Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2021

OR

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                to                

Commission File Number 001-36713

LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

State of Delaware

47-1211994

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

12300 Liberty Boulevard
Englewood, Colorado

80112

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (720) (720875-5700

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Series A common stock

LBRDA

The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

Series C common stock

LBRDK

The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

Series A Cumulative Redeemable preferred stock

LBRDP

The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes     No 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes     No 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company" and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer Accelerated Filer 

Accelerated filer Filer 

Non-accelerated filer Filer 
(do not check if smaller
reporting company)

Smaller reporting company Reporting Company 

Emerging growth company Growth Company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. Yes     No 

The number of outstanding shares of Liberty Broadband Corporation'sCorporation’s common stock as of October 16, 2017April 30, 2021 was:

Series A

Series B

Series C

Liberty Broadband Corporation common stock

26,495,671

2,549,048

160,240,257

Series A common stock

26,301,479

Series B common stock

2,455,179

Series C common stock

153,089,705


Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Part I - Financial Information

f

Page No

Item 1. Financial Statements

LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited)

I-2

LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited)

I-3I-4

LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Earnings (Loss) (unaudited)

I-4I-5

LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)

I-5

LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity (unaudited)

I-6

LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity (unaudited)

I-7

LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

I-7I-8

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

I-23I-26

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

I-32I-39

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

I-32I-41

Part II - Other Information

Item 1.  1. Legal Proceedings

II-1

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

II-1

Item 6.  Exhibits

II-2

SIGNATURESItem 6. Exhibits

II-3

SIGNATURES

II-4

I-1


Table of Contents

LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(unaudited)

March 31,

December 31,

2021

2020

 

amounts in thousands

 

Assets

    

    

    

    

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$

1,177,161

 

1,417,802

Trade and other receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $537 and $10, respectively

201,228

349,256

Other current assets

 

82,954

 

79,453

Total current assets

 

1,461,343

 

1,846,511

Investment in Charter, accounted for using the equity method (note 5)

 

15,734,862

 

16,178,939

Property and equipment, net

1,071,969

1,098,512

Intangible assets not subject to amortization

Goodwill

764,686

745,577

Cable certificates

550,000

560,000

Other

36,500

21,500

Intangible assets subject to amortization, net (note 6)

624,956

674,049

Tax sharing receivable

86,260

94,549

Other assets, net

 

160,466

 

151,487

Total assets

$

20,491,042

 

21,371,124

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

I-2

Table of Contents

LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION

(unaudited)Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Continued)

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2017

 

2016

 

 

 

(amounts in thousands)

 

Assets

    

 

    

    

    

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

135,425

 

205,728

 

Trade and other receivables, net

 

 

2,233

 

878

 

Derivative instruments

 

 

 —

 

49,019

 

Other current assets

 

 

4,319

 

2,794

 

Total current assets

 

 

141,977

 

258,419

 

Investment in Charter, accounted for using the equity method (note 4)

 

 

9,326,871

 

9,315,253

 

Property and equipment, net

 

 

425

 

710

 

Goodwill (note 5)

 

 

6,497

 

6,497

 

Intangible assets subject to amortization, net (note 5)

 

 

6,063

 

8,596

 

Other assets, at cost, net of accumulated amortization

 

 

61

 

1,485

 

Total assets

 

$

9,481,894

 

9,590,960

 

Liabilities and Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

$

4,963

 

7,931

 

Deferred revenue

 

 

6,684

 

2,171

 

Current portion of debt (note 6)

 

 

 —

 

400,000

 

Other current liabilities

 

 

553

 

2,014

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

12,200

 

412,116

 

Debt (note 6)

 

 

496,975

 

198,512

 

Deferred income tax liabilities

 

 

497,414

 

504,644

 

Deferred revenue

 

 

3,765

 

2,596

 

Other liabilities

 

 

1,305

 

 —

 

Total liabilities

 

 

1,011,659

 

1,117,868

 

Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 50,000,000 shares; no shares issued

 

 

 —

 

 —

 

Series A common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 500,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 26,301,387 shares at September 30, 2017 and 26,251,533 shares at December 31, 2016

 

 

262

 

262

 

Series B common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 18,750,000 shares; issued and outstanding 2,455,179 shares at September 30, 2017 and 2,467,509 shares at December 31, 2016

 

 

25

 

25

 

Series C common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 500,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 153,089,705 shares at September 30, 2017 and 153,019,547 shares at December 31, 2016

 

 

1,531

 

1,530

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

7,952,316

 

7,945,883

 

Accumulated other comprehensive earnings, net of taxes

 

 

8,290

 

7,656

 

Retained earnings

 

 

507,811

 

517,736

 

Total equity

 

 

8,470,235

 

8,473,092

 

Commitments and contingencies (note 8)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and equity

 

$

9,481,894

 

9,590,960

 

March 31,

December 31,

2021

2020

 

amounts in thousands,

 

except share amounts

Liabilities and Equity

Current liabilities:

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

$

198,045

 

97,933

Deferred revenue

 

22,244

 

24,926

Current portion of debt, including $24,741 and $26,350 measured at fair value, respectively (note 7)

29,425

31,026

Indemnification obligation (note 4)

292,873

344,643

Other current liabilities

133,499

113,234

Total current liabilities

 

676,086

 

611,762

Long-term debt, net, including $1,399,600 and $1,445,775 measured at fair value, respectively (note 7)

4,557,172

4,785,207

Obligations under finance leases and tower obligations, excluding current portion

91,524

92,840

Long-term deferred revenue

38,278

39,649

Deferred income tax liabilities

1,974,045

1,977,643

Preferred stock (note 8)

202,795

202,917

Other liabilities

140,910

146,687

Total liabilities

 

7,680,810

 

7,856,705

Equity

Series A common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 500,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 26,495,557 and 26,495,249 at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively

265

265

Series B common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 18,750,000 shares; issued and outstanding 2,549,162 and 2,549,470 at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively

25

25

Series C common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 500,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 162,652,971 and 167,480,926 at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively

1,627

1,675

Additional paid-in capital

9,563,275

10,319,754

Accumulated other comprehensive earnings, net of taxes

 

15,597

 

15,436

Retained earnings

 

3,217,724

 

3,165,504

Total stockholders' equity

12,798,513

13,502,659

Non-controlling interests

11,719

11,760

Total equity

 

12,810,232

 

13,514,419

Commitments and contingencies (note 10)

 

 

Total liabilities and equity

$

20,491,042

 

21,371,124

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

I-2I-3


LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(unaudited)

Three months ended 

 

March 31,

 

2021

    

2020

 

amounts in thousands, except per share amounts

Revenue

$

246,534

4,104

Operating costs and expenses

Operating, including stock-based compensation (note 9)

69,178

2,468

Selling, general and administrative, including stock-based compensation and transaction costs (note 9)

104,473

8,418

Depreciation and amortization

63,762

493

Litigation settlement

110,000

347,413

11,379

Operating income (loss)

(100,879)

(7,275)

Other income (expense):

Interest expense (including amortization of deferred loan fees)

(33,143)

(5,861)

Share of earnings (losses) of affiliates (note 5)

188,979

61,682

Gain (loss) on dilution of investment in affiliate (note 5)

(82,215)

(59,325)

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net (note 4)

99,348

Other, net

(8,126)

163

Earnings (loss) before income taxes

63,964

(10,616)

Income tax (expense) benefit

(11,785)

2,774

Net earnings (loss)

52,179

(7,842)

Less net earnings (loss) attributable to the non-controlling interests

(41)

Net earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty Broadband shareholders

$

52,220

(7,842)

Basic net earnings (loss) attributable to Series A, Series B and Series C Liberty Broadband shareholders per common share (note 2)

$

0.27

(0.04)

Diluted net earnings (loss) attributable to Series A, Series B and Series C Liberty Broadband shareholders per common share (note 2)

$

0.27

(0.04)

(unaudited)See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

I-4

Table of Contents

LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Earnings (Loss)

(unaudited)

Three months ended 

 

March 31,

 

2021

    

2020

 

amounts in thousands

 

Net earnings (loss)

    

$

52,179

(7,842)

Other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of taxes:

Comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to debt credit risk adjustments

161

Other

Other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of taxes

161

Comprehensive earnings (loss)

52,340

(7,842)

Less comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to the non-controlling interests

(41)

Comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty Broadband shareholders

$

52,381

(7,842)

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended 

 

Nine months ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2017

    

2016

    

2017

 

2016

 

 

 

(amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

Revenue

 

$

3,430

 

20,616

 

9,643

 

27,413

 

Operating costs and expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating, including stock-based compensation (note 7)

 

 

646

 

782

 

1,968

 

2,099

 

Selling, general and administrative, including stock-based compensation (note 7)

 

 

6,189

 

9,855

 

18,099

 

27,792

 

Research and development, including stock-based compensation (note 7)

 

 

1,440

 

2,384

 

6,214

 

8,040

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

942

 

971

 

2,844

 

2,935

 

 

 

 

9,217

 

13,992

 

29,125

 

40,866

 

Operating income (loss)

 

 

(5,787)

 

6,624

 

(19,482)

 

(13,453)

 

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

 

(5,518)

 

(4,090)

 

(14,899)

 

(10,547)

 

Dividend and interest income

 

 

422

 

190

 

1,219

 

4,697

 

Share of earnings (losses) of affiliates (note 4)

 

 

(5,280)

 

19,046

 

25,109

 

570,178

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net (note 3)

 

 

2,675

 

 —

 

5,026

 

92,990

 

Gain (loss) on dilution of investment in affiliate (note 4)

 

 

(3,718)

 

(16,331)

 

(42,515)

 

760,074

 

Other, net

 

 

 9

 

 5

 

11

 

112

 

Net earnings (loss) before income taxes

 

 

(17,197)

 

5,444

 

(45,531)

 

1,404,051

 

Income tax benefit (expense)

 

 

7,333

 

(1,655)

 

18,245

 

(532,349)

 

Net earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty Broadband shareholders

 

$

(9,864)

 

3,789

 

(27,286)

 

871,702

 

Basic net earnings (loss) attributable to Series A, Series B and Series C Liberty Broadband shareholders per common share (note 2)

 

$

(0.05)

 

0.02

 

(0.15)

 

6.13

 

Diluted net earnings (loss) attributable to Series A, Series B and Series C Liberty Broadband shareholders per common share (note 2)

 

$

(0.05)

 

0.02

 

(0.15)

 

6.10

 

I-5

Table of Contents

LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(unaudited)

Three months ended

March 31,

 

2021

2020

 

amounts in thousands

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

    

    

    

Net earnings (loss)

$

52,179

 

(7,842)

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:

Depreciation and amortization

 

63,762

 

493

Stock-based compensation

 

9,870

 

1,801

Litigation settlement

110,000

Share of (earnings) losses of affiliate, net

 

(188,979)

 

(61,682)

(Gain) loss on dilution of investment in affiliate

 

82,215

 

59,325

Realized and unrealized (gains) losses on financial instruments, net

 

(99,348)

 

Deferred income tax expense (benefit)

 

10,669

 

(2,774)

Other, net

 

(739)

 

436

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

Current and other assets

 

164,639

 

(192)

Payables and other liabilities

 

(11,304)

 

(4,066)

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

 

192,964

 

(14,501)

Cash flows from investing activities:

Capital expended for property and equipment

(28,617)

(15)

Exercise of preemptive right to purchase Charter shares

(14,910)

Cash received for Charter shares repurchased by Charter

518,405

Other investing activities, net

141

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

489,929

(14,925)

Cash flows from financing activities:

Repayments of debt, finance leases and tower obligations

(182,571)

Repurchases of Liberty Broadband common stock

(738,411)

Other financing activities, net

 

(2,481)

 

(1,941)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

(923,463)

 

(1,941)

Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

(240,570)

 

(31,367)

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period

1,433,292

49,724

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period

$

1,192,722

18,357

The following table reconciles cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash reported in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets to the total amount presented in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of cash flows:

March 31,

December 31,

2021

2020

amounts in thousands

Cash and cash equivalents

$

1,177,161

1,417,802

Restricted cash included in other current assets

15,561

15,490

Total cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period

$

1,192,722

1,433,292

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

I-6

Table of Contents

LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity

(unaudited)

Accumulated

Noncontrolling

Additional

other

interest in

Common stock

paid-in

comprehensive

Retained

equity of

Series A

  

Series B

  

Series C

  

capital

earnings

earnings

subsidiaries

Total equity

amounts in thousands

Balance at January 1, 2021

    

$

265

25

1,675

10,319,754

    

15,436

    

3,165,504

11,760

    

13,514,419

Net earnings (loss)

 

 

52,220

(41)

 

52,179

Other comprehensive loss

161

161

Stock-based compensation

9,859

9,859

Issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options

151

151

Withholding taxes on net share settlements of stock-based compensation

(2,631)

(2,631)

Series C Liberty Broadband stock repurchases

(48)

(738,363)

(738,411)

Noncontrolling interest activity at Charter and other

(25,495)

(25,495)

Balance at March 31, 2021

$

265

25

1,627

9,563,275

 

15,597

 

3,217,724

11,719

 

12,810,232

Accumulated

Additional

other

Common stock

paid-in

comprehensive

Retained

Series A

  

Series B

  

Series C

  

capital

earnings

earnings

Total equity

amounts in thousands

Balance at January 1, 2020

$

265

25

1,529

7,890,084

8,158

2,767,885

10,667,946

Net earnings (loss)

(7,842)

(7,842)

Stock-based compensation

1,805

1,805

Issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options

1

3

4

Withholding taxes on net share settlements of stock-based compensation

(1,944)

(1,944)

Noncontrolling interest activity at Charter

(12,998)

(12,998)

Balance at March 31, 2020

$

265

25

1,530

7,876,950

8,158

2,760,043

10,646,971

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

I-3I-7


LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Earnings (Loss)

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended 

 

Nine months ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2017

    

2016

    

2017

 

2016

 

 

 

(amounts in thousands)

 

Net earnings (loss)

    

$

(9,864)

 

3,789

 

(27,286)

    

871,702

 

Other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of taxes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized holding gains (losses) arising during the period

 

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

(221)

 

Share of other comprehensive earnings (loss) of equity method affiliates

 

 

260

 

247

 

634

 

811

 

Other

 

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

(1,839)

 

Other comprehensive earnings (loss), net of taxes

 

 

260

 

247

 

634

 

(1,249)

 

Comprehensive earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty Broadband shareholders

 

$

(9,604)

 

4,036

 

(26,652)

 

870,453

 

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

I-4


LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine months ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2017

 

2016

 

 

 

(amounts in thousands)

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

 

    

    

    

 

Net earnings (loss)

 

$

(27,286)

 

871,702

 

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

2,844

 

2,935

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

4,376

 

4,582

 

Share of (earnings) losses of affiliates

 

 

(25,109)

 

(570,178)

 

(Gain) loss on dilution of investment in affiliate

 

 

42,515

 

(760,074)

 

Realized and unrealized (gains) losses on financial instruments, net

 

 

(5,026)

 

(92,990)

 

Deferred income tax expense (benefit)

 

 

(18,259)

 

533,626

 

Other, net

 

 

1,080

 

112

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current and other assets

 

 

(1,455)

 

7,954

 

Payables and other liabilities

 

 

2,724

 

(2,702)

 

Net cash provided (used) by operating activities

 

 

(23,596)

 

(5,033)

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expended for property and equipment

 

 

(27)

 

(154)

 

Purchases of short term investments and other marketable securities

 

 

 —

 

(155,444)

 

Sales of short term investments and other marketable securities

 

 

 —

 

164,458

 

Investment in equity method affiliate

 

 

 —

 

(5,000,000)

 

Other investing activities, net

 

 

14

 

453

 

Net cash provided (used) by investing activities

 

 

(13)

 

(4,990,687)

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Borrowings of debt

 

 

500,000

 

200,000

 

Repayments of debt

 

 

(600,000)

 

 —

 

Cash received from issuance of Series C Liberty Broadband common stock

 

 

 —

 

4,400,000

 

Payments from issuances of financial instruments

 

 

(101,638)

 

 —

 

Proceeds from settlements of financial instruments

 

 

155,683

 

 —

 

Other financing activities, net

 

 

(739)

 

(318)

 

Net cash provided (used) by financing activities

 

 

(46,694)

 

4,599,682

 

Net decrease in cash

 

 

(70,303)

 

(396,038)

 

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

 

205,728

 

655,079

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

 

$

135,425

 

259,041

 

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

I-5


LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional

 

other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred

 

Common stock

 

paid-in

 

comprehensive

 

Retained

 

 

 

 

 

Stock

 

Series A

  

Series B

  

Series C

  

capital

 

earnings

 

earnings

 

Total equity

 

 

 

(amounts in thousands)

 

Balance at January 1, 2017

    

$

 —

 

262

 

25

 

1,530

 

7,945,883

    

7,656

    

517,736

    

8,473,092

 

Net earnings (loss)

 

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

(27,286)

 

(27,286)

 

Other comprehensive earnings

 

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

634

 

 —

 

634

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

4,017

 

 —

 

 —

 

4,017

 

Issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options

 

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 1

 

2,416

 

 —

 

 —

 

2,417

 

Cumulative effect of accounting change at Charter (note 4)

 

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

17,361

 

17,361

 

Balance at September 30, 2017

 

$

 —

 

262

 

25

 

1,531

 

7,952,316

 

8,290

 

507,811

 

8,470,235

 

See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Table of Contents

LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

(1) Basis of Presentation

Liberty Broadband Corporation (“Liberty Broadband”, “the Company,” “us,” “we” and “our”), is primarily comprised of a wholly owned subsidiary, GCI Holdings, LLC (“GCI Holdings”) (as of December 18, 2020) and an equity method investment in Charter Communications, Inc. (“Charter”).  During May 2014, the board of directors of Liberty Media Corporation and its subsidiaries (“Liberty”) authorized management to pursue a plan to spin-off to its stockholders common stock of a wholly-ownedwholly owned subsidiary, Liberty Broadband, Corporation (“Liberty Broadband” or the “Company”), and to distribute subscription rights to acquire shares of Liberty Broadband Series CBroadband’s common stock (the “Broadband Spin-Off”). At

On December 18, 2020, pursuant to the timeAgreement and Plan of the Broadband Spin-Off,Merger, dated as of August 6, 2020, entered into by GCI Liberty, Inc. (“GCI Liberty”), Liberty Broadband, was comprisedGrizzly Merger Sub 1, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of (i) Liberty’s former interest in Charter Communications, Inc.Liberty Broadband (“Legacy Charter”Merger LLC”), (ii) Liberty’s former wholly-ownedand Grizzly Merger Sub 2, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary TruePosition, Inc., (iii) Liberty’s former minority equity investment in Time Warner Cable, Inc.of Merger LLC (“Time Warner Cable”Merger Sub”), (iv) certain deferred tax liabilities,Merger Sub merged with and into GCI Liberty (the “First Merger”), with GCI Liberty surviving the First Merger as well as liabilities related to Time Warner Cable written call optionsan indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Broadband (the “Surviving Corporation”), and (v) initial indebtedness, pursuant to margin loans entered into prior toimmediately following the completion ofFirst Merger, GCI Liberty (as the Broadband Spin-Off. These financial statements refer to the combination of the aforementioned subsidiary, investments, and financial instruments as “Liberty Broadband,” “the Company,” “us,” “we” and “our”Surviving Corporation in the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

On May 18, 2016, Time Warner CableFirst Merger) merged with Legacy Charterand into Merger LLC (the “Time Warner Cable“Upstream Merger”). In connection, and together with the Time Warner CableFirst Merger, Legacy Charter underwentthe “Combination”), with Merger LLC surviving the Upstream Merger as a corporate reorganization, resulting in CCH I, LLC (“Charter”), a formerwholly owned subsidiary of Legacy Charter, becoming the new publicly traded parent company. Also on May 18, 2016, the previously announced acquisition of Bright House Networks, LLC from Advance/Newhouse Partnership (“A/N”) by Charter (the “Bright House Transaction”) was completed. In connection with the Time Warner Cable Merger and Bright House Transaction, Liberty Broadband entered into certain agreements with Legacy Charter, Charter (for accounting purposes a related party of the Company), Liberty Interactive Corporation (“Liberty Interactive,” for accounting purposes a related party of the Company) and Time Warner Cable. Broadband.

