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

FORM 10-Q


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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2010

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 001-33982

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

State of Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  84-1288730
(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 has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes  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  ý   Accelerated filer  o   Non-accelerated filer  o
(do not check if 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 number of outstanding shares of Liberty Media Corporation's common stock as of October 29, 2010 was:

 
  Series A   Series B  

Liberty Capital common stock

    77,196,890     7,364,839  

Liberty Interactive common stock

    569,223,553     29,080,216  

Liberty Starz common stock

    49,042,721     2,590,180  



LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(unaudited)

 
  September 30,
2010
  December 31,
2009
 
 
  amounts in millions
 

Assets

             

Current assets:

             
 

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 3,531     4,835  
 

Trade and other receivables, net

    798     1,518  
 

Inventory, net

    1,109     985  
 

Program rights

    504     469  
 

Financial instruments (note 8)

        752  
 

Other current assets

    735     168  
           
   

Total current assets

    6,677     8,727  
           

Investments in available-for-sale securities and other cost investments, including $1,148 million and $851 million pledged as collateral for share borrowing arrangements (note 6)

    4,530     4,120  

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

    1,027     1,030  

Property and equipment, at cost

   
2,281
   
2,163
 

Accumulated depreciation

    (986 )   (858 )
           

    1,295     1,305  
           

Intangible assets not subject to amortization (note 9):

             
 

Goodwill

    6,233     6,225  
 

Trademarks

    2,492     2,508  
 

Other

    153     153  
           

    8,878     8,886  
           

Intangible assets subject to amortization, net (note 9)

    2,763     3,027  

Other assets, at cost, net of accumulated amortization

    1,415     1,536  
           
   

Total assets

  $ 26,585     28,631  
           

(continued)

I-1



LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, continued

(unaudited)

 
  September 30,
2010
  December 31,
2009
 
 
  amounts in millions
 

Liabilities and Equity

             

Current liabilities:

             
 

Accounts payable

  $ 602     598  
 

Accrued liabilities

    943     1,037  
 

Financial instruments (note 8)

    1,251     1,002  
 

Current portion of debt, including $319 million and $297 million measured at fair value (note 10)

    477     1,932  
 

Current deferred income tax liabilities

    1,232     1,247  
 

Other current liabilities

    549     360  
           
   

Total current liabilities

    5,054     6,176  
           

Long-term debt, including $2,102 million and $1,957 million measured at fair value (note 10)

    7,042     7,842  

Deferred income tax liabilities

    2,757     2,675  

Other liabilities

    1,476     1,700  
           
   

Total liabilities

    16,329     18,393  
           

Equity

             
 

Stockholders' equity (note 11):

             
   

Preferred stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 50,000,000 shares; no shares issued

         
   

Series A Liberty Capital common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 2,000,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 77,184,602 shares at September 30, 2010 and 89,814,862 shares at December 31, 2009

    1     1  
   

Series B Liberty Capital common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 75,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 7,364,839 shares at September 30, 2010 and 7,405,151 shares at December 31, 2009

         
   

Series A Liberty Starz common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 4,000,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 49,032,088 shares at September 30, 2010 and 49,673,954 shares at December 31, 2009

         
   

Series B Liberty Starz common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 150,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 2,590,180 shares at September 30, 2010 and 2,365,545 shares at December 31, 2009

         
   

Series A Liberty Interactive common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 4,000,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 568,905,438 shares at September 30, 2010 and 567,044,845 shares at December 31, 2009

    6     6  
   

Series B Liberty Interactive common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 150,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 29,095,216 shares at September 30, 2010 and 29,276,689 shares at December 31, 2009

         
   

Additional paid-in capital

    8,410     8,900  
   

Accumulated other comprehensive earnings, net of taxes

    275     352  
   

Retained earnings

    1,455     850  
           
     

Total stockholders' equity

    10,147     10,109  
 

Noncontrolling interests in equity of subsidiaries

    109     129  
           
     

Total equity

    10,256     10,238  
           

Commitments and contingencies (note 13)

             
   

Total liabilities and equity

  $ 26,585     28,631  
           

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

I-2



LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Operations

(unaudited)

 
  Three months ended
September 30,
  Nine months ended
September 30,
 
 
  2010   2009   2010   2009  
 
  amounts in millions,
except per share amounts

 

