10-Q 1 a2206045z10-q.htm 10-Q

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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)    

ý

 

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2011

OR

o

 

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 1-34554

DIRECTV
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

DELAWARE
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  26-4772533
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

2230 East Imperial Highway
El Segundo, California
(Address of principal executive offices)

 

90245
(Zip Code)

(310) 964-5000
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

N/A
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

        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 ý    No o

        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 ý    No o

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

Large accelerated filer ý   Accelerated filer o   Non-accelerated filer o
(Do not check if a
smaller reporting company)
  Smaller reporting company o

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

        As of October 31, 2011, the registrant had outstanding 705,581,707 shares of Class A common stock.


Table of Contents


DIRECTV

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
 
Page No.

Part I—Financial Information (Unaudited)

   
 

Item 1. Financial Statements

   
   

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011 and 2010

 
2
   

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010

 
3
   

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011 and 2010

 
4
   

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

 
5
 

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

 
25
 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 
52
 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 
52

Part II—Other Information

   
 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 
53
 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

 
53
 

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

 
54
 

Item 6. Exhibits

 
55

Signatures

 
56

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DIRECTV

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

        

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)

 
 
Three Months
Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
 
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
 
 
  (Dollars in Millions,
Except Per Share Amounts)

 

Revenues

  $ 6,844   $ 6,025   $ 19,763   $ 17,481  

Operating costs and expenses

                         
 

Costs of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense

                         
   

Broadcast programming and other

    2,926     2,499     8,212     7,179  
   

Subscriber service expenses

    500     439     1,415     1,241  
   

Broadcast operations expenses

    99     86     289     259  
 

Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense

                         
   

Subscriber acquisition costs

    962     812     2,524     2,193  
   

Upgrade and retention costs

    365     321     973     853  
   

General and administrative expenses

    408     384     1,154     1,062  
 

Depreciation and amortization expense

    554     616     1,781     1,860  
                   

Total operating costs and expenses

    5,814     5,157     16,348     14,647  
                   

Operating profit

    1,030     868     3,415     2,834  

Interest income

    9     9     25     28  

Interest expense

    (194 )   (147 )   (569 )   (396 )

Liberty transaction and related gains

                67  

Other, net

    (38 )   26     74     45  
                   

Income before income taxes

    807     756     2,945     2,578  

Income tax expense

    (286 )   (256 )   (1,032 )   (949 )
                   

Net income

    521     500     1,913     1,629  

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

    (5 )   (21 )   (22 )   (49 )
                   

Net income attributable to DIRECTV

  $ 516   $ 479   $ 1,891   $ 1,580  
                   

Net income attributable to Class A common stockholders

  $ 516   $ 479   $ 1,891   $ 1,396  

Net income attributable to Class B common stockholders, including $160 million exchange inducement value for the Malone Transaction (Note 8)

                184  
                   

Net income attributable to DIRECTV

  $ 516   $ 479   $ 1,891   $ 1,580  
                   

Basic earnings attributable to Class A stockholders per common share

  $ 0.70   $ 0.56   $ 2.48   $ 1.58  

Diluted earnings attributable to Class A stockholders per common share

    0.70     0.55     2.47     1.57  

Basic and diluted earnings attributable to Class B stockholders per common share, including $160 million exchange inducement value for the Malone Transaction (Note 8)

                8.44  

Weighted average number of Class A common shares outstanding (in millions)

                         
 

Basic

    732     861     762     885  
 

Diluted

    737     868     767     891  

Weighted average number of Class B common shares outstanding, through June 16, 2010 (in millions)

                         
 

Basic

                22  
 

Diluted

                22  

Weighted average number of total common shares outstanding (in millions)

                         
 

Basic

    732     861     762     898  
 

Diluted

    737     868     767     904  


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

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DIRECTV


CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

 
 
September 30,
2011
 
December 31,
2010
 
 
  (Dollars in Millions,
Except Share Data)

 

ASSETS

             

Current assets

             
 

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 1,297   $ 1,502  
 

Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $100 and $76

    2,120     2,001  
 

Inventories

    313     247  
 

Deferred income taxes

    63     53  
 

Prepaid expenses and other

    553     450  
           
   

Total current assets

    4,346     4,253  

Satellites, net

    2,212     2,235  

Property and equipment, net

    4,980     4,444  

Goodwill

    4,102     4,148  

Intangible assets, net

    940     1,074  

Investments and other assets

    1,652     1,755  
           
   

Total assets

  $ 18,232   $ 17,909  
           

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT

             

Current liabilities

             
 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

  $ 3,683   $ 3,926  
 

Unearned subscriber revenues and deferred credits

    560     486  
 

Short-term borrowings

        38  
           
   

Total current liabilities

    4,243     4,450  

Long-term debt

    13,463     10,472  

Deferred income taxes

    1,738     1,670  

Other liabilities and deferred credits

    1,259     1,287  

Commitments and contingencies

             

Redeemable noncontrolling interest

    224     224  

Stockholders' deficit

             
 

Common stock and additional paid-in capital—$0.01 par value, 3,947,000,000 and 3,500,000,000 shares authorized, 715,216,303 and 808,447,044 shares issued and outstanding of Class A common stock at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively

    4,969     5,563  
 

Accumulated deficit

    (7,546 )   (5,730 )
 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

    (118 )   (27 )
           
   

Total stockholders' deficit

    (2,695 )   (194 )
           
   

Total liabilities and stockholders' deficit

  $ 18,232   $ 17,909  
           


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

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DIRECTV


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
 
  (Dollars in Millions)
 

Cash Flows From Operating Activities

             
 

Net income

  $ 1,913   $ 1,629  
 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

             
   

Depreciation and amortization

    1,781     1,860  
   

Amortization of deferred revenues and deferred credits

    (27 )   (27 )
   

Share-based compensation expense

    76     60  
   

Equity in earnings from unconsolidated affiliates

    (83 )   (70 )
   

Net foreign currency transaction (gain) loss

    46     (7 )
   

Dividends received

    97     58  
   

Gain from sale of investments

    (63 )   (3 )
   

Liberty transaction and related gains

        (67 )
   

Deferred income taxes

    154     286  
   

Other

    32     63  
   

Change in other operating assets and liabilities:

             
     

Accounts receivable

    (104 )   (148 )
     

Inventories

    (66 )   27  
     

Prepaid expenses and other

    (140 )   (140 )
     

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

    (126 )   246  
     

Unearned subscriber revenue and deferred credits

    74     132  
     

Other, net

    47     (74 )
           
       

Net cash provided by operating activities

    3,611     3,825  
           

Cash Flows From Investing Activities

             
 

Cash paid for property and equipment

    (2,160 )   (1,647 )
 

Cash paid for satellites

    (156 )   (99 )
 

Investment in companies, net of cash acquired

    (11 )   (1 )
 

Proceeds from sale of investments

    116     5  
 

Other, net

    41     (38 )
           
       

Net cash used in investing activities

    (2,170 )   (1,780 )
           

Cash Flows From Financing Activities

             
 

Cash proceeds from debt issuance

    3,990     5,978  
 

Debt issuance costs

    (30 )   (44 )
 

Repayment of long-term debt

    (1,000 )   (2,323 )
 

Repayment of short-term borrowings

    (39 )    
 

Repayment of collar loan and equity collars

        (1,537 )
 

Repayment of other long-term obligations

    (171 )   (94 )
 

Common shares repurchased and retired

    (4,366 )   (3,561 )
 

Stock options exercised

        2  
 

Taxes paid in lieu of shares issued for share-based compensation

    (55 )   (92 )
 

Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation

    25     9  
           
       

Net cash used in financing activities

    (1,646 )   (1,662 )
           

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

    (205 )   383  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period

    1,502     2,605  
           

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period

  $ 1,297   $ 2,988  
           

Supplemental Cash Flow Information

             
 

Cash paid for interest

  $ 562   $ 300  
 

Cash paid for income taxes

    853     601  


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

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DIRECTV

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Note 1: Basis of Presentation

        DIRECTV, which we also refer to as the company, we or us, is a leading provider of digital television entertainment in the United States and Latin America. We operate two direct-to-home, or DTH, operating segments: DIRECTV U.S. and DIRECTV Latin America, which acquire, promote, sell and/or distribute digital entertainment programming primarily via satellite to residential and commercial subscribers. In addition, since November 19, 2009, we own and operate three regional sports networks, or RSNs, and own a 60% interest in Game Show Network, LLC, or GSN, a basic television network dedicated to game-related programming and Internet interactive game playing. We account for our investment in GSN using the equity method of accounting.

    DIRECTV U.S.  DIRECTV Holdings LLC and its subsidiaries, which we refer to as DIRECTV U.S., is the largest provider of DTH digital television services and the second largest provider in the multi-channel video programming distribution, or MVPD, industry in the United States.

    DIRECTV Latin America.  DIRECTV Latin America Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries, or DIRECTV Latin America, is a leading provider of DTH digital television services throughout Latin America. DIRECTV Latin America is comprised of: PanAmericana, which provides services in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Puerto Rico, Venezuela and certain other countries in the region; our 93% owned subsidiary Sky Brasil Servicos Ltda., which we refer to as Sky Brazil; and our 41% equity method investment in Innova, S. de R.L. de C.V., or Sky Mexico.

    DIRECTV Sports Networks.  DIRECTV Sports Networks LLC and its subsidiaries, or DSN, is comprised primarily of three regional sports television networks based in Seattle, Washington, Denver, Colorado and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, which are collectively known as ROOT Sports. The operating results of DSN are reported as part of the "Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other" operating segment.

        We have prepared the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP, for interim financial reporting. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring items) that are necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the full year. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 filed with the SEC on February 28, 2011, our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 filed with the SEC on May 6, 2011, our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2011 filed with the SEC on August 5, 2011 and all of our other filings, including Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC after such date and through the date of this report.

        We prepare our consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP, which requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported herein. We base our estimates and assumptions on historical experience and on various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making estimates, our actual results reported in future periods may be affected by changes in those estimates.

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DIRECTV

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(continued)

(Unaudited)


Note 2: Divestitures

    Equity Method Investments

        In April 2011, we sold an equity method investment for $55 million in cash. As a result of this sale, we recognized a $37 million gain, or $23 million after tax, on the sale in "Other, net" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, which represents the difference between the selling price and the carrying amount of the equity method investment sold.

        Investment in GSN.    We account for our investment in GSN using the equity method of accounting. In March 2011, we sold a 5% ownership interest in GSN for $60 million in cash, reducing our ownership interest to 60%. We recognized a $25 million gain, or $16 million after tax, on the sale in "Other, net" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, which represents the difference between the selling price and the carrying amount of the portion of our equity method investment sold. Additionally, we entered into an agreement with our equity partner in GSN under which we have the right to require them to purchase an additional 18% interest in GSN through 2014 and in 2014, if we have not exercised that right, our equity partner in GSN has the right to require us to sell an additional 18% interest in GSN to them, in each case for an exercise price which exceeds our carrying value for that portion of the investment. Such exercise price is calculated using a formula based on an agreed upon multiple of the earnings of GSN with a minimum price of $234 million and a maximum price of $288 million. As of September 30, 2011, the book value of our 60% interest in GSN was $411 million.


Note 3: Accounting Change and Change in Accounting Estimate

Accounting Change

    Revenue Recognition

        On January 1, 2011 we adopted the revisions issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to the standard for revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables. The revised standard allows entities to use the "best estimate of selling price" in addition to third-party evidence or actual selling prices for determining the fair value of a deliverable, and includes additional disclosure requirements. The adoption of this change did not have an effect on our consolidated results of operations and financial position.

        We enter into multiple-deliverable revenue arrangements with our subscribers under which we provide DIRECTV receiving equipment and installation at the inception of the arrangement, and programming during their contract period, of up to two years. We allocate consideration to each deliverable in the arrangement based on its relative selling price. We determine the selling price of the DIRECTV receiving equipment using our best estimate. We determine the selling price for installation services based on prices charged by third parties. We determine the selling price of the programming using our standard programming rates. The DIRECTV receiving equipment, installation services and programming are each considered separate units of accounting.

        We recognize subscription and pay-per-view revenues when programming is broadcast to subscribers. We recognize subscriber fees for multiple set-top receivers, warranty services and equipment rental as revenue, as earned. We recognize advertising revenues when the related services are performed. We defer programming payments received from subscribers in advance of the broadcast as "Unearned subscriber revenues and deferred credits" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets until earned. We recognize revenues to be received under contractual commitments on a straight line basis

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DIRECTV

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(continued)

(Unaudited)


over the minimum contractual period. We report revenues net of customer credits and discounted promotions.

Change in Accounting Estimate

    Depreciable Lives of Leased Set-Top Receivers

        We currently lease most set-top receivers provided to new and existing subscribers and therefore capitalize the cost of those set-top receivers. We depreciate capitalized set-top receivers over the estimated useful life of the equipment. In our Form 10-K, we disclosed the possibility of a change in useful life for set-top receivers in the near term because we had begun to see indications that useful lives were increasing. As a result of the completion of an extensive evaluation of the estimated useful life of the set-top receivers, including consideration of historical write-offs, improved efficiencies in our refurbishment program, improved set-top receiver failure rates over time and management's judgment of the risk of technological obsolescence, we determined that the estimated useful life of high-definition, or HD, set-top receivers used in our DIRECTV U.S. business has increased to four years, from three years as previously estimated. We will continue to depreciate standard definition set-top receivers at DIRECTV U.S. over a three-year estimated useful life. We are accounting for this change in the useful life of the HD set-top receivers at DIRECTV U.S. as a change in an accounting estimate beginning July 1, 2011. This change had the effect of reducing depreciation and amortization expense and increasing both net income attributable to DIRECTV and earnings per share in our consolidated results of operations as follows:

 
 
Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2011
 
Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2011
 
 
  (Dollars in Millions,
Except Per Share Amounts)

 

Depreciation and amortization expense

  $ (76 ) $ (76 )

Net income attributable to DIRECTV

    47     47  

Basic and diluted earnings attributable to Class A stockholders per common share

  $ 0.06   $ 0.06  


Note 4: Goodwill and Intangible Assets

        The changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill at each of our segments for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 were as follows:

 
 
DIRECTV
U.S.
 
