(SIRIUS SATELLITE RADIO LOGO)

SIRIUS REPORTS STRONG THIRD QUARTER RESULTS

 

 

 

 

Revenue Increases 150% Year-Over-Year to $167.1 Million

 

Cost to Acquire a Subscriber Drops 23%Year-Over-Year

 

Automakers Significantly Increase Installation Rates

 

Fourth Quarter 2006 Could Be The Company’s First Ever Positive Free Cash Flow Quarter

NEW YORK – November 8, 2006 – SIRIUS Satellite Radio (NASDAQ:SIRI) today announced that its total revenue increased 150% year-over-year to $167.1 million for third quarter 2006, reflecting nearly three million new subscribers added in the last twelve months. The company reported a 23% improvement in SAC per gross subscriber addition from the year-ago quarter. Reflecting the company’s improving business model and rapidly growing subscriber base, SIRIUS’ third quarter adjusted loss from operations decreased 21% year-over-year.

SIRIUS ended the third quarter with 5,119,308 subscribers, 135% above third quarter 2005 ending subscribers of 2,173,920. During the third quarter of 2006, SIRIUS added 441,101 net subscribers, a 23% increase over third quarter 2005 net subscriber additions of 359,294. For the fourth consecutive quarter, SIRIUS led the satellite radio industry in net subscriber additions, capturing a record 61% of total satellite radio net additions in the third quarter. SIRIUS added approximately 205,900 net subscribers from its retail channel and approximately 236,500 net subscribers from its automotive OEM channel during third quarter 2006.

“SIRIUS continues to focus on excellence in programming and solid execution of our business plan,” said Mel Karmazin, CEO of SIRIUS. “Over the last year, we generated $100 million in new revenue, increased our share of satellite radio net subscriber additions by 24 percentage points and reduced our SAC per gross addition by 23%. SIRIUS has never been in a stronger position heading into the key fourth quarter holiday season, with exciting new products, compelling programming, and strong relationships with our retail and exclusive OEM partners. We are well prepared to meet fourth quarter demand and remain focused on achieving positive free cash flow.”

Total revenue for the third quarter of 2006 increased to $167.1 million, up 150% from $66.8 million in the third quarter of 2005. Average monthly revenue per subscriber (or “ARPU”) was $11.17 in the third quarter of 2006 compared with $11.15 in the year-ago


third quarter. ARPU for the third quarter of 2006 included a $0.49 contribution from net advertising revenue compared with a $0.26 contribution from net advertising revenue in the year-ago third quarter. Average monthly churn was 2.0% in the third quarter of 2006 compared with 1.8% in the year–ago period reflecting the impact of a 177% larger OEM subscriber base year-over-year. Full year 2006 monthly churn is expected to be 1.8%. SAC per gross subscriber addition was $114 for the third quarter of 2006, a 23% improvement over SAC per gross subscriber addition of $149 reported for third quarter 2005.

SIRIUS reported a net loss of ($162.9) million, or ($0.12) per share, for the third quarter of 2006 compared with a net loss of ($180.4) million last year, or ($0.14) per share, for the third quarter of 2005.

New Initiatives

SIRIUS continued to augment “The Best Radio on Radio” by recently announcing a variety of new initiatives, including:

 

 

 

 

The worldwide launch of SIRIUS Internet Radio (SIR), a CD-quality, internet version of the SIRIUS satellite radio service. SIR delivers more than 75 channels of SIRIUS programming, without the use of a radio, for a $12.95 monthly subscription fee. To mark the launch of SIR, on October 25 and 26 SIRIUS allowed free listening on SIRIUS.com to The Howard Stern Show and Stern’s two 24/7 channels, as well as to SIRIUS’ music, talk, entertainment, and sports channels.

 

 

 

 

The industry’s first portable satellite radio with WiFi capabilities. The Stiletto 100 allows users to listen for the first time to live and recorded SIRIUS content almost anywhere. The Stiletto stores up to 100 hours of live SIRIUS Satellite Radio programming (2 GB) and automatically records users’ favorite music. Subscribers can use the Stiletto 100 to access SIRIUS’ internet radio services over an accessible WiFi network, as well as to bookmark and easily purchase favorite songs through Yahoo! Music Engine, which can be updated to Yahoo! Music Jukebox, or another compatible download service.

 

 

 

 

An entire channel devoted to rock legendary superstars The Who (channel 10). SIRIUS pioneered the concept of dedicating entire 24-hour, commercial-free music channels to some of the world’s greatest artists. Such channels include The Who, Rolling Stones (channel 98) and Elvis Presley (channel 13), and previously dedicated channels to the music of Bruce Springsteen, the E Street Band, country music star George Strait and David Gilmour / Pink Floyd.

 

 

 

 

A multi-year agreement with The Metropolitan Opera and launching Metropolitan Opera Radio, the definitive radio channel for opera lovers.

 

 

 

 

An agreement with Chelsea Football Club, the two-time defending champions of Barclays English Premier League, to make SIRIUS the exclusive satellite radio provider of Chelsea soccer matches.



