UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549
FORM
For the quarterly period ended
OR
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
State of | ||
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files).
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company" and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Accelerated Filer ☐ | Non-accelerated Filer ☐ | Smaller Reporting Company | Emerging Growth Company |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. Yes
The number of outstanding shares of Liberty Broadband Corporation’s common stock as of October 31, 2024 was:
Series A | Series B | Series C | ||||
Liberty Broadband Corporation common stock | ||||||
|
Table of Contents
Part I - Financial Information
I-1
LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(unaudited)
September 30, | December 31, | |||||
2024 | 2023 |
| ||||
amounts in millions |
| |||||
Assets |
|
|
|
| ||
Current assets: | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | |
| | ||
Trade and other receivables, net of allowance for credit losses of $ | | | ||||
Prepaid and other current assets |
| |
| | ||
Total current assets |
| |
| | ||
Investment in Charter, accounted for using the equity method (note 4) |
| |
| | ||
Property and equipment, net | | | ||||
Intangible assets not subject to amortization | ||||||
Goodwill | | | ||||
Cable certificates | | | ||||
Other | | | ||||
Intangible assets subject to amortization, net (note 5) | | | ||||
Other assets, net |
| |
| | ||
Total assets | $ | |
| |
See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
I-2
LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Continued)
(unaudited)
September 30, | December 31, | |||||
2024 | 2023 |
| ||||
amounts in millions, |
| |||||
except share amounts | ||||||
Liabilities and Equity | ||||||
Current liabilities: | ||||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | $ | |
| | ||
Deferred revenue |
| |
| | ||
Current portion of debt | | | ||||
Other current liabilities | | | ||||
Total current liabilities |
| |
| | ||
Long-term debt, net, including $ | | | ||||
Obligations under tower obligations and finance leases, excluding current portion | | | ||||
Long-term deferred revenue | | | ||||
Deferred income tax liabilities | | | ||||
Preferred stock (note 7) | | | ||||
Other liabilities | | | ||||
Total liabilities |
| |
| | ||
Equity | ||||||
Series A common stock, $ | ||||||
Series B common stock, $ | ||||||
Series C common stock, $ | | | ||||
Additional paid-in capital | | | ||||
Accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of taxes |
| |
| | ||
Retained earnings |
| |
| | ||
Total stockholders' equity | | | ||||
Non-controlling interests | | | ||||
Total equity |
| |
| | ||
Commitments and contingencies (note 9) |
|
| ||||
Total liabilities and equity | $ | |
| |
See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
I-3
LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(unaudited)
Three months ended | Nine months ended |
| ||||||||
September 30, | September 30, |
| ||||||||
2024 |
| 2023 |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| ||||
amounts in millions, | ||||||||||
except per share amounts | ||||||||||
$ | | | | | ||||||
Operating costs and expenses: | ||||||||||
Operating expense (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown separately below) | | | |
| | |||||
Selling, general and administrative, including stock-based compensation (note 8) | | | |
| | |||||
Depreciation and amortization | | | |
| | |||||
| | |
| | ||||||
Operating income (loss) | | | |
| | |||||
Other income (expense): | ||||||||||
Interest expense (including amortization of deferred loan fees) | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||
Share of earnings (losses) of affiliate (note 4) | | | |
| | |||||
Gain (loss) on dilution of investment in affiliate (note 4) | ( | ( | ( |
| ( | |||||
Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net (note 3) | ( | ( | ( |
| ( | |||||
Other, net | | | |
| | |||||
Earnings (loss) before income taxes | | | |
| | |||||
Income tax benefit (expense) | ( | ( | ( |
| ( | |||||
Net earnings (loss) | | | | | ||||||
Less net earnings (loss) attributable to the non-controlling interests | — | — | — | — | ||||||
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty Broadband shareholders | $ | | | |
| | ||||
Basic net earnings (loss) attributable to Series A, Series B and Series C Liberty Broadband shareholders per common share (note 2) | $ | | | | | |||||
Diluted net earnings (loss) attributable to Series A, Series B and Series C Liberty Broadband shareholders per common share (note 2) | $ | | | | |
See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
I-4
LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Earnings (Loss)
(unaudited)
Three months ended | Nine months ended |
| ||||||||
September 30, | September 30, |
| ||||||||
2024 |
| 2023 |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| ||||
amounts in millions |
| |||||||||
Net earnings (loss) |
| $ | | | |
| | |||
Other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of taxes: | ||||||||||
Credit risk on fair value debt instruments gains (loss) | | ( | |
| | |||||
Recognition of previously unrealized losses (gains) on debt, net | ( | — | ( | ( | ||||||
Other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of taxes | | ( | | | ||||||
Comprehensive earnings (loss) | | | |
| | |||||
Less comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to the non-controlling interests | — | — | — | — | ||||||
Comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty Broadband shareholders | $ | | | |
| |
See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
I-5
LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(unaudited)
Nine months ended | ||||||
September 30, |
| |||||
2024 | 2023 |
| ||||
amounts in millions |
| |||||
Cash flows from operating activities: |
|
|
|
| ||
Net earnings (loss) | $ | |
| | ||
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities: | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
| |
| | ||
Stock-based compensation |
| |
| | ||
Share of (earnings) losses of affiliate, net |
| ( |
| ( | ||
(Gain) loss on dilution of investment in affiliate |
| |
| | ||
Realized and unrealized (gains) losses on financial instruments, net |
| |
| | ||
Deferred income tax expense (benefit) |
| |
| | ||
Other, net |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||
Current and other assets |
| |
| ( | ||
Payables and other liabilities |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities |
| |
| ( | ||
Cash flows from investing activities: | ||||||
Capital expenditures | ( | ( | ||||
Grant proceeds received for capital expenditures | | | ||||
Cash received for Charter shares repurchased by Charter | | | ||||
Cash released from escrow related to dispositions |
| — |
| | ||
Purchases of investments |
| — |
| ( | ||
Other investing activities, net | ( | | ||||
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | | ( | ||||
Cash flows from financing activities: | ||||||
Borrowings of debt | | | ||||
Repayments of debt, tower obligations and finance leases | ( | ( | ||||
Repurchases of Liberty Broadband common stock | ( | ( | ||||
Indemnification payment to Qurate Retail | — | ( | ||||
Other financing activities, net |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities |
| ( |
| ( | ||
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | ( |
| ( | |||
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period | | | ||||
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period | $ | | |
I-6
The following table reconciles cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash reported in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets to the total amount presented in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of cash flows:
September 30, | December 31, | |||||
2024 | 2023 | |||||
amounts in millions | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | | | |||
Restricted cash included in other current assets | | | ||||
Restricted cash included in other long-term assets | | | ||||
Total cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period | $ | | |
See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
I-7
LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity
(unaudited)
Accumulated | Noncontrolling | |||||||||||||||||
Additional | other | interest in | ||||||||||||||||
Common stock | paid-in | comprehensive | Retained | equity of | ||||||||||||||
Series A |
| Series B |
| Series C |
| capital | earnings (loss) | earnings | subsidiaries | Total equity | ||||||||
amounts in millions | ||||||||||||||||||
Balance at January 1, 2024 |
| $ | — | — | | |
| |
| | |
| | |||||
Net earnings (loss) | — | — | — | — |
| — |
| | — |
| | |||||||
Other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of taxes | — | — | — | — | | — | — | | ||||||||||
Stock-based compensation | — | — | — | | — | — | — | | ||||||||||
Liberty Broadband stock repurchases | — | — | — | ( | — | — | — | ( | ||||||||||
Noncontrolling interest activity at Charter and other | — | — | — | ( | — | — | ( | ( | ||||||||||
Balance at September 30, 2024 | $ | — | — | | |
| |
| | |
| |
Accumulated | Noncontrolling |
| ||||||||||||||||
Additional | other | interest in |
| |||||||||||||||
Common stock | paid-in | comprehensive | Retained | equity of |
| |||||||||||||
Series A |
| Series B |
| Series C |
| capital | earnings | earnings | subsidiaries | Total equity |
| |||||||
amounts in millions |
| |||||||||||||||||
Balance at June 30, 2024 | $ | — | — | | | | | | | |||||||||
Net earnings (loss) | — | — | — | — | — | | — | | ||||||||||
Other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of taxes | — | — | — | — | | — | — | | ||||||||||
Stock-based compensation | — | — | — | | — | — | — | | ||||||||||
Noncontrolling interest activity at Charter and other | — | — | — | ( | — | — | — | ( | ||||||||||
Balance at September 30, 2024 | $ | — | — | | | | | | |
See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
I-8
LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity (continued)
(unaudited)
Accumulated | Noncontrolling | |||||||||||||||||
Additional | other | interest in | ||||||||||||||||
Common stock | paid-in | comprehensive | Retained | equity of | ||||||||||||||
Series A |
| Series B |
| Series C |
| capital | earnings | earnings | subsidiaries | Total equity | ||||||||
amounts in millions | ||||||||||||||||||
Balance at January 1, 2023 | $ | — | — | | | | | | | |||||||||
Net earnings (loss) | — | — | — | — | — | | — | | ||||||||||
Other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of taxes | — | — | — | — | | — | — | | ||||||||||
Stock-based compensation | — | — | — | | — | — | — | | ||||||||||
Liberty Broadband stock repurchases | — | — | — | ( | — | — | — | ( | ||||||||||
Noncontrolling interest activity at Charter and other | — | — | — | ( | — | — | | ( | ||||||||||
Balance at September 30, 2023 | $ | — | — | | | | | | |
Accumulated | Noncontrolling |
| ||||||||||||||||
Additional | other | interest in |
| |||||||||||||||
Common stock | paid-in | comprehensive | Retained | equity of |
| |||||||||||||
Series A |
| Series B |
| Series C |
| capital | earnings (loss) | earnings | subsidiaries | Total equity |
| |||||||
amounts in millions |
| |||||||||||||||||
Balance at June 30, 2023 |
| $ | — | — | | | | | | | ||||||||
Net earnings (loss) |
| — | — | — | — | — | | — | | |||||||||
Other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of taxes | — | — | — | — | ( | — | — | ( | ||||||||||
Stock-based compensation | — | — | — | | — | — | — | | ||||||||||
Noncontrolling interest activity at Charter and other | — | — | — | ( | — | — | — | ( | ||||||||||
Balance at September 30, 2023 | $ | — | — | | | | | | |
See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
I-9
LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(1) Basis of Presentation
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Liberty Broadband Corporation and its controlled subsidiaries (collectively, "Liberty Broadband," the "Company," “us,” “we,” or “our” unless the context otherwise requires). Liberty Broadband Corporation is primarily comprised of GCI Holdings, LLC (“GCI Holdings” or “GCI”), a wholly owned subsidiary, and an equity method investment in Charter Communications, Inc. (“Charter”).
On December 18, 2020, GCI Liberty, Inc. (“GCI Liberty”) was merged with Liberty Broadband (the “Combination”) and Liberty Broadband acquired GCI Holdings.
The accompanying (a) condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2023, which has been derived from audited financial statements, and (b) interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“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. Additionally, certain prior period amounts have been reclassified for comparability with current period presentation. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in Liberty Broadband's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in the condensed consolidated financial statements.
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. The Company considers (i) the application of the equity method of accounting for its affiliate, (ii) non-recurring fair value measurements of non-financial instruments and (iii) accounting for income taxes to be its most significant estimates.
Through a number of prior years’ transactions, including the Combination, Liberty Broadband has acquired an interest in Charter. The investment in Charter is accounted for using the equity method. Liberty Broadband does not control the decision making process or business management practices of this affiliate. Accordingly, Liberty Broadband relies on the management of this affiliate to provide it with accurate financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP that the Company uses in the application of the equity method. In addition, Liberty Broadband relies on audit reports that are provided by the affiliate's independent auditor on the financial statements of such affiliate. The Company is not aware, however, of any errors in or possible misstatements of the financial information provided by its equity affiliate that would have a material effect on Liberty Broadband's condensed consolidated financial statements.
As described in note 4, we are participating in Charter’s share buyback program in order to maintain our fully diluted ownership percentage of
During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, we repurchased an aggregate of
I-10
LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
Exchange Agreement with Chairman
On June 13, 2022, Liberty Broadband entered into an Exchange Agreement with its Chairman of the board of directors, John C. Malone, and a revocable trust of which Mr. Malone is the sole trustee and beneficiary (the “JM Trust”) (the “Exchange Agreement”). Under the Exchange Agreement, the JM Trust has exchanged
Spin-Off Arrangements
During May 2014, the board of directors of Liberty Media Corporation and its subsidiaries (“Liberty”) authorized management to pursue a plan to spin-off to its stockholders common stock of a wholly owned subsidiary, Liberty Broadband, and to distribute subscription rights to acquire shares of Liberty Broadband’s common stock (the “Broadband Spin-Off”). In connection with the Broadband Spin-Off, Liberty and Liberty Broadband entered into certain agreements in order to govern certain of the ongoing relationships between the two companies and to provide for an orderly transition, including a services agreement and a facilities sharing agreement. Additionally, in connection with a prior transaction, GCI Liberty and Qurate Retail, Inc. (“Qurate Retail”) entered into a tax sharing agreement, which was assumed by Liberty Broadband as a result of the Combination. The tax sharing agreement provides for the allocation and indemnification of tax liabilities and benefits between Qurate Retail and Liberty Broadband and other agreements related to tax matters. Under the facilities sharing agreement, Liberty Broadband shares office space with Liberty and related amenities at Liberty’s corporate headquarters.
Pursuant to the services agreement, Liberty provides Liberty Broadband with general and administrative services including legal, tax, accounting, treasury, information technology, cybersecurity and investor relations support. Liberty Broadband reimburses Liberty for direct, out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Liberty in providing these services which are negotiated semi-annually, as necessary. Pursuant to the services agreement, in connection with Liberty’s employment arrangement with Gregory B. Maffei, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, components of Mr. Maffei’s compensation are either paid directly to him or reimbursed to Liberty, based on allocations set forth in the services agreement, currently set at
Under these various agreements, amounts reimbursable to Liberty were approximately $
(2) Earnings Attributable to Liberty Broadband Stockholders Per Common Share
Basic earnings (loss) per common share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing net earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty Broadband shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding (“WASO”) 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. Excluded from diluted EPS for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 are
I-11
LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
diluted EPS for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 are
Liberty Broadband Common Stock | |||||||||
Three months | Three months | Nine months | Nine months |
| |||||
ended | ended | ended | ended | ||||||
| September 30, 2024 |
| September 30, 2023 |
| September 30, 2024 |
| September 30, 2023 |
| |
(numbers of shares in millions) | |||||||||
Basic WASO |
| |
| |
| |
| | |
Potentially dilutive shares (1) |
| — |
| |
| — |
| | |
Diluted WASO |
| |
| |
| |
| |
(1) Potentially dilutive shares are excluded from the computation of diluted EPS during periods in which losses are reported since the result would be antidilutive.
(3) Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value
For assets and liabilities required to be reported at fair value, GAAP provides a hierarchy that prioritizes inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels. Level 1 inputs are quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date. Level 2 inputs are inputs, other than quoted market prices included within Level 1, that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. The Company does not have any recurring assets or liabilities measured at fair value that would be considered Level 3.
The Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value are as follows:
September 30, 2024 | December 31, 2023 |
| ||||||||||||
Quoted prices | Significant | Quoted prices | Significant |
| ||||||||||
in active | other | in active | other |
| ||||||||||
markets for | observable | markets for | observable |
| ||||||||||
identical assets | inputs | identical assets | inputs |
| ||||||||||
Description | Total | (Level 1) | (Level 2) | Total | (Level 1) | (Level 2) |
| |||||||
amounts in millions |
| |||||||||||||
Cash equivalents | $ | | | — | | | — | |||||||
Exchangeable senior debentures | $ | | — | | | — | |
The Company’s exchangeable senior debentures are debt instruments with quoted market value prices that are not considered to be traded on “active markets”, as defined in GAAP, and are reported in the foregoing table as Level 2 fair value.
Other Financial Instruments
Other financial instruments not measured at fair value on a recurring basis include trade receivables, trade payables, accrued and other current liabilities, equity securities, current portion of debt (with the exception of the
I-12
LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
the Wells Fargo Note Payable (each as defined in note 6) all bear interest at a variable rate and therefore are also considered to approximate fair value.