DIRECTV
Latin
America
 
Sports
Networks,
Eliminations
and Other
 
Total
 
 
  (Dollars in Millions)
 

Balance as of December 31, 2010

  $ 3,176   $ 677   $ 295   $ 4,148  

Sky Brazil foreign currency translation adjustment

        (47 )       (47 )

Acquisition accounting adjustments

    1             1  
                   

Balance as of September 30, 2011

  $ 3,177   $ 630   $ 295   $ 4,102  
                   

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DIRECTV

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(continued)

(Unaudited)

    Satellite Rights

        Sky Brazil has an agreement for the right to use a satellite should its existing leased satellite suffer a significant failure and replacement capacity is needed. During the first quarter of 2010 the satellite was launched and successfully placed into its assigned orbit, and we recorded the total payments for the right to use the satellite of $116 million in "Intangible Assets" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. We made a $29 million payment during the first quarter of 2010 and we made the remaining $87 million payment during the first quarter of 2011. We are amortizing the intangible asset on a straight line basis over the 15-year term of the agreement.


Note 5: Debt

        The following table sets forth our outstanding debt:

 
 
September 30,
2011
 
December 31,
2010
 
 
  (Dollars in Millions)
 

Long-term debt

             
 

Senior notes

  $ 13,463   $ 10,472  

Short-term borrowings

        38  
           
   

Total debt

  $ 13,463   $ 10,510  
           

        All of our senior notes were issued by DIRECTV U.S. and have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. All of our senior notes are unsecured and have been fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, by substantially all of DIRECTV U.S.' domestic subsidiaries. Principal on the senior notes is payable upon maturity, while interest is payable semi-annually.

        As of September 30, 2011, DIRECTV U.S. had the ability to borrow up to $2 billion under a revolving credit facility discussed below.

    2011 Financing Transactions

        On March 10, 2011, DIRECTV U.S. issued the following senior notes:

 
 
Principal
 
Proceeds, net
of discount
 
 
  (Dollars in Millions)
 

3.500% senior notes due 2016

  $ 1,500   $ 1,497  

5.000% senior notes due 2021

    1,500     1,493  

6.375% senior notes due 2041

    1,000     1,000  
           

  $ 4,000   $ 3,990  
           

        We incurred $24 million of debt issuance costs in connection with this transaction.

        On March 17, 2011, DIRECTV U.S. purchased, pursuant to a tender offer, $341 million of its then outstanding $1,002 million of 6.375% senior notes due in 2015, representing approximately 34% of the total outstanding principal of these notes, at a price of 103.313%, plus accrued and unpaid interest. On June 15, 2011, DIRECTV U.S. redeemed, pursuant to the terms of its indenture, the remaining

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DIRECTV

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(continued)

(Unaudited)


$659 million of its outstanding 6.375% senior notes due 2015, at a price of 102.125%, plus accrued and unpaid interest. We recorded a pre-tax charge of $25 million, $16 million after tax, during the nine months ended September 30, 2011, as a result of the redemptions, primarily for the premiums paid. The pre-tax charge was recorded in "Other, net" in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

    2010 Financing Transactions

        On August 17, 2010, pursuant to a registration statement, DIRECTV U.S. issued the following senior notes:

 
 
Principal
 
Proceeds, net
of discount
 
 
  (Dollars in Millions)
 

3.125% senior notes due in 2016

  $ 750   $ 750  

4.600% senior notes due in 2021

    1,000     999  

6.000% senior notes due in 2040

    1,250     1,233  
           

  $ 3,000   $ 2,982  
           

        We incurred $19 million of debt issuance costs in connection with this transaction.

        On August 20, 2010, DIRECTV U.S. repaid the $1,220 million of remaining principal on Term Loans A and B of its senior secured credit facility. The repayment of Term Loans A and B resulted in a third quarter 2010 pre-tax charge of $7 million, $4 million after tax, resulting from the write-off of deferred debt issuance and other transaction costs. The charge was recorded in "Other, net" in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

        On March 11, 2010, DIRECTV U.S. issued the following senior notes:

 
 
Principal
 
Proceeds, net
of discount
 
 
  (Dollars in Millions)
 

3.550% senior notes due 2015

  $ 1,200   $ 1,199  

5.200% senior notes due 2020

    1,300     1,298  

6.350% senior notes due 2040

    500     499  
           

  $ 3,000   $ 2,996  
           

        We incurred $17 million of debt issuance costs in connection with this transaction.

        On March 16, 2010, DIRECTV U.S. repaid the $985 million of remaining principal on Term Loan C of its senior secured credit facility. The repayment of Term Loan C resulted in a first quarter 2010 pre-tax charge of $9 million, $6 million after tax, of which $6 million resulted from the write-off of unamortized discount and $3 million resulted from the write-off of deferred debt issuance and other transaction costs. The charge was recorded in "Other, net" in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

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DIRECTV

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(continued)

(Unaudited)

    Senior Notes

        The following table sets forth the balance of our outstanding senior notes:

 
 
Principal amount
 
Carrying value, net of unamortized original
issue discounts or including premium
 
 
 
September 30,
2011
 
September 30,
2011
 
December 31,
2010
 
 
   
  (Dollars in Millions)
 

4.750% senior notes due 2014

  $ 1,000   $ 998   $ 998  

3.550% senior notes due 2015

    1,200     1,199     1,199  

6.375% senior notes due 2015

            1,002  

3.125% senior notes due 2016

    750     750     750  

3.500% senior notes due 2016

    1,500     1,498      

7.625% senior notes due 2016

    1,500     1,500     1,500  

5.875% senior notes due 2019

    1,000     994     994  

5.200% senior notes due 2020

    1,300     1,298     1,298  

4.600% senior notes due 2021

    1,000     999     999  

5.000% senior notes due 2021

    1,500     1,494      

6.350% senior notes due 2040

    500     499     499  

6.000% senior notes due 2040

    1,250     1,234     1,233  

6.375% senior notes due 2041

    1,000     1,000      
               
 

Total senior notes

  $ 13,500   $ 13,463   $ 10,472  
               

        The fair value of our senior notes was approximately $14,418 million at September 30, 2011 and $10,881 million at December 31, 2010. We calculated the fair values based on quoted market prices of our senior notes, which is a Level 1 input under accounting guidance for fair value measurements of assets and liabilities.

    Collar Loan

        On November 19, 2009, The DIRECTV Group, Inc. and Liberty Media Corporation completed a series of transactions, which we refer to collectively as the Liberty Transaction. As part of the Liberty Transaction, we assumed a credit facility and related equity collars, which we refer to as the Collar Loan. During the first quarter of 2010, we paid $1,537 million to repay the remaining principal balance and accrued interest on the credit facility, and to settle the equity collars. As a result, we recorded a gain of $67 million in "Liberty transaction and related gains" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations in the first quarter of 2010 related to the Collar Loan.

    Credit Facilities

        At December 31, 2010, DIRECTV U.S.' senior secured credit facility consisted of a $500 million undrawn six-year revolving credit facility.

        In February 2011, DIRECTV U.S.' senior secured credit facility was terminated and replaced by a five-year, $2.0 billion revolving credit facility. We pay a commitment fee of .30% per year for the unused commitment under the revolving credit facility, and borrowings will bear interest at an annual rate of (i) the London interbank offer rate (LIBOR) (or for Euro advances the EURIBOR rate) plus 1.50% or at our option (ii) the higher of the prime rate plus 0.50% or the Fed Funds Rate plus 1.00%.

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The commitment fee and the annual interest rate may be increased or decreased under certain conditions, which include changes in DIRECTV U.S.' long-term, unsecured debt ratings. The revolving credit facility has been fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, by substantially all of DIRECTV U.S.' domestic subsidiaries on a senior unsecured basis.

    Covenants and Restrictions

        The revolving credit facility requires DIRECTV U.S. to maintain at the end of each fiscal quarter a specified ratio of indebtedness to adjusted net income. The revolving credit facility also includes covenants that restrict DIRECTV U.S.' ability to, among other things, (i) incur additional subsidiary indebtedness, (ii) incur liens, (iii) enter into certain transactions with affiliates, (iv) merge or consolidate with another entity, (v) sell, assign, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets, and (vi) change its lines of business. Additionally, the senior notes contain restrictive covenants that are similar. Should DIRECTV U.S. fail to comply with these covenants, all or a portion of its borrowings under the senior notes could become immediately payable and its revolving credit facility could be terminated. At September 30, 2011, DIRECTV U.S. was in compliance with all such covenants. The senior notes and revolving credit facility also provide that the borrowings may be required to be prepaid if certain change-in-control events occur.

        Restricted Cash.    Restricted cash of $30 million as of September 30, 2011 and $70 million as of December 31, 2010 was included as part of "Prepaid expenses and other" in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. These amounts secure our letter of credit obligations and as of December 31, 2010, collateralized an international loan. The restrictions on the cash will be removed as the letters of credit expire.


Note 6: Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments

    Satellite Commitments

        DIRECTV U.S. has entered into contracts for the construction and launch of two new satellites: D14, which we expect to launch in the first quarter of 2014 and D15, which we expect to launch in the fourth quarter of 2014. D14 and D15 are expected to provide additional HD, replacement, and backup capacity for DIRECTV U.S. Additionally, DIRECTV Latin America has entered into a contract for the lease of two satellites for PanAmericana: ISDLA-1, which we expect to launch in the fourth quarter of 2014 and ISDLA-2, which we expect to launch in the fourth quarter of 2015. ISDLA-1 will become the primary satellite for PanAmericana with a substantial increase in channel capacity from the current satellite, and ISDLA-2 is expected to serve as an in-orbit spare for ISDLA-1. As a part of the lease agreement for ISDLA-1 and ISDLA-2, which we expect to account for as a capital lease, we are required to make prepayments prior to the launch of the satellites and commencement of the lease. Prepayments related to this agreement totaled $74 million and are included as "Cash paid for satellites" in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.

        Total cash payments under these agreements aggregate to $1,729 million, payable as follows: $83 million in the remainder of 2011, $343 million in 2012, $334 million in 2013, $145 million in 2014, $116 million in 2015 and $708 million thereafter.

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Contingencies

        Venezuela Devaluation and Exchange Controls.    In January 2010, the Venezuelan government announced the creation of a dual exchange rate system, including an exchange rate of 4.3 bolivars fuerte per U.S. dollar for most of the activities of DIRECTV Latin America's Venezuelan operations compared to an exchange rate of 2.15 Venezuelan bolivars fuerte prior to the announcement. As a result of this devaluation, we recorded a $6 million charge to net income during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 related to the adjustment of net bolivars fuerte denominated monetary assets to the new official exchange rate. We began reporting the operating results of our Venezuelan subsidiary in the first quarter of 2010 using the devalued rate of 4.3 bolivars fuerte per U.S. dollar. In December 2010, the Venezuelan government announced the elimination of the dual exchange rate system, eliminating the 2.6 bolivars fuerte per U.S. dollar preferential rate which was available for certain activities.

        Companies operating in Venezuela are required to obtain Venezuelan government approval to exchange Venezuelan bolivars fuerte into U.S. dollars at the official rate. We have not been able to consistently exchange Venezuelan bolivars fuerte into U.S. dollars at the official rate and as a result, we have relied on a parallel exchange process to settle U.S. dollar obligations and to repatriate accumulated cash balances prior to its close. The rates implied by transactions in the parallel market, which was closed in May 2010, were significantly higher than the official rate (6 to 7 bolivars fuerte per U.S. dollar). As a result, we recorded a $22 million charge for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 in "General and administrative expenses" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations in connection with the exchange of accumulated Venezuelan cash balances to U.S. dollars using the parallel exchange process.

        In June 2010, the Venezuelan government established the SITME, an alternative to the official process for exchanging foreign currency. Venezuelan entities can purchase U.S. dollar denominated securities through the SITME; however, trading volume is limited to $50,000 per day with a maximum equivalent of $350,000 in a calendar month, subject to certain limitations. The SITME has established a weighted average implicit exchange rate of approximately 5.3 bolivars fuerte per U.S. dollar.

        As a result of these developments, our ability to pay U.S. dollar denominated obligations and repatriate cash generated in Venezuela in excess of local operating requirements is limited, resulting in an increase in the cash balance at our Venezuelan subsidiary. Due to these limitations, we have realized lower charges for the repatriation of cash in 2011 as compared to 2010 and our Venezuelan subsidiary had accumulated Venezuelan bolivars fuerte denominated cash of $328 million at September 30, 2011, as compared to $169 million at December 31, 2010.

        We expect to continue our practice of repatriating cash generated in Venezuela in excess of local operating requirements. If exchange controls are eased, accumulated cash balances may ultimately be repatriated at less than their currently reported value, as the official exchange rate has not changed despite continuing high inflation in Venezuela. These conditions are also expected to affect growth in our Venezuelan business which is dependent on our ability to purchase set-top receivers and other components using U.S. dollars.

        Using the official 4.3 bolivars fuerte per U.S. dollar exchange rate as of September 30, 2011, our Venezuelan subsidiary had net Venezuelan bolivar fuerte denominated monetary assets of $233 million in excess of Venezuelan bolivar fuerte denominated monetary liabilities on that date.

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(Unaudited)

    Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest

        In connection with our acquisition of Sky Brazil in 2006, DIRECTV Latin America's partner who holds the remaining 7% interest, Globo Comunicações e Participações S.A., or Globo, was granted the right, until January 2014, to require us to purchase all, but not less than all, of its shares in Sky Brazil. Upon exercising this right, the fair value of Sky Brazil shares will be determined by mutual agreement or by an outside valuation expert, and DIRECTV Latin America has the option to elect to pay for the Sky Brazil shares in cash, shares of our common stock or a combination of both. The carrying amount of the redeemable noncontrolling interest was $224 million as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, representing our best estimates of the fair value on those dates. Adjustments to the carrying amount of the redeemable noncontrolling interest are recorded to additional paid-in-capital. We determined the fair values using significant unobservable inputs, which are Level 3 inputs under accounting guidance for measuring fair value.

    Litigation

        Litigation is subject to uncertainties and the outcome of individual litigated matters is not predictable with assurance. Various legal actions, claims and proceedings are pending against us arising in the ordinary course of business. We have established loss provisions for matters in which losses are probable and can be reasonably estimated. Some of the matters may involve compensatory, punitive, or treble damage claims, or demands that, if granted, could require us to pay damages or make other expenditures in amounts that could not be estimated at September 30, 2011. After discussion with counsel representing us in those actions, it is the opinion of management that such litigation is not expected to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

        Intellectual Property Litigation.    We are a defendant in several unrelated lawsuits claiming infringement of various patents relating to various aspects of our businesses. In certain of these cases other industry participants are also defendants, and also in certain of these cases we expect that any potential liability would be the responsibility of our equipment vendors pursuant to applicable contractual indemnification provisions. To the extent that the allegations in these lawsuits can be analyzed by us at this stage of their proceedings, we believe the claims are without merit and intend to defend the actions vigorously. We have determined that the likelihood of a material liability in such matters is remote or have made appropriate accruals and the final disposition of these claims is not expected to have a material effect on our consolidated financial position. However, if an adverse ruling is made in a lawsuit involving key intellectual property, such ruling could result in a loss that would be material to our consolidated results of operations of any one period. No assurance can be given that any adverse outcome would not be material to our consolidated financial position.