Increasing Momentum in the Automotive OEM Channel

SIRIUS nearly doubled its OEM subscriber base during the nine months of 2006, reflecting increasing momentum from its exclusive automotive OEM arrangements. SIRIUS is currently available as a factory installed option or standard feature in virtually all Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Mercedes-Benz, Maybach, BMW, Volkswagen, Audi, and Rolls-Royce vehicle lines. SIRIUS expects a significant increase in the overall factory installation rate with the Chrysler Group, up from just over 30% in the 2006 model year to 40% in the 2007 model year. The Ford Motor Company remains on track to offer SIRIUS as a factory installed option in 21 vehicle lines in the Ford, Lincoln and Mercury brands by early calendar year 2007, up from four models at the beginning of 2006 and 16 models at the end of third quarter 2006. Mercedes-Benz is currently factory installing SIRIUS in approximately two-thirds of its model year 2007 vehicles, ahead of its previously stated target of 50%.

During the third quarter of 2006, Audi and Volkswagen launched their previously announced exclusive factory programs with SIRIUS. Mitsubishi announced that it would begin offering SIRIUS as a standard feature or factory option on four models in fall 2006, and throughout its entire U.S. Mitsubishi line in the 2008 model year. Volvo announced that it will offer SIRIUS as a factory installed option in the Volvo S40, Volvo V50, Volvo C70 and all-new Volvo S80 vehicle lines during the 2007 model year.

Guidance

SIRIUS today reiterated the following guidance for full year 2006:

 

 

 

 

6.3 million subscribers at year-end;

 

Average monthly churn of approximately 1.8%;

 

SAC per gross subscriber addition approaching $110;

 

Total revenue of $615 million;

 

Adjusted loss from operations of approximately ($565) million;

 

Free cash flow(1)(6) loss of approximately ($500) million; and

 

SIRIUS’ first quarter of positive free cash flow, after capital expenditures, could be reached as early as the fourth quarter of 2006.

Previously issued longer term guidance remains unchanged.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The discussion of operating expenses below excludes the effects of equity granted to third parties and employees. The company believes this presentation improves the transparency of disclosure and is consistent with the way operating results are evaluated.

THIRD QUARTER 2006 VERSUS THIRD QUARTER 2005

For the third quarter of 2006, SIRIUS recognized total revenue of $167.1 million compared with $66.8 million for the third quarter of 2005. This 150%, or $100.3 million, increase in revenue was primarily driven by a $91.1 million increase in subscriber revenue resulting from the net increase in subscribers of 2,945,388, or 135%, from


September 30, 2005 to September 30, 2006, and a $5.6 million increase in net advertising revenue.

The company’s adjusted loss from operations decreased $22.2 million to ($83.2) million for the third quarter of 2006 from ($105.4) million for the third quarter of 2005 (refer to the reconciliation table of net loss to adjusted loss from operations). This decrease was driven by an increase in subscriber revenue of $91.1 million as a result of a 135% increase in the company’s subscriber base, which more than offset an $81.0 million increase in operating expenses.

Programming and content expenses increased $32.4 million to $55.9 million for the third quarter of 2006 from $23.5 million for the third quarter of 2005. The increase was primarily attributable to license fees and consulting costs associated with new programming, and higher broadcast and webstreaming royalties as a result of the company’s larger subscriber base.

Customer service and billing expenses increased $5.3 million to $14.7 million for the third quarter of 2006 from $9.4 million for the third quarter of 2005. The increase was primarily attributable to call center operating costs necessary to accommodate the increase in the company’s subscriber base and transaction fees due to the addition of new subscribers. Customer service and billing expenses per average subscriber per month declined 36% to $1.01 for the third quarter of 2006 from $1.59 for the third quarter of 2005.

Sales and marketing expenses increased $3.3 million to $41.5 million for the third quarter of 2006 from $38.2 million for the third quarter of 2005. This 9% increase in sales and marketing expenses compared with a 150% increase in total revenue from $66.8 million for the third quarter of 2005 to $167.1 million for the third quarter of 2006.

Subscriber acquisition costs increased $12.2 million to $80.9 million for the third quarter of 2006 from $68.7 million for the third quarter of 2005. The increase was primarily attributable to higher shipments of SIRIUS radios and chip sets to support a 57% increase in gross subscriber additions from 465,228 for the third quarter of 2005 to 732,406 for the third quarter of 2006. This increase was offset by reductions in hardware subsidy rates as the company continued to reduce manufacturing and chip set costs.

SAC per gross subscriber addition decreased 23% from $149 for the three months ended September 30, 2005 to $114 for the three months ended September 30, 2006 primarily due to the reduction in average subsidy rates as the company continued to reduce manufacturing and chip set costs.

General and administrative expenses increased $9.5 million to $23.5 million for the third quarter of 2006 from $14.0 million for the third quarter of 2005. The increase was primarily a result of legal fees, employment-related costs, rent and occupancy costs and bad debt expense to support the growth of the business.

Engineering, design and development expenses increased $10.7 million to $20.5 million for the third quarter of 2006 from $9.8 million for the third quarter of 2005 primarily as a result of costs associated with OEM tooling and manufacturing upgrades and receiver integration for factory installations of SIRIUS radios, development costs associated with


the manufacturing of SIRIUS radios and additional personnel-related costs to support research and development efforts.