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 | Nine months ended |
| ||||||||
September 30, | September 30, |
| ||||||||
2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 |
| ||||||
amounts in millions |
| |||||||||
Exchangeable senior debentures (1) | $ | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||
Other | — | ( | — | | ||||||
$ | ( | ( | ( |
| ( |
(1) | The Company has elected to account for its exchangeable senior debentures using the fair value option. Changes in the fair value of the exchangeable senior debentures recognized in the condensed consolidated statements of operations are primarily due to market factors driven by changes in the fair value of the underlying shares into which the debt is exchangeable. The Company isolates the portion of the unrealized gain (loss) attributable to the change in the instrument specific credit risk and recognizes such amount in other comprehensive income. The change in the fair value of the exchangeable senior debentures attributable to changes in the instrument specific credit risk before tax was a gain of $ |
(4) Investment in Charter Accounted for Using the Equity Method
Through a number of prior years’ transactions and the Combination, Liberty Broadband has acquired an interest in Charter. The investment in Charter is accounted for as an equity method affiliate based on our voting and ownership interest and the board seats held by individuals designated by Liberty Broadband. As of September 30, 2024, the carrying and market value of Liberty Broadband’s ownership in Charter was approximately $
Upon the closing of the Time Warner Cable, LLC merger, the Second Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement, dated as of May 23, 2015, by and among Charter, Liberty Broadband and Advance/Newhouse Partnership, as amended (the “Stockholders Agreement”), became fully effective. Pursuant to the Stockholders Agreement, Liberty Broadband’s equity ownership in Charter (on a fully diluted basis) is capped at the greater of
I-13
LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
In February 2021, Liberty Broadband was notified that its ownership interest, on a fully diluted basis, had exceeded the Equity Cap set forth in the Stockholders Agreement. On February 23, 2021, Charter and Liberty Broadband entered into a letter agreement in order to implement, facilitate and satisfy the terms of the Stockholders Agreement with respect to the Equity Cap. Pursuant to this letter agreement, following any month during which Charter purchases, redeems or buys back shares of its Class A common stock, and prior to certain meetings of Charter’s stockholders, Liberty Broadband will be obligated to sell to Charter, and Charter will be obligated to purchase, such number of shares of Class A common stock as is necessary (if any) to reduce Liberty Broadband’s percentage equity interest, on a fully diluted basis, to the Equity Cap (such transaction, a “Charter Repurchase”). The per share sale price for each share of Charter will be equal to the volume weighted average price paid by Charter in its repurchases, redemptions and buybacks of its common stock (subject to certain exceptions) during the month prior to the Charter Repurchase (or, if applicable, during the relevant period prior to the relevant meeting of Charter stockholders). Under the terms of the letter agreement, Liberty Broadband sold
Investment in Charter
The excess basis in our investment in Charter is allocated within memo accounts used for equity method accounting purposes as follows (amounts in millions):
September 30, | December 31, | |||||
2024 | 2023 | |||||
Property and equipment, net |
| $ | | | ||
Customer relationships, net |
| | | |||
Franchise fees |
| | | |||
Trademarks |
| | | |||
Goodwill |
| | | |||
Debt |
| ( | ( | |||
Deferred income tax liability |
| ( | ( | |||
$ | | |
Property and equipment and customer relationships have weighted average remaining useful lives of approximately
The Company had dilution losses of $
I-14
LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
Summarized unaudited financial information for Charter is as follows:
Charter condensed consolidated balance sheets
| September 30, 2024 | December 31, 2023 |
| |||
amounts in millions | ||||||
Current assets | $ | | | |||
Property and equipment, net |
| | | |||
Goodwill |
| | | |||
Intangible assets, net |
| | | |||
Other assets |
| | | |||
Total assets | $ | | | |||
Current liabilities | $ | | | |||
Deferred income taxes |
| | | |||
Long-term debt |
| | | |||
Other liabilities |
| | | |||
Equity |
| | | |||
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | $ | | |
Charter condensed consolidated statements of operations
Three months ended |
| Nine months ended |
| |||||||
September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||
2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 |
| ||||||
amounts in millions | ||||||||||
Revenue | $ | | | | | |||||
Cost and expenses: | ||||||||||
Operating costs and expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization) |
| | | | | |||||
Depreciation and amortization |
| | | | | |||||
Other operating (income) expense, net |
| | | | ( | |||||
| | | | |||||||
Operating income | | | | | ||||||
Interest expense, net |
| ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||
Other income (expense), net | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||
Income tax (expense) benefit |
| ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||
Net income (loss) | | | | | ||||||
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||
Net income (loss) attributable to Charter shareholders | $ | | | | |
I-15
LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(5) Intangible Assets
Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization, net
| September 30, 2024 |
| December 31, 2023 |
| ||||||||||
Gross | Net | Gross | Net | |||||||||||
carrying | Accumulated | carrying | carrying | Accumulated | carrying |
| ||||||||
| amount |
| amortization |
| amount |
| amount |
| amortization |
| amount |
| ||
amounts in millions |
| |||||||||||||
Customer relationships | $ | | ( | | | ( | | |||||||
Other amortizable intangible assets |
| | ( | | | ( | | |||||||
Total | $ | | ( | | | ( | |
Amortization expense for intangible assets with finite useful lives was $
Remainder of 2024 | $ | | ||
2025 | $ | | ||
2026 | $ | | ||
2027 | $ | | ||
2028 | $ | |
(6) Debt
Debt is summarized as follows:
| Outstanding |
|
|
|
|
| |||
principal | Carrying value |
| |||||||
September 30, | September 30, | December 31, |
| ||||||
| 2024 |
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| |||
| amounts in millions | ||||||||
Margin Loan Facility | $ | |
| |
| | |||
| | | |||||||
| | — | |||||||
Senior notes |
| |
| |
| | |||
Senior credit facility |
| |
| |
| | |||
Wells Fargo note payable |
| |
| |
| | |||
Deferred financing costs |
|
| ( |
| ( | ||||
Total debt | $ | |
| |
| | |||
Debt classified as current |
|
| ( |
| ( | ||||
Total long-term debt | $ | |
| |
I-16
LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
Margin Loan Facility
On June 26, 2024, a bankruptcy remote wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“SPV”) entered into Amendment No. 8 to Margin Loan Agreement (the “Eighth Amendment”), which amends SPV’s margin loan agreement, dated as of August 31, 2017 (as amended by the Eighth Amendment, the “Margin Loan Agreement”), with a group of lenders. The Margin Loan Agreement provides for (x) a term loan credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of $
Outstanding borrowings under the Margin Loan Agreement were $
The Margin Loan Agreement contains various affirmative and negative covenants that restrict the activities of SPV (and, in some cases, the Company and its subsidiaries with respect to shares of Charter owned by the Company and its subsidiaries). The Margin Loan Agreement does not include any financial covenants. The Margin Loan Agreement does contain restrictions related to additional indebtedness and events of default customary for margin loans of this type.
SPV’s obligations under the Margin Loan Agreement are secured by first priority liens on a portion of the Company’s ownership interest in Charter, sufficient for SPV to meet the loan to value requirements under the Margin Loan Agreement. The Margin Loan Agreement indicates that no lender party shall have any voting rights with respect to the shares pledged as collateral, except to the extent that a lender party buys any shares in a sale or other disposition made pursuant to the terms of the loan agreement. As of September 30, 2024,
Exchangeable Senior Debentures
On February 28, 2023, the Company closed a private offering of $
I-17
LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
to exchange their debentures and, accordingly, the
The Company used the net proceeds of the offering of the
The Company has elected to account for all of its exchangeable senior debentures at fair value in its condensed consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, changes in the fair value of these instruments are recognized in Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations. See note 3 for information related to unrealized gains (losses) on debt measured at fair value. The Company reviews the terms of all the debentures on a quarterly basis to determine whether an event has occurred to require current classification on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
On July 2, 2024, the Company closed a private offering of $
In connection with the closing of the private offering of the
Senior Notes
GCI, LLC is the issuer of $
I-18
LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
Senior Credit Facility
On October 15, 2021, GCI, LLC entered into an Eighth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement which includes a $
Following the amendment in June 2023, the revolving credit facility borrowings under the Senior Credit Facility that are alternate base rate loans bear interest at a per annum rate equal to the
GCI, LLC’s first lien leverage ratio may not exceed
The terms of the Senior Credit Facility include customary representations and warranties, customary affirmative and negative covenants and customary events of default. At any time after the occurrence of an event of default under the Senior Credit Facility, the lenders may, among other options, declare any amounts outstanding under the Senior Credit Facility immediately due and payable and terminate any commitment to make further loans under the Senior Credit Facility. The obligations under the Senior Credit Facility are secured by a security interest on substantially all of the assets of GCI, LLC and the subsidiary guarantors, as defined in the Senior Credit Facility, and on the stock of GCI Holdings.
As of September 30, 2024, there was $
Wells Fargo Note Payable
GCI Holdings issued a note to Wells Fargo that matures on July 15, 2029 and is payable in monthly installments of principal and interest (the "Wells Fargo Note Payable"). Outstanding borrowings on the Wells Fargo Note Payable were $
The Wells Fargo Note Payable is subject to similar affirmative and negative covenants as the Senior Credit Facility. The obligations under the Wells Fargo Note Payable are secured by a security interest and lien on the building purchased with the note.
I-19
LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
Fair Value of Debt
The fair value of the Senior Notes was $
Due to the variable rate nature of the Margin Loan, Senior Credit Facility and Wells Fargo Note Payable, the Company believes that the carrying amount approximates fair value at September 30, 2024.
(7) Preferred Stock
Liberty Broadband's preferred stock is issuable, from time to time, with such designations, preferences and relative participating, optional or other rights, qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, as shall be stated and expressed in a resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of such preferred stock adopted by Liberty Broadband’s board of directors.
Liberty Broadband Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (“Liberty Broadband Preferred Stock”) was issued as a result of the Combination on December 18, 2020. Each share of Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock of GCI Liberty outstanding immediately prior to the closing of the Combination was converted into
The liquidation price is measured per share and shall mean the sum of (i) $
The holders of shares of Liberty Broadband Preferred Stock are entitled to receive, when and as declared by the Liberty Broadband board of directors, out of legally available funds, preferential dividends that accrue and cumulate as provided in the certificate of designations for the Liberty Broadband Preferred Stock.
Dividends on each share of Liberty Broadband Preferred Stock accrue on a daily basis at a rate of
Accrued dividends are payable quarterly on each dividend payment date, which is January 15, April 15, July 15, and October 15 of each year, commencing January 15, 2021. If Liberty Broadband fails to pay cash dividends on the Liberty Broadband Preferred Stock in full for any
I-20
LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(8) Stock-Based Compensation
Liberty Broadband grants, to certain of its directors, employees and employees of its subsidiaries, restricted stock units and stock options to purchase shares of its common stock (collectively, "Awards"). The Company measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for an equity classified Award (such as stock options and restricted stock) based on the grant-date fair value (“GDFV”) 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 employee services received in exchange for a liability classified Award based on the current fair value of the Award and re-measures 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 $
Liberty Broadband – Grants
During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, Liberty Broadband granted
Also during the nine months ended September 30, 2024, Liberty Broadband granted cash awards equal to $
There were
The Company has calculated the GDFV for all of its equity classified options and any subsequent re-measurement of its liability classified options using the Black-Scholes Model. The Company estimates the expected term of the options based on historical exercise and forfeiture data. The volatility used in the calculation for options is based on the historical volatility of Liberty Broadband common stock. The Company uses a
I-21
LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
Liberty Broadband – Outstanding Awards
The following table presents the number and weighted average exercise price (“WAEP”) of options to purchase Liberty Broadband common stock granted to certain officers, employees and directors of the Company, as well as the weighted average remaining life and aggregate intrinsic value of the options.
|
|
|
|
| Weighted |
|
|
| |||
average |
| ||||||||||
remaining | Aggregate |
| |||||||||
contractual | intrinsic |
| |||||||||
LBRDK | WAEP | life | value |
| |||||||
(in thousands) | (in years) | (in millions) |
| ||||||||
Outstanding at January 1, 2024 |
| | $ | |
| ||||||
Granted |
| | $ | |
| ||||||
Exercised |
| — | $ | — |
| ||||||
Forfeited/Cancelled | — | $ | — | ||||||||
Outstanding at September 30, 2024 |
| | $ | |
| $ | | ||||
Exercisable at September 30, 2024 |
| | $ | |
| $ | |
As of September 30, 2024, there were
As of September 30, 2024, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested Awards was approximately $
As of September 30, 2024, Liberty Broadband reserved
(9) Commitments and Contingencies
General Litigation
The Company has contingent liabilities related to legal and tax proceedings and other matters arising in the ordinary course of business. Although it is reasonably possible the Company 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.