        Early Cancellation Fees.    In 2008, a number of plaintiffs filed putative class action lawsuits in state and federal courts challenging the early cancellation fees we assess our customers when they do not fulfill their programming commitments. Several of these lawsuits are pending—some in California state court purporting to represent statewide classes, and some in federal courts purporting to represent nationwide classes. The lawsuits seek both monetary and injunctive relief. While the theories of liability vary, the lawsuits generally challenge these fees under state consumer protection laws as both unfair and inadequately disclosed to customers. In light of the U.S. Supreme Court's recent decision in AT&T Mobility LLC v. Concepcion, we intend to move to compel these cases to arbitration in accordance with our Customer Agreement. We believe that our early cancellation fees are adequately disclosed, and

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(Unaudited)


represent reasonable estimates of the costs we incur when customers cancel service before fulfilling their programming commitments.

        From time to time, we receive investigative inquiries or subpoenas from state and federal authorities with respect to alleged violations of state and federal statutes. These inquiries may lead to legal proceedings in some cases. DIRECTV U.S. has received a request for information from the Federal Trade Commission, or FTC, on issues similar to those recently resolved with a multistate group of state attorneys general. We are cooperating with the FTC by providing information about our sales and marketing practices and customer complaints.

    Income Tax Matters

        We have received tax assessments from certain foreign jurisdictions and have agreed to indemnify previously divested businesses for certain tax assessments relating to periods prior to their respective divestitures. These assessments are in various stages of the administrative process or litigation, and we believe we have adequately provided for any related liability.

        While the outcome of these assessments and other tax issues cannot be predicted with certainty, we believe that the ultimate outcome will not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

    Satellites

        We may purchase in-orbit and launch insurance to mitigate the potential financial impact of satellite launch and in-orbit failures if the premium costs are considered economic relative to the risk of satellite failure. The insurance generally covers the unamortized book value of covered satellites. We do not insure against lost revenues in the event of a total or partial loss of the capacity of a satellite. We generally rely on in-orbit spare satellites and excess transponder capacity at key orbital slots to mitigate the impact a satellite failure could have on our ability to provide service. At September 30, 2011, the net book value of in-orbit satellites was $1,973 million, all of which was uninsured.

        During the third quarter of 2011, the propulsion system used to maintain DIRECTV U.S.' D10 satellite's position in orbit temporarily ceased to function. If the propulsion system were to permanently fail, we would be required to de-orbit the satellite and record an impairment charge for its remaining book value, which was approximately $274 million at September 30, 2011. DIRECTV U.S. currently has sufficient backup capacity to continue broadcasting most of the channels broadcast from this satellite; however, we would lose some of our HD pay-per-view channels if this satellite has to be de-orbited before additional capacity becomes available. We do not believe the loss of such channels would materially affect our results of operations or financial position.


Note 7: Related Party Transactions

        In the ordinary course of our operations, we enter into transactions with related parties as discussed below.

        Related parties include Globo, which provides programming and advertising to Sky Brazil, and companies in which we hold equity method investments, including Sky Mexico and GSN.

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(Unaudited)

        The majority of payments under contractual arrangements with related parties are pursuant to multi-year programming contracts. Payments under these contracts are typically subject to annual rate increases and are based on the number of subscribers receiving the related programming.

    Liberty Media, Liberty Global and Discovery Communications

        Prior to the completion of the Malone Transaction, as discussed in Note 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, on June 16, 2010 and Dr. Malone's concurrent resignation from our Board of Directors, transactions with Liberty Media, Discovery Communications, Inc. and Liberty Global, Inc. and their subsidiaries or equity method investees were treated as related party transactions as a result of Dr. Malone's ownership interest and management roles for these entities. Such transactions consisted primarily of purchases of programming created, owned or distributed by these entities.

        The following table summarizes sales to, and purchases from, related parties:

 
 
Three Months
Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
 
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
 
 
  (Dollars in Millions)
 

Sales:

                         

Liberty Media and affiliates

  $   $   $   $ 26  

Discovery Communications, Liberty Global and affiliates

                5  

Globo and other

    1     5     5     10  
                   
 

Total

  $ 1   $ 5   $ 5   $ 41  
                   

Purchases:

                         

Liberty Media and affiliates

  $   $   $   $ 143  

Discovery Communications, Liberty Global and affiliates

                128  

Globo and other

    228     160     626     447  
                   
 

Total

  $ 228   $ 160   $ 626   $ 718  
                   

        The following table sets forth the amount of accounts receivable from and accounts payable to related parties as of:

 
 
September 30,
2011
 
December 31,
2010
 
 
  (Dollars in Millions)
 

Accounts receivable

  $ 2   $ 2  

Accounts payable

    93     80  

        The accounts receivable and accounts payable balances as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 are primarily related to Globo and companies in which we hold equity method investments.

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(Unaudited)


Note 8: Stockholders' Deficit

    Capital Stock and Additional Paid-In Capital

        Our certificate of incorporation, as amended in April 2011, provides for the following capital stock: Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share, 3,947,000,000 shares authorized; Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share, 3,000,000 shares authorized; and preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, 50,000,000 shares authorized. As of September 30, 2011, there were no shares outstanding of the Class B common stock or preferred stock.

    Malone Transaction

        Following completion of the Liberty Transaction in November 2009, DIRECTV had two classes of common stock outstanding: Class A common stock and Class B common stock. In April 2010, we entered into an agreement with Dr. John Malone and his family, or the Malones, under which they exchanged 21.8 million shares of high-vote Class B common stock, which was all of the outstanding Class B shares, for 26.5 million shares of Class A common stock, resulting in the reduction of the Malones' voting interest in DIRECTV from approximately 24% to approximately 3%. The number of Class A shares issued was determined as follows: one share of Class A common stock for each share of Class B common stock held, plus an additional number of Class A shares with a fair value of $160 million based on the then current market price of the Class A common stock. We accounted for the common stock exchange pursuant to accounting standards for induced conversions, as described in Note 9 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. There have been no Class B shares outstanding since the completion of the Malone Transaction on June 16, 2010.

    Share Repurchase Program

        Since 2006 our Board of Directors has approved multiple authorizations for the repurchase of our common stock, the most recent of which was announced in the first quarter of 2011, authorizing share repurchases of $6 billion. As of September 30, 2011, we had approximately $1,953 million remaining under this authorization. The authorization allows us to repurchase our common stock from time to time through open market purchases and negotiated transactions, or otherwise. The timing, nature and amount of such transactions will depend on a variety of factors, including market conditions, and the program may be suspended, discontinued or accelerated at any time. The sources of funds for the purchases under the remaining authorization are our existing cash on hand, cash from operations and possible additional borrowing. Purchases are made in the open market, through block trades and other negotiated transactions. Repurchased shares are retired but remain authorized for registration and issuance in the future.

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(Unaudited)

        The following table sets forth information regarding shares repurchased and retired during the periods presented:

 
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
 
  (Amounts in Millions,
Except Per Share
Amounts)

 

Total cost of repurchased shares

  $ 4,368   $ 3,638  

Average price per share

    45.86     36.95  

Number of shares repurchased and retired

    95     98  

        Of the $4,368 million in repurchases during the nine months ended September 30, 2011, $70 million was paid for in October 2011. Of the $3,638 million in repurchases during the nine months ended September 30, 2010, $77 million was paid for in October 2010. Amounts repurchased but settled subsequent to the end of such periods are considered non-cash financing activities and excluded from the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

        The following tables set forth a reconciliation of stockholders' deficit and redeemable noncontrolling interest for each of the periods presented:

 
   
   
 
Stockholders' Deficit
   
   
   
 
 
 
DIRECTV
Class A
Common
Shares
 
Common
Stock and
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
 
Accumulated
Deficit
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss, net of
taxes
 
Total
Stockholders'
Deficit
 
Redeemable
Noncontrolling
Interest
 
Net
Income
 
 
  (Dollars in Millions)
 

Balance at January 1, 2011

    808,447,044   $ 5,563   $ (5,730 ) $ (27 ) $ (194 ) $ 224        

Net income

                1,891           1,891     22   $ 1,913  

Stock repurchased and retired

    (95,218,084 )   (661 )   (3,707 )         (4,368 )            

Stock options exercised and restricted stock units vested and distributed

    1,987,343     (50 )               (50 )            

Share-based compensation expense

          76                 76              

Tax benefit from share-based compensation

          29                 29              

Adjustment to the fair value of redeemable noncontrolling interest

          12                 12     (12 )      

Amortization of amounts resulting from changes in defined benefit plan experience and actuarial assumptions, net of taxes

                      9     9              

Foreign currency translation adjustment

                      (92 )   (92 )   (10 )      

Unrealized loss on securities, net of taxes

                      (8 )   (8 )            
                                 

Balance at September 30, 2011

    715,216,303   $ 4,969   $ (7,546 ) $ (118 ) $ (2,695 ) $ 224        
                                 

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(Unaudited)

 

 
   
   
  Stockholders' Equity    
   
 
 
 
DIRECTV
Class A
Common
Shares
 
DIRECTV
Class B
Common
Shares
 
Common
Stock and
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
 
Accumulated
Deficit
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss, net of
taxes
 
Total
Stockholders'
Equity
 
Redeemable
Noncontrolling
Interest
 
Net
Income
 
 
  (Dollars in Millions)
   
 

Balance at January 1, 2010

    911,377,919     21,809,863   $ 6,689   $ (3,722 ) $ (56 ) $ 2,911   $ 400        

Net income

                      1,580           1,580     49   $ 1,629  

Stock repurchased and retired

    (98,428,774 )         (707 )   (2,931 )         (3,638 )            

Stock options exercised and restricted stock units vested and distributed

    4,347,438           (42 )               (42 )            

Malone Transaction

    26,547,624     (21,809,863 )                                    

Share-based compensation expense

                60                 60              

Tax benefit from stock option exercises

                36                 36              

Adjustment to the fair value of redeemable noncontrolling interest

                (245 )               (245 )   245        

Other

                (2 )               (2 )            

Amortization of amounts resulting from changes in defined benefit plan experience and actuarial assumptions, net of taxes

                            7     7              

Foreign currency translation adjustment

                            11     11     6        

Unrealized losses on securities, net of taxes:

                                                 
 

Unrealized gains on securities

                            3     3              
 

Less: reclassification adjustment for net gains recognized during the period

                            (3 )   (3 )            
                                     

Balance at September 30, 2010

    843,844,207       $ 5,789   $ (5,073 ) $ (38 ) $ 678   $ 700        
                                     

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

        The following table sets forth the components of "Accumulated other comprehensive loss" in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of:

 
 
As of
September 30,
2011
 
As of
December 31,
2010
 
 
  (Dollars in Millions)
 

Unamortized net amount resulting from changes in defined benefit plan experience and actuarial assumptions, net of taxes

  $ (110 ) $ (119 )

Unamortized amount resulting from changes in defined benefit plan provisions, net of taxes

    (3 )   (3 )

Accumulated unrealized gains on securities, net of taxes

    1     9  

Accumulated foreign currency translation adjustments

    (6 )   86  
           
 

Total accumulated other comprehensive loss

  $ (118 ) $ (27 )
           

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(Unaudited)

Comprehensive Income

        Total comprehensive income was as follows:

 
 
Three Months
Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
 
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
 
 
  (Dollars in Millions)
 

Net income

  $ 521   $ 500   $ 1,913   $ 1,629  

Other comprehensive income (loss):

                         
 

Amortization of amounts resulting from changes in defined benefit plan experience and actuarial assumptions, net of taxes

    9     7     9     7  
 

Foreign currency translation activity during the period

    (140 )   44     (92 )   11  
 

Unrealized gains (losses) on securities, net of taxes:

                         
   

Unrealized holding gains (losses) on securities

    (3 )   4     (8 )   3  
   

Less: reclassification adjustment for net gains recognized during the period

                (3 )
                   

Comprehensive income

    387     555     1,822     1,647  
 

Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest

    10     (34 )   (12 )   (55 )
                   

Comprehensive income attributable to DIRECTV. 

  $ 397   $ 521   $ 1,810   $ 1,592  
                   


Note 9: Earnings Per Common Share

        Earnings per share has been computed using the number of weighted average outstanding shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock from January 1, 2010 through June 16, 2010.

        We compute basic earnings per common share, or EPS, by dividing net income attributable to DIRECTV by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period.

        Diluted EPS considers the effect of common equivalent shares, which consist primarily of common stock options and restricted stock units issued to employees. In the computation of diluted EPS under the treasury stock method, the amount of assumed proceeds from nonvested stock awards and unexercised stock options includes the amount of compensation cost attributable to future services not yet recognized, proceeds from the exercise of the options, and the incremental income tax benefit or liability as if the awards were distributed during the period. We exclude common equivalent shares from the computation in loss periods, as their effect would be antidilutive and we exclude common stock options from the computation of diluted EPS when their exercise price is greater than the average market price of our common stock.

        For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 we excluded no Class A common stock options from the computation of diluted EPS, because all options' exercise prices were less than the average market price of our common stock during the periods presented. We have not issued any Class B common stock options or other types of common equivalent shares.

