Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Holdings and its subsidiaries have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Certain numbers in our prior period consolidated financial statements and footnotes have been reclassified or consolidated to conform to our current period presentation.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and footnotes.  Estimates, by their nature, are based on judgment and available information.  Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.  Significant estimates inherent in the preparation of the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements include asset impairment, depreciable lives of our satellites, share-based payment expense, and income taxes.
Equity Method Investments
Sirius XM Canada is accounted for as an equity method investment, and its results are not consolidated in our consolidated financial statements. Sirius XM Canada does not meet the requirements for consolidation as we do not have the ability to direct the most significant activities that impact Sirius XM Canada's economic performance.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements and Recently Adopted Accounting Policies
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). This ASU requires a company to recognize lease assets and liabilities arising from operating leases in the statement of financial position. This ASU does not significantly change the previous lease guidance for how a lessee should recognize the recognition, measurement, and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease. Additionally, the criteria for classifying a finance lease versus an operating lease are substantially the same as the previous guidance. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and early adoption is permitted. This ASU must be adopted using a modified retrospective approach. We plan to adopt this ASU on January 1, 2019. We are in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption of this ASU on our consolidated financial statements. We currently believe the most significant changes will be related to the recognition of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets for operating leases.
Recently Adopted Accounting Policies
ASU 2014-09, Revenue - Revenue from Contracts with Customers. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09 which requires entities to recognize revenues when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to customers at an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. In addition, the standard requires disclosure of the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. We adopted ASU 2014-09, and all related amendments, which established Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 606 (the "new revenue standard"), effective as of January 1, 2018. We adopted the new revenue standard using the modified retrospective method by recognizing the cumulative effect of initially applying the new revenue standard to all non-completed contracts as of January 1, 2018 as an adjustment to opening Accumulated deficit in the period of adoption. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2018 are presented under the new revenue standard, while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with our historic accounting under Topic 605.
The new revenue standard primarily impacts how we account for revenue share payments as well as other immaterial impacts.
Revenue Share
We previously recorded revenue share related to paid trials as Revenue share and royalties expense. Under the new revenue standard, we have recorded these revenue share payments as a reduction to revenue as the payments do not transfer a distinct good or service to us. Prior to the adoption, a portion of deferred revenue was for the revenue share related to paid trials. Under the new revenue standard, we reclassified the revenue share related to paid trials existing as of the date of adoption from Current portion of deferred revenue to Accounts payable and accrued expenses. For new paid trials, the net amount of the paid trial will be recorded as deferred revenue and the portion of revenue share will be recorded to Accounts payable and accrued expenses.
Other Impacts
Other impacts of the new revenue standard include:
•
Activation fees were previously recognized over the expected subscriber life using the straight-line method. Under the new revenue standard, the activation fees have been recognized over a one month period from activation as the activation fees are non-refundable and they do not convey a material right. As of January 1, 2018, we reduced deferred revenue related to activation fees of $8,260, net of tax, to Accumulated deficit.
•
Loyalty payments to OEMs were previously expensed when incurred as Subscriber acquisition costs. Under the new revenue standard, these costs have been capitalized in Prepaid expenses and other current assets as costs to obtain a contract and these costs will be amortized to Subscriber acquisition costs over an average self-pay subscriber life of that OEM. As of January 1, 2018, we capitalized previously expensed loyalty payments of $10,156, net of tax, to Prepaid expenses and other current assets by reducing Accumulated deficit.
These changes do not have a material impact to our financial statements.
ASU 2018-02, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02 to amend its standard on comprehensive income to provide an option for an entity to reclassify the stranded tax effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) that was passed in December 2017 from accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) directly to retained earnings. The stranded tax effects result from the remeasurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities which were originally recorded in comprehensive income but whose remeasurement is reflected in the income statement. The guidance is effective for interim and fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. We elected to early adopt ASU 2018-02 effective January 1, 2018 and reclassified the stranded tax effects due to the Tax Act of $4,013 related to the currency translation adjustment from our investment balance and note receivable with Sirius XM Canada from AOCI to Accumulated deficit.
The cumulative effect of the changes made to our consolidated balance sheet as of January 1, 2018 for the adoption of ASU 2014-09 and ASU 2018-02 are included in the table below.
 
Balance at
December 31, 2017
 
Adjustments Due to ASU 2014-09
 
Adjustments Due to ASU 2018-02
 
Balance at
January 1, 2018
Balance Sheet
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
$
129,669

 
$
8,262

 
$
—

 
$
137,931

Other long-term assets
118,671

 
2,576

 
—

 
121,247

Deferred tax assets
505,528

 
(5,915
)
 
—

 
499,613

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
794,341

 
32,399

 
—

 
826,740

Current portion of deferred revenue
1,881,825

 
(41,902
)
 
—

 
1,839,923

Deferred revenue
174,579

 
(3,990
)
 
—

 
170,589

 
 
 
 
 

 
 
Equity:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated deficit
(3,243,473
)
 
18,416

 
(4,013
)
 
(3,229,070
)
AOCI, net of tax
18,407

 
—

 
4,013

 
22,420

The following table illustrates the impact that adopting ASU 2014-09 has had on our reported results in the unaudited consolidated statement of comprehensive income. The adoption of ASU 2018-02 did not impact our unaudited consolidated statement of comprehensive income.
 
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
 
As Reported
 
Impact of Adopting ASU 2014-09
 
Balances Without Adoption of ASU 2014-09
Income Statement
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
 
 
 
 
 
Subscriber revenue
$
1,117,084

 
$
24,392

 
$
1,141,476

 
 
 
 
 
 
Expenses
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue share and royalties
310,132

 
22,069

 
332,201

Subscriber acquisition costs
122,693

 
1,046

 
123,739

Income tax expense
(80,249
)
 
(277
)
 
(80,526
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income
$
289,441

 
$
1,000

 
$
290,441



The adoption of the new revenue standard did not have a material impact to our unaudited consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2018.
ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash. In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash. This ASU updates the guidance related to the statement of cash flows and requires that the statement include restricted cash with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling beginning and ending cash. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period, and we adopted this ASU effective January 1, 2018. As a result of the adoption, we have added restricted cash to the reconciliation of beginning and ending cash and cash equivalents and included a reconciliation of total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash to the balance sheet for each period presented in the unaudited consolidated statements of cash flows. Refer to the unaudited consolidated statements of cash flows for the impacts of this adoption.
Revenue Recognition
Subscription Revenue
Subscription revenue consists primarily of subscription fees and other ancillary subscription based revenues. Revenue is recognized on a straight line basis when the performance obligations to provide each service for the period are satisfied, which is over time as our subscription services are continuously transmitted and can be consumed by customers at any time. Consumers purchasing or leasing a vehicle with a factory-installed satellite radio typically receive between a three and twelve month subscription to our service.  In certain cases, the subscription fee for these consumers are prepaid by the applicable automaker. Prepaid subscription fees received from certain automakers or directly from consumers are recorded as deferred revenue and amortized to revenue ratably over the service period which commences upon sale and activation. Activation fees are recognized over one month as the activation fees are non-refundable and do not provide for a material right to the customer. There is no revenue recognized for unpaid trial subscriptions. In some cases we pay a loyalty fee to the OEM when we receive a certain amount of payments from self-pay customers acquired from that OEM. These fees are considered incremental costs to obtain a contract and are, therefore, recognized as an asset and amortized to Subscriber acquisition costs over an average subscriber life of that OEM. Revenue share and loyalty fees paid to the OEM offering a paid trial are accounted for as a reduction of revenue as the payment does not provide a distinct good or service.
Advertising Revenue
We recognize revenue from the sale of advertising as performance obligations are satisfied upon airing of the advertising; therefore, revenue is recognized at a point in time when each advertising spot is transmitted. Agency fees are calculated based on a stated percentage applied to gross billing revenue for our advertising inventory and are reported as a reduction of advertising revenue.  Additionally, we pay certain third parties a percentage of advertising revenue.  Advertising revenue is recorded gross of such revenue share payments as we control the advertising service including the ability to establish pricing and we are primarily responsible for providing the service.  Advertising revenue share payments are recorded to Revenue share and royalties during the period in which the advertising is transmitted.
Equipment Revenue
Equipment revenue and royalties from the sale of satellite radios, components and accessories are recognized when the performance obligation is satisfied and control is transferred, which is generally upon shipment. Revenue is recognized net of discounts and rebates.
Music Royalty Fee and Other Revenue
Music Royalty Fee and Other Revenue primarily consists of U.S. music royalty fees ("MRF"). The related costs we incur for the right to broadcast music and other programming are recorded as Revenue share and royalties expense.  Fees received from subscribers for the MRF are recorded as deferred revenue and amortized to revenue ratably over the service period as the royalties relate to the subscription services which are continuously delivered to our customers.
Deferred Revenue
Customers generally pay for the services in advance of the performance obligation and therefore these prepayments are recorded as deferred revenue. The deferred revenue is recognized as revenue in our unaudited consolidated statement of comprehensive income as the services are provided. Changes in the contract liability balance during the period ended March 31, 2018 was not materially impacted by other factors.
Earnings per Share
Basic net income per common share is calculated by dividing the income available to common stockholders by the weighted average common shares outstanding during each reporting period.  Diluted net income per common share adjusts the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the potential dilution that could occur if common stock equivalents (stock options and restricted stock units) were exercised or converted into common stock, calculated using the treasury stock method.
Receivables, net
Receivables, net, includes customer accounts receivable, receivables from distributors and other receivables.
Customer accounts receivable, net, includes receivables from our subscribers and other customers, including advertising, and is stated at amounts due, net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. Our allowance for doubtful accounts is based upon our assessment of various factors.  We consider historical experience, the age of the receivable balances, current economic conditions and other factors that may affect the counterparty’s ability to pay.  Bad debt expense is included in Customer service and billing expense in our unaudited consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
Receivables from distributors primarily include billed and unbilled amounts due from OEMs for services included in the sale or lease price of vehicles, as well as billed amounts due from wholesale distributors of our satellite radios.  Other receivables primarily include amounts due from manufacturers of our radios, modules and chipsets where we are entitled to subsidies and royalties based on the number of units produced.  We have not established an allowance for doubtful accounts for our receivables from distributors or other receivables as we have historically not experienced any significant collection issues with OEMs or other third parties.
Inventory, net
Inventory consists of finished goods, refurbished goods, chipsets and other raw material components used in manufacturing radios and connected vehicle devices. Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or market.  We record an estimated allowance for inventory that is considered slow moving or obsolete or whose carrying value is in excess of net realizable value.  The provision related to products purchased for resale in our direct to consumer distribution channel and components held for resale by us is reported as a component of Cost of equipment in our unaudited consolidated statements of comprehensive income.  The provision related to inventory consumed in our OEM channel is reported as a component of Subscriber acquisition costs in our unaudited consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair value of the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired in business combinations. Our annual impairment assessment of our single reporting unit is performed as of the fourth quarter of each year, and an assessment is performed at other times if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. ASC 350, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other, states that an entity should perform its annual or interim goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount and recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. ASC 350 also states that a reporting unit with a zero or negative carrying amount is not required to perform a qualitative assessment.
Indefinite Life Intangible Assets
Our annual impairment assessment of our identifiable indefinite life intangible assets is performed as of the fourth quarter of each year. An assessment is performed at other times if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the asset below its carrying value. If the carrying value of the intangible assets exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized.
Legal Reserves
We record a liability when we believe that it is both probable that a liability will be incurred, and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. We evaluate developments in legal matters that could affect the amount of liability that has been previously accrued and make adjustments as appropriate. Significant judgment is required to determine both probability and the estimated amount of a loss or potential loss. We may be unable to reasonably estimate the reasonably possible loss or range of loss for a particular legal contingency for various reasons, including, among others, because: (i) the damages sought are indeterminate; (ii) the proceedings are in the relative early stages; (iii) there is uncertainty as to the outcome of pending proceedings (including motions and appeals); (iv) there is uncertainty as to the likelihood of settlement and the outcome of any negotiations with respect thereto; (v) there remain significant factual issues to be determined or resolved; (vi) the relevant law is unsettled; or (vii) the proceedings involve novel or untested legal theories. In such instances, there may be considerable uncertainty regarding the ultimate resolution of such matters, including a possible eventual loss, if any.