Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The following discussion and analysis provides information concerning our results of operations and financial condition. This discussion should be read in conjunction with our accompanying consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto.
Overview
Liberty Broadband Corporation (“Liberty Broadband,” “the Company,” “us,” “we,” or “our”) is primarily comprised of GCI Holdings, LLC (“GCI Holdings” or “GCI”), a wholly owned subsidiary, and an equity method investment in Charter Communications, Inc. (“Charter”).
During May 2014, the board of directors of Liberty Media Corporation and its subsidiaries (“Liberty”) authorized management to pursue a plan to spin-off to its stockholders common stock of a wholly-owned subsidiary, Liberty Broadband, and to distribute subscription rights to acquire shares of Liberty Broadband’s common stock (the “Broadband Spin-Off”).
On December 18, 2020, GCI Liberty, Inc. (“GCI Liberty”), the parent company of GCI Holdings, was acquired by Liberty Broadband (the “Combination”).
Through a number of prior years’ transactions, including the Combination, Liberty Broadband has acquired an interest in Charter. Liberty Broadband controls 25.01% of the aggregate voting power of Charter.
Skyhook Holdings, Inc. (“Skyhook”) was a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Broadband until its sale on May 2, 2022 for aggregate consideration of approximately $194 million, including amounts held in escrow of approximately $23 million that were released to Liberty Broadband on May 3, 2023. Liberty Broadband recognized a gain on the sale of $179 million, net of closing fees, in the second quarter of 2022, which is recorded in Gain (loss) on dispositions, net in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations. Skyhook is included in Corporate and other through April 30, 2022 and is not presented as a discontinued operation as the sale did not represent a strategic shift that had a major effect on Liberty Broadband’s operations and financial results.
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Strategies and Challenges
Executive Summary
GCI Holdings, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, provides a full range of data, wireless, video, voice, and managed services to residential customers, businesses, governmental entities, and educational and medical institutions primarily in Alaska under the GCI brand.
Charter is a leading broadband connectivity company and cable operator serving more than 32 million customers in 41 states through its Spectrum brand. Over an advanced communications network, Charter offers a full range of state-of-the-art residential and business services including Spectrum Internet, TV, Mobile and Voice. For small and medium-sized companies, Spectrum Business delivers the same suite of broadband products and services coupled with special features and applications to enhance productivity, while for larger businesses and government entities, Spectrum Enterprise provides highly customized, fiber-based solutions. Spectrum Reach delivers tailored advertising and production for the modern media landscape. Charter also distributes award-winning news coverage and sports programming to its customers through Spectrum Networks. At December 31, 2023, Liberty Broadband owned approximately 46.3 million shares of Charter Class A common stock, representing an approximate 31.9% economic ownership interest in Charter’s issued and outstanding shares.
Key Drivers of Revenue
GCI Holdings earns revenue from the monthly fees customers pay for data, wireless, video, voice, and managed services. Through close coordination of its customer service and sales and marketing efforts, its customer service representatives suggest to its customers other services they can purchase or enhanced versions of services they already purchase to achieve increased revenue and penetration of its multiple service offerings.
Charter’s revenue is principally derived from the monthly fees customers pay for services it provides. Charter also earns revenue from one-time installation fees and advertising sales. Charter’s marketing organization creates and executes marketing programs intended to grow customer relationships, increase the number of services they sell per relationship, retain existing customers and cross-sell additional products to current customers.
Current Trends Affecting Our Business
GCI Holdings and Charter must stay abreast of rapidly evolving technological developments and offerings to remain competitive and increase the utility of their products and services. These companies must be able to incorporate new technologies into their products and services in order to address the needs of their customers.
GCI Holdings
GCI Holdings offers wireless and wireline telecommunication services, data services, video services, and managed services to customers primarily throughout Alaska. Because of this geographic concentration, growth of GCI Holdings’ business and operations depends upon economic conditions in Alaska. In recent years, varying factors have contributed to significant volatility and disruption of financial markets and global supply chains. Additionally, the U.S. Federal Reserve increased interest rates starting in March 2022 and throughout 2023. Mounting inflationary cost pressures and recessionary fears have negatively impacted the U.S. and global economy. Unfavorable economic conditions, such as a recession or economic slowdown in the U.S., or inflation in the markets in which GCI operates, could negatively affect the affordability of and demand for GCI’s products and services and its cost of doing business.
The Alaska economy is dependent upon the oil industry, state and federal spending, investment earnings and tourism. A decline in oil prices would put significant pressure on the Alaska state government budget. The Alaska state government has financial reserves that GCI Holdings believes may be able to help fund the state government for the next couple of years. The Alaska economy is subject to recessionary pressures as a result of the economic impacts of volatility in oil prices, inflation, and other causes that could result in a decrease in economic activity. While it is difficult for GCI Holdings to predict the future impact of a recession on its business, these conditions have had an adverse impact on its business and could adversely affect the affordability of and demand for some of its products and services and cause customers to shift to lower priced products and services or to delay or forgo purchases of its products and services. GCI Holdings’ customers may not be able to obtain adequate
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access to credit, which could affect their ability to make timely payments to GCI Holdings and could lead to an increase in accounts receivable and bad debt expense. If a recession occurs, it could negatively affect GCI Holdings’ business including its financial position, results of operations, or liquidity, as well as its ability to service debt, pay other obligations and enhance shareholder returns.