        For the nine month period ended September 30, 2010, we allocated "Net income attributable to DIRECTV" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations to the Class A and Class B common

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(continued)

(Unaudited)


stockholders based on the weighted average shares outstanding for each class through the close of the Malone Transaction on June 16, 2010. In connection with the Malone Transaction, as discussed in Note 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, we were required to account for the exchange of 21.8 million shares of Class B common stock into 26.5 million shares of Class A common stock pursuant to accounting standards for induced conversions. Pursuant to these standards, the $160 million in incremental Class A common stock issued to the former Class B stockholders has been deducted from earnings attributable to Class A stockholders for purposes of calculating earnings per share in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The $160 million has been included in the income attributable to Class B common stockholders. After the close of the Malone Transaction on June 16, 2010, we allocate all net income attributable to DIRECTV to the Class A stockholders. This adjustment had the effect of reducing diluted earnings per Class A common share by $0.18 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

        The reconciliation of the amounts used in the basic and diluted EPS computation is as follows:

 
 
Income
 
Shares
 
Per Share
Amounts
 
 
  (Dollars and Shares in
Millions,
Except Per Share Amounts)

 

Three Months Ended:

                   

September 30, 2011:

                   

Class A Common Stock

                   

Basic EPS

                   
 

Net income attributable to DIRECTV

  $ 516     732   $ 0.70  

Effect of dilutive securities

                   
 

Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units

        5      
               

Diluted EPS

                   
 

Adjusted net income attributable to DIRECTV

  $ 516     737   $ 0.70  
               

September 30, 2010:

                   

Class A Common Stock

                   

Basic EPS

                   
 

Net income attributable to Class A common stockholders

  $ 479     861   $ 0.56  

Effect of dilutive securities

                   
 

Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units

        7     (0.01 )
               

Diluted EPS

                   
 

Adjusted net income attributable to Class A common stockholders

  $ 479     868   $ 0.55  
               

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(continued)

(Unaudited)

 

 
 
Income
 
Shares
 
Per Share
Amounts
 
 
  (Dollars and Shares in
Millions,
Except Per Share Amounts)

 

Nine Months Ended:

                   

September 30, 2011:

                   

Class A Common Stock

                   

Basic EPS

                   
 

Net income attributable to DIRECTV

  $ 1,891     762   $ 2.48  

Effect of dilutive securities

                   
 

Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units

        5     (0.01 )
               

Diluted EPS

                   
 

Adjusted net income attributable to DIRECTV

  $ 1,891     767   $ 2.47  
               

September 30, 2010:

                   

Class A Common Stock

                   

Basic EPS

                   
 

Net income attributable to Class A common stockholders

  $ 1,396     885   $ 1.58  

Effect of dilutive securities

                   
 

Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units

        6     (0.01 )
               

Diluted EPS

                   
 

Adjusted net income attributable to Class A common stockholders

  $ 1,396     891   $ 1.57  
               

Class B Common Stock

                   

Basic and diluted EPS

                   
 

Net income attributable to Class B common stockholders, including $160 million exchange inducement value for the Malone Transaction

  $ 184     22   $ 8.44  
               


Note 10: Segment Reporting

        Our three reporting segments, which are differentiated by their products and services as well as geographic location, are DIRECTV U.S. and DIRECTV Latin America, which acquire, promote, sell and/or distribute digital entertainment programming primarily via satellite to residential and commercial subscribers, and the Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other segment which includes our three regional sports networks that provide programming devoted to local professional sports teams and college sporting events and locally produce their own programming. Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other also includes the corporate office, eliminations and other entities.

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(continued)

(Unaudited)

        Selected information for our operating segments is reported as follows:

 
 
DIRECTV
U.S.
 
DIRECTV
Latin
America
 
Sports
Networks,
Eliminations
and Other
 
Total
 
 
  (Dollars in Millions)
 

Three Months Ended:

                         

September 30, 2011

                         

External revenues

  $ 5,419   $ 1,356   $ 69   $ 6,844  

Intersegment revenues

    2         (2 )    
                   

Revenues

  $ 5,421   $ 1,356   $ 67   $ 6,844  
                   

Operating profit (loss)

  $ 800   $ 236   $ (6 ) $ 1,030  

Add: Depreciation and amortization expense

    353     198     3     554  
                   

Operating profit (loss) before depreciation and amortization(1)

  $ 1,153   $ 434   $ (3 ) $ 1,584  
                   

September 30, 2010

                         

External revenues

  $ 5,030   $ 930   $ 65   $ 6,025  

Intersegment revenues

    1         (1 )    
                   

Revenues

  $ 5,031   $ 930   $ 64   $ 6,025  
                   

Operating profit (loss)

  $ 720   $ 172   $ (24 ) $ 868  

Add: Depreciation and amortization expense

    472     141     3     616  
                   

Operating profit (loss) before depreciation and amortization(1)

  $ 1,192   $ 313   $ (21 ) $ 1,484  
                   

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(continued)

(Unaudited)

 

 
 
DIRECTV
U.S.
 
DIRECTV
Latin
America
 
Sports
Networks,
Eliminations
and Other
 
Total
 
 
  (Dollars in Millions)
 

Nine Months Ended:

                         

September 30, 2011

                         

External revenues

  $ 15,837   $ 3,724   $ 202   $ 19,763  

Intersegment revenues

    6         (6 )    
                   

Revenues

  $ 15,843   $ 3,724   $ 196   $ 19,763  
                   

Operating profit (loss)

  $ 2,737   $ 696   $ (18 ) $ 3,415  

Add: Depreciation and amortization expense

    1,225     545     11     1,781  
                   

Operating profit (loss) before depreciation and amortization(1)

  $ 3,962   $ 1,241   $ (7 ) $ 5,196  
                   

September 30, 2010

                         

External revenues

  $ 14,732   $ 2,566   $ 183   $ 17,481  

Intersegment revenues

    5         (5 )    
                   

Revenues

  $ 14,737   $ 2,566   $ 178   $ 17,481  
                   

Operating profit (loss)

  $ 2,427   $ 438   $ (31 ) $ 2,834  

Add: Depreciation and amortization expense

    1,465     384     11     1,860  
                   

Operating profit before depreciation and amortization(1)

  $ 3,892   $ 822   $ (20 ) $ 4,694  
                   


(1)
Operating profit (loss) before depreciation and amortization, which is a financial measure that is not determined in accordance with GAAP can be calculated by adding amounts under the caption "Depreciation and amortization expense" to "Operating profit (loss)." This measure should be used in conjunction with GAAP financial measures and is not presented as an alternative measure of operating results, as determined in accordance with GAAP. Our management and Board of Directors use operating profit before depreciation and amortization to evaluate the operating performance of our company and our business segments and to allocate resources and capital to business segments. This metric is also used as a measure of performance for incentive compensation purposes and to measure income generated from operations that could be used to fund capital expenditures, service debt or pay taxes. Depreciation and amortization expense primarily represents an allocation to current expense of the cost of historical capital expenditures and for intangible assets resulting from prior business acquisitions. To compensate for the exclusion of depreciation and amortization expense from operating profit, our management and Board of Directors separately measure and budget for capital expenditures and business acquisitions.

We believe this measure is useful to investors, along with GAAP measures (such as revenues, operating profit and net income), to compare our operating performance to other communications, entertainment and media service providers. We believe that investors use current and projected operating profit (loss) before depreciation and amortization and similar measures to estimate our current or prospective enterprise value and make investment decisions. This metric provides investors with a means to compare operating results exclusive of depreciation and amortization. Our management believes this is useful given the significant variation in depreciation and amortization expense that can result from the timing of capital expenditures, the capitalization of intangible assets, potential variations in expected useful lives when compared to other companies and periodic changes to estimated useful lives.

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NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(concluded)

(Unaudited)

        The following represents a reconciliation of operating profit before depreciation and amortization to reported net income on the Consolidated Statements of Operations:

 
 
Three Months
Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
 
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
 
 
  (Dollars in Millions)
 

Operating profit before depreciation and amortization

  $ 1,584   $ 1,484   $ 5,196   $ 4,694  

Depreciation and amortization

    (554 )   (616 )   (1,781 )   (1,860 )
                   

Operating profit

    1,030     868     3,415     2,834  

Interest income

    9     9     25     28  

Interest expense

    (194 )   (147 )   (569 )   (396 )

Liberty transaction and related gains

                67  

Other, net

    (38 )   26     74     45  
                   

Income before income taxes

    807     756     2,945     2,578  

Income tax expense

    (286 )   (256 )   (1,032 )   (949 )
                   

Net income

  $ 521     500   $ 1,913     1,629  

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

    (5 )   (21 )   (22 )   (49 )
                   

Net income attributable to DIRECTV

  $ 516   $ 479   $ 1,891   $ 1,580  
                   

* * *

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ITEM 2.    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

        The following management's discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 filed with the SEC on February 28, 2011, our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 filed with the SEC on May 6, 2011, our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2011 filed with the SEC on August 5, 2011 and all of our other filings, including Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC after such date and through the date of this report.

        This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q may contain certain statements that we believe are, or may be considered to be, "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of various provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the use of statements that include phrases such as we "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "intend", "plan", "foresee", "project" or other similar references to future periods. Examples of forward- looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements we make regarding our outlook for 2011 financial results, liquidity and capital resources.

        Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions regarding our business, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Our actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. We caution you therefore against relying on any of these forward-looking statements. They are neither statements of historical fact nor guarantees or assurances of future performance. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include economic, business, competitive, national or global political, market and regulatory conditions and the following, each of which is described in more detail in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 or in Part II, Item 1A of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q:

    Levels of competition are increasing.

    We depend on others to produce programming and programming costs are increasing.

    Increased subscriber churn or subscriber upgrade and retention costs could materially adversely affect our financial performance.

    Our subscriber acquisition costs could materially increase.

    DIRECTV Latin America is subject to various additional risks associated with doing business internationally, which include political and economic instability and foreign currency exchange rate volatility and controls.

    Our ability to keep pace with technological developments is uncertain.

    Our business relies on intellectual property, some of which is owned by third parties, and we may inadvertently infringe patents and proprietary rights of others.

    Construction or launch delays on satellites could materially adversely affect our revenues and earnings.

    Our satellites are subject to significant launch and operational risks.

    The loss of a satellite, none of which is currently insured, could materially adversely affect our business and earnings.

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    Satellite programming signals have been stolen and may be stolen in the future, which could result in lost revenues and would cause us to incur incremental operating costs that do not result in subscriber acquisition.

    The ability to maintain FCC licenses and other regulatory approvals is critical to our business.

    We may have a significant indemnity obligation to Liberty Media, which is not limited in amount or subject to any cap, if parts of the Liberty Transaction or Liberty's 2008 Transaction with News Corporation are treated as a taxable transaction.

    We face risks arising from the outcome of various legal proceedings.

    We face risks related to our reliance on network information systems and other technology.

    Those and the other factors that are described in more detail in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

        Any forward looking statement made by us in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may occur and it is not possible for us to predict them all. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future development or otherwise, except as required by law.

CONTENTS

        The following is a discussion of our results of operations and financial condition. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report. Information in this section is organized as follows:

    Summary Data

    Business Overview

    Significant Events Affecting the Comparability of the Results of Operations

    Results of Operations

    Executive Outlook

    Liquidity and Capital Resources

    Contractual Obligations

    Contingencies

    Certain Relationships and Related-Party Transactions

    Critical Accounting Estimates

    Accounting Changes

    Key Terminology

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SUMMARY DATA

(Unaudited)

 
 
Three Months
Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
 
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
 
 
  (Dollars in Millions,
Except Per Share Amounts)

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations Data:

                         

Revenues

  $ 6,844   $ 6,025   $ 19,763   $ 17,481  

Total operating costs and expenses

    5,814     5,157     16,348     14,647  
                   

Operating profit

    1,030     868     3,415     2,834  

Interest income

    9     9     25     28  

Interest expense

    (194 )   (147 )   (569 )   (396 )

Liberty transaction and related gains

                67  

Other, net

    (38 )   26     74     45  
                   

Income before income taxes

    807     756     2,945     2,578  

Income tax expense

    (286 )   (256 )   (1,032 )   (949 )
                   

Net income

    521     500     1,913     1,629  

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

    (5 )   (21 )   (22 )   (49 )
                   

Net income attributable to DIRECTV. 

  $ 516   $ 479   $ 1,891   $ 1,580  
                   

Net income attributable to DIRECTV Class A common stockholders

  $ 516   $ 479   $ 1,891   $ 1,396  

Net income attributable to DIRECTV Class B common stockholders, including $160 million exchange inducement value for the Malone Transaction

                184  
                   

Net income attributable to DIRECTV

  $ 516   $ 479   $ 1,891   $ 1,580  
                   

Basic earnings attributable to Class A stockholders per common share

  $ 0.70   $ 0.56   $ 2.48   $ 1.58  

Diluted earnings attributable to Class A stockholders per common share

    0.70     0.55     2.47     1.57  

Basic and diluted earnings attributable to Class B stockholders per common share, including $160 million exchange inducement value for the Malone Transaction

                8.44  

Weighted average number of Class A common shares outstanding (in millions)

                         
 

Basic

    732     861     762     885  
 

Diluted

    737     868     767     891  

Weighted average number of Class B common shares outstanding, through June 16, 2010 (in millions)

                         
 

Basic

                22  
 

Diluted

                22  

Weighted average number of total common shares outstanding (in millions)

                         
 

Basic

    732     861     762     898  
 

Diluted

    737     868     767     904  

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SUMMARY DATA—(continued)

(Unaudited)


 
 
September 30,
2011
 
December 31,
2010
 
 
  (Dollars in Millions)
 

Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:

             

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 1,297   $ 1,502  

Total current assets

    4,346     4,253  

Total assets

    18,232     17,909  

Total current liabilities

    4,243     4,450  

Long-term debt

    13,463     10,472  

Redeemable noncontrolling interest

    224     224  

Total stockholders' deficit

    (2,695 )   (194 )


Reference should be made to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
 
Three Months
Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
 
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
2011
 
2010
 
 
  (Dollars in Millions,
Except Per Share Amounts)

 

Other Data:

                         

Operating profit before depreciation and amortization(1)

                         

Operating profit

  $ 1,030   $ 868   $ 3,415   $ 2,834  

Add: Depreciation and amortization expense

    554     616     1,781     1,860  
                   

Operating profit before depreciation and amortization(1)

  $ 1,584   $ 1,484   $ 5,196   $ 4,694  
                   

Operating profit before depreciation and amortization margin(1)

    23.1 %   24.6 %   26.3 %   26.9 %

Cash flow information

                         

Net cash provided by operating activities

  $ 1,207   $ 1,331   $ 3,611   $ 3,825  

Net cash used in investing activities

    (970 )   (663 )   (2,170 )   (1,780 )

Net cash used in financing activities

    (1,468 )   320     (1,646 )   (1,662 )

Free cash flow(2)

                         

Net cash provided by operating activities

  $ 1,207   $ 1,331   $ 3,611   $ 3,825  

Less: Cash paid for property and equipment

    (864 )   (636 )   (2,160 )   (1,647 )

Less: Cash paid for satellites

    (108 )   (30 )   (156 )   (99 )
                   

Free cash flow(2)

  $ 235   $ 665   $ 1,295   $ 2,079  
                   


(1)
Operating profit before depreciation and amortization, which is a financial measure that is not determined in accordance with GAAP can be calculated by adding amounts under the caption "Depreciation and amortization expense" to "Operating profit." This measure should be used in conjunction with GAAP financial measures and is not presented as an alternative measure of operating results, as determined in accordance with GAAP. Our management and our Board of Directors use operating profit before depreciation and amortization to evaluate the operating performance of our company and our business segments and to allocate resources and capital to business segments. This metric is also used as a measure of performance for incentive compensation purposes and to measure income generated from operations that could be used to fund capital expenditures, service debt or pay taxes. Depreciation and amortization expense

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SUMMARY DATA—(continued)

(Unaudited)

    primarily represents an allocation to current expense of the cost of historical capital expenditures and for acquired intangible assets resulting from prior business acquisitions. To compensate for the exclusion of depreciation and amortization expense from operating profit, our management and Board of Directors separately measure and budget for capital expenditures and business acquisitions.
    We believe this measure is useful to investors, along with GAAP measures (such as revenues, operating profit and net income), to compare our operating performance to other communications, entertainment and media service providers. We believe that investors use current and projected operating profit before depreciation and amortization and similar measures to estimate our current or prospective enterprise value and make investment decisions. This metric provides investors with a means to compare operating results exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense. Our management believes this is useful given the significant variation in depreciation and amortization expense that can result from the timing of capital expenditures, the capitalization of intangible assets, potential variations in expected useful lives when compared to other companies and periodic changes to estimated useful lives.
    Operating profit before depreciation and amortization margin is calculated by dividing operating profit before depreciation and amortization by revenues.

