intangible assets, Liberty expects that amortization expense will be as follows for the next five years (amounts in millions):

Remainder of 2008

  $ 120  

2009

  $ 477  

2010

  $ 441  

2011

  $ 402  

2012

  $ 376  

I-19



LIBERTY MEDIA LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(10) Financial Instruments

        The Company's financial instruments are summarized as follows:

Type of financial instrument
  September 30,
2008
  December 31,
2007
 
 
  amounts in millions
 

Assets

             
 

Equity collars

  $ 1,942     1,458  
 

Other

    11     155  
           

    1,953     1,613  
 

Less current portion

    (983 )   (23 )
           

  $ 970     1,590  
           

Liabilities

             
 

Borrowed shares

  $ 598     1,183  
 

Equity collars

    142      
 

Other

    159     199  
           

    899     1,382  
 

Less current portion

    (662 )   (1,206 )
           

  $ 237     176  
           

        Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments are comprised of changes in fair value of the following:

 
  Nine months
ended
September 30,
 
 
  2008   2007  
 
  amounts in millions
 

Statement 159 Securities(1)

  $ (1,889 )    

Senior exchangeable debentures

    866     330  

Equity collars

    443     107  

Borrowed shares

    585     111  

Other derivatives

    (250 )   (55 )
           

  $ (245 )   493  
           

(1)
See note 6 regarding Liberty's accounting for its Statement 159 Securities.

I-20



LIBERTY MEDIA LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(11) Long-Term Debt

        Debt is summarized as follows:

 
   
  Carrying value  
 
  Outstanding
principal
September 30,
2008
 
 
  September 30,
2008
  December 31,
2007
 
 
  amounts in millions
 

Senior notes and debentures

                   
 

7.875% Senior Notes due 2009

  $ 670     669     668  
 

7.75% Senior Notes due 2009

    233     234     234  
 

5.7% Senior Notes due 2013

    803     801     801  
 

8.5% Senior Debentures due 2029

    500     495     495  
 

8.25% Senior Debentures due 2030

    902     895     895  

Exchangeable senior debentures

                   
 

3.125% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2023

    1,264     1,125     1,820  
 

4% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2029

    869     391     556  
 

3.75% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2030

    810     369     463  
 

3.5% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2031

    497     222     432  
 

3.25% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2031

    551     226     419  

QVC bank credit facilities

    5,200     5,200     4,023  

Liberty bank facility

    750     750     750  

Liberty derivative borrowing

    2,011     2,011      

Other parent debt

    625     625      

Other subsidiary debt

    252     252     159  
               
 

Total consolidated Liberty debt

  $ 15,937     14,265     11,715  
                   
   

Less current maturities

          (1,566 )   (191 )
                 
 

Total long-term debt

        $ 12,699     11,524  
                 

3.125% Exchangeable Senior Debentures

        The holders of Liberty's former 0.75% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2023 had the right to put such debentures to Liberty at 100% of par during the period from February 25, 2008 to March 24, 2008 for payment on March 31, 2008. Holders of approximately $486 million principal amount of debentures surrendered them for repurchase. Liberty elected to pay cash for the validly tendered debentures and obtained the necessary cash with borrowings against one of its equity collars. In addition, Liberty modified the terms of the debentures. Such modifications included (i) deferral of Liberty's ability to redeem the debentures from April 5, 2008 to April 5, 2013, (ii) surrender of Liberty's right to pay holders with shares of Time Warner common stock upon maturity or redemption (but continue to allow Liberty to settle with Time Warner stock upon exchange or put by a holder) and (iii) an increase in the rate of interest from 0.75% to 3.125% beginning March 30, 2008.

Liberty Bank Facility

        Represents borrowings related to the Investment Fund described in note 8 above. Borrowings accrue interest at a rate of LIBOR plus an applicable margin.

I-21



LIBERTY MEDIA LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Senior Notes Due 2009

        On September 26, 2008, Liberty commenced cash tender offers for any and all of its outstanding 77/8% Senior Notes due 2009 ("77/8% Notes") and 73/4% Senior Notes due 2009 ("73/4% Notes"). The tender offers expired at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on Monday, October 27, 2008.

        In the tender offer for the 77/8% Notes, Liberty offered to pay total consideration of $1,007.50 for each $1,000 principal amount tendered and accepted for purchase, which included an early tender premium of $10.00 per $1,000 principal amount of 77/8% Notes. The early tender premium was paid in respect of those 77/8% Notes that were tendered by the early tender payment deadline of October 9, 2008 (the "Early Tender Premium Deadline"). Holders who tendered their 77/8% Notes after the Early Tender Premium Deadline and on or prior to the expiration of the tender offer for the 77/8% Notes were entitled to receive $997.50 per $1,000 principal amount tendered and accepted for purchase.

        In the tender offer for the 73/4% Notes, Liberty offered to pay total consideration of $1,006.50 for each $1,000 principal amount tendered and accepted for purchase, which included an early tender premium of $10.00 per $1,000 principal amount of 73/4% Notes. The early tender premium was paid in respect of those 73/4% Notes that were tendered by the Early Tender Premium Deadline. Holders who tendered their 73/4% Notes after the Early Tender Premium Deadline and on or prior to the expiration of the tender offer for the 73/4% Notes were entitled to receive $996.50 per $1,000 principal amount tendered and accepted for purchase.

        In addition, Liberty paid accrued and unpaid interest on all notes tendered and accepted for payment in the tender offers. Holders of approximately $566 million aggregate principal amount of 77/8% Notes and approximately $216 million aggregate principal amount of 73/4% Notes validly tendered their Notes pursuant to the tender offers, and Liberty accepted for payment all such Notes. In October 2008, Liberty paid a total of $803 million, including accrued interest of $15 million to settle all Notes tendered and accepted.

QVC Bank Credit Facilities

        QVC is party to an unsecured $3.5 billion bank credit facility dated March 3, 2006 (the "March 2006 Credit Agreement"). The March 2006 Credit Agreement is comprised of two $800 million U.S. dollar term loans, a $600 million multi-currency term loan that was drawn in U.S. dollars, a $650 million U.S. dollar revolving loan and a $650 million multi-currency revolving loan. The foregoing multi-currency loans can be made, at QVC's option, in U.S. dollars, Japanese yen, U.K. pound sterling or euros. All loans are due and payable on March 3, 2011.

