Q3 2020 Liberty Media Corp Earnings Call
[music].
Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for standing by welcome to the Liberty Media Corporation plenty plenty Appeals court that earnings calls.
During the presentation, all participants will be in listen only mode.
Afterwards, we will conduct a question and answer fashion at that time. If you have a question. Please press star one on your telephone.
As a reminder, this conference is being recorded November 5th.
I would now like to turn the conference over to Courtney Tom Ti portfolio Officer. Please go ahead.
Good morning, Ive already and we'd like to remind everyone that this calling for certain forward looking statements within the meaning of the private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 actual events.
Good for materially due to a number of risks and uncertainties, including those mentioned in our most recent form 10-K intends to file in the ITC.
Forward looking statements speak only as of the date of this call and media expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking.
Any updates or revisions to any forward looking statement.
Contained herein reflect any change in Liberty Media's expectations with regard there or any change in events conditions or circumstances on which any such statements made on today's call. We will discuss certain non-GAAP financial measures, including adjusted OIBDA and adjusted EBITDA, the required definitions and reconciliations for Liberty media and Sirius XM schedules one two.
Can be found at the end of the press release issued today, which is available on our website. Please.
Please remember to register Herbert home Liberty Investor meeting on Thursday November 19, we will cover Liberty media.
On Friday November 20 will include jury GC I Liberty broadband from 11 am to two PM eastern on both days after the presentations on both days driveline and greatness I, along with presenting Ceos will most humane sessions. These pre submitted questions by Friday November 13, two investor day at Liberty.
Media Dot Com you can find the link to register and all of these details on our home page now I'd like to turn the call over to Gregory fan Libertys, President and CEO.
Thank you and good morning.
Hey speaking on the call. We will also have woman one's chairman and CEO Chase Carey.
And.
Liberty, Chief accounting and principal financial Officer, Brian went away.
I'd again like to recognize and thank our management team or even have done such an impressive job managing through this cold and my team Corey.
So let's start with Liberty Sirius XM.
Where we restarted share repurchases during the quarter purchasing 110 million across both our spectrum and K shares from August August through October.
These discounts stubbornly remains but we will take advantage of it as we can and.
We repurchased seriously look some price of $3 to 66 cents per share.
As I said, we expect to continue to take advantage of the discount the opportunities are.
Our ownership as of October 20 years at Sirius XM stood at 74.4% and we remain focused on getting to an 80% ownership level. That's served.
Looking at Sirius XM itself like our other subscription businesses Sirius XM has proved resilient during the current crisis.
Self pay net add subscribers during the quarter were 169000, and we expect by year end to be 90% of our original projections, perhaps given the challenges of 2020.
New car penetration increased to 78%.
With our recent OEM agreements I expect penetration to be over 80% in the next few months and even higher in the years to come.
During the quarter Sirius XM returned capital of $544 million, primarily through repurchase of its own stock.
We also announced the juniper, which will become the new CEO in January Jim Meyer has done so admirably will remain with us as vice chairman.
I want to thank the major accomplishments of chasing chase carry for his major accomplishments over the last four years.
Reset the tone and created a spirit of corporation in F. One that has changed the collective outlook for the business.
Many bought a cask a cost cap couldn't be achieved let alone new regulations and new Concord agreement of the magnitude that has been accomplished will full credit to chase I'm. So pleased that he will stay on and involved as non executive chair I'm also thrilled that's Stefano Domenicali will join us SDO in January.
The rich history in Formula one and his appointment has been met with resounding positive feedback inside and outside the paddock.
I'm not going to comment on live nation now because it reports later today.
Turning to the Braves is amazing seasons embrace a quick third third street <unk> title in one and a wildcard handheld divisional series.
We went to seven games into the Nlcs against the eventual World series winning Dodgers.
It was sad to see it and before we got to the World series, but we are confident that the future is bright or our team.
Some other notable accolades includes pretty Freeman reserved receiving a big named player of the year and nationally outstanding player in the 2020 players Choice Awards being named Baseball America player of the year and named a finalist for the National League MVP the.
The winter of which will be announced on November 12th.
A lot of Laconia Junior led the N L with an 11 four three aspect ratio to homeruns.
He also had a 19.
Run leadoff home runs in his career could you just the mostly off hall runs through players first three seasons in history eclipsing Barry bonds.
Congrats also to Mac Street.
First Golden glove of his career.
A few battery updates 96% of the battery is open.
Since January we've opened seven new concepts, representing 100000 square feet of new.
Dealing with what today's conference call.
And they send bias that experienced the temporary interruption in today's conference. Thank you for your patience. Please continue to.
Okay would you like to continue on.
And because by adding back in <unk> <unk> okay.
So everybody's on other than the Denver people, Okay I'll continue.
[laughter], Okay never mind okay.
Go ahead.
I don't know, where the where we cut off one James you can tell us how far it got cut off and Brian whaling.
So.
Maybe just talk about cash and I'm at the Formula One I think sort of finishing up on the $500 million I think it was actually the sentence would cut off f. ones revolve our $500 million revolver is undrawn with what we like.
Brian given he's got about a few more senses why don't you start with the data Formula one Brian repeat that economics redundant for if you will going to chase after that okay.