In addition, during 2022 and continuing in 2023, GCI Holdings began to experience the impact of inflation-sensitive items, including upward pressure on the costs of materials, labor, and other items that are critical to GCI Holdings’ business. GCI Holdings continues to monitor these impacts closely and, if costs continue to rise, GCI Holdings may be unable to recoup losses or offset diminished margins by passing these costs through to its customers or implementing offsetting cost reductions.
Rural Health Care (“RHC”) Program
GCI Holdings receives support from various Universal Service Fund ("USF") programs including the RHC Program. The USF programs are subject to change by regulatory actions taken by the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC"), interpretations of or compliance with USF program rules, or legislative actions. Changes to any of the USF programs that GCI Holdings participates in could result in a material decrease in revenue and accounts receivable, which could have an adverse effect on GCI Holdings' business and the Company's financial position, results of operations or liquidity. The following paragraphs describe certain separate matters related to the RHC Program that impact or could impact the revenue earned and receivables recognized by the Company. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had net accounts receivable from the RHC Program in the amount of approximately $74 million, which is included within Trade and other receivables in the consolidated balance sheets.
FCC Rate Reduction. In November 2017, the Universal Service Administrative Company ("USAC") requested further information in support of the rural rates charged to a number of GCI Holdings' RHC customers in connection with the funding requests for the year that ran July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018. On October 10, 2018, GCI Holdings received a letter from the FCC's Wireline Competition Bureau (“Bureau”) notifying it of the Bureau’s decision to reduce the rural rates charged to RHC customers for the funding year that ended on June 30, 2018 by approximately 26% resulting in a reduction of total support payments of $28 million. The FCC also informed GCI Holdings that the same cost methodology used for the funding year that ended on June 30, 2018 would be applied to rates charged to RHC customers in subsequent funding years. In response to the Bureau’s letter, GCI Holdings filed an Application for Review with the FCC.
On October 20, 2020, the Bureau issued two separate letters approving the cost-based rural rates GCI Holdings historically applied when recognizing revenue for services provided to its RHC customers for the funding years that ended on June 30, 2019 and June 30, 2020. GCI Holdings collected approximately $175 million in accounts receivable relating to these two funding years during the year ended December 31, 2021. GCI Holdings also filed an Application for Review of these determinations. Subsequently, GCI identified rates for similar services provided by a competitor that would justify higher rates for certain GCI satellite services in the funding years that ended on June 30, 2018, June 30, 2019, and June 30, 2020. GCI submitted that information to the Bureau on September 7, 2021.
On June 25, 2020, GCI Holdings submitted cost studies with respect to a number of its rates for services provided to its RHC customers for the funding year ended June 30, 2021, which require approval by the Bureau. GCI Holdings further updated those studies on November 12, 2020, to reflect the completion of the bidding season for that funding year. On May 24, 2021, the FCC approved the cost studies submitted by GCI Holdings for the funding year ended June 30, 2021. Subsequently, on August 16, 2021, GCI submitted a request for approval of rates for 17 additional sites, all of which the FCC approved.
RHC Program Funding Cap. The RHC program has a funding cap for each individual funding year that is annually adjusted for inflation, and which the FCC can increase by carrying forward unused funds from prior funding years. In recent years, including the current year, this funding cap has not limited the amount of funding received by participants; however, management continues to monitor the funding cap and its potential impact on funding in future years.
Enforcement Bureau and Related Inquiries. On March 23, 2018, GCI Holdings received a letter of inquiry and request for information from the Enforcement Bureau of the FCC relating to the period beginning January 1, 2015 and including all future periods. This included inquiry into the rates charged by GCI Holdings and other aspects related to the Enforcement Bureau’s review of GCI Holdings’ compliance with program rules, which are discussed separately below. The ongoing uncertainty in program funding, as well as the uncertainty associated with the rate review, could have an adverse effect on its business, financial position, results of operations or liquidity.
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In the fourth quarter of 2019, GCI Holdings became aware of potential RHC Program compliance issues related to certain of GCI Holdings’ currently active and expired contracts with certain of its RHC customers. The Company and its external experts performed significant and extensive procedures to determine whether GCI Holdings’ currently active and expired contracts with its RHC customers would be deemed to be in compliance with the RHC Program rules. GCI Holdings notified the FCC of the potential compliance issues in the fourth quarter of 2019.
On May 28, 2020, GCI Holdings received a second letter of inquiry from the Enforcement Bureau in the same matter noted above. This second letter, which was in response to a voluntary disclosure made by GCI Holdings to the FCC, extended the scope of the original inquiry to also include various questions regarding compliance with the records retention requirements related to the (i) original inquiry and (ii) RHC Program.
On December 17, 2020, GCI Holdings received a Subpoena Duces Tecum from the FCC’s Office of the Inspector General requiring production of documents from January 1, 2009 to the present related to a single RHC customer and related contracts, information regarding GCI Holdings’ determination of rural rates for a single customer, and to provide information regarding persons with knowledge of pricing practices generally.
On April 21, 2021, representatives of the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) informed GCI Holdings that a qui tam action had been filed in the Western District of Washington arising from the subject matter under review by the Enforcement Bureau. The DOJ was investigating whether GCI Holdings submitted false claims and/or statements in connection with GCI’s participation in the FCC’s RHC Program. On July 14, 2021, the DOJ issued a Civil Investigative Demand with regard to the qui tam action.