        QVC is party to a second credit agreement dated October 4, 2006, as amended on March 20, 2007 (the "October 2006 Credit Agreement"), which provides for an additional unsecured $1.75 billion credit facility, consisting of an $800 million initial term loan, and $950 million of delayed draw term loans, all of which has been drawn. The loans are scheduled to mature on October 4, 2011.

        All loans under the March 2006 Credit Agreement and the October 2006 Credit Agreement bear interest at a rate equal to (i) LIBOR for the interest period selected by QVC plus a margin that varies based on QVC's leverage ratio or (ii) the higher of the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.50% or the prime rate announced by the respective Administrative Agent from time to time. QVC is required to pay a commitment fee quarterly in arrears on the unused portion of the commitments. Such fees were not significant in 2008 or 2007.

I-22



LIBERTY MEDIA LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

        The credit agreements contain restrictive covenants regarding, among other matters, the maintenance of certain financial ratios and limitations on indebtedness, liens, encumbrances, dispositions, guarantees and dividends. QVC was in compliance with its debt covenants at September 30, 2008. QVC's ability to borrow the unused portion of its credit agreements is dependent on its continuing compliance with such covenants both before and after giving effect to such additional borrowings.

QVC Interest Rate Swap Arrangements

        QVC is a party to ten separate interest rate swap arrangements with an aggregate notional amount of $2,200 million to manage the cash flow risk associated with interest payments on its variable rate debt. The swap arrangements provide for QVC to make fixed payments at rates ranging from 4.9575% to 5.2928% and to receive variable payments at 3 month LIBOR. All of the swap arrangements expire in March 2011 contemporaneously with the maturity of the March 2006 Credit Agreement. Liberty accounts for the swap arrangements as cash flow hedges with the effective portions of changes in the fair value reflected in other comprehensive earnings in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet.

Liberty Derivative Borrowing

        In April 2008, Liberty entered into an equity collar for 110 million shares of DIRECTV common stock and a related credit facility against the present value of the put value of such collar. At the time of closing, Liberty borrowed $1,977 million. The borrowing facility is due as the equity collar terminates in six tranches from June 2009 through August 2012. Each tranche is repayable during a six-month period based upon a formula that factors in several variables including the market price of DIRECTV common stock. The DIRECTV equity collar contains a provision that allows the counterparty to terminate a portion of the collar if the total number of shares of DIRECTV underlying the collar exceeds 20% of the outstanding public float of DIRECTV common stock. In the event the counterparty chooses to terminate a portion of the collar, the repayment of the corresponding debt would be accelerated. The counterparty has agreed to waive its right to terminate a portion of the collar until early May 2009, subject to the condition that the total number of shares underlying the collar does not exceed 23% of the outstanding public float of DIRECTV common stock. Interest accrues at an effective weighted average interest rate of 3.5% and is due and payable as each tranche matures. Borrowings are collateralized by 170 million shares of DIRECTV common stock owned by Liberty.

Other Subsidiary Debt

        Other subsidiary debt at September 30, 2008, is comprised of capitalized satellite transponder lease obligations and bank debt of certain subsidiaries.

Fair Value of Debt

        Liberty estimates the fair value of its debt based on the quoted market prices for the same or similar issues or on the current rate offered to Liberty for debt of the same remaining maturities. The fair value of Liberty's publicly traded debt securities that are not reported at fair value in the

I-23



LIBERTY MEDIA LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)


accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2008 is as follows (amounts in millions):

Senior notes

  $ 1,555  

Senior debentures

  $ 865  

        Due to the low risk nature of the DIRECTV equity collar credit facility, Liberty believes that the carrying amount approximates fair value. Due to its variable rate nature, Liberty believes that the carrying amount of its subsidiary debt and other parent debt approximated fair value at September 30, 2008.

(12) Income Taxes

Effective Tax Rate

        The News Corporation Exchange qualifies as an IRC Section 355 transaction, and therefore does not trigger federal or state income tax obligations. In addition, upon consummation of this exchange transaction, deferred tax liabilities previously recorded for the difference between Liberty's book and tax bases in its News Corporation investment in the amount of $1,791 million were reversed with an offset to income tax benefit. Due to the foregoing tax treatment, a federal income tax benefit adjustment of approximately $2,933 million will be included in Liberty's reconciliation of computed "expected" income taxes to actual income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2008.

IRS Settlement

        From the date Liberty issued its exchangeable debentures through 2007, Liberty claimed interest deductions on such exchangeable debentures for federal income tax purposes based on the "comparable yield" at which it could have issued a fixed-rate debenture with similar terms and conditions. In all instances, this policy resulted in Liberty claiming interest deductions significantly in excess of the cash interest currently paid on its exchangeable debentures. In this regard, Liberty deducted $2,847 million in cumulative interest expense associated with the exchangeable debentures since the Company's 2001 split off from AT&T Corp. ("AT&T"). Of that amount, $844 million represents cash interest payments. Interest deducted in prior years on its exchangeable debentures has contributed to net operating losses ("NOLs") or offset taxable income earned in prior taxable years and is offsetting taxable income earned in the current year.

        In connection with the IRS' examination of Liberty's 2003 through 2007 tax returns, the IRS notified Liberty during the third quarter of 2007 that it believed the interest expense on Liberty's exchangeable debentures was not deductible for the period following Liberty's split-off from AT&T. In February 2008, Liberty reached a settlement with the IRS, which stipulated that interest deductions claimed on a portion of the exchangeable debentures were disallowed and instead would reduce Liberty's gain on the future redemption or other retirement of such debt. The cumulative amount of interest deductions disallowed through December 31, 2007 under the settlement is $546 million. As a result, a portion of Liberty's NOLs were eliminated and Liberty had net taxable income in 2006 and 2007. Consequently, Liberty expects to remit federal income tax payments for the foreseeable future.