Thanks, hopefully not repetitive, but formula one group had attributed cash and liquid investments of 1.4 billion at quarter end.
Which excludes a $139 million cash formula one.
One group attributed principal amount of debt was 3.6 billion, which includes the 2.9 billion you've got held directly at one level, leaving 730 million of debt at the corporate level.
And John just Chase just pointed out that's one $500 million revolver is undrawn.
Lastly onto the branch group at quarter end man attributed cash and liquid investments and restricted cash of $240 million and attributed principal amount of debt.
114 million the brand's amended debt agreements related to the team revolver in ballpark funding during the quarter securing covenant relief through March 31, 2020 to September 32021, respectively.
We expect grades to be out of compliance at year end on small mixed use loan and are working with the counterparty on the necessary waivers.
Note that we previously received a waiver on such covenants through Q3.
Now I'll turn it over to chase the talk about formal hit today.
All right. Thanks, Brian.
We're proud of the way the Formula one our teams and our partners have managed through this year we.
We had three prior three key priorities to execute once the virus hit us in March 1st to keep our fans engaged with a championship season and other initiatives that maintain the momentum we built coming into 2020 and to do so safely.
Second while mitigating the financial impact from the virus this year.
Prioritize strong long term relationships with our commercial partners.
And third enhance the long term growth of the sport by completing agreements and regulatory changes to strengthen the competition and action on the track the governance of the sport and the business model for the teams in Formula one.
Well, we still have four races to go we believe we're well on our way to achieving our goals.
Executing the rate schedule safely has been challenging and our success to date is a tribute to the partnership of everybody at Formula One the FDA and our teams.
Most do not realize the complexity involved in delivering the formula one 2020 competition, which require about 2500 personnel at the track.
In 2020, we will ultimately race in 12 countries traveling for many locations requiring us to navigate constantly changing regulations on both ends.
But the 17 race schedule beginning in early July we met our goal of 15 to 18 raise calendar.
Building the schedule was a bit of a jigsaw puzzle is 13 of our originally planned 22 race locations canceled.
We took this as an opportunity to create special interest for fans by adding races, where we had not raised in years if at all.
We feel very good about the fan reaction to our season to date.
So many for sports has struggled with viewership.
This year, our viewership is up modestly over last year to achieve these results in a season with Mercedes dominance in Ferrari struggles also many other sports have seen steep declines is a solid achievement.
Our digital growth has been even more dramatic formula one is the fastest growing sports league in terms of followers across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Youtube, where the 17% growth rate between March and September.
Formula One also saw the highest year on year growth for social engagement with growth of 70%, which is more than three times higher than its closest competitor.
We've had some special moments cap by Lewis Hamilton, becoming the sports lifetime leader in wins with his 92nd victory in Portugal, and subsequently winning is 90 threerd enamel surpassing the previous record of 91 step by Michael Schumacher.
Graduations to Mercedes setting new boundaries, but becoming the only constructor to ever win seven consecutive constructors titles.
After Lewis Hamilton's when enabler.
The Eiffel Grand Prix at the Nurburgring marked a return to the podium for down your cardio in Reno, returning submitted with another podium in Ampla.
At this race for the first time in our history, we partner with you to the stream the entire weekend for fans across selected European markets. We.
We look forward to continue our unique partnership with you tube as another way to engage our fans.
In September we raised twice in Italy, which produced some outstanding racing.
There were multiple red flags in a multi car collision on a restart.
In Tuscany, only 12 cars finished and Alexander album got his first podium.
Bonds that produced one of those thrilling races in years and gave us a snapshot of the future with the youngest podium so far with PR ghastly securing is made and when he was joined in the podium by Carlo signs and Lance drawl.
We have to see more of these unpredictable outcomes with the 2022 regulations.
The pattern has been a flurry of activity with driver changes for time champion Sebastian Vettel dating scene, indeed find a seat with racing point.
Let's see if other drivers security such as Sergio per as an equal convert.
Nico doesn't even have a permanent seat this season, yet as scored 10 points.
As heavy speculation about the new driver lineup from Haas, and Netflix has been capturing the drama as they fill season three of dried to survive.
Continuing on the topic of engagement the 2021 season of our F. One E Sports series presented by Aramco got underway in October with Alfa Romeo, claiming the top spot.
We're in the middle of a second event right now with racist competing for an industry, leading 750000 dollar price pot.
We've continued to see tremendous growth with E. Sports is over 237000 participants attempted to qualify this year we.
We will have a live broadcast double last year, which will be streamed online via aethlons official channels on Facebook you tube Twitch Ria.
As well as broadcast by International TV partners.
With regards to our Twentytwenty results. We recognized early on this was going to be an unprecedented and uniquely challenging year financially.
The most significant impacts on our promotion revenues, there's only two of our 13 events to date have add fans and those were capped at less than half capacity and only in Portugal, we able to offer a limited product club.
There were significant impacts and sponsor revenues this year as some cancel locations that material local sponsors.
A fewer number of races reduced title sponsors and general inventory and the lack of hospitality precluded some elements of sponsored benefits.
The virus also made the completion of new sponsor chip agreements more difficult.
Our television revenue saw the lowest percentage impact among our three primary revenue capture categories. However, we still significant.
We've reached revised agreements with all but a couple of our material commercial partners for 2020.
We approach these agreements for the spirit of partnership in almost all cases, we could have taken a much firmer position, if we simply enforced our contracts as written however, we believe it best to approach these discussions with a sense of fairness to maintain our momentum.
On the cost side, we aggressively reduced costs where possible.
Some of our operating costs like freight and travel were naturally reduced with the revised calendar.
Their discretionary costs were largely eliminated.
On the operating cost level, we implemented furloughs freezes and cuts in expenses expected discretionary compensation.
Our price fund expense to the teams is contractual and will increase as a percent of revenues.
All in all the financial impact this year significant but manageable by both us and the teams and positions us well as we go forward.
Our third priority was to implement key initiatives for the long term growth and help the sport.
We achieved much more than most expected key elements include a cost cap on team expenditures to improve competition and the business model for both existing and potential new teams.
New technical and sporting regulations for Twentytwenty, two that will improve action on the track for fans.
A five year agreement with teams to better balanced price fund distribution and provide improved stability in an enhanced sense of partnership.
Streamlined operating structure to better grow and improve the sport.
Advanced initiatives on both diversity and sustainability.
Strengthened our balance sheet to provide both stability and the ability to be opportunistic during this period of continuing uncertainty.
We still have much to do in a current focus as our engine we need to address the cost and performance of the current engine and you continue to define the path forward for our next engine, which will be a centerpiece for our sustainability goals.
We expect to announce at 2021 calendar soon which will which will look much like our original 2020 calendar for the March start early December finish in a record setting number races, including Saudi Arabia as Greg mentioned.
We're planning for events with fans that provided experienced close to normal and expect our goal is to be honored the.
The television area, we have one material market to finalize and otherwise well position for next years next year. Likewise in our sponsorship category are finalizing our last renewal and actively engaged in a number of new sponsor opportunities.
If the virus does not present plans, we expect 2021, we'll be pretty close to the 2021, we would've originally planned 12 months ago, meaning.
Meaning continued growth on 2019, and the previously expected growth in Twentytwenty.
That being said what is obviously not predictable as the virus.
What I do believe more strongly than ever is that the world will in due course conquer the virus and when it does that life unique global events like Formula one.
We'll be more popular than ever as people look to the shared experience of sports and our array of partners will have a greater than ever need to reengage with fans and consumers.
In closing I want to highlight what I believe is our most important achievement in 2020, the appointment of Stefano Domenicali as the new CEO of Formula One effective January one.
Stefano combines a richer experience and expertise in formula one with the commercial knowledge of leading one of the world's iconic brands Lamborghini during the past six years, yes.
He is respected throughout the motor sport, the commercial world and will hit the ground running with that I'll turn it back to Greg.
Great. Thanks, Jason Thanks, Brian.
We hope you all will join us for our virtual Liberty Investor meetings.
On November 19th November Twentyth.
We do appreciate your continued interest in Liberty media and hope you are all staying safe and healthy with that operator I'd like to open the line for questions.
Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, as a reminder, please press star one to ask a question.
And that we think will first question from Bryan Kraft from Deutsche Bank.
Hi, Good morning. Please go ahead.
Thank you good morning, I had two first for Chase wondering if you could put some context around Honda his decision to leave Formula one as an engine supplier should we be concerned at all that a shift toward electrification by key teams might impact the future participation in F. One and then Greg on the live nation side Thats all in.
Experiment was recently conducted in Germany to test the safety of concert goers with various safety measures in place that experiment concluded that there was low transmission risk to concert attendees. When certain measures were taken so I don't know if you had seen in sort of live nation was involved but I was just curious if.
If you had seen it knew anything about it and if so if there were any implications for potentially being able to return to concerts earlier. Thanks.
Okay.
I guess two things from him.
The decision and I think one it was.
From my perspective, largely driven by.
Challenges X.
Economic challenges at them the overall Honda entity.
The auto industry in general is having some challenges and I think Honda clearly.
It is yes.
His living is struggling with those challenges so I think that gives them the.
The core issue there is no question their economics around the engine that we're going to address.
But but any kind of help those pressures exist it today and they had to make some decisions.
I think on the flip side, we actually.
Getting you know increase.
The increasing support.
Not just from the players that are in the sport. The Oems that are in the sport, but a Oems that aren't there actually incredibly enthusiastic about our sustainability future, where we're going to next generation engine.
And I don't know if you saw the are there is a quite a couple of months ago from the CEO of Volkswagen.
It could have been couldn't have been more positive about where we're going and the importance of us as the platform. So I think as we continue to flush out and put more information out there about our next generation engine to sustainability goals, we are actually getting increasing support and interest from both existing partners.
Potential new partners about the importance of that.
To their future.
Great. Thanks Chase.
Where do you live nation, I'm, just a little bit familiar with the German.
Efforts that you've mentioned Brian.
I'd note a couple of things and I think most of your whereas this 86% of the fans.
We've had concerts pro postponed because of the cold virus have said don't send my money back a week and I will go.
Go to the concert when you are ready so demand is they are among our.
Customers.
Hi is also there we have artists who want to tour.
You've seen efforts to begin towards like the German thing, but other things as well.