The FCC’s Enforcement Bureau and GCI Holdings held discussions regarding GCI Holdings potential RHC Program compliance issues related to certain of its contracts with its RHC customers for which GCI Holdings had previously recognized an estimated liability for a probable loss of approximately $12 million in 2019 for contracts that were deemed probable of not complying with the RHC Program rules. During the year ended December 31, 2022, GCI Holdings recorded an additional estimated settlement expense of $15 million relating to a settlement offer made by GCI Holdings resulting in a total estimated liability of $27 million.
The DOJ and GCI Holdings held discussions regarding the qui tam action whereby the DOJ clarified that its investigation relates to the years from 2010 through 2019 and alleged that GCI Holdings had submitted false claims under the RHC Program during this time period. During the year ended December 31, 2022, GCI Holdings recorded a $14 million estimated settlement expense to reflect discussions and settlement offers that GCI Holdings made to the DOJ.
Separately, during the third quarter of 2022, GCI Holdings became aware of possible RHC Program compliance issues relating to potential conflicts of interest identified in the historical competitive bidding process with respect to certain of its contracts with its RHC customers. GCI Holdings notified the FCC’s Enforcement Bureau of the potential compliance issues; however, the Company is unable to assess the ultimate outcome of the potential compliance issues and is unable to reasonably estimate any range of loss or possible loss.
On May 10, 2023, GCI entered into a final settlement agreement with both the FCC and the DOJ to resolve all Enforcement Bureau and Related Inquiries discussed above except for the matter that was separately identified during the third quarter of 2022, which continues to remain outstanding. The settlement with the FCC and the DOJ resulted in a total cash payment of $41 million of which $27 million was paid to the FCC and $14 million was paid to the DOJ in 2023, which had been previously recorded as liabilities. Additionally, as part of the settlement with the FCC and the DOJ, GCI Holdings withdrew all of its open Applications for Review related to FCC rate reduction matters.
Revision of Support Calculations. On August 20, 2019, the FCC released an order changing the manner in which support issued under the RHC Program would be calculated and approved. Some of these changes became effective beginning with the funding year ended June 30, 2021, while others became effective with the funding year ended June 30, 2022. On October 21, 2019, GCI Holdings appealed the order to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, but that appeal was withdrawn as part of the settlement with the FCC. At the direction of the FCC, USAC released a database that purported to determine a median rate that would have capped the amount of support available for each service sold under the program, starting in the funding year ended June 30, 2022. GCI Holdings sought FCC review of various aspects of the database implementation. On September 30, 2020, USAC released a refreshed version of the database incorporating limited changes submitted by interested parties. On January 19, 2021, the Bureau issued an Order that waived the requirement to use the database for health care providers
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in Alaska for the two funding years ended June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2023. On April 8, 2021, the Bureau issued an Order further extending the January 19, 2021 waiver to carriers nationwide and eliminating the ability or requirement to use the database to establish the healthcare provider payments for services subsidized by the RHC Telecom Program. On April 12, 2022 and May 25, 2022, the Bureau issued Orders further extending the January 19, 2021 and April 8, 2021 waivers regarding use of the database by health care providers seeking support under the RHC Program through the funding year ending June 30, 2024. On January 26, 2023, the FCC adopted an Order on Reconsideration, Report and Order, and Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, which grants the petitions challenging the rates database, returns the RHC Telecom Program to the rate determination rules in place prior to the adoption of the rates database, permits providers to determine rural rates based on previously approved rates through the funding years ending June 30, 2025 and June 30, 2026, and seeks comment on future revisions to the rate determination rules.
Charter
Charter faces intense competition for residential customers, both from existing competitors and, as a result of the rapid development of new technologies, services and products, from new entrants. With respect to its residential business, Charter competes with other providers of video, Internet access, telephone and mobile services, and other sources of home entertainment. Charter’s principal competitors for video services are virtual multichannel video programming distributors such as Hulu Live, YouTube TV, Sling TV, Philo and DirecTV Stream, as well as direct broadcast satellite service providers. Charter’s principal competitors for Internet services are the broadband services provided by companies, including fiber-to-the-home, fixed wireless broadband, Internet delivered via satellite and digital subscriber line services. A growing number of commercial areas, such as retail malls, restaurants and airports, offer WiFi Internet service. Numerous local governments are also considering or actively pursuing publicly subsidized WiFi Internet access networks. In addition, providers are constructing open access networks that can deliver services from multiple underlying Internet service providers. These options offer alternatives to cable-based Internet access. In addition, providers are constructing open access networks that can deliver services from multiple underlying Internet service providers. Charter’s principal competitors for voice and mobile services are other mobile and wireline phone providers, as well as other forms of communication, such as text messaging on cellular phones, instant messaging, social networking services, video conferencing and email. The increase in the number of different technologies capable of carrying voice services and the number of alternative communication options available to customers as well as the replacement of wireline services by wireless have intensified the competitive environment in which Charter operates its residential voice service.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, Charter added 2,474,000 mobile lines and 155,000 Internet customers. Charter spent $1.9 billion on its subsidized rural construction initiative during the year ended December 31, 2023 and activated approximately 295,000 subsidized rural passings. Charter’s mobile line and Internet customer additions were supported by its Spectrum One offering, which brings together Spectrum Internet, Advanced WiFi and Unlimited Spectrum Mobile to offer consumers fast, reliable and secure online connections on their favorite devices at home and on-the-go in a high-value package, and were further supported by growth in Charter’s legacy and new subsidized rural markets.