        The settlement did not have a material impact on Liberty's total tax expense as the resulting increase in current tax expense was largely offset by a decrease in deferred tax expense.

I-24



LIBERTY MEDIA LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

(13) Related Party Transactions

        The Company has made interest-bearing cash advances to LMC. Such advances, including accrued interest, aggregated $4,258 million as of September 30, 2008. Interest, which accrues daily at 1-year LIBOR plus 1.35% (4.5% at September 30, 2008), aggregated $160 million and $100 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

(14) Commitments and Contingencies

Film Rights

        Starz Entertainment, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Liberty, provides video programming distributed by cable operators, direct-to-home satellite providers, telephone companies, other distributors and the Internet throughout the United States. Starz Entertainment has entered into agreements with a number of motion picture producers which obligate Starz Entertainment to pay fees ("Programming Fees") for the rights to exhibit certain films that are released by these producers. The unpaid balance of Programming Fees for films that were available for exhibition by Starz Entertainment at September 30, 2008 is reflected as a liability in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet. The balance due as of September 30, 2008 is payable as follows: $85 million in 2008, $23 million in 2009 and $6 million thereafter.

        Starz Entertainment has also contracted to pay Programming Fees for the rights to exhibit films that have been released theatrically, but are not available for exhibition by Starz Entertainment until some future date. These amounts have not been accrued at September 30, 2008. Starz Entertainment's estimate of amounts payable under these agreements is as follows: $48 million in 2008; $505 million in 2009; $102 million in 2010; $97 million in 2011; $93 million in 2012; and $179 million thereafter.

        In addition, Starz Entertainment is also obligated to pay Programming Fees for all qualifying films that are released theatrically in the United States by studios owned by The Walt Disney Company ("Disney") through 2012 and all qualifying films that are released theatrically in the United States by studios owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment ("Sony") through 2013. Films are generally available to Starz Entertainment for exhibition 10 - 12 months after their theatrical release. The Programming Fees to be paid by Starz Entertainment are based on the quantity and the domestic theatrical exhibition receipts of qualifying films. As these films have not yet been released in theatres, Starz Entertainment is unable to estimate the amounts to be paid under these output agreements. However, such amounts are expected to be significant.

        In connection with an option exercised by Sony to extend the Sony contract through 2013, Starz Entertainment has agreed to pay Sony a total of $190 million in four annual installments of $47.5 million beginning in 2011. Such payments to Sony will be amortized ratably as programming expense over the three-year period beginning when Starz Entertainment receives the first qualifying film released theatrically by Sony in 2011.

Guarantees

        Liberty guarantees Starz Entertainment's obligations under certain of its studio output agreements. At September 30, 2008, Liberty's guarantee for obligations for films released by such date aggregated $781 million. While the guarantee amount for films not yet released is not determinable, such amount is expected to be significant. As noted above, Starz Entertainment has recognized the liability for a portion of its obligations under the output agreements. As this represents a commitment of Starz

I-25



LIBERTY MEDIA LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)


Entertainment, a consolidated subsidiary of Liberty, Liberty has not recorded a separate liability for its guarantee of these obligations.

        In connection with agreements for the sale of certain assets, Liberty typically retains liabilities that relate to events occurring prior to its sale, such as tax, environmental, litigation and employment matters. Liberty generally indemnifies the purchaser in the event that a third party asserts a claim against the purchaser that relates to a liability retained by Liberty. These types of indemnification guarantees typically extend for a number of years. Liberty is unable to estimate the maximum potential liability for these types of indemnification guarantees as the sale agreements typically do not specify a maximum amount and the amounts are dependent upon the outcome of future contingent events, the nature and likelihood of which cannot be determined at this time. Historically, Liberty has not made any significant indemnification payments under such agreements and no amount has been accrued in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements with respect to these indemnification guarantees.

Employment Contracts

        ANLBC and certain of its players and coaches have entered into long-term employment contracts whereby such individuals' compensation is guaranteed. Amounts due under guaranteed contracts as of September 30, 2008 aggregated $76 million, which is payable as follows: $44 million in 2009, $11 million in 2010 and $21 million thereafter. In addition to the foregoing amounts, certain players and coaches may earn incentive compensation under the terms of their employment contracts.

Operating Leases

        Liberty and its subsidiaries lease business offices and other facilities, have entered into satellite transponder lease agreements and use certain equipment under lease arrangements.

Litigation

        Liberty has contingent liabilities related to legal and tax proceedings and other matters arising in the ordinary course of business. Although it is reasonably possible Liberty may incur losses upon conclusion of such matters, an estimate of any loss or range of loss cannot be made. In the opinion of management, it is expected that amounts, if any, which may be required to satisfy such contingencies will not be material in relation to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.

(15) Operating Segments

        Liberty, through its ownership of interests in subsidiaries and other companies, is primarily engaged in the video and on-line commerce, media, communications and entertainment industries. Each of Liberty's businesses is separately managed. Liberty identifies its reportable segments as (A) those consolidated subsidiaries that represent 10% or more of its consolidated revenue, earnings before income taxes or total assets and (B) those equity method affiliates whose share of earnings represent 10% or more of Liberty's consolidated earnings before income taxes.

        Liberty evaluates performance and makes decisions about allocating resources to its operating segments based on financial measures such as revenue, Adjusted OIBDA, gross margin, average sales price per unit, number of units shipped, and revenue or sales per customer equivalent. In addition, Liberty reviews non-financial measures such as subscriber growth, penetration, website visitors and active customers, as appropriate.

I-26



LIBERTY MEDIA LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

        Liberty defines Adjusted OIBDA as revenue less cost of sales, operating expenses, and selling, general and administrative expenses (excluding stock-based compensation). Liberty believes this measure is an important indicator of the operational strength and performance of its businesses, including each business's ability to service debt and fund capital expenditures. In addition, this measure allows management to view operating results and perform analytical comparisons and benchmarking between businesses and identify strategies to improve performance. This measure of performance excludes depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, separately reported litigation settlements and restructuring and impairment charges that are included in the measurement of operating income pursuant to GAAP. Accordingly, Adjusted OIBDA should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, operating income, net income, cash flow provided by operating activities and other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. Liberty generally accounts for intersegment sales and transfers as if the sales or transfers were to third parties, that is, at current prices.