(2)
Free cash flow, which is a financial measure that is not determined in accordance with GAAP, can be calculated by deducting amounts under the captions "Cash paid for property and equipment" and "Cash paid for satellites" from "Net cash provided by operating activities" from the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. This financial measure should be used in conjunction with other GAAP financial measures and is not presented as an alternative measure of cash flows from operating activities, as determined in accordance with GAAP. Our management and our Board of Directors use free cash flow to evaluate the cash generated by our current subscriber base, net of capital expenditures, for the purpose of allocating resources to activities such as adding new subscribers, retaining and upgrading existing subscribers, for additional capital expenditures, for share repurchase programs and other capital investments or transactions and as a measure of performance for incentive compensation purposes. We believe this measure is useful to investors, along with other GAAP measures (such as cash flows from operating and investing activities), to compare our operating performance to other communications, entertainment and media companies. We believe that investors also use current and projected free cash flow to determine the ability of revenues from our current and projected subscriber base to fund required and discretionary spending and to help determine our financial value.

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SUMMARY DATA—(continued)

(Unaudited)


Selected Segment Data

 
 
DIRECTV
U.S.
 
DIRECTV
Latin
America
 
Sports
Networks,
Eliminations
and Other
 
Total
 
 
  (Dollars in Millions)
 

Three Months Ended:

                         

September 30, 2011

                         

Revenues

  $ 5,421   $ 1,356   $ 67   $ 6,844  

% of total revenue

    79.2 %   19.8 %   1.0 %   100.0 %

Operating profit (loss)

  $ 800   $ 236   $ (6 ) $ 1,030  

Add: Depreciation and amortization expense

    353     198     3     554  
                   

Operating profit (loss) before depreciation and amortization

  $ 1,153   $ 434   $ (3 ) $ 1,584  
                   

Operating profit before depreciation and amortization margin

    21.3 %   32.0 %   N/A     23.1 %

Capital expenditures

  $ 507   $ 465       $ 972  

September 30, 2010

                         

Revenues

  $ 5,031   $ 930   $ 64   $ 6,025  

% of total revenue

    83.5 %   15.4 %   1.1 %   100.0 %

Operating profit (loss)

  $ 720   $ 172   $ (24 ) $ 868  

Add: Depreciation and amortization expense

    472     141     3     616  
                   

Operating profit (loss) before depreciation and amortization

  $ 1,192   $ 313   $ (21 ) $ 1,484  
                   

Operating profit before depreciation and amortization margin

    23.7 %   33.7 %   N/A     24.6 %

Capital expenditures

  $ 428   $ 237   $ 1   $ 666  

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SUMMARY DATA—(concluded)

(Unaudited)

 
 
DIRECTV
U.S.
 
DIRECTV
Latin
America
 
Sports
Networks,
Eliminations
and Other
 
Total
 
 
  (Dollars in Millions)
 

Nine Months Ended:

                         

September 30, 2011

                         

Revenues

  $ 15,843   $ 3,724   $ 196   $ 19,763  

% of total revenue

    80.2 %   18.8 %   1.0 %   100.0 %

Operating profit (loss)

  $ 2,737   $ 696   $ (18 ) $ 3,415  

Add: Depreciation and amortization expense

    1,225     545     11     1,781  
                   

Operating profit (loss) before depreciation and amortization

  $ 3,962   $ 1,241   $ (7 ) $ 5,196  
                   

Operating profit before depreciation and amortization margin

    25.0 %   33.3 %   N/A     26.3 %

Capital expenditures

  $ 1,269   $ 1,042   $ 5   $ 2,316  

September 30, 2010

                         

Revenues

  $ 14,737   $ 2,566   $ 178   $ 17,481  

% of total revenue

    84.3 %   14.7 %   1.0 %   100.0 %

Operating profit (loss)

  $ 2,427   $ 438   $ (31 ) $ 2,834  

Add: Depreciation and amortization expense

    1,465     384     11     1,860  
                   

Operating profit before depreciation and amortization

  $ 3,892   $ 822   $ (20 ) $ 4,694  
                   

Operating profit before depreciation and amortization margin

    26.4 %   32.0 %   N/A     26.9 %

Capital expenditures

  $ 1,117   $ 627   $ 2   $ 1,746  

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BUSINESS OVERVIEW

        DIRECTV, which we also refer to as the company, we or us, is a leading provider of digital television entertainment in the United States and Latin America. We have two direct-to-home, or DTH, operating segments: DIRECTV U.S. and DIRECTV Latin America, which acquire, promote, sell and/or distribute digital entertainment programming primarily via satellite to residential and commercial subscribers. In addition, since November 19, 2009, we own and operate three regional sports networks, or RSNs, and own a 60% interest in Game Show Network, LLC, or GSN, a basic television network dedicated to game-related programming and Internet interactive game playing. We account for our investment in GSN using the equity method of accounting.

    DIRECTV U.S.  DIRECTV Holdings LLC and its subsidiaries, which we refer to as DIRECTV U.S., is the largest provider of DTH digital television services and the second largest provider in the multi-channel video programming distribution, or MVPD, industry in the United States. As of September 30, 2011, DIRECTV U.S. had approximately 19.8 million subscribers.

    DIRECTV Latin America.  DIRECTV Latin America Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries, or DIRECTV Latin America, is a leading provider of DTH digital television services throughout Latin America. DIRECTV Latin America is comprised of: PanAmericana, which provides services in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Puerto Rico, Venezuela and certain other countries in the region; our 93% owned subsidiary, Sky Brasil Servicos Ltda., which we refer to as Sky Brazil; and our 41% equity method investment in Innova, S. de R.L. de C.V., or Sky Mexico. As of September 30, 2011, PanAmericana had approximately 3.8 million subscribers, Sky Brazil had approximately 3.5 million subscribers and Sky Mexico had approximately 3.8 million subscribers.

    DIRECTV Sports Networks.  DIRECTV Sports Networks LLC and its subsidiaries, or DSN, is comprised primarily of three regional sports television networks based in Seattle, Washington, Denver, Colorado and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, which are collectively known as ROOT Sports. The operating results of DSN are reported as part of the "Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other" operating segment.

SIGNIFICANT EVENTS AFFECTING THE COMPARABILITY OF THE RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Change in Accounting Estimate

    Depreciable Lives of Leased Set-Top Receivers

        We currently lease most set-top receivers provided to new and existing subscribers and therefore capitalize the cost of those set-top receivers. We depreciate capitalized set-top receivers over the estimated useful life of the equipment. In our Form 10-K, we disclosed the possibility of a change in useful life for set-top receivers in the near term because we had begun to see indications that useful lives were increasing. As a result of the completion of an extensive evaluation of the estimated useful life of the set-top receivers, including consideration of historical write-offs, improved efficiencies in our refurbishment program, improved set-top receiver failure rates over time and management's judgment of the risk of technological obsolescence, we determined that the estimated useful life of high-definition, or HD, set-top receivers used in our DIRECTV U.S. business has increased to four years, from three years, as previously estimated. We will continue to depreciate standard-definition set-top receivers at DIRECTV U.S. over a three-year estimated useful life. We are accounting for this change in the useful life of the HD set-top receivers at DIRECTV U.S. as a change in an accounting estimate beginning July 1, 2011. This change had the effect of reducing depreciation and amortization

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expense and increasing both net income attributable to DIRECTV and earnings per share in our consolidated results of operations as follows:

 
 
Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2011
 
Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2011
 
 
  (Dollars in Millions,
Except Per Share Amounts)

 

Depreciation and amortization expense

  $ (76 ) $ (76 )

Net income attributable to DIRECTV

    47     47  

Basic and diluted earnings attributable to Class A stockholders per common share

  $ 0.06   $ 0.06  

Divestitures

        In April 2011, we sold an equity method investment for $55 million in cash. We recognized a $37 million gain ($23 million after tax) on the sale in "Other, net" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

        In March 2011, we sold a 5% ownership interest in GSN for $60 million in cash, reducing our ownership interest to 60%. We recognized a $25 million gain, or $16 million after tax, on the sale in "Other, net" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, which represents the difference between the selling price and the carrying amount of the portion of our equity method investment sold. For additional information regarding the GSN sale, refer to Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Financing Transactions

    2011 Financing Transactions

        In March 2011, DIRECTV U.S. issued $4.0 billion of senior notes resulting in $3,990 million of proceeds, net of discount.

        In March 2011, DIRECTV U.S. purchased, pursuant to a tender offer, $341 million of its then outstanding $1,002 million of 6.375% senior notes due in 2015, representing approximately 34% of the total outstanding principal of these notes, at a price of 103.313%, plus accrued and unpaid interest. On June 15, 2011, DIRECTV U.S. redeemed, pursuant to the terms of its indenture, the remaining $659 million of its outstanding 6.375% senior notes due 2015, at a price of 102.125%, plus accrued and unpaid interest. We recorded a pre-tax charge of $25 million, $16 million after tax, during the nine months ended September 30, 2011, as a result of the redemptions, primarily for the premiums paid. The pre-tax charge was recorded in "Other, net" in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

    2010 Financing Transactions

        In August 2010, DIRECTV U.S. issued $3.0 billion of senior notes resulting in $2,982 million of net proceeds and repaid the $1,220 million of remaining principal on Term Loans A and B of its senior secured credit facility. The repayment of Term Loans A and B resulted in a third quarter of 2010 pre-tax charge of $7 million, $4 million after tax resulting from the write-off of deferred debt issuance and other transaction costs.

        In March 2010, DIRECTV U.S. issued $3.0 billion of senior notes resulting in net proceeds of $2,996 million and repaid the $985 million of remaining principal on Term Loan C of its senior secured credit facility. The repayment of Term Loan C resulted in a first quarter of 2010 pre-tax charge of

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$9 million, $6 million after tax, resulting from the write-off of the unamortized discount, deferred debt issuance and other transaction costs.

        The charges were recorded in "Other, net" in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

    Collar Loan Repayment

        On November 19, 2009, The DIRECTV Group, Inc., or DIRECTV Group, and Liberty Media Corporation, which we refer to as Liberty or Liberty Media, obtained shareholder approval of and closed a series of related transactions which we refer to collectively as the Liberty Transaction. As a result of the Liberty Transaction, DIRECTV acquired approximately $2.1 billion of indebtedness and a related series of equity collars. During the first quarter of 2010 we recorded $67 million in "Liberty transaction and related gains" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, related to net gains recorded for the final settlement of the equity collars.

Venezuela Exchange Controls

        In January 2010, the Venezuelan government announced the creation of a dual exchange rate system, including an exchange rate of 4.3 bolivars fuerte per U.S. dollar for most of the activities of DIRECTV Latin America's Venezuelan operations compared to an exchange rate of 2.15 Venezuelan bolivars fuerte prior to the announcement. As a result of this devaluation, we recorded a $6 million charge to net income during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 related to the adjustment of net bolivars fuerte denominated monetary assets to the new official exchange rate. We began reporting the operating results of our Venezuelan subsidiary in the first quarter of 2010 using the devalued rate of 4.3 bolivars fuerte per U.S. dollar. In December 2010, the Venezuelan government announced the elimination of the dual exchange rate system, eliminating the 2.6 bolivars fuerte per U.S. dollar preferential rate which was available for certain activities.

        Companies operating in Venezuela are required to obtain Venezuelan government approval to exchange Venezuelan bolivars fuerte into U.S. dollars at the official rate. The official approval process has been delayed in recent periods and as a result, our Venezuelan subsidiary has relied on a parallel exchange process to settle U.S. dollar obligations and to repatriate accumulated cash balances. In May 2010, the Venezuelan government enacted regulations that suspended the parallel exchange process. Rates implied by transactions in the parallel market were significantly higher than the official rate (6 to 7 bolivars fuerte per U.S. dollar). As a result of utilizing the parallel market, we recorded a $22 million charge for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 in "General and administrative expenses" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations in connection with the exchange of accumulated Venezuelan cash balances to U.S. dollars.

        As a result of the closing of the parallel exchange process in May 2010, we have been unable to repatriate excess cash balances and as a result, we have realized lower charges for the repatriation of cash in the nine months ended September 30, 2011 as compared to nine months ended September 30, 2010.

        See "Liquidity and Capital Resources" below for additional information.

EXECUTIVE OUTLOOK

        DIRECTV Latin America.    In our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2011, we reported that we expected revenue and operating profit before depreciation and amortization expense growth to exceed 30% in 2011, excluding the effects of repatriation costs in Venezuela. We also reported that we expected total net subscriber additions to be in excess of 1.5 million for 2011. In

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our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, we reported that we expected capital expenditures in 2011 to exceed capital expenditures in 2010. As a result of the continued subscriber and ARPU growth we are experiencing, we expect revenue and operating profit before depreciation and amortization expense growth of approximately 40% and net subscriber additions to be near 2 million for 2011. We also expect capital expenditures to be approximately $1.4 billion for 2011. These changes in the outlook are subject to unforeseen changes in the general macroeconomic environment in Latin America and assume there will not be material changes in foreign exchange rates, particularly in Brazil

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Three Months Ended September 30, 2011 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2010

Consolidated Results of Operations

        We discuss changes for each of our segments in more detail below.

        Revenues.    The following table presents our revenues by segment:

 
 
Three Months
Ended
September 30,
 
Change
 
Revenues By Segment:
 
2011
 
2010
 
$
 
%
 
 
  (Dollars in Millions)
   
 

DIRECTV U.S. 

  $ 5,421   $ 5,031   $ 390     7.8 %

DIRECTV Latin America

    1,356     930     426     45.8 %

Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other

    67     64     3     4.7 %
                     

Total revenues

  $ 6,844   $ 6,025   $ 819     13.6 %
                     

        The increase in our total revenues was primarily due to growth in subscribers and average monthly revenue per subscriber, or ARPU, at DIRECTV U.S. and DIRECTV Latin America.