In September 2005, the company also recorded a ($6.2) million loss from the redemption of its 15% Senior Secured Discount Notes due 2007 and 14½% Senior Secured Notes due 2009.

NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2006 VERSUS NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2005

For the nine months ended September 30, 2006, SIRIUS recognized total revenue of $443.9 million compared with $162.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. This 174%, or $281.7 million, increase in revenue was primarily driven by a $252.4 million increase in subscriber revenue resulting from the net increase in subscribers of 2,945,388, or 135%, from September 30, 2005 to September 30, 2006, and a $19.5 million increase in net advertising revenue.

The company’s adjusted loss from operations increased ($5.1) million to ($346.3) million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 from ($341.2) million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 (refer to the reconciliation table of net loss to adjusted loss from operations).

Satellite and transmission expenses increased $11.4 million to $32.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 from $20.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. The increase was primarily attributable to an impairment charge associated with certain satellite long-lead time parts purchased in 1999 that will no longer be needed as a result of the company’s new satellite contract.

Programming and content expenses increased $101.8 million to $165.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 from $63.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. The increase was primarily attributable to license fees and consulting costs associated with new programming, and higher broadcast and webstreaming royalties as a result of the company’s larger subscriber base.

Customer service and billing expenses increased $17.6 million to $44.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 from $26.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. The increase was primarily attributable to call center operating costs necessary to accommodate the increase in the company’s subscriber base and transaction fees due to the addition of new subscribers. Customer service and billing expenses per average subscriber per month declined 38% to $1.13 for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 from $1.81 for the nine months ended September 30, 2005.

Sales and marketing expenses increased $29.9 million to $137.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 from $107.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. This 28% increase in sales and marketing expenses compared with a 174% increase in total revenue from $162.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 to $443.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006. The increase was primarily attributable to increased residuals and OEM revenue share as a result of a 135% increase in the company’s subscriber base, as well as increased cooperative marketing spend, advertising costs for the new marketing campaign and compensation related costs.


Subscriber acquisition costs increased $94.2 million to $298.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 from $204.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. The increase was primarily attributable to higher shipments of SIRIUS radios and chip sets to support a 101% increase in gross subscriber additions from 1,252,623 for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 to 2,523,587 for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, offset by reductions in hardware subsidy rates as the company continued to reduce manufacturing and chip set costs.

SAC per gross subscriber addition decreased 27% from $164 for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 to $119 for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 primarily due to the reduction in average subsidy rates as the company continued to reduce manufacturing and chip set costs.

General and administrative expenses increased $21.4 million to $64.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 from $42.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. The increase was primarily a result of legal fees, employment-related costs, rent and occupancy costs and bad debt expense to support the growth of the business.

Engineering, design and development expenses increased $12.7 million to $45.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 from $33.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 primarily as a result of costs associated with OEM tooling and manufacturing upgrades and receiver integration for factory installations of SIRIUS radios, development costs associated with the manufacturing of SIRIUS radios and additional personnel-related costs to support research and development efforts.

In September 2005, the company also recorded a ($6.2) million loss from the redemption of its 15% Senior Secured Discount Notes due 2007 and 14½% Senior Secured Notes due 2009.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, the company recorded ($4.4) million and ($0.7) million, respectively, for its share of SIRIUS Canada, Inc.’s net loss.

SIRIUS reported a net loss of ($859.3) million, or ($0.61) per share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, including a ($0.01) per share impact from the impairment loss and ($0.28) per share impact from equity charges, compared with a net loss of ($551.6) million, or ($0.42) per share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2005, including a ($0.09) per share impact from equity charges. The adjusted net loss per share, or net loss per share excluding the impairment loss and equity charges, was ($0.32) for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 compared with an adjusted net loss per share of ($0.33) for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 (refer to the reconciliation table of net loss per share to adjusted net loss per share).


Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. and Subsidiaries
Subscriber Data, Metrics and Other Non-GAAP Financial Measures
(Dollars in thousands, unless otherwise stated)
(Unaudited)

Subscribers:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Three Months
Ended September 30,

 

For the Nine Months
Ended September 30,

 

 

 


 


 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 


 


 


 


 

Beginning subscribers

 

 

4,678,207

 

 

1,814,626

 

 

3,316,560

 

 

1,143,258

 

Net additions

 

 

441,101

 

 

359,294

 

 

1,802,748

 

 

1,030,662

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Ending subscribers

 

 

5,119,308

 

 

2,173,920

 

 

5,119,308

 

 

2,173,920

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail

 

 

3,482,514

 

 

1,564,718

 

 

3,482,514

 

 

1,564,718

 

OEM

 

 

1,610,074

 

 

581,988

 

 

1,610,074

 

 

581,988

 

Hertz

 

 

26,720

 

 

27,214

 

 

26,720

 

 

27,214

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Ending subscribers

 

 

5,119,308

 

 

2,173,920

 

 

5,119,308

 

 

2,173,920

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail

 

