SIRI » Topics » Large payment obligations under XMs agreements with automakers, suppliers of programming and others may prevent XM from becoming profitable.

This excerpt taken from the SIRI 10-Q filed Nov 12, 2008.

Large payment obligations under XM’s agreements with automakers, suppliers of programming and others may prevent XM from becoming profitable.

XM has significant payment obligations under its agreements with automobile manufacturers, third-party suppliers of programming and licensors of program royalties. XM also has or in the future will have payment obligations under agreements with other OEMs, and it will need to negotiate new or replacement agreements with these or other manufacturers over the next several years. Under XM’s multi-year agreement with MLB for the rights to broadcast MLB games live nationwide and be the Official Satellite Radio provider of MLB, XM is obligated to pay $60 million per year through 2012. In May 2008, XM provided $120 million for an escrow arrangement for the benefit of MLB to replace an expiring surety bond. In connection with funding the MLB escrow arrangement, XM borrowed $62.5 million available under its $250 million revolving credit facility. This MLB escrow arrangement reduces its unrestricted cash liquidity, and could have an adverse effect on its financial position if XM is not able to replace the escrow arrangement with a letter of credit or otherwise.

XM has many other agreements and must frequently negotiate renewal or replacement agreements with third-party suppliers of programming. XM’s payment obligations could increase when agreements are renewed or replaced, and will increase under the terms of certain existing agreements as the number of XM’s subscribers increases. Changes in the cost of certain programming or other factors could cause changes to XM’s channel line-up in the future. These payment obligations could limit XM’s ability to become profitable or generate positive cash flow and increase the amount that it may need to borrow. XM may seek to renegotiate certain of these arrangements to generate positive cash flow and reduce its need for external funds. There can be no assurance that XM will be able to complete such renegotiations on favorable terms or at all.

 

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