        Operating profit before depreciation and amortization.    The following table presents our operating profit (loss) before depreciation and amortization by segment:

 
 
Three Months
Ended
September 30,
 
Change
 
Operating profit (loss) before depreciation and amortization:
 
2011
 
2010
 
$
 
%
 
 
  (Dollars in Millions)
   
 

DIRECTV U.S. 

  $ 1,153   $ 1,192   $ (39 )   (3.3 )%

DIRECTV Latin America

    434     313     121     38.7. %

Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other

    (3 )   (21 )   18     85.7 %
                     

Total operating profit before depreciation and amortization

  $ 1,584   $ 1,484   $ 100     6.7 %
                     

Operating profit before depreciation and amortization margin

    23.1 %   24.6 %        

        Operating profit before depreciation and amortization increased for the third quarter of 2011 compared to the third quarter of 2010 with the increase at DIRECTV Latin America, partially offset by the reduction in operating profit before depreciation and amortization at DIRECTV U.S. Operating profit before depreciation and amortization margin decreased primarily due to higher programming costs at DIRECTV U.S. and higher subscriber acquisition and upgrade and retention costs at DIRECTV U.S. and DIRECTV Latin America.

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        Operating profit.    The following table presents our operating profit (loss) by segment:

 
 
Three Months
Ended
September 30,
 
Change
 
Operating profit (loss):
 
2011
 
2010
 
$
 
%
 
 
  (Dollars in Millions)
   
 

DIRECTV U.S. 

  $ 800   $ 720   $ 80     11.1 %

DIRECTV Latin America

    236     172     64     37.2 %

Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other

    (6 )   (24 )   18     75.0 %
                     

Total operating profit

  $ 1,030   $ 868   $ 162     18.7 %
                     

Operating profit margin

    15.0 %   14.4 %        

        Operating profit and operating profit margin increased in the third quarter of 2011 as compared to the third quarter of 2010 as the lower operating profit before depreciation and amortization margin discussed above was more than offset by lower depreciation and amortization expense at DIRECTV U.S. due to the change in the estimated depreciable lives of HD set-top receivers at DIRECTV U.S., the end of the amortization of a subscriber related intangible asset and declining subscriber equipment capitalization, partially offset by increased depreciation expense at DIRECTV Latin America due to increased subscriber equipment capitalization associated with the growth in the subscriber base.

        Interest income.    Interest income was $9 million in each of the third quarters of 2011 and 2010.

        Interest expense.    The increase in interest expense to $194 million in the third quarter of 2011 from $147 million in the third quarter of 2010 was due to an increase in the average debt balance, partially offset by a decrease in weighted average interest rates.

        Other, net.    The significant components of "Other, net" were as follows:

 
 
Three Months
Ended
September 30,
 
Change
 
Other, net:
 
2011
 
2010
 
$
 
 
  (Dollars in Millions)
 

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries. 

  $ 28   $ 32   $ (4 )

Fair-value gain (loss) on non-employee stock options

    6     (10 )   16  

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

        (7 )   7  

Net foreign currency transaction (loss) gain

    (72 )   18     (90 )

Other

        (7 )   7  
               

Total

  $ (38 ) $ 26   $ (64 )
               

        The decrease in other, net for the third quarter of 2011 as compared to the third quarter of 2010 is primarily due to a net foreign currency transaction loss for the third quarter of 2011 compared to a net foreign currency transaction gain for the third quarter of 2010 primarily due to the depreciation of the Brazilian real compared to the U.S. dollar.

        Income Tax Expense.    We recognized income tax expense of $286 million for the third quarter of 2011 compared to income tax expense of $256 million for the third quarter of 2010. The effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2011 was 35.4% compared to 33.9% for the third quarter of 2010. The lower effective tax rate in the third quarter of 2010 was primarily attributable to a benefit recorded for the settlement of an uncertain tax position.

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        Earnings Per Share.    Class A common stock earnings per share and weighted average shares outstanding were as follows for the three months ended September 30, 2011:

 
 
2011
 
2010
 
 
  (Shares in
Millions)

 

Basic earnings attributable to DIRECTV Class A common stockholders per common share

  $ 0.70   $ 0.56  

Diluted earnings attributable to DIRECTV Class A common stockholders per common share

    0.70     0.55  

Weighted average number of Class A common shares outstanding

             

Basic

    732     861  

Diluted

    737     868  

        The increases in basic and diluted earnings per share for Class A common stock were due to higher net income attributable to DIRECTV and a reduction in weighted average shares outstanding resulting from our share repurchase program.

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DIRECTV U.S. Segment

        The following table provides operating results and a summary of key subscriber data for the DIRECTV U.S. segment:

 
 
Three Months
Ended and As of
September 30,
 
Change
 
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
$
 
%
 
 
  (Dollars in Millions,
Except Per Subscriber
Amounts)

   
 

Revenues

  $ 5,421   $ 5,031   $ 390     7.8 %

Operating costs and expenses

                         
 

Costs of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense

                         
   

Broadcast programming and other

    2,411     2,125     286     13.5 %
   

Subscriber service expenses

    375     351     24     6.8 %
   

Broadcast operations expenses

    75     68     7     10.3 %
 

Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense

                         
   

Subscriber acquisition costs

    793     724     69     9.5 %
   

Upgrade and retention costs

    332     306     26     8.5 %
   

General and administrative expenses

    282     265     17     6.4 %
   

Depreciation and amortization expense

    353     472     (119 )   (25.2 )%
                     

Total operating costs and expenses

    4,621     4,311     310     7.2 %
                     

Operating profit

  $ 800   $ 720   $ 80     11.1 %
                     

Other Data:

                         

Operating profit margin

    14.8 %   14.3 %        

Operating profit before depreciation and amortization

  $ 1,153   $ 1,192   $ (39 )   (3.3 )%

Operating profit before depreciation and amortization margin

    21.3 %   23.7 %        

Total number of subscribers (000's)

    19,760     18,934     826     4.4 %

ARPU

  $ 92.21   $ 88.98   $ 3.23     3.6 %

Average monthly subscriber churn %

    1.62 %   1.70 %       (4.7 )%

Gross subscriber additions (000's)

    1,280     1,137     143     12.6 %

Subscriber disconnections (000's)

    953     963     (10 )   (1.0 )%

Net subscriber additions (000's)

    327     174     153     87.9 %

Average subscriber acquisition costs—per subscriber (SAC)

  $ 793   $ 805   $ (12 )   (1.5 )%

        Subscribers.    In the third quarter of 2011, net subscriber additions increased due to higher gross additions resulting from our improved customer offers and a lower churn rate resulting primarily from higher retention offers to existing subscribers.

        Revenues.    DIRECTV U.S.' revenues increased as a result of the larger subscriber base and higher ARPU. The increase in ARPU resulted primarily from price increases on programming packages and lease fees, as well as higher advanced service fees, partially offset by higher promotional offers to new and existing subscribers.

        Operating profit before depreciation and amortization.    Operating profit before depreciation and amortization and the related margin decreased in the third quarter of 2011 as compared to the third

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quarter of 2010 as higher revenues were more than offset by higher programming, subscriber acquisition and upgrade and retention costs.

        Broadcast programming and other costs increased primarily due to annual program supplier rate increases, higher costs resulting from our new NFL Sunday Ticket™ contract, which went into effect with the 2011 season and the larger number of subscribers . Subscriber service expenses increased in the third quarter of 2011 compared to the third quarter of 2010 primarily due to the higher number of subscribers.

        Subscriber acquisition costs increased primarily due to higher gross subscriber additions as well as higher dealer commissions. Subscriber acquisition costs per subscriber, or SAC, which includes the cost of capitalized set-top receivers, decreased primarily due to lower marketing costs per subscriber added, partially offset by increased dealer commissions. Under our lease program we capitalized $222 million of set-top receivers in the third quarter of 2011 and $191 million in the third quarter of 2010 for subscriber acquisitions.

        Upgrade and retention costs increased in the third quarter of 2011 due to a higher volume of advanced equipment upgrades and a more competitive environment. Under our lease program we capitalized $91 million of set-top receivers in the third quarter of 2011 and $80 million in the third quarter of 2010 for subscriber upgrades.

        Operating profit.    Operating profit and operating profit margin increased in the third quarter of 2011 compared to the third quarter of 2010. The increase in operating profit margin was primarily due to lower depreciation and amortization expense in the third quarter of 2011 resulting from the change in HD set-top receiver estimated depreciable life from three to four years, the completion of the amortization of a subscriber-related intangible asset and lower depreciation expense associated with a reduction in capitalized set-top receivers over the last several years, partially offset by lower operating profit before depreciation and amortization.

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DIRECTV Latin America Segment

        The following table provides operating results and a summary of key subscriber data for the DIRECTV Latin America segment:

 
 
Three Months
Ended and As of
September 30,
 
Change
 
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
$
 
%
 
 
  (Dollars in Millions, Except
Per Subscriber Amounts)

   
 

Revenues

  $ 1,356   $ 930   $ 426     45.8 %

Operating profit before depreciation and amortization

    434     313     121     38.7 %

Operating profit before depreciation and amortization margin

    32.0 %   33.7 %        

Operating profit

    236     172     64     37.2 %

Operating profit margin

    17.4 %   18.5 %        

Other Data:

                         

ARPU

  $ 64.63   $ 58.20   $ 6.43     11.0 %

Average monthly total subscriber churn %

    1.83 %   2.00 %       (8.5 )%

Average monthly post paid subscriber churn %

    1.39 %   1.54 %       (9.7 )%

Total number of subscribers (000's)(1)

    7,281     5,430     1,851     34.1 %

Gross subscriber additions (000's)

    957     525     432     82.3 %

Net subscriber additions (000's)

    574     206     368     178.6 %


(1)
DIRECTV Latin America subscriber data exclude subscribers of the Sky Mexico platform.

        Subscribers.    Gross subscriber additions increased due to higher demand in Brazil, particularly for our middle market offers, as well as increased demand in Argentina. Net additions increased in the third quarter of 2011 due to the higher gross additions and lower post paid churn in Venezuela and Brazil compared to the third quarter of 2010.

        Revenues.    Revenues increased primarily due to strong subscriber and ARPU growth, particularly in Brazil. ARPU increased primarily due to price increases, greater penetration of advanced products and favorable exchange rates in Brazil.

        Operating profit before depreciation and amortization.    Operating profit before depreciation and amortization increased for the third quarter of 2011 compared to the third quarter of 2010. Operating profit before depreciation and amortization margin decreased in the third quarter of 2011 as compared to the third quarter of 2010 primarily due to higher subscriber acquisition costs resulting from the higher gross additions as well as higher upgrade and retention costs resulting from higher demand for advanced product upgrades.

        Operating profit.    Operating profit increased for the third quarter of 2011 as compared to the third quarter of 2010. Operating profit margin decreased in the third quarter of 2011 as compared to the third quarter of 2010 primarily due to the decrease in the operating profit before depreciation and amortization margin discussed above as well as higher depreciation and amortization expense resulting from an increase in basic and advanced product set-top receivers capitalized resulting from the higher gross subscriber additions attained over the last year.

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Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010

Consolidated Results of Operations

        We discuss changes for each of our segments in more detail below.

        Revenues.    The following table presents our revenues by segment:

 
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
Change
 
Revenues By Segment:
 
2011
 
2010
 
$
 
%
 
 
  (Dollars in Millions)
   
 

DIRECTV U.S. 

  $ 15,843   $ 14,737   $ 1,106     7.5 %

DIRECTV Latin America

    3,724     2,566     1,158     45.1 %

Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other

    196     178     18     10.1  
                     

Total revenues

  $ 19,763   $ 17,481   $ 2,282     13.1 %
                     

        The increase in our total revenues was primarily due to growth in subscribers and average monthly revenue per subscriber, or ARPU, at DIRECTV U.S. and DIRECTV Latin America.

        Operating profit before depreciation and amortization.    The following table presents our operating profit (loss) before depreciation and amortization by segment:

 
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
Change
 
Operating profit (loss) before depreciation and amortization:
 
2011
 
2010
 
$
 
%
 
 
  (Dollars in Millions)
   
 

DIRECTV U.S. 

  $ 3,962   $ 3,892   $ 70     1.8 %

DIRECTV Latin America

    1,241     822     419     51.0 %

Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other

    (7 )   (20 )   (13 )   NM *
                     

Total operating profit before depreciation and amortization

  $ 5,196   $ 4,694   $ 502     10.7 %
                     

Operating profit before depreciation and amortization margin

    26.3 %   26.9 %        


*
Percentage not meaningful.

        Operating profit before depreciation and amortization increased in 2011 compared to 2010. Operating profit before depreciation and amortization margin decreased in 2011 as compared to 2010 primarily due to higher programming costs at DIRECTV U.S. and higher subscriber acquisition costs at DIRECTV U.S. and DIRECTV Latin America.

        Operating profit.    The following table presents our operating profit (loss) by segment:

 
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
Change
 
Operating profit (loss):
 
2011
 
2010
 
$
 
%
 
 
  (Dollars in Millions)
   
 

DIRECTV U.S. 

  $ 2,737   $ 2,427   $ 310     12.8 %

DIRECTV Latin America

    696     438     258     58.9 %

Sports Networks, Eliminations and Other

    (18 )   (31 )   13     NM  
                     

Total operating profit

  $ 3,415   $ 2,834   $ 581     20.5 %
                     

Operating profit margin

    17.3 %   16.2 %        

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        Operating profit and the related margin increased from 2011 as compared to 2010 as the lower operating profit before depreciation and amortization margin discussed above was more than offset by lower depreciation and amortization expense at DIRECTV U.S. due to the change in the estimated depreciable lives of HD set-top receivers at DIRECTV U.S., the end of the amortization of a subscriber related intangible asset and declining subscriber equipment capitalization, partially offset by increased depreciation at DIRECTV Latin America due to increased capitalization of subscriber equipment.

        Interest income.    Interest income decreased to $25 million in 2011 from $28 million in 2010.

        Interest expense.    The increase in interest expense to $569 million in 2011 from $396 million in 2010 was due to an increase in the average debt balance, partially offset by a decrease in weighted average interest rates.

        Liberty transaction and related gains.    In 2010, we recorded a $67 million net gain from the settlement of the equity collars and debt assumed as part of the Liberty Transaction.

        Other, net.    The significant components of "Other, net" were as follows:

 
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
Change
 
Other, net:
 
2011
 
2010
 
$
 
 
  (Dollars in Millions)
 

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated subsidiaries. 