 

205,899

 

 

209,920

 

 

1,017,151

 

 

653,463

 

OEM

 

 

236,464

 

 

149,000

 

 

786,381

 

 

378,519

 

Hertz

 

 

(1,262

)

 

374

 

 

(784

)

 

(1,320

)

 

 



 



 



 



 

Net additions

 

 

441,101

 

 

359,294

 

 

1,802,748

 

 

1,030,662

 

Metrics:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Three Months
Ended September 30,

 

For the Nine Months
Ended September 30,

 

 

 


 


 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 


 


 


 


 

Gross subscriber additions

 

 

732,406

 

 

465,228

 

 

2,523,587

 

 

1,252,623

 

Deactivated subscribers

 

 

291,305

 

 

105,934

 

 

720,839

 

 

221,961

 

Average monthly churn (2)(6)

 

 

2.0

%

 

1.8

%

 

1.8

%

 

1.5

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SAC per gross subscriber addition (3)(6)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

114

 

$

149

 

$

119

 

$

164

 

Customer service and billing expenses per average subscriber (4)(6)

 

$

1.01

 

$

1.59

 

$

1.13

 

$

1.81

 

Total revenue

 

$

167,113

 

$

66,831

 

$

443,855

 

$

162,241

 

Monthly ARPU:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average monthly subscriber revenue per subscriber before effects of Hertz subscribers and mail-in rebates

 

$

10.73

 

$

11.08

 

$

10.69

 

$

10.78

 

Effects of Hertz subscribers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.07

 

 

0.06

 

 

0.05

 

 

0.04

 

Effects of mail-in rebates

 

 

(0.12

)

 

(0.25

)

 

(0.27

)

 

(0.24

)

 

 



 



 



 



 

Average monthly subscriber revenue per subscriber

 

 

10.68

 

 

10.89

 

 

10.47

 

 

10.58

 

Average monthly net advertising revenue per subscriber

 

 

0.49

 

 

0.26

 

 

0.58

 

 

0.21

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

ARPU (5)(6)

 

$

11.17

 

$

11.15

 

$

11.05

 

$

10.79

 



Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. and Subsidiaries
Subscriber Data, Metrics and Other Non-GAAP Financial Measures - Continued
(Dollars in thousands, unless otherwise stated)
(Unaudited)

Adjusted Loss from Operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Three Months
Ended September 30,

 

For the Nine Months
Ended September 30,

 

 

 


 


 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 


 


 


 


 

Net loss

 

$

(162,898

)

$

(180,450

)

$

(859,270

)

$

(551,608

)

Impairment loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

10,917

 

 

 

Depreciation

 

 

27,583

 

 

24,559

 

 

78,254

 

 

73,640

 

Equity granted to third parties and employees

 

 

43,418

 

 

36,946

 

 

395,293

 

 

116,882

 

Other income (expense)

 

 

8,166

 

 

12,971

 

 

26,566

 

 

18,168

 

Income tax expense

 

 

578

 

 

560

 

 

1,909

 

 

1,680

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Adjusted loss from operations (7)

 

$

(83,153

)

$

(105,414

)

$

(346,331

)

$

(341,238

)

 

 



 



 



 



 

Adjusted Net Loss and Adjusted Net Loss per Share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Three Months
Ended September 30,

 

For the Nine Months
Ended September 30,

 

 

 


 


 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 


 


 


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(162,898

)

$

(180,450

)

$

(859,270

)

$

(551,608

)

Impairment loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

10,917

 

 

 

Equity granted to third parties and employees

 

 

43,418

 

 

36,946

 

 

395,293

 

 

116,882

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Adjusted net loss (8)

 

$

(119,480

)

$

(143,504

)

$

(453,060

)

$

(434,726

)

 

 



 



 



 



 

Net loss per share (basic and diluted)

 

$

(0.12

)

$

(0.14

)

$

(0.61

)

$

(0.42

)

Impairment loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.01

 

 

 

Equity granted to third parties and employees

 

 

0.03

 

 

0.03

 

 

0.28

 

 

0.09

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Adjusted net loss per share (basic and diluted) (8)

 

$

(0.09

)

$

(0.11

)

$

(0.32

)

$

(0.33

)

 

 



 



 



 



 

Weighted average common shares outstanding (basic and diluted)

 

 

1,405,281

 

 

1,328,458

 

 

1,398,829

 

 

1,322,399

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. and Subsidiaries
Subscriber Data, Metrics and Other Non-GAAP Financial Measures - Continued
(Dollars in thousands, unless otherwise stated)
(Unaudited)

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Three Months
Ended September 30,

 

For the Nine Months
Ended September 30,

 

 

 


 


 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 


 


 


 


 

Total revenue

 

$

167,113

 

$

66,831

 

$

443,855

 

$

162,241

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Satellite and transmission

 

 

7,090

 

 

7,228

 

 

32,077

 

 

20,709

 

Programming and content

 

 

55,917

 

 

23,542

 

 

165,372

 

 

63,589

 

Customer service and billing

 

 

14,718

 

 

9,416

 

 

44,218

 

 

26,646

 