Rural Health Care (“RHC”) Program
GCI Holdings receives support from various Universal Service Fund (“USF”) programs including the RHC Program. The USF programs are subject to change by regulatory actions taken by the Federal Communications Commission, interpretations of or compliance with USF program rules, or legislative actions. The USF programs have also been subject to legal challenge, which could disrupt or eliminate the support GCI Holdings receives. Changes to any of the USF programs that GCI Holdings participates in could result in a material decrease in revenue and accounts receivable, which could have an adverse effect on GCI Holdings' business and the Company's financial position, results of operations or liquidity.
I-22
LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
(10) Segment Information
Liberty Broadband identifies its reportable segments as (A) those consolidated companies that represent 10% or more of its consolidated annual revenue, annual Adjusted OIBDA (as defined below) or total assets and (B) those equity method affiliates whose share of earnings or losses represent 10% or more of Liberty Broadband’s annual pre-tax earnings (losses).
Liberty Broadband evaluates performance and makes decisions about allocating resources to its operating segments based on financial measures such as revenue and Adjusted OIBDA. In addition, Liberty Broadband reviews nonfinancial measures such as subscriber growth.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, Liberty Broadband has identified the following consolidated company and equity method investment as its reportable segments:
● | GCI Holdings – a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company that provides a full range of data, wireless, video, voice, and managed services to residential, businesses, governmental entities, and educational and medical institutions primarily in Alaska. |
● | Charter – an equity method investment that is one of the largest providers of cable services in the United States, offering a variety of entertainment, information and communications solutions to residential and commercial customers. |
Liberty Broadband’s operating 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 segment that is also a consolidated company are the same as those described in the Company’s summary of significant accounting policies in the Company’s annual financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. We have included amounts attributable to Charter in the tables below. Although Liberty Broadband owns less than
I-23
LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
Performance Measures
Revenue by segment from contracts with customers, classified by customer type and significant service offerings follows:
Three months ended | Nine months ended | |||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||
2024 |
| 2023 | 2024 |
| 2023 | |||||
amounts in millions | ||||||||||
GCI Holdings |
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
Consumer Revenue |
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
Data | $ | | | | | |||||
Wireless | | | | | ||||||
Other |
| | | | | |||||
Business Revenue |
| |||||||||
Data |
| | | | | |||||
Wireless |
| | | | | |||||
Other |
| | | | | |||||
Lease, grant, and revenue from subsidies |
| | | | | |||||
Total GCI Holdings | | | | | ||||||
Corporate and other | — | — | — | — | ||||||
Total | $ | |
| | |
| |
Charter revenue totaled $
The Company had receivables of $
The Company expects to recognize revenue in the future related to performance obligations that are unsatisfied (or partially unsatisfied) of approximately $
For segment reporting purposes, Liberty Broadband defines Adjusted OIBDA as revenue less operating expenses and selling, general and administrative expenses excluding stock-based compensation. Liberty Broadband believes this measure is an important indicator of the operational strength and performance of its businesses by identifying those items that are not directly a reflection of each business’ performance or indicative of ongoing business trends. 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 earnings, cash flow provided by operating activities and other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. Liberty Broadband generally accounts for intersegment sales and transfers as if the sales or transfers were to third parties, that is, at current prices.
I-24
LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
Adjusted OIBDA is summarized as follows:
Three months ended | Nine months ended | |||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||
2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
amounts in millions | ||||||||||
GCI Holdings |
| $ | |
| | | | |||
Charter |
| | |
| | | ||||
Corporate and other |
| ( | ( |
| ( | ( | ||||
| | |
| | | |||||
Eliminate equity method affiliate |
| ( | ( |
| ( | ( | ||||
Consolidated Liberty Broadband | $ | | | | |
Other Information
September 30, 2024 |
| |||||||
Total | Investments | Capital |
| |||||
assets | in affiliate | expenditures |
| |||||
amounts in millions |
| |||||||
GCI Holdings |
| $ | |
| — |
| | |
Charter |
| |
| — |
| | ||
Corporate and other |
| |
| |
| — | ||
| |
| |
| | |||
Eliminate equity method affiliate |
| ( |
| — |
| ( | ||
Consolidated Liberty Broadband | $ | |
| |
| |
The following table provides a reconciliation of Adjusted OIBDA to Operating income (loss) and Earnings (loss) before income taxes:
Three months ended | Nine months ended |
| ||||||||
September 30, | September 30, |
| ||||||||
2024 | 2023 | 2024 |
| 2023 |
| |||||
amounts in millions |
| |||||||||
Adjusted OIBDA |
| $ | |
| |
| |
| | |
Stock-based compensation |
| ( | ( | ( |
| ( | ||||
Depreciation and amortization |
| ( | ( | ( |
| ( | ||||
Operating income (loss) | | | | | ||||||
Interest expense | ( | ( | ( |
| ( | |||||
Share of earnings (loss) of affiliate, net |
| | | |
| | ||||
Gain (loss) on dilution of investment in affiliate |
| ( | ( | ( |
| ( | ||||
Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net |
| ( | ( | ( |
| ( | ||||
Other, net |
| | | |
| | ||||
Earnings (loss) before income taxes | $ | | | |
| |
I-25
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
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 business, product and marketing strategies; new service and product offerings; revenue growth; future expenses; anticipated changes to regulations; the recognition of deferred revenue; the performance, results of operations and cash flows of our equity affiliate, Charter Communications, Inc. (“Charter”); the expansion of Charter’s network; projected sources and uses of cash; renewal of licenses; the effects of legal and regulatory developments; the Proposed Transaction (as defined below) with Charter; the Universal Service Fund (“USF”) programs, including the Rural Health Care (“RHC”) Program; the impacts of economic trends; indebtedness and the anticipated impact of certain contingent liabilities related to legal and tax proceedings and other matters arising in the ordinary course of business. Forward-looking statements inherently involve many risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in these statements. 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 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:
● | our, GCI Holdings, LLC (“GCI Holdings” or “GCI”), GCI, LLC and Charter’s ability to obtain cash in sufficient amounts to service financial obligations and meet other commitments; |
● | our ability to use net operating loss carryforwards and disallowed business interest carryforwards; |
● | our, GCI Holdings, GCI, LLC and Charter’s ability to obtain additional financing, or refinance existing indebtedness, on acceptable terms; |
● | the impact of our, GCI, LLC and Charter’s significant indebtedness and the ability to comply with any covenants in our and their respective debt instruments; |
● | general business conditions, unemployment levels, the level of activity in the housing sector, economic uncertainty or downturn and inflationary pressures on input costs and labor; |
● | competition faced by GCI Holdings and Charter; |
● | the ability of GCI Holdings and Charter to acquire and retain subscribers; |
● | the impact of the Proposed Transaction with Charter; |
● | the impact of governmental legislation and regulation including, without limitation, regulations and programs of the Federal Communications Commission (the "FCC"), on GCI Holdings and Charter, their ability to comply with regulations, and adverse outcomes from regulatory proceedings; |
● | the impact of a successful legal challenge to the constitutionality of the USF; |
● | changes in the amount of data used on the networks of GCI Holdings and Charter; |
● | the ability of third-party providers to supply equipment, services, software or licenses; |
● | the ability of GCI Holdings and Charter to respond to new technology and meet customer demands for new products and services; |
● | changes in customer demand for the products and services of GCI Holdings and Charter and their ability to adapt to changes in demand; |
● | the ability of GCI Holdings and Charter to license or enforce intellectual property rights; |
● | natural or man-made disasters, terrorist attacks, armed conflicts, pandemics, cyberattacks, network disruptions, service interruptions and system failures and the impact of related uninsured liabilities; |
● | the ability to hire and retain key personnel; |
I-26
● | the ability to procure necessary services and equipment from GCI Holdings’ and Charter’s vendors in a timely manner and at reasonable costs including in connection with Charter’s network evolution and rural construction initiatives; |
● | risks related to the Investment Company Act of 1940; |
● | the outcome of any pending or threatened litigation; and |
● | changes to general economic conditions, including economic conditions in Alaska, and their impact on potential customers, vendors and third parties. |
For additional risk factors, please see Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, Part II, Item 1A in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2024 and June 30, 2024 and Part II, Item 1A in this Quarterly Report. 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 our 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 and financial condition. 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, 2023.