  $ 83   $ 70   $ 13  

Gain on sale of investments

    63     3     60  

Fair-value loss on non-employee stock options

    (1 )   (13 )   12  

Loss on early extinguishment of debt

    (25 )   (16 )   (9 )

Net foreign currency transaction (loss) gain

    (46 )   7     (53 )

Other

        (6 )   6  
               

Total

  $ 74   $ 45   $ 29  
               

        The increase in other, net in 2011 as compared to 2010 is primarily due to gains recognized on the sale of equity method investments, partially offset by a net foreign currency transaction loss for 2011 compared to a net foreign currency transaction gain 2010, primarily due to the depreciation of the Brazilian real compared to the U.S. dollar.

        Income Tax Expense.    We recognized income tax expense of $1,032 million in 2011 compared to income tax expense of $949 million in 2010. The effective tax rate for 2011 was 35.0% compared to 36.8% for 2010. The lower effective tax rate was primarily attributable to a benefit recorded for previously unrecognized foreign tax credits in 2011.

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        Earnings Per Share.    Class A common stock earnings per share and weighted average shares outstanding were as follows for the nine months ended September 30, 2011:

 
 
2011
 
2010
 
 
  (Shares in
Millions)

 

Basic earnings attributable to DIRECTV Class A common stockholders per common share

  $ 2.48   $ 1.58  

Diluted earnings attributable to DIRECTV Class A common stockholders per common share

    2.47     1.57  

Weighted average number of Class A common shares outstanding

             

Basic

    762     885  

Diluted

    767     891  

        The increases in basic and diluted earnings per share for Class A common stock were due to higher net income attributable to DIRECTV, a reduction in weighted average shares outstanding resulting from our share repurchase program, and the $0.18 reduction to basic and diluted earnings per Class A common share resulting from the Malone Transaction in 2010.

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DIRECTV U.S. Segment

        The following table provides operating results and a summary of key subscriber data for the DIRECTV U.S. segment:

 
 
Nine Months Ended
and As of
September 30,
 
Change
 
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
$
 
%
 
 
  (Dollars in Millions, Except
Per
Subscriber Amounts)

   
 

Revenues

  $ 15,843   $ 14,737   $ 1,106     7.5 %

Operating costs and expenses

                         
 

Costs of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense

                         
   

Broadcast programming and other

    6,818     6,158     660     10.7 %
   

Subscriber service expenses

    1,081     999     82     8.2 %
   

Broadcast operations expenses

    224     203     21     10.3 %
 

Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense

                         
   

Subscriber acquisition costs

    2,101     1,929     172     8.9 %
   

Upgrade and retention costs

    889     815     74     9.1 %
   

General and administrative expenses

    768     741     27     3.6 %
   

Depreciation and amortization expense

    1,225     1,465     (240 )   (16.4 )%
                     

Total operating costs and expenses

    13,106     12,310     796     6.5 %
                     

Operating profit

  $ 2,737   $ 2,427   $ 310     12.8 %
                     

Operating profit margin

    17.3 %   16.5 %        

Other Data:

                         

Operating profit before depreciation and amortization

  $ 3,962   $ 3,892   $ 70     1.8 %

Operating profit before depreciation and amortization margin

    25.0 %   26.4 %        

Total number of subscribers (000's)(1)

    19,760     18,934     826     4.4 %

ARPU

  $ 90.48   $ 87.43   $ 3.05     3.5 %

Average monthly subscriber churn %

    1.57 %   1.56 %       0.6 %

Gross subscriber additions (000's)

    3,286     3,008     278     9.2 %

Subscriber disconnections (000's)

    2,749     2,634     115     4.4 %

Net subscriber additions (000's)

    537     374     163     43.6 %

Average subscriber acquisition costs—per subscriber (SAC)

  $ 806   $ 787   $ 19     2.4 %

        Subscribers.    In 2011, net subscriber additions increased due to higher gross additions mainly resulting from improved customer offers. Churn was relatively unchanged from 2010.

        Revenues.    DIRECTV U.S.' revenues increased as a result of the larger subscriber base and higher ARPU. The increase in ARPU resulted primarily from price increases on programming packages, higher set-top receiver lease fees and higher advanced service fees, partially offset by higher promotional offers to new and existing subscribers.

        Operating profit before depreciation and amortization.    Operating profit before depreciation and amortization was higher in 2011 as compared to 2010 as increased revenues were partially offset by higher programming costs, increased subscriber acquisition costs and higher upgrade and retention costs. Operating profit before depreciation and amortization margin decreased in 2011 as compared to

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2010 as the revenue growth was more than offset by higher relative growth in broadcast programming, subscriber acquisition and upgrade and retention costs.

        Broadcast programming and other costs increased primarily due to annual program supplier rate increases, higher costs resulting from our new NFL Sunday Ticket contract, which went into effect with the 2011 season and the larger number of subscribers. Subscriber service expenses increased in 2011 compared to 2010 primarily due to service quality improvement initiatives and the higher number of subscribers.

        Subscriber acquisition costs increased primarily due to higher gross additions and higher SAC per subscriber. SAC per subscriber, which includes the cost of capitalized set-top receivers, increased primarily due to increased subscriber demand for advanced products over 2010 coupled with increased dealer commissions, partially offset by lower marketing costs per subscriber added. Under our lease program we capitalized $546 million of set-top receivers in 2011 and $437 million of set-top receivers in 2010 for subscriber acquisitions.

        Upgrade and retention costs increased in 2011 due to a higher volume of advanced equipment upgrades. Under our lease program we capitalized $236 million of set-top receivers in 2011 and $232 million in 2010 for subscriber upgrades.

        Operating profit.    Operating profit and operating profit margin increased in 2011 as compared to 2010 due to lower depreciation and amortization expense in 2011 resulting from the change in HD set-top receiver estimated depreciable life from three to four years, the completion of the amortization of a subscriber-related intangible asset and lower depreciation expense associated with a reduction in capital set-top receivers over the last several years, partially offset by lower operating profit before depreciation and amortization margin.

DIRECTV Latin America Segment

        The following table provides operating results and a summary of key subscriber data for the DIRECTV Latin America segment:

 
 
Nine Months Ended
and As of
September 30,
 
Change
 
 
 
2011
 
2010
 
$
 
%
 
 
  (Dollars in Millions, Except
Per
Subscriber Amounts)

   
 

Revenues

  $ 3,724   $ 2,566   $ 1,158     45.1 %

Operating profit before depreciation and amortization

    1,241     822     419     51.0 %

Operating profit before depreciation and amortization margin

    33.3 %   32.0 %        

Operating profit

    696     438     258     58.9 %

Operating profit margin

    18.7 %   17.1 %        

Other Data:

                         

ARPU

  $ 63.58   $ 56.88   $ 6.70     11.8 %

Average monthly total subscriber churn %

    1.83 %   1.86 %       (1.6 )%

Average monthly post paid subscriber churn %

    1.42 %   1.52 %       (6.6 )%

Total number of subscribers (000's)(1)

    7,281     5,430     1,851     34.1 %

Gross subscriber additions (000's)

    2,545     1,679     866     51.6 %

Net subscriber additions (000's)

    1,473     842     631     74.9 %


(1)
DIRECTV Latin America subscriber data exclude subscribers of the Sky Mexico platform.

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        Subscribers.    The increase in gross subscriber additions was primarily due to higher demand for our middle market products, primarily in Brazil. Net additions increased in 2011 due to the higher gross additions and lower post paid churn in Venezuela and Brazil compared to 2010.

        Revenues.    Revenues increased due to strong subscriber and ARPU growth across the region, particularly in Brazil. ARPU increased primarily due to price increases, favorable exchange rates in Brazil and higher penetration of advanced products across the region.

        Operating profit before depreciation and amortization.    Operating profit before depreciation and amortization and operating profit before depreciation and amortization margin increased in 2011 as compared to 2010, primarily due to the increased gross profit generated from the higher revenues, partially offset by higher subscriber acquisition costs due to the higher number of gross subscriber additions and higher upgrade and retention costs resulting from an increased demand for advanced products.

        Operating profit.    Operating profit and operating profit margin increased in 2011 as compared to 2010, primarily due to higher operating profit before depreciation and amortization, partially offset by higher depreciation and amortization expense resulting from an increase in basic and advanced product receivers capitalized due to the higher gross subscriber additions attained over the last year.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

        At September 30, 2011, our cash and cash equivalents totaled $1.3 billion compared to $1.5 billion at December 31, 2010. The $205 million decrease resulted primarily from $3.6 billion of cash provided by operating activities and approximately $4.0 billion of cash proceeds from the issuance of senior notes, more than offset by $4.4 billion in cash used for the repurchase of shares, $1.0 billion of cash used for the repayment of long-term debt and $2.3 billion of cash paid for the acquisition of satellites, property and equipment.

        As of September 30, 2011, DIRECTV U.S. had the ability to borrow up to $2 billion under a revolving credit facility, which is available until February 2016. DIRECTV U.S. is subject to certain restrictive covenants under its credit facility.

        As a measure of liquidity, the current ratio (ratio of current assets to current liabilities) was 1.02 at September 30, 2011 and 0.96 December 31, 2010.

        Since 2006 our Board of Directors has approved multiple authorizations for the repurchase of our common stock, the most recent of which was announced in the first quarter of 2011, authorizing share repurchases of $6 billion. As of September 30, 2011, we had approximately $1,953 million remaining under this authorization. During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, we repurchased and retired 95 million Class A common shares for $4,368 million, at an average price of $45.86. The authorization allows us to repurchase our Class A common stock from time to time through open market purchases and negotiated transactions, or otherwise. The timing, nature and amount of such transactions will depend on a variety of factors, including market conditions, and the program may be suspended, discontinued or accelerated at any time. The sources of funds for the purchases under the remaining authorizations are our existing cash on hand, cash from operations and potential additional borrowings.

        We expect to fund our cash requirements and our existing business plan using our available cash balances and cash provided by operations. We may also borrow additional amounts in the future to attain and maintain our outstanding long-term debt target of approximately 2.5 times our annual operating profit before depreciation and amortization. Additional borrowings, which may include

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borrowings under the $2 billion DIRECTV U.S. revolving credit facility, may be required to fund strategic investment opportunities should they arise.

        Several factors may affect our ability to fund our operations and commitments that we discuss in "Contractual Obligations" and "Contingencies" below. In addition, our future cash flows may be reduced if we experience, among other things, significantly higher subscriber additions than planned, increased subscriber churn or upgrade and retention costs, higher than planned capital expenditures for satellites and broadcast equipment, satellite anomalies or signal theft. Additionally, DIRECTV U.S.' ability to borrow under the revolving credit facility is contingent upon DIRECTV U.S. meeting financial and other covenants associated with its facility as more fully described below.

Borrowings

        At September 30, 2011, we had $13,463 million in total outstanding borrowings, bearing a weighted average interest rate of 5.2%. Our outstanding borrowings consist of senior notes issued by DIRECTV U.S. as more fully described in Note 5 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1, Part I of this Quarterly Report and in Note 9 to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8, Part II of our 2010 Form 10-K.

        Our senior notes mature as follows: $1,000 million in 2014, $1,200 million in 2015 and $11,300 million thereafter.

        In addition, DIRECTV presently expects to add its guarantee for existing debt and future debt offerings consistent with the objective of achieving a long-term debt target of 2.5 times annual operating profit before depreciation and amortization of DIRECTV on a consolidated basis.

Revolving Credit Facility

        In February 2011, DIRECTV U.S.' senior secured credit facility was terminated and replaced by a new five-year, $2.0 billion revolving credit facility. We pay a commitment fee of .30% per year for the unused commitment under the revolving credit facility, and borrowings will bear interest at an annual rate of (i) the London interbank offer rate (LIBOR) (or for Euro advances the EURIBOR rate) plus 1.50% or at our option (ii) the higher of the prime rate plus 0.50% or the Fed Funds Rate plus 1.00%. The commitment fee and the annual interest rate may be increased or decreased under certain conditions, which include changes in DIRECTV U.S.' long-term, unsecured debt ratings. The revolving credit facility has been fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, by substantially all of DIRECTV U.S.' subsidiaries on a senior unsecured basis.

        Covenants and Restrictions.    The revolving credit facility requires DIRECTV U.S. to maintain at the end of each fiscal quarter a specified ratio of indebtedness to adjusted net income. The revolving credit facility also includes covenants that restrict DIRECTV U.S.' ability to, among other things, (i) incur additional subsidiary indebtedness, (ii) incur liens, (iii) enter into certain transactions with affiliates, (iv) merge or consolidate with another entity, (v) sell, assign, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets, and (vi) change its lines of business. Additionally, the senior notes contain restrictive covenants that are similar. Should DIRECTV U.S. fail to comply with these covenants, all or a portion of its borrowings under the senior notes could become immediately payable and its revolving credit facility could be terminated. At September 30, 2011, DIRECTV U.S. was in compliance with all such covenants. The senior notes and revolving credit facility also provide that the borrowings may be required to be prepaid if certain change-in-control events occur.

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Contingencies

        Venezuela Devaluation and Exchange Controls.    In January 2010, the Venezuelan government announced the creation of a dual exchange rate system, including an exchange rate of 4.3 bolivars fuerte per U.S. dollar for most of the activities of our Venezuelan operations compared to an exchange rate of 2.15 Venezuelan bolivars fuerte prior to the announcement. As a result of this devaluation, we recorded a $6 million charge to net income during the first quarter of 2010 related to the adjustment of net bolivars fuerte denominated monetary assets to the new official exchange rate. We began reporting the operating results of our Venezuelan subsidiary in the first quarter of 2010 using the devalued rate of 4.3 bolivars fuerte per U.S. dollar. In December 2010, the Venezuelan government announced the elimination of the dual exchange rate system, eliminating the 2.6 bolivars fuerte per U.S. dollar preferential rate which was available for certain activities.

        Companies operating in Venezuela are required to obtain Venezuelan government approval to exchange Venezuelan bolivars fuerte into U.S. dollars at the official rate. We have not been able to consistently exchange Venezuelan bolivars fuerte into U.S. dollars at the official rate and as a result, we have relied on a parallel exchange process to settle U.S. dollar obligations and to repatriate accumulated cash balances prior to its close. The rates implied by transactions in the parallel market, which was closed in May 2010, were significantly higher than the official rate (6 to 7 bolivars fuerte per U.S. dollar). As a result of utilizing the parallel market, we recorded a $22 million charge for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 in "General and administrative expenses" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations in connection with the exchange of accumulated Venezuelan cash balances to U.S. dollars using the parallel exchange process.

        In June 2010, the Venezuelan government established the SITME, an alternative to the official process for exchanging foreign currency. Venezuelan entities can purchase U.S. dollar denominated securities through the SITME; however, trading volume is limited to $50,000 per day with a maximum equivalent of $350,000 in a calendar month, subject to certain limitations. The SITME has established a weighted average implicit exchange rate of approximately 5.3 bolivars fuerte per U.S. dollar.