Charter continues to upgrade its network to provide higher Internet speeds and reliability and invest in its products and customer service platforms. Charter also continues to develop its video product. In September 2023, Charter entered into a new affiliation agreement with The Walt Disney Company ("Disney"), which provides a template for a new programming affiliation approach where Charter partners with content providers to provide access to both linear and app-based direct-to-consumer content. In October 2023, Charter began deploying Xumo Stream Boxes (“Xumo”) to new video customers. Xumo combines a live TV experience with access to hundreds of content applications, and features unified search and discovery along with a curated content offering based on the customer's interests and subscriptions. By continually improving its product set and offering consumers the opportunity to save money by switching to Charter’s services, Charter believes it can continue to penetrate its expanding footprint and sell additional products to existing customers. Charter is also beginning to see operational benefits from the targeted investments it is making in employee wages and benefits to build employee skill sets and tenure, as well as the continued investments in digitization of customer service platforms and proactive maintenance, all with the goal of improving the customer experience, reducing transactions and driving customer growth and retention.
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Results of Operations—Consolidated
General. We provide information regarding our consolidated operating results and other income and expenses, as well as information regarding the contribution to those items from our reportable segments in the tables below. The "Corporate and other" category consists of those assets or businesses which do not qualify as a separate reportable segment. See note 14 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for more discussion regarding our reportable segments. For a more detailed discussion and analysis of GCI Holdings’ results, see "Results of Operations – GCI Holdings, LLC" below.
A discussion regarding our financial condition and results of operations for fiscal year 2023 compared to fiscal year 2022 is presented below. A discussion regarding our financial condition and results of operations for fiscal year 2022 compared to fiscal year 2021 can be found in Part II, Item 7. "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on February 17, 2023.
Operating Results
Years ended December 31,
2023
2022
amounts in millions
Revenue
GCI Holdings
$
981
969
Corporate and other
—
6
Consolidated
$
981
975
Operating Income (Loss)
GCI Holdings
$
117
54
Corporate and other
(44)
(93)
Consolidated
$
73
(39)
Adjusted OIBDA
GCI Holdings
$
361
358
Corporate and other
(24)
(31)
Consolidated
$
337
327
Revenue
Revenue increased $6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022. Revenue at GCI Holdings increased $12 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the corresponding prior year period. See “Results of Operations – GCI Holdings, LLC” below for a more complete discussion of the results of operations of GCI Holdings.
Revenue for Corporate and other decreased for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022, due to the sale of Skyhook. With the sale of Skyhook in May 2022, Corporate and other revenue was minimal during the first half of 2022 and will be zero in future periods as all Corporate and other revenue was generated by Skyhook.
Operating Income (Loss)
Consolidated operating income increased $112 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022. Operating income increased $63 million at GCI Holdings for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022. See “Results of Operations – GCI Holdings, LLC” below for a more complete discussion of the results of operations of GCI Holdings.
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Operating loss for Corporate and other improved $49 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022. Operating loss for Corporate and other included net litigation settlements of $38 million during the year ended December 31, 2022. Operating loss for Corporate and other also improved due to decreased professional service fees.
Adjusted OIBDA
To provide investors with additional information regarding our financial results, we also disclose Adjusted OIBDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure. We define Adjusted OIBDA as operating income (loss) plus depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, separately reported litigation settlements, restructuring, and impairment charges. Our chief operating decision maker and management team use this measure of performance in conjunction with other measures to evaluate our businesses and make decisions about allocating resources among our businesses. We believe this is an important indicator of the operational strength and performance of our businesses by identifying those items that are not directly a reflection of each business’ performance or indicative of ongoing business trends. In addition, this measure allows us to view operating results, perform analytical comparisons and benchmarking between businesses and identify strategies to improve performance. Accordingly, Adjusted OIBDA should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, operating income, net income, cash flow provided by operating activities and other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The following table provides a reconciliation of Operating income (loss) to Adjusted OIBDA.
Years ended December 31,
2023
2022
amounts in millions
Operating income (loss)
$
73
(39)
Depreciation and amortization
230
262
Stock-based compensation
34
37
Litigation settlement
—
67
Adjusted OIBDA
$
337
327
Adjusted OIBDA improved $10 million in the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022. GCI Holdings’ Adjusted OIBDA improved $3 million in the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022. See “Results of Operations – GCI Holdings, LLC” below for a more complete discussion of the results of operations of GCI Holdings.
Corporate and other Adjusted OIBDA changed due to the fluctuations in operating income (loss) as discussed above.
Other Income and Expense:
Components of Other income (expense) are presented in the table below.