        For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, Liberty has identified the following businesses as its reportable segments:

        Liberty's reportable segments are strategic business units that offer different products and services. They are managed separately because each segment requires different technologies, distribution channels and marketing strategies. The accounting policies of the segments that are also consolidated subsidiaries are the same as those described in the summary of significant policies.

Performance Measures

 
  Nine months ended September 30,  
 
  2008   2007  
 
  Revenue   Adjusted
OIBDA
  Revenue   Adjusted
OIBDA
 
 
  amounts in millions
 

QVC

  $ 5,167     1,086     5,063     1,121  

Starz Entertainment

    826     220     801     216  

Corporate and other

    1,226     (154 )   703     (64 )

Inter-company eliminations

    (3 )   (3 )        
                   

Consolidated Liberty

  $ 7,216     1,149     6,567     1,273  
                   

I-27



LIBERTY MEDIA LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

 

 
  Three months ended September 30,  
 
  2008   2007  
 
  Revenue   Adjusted
OIBDA
  Revenue   Adjusted
OIBDA
 
 
  amounts in millions
 

QVC

  $ 1,641     312     1,686     364  

Starz Entertainment

    278     78     282     88  

Corporate and other

    462     (94 )   283     (19 )

Inter-company eliminations

    (3 )   (3 )        
                   

Consolidated Liberty

  $ 2,378     293     2,251     433  
                   

Other Information

 
  September 30, 2008  
 
  Total
assets
  Investments
in
affiliates
  Capital
expenditures
 
 
  amounts in millions
 

QVC

  $ 21,988     10     85  

Starz Entertainment

    2,737         5  

Corporate and other

    21,801     15,732     41  
               

Consolidated Liberty

  $ 46,526     15,742     131  
               

        The following table provides a reconciliation of consolidated segment Adjusted OIBDA to earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and minority interests:

 
  Three months
ended
September 30,
  Nine months
ended
September 30,
 
 
  2008   2007   2008   2007  
 
  amounts in millions
 

Consolidated segment Adjusted OIBDA

  $ 293     433     1,149     1,273  

Stock-based compensation

    (24 )   (17 )   (67 )   (57 )

Depreciation and amortization

    (179 )   (176 )   (532 )   (499 )

Impairment of long-lived assets

    (34 )   (41 )   (34 )   (41 )

Interest expense

    (190 )   (173 )   (543 )   (468 )

Share of earnings (losses) of affiliates, net

    141     (1 )   351     24  

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net

    77     400     (245 )   493  

Gains (losses) on dispositions of assets, net

    (2 )   2     3,679     637  

Other than temporary declines in fair value of investments

    (444 )       (445 )    

Other, net

    62     160     273     353  
                   
 

Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and minority interests

  $ (300 )   587     3,586     1,715  
                   

I-28


Information Regarding Forward Looking Statements

        Certain statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding our business, product and marketing strategies, new service offerings, revenue growth, business prospects and subscriber trends at QVC and Starz Entertainment, our expectations regarding Starz Media's results of operations for the next two to three years, the estimated value of our financial instruments, and the anticipated non-material impact of certain contingent liabilities related to legal and tax proceedings and other matters arising in the ordinary course of our business. Where, in any forward-looking statement, we express an expectation or belief as to future results or events, such expectation or belief is expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis, but such statements necessarily involve risks and uncertainties and there can be no assurance that the statement of expectation or belief will result or be achieved or accomplished. The following include some but not all of the factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated:

I-29


        For additional risk factors, please see Part 2, Item 1A of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and Part 2, Item 1A of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2008. These forward-looking statements and such risks, uncertainties and other factors speak only as of the date of this Quarterly Report, and we expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein, to reflect any change in its expectations with regard thereto, or any other change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

        The following discussion and analysis provides information concerning our results of operations. This discussion should be read in conjunction with our accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

Overview

        We own controlling and noncontrolling interests in a broad range of video and on-line commerce, media, communications and entertainment companies. Our more significant operating subsidiaries, which are also our reportable segments, are QVC and Starz Entertainment. QVC markets and sells a wide variety of consumer products in the United States and several foreign countries, primarily by means of televised shopping programs on the QVC networks and via the Internet through its domestic and international websites. Starz Entertainment provides video programming distributed by cable operators, direct-to-home satellite providers, telephone companies, other distributors and the Internet throughout the United States.

        Our "Corporate and Other" category includes our other consolidated subsidiaries and corporate expenses. Our other consolidated subsidiaries include Provide Commerce, Inc., Starz Media, LLC, FUN Technologies, Inc., Atlanta National League Baseball Club, Inc., Liberty Sports Group, Leisure Arts, Inc., TruePosition, Inc., Backcountry.com, Inc., Bodybuilding.com, LLC, BuySeasons, Inc. and WFRV and WJMN Television Station, Inc. Provide operates an e-commerce marketplace of websites for perishable goods, including flowers, gourmet foods, fruits and desserts, as well as upscale personalized gifts. Starz Media is focused on developing, acquiring, producing and distributing live-action, computer-generated and traditional television animated productions for the home video, film, broadcast and direct-to-consumer markets. FUN operates websites that offer casual gaming and fantasy sports services. ANLBC, which we acquired in May 2007, owns the Atlanta Braves, a major league baseball club, as well as certain of the Atlanta Braves' minor league clubs. Liberty Sports Group, which we acquired in February 2008, is comprised of three regional sports television networks—FSN Rocky Mountain, FSN Northwest and FSN Pittsburgh. Leisure Arts, which we acquired in May 2007, publishes and markets needlework, craft, decorating, entertaining and other lifestyle interest "how-to" books. TruePosition provides equipment and technology that deliver location-based services to wireless users. Backcountry, which we acquired in June 2007, operates seven websites offering outdoor and backcountry sports gear and clothing. Bodybuilding.com, which we acquired on December 31, 2007, manages two websites related to sports nutrition, body building and fitness. BuySeasons operates BuyCostumes.com and Celebrateexpress.com, online retailers of costumes, accessories, décor and party

I-30



supplies. WFRV TV Station, which we acquired in April 2007, is a CBS broadcast affiliate that serves Green Bay, Wisconsin and Escanaba, Michigan.

        In addition to the foregoing businesses, we hold an approximate 51% ownership interest in The DIRECTV Group, Inc. and ownership interests in Expedia and the IAC Spin Off Companies, which we account for as equity method investments, and we continue to maintain significant investments and related financial instruments in public companies such as Time Warner, IAC/InterActiveCorp and Sprint Nextel Corporation, which are accounted for at their respective fair market values and are included in corporate and other.

2008 Completed Transactions

         News Corporation.    On February 27, 2008, we completed a transaction with News Corporation in which we exchanged all of our 512.6 million shares of News Corporation common stock valued at $10,144 million on the closing date for a subsidiary of News Corporation that held an approximate 41% interest in DIRECTV, Liberty Sports Group and $465 million in cash. In addition, we incurred $21 million of acquisition costs. We recognized a pre-tax gain of $3,666 million based on the difference between the fair value and the cost basis of the News Corporation shares exchanged.

Results of Operations

        To assist you in understanding and analyzing our business in the same manner we do, we have organized the following discussion of our results of operations into two parts: Consolidated Operating Results and Operating Results by Business.

        In addition to the 2008 completion of the News Corporation Exchange, we completed several acquisitions in 2007 that impact the comparability of our 2007 and 2008 results of operations. Those acquisitions and the months in which they occurred are: WFRV TV Station in April 2007, ANLBC and Leisure Arts in May 2007, Backcountry in June 2007 and Bodybuilding in December 2007.

I-31


Consolidated Operating Results

 
  Three months
ended
September 30,
  Nine months
ended
September 30,
 
 
  2008   2007   2008   2007  
 
  amounts in millions
 

Revenue

                         
 

QVC

  $ 1,641     1,686     5,167     5,063  
 

Starz Entertainment

    278     282     826     801  
 

Corporate and other

    462     283     1,226     703  
 

Inter-company eliminations

    (3 )       (3 )    
                   
   

Consolidated Liberty

  $ 2,378     2,251     7,216     6,567  
                   

Adjusted OIBDA

                         
 

QVC

  $ 312     364     1,086     1,121  
 

Starz Entertainment

    78     88     220     216  
 

Corporate and other

    (94 )   (19 )   (154 )   (64 )
 

Inter-company eliminations

    (3 )       (3 )    
                   
   

Consolidated Liberty

  $ 293     433     1,149     1,273  
                   

Operating Income (Loss)

                         
 

QVC

  $ 175     231     678     718  
 

Starz Entertainment

    63     78     176     180  
 

Corporate and other

    (179 )   (110 )   (335 )   (222 )
 

Inter-company eliminations

    (3 )       (3 )    
                   
   

Consolidated Liberty

  $ 56     199     516     676  
                   

         Revenue.    Our consolidated revenue increased 5.6% and 9.9% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively, as compared to the corresponding prior year period. The three month increase is due primarily to acquisitions, which generated $122 million of revenue in 2008, and an increase for Starz Media, partially offset by a decrease in revenue for QVC. The increase for Starz Media is attributable to the 2008 theatrical release of six films by Overture Films, a subsidiary of Starz Media. The nine month increase in revenue is due primarily to acquisitions, which generated $407 million more revenue in 2008 than in 2007, an increase for QVC of $104 million and other less significant increases for Provide, Starz Media and Starz Entertainment. See Operating Results by Business below for a more complete discussion of QVC's and Starz Entertainment's results of operations.

         Adjusted OIBDA.    We define Adjusted OIBDA as revenue less cost of sales, operating expenses and selling, general and administrative expenses (excluding stock-based compensation). Our chief operating decision maker and management team use this measure of performance in conjunction with other measures to evaluate our businesses and make decisions about allocating resources among our businesses. We believe this measure is an important indicator of the operational strength and performance of our businesses, including each business's ability to service debt and fund capital expenditures. In addition, this measure allows us to view operating results, perform analytical comparisons and benchmarking between businesses and identify strategies to improve performance. This measure of performance excludes such costs as depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, separately reported litigation settlements and restructuring and impairment charges that are included in the measurement of operating income pursuant to generally accepted accounting principles. Accordingly, Adjusted OIBDA should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, operating income, net earnings, cash flow provided by operating activities and other measures of

I-32



financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. See note 15 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for a reconciliation of Adjusted OIBDA to Earnings (Loss) from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes and Minority Interests.

        Consolidated Adjusted OIBDA decreased 32.3% and 9.7% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively, as compared to the corresponding prior year period. The three month decrease is due primarily to higher Adjusted OIBDA losses for Starz Media, and decreases in Adjusted OIBDA for QVC, Starz Entertainment and ANLBC. The nine month decrease in Adjusted OIBDA is due primarily to increased Adjusted OIBDA losses for Starz Media and lower Adjusted OIBDA for QVC and ANLBC. Starz Media's Adjusted OIBDA losses increased in 2008 as the production cost amortization and print and advertising expenses for the movies released theatrically in 2008 exceeded the revenue earned to date. ANLBC's Adjusted OIBDA was $24 million lower in 2008 due to the fact that we acquired it in May of 2007, and ANLBC operates at a loss in the first quarter as no revenue is recognized until the baseball season begins in early April. In addition ANLBC's Adjusted OIBDA was $9 million lower in the third quarter of 2008, as compared to 2007, resulting from lower revenue due to poorer on-field performance.

         Stock-based compensation.    Stock-based compensation includes compensation related to (1) options and stock appreciation rights for shares of our common stock that are granted to certain of our officers and employees, (2) phantom stock appreciation rights ("PSARs") granted to officers and employees of certain of our subsidiaries pursuant to private equity plans and (3) amortization of restricted stock grants.