Cost of equipment

 

 

6,196

 

 

1,453

 

 

13,128

 

 

4,381

 

Sales and marketing

 

 

41,474

 

 

38,181

 

 

137,379

 

 

107,543

 

Subscriber acquisition costs

 

 

80,863

 

 

68,675

 

 

298,670

 

 

204,461

 

General and administrative

 

 

23,517

 

 

13,966

 

 

64,314

 

 

42,918

 

Engineering, design and development

 

 

20,491

 

 

9,784

 

 

45,945

 

 

33,232

 

Depreciation

 

 

27,583

 

 

24,559

 

 

78,254

 

 

73,640

 

Equity granted to third parties and employees

 

 

43,418

 

 

36,946

 

 

395,293

 

 

116,882

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Total operating expenses

 

 

321,267

 

 

233,750

 

 

1,274,650

 

 

694,001

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Loss from operations

 

 

(154,154

)

 

(166,919

)

 

(830,795

)

 

(531,760

)

Other income (expense)

 

 

(8,166

)

 

(12,971

)

 

(26,566

)

 

(18,168

)

 

 



 



 



 



 

Loss before income taxes

 

 

(162,320

)

 

(179,890

)

 

(857,361

)

 

(549,928

)

Income tax expense

 

 

(578

)

 

(560

)

 

(1,909

)

 

(1,680

)

 

 



 



 



 



 

Net loss

 

$

(162,898

)

$

(180,450

)

$

(859,270

)

$

(551,608

)

 

 



 



 



 



 



Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Three Months
Ended September 30,

 

For the Nine Months
Ended September 30,

 

 

 


 


 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 


 


 


 


 

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subscriber revenue, including effects of mail-in rebates

 

$

155,337

 

$

64,273

 

$

408,154

 

$

155,799

 

Advertising revenue, net of agency fees

 

 

7,130

 

 

1,508

 

 

22,593

 

 

3,094

 

Equipment revenue

 

 

3,579

 

 

1,030

 

 

10,367

 

 

3,300

 

Other revenue

 

 

1,067

 

 

20

 

 

2,741

 

 

48

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Total revenue

 

 

167,113

 

 

66,831

 

 

443,855

 

 

162,241

 

Operating expenses (excludes depreciation shown separately
below) (1):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of services:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Satellite and transmission

 

 

7,580

 

 

7,695

 

 

34,279

 

 

22,164

 

Programming and content

 

 

79,532

 

 

28,397

 

 

462,511

 

 

78,382

 

Customer service and billing

 

 

14,915

 

 

9,556

 

 

44,863

 

 

27,051

 

Cost of equipment

 

 

6,196

 

 

1,453

 

 

13,128

 

 

4,381

 

Sales and marketing

 

 

49,083

 

 

47,823

 

 

152,257

 

 

137,891

 

Subscriber acquisition costs

 

 

79,812

 

 

81,029

 

 

329,418

 

 

235,576

 

General and administrative

 

 

35,053

 

 

20,103

 

 

103,261

 

 

64,664

 

Engineering, design and development

 

 

21,513

 

 

13,135

 

 

56,679

 

 

50,252

 

Depreciation

 

 

27,583

 

 

24,559

 

 

78,254

 

 

73,640

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Total operating expenses

 

 

321,267

 

 

233,750

 

 

1,274,650

 

 

694,001

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Loss from operations

 

 

(154,154

)

 

(166,919

)

 

(830,795

)

 

(531,760

)

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest and investment income

 

 

7,750

 

 

7,645

 

 

26,560

 

 

16,922

 

Interest expense

 

 

(15,921

)

 

(13,693

)

 

(48,705

)

 

(28,219

)

Loss from redemption of debt

 

 

 

 

(6,214

)

 

 

 

(6,214

)

Equity in net loss of affiliate

 

 

 

 

(739

)

 

(4,445

)

 

(739

)

Other income

 

 

5

 

 

30

 

 

24

 

 

82

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Total other income (expense)

 

 

(8,166

)

 

(12,971

)

 

(26,566

)

 

(18,168

)

 

 



 



 



 



 

Loss before income taxes

 

 

(162,320

)

 

(179,890

)

 

(857,361

)

 

(549,928

)

Income tax expense

 

 

(578

)

 

(560

)

 

(1,909

)

 

(1,680

)

 

 



 



 



 



 

Net loss

 

$

(162,898

)

$

(180,450

)

$

(859,270

)

$

(551,608

)

 

 



 



 



 



 

Net loss per share (basic and diluted)

 

$

(0.12

)

$

(0.14

)

$

(0.61

)

$

(0.42

)

 

 



 



 



 



 

Weighted average common shares outstanding (basic and diluted)

 

 

1,405,281

 

 

1,328,458

 

 

1,398,829

 

 

1,322,399

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations - continued
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Three Months
Ended September 30,

 

For the Nine Months
Ended September 30,

 

 

 


 


 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 


 


 


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1) Amounts related to equity granted to third parties and employees included in other operating expenses were as follows:

Satellite and transmission

 

$

490

 

$

467

 

$

2,202

 

$

1,455

 