Revenue:

                         
 

Net retail sales

  $ 1,968     1,827     6,046     5,594  
 

Communications and programming services

    570     475     1,554     1,395  
                   

    2,538     2,302     7,600     6,989  
                   

Operating costs and expenses:

                         
 

Cost of sales

    1,254     1,182     3,832     3,573  
 

Operating

    535     492     1,549     1,396  
 

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

    287     297     904     819  
 

Depreciation and amortization

    168     164     494     500  
                   

    2,244     2,135     6,779     6,288  
                   
   

Operating income

    294     167     821     701  

Other income (expense):

                         
 

Interest expense

    (170 )   (177 )   (514 )   (457 )
 

Share of earnings (losses) of affiliates, net (note 7)

    (23 )   10     25     (81 )
 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net (note 8)

    2     (167 )   88     (165 )
 

Gains (losses) on dispositions, net (note 6)

    28     (13 )   416     98  
 

Other, net

    35     16     35     108  
                   

    (128 )   (331 )   50     (497 )
                   
   

Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

    166     (164 )   871     204  

Income tax benefit (expense)

    28     63     (237 )   (57 )
                   
   

Earnings (loss) from continuing operations

    194     (101 )   634     147  

Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes (note 2)

        (26 )       85  
                   
   

Net earnings (loss)

    194     (127 )   634     232  

Less net earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interests

    15     9     29     26  
                   

Net earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty Media Corporation shareholders

  $ 179     (136 )   605     206  
                   

Net earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty Media Corporation shareholders:

                         
   

Liberty Capital common stock

  $ 26     (132 )   (34 )   (91 )
   

Liberty Starz common stock

    48     2     166     232  
   

Liberty Interactive common stock

    105     (6 )   473     65  
                   

  $ 179     (136 )   605     206  
                   

(continued)

I-3



LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Operations, continued

(unaudited)

 
  Three months ended
September 30,
  Nine months ended
September 30,
 
 
  2010   2009   2010   2009  
 
  amounts in millions,
except per share amounts

 

Basic earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Liberty Media Corporation stockholders per common share (note 4):

                         
 

Series A and Series B Liberty Capital common stock

  $ .30     (1.38 )   (.37 )   (.95 )
 

Series A and Series B Liberty Starz common stock

  $ .96     .05     3.32     .28  
 

Series A and Series B Liberty Interactive common stock

  $ .18     (.01 )   .79     .11  

Diluted earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Liberty Media Corporation stockholders per common share (note 4):

                         
 

Series A and Series B Liberty Capital common stock

  $ .29     (1.38 )   (.37 )   (.95 )
 

Series A and Series B Liberty Starz common stock

  $ .92     .05     3.19     .28  
 

Series A and Series B Liberty Interactive common stock

  $ .17     (.01 )   .78     .11  

Basic net earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty Media Corporation shareholders per common share (note 4):

                         
 

Series A and Series B Liberty Capital common stock

  $ .30     (1.38 )   (.37 )   (.95 )
 

Series A and Series B Liberty Starz common stock

  $ .96         3.32     .45  
 

Series A and Series B Liberty Interactive common stock

  $ .18     (.01 )   .79     .11  

Diluted net earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty Media Corporation shareholders per common share (note 4):

                         
 

Series A and Series B Liberty Capital common stock

  $ .29     (1.38 )   (.37 )   (.95 )
 

Series A and Series B Liberty Starz common stock

  $ .92         3.19     .45  
 

Series A and Series B Liberty Interactive common stock

  $ .17     (.01 )   .78     .11  

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

I-4



LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Earnings (Loss)

(unaudited)

 
  Three months ended September 30,   Nine months ended September 30,  
 
  2010   2009   2010   2009  
 
  amounts in millions
 

Net earnings (loss)

  $ 194     (127 )   634     232  
                   

Other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of taxes:

                         
 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

    74     36     (28 )   23  
 

Unrealized holding gains arising during the period

    37     171     35     190  
 

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

        (2 )   (126 )    
 

Share of other comprehensive earnings (loss) of equity affiliates

    8     (1 )   7     (11 )
 

Other, net

    21     (3 )   46     34  
 

Other comprehensive earnings from discontinued operations

        20         14  
                   
   

Other comprehensive earnings (loss)

    140     221     (66 )   250  
                   

Comprehensive earnings

    334     94     568     482  
 

Less comprehensive earnings attributable to the noncontrolling interests

    20     17     40     24  
                   
 

Comprehensive earnings attributable to Liberty Media Corporation shareholders

  $ 314     77     528     458  
                   

Comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty Media Corporation shareholders:

                         
 

Liberty Capital common stock

  $ 29     (112 )   (45 )   (57 )
 

Liberty Starz common stock

    48     23     166     247  
 

Liberty Interactive common stock

    237     166     407     268  
                   

  $ 314     77     528     458  
                   

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

I-5



LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows

(unaudited)

 
  Nine months ended September 30,  
 
  2010   2009  
 
  amounts in millions
 

Cash flows from operating activities:

             
 

Net earnings

  $ 634     232  
 

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

             
   

Earnings from discontinued operations

        (85 )
   

Depreciation and amortization

    494     500  
   

Stock-based compensation

    85     98  
   

Cash payments for stock-based compensation

    (57 )   (11 )
   

Noncash interest expense

    87     115  
   

Share of (earnings) losses of affiliates, net

    (25 )   81  
   

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

    (88 )   165  
   

Gains on disposition of assets, net

    (416 )   (98 )
   

Cash receipts from return on equity investments

    14      
   

Deferred income tax (benefit) expense

    105     (173 )
   

Other noncash charges (credits), net

    163     (10 )
   

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

             
       

Current and other assets

    448     147  
       

Payables and other current liabilities

    (73 )   (47 )
           
         

Net cash provided by operating activities

    1,371     914  
           

Cash flows from investing activities:

             
 

Cash proceeds from dispositions

    518     290  
 

Proceeds from settlement of financial instruments, net

    719     1,095  
 

Investments in and loans to cost and equity investees

    (288 )   (728 )
 

Repayment of loan by cost and equity investees

    101     409  
 

Capital expended for property and equipment

    (186 )   (148 )
 

Net sales (purchases) short term investments

    (427 )   58  
 

Net (increase) decrease in restricted cash

    (32 )   63  
 

Other investing activities, net

    (53 )   (40 )
           
     

Net cash provided by investing activities

    352     999  
           

Cash flows from financing activities:

             
 

Borrowings of debt

    3,096     3,094  
 

Repayments of debt

    (5,536 )   (3,915 )
 

Repurchases of Liberty common stock

    (627 )   (3 )
 

Other financing activities, net

    31     112  
           
     

Net cash used by financing activities

    (3,036 )   (712 )
           

Effect of foreign currency exchange rates on cash

    9     (13 )
           

Net cash provided by discontinued operations:

             
 

Cash used by operating activities

        156  
 

Cash used by investing activities

        (17 )
 

Cash provided by financing activities

        (146 )
 

Change in available cash held by discontinued operations

        38  
           
     

Net cash provided by discontinued operations

        31  
           
     

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

    (1,304 )   1,219  
     

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

    4,835     3,060  
           
     

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

  $ 3,531     4,279  
           

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

I-6


LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Condensed Consolidated Statement Of Equity
(unaudited)
Nine months ended September 30, 2010

 
  Stockholders' Equity    
   
 
 
   
  Common stock    
   
   
   
   
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
  Liberty
Interactive
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
   
  Liberty Capital   Liberty Starz    
  Accumulated
other
comprehensive
earnings
   
  Noncontrolling
interest in
equity of
subsidiaries
   
 
 
  Preferred
stock
  Additional
paid-in
capital
  Retained
earnings
  Total
equity
 
 
  Series A   Series B   Series A   Series B   Series A   Series B  
 
  amounts in millions
 

Balance at January 1, 2010

  $     1                 6         8,900     352     850     129     10,238  
 

Net earnings

                                        605     29     634  
 

Other comprehensive loss

                                    (77 )       11     (66 )
 

Stock compensation

                                106                 106  
 

Issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options

                                19                 19  
 

Series A Liberty Capital stock repurchases

                                (587 )               (587 )
 

Series A Liberty Starz stock repurchases

                                (40 )               (40 )
 

Issuance of subsidiary shares to noncontrolling interest

                                            2     2  
 

Distribution to noncontrolling interest

                                            (64 )   (64 )
 

Other

                                12             2     14  
                                                   

Balance at September 30, 2010

  $     1                 6         8,410     275     1,455     109     10,256  
                                                   

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

I-7



LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

September 30, 2010
(unaudited)

(1)    Basis of Presentation

        The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Liberty Media Corporation 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, 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, 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, 2009.