Years ended December 31,
2023
2022
amounts in millions
Other income (expense):
Interest expense
$
(206)
(133)
Share of earnings (losses) of affiliate
1,155
1,326
Gain (loss) on dilution of investment in affiliate
(60)
(63)
Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net
(101)
334
Gain (loss) on dispositions, net
—
179
Other, net
27
(70)
$
815
1,573
Interest expense
Interest expense increased $73 million during the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022. The increase was driven by higher interest rates on our variable rate debt and by higher amounts outstanding on the Margin Loan Facility (as defined in note 7 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements). The interest rates on our fixed rate
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debt also increased with the closing of the 3.125% Exchangeable Senior Debentures due 2053 (the “3.125% Debentures”) and repurchase of other exchangeables, as further described in note 7 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
Share of earnings (losses) of affiliates
Share of earnings from affiliates decreased $171 million during the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022. Share of earnings (losses) from affiliates is attributable to the Company’s ownership interest in Charter. Upon the Company’s initial investment in Charter, the Company allocated the excess basis, between the book basis of Charter and fair value of the shares acquired and ascribed remaining useful lives of 7 years and 13 years to property and equipment and customer relationships, respectively, and indefinite lives to franchise fees, trademarks and goodwill. As of December 31, 2023, property and equipment and customer relationships have weighted average remaining useful lives of approximately 4 years and 7 years, respectively. Outstanding debt is amortized over the contractual period using the straight-line method. Amortization related to debt and intangible assets with identifiable useful lives is included in the Company’s share of earnings (losses) from affiliates line item in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and aggregated $277 million and $232 million, net of related taxes, for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
The following is a discussion of Charter’s stand alone results of operations. In order to provide a better understanding of Charter’s operations, we have included a summarized presentation of Charter’s results from operations. Charter is a separate publicly traded company and additional information about Charter can be obtained through its website and public filings, which are not incorporated by reference. The amounts included in the table below, derived from Charter’s public filings, represent Charter’s results for each of the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
Years ended December 31,
2023
2022
amounts in millions
Revenue
$
54,607
54,022
Operating expenses, excluding stock-based compensation
(32,660)
(32,687)
Adjusted OIBDA
21,947
21,335
Depreciation and amortization
(8,696)
(8,903)
Stock-based compensation
(692)
(470)
Operating income (loss)
12,559
11,962
Other income (expense), net
(5,705)
(4,500)
Net income (loss) before income taxes
6,854
7,462
Income tax benefit (expense)
(1,593)
(1,613)
Net income (loss)
$
5,261
5,849
Charter’s revenue increased $585 million during the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022, primarily due to growth in residential Internet revenue, mobile device sales and residential mobile service revenue partly offset by lower residential video and advertising sales revenue, as well as $68 million of total customer credits related to the temporary loss of Disney programming during 2023.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, operating expenses, excluding stock-based compensation, decreased $27 million, as compared to the same period in 2022. Operating costs during the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022 , were impacted by lower programming costs as a result of a higher mix of lower cost video packages within Charter’s video customer base, fewer customers and a $61 million benefit related to the temporary loss of Disney programming during 2023, partly offset by contractual rate adjustments, including renewals and increases in amounts paid for retransmission consent. Additionally, operating costs were impacted by higher mobile device sales and higher other mobile direct costs due to an increase in mobile lines, as well as increased costs to service customers and higher corporate labor costs. The increased costs to service customers was primarily due to adjustments to job structure, pay and benefits to build a more skilled and longer tenured workforce resulting in lower frontline employee attrition compared to 2022, and additional activity to support the accelerated growth of Spectrum Mobile.
The decrease in operating expenses, excluding stock-based compensation, was also due to a $262 million gain on sale of towers during the year ended December 31, 2023.
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Charter’s Adjusted OIBDA increased $612 million during the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022, for the reasons described above.
Depreciation and amortization expense decreased $207 million during the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022, primarily due to certain assets acquired in acquisitions becoming fully depreciated, offset by an increase in depreciation as a result of more recent capital expenditures.
Other expense, net increased $1.2 billion during the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022. The increase in other expenses, net was primarily due to increased interest expense caused by an increase in weighted average interest rates, as well as an increase in weighted average debt outstanding, an increase in net periodic pension costs and increased losses on equity investments, partly offset by increased gains on financial instruments, net.
Charter recognized income tax expense of $1.6 billion for both the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.
Gain (loss) on dilution of investment in equity affiliate
The loss on dilution of investment in affiliate decreased by $3 million during the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022. The loss on dilution of investment in affiliate decreased primarily due to a decrease in issuance of Charter common stock from the exercise of stock options and restricted stock units held by employees and other third parties, partially offset by a smaller gain on dilution related to Charter’s repurchase of Liberty Broadband’s Charter shares.
Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net
Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net are comprised of changes in the fair value of the following:
Years ended December 31,
2023
2022
amounts in millions
Indemnification obligation
$
5
273
Exchangeable senior debentures
(106)
61
$
(101)
334
The changes in these accounts are primarily due to market factors and changes in the fair value of the underlying stocks or financial instruments to which these related (see notes 4 and 7 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for additional discussion). The changes in realized and unrealized gains (losses) for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022, were primarily due to decreases in realized and unrealized gains on the indemnification obligation, as well as the changes in fair value of the debentures outstanding for the respective periods related to changes in market price of the underlying Charter stock. See note 4 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for more discussion regarding the indemnification obligation, which was settled as of December 31, 2023.
Gain (loss) on dispositions, net
Liberty Broadband recognized a gain on the sale of Skyhook of $179 million, net of closing fees, in the second quarter of 2022, which is recorded in Gain (loss) on dispositions, net in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations.
Other, net
Other, net income increased $97 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022. The increase was primarily due to a tax sharing receivable with Qurate Retail, Inc. (“Qurate Retail”). The tax sharing receivable with Qurate Retail resulted in tax sharing income of $11 million and tax sharing loss of $79 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. See more discussion about the tax sharing agreement with Qurate Retail in note 1 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The remaining increase is the result of increased dividend and interest income primarily from movement in market interest rates.
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Income taxes
Earnings (losses) before income taxes and income tax (expense) benefit are as follows:
Years ended December 31,
2023
2022
amounts in millions
Earnings (loss) before income taxes
$
888
1,534
Income tax (expense) benefit
(200)
(277)
Effective income tax rate
23%
18%
Our effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2023 was 23%. Our effective tax rate was higher than the federal tax rate of 21% in 2023 primarily due to the effect of state income taxes and certain non-deductible expenses.