As a result of the Time Warner Cable MergerCombination, each holder of a share of Series A common stock and Bright House Transaction (collectively, the “Transactions”Series B common stock of GCI Liberty received 0.58 of a share of Series C common stock and Series B common stock, respectively, of Liberty Broadband.  Additionally, each holder of a share of Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock of GCI Liberty (“GCI Liberty Preferred Stock”), received 1 share of newly issued Liberty Broadband exchanged itsSeries A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (“Liberty Broadband Preferred Stock”), which has substantially identical terms to GCI Liberty’s former Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, including a mandatory redemption date of March 9, 2039. Cash was paid in lieu of issuing fractional shares of Time Warner Cable forLiberty Broadband stock in the Combination. No shares of Charter and purchased additionalLiberty Broadband stock were issued with respect to shares of Charter. As a result, and pursuant to proxy agreements entered into withGCI Liberty Interactive and A/N,capital stock held by (i) GCI Liberty as treasury stock, (ii) any of GCI Liberty’s wholly owned subsidiaries or (iii) Liberty Broadband controls 25.01% of the aggregate voting power of Charter. See note 4 for additional detail regarding these transactions and corresponding agreements.

The Company’sor its wholly owned subsidiary, Skyhook Holding, Inc. (formerly known as TruePosition, Inc.), was originally incorporated to provide technology for locating wireless phones and other mobile devices through a passive network overlay system using its patented U-TDOA technology (“U-TDOA service”). In February 2014, Skyhook Holding, Inc. acquired 100% of the outstanding common shares of Skyhook Wireless, Inc., which operates a global location network containing billions of geolocated Wi-Fi access points and cell towers that serve as the reference infrastructure for providing location services. In 2015, one of Skyhook Holding, Inc.’s customers, a wireless carrier utilizing the legacy U-TDOA service which accounted for approximately 80% - 90% of consolidated revenue at the time, gave notice that it planned to discontinue use of the U-TDOA service and did not intend to renew its contract, which expired on December 31, 2015. The loss of this customer had a material adverse effect on Skyhook Holding, Inc.’s business. As a result of the loss of this wireless carrier customer, further changes in the regulatory environment and a shift in the overall market for the legacy U-TDOA service, Skyhook Holding, Inc. ceased making further investment in its U-TDOA products. In 2016, Skyhook Holding, Inc. and Skyhook Wireless, Inc. combined operations in order to focus on the development and sale of the suite of location and context products, and are referred to collectively herein as “Skyhook.”subsidiaries.

The accompanying (a) condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2016,2020, which has been derived from audited financial statements, and (b) interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X as promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the results for such periods have been included. The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year. Additionally, certain prior period amounts have been reclassified for comparability with current period presentation. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in Liberty Broadband's Annual Report on

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Table of Contents

LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.2020. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in the condensed consolidated financial statements.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Company considers (i) the application of the equity method of accounting for investments inits affiliates, (ii) thenon-recurring fair value measurements of non-financial instruments (iii) the fair value of financial instruments, (iv) revenue recognition and (v)(iii) accounting for income taxes to be its most significant estimates.

In February 2016,December 2019, Chinese officials reported a novel coronavirus outbreak (“COVID-19”). COVID-19 has since spread through China and internationally. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization assessed COVID-19 as a global pandemic, causing many countries throughout the world to take aggressive actions, including imposing travel restrictions and

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Table of Contents

LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued new accounting guidance on lease accounting. This guidance requiresStatements

(unaudited)

stay-at-home orders, closing public attractions and restaurants, and mandating social distancing practices, which has caused a companysignificant disruption to recognize lease assets and lease liabilitiesmost sectors of the economy.

We are not presently aware of any events or circumstances arising from operating leasesthe COVID-19 pandemic that would require us to update our estimates or judgments or revise the carrying value of our assets or liabilities.  Our estimates may change, however, as new events occur and additional information is obtained, and any such changes will be recognized in the statement of financial position. The new guidance also simplifies the accounting for sale and leaseback transactions. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and early adoption is permitted.  We plan to adopt this guidance on January 1, 2019.  Companies are required to use a modified retrospective approach to adopt this guidance.  The Company is currently working with its consolidated subsidiary, Skyhook, to evaluate the impact of the adoption of this new guidance on ourcondensed consolidated financial statements,statements. Actual results could differ from estimates, and any such differences may be material to our financial statements.

Through a number of prior years’ transactions, including identifying the population of leases, evaluating technology solutions and collecting lease data.

In May 2014, the FASB issued new accounting guidance on revenue from contracts with customers. The new guidance requiresCombination, Liberty Broadband has acquired an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. This new guidance also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changesinterest in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. In March 2016, the FASB issued additional guidance which clarifies principal versus agent considerations, and in April 2016, the FASB issued further guidance which clarifies the identification of performance obligations and the implementation guidance for licensing. The updated guidance will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in GAAP when it becomes effective and permits the use of either a full retrospective or modified retrospective transition method. This guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company anticipates adopting this guidance under the modified retrospective transition method. Skyhook has substantially completed the review of its revenue arrangements and does not currently expect that the adoption of the new standard will have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations. Additionally, Charter, which is accounted for as an equity method investment, has substantially completed its review of its revenue arrangements and does not currently expect that the adoption of the new standard will have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations.

Charter.  Liberty Broadband holds an investment in Charter that is accounted for using the equity method. Liberty Broadband does not control the decision making process or business management practices of this affiliate. Accordingly, Liberty Broadband relies on the management of this affiliate to provide it with accurate financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP that the Company uses in the application of the equity method. In addition, Liberty Broadband relies on audit reports that are provided by the affiliate's independent auditor on the financial statements of such affiliate. The Company is not aware, however, of any errors in or possible misstatements of the financial information provided by its equity affiliate that would have a material effect on Liberty Broadband's condensed consolidated financial statements.

Spin-Off Arrangements

Following the Broadband Spin-Off, Liberty and Liberty Broadband operate as separate, publicly traded companies, and neither has any stock ownership, beneficial or otherwise, in the other. In connection with the Broadband Spin-Off, Liberty (for accounting purposes a related party of the Company) and Liberty Broadband entered into certain agreements in order to govern certain of the ongoing relationships between the two companies after the Broadband Spin-Off and to provide for an orderly transition. These agreements include a reorganization agreement,transition, including a services agreement and a facilities sharing agreement and a tax sharing agreement.

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LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

The reorganization agreement provides for, among other things, the principal corporate transactions (including the internal restructuring) required to effect the Broadband Spin-Off, certain conditions to the Broadband Spin-Off and provisions governing the relationship between Liberty Broadband and Liberty with respect to and resulting from the Broadband Spin-Off. The tax sharing agreement provides for the allocation and indemnification of tax liabilities and benefits between Liberty and Liberty Broadband and other agreements related to tax matters. Among other things, pursuant to the tax sharing agreement, Liberty Broadband has agreed to indemnify Liberty, subject to certain limited exceptions, for losses and taxes resulting from the Broadband Spin-Off to the extent such losses or taxes result primarily from, individually or in the aggregate, the breach of certain restrictive covenants made by Liberty Broadband (applicable to actions or failures to act by Liberty Broadband and its subsidiaries following the completion of the Broadband Spin-Off). Pursuant to the services agreement, Liberty provides Liberty Broadband with general and administrative services including legal, tax, accounting, treasury and investor relations support.    Under the facilities sharing agreement, Liberty Broadband shares office space with Liberty and related amenities at Liberty’s corporate headquarters. Liberty Broadband will reimburse Liberty for direct, out-of-pocket expenses incurred by Liberty in providing these services and for costs thatwhich will be negotiated semi-annually.

Pursuant to the services agreement, Liberty provides Liberty Broadband with general and administrative services including legal, tax, accounting, treasury and investor relations support.  In December 2019, the Company entered into an amendment to the services agreement with Liberty in connection with Liberty’s entry into a new employment arrangement with Gregory B. Maffei, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer. Under the amended services agreement, components of his compensation would either be paid directly to him by each of the Company, Liberty TripAdvisor Holdings, Inc., GCI Liberty, and Qurate Retail, Inc. (“Qurate Retail”) (collectively, the “Service Companies”) or reimbursed to Liberty, in each case, based on allocations among Liberty and the Service Companies set forth in the amended services agreement, currently set at 18% for the Company but subject to adjustment on an annual basis upon the occurrence of certain events. Following the Combination, GCI Liberty no longer participates in the services agreement arrangement.

Additionally, in connection with a prior transaction, GCI Liberty and Qurate Retail (for accounting purposes a related party of the Company) entered into a tax sharing agreement, which was assumed by Liberty Broadband as a result of the Combination.  The tax sharing agreement provides for the allocation and indemnification of tax liabilities and benefits between Qurate Retail and Liberty Broadband and other agreements related to tax matters.

Under these various agreements, approximately $814 thousand and $661 thousand wasamounts reimbursable to Liberty were approximately $3.5 million and $1.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2021 and 2016,2020, respectively.  Liberty Broadband had a tax sharing receivable with Qurate Retail of $110.0 million and $119.0 million as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, of which $23.7 million and $2.4$24.4 million was reimbursablein Other current assets as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

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Table of Contents

LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

(2) Earnings Attributable to Liberty for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

(2) Earnings (Loss) perBroadband Stockholders Per Common Share

Basic earnings (loss) per common share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing net earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty Broadband shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding (“WASO”) for the period. Diluted EPS presents the dilutive effect on a per share basis of potential common shares as if they had been converted at the beginning of the periods presented.  The basic andExcluded from diluted EPS calculationsfor the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 are based on the following weighted average number of893 thousand and 0 potential common shares, of outstanding common stock.respectively, because their inclusion would have been antidilutive.

Liberty Broadband Common Stock

Three months

Three months

 

ended

ended

    

March 31, 2021

    

March 31, 2020

 

(numbers of shares in thousands)

Basic WASO

 

194,433

 

181,902

Potentially dilutive shares (1)

 

1,681

 

906

Diluted WASO

 

196,114

 

182,808

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liberty Broadband Common Stock

 

 

 

Three months

 

Three months

 

Nine months

 

Nine months

 

 

 

ended

 

ended

 

ended

 

ended

 

 

    

September 30, 2017

    

September 30, 2016

    

September 30, 2017

    

September 30, 2016

 

 

 

(numbers of shares in thousands)

 

Basic WASO

 

181,846

 

181,621

 

181,795

 

142,170

 

Potentially dilutive shares (1)

 

1,485

 

970

 

1,369

 

666

 

Diluted WASO

 

183,331

 

182,591

 

183,164

 

142,836

 

________

(1)   Potentially dilutive shares are excluded from the computation of diluted EPS during periods in which losses are reported since the result would be antidilutive.

(3) Acquisition

On December 18, 2020, the Company completed the Combination with GCI Liberty.  The Company accounted for the Combination using the acquisition method of accounting.  

The following details the acquisition consideration as of December 18, 2020 (amounts in thousands), which is primarily based on level 1 inputs:

Fair value of newly issued Liberty Broadband Series C and B common stock 1

$

9,695,184

Fair value of newly issued Liberty Broadband Preferred Stock 2

202,944

Fair value of share-based payment replacement awards 3

104,683

Total fair value of consideration

10,002,811

Less: Fair value of Liberty Broadband shares attributable to share repurchase 4

(6,738,609)

Total fair value of consideration attributable to business combination

3,264,202

Less: Fair value of newly issued Liberty Broadband Preferred Stock2

(202,944)

Less: Fair value of share-based payment replacement awards accounted for as liability awards

(1,309)

Total fair value of acquisition consideration to be allocated

$

3,059,949

(1)The fair value of newly issued Series C and B Liberty Broadband common stock was calculated by multiplying (i) the outstanding shares of GCI Liberty Series A and B common stock as of December 18, 2020 (ii) the exchange ratio of 0.580, and (iii) the closing share price of Liberty Broadband Series C and B common stock on December 18, 2020. Liberty Broadband issued 61.3 million shares of Series C common stock and 98 thousand shares of Series B common stock.

(2)The fair value of the newly issued Liberty Broadband Preferred Stock was calculated by multiplying (i) the outstanding shares of GCI Liberty Preferred Stock as of December 18, 2020, and (ii) the closing share price of GCI

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Table of Contents

LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

Liberty Preferred Stock on December 18, 2020.  The GCI Liberty Preferred Stock was converted on a 1 to one ratio into Liberty Broadband Preferred Stock.  

(3)This amount represents the fair value of share-based payment replacement awards.

(4)GCI Liberty owned approximately 42.7 million shares of Liberty Broadband Series C common stock.  The acquisition of Liberty Broadband Series C common stock is accounted for as a share repurchase by Liberty Broadband.  This amount was calculated by multiplying (i) the number of shares of Liberty Broadband Series C common stock owned by GCI Liberty as of December 18, 2020 and (ii) the closing share price of Liberty Broadband Series C common stock on December 18, 2020.

The application of the acquisition method resulted in the assignment of purchase price to the GCI Liberty assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on preliminary estimates of their acquisition date fair values (primarily level 3). The determination of the fair values of the acquired assets and liabilities (and the determination of estimated lives of depreciable tangible and identifiable intangible assets) requires significant judgment.

The preliminary acquisition purchase price allocation for GCI Liberty is as follows (amounts in thousands):

Cash and cash equivalents including restricted cash

    

$

592,240

Receivables

 

339,061

Property and equipment

 

1,108,588

Goodwill

 

758,189

Investment in Charter

3,493,677

Intangible assets not subject to amortization

 

586,500

Intangible assets subject to amortization

 

638,855

Other assets

 

302,570

Deferred revenue

 

(60,292)

Debt, including obligations under tower and finance leases

 

(2,772,147)

Indemnification liability

(336,141)

Deferred income tax liabilities

 

(1,018,993)

Preferred stock

 

(202,944)

Non-controlling interest

 

(11,771)

Other liabilities

 

(357,443)

$

3,059,949

Goodwill is calculated as the excess of the consideration transferred over the identifiable net assets acquired and represents the future economic benefits expected to arise from other intangible assets acquired that do not qualify for separate recognition, including assembled workforce, value associated with future customers, continued innovation and non-contractual relationships. Amortizable intangible assets of $638.9 million were acquired and are comprised of customer relationships with a weighted average useful life of approximately 14 years and right-to-use assets with a weighted average useful life of approximately 12 years. Approximately $134.3 million of the acquired goodwill will be deductible for income tax purposes. As of March 31, 2021, the valuation related to the acquisition of GCI Liberty is not final, and the acquisition price allocation is preliminary and subject to revision.  The primary areas of our acquisition price allocation that changed from the initial allocation relate to an increase to property and equipment of $3.5 million, an increase to goodwill of $19.1 million, an increase to intangible assets not subject to amortization of $5.0 million, a decrease to intangible assets subject to amortization of $35.0 million and an increase to deferred income tax liabilities of $7.4 million. The primary areas of the acquisition price allocation that are not yet finalized are related to property and equipment, intangible assets, liabilities, deferred income tax liabilities, and discount rates used to determine the fair value of intangible assets.  

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LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

The unaudited pro forma revenue, net earnings and basic and diluted net earnings per common share of Liberty Broadband, prepared utilizing the historical financial statements of Liberty Broadband, giving effect to acquisition accounting related adjustments made at the time of acquisition, as if the acquisition discussed above occurred on January 1, 2019, are as follows:

Three months ended 

March 31, 2020

amounts in thousands,

except per share amounts

Revenue

$

238,383

Net earnings (loss)

$

12,318

Net earnings (loss) attributable to Liberty Broadband shareholders

$

12,343

Basic net earnings (loss) attributable to Series A, Series B and Series C Liberty Broadband shareholders per common share

$

0.07

Diluted net earnings (loss) attributable to Series A, Series B and Series C Liberty Broadband shareholders per common share

$

0.07

The pro forma results include adjustments directly attributable to the business combination including adjustments related to the amortization of acquired tangible and intangible assets, revenue, interest expense, stock-based compensation, and the exclusion of transaction related costs. The pro forma information is not representative of the Company’s future results of operations nor does it reflect what the Company’s results of operations would have been if the acquisition had occurred previously and the Company consolidated the results of GCI Liberty during the period presented.

(4) Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value

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 quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date. 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. As of September 30, 2017, theThe Company does not have any recurring assets or liabilities measured at fair value that would be considered Level 3.

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Table of Contents

LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

The Company’s assets and (liabilities) measured at fair value are as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 30, 2017

 

December 31, 2016

 

 

 

 

 

Quoted prices

 

Significant

 

 

 

Quoted prices

 

Significant

 

 

 

 

 

in active

 

other

 

 

 

in active

 

other

 

 

 

 

 

markets for

 

observable

 

 

 

markets for

 

observable

 

 

 

 

 

identical assets

 

inputs

 

 

 

identical assets

 

inputs

 

March 31, 2021

December 31, 2020

 

Quoted prices

Significant

Quoted prices

Significant

 

in active

other

in active

other

 

markets for

observable

markets for

observable

 

identical assets

inputs

identical assets

inputs

 

Description

 

Total

 

(Level 1)

 

(Level 2)

 

Total

 

(Level 1)

 

(Level 2)

 

Total

(Level 1)

(Level 2)

Total

(Level 1)

(Level 2)

 

 

(amounts in thousands)

 

amounts in thousands

 

Cash equivalents

 

$

134,574

 

134,574

 

 —

 

198,011

 

198,011

 

 —

 

$

1,108,784

1,108,784

1,368,176

1,368,176

Derivative instruments (1)

 

$

 —

 

 —

 

 —

 

49,019

 

 —

 

49,019

 

Indemnification obligation

$

292,873

292,873

344,643

344,643

Exchangeable senior debentures

$

1,424,341

1,424,341

1,472,125

1,472,125

_________________________

Pursuant to an indemnification agreement initially entered into by GCI Liberty and assumed by Liberty Broadband in connection with the Combination,  Liberty Broadband has agreed to indemnify Liberty Interactive LLC (“LI LLC”), a subsidiary of Qurate Retail, for certain payments made to holders of LI LLC’s 1.75% exchangeable debentures due 2046 (the

(1)

As of December 31, 2016,

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LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

"LI LLC 1.75% Exchangeable Debentures"). An indemnity obligation in the amount of $336.1 million was recorded upon completion of the Combination. The indemnification liability due to LI LLC pertains to the holders’ ability to exercise their exchange right according to the terms of the LI LLC 1.75% Exchangeable Debentures on or before October 5, 2023. Such amount will equal the difference between the exchange value and par value of the LI LLC 1.75% Exchangeable Debentures at the time the exchange occurs. The indemnification obligation recorded in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2021 represents the Company had an outstanding zero-strike call option on 704,908 shares of Liberty Broadband Series C common stock which expired in March 2017. The Company prepaid a premium of $47.9 million in December 2016. Liberty Broadband exercised its option to settle the contract in cash in March 2017 for cash proceeds of $50.0 million. The Company accounted for the zero-strike call option as a financial instrument asset due to its settlement provisions. Subsequent to September 30, 2017, the Company entered into another zero-strike call option on 527,156 shares of Liberty Broadband Series C common stock. The Company prepaid a premium of $47.7 million in October 2017.    

The fair value of Level 2 derivative instruments were derived from a Black-Scholes model usingthe estimated exchange feature included in the LI LLC 1.75% Exchangeable Debentures primarily based on observable market data as significant inputs (Level 2). As of March 31, 2021, a holder of the significant inputs. The inputs usedLI LLC 1.75% Exchangeable Debentures has the ability to exchange and, accordingly, such indemnification obligation is included as a current liability in the model duringCompany’s condensed consolidated balance sheets.

The Company’s exchangeable senior debentures are debt instruments with quoted market value prices that are not considered to be traded on “active markets”, as defined in GAAP, and are reported in the period outstanding (exclusive of the applicable trading price of Liberty Broadband Series C common stock and the strike prices associated with the call options) wereforegoing table as follows:Level 2 fair value.

Volatility

21.1%

Interest rate

1.3%

Dividend yield

0.0%

Other Financial Instruments

Other financial instruments not measured at fair value on a recurring basis include trade receivables, trade payables, accrued and other current liabilities, current portion of debt (with the exception of the 1.75% Debentures (defined in note 7)) and long-term debt.debt (with the exception of the 1.25% Debentures and the 2.75% Debentures (defined in note 7)). With the exception of long-term debt, the carrying amount approximates fair value due to the short maturity of these instruments as reported on our condensed consolidated balance sheets. The carrying value of our long-term debt bears interest at a variable rate and therefore is also considered to approximate fair value.

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Table of Contents

LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Financial Instruments

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments are comprised of changes in the fair value of the following:

Three months ended

 

March 31,

 

2021

2020

 

amounts in thousands

 

Indemnification obligation

$

51,770

Exchangeable senior debentures (1)

47,578

$

99,348

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

Nine months ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2017

 

2016

 

2017

 

2016

 

 

 

(amounts in thousands)

 

Time Warner Cable investment (1)

 

$

 —

 

 —

 

 

 —

 

92,990

 

Derivative instruments (2)

 

 

2,675

 

 —

 

 

5,026

 

 —

 

 

 

$

2,675

 

 —

 

 

5,026

 

92,990

 


(1)

As discussedThe Company has elected to account for its exchangeable senior debentures using the fair value option.  Changes in note 4, Time Warner Cable merged with Charter on May 18, 2016.  Therefore the fair value of the exchangeable senior debentures recognized in the condensed consolidated statements of operations are primarily due to market factors driven by changes in the fair value of the underlying shares into which debt is exchangeable. The Company no longer has an investment in Time Warner Cable asisolates the portion of May 18, 2016, and the unrealized gain (loss) relatedattributable to our investmentthe change in Time Warner Cable is recorded through this date. In connection with the merger,instrument specific credit risk and recognizes such amount in other comprehensive income. The change in the Company exchanged,fair value of the exchangeable senior debentures attributable to changes in the instrument specific credit risk before tax was a tax-free transaction, its sharesgain of Time Warner Cable$205 thousand and 0 for shares of Charter Class A common stock.

(2)

As of December 31, 2016, the Company had an outstanding zero-strike call option on 704,908 shares of Liberty Broadband Series C common stock which the Company exercised in March 2017. In April 2017, the Company entered into another zero-strike call option on 600,242 shares of Liberty Broadband Series C common stock. The Company prepaid a premium of $50.0 million in April 2017. Upon expiration in June 2017, the call option was rolled into a new zero-strike call option on 600,242 shares of Liberty Broadband Series C common stock.  Liberty Broadband exercised its option to settle the contract in cash in August 2017 for cash proceeds of $53.8 million.  The Company realized gains on the options outstanding and settled during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017. 

March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.  The cumulative change was a gain of $8.8 million as of March 31, 2021.

(4)(5) Investment in Charter Accounted for Using the Equity Method

In May 2013, Liberty acquired approximately 26.9 million sharesThrough a number of Legacy Charter common stock and approximately 1.1 million warrants to purchase shares of Legacy Charter common stock for approximately $2.6 billion, which represented an approximate 27% beneficial ownership (including the warrants on an as if converted basis) in Legacy Charter at the time of purchase and price per share of $95.50. Liberty funded the purchase with a combination of cash on hand of approximately $1.2 billion and new margin loan arrangements. Liberty allocated the purchase price between the shares of common stockprior years’ transactions and the warrantsCombination, Liberty Broadband has acquired an interest in the transaction by determining the fair value of the publicly traded warrants and allocating the remaining balance to the shares acquired, which resulted in an initial excess basis in the investment of $2,532 million.Charter. The investment in Legacy Charter is accounted for as an equity method affiliate based on theour voting and ownership interest obtained and the board seats held by individuals appointed by Liberty.

During May 2014, Liberty purchased 897 thousand Legacy Charter shares for approximately $124.5 million. During November 2014, subsequent to the Broadband Spin-Off, Liberty Broadband exercised all of its outstanding warrants to purchase shares of Legacy Charter common stock for approximately $52 million.

On May 18, 2016, the Time Warner Cable Merger was completed, which resulted in Legacy Charter and Time Warner Cable becoming wholly owned subsidiaries of Charter. Also on May 18, 2016, the previously announced Bright House Transaction was completed. In connection with these transactions, Legacy Charter underwent a corporate reorganization, resulting in Charter, a former subsidiary of Legacy Charter, becoming the new publicly traded parent company. In connection with the Time Warner Cable Merger and the Bright House Transaction, Liberty Broadband completed the previously announced transactions described below:

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Table of Contents

LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

Transactions Completed in Connection with the Time Warner Cable Merger

Charter Investment Agreement

On May 18, 2016, Liberty Broadband completed its previously announced investment in Charter in accordance with the investment agreement dated May 23, 2015 by and among Liberty Broadband, Legacy Charter and Charter (the “Charter Investment Agreement”). Pursuant to the Charter Investment Agreement, immediately following the consummation of the Time Warner Cable Merger, Liberty Broadband purchased from Charter $4.3 billion of shares of Charter Class A common stock, par value $0.001 per share, at a price per share of $195.70 following adjustment by the applicable exchange ratio. As a result, Liberty Broadband received approximately 22.0 million shares of Charter Class A common stock. Liberty Broadband funded its purchase of these shares of Charter Class A common stock with proceeds from the issuance of Liberty Broadband Series C common stock.  

Charter Contribution Agreement

Also on May 18, 2016, shares of Time Warner Cable common stock held by Liberty Broadband and Liberty Interactive were exchanged, in a tax-free transaction, for shares of Charter Class A common stock which resulted in each of Liberty Broadband and Liberty Interactive receiving one share of Charter Class A common stock for each share of Time Warner Cable common stock so exchanged. In the exchange, Liberty Broadband received approximately 2.4 million shares of Charter Class A common stock, with a fair value of $531.9 million.

Liberty Interactive Proxy Agreement

Pursuant to the Proxy and Right of First Refusal Agreement, dated May 23, 2015, as amended (the “Liberty Interactive Proxy Agreement”), by and between Liberty Broadband and Liberty Interactive, Liberty Interactive granted Liberty Broadband an irrevocable proxy to vote all shares of Charter common stock owned beneficially or of record by Liberty Interactive following the closing of the Time Warner Cable Merger, for a five year term subject to extension upon the mutual agreement of both parties, subject to certain limitations. So long as the Liberty Interactive Proxy Agreement is in effect, Liberty Broadband also has a right of first refusal (“ROFR”) to purchase all or a portion of any shares of Charter common stock which Liberty Interactive proposes to transfer, subject to certain limitations.

Transactions Completed in Connection with the Bright House Transaction

Second Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement

On May 18, 2016, pursuant to the Stockholders Agreement, upon the closing of the Bright House Transaction, Liberty Broadband purchased from Charter approximately 3.7 million additional shares of Charter Class A common stock at a price per share of $191.33 following adjustment by the applicable exchange ratios, for an aggregate purchase price of $700 million. Liberty Broadband funded its $700 million purchase in shares of Charter through cash on hand and margin loan draws, as discussed in note 6.

Proxy and Right of First Refusal Agreement

In connection with the Bright House Transaction, on May 18, 2016, A/N and Liberty Broadband entered into a proxy and right of first refusal agreement, as amended (“A/N Proxy”), pursuant to which A/N granted Liberty Broadband a five-year proxy to vote shares of Charter held by A/N, capped at a number of shares representing 7% of the voting power of Charter’s outstanding shares. As a result of the A/N Proxy and the Liberty Interactive Proxy Agreement, Liberty Broadband controls 25.01% of the aggregate voting power of Charter following the completion of the Time Warner Cable Merger and the Bright House Transaction and is Charter’s largest stockholder.

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Table of Contents

LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

So long as the A/N Proxy is in effect, if A/N proposes to transfer common units of Charter Communications Holdings, LLC (which units are exchangeable into Charter shares and which will, under certain circumstances, result in the conversion of certain shares of Class B Common Stock into Charter shares) or Charter shares, in each case, constituting either (i) shares representing the first 7.0% of the outstanding voting power of Charter held by A/N or (ii) shares representing the last 7.0% of the outstanding voting power of Charter held by A/N, Liberty Broadband will have a ROFR to purchase all or a portion of any such securities A/N proposes to transfer.  The purchase price per share for any securities sold to Liberty Broadband pursuant to the ROFR will be the volume-weighted average price of Charter shares for the two trading day period before the notice of a proposed sale by A/N, payable in cash.  Certain transfers are permitted to affiliates of A/N, subject to the transferee entity entering into an agreement assuming the transferor’s obligations under the A/N Proxy.

Investment in Charter

For discussion purposes the term “Charter” will be used to discuss both our previous and current holdings in Legacy Charter and Charter.  It is noted that the ticker symbol for the Class A common stock of each of Legacy Charter and Charter are the same, and that in connection with the Time Warner Cable Merger, Legacy Charter underwent a corporate reorganization, resulting in Charter, a former subsidiary of Legacy Charter, becoming the new publicly traded parent company. 

Broadband. As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2021, the carrying and market value of Liberty Broadband’s ownership in Charter was approximately $9,327 million. The market value$15,735 million and $36,177 million, respectively.  

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Table of Contents

LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

We own an approximate 31.1% economic ownership interest in Charter, based on shares of Charter’s Class A common stock issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2021.  

Upon the closing of the Time Warner Cable merger, the Second Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement, dated as of May 23, 2015, by and among Charter, Liberty Broadband and Advance/Newhouse Partnership ("A/N"), as amended (the “Stockholders Agreement”), became fully effective. Pursuant to the Stockholders Agreement, Liberty Broadband’s equity ownership in Charter as(on a fully diluted basis) is capped at the greater of September 30, 2017 was approximately $19,651 million, which represented an approximate economic ownership26% or the voting cap (“Equity Cap”).  As of 22%March 31, 2021, due to Liberty Broadband’s voting interest exceeding the current voting cap of 25.01%, our voting control of the outstanding equityaggregate voting power of Charter is 25.01%. Under the Stockholders Agreement, Liberty Broadband has agreed to vote (subject to certain exceptions) all voting securities beneficially owned by it, or over which it has voting discretion or control that are in excess of the voting cap in the same proportion as all other votes cast by public stockholders of Charter with respect to the applicable matter.

In February 2021, Liberty Broadband was notified that date.its ownership interest, on a fully diluted basis, had exceeded the Equity Cap set forth in the Stockholders Agreement.  On February 23, 2021, Charter and Liberty Broadband entered into a letter agreement in order to implement, facilitate and satisfy the terms of the Stockholders Agreement with respect to the Equity Cap. Pursuant to this letter agreement, following any month during which Charter purchases, redeems or buys back shares of its Class A common stock, and prior to certain meetings of Charter’s stockholders, Liberty Broadband will be obligated to sell to Charter, and Charter will be obligated to purchase, such number of shares of Class A common stock as is necessary (if any) to reduce Liberty Broadband’s percentage equity interest, on a fully diluted basis, to the Equity Cap (such transaction, a “Charter Repurchase”). The per share sale price for each share of Charter will be equal to the volume weighted average price paid by Charter in its repurchases, redemptions and buybacks of its common stock (subject to certain exceptions) during the month prior to the Charter Repurchase (or, if applicable, during the relevant period prior to the relevant meeting of Charter stockholders). Under the terms of the letter agreement, Liberty Broadband sold 834,576 shares of Charter Class A common stock to Charter for $518.4 million in March 2021 to maintain our fully diluted ownership percentage at 26%.  Subsequent to March 31, 2021, Liberty Broadband sold 735,209 shares of Charter Class A common stock to Charter for $459.7 million in April 2021.

During the three months ended March 31, 2020, Liberty Broadband exercised its preemptive right to purchase an aggregate of approximately 35 thousand shares of Charter’s Class A common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $14.9 million.

Investment in Charter

The excess basis is $2,100in our investment in Charter of $9,210 million as of September 30, 2017 and has beenMarch 31, 2021 is allocated within memo accounts used for equity method accounting purposes as follows (amounts in millions):

March 31,

December 31,

2021

2020

Property and equipment

    

$

766

733

Customer relationships

 

2,769

2,726

Franchise fees

 

3,849

3,693

Trademarks

 

29

29

Goodwill

 

4,116

3,934

Debt

 

(626)

(602)

Deferred income tax liability

 

(1,693)

(1,641)

$

9,210

8,872

 

 

 

 

 

Property and equipment

    

$

174

 

Customer relationships

 

 

346

 

Franchise fees

 

 

1,170

 

Trademarks

 

 

29

 

Goodwill

 

 

1,046

 

Debt

 

 

(20)

 

Deferred income tax liability

 

 

(645)

 

 

 

$

2,100

 

Upon acquisition, Liberty Broadband ascribed remaining useful lives of 7 years and 13 years to propertyProperty and equipment and customer relationships have weighted average remaining useful lives of approximately 6 years and 10 years, respectively, and indefinite lives to franchise fees, trademarks and goodwill.goodwill have indefinite lives. The excess basis of

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Table of Contents

LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

outstanding debt is amortized over the contractual period using the effective interest ratestraight-line method. The increase in excess basis for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2021 was primarily due to Charter’s share buyback program, partially offset by Liberty Broadband’s participation in Charter’s share buyback program. The Company’s Shareshare of earnings (losses) of affiliates line item in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations includes expenses of $15.3$57.9 million and $18.5$40.1 million, net of related taxes, for the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2021 and 2016, respectively, and expenses of $44.0 million and $23.2 million, net of related taxes, for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016,2020, respectively, due to the amortization of the excess basis related to assets with identifiable useful lives and debt.  

The Company had a dilution loss of $3.7$82.2 million and $16.3$59.3 million during the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2021 and 2016, respectively, and a dilution loss of $42.5 million and a dilution gain of $760.1 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016,2020, respectively. The dilution gainlosses for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 is primarily attributable to Liberty Broadband’s investment basis in Charter at a price per share below the new equity issued in the Time Warner Cable Merger. The dilution losses during the other periods presented arewere attributable to stock option exercises by employees and other third parties at prices below Liberty Broadband’s book basis per share.share, slightly offset by a gain on dilution related to Charter’s repurchase of Liberty Broadband’s Charter shares during the three months ended March 31, 2021.

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Table of Contents

LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

Accounting Change

Charter adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-09 on January 1, 2017. Upon adoption of ASU 2016-09, Charter recognized excess tax benefits of approximately $136 million in deferred tax assets that were previously not recognized in a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings. The impact of this entry on the Company’s equity is reflected in the line item Cumulative effect of accounting change at Charter in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of equity.

Summarized unaudited financial information for Charter is as follows (amounts in millions):

Charter condensed consolidated balance sheets

    

March 31, 2021

December 31, 2020

 

Current assets

$

3,663

3,909

Property and equipment, net

 

34,184

34,357

Goodwill

 

29,554

29,554

Intangible assets, net

 

72,507

72,937

Other assets

 

3,531

3,449

Total assets

$

143,439

144,206

Current liabilities

$

9,916

9,875

Deferred income taxes

 

18,227

18,108

Long-term debt

 

83,882

81,744

Other liabilities

 

4,233

4,198

Equity

 

27,181

30,281

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

$

143,439

144,206

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

September 30, 2017

 

December 31, 2016

 

Current assets

 

$

4,132

 

3,300

 

Property and equipment, net

 

 

33,300

 

32,963

 

Goodwill

 

 

29,554

 

29,509

 

Intangible assets, net

 

 

79,905

 

81,924

 

Other assets

 

 

1,337

 

1,371

 

Total assets

 

$

148,228

 

149,067

 

Current liabilities

 

 

10,419

 

9,572

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

26,576

 

26,665

 

Long-term debt

 

 

66,064

 

59,719

 

Other liabilities

 

 

2,591

 

2,745

 

Equity

 

 

42,578

 

50,366

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

148,228

 

149,067

 

Charter condensed consolidated statements of operations

Three months ended

March 31,

2021

2020

Revenue

$

12,522

11,738

Cost and expenses:

Operating costs and expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization)

 

7,711

7,432

Depreciation and amortization

 

2,441

2,497

Other operating expenses, net

 

302

7

10,454

9,936

Operating income

2,068

1,802

Interest expense, net

 

(983)

(980)

Other income (expense), net

52

(326)

Income tax (expense) benefit

 

(216)

(29)

Net income (loss)

921

467

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

(114)

(71)

Net income (loss) attributable to Charter shareholders

$

807

396

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended 

    

Nine months ended

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

2017

 

2016

 

2017

 

2016

Revenue

$

10,458

 

10,037

 

30,979

 

18,728

Cost and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating costs and expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization)

 

(6,703)

 

(6,482)

 

(19,857)

 

(12,157)

Depreciation and amortization

 

(2,701)

 

(2,437)

 

(7,846)

 

(4,412)

Other operating expenses, net

 

(145)

 

(207)

 

(374)

 

(776)

 

 

(9,549)

 

(9,126)

 

(28,077)

 

(17,345)

Operating income

 

909

 

911

 

2,902

 

1,383

Interest expense, net

 

(788)

 

(724)

 

(2,250)

 

(1,771)

Other income (expense), net

 

(3)

 

79

 

(55)

 

429

Income tax benefit (expense)

 

(26)

 

(16)

 

(99)

 

3,135

Net income (loss)

 

92

 

250

 

498

 

3,176

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

(44)

 

(61)

 

(156)

 

(108)

Net income (loss) attributable to Charter shareholders

$

48

 

189

 

342

 

3,068

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Table of Contents

LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

(5) Goodwill and Other (6) Intangible Assets

There were no  changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during the nine months ended September 30, 2017.Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization, net

    

March 31, 2021

    

December 31, 2020

Gross

Net

Gross

Net

carrying

Accumulated

carrying

carrying

Accumulated

carrying

    

amount

    

amortization

    

amount

    

amount

    

amortization

    

amount

amounts in thousands

Customer relationships

$

515,000

(14,975)

500,025

560,212

(13,687)

546,525

Other amortizable intangibles

 

133,840

(8,909)

124,931

 

137,315

(9,791)

127,524

Total

$

648,840

(23,884)

624,956

697,527

(23,478)

674,049

Intangible assets subject to amortization are comprised of the following (amounts in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 30, 2017

 

December 31, 2016

 

 

 

Gross

 

 

 

Net

 

Gross

 

 

 

Net

 

 

 

Carrying

 

Accumulated

 

Carrying

 

Carrying

 

Accumulated

 

Carrying

 

 

 

Amount

 

Amortization

 

Amount

 

Amount

 

Amortization

 

Amount

 

Acquired patents

    

$

10,823

    

(9,633)

    

1,190

    

10,823

    

(8,450)

    

2,373

 

Customer relationships

 

 

10,213

 

(6,463)

 

3,750

 

10,213

 

(5,440)

 

4,773

 

Tradename

 

 

2,838

 

(1,809)

 

1,029

 

2,838

 

(1,528)

 

1,310

 

Capitalized software

 

 

857

 

(763)

 

94

 

850

 

(710)

 

140

 

 

 

$

24,731

 

(18,668)

 

6,063

 

24,724

 

(16,128)

 

8,596

 

Skyhook’s patents are amortized straight-line over three and a half years and Skyhook’s tradename and customer relationship are amortized straight-line over five and a half years. Capitalized softwareAmortization expense for intangible assets are amortized over three to five years. Amortization expensewith finite useful lives was $842 thousand$18.6 million and $850$437.0 thousand for the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2021 and 2016, respectively, and $2.5 million and $2.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016,2020, respectively.

The estimated future amortizationAmortization expense for the next five years related toamortizable intangible assets with definite lives asfor each of September 30, 2017the five succeeding fiscal years is as followsestimated to be (amounts in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

Remainder of 2017

    

$

841

 

2018

 

$

2,575

 

2019

 

$

1,776

 

2020

 

$

871

 

2021

 

$

 —

 

Remainder of 2021

$

55,172

2022

$

63,880

2023

$

57,570

2024

$

51,698

2025

$

50,246

(7) Debt

(6) Debt

Outstanding debt at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 is summarized as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 30, 2017

 

December 31, 2016

 

 

(amounts in thousands)

2014 Margin Loans

$

 —

 

400,000

2016 Margin Loans

 

 —

 

200,000

2017 Margin Loans

 

500,000

 

 —

Deferred loan costs

 

(3,025)

 

(1,488)

 

$

496,975

 

598,512

Less debt classified as current

 

 —

 

(400,000)

Total long-term debt

$

496,975

 

198,512

    

Outstanding

    

    

    

    

 

principal

Carrying value

 

March 31,

March 31,

December 31,

 

        

2021

    

2021

        

2020

 

 

amounts in thousands

Margin Loan Facility

$

2,000,000

 

2,000,000

 

2,000,000

2.75% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2050

 

575,000

 

588,064

 

608,804

1.25% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2050

825,000

811,536

836,971

1.75% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2046

14,536

24,741

26,350

Senior notes

 

600,000

 

634,697

 

635,683

Senior credit facility

 

523,000

 

523,000

 

704,000

Wells Fargo note payable

 

6,273

 

6,273

 

6,442

Deferred financing costs

 

 

(1,714)

 

(2,017)

Total debt

$

4,543,809

 

4,586,597

 

4,816,233

Debt classified as current

 

 

(29,425)

 

(31,026)

Total long-term debt

$

4,557,172

 

4,785,207

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Table of Contents

LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

2014 Margin Loans

On October 30, 2014, in connection with and prior to the effectiveness of the Broadband Spin-Off, a wholly-owned special purpose subsidiary of the Company (“BroadbandSPV”) entered into two margin loan agreements (the “2014 Margin Loan Agreements”) with each of the lenders party thereto. The 2014 Margin Loan Agreements permitted BroadbandSPV, subject to certain funding conditions, to borrow term loans up to an aggregate principal amount equal to $400 million (the “2014 Margin Loans”). The maximum borrowing capacity of $400 million under the 2014 Margin Loan Agreements was outstanding at December 31, 2016. The maturity date of the 2014 Margin Loans was October 30, 2017, accordingly the debt was classified as current as of December 31, 2016. Borrowings under the 2014 Margin Loan Agreements bore interest at the three-month LIBOR rate plus a per annum spread of 1.55%, and had an unused commitment fee of 0.25% per annum based on the average daily unused portion of the 2014 Margin Loans. Interest was payable quarterly in arrears beginning on December 31, 2014. On August 31, 2017, the outstanding borrowings of $400 million were repaid, as discussed below.

2016 Margin Loans

On March 21, 2016, a wholly-owned special purpose subsidiary of the Company (“Cheetah 5”), entered into two margin loan agreements (the “2016 Margin Loan Agreements” and together with the 2014 Margin Loan Agreements, the “Margin Loan Agreements”) with each of the lenders party thereto. The 2016 Margin Loan Agreements permitted Cheetah 5, subject to certain funding conditions, to borrow initial term loans up to an aggregate principal amount equal to $200 million and delayed draw loans (the “Draw Loans”) up to an aggregate principal amount equal to $100 million, for an aggregate total of $300 million (collectively the “2016 Margin Loans”). Cheetah 5 had borrowed $200 million as of December 31, 2016 and had $100 million available to be drawn until September 21, 2017. The maturity date of the 2016 Margin Loans was March 21, 2018, accordingly the debt was classified as noncurrent as of December 31, 2016. Borrowings under the 2016 Margin Loans bore interest at the applicable LIBOR rate plus 2.10% per annum and had an unused commitment fee of 0.5% per annum based on the average daily unused portion of the Draw Loans. Interest was payable quarterly in arrears beginning on March 31, 2016. The proceeds of the 2016 Margin Loans were used for the Company’s additional investment in Charter during May 2016, as discussed in note 4. On August 31, 2017, the outstanding borrowings of $200 million were repaid, as discussed below.

2017 Margin Loan Facility

On August 31, 2017,12, 2020, a bankruptcy remote wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“SPV”), entered into aAmendment No. 3 to its multi-draw margin loan credit facility and Amendment No. 2 to its Collateral Account Control Agreement (the “2017“Third Amendment”), which amends SPV’s margin loan agreement, dated as of August 31, 2017 (as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Margin Loan Facility”Agreement, dated as of August 24, 2018, and the credit agreement governing such facility, the “2017as further amended by Amendment No. 2 to Margin Loan Agreement and Amendment No. 1 to Collateral Account Control Agreement, dated August 19, 2019, the

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LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

“Existing Margin Loan Agreement”; the Existing Margin Loan Agreement, as amended by the Third Amendment, the “Margin Loan Agreement”), with Bank of America, N.AWilmington Trust, National Association, as the administrative agent, BNP Paribas, as the calculation agent, and the lenders thereunder. SPV is permitted, subject to certain funding conditions, to borrowparty thereto.  The Margin Loan Agreement provides for, among other things, a multi-draw term loans up to an aggregate principal amount equal to $1.0 billion. SPV will also have the ability from time to time to request additional loansloan credit facility (the “Margin Loan Facility”) in an aggregate principal amount of up to $1.0$2.3 billion, including the Incremental Facility (as defined below).  SPV’s obligations under the Margin Loan Facility are secured by first priority liens on the shares of Charter owned by SPV.

SPV drew down an additional $25 million on July 31, 2020 and an additional $100 million on August 20, 2020 on the Margin Loan Facility.  Upon the completion of the Combination on December 18, 2020, SPV borrowed an additional $1.3 billion on the Margin Loan Facility in order to repay an uncommitted basisexisting margin loan at GCI Liberty (the “Incremental Facility”).  Outstanding borrowings under the Margin Loan Facility were $2.0 billion at both March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. As of March 31, 2021, SPV was permitted to borrow an additional $300.0 million, subject to certain conditions. SPV had borrowed $500 million as of September 30, 2017 and had $500 million available tofunding conditions, which may be drawn untilthrough August 31, 2018.12, 2021. The maturity date of the loans under the 2017 Margin Loan Agreement is August 30, 201924, 2022 (except for any incrementaladditional loans incurred thereunder to the extent SPV and the incremental lenders agree to a later maturity date). Accordingly,Prior to the debt is classified as noncurrent ascompletion of September 30, 2017. Borrowingsthe Combination, borrowings under the 2017 Margin Loan Agreement bearbore interest at the three-month LIBOR rate plus a per annum spread of 1.5%, unless it is unlawful forwhich increased to a per annum spread of 1.85% from and after the applicable lender to fund or maintain loans based on LIBOR or there are material restrictions oncompletion of the applicable lender to do so, in which case borrowings under the 2017Combination. The Margin Loan Agreement will either (a) bear interest at 0.5% plus the higher of (i) the federal funds rate plus ½ of 1%, (ii) the prime rate and (iii)also provides for customary LIBOR plus 1% for each day during such period or (b) be prepaid. Borrowings outstanding under these margin loans bore interest at a rate of 2.74% per annum at September 30, 2017. Interest is payable quarterly in arrears beginning on September 29, 2017. SPV used available cash and a portion of the proceeds of the loans under the 2017 Margin Loan Facility to repay the Margin Loan Agreements. Borrowings may also be used for distribution as a dividend or a return of capital, for the purchase of margin stock and for general corporate purposes.  replacement provisions.

The 2017 Margin Loan Agreement contains various affirmative and negative covenants that restrict the activities of the SPV (and, in some cases, the Company and its subsidiaries with respect to shares of Charter owned by the Company and its

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Table of Contents

LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

subsidiaries). The 2017 Margin Loan Agreement does not include any financial covenants.  The 2017 Margin Loan Agreement also contains restrictions related to additional indebtedness and events of default customary for margin loans of this type.

SPV’s obligations under the 2017 Margin Loan Agreement are secured by first priority liens on a portion of the Company’s ownership interest in Charter, sufficient for SPV to meet the loan to value requirements under the 2017 Margin Loan Agreement. The 2017 Margin Loan Agreement indicates that no lender party shall have any voting rights with respect to the shares transferred, except to the extent that a lender party buys any shares in a sale or other disposition made pursuant to the terms of the loan agreements.As of September 30, 2017, approximately 6.8March 31, 2021, 12.3 million shares of Charter with a value of $2.5$7.6 billion were pledged as collateral pursuant to the 2017 Margin Loan Agreement.

Exchangeable Senior Debentures

(7)The Company has elected to account for all of its exchangeable senior debentures at fair value in its condensed consolidated financial statements.  Accordingly, changes in the fair value of these instruments are recognized in unrealized gains (losses) in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations.  See note 4 for information related to unrealized gains (losses) on debt measured at fair value.  As of March 31, 2021, a holder of the Company’s 2.75% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2050 (the “2.75% Debentures”) or a holder of the Company’s 1.25% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2050 (the “1.25% Debentures) does not have the ability to exchange and, accordingly, the 2.75% Debentures and 1.25% Debentures are classified as long-term debt in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.  As of March 31, 2021, the holders of the 1.75% exchangeable senior debentures due 2046 (the “1.75% Debentures), which were issued by GCI Liberty and assumed in connection with the closing of the Combination, will have the ability to exchange their debentures for the period from April 1, 2021 through June 30, 2021 given that the trading value of the reference shares exceeded 130% of the par value for twenty of the last thirty trading days in the fourth quarter of 2020.  Given the holders’ ability to exchange the debentures within a one-year period from the balance sheet date and the Company’s option to settle any exchange in cash, shares of Charter Class A common stock, or a combination of cash and shares of Charter Class A common stock, the 1.75% Debentures have been classified as current within the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2021. The Company reviews the terms of all the debentures on a quarterly basis to determine whether an event has occurred to require current classification on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

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LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

Senior Notes

In connection with the closing of the Combination on December 18, 2020, GCI, LLC became an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.  GCI, LLC is the issuer of $600.0 million 4.75% senior notes due 2028 (the “Senior Notes”).  The Senior Notes were issued by GCI, LLC on October 7, 2020 and are unsecured.  Interest on the Senior Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears. The Senior Notes are redeemable at the Company’s option, in whole or in part, at a redemption price defined in the respective indentures, and accrued and unpaid interest (if any) to the date of redemption. The Senior Notes are stated net of an aggregate unamortized premium of $34.7 million at March 31, 2021. Such premium is being amortized to interest expense in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Senior Credit Facility

In connection with the closing of the Combination on December 18, 2020, GCI, LLC became an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.  GCI, LLC is the borrower under the Senior Credit Facility (as defined below).

On October 15, 2020, GCI, LLC entered into a Seventh Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Senior Credit Facility”), which includes a $550.0 million revolving credit facility, with a $25 million sub-limit for standby letters of credit, and a $400.0 million Term Loan B. The borrowings under the Senior Credit Facility bear interest at either the alternate base rate or LIBOR (based on an interest period selected by GCI, LLC of one month, two months, three months or six months) at the election of GCI, LLC in each case plus a margin. The revolving credit facility borrowings that are alternate base rate loans bear interest at a per annum rate equal to the alternate base rate plus a margin that varies between 0.50% and 1.75% depending on GCI, LLC’s total leverage ratio. The revolving credit facility borrowings that are LIBOR loans bear interest at a per annum rate equal to the applicable LIBOR plus a margin that varies between 1.50% and 2.75% depending on GCI, LLC’s total leverage ratio. Term Loan B borrowings that are alternate base rate loans bear interest at a per annum rate equal to the alternate base rate plus a margin of 1.75%. Term Loan B borrowings that are LIBOR loans bear interest at a per annum rate equal to the applicable LIBOR plus a margin of 2.75% with a LIBOR floor of 0.75%.

The borrowings under the revolving credit facility and the Term Loan B are scheduled to mature on October 15, 2025; provided that, if the Term Loan B is not refinanced or repaid in full prior to April 15, 2025, then the borrowings under the revolving credit facility will mature on April 15, 2025. Principal payments are due quarterly on the Term Loan B equal to 0.25% of the original principal amount. The loans are subject to customary mandatory prepayment provisions. Each loan may be prepaid at any time and from time to time without penalty other than customary breakage costs and, in the case of the Term Loan B, subject to a customary six month “soft call.” Any amounts prepaid on the revolving credit facility may be reborrowed.

GCI, LLC’s Senior Credit Facility Total Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Senior Credit Facility) may not exceed 6.50 to 1.00, the Secured Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Senior Credit Facility) may not exceed 4.50 to 1.00 and the First Lien Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Senior Credit Facility) may not exceed 4.00 to 1.00.

The terms of the Senior Credit Facility include customary representations and warranties, customary affirmative and negative covenants and customary events of default. At any time after the occurrence of an event of default under the Senior Credit Facility, the lenders may, among other options, declare any amounts outstanding under the Senior Credit Facility immediately due and payable and terminate any commitment to make further loans under the Senior Credit Facility. The obligations under the Senior Credit Facility are secured by a security interest on substantially all of the assets of GCI Holdings and the subsidiary guarantors, as defined in the Senior Credit Facility, and on the stock of GCI Holdings.

As of March 31, 2021, there was $398.0 million outstanding under the Term Loan B, $125.0 million outstanding under the revolving portion of the Senior Credit Facility and $3.2 million in letters of credit under the Senior Credit Facility, leaving $421.8 million available for borrowing.

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LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

During the three months ended March 31, 2021, GCI, LLC repaid $180 million on its revolving credit facility and completed an internal restructuring whereby GCI, LLC transferred the subsidiary that holds the Charter shares formerly beneficially owned by GCI Liberty to Liberty Broadband parent.

Wells Fargo Note Payable

In connection with the closing of the Combination on December 18, 2020, the Company assumed GCI Holdings’ outstanding $6.4 million under its Wells Fargo Note Payable (as defined below).

GCI Holdings issued a note to Wells Fargo that matures on July 15, 2029 and is payable in monthly installments of principal and interest (the "Wells Fargo Note Payable"). The interest rate is variable at one month LIBOR plus 2.25%.

The note is subject to similar affirmative and negative covenants as the Senior Credit Facility. The obligations under the note are secured by a security interest and lien on the building purchased with the note.

Debt Covenants

GCI, LLC is subject to covenants and restrictions under its Senior Notes and Senior Credit Facility. The Company and GCI, LLC are in compliance with all debt maintenance covenants as of March 31, 2021.

Fair Value of Debt

The fair value of the Senior Notes was $531.1 million at March 31, 2021.

Due to the variable rate nature of the Margin Loan, Senior Credit Facility and Wells Fargo Note Payable, the Company believes that the carrying amount approximates fair value at March 31, 2021.

(8) Preferred Stock

Liberty Broadband's preferred stock is issuable, from time to time, with such designations, preferences and relative participating, optional or other rights, qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, as shall be stated and expressed in a resolution or resolutions providing for the issue of such preferred stock adopted by Liberty Broadband's board of directors.  

Liberty Broadband Preferred Stock was issued as a result of the Combination on December 18, 2020. Each share of GCI Liberty Preferred Stock outstanding immediately prior to the closing of the Combination was converted into 1 share of newly issued Liberty Broadband Preferred Stock. The Company is required to redeem all outstanding shares of Liberty Broadband Preferred Stock out of funds legally available, at the liquidation price plus all unpaid dividends (whether or not declared) accrued from the most recent dividend payment date through the redemption date, on the first business day following March 8, 2039. There were 7,300,000 shares of Liberty Broadband Preferred Stock authorized and 7,192,369 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2021.  An additional 42,700,000 shares of preferred stock of the Company are authorized and are undesignated as to series. The Liberty Broadband Preferred Stock is accounted for as a liability on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets because it is mandatorily redeemable. As a result, all dividends paid on the Liberty Broadband Preferred Stock are recorded as interest expense in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations.

The liquidation price is measured per share and shall mean the sum of (i) $25, plus (ii) an amount equal to all unpaid dividends (whether or not declared) accrued with respect to such share have been added to and then remain part of the liquidation price as of such date.

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LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

The holders of shares of Liberty Broadband Preferred Stock are entitled to receive, when and as declared by the Liberty Broadband Board of Directors, out of legally available funds, preferential dividends that accrue and cumulate as provided in the certificate of designations for the Liberty Broadband Preferred Stock.

Dividends on each share of Liberty Broadband Preferred Stock accrue on a daily basis at a rate of 7.00% per annum of the liquidation price.

Accrued dividends are payable quarterly on each dividend payment date, which is January 15, April 15, July 15, and October 15 of each year, commencing January 15, 2021. If Liberty Broadband fails to pay cash dividends on the Liberty Broadband Preferred Stock in full for any 4 consecutive or non-consecutive dividend periods then the dividend rate shall increase by 2.00% per annum of the liquidation price until cured. On March 15, 2021, the Company announced that its board of directors had declared a quarterly cash dividend of approximately $0.44 per share of Liberty Broadband Preferred Stock which was paid on April 15, 2021 to shareholders of record of the Liberty Broadband Preferred Stock at the close of business on March 31, 2021.

(9) Stock-Based Compensation

Liberty Broadband grants, to certain of its directors, employees and employees of its subsidiaries, restricted stock units and stock options to purchase shares of its common stock (collectively, "Awards"). The Company measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for an equity classified Award (such as stock options and restricted stock) based on the grant-date fair value (“GDFV”) of the Award, and recognizes that cost over the period during which the employee is required to provide service (usually the vesting period of the Award). The Company measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for a liability classified Award based on the current fair value of the Award, and remeasures the fair value of the Award at each reporting date.

Included in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations are the following amounts of stock-based compensation for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2021 and 20162020 (amounts in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months

 

Nine months

 

 

ended

 

ended

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

2017

 

2016

 

2017

 

2016

 

Three months

 

ended

 

March 31,

 

2021

2020

 

Operating expense

    

$

 3

    

 4

    

 5

    

 2

 

    

$

3

    

1

Selling, general and administrative

 

 

1,429

 

1,596

 

4,032

 

4,363

 

 

9,867

1,800

Research and development

 

 

67

 

136

 

339

 

217

 

 

$

1,499

 

1,736

 

4,376

 

4,582

 

$

9,870

1,801

Liberty Broadband – Grants of Stock OptionsAwards

During the three months ended March 31, 2021, Liberty Broadband granted 167 thousand options to purchase shares of Series C Liberty Broadband common stock to our CEO in connection with his employment agreement. Such options had a GDFV of $40.05 per share and vest on December 31, 2021.

There were no0 options to purchase shares of Series A or Series B or Series C common stock granted during the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017.  March 31, 2021.

The Company calculateshas calculated the GDFV for all of its equity classified awards and any subsequent remeasurement of its liability classified awards using the Black-Scholes Model. The Company estimates the expected term of the Awards based on historical exercise and forfeiture data. Since Liberty Broadband common stock has not traded on the stock market for a significant length of time, theThe volatility used in the calculation for Awards is based on a blend of the historical volatility of Liberty Broadband and Charter common stock and the implied volatility of publicly traded Liberty Broadband and Charter options; as the most significant asset within Liberty Broadband, the volatility of Charter was considered in the overall volatility of Liberty Broadband.stock. The Company uses a zero0 dividend rate and the risk-free rate for Treasury Bonds with a term similar to that of the subject option.

options.

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LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

Liberty Broadband – Outstanding Awards

The following tables presenttable presents the number and weighted average exercise price (“WAEP”) of Awards to purchase Liberty Broadband common stock granted to certain officers, employees and directors of the Company, as well as the weighted average remaining life and aggregate intrinsic value of the Awards.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

    

    

    

 

    

Weighted

    

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

average

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

remaining

 

Aggregate

 

 

 

 

 

contractual

 

intrinsic

 

Series A

 

WAEP

 

life

 

value

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

(in years)

 

(in millions)

Outstanding at January 1, 2017

 

454

 

$

32.47

 

 

 

 

    

    

    

    

    

Weighted

    

    

average

remaining

Aggregate

contractual

intrinsic

Series C

WAEP

life

value

(in thousands)

(in years)

(in millions)

Outstanding at January 1, 2021

 

3,327

$

92.35

Granted

 

 —

 

$

 —

 

 

 

 

 

199

$

152.25

Exercised

 

(49)

 

$

26.85

 

 

 

 

 

(3)

$

73.85

Forfeited/cancelled

 

 —

 

$

 —

 

 

 

 

$

Outstanding at September 30, 2017

 

405

 

$

33.15

 

2.2

 

$

25

Exercisable at September 30, 2017

 

402

 

$

33.06

 

2.2

 

$

25

Outstanding at March 31, 2021

 

3,523

$

95.74

 

4.9

$

202

Exercisable at March 31, 2021

 

2,052

$

59.39

 

3.8

$

186

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

    

    

    

 

    

Weighted

    

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

average

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

remaining

 

Aggregate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

contractual

 

intrinsic

 

 

Series C

 

WAEP

 

life

 

value

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

(in years)

 

(in millions)

Outstanding at January 1, 2017

 

2,467

 

$

42.45

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

 —

 

$

 —

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

(94)

 

$

27.08

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeited/cancelled

 

 —

 

$

 —

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at September 30, 2017

 

2,373

 

$

43.06

 

5.4

 

$

124

Exercisable at September 30, 2017

 

851

 

$

33.59

 

2.3

 

$

52

As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2021, Liberty Broadband also had 1 thousand Series A options and 722 thousand Series B options outstanding and exercisable at a WAEP of $35.81 and $96.79, respectively, and a weighted average remaining contractual life of 1.7 years and 1.8 years, respectively.

As of March 31, 2021, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested Awards was approximately $11 million.$68.9 million. Such amount will be recognized in the Company's condensed consolidated statements of operations over a weighted average period of approximately 21.9 years.  

As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2021, Liberty Broadband reserved 2.84.2 million shares of Series A, Series B and Series C common stock for issuance under exercise privileges of outstanding stock Awards.

Skyhook Equity Incentive Plans

Skyhook issued 3.3 million phantom stock appreciation rights (“PARs”) and no phantom stock units (“PSUs”) during the nine months ended September 30, 2017. As of September 30, 2017, the fair value of outstanding PARs and PSUs was approximately $2.4 million. As of September 30, 2017,  $1.6 million (Level 3) is included in Other current liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet for the fair value of Skyhook’s vested long-term incentive plan obligations.

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LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

(8)(10) Commitments and Contingencies

Leases

Skyhook leases various properties under operating leases expiring at various times through 2018. Skyhook’s two principal facilities are under lease through December 2017 and December 2019, respectively. Including amounts due to Liberty under the facilities sharing agreement, the Company’s total rental expense was $368 thousand and $452 thousand for each of the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and $890 thousand and $1.0 million for each of the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

General Litigation

InThe Company has contingent liabilities related to legal and tax proceedings and other matters arising in the ordinary course of business, the Company and its consolidated subsidiary are parties to legal proceedings and claims involving alleged infringement of third-party intellectual property rights, defamation, and other claims, including infringement of the intellectual property rights of the Company and its consolidated subsidiary by third parties.business. Although it is reasonably possible that the Company may incur losses upon conclusion of such matters, an estimate of any loss or range of loss cannot be made. In the opinion of management, it is expected that amounts, if any, which may be required to satisfy such contingencies will not be material in relation to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.

Indemnification ClaimsHollywood Firefighters’ Pension Fund, et al. v. GCI Liberty, Inc., et al. On October 9, 2020, a putative class action complaint was filed by 2 purported GCI Liberty stockholders in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware under the caption Hollywood Firefighters’ Pension Fund, et al. v. GCI Liberty, Inc., et al., Case No. 2020-0880. A new version of the complaint was filed on October 11, 2020. The complaint named as defendants GCI Liberty, as well as the members of the GCI Liberty board of directors. The complaint alleged, among other things, that Mr. Gregory B. Maffei, a director and the President and Chief Executive Officer of Liberty Broadband and, prior to the Combination, GCI Liberty, and Mr. John C. Malone, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Liberty Broadband and, prior to the Combination, GCI Liberty, in their purported capacities as controlling stockholders and directors of GCI Liberty, and the other directors of GCI Liberty, breached their fiduciary duties by approving the Combination. The complaint also alleged that various prior and current relationships

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InLIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

among members of the normal courseGCI Liberty special committee, Mr. Malone and Mr. Maffei rendered the members of business, Skyhook provides indemnification to certain customers against specified claims that might arise against those customers from the use of Skyhook’s products. To date, Skyhook hasGCI Liberty special committee not made any significant reimbursements to any of its customers for any losses related to these indemnification provisions. However, four such claims are currently pending. Skyhook is unable to estimate the maximum potential impact of these indemnification provisions on its future results of operations, although Skyhook’s liabilities in certain of those arrangements are customarily limited in various respects, including monetarily. Accordingly, no accrual was recorded related to indemnification claims as of September 30, 2017 or December 31, 2016.

Certain Risks and Concentrationsindependent.

The Skyhook business iscomplaint sought certification of a class action, declarations that Messrs. Maffei and Malone and the other directors of GCI Liberty breached their fiduciary duties and the recovery of damages and other relief.

On December 23, 2020, the plaintiffs filed a Second Amended Complaint, which, among other things, included a new count of breach of fiduciary duty against Mr. Maffei and Mr. Gregg Engles, the other former member of the GCI Liberty special committee, and new allegations that the price of GCI Liberty was depressed as a result of statements and omissions by Mr. Maffei in November of 2019.  During the first quarter for 2021, the parties were conducting discovery with the trial scheduled for November 2021.  We believed the lawsuit was without merit.  

During March 2021 and in advance of the expenditure of significant time and costs to conduct the depositions proposed to have been taken in this action, the parties began negotiations for a potential settlement of this action. On May 5, 2021, the plaintiffs (on behalf of themselves and other members of a proposed settlement class) and defendants entered into an agreement in principle to settle the litigation pursuant to which the parties agreed that the plaintiffs will dismiss their claims with prejudice, with customary releases, in return for a settlement payment of $110 million, which has been accrued as a current liability in the condensed consolidated balance sheet and recorded as a litigation settlement expense within operating income in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. This agreement will be further codified in a final Stipulation and Agreement of Settlement, which will be subject to certain risks and concentrations including dependence on relationships with its customers. The Company’s largest customers, that accounted for greater than 10% of revenue, aggregated 57% and 85% of total revenue forapproval by the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and 57% and 64% of total revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.Court.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Liberty Broadband did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a current or future effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

(9)(11) Segment Information

Liberty Broadband identifies its reportable segments as (A) those consolidated companies that represent 10% or more of its consolidated annual revenue, annual Adjusted OIBDA or total assets and (B) those equity method affiliates whose share of earnings or losses represent 10% or more of Liberty Broadband’s annual pre-tax earnings.earnings (losses).

During the first quarter of 2021, as a result of the closing of the Combination on December 18, 2020, Skyhook Holding, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, is no longer significant to the Company and has been included in Corporate and other for presentation purposes. The revised segment reporting structure includes the following reportable segments: (1) GCI Holdings and (2) Charter.  All prior period segment disclosure information has been reclassified to conform to the current reporting structure.  These reclassifications had no effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements in any period.

Liberty Broadband evaluates performance and makes decisions about allocating resources to its operating segments based on financial measures such as revenue and Adjusted OIBDA. In addition, Liberty Broadband reviews nonfinancial measures such as subscriber growth.

For the three months ended March 31, 2021, Liberty Broadband has identified the following consolidated company and equity method investment as its reportable segments:

GCI Holdings – a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company that provides a full range of wireless, data, video, voice, and managed services to residential, businesses, governmental entities, and educational and medical institutions primarily in Alaska.
Charter—an equity method investment that is one of the largest providers of cable services in the United States, offering a variety of entertainment, information and communications solutions to residential and commercial customers.

Liberty Broadband’s operating segments are strategic business units that offer different products and services. They are managed separately because each segment requires different technologies, distribution channels and marketing strategies.

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Table of Contents

LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

The accounting policies of the segment that is also a consolidated company are the same as those described in the Company’s summary of significant accounting policies in the Company’s annual financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020. We have included amounts attributable to Charter in the tables below. Although Liberty Broadband owns less than 100% of the outstanding shares of Charter, 100% of the Charter amounts are included in the tables below and subsequently eliminated in order to reconcile the account totals to the Liberty Broadband condensed consolidated financial statements.

Performance Measures

Revenue by segment from contracts with customers, classified by customer type and significant service offerings follows:

Three months ended

March 31,

2021

    

2020

amounts in thousands

GCI Holdings

  

 

  

Consumer Revenue

  

 

  

Wireless

$

31,971

Data

 

52,225

Video

 

18,929

Voice

 

3,554

Business Revenue

 

Wireless

 

18,901

Data

 

90,286

Video

 

802

Voice

 

6,148

Lease, grant, and revenue from subsidies

 

19,400

Total GCI Holdings

242,216

Corporate and other

4,318

4,104

Total

$

246,534

 

4,104

Charter revenue totaled $12,522 million and $11,738 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

The Company had gross receivables of $206.0 million and deferred revenue of $31.0 million at March 31, 2021 from contracts with customers, which amounts exclude receivables and deferred revenue arising from leases, grants, and subsidies. Our customers generally pay for services in advance of the performance obligation and therefore these prepayments are recorded as deferred revenue. The deferred revenue is recognized as revenue in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations as the services are provided. Changes in the contract liability balance for the Company during the three ended March 31, 2021 were not materially impacted by other factors.

The Company expects to recognize revenue in the future related to performance obligations that are unsatisfied (or partially unsatisfied) of approximately $177.4 million in the remainder of 2021, $159.3 million in 2022, $63.3 million in 2023, $25.2 million in 2024 and $54.3 million in 2025 and thereafter.

For segment reporting purposes, Liberty Broadband defines Adjusted OIBDA as revenue less operating expenses and selling, general and administrative expenses (excluding stock-based compensation)compensation and transaction costs). Liberty Broadband believes this measure is an important indicator of the operational strength and performance of its businesses includingby identifying those items that are not directly a reflection of each business’s ability to service debt and fund capital expenditures.business’ performance or indicative of ongoing business trends.  In addition, this measure allows management to view operating results and perform analytical comparisons and

I-23

Table of Contents

LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

benchmarking between businesses and identify strategies to improve performance. This measure of performance excludes depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, transaction costs, separately reported litigation settlements and restructuring and impairment charges that are included in the measurement of operating income pursuant to GAAP. Accordingly, Adjusted OIBDA should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, operating income, net earnings, cash flow provided by operating activities and other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. Liberty Broadband generally accounts for intersegment sales and transfers as if the sales or transfers were to third parties, that is, at current prices.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, Liberty Broadband has identified the following consolidated subsidiary and equity method investmentAdjusted OIBDA is summarized as its reportable segments:

·

Skyhook—a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company that provides a Wi-Fi based location platform focused on providing positioning technology and contextual location intelligence solutions. 

·

Charter—an equity method investment of the Company that is one of the largest providers of cable services in the United States, offering a variety of entertainment, information and communications solutions to residential and commercial customers.

follows:

Three months ended March 31,

2021

2020

amounts in thousands

GCI Holdings

    

$

96,059

    

    

Charter

 

4,643,000

4,389,000

Corporate and other

 

(13,306)

(4,981)

 

4,725,753

4,384,019

Eliminate equity method affiliate

 

(4,643,000)

(4,389,000)

Consolidated Liberty Broadband

$

82,753

(4,981)

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Table of Contents

LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

Liberty Broadband’s operating segments are strategic business units that offer different products and services. They are managed separately because each segment requires different technologies, distribution channels and marketing strategies. The accounting policies of the segments that are also consolidated companies are the same as those described in the Company’s summary of significant accounting policies in the Company’s annual financial statements. We have included amounts attributable to Charter in the tables below. Although Liberty Broadband owns less than 100% of the outstanding shares of Charter, 100% of the Charter amounts are included in the schedule below and subsequently eliminated in order to reconcile the account totals to the Liberty Broadband condensed consolidated financial statements.

Performance Measures

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended  September 30,

 

 

 

2017

 

2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted

 

 

 

Adjusted

 

 

 

Revenue

 

OIBDA

 

Revenue

 

OIBDA

 

 

 

 

(amounts in thousands)

 

Skyhook

    

$

3,430

    

(980)

    

20,616

    

11,422

 

Charter

 

 

10,458,000

 

3,674,000

 

10,037,000

 

3,429,000

 

Corporate and other

 

 

 —

 

(2,366)

 

 —

 

(2,091)

 

 

 

 

10,461,430

 

3,670,654

 

10,057,616

 

3,438,331

 

Eliminate equity method affiliate

 

 

(10,458,000)

 

(3,674,000)

 

(10,037,000)

 

(3,429,000)

 

Consolidated Liberty Broadband

 

$

3,430

 

(3,346)

 

20,616

 

9,331

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

 

 

2017

 

2016

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted

 

 

 

Adjusted

 

 

 

Revenue

 

OIBDA

 

Revenue

 

OIBDA

 

 

 

(amounts in thousands)

 

Skyhook

    

$

9,643

    

(6,839)

    

27,413

    

1,234

 

Charter

 

 

30,979,000

 

10,946,000

 

18,728,000

 

5,963,000

 

Corporate and other

 

 

 

(5,423)

 

 

(7,170)

 

 

 

 

30,988,643

 

10,933,738

 

18,755,413

 

5,957,064

 

Eliminate equity method affiliate

 

 

(30,979,000)

 

(10,946,000)

 

(18,728,000)

 

(5,963,000)

 

Consolidated Liberty Broadband

 

$

9,643

 

(12,262)

 

27,413

 

(5,936)

 

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Table of Contents

LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

Other Information

March 31, 2021

 

Total

Investments

Capital

 

assets

in affiliates

expenditures

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 30, 2017

 

 

Total

 

Investments

 

Capital

 

 

assets

 

in affiliates

 

expenditures

 

 

(amounts in thousands)

 

Skyhook

    

$

26,136

    

    

27

 

amounts in thousands

 

GCI Holdings

    

$

3,507,595

    

391

    

28,605

Charter

 

 

148,228,000

 

 

6,096,000

 

 

143,439,000

 

 

1,821,000

Corporate and other

 

 

9,455,758

 

9,326,871

 

 

 

16,983,447

 

15,735,280

 

12

 

 

157,709,894

 

9,326,871

 

6,096,027

 

 

163,930,042

 

15,735,671

 

1,849,617

Eliminate equity method affiliate

 

 

(148,228,000)

 

 —

 

(6,096,000)

 

 

(143,439,000)

 

 

(1,821,000)

Consolidated Liberty Broadband

 

$

9,481,894

 

9,326,871

 

27

 

$

20,491,042

 

15,735,671

 

28,617

The following table provides a reconciliation of consolidated segment Adjusted OIBDA to Operating income (loss) and Earnings (loss) before income taxes:

Three months ended

 

March 31,

 

2021

2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months

 

Nine months

 

 

ended September 30,

 

ended September 30,

 

 

2017

 

2016

 

2017

    

2016

 

 

 

(amounts in thousands)

 

Consolidated segment Adjusted OIBDA

    

$

(3,346)

    

9,331

    

(12,262)

    

(5,936)

 

amounts in thousands

 

Adjusted OIBDA

    

$

82,753

    

(4,981)

Stock-based compensation

 

 

(1,499)

 

(1,736)

 

(4,376)

 

(4,582)

 

 

(9,870)

(1,801)

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

(942)

 

(971)

 

(2,844)

 

(2,935)

 

 

(63,762)

(493)

Litigation settlement

(110,000)

Operating income (loss)

 

 

(5,787)

 

6,624

 

(19,482)

 

(13,453)

 

(100,879)

(7,275)

Interest expense

 

 

(5,518)

 

(4,090)

 

(14,899)

 

(10,547)

 

(33,143)

(5,861)

Dividend and interest income

 

 

422

 

190

 

1,219

 

4,697

 

Share of earnings (loss) of affiliates

 

 

(5,280)

 

19,046

 

25,109

 

570,178

 

Share of earnings (loss) of affiliates, net

 

188,979

61,682

Gain (loss) on dilution of investment in affiliate

 

(82,215)

(59,325)

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net

 

 

2,675

 

 —

 

5,026

 

92,990

 

 

99,348

Gain (loss) on dilution of investment in affiliate

 

 

(3,718)

 

(16,331)

 

(42,515)

 

760,074

 

Other, net

 

 

 9

 

 5

 

11

 

112

 

 

(8,126)

163

Earnings (loss) before income taxes

 

$

(17,197)

 

5,444

 

(45,531)

 

1,404,051

 

$

63,964

(10,616)

I-22I-25


Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Certain statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding our business, product and marketing strategies; new service and product offerings; revenue growth; future expenses; anticipated changes to regulations; the return onrecognition of deferred revenue; the performance, results of operations and cash flows of our investment in, and performance of,equity affiliate, Charter Communications, Inc. (“Charter”); Charter’s ongoing integration of its acquired operations; the recoverability of our goodwill and other long-lived assets; our projected sources and uses of cash; the effects of regulatory developments; the impact of COVID-19 (as defined below); the Rural Healthcare Program; indebtedness and the anticipated non-material impact of certain contingent liabilities related to legal and tax proceedings and other matters arising in the ordinary course of business. Forward-looking statements inherently involve many risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in these statements. Where, in any forward-looking statement, we express an expectation or belief as to future results or events, such expectation or belief is expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis, but such statements necessarily involve risks and uncertainties and there can be no assurance that the expectation or belief will result or be achieved or accomplished. The following include some but not all of the factors (as they relate to our consolidated subsidiary and equity affiliate) that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated:

·

Charter’sour, GCI Holdings, LLC (“GCI Holdings”), GCI, LLC, and Charters’ ability to promptly, efficientlyobtain cash in sufficient amounts to service financial obligations and effectively integrate acquired operations;

meet other commitments;

·

theour ability of Charter to sustainuse net operating loss carryforwards and grow revenue and cash flow from operations by offering video, Internet, voice, advertising and other services to residential and commercial customers, to adequately meet the customer experience demands in its markets and to maintain and grow its customer base, particularly in the face of increasingly aggressive competition, the need for innovation and the related capital expenditures;

disallowed business interest carryforwards;

·

our, GCI Holdings, GCI, LLC and Charters’ ability to obtain additional financing, or refinance existing indebtedness, on acceptable terms;

the impact of competition from other market participants, including but not limitedour, GCI Holdings, GCI, LLC and Charters’ significant indebtedness and our, GCI Holdings and Charters’ ability to incumbent telephone companies, direct broadcast satellite operators, wireless broadbandcomply with any covenants in our and telephone providers, digital subscriber line providers, fiber to the home providers, video provided over the Internet by (i) market participants that have not historically competed in the multichannel video business, (ii) traditional multichannel video distributors, and (iii) content providers that have historically licensed cable networks to multichannel video distributors, and providers of advertising over the Internet;

their respective debt instruments;

·

general business conditions, economic uncertainty or downturn, high unemployment levels and the level of activity in the housing sector;

sector and economic uncertainty or downturn, including the impact of the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic to GCI Holdings and Charter’s customers and vendors and local, state and federal governmental responses to the pandemic;

·

Charter’s ability to obtain programming at reasonable prices or to raise prices to offset, in whole or in part, the effects of higher programming costs (including retransmission consents);

competition faced by GCI Holdings and Charter;

·

the developmentability of GCI Holdings and deployment of new productsCharter to acquire and technologies, including wireless products, Charter’s cloud-based user interface, Spectrum Guide®, and downloadable security for set top boxes and any other cloud-based consumer services and service platforms;

retain subscribers;

·

failure to protect the securityimpact of personal information about the customers of our operating subsidiarygovernmental legislation and equity affiliate, subjecting us to costly government enforcement actions or private litigation and reputational damage;

·

changes in, or failure or inability to comply with, government regulations,regulation including, without limitation, regulations of the Federal Communications Commission (the "FCC"), on GCI Holdings and Charter, their ability to comply with regulations, and adverse outcomes from regulatory proceedings;

·

changes in the effectscost of governmental regulation on our business or potential business combination transactions including costs, disruptionsprogramming expenses and possible limitations on Charter’s operating flexibility related to, and its ability to comply with, regulatory conditions applicable to Charter as a result of the Time Warner Cable Merger and the Bright House Transaction (each as defined below and collectively, the “Transactions”);

·

any events that disrupt Charter’s networks, information systems or properties and impair its operating activities and negatively impact its reputation;

·

the ability of suppliersGCI Holdings and vendorsCharter to deliverpass on related costs to their customers;

changes in the amount of data used on the networks of GCI Holdings and Charter;
the ability of third-party providers to supply equipment, services, software or licenses;
the ability of GCI Holdings and Charter to respond to new technology and meet customer demands for new products equipment, software and services;

·

changes in customer demand for the products and services of GCI Holdings and Charter and their ability to adapt to changes in demand;

the ability of GCI Holdings and Charter to license or enforce intellectual property rights;
natural or man-made disasters, terrorist attacks, pandemics; cyberattacks, network disruptions, service interruptions and system failures and the impact of related uninsured liabilities;
the ability to hire and retain key personnel;
risks related to the Investment Company Act of 1940;
the outcome of any pending or threatened litigation;

and

I-23I-26


·

changes in the nature of key strategic relationships with partners, vendors and joint venturers;

·

the availabilitychanges to general economic conditions, including economic conditions in Alaska, and access, in general, of funds to meet debt obligations prior to or when they become duetheir impact on potential customers, vendors and to fund operations and necessary capital expenditures, either through (i) cash on hand, (ii) free cash flow, or (iii) access to the capital or credit markets;

third parties.

·

the ability of Charter and our company to comply with all covenants in our respective debt instruments, any violation of which, if not cured in a timely manner, could trigger a default of other obligations under cross-default provisions;

·

our ability to successfully monetize certain of our assets; and

·

the ability to retain and hire key personnel.

For additional risk factors, please see Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.2020. These forward-looking statements and such risks, uncertainties and other factors speak only as of the date of this Quarterly Report, and we expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein, to reflect any change in our expectations with regard thereto, or any other change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

The following discussion and analysis provides information concerning our results of operations and financial condition. This discussion should be read in conjunction with our accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto. Additionally, see note 1 tothereto and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements foryear ended December 31, 2020.

Overview

Liberty Broadband Corporation (“Liberty Broadband,” “the Company,” “us,” “we,” or “our”) is primarily comprised of a wholly owned subsidiary, GCI Holdings (as of December 18, 2020) and an overview of new accounting standards that we have adopted or that we plan to adopt that have had or may have an impact on our financial statements.

Overviewequity method investment in Charter.

During May 2014, the board of directors of Liberty Media Corporation and its subsidiaries (“Liberty”) authorized management to pursue a plan to spin-off to its stockholders common stock of a wholly-ownedwholly owned subsidiary, Liberty Broadband, Corporation (“Liberty Broadband” or the “Company”), and to distribute subscription rights to acquire shares of Liberty Broadband’s Series C common stock (the “Broadband Spin-Off”). At

On December 18, 2020, pursuant to the timeAgreement and Plan of the Broadband Spin-Off,Merger, dated as of August 6, 2020, entered into by GCI Liberty, Inc. (“GCI Liberty”), Liberty Broadband, was comprised of (i) Liberty’s former interest in Charter Communications, Inc. (“Legacy Charter”), (ii) Liberty’s former wholly-owned subsidiary TruePosition, Inc., (iii) Liberty’s former minority equity investment in Time Warner Cable, Inc. (“Time Warner Cable”, “TWC”, or “Legacy TWC”), (iv) certain deferred tax liabilities, as well as liabilities related to the Time Warner Cable written call options and (v) initial indebtedness, pursuant to margin loans entered into prior to the completion of the Broadband Spin-Off. The Broadband Spin-Off was accounted for at historical cost due to the pro rata nature of the distribution to holders of Liberty common stock.

On May 18, 2016, Time Warner Cable merged with Legacy Charter (the “Time Warner Cable Merger”). In connection with the Time Warner CableGrizzly Merger Legacy Charter underwent a corporate reorganization, resulting in CCH I,Sub 1, LLC, a formerwholly owned subsidiary of Legacy Charter (“Charter”), becoming the new publicly traded parent company. Also on May 18, 2016, the previously announced acquisition of Bright House Networks, LLC (“Bright House”) from Advance/Newhouse Partnership (“A/N”) by Charter (the “Bright House Transaction”) was completed. In connection with the Time Warner Cable Merger and Bright House Transaction, Liberty Broadband entered into certain agreements with Legacy Charter, Charter, Liberty Interactive Corporation (“Liberty Interactive”) and Time Warner Cable. In connection with the Time Warner Cable Merger and Bright House Transaction, Liberty Broadband exchanged its shares of Time Warner Cable for shares of Charter and purchased additional shares of Charter. As a result, and pursuant to proxy agreements entered into with Liberty Interactive and A/N, Liberty Broadband controls 25.01% of the aggregate voting power of Charter. In addition, in connection with the Time Warner Cable Merger, Liberty Broadband funded its purchase of shares of Charter Class A common stock using proceeds of $4.4 billion related to subscriptions for approximately 78.3 million newly issued shares of Liberty Broadband Series C common stock.

The Company’s(“Merger LLC”), and Grizzly Merger Sub 2, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary Skyhook Holding, Inc. (formerly knownof Merger LLC (“Merger Sub”), Merger Sub merged with and into GCI Liberty (the “First Merger”), with GCI Liberty surviving the First Merger as TruePosition, Inc.an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Broadband (the “Surviving Corporation”), was originally incorporated to provide technology for locating wireless phones and other mobile devices throughimmediately following the First Merger, GCI Liberty (as the Surviving Corporation in the First Merger) merged with and into Merger LLC (the “Upstream Merger”, and together with the First Merger, the “Combination”), with Merger LLC surviving the Upstream Merger as a passive network overlay system using its patented U-TDOA technology (“U-TDOA service”). In February 2014, Skyhook Holding, Inc. acquired 100%wholly owned subsidiary of the outstanding common shares of Skyhook Wireless, Inc., which operates a global location network containing billions of geolocated Wi-Fi access points and cell towers that serve as the reference infrastructure for providingLiberty Broadband.

I-24


location services. In 2015, one of Skyhook Holding, Inc.’s customers, a wireless carrier utilizing the legacy U-TDOA service which accounted for approximately 80% - 90% of consolidated revenue at the time, gave notice that it planned to discontinue use of the U-TDOA service and did not intend to renew its contract, which expired on December 31, 2015. The loss of this customer had a material adverse effect on Skyhook Holding, Inc.’s business. As a result of the lossCombination, each holder of a share of Series A common stock and Series B common stock of GCI Liberty received 0.58 of a share of Series C common stock and Series B common stock, respectively, of Liberty Broadband.  Additionally, each holder of a share of Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock of GCI Liberty (“GCI Liberty Preferred Stock”) received one share of newly issued Liberty Broadband Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (“Liberty Broadband Preferred Stock”), which has substantially identical terms to GCI Liberty’s former Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, including a mandatory redemption date of March 9, 2039. Cash was paid in lieu of issuing fractional shares of Liberty Broadband stock in the Combination. No shares of Liberty Broadband stock were issued with respect to shares of GCI Liberty capital stock held by (i) GCI Liberty as treasury stock, (ii) any of GCI Liberty’s wholly owned subsidiaries or (iii) Liberty Broadband or its wholly owned subsidiaries.  

Through a number of prior years’ transactions, including the Combination, Liberty Broadband has acquired an interest in Charter.

During the first quarter of 2021, as a result of the closing of the Combination on December 18, 2020, Skyhook Holding, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, is no longer significant to the Company and has been included in Corporate and other for presentation purposes. The revised segment reporting structure includes the following reportable segments: (1) GCI Holdings and (2) Charter.  All prior period segment disclosure information has been reclassified to conform to the current reporting structure.  These reclassifications had no effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements in any period.

I-27

Update on Economic Conditions

GCI Holdings

GCI Holdings offers wireless and wireline telecommunication services, data services, video services, and managed services to customers primarily throughout Alaska. Because of this wireless carrier customer, further changesgeographic concentration, growth of GCI Holdings’ business and operations depends upon economic conditions in Alaska.  In December 2019, Chinese officials reported a novel coronavirus outbreak. COVID-19 has since spread through China and internationally.  On March 11, 2020, the regulatory environmentWorld Health Organization assessed COVID-19 as a global pandemic, causing many countries throughout the world to take aggressive actions, including imposing travel restrictions and stay-at-home orders, closing public attractions and restaurants, and mandating social distancing practices, which has caused a shiftsignificant disruption to most sectors of the economy.  

Although the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted Alaska, GCI Holdings has continued to deliver services uninterrupted by the pandemic and expects to be able to continue to respond to the increase in network activity. As a major provider of Internet services in Alaska, GCI Holdings believes it plays an instrumental role in enabling social distancing through telecommuting and e-learning across the overall marketstate and remains focused on its service to customers, as well as the health and safety of its employees and customers.

The majority of GCI Holdings’ workforce has transitioned to working at home full time and it expects to keep those employees working from home through at least August 2021.

GCI Holdings cannot predict the ultimate impact of COVID-19 on its business, including the depth and duration of the economic impact to its customers’ ability to pay for products and services including the impact of extended unemployment benefits and other stimulus packages and what assistance may be provided to its customers. There is a risk that GCI Holdings’ accounts receivable and bad debt expense will increase substantially due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, there is uncertainty regarding the impact of government emergency declarations, the ability of suppliers and vendors to provide products and services to GCI Holdings and the risk of limitations on the deployment and maintenance of its services.

The Alaska economy is dependent upon the oil industry, state government spending, United States military spending, investment earnings and tourism. A decline in oil prices would put significant pressure on the Alaska state government budget. Although Alaska state government has significant reserves that GCI Holdings believes will help fund the state government for the legacy U-TDOA service, Skyhook Holding, Inc. ceased making further investment in its U-TDOA products. In 2016, Skyhook Holding, Inc. and Skyhook Wireless, Inc. combined operationsnext couple of years, major structural budgetary reforms will be required in order to focusoffset the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and a decline in oil prices. Although GCI Holdings cannot predict the long-term impact COVID-19 will have on these sectors of the Alaska economy, adverse circumstances in these industries may have an adverse impact on the developmentdemand for its products and saleservices and on its results of operations and financial condition.

The Alaska economy is in a recession that started in late 2015 and has continued as a result of the suiteCOVID-19 pandemic and continued low oil prices. While it is difficult for GCI Holdings to predict the future impact of locationa continuing recession on its business, these conditions have had an adverse impact on its business and contextcould continue to adversely affect the affordability of and demand for some of its products and services and cause customers to shift to lower priced products and services or to delay or forgo purchases of its products and services. Additionally, GCI Holdings’ customers may not be able to obtain adequate access to credit, which could affect their ability to make timely payments to GCI Holdings. If that were to occur, GCI Holdings could be required to increase its allowance for doubtful accounts, and the number of days outstanding for its accounts receivable could increase. If the recession continues, it could continue to negatively affect GCI Holdings’ business including its financial position, results of operations, or liquidity, as well as its ability to service debt, pay other obligations and enhance shareholder returns.

I-28

Rural Health Care (“RHC”) Program

GCI Holdings receives support from various Universal Service Fund ("USF") programs including the RHC Program. The USF programs are referredsubject to collectively herein as “Skyhook.”

The financial information represents a consolidationchange by regulatory actions taken by the FCC, interpretations of or compliance with USF program rules, or legislative actions. Changes to any of the historicalUSF programs that GCI Holdings participates in could result in a material decrease in revenue and accounts receivable, which could have an adverse effect on GCI Holdings’ business and the Company’s financial informationposition, results of Skyhook, Liberty Broadband’s interest in Charter, Liberty Broadband’s former minority equity investment in Time Warner Cable andoperations or liquidity. The following paragraphs describe certain deferred tax liabilities. This financial information refersseparate matters related to the consolidationRHC Program that impact or could impact the revenue earned by the Company. As of March 31, 2021, the Company had net accounts receivable from the RHC Program of approximately $100 million, which is included within Trade and other receivables in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

The Company disclosed, in additional detail, the following items related to GCI Holdings’ involvement in the RHC Program in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020:

The FCC reduced the rates charged to RHC customers by approximately 26% for the funding year that ended June 30, 2018.  An Application for Review is currently with the FCC.  
The FCC approved the cost-based rural rates GCI Holdings historically applied for the funding years that ended on June 30, 2019 and June 30, 2020.  GCI Holdings collected $174.6 million in accounts receivable relating to these two funding years during the first quarter of 2021.
GCI Holdings submitted cost studies for the funding year ending June 30, 2021, which require approval by the FCC.  Those studies remain pending before the FCC and we cannot predict when the FCC will act upon them.  
The RHC Program has a funding cap for each individual funding year that is annually adjusted for inflation, and which the FCC can increase by carrying forward unused funds from prior funding years. In recent years, including the current year, this funding cap has not limited the amount of funding received by participants; however, management continues to monitor the funding cap and its potential impact on funding in future years.  
GCI Holdings received a letter of inquiry and request for information from the Enforcement Bureau of the FCC (the “Enforcement Bureau”) in March 2018 relating to the period beginning January 1, 2015 and including all future periods.  GCI Holdings has also received other related inquiries to which it is in the process of responding.  
GCI Holdings became aware of potential RHC Program compliance issues related to certain of its currently active and expired contracts with certain of its RHC customers.
The FCC released an order adopting changes to the RHC Program that will revise the manner in which support issued under the RHC Program will be calculated and approved.  On January 19, 2021, the Wireline Competition Bureau of the FCC issued an Order that waives the requirement to use the database for health care providers in Alaska for the two funding years ending June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2023. The Order requires GCI Holdings to determine its rural rates based on previously approved rates or under reinstitution of the rules currently in effect through the funding year ending on June 30, 2021.  

The Company does not have any significant updates regarding the items noted above except as discussed in the remainder of this paragraph.  On April 8, 2021, the Wireline Competition Bureau issued an Order further extending the January 19, 2021 waiver to carriers nationwide and eliminating the ability or requirement to use the database to establish the healthcare provider payments for services subsidized by the RHC Telecom Program.  On April 21, 2021, representatives of the aforementioned subsidiary, investments, and financial instruments, as “Liberty Broadband,” “the Company,” “us,” “we” and “our” here andDepartment of Justice informed GCI Holdings that a qui tam action has been filed in the notesWestern District of Washington arising from the subject matter under review by the Enforcement Bureau.  Given the confidentiality of the qui tam process, the Company is unable to assess the ultimate outcome of this action and whether any type of fine or penalty would ultimately be assessed as is permitted under the applicable law. 

I-29

Charter

In the first quarters of both 2021 and 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted how Charter’s customers use its products and services, how they interact with Charter, and how Charter’s employees work and provide services to customers.  During the first quarter of 2021, customer activity levels remained below normal which contributed to lower operating expense from reduced service transactions and significantly lower bad debt, however, Charter expects those trends to slowly return to pre-COVID-19 levels throughout 2021 as the economy reopens and normal activities resume.

Although the ultimate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic cannot be predicted, Charter remains focused on driving customer relationship growth by deploying superior products and services packaged with attractive pricing.  Further, Charter expects to continue to drive customer relationship growth through sales of bundled services and improving customer retention despite the expectation for continued losses of video and wireline voice customers.  

Results of Operations—Consolidated—March 31, 2021 and 2020

General.     We provide information regarding our consolidated operating results and other income and expenses, as well as information regarding the contribution to those items from our reportable segments in the tables below. The "Corporate and other" category consists of those assets or businesses which do not qualify as a separate reportable segment. See note 11 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.statements for more discussion regarding our reportable segments. GCI Holdings’ results are only included in the Company’s consolidated results beginning on December 18, 2020.  For a more detailed discussion and analysis of GCI Holding’s results, see "Results of Operations-GCI Holdings" below.

I-25


Results of Operations—Consolidated—September 30, 2017 and 2016

Consolidated operating results:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

Nine months ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2017

 

2016

 

2017

 

2016

 

 

 

(amounts in thousands)

 

Revenue

    

$

3,430

    

20,616

    

9,643

    

27,413

 

Operating expense

 

 

643

 

778

 

1,963

 

2,097

 

Research and development

 

 

1,373

 

2,248

 

5,875

 

7,823

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

 

4,760

 

8,259

 

14,067

 

23,429

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

1,499

 

1,736

 

4,376

 

4,582

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

942

 

971

 

2,844

 

2,935

 

Operating income (loss)

 

 

(5,787)

 

6,624

 

(19,482)

 

(13,453)

 

Less impact of stock-based compensation and depreciation and amortization

 

 

2,441

 

2,707

 

7,220

 

7,517

 

Adjusted OIBDA

 

$

(3,346)

 

9,331

 

(12,262)

 

(5,936)

 

Three months ended

March 31,

    

2021

2020

amounts in thousands

Revenue

 

  

 

  

GCI Holdings

$

242,216

Corporate and other

 

4,318

4,104

Consolidated

$

246,534

 

4,104

Operating Income (Loss)

 

  

 

  

GCI Holdings

$

28,748

Corporate and other

 

(129,627)

(7,275)

Consolidated

$

(100,879)

 

(7,275)

Adjusted OIBDA

 

  

 

  

GCI Holdings

$

96,059

Corporate and other

 

(13,306)

(4,981)

Consolidated

$

82,753

 

(4,981)

Revenue

Revenue decreased $17.2 million and  $17.8increased $242.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, as compared to the same periods in the prior year. The decrease in revenue for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the same periods in the prior year, was due to a new license agreement entered into during 2016 with no similar event occurring in 2017. On September 1, 2016, Skyhook entered into a license agreement pursuant to which Skyhook agreed to grant to the licensee a perpetual, non-exclusive, non-transferable, worldwide license to patents and patent applications owned by the companies. In exchange for this grant, the licensee agreed to pay a one-time lump sum payment of $17.5 million that was recognized as revenue during the three months ended September 30, 2016.

Operating expense, research and development, and selling, general and administrative expenses

Operating expense decreased by $135 thousand and $134 thousand for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, as compared to the same periods in the prior year.  Research and development expense decreased by $875 thousand and $1.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, as compared to the same periods in the prior year, primarily as a result of headcount reductions and other cost containment measures taken by Skyhook related to the run-off of the U-TDOA business. Selling, general, and administrative expense decreased by $3.5 million and $9.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, as compared to the same periods in the prior year, primarily as a result of headcount reductions and other cost containment measures taken by Skyhook related to the run-off of the U-TDOA business coupled with reduced legal expenses of $1.3 million and $3.5 million, respectively, compared to the same periods in the prior year. Legal expenses in the current year have not been as significant due to a decrease in activity associated with license sales in the current period. 

Stock-based compensation

The decrease in stock-based compensation expense of $237 thousand and $206 thousand for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively,March 31, 2021, as compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year wereperiod. The increase in revenue was primarily due to adjustments maderevenue from GCI Holdings as a result of the Combination on December 18, 2020. See “Results of Operations – GCI Holdings, LLC” below for a more complete discussion of the results of operations of GCI Holdings.

Revenue for Corporate and other increased slightly due to certain outstanding awards in 2016 which increased their value, partially offset by additional grantsrevenue from both existing and new customers.

I-30

Operating Income (Loss)

Depreciation and amortization

Depreciation and amortization expenseConsolidated operating loss decreased by $29 thousand and $91 thousand during$93.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively,March 31, 2021, as compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year due to certain assets becoming fully depreciated.

I-26


period.  Operating income (loss)

Operating losslosses for Corporate and other increased $12.4 million and $6.0$122.4 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively,March 31, 2021, primarily due to a litigation settlement of $110.0 million, as well as an increase in professional service fees and, to a lesser extent, corporate compensation expense.

Operating income increased at GCI Holdings as a result of the Combination on December 18, 2020.  See “Results of Operations – GCI Holdings, LLC” below for a more complete discussion of the results of operations of GCI Holdings.

Stock-based compensation

Stock-based compensation expense increased $8.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, as compared to the same periods in thecorresponding prior year period. The increase in stock-based compensation expense was primarily due to upfront grants per our CEO’s employment agreement, along with the items discussed above.impact of the Combination.

Adjusted OIBDA

To provide investors with additional information regarding our financial results, we also disclose Adjusted OIBDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure. We define Adjusted OIBDA as revenue less operating expensesincome (loss) plus depreciation and selling, generalamortization, stock-based compensation, transaction costs, separately reported litigation settlements, restructuring, and administrative expenses (excluding stock-based compensation).impairment charges. Our chief operating decision maker and management team use this measure of performance in conjunction with other measures to evaluate our businesses and make decisions about allocating resources among our businesses. We believe this is an important indicator of the operational strength and performance of our businesses includingby identifying those items that are not directly a reflection of each business’s ability to service debt and fund capital expenditures.business’ performance or indicative of ongoing business trends.  In addition, this measure allows us to view operating results, perform analytical comparisons and benchmarking between businesses and identify strategies to improve performance. This measure of performance excludes such costs as depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, separately reported litigation settlements and restructuring and impairment charges that are included in the measurement of operating income pursuant to generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”). Accordingly, Adjusted OIBDA should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, operating income, net income, cash flow provided by operating activities and other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. See note 9 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements forU.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The following table provides a reconciliation of Adjusted OIBDA to Operating income (loss) and Earnings (loss) before income taxes.to Adjusted OIBDA.