Overview
Liberty Broadband Corporation (“Liberty Broadband,” “the Company,” “us,” “we,” or “our”) is primarily comprised of GCI Holdings, a wholly owned subsidiary, and an equity method investment in Charter.
On December 18, 2020, GCI Liberty, Inc. (“GCI Liberty”), the parent company of GCI Holdings, was acquired by Liberty Broadband (the “Combination”). Through a number of prior years’ transactions, including the Combination, Liberty Broadband has acquired an interest in Charter. Liberty Broadband controls 25.01% of the aggregate voting power of Charter.
Update on Economic Conditions
GCI Holdings
GCI Holdings offers wireless and wireline telecommunication services, data services, video services, and managed services to customers primarily throughout Alaska. Because of this geographic concentration, growth of GCI Holdings’ business and operations depends upon economic conditions in Alaska. In recent years, varying factors have contributed to significant volatility and disruption of financial markets and global supply chains. Additionally, the U.S. Federal Reserve increased interest rates starting in March 2022 and throughout 2023, though they have started decreasing rates in 2024. Mounting inflationary cost pressures and recessionary fears have negatively impacted the U.S. and global economy. Unfavorable economic conditions, such as a recession or economic slowdown in the U.S., or inflation in the markets in which GCI operates, could negatively affect the affordability of and demand for GCI’s products and services and its cost of doing business.
The Alaska economy is dependent upon the oil industry, state and federal spending, investment earnings and tourism. A decline in oil prices would put significant pressure on the Alaska state government budget. The Alaska state government has financial reserves that GCI Holdings believes may be able to help fund the state government for the next couple of years. The Alaska economy is subject to recessionary pressures as a result of the economic impacts of volatility in oil prices, inflation, and other causes that could result in a decrease in economic activity. While it is difficult for GCI Holdings to predict the future impact of a recession on its business, these conditions have had an adverse impact on its business and could adversely affect the affordability of and demand for some of its products and services and cause customers to shift to lower priced products and services or to delay or forgo purchases of its products and services. GCI Holdings’ customers may not be able to obtain adequate access to credit, which could affect their ability to make timely payments to GCI Holdings and could lead to an increase in accounts receivable and bad debt expense. If a recession occurs, it could negatively affect GCI
I-27
Holdings’ business including its financial position, results of operations, or liquidity, as well as its ability to service debt, pay other obligations and enhance shareholder returns.
In addition, during 2023 and continuing in 2024, GCI Holdings began to experience the impact of inflation-sensitive items, including upward pressure on the costs of materials, labor, and other items that are critical to GCI Holdings’ business. GCI Holdings continues to monitor these impacts closely and, if costs continue to rise, GCI Holdings may be unable to recoup losses or offset diminished margins by passing these costs through to its customers or implementing offsetting cost reductions.
RHC Program
GCI Holdings receives support from various USF programs including the RHC Program. The USF programs are subject to change by regulatory actions taken by the FCC, interpretations of or compliance with USF program rules, or legislative actions. The USF programs have also been subject to legal challenge, which could disrupt or eliminate the support GCI Holdings receives. Changes to any of the USF programs that GCI Holdings participates in could result in a material decrease in revenue and accounts receivable, which could have an adverse effect on GCI Holdings’ business and the Company’s financial position, results of operations or liquidity.
The Company does not have any significant updates regarding GCI Holdings’ involvement in the RHC Program as disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Charter
Charter is a leading broadband connectivity company and cable operator with services available to more than 58 million homes and businesses in 41 states through its Spectrum brand.
During the third quarter of 2024, Charter lost 110,000 Internet customers while adding 545,000 mobile lines. Charter’s Internet customer growth was challenged by the end of the FCC’s Affordable Connectivity Program ("ACP"), lower customer move rates and the competitive environment. While Charter’s retention programs for the customers impacted by the end of ACP subsidies have been successful in retaining the vast majority of ACP customers, the end of the ACP subsidy program has been disruptive to its business and resulted in customer losses during the quarter. Charter expects to see additional one-time impacts on customer net gains, revenue per customer and bad debt in the fourth quarter of this year.
Charter’s mobile line growth continued to benefit from the Spectrum One offering and new offerings launched in 2024, including Charter’s Anytime Upgrade offering and Phone Balance Buyout program. Charter’s Spectrum One offering provides a differentiated connectivity experience by bringing together Spectrum Internet, Advanced WiFi and Unlimited Spectrum Mobile to offer consumers fast, reliable and secure online connections on their favorite devices at home and on the go in a high-value package. Anytime Upgrade allows certain customers to upgrade their devices whenever they want, eliminating traditional wait times, upgrade fees and condition requirements. The Phone Balance Buyout program makes switching mobile providers easier by helping customers pay off balances on ported lines.
Charter spent $581 million and $1.6 billion on its subsidized rural construction initiative during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, and activated approximately 114,000 and 276,000 subsidized rural passings, respectively. Charter currently offers Spectrum Internet products with speeds up to 1 Gbps across its entire footprint. Its network evolution initiative is progressing. Charter is upgrading its network to deliver symmetrical and multi-gigabit speeds across its footprint, and recently began offering symmetrical speeds in its first high split markets. In 2024, Charter began offering certain programmer streaming applications including, among others, Disney+, ESPN+, ViX Premium and Paramount+ to customers in certain packages and reached agreements with several other programmers that will add Max, Discovery+, Peacock, BET+, AMC+ and Tennis Channel Plus in certain packages. Charter now has completed deals with every major programmer to create better flexibility and greater value to customers by including programmer streaming apps with Spectrum TV services at no additional cost. Charter also continues to evolve its video product and is deploying Xumo stream boxes ("Xumo") to new video customers. Xumo combines a live TV experience with access to hundreds of content applications and features unified search and discovery along with a curated content offering based on the customer’s interests and subscriptions. In September 2024, Charter launched its Life Unlimited brand platform which includes a new customer
I-28
commitment that provides performance and service benchmarks and a new and simplified pricing structure designed to drive more value into Charter’s relationships.
By continually improving its product set and offering consumers the opportunity to save money by switching to its services, Charter believes it can continue to penetrate its expanding footprint and sell additional products to its existing customers. Charter sees operational benefits from the targeted investments made in employee wages and benefits to build employee skill sets and tenure, as well as the continued investments in digitization of Charter’s customer service platforms, all with the goal of improving the customer experience, reducing transactions and driving customer growth and retention.
Results of Operations — Consolidated —September 30, 2024 and 2023
General. We provide information regarding our consolidated operating results and other income and expenses, as well as information regarding the contribution to those items from our reportable segments in the tables below. The "Corporate and other" category consists of those assets or businesses which do not qualify as a separate reportable segment. See note 10 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for more discussion regarding our reportable segments. For a more detailed discussion and analysis of GCI Holdings’ results, see "Results of Operations – GCI Holdings, LLC" below.
Consolidated operating results:
Three months ended | Nine months ended | |||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 |
| 2023 | |||||
amounts in millions | ||||||||||
Revenue |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
GCI Holdings | $ | 262 | 240 | 753 | 731 | |||||
Corporate and other |
| — | — | — | — | |||||
Consolidated | $ | 262 |
| 240 |
| 753 | 731 | |||
Operating Income (Loss) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
GCI Holdings | $ | 42 | 30 | 109 | 91 | |||||
Corporate and other |
| (12) | (9) | (30) | (31) | |||||
Consolidated | $ | 30 |
| 21 |
| 79 | 60 | |||
Adjusted OIBDA |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
GCI Holdings | $ | 100 | 89 | 276 | 271 | |||||
Corporate and other |
| (7) | (4) | (18) | (17) | |||||
Consolidated | $ | 93 |
| 85 |
| 258 | 254 |
Revenue
Revenue increased $22 million for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, as compared to the corresponding prior year periods. The change in revenue was due to fluctuations in revenue from GCI Holdings. See “Results of Operations – GCI Holdings, LLC” below for a more complete discussion of the results of operations of GCI Holdings.
Operating Income (Loss)
Consolidated operating income increased $9 million and $19 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, as compared to the corresponding prior year periods. Operating income increased $12 million and $18 million at GCI Holdings for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, as compared to the corresponding prior year periods. See “Results of Operations – GCI Holdings, LLC” below for a more complete discussion of the results of operations of GCI Holdings.
I-29
Operating loss for Corporate and other increased $3 million and improved $1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, as compared to the corresponding prior year periods, due to increased labor related costs, partially offset by decreased stock-based compensation. The nine month period was also impacted by decreased professional service fees.
Adjusted OIBDA
To provide investors with additional information regarding our financial results, we also disclose Adjusted OIBDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure. We define Adjusted OIBDA as operating income (loss) plus depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, separately reported litigation settlements, restructuring, and impairment charges. 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 is an important indicator of the operational strength and performance of our businesses by identifying those items that are not directly a reflection of each business’ performance or indicative of ongoing business trends. In addition, this measure allows us to view operating results, perform analytical comparisons and benchmarking between businesses and identify strategies to improve performance. 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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The following table provides a reconciliation of Operating income (loss) to Adjusted OIBDA.
Three months ended | Nine months ended |
| ||||||||
September 30, | September 30, |
| ||||||||
2024 | 2023 | 2024 |
| 2023 |
| |||||
amounts in millions |
| |||||||||
Operating income (loss) |
| $ | 30 |
| 21 |
| 79 |
| 60 | |
Depreciation and amortization |
| 55 | 55 | 157 |
| 169 | ||||
Stock-based compensation |
| 8 | 9 | 22 |
| 25 | ||||
Adjusted OIBDA | $ | 93 | 85 | 258 | 254 |
Adjusted OIBDA increased $8 million and $4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, as compared to the corresponding prior year periods, primarily due to improved Adjusted OIBDA at GCI Holdings. See “Results of Operations – GCI Holdings, LLC” below for a more complete discussion of the results of operations of GCI Holdings.
Other Income and Expense
Components of Other income (expense) are presented in the table below.
Three months ended | Nine months ended |
| ||||||||
September 30, | September 30, |
| ||||||||
2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 |
| ||||||
amounts in millions |
| |||||||||
Other income (expense): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
Interest expense | $ | (46) | (54) | (149) |
| (151) | ||||
Share of earnings (losses) of affiliate |
| 346 | 326 | 923 |
| 892 | ||||
Gain (loss) on dilution of investment in affiliate |
| (8) | (10) | (40) |
| (42) | ||||
Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net |
| (144) | (81) | (85) |
| (155) | ||||
Other, net |
| 3 | 6 | 15 |
| 22 | ||||
$ | 151 | 187 | 664 |
| 566 |
Interest expense
Interest expense decreased $8 million and $2 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year. The decreases were driven by lower amounts
I-30
outstanding on the Margin Loan Facility (as defined in note 6 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements) and lower interest rates on our variable rate debt, slightly offset by higher amounts outstanding on the Senior Credit Facility (as defined in note 6 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements).
Share of earnings (losses) of affiliate
Share of earnings of affiliate increased $20 million and $31 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year. The Company’s share of earnings (losses) of affiliate line item in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations includes expenses of $65 million and $71 million, net of related taxes, for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and $234 million and $205 million, net of related taxes, for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, due to the change in amortization of the excess basis of assets with identifiable useful lives and debt, which increased for the nine month period primarily due to a cumulative change in the applicable tax rate. The change in the share of earnings of affiliate in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, as compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year, was the result of the corresponding increase in net income at Charter.
The following is a discussion of Charter’s results of operations. In order to provide a better understanding of Charter’s operations, we have included a summarized presentation of Charter’s results from operations.
Three months ended | Nine months ended | |||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||
2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
amounts in millions | ||||||||||
Revenue |
| $ | 13,795 |
| 13,584 | 41,159 |
| 40,896 | ||
Operating expenses, excluding stock-based compensation |
| (8,169) | (8,164) | (24,412) |
| (24,556) | ||||
Adjusted OIBDA |
| 5,626 | 5,420 | 16,747 |
| 16,340 | ||||
Depreciation and amortization |
| (2,145) | (2,130) | (6,505) |
| (6,508) | ||||
Stock-based compensation |
| (146) | (164) | (513) |
| (540) | ||||
Operating income (loss) |
| 3,335 | 3,126 | 9,729 |
| 9,292 | ||||
Other income (expense), net |
| (1,455) | (1,321) | (4,273) |
| (4,073) | ||||
Net income (loss) before income taxes |
| 1,880 | 1,805 | 5,456 |
| 5,219 | ||||
Income tax benefit (expense) |
| (406) | (369) | (1,279) |
| (1,187) | ||||
Net income (loss) | $ | 1,474 | 1,436 | 4,177 |
| 4,032 |
Charter’s revenue increased $211 million and $263 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year, primarily due to growth in mobile lines, average revenue per customer and advertising sales, partly offset by lower customers. Revenue growth was also favorably impacted by $68 million of total customer credits in the prior year period related to the temporary loss of Disney programming during the third quarter of 2023.
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, operating expenses, excluding stock-based compensation, increased $5 million and decreased $144 million, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year. Operating costs during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, as compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year, were impacted by lower programming costs as a result of fewer video customers and a higher mix of lower cost video packages within Charter’s video customer base as well as costs allocated to programmer streaming apps which are netted within video revenue, partly offset by contractual rate adjustments, including renewals and increases in amounts paid for retransmission consent as well as a $61 million benefit related to the temporary loss of Disney programming during the third quarter of 2023. Lower programming costs were offset by higher mobile service direct costs and mobile device sales due to an increase in mobile lines.
For the three months ended September 30, 2024, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year, the increases in operating costs described above slightly exceeded the decrease in programming costs. For the nine months ended
I-31
September 30, 2024, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year, the decrease in programming costs exceeded the increases in operating costs described above.
Charter’s Adjusted OIBDA increased $206 million and $407 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year, for the reasons described above.
Depreciation and amortization expense increased $15 million and decreased $3 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year.
Other expenses, net increased $134 million and $200 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year. The increases in other expenses, net were primarily due to increased interest expense caused by an increase in weighted average interest rates and increased losses on financial instruments, net during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024.
Charter recognized income tax expense of $406 million and $369 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and $1,279 million and $1,187 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Gain (loss) on dilution of investment in affiliate
The loss on dilution of investment in affiliate was relatively flat during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, as compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year.
Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net
Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net are comprised of changes in the fair value of the following:
Three months ended | Nine months ended |
| ||||||||
September 30, | September 30, |
| ||||||||
2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 |
| ||||||
amounts in millions |
| |||||||||
Exchangeable senior debentures | $ | (144) | (69) | (85) | (158) | |||||
Other | — | (12) | — | 3 | ||||||
$ | (144) | (81) | (85) |
| (155) |
The changes in these accounts are primarily due to market factors and changes in the fair value of the underlying stocks or financial instruments to which these related (see notes 3 and 6 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for additional discussion). The changes in realized and unrealized gains (losses) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year, were primarily due to the change in fair value of the debentures outstanding for the respective periods related to changes in market price of the underlying Charter stock.
Other, net
Other, net income decreased $3 million and $7 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, as compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year. The changes were primarily due to a tax sharing receivable with Qurate Retail, Inc. (“Qurate Retail”). The tax sharing receivable with Qurate Retail resulted in tax sharing income of zero and $3 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, compared to tax sharing income of $4 million and $12 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively. See more discussion about the tax sharing agreement with Qurate Retail in note 1 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. The remaining variance is the result of dividend and interest income.
I-32
Income taxes
Earnings (losses) before income taxes and income tax (expense) benefit are as follows:
Three months ended | Nine months ended | |||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||
| 2024 |
| 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||
amounts in millions | ||||||||||
Earnings (loss) before income taxes | $ | 181 |
| 208 | 743 |
| 626 | |||
Income tax (expense) benefit |
| (39) |
| (46) | (165) |
| (143) | |||
Effective income tax rate |
| 22% | 22% | 22% | 23% |
The difference between the effective income tax rate of 22% and the U.S. Federal income tax rate of 21% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 was primarily due to the effect of state income taxes, certain non-deductible expenses and stock-based compensation, partially offset by federal tax credits.
The differences between the effective income tax rate of 22% and 23% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively, and the U.S. Federal income tax rate of 21% were primarily due to the effect of state income taxes, certain non-deductible expenses and the impact of non-taxable amounts due to changes in the fair value of the indemnification payable owed to Qurate Retail.
Net earnings (loss)
The Company had net earnings of $142 million and $162 million for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and net earnings of $578 million and $483 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The change in net earnings (loss) was the result of the above-described fluctuations in our revenue, expenses and other income and expenses.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of September 30, 2024, substantially all of our cash and cash equivalents are invested in U.S. Treasury securities, other government securities or government guaranteed funds, AAA rated money market funds and other highly rated financial and corporate debt instruments.
The following are potential sources of liquidity: available cash balances, cash generated by the operating activities of our privately-owned subsidiaries (to the extent such cash exceeds the working capital needs of the subsidiaries and is not otherwise restricted), monetization of investments (including Charter Repurchases (as defined in note 4 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements and discussed below)), outstanding or anticipated debt facilities (as discussed in note 6 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements), debt and equity issuances, and dividend and interest receipts.
As of September 30, 2024, Liberty Broadband had a cash and cash equivalents balance of $168 million.
Nine months ended September 30, |
| |||||
2024 | 2023 |
| ||||
amounts in millions |
| |||||
Cash flow information |
|
|
|
| ||
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | $ | 103 |
| (46) | ||
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | $ | 69 |
| (129) | ||
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | $ | (174) |
| (115) |
The increase in cash provided by operating activities in the nine months ended September 30, 2024, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year, was primarily driven by increased operating income and timing differences in working capital accounts.
I-33
During the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, net cash flows provided by and used in investing activities included capital expenditures of $183 million and $149 million, respectively, and purchases of equity securities during 2023. This net outflow of cash for capital expenditures was offset by the sale of 698,011 and 120,149 shares of Charter Class A common stock to Charter for $226 million and $42 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, to maintain our fully diluted ownership percentage of Charter at 26%. In February 2021, Liberty Broadband entered into a letter agreement in order to implement, facilitate and satisfy the terms of the Stockholders Agreement with respect to the Equity Cap (see more information in note 4 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements). The Company expects the Charter Repurchases to be the primary source of liquidity in future periods.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, net cash flows used in financing activities were primarily for the repurchase of approximately $300 million in aggregate principal amount of the 3.125% Debentures due 2053 (see more information in note 6 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements) and net repayments of approximately $670 million on the Margin Loan Agreement (as defined in note 6 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements), partly offset by the issuance of $860 million aggregate original principal amount of its 3.125% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2054 and net borrowings of approximately $30 million on the Senior Credit Facility. Additionally, net cash flows used in financing activities included repurchases of Liberty Broadband Series A and Series C common stock of $89 million.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, net cash flows used in financing activities were primarily for the repurchase of approximately $1,415 million in principal amount of outstanding exchangeable senior debentures, partially offset by the issuance of $1,265 million aggregate original principal amount of the 3.125% Debentures due 2053 (see more information in note 6 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements), as well as net borrowings of approximately $125 million of outstanding Revolving Loans (as defined in note 6 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements) under the Margin Loan Facility. Additionally, net cash flows used in financing activities included repurchases of Liberty Broadband Series A and Series C common stock of $40 million and indemnification payments of $26 million made by Liberty Broadband to Qurate Retail in connection with the LI LLC 1.75% exchangeable debentures due 2046 which was settled during the quarter ended December 31, 2023.
