Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

v2.4.0.8
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Basis of Presentation
Basis of Presentation
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q presents information for Sirius XM Holdings Inc. (“Holdings”). Holdings has no operations independent of its wholly-owned subsidiary Sirius XM Radio Inc. ("Sirius XM").
    
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of Holdings 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.

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, 2014 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 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, 2013, which was filed with the SEC on February 4, 2014.

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, 2014 and have determined that no events have occurred that would require adjustment to our unaudited consolidated financial statements. For a discussion of subsequent events that do not require adjustment to our unaudited consolidated financial statements refer to Note 18.
Use of Estimates
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.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
For assets and liabilities required to be reported at fair value, GAAP provides a hierarchy that prioritizes inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels. Level 1 inputs are based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical instruments. Level 2 inputs are inputs, other than quoted market prices included within Level 1, that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.
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 (convertible debt, warrants, stock options and restricted stock units) were exercised or converted into common stock, calculated using the treasury stock method.
Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable, net, are stated at amounts due from customers 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.
Accounts Receivable from Distributors
Receivables from distributors 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 distributors and retailers of our satellite radios. We have not established an allowance for doubtful accounts for our receivables from distributors as we have historically not experienced any significant collection issues with OEMs.
Inventory
Inventory consists of finished goods, refurbished goods, chip sets and other raw material components used in manufacturing radios. 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 and retail distribution 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 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 the asset below its carrying value. If the carrying value of goodwill exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized.