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Business & Basis of Presentation
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12 Months Ended |
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Dec. 31, 2014
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| Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] | |
| Business & Basis of Presentation |
Business & Basis of Presentation
Business
We broadcast 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. Subscribers can also receive music and other channels, plus features such as SiriusXM On Demand and MySXM, over our Internet radio service, including through applications for mobile devices. We are also a leader in providing 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. Subscribers to our connected vehicle services are not included in our subscriber count or subscriber-based operating metrics.
We have agreements with every major automaker (“OEMs”) to offer satellite radios in their vehicles from which we acquire a majority of our subscribers. We also acquire subscribers through marketing to owners and lessees of vehicles that include factory-installed satellite radios that are not currently subscribing to our services. Additionally, we distribute our satellite radios through retail locations nationwide and through our website. Satellite radio services are also offered to customers of certain daily rental car companies.
Our primary source of revenue is subscription fees, with most of our customers subscribing on an annual, semi-annual, quarterly or monthly basis. We offer discounts for prepaid and longer term subscription plans as well as discounts for multiple subscriptions. We also derive revenue from activation and other 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, data and Backseat TV services.
In certain cases, automakers and dealers include a subscription to our radio services in the sale or lease price of new or previously owned vehicles. The length of these trial subscriptions varies but is typically three to twelve months. We receive subscription payments for these trials from certain automakers. We also reimburse various automakers for certain costs associated with satellite radios installed in new vehicles.
Liberty Media Corporation ("Liberty Media") beneficially owns, directly and indirectly, over 50% 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. Liberty Media owns interests in a range of media, communications and entertainment businesses.
Basis of Presentation
This Annual Report on Form 10-K presents information for Sirius XM Holdings Inc. (“Holdings”). Holdings has no operations independent of its wholly-owned subsidiary Sirius XM Radio Inc. ("Sirius XM").
Our financial statements 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 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 makers 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, the 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, 2014 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 19.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make certain estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and footnotes. Estimates, by their nature, are based on judgments 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.
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