        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) fair value measurement, (ii) accounting for income taxes, (iii) assessments of other-than-temporary declines in fair value of its investments and (iv) 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.

(2)    Tracking Stocks

        Tracking stock is a type of common stock that the issuing company intends to reflect or "track" the economic performance of a particular business or "group," rather than the economic performance of the company as a whole. Liberty has three tracking stocks—Liberty Interactive common stock, Liberty Starz common stock and Liberty Capital common stock, which are intended to track and reflect the economic performance of the Interactive Group, Starz Group and Capital Group, respectively. While the Interactive Group, the Starz Group and the Capital Group have separate collections of businesses, assets and liabilities attributed to them, no group is a separate legal entity and therefore cannot own

I-8



LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)


assets, issue securities or enter into legally binding agreements. Holders of tracking stocks have no direct claim to the group's stock or assets and are not represented by separate boards of directors. Instead, holders of tracking stock are stockholders of the parent corporation, with a single board of directors and subject to all of the risks and liabilities of the parent corporation.

        On November 19, 2009, Liberty completed the split-off (the "DTV Split-Off") of its wholly owned subsidiary, Liberty Entertainment, Inc. ("LEI"), and the business combination transaction among Liberty, LEI and The DIRECTV Group, Inc. ("DIRECTV") (the "DTV Business Combination"). The DTV Split-Off was accomplished by a redemption (the "Redemption") of 90% of the outstanding shares of Liberty Entertainment common stock in exchange for all of the outstanding shares of common stock of LEI, pursuant to which, 0.9 of each outstanding share of Liberty Entertainment common stock was redeemed for 0.9 of a share of the corresponding series of common stock of LEI, with payment of cash in lieu of any fractional shares.

        LEI held Liberty's 57% interest in DIRECTV (which had a carrying value of $13,475 million at the time of the DTV Split-Off), 100% interest in Liberty Sports Holdings, LLC, 65% interest in Game Show Network, LLC and approximately $120 million in cash and cash equivalents, and approximately $2 billion of indebtedness. All of the businesses, assets and liabilities that were attributed to the Entertainment Group and were not held by LEI have remained with Liberty and continue to be attributed to the Entertainment Group, which Liberty redesignated as the Starz Group. The businesses that were held by LEI are accounted for as discontinued operations for periods prior to the DTV Split-Off.

        On February 25, 2010, Liberty announced that its board of directors had resolved to effect the following changes in attribution between the Capital Group and the Interactive Group, effective as of that date (the "February Reattribution"):

    the change in attribution from the Interactive Group to the Capital Group of Liberty's 14.6% ownership interest in Live Nation Entertainment, Inc.;

    the change in attribution from the Capital Group to the Interactive Group of the following debt securities:

    $469 million in principal amount of 4% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2029 (the "2029 Exchangeables");

    $460 million in principal amount of 3.75% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2030 (the "2030 Exchangeables"); and

    $492 million in principal amount of 3.5% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2031 (the "2031 Exchangeables", and together with the 2029 Exchangeables and the 2030 Exchangeables, the "Exchangeable Notes");

    the change in attribution from the Capital Group to the Interactive Group of approximately $830 million in net taxable income to be recognized ratably in tax years 2014 through 2018 as a result of the cancellation in April 2009 of $400 million in principal amount of 2029 Exchangeables and $350 million in principal amount of 2030 Exchangeables; and

    the change in attribution from the Capital Group to the Interactive Group of $807 million in cash.

