Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Business & Basis of Presentation

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Business & Basis of Presentation
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Business & Basis of Presentation
Business & Basis of Presentation
This Annual Report on Form 10-K presents information for Sirius XM Holdings Inc. (“Holdings”).  The terms “Holdings,” “we,” “us,” “our,” and “our company” as used herein, and unless otherwise stated or indicated by context, refer to Sirius XM Holdings Inc. and its subsidiaries, and “Sirius XM” refers to our wholly-owned subsidiary Sirius XM Radio Inc. Holdings has no operations independent of its wholly-owned subsidiary, Sirius XM.
Business
We transmit music, sports, entertainment, comedy, talk, news, traffic and weather channels, as well as infotainment services, in the United States on a subscription fee basis through our two proprietary satellite radio systems. We also transmit a larger set of music and other channels and video programming through our streaming service. Our streaming service is available online and through applications for mobile devices, home devices and other consumer electronic equipment.  We also provide connected vehicle services.  Our connected vehicle services are designed to enhance the safety, security and driving experience for vehicle operators while providing marketing and operational benefits to automakers and their dealers.
We have agreements with every major automaker (“OEMs”) to offer satellite radio in their vehicles, through which we acquire the majority of our subscribers. We also acquire subscribers through marketing to owners and lessees of used vehicles that include factory-installed satellite radios that are not currently subscribing to our services. Our satellite radios are primarily distributed through automakers, retailers, and our website. Satellite radio services are also offered to customers of certain rental car companies.
Our primary source of revenue is subscription fees, with most of our customers subscribing to monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual plans.  We offer discounts for prepaid subscription plans, as well as a multiple subscription discount.  We also derive revenue from certain fees, the sale of advertising on select non-music channels, the direct sale of satellite radios and accessories, and other ancillary services, such as our weather, traffic and data services.
In many cases, a subscription to our radio services is included with the purchase or lease of new or previously owned vehicles. The length of these subscriptions varies but is typically three to twelve months.  We receive payments for these subscriptions from certain automakers.  We also reimburse various automakers for certain costs associated with satellite radios installed in new vehicles and pay revenue share to various automakers.
On September 23, 2018, Holdings entered into an agreement to acquire Pandora Media, Inc. (“Pandora”) in an all-stock transaction initially valued at $3.5 billion. In connection with the acquisition, each outstanding share of Pandora common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, will be converted into the right to receive 1.44 shares of Holdings common stock, par value $0.001 per share. The transaction is conditioned upon the vote of holders of a majority of the combined voting power of the outstanding shares of Pandora common stock and the outstanding shares of Pandora’s Series A Preferred Stock, voting together as a single class, in favor of the adoption of the merger agreement. In addition, the completion of the transaction is subject to other customary conditions, including, among others, the absence of any law or order that prohibits or makes illegal the merger and, subject to certain exceptions, the accuracy of the representations and warranties of each party and compliance by the parties with their respective covenants. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2019. Refer to Note 11 for more information on this transaction.
As of December 31, 2018, Liberty Media Corporation (“Liberty Media”) beneficially owned, directly and indirectly, approximately 73% of the outstanding shares of our common stock.  As a result, we are a “controlled company” for the purposes of the NASDAQ corporate governance requirements.
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements of Holdings and its subsidiaries have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain numbers in our prior period consolidated financial statements and footnotes have been reclassified or consolidated to conform to our current period presentation.
Public companies are required to disclose certain information about their reportable operating segments.  Operating segments are defined as significant components of an enterprise for which separate financial information is available and is evaluated on a regular basis by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources to an individual segment and in assessing performance of the segment. We have determined that we have one reportable segment as our chief operating decision maker, our Chief Executive Officer, assesses performance and allocates resources based on the consolidated results of operations of our business.
We have evaluated events subsequent to the balance sheet date and prior to the filing of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 and have determined that no events have occurred that would require adjustment to our consolidated financial statements.  For a discussion of subsequent events that do not require adjustment to our consolidated financial statements refer to Note 17.
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 consolidated financial statements include asset impairment, depreciable lives of our satellites, share-based payment expense, and income taxes.