Three months ended

 

March 31,

 

2021

2020

 

amounts in thousands

 

Operating income (loss)

    

$

(100,879)

    

(7,275)

Depreciation and amortization

 

63,762

493

Stock-based compensation

 

9,870

1,801

Litigation settlement

110,000

Adjusted OIBDA

$

82,753

(4,981)

Adjusted OIBDA decreased $12.7improved $87.7 million and $6.3 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, as compared to the same periods in the prior year. Adjusted OIBDA for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, includes $2.4 million and $2.1 million of corporate selling, general and administrative costs, respectively. Adjusted OIBDA for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, includes $5.4 million and $7.2 million of corporate selling, general and administrative costs, respectively. The decrease in corporate selling, general and administrative costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to same periods in the prior year, was primarily due to decreased legal expenses. Legal expenses decreased in the current year due to legal expenses associated with the Transactions in 2016. The decrease in Skyhook Adjusted OIBDA for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2021, as compared to the corresponding periodsprior year period. The increase in the prior year,Adjusted OIBDA was due to the new license agreement entered into duringresults of operations of GCI Holdings as a result of the three months ended September 30, 2016,Combination, as discussed above, partially offset by lower operating expenses as discussed above.increases in corporate professional service fees and compensation expense.  

I-31

Other Income and Expense

Components of Other income (expense) are presented in the table below.

Three months ended

 

March 31,

 

2021

2020

 

amounts in thousands

 

Other income (expense):

    

    

    

Interest expense

$

(33,143)

(5,861)

Share of earnings (losses) of affiliates

 

188,979

61,682

Gain (loss) on dilution of investment in affiliate

 

(82,215)

(59,325)

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net

 

99,348

Other, net

 

(8,126)

163

$

164,843

(3,341)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended

 

Nine months ended

 

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2017

 

2016

 

2017

 

2016

 

 

 

(amounts in thousands)

 

Other income (expense):

    

 

    

    

 

    

    

    

    

 

Interest expense

 

$

(5,518)

 

(4,090)

 

(14,899)

 

(10,547)

 

Dividend and interest income

 

 

422

 

190

 

1,219

 

4,697

 

Share of earnings (losses) of affiliates

 

 

(5,280)

 

19,046

 

25,109

 

570,178

 

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net

 

 

2,675

 

 —

 

5,026

 

92,990

 

Gain (loss) on dilution of investment in affiliate

 

 

(3,718)

 

(16,331)

 

(42,515)

 

760,074

 

Other, net

 

 

 9

 

 5

 

11

 

112

 

 

 

$

(11,410)

 

(1,180)

 

(26,049)

 

1,417,504

 

I-27


Interest expense

Interest expense increased $1.4 million and $4.4$27.3 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2021, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periodsperiod in the prior year.  The increase was primarily due to an increaseincreases were driven by additional amounts outstanding on the Margin Loan Facility (as defined in LIBOR during the current periods as compared to corresponding periods in the prior year.

Dividend and interest income

Dividend and interest income increased $232 thousand and decreased $3.5 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, as comparednote 7 to the corresponding periodsaccompanying condensed consolidated financial statements), the 2.75% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2050 that were issued in August 2020 and the prior year. The increase1.25% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2050 that were issued in dividend andNovember 2020, as well as interest income forassociated with all the three months ended September 30, 2017,debt instruments assumed by the Company as compared to the same period in the prior year, was thea result of increased interest income due to higher short-term marketable securities rates during the third quarter of 2017, partially offset by lower cash balances. The decrease in dividend and interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the same period in the prior year, was the result of a loss of dividend income due to the Time Warner Cable Merger during May 2016. Combination.

Share of earnings (losses) of affiliates

Share of earnings of affiliates decreased $24.3 million and $545.1increased $127.3 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively,March 31, 2021, as compared to the corresponding periodsperiod in the prior year. The Company’s Share of earnings (losses) of affiliates line item in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations includes expenses of $15.3$57.9 million and $18.5$40.1 million, net of related taxes, for the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2021 and 2016, respectively, and expenses of $44.0 million and $23.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016,2020, respectively, due to the increase in amortization related toof the excess basis of assets with identifiable useful lives and debt.debt, which was primarily due to the acquisition of GCI Liberty’s Charter shares in the Combination, as well as Charter’s share buyback program. The decreasechange in the share of earnings of affiliates in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2021, as compared to the same periodscorresponding period in the prior year, was primarily the result of the Time Warner Cable Merger and related transactions during May 2016 (see note 4 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements).corresponding change in net income at Charter.

I-32

The following is a discussion of Charter’s results of operations. In order to provide a better understanding of Charter’s operations, we have included a summarized presentation of Charter’s results from operations, as well as pro forma information for the period ended September 30, 2016 as if the Transactions had been completed on January 1, 2015. operations.

Three months ended

March 31,

2021

2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pro Forma

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

 

Nine months ended

 

 

 

Nine months ended

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

 

September 30,

 

 

2017

 

2016

 

 

 

2017

 

2016

 

 

 

2016

 

 

(amounts in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

amounts in millions

Revenue

    

$

10,458

    

10,037

 

 

    

30,979

    

18,728

 

 

 

29,748

 

    

$

12,522

    

11,738

Operating expenses, excluding stock-based compensation

 

 

(6,784)

 

(6,608)

 

 

 

(20,033)

 

(12,765)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(7,879)

(7,349)

Adjusted OIBDA

 

 

3,674

 

3,429

 

 

 

10,946

 

5,963

 

 

 

10,092

 

 

4,643

4,389

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

(2,701)

 

(2,437)

 

 

 

(7,846)

 

(4,412)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2,441)

(2,497)

Stock-based compensation

 

 

(64)

 

(81)

 

 

 

(198)

 

(168)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(134)

(90)

Operating income

 

 

909

 

911

 

 

 

2,902

 

1,383

 

 

 

2,813

 

 

2,068

1,802

Other expenses, net

 

 

(791)

 

(645)

 

 

 

(2,305)

 

(1,342)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(931)

(1,306)

Net earnings (loss) before income taxes

 

 

118

 

266

 

 

 

597

 

41

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,137

496

Income tax benefit (expense)

 

 

(26)

 

(16)

 

 

 

(99)

 

3,135

 

 

 

 

 

 

(216)

(29)

Net earnings (loss)

 

$

92

 

250

 

 

 

498

 

3,176

 

 

 

 

 

$

921

467

Charter net earnings decreased  $158 million and $2,678increased $454 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively,March 31, 2021, as compared to the corresponding periodsperiod in the prior year.

Charter’s revenue increased $421 million and $12,251$784 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively,March 31, 2021, as compared to the corresponding periodsperiod in the prior year, primarily due to increases in the number of residential Internet and commercial business customers as well as price adjustments, offset by a decrease in basic video

I-28


mobile customers and advertising sales, and inprice adjustments.

During the nine month period due to the Transactions which increased total revenue by approximately $11.4 billion. On a pro forma basis, assuming the Transactions occurred as of January 1, 2015, total revenue growth was 4.1% for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2021, operating expenses, excluding stock-based compensation, increased $530 million as compared to the corresponding period in 2016.

The increase in revenue during the threeprior year. Operating costs increased primarily due to increased mobile device costs and nine months ended September 30, 2017 was partially offset by the net impact of an increase inmobile service, customer acquisition and operating expenses, excluding stock-based compensation of $176 million and $7,268 million, respectively. The increase in operating expenses was primarily attributablecosts due to the Transactions.increased mobile lines, as well as increased programming costs.  Operating costs also increased due to an increase in programmingincreased litigation settlements, including the tentative settlement with Sprint Communications Company L.P. (“Sprint”) and T-Mobile USA, Inc. ("T-Mobile") for $220 million.

Programming costs increased as a result of contractual rate adjustments, including renewals and increases in amounts paid for retransmission consents, higher expanded basic package customers and higher pay-per-view events,consent offset by synergies as a resulthigher mix of the Transactions.lower cost video packages within Charter’s video customer base.  Charter expects programming expenses torates per customer will continue to increase in future periods due to a variety of factors, including annual increases imposed by programmers with additional selling power as a result of media and broadcast station groups consolidation, increased demands by owners of broadcast stations for payment for retransmission consent or linking carriage of other services to retransmission consent, and additional programming, particularly new services.programming. Charter has been unable to fully pass these increases on to its customers and does not expect to be able to fully passdo so in the cost increases on to its customersfuture without a potential loss of customers.

Charter’s Adjusted OIBDA for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2021 increased as a result of the discussion above. On a pro forma basis, Charter’s Adjusted OIBDA increased by $854 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, as a result of the discussion above, offset by increases in programming, marketing and transition costs which was offset by decreases in all other operating expense categories.

reasons described above.

Depreciation and amortization expense increased $264decreased $56 million and $3,434 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, as compared to the same periods in the prior year. The increase in depreciation and amortization expense was primarily the result of higher capital expenditures in the current year, as well as additional depreciation and amortization related to the Transactions, inclusive of the incremental amounts as a result of the higher fair values recorded in acquisition accounting. Stock-based compensation expense decreased $17 million and increased $30 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, compared to the same periods in the prior year primarily due to the Transactions. 

Charter’s results were also impacted by an increase in other expenses, net of $146 million and $963 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. The increase in other expenses, net was primarily due to (i) decreases of $30 million and $524 million in other pension benefits for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and (ii) $64 million and $479 million of additional interest expense that was recognized during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, in each case, as compared to the same period in the prior year. The decrease in other pension benefits during the three months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2021, respectively, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year primarily due to a decrease in depreciation and amortization as certain assets acquired in acquisitions become fully depreciated offset by an increase in depreciation as a result of more recent capital expenditures.

Charter’s results were also impacted by other expenses, net which decreased $375 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. The decrease in other expenses, net was primarily due to a third quarter 2017 remeasurementincreased gains on financial instruments.

Income tax expense increased $187 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, as a result of significant lump sum settlement paymentscompared to participants. The decreasethe corresponding period in other pension benefitsthe prior year. Income tax expense increased during the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2021 as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year, was primarily as a result of a $675 million pension curtailment gain offset by an $157 million net remeasurement loss recognized in 2016 that resulted from an amendment to the plans made subsequent to the Time Warner Cable Merger. The increase in interest expense that was recognized during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, as compared to the same period in the prior year, was associated with debt assumed from Legacy TWC and an increase in weighted average debt outstanding primarily due to the issuance of notes in 2017. 

Income tax expense increased $10 million and $3,234 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year. Income tax expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, was reduced by approximately $17 million and $88 million, respectively, due to the recognition of excess tax benefits resulting from share based compensation as a component of the provision for income taxes following the prospective application of Accounting Standard Update 2016-09. Income tax expense for the three months ended September 30, 2016 was also impacted by a change in a state tax law that resulted in approximately $44 million of tax benefit. Income tax benefit for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was a result of a reduction of substantially all of Legacy Charter’s preexisting valuation allowance associated with its deferred tax assets of approximately $3.3 billion as certain of the deferred tax liabilities that were assumed in connection with the closing of the Time Warner Cable Merger will reverse and provide a source of future taxablehigher pretax income.

I-29I-33


Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net

Realized and unrealized gains on financial instruments, net declined $2.7 million and $88.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, as compared to the corresponding periods in the prior year.  The realized gains during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 were related to the zero-strike call options (see discussion in note 3 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements). During the three months ended September 30, 2016, there were no net realized or unrealized gains (losses) as we exited the derivative and Time Warner Cable shares were exchanged for Charter shares during the second quarter of 2016. The net realized and unrealized gain of $93.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, was attributable to gains in the fair value of our investment in Time Warner Cable, due to increases in the Time Warner Cable stock price during the period. 

Gain (loss) on dilution of investment in affiliate

The loss on dilution of investment in affiliate improved $12.6increased by $22.9 million during the three months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2021, as compared to the samecorresponding period in the prior year, primarily due to a decrease of issuances of Charter common stock from the exercise of stock options held by employees and other third parties, at prices below Liberty Broadband’s book basis per share. The loss on dilution of investment in affiliate declined $802.6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the same period in the prior year, primarily due to the Company’s increased basis in Charter as a result of the Transactions during 2016, along with an increase in issuance of Charter common stock from the exercise of stock options held by employees and other third parties, at prices below Liberty Broadband’s book basis per share.share, slightly offset by a gain on dilution related to Charter’s repurchase of Liberty Broadband’s Charter shares during the three months ended March 31, 2021. As Liberty Broadband’s ownership in Charter changes due to exercises of Charter warrants and stock options, a loss is recorded with the effective sale of common stock, because the exercise price of Charter warrants or stock options is typically lower than the book value of the Charter shares held by Liberty Broadband.

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net are comprised of changes in the fair value of the following:

Three months ended

 

March 31,

 

2021

2020

 

amounts in thousands

 

Indemnification obligation

$

51,770

Exchangeable senior debentures

47,578

$

99,348

The increase for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was primarily related to the assumption of the indemnification obligation by the Company as a result of the Combination (see note 4 in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for additional discussion).  The increase for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was additionally impacted by the changes in fair value of the 2.75% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2050, the 1.25% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2050 and the 1.75% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2046 related to changes in market price of underlying Charter stock (see notes 4 and 7 in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for additional discussion).

Other, net

Other, net duringdecreased $8.3 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 isMarch 31, 2021, respectively, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year.  The decrease in 2021 was primarily attributabledue to a gain ontax sharing receivable with Qurate Retail that resulted in losses of $9.0 million for the sale of certain fixed assets at Skyhook during the year,three months ended March 31, 2021, partially offset by other income. See more discussion about the tax penalties. Other, net duringsharing agreement with Qurate Retail in note 1 to the threeaccompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.

Income taxes

Earnings (losses) before income taxes and nine months ended September 30, 2016 was attributable to a gain on the sale of shares of a certain Skyhook cost investment.

Income tax benefit (expense)

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, we had an income tax (expense) benefit of $7.3 million and $18.2 million, respectively, and the effective rate was approximately 42.6% and 40.1%, respectively.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, we had an income tax expense of $1.7 million and $532.3 million, respectively, and the effective tax rate was approximately 30.4% and 37.9%,  respectively. are as follows:

Three months ended

March 31,

2021

    

2020

amounts in thousands

Earnings (loss) before income taxes

$

63,964

 

(10,616)

Income tax (expense) benefit

 

(11,785)

 

2,774

Effective income tax rate

 

18.4%

26.1%

The difference between the effective income tax rate of 42.6%18.4% and the U.S. Federal income tax rate of 35%21% for the three months ended September 30, 2017 isMarch 31, 2021 was primarily due to tax benefits from a change in effective tax rate used to measure deferred taxes on certain Charter shares and from the effectaccrual of state income taxes and unrealized gain attributablenon-taxable equity contributions related to the Company’s own stock which is not recognized for tax purposes.indemnification

I-34

agreement between Liberty Broadband and Qurate Retail, partially offset by a non-deductible litigation settlement.  The difference between the effective income tax rate of 40.1%26.1% and the U.S. Federal income tax rate of 35%21% for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017, isMarch 31, 2020 was primarily due to the effect of state income taxestaxes.

Net earnings (loss)

The Company had net earnings of $52.2 million and unrealized gain attributable to the Company’s own stock which is not recognized for tax purposes. The difference between the effective income tax ratenet losses of 30.4% and the U.S. Federal income tax rate of 35%$7.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 is primarily due toMarch 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.  The change in net earnings (loss) was the effectresult of statethe above-described fluctuations in our revenue, expenses and other income taxes. The difference between the effective income tax rate of 37.9% and the U.S. Federal income tax rate of 35% for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 is primarily due to the effect of state income taxes.expenses.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2021, substantially all of our cash and cash equivalents are invested in U.S. Treasury securities, other government securities or government guaranteed funds, AAA rated money market funds and other highly rated financial and corporate debt instruments.

The following are potential sources of liquidity: available cash balances, cash generated by the operating activities of our privately-owned subsidiaries (to the extent such cash exceeds the working capital needs of the subsidiaries)subsidiaries and is not otherwise restricted), proceeds from asset sales, monetization of our investments (including Charter Repurchases (discussed below)), outstanding or anticipated debt borrowings,facilities, including $300.0 million available to be drawn under the Margin Loan Facility (as defined in note 7 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements) until August 12, 2021, debt and equity issuances, and dividend and interest receipts.

I-30


As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2021, Liberty Broadband had a cash balance of $135$1,177 million.

Three months ended March 31,

 

2021

2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine months ended September 30,

 

 

2017

 

2016

 

 

(amounts in thousands)

 

amounts in thousands

 

Cash flow information

    

 

    

    

    

 

    

    

    

    

Net cash provided (used) by operating activities

 

$

(23,596)

 

(5,033)

 

$

192,964

 

(14,501)

Net cash provided (used) by investing activities

 

$

(13)

 

(4,990,687)

 

$

489,929

 

(14,925)

Net cash provided (used) by financing activities

 

$

(46,694)

 

4,599,682

 

$

(923,463)

 

(1,941)

The increase in cash usedprovided by operating activities in the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2021, as compared to the samecorresponding period in the prior year, was primarily driven by increased activity in working capital accounts due to the increase in operating loss, as well as the timing of differences in cash receipts and payments.Combination.

During the ninethree months ended September 30, 2016,March 31, 2021, net cash flows fromprovided by investing activities were primarily related to transactionsthe sale of 834,576 shares of Charter Class A common stock to Charter for $518.4 million in connectionMarch 2021 to maintain our fully diluted ownership percentage at 26%.  In February 2021, Liberty Broadband entered into a letter agreement in order to implement, facilitate and satisfy the terms of the Stockholders Agreement with respect to the Time Warner Cable Merger and the Bright House Transaction, as discussedEquity Cap (see more information in note 4 of the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, net cash flows from financing activities were primarily related to the net debt repayments of $103 million and settlement of the zero-strike call options (see notes  3 and 65 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements). The Company expects the Charter Repurchases to be a significant source of liquidity in future periods.

During the ninethree months ended September 30, 2016,March 31, 2021, net cash flows fromused in financing activities were primarily related to the Company’s issuancerepurchases of $4.4 billion in additional shares ofSeries C Liberty Broadband Series C common stock to purchase $4.3 billion in shares of New Charter, in addition to net borrowings$738.4 million, as well as repayment by GCI, LLC of $200.0approximately $180 million under two margin loan agreements, entered into on March 21, 2016, between a subsidiary of the Company and the lenders thereto. its revolving credit facility.

The projected useuses of our cash will be primarily to fundfor the remainder of 2021 are the potential buyback of common stock under the approved share buyback program, capital expenditures of approximately $100 million, approximately $95 million for interest payments on outstanding debt, approximately $10 million for preferred stock dividends, funding of any operational needs of our subsidiary,subsidiaries, to service debt,reimburse Liberty for amounts due under various agreements, to fund potential investment opportunities, and to refinance Liberty Broadband’s margin loans that come dueloan, under its Margin Loan Facility, maturing in 2019.2022. We expect our potentialcorporate cash and other available sources of liquidity (discussed above) and corporate cash to cover corporate expenses and future obligations. 

for the foreseeable future.  

I-31I-35


Results of Operations—GCI Holdings, LLC

As described in notes 1 and 3 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements, Liberty Broadband acquired GCI Holdings in the Combination on December 18, 2020.  As GCI Holdings’ results are only included in the Company’s results since December 18, 2020, we believe a discussion of GCI Holdings’ results for a comparative two year period promotes a better understanding of GCI Holdings’ operations.  For comparison and discussion purposes the Company is presenting (a) the results of GCI Holdings for the three months ended March 31, 2021 as included in the condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company and (b) the actual historical results of GCI Holdings for 2020, exclusive of the effects of acquisition accounting since the period is prior to the Combination. The most significant effect of acquisition accounting is an increase to depreciation and amortization as compared to prior periods as a result of an increase in fair values of depreciable and amortizable assets. This historical financial information of GCI Holdings can be found in historical filings of GCI Liberty, Inc. The financial information below is presented voluntarily and does not purport to represent what the results of operations of GCI Holdings would have been if it were a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Broadband for the periods presented or to project the results of operations of GCI Holdings for any future periods.

I-36

GCI Holdings provides a full range of wireless, data, video, voice, and managed services to residential, businesses, governmental entities, and educational and medical institutions primarily in Alaska. The following table highlights selected key performance indicators used in evaluating GCI Holdings.

March 31,

2021

    

2020

Consumer

  

 

  

Wireless:

  

 

  

Revenue generating wireless lines in service1

181,000

 

175,000

Non-revenue generating wireless lines in service2

1,800

 

4,500

Wireless lines in service

182,800

 

179,500

Data:

  

 

  

Revenue generating cable modem subscribers3

143,900

128,400

Non-revenue generating cable modem subscribers4

3,600

Cable modem subscribers

143,900

 

132,000

Video:

  

 

  

Basic subscribers5

71,000

 

79,200

Homes passed6

253,400

 

253,400

Voice:

  

 

  

Total local access lines in service7

37,900

 

38,900

Business

  

 

  

Wireless:

  

 

  

Revenue generating wireless lines in service1

21,400

 

23,700

Data:

 

  

Revenue generating cable modem subscribers4

12,900

 

8,800

Voice:

  

 

  

Total local access lines in service7

30,400

 

34,000

1A revenue generating wireless line in service is defined as a wireless device with a monthly fee for services.

2 A non-revenue generating wireless line in service is defined as a data-only line with no monthly fee for services.

3A revenue generating cable modem subscriber is defined by the purchase of cable modem service regardless of the level of service purchased. If one entity purchases multiple cable modem service access points, each access point is counted as a subscriber.

4A non-revenue generating cable modem subscriber is defined by the provision of basic cable modem service as a promotion to aid those impacted by COVID-19.

5 A basic subscriber is defined by the purchase of basic video service.

6 A home passed is defined as a dwelling unit that can be connected to GCI Holdings’ network without the need of otherwise extending its network.

7A local access line in service is defined as a revenue generating circuit or channel connecting a customer to the public switched telephone network.

I-37

GCI Holdings’ operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 are as follows:

March 31,

    

2021

    

2020

    

amounts in thousands

Revenue

$

242,216

 

231,561

 

Operating expenses (excluding stock-based compensation included below):

 

  

 

  

 

Operating expense

 

(66,753)

 

(64,951)

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

(79,404)

 

(80,215)

 

Adjusted OIBDA

 

96,059

 

86,395

 

Stock-based compensation

 

(3,599)

 

(848)

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

(63,712)

 

(62,361)

 

Operating income (loss)

$

28,748

 

23,186

 

Revenue

The components of revenue are as follows:

March 31,

    

2021

    

2020

    

amounts in thousands

Consumer

 

  

 

  

 

Wireless

$

44,388

 

40,773

 

Data

 

52,225

 

44,294

 

Video

 

18,933

 

20,762

 

Voice

 

3,683

 

4,005

 

Business

 

  

 

  

 

Wireless

 

20,387

 

22,489

 

Data

 

91,130

 

84,214

 

Video

 

802

 

4,022

 

Voice

 

10,668

 

11,002

 

Total revenue

$

242,216

 

231,561

 

Consumer wireless revenue increased $3.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, as compared to the corresponding prior year period. The increase in revenue in 2021 was primarily due to increased plan service fee revenue of $1.6 million, driven by an increase in the number of subscribers and subscribers’ selection of plans with higher recurring monthly charges that offer higher usage limits and increased equipment sales revenue of $1.5 million driven by an increase in the number of handsets sold in 2021.

Consumer data revenue increased $7.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, as compared to the corresponding prior year period. The increase in 2021 was driven by an increase in the number of subscribers and the subscribers' selection of plans with higher recurring monthly charges that offer higher speeds and higher usage limits.

Consumer video revenue decreased $1.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, as compared to the corresponding prior year period. The decrease in 2021 was due to a $2.7 million decrease in plan service fee revenue driven by a decrease in the number of subscribers. The decrease was partially offset by a $1.3 million increase in advertising revenue driven by a reorganization effective August 1, 2020. The Company transitioned its advertising sales to Consumer video following the sale of the Company’s broadcast television station.

Consumer voice revenue decreased $0.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, as compared to the corresponding prior year periods. The decrease in 2021 was primarily due to a reduction in the number of customers.

Business wireless revenue decreased $2.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, as compared to the corresponding prior year period. The decrease in 2021 was primarily due to a decrease in grant revenue.

I-38

Business data revenue increased $6.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, as compared to the corresponding prior year period. The increase in 2021 was due to a $16.2 million increase in data and transport revenue driven by increased sales to school and medical customers for service upgrades. The increases were partially offset by the absence of $9 million recorded in the first quarter of 2020 for a RHC customer whose funding was initially denied and a $3.9 million decrease in professional services revenue driven by a reduction in time and materials project work.

Business video revenue decreased $3.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, as compared to the corresponding prior year period. The decrease in 2021 was primarily due to the sale of the Company’s broadcast television station in the third quarter of 2020.

Business voice revenue decreased $0.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, as compared to the corresponding prior year period. The decrease in 2021 was driven by a decrease in local service lines.

Operating expenses increased $1.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, as compared to the corresponding prior year period. The increase in 2021 was primarily due to a $5.2 million increase in costs to operate our network driven by the increase in demand from school and medical customers and a $2.3 million increase in wireless equipment costs driven by an increase in the number of handsets sold. The increase is partially offset by decreases of $2.7 million in professional services costs driven by a reduction in time and materials project work and $2.9 million in video costs driven by the sale of the Company’s broadcast television station in the third quarter of 2020 and a decrease in costs paid to content producers driven by a decrease in video subscribers.

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $0.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, as compared to the corresponding prior year period. The decrease in 2021 was primarily due to a $2.3 million decrease in bad debt expense and $0.7 million decrease in legal and compliance costs. The decrease was partially offset by a $2.1 million increase in labor costs.

Stock-based compensation increased $2.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, as compared to the corresponding prior year period.  Stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2020 included the reversal of expense for performance-based awards that did not vest due to a shortfall in certain financial metrics and qualitative criteria.  Stock-based compensation also increased due to the fair value assigned to converted Awards as part of the modification as a result of the Combination.

Depreciation and amortization increased $1.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, as compared to the corresponding prior year period. The increase in 2021 was primarily due to an increase in assets placed in service since January 1, 2020 and higher amortization expense because of an accelerated recognition pattern for amortizing intangibles as a result of the Combination.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

We are exposed to market risk in the normal course of business due to our ongoing investing and financial activities. Market risk refers to the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in stock prices and interest rates. The risk of loss can be assessed from the perspective of adverse changes in fair values, cash flows and future earnings. We have established policies, procedures and internal processes governing our management of market risks and the use of financial instruments to manage our exposure to such risks.

I-39

We are exposed to changes in interest rates primarily as a result of our borrowing and investment activities, which could include investments in fixed and floating rate debt instruments and borrowings used to maintain liquidity and to fund business operations. The nature and amount of our long-term and short-term debt are expected to vary as a result of future requirements, market conditions and other factors. We expect to manage our exposure to interest rates by achievingmaintaining what we believe is an appropriate mix of fixed and variable rate debt. We believe this best protects us from interest rate risk. We anticipate achievingcould achieve this mix by (i) issuing fixed rate debt that we believe has a low stated interest rate and significant term to maturity, (ii) issuing variable rate debt with appropriate maturities and interest rates and/orand (iii) entering into interest rate swap arrangements when we deem appropriate.

Liberty Broadband’s borrowings under the Margin Loan Agreement (as defined in note 7 of the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements) and the Senior Credit Facility (as defined in note 7 of the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements) carry a variable interest rate based on LIBOR as a benchmark for establishing the rate of interest. LIBOR is the subject of national, international and other regulatory guidance and proposals for reform. In 2017, the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority (the “FCA”), which regulates LIBOR, announced that it intends to phase out LIBOR. On November 30, 2020, ICE Benchmark Administration, the administrator of LIBOR, with the support of the United States Federal Reserve and the FCA, announced plans to consult on ceasing publication of LIBOR on December 31, 2021 for only the one week and two month LIBOR tenors, and on June 30, 2023 for all other LIBOR tenors. On March 5, 2021, the FCA confirmed that all LIBOR settings will either cease to be provided by any administrator or no longer be representative: (a) immediately after December 31, 2021, in the case of the one week and two month U.S. dollar settings; and (b) immediately after June 30, 2023, in the case of the remaining U.S. dollar settings.  The Alternative Reference Rate Committee, a committee convened by the Federal Reserve that includes major market participants, has proposed an alternative rate to replace U.S. Dollar LIBOR: the Secured Overnight Financing Rate.  The outcome of these reforms is uncertain and any changes in the methods by which LIBOR is determined or regulatory activity related to LIBOR’s phaseout could cause LIBOR to perform differently than in the past or cease to exist.  The consequences of these developments cannot be entirely predicted, but could include an increase in the cost of borrowings under the aforementioned debt instruments.  In preparation for the expected phase out of LIBOR, and to the extent alternate reference rates were not included in existing debt agreements, Liberty Broadband has incorporated alternative reference rates when amending these facilities, as applicable.

As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2021, our debt is comprised of the following amounts:

Variable rate debt

Fixed rate debt

 

Principal

    

Weighted avg

    

Principal

    

Weighted avg

 

amount

interest rate

amount

interest rate

 

dollar amounts in millions

 

GCI Holdings

$

529,273

3.1

%

$

600,000

4.8

%

Corporate and other

$

2,000,000

2.1

%

$

1,414,536

1.9

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Variable rate debt

 

Fixed rate debt

 

Principal

    

Weighted avg

    

Principal

    

Weighted avg

 

amount

 

interest rate

 

amount

 

interest rate

 

(dollar amounts in millions)

 

$

500

 

2.7%

 

$

 —

 

NA

 

Our stockinvestment in Charter (our equity method affiliate) is publicly traded and not reflected at fair value in our balance sheet. Our investment in Charter is also subject to market risk that is not directly reflected in our financial statements.

We are exposed to changes in stock prices primarily as a resultI-40

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

In accordance with Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including its chief executive officer and its principal accounting and financial officer (the "Executives"), of the effectiveness of its disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Executives concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of September 30, 2017 to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosedMarch 31, 2021 because of the material weakness in its reports filed or submitted underour internal control over financial reporting at our wholly owned subsidiary, GCI Holdings, as discussed in more detail in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Exchange Actyear ended December 31, 2020 (the “2020 Form 10-K”). Management is recorded, processed, summarized and reported withinmonitoring the time periods specifiedimplementation of the remediation plan described in the Securities2020 Form 10-K, as described below.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

During the first quarter of 2021, we continued to review the design of our controls, made adjustments and Exchange Commission's rules and forms.

Therecontinued implementing controls to alleviate the noted control deficiencies at GCI Holdings. Other than these items, there has been no change in the Company's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2021 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control over financial reporting.

Remediation Plan for Material Weakness in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

In response to the material weakness as set forth in Part II, Item 9A in the 2020 Form 10-K, the Company developed a plan to remediate the material weakness at GCI Holdings. Remediation activities include:

Continue to hire, train and retain individuals with appropriate skills and experience related to designing, operating and documenting internal control over financial reporting.
Enhance the comprehensive and continuous risk assessment process to identify and assess financial statement risks and ensure that the financial reporting process and related internal controls are in place to respond to those risks.
Enhance the design of and implement additional process-level control activities and ensure they are properly evidenced and operating effectively.
Communicate expectations, monitor for compliance with expectations, and hold individuals accountable for their roles related to internal control over financial reporting.

The Company believes the foregoing efforts will effectively remediate the material weakness described in Part II, Item 9A in the 2020 Form 10-K. Because the reliability of the internal control process requires repeatable execution, the successful on-going remediation of the material weakness will require on-going review and evidence of effectiveness prior to concluding that the controls are effective. The Company's remediation efforts are underway; however, there is no assurance that the remediation efforts will be effective in the future or that additional material weaknesses will not develop or be identified.

I-32I-41


PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20162020 includes "Legal Proceedings" under Item 3 of Part I. Other than as described in Part II, Item 1. Legal Proceedings of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2017, thereThere have been no material changes from the legal proceedings described in the Forms 10-K, except as described below.

Hollywood Firefighters’ Pension Fund, et al. v. GCI Liberty, Inc., et al.

On October 9, 2020, a putative class action complaint was filed by two purported GCI Liberty stockholders in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware under the caption Hollywood Firefighters’ Pension Fund, et al. v. GCI Liberty, Inc., et al., Case No. 2020-0880. A new version of the complaint was filed on October 11, 2020. The complaint named as defendants GCI Liberty, as well as the members of the GCI Liberty board of directors. The complaint alleged, among other things, that Mr. Gregory B. Maffei, a director and the President and Chief Executive Officer of Liberty Broadband and, prior to the Combination, GCI Liberty, and Mr. John C. Malone, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Liberty Broadband and, prior to the Combination, GCI Liberty, in their purported capacities as controlling stockholders and directors of GCI Liberty, and the other directors of GCI Liberty, breached their fiduciary duties by approving the Combination. The complaint also alleged that various prior and current relationships among members of the GCI Liberty special committee, Mr. Malone and Mr. Maffei rendered the members of the GCI Liberty special committee not independent.

The complaint sought certification of a class action, declarations that Messrs. Maffei and Malone and the other directors of GCI Liberty breached their fiduciary duties and the recovery of damages and other relief.

On December 23, 2020, the plaintiffs filed a Second Amended Complaint, which, among other things, included a new count of breach of fiduciary duty against Mr. Maffei and Mr. Gregg Engles, the other former member of the GCI Liberty special committee, and new allegations that the price of GCI Liberty was depressed as a result of statements and omissions by Mr. Maffei in November of 2019.  During the first quarter for 2021, the parties were conducting discovery with the trial scheduled for November 2021.  We believed the lawsuit was without merit.  

During March 2021 and in advance of the expenditure of significant time and costs to conduct the depositions proposed to have been taken in this action, the parties began negotiations with the class of plaintiffs for a potential settlement of this action. On May 5, 2021, the plaintiffs (on behalf of themselves and other members of a proposed settlement class) and defendants entered into an agreement in principle to settle the litigation pursuant to which the parties agreed that the plaintiffs will dismiss their claims with prejudice, with customary releases, in return for a settlement payment of $110 million to be paid by Merger LLC (as successor-by-merger to GCI Liberty, Inc.) and/or insurers for the defendants and for GCI Liberty.  This agreement will be further codified in a final Stipulation and Agreement of Settlement, which will be subject to approval by the Court.

Other Charter Proceedings

The California Attorney General and the Alameda County, California District Attorney are investigating whether certain of Charter’s waste disposal policies, procedures and practices are in violation of the California Business and Professions Code and the California Health and Safety Code. That investigation was commenced in January 2014. A similar investigation involving TWC was initiated in February 2012. Charter is cooperating with these investigations. While Charter is unable to predict the outcome of these investigations, it does not expect that the outcome will have a material effect on its operations, financial condition, or cash flows.

Sprint filed a patent suit against Charter and Bright House on December 2, 2017 in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware.  This suit alleges infringement of 9 patents related to the Company's provision of Voice over Internet Protocol (“VoIP”) services.  Sprint previously sued TWC with respect to eight of these patents and obtained a final judgment of $151 million inclusive of interest and costs, which Charter paid in November 2019.  Charter has also brought a patent suit against Sprint (TC Tech, LLC v. Sprint) in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware implicating

II-1

Sprint's LTE technology and a similar suit against T-Mobile in the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas.  

Sprint filed a subsequent patent suit against Charter on May 17, 2018 in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.  This suit alleges infringement of two patents related to Charter's video on demand services.  The court transferred this case to the United States District Court for the District of Delaware on December 20, 2018 pursuant to an agreement between the parties.  

On February 18, 2020, Sprint filed a lawsuit against Charter, Bright House and TWC.  Sprint alleges that Charter misappropriated trade secrets from Sprint years ago through employees hired by Bright House.  Sprint asserts that the alleged trade secrets relate to the VoIP business of Charter, TWC and Bright House. The case is now pending in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas.

Charter, T-Mobile and Sprint have tentatively reached a settlement of all of the foregoing suits that would result in a payment of $220 million by Charter to T-Mobile.  Charter can give no assurance that this tentative settlement will be finalized.  Pending finalization of the settlement and in the event the settlement is not finalized, Charter will vigorously defend these Sprint suits and prosecute the suits it has brought against T-Mobile and Sprint.  While Charter is unable to predict the outcome of these lawsuits, it does not expect that the litigation will have a material effect on its operations, financial condition, or cash flows.

In addition to the Sprint litigation described above, Charter is a defendant or co-defendant in several additional lawsuits involving alleged infringement of various intellectual property relating to various aspects of its businesses. Other industry participants are also defendants in certain of these cases or related cases. In the event that a court ultimately determines that Charter infringes on any intellectual property, Charter may be subject to substantial damages and/or an injunction that could require Charter or its vendors to modify certain products and services it offers to its subscribers, as well as negotiate royalty or license agreements with respect to the intellectual property at issue. While Charter believes the lawsuits are without merit and intends to defend the actions vigorously, no assurance can be given that any adverse outcome would not be material to Charter’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity. Charter cannot predict the outcome of any such claims nor can it reasonably estimate a range of possible loss.

Charter is party to other lawsuits, claims and regulatory inquiries that arise in the ordinary course of conducting its business. The ultimate outcome of these other legal matters pending against Charter or its subsidiaries cannot be predicted, and although such lawsuits and claims are not expected individually to have a material adverse effect on our Form 10-K.or Charters’ consolidated financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity, such lawsuits could have in the aggregate a material adverse effect on ours or Charter’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity. Whether or not Charter ultimately prevails in any particular lawsuit or claim, litigation can be time consuming and costly and injure its reputation.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Share Repurchase Programs

In December 2016, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of $250 million of Liberty Broadband Series A and Series C common stock.  In August 2020, the Board of Directors increased its repurchase authorization by $1.0 billion, with an aggregate repurchase amount not to exceed $1.3 billion.  On February 23, 2021, the Board of Directors authorized an additional $2.23 billion under the Company’s share repurchase program.

II-2

A summary of the repurchase activity for the three months ended March 31, 2021 is as follows:

Series C Common Stock

 

    

    

    

(c) Total Number

    

(d) Maximum Number

 

of Shares

(or Approximate Dollar

 

Purchased as

Value) of Shares that

 

(a) Total Number

(b) Average

Part of Publicly

May Yet Be Purchased

 

of Shares

Price Paid per

Announced Plans or

Under the Plans or

 

Period

Purchased

Share

Programs

Programs

 

January 1 - 31, 2021

1,204,926

$

152.89

1,204,926

$421

million

February 1 - 28, 2021

 

1,202,145

$

149.22

1,202,145

$2,472

million

March 1 - 31, 2021

 

2,448,831

$

153.06

2,448,831

$2,097

million

Total

 

4,855,902

$

152.06

 

4,855,902

There were no repurchases of Liberty Broadband Series A B or CSeries B common stock during the period.three months ended March 31, 2021.

During the three months ended September 30, 2017, noMarch 31, 2021, zero shares of Liberty Broadband Series A orcommon stock, zero shares of Liberty Broadband Series B common stock, 1,948 shares of Series C common stock and 1,062 shares of Liberty Broadband Preferred Stock were surrendered by certain of our officers and employees to pay withholding taxes and other deductions in connection with the vesting of their restricted stock.stock, restricted stock units and options.

II-1


Item 6. Exhibits

(a)

Exhibits

Listed below are the exhibits which are filed as a part of this Report (according to the number assigned to them in Item 601 of Regulation S-K):

10.1

10.1

31.1

Margin Loan Agreement, dated as of August 31, 2017, among LBC Cheetah 6, LLC, as Borrower, various lenders and Bank of America, N.A., as Calculation Agent and Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent.*

31.1

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification*

31.2

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification*

32

Section 1350 Certification**

101.INS

XBRL Instance Document* - The instance document does not appear in the interactive data file because its XBRL tags are embedded within the inline XBRL document.

101.SCH

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document*

101.CAL

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document*

101.LAB

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document*

101.PRE

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document*

101.DEF

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Definition Document*

104

Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)*


*Filed herewith

**Furnished herewith

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SIGNATURES

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

    

LIBERTY BROADBAND CORPORATION

Date: November 1, 2017May 7, 2021

By:

/s/ GREGORY B. MAFFEI

Gregory B. Maffei

President and Chief Executive Officer

Date: November 1, 2017May 7, 2021

By:

/s/ MARK D. CARLETONBRIAN J. WENDLING

Mark D. CarletonBrian J. Wendling

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal FinancialAccounting Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)Financial Officer

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