        On September 16, 2010, Liberty Media's board of directors approved a change in attribution of Liberty Media's interest in Starz Media, LLC along with $15 million in cash from its Capital Group to

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LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

its Starz Group, effective September 30, 2010 (the "Starz Media Reattribution"). As a result of the Starz Media Reattribution, an intergroup payable of approximately $54.9 million owed by Liberty Media's Capital Group to its Starz Group has been extinguished, and its Starz Group has become attributed with approximately $53.7 million in bank debt, interest rate swaps and any shutdown costs associated with the winding down of the Overture Films business. Notwithstanding the Starz Media Reattribution, the board determined that certain tax benefits relating to the operation of the Starz Media, LLC business by Liberty Media's Capital Group that may be realized from any future sale or other disposition of that business by Liberty Media's Starz Group will remain attributed to its Capital Group.

        Liberty reflected these reattributions prospectively in the unaudited attributed financial information. These changes in attribution have no effect on the balance sheet and results of operations of Liberty on a consolidated basis.

        See Exhibit 99.1 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for unaudited attributed financial information for Liberty's tracking stock groups.

        The term "Interactive Group" does not represent a separate legal entity, rather it represents those businesses, assets and liabilities which Liberty has attributed to that group. The assets and businesses Liberty has attributed to the Interactive Group are those engaged in video and on-line commerce, and include its subsidiaries QVC, Inc. ("QVC"), Provide Commerce, Inc. ("Provide"), Backcountry.com, Inc. ("Backcountry"), Bodybuilding.com, LLC ("Bodybuilding"), BuySeasons, Inc. ("BuySeasons") and Commerce Technologies, Inc. ("CommerceHub") and its noncontrolling interest in Expedia, Inc. ("Expedia"), HSN, Inc. ("HSN"), Interval Leisure Group, Inc. ("Interval"), Tree.com, Inc. ("Lending Tree") and IAC/InterActiveCorp ("IAC"). In addition, Liberty has attributed $3,075 million principal amount (as of September 30, 2010) of its public debt to the Interactive Group. The Interactive Group will also include such other businesses, assets and liabilities that Liberty's board of directors may in the future determine to attribute to the Interactive Group, including such other businesses and assets as Liberty may acquire for the Interactive Group.

        Similarly, the term "Starz Group" does not represent a separate legal entity, rather it represents those businesses, assets and liabilities which Liberty has attributed to that group. The Starz Group focuses primarily on video programming and is comprised primarily of Starz Entertainment, LLC ("Starz Entertainment"), and $635 million of corporate cash (as of September 30, 2010). In addition, as noted above, as of September 30, 2010 Starz Media, LLC ("Starz Media") is attributed to the Starz Group. The Starz Group will also include such other businesses, assets and liabilities that Liberty's board of directors may in the future determine to attribute to the Starz Group, including such other businesses as Liberty may acquire for the Starz Group.

        The term "Capital Group" also does not represent a separate legal entity, rather it represents all of Liberty's businesses, assets and liabilities other than those which have been attributed to the Interactive Group or the Starz Group. The assets and businesses attributed to the Capital Group include Liberty's subsidiaries: Starz Media through September 30, 2010, Atlanta National League Baseball Club, Inc. ("ANLBC") and TruePosition, Inc. ("TruePosition"); and its interests in Sirius XM Radio Inc. ("SIRIUS XM"), Time Warner Inc. ("Time Warner"), Time Warner Cable Inc. ("Time Warner Cable"), Sprint Nextel Corporation ("Sprint") and Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. ("Live Nation"). In addition, Liberty has attributed $1,581 million of cash, including subsidiary cash, and $1,888 million principal amount (as of September 30, 2010) of its exchangeable senior debentures and other parent debt to the Capital Group. The Capital Group will also include such other businesses, assets and liabilities that Liberty's board of directors may in the future determine to attribute to the

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LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)


Capital Group, including such other businesses and assets as Liberty may acquire for the Capital Group.

        During the second quarter of 2009, each of the Starz Group and the Capital Group made intergroup loans to the Interactive Group in the amount of $250 million. In the first quarter of 2010, the Interactive Group repaid the remaining balance of the intergroup loans by making payments of $158 million to each of the Starz Group and Capital Group.

        During the second quarter of 2010, Liberty announced that its board of directors has authorized its management to proceed with a plan to separate its Liberty Capital and Liberty Starz tracking stock groups from its Liberty Interactive tracking stock group.