        As a result of these recent developments, our ability to pay U.S. dollar denominated obligations and repatriate cash generated in Venezuela in excess of local operating requirements is limited, resulting in an increase in the cash balance at our Venezuelan subsidiary. Due to these limitations, we have realized lower charges for the repatriation of cash in 2011 as compared to 2010 and our Venezuelan subsidiary had accumulated Venezuelan bolivars fuerte denominated cash of $328 million at September 30, 2011, as compared to $169 million at December 31, 2010.

        We expect to continue our practice of repatriating cash generated in Venezuela in excess of local operating requirements. If exchange controls are eased, accumulated cash balances may ultimately be repatriated at less than their currently reported value, as the official exchange rate has not changed despite continuing high inflation in Venezuela. These conditions are also expected to affect growth in our Venezuelan business which is dependent on our ability to purchase set-top receivers and other components using U.S. dollars.

        Using the official 4.3 bolivars fuerte per U.S. dollar exchange rate as of September 30, 2011, our Venezuelan subsidiary had net Venezuelan bolivar fuerte denominated monetary assets of $233 million in excess of Venezuelan bolivar fuerte denominated monetary liabilities on that date.

        Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest.    As discussed in Note 6 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part 1, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report, Globo has the right to exchange Sky Brazil shares for cash or our common shares. If Globo exercises this right, we have the option to elect to pay the consideration in cash, shares of our common stock, or a combination of both.

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Dividend Policy

        Dividends may be paid on our common stock only when, as, and if declared by our Board of Directors in its sole discretion. We have no current plans to pay any dividends on our common stock. We currently expect to use our future earnings for the development of our businesses or other corporate purposes, which may include share repurchases.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

        The following table sets forth our contractual obligations as of September 30, 2011, including the future periods in which payments are expected. Additional details regarding these obligations are provided in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1 referenced in the table below and the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010. The contractual obligations below do not include payments that could be made related to our net unrecognized tax benefits liability, which amounted to $371 million as of September 30, 2011. The timing and amount of any future payments is not reasonably estimable, as such payments are dependent on the completion and resolution of examinations with tax authorities. We do not expect a significant payment related to these obligations within the next twelve months.

 
 
Payments Due By Period
 
Contractual Obligations
 
Total
 
2011
 
2012-2013
 
2014-2015
 
2016 and
thereafter
 
 
  (Dollars in Millions)
 

Long-term debt obligations (Note 5)(a)

  $ 21,894   $ 113   $ 1,408   $ 3,540   $ 16,833  

Purchase obligations(b)

    8,764     556     4,373     2,426     1,409  

Operating lease obligations(c)

    453     23     138     93     199  

Capital lease obligations(d)

    1,575     24     189     216     1,146  
                       

Total

  $ 32,686   $ 716   $ 6,108   $ 6,275   $ 19,587  
                       


(a)
Long-term debt obligations include interest calculated based on the rates in effect at September 30, 2011, however, the obligations do not reflect potential prepayments that may be required under DIRECTV U.S.' senior secured credit facility, if any, or permitted under its indentures.

(b)
Purchase obligations consist primarily of broadcast programming commitments, regional professional team rights agreements, service contract commitments and satellite construction and launch contracts, including those discussed in Part I, Item 1, Note 6 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of this Quarterly Report. Broadcast programming commitments include guaranteed minimum contractual commitments that are typically based on a flat fee or a minimum number of required subscribers subscribing to the related programming. Actual payments may exceed the minimum payment requirements if the actual number of subscribers subscribing to the related programming exceeds the minimum amounts. Service contract commitments include minimum commitments for the purchase of services that have been outsourced to third parties, such as billing services, telemetry, tracking and control services and broadcast center services. In most cases, actual payments, which are typically based on volume, usually exceed these minimum amounts.

(c)
Certain of our operating leases contain escalation clauses and renewal or purchase options, which we do not consider in the amounts disclosed.

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(d)
Capital lease obligations includes obligations related to the ISDLA-1 and ISDLA-2 satellites discussed in Part I, Item 1, Note 6 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of this Quarterly Report .

CONTINGENCIES

        For a discussion of "Contingencies," see Part I, Item 1, and Note 6 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of this Quarterly Report, which we incorporate herein by reference.

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS

        For a discussion of "Certain Relationships and Related-Party Transactions," see Part I, Item 1, Note 7 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of this Quarterly Report, which we incorporate herein by reference.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

        For a discussion of changes to our "Critical Accounting Estimates," see Part I, Item 1, Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of this Quarterly Report, which we incorporate herein by reference. For additional information, see Item 7. Critical Accounting Estimates in Part II of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

ACCOUNTING CHANGES

        For a discussion of "Accounting Changes," see Part I, Item 1, Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of this Quarterly Report, which we incorporate herein by reference.

KEY TERMINOLOGY

        The following key terminology is used in management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations:

        Revenues.    We earn revenues mostly from monthly fees we charge subscribers for subscriptions to basic and premium channel programming, HD programming and access fees, pay-per-view programming, and seasonal and live sporting events. We also earn revenues from monthly fees that we charge subscribers with multiple non-leased set-top receivers (which we refer to as mirroring fees), monthly fees we charge subscribers for leased set-top receivers, monthly fees we charge subscribers for DVR service, hardware revenues from subscribers who lease or purchase set-top receivers from us, warranty service fees and advertising services. Revenues are reported net of customer credits and discounted promotions.

        Broadcast Programming and Other.    These costs primarily include license fees for subscription service programming, pay-per-view programming, live sports and other events. Other costs include continuing service fees paid to third parties for active subscribers and warranty service costs.

        Subscriber Service Expenses.    Subscriber service expenses include the costs of customer call centers, billing, remittance processing and certain home services expenses, such as in-home repair costs.

        Broadcast Operations Expenses.    These expenses include broadcast center operating costs, signal transmission expenses (including costs of collecting signals for our local channel offerings), and costs of monitoring, maintaining and insuring our satellites. Also included are engineering expenses associated with deterring theft of our signal.

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        Subscriber Acquisition Costs.    These costs include the cost of set-top receivers and other equipment, commissions we pay to national retailers, independent satellite television retailers, dealers and telcos, and the cost of installation, advertising, marketing and customer call center expenses associated with the acquisition of new subscribers. Set-top receivers leased to new subscribers are capitalized in "Property and equipment, net" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and depreciated over their useful lives. The amount of set-top receivers capitalized each period for subscriber acquisitions is included in "Cash paid for property and equipment" in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

        Upgrade and Retention Costs.    Upgrade and retention costs are associated with upgrade efforts for existing subscribers that we believe will result in higher ARPU and lower churn. Our upgrade efforts include subscriber equipment upgrade programs for DVR, HD and HD DVR receivers and local channels, our multiple set-top receiver offer and similar initiatives. Retention costs also include the costs of installing and providing hardware under our movers program for subscribers relocating to a new residence. Set-top receivers leased to existing subscribers under upgrade and retention programs are capitalized in "Property and equipment, net" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and depreciated over their useful lives. The amount of set-top receivers capitalized each period for upgrade and retention programs is included in "Cash paid for property and equipment" in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

        General and Administrative Expenses.    General and administrative expenses include departmental costs for legal, administrative services, finance, marketing and information technology. These costs also include expenses for bad debt and other operating expenses, such as legal settlements, and gains or losses from the sale or disposal of fixed assets.

        Average Monthly Revenue Per Subscriber.    We calculate ARPU by dividing average monthly revenues for the period (total revenues during the period divided by the number of months in the period) by average subscribers for the period. We calculate average subscribers for the period by adding the number of subscribers as of the beginning of the period and for each quarter end in the current year or period and dividing by the sum of the number of quarters in the period plus one.

        Average Monthly Subscriber Churn.    Average monthly subscriber churn represents the number of subscribers whose service is disconnected, expressed as a percentage of the average total number of subscribers. We calculate average monthly subscriber churn by dividing the average monthly number of disconnected subscribers for the period (total subscribers disconnected, net of reconnects, during the period divided by the number of months in the period) by average subscribers for the period. For our DIRECTV Latin America business, post paid churn is calculated excluding those subscribers who are on a prepaid programming plan.

        Subscriber Count.    The total number of subscribers represents the total number of subscribers actively subscribing to our service, including subscribers who have suspended their account for a particular season of the year because they are temporarily away from their primary residence and subscribers who are in the process of relocating and commercial equivalent viewing units.

        SAC.    We calculate SAC, which represents total subscriber acquisition costs stated on a per subscriber basis, by dividing total subscriber acquisition costs for the period by the number of gross new subscribers acquired during the period. We calculate total subscriber acquisition costs for the period by adding together "Subscriber acquisition costs" expensed during the period and the amount of cash paid for equipment leased to new subscribers during the period.

* * *

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ITEM 3.    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

        There have been no material changes in our market risk during the nine months ended September 30, 2011. For additional information, see Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk in Part II of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

* * *

ITEM 4.    CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

        We carried out an evaluation as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act). Based on the evaluation, our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2011.

        There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during our fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2011, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

* * *

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PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

        (a)   Material pending legal proceedings, other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to the business, to which we became or were a party during the quarter ended September 30, 2011 or subsequent thereto, but before the filing of the report, are summarized below:

        Intellectual Property Litigation.    We are a defendant in several unrelated lawsuits claiming infringement of various patents relating to various aspects of our businesses. In certain of these cases other industry participants are also defendants, and also in certain of these cases we expect that any potential liability would be the responsibility of our equipment vendors pursuant to applicable contractual indemnification provisions. To the extent that the allegations in these lawsuits can be analyzed by us at this stage of their proceedings, we believe the claims are without merit and intend to defend the actions vigorously. We have determined the likelihood of a material liability in such matters is remote or have made appropriate accruals and the final disposition of these claims is not expected to have a material effect on our consolidated financial position. However, if an adverse ruling is made in a lawsuit involving key intellectual property, such ruling could possibly be material to our consolidated results of operations of any one period. No assurance can be given that any adverse outcome would not be material to our consolidated financial position.

        ECAD.    SKY Brazil, along with other video distributors in Brazil, is disputing charges assessed by Escritorio Central de Arrecadacao, or ECAD, the organization responsible for collecting performance rights fees under Brazilian law. SKY Brazil has been withholding payments to ECAD since 2004, and has accrued amounts both we and SKY Brazil believe are adequate to satisfy amounts owed to ECAD. In order to continue its opposition to ECAD's claims, in October 2011, SKY Brazil was required to provide a letter of credit in the amount of approximately $85 million which represents the contested fees plus accrued interest and penalties, for the period from January 2004 to September 2009, plus an additional 30% required by Brazilian law. Sky Brazil's dispute with ECAD is currently pending in the Superior Justice Tribunal, and there are other claims by the Brazilian pay television association, known as ABTA, against ECAD before the Brazilian antitrust board, or CADE, which may affect ECAD or the rights fees it is attempting to collect.

        Other.    We are subject to other legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of our business. The amount of ultimate liability with respect to such actions is not expected to materially affect our financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

        (b)   No previously reported legal proceedings were terminated during the third quarter ended September 30, 2011.

ITEM 1A.    RISK FACTORS

        Except as discussed below, the risk factors included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, our Quarterly Report for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 and our Quarterly Report for the quarter ended June 30, 2011 have not materially changed. See Part I Item 2 of this Quarterly Report related to "forward-looking statements" which we incorporate by reference.

The National Football League labor dispute has been resolved.

        DIRECTV U.S. has a contract with the National Football League for the exclusive rights to distribute the NFL Sunday Ticket Package to DIRECTV U.S. subscribers. The NFL's collective bargaining agreement with its players expired in March 2011 and the NFL and its players have been

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engaged in a labor dispute. The NFL and its players agreed to a new collective bargaining agreement. Therefore, DIRECTV U.S.'s risks related to the labor dispute have been resolved and the NFL Sunday Ticket Package is being distributed to DIRECTV U.S. subscribers for the 2011-2012 season pursuant to DIRECTV U.S.' contract with the NFL.

ITEM 2.    UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

    Share Repurchase Program

        In February 2011, our Board of Directors approved a $6 billion repurchase program of our Class A common stock. The authorization allows us to repurchase our common stock from time to time through open market purchases and negotiated transactions, subject to market conditions. The program may be suspended, discontinued or accelerated at any time. The sources of funds for the purchases under the remaining authorization are our existing cash on hand and cash from operations. Repurchased shares are retired, but remain authorized for registration and issuance in the future.

        A summary of the repurchase activity for the three months ended September 30, 2011 is as follows:

Period
 
Total Number
of Shares
Purchased
 
Average Price
Paid Per Share
 
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs
 
Maximum Dollar
Value that May
Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plans
or Programs
 
 
  (Amounts in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)
 

July 1–31, 2011

    9   $ 52.09     9   $ 2,971  

August 1–31, 2011

    12     43.99     12     2,440  

September 1–30, 2011

    11     42.72     11     1,953  
                       

Total

    32     45.71     32     1,953  
                       

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ITEM 6.    EXHIBITS

Exhibit
Number
 
Exhibit Name
  10.1   Form of Indemnification Agreement dated as of July 29, 2011 between DIRECTV and Neil R. Austrian, Ralph F. Boyd, David B. Dillon, Samuel A. DiPiazza, Dixon R. Doll, Charles R. Lee, Peter A. Lund, Nancy S. Newcomb and Lorrie M. Norrington (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Form 8-K of DIRECTV filed on August 4, 2011 (SEC File No. 1-34554))

 

**31.1

 

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

**31.2

 

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

**32.1

 

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

**32.2

 

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

***101.INS

 

XBRL Instance Document

 

***101.SCH

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

 

***101.CAL

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

 

***101.DEF

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

 

***101.LAB

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

 

***101.PRE

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document


**
Furnished, not filed.

* * *

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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.

    DIRECTV
(Registrant)

Date: November 3, 2011

 

By:

 

/s/ PATRICK T. DOYLE

Patrick T. Doyle
(Duly Authorized Officer and Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer)

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EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
Number
 
Exhibit Name
  10.1   Form of Indemnification Agreement dated as of July 29, 2011 between DIRECTV and Neil R. Austrian, Ralph F. Boyd, David B. Dillon, Samuel A. DiPiazza, Dixon R. Doll, Charles R. Lee, Peter A. Lund, Nancy S. Newcomb and Lorrie M. Norrington (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of the Form 8-K of DIRECTV filed on August 4, 2011 (SEC File No. 1-34554))

 

31.1

 

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

31.2

 

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

32.1

 

Certification of the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

32.2

 

Certification of the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

101.INS

 

XBRL Instance Document

 

101.SCH

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

 

101.CAL

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

 

101.DEF

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

 

101.LAB

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

 

101.PRE

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document