And really some combination of safety measures and I think there are other experiments like the one you mentioned to Germany, but elsewhere as well some combination of safety measures rapid testing and eventually a vaccine will.
We'll bring live concerts back in a big way with a huge amount of pent up demand and a huge amount of pent up supply. So I'm remain quite bullish there is a cost to waiting obviously live nation is burning.
Burning cash.
Cash while it waits, but I remain very optimistic about the ultimate.
Tam there that the market and the ultimate terminal value in fact, I think in many ways. It could be strengthened because sadly other players are not as strong as live nation, and we will probably be able to take advantage of it both in terms of our share in terms of approve terms with Andy's artist Emily.
Thanks, Thanks Chase Thanks, Greg appreciate it.
Thank you well now be.
Our next question from TJ Diane from Evercore.
Thanks, Greg.
Thank you.
Thank you Greg.
Obviously, you talked about gold have been doing this and.
Honestly.
I understand it done it that way.
Oh non cash.
The way that you could sort of quantify it.
TV can you kind of explain to us how that could be done I'm correct in that thinking and you can get.
Pretty close to me.
But nothing imminent.
And and potato, obviously happy they seem to be doing a little bit then the green tea.
The Capex suggested that there is a waterfall agreement than how the teams are going to be paid.
Well.
We'll have a better operating leverage coupons in the one company any detail on that.
Well that would be good profitability.
Well would be great.
Thank you.
Oh, great. So thanks BJ for the question. So it is it possible that it done in the correct way.
We might be able to achieve eightd status.
Active trader business status for Sirius XM.
But that would involve some issuance of shares it would involve some hopes and its not guaranteed that we would still get to being an ATP.
The priority, they're getting to the 80.
Because it really allows upon the conclusion of the tax sharing arrangement with Sirius XM. It allows us to move capital in a tax free manner up to LS XM.
That's really the priority ATP would be kind of nice icing on the cake, but I would note that we are already approaching ATP status.
For example, we already have it at the Braves, how we're approaching it a formula one January 2022, it will become an ATP. So our flexibility there in within Liberty media is pretty good on ATP, you can never happen up 80 days, but you're not going to commit unnatural acts to try and make this one become an HDD the priority is to.
Get to eight.
Yeah.
And I guess, if I understood. The question I assume you're it's around the Concord agreement and the <unk> split between us and the teams.
And you know if thats the question.
And we won't go into I'm not going to be.
Real details on it, but yes, but from a high level essentially what our premise was if we can grow the business yeah, we should.
Receive benefits from growing if we don't grow the business.
Goes the other way so I think it's an incentive enough ability to.
They get a you know a bit more of the of the upside if we can successfully grow it tickets all done with making sure everybody has a healthier model. When you combine the cost cuts that you guys have with the revenue distribution to every team should be better off but I would guess, we believe its successor should associate formula one.
[noise] thinks about.
Thank you well now be peak.
Next question from Ben Swinburne from Morgan Stanley. Please go ahead.
Thank you Greg are we going to get a video monetize at the Liberty. That's your day [laughter] wipe that out too [laughter].
Dan to fluctuate co bit cobot has caused many changes and you may not exactly the same thing, but we try not to disappoint. So we will have something for you don't create.
Okay I noticed at least.
You have heard about maybe if there's [laughter] business, we try and answer too.
Okay. Thank you very much.
I wanted to ask.
Ask you, Greg going back to the management changes at Sirius XM, Yeah, I think the market Youve been very positive on Jan Jim's performance over the years I think thats a widely held view of the market seem to be I dunno react with some surprise about Jim's departure Davids departure.
Get ever Dallas elevation, maybe it was tied to the Howard thing I don't know I I was just wonder if you could talk a little bit more about you know you're the chairman of the board there what what if anything will change at Sirius XM.
Going forward under the new team, if anything and maybe just spend a little more time, there and then for chase.
Hopefully this will probably be her last earnings call. It up I'm guessing, but would love to hear from you again, if you if you want to come back [laughter] any update on the Miami plans. If I think that that may be on that on the to do list for 22, and if you if it if thats likely do you think you go to 2024 races or how high on the race.
Count is sort of practical thank you.
Okay.
So then I I think we were surprised by the market reaction.
And you know maybe with hindsight, we should have been smarter, but the combination of changing out there.
Perceived to be changing out the CEO and the CFO at the same time.
Plus the overhang of potentially was how were going to sign.
But let's put it in context.
Jim is been with us to see over eight years.
I Love, Jim Jim has done an amazing job, but.
But I'll give you I'll tease him and say, there's always been a little bit of a hamlet like aspect because if you've noticed you take in relatively short term extensions and he has rightly said I have other interests I love serious I've done a great job here I'm proud of what's been accomplished but I have other interests, including is racing at Indy and open wheel.
So.
I think this was a natural evolution for Jim and we are likely or sorry, we're blessed to have him stay honest Vice chairman and keep the benefit is expertise. He would also tell you change is good and that.
Ah you know, having Jennifer and a new CEO come in somebody who's both been around a long time, but also had new perspectives will be a positive tempered by some continuity with himself and myself.
So all of those you know I think Jennifer is an absolute natural evolution.
And you know 18 years experience and has been as close to Jim and around.
The business as long as anybody and then it's like elevated roles as anybody.