Our effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2022 was 18%. Our effective tax rate was lower than the federal tax rate of 21% in 2022 primarily due to the nontaxable decrease in the fair value of the indemnification obligation owed to Qurate Retail and tax benefits from the sale of stock of a subsidiary.
Net earnings (losses)
We had net earnings of $688 million and $1.3 billion for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The change in net earnings (losses) was the result of the above-described fluctuations in our revenue, expenses and other gains and losses.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of December 31, 2023, substantially all of our cash and cash equivalents are invested in U.S. Treasury securities, other government securities or government guaranteed funds, AAA rated money market funds and other highly rated financial and corporate debt instruments.
The following are potential sources of liquidity: available cash balances, cash generated by the operating activities of our privately-owned subsidiaries (to the extent such cash exceeds the working capital needs of the subsidiaries and is not otherwise restricted), monetization of investments (including Charter Repurchases (as defined in note 5 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements and discussed below)), outstanding or anticipated debt facilities (as discussed in note 7 to the accompany consolidated financial statements), debt and equity issuances, and dividend and interest receipts.
As of December 31, 2023, Liberty Broadband had a cash balance of $158 million.
Years ended December 31,
2023
2022
amounts in millions
Cash flow information
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
$
16
(56)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
$
150
3,047
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
$
(390)
(2,797)
The increase in cash provided by operating activities in 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022, was primarily driven by increased operating income, partly offset by timing differences in working capital accounts (including litigation payments).
During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, net cash flows provided by investing activities were primarily related to the sale of Charter Class A common stock for $394 million and $3.0 billion, respectively, to maintain our fully diluted ownership percentage of Charter at 26%. In February 2021, Liberty Broadband entered into a letter agreement in order to implement, facilitate and satisfy the terms of the Stockholders Agreement with respect to the Equity Cap (see more information
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in note 5 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements). The Company expects the Charter Repurchases to be a significant source of liquidity in future periods. Additionally, the Company received $163 million of cash proceeds, net of closing fees, from the sale of Skyhook during the year ended December 31, 2022. During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, net cash flows used in investing activities were primarily related to capital expenditures of $222 million and $181 million, respectively, and purchases of equity securities during 2023.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, net cash flows used in financing activities were primarily for the repurchase of approximately $1,415 million in principal amount of outstanding exchangeable senior debentures, partially offset by the issuance of $1,265 million aggregate original principal amount of the 3.125% Debentures (see more information in note 7 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements), as well as net borrowings of debt of approximately $60 million of outstanding Revolving Loans (as defined in note 7 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements) under the Margin Loan Facility. Additionally, net cash flows used in financing activities included repurchases of Liberty Broadband Series A and Series C common stock of $227 million and indemnification payments of $45 million made by Liberty Broadband to Qurate Retail in connection with the LI LLC 1.75% Exchangeable Debentures (as defined in note 4 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements).
During the year ended December 31, 2022, net cash flows used in financing activities were primarily repurchases of Liberty Broadband Series A and Series C common stock of $2.9 billion, partially offset by net borrowings of debt of approximately $100 million of outstanding Revolving Loans under the Margin Loan Facility.
The projected uses of our cash are the potential buyback of common stock under the approved share buyback program, net capital expenditures of approximately $200 million, approximately $210 million for interest payments on outstanding debt, approximately $15 million for preferred stock dividends, funding of any operational needs of our subsidiaries, to reimburse Liberty for amounts due under various agreements and to fund potential investment opportunities. We expect corporate cash and other available sources of liquidity to cover corporate expenses for the foreseeable future.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Material Cash Requirements
We have contingent liabilities related to legal and tax proceedings and other matters arising in the ordinary course of business. Although it is reasonably possible we may incur losses upon conclusion of such matters, an estimate of any loss or range of loss cannot be made, except for those matters disclosed in notes 9 and 13 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
Information concerning the amount and timing of current and long-term material cash requirements, both accrued and off-balance sheet, excluding loss contingencies and uncertain tax positions, if any, where it is indeterminable when payments will be made, is summarized below:
Payments due by period
Less than
After
Total
1 year
2 - 3 years
4 - 5 years
5 years
amounts in millions
Material Cash Requirements
Debt (1)
$
3,724
3
1,616
838
1,267
Preferred stock liquidation value
180
—
—
—
180
Interest expense and preferred stock dividends (2)
1,847
221
370
169
1,087
Finance and operating lease obligations
122
49
47
13
13
Tower obligations, including interest
132
8
16
17
91
Purchase obligations
158
116
37
5
—
Total
$
6,163
397
2,086
1,042
2,638
(1) Amounts are reflected in the table at the outstanding principal amount at December 31, 2023, assuming the debt instrument will remain outstanding until the stated maturity date and may differ from the amounts stated in our consolidated balance sheet to the extent debt instruments (i) were issued at a discount or premium or (ii) have elements which are reported at fair value in our consolidated balance sheets. Amounts do not assume additional borrowings or refinancings of existing debt.
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(2) Amounts (i) are based on our outstanding debt at December 31, 2023, (ii) assume the interest rates on our variable rate debt remain constant at the December 31, 2023 rates and (iii) assume that our existing debt is repaid at contractual maturity.
Critical Accounting Estimates and Policies
The preparation of our financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the accompanying consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Listed below are the accounting estimates and accounting policies that we believe are critical to our financial statements due to the degree of uncertainty regarding the estimates or assumptions involved and the magnitude of the asset, liability, revenue or expense being reported. All of these accounting estimates and assumptions, as well as the resulting impact to our financial statements, have been discussed with our audit committee.