The projected uses of our cash for the remainder of 2024 are the potential buyback of common stock under the approved share buyback program, net capital expenditures of approximately $20 million, approximately $60 million for interest payments on outstanding debt, approximately $3 million for preferred stock dividends, funding of any operational needs of our subsidiaries, to reimburse Liberty Media Corporation for amounts due under various agreements and to fund potential investment opportunities. We expect corporate cash and other available sources of liquidity to cover corporate expenses for the foreseeable future.
Debt Covenants
GCI, LLC is subject to covenants and restrictions under its Senior Notes (as defined in note 6 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements) and Senior Credit Facility. The Company and GCI, LLC are in compliance with all debt maintenance covenants as of September 30, 2024.
I-34
Results of Operations—GCI Holdings, LLC
GCI Holdings provides a full range of data, wireless, video, voice, and managed services to residential, businesses, governmental entities, and educational and medical institutions primarily in Alaska. The following table highlights selected key performance indicators used in evaluating GCI Holdings.
September 30, |
| ||||
2024 |
| 2023 |
| ||
Consumer |
|
|
| ||
Data: |
|
|
| ||
Cable modem subscribers1 | 156,400 | 159,300 | |||
Wireless: |
|
|
| ||
Wireless lines in service2 | 200,300 |
| 200,300 |
1 A cable modem subscriber is defined by the purchase of cable modem service regardless of the level of service purchased. If one entity purchases multiple cable modem service access points, each access point is counted as a subscriber. Data cable modem subscribers as of September 30, 2024 include 900 subscribers that were reclassified from GCI Business to GCI Consumer subscribers in the first quarter of 2024 and are not new additions.
2 A wireless line in service is defined as a wireless device with a monthly fee for services. Wireless lines in service as of September 30, 2024 include 1,800 lines that were reclassified from GCI Business to GCI Consumer lines in the first quarter of 2024 and are not new additions.
GCI Holdings’ operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 are as follows:
Three months ended | Nine months ended | |||||||||
September 30, | September 30, |
| ||||||||
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| 2024 | 2023 |
| |||
amounts in millions | ||||||||||
Revenue | $ | 262 |
| 240 |
| 753 | 731 | |||
Operating expenses (excluding stock-based compensation included below): |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
Operating expense |
| (64) |
| (59) |
| (188) | (180) | |||
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
| (98) |
| (92) |
| (289) | (280) | |||
Adjusted OIBDA |
| 100 |
| 89 |
| 276 | 271 | |||
Stock-based compensation |
| (3) |
| (4) |
| (10) | (11) | |||
Depreciation and amortization |
| (55) |
| (55) |
| (157) | (169) | |||
Operating income (loss) | $ | 42 |
| 30 |
| 109 | 91 |
Revenue
The components of revenue are as follows:
Three months ended | Nine months ended | |||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| 2024 |
| 2023 | |||
amounts in millions | ||||||||||
Consumer |
|
|
|
|
|
| ||||
Data | $ | 59 |
| 57 |
| 179 | 175 | |||
Wireless | 47 |
| 47 |
| 141 | 142 | ||||
Other |
| 10 |
| 10 |
| 30 | 32 | |||
Business |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |||
Data |
| 125 |
| 105 |
| 342 | 317 | |||
Wireless |
| 12 |
| 12 |
| 36 | 38 | |||
Other |
| 9 |
| 9 |
| 25 | 27 | |||
Total revenue | $ | 262 |
| 240 |
| 753 | 731 |
I-35
Consumer data revenue increased $2 million and $4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, as compared to the corresponding prior year periods. The increases were driven by subscribers’ selection of plans with higher recurring monthly charges.
Consumer wireless revenue was flat and decreased $1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, as compared to the corresponding prior year periods. The decrease in the nine month period was driven by a decrease in the number of handset sales and a decrease in prepaid data plans.
Consumer other revenue was flat and decreased $2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, as compared to the corresponding prior year periods. Consumer other revenue consists of consumer video and voice revenue. The decrease for the nine month period was due to a decrease in video revenue primarily driven by decreased video subscribers. Historically, GCI Holdings has seen declines in video and voice subscribers and revenue and expects a continued decrease as customers make decisions to move to alternative services.
Business data revenue increased $20 million and $25 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, as compared to the corresponding prior year periods, primarily due to increased sales to health care and education customers due to service upgrades. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in business data subscribers.
Business wireless revenue was flat and decreased $2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, as compared to the corresponding prior year periods, primarily due to changes in the number of subscribers.
Business other revenue was flat and decreased $2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, as compared to the corresponding prior year periods. Business other revenue consists of business video and voice revenue. The decreases were primarily due to decreased local and long distance voice revenue. Historically, GCI Holdings has seen declines in video and voice subscribers and revenue and has not focused business efforts on growth in these areas.
Operating expenses increased $5 million and $8 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, as compared to the corresponding prior year periods. The increases in both periods were primarily due to increases in distribution costs to health care, education and consumer customers, partially offset by decreases in handset product costs due to decreased handset sales.
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $6 million and $9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, as compared to the corresponding prior year periods. The increases in both periods were primarily due to increases in labor related costs and to a lesser extent, software subscription costs, partially offset by a decrease in lease expense.
Stock-based compensation was relatively flat for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 as compared to the corresponding prior year periods.
Depreciation and amortization was flat and decreased $12 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, respectively, as compared to the corresponding prior year periods. The decrease for the nine month period was due to lower depreciation and amortization expense as certain fixed and intangible assets became fully depreciated during 2023.
I-36
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
We are exposed to market risk in the normal course of business due to our ongoing investing and financial activities. Market risk refers to the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in stock prices and interest rates. The risk of loss can be assessed from the perspective of adverse changes in fair values, cash flows and future earnings. We have established policies, procedures and internal processes governing our management of market risks and the use of financial instruments to manage our exposure to such risks.
We are exposed to changes in interest rates primarily as a result of our borrowing and investment activities, which could include investments in fixed and floating rate debt instruments and borrowings used to maintain liquidity and to fund business operations. The nature and amount of our long-term and short-term debt are expected to vary as a result of future requirements, market conditions and other factors. We manage our exposure to interest rates by maintaining what we believe is an appropriate mix of fixed and variable rate debt. We believe this best protects us from interest rate risk. We could achieve this mix by (i) issuing fixed rate debt that we believe has a low stated interest rate and significant term to maturity, (ii) issuing variable rate debt with appropriate maturities and interest rates and (iii) entering into interest rate swap arrangements when we deem appropriate.
As of September 30, 2024, our debt is comprised of the following amounts:
Variable rate debt | Fixed rate debt |
| ||||||||||
Principal |
| Weighted avg |
| Principal |
| Weighted avg |
| |||||
amount | interest rate | amount | interest rate |
| ||||||||
dollar amounts in millions |
| |||||||||||
GCI Holdings | $ | 427 | 7.0 | % | $ | 600 | 4.8 | % | ||||
Corporate and other | $ | 790 | 6.5 | % | $ | 1,825 | 3.1 | % |
Our investment in Charter (our equity method affiliate) is publicly traded and not reflected at fair value in our balance sheet. Our investment in Charter is also subject to market risk that is not directly reflected in our financial statements.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
In accordance with Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including its chief executive officer and its principal accounting and financial officer (the "Executives"), and under the oversight of its board of directors, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2024. Based on that evaluation, the Executives concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2024 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 control over financial reporting that occurred during the three months ended September 30, 2024 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control over financial reporting.
I-37
PART II—OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 includes "Legal Proceedings" under Item 3 of Part I. There have been no material changes from the legal proceedings described in our Form 10-K.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Except as discussed below, there have been no material changes in the Company's risk factors from those disclosed in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors of its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
A potential transaction between the Company and Charter may not occur, could divert the attention of our management and will result in certain costs and expenses.
As described in the Schedule 13D/A that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on September 23, 2024, on September 15, 2024, we received a non-binding letter from Charter Communications, Inc. (“Charter”) proposing a combination of the Company with Charter in an all-stock transaction (the “Proposed Transaction”) and on September 23, 2024, we communicated a non-binding counterproposal to Charter. The Proposed Transaction is proposed to close on June 30, 2027 or such earlier date as the parties shall mutually agree.
The Proposed Transaction is subject to further negotiation and no legally binding obligation with respect to the Proposed Transaction exists unless and until mutually acceptable definitive documentation is executed and delivered with respect thereto. There can be no assurance that the Proposed Transaction or any related transaction will be completed in a timely manner or at all, or, if completed, will be on the same terms as set out in our counterproposal. Furthermore, if we reach an agreement with Charter, we anticipate that the consummation of any Potential Transaction will be subject to a number of conditions, and there can be no assurance that such conditions will be satisfied or waived.