        We recorded $67 million of stock compensation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared with $57 million for the comparable period in 2007. As of September 30, 2008, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to our unvested equity awards was approximately $66 million. Such amount will be recognized in our consolidated statements of operations over a weighted average period of approximately 1.8 years.

         Operating income.    Consolidated operating income decreased $143 million or 71.9% and $160 million or 23.7% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to the corresponding prior year period. The decreases are due primarily to Starz Media, QVC, ANLBC, WFRV TV Station and Starz Entertainment. During the third quarter of 2008, we determined that the goodwill related to WFRV TV Station was impaired and recorded a $34 million charge for such impairment. The foregoing decreases in operating income were partially offset by an increase for FUN due to an impairment charge of $41 million recorded in 2007. We currently expect Starz Media to continue incurring negative Adjusted OIBDA and operating losses for the next two to three years.

Other Income and Expense

         Interest expense.    Consolidated interest expense increased 9.8% and 16.0% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively. Such increases are due to increased borrowings under our various credit facilities partially offset by lower interest rates on our variable rate debt in 2008.

         Dividend and interest income.    Consolidated dividend and interest income decreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 due to lower invested cash balances and the elimination of News Corporation dividends as a result of the News Corporation Exchange.

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         Share of earnings of affiliates.    The following table presents our share of earnings (losses) of affiliates:

 
  Three months
ended
September 30,
  Nine months
ended
September 30,
 
 
  2008   2007   2008   2007  
 
  amounts in millions
 

DIRECTV

  $ 111         301      

Expedia

    23     22     58     52  

Other

    7     (23 )   (8 )   (28 )
                   

  $ 141     (1 )   351     24  
                   

        Our share of earnings of DIRECTV for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 include $153 million of amortization (net of related taxes) of identifiable intangibles included in our excess basis as described in note 7 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.

         Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments.    Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments are comprised of changes in the fair value of the following:

 
  Three months
ended
September 30,
  Nine months
ended
September 30,
 
 
  2008   2007   2008   2007  
 
  amounts in millions
 

Statement 159 Securities (1)

  $ (607 )       (1,889 )    

Senior exchangeable debentures

    478     269     866     330  

Equity collars

    220     178     443     107  

Borrowed shares

    84     (10 )   585     111  

Other derivatives

    (98 )   (37 )   (250 )   (55 )
                   

  $ 77     400     (245 )   493  
                   

(1)
See note 6 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for a discussion of our accounting for Statement 159 Securities.

         Other than temporary declines in fair value of investments.    Investment impairments include $440 million related to our investment in IAC recognized in the third quarter of 2008.

         Gains on disposition, net.    Gains on dispositions in 2008 include $3,666 million related to the News Corporation Exchange.

         Income taxes.    For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, we recorded pre-tax earnings of $3,557 million and an income tax benefit of $1,876 million. The News Corporation Exchange qualifies as an IRC Section 355 transaction, and therefore does not trigger federal or state income tax obligations. In addition, upon consummation of the exchange transaction, deferred tax liabilities previously recorded for the difference between our book and tax bases in our News Corporation investment in the amount of $1,791 million were reversed with an offset to income tax benefit.

         Net earnings.    Our net earnings were $5,433 million and $1,760 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The increase in net earnings is due to the aforementioned fluctuations in revenue and expenses. In addition, we recognized $149 million of earnings from discontinued operations in 2007.

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Operating Results by Business

         QVC.    QVC is a retailer of a wide range of consumer products, which are marketed and sold primarily by merchandise-focused televised shopping programs and via the Internet. In the United States, the program is aired live through its nationally televised shopping network—24 hours a day, 7 days a week ("QVC-US"). Internationally, QVC has electronic retailing program services based in the United Kingdom ("QVC-UK"), Germany ("QVC-Germany") and Japan ("QVC-Japan"). QVC-UK broadcasts 24 hours a day with 17 hours of live programming, and QVC-Germany and QVC-Japan each broadcast live 24 hours a day.

        QVC's operating results are as follows:

 
  Three months
ended
September 30,
  Nine months
ended
September 30,
 
 
  2008   2007   2008   2007  
 
  amounts in millions
 

Net revenue

  $ 1,641     1,686     5,167     5,063  

Cost of sales

    (1,070 )   (1,068 )   (3,298 )   (3,186 )
                   
 

Gross profit

    571     618     1,869     1,877  

Operating expenses

    (164 )   (162 )   (503 )   (484 )

SG&A expenses (excluding stock-based compensation)

    (95 )   (92 )   (280 )   (272 )
                   
 

Adjusted OIBDA

    312     364     1,086     1,121  

Stock-based compensation—SG&A

    (2 )   (4 )   (12 )   (20 )

Depreciation and amortization

    (135 )   (129 )   (396 )   (383 )
                   
 

Operating income

  $ 175     231     678     718  
                   

        Net revenue is generated in the following geographic areas:

 
  Three months
ended
September 30,
  Nine months
ended
September 30,
 
 
  2008   2007   2008   2007  
 
  amounts in millions
 

QVC-US

  $ 1,073     1,174     3,430     3,532  

QVC-UK

    159     169     494     481  

QVC-Germany

    228     194     701     607  

QVC-Japan

    181     149     542     443  
                   

  $ 1,641     1,686     5,167     5,063  
                   

        QVC's consolidated net revenue decreased 2.7% and increased 2.1% during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively, as compared to the corresponding prior year period. The three month decrease is comprised of $83 million due to a 5.2% decrease in the number of units shipped and $15 million due to lower shipping and handling revenue and an increase in estimated product returns. These decreases were partially offset by a $29 million increase due to a 2.5% increase in the average sales price per unit ("ASP") and $24 million due to favorable foreign currency rates. The nine month increase in revenue is comprised of $141 million due to a 3.2% increase in the ASP and $133 million due to favorable foreign currency rates. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in the number of units shipped from 117.6 million in 2007 to 114.6 million in 2008 and an increase in estimated product returns. Returns as a percent of gross product revenue increased from 19.3% to 20.3% and reflect a higher ASP and a shift in the mix from home products to accessories and apparel products, which typically have higher return rates.

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        During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, the changes in revenue and expenses were impacted by fluctuations in the exchange rates for the UK pound sterling, the euro and the Japanese yen. In the event the U.S. dollar strengthens against these foreign currencies in the future, QVC's reported revenue and Adjusted OIBDA will be negatively impacted. The percentage increase in revenue for each of QVC's geographic areas in U.S. dollars and in local currency is as follows:

 
  Percentage increase (decrease) in net revenue  
 
  Three months
ended
September 30, 2008
  Nine months
ended
September 30, 2008
 
 
  U.S. dollars   Local currency   U.S. dollars   Local currency  

QVC-US

    (8.6 )%   (8.6 )%   (2.9 )%   (2.9 )%

QVC-UK

    (5.9 )%   0.8 %   2.7 %   4.9 %

QVC-Germany

    17.5 %   8.4 %   15.5 %   2.1 %

QVC-Japan

    21.5 %   10.5 %   22.3 %   8.2 %

        Revenue for QVC-US continues to be negatively impacted by a slow retail environment with sales weaknesses experienced in each product category as well as higher return rates. Revenue growth for QVC-UK was lower in the third quarter of 2008, as compared to the first and second quarters of 2008, due to a slow down in the sales of home products and accessories. QVC-Germany showed an increase in revenue in local currency in the third quarter of 2008, as compared to a decrease in local currency in the second quarter of 2008, due to improvements in all product areas. QVC-Japan increased net revenue in local currency due to increases in apparel, accessories and jewelry during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, as compared to the corresponding prior year period, as it continues to overcome the impacts of the heightened regulatory focus on health and beauty product presentations which began in March 2007 and caused QVC-Japan to remove a number of products from its programming.

        The QVC service is already received by substantially all of the cable television and direct broadcast satellite homes in the U.S. and Germany. In addition, the rate of growth in households is expected to diminish in the UK and Japan. Therefore, future sales growth will primarily depend on additions of new customers from homes already receiving the QVC service and growth in sales to existing customers. QVC's future sales may also be affected by (i) the willingness of cable and satellite distributors to continue carrying QVC's programming service, (ii) QVC's ability to maintain favorable channel positioning, which may become more difficult as distributors convert analog customers to digital, (iii) changes in television viewing habits because of personal video recorders, video-on-demand and IP television and (iv) general economic conditions.

        QVC's gross profit percentage decreased 186 basis points and 90 basis points during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively, as compared to the corresponding prior year period. Such decreases are due primarily to lower initial product margins in the home and apparel product areas. The three month gross margin percentage was also negatively impacted by an unfavorable obsolescence provision.

        QVC's operating expenses are principally comprised of commissions, order processing and customer service expenses, production costs, telecommunications expense and credit card processing fees. Operating expenses increased 1.2% and 3.9% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively, as compared to the corresponding prior year period. Such increases are primarily due to increased personnel expenses in the production and customer service areas. In addition, commissions increased due to new fixed-rate agreements in QVC-UK and QVC-Japan. Operating expenses as a percent of revenue increased slightly in each of the three and nine month periods.

        QVC's SG&A expenses include personnel, information technology, provision for doubtful accounts, marketing and advertising expenses. Such expenses increased 3.3% and 2.9% for the three and nine

I-36



months ended September 30, 2008, respectively, as compared to the corresponding prior year period due primarily to increases in personnel expenses and bad debt expense. Such increases were partially offset by lower marketing expenses in 2008.

        QVC's Adjusted OIBDA decreased 14.3% and 3.1% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively, as compared to the corresponding prior year period. Such decreases in Adjusted OIBDA are due to the lower revenue and decrease in gross profit percentage discussed above, as well as the increases noted in operating expenses.

         Starz Entertainment.    Starz Entertainment primarily provides video programming distributed by cable operators, direct-to-home satellite providers, telephone companies, other distributors and the Internet throughout the United States. Substantially all of Starz Entertainment's revenue is derived from the delivery of movies to subscribers under affiliation agreements with television video programming distributors. Some of Starz Entertainment's affiliation agreements provide for payments to Starz Entertainment based on the number of subscribers that receive Starz Entertainment's services. Starz Entertainment also has fixed-rate affiliation agreements with certain of its customers. Pursuant to these agreements, the customers generally pay an agreed-upon rate regardless of the number of subscribers. The agreed-upon rate is contractually increased annually or semi-annually as the case may be, and these agreements expire in 2008 through 2012. During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, 70.5% of Starz Entertainment's revenue was generated by its four largest customers, Comcast Corporation, DIRECTV, Dish Network and Time Warner Inc., each of which individually generated more than 10% of Starz Entertainment's revenue for such period. Starz Entertainment's affiliation agreements with DIRECTV and Dish Network expire in December 2008 and June 2009, respectively; and Comcast's distribution of Encore expires in September 2009, unless Comcast elects to extend. In addition, the affiliation agreement with Time Warner has expired. Starz Entertainment is currently in negotiations with Time Warner regarding a new agreement. There can be no assurance that any new agreement with Time Warner will have economic terms comparable to the old agreement.

        Starz Entertainment's operating results are as follows:

 
  Three months
ended
September 30,
  Nine months
ended
September 30,
 
 
  2008   2007   2008   2007  
 
  amounts in millions
 

Revenue

  $ 278     282     826     801  

Operating expenses

    (173 )   (168 )   (505 )   (507 )

SG&A expenses

    (27 )   (26 )   (101 )   (78 )
                   
 

Adjusted OIBDA

    78     88     220     216  

Stock-based compensation

    (11 )   (7 )   (31 )   (21 )

Depreciation and amortization

    (4 )   (3 )   (13 )   (15 )
                   
 

Operating income

  $ 63     78     176     180  
                   

        Starz Entertainment's revenue decreased 1.4% and increased 3.1% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively, as compared to the corresponding prior year period. During the third quarter of 2007, Starz Entertainment entered into a new affiliation agreement with DIRECTV which was retroactive to January 1, 2007. The previous affiliation agreement with DIRECTV had expired June 30, 2006. During the period from June 30, 2006 to the signing of the new affiliation agreement (the "Out-of-Contract Period"), Starz Entertainment had recognized revenue from DIRECTV based on cash payments from DIRECTV. The new affiliation agreement provides for rates that are higher than those paid by DIRECTV during the Out-of-Contract Period. Therefore, in the third quarter of 2007 Starz Entertainment recognized $18 million of revenue based on the difference

I-37



between the rates provided in the new affiliation agreement and the rates paid by DIRECTV during the first half of 2007. Absent this $18 million "catch up," Starz Entertainment's revenue increased 5.3% during the three months ended September 30, 2008. Such increase is due in approximate equal amounts to increases in (i) the weighted average number of subscriptions and (ii) the effective rate for Starz Entertainments services. Without the DIRECTV "catch up" for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, revenue increased 4.0% in 2008. Such increase is due primarily to an increase in the effective rate for Starz Entertainment's services.

        The Starz movie service and the Encore and Thematic Multiplex Channels ("EMP") movie service are the primary drivers of Starz Entertainment's revenue. Starz average subscription units increased 6.7% and 6.3% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively, and EMP average subscription units increased 7.1% and 9.4% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively. The effects of these increases in subscription units are somewhat mitigated by Starz Entertainment's fixed-rate affiliation agreements. In this regard, more than 60% of such subscription increases and approximately 36% of Starz Entertainment's revenue was earned under its fixed-rate affiliation agreements during the nine months ended September 30, 2008.

        At September 30, 2008, cable, DTH satellite, and other distribution media represented 66.8%, 28.1% and 5.1%, respectively, of Starz Entertainment's total subscription units.

        Starz Entertainment's operating expenses increased 3.0% and decreased less than 1% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively, as compared to the corresponding prior year period. Such changes are due to decreases in programming license fees, which comprise approximately 93% of operating expenses. The three and nine month decreases in programming license fees are due to lower bonus payment amortization ($7 million and $22 million) and a lower percentage of first-run movie exhibitions (which have a relatively higher cost per title) as compared to the number of library product exhibitions ($16 million and $32 million), partially offset by a higher effective rate for first-run movies exhibited in 2008 ($19 million and $44 million). In addition, in third quarter of 2007, Starz Entertainment reversed an accrual in the amount of $7 million for music copyright fees as a result of a settlement with a music copyright authority.

        Starz Entertainment's SG&A expenses increased $1 million and $23 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively, as compared to the corresponding prior year period. Such increases are due primarily to higher marketing expenses related to a new branding campaign in the first half of 2008.

Item 4.    Controls and Procedures

        In accordance with Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including its chief executive officer, principal accounting officer and principal financial officer (the "Executives"), of the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Executives concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2008 to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in its reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms.

        There has been no change in the Company's internal controls over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation described above that occurred during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal controls over financial reporting.

I-38


LIBERTY MEDIA LLC


PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.    Legal Proceedings

        For information regarding institution of, or material changes in, material legal proceedings that have been reported this fiscal year, reference is made to Part I, Item 3 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 25, 2008 and Part II, Item 1 of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the six months ended June 30, 2008 filed on August 13, 2008. There have been no material developments in such legal proceedings during the nine months ended September 30, 2008.

Item 1A.    Risk Factors

        The following is an update to Item 1A—Risk Factors contained in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 13, 2008:

         Weakening economic conditions may reduce consumer demand for our products and services.    The current economic downturn in the United States and in other regions of the world in which our subsidiaries and affiliates operate could adversely affect demand for our products and services. A substantial portion of our revenue is derived from discretionary spending by individuals, which typically falls during times of economic instability. A reduction in discretionary spending could adversely affect our revenue including lagging retail sales and potential downgrades or disconnects by satellite subscribers. Accordingly, our ability to increase, or in certain cases, maintain revenue and Adjusted OIBDA could be adversely affected to the extent that relevant economic environments remain weak or decline further. We currently are unable to predict the extent of any of these potential adverse effects.

         Disruptions in the worldwide credit and equity markets have increased the risk of default by the counterparties to our financial instruments and cash investments.    Disruptions in the credit and equity markets have impacted the creditworthiness of certain financial institutions. Although we seek to manage the credit risks associated with our financial instruments and cash investments, we are exposed to an increased risk that our counterparties may default on their obligations to us. At September 30, 2008, our total assets included derivatives with a fair value of $1,953 million and short-term marketable securities of $523 million. Were one or more of our counterparties to fail or otherwise be unable to meet its obligations to us, our financial condition could be adversely affected.

Item 6.    Exhibits


        Listed below are the exhibits which are filed as a part of this Report (according to the number assigned to them in Item 601 of Regulation S-K):

 
   
31.1   Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification*
31.2   Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification*
31.3   Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification*
32   Section 1350 Certification*

*
Filed herewith

II-1



SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


 

 

LIBERTY MEDIA LLC

Date: November 12, 2008

 

By:

 

/s/ GREGORY B. MAFFEI

      Gregory B. Maffei
      President and Chief Executive Officer

Date: November 12, 2008

 

By:

 

/s/ DAVID J.A. FLOWERS

      David J.A. Flowers
      Senior Vice President and Treasurer      (Principal Financial Officer)

Date: November 12, 2008

 

By:

 

/s/ CHRISTOPHER W. SHEAN

      Christopher W. Shean
      Senior Vice President and Controller
      (Principal Accounting Officer)

II-2



EXHIBIT INDEX

        Listed below are the exhibits which are filed as a part of this Report (according to the number assigned to them in Item 601 of Regulation S-K):

31.1   Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification*
31.2   Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification*
31.3   Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification*
32   Section 1350 Certification*

*
Filed herewith



QuickLinks

LIBERTY MEDIA LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited)
LIBERTY MEDIA LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited)
LIBERTY MEDIA LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Earnings (Loss) (unaudited)
LIBERTY MEDIA LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)
LIBERTY MEDIA LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES Condensed Consolidated Statement of Member's Equity (unaudited) Nine months ended September 30, 2008
LIBERTY MEDIA LLC AND SUBSIDIARIES Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
SIGNATURES
EXHIBIT INDEX