As far as the tenure of David David did a lot of great things David is a very smart guy very able guy.
But it was somewhat of a time for national change there as well with the changing of the guard so I.
I think we haven't Sean a very experienced CFO, who knows the entertainment business and will be a great addition, and add new perspective.
And as you know the other overhang as we talked about was the potential that Howard you know lots of people speculating.
Not a lot of reasons, but nonetheless, speculating that Howard would not renew with Siri.
You've seen most of the obviously, we don't have a signed deal have you seen most of the commentary suggests Howard is likely to re sign and I think that's correct.
I would.
I want to I want to see the ink on paper and I'm sure. We'll you know Howard.
Reserves the right make is on announcement, but most people are forecasting that is likely to be site.
So I think some of that overhang is now been removed I think the market is get will get very comfortable with the both continuity and Jim and I'd like to think myself and see Jennifer for the power that she is he Sean for the addition, they can be and see us resign Howard and a lot of positive things going for it businesses.
Doing very well.
Thank you.
HM Okay and on Miami, you know, we're still actively engaged and actually to that conversation with the Dolphin group leadership, a few weeks ago.
I think both of US decided that when the virus issues sort of came to the forefront and the uncertainty associated with it.
Yeah, we were better off going a little slower and trying to get to a place where we had a bit more visibility.
Do you know how this is going to play out so.
So I think we're probably as excited as ever about the opportunity in Miami, but I think we felt the prudent I think both felt the prudent path forward.
<unk> was stub it to make sure we are confident I'm like and we feel pretty good about next year I mean, our early events are all you know which are the ones. We probably had the most the deepest conversations all seem confident about having having fans and adding events that you know, it's not normal feel pretty close to normal so we're getting great enthusiasm but.
No. There is still uncertainty so I think Fred for a new res, we want to launch in a right way I think we both.
Talk the right thing was to try and.
And sort of go a little slower until we had a little bit better visibility on whether its vaccines are treatments are test or what have you.
And ultimately growing the sport.
In the U.S. is as we said all along is not up it's not a 12 month proposition its a longer term proposition. So I think it's.
More importantly, we do it right then fast and the virus, obviously represents yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah challenges until you have a better sense of itself. So.
So certainly we're still engaged but I think we will.
We will continue to sort of.
Monitor the yeah, the broader environment and see when it makes sense to you again to.
The move to the next phase.
Thank you.
Thank you and now they take our next question from David Karnovsky from Teekay Morgan. Please go ahead.
Hi, Thank you pick one up on regarding any contract congestion or rebates in the broadcast sponsorship.
Well the impact from its been allocated to the quarter based on the proportion of races are within maybe come back there's nothing specific.
Specifically and then should we expect any potential adjustment the contract.
Maybe be reflected in future years or is everything that any guidance.
In 2020.
Chased why don't you comment until we take one I'll, let you comment to degree you'd like on what years that Dan, but if you want Brian when we might be able to help on the quarter allocations.
Well, Brian I'll, let John.
Yeah from accounting you can go first then I'll I'll add them.
Yeah, I would say you know, there's there's a portion that the pro rata effect of races, having temporary.
The 17 for this quarter, but then obviously the promoter revenue stream has been impacted by not having fan and then since we went down to 17 races. There were also some adjustments on the broadcast side and then some sponsors Pacific adjustment.
Related to specific location. So what are those recognized broadcast revenue I think the question is is the broadcast revenue.
Yeah, Yeah, I think the things yeah, I mean, I think it is largely recognized in the way we would have recognized it which is you know the events are within specific in the broadcast and sponsorships that aren't tied to a vigil races are still spread across all the races. As they come. So I think as you know, it's obviously different calendar, but I think the principles underlying are the same and.
And I'd say the impact the impact when you look beyond who they are.
I can't say, there might work tweaks or something that obviously, we have some things like making hole on sponsorship at largely the issues. We've dealt with this year, if they're not issues that.
You know that a predominantly fall into subsequent years, so it's not completely but yes, but largely the issues of ones. We've taken this year one of our core objectives why this and like we said before you know sort of whether we hope and we believe in 2021 were pretty well positioned but as we get pass.
The virus and if you had the business as we know it was before the virus.
So our goal has been to absorb the change is short term and protect the business you know.
As it should be and it would be in the ordinary course long terms I guess theres, none, but that was you know different tweaks here and there some things that you know.
The deal with but it's by and large issues, we dealt with this year.
Okay, and then Keith I'd be curious to understand the decision to livestream idle DP you to you know maybe a a road map for more physical distribution or is that more of a one off experiment with the platform.
No look I made it right and Theres No question. These digital players are going to be a bigger and bigger part of our future and so one of our.
Yeah, you know as you get up increasingly mature broadcast world in a maturing in a pay world and <unk> trillion dollar digital companies that are getting deeper and deeper into content.
Is there an incredibly important part of our future. So we are looking to continue to try and expand.
Those relationships and we've got a variety of things we're in active discussions with and of all the key players there about various initiatives to.
Expand and build on whether it's.
You know the the events themselves are things around the events the library, but yes that is an area. We certainly expect such as long term or short term to be an increasing area of activity for us. So it is you know it is trying to find places. We can you know that we can do things and.
And build and expand those relationships.