        The proposed split-off will be effected by the redemption of all the outstanding shares of Liberty Capital tracking stock and Liberty Starz tracking stock in exchange for shares in a newly formed company ("Splitco"). Splitco will hold substantially all the assets and be subject to substantially all the liabilities currently attributed to the Liberty Capital and Liberty Starz tracking stock groups, other than a to-be-determined amount of cash, exchangeable debt in the principal amount of $1.1 billion and the stock into which such debt is exchangeable which will be reattributed from Liberty Capital to Liberty Interactive prior to the completion of the proposed split-off. The common stock of Splitco will be divided into two tracking stock groups, one tracking assets that are currently attributed to the Liberty Capital group ("Splitco Capital") and the other tracking assets that are currently attributed to the Liberty Starz group ("Splitco Starz"). In the redemption, holders of Liberty Capital tracking stock will receive shares of Splitco Capital tracking stock and holders of Liberty Starz tracking stock will receive shares of Splitco Starz tracking stock. After the redemption, Splitco and Liberty will be separate public companies.

        The proposed split-off is intended to be tax-free to stockholders of Liberty and its completion will be subject to various conditions including the receipt of IRS private letter rulings, the opinions of tax counsel and required governmental approvals. The redemption that is necessary to effect the proposed split-off will require the affirmative vote of (i) a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of Liberty Capital tracking stock and (ii) a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of Liberty Starz tracking stock, in each case, at a meeting called to consider the redemption. On August 6, 2010, Liberty announced that it had filed suit in the Delaware Court of Chancery against the trustee under the indenture governing the public indebtedness issued by the Company's subsidiary, Liberty Media LLC. The lawsuit was filed in response to allegations made by a law firm purporting to represent a holder with a large position in this public indebtedness. The lawsuit seeks a declaratory judgment by the court that the proposed split-off will not constitute a disposition of "all or substantially all" of the assets of Liberty Media LLC, as those terms are used in the indenture, as well as related injunctive relief. Resolution of the subject matter of this lawsuit is a condition to Liberty completing the proposed split-off. Subject to the satisfaction of the conditions described above, Liberty intends to complete the proposed split-off in the first half of 2011.

(3)    Stock-Based Compensation

        The Company has granted to certain of its directors, employees and employees of its subsidiaries options and stock appreciation rights ("SARs") to purchase shares of Liberty common stock (collectively, "Awards"). The Company measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for an Award of equity instruments (such as stock options and restricted stock) based on the grant-date fair value of the Award, and recognizes that cost over the period during which the employee is required to provide service (usually the vesting period of the Award). The company measures the cost of

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LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)


employee services received in exchange for an Award of liability instruments (such as stock appreciation rights that will be settled in cash) based on the current fair value of the Award, and remeasures the fair value of the Award at each reporting date.

        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, 2010

  $ 25  
 

September 30, 2009

  $ 35  

Nine months ended:

       
 

September 30, 2010

  $ 85  
 

September 30, 2009

  $ 98  

        During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, Liberty granted to QVC employees, 3.5 million options to purchase shares of Series A Liberty Interactive common stock. Such options had a weighted average grant-date fair value of $5.38 per share. These options vest semi-annually over the 4 year vesting period. Additionally, Liberty granted, primarily to BuySeasons employees, 221,000 options to purchase shares of Series A Liberty Interactive common stock. Such options had a weighted average grant-date fair value of $4.49 per share. These options vest quarterly over the 4 year vesting period.

        During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, Liberty granted, primarily to Starz Entertainment employees, 209,000 options to purchase shares of Series A Liberty Starz common stock. Such options had a weighted average grant-date fair value of $16.17 per share. These options vest quarterly over the 4 year vesting period.

        In addition, during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 Liberty granted 6.5 million options to purchase shares of Series A Liberty Interactive common stock, 1.1 million options to purchase shares of Series A Liberty Capital common stock and 667,000 options to purchase shares of Series A Liberty Starz common stock, as a long-term incentive grant to Liberty officers. Such options had a weighted average grant-date fair value of $8.05, $19.48 and $22.97 per share, respectively. These options vest one third each on June 30, 2013, June 30, 2014 and December 31, 2015.

        The Company has calculated 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. The Company estimates the expected term of the Awards based on historical exercise and forfeiture data. The volatility used in the calculation for Awards is based on the historical volatility of Liberty's stocks and the implied volatility of publicly traded Liberty options. The Company uses a zero dividend rate and the risk-free rate for Treasury Bonds with a term similar to that of the subject options.

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LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Liberty—Outstanding Awards

        The following table presents the number and weighted average exercise price ("WAEP") of options and SARs to purchase Liberty common stock granted to certain officers, employees and directors of the Company.

 
  Series A  
 
  Liberty
Capital
  WAEP   Liberty
Interactive
  WAEP   Liberty
Starz
  WAEP  
 
  numbers of options in thousands
 

Outstanding at January 1, 2010

    5,069   $ 14.45     40,832   $ 11.30     2,595   $ 43.13  

Granted

    1,116   $ 34.57     10,231   $ 13.96     875   $ 51.23  

Exercised

    (866 ) $ 13.38     (1,092 ) $ 4.35     (148 ) $ 31.98  

Forfeited/Cancelled

    (25 ) $ 13.78     (1,167 ) $ 16.54     (20 ) $ 44.24  
                                 

Outstanding at September 30, 2010

    5,294   $ 18.87     48,804   $ 11.88     3,302   $ 45.78  
                                 

Exercisable at September 30, 2010

    1,757   $ 11.11     17,686   $ 15.90     628   $ 30.61  
                                 

        The following table provides additional information about outstanding options to purchase Liberty common stock at September 30, 2010.

 
  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

    5,294   $ 18.87   5.2 years   $ 175,705     1,757   $ 11.11   $ 71,990  

Series A Interactive

    48,804   $ 11.88   4.9 years   $ 185,202     17,686   $ 15.90   $ 46,579  

Series B Interactive

    7,491   $ 23.41   0.7 years   $     7,491   $ 23.41   $  

Series A Starz

    3,302   $ 45.78   5.7 years   $ 68,285     628   $ 30.61   $ 21,606  

Series B Starz

    370   $ 31.15   0.8 years   $ 12,374     370   $ 31.15   $ 12,374  

        As of September 30, 2010, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested Liberty equity Awards was approximately $201 million. Such amount will be recognized in the Company's consolidated statements of operations over a weighted average period of approximately 3.3 years.

(4)    Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share

        Basic earnings (loss) per common share ("EPS") is computed by dividing net earnings (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS presents the dilutive effect on a per share basis of potential common shares as if they had been converted at the beginning of the periods presented.

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LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)

Series A and Series B Liberty Capital Common Stock

        The basic and diluted EPS calculation is based on the following weighted average outstanding shares. Excluded from diluted EPS for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 are 2 million potential common shares because their inclusion would be antidilutive.

 
  Liberty Capital Common Stock  
 
  Three months
ended
September 30,
2010
  Nine months
ended
September 30,
2010
  Three months
ended
September 30,
2009
  Nine months
ended
September 30,
2009
 
 
  numbers of shares in millions
 

Basic EPS

    86     92     96     96  

Stock options

    3              
                   

Diluted EPS

    89     92     96     96  
                   

Series A and Series B Liberty Starz Common Stock

        The basic and diluted EPS calculation is based on the following weighted average outstanding shares. Excluded from diluted EPS for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 are less than a million potential common shares because their inclusion would be antidilutive.

 
  Liberty Starz Common Stock  
 
  Three months
ended
September 30, 2010
  Nine months ended September 30,
2010
  Three months
ended
September 30,
2009
  Nine months
ended
September 30,
2009
 
 
  numbers of shares in millions
 

Basic EPS

    50     50     518     517  

Stock options

    2     2     5     4  
                   

Diluted EPS

    52     52     523     521  
                   

Series A and Series B Liberty Interactive Common Stock

        The basic and diluted EPS calculation is based on the following weighted average outstanding shares. Excluded from diluted EPS for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 are 30 million potential common shares because their inclusion would be antidilutive.

 
  Liberty Interactive Common Stock  
 
  Three months
ended
September 30,
2010
  Nine months
ended
September 30,
2010
  Three months
ended
September 30,
2009
  Nine months
ended
September 30,
2009
 
 
  numbers of shares in millions
 

Basic EPS

    596     596     594     594  

Stock options

    8     7         5  
                   

Diluted EPS

    604     603     594     599  
                   

I-14



LIBERTY MEDIA CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Continued)