Application of the Equity Method of Accounting for Investments in Affiliates. For those investments in affiliates in which the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence, the equity method of accounting is used. Under this method, the investment, originally recorded at cost, is adjusted to recognize the Company’s share of net earnings or losses of the affiliate as they occur rather than as dividends or other distributions are received. Losses are limited to the extent of the Company’s investment in, advances to and commitments for the equity method investee. The Company determines the difference between the purchase price of the equity method investee and the underlying equity which results in an excess basis in the investment. This excess basis is allocated to the underlying assets and liabilities of the Company’s equity method investee through an acquisition accounting exercise and is allocated within memo accounts used for equity method accounting purposes. Depending on the applicable underlying assets, these amounts are either amortized over the applicable useful lives or determined to be indefinite lived.
Changes in the Company’s proportionate share of the underlying equity of an equity method investee, which result from the issuance of additional equity securities by such equity method investee, to investors other than the Company, are recognized in the statement of operations through the gain (loss) on dilution of investment in affiliate line item. We periodically evaluate our equity method investment to determine if decreases in fair value below our cost basis are other than temporary. If a decline in fair value is determined to be other than temporary, we are required to reflect such decline in our consolidated statements of operations. Other than temporary declines in fair value of our equity method investment would be included in share of earnings (losses) of affiliates in our consolidated statement of operations.
The primary factors we consider in our determination of whether declines in fair value are other than temporary are the length of time that the fair value of the investment is below our carrying value; the severity of the decline; and the financial condition, operating performance and near term prospects of the equity method investee. In addition, we consider the reason for the decline in fair value, be it general market conditions, industry specific or equity method investee specific; analysts' ratings and estimates of 12 month share price targets for the equity method investee; changes in stock price or valuation subsequent to the balance sheet date; and our intent and ability to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for a recovery in fair value.
Our evaluation of the fair value of our investments and any resulting impairment charges are made as of the most recent balance sheet date. Changes in fair value subsequent to the balance sheet date due to the factors described above are possible. Subsequent decreases in fair value will be recognized in our consolidated statement of operations in the period in which they occur to the extent such decreases are deemed to be other than temporary. Subsequent increases in fair value will be recognized in our consolidated statement of operations only upon our ultimate disposition of the investment.
Fair Value of Non-Financial Instruments. The Company’s non-financial instrument valuations are primarily comprised of its determination of the estimated fair value allocation of net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired in business combinations, the Company’s annual assessment of the recoverability of its goodwill and other nonamortizable intangibles, and the Company’s evaluation of the recoverability of its other long-lived assets upon certain triggering events.
The Company periodically reviews the carrying value of its intangible assets with definite lives and other long-lived assets to be used in operations whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets or asset groups might not be recoverable. Factors that would necessitate an impairment assessment include a significant adverse change in the extent or manner in which an asset is used, a significant adverse change in legal factors or the business climate that
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could affect the value of the asset group, or a significant decline in the observable market value of an asset group, among others. If such facts indicate a potential impairment, the recoverability of the asset group is assessed by determining whether the carrying value of the asset group exceeds the sum of the projected undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset group over the remaining economic life of the asset group. If the carrying amount of the asset group is greater than the expected undiscounted cash flows to be generated by such asset group, including its ultimate disposition, an impairment adjustment is recognized.
If the carrying value of the Company’s amortizing intangible or long-lived assets exceeds their estimated fair value, the Company is required to write the carrying value down to fair value. Any such write down is included in impairment expense in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. A high degree of judgment is required to estimate the fair value of the Company’s amortizing intangible and long-lived assets. The Company may use quoted market prices, prices for similar assets, present value techniques and other valuation techniques to prepare these estimates. The Company may need to make estimates of future cash flows and discount rates as well as other assumptions in order to implement these valuation techniques. Due to the high degree of judgment involved in our estimation techniques, any value ultimately derived from the Company’s amortizing intangible or long-lived assets may differ from its estimate of fair value.
The Company utilizes the cost approach as the primary method used to establish fair value for its property and equipment in connection with business combinations. The cost approach considers the amount required to replace an asset by constructing or purchasing a new asset with similar utility, then adjusts the value in consideration of physical depreciation and functional and technological obsolescence as of the appraisal date. The cost approach relies on management’s assumptions regarding current material and labor costs required to rebuild and repurchase significant components of the Company’s property and equipment along with assumptions regarding the age and estimated useful lives of its property and equipment.
The accounting guidance permits entities to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. If the qualitative assessment supports that it is more likely than not that the carrying value of the Company’s indefinite-lived intangible assets, other than goodwill, exceeds its fair value, then a quantitative assessment is performed.
The Company utilizes an income approach as the primary method used to establish fair value for its customer relationships and cable certificates in connection with business combinations and annual impairment testing when deemed necessary. The income approach quantifies the expected earnings of the Company’s customer relationships and cable certificates, by isolating the after tax cash flows attributable to the respective asset and then discounting the cash flows to their present value. The income approach relies on management’s assumptions such as projected revenue, market penetration, expenses, capital expenditures, customer trends, and a discount rate applied to the estimated after tax cash flows.