Thank you.
Thank you well now take our next question from David Katz from pattern Thats coming from Michael. Please go ahead.
Hey, Thanks, a lot or two on one first I was hoping you could fill.
Then on the evolution of the sponsorship talk last time, you updated you said that there was up nicely as the Concorde agreement signing really celebrated the talking anyway and can you maybe frame what you use them, but you should be thinking about in terms of growth or it's a big opportunity next year.
And then second question just on.
If one operating cash flow for the year and.
And im quite negative as indicated during the first nine months, but is there a potential in Q4 to see some of that come back such that the operating cash flow well, maybe a little bit less severe than what we're seeing today.
So on the sponsor front.
Yeah, we I think as I said on the yen and the you know the opening comments you know, we're finishing off where if you had pretty good place on renewals and I think weve navigated the two issues.
We had to navigate through before getting new ones obviously.
Adjustments for this year and renewals, we're finalizing the one renewal left so I think feel good about that I think we feel we've got probably one adjustment to navigate through them. When they were still actively finishing up so I think we feel were in a good place and you know weve actually had great support.
From our sponsors they've been.
You know I think we.
Really you know field couldn't feel better about the.
The way, we're heading into next year with them and the enthusiasm and support.
You know we.
Our on the new sponsor front engaged with in a number of key categories that we think are opportunistic made it yeah, I think probably it's fair to say that.
The virus doesn't make those conversations easier obviously to get him here you know you'd like to go sit.
Sit down people face to face you know that it's tough.
Tough to do you'd like to be able to get it to.
To meet and walk through it. So we we are engaging people to figure out how to move forward.
We feel good about the interest we'll find out will you will see in the next in the coming in coming months to what degree we can turn some of these into new relationships. So.
So I think we do feel good about the activity.
The uncertainty around the virus, probably again as you know certainly not up for the short term is something we have to deal with and I think we have to be smart about how do we deal with.
You know.
Yeah peoples right entities concerns about what you know what what's going to be the impact of the virus and the short term pause.
Positively probably some of the areas. We're most excited about or probably areas that actually are not.
Yeah or in places that are not as impacted by the virus has others sort of them, obviously things like travel and hospitality her much more impacted than tech driven.
We think we are you know, we think they're categories that fit our sport that actually have gone I've been pretty strong through the through the period of the virus a week.
We're hoping for that.
Our goal is to.
You know to really continue to build sponsorship as well as the others to them you know them to build on the curve that would have existed.
From pre virus I mean, obviously this year is down because of stuff.
The impact of the virus, but we're looking to get back in the curve that would have been that.
We would have anticipated and im pretty virus and ER and I don't think you know them to our perspective that different I mean, then that weve been think as he was in.
It came in so probably a little awkward linkedin literally almost as the virus hit but he's on it's been on the ground based on changes in the team there. So so we've got.
It sort of fresh and organization.
And and you know at this point that really picking up speed in terms of some of these commitments. So I think we.
You know we have to continue to battle through the uncertainty around the virus, but.
But you know I think we feel.
Feel good about the reception, we're getting I think it's helped by the momentum in the business I think people don't get it.
Yeah from all the partners. The you got the momentum and strength of the business I think the momentum. This season you know is.
We've been able to maintain in the sport have given.
People confidence and Uh huh.
And excitement about the future I mean operating cash flow I mean, clearly you know the second half of the year.
<unk>.
In the first half we had just cost so we didn't have revenue.
I'm with most of our players you know they be deferred payments. So yeah. So we have a much more.
The cash flow that will you know will come through you know and our expenses are more spread across the year on on our end.
The expenses will get will come through and to some degree we probably supported the teams and cash flow Oh on timing of some of the payments to like so so the cash flow will improve for us. This week, obviously deal with more operations and are hurting your earning money that would have been paid earlier in year end were deferred until we started racing.
Fair enough. Thanks.
Thank you well now be thank you then next question from Brian just still from credit <unk> <unk>.
Right.
Hi, Thanks for taking the question. So this is in reference to house here a sex happens capital return May change once every region the 80% ownership.
Or the summer the former CFO of serious suggested he didnt see management recommending to the board.
The dividend be significantly increase.
Obviously today, the management and the board look different but Greg.
Once you do own 80% would you recommend that they change the capital return strategy and if so how would you make a case that this would be in the best interest not serious Gerald thanks.
Well I. Thanks for the question yes.
I think that the board has seen a change.
Changing capital strategies over time, we did have a dividend before we buy back at various levels and those will be evaluated in.
In conjunction with management.
You know as we go quarter to quarter, obviously from Liberty's perspective.
The dividends or night, because it allows us to go after the discount but we've also had dividend increases for everybody else benefit of everybody else. So I don't think we have a plan or or 10, now and it will be evaluated with management and the board dot.
Understood all right. Thanks.
Thank you.
Thank you.
We'll take our next question from Brandon Ross from like <unk>, <unk> <unk> <unk>.
He's got the money.
Hey, guys. Thanks for taking the question.
Maybe this is for Greg or Chase wanted to get your perspective on this year's significant decline in sports ratings are used to inform the old one was an exception to that trend maybe why do you think you guys were able to Buck the trend and then what do you think is causing.
The broader issues and is there a longer term concern for you.
As the sports rights supplier with the Braves and but on the old one.
Hi, Chase you want to take a shot and then I'll I'll add are you sure you want to pick.
Okay. So I guess, let me you know you sort of give a perspective I guess on the you know the two issues I mean broader sports industry analysts [noise] <unk>.
I think on the broader sports industry yeah.
I think probably a couple of things going on.
Impacted it.
Some of it was that the you know the.
[noise], the overlapping of everything coming sort of being at the same time initiative as opposed to being spread out you ended up at the end you know the NHL the M.B.A. on top of a.
And baseball and football all on top of each other I'm sorry.
So I'd say, except.
The competition of these events you know well with each other for eyeballs you know I think you know clearly.
Yeah, clearly had a significant impact on the on.
On the events.
And I guess I'd tell you if that's the biggest I mean, if you look at what the public as a site in the public's cited.
To some degree.
You know having fans not fans I take it I think it varied by sports to what degree. It does I guess, if you look at US I think one of the benefits. We have is fans aren't a big part of our television experience none other than the pre race the post race.
Watching a race on TV without fans and Theres no crowd, there's no noise. There's no cheering, it's not they don't get on those things don't aren't part of a formula.
Formula one race, so I think that lack of fans.
The varying degrees.
With sports I think to what degree does it take off it doesn't miss some of the energy the excitement the passion. So I think thats, probably more not as big a factor as the you know the competition.
Political aspects of it that you know the political issues that are sort of the blade into sports I think you know we have not been a positive I don't know how much I'd say it's up.
It's a it's a negative but I think for some fans you know certainly.
You know the fans that wants sports just to be funny, you know and they want to go to it to escape daily life not be reminded of the challenges of.
The problems of the world they want to.
And you go then I have a good time of their friends and care for their team and so I think you know again play not as big an impact, but probably not up you know not a positive.
And.
Yeah, I think for us.
I think the fact that we can yeah. We were we were probably different make as baseball with the one sport like us I mean, the other sports got interrupted in the middle and they came back with a condensed sort of you know kind of conclusion to the season are the virus affected us literally three days before our season started on Australia and they were on the ground.
And in Australia.
So we didn't start and we.
Yeah, we came back with and we put together a season that we thought you know could engage and excite fans I think we did a good job of keeping fans engaged with social media and other vehicles, you know going going into it. So we can build some momentum.
I think we benefited from bringing them some bringing momentum.
Into the season.
But I think in a nutshell I you know I think you know the.
If it is a broader question is do I worry about who you know popularity of life you know a little unique live events actually you know I really feel quite strongly the world Mrs. I'm the worlds.
You know the world really wants to Reengage with them.
And I think that.
And it was a passion for Ford or whether its events like ours or other sports events.
I think if anything I think people just as pent up and there's demand that people want to get I think its a.
You know people have talked about what are the what are the long term changes coming coming out of the virus era and one of them I don't know I couldn't believe more strongly as they.
They will not be up yeah will not impact the popularity of live events I think if anything theres.
There's an absence of it that is you know.
People are longing for him and I think we see that our partners to that are that are increasingly looking for ways to reengage with fans and with the type of events that we put on.
All that I think you know I agree with a lot of states observations protecting the lights. It up to me you went from a you know no sports too too much sports out of season politic distracting, both potentially encore and off work with the national election.
You know a lot of factors how.
How much of that secular and how much of that cyclical how much of the ratings declines of secular or cyclical argued no I would note.
I won't you guys quoted our chairman about sports being the bundle. The glue that holds the bundle I think that's largely right am I think sports is probably going to have somewhat of a rebound of how much is secular versus cyclical hard to know I would note both of our.
You know, our particular sports product it pretty well.
Formula one at particularly growth early when it probably was less competitive just in terms of how much sports was out there and the braced had good numbers pretty much all season, partly because we had a good team.
And it's a you know weve had eight over the last several years I think 44% growth in TV audience over the last three years part of that you know driven by a good team and a new stadium in the light the longer term question of how much direct to consumer changes. The mix is a is to be seen we have the benefit it for me.
I want to take a being under monetized on our product compared to many sports and we have the benefit of the Braves being a very large territory relative mode. So you certainly want to think about the impact of those changes, but in both cases I feel pretty good about our situation.
Okay, and just because you guys have access to the data in all international markets, probably a little more closely.
Are you seeing similar trends internationally to what we'll see in the U.S. with sports viewership.
Yeah.
Brent Chase I'll, let you go first but I've been I get my sense.
So I guess I mean for us and yes, there probably other factors that are bigger I mean actually yeah. It then that trend. So it's a little tough to sort of differentiate what impact. So just a question for already struggling in this year.
It has a significant impact.
And you know markets I mean, I guess, Italy, first and foremost, but realistically you know they are you know.
They're a uniquely uniquely important team I mean as I said in the comments you know I mean I think.
Probably one of the things I feel best about as I said, achieving their results with that you.
In a way that comp.
Competition that lack the drama at the top you would have liked and lacked an iconic team you know being as competitive.
As they happen and at the.
And I think to some degree its you know its why you need to continue to freshman and find different energy, whether it's new tracks or other things to excite.
So because I think for us it's tough to have you know it you know I think we you know where you know we went through all that pretty well.
Right and to some degree because we don't really compete in the same way you know inside the markets I don't.
I'm not close enough to sort of track what does the balloon distillate Doin', Germany, and what is serious due in Italy and in what has been.
And while that you could do in Spain.
So the the international market get so big broad and diverse I, probably the U.S. a little easier to track just you know the sports have them.
More data as you know it it's to some degree we're a <unk>, it's not as directly relevant for us given that we're a global global platform.
Yes, I agree with you made this comment I know you know in much the same way you noted that the lack of.
Ferrari being as competitive as they we might like.
I'll be Curtis mainly from other places. It's also the case you know wouldn't when Alonzo, which I think is good win back for stopping it's hot and when he's there you've got you know ratings in the Netherlands, and the like salaries. So a lot of it is not only team specific driver nationality specific as well.
Got it thank you guys.
Yeah.
Thank you well now be taken sometime next seems that from eat I mean.
Great. Thanks for taking the question.
Okay.
First is just on I think one of the India. Indeed cartoon Meyer shaken out that you guys made any batsman and their team.
Just wondering if you can talk about the rationale for that investment and whether you see an opportunity to work more broadly, but you have to raise money.
Yeah.
We did make a relatively small investment my are saying.
We did that because.
We are interested in motor sport we are.
We are lucky enough to own the pinnacle of motor sports, but we think there's a lot of opportunity, particularly when you add it grow both formula one and other sports and get a better view a better understanding of how some of that operates to become a player at one level in a indycar was attractive to us.
And we got an opportunity to invest with a group, we respect and again not a huge amount of money, but we'll learn something and it will get better and.
Got it and then.
One more if I could I it doesn't it broadcast deals that you did this year, you're either retain or bought back at some of the streaming rights or others, there's right still sit with broadcast partners.
Can you update us on how you think about the importance of owning those digital rights and why you own them in a market versus others.
Yeah, I wouldn't say the broadcast media and.
Broadcasters own them probably in more places.
We own them, it's a matter of to what degree you know the the way we you know exploit them as you.
Requires agreements with the broadcasters so they get more so.
It's always an issue to the broadcasters looking for protection from what they consider competing.
Competing products. So so I think in.
You know it in some places it's more a partnership that we have to work with the broadcaster to you know to develop it and it really it's deal by deal I mean, you know, it's a you know that.
You know the over the top platform. We said before you know for US is really a way to monetize the most passionate fans who want the deepest and richest experience. We think that's actually good for us and good for the broadcasters, but they are different baskets. So it takes time to work work through those sorts of things.
Some progress there is a more relaxed it I think our core relationships are certainly priority one so I.
I think if we could find a way to do it in and expand and build on Oh, yeah and build that they know that the digital platform. We do it if it becomes you know eight you know a real impediment, we'll look for other ways. Some of it ends up being.
How big is the deal what are they very intensive there moving parts to it so and so I think it really becomes a part of the larger relationship Directionally I think we continue to want to believe it's up it's up.
It's an important long term dimension to our business that again for a sport that has such passionate fans like ours to be able to tap into them.
I think we have continued to make headway so.
We don't want to go to war with broadcasters over it I'd say in general with the renewals. We've done we find we get increasing flexibility and so I think that's more is how do we continue to get more flexibility to exploit this in a way that we can do.
In a way that works with our broader broadcasters are comfortable with the as they grow into a you know a recognition of the digital world is going to be a bigger part of it and to a degree we can monetize at their benefits all of us in terms of optimizing the unum to them the value of a consumer out there. So I think directionally I think we feel very.
Good almost you know no.
The number of the deals we've done this year.
You know I think we get increasing flexibility to exploit on and better terms.
Hmm that whether its us doing it alone or advanced discussions with broadcasters are we do it in partnership with them. So it's not one where we are trying to change the world and 12 months, but I think overtime you know.
Continue to give us more flexibility.
To exploit all these avenues traditional and digital platforms to for our product.
Got it okay. Thanks very much.
Well I think this is our last question operator, thank you.
Yes, they've been taking the last question from John thinking from <unk>.
Hi, Thank you.
Congratulations on good financials for backdrop could you just talk a little about how the.
C B a wage agreement discussion might go and how that might affect you going forward.
Well I'm not sure they were great financials, because we'd like you know many others in the baseball World Ah suffered a lot from the lack of in.
In person fans at events, but I think credit to our management team for making it a great adjustments that they did to sustain the business and keeps fan interest.
I.
I think the reality is baseball lost a lot of money. This year and then lets fans are in the seats next year, it will be a challenging business as well.
Not really going to comment on CB eight negotiations, but.
The long term reality must be that if there is not a you know it's much scrapping in coming years.
Likely to put pressure on what teams can pay for players.
It just seems like an economic back.
And beyond that you know what I'm sure that will cause.
Pension because players want to get paid as much as they can understandably a the teams are only going to have X amount of resources. So I think there will be challenges around that and we'll see what happens.
Good luck thanks.
Thank you John.
Yeah, all for joining and we look forward to your <unk>.
Liberty media.
Thanks, guys.
Thank you Jason.
This concludes today's call. Thank you for your participation you may now disconnect.
[music].
[music].
[music].