Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Business & Basis of Presentation

v2.4.0.8
Business & Basis of Presentation
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2013
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Business & Basis of Presentation
Business & Basis of Presentation
Business
We broadcast our 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 new features such as SiriusXM On Demand and MySXM, over the Internet, including through applications for mobile devices. We have agreements with every major automaker (“OEMs”) to offer satellite radios as factory or dealer-installed equipment in their vehicles from which we acquire a majority of our subscribers. We also acquire subscribers through marketing campaigns to owners of 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 other subscription-related fees, the sale of advertising on select non-music channels, the direct sale of satellite radios, components and accessories, and other ancillary services, such as our Internet radio, Backseat TV, data, traffic and weather 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.

On August 14, 2013, we entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with Agero, Inc. ("Agero"), pursuant to which we agreed to acquire the connected vehicle business of Agero for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $530,000 in cash. Agero's connected vehicle business is a leader in implementing the next generation of connected vehicle services. The business offers a portfolio of location-based services through two-way wireless connectivity, including safety, security, convenience, maintenance and data services and remote vehicle diagnostics. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2013 subject to the expiration or early termination of the Hart-Scott-Rodino antitrust waiting period and other customary closing conditions.

Liberty Media Corporation beneficially owned as of September 30, 2013, directly and indirectly, over 50% of the outstanding shares of our common stock. Liberty Media owns interests in a broad range of media, communications and entertainment businesses, including its subsidiaries, Atlanta National League Baseball Club, Inc. and TruePosition, Inc., its interests in Charter Communications, Live Nation and Barnes & Noble, and minority equity investments in Time Warner, Inc. and Viacom.
Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements of Sirius XM Radio Inc. and its subsidiaries have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for interim financial reporting. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in the financial statements presented in accordance with GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations.
Basis of Presentation
Certain numbers in our prior period consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to our current period presentation. All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. In the opinion of management, all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of our unaudited consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2013 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 have been made.

Interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for a full year. This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read together with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, which was filed with the SEC on February 6, 2013.
We have evaluated events subsequent to the balance sheet date and prior to the filing of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and have determined that no events have occurred that would require adjustment to our unaudited consolidated financial statements. For a discussion of subsequent events 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 unaudited consolidated financial statements include assessments of asset impairment, depreciable lives of our satellites, share-based payment expense and income taxes.