Programming and content

 

 

23,615

 

 

4,855

 

 

297,139

 

 

14,793

 

Customer service and billing

 

 

197

 

 

140

 

 

645

 

 

405

 

Sales and marketing

 

 

7,609

 

 

9,642

 

 

14,878

 

 

30,348

 

Subscriber acquisition costs

 

 

(1,051

)

 

12,354

 

 

30,748

 

 

31,115

 

General and administrative

 

 

11,536

 

 

6,137

 

 

38,947

 

 

21,746

 

Engineering, design and development

 

 

1,022

 

 

3,351

 

 

10,734

 

 

17,020

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Total equity granted to third parties and employees

 

$

43,418

 

$

36,946

 

$

395,293

 

$

116,882

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. and Subsidiaries
Balance Sheet Data
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of

 

 

 


 

 

 

September 30, 2006

 

December 31, 2005

 

 

 


 


 

Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities

 

$

352,301

 

$

879,257

 

Restricted investments

 

 

83,300

 

 

107,615

 

Working capital

 

 

(106,429

)

 

404,481

 

Total assets

 

 

1,610,616

 

 

2,085,362

 

Long-term debt

 

 

1,083,929

 

 

1,084,437

 

Total liabilities

 

 

1,810,916

 

 

1,760,394

 

Accumulated deficit

 

 

(3,588,123

)

 

(2,728,853

)

Stockholders’ (deficit) equity

 

 

(200,300

)

 

324,968

 



Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. and Subsidiaries
Statements of Cash Flows
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Three Months
Ended
September 30,

 

For the Nine Months
Ended
September 30,

 

 

 


 


 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 


 


 


 


 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(162,898

)

$

(180,450

)

$

(859,270

)

$

(551,608

)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation

 

 

27,583

 

 

24,559

 

 

78,254

 

 

73,640

 

Non-cash interest expense

 

 

785

 

 

842

 

 

2,332

 

 

2,365

 

Provision for doubtful accounts

 

 

1,907

 

 

1,012

 

 

5,687

 

 

3,294

 

Non-cash equity in net loss of affiliate

 

 

(2,276

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-cash loss from redemption of debt

 

 

 

 

712

 

 

 

 

712

 

Loss on disposal of assets

 

 

348

 

 

34

 

 

889

 

 

286

 

Impairment loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

10,917

 

 

 

Equity granted to third parties and employees

 

 

43,418

 

 

36,946

 

 

395,293

 

 

116,882

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

578

 

 

560

 

 

1,909

 

 

1,680

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marketable securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

(276

)

 

(3,399

)

 

8,710

 

 

(9,455

)

Inventory

 

 

(19,869

)

 

(980

)

 

(30,723

)

 

(5,413

)

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

918

 

 

(7,059

)

 

(34,564

)

 

(14,613

)

Other long-term assets

 

 

3,414

 

 

2,653

 

 

(21,674

)

 

3,131

 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

 

(52,956

)

 

10,178

 

 

(70,974

)

 

36,331

 

Accrued interest

 

 

(11,620

)

 

6,467

 

 

(10,460

)

 

6,341

 

Deferred revenue

 

 

1,822

 

 

31,582

 

 

75,669

 

 

81,805

 

Other long-term liabilities

 

 

(16,646

)

 

20

 

 

(8,051

)

 

(3,522

)

 

 



 



 



 



 

Net cash used in operating activities

 

 

(185,768

)

 

(76,323

)

 

(456,056

)

 

(258,128

)

 

 



 



 



 



 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additions to property and equipment

 

 

(66,588

)

 

(7,086

)

 

(94,368

)

 

(17,949

)

Sales of property and equipment

 

 

 

 

6

 

 

123

 

 

65

 

Purchases of restricted and other investments

 

 

(5,000

)

 

 

 

(5,700

)

 

(6,291

)

Release of restricted investments

 

 

25,000

 

 

 

 

25,000

 

 

10,997

 

Purchases of available-for-sale securities

 

 

(10,000

)

 

(128,700

)

 

(118,500

)

 

(128,700

)

Sales of available-for-sale securities

 

 

24,215

 

 

5,100

 

 

201,340

 

 

9,935

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

 

 

(32,373

)

 

(130,680

)

 

7,895

 

 

(131,943

)

 

 



 



 



 



 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, net

 

 

 

 

493,005

 

 

 

 

493,005

 

Redemption of debt

 

 

 

 

(57,609

)

 

 

 

(57,609

)

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

 

 

1,054

 

 

5,021

 

 

4,030

 

 

11,125

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(8

)

 

 



 



 



 



 

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

 

1,054

 

 

440,417

 

 

4,030

 

 

446,513

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(217,087

)

 

233,414

 

 

(444,131

)

 

56,442

 

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of period

 

 

534,963

 

 

576,919

 

 

762,007

 

 

753,891

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of period

 

$

317,876

 

$

810,333

 

$

317,876

 

$

810,333

 

 

 



 



 



 



 



FOOTNOTES TO PRESS RELEASE AND TABLES FOR NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

This press release, including the selected financial information above, includes the following non-GAAP financial measures: free cash flow, average monthly churn; SAC per gross subscriber addition; customer service and billing expenses per average subscriber; average monthly revenue per subscriber, or ARPU; adjusted loss from operations; adjusted net loss; and adjusted net loss per share. The definitions and usefulness of such non-GAAP financial measures are as follows (dollars in thousands, unless otherwise stated):

(1) SIRIUS defines free cash flow as cash flow from operating activities, capital expenditures and restricted investment activity.

(2) SIRIUS defines average monthly churn as the number of deactivated subscribers divided by average quarterly subscribers.

(3) SIRIUS defines SAC per gross subscriber addition as subscriber acquisition costs, excluding equity granted to third parties and employees, and negative margins from the direct sale of SIRIUS radios and accessories divided by the number of gross subscriber additions for the period. SAC per gross subscriber addition is calculated as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Three Months
Ended September 30,

 

For the Nine Months
Ended September 30,

 

 

 


 


 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 


 


 


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subscriber acquisition costs

 

$

79,812

 

$

81,029

 

$

329,418

 

$

235,576

 

Less: equity granted to third parties and employees

 

 

1,051

 

 

(12,354

)

 

(30,748

)

 

(31,115

)

Add: negative margins from direct sale of SIRIUS radios and accessories

 

 

2,617

 

 

423

 

 

2,761

 

 

1,081

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

SAC

 

$

83,480

 

$

69,098

 

$

301,431

 

$

205,542

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Gross subscriber additions

 

 

732,406

 

 

465,228

 

 

2,523,587

 

 

1,252,623

 

SAC per gross subscriber addition

 

$

114

 

$

149

 

$

119

 

$

164

 

(4) SIRIUS defines customer service and billing expenses per average subscriber as total customer service and billing expenses, excluding equity granted to third parties and employees, divided by the daily weighted average number of subscribers for the period.

(5) SIRIUS defines ARPU as the total earned subscriber revenue and net advertising revenue divided by the daily weighted average number of subscribers for the period. ARPU is calculated as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the Three Months
Ended September 30,

 

For the Nine Months
Ended September 30,

 

 

 


 


 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 


 


 


 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subscriber revenue

 

$

155,337

 

$

64,273

 

$

408,154

 

$

155,799

 

Net advertising revenue

 

 

7,130

 

 

1,508

 

 

22,593

 

 

3,094

 

 

 



 



 



 



 

Total subscriber and net advertising revenue

 

$

162,467

 

$

65,781

 

$

430,747

 

$

158,893

 

Daily weighted average number of subscribers

 

 

4,848,293

 

 

1,968,643

 

 

4,332,332

 

 

1,634,796

 

ARPU

 

$

11.17

 

$

11.15

 

$

11.05

 

$

10.79

 

(6) SIRIUS believes free cash flow; average monthly churn; SAC per gross subscriber addition; customer service and billing expenses per average subscriber; and ARPU provide meaningful supplemental information regarding operating performance and liquidity and are used for internal management purposes, when publicly providing the business outlook, and as a means to evaluate period-to-period comparisons. These non-GAAP financial measures are used in addition to and in conjunction with results presented in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP financial measures may be susceptible to varying calculations; may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies; and should not be considered in isolation, as a substitute for, or superior to measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP.

SIRIUS believes the exclusion of equity granted to third parties and employees expense in the calculations of SAC per gross subscriber addition and customer service and billing expenses per average subscriber is useful given the significant variation in expense that can result from changes in the fair market value of SIRIUS common stock, the effect of which is unrelated to the operational conditions that give rise to variations in the components of subscriber acquisition costs and customer service and billing expenses. Specifically, the exclusion of equity granted to third parties and employees expense in the calculation of SAC per gross subscriber addition is critical in being able to understand


the economic impact of the direct costs incurred to acquire a subscriber and the effect over time as economies of scale are reached.

(7) SIRIUS refers to net loss before taxes; other income (expense) - including interest and investment income, interest expense, loss from redemption of debt and equity in net loss of affiliate; depreciation; impairment charges; and equity granted to third parties and employees expense as adjusted loss from operations. Adjusted loss from operations is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP. The company believes adjusted loss from operations is a useful measure of its operating performance. The company uses adjusted loss from operations for budgetary and planning purposes; to assess the relative profitability and on-going performance of consolidated operations; to compare performance from period to period; and to compare performance to that of its primary competitor. The company also believes adjusted loss from operations is useful to investors to compare operating performance to the performance of other communications, entertainment and media companies. The company believes that investors use current and projected adjusted loss from operations to estimate the current or prospective enterprise value and make investment decisions.

Because the company funds and builds-out its satellite radio system through the periodic raising and expenditure of large amounts of capital, results of operations reflect significant charges for interest and depreciation expense. The company believes adjusted loss from operations provides useful information about the operating performance of the business apart from the costs associated with the capital structure and physical plant. The exclusion of interest expense and depreciation is useful given fluctuations in interest rates and significant variation in depreciation expense that can result from the amount and timing of capital expenditures and potential variations in estimated useful lives, all of which can vary widely across different industries or among companies within the same industry. The company believes the exclusion of taxes is appropriate for comparability purposes as the tax positions of companies can vary because of their differing abilities to take advantage of tax benefits and because of the tax policies of the various jurisdictions in which they operate. The company also believes the exclusion of equity granted to third parties and employees expense is useful given the significant variation in expense that can result from changes in the fair market value of the company’s common stock. Finally, the company believes that the exclusion of equity in net loss of affiliate (SIRIUS Canada Inc.) is useful to assess the performance of its core consolidated operations in the continental United States. To compensate for the exclusion of taxes, other income (expense), depreciation, impairment charges and equity granted to third parties and employees expense, the company separately measures and budgets for these items.

There are material limitations associated with the use of adjusted loss from operations in evaluating the company compared with net loss, which reflects overall financial performance, including the effects of taxes, other income (expense), depreciation, impairment charges and equity granted to third parties and employees expense. The company uses adjusted loss from operations to supplement GAAP results to provide a more complete understanding of the factors and trends affecting the business than GAAP results alone. Investors that wish to compare and evaluate the operating results after giving effect for these costs, should refer to net loss as disclosed in the unaudited consolidated statements of operations. Since adjusted loss from operations is a non-GAAP financial measure, the calculation of adjusted loss from operations may be susceptible to varying calculations; may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies; and should not be considered in isolation, as a substitute for, or superior to measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP.

(8) SIRIUS refers to adjusted net loss and adjusted net loss per share as net loss and net loss per share excluding impairment charges and equity granted to third parties and employees expense. Adjusted net loss and adjusted net loss per share are not measures of financial performance under GAAP. The company believes adjusted net loss and adjusted net loss per share are useful to investors to compare its operating performance to the performance of other communications, entertainment and media companies. The company believes the exclusion of impairment charges is appropriate for comparability purposes as the existence, amount and timing of impairment charges can vary period to period and can vary widely across different industries or among companies within the same industry. The company also believes the exclusion of equity granted to third parties and employees expense is useful given the significant variation in expense that can result from changes in the fair market value of the company’s common stock.

There are material limitations associated with the use of adjusted net loss and adjusted net loss per share in evaluating the company compared with net loss and net loss per share, which reflects overall financial performance, including the effects of impairment charges and equity granted to third parties and employees expense. The company uses adjusted net loss and adjusted net loss per share to supplement GAAP results to provide a more complete understanding of the factors and trends affecting the business than GAAP results alone. Investors that wish to compare and evaluate the operating results after giving effect for these costs, should refer to net loss and net loss per share as disclosed in the unaudited consolidated statements of operations. Since adjusted net loss and adjusted net loss per share are non-GAAP financial measures, the calculation of adjusted net loss and adjusted net loss per share may be susceptible to varying calculations; may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies; and should not be considered in isolation, as a substitute for, or superior to measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP.


# # #

About SIRIUS

SIRIUS, “The Best Radio on Radio,” delivers more than 130 channels of the best programming in all of radio. SIRIUS is the original and only home of 100% commercial free music channels in satellite radio, offering 69 music channels. SIRIUS also delivers 65 channels of sports, news, talk, entertainment, traffic, weather and data. SIRIUS is the Official Satellite Radio Partner of the NFL, NBA and NHL and broadcasts live play-by-play games of the NFL, NBA and NHL. All SIRIUS programming is available for a monthly subscription fee of only $12.95.

SIRIUS Internet Radio (SIR) is a CD-quality, Internet-only version of the SIRIUS radio service, without the use of a radio, for the monthly subscription fee of $12.95. SIR delivers more than 75 channels of talk, entertainment, sports, and 100% commercial free music. 

SIRIUS products for the car, truck, home, RV and boat are available in more than 25,000 retail locations, including Best Buy, Circuit City, Crutchfield, Costco, Target, Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, RadioShack and at shop.sirius.com.

SIRIUS radios are offered in vehicles from Audi, Bentley, BMW, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Infiniti, Jaguar, Jeep®, Land Rover, Lexus, Lincoln-Mercury, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, MINI, Nissan, Rolls Royce, Scion, Toyota, Porsche, Volkswagen, and Volvo. Hertz also offers SIRIUS in its rental cars at major locations around the country. 

Click on www.sirius.com to listen to SIRIUS live, or to purchase a SIRIUS radio and subscription.

Any statements that express, or involve discussions as to, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance with respect to SIRIUS Satellite Radio Inc. are not historical facts and may be forward-looking and, accordingly, such statements involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Accordingly, any such statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the factors discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2006 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Among the key factors that have a direct bearing on our operational results are: our dependence upon third parties, including manufacturers of SIRIUS radios, retailers, automakers and programming partners, our competitive position and any events which affect the useful life of our satellites.

E-SIRI

Media Contact:

Patrick Reilly
SIRIUS
212.901.6646
preilly@siriusradio.com

Analyst Contact:

Paul Blalock
SIRIUS
212.584.5174
pblalock@siriusradio.com

Michelle McKinnon
SIRIUS
212.584.5285
mmckinnon@siriusradio.com