Our management may be required to divert a disproportionate amount of attention away from their day-to-day activities and operations, and devote time and effort to considering the Proposed Transaction. In addition, we expect to continue to incur costs in connection with the consideration of the Proposed Transaction, including costs of financial and legal advisors and costs associated with legal actions arising out of the Proposed Transactions. It is difficult to estimate the aggregate amount of such costs, although they could be substantial. Further, the currently proposed closing date of June 30, 2027, which may be further delayed, will likely result in a period leading up to closing that is longer than a typical closing period which heightens many of the risks described herein.
The market price of our common stock may experience variation as a result of changing assumptions regarding the Proposed Transaction, independent of changes in our businesses, financial condition or prospects or changes in general market or economic conditions. As a result, definitive documentation regarding the Proposed Transaction, or a failure to reach definitive documentation regarding the Proposed Transaction or any related transaction, could result in a significant change in the market price of our common stock.
A successful legal challenge to the constitutionality of the USF could disrupt or eliminate GCI Holdings’ USF support.
There have been a number of legal challenges to the constitutionality of the Universal Service Fund (“USF”), which have historically been ineffective. However, on July 24, 2024, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit sitting en banc ruled that the USF program is unconstitutional as currently administered, and remanded the case to the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”). In its decision, the Fifth Circuit concluded that there was an impermissible public delegation of legislative authority to the FCC and an impermissible private delegation of authority from the FCC to the Universal Service Administrative Company, the private company responsible for USF administration. This differs from the decisions previously reached by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth and Eleventh Circuits. As a result, it is likely that additional cases and appeals will be filed in relation to the matter, including that a petition by the parties for a review of the Fifth Circuit decision in the U.S. Supreme Court would be granted. There is significant uncertainty regarding the outcome of any appeal on the issue, as well as whether any action taken by the FCC or Congress to resolve the issue would be sufficient
II-1
and what impact such actions might have on the USF program. A Supreme Court ruling upholding the Fifth Circuit’s decision or, more broadly, that the legislation establishing the USF program is unconstitutional could disrupt or eliminate GCI Holdings’ USF support unless and until any identified legal defects with the program structure or administration are remedied. Such a ruling would likely result in a material decrease in revenue and accounts receivable, which could likely have an adverse effect on GCI Holdings’ business and the Company’s financial position, results of operations or liquidity. USF support was 39% and 35% of GCI Holdings’ revenue for the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. GCI Holdings had USF net receivables of $102 million and $116 million at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Without USF support, telecommunications providers, including GCI Holdings, may need to consider various actions including, but not limited to, terminating certain high cost or low profit services, discontinuing rural networks or a reduction in workforce, which could have a negative impact on GCI Holdings’ business.
Changes to the existing legal and regulatory framework under which Charter and GCI Holdings operate or the regulatory programs in which Charter, GCI Holdings or their competitors participate could adversely affect Charter and GCI Holdings’ businesses.
There are ongoing efforts to amend or expand the federal, state and local regulation of some of the services offered over Charter’s cable systems, particularly Charter’s retail broadband Internet access service. Potential legislative and regulatory changes could adversely impact Charter’s business by increasing its costs and competition and limiting its ability to offer services in a manner that would maximize revenue potential. These changes have in the past, and could in the future, include, for example, the reclassification of Internet services as regulated telecommunications services or other utility-style regulation of Internet services; restrictions on how Charter manages its Internet access services and networks; the adoption of new customer service or service quality requirements for its Internet access services; the adoption of new privacy restrictions on its collection, use and disclosure of certain customer information; new data security and cybersecurity mandates that could result in additional network and information security and cyber incident reporting requirements for its business; new restraints on its discretion over programming decisions; new restrictions on the rates Charter charges to consumers for one or more of the services or equipment options it offers; changes to the cable industry’s compulsory copyright to retransmit broadcast signals; new requirements to assure the availability of navigation devices from third-party providers; new USF contribution obligations on Charter’s Internet service revenues that would add to the cost of that service; increases in government-administered broadband subsidies to rural areas that could result in subsidized overbuilding of its facilities; changes to the FCC’s administration of spectrum; pending court challenges to the legality of the FCC’s USF programs, which, if successful, could adversely affect receipt of universal service funds, including but not limited to FCC Rural Development Opportunity Fund (“RDOF”) grants to expand Charter’s network, FCC E-rate funds to serve schools and libraries and FCC Rural Health Care funds to serve eligible health care providers; and changes in the regulatory framework for voice over Internet protocol ("VoIP") telephone service, including the scope of regulatory obligations associated with VoIP telephone service and Charter’s ability to interconnect its VoIP telephone service with incumbent providers of traditional telecommunications service. These changes may also have a similar impact on GCI Holdings’ business. For example, the Fifth Circuit recently ruled the USF program unconstitutional as currently administered and remanded the case to the FCC for further proceedings, which creates uncertainty as to the future of the USF program. The Fifth Circuit has stayed the effects of its decision while the FCC appeals it to the Supreme Court. For additional information on the potential impact of the Fifth Circuit’s decision, see “A successful legal challenge to the constitutionality of the USF could disrupt or eliminate GCI Holdings’ USF support” above.
Charter participated in the Affordable Connectivity Program (“ACP”) and continues to participate in the RDOF subsidy program, and GCI Holdings participated in the ACP subsidy program. The ACP program previously provided up to a $30 monthly subsidy enabling eligible low-income households to purchase Internet products at a discount or, for a portion of those households, at no cost for eligible Charter customers. The ACP programs provided up to a $75 monthly subsidy in Alaska for GCI Holdings’ eligible customers. The FCC prohibited service providers from enrolling new participants into the ACP after February 7, 2024 and April 2024 was the last month ACP households received the full ACP subsidy. ACP households received a $14 federally funded ACP subsidy in May 2024. As of June 1, 2024, ACP households no longer received the ACP benefit. The end of the ACP benefit has been, and will continue to be, disruptive to Charter’s business, and to a lesser extent, GCI Holdings. Charter and GCI Holdings have lost and will continue to lose customers and revenue and could face greater difficulty in providing services to low-income households in the future.
As a winning bidder in the FCC’s RDOF auction in 2020, Charter must comply with numerous FCC and state requirements to continue receiving such funding. To comply with these requirements, in RDOF areas, Charter has chosen to
II-2
offer certain of its VoIP telephone services, such as its Lifeline services, subject to certain traditional federal and state common carrier regulations. Additionally, in some areas where Charter is building pursuant to subsidy programs, Charter will offer certain of its broadband Internet access services subject to required discounts and other marketing-related terms. If Charter fails to comply with those requirements, the governing regulatory agency could consider Charter in default and it could incur substantial penalties or forfeitures. If Charter fails to attain certain specified infrastructure build-out requirements under the RDOF program, the FCC could also withhold future support payments until those shortcomings are corrected. Any failure to comply with the rules and requirements of a subsidy grant could result in Charter being suspended or disbarred from future governmental programs or contracts for a significant period of time, which could adversely affect its results of operations and financial condition.
Participation in ACP, RDOF, and other government programs, including state subsidized builds, creates the risk of claims of Charter and GCI Holdings’ failures to adequately comply with the regulatory requirements of those programs. The FCC, and various state and federal agencies and attorney generals, may subject those programs, or other industry practices, to audits and investigations, which could result in enforcement actions, litigation, fines, settlements or reputational harm, and/or operational and financial conditions being placed on Charter or GCI Holdings, any of which could adversely affect their results of operations and financial condition.
If any laws or regulations are enacted that would expand the regulation of Charter and GCI Holdings’ services, they could affect their operations and require significant expenditures. It cannot be predicted how future developments in these areas, and any changes to the regulatory framework for Internet, video, mobile or VoIP services could have a negative impact on Charter and GCI Holdings’ businesses and results of operations.
It remains uncertain what rule changes, if any, will ultimately be adopted by Congress, the FCC, the Federal Trade Commission and state legislatures and regulatory agencies, and what operating or financial impact any such rules might have on Charter and GCI Holdings, including on the operation of their broadband networks, customer privacy and the user experience.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Share Repurchase Programs
There were no repurchases of Liberty Broadband Series A, Series B or Series C common stock or Liberty Broadband Preferred Stock during the three months ended September 30, 2024.
During the three months ended September 30, 2024, no shares of Liberty Broadband Series A common stock, Liberty Broadband Series B common stock, Liberty Broadband Series C common stock or Liberty Broadband Preferred Stock were surrendered by our officers and employees to pay withholding taxes and other deductions in connection with the vesting or exercise of restricted stock.
II-3
Item 5. Other Information
Item 6. Exhibits
(a) | 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):
3.1 | ||
31.1 | ||
31.2 | ||
32 | ||
101.INS | XBRL Instance Document* - The instance document does not appear in the interactive data file because its XBRL tags are embedded within the inline XBRL document. | |
101.SCH | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document* | |
101.CAL | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document* | |
101.LAB | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document* | |
101.PRE | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document* | |
101.DEF | Inline XBRL Taxonomy Definition Document* | |
104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)* |
* Filed herewith
** Furnished herewith
II-4
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 BROADBAND CORPORATION | ||
Date: November 7, 2024 | By: | /s/ GREGORY B. MAFFEI | |
Gregory B. Maffei President and Chief Executive Officer | |||
Date: November 7, 2024 | By: | /s/ BRIAN J. WENDLING | |
Brian J. Wendling Chief Accounting Officer and Principal Financial Officer |
II-5