The Company performs an annual assessment of the recoverability of its goodwill during the fourth quarter, or more frequently, if events and circumstances indicate impairment may have occurred. In evaluating goodwill on a qualitative basis, the Company reviews the business performance of each reporting unit and evaluates other relevant factors as identified in the relevant accounting guidance to determine whether it is more likely than not that an indicated impairment exists for any of its reporting units. The Company considers whether there are any negative macroeconomic conditions, industry specific conditions, market changes, increased competition, increased costs in doing business, management challenges, legal environments and how these factors might impact company specific performance in future periods. As part of the analysis, the Company also considers fair value determinations for certain reporting units that have been made at various points throughout the current and prior year for other purposes. If based on the qualitative analysis it is more likely than not that an impairment exists, the Company performs the quantitative impairment test.
The quantitative goodwill impairment test compares the estimated fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying value. The estimated fair value of a reporting unit has historically been determined using an income approach, when deemed necessary. The Company’s income approach model used for its reporting unit valuation is consistent with that used for the cable certificates except that cash flows from the entire business enterprise are used.
Income Taxes. We are required to estimate the amount of tax payable or refundable for the current year and the deferred income tax liabilities and assets for the future tax consequences of events that have been reflected in our financial statements or tax returns for each taxing jurisdiction in which we operate. This process requires our management to make judgments regarding the timing and probability of the ultimate tax impact of the various agreements and transactions that we enter into. Based on these judgments we may record tax reserves or adjustments to valuation allowances on deferred tax assets to reflect the expected
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realizability of future tax benefits. Actual income taxes could vary from these estimates due to future changes in income tax law, significant changes in the jurisdictions in which we operate, our inability to generate sufficient future taxable income or unpredicted results from the final determination of each year's liability by taxing authorities. These changes could have a significant impact on our financial position.
Results of Operations—GCI Holdings, LLC
GCI Holdings provides a full range of data, wireless, video, voice, and managed services to residential, businesses, governmental entities, and educational and medical institutions primarily in Alaska. The following table highlights selected key performance indicators used in evaluating GCI Holdings.
December 31,
2023
2022
Consumer
Data:
Cable modem subscribers 1
159,700
157,200
Wireless:
Wireless lines in service 2
197,300
191,100
1 A cable modem subscriber is defined by the purchase of cable modem service regardless of the level of service purchased. If one entity purchases multiple cable modem service access points, each access point is counted as a subscriber. Data cable modem subscribers as of December 31, 2023 include 1,100 subscribers that were reclassified from GCI Business to GCI Consumer subscribers in the first quarter of 2023 and are not new additions.
2 A wireless line in service is defined as a wireless device with a monthly fee for services. Wireless lines in service as of December 31, 2023 include 1,400 lines that were reclassified from GCI Business to GCI Consumer lines in the first quarter of 2023 and are not new additions.
GCI Holdings’ operating results for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:
Years ended December 31,
2023
2022
amounts in millions
Revenue
$
981
969
Operating expenses (excluding stock-based compensation included below):
Operating expense
(245)
(250)
Selling, general and administrative expenses
(375)
(361)
Adjusted OIBDA
361
358
Stock-based compensation
(14)
(13)
Depreciation and amortization
(230)
(262)
Litigation settlement
—
(29)
Operating income (loss)
$
117
54
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Revenue
The components of revenue are as follows:
Years ended December 31,
2023
2022
amounts in millions
Consumer
Data
$
233
231
Wireless
193
193
Other
42
55
Business
Data
427
395
Wireless
50
53
Other
36
42
Total revenue
$
981
969
Consumer data revenue increased $2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022. The increase was primarily driven by an increase in the number of subscribers.
Consumer wireless revenue was flat for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022. Although consumer wireless lines in service increased during 2023, revenue per customer declined partially due to GCI’s efforts to transition customers to its new GCI+ product, resulting in similar revenue for both periods.
Consumer other revenue decreased $13 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022. Consumer other revenue consists of consumer video and voice revenue. The decrease was due to a decrease in video revenue primarily driven by decreased video subscribers. This was the result of both the transition from traditional linear video delivery to IP delivery and GCI Holdings’ decision to discontinue selling bulk video packages for multi-dwelling units. Historically, GCI Holdings has seen declines in video and voice subscribers and revenue and expects a continued decrease as customers make decisions to move to alternative services.
Business data revenue increased $32 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022, primarily due to increased sales to health care and school customers due to service upgrades as well as new customer growth. These increases were partially offset by decreases in professional services revenue, driven by a reduction in time and material project work.
Business wireless revenue decreased $3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in roaming revenue and a decrease in data plan fees due to decreased business wireless subscribers.
Business other revenue decreased $6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022. Business other revenue consists of business video and voice revenue. The decrease was primarily due to decreased local and long distance voice revenue. Historically, GCI Holdings has seen declines in video and voice subscribers and revenue and has not focused business efforts on growth in these areas.
Operating expenses decreased $5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022, primarily due to decreases in costs paid to content producers driven by reduced video subscribers, as well as decreases in other distribution costs.
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $14 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022. The increase was primarily due to increases in labor related costs, software contracts, bad debt and property taxes. The increases in bad debt and property taxes were due to one-time decreases in these costs during the quarter ended March 31, 2022.
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Stock-based compensation was relatively flat for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022.
Depreciation and amortization decreased $32 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022. The decrease was due to lower depreciation expense as certain assets became fully depreciated during 2022 as a result of acquisition accounting being applied in the Combination and certain assets being attributed shorter lives.
Litigation settlement decreased $29 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022. The litigation settlement of $29 million recorded during 2022 was an increase in the estimated liability relating to compliance with RHC Program rules which reflect settlement offers that GCI Holdings made to the DOJ in June and September 2022. The RHC Program litigation was ultimately settled during 2023, as described above and in note 13 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements .