UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q
 
     
þ   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2009
OR
     
o   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                      to                     
Commission File Number: 001-34177
 
DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
     
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  35-2333914
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
     
One Discovery Place    
Silver Spring, Maryland   20910
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)
(240) 662-2000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report.)
 
     Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No o
     Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes þ No o
     Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
             
Large accelerated filer þ   Accelerated filer o   Non-accelerated filer o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)   Smaller reporting company o
     Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No þ
     Total number of shares outstanding of each class of the Registrant’s common stock as of July 27, 2009:
     
Series A Common Stock, $0.01 par value     
  134,602,440
Series B Common Stock, $0.01 par value
  6,598,161
Series C Common Stock, $0.01 par value
  140,734,901
 
 

 


 

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
INDEX TO FORM 10-Q
         
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2


 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. Financial Statements.
DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited; in millions, except par value)
                 
    June 30,     December 31,  
    2009     2008  
            (recast)  
ASSETS
               
Current assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 339     $ 100  
Receivables, net of allowances of $16 and $16, respectively
    759       780  
Content rights, net
    78       73  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    155       156  
 
           
Total current assets
    1,331       1,109  
 
               
Noncurrent content rights, net
    1,230       1,163  
Property and equipment, net
    410       395  
Goodwill
    6,439       6,891  
Intangible assets, net
    665       716  
Other noncurrent assets
    621       210  
 
           
Total assets
  $ 10,696     $ 10,484  
 
           
 
               
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS IN SUBSIDIARIES, AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
  $ 564     $ 421  
Current portion of long-term debt
    421       458  
Other current liabilities
    242       191  
 
           
Total current liabilities
    1,227       1,070  
 
               
Long-term debt
    3,053       3,331  
Other noncurrent liabilities
    449       473  
 
           
Total liabilities
    4,729       4,874  
 
               
Commitments and contingencies (Note 18)
               
Redeemable non-controlling interests in subsidiaries
    49       49  
 
               
Equity:
               
Series A preferred stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 75 shares; issued and outstanding 71 shares at June 30, 2009 and 70 shares at December 31, 2008
    1       1  
Series C preferred stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 75 shares; issued and outstanding 71 shares at June 30, 2009 and 70 shares at December 31, 2008
    1       1  
Series A common stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 1,700 shares; issued and outstanding 134 shares at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008
    1       1  
Series B common stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 100 shares; issued and outstanding 7 shares at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008
           
Series C common stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 2,000 shares; issued and outstanding 141 shares at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008
    2       2  
Additional paid-in capital
    6,555       6,545  
Accumulated deficit
    (632 )     (936 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (25 )     (78 )
 
           
Equity attributable to Discovery Communications, Inc.
    5,903       5,536  
Equity attributable to non-controlling interests
    15       25  
 
           
Total equity
    5,918       5,561  
 
           
Total liabilities, redeemable non-controlling interests in subsidiaries, and equity
  $ 10,696     $ 10,484  
 
           
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

3


 

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited; in millions, except per share amounts)
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2009     2008     2009     2008  
            (recast)             (recast)  
Revenues:
                               
Distribution
  $ 426     $ 418     $ 851     $ 820  
Advertising
    368       378       669       682  
Other
    87       89       178       192  
 
                       
Total revenues
    881       885       1,698       1,694  
 
                               
Costs of revenues, excluding depreciation and amortization listed below
    257       254       510       496  
Selling, general and administrative
    310       370       591       621  
Depreciation and amortization
    40       49       78       96  
Asset impairments
    26             26        
Exit and restructuring charges
    14       4       17       4  
Gain on business disposition
    (252 )           (252 )      
 
                       
 
    395       677       970       1,217  
 
                       
 
                               
Operating income
    486       208       728       477  
 
                               
Interest expense
    (60 )     (66 )     (117 )     (135 )
Other non-operating income, net
    20       22       28       6  
 
                       
 
                               
Income before income taxes
    446       164       639       348  
Provision for income taxes
    (267 )     (82 )     (337 )     (192 )
 
                       
 
                               
Net income
    179       82       302       156  
Less: Net loss (income) attributable to non-controlling interests
    6       (39 )     2       (79 )
 
                       
Net income attributable to Discovery Communications, Inc.
    185       43       304       77  
 
                               
Stock dividends to preferred interests
    (2 )           (2 )      
 
                       
Net income available to Discovery Communications, Inc. stockholders
  $ 183     $ 43     $ 302     $ 77  
 
                       
 
                               
Net income per share available to Discovery Communications, Inc. stockholders (1) :
                               
Basic
  $ 0.43     $ 0.16     $ 0.72     $ 0.28  
 
                       
Diluted
  $ 0.43     $ 0.16     $ 0.71     $ 0.28  
 
                       
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
                               
Basic
    422       282       422       282  
 
                       
Diluted
    424       282       423       282  
 
                       
 
(1)   Income per share amounts for the quarterly and year-to-date periods have been calculated separately. Accordingly, the quarterly amounts may not add to the year-to-date amounts because of differences in the average shares outstanding during each period and, with regard to diluted per share amounts only, because of the inclusion of the effect of potentially dilutive securities only in the periods in which such effect would have been dilutive. Further, income per share has been calculated using actual amounts for the period. Accordingly, calculating income per share using the rounded figures reported above may produce immaterial differences.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

4


 

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited; in millions)
                 
    Six Months Ended  
    June 30,  
    2009     2008  
            (recast)  
Operating Activities
               
Net income
  $ 302     $ 156  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
               
Share-based compensation expense
    98       19  
Depreciation and amortization
    78       127  
Asset impairments
    26        
Gain on business disposition
    (252 )      
Gain on sale of securities
    (13 )      
Deferred income taxes
    15       77  
Other noncash expenses, net
    18       35  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of discontinued operations:
               
Receivables, net
    15       (67 )
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    106       (100 )
Other, net
    (73 )     (65 )
 
           
Cash provided by operating activities
    320       182  
 
               
Investing Activities
               
Purchases of property and equipment
    (34 )     (42 )
Net cash acquired from Newhouse Transaction
          45  
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired
          (7 )
Proceeds from business disposition
    300        
Proceeds from sales of securities
    22       24  
Other investing activities, net
          2  
 
           
Cash provided by investing activities
    288       22  
 
               
Financing Activities
               
Net (repayments of) borrowings from revolver loans
    (315 )     92  
Borrowings from long-term debt, net of discount and debt issuance costs
    478        
Principal repayments of long-term debt
    (518 )     (187 )
Principal repayments of capital lease obligations
    (5 )     (8 )
Cash distribution to non-controlling interest
    (8 )      
Other financing activities, net
    (3 )     (9 )
 
           
Cash used in financing activities
    (371 )     (112 )
 
               
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
    2       7  
 
           
 
               
Change in cash and cash equivalents
    239       99  
Cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations, beginning of period
    100       8  
Cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations, beginning of period
          201  
 
           
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 339     $ 308  
 
           
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

5


 

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
(unaudited; in millions)
                                                 
    Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
    June 30, 2009     June 30, 2009  
    Discovery     Non-controlling             Discovery     Non-controlling        
    Communications, Inc.     Interests     Total Equity     Communications, Inc.     Interests     Total Equity  
Balance as of beginning of period
  $ 5,653     $ 24     $ 5,677     $ 5,536     $ 25     $ 5,561  
Comprehensive income (loss):
                                               
Net income (loss)
    185       (6 )     179       304       (2 )     302  
Other comprehensive income:
                                               
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net
    39             39       29             29  
Unrealized gains on securities and derivative instruments, net
    21             21       24             24  
 
                                   
Total comprehensive income (loss)
    245       (6 )     239       357       (2 )     355  
Stock dividends to preferred interests
    (2 )           (2 )     (2 )           (2 )
Cash distribution to non-controlling interest
          (3 )     (3 )           (8 )     (8 )
Share-based compensation
    7             7       12             12  
 
                                   
Balance as of end of period
  $ 5,903     $ 15     $ 5,918     $ 5,903     $ 15     $ 5,918  
 
                                   
                                                 
    Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
    June 30, 2008     June 30, 2008  
    Discovery     Non-controlling             Discovery     Non-controlling        
    Communications, Inc.     Interests     Total Equity     Communications, Inc.     Interests     Total Equity  
    (recast)     (recast)     (recast)     (recast)     (recast)     (recast)  
Balance as of beginning of period
  $ 4,527     $ 47     $ 4,574     $ 4,495     $ 9     $ 4,504  
Comprehensive income:
                                               
Net income
    43       39       82       77       79       156  
Other comprehensive income (loss):
                                               
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net
    1       (1 )           4             4  
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities and derivative instruments, net
    4       3       7       (1 )           (1 )
 
                                   
Total comprehensive income
    48       41       89       80       79       159  
Share-based compensation
    1             1       1             1  
 
                                   
Balance as of end of period
  $ 4,576     $ 88     $ 4,664     $ 4,576     $ 88     $ 4,664  
 
                                   
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

6


 

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)
1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
Description of Business
     Discovery Communications, Inc. (“Discovery” or the “Company”) is a leading global media and entertainment company that provides original and purchased programming across multiple distribution platforms in the United States (U.S.) and approximately 170 other countries, with over 100 television networks offering customized programming in 35 languages. Discovery also develops and sells consumer and educational products and services as well as media sound services in the U.S. and internationally. In addition, the Company owns and operates a diversified portfolio of website properties and other digital services. The Company manages and reports its operations in three segments: U.S. Networks, consisting principally of domestic cable and satellite television network programming, web brands, and other digital services; International Networks, consisting principally of international cable and satellite television network programming; and Commerce, Education, and Other, consisting principally of e-commerce, catalog, sound production, and domestic licensing businesses. Financial information for Discovery’s reportable segments is disclosed in Note 19.
     Discovery was formed in connection with Discovery Holding Company (“DHC”) and Advance/Newhouse Programming Partnership (“Advance/Newhouse”) combining their respective ownership interests in Discovery Communications Holding, LLC (“DCH”) and exchanging those interests with and into Discovery, which was consummated on September 17, 2008 (the “Newhouse Transaction”). Prior to the Newhouse Transaction, DCH was a stand-alone private company, which was owned approximately 66 2 / 3 % by DHC and 33 1 / 3 % by Advance/Newhouse. The Newhouse Transaction was completed as follows:
    On September 17, 2008, DHC completed the spin-off to its shareholders of Ascent Media Corporation (“AMC”), a subsidiary holding the cash and businesses of DHC, except for certain businesses that provide sound, music, mixing, sound effects, and other related services (“Creative Sound Services” or “CSS”) (the “AMC spin-off”). Such businesses remain with the Company following the completion of the Newhouse Transaction. The AMC spin-off was effected as a distribution by DHC to holders of its Series A and Series B common stock. In connection with the AMC spin-off, each holder of DHC Series A common stock received 0.05 of a share of AMC Series A common stock and each holder of DHC Series B common stock received 0.05 of a share of AMC Series B common stock. The AMC spin-off did not involve the payment of any consideration by the holders of DHC common stock and was structured as a tax free transaction under Sections 368(a) and 355 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. There was no gain or loss related to the spin-off. Subsequent to the AMC spin-off, the companies no longer have any ownership interests in each other and operate independently.
 
    On September 17, 2008, immediately following the AMC spin-off, DHC merged with a transitory merger subsidiary of Discovery, with DHC continuing as the surviving entity and as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Discovery. In connection with the merger, each share of DHC Series A common stock was converted into the right to receive 0.50 of a share of Discovery Series A common stock and 0.50 of a share of Discovery Series C common stock. Similarly, each share of DHC Series B common stock was converted into the right to receive 0.50 of a share of Discovery Series B common stock and 0.50 of a share of Discovery Series C common stock.
 
    On September 17, 2008, immediately following the exchange of shares between Discovery and DHC, Advance/Newhouse contributed its ownership interests in DCH and Animal Planet to Discovery in exchange for Discovery Series A and Series C convertible preferred stock. The preferred stock is convertible at any time into Discovery common stock representing 33 1 / 3 % of the Discovery common stock issued in connection with the Newhouse Transaction, subject to certain anti-dilution adjustments.
     As a result of the Newhouse Transaction, DHC and DCH became wholly-owned subsidiaries of Discovery, with Discovery becoming the successor reporting entity to DHC.
Changes in Basis of Presentation - Recast
     Certain of the 2008 financial information has been recast so that the basis of presentation is consistent with that of the 2009 financial information. This recast reflects (i) the gross combined financial information of both DHC and DCH as though the Newhouse Transaction was consummated on January 1, 2008, (ii) adjustments to revenues and expenses to exclude amounts for Ascent Media Corporation, Ascent Media Systems & Technology Services, LLC, and Ascent Media CANS, LLC, which were disposed of in September 2008 (refer to Note 4), and (iii) the adoption of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Statement No. 160, Non-controlling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements, an Amendment of ARB No. 51 (“FAS 160”) (refer to Note 2).
Newhouse Transaction
     In accordance with Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51, Consolidated Financial Statements (“ARB 51”), as amended, paragraph 11, these condensed consolidated financial statements and notes present the Newhouse Transaction as though it was consummated on

7


 

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)
(unaudited)
January 1, 2008. Accordingly, Discovery’s condensed consolidated financial statements and notes include the gross combined financial results of both DHC and DCH since January 1, 2008, as permitted under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”).
     Prior to the Newhouse Transaction, DHC accounted for its ownership interest in DCH using the equity method. Accordingly, DHC presented its portion of DCH’s earnings in a separate account in its Statements of Operations. Because the Newhouse Transaction is presented as of January 1, 2008, the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 have been recast to include the gross combined revenues and expenses of both DHC and DCH and do not present the portion of DCH’s earnings previously recorded in DHC’s Statements of Operations as equity investee income during the period January 1, 2008 through June 30, 2008. Additionally, the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 present a portion of DCH’s earnings as being allocated to Advance/Newhouse for the period January 1, 2008 through June 30, 2008 in a separate account titled Net loss (income) attributable to non-controlling interests .
     Pursuant to FASB Technical Bulletin No. 85-5, Issues Relating to Accounting for Business Combinations (“FTB 85-5”), Discovery accounted for the Newhouse Transaction as a non-substantive merger. Accordingly, the assets and liabilities of DCH and DHC were accounted for at the investors’ historical bases prior to the Newhouse Transaction.
     The condensed consolidated financial statements for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 reflect certain reclassifications of each company’s financial information to conform to Discovery’s financial statement presentation, as follows:
    The Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations have been adjusted to eliminate the portion of DCH’s earnings recorded by DHC using the equity method during the period January 1, 2008 through June 30, 2008.
 
    The Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations have been adjusted to allocate $39 million and $72 million of DCH’s earnings to Advance/Newhouse for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, respectively, which is recorded as a component of the account titled Net loss (income) attributable to non-controlling interests .
 
    Other comprehensive income and Total comprehensive income are reported in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity rather than in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
 
    DHC’s results, excluding unallocated corporate costs and discontinued operations, have been reported in the Commerce, Education, and Other segment. Unallocated corporate costs are classified in the “Corporate and intersegment eliminations” category.
 
    All DHC share and per share data have been adjusted to reflect the exchange with and into Discovery shares, unless otherwise indicated.
Basis of Presentation
Unaudited Interim Financial Statements
     The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP applicable to interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. The condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited; however, in the opinion of management, they reflect all adjustments, consisting of those of a normal recurring nature, necessary to present fairly the financial position, the results of operations, and cash flows for the periods presented in conformity with U.S. GAAP applicable to interim periods. The results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year or future periods.
     The condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s revised audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto as of and for the three years ended December 31, 2008, included in Discovery Communications, Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on June 16, 2009. The year-end condensed balance sheet was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP.
Use of Estimates
     The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates, judgments, and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto. Management continually re-evaluates its estimates, judgments, and assumptions and management’s assessments could change. Actual results may differ from those estimates, judgments, and assumptions and could have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
     Significant estimates, judgments, and assumptions inherent in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements include consolidation of variable interest entities, accounting for business acquisitions, dispositions, allowances for doubtful accounts, content

8


 

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)
(unaudited)
rights, asset impairments, redeemable interests in subsidiaries, estimating fair value, revenue recognition, depreciation and amortization, share-based compensation, income taxes, and contingencies.
Consolidation and Accounting for Investments
     The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Discovery, all majority-owned subsidiaries in which a controlling interest is maintained, and variable interest entities (“VIE”) for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. Controlling interest is determined by majority ownership interest and the ability to unilaterally direct or cause the direction of management and policies of an entity after considering any third-party participatory rights. The Company applies the guidelines set forth in FASB Interpretation No. 46R, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an Interpretation of ARB No. 51 (“FIN 46R”), in evaluating whether it has interests in VIEs and in determining whether to consolidate any such entities. All significant inter-company accounts and transactions between consolidated companies have been eliminated in consolidation.
     The Company’s foreign subsidiaries’ assets and liabilities are translated at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date, while results of operations are translated at average exchange rates for the respective periods. The resulting asset and liability translation adjustments are included as a separate component of Accumulated other comprehensive loss in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Inter-company accounts of a trading nature are revalued at exchange rates in effect at each month end and are included as part of operating income in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
     Investments in entities of 20% to 50%, without a controlling interest, and other investments over which the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence but not control are accounted for using the equity method. Investments in entities of less than 20% over which the Company has no significant influence are accounted for at fair value or using the cost method.
Subsequent Events
     The Company has evaluated subsequent events through the time of filing this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q on August 4, 2009. No material subsequent events have occurred since June 30, 2009 that should be recorded or disclosed to keep the condensed consolidated financial statements from being misleading.
2. RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
Accounting and Reporting Pronouncements Adopted
Subsequent Events
     In May 2009, the FASB issued Statement No. 165, Subsequent Events (“FAS 165”), which establishes general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. FAS 165 requires disclosure of the date through which an entity has evaluated subsequent events, which for Discovery is the date the financial statements were issued. Effective June 30, 2009, the Company adopted the provisions of FAS 165, which are being applied prospectively. The adoption of FAS 165 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The relevant disclosures required by FAS 165 are included in Note 1.
Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments
     In April 2009, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) No. FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1, Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments (“FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1”). This FSP amends FASB Statement No. 107, Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments , and Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 28 , Interim Financial Reporting , to require disclosures about fair value of financial instruments in interim financial statements in addition to annual financial statements. Effective June 30, 2009, the Company adopted the interim disclosure requirements of FSP No. 107-1 and APB 28-1, which are being applied prospectively. The adoption of FSP 107-1 and APB 28-1 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The relevant disclosures required by FSP 107-1 and APB 28-1 are included in various notes to the consolidated financial statements.
Determining Whether Instruments Granted in Share-Based Payment Transactions Are Participating Securities
     In June 2008, the FASB issued FSP Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 03-6-1, Determining Whether Instruments Granted in Share-Based Payment Transactions Are Participating Securities (“FSP EITF 03-6-1”). The provisions of FSP EITF 03-6-1 became effective for the Company on January 1, 2009. This FSP provides that all outstanding unvested share-based payment awards that contain rights to non-forfeitable dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) are considered participating securities. Because such awards are considered participating securities, the issuing entity is required to apply the two-class method of computing basic and diluted earnings per share retrospectively to all prior-period earnings per share computations. The adoption of FSP EITF 03-6-1 did not impact the Company’s computation of earnings per share for the periods presented.
Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets
     In April 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. 142-3, Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets (“FSP 142-3”), which amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset pursuant to FASB Statement No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (“FAS 142”). Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted the provisions of FSP 142-3, which are being applied prospectively to intangible assets

9


 

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)
(unaudited)
acquired on or subsequent to the effective date. The Company’s policy is to expense costs incurred to contractually renew or extend the terms of its intangible assets. The adoption of FSP 142-3 did not impact the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Disclosures about Derivative Investments and Hedging Activities
     In March 2008, the FASB issued Statement No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 133 (“FAS 161”), which amends and expands the disclosure requirements of FASB Statement No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (“FAS 133”), to include information about how and why an entity uses derivative instruments; how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under FAS 133 and its related interpretations; and how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. The Company adopted the provisions of FAS 161 effective January 1, 2009, which are being applied prospectively. The adoption of FAS 161 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The relevant disclosures required by FAS 161 are included in Note 9.
Non-controlling Interests
     In December 2007, the FASB issued FAS 160, which establishes accounting and reporting standards for the non-controlling interest in a subsidiary, commonly referred to as minority interest. Among other matters, FAS 160 requires that non-controlling interests be reported within the equity section of the balance sheet and that the amounts of consolidated net income or loss and consolidated comprehensive income or loss attributable to the parent company and the non-controlling interests are clearly presented separately in the consolidated financial statements. Also, pursuant to FAS 160, where appropriate, losses will be allocated to non-controlling interests even when that allocation may result in a deficit balance. Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted the provisions of FAS 160, which are being applied prospectively, except for the presentation and disclosure requirements, which are being applied retrospectively to all periods presented. Upon adoption of FAS 160, non-controlling interests of $25 million as of December 31, 2008 have been reclassified from Other noncurrent liabilities to Equity attributable to non-controlling interests in the equity section of the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Additionally, $39 million and $79 million previously recorded as Minority interests, net of tax for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 has been reclassified to Net income attributable to non-controlling interests and excluded from the caption Net income in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. The computation of earnings per share for all prior periods is not impacted.
Business Combinations
     In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement No. 141(R), Business Combinations (“FAS 141R”), which requires, among other matters, that companies expense business acquisition transaction costs; record an asset for in-process research and development; record at fair value amounts for contingencies, including contingent consideration, as of the purchase date with subsequent adjustments recognized in operating results; recognize decreases in valuation allowances on acquired deferred tax assets in operating results, which are considered to be subsequent changes in consideration and are recorded as decreases in goodwill; and measure at fair value any non-controlling interest in the acquired entity. Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted the provisions of FAS 141R, which are being applied prospectively to new business combinations consummated on or subsequent to the effective date. While FAS 141R applies to new business acquisitions consummated on or subsequent to the effective date, the amendments to FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes (“FAS 109”), with respect to deferred tax valuation allowances and liabilities for income tax uncertainties, applies to changes in deferred tax valuation allowances and liabilities for income tax uncertainties recognized in prior business acquisitions. In April 2009, the FASB issued FSP 141(R)-1, Accounting for Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed in a Business Combination That Arise from Contingencies (“FSP 141R-1”), which amends and clarifies the accounting, recording and measurement of certain contingent assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. The provisions of FSP 141R-1 were effective immediately and required to be applied retrospectively to business combinations that occurred on or after January 1, 2009. The initial adoption of FAS 141R and FSP 141R-1, effective January 1, 2009, did not impact the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Generally, the impact of FAS 141R will depend on future acquisitions.
Accounting for Collaborative Arrangements
     In December 2007, the EITF issued EITF Issue No. 07-1, Accounting for Collaborative Arrangements (“EITF 07-1”). EITF 07-1 defines collaborative arrangements and establishes accounting and reporting requirements for transactions between participants in the arrangement and third parties. A collaborative arrangement is defined as a contractual arrangement that involves a joint operating activity, such as an agreement to co-produce and distribute programming with another media company. Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted the provisions of EITF 07-1, which are being applied retrospectively to all periods presented for all collaborative arrangements as of the effective date. The adoption of EITF 07-1 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The relevant disclosures required by EITF 07-1 are included in Note 6.

10


 

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)
(unaudited)
Fair Value Measurements
     In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“FAS 157”), which establishes the authoritative definition of fair value, sets out a framework for measuring fair value, and expands the required disclosures about fair value measurement. The provisions of FAS 157 related to financial assets and liabilities as well as nonfinancial assets and liabilities carried at fair value on a recurring basis were adopted prospectively on January 1, 2008 and did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In February 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. 157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157 (“FSP 157-2”), which delayed the effective date of FAS 157 for non-recurring measurements of non-financial assets and liabilities to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted the provisions of FAS 157 related to non-financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis, which are being applied prospectively. The adoption of FAS 157 for non-recurring measurements of non-financial assets and liabilities did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The relevant disclosures required by FAS 157 are included in Note 5.
Accounting and Reporting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities
     In June 2009, the FASB issued Statement No. 167, Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R) (“FAS 167”), which amends certain requirements of FIN 46R. Among other matters, FAS 167 requires a qualitative rather than a quantitative analysis to determine the primary beneficiary of a VIE; amends FIN 46R’s consideration of related party relationships in the determination of the primary beneficiary of a VIE by providing, among other things, an exception with respect to de facto agency relationships in certain circumstances; amends certain guidance in FIN 46R for determining whether an entity is a VIE, which may change an entity’s assessment of which entities with which it is involved are VIEs; requires continuous assessments of whether an entity is the primary beneficiary of a VIE; and requires enhanced disclosures about an entity’s involvement with a VIE. In general, the disclosure requirements are consistent with the provisions of FSP No. FAS 140-4 and FIN 46(R)-8, Disclosures by Public Entities (Enterprises) about Transfers of Financial Assets and Interests in Variable Interest Entities . The provisions of FAS 167 will be effective for Discovery on January 1, 2010, and will be applied retrospectively to all periods presented. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the provisions of FAS 167 will have on its consolidated financial statements.
3. VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES
     Discovery holds investments in multiple ventures, most of which were determined to be variable interest entities. The following table provides a list of investments in variable interest entities as of June 30, 2009 and the method of accounting.
         
    Percentage of   Accounting
    Ownership   Method
Ventures with the British Broadcasting Corporation:
       
JV Programs, LLC (“JVP”)
  50%   Consolidated
Joint Venture Network, LLC (“JVN”)
  50%   Consolidated
Animal Planet Europe
  50%   Consolidated
Animal Planet Latin America
  50%   Consolidated
People+Arts Latin America
  50%   Consolidated
Animal Planet Asia
  50%   Consolidated
Animal Planet Japan
  33%   Consolidated
 
       
Other ventures:
       
Oprah Winfrey Network
  50%   Consolidated
DHJV Company LLC (“Hasbro – Discovery Joint Venture”)
  50%   Equity Method
     For consolidated ventures, during the three months ended June 30, 2009, $6 million of net losses generated by the ventures was allocated to other venture partners. Approximately $2 million and $7 million of net income generated by the ventures was allocated to other venture partners during the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. Amounts allocated to other venture partners are recorded in Net loss (income) attributable to non-controlling interests in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Ventures with the British Broadcasting Corporation
     The Company and the British Broadcasting Corporation (“BBC”) formed several cable and satellite television network ventures, other than JVN, to produce and acquire factual-based content. The JVN venture was formed to provide debt funding to the other ventures. In addition to its own funding requirements, Discovery has assumed the BBC’s funding requirements, giving the Company

11


 

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)
(unaudited)
preferential cash distribution for these joint ventures. The equity interests of the ventures owned by the BBC are reported as non-controlling interests. No cumulative operating losses generated by the ventures were allocated to the BBC’s non-controlling interests. In accordance with the venture arrangement, no losses can be allocated to the BBC in excess of distributable cash to the BBC for each joint venture.
     Pursuant to the venture agreements, the BBC has the right to require the Company to purchase the BBC’s interests in the People+Arts Latin America venture and the Animal Planet ventures if certain conditions are not met. Additional information regarding the BBC’s put right is disclosed in Note 10.
Oprah Winfrey Network
     Discovery formed a 50-50 joint venture with Oprah Winfrey and Harpo, Inc. (“Harpo”) to rebrand Discovery Health Channel as OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network (“OWN Network”), which was consummated on July 23, 2008. It is expected that Discovery Health Channel will be rebranded as the OWN Network in early 2010. Pursuant to the arrangement, Discovery will contribute its interest in the Discovery Health Channel and certain DiscoveryHealth.com content and Harpo will contribute the Oprah.com website (which will serve as the platform for the venture website) and certain Oprah.com content. Discovery and Harpo are required to make these contributions on the launch date unless it is mutually agreed that certain contributions will be made prior to the launch date for the benefit of the venture. The equity interests of the OWN Network owned by Harpo are reported as non-controlling interests.
     Pursuant to the venture agreement, Discovery is committed to loan up to $100 million to the venture through September 30, 2011 to fund operations, of which $18 million has been funded through June 30, 2009. The Company anticipates that a significant portion of the $100 million funding obligation will occur in 2009. To the extent funding the joint venture in excess of $100 million is necessary, the Company may provide additional funds through a member loan or require the venture to seek third party financing. Discovery expects to recoup the entire amount contributed in future periods provided that the joint venture is profitable and has sufficient funds to repay the Company.
     Pursuant to the venture agreement, Harpo has the right to require the Company to purchase its interest in the OWN Network venture if certain conditions are not met. Additional information regarding Harpo’s put right is disclosed in Note 10.
Hasbro-Discovery Joint Venture
     On May 22, 2009, Discovery and Hasbro, Inc. (“Hasbro”) formed a 50-50 joint venture that will operate a television network and website dedicated to children’s and family entertainment and educational programming. Hasbro acquired a 50% ownership interest in the joint venture, which will hold the assets related to the Discovery Kids Network (“Discovery Kids”) in the U.S., for which Discovery received consideration of $300 million and a tax receivables agreement collectible over 20 years valued at $57 million. Upon purchase of its ownership interest, Hasbro received a step-up in tax basis for its portion of the joint venture assets. To the extent Hasbro has the ability to amortize this tax basis, it is contractually obligated to share the tax benefit as part of purchase consideration. As part of the transaction, Discovery provided Hasbro a guarantee of performance, valued at less than $1 million. The maximum exposure to loss under this guarantee of performance is below $300 million. The Company believes the likelihood is remote that this performance guarantee could have a material adverse impact on the Company.
     Hasbro and Discovery have equal representation on the joint venture’s board of directors that oversees a management team responsible for programming, scheduling and operations. Programming for the joint venture will include animation, game shows, and live-action series and specials. The TV network and online presence also will include content from Discovery Kids’ existing library. Discovery provides certain advertising sales services, distribution, origination and other operational requirements for the joint venture, while Hasbro provides studio-produced programming and merchandising for intellectual property associated with the network. Hasbro will provide the joint venture with a $125 million licensing revenue guarantee, which is expected to be earned over the licensing term.
     Beginning May 22, 2009, Discovery ceased to consolidate the gross operating results of Discovery Kids. However, as Discovery continues to be involved in the operations of the joint venture, the Company has not presented the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows of Discovery Kids recorded through May 21, 2009 as discontinued operations. The Company’s interest in the joint venture is accounted for using the equity method of accounting, which was initially valued at $357 million. Accordingly, the Company’s consolidated results of operations include the gross operating results of Discovery Kids through May 21, 2009, whereas for subsequent periods Discovery records only its proportionate share of the joint venture’s net operating results.
     In connection with the formation of the joint venture, the Company recognized a gain of $252 million, which included $127 million as a result of “stepping up” its basis for the 50% retained interest in Discovery Kids and $125 million for the sale of 50% of its ownership interest to Hasbro.
4. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
     In September 2008, as part of the Newhouse Transaction, DHC completed the spin-off to its shareholders of AMC, a subsidiary holding the cash and businesses of DHC, except for certain businesses that provide sound, music, mixing, sound effects and other related services. The AMC spin-off did not involve the payment of any consideration by the holders of DHC common stock and was structured as a tax free transaction under Sections 368(a) and 355 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. There was no gain or loss related to the spin-off. Subsequent to the AMC spin-off, the companies no longer have any ownership interests in each other and operate independently.
     In September 2008, DHC sold its ownership interests in AMSTS and AccentHealth for approximately $7 million and $119 million, respectively, in cash. AMSTS and AccentHealth were components of the AMC business. It was determined that AMSTS and AccentHealth were non-core assets, and the sale of these companies was consistent with DHC’s strategy to divest non-core assets. The sale of these companies resulted in pre-tax gains of approximately $3 million for AMSTS and $64 million for AccentHealth, which

12


 

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)
(unaudited)
were recorded at the time of the dispositions. The Company has no continuing involvement in the operations of AMSTS or AccentHealth.
     As there is no continuing involvement in the operations of AMC, AMSTS, or AccentHealth, in accordance with FASB Statement No. 144, Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets (“FAS 144”), revenues and expenses in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 have been adjusted to exclude amounts for these companies. These three companies generated combined revenues of $174 million and $348 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, respectively, as well as net operating income of $2 million, or approximately $0.01 per share, all of which was attributable to Discovery Communications, Inc., for both the three and six months ended June 30, 2008. The combined net operating results were not significant and, therefore, have been recorded as a component of Other non-operating income, net in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. No gains or losses on these dispositions were recorded in the periods presented. Cash flows from AMC, AMSTS, and AccentHealth have not been segregated as discontinued operations in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. No interest expense was allocated to discontinued operations for the periods presented herein since there was no debt specifically attributable to discontinued operations or that was required to be repaid following the dispositions.
5. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
     In accordance with FAS 157, a fair value measurement is determined based on the assumptions that a market participant would use in pricing an asset or liability. FAS 157 also established a three-tiered hierarchy that draws a distinction between market participant assumptions based on (i) observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets (Level 1), (ii) inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are observable either directly or indirectly (Level 2), and (iii) unobservable inputs that require the Company to use present value and other valuation techniques in the determination of fair value (Level 3).
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis
     The following tables present information about assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in millions).
                                 
            Fair Value Measurements  
            as of June 30, 2009 Using:  
            Quoted Market     Significant        
            Prices in Active     Other     Significant  
            Markets for     Observable     Unobservable  
    Total Fair Value as of     Identical Assets     Inputs     Inputs  
    June 30, 2009     (Level 1)     (Level 2)     (Level 3)  
Assets:
                               
Trading securities
  $ 30     $ 30     $     $  
Derivatives (Note 9)
    23             23        
Liabilities:
                               
Derivatives (Note 9)
    (77 )           (77 )      
Deferred compensation plan
    (30 )           (30 )      
HSW International, Inc. liability
    (4 )           (4 )      
Redeemable non-controlling interests in subsidiaries (Note 10)
    (49 )                 (49 )
 
                       
 
  $ (107 )   $ 30     $ (88 )   $ (49 )
 
                       
                                 
            Fair Value Measurements  
            as of December 31, 2008 Using:  
            Quoted Market     Significant        
            Prices in Active     Other     Significant  
            Markets for     Observable     Unobservable  
    Total Fair Value as of     Identical Assets     Inputs     Inputs  
    December 31, 2008     (Level 1)     (Level 2)     (Level 3)  
Assets:
                               
Trading securities
  $ 36     $ 36     $     $  
Available-for-sale securities
    15       15              
Liabilities:
                               
Derivatives
    (112 )           (112 )      
Deferred compensation plan
    (36 )           (36 )      
HSW International, Inc. liability
    (7 )           (7 )      
Redeemable non-controlling interests in subsidiaries
    (49 )                 (49 )
 
                       
 
  $ (153 )   $ 51     $ (155 )   $ (49 )
 
                       

13


 

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)
(unaudited)
     For assets that are measured using quoted prices in active markets, the total fair value is the published market price per unit in active markets multiplied by the number of units held without consideration of transaction costs.
     The fair value of derivative instruments, which consist of interest rate and foreign currency hedges, is determined using the published market price of similar instruments with similar maturities and characteristics, interest rate yield curves, and measures of interest rate volatility, adjusted for any terms specific to the asset or liability and nonperformance risk.
     The fair value of the deferred compensation plan liability is determined based on the fair value of the related investments elected by employees.
     The Company owns approximately 23 million shares (or 43%) of HSW International, Inc. (“HSWI”). The investment is accounted for using the equity method. The Company has agreed to either (i) distribute approximately 18 million of the HSWI shares to the former shareholders of HowStuffWorks.com, Inc. (“HSW”), or (ii) sell approximately 18 million of the HSWI shares and distribute substantially all proceeds in excess of $0.37 per share to the former shareholders of HSW. Through September 2008, the fair value of the Company’s liability to the former HSW shareholders was determined using a discounted cash flows analysis. In October 2008, the Company began using a Black-Scholes option pricing model to value the liability.
     The fair value of the redeemable non-controlling interests in subsidiaries is determined based upon the exercise of the BBC put right and an estimate of the proceeds from a hypothetical sale of interests in certain ventures and a distribution of the proceeds to the venture partners based on various rights and preferences. Additional information regarding the redeemable non-controlling interests in subsidiaries is disclosed in Note 10.
     The following table reconciles the beginning and ending balances of Level 3 measurements and identifies the net income the Company recorded (in millions).
                         
    Three Months Ended     Three Months Ended  
    June 30, 2009     June 30, 2008  
    Redeemable             Redeemable  
    Non-controlling             Non-controlling  
    Interests in     HSWI     Interests in  
    Subsidiaries     Liability     Subsidiaries  
            (recast)  
Beginning balance
  $ (49 )   $ (54 )   $ (49 )
Total gains (losses):
                       
Included in net income
          11        
Included in other comprehensive income
                 
Purchases, issuances, settlements, net
                 
Transfers (in) and/or out of Level 3
                 
 
                 
Ending balance
  $ (49 )   $ (43 )   $ (49 )
 
                 
                         
    Six Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
    June 30, 2009     June 30, 2008  
    Redeemable             Redeemable  
    Non-controlling             Non-controlling  
    Interests in     HSWI     Interests in  
    Subsidiaries     Liability     Subsidiaries  
            (recast)  
Beginning balance
  $ (49 )   $ (54 )   $ (49 )
Total gains (losses):
                       
Included in net income
          11        
Included in other comprehensive income
                 
Purchases, issuances, settlements, net
                 
Transfers (in) and/or out of Level 3
                 
 
                 
Ending balance
  $ (49 )   $ (43 )   $ (49 )
 
                 
     Gains and losses recognized for liabilities valued using significant unobservable inputs were reported as a component of Other non-operating income, net in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

14


 

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)
(unaudited)
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Non-Recurring Basis
     The majority of the Company’s non-financial instruments, which include goodwill, intangible assets, property and equipment, and equity method investments, are not required to be carried at fair value on a recurring basis but are subject to fair value adjustments only in certain circumstances. If certain triggering events occur such that a non-financial instrument is required to be evaluated for impairment, a resulting asset impairment would require that the non-financial instrument be recorded at the lower of historical cost or its fair value.
     The following table presents information about assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis (in millions).
                                 
            Fair Value Measurements  
            as of June 30, 2009 Using:  
            Quoted Market     Significant        
            Prices in Active     Other     Significant  
            Markets for     Observable     Unobservable  
    Total Fair Value as of     Identical Assets     Inputs     Inputs  
    June 30, 2009     (Level 1)     (Level 2)     (Level 3)  
Intangible assets
  $ 17     $     $     $ 17  
Capitalized software
    4                   4  
 
                       
 
  $ 21     $     $     $ 21  
 
                       
     In accordance with FAS 144, assets held and used with a carrying amount of $47 million were written down to a fair value of $21 million, resulting in a pretax charge of $26 million. A fair value measurement was required due to a decline in expected future operating results. The fair values were determined by the application of a discounted cash flows model and market based approach. Cash flows were determined based on Company estimates of future operating results and discounted using an internal rate of return consistent with that used by the Company to evaluate cash flows of other assets of a similar nature. The market approach relied on public information related to certain financial measures. Additional information regarding the fair value measurements is disclosed in Note 7.
6. CONTENT RIGHTS
     The following table presents a summary of the components of content rights (in millions).
                 
    June 30,     December 31,  
    2009     2008  
Produced content rights:
               
Completed
  $ 1,738     $ 1,420  
In-production
    271       270  
Co-produced content rights:
               
Completed
    429       462  
In-production
    71       63  
Licensed content rights:
               
Acquired
    249       218  
Prepaid
    12       17  
 
           
Content rights, at cost
    2,770       2,450  
Accumulated amortization
    (1,462 )     (1,214 )
 
           
Content rights, net
    1,308       1,236  
Current portion
    (78 )     (73 )
 
           
Noncurrent portion
  $ 1,230     $ 1,163  
 
           
     For the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, the Company recorded amortization expense related to content rights of $172 million and $339 million, respectively. Amortization expense related to content rights was $161 million and $315 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, respectively. Amortization expense was recorded as a component of Costs of revenues in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Amortization expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 included charges of $17 million and $26 million, respectively, related to the decision not to proceed with certain completed and in-process content at the Company’s U.S. Networks and International Networks segments. Amortization expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 included charges of $14 million and $15 million, respectively, related to the decision not to proceed with certain completed and in-process content at the Company’s U.S. Networks and International Networks segments. The charges were the result of management evaluating the Company’s programming portfolio assets and concluding that certain programming was no longer aligned with the Company’s strategy and would no longer be aired.

15


 

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)
(unaudited)
     The Company enters into collaborative co-produced content right arrangements (“co-productions’) whereby it obtains certain editorial and distribution rights to content assets in return for funding production costs. The Company’s level of involvement in co-productions ranges from review of the initial production plan to detailed editorial oversight through each stage of the production process. As the Company shares in the variable risks and rewards of content creation, these co-productions are within the scope of EITF 07-1.
     The Company capitalizes the net cost of co-productions and amortizes them in accordance with its content amortization policy. The Company’s policy is to record cash receipts for distribution, advertising and royalty revenue that result from the use of co-produced content as gross revenue in accordance with EITF Issue No. 99-19, Reporting Revenue Gross as a Principal versus Net as an Agent . The Company generally does not allocate revenue to specific content rights, and there were no royalty revenues or expenses associated with co-production partners during the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2009 and 2008. For the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2009, participation costs of $35 million and $59 million were capitalized as part of co-production content, which included payments of $11 million and $14 million to a co-production partner that is consolidated. Participation costs of $23 million and $39 million were capitalized as a component of co-production content for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2008, respectively, which include payments of $3 million and $4 million to a consolidated co-production partner.
7. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Goodwill
     The following table presents a summary of the Company’s goodwill by reportable segment (in millions).
                                 
                    Commerce,        
    U. S.     International     Education,        
    Networks     Networks     and Other     Total  
Balance as of December 31, 2008
  $ 5,569     $ 1,273     $ 49     $ 6,891  
Disposition
    (437 )                 (437 )
Purchase accounting adjustment
    (18 )                 (18 )
Foreign currency translation adjustments
          3             3  
 
                       
Balance as of June 30, 2009
  $ 5,114     $ 1,276     $ 49     $ 6,439  
 
                       
     Goodwill decreased $452 million during the six months ended June 30, 2009. The decrease was primarily attributable to Discovery Kids disposition and an adjustment to the purchase price for the acquisition of HSW.
     As disclosed in Note 3, in May 2009 Discovery and Hasbro formed a joint venture that will operate a television network and website to deliver children’s and family entertainment and educational programming. In connection with the formation of the joint venture, the Company transferred Discovery Kids to the venture, which was previously a component of the Other U.S. Networks reporting unit. For its contribution, the Company received a 50% ownership interest in the joint venture and Hasbro acquired the remaining 50% ownership interest for $357 million. It was determined that Discovery Kids met the definition of a business under FAS 141R and, therefore, the Company allocated $437 million of the Other U.S. Networks reporting unit goodwill to Discovery Kids pursuant to FAS 142. The allocation of goodwill was based on the relative fair values of Discovery Kids and the portion of the Other U.S. Networks reporting unit that was retained.
     During the quarter ended June 30, 2009, the Company reversed a deferred tax liability for losses incurred for other than temporary declines during 2008 in the value of the equity investment in HSWI, which resulted in an $18 million reduction of goodwill.

16


 

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)
(unaudited)
Intangible Assets
     The following table presents a list of the gross carrying value of the Company’s intangible assets and related accumulated amortization by major category (in millions, except years).
                                                         
    Weighted Average   June 30, 2009     December 31, 2008  
    Amortization Period           Accumulated                     Accumulated        
    (Years)   Gross     Amortization     Net     Gross     Amortization     Net  
Intangible assets subject to amortization:
                                                       
Trademarks
    6     $ 33     $ (13 )   $ 20     $ 55     $ (23 )   $ 32  
Customer lists
    25       528       (54 )     474       611       (107 )     504  
Other
    5       4       (1 )     3       36       (24 )     12  
 
                                           
Total
            565       (68 )     497       702       (154 )     548  
Intangible assets not subject to amortization:
                                                       
Trademarks
            168             168       168             168  
 
                                           
Total
          $ 733     $ (68 )   $ 665     $ 870     $ (154 )   $ 716  
 
                                           
     Intangible assets, net decreased $51 million during the six months ended June 30, 2009 due primarily to amortization expense and noncash impairment charges. Excluding impairment charges, amortization expense related to intangible assets was $14 million and $24 million during the three months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively. During the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008, amortization expense related to intangible assets, excluding impairment charges, was $28 million and $46 million, respectively.
     The following table presents the Company’s estimate of its aggregate annual amortization expense for intangible assets subject to amortization for the remainder of 2009 and each of the succeeding four years based on the amount of intangible assets as of June 30, 2009 (in millions).
                                                 
    July 1, 2009 —                                
    December 31, 2009     2010     2011     2012     2013     Thereafter  
Amortization expense
  $ 21     $ 41     $ 31     $ 28     $ 26     $ 350  
 
                                   
     The amount and timing of the estimated expenses in the above table may vary due to future acquisitions, dispositions, or impairments.
Impairments
     As disclosed in Note 3, Discovery sold a 50% interest in Discovery Kids, which was determined to be a business under FAS 141R. As a result, the Company was required to allocate goodwill to Discovery Kids based on the relative fair values of Discovery Kids and the remaining portion of the Other U.S. Networks reporting unit. Additionally, the Company tested goodwill and long lived assets, including definite lived intangible assets, for impairment under FAS 142 and FAS 144, respectively, for the remaining portion of the Other U.S. Networks reporting unit as of June 30, 2009.
     The Company used the purchase consideration provided by Hasbro to determine the fair value of Discovery Kids. In determining the fair value of the portion of the reporting unit remaining, the Company used a discounted cash flows (“DCF”) model and market based approach. The significant assumptions used in the DCF models to determine the fair value of the remaining components of the Other U.S. Networks reporting unit were generally consistent with those used during 2008, except that the expected cash flows of certain components declined causing long-term growth rates to increase slightly. The market approach relied on public information and involves the exercise of judgment in identifying the relevant comparable company market multiples. The Company multiplied certain financial measures of the Other U.S. networks reporting unit by the market multiples identified in determining the estimated fair value. Based on a decline in expected future operating performance and market multiples for certain asset groups of the Other U.S. Networks reporting unit, the carrying values of certain definite lived intangible assets and capitalized software exceeded their fair values. Accordingly, the Company recorded impairment charges of $17 million and $3 million related to certain definite lived intangible assets and capitalized software, respectively, of the Other U.S. Networks reporting unit. Despite the decline in fair value of the definite lived intangible assets and capitalized software for certain asset groups, the overall fair value of the Other U.S. Networks reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount and, therefore, goodwill of the reporting unit is not impaired. A hypothetical 20% reduction in fair value of the Other U.S. Networks reporting unit would result in carrying value of its goodwill exceeding fair value by 1%.
     In addition to the above tests, it was determined that the expected future operating performance for one of the asset groups in the Europe (excluding the U.K.), Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”) reporting unit was lower than expected. As a result, the Company tested long lived assets, including definite lived intangible assets, for impairment. The Company used a DCF model to estimate fair value. The DCF model utilized projected financial results, which were generally below those used during 2008. Based on the decline in expected future operating performance, it was determined that the carrying value of certain definite lived intangible assets exceeded their fair values. Accordingly, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $6 million at the EMEA reporting unit. Despite the decline in fair value of the definite lived intangible assets, the overall fair value of the EMEA reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount and, therefore, goodwill of the reporting unit is not impaired.

17


 

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)
(unaudited)
     Except for the interim impairment tests discussed above, no other interim impairment analyses of the Company’s goodwill or intangible assets have been required in 2009.
8. DEBT
     The following table presents our outstanding debt by instrument type (in millions).
                 
        June 30,         December 31,  
    2009     2008  
$1.0 billion Term Loan A, due quarterly December 2008 to October 2010
  $ 428     $ 938  
$1.5 billion Term Loan B, due quarterly September 2007 to May 2014
    1,470       1,478  
$500 million Term Loan C, due quarterly June 2009 to May 2014
    499        
$1.6 billion Revolving Loan, due October 2010
          315  
7.45% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due September 2009
    55       55  
8.37% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due March 2011
    220       220  
8.13% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due September 2012
    235       235  
Floating Rate Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due December 2012 (2.0% at June 30, 2009 and 3.3% at December 31, 2008)
    90       90  
6.01% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due December 2015
    390       390  
Obligations under capital leases
    98       67  
Other notes payable
    1       1  
 
           
Total debt outstanding
    3,486       3,789  
Unamortized discount
    (12 )      
 
           
Total debt outstanding, net
    3,474       3,789  
Current portion
    (421 )     (458 )
 
           
Long-term debt
  $ 3,053     $ 3,331  
 
           
     In May 2009, DCH, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into Credit Agreement Supplement No. 1 (“Term Loan C”) to its Term Loan B with Bank of America N.A. (as administrative agent and lender). Pursuant to Term Loan C, DCH incurred $500 million of indebtedness, which matures on May 14, 2014. The Term Loan C indebtedness is repayable in equal quarterly installments of $1.25 million (totaling 1% annually) beginning June 30, 2009 through March 31, 2014, with the balance due on the maturity date and bears interest at an initial rate of LIBOR plus an applicable margin of 3.25% and a LIBOR floor of 2.00%, which was 5.25% at June 30, 2009. Approximately $162 million and $315 million of the net proceeds from Term Loan C were used to repay outstanding indebtedness under the Term Loan A and the Revolving Loan, respectively. The Company capitalized approximately $10 million of deferred financing costs as a result of this transaction. From May 14, 2009 through June 30, 2009, the weighted average effective interest rate for Term Loan C was 6.03%.
     Discovery’s $1.5 billion Term Loan B and $500 million Term Loan C are each secured by the assets of DCH, excluding assets held by DCH’s subsidiaries. The remaining Term Loan A, Revolving Loans and Senior Notes are unsecured.
     The following table presents a summary of scheduled and estimated debt payments excluding capital lease obligations and other notes payable for the remainder of 2009 and each of the succeeding four years based on the amount of debt outstanding as of June 30, 2009 (in millions).
                                                 
    July 1, 2009 —                                
    December 31, 2009     2010     2011     2012     2013     Thereafter  
Long-term debt payments
  $ 197     $ 316     $ 240     $ 345     $ 20     $ 2,269  
 
                                   
     The Company uses derivative instruments to modify its exposure to interest rate fluctuations on its debt. The Term Loans, Revolving Loan, and Senior Notes contain covenants that require the Company to meet certain financial ratios and place restrictions on the payment of dividends, sale of assets, borrowing level, mergers, and purchases of capital stock, assets, and investments. The Company was in compliance with all debt covenants as of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008.
Fair Value of Debt
     The fair value of the Company’s borrowings was $3.4 billion at both June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively, which was estimated based on current market rates and credit pricing for similar debt types and maturities.

18


 

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)
(unaudited)
9. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
     The Company uses derivative financial instruments to modify its exposure to market risks from changes in interest rates and foreign exchange rates. The Company does not hold or enter into financial instruments for speculative trading purposes.
     The Company’s interest expense is exposed to movements in short-term interest rates. Derivative instruments, including both fixed to variable and variable to fixed interest rate swaps, are used to modify this exposure. The majority of the Company’s debt is variable rate and the Company uses derivatives to effectively fix the amount of interest paid. The variable to fixed interest rate instruments are based on the three-month LIBOR rate and have a total notional amount of $2.3 billion and have a weighted average interest rate of 4.68% at June 30, 2009. The fixed to variable interest rate agreements have a total notional amount of $50 million and have a weighted average interest rate of 5.82% at June 30, 2009. In addition, the Company has forward starting variable to fixed interest rate instruments with a total notional amount of $860 million and a weighted average interest rate of 2.60% at June 30, 2009.
     On January 29, 2009, the Company entered into two $100 million forward starting swaps with fixed pay rates of 2.94% and 2.93%, receiving the three-month LIBOR rate, starting June 30, 2010 and maturing on March 31, 2014. On March 18, 2009, the Company entered into a $50 million forward starting swap with a fixed pay rate of 2.75%, receiving the three-month LIBOR rate, starting June 30, 2010 and maturing on March 31, 2014. On March 4, 2009, the Company terminated an unexercised interest rate swap put with a notional amount of $25 million. On May 13, 2009, the Company entered into a $50 million forward starting swap with a fixed pay rate of 2.93%, receiving the three month LIBOR rate, starting June 30, 2010 and maturing on March 31, 2014.
     Of the total notional amount of $3.2 billion in interest rate derivatives, a notional amount of $2.3 billion of these derivative instruments are highly effective cash flow hedges as of June 30, 2009. The change in the fair value of derivatives designated as hedging instruments is reported as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive loss on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Should any portion of these instruments become ineffective due to a restructuring in the Company’s debt, the monthly changes in fair value would be reported as a component of Other non-operating income, net on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company does not expect material hedge ineffectiveness in the next twelve months. The remaining $860 million in interest rate derivatives have not been designated for hedge accounting under FAS 133. The change in the fair value of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments is reported as component of Other non-operating income, net on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. The company presents all derivative fair values on a gross basis on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets because the derivative contracts do not allow for netting of payments.
     The foreign exchange instruments used to hedge foreign currency fluctuations for our non-U.S. operations are spot, forward, and option contracts. Additionally, the Company enters into non-designated forward contracts to hedge non-dollar denominated cash flows and foreign currency balances. At June 30, 2009, the notional amount of foreign exchange derivative contracts was $3 million. These derivative instruments have not been designated for hedge accounting under FAS 133.
     The following tables present the notional amount and fair value of the Company’s derivatives as of June 30, 2009 (in millions).
                     
        Asset Derivatives  
    Balance Sheet Location   Notional     Fair Value  
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
                   
Interest rate contracts
  Other noncurrent assets   $ 860     $ 20  
 
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
                   
Interest rate contracts
  Other noncurrent assets     50       3  
 
               
Total asset derivatives
      $ 910     $ 23  
 
               
                     
        Liability Derivatives  
    Balance Sheet Location   Notional     Fair Value  
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
                   
Interest rate contracts
  Other current liabilities   $ 1,460     $ 47  
 
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
                   
Foreign exchange contracts
  Other current liabilities     3        
Interest rate contracts
  Other current liabilities     435       8  
Interest rate contracts
  Other noncurrent liabilities     375       22  
 
               
Total
        813       30  
 
               
Total liability derivatives
      $ 2,273     $ 77  
 
               

19


 

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(continued)
(unaudited)
     The following table presents the impact of derivative instruments on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the Company’s derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships, all of which are interest rate contracts, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 (in millions).
                 
    Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
    June 30, 2009   June 30, 2009
Amount recognized in Other comprehensive income (loss) , gross of tax
  $ 24     $ 17  
Amount reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss into Interest expense
  $ (13 )   $ (25 )
Amount excluded from effectiveness testing and recorded as Other non-operating income, net
  $ (1 )   $  
     Gain (loss) from changes in fair values of derivatives that are not designated as hedges are recognized as a component of Other non-operating income, net . The following table presents the impact of derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 (in millions).
                 
    Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
    June 30, 2009     June 30, 2009  
Interest rate contracts
  $ 4     $ 9  
Foreign exchange contracts
    (5 )      
 
           
Total
  $ (1 )   $ 9  
 
           
Credit-Risk-Related Contingencies
     Certain of the Company’s derivative instruments contain credit-risk related contingent features, such as requirements that the Company comply with its credit agreements and cross-default provisions under which the Company will be in default upon the occurrence of certain cross-default events, such as failure to make payments when due in respect to any indebtedness exceeding certain threshold amounts. If the Company were to trigger any of these provisions, the derivative contracts would be in default and the counterparties could request immediate settlement on all of their outstanding derivative contracts with the Company. As of June 30, 2009, the aggregate fair value of all derivative instruments with credit-risk-related contingent features that are in a liability position was $77 million.
10. REDEEMABLE NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS IN SUBSIDIARIES
People+Arts Latin America and Animal Planet Channel Group
     As disclosed in Note 3, Discovery and the BBC have formed several cable and satellite television network joint ventures to develop and distribute programming content. Under certain terms outlined in the contract, the BBC has the right every three years, commencing December 31, 2002, to put to the Company its interests in (i) People+Arts Latin America, and/or (ii) certain Animal Planet channels outside of the U.S. (the “Channel Groups”), in each case for a value determined by a specified formula. In January 2009, the BBC requested that a determination be made whether such conditions have occurred with respect to both Channel Groups as of December 31, 2008. The contractual redemption value is based upon the exercise of the BBC put right and an estimate of the proceeds from a hypothetical sale of the Channel Groups and a distribution of the proceeds to the venture partners based on various rights and preferences. As the Company has funded all operations from inception of the ventures through December 31, 2008, the Company believes that it has accumulated rights and preferences in excess of the fair market value of the Channel Groups. However, due to the complexities of the redemption formula, the Company has accrued the non-controlling redeemable interests to an estimated negotiated value of $49 million as of both June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008. Changes in the assumptions used to estimate the redemption value could materially impact current estimates. The Company recorded no accretion to the redemption value during the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008.
OWN Network
     As disclosed in Note 3, Discovery and Harpo formed a venture to rebrand Discovery Health Channel as OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network. Pursuant to the venture agreement, Discovery provided a put right to Harpo which is exercisable on four separate put exercise dates within 12.5 years of the venture’s formation date. The put arrangement provides Harpo with the right to require Discovery to purchase its 50% ownership interest at fair market value up to a maximum put amount. The maximum put amount ranges between $100 million on the first put exercise date up to $400 million on the fourth put exercise date. As of June 30, 2009, no amounts have been recorded for this put right as the Company has not yet contributed its interest in Discovery Health Channel and Harpo has not yet contributed the Oprah.com website to the OWN Network venture.

20


 

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (continued)
(unaudited)
11. OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
     The following tables summarize the tax effects related to each component of Other comprehensive income (loss) (in millions) .
                                                 
    Three Months Ended     Three Months Ended  
    June 30, 2009     June 30, 2008  
    Before-tax     Tax Benefit     Net-of-tax     Before-tax     Tax Benefit     Net-of-tax  
    Amount     (Expense)     Amount     Amount     (Expense)     Amount  
                                    (recast)          
Foreign currency translation adjustments
  $ 62     $ (23 )   $ 39     $ (1 )   $ 1     $  
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities and derivative instruments, net
    32       (11 )     21       12       (5 )     7  
 
                                   
Other comprehensive income (loss)
  $ 94     $ (34 )   $ 60     $ 11     $ (4 )   $ 7  
 
                                   
                                                 
    Six Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
    June 30, 2009     June 30, 2008  
    Before-tax     Tax Benefit     Net-of-tax     Before-tax     Tax Benefit     Net-of-tax  
    Amount     (Expense)     Amount     Amount     (Expense)     Amount  
                                    (recast)          
Foreign currency translation adjustments
  $ 45     $ (16 )   $ 29     $ 6     $ (2 )   $ 4  
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities and derivative instruments, net
    37       (13 )     24       (2 )     1       (1 )
 
                                   
Other comprehensive income (loss)
  $ 82     $ (29 )   $ 53     $ 4     $ (1 )   $ 3  
 
                                   
12. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION
     The Company has various plans it assumed from DHC and DCH in connection with the Newhouse Transaction. Under these plans the Company is authorized to grant share-based awards to employees and nonemployees. Prior to September 18, 2008, DCH maintained the Discovery Appreciation Plan (the “DAP Plan”) and the HowStuffWorks.com Plan (the “HSW Plan”). The DAP Plan is a long-term incentive plan under which eligible employees received cash settled unit awards. The HSW Plan is a long-term incentive plan assumed with the acquisition of HSW for the benefit of the subsidiary’s employees. The DAP Plan and the HSW Plan continue to exist subsequent to the Newhouse Transaction.
     Prior to September 18, 2008, DHC maintained the Discovery Holding Company 2005 Incentive Plan, the Discovery Holding Company 2005 Non-Employee Director Incentive Plan (collectively the “Incentive Plans”), and the Discovery Holding Company Transitional Stock Adjustment Plan (the “Transitional Plan”). There are outstanding awards under the Transitional Plan, but the Company has no ability to issue new awards under this plan. The Company grants awards to its employees and non-employee directors under the Incentive Plans, which may include stock options, restricted shares, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), and cash awards that are subject to the provisions of FASB Statement No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment (“FAS 123R”). Most awards previously granted by DHC under these plans that were outstanding at the time of the Newhouse Transaction were fully vested and were converted into securities of Discovery in connection with the Newhouse Transaction. The Incentive Plans and the Transitional Plan continue to exist subsequent to the Newhouse Transaction.
DAP Plan
     The DAP Plan awards consist of a number of units which represent an equivalent number of shares of common stock with a base price established by the Company. Although the DAP Plan was a DCH plan through September 17, 2008, the value of the unit awards was based on the price of DHC’s Series A common stock. As the unit awards were indexed to the stock of another entity, DCH accounted for the unit awards as derivatives pursuant to FAS 133. Accordingly, DCH remeasured the fair value of outstanding unit awards each reporting period until settlement. Compensation expense, including the change in fair value, was attributed using the straight-line method during the vesting period. Changes in the fair value of the unit awards that occurred subsequent to the vesting period were recorded as adjustments to compensation costs in the period in which the change occurred.
     In connection with the Newhouse Transaction, effective September 18, 2008, the DAP Plan was amended such that outstanding unit awards and new unit awards granted under that plan are based on Discovery’s Series A common stock. Accordingly, beginning on September 18, 2008, outstanding unit awards and new unit awards granted under the DAP Plan have been accounted for pursuant to the provisions of FAS 123R. Because the unit awards are cash settled they are considered liability instruments under FAS 123R. Therefore, the Company continues to remeasure the fair value of outstanding unit awards each reporting period until settlement. Compensation expense, including the change in fair value, is attributed using the straight-line method during the vesting period. Changes in the fair value of the unit awards that occur subsequent to the vesting period are recorded as adjustments to compensation costs in the period in which the change occurs. The Company does not intend to grant additional cash-settled unit awards, except as may be required by contract.

21


 

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (continued)
(unaudited)
     Unit awards vest in 25% increments each year over a four year period from the grant date. Additionally, upon voluntary termination of employment, the Company distributes 100% of vested unit benefits if employees agree to certain contractual provisions.
     The fair value of each unit award granted under the DAP Plan is determined using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The following table presents a summary of the weighted average assumptions used to determine the fair value of each unit award as of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008.
                 
    June 30,   December 31,
    2009   2008
Risk-free interest rate
    0.82 %     0.56 %
Expected term (years)
    1.23       1.38  
Expected volatility
    57.38 %     37.89 %
Dividend yield
           
     A summary of the unit awards activity for the six months ended June 30, 2009 is presented below (in millions, except price and years).
                                 
                    Weighted Average    
    Unit   Weighted Average     Contractual Life   Aggregate  
    Awards   Grant Price     (years)   Intrinsic Value  
Outstanding as of December 31, 2008
    20.0     $ 18.95                  
Granted
    1.6     14.46                  
Exercised
    (3.4 )   17.27                  
Forfeited
    (0.8 )   19.61                  
 
                               
Outstanding as of June 30, 2009
    17.4     18.84       1.23     $ 82.2  
 
                               
Exercisable as of June 30, 2009
    0.1     21.64       1.92     $ 0.2  
 
                               
     The Company made cash payments totaling $3 million and $18 million, respectively, during the six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 to settle vested unit awards issued under the DAP Plan.
Incentive Plans
Stock Options
     Stock options are granted with exercise prices equal to, or in excess of, the fair market value at the date of grant. Generally, stock options vest either in 33 1 / 3 % increments each year over three years or in 25% increments each year over a four year period beginning one year after the grant date and expire three to ten years from the date of grant. Certain stock option awards provide for accelerated vesting upon an election to retire pursuant to the Incentive Plans or after reaching a specified age and years of service.
     The fair value of each stock option granted under the Incentive Plans is determined using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The following table presents a summary of the weighted average assumptions used to determine the grant date fair value of stock options awarded during the six months ended June 30, 2009.
         
    Six Months
    Ended
    June 30, 2009
Risk-free interest rate
    1.55 %
Expected term (years)
    3.30  
Expected volatility
    46.52 %
Dividend yield
     

22


 

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (continued)
(unaudited)
     A summary of option activity for the six months ended June 30, 2009 is presented below (in millions, except price and years).
                                 
                    Weighted Average    
            Weighted Average     Contractual Life   Aggregate  
    Options   Exercise Price     (years)   Intrinsic Value  
Outstanding as of December 31, 2008
    10.9     $ 14.47                  
Granted
    8.1     15.51                  
Exercised
    (0.5 )   12.92                  
Forfeited
    (0.1 ) $ 14.68                  
 
                               
Outstanding as of June 30, 2009
    18.4     $ 15.36       5.52     $ 136.0  
 
                               
Exercisable as of June 30, 2009
    2.7     $ 14.06       2.96     $ 19.9  
 
                               
     The weighted-average fair value of each stock option granted during the six months ended June 30, 2009 was $5.34 per option.
Stock Appreciation Rights
     SARs are granted with exercise prices equal to the fair market value at the date of grant. SARs entitle the recipient to receive a payment in cash equal to the excess value of the stock over the base price specified in the grant. Most SAR grants consist of two separate vesting tranches with the first tranche that vested 100% on March 15, 2009 and the second tranche vesting 100% on March 15, 2010. The first tranche expires one year after vesting. All SARs in the second tranche will be automatically exercised on March 15, 2010. Upon vesting, grantees may exercise the SARs included in the first tranche at any time prior to March 15, 2010.
     Cash-settled SARs are liability instruments in accordance with FAS 123R. Accordingly, the Company remeasures the fair value of outstanding SARs each reporting period until settlement. Compensation expense, including the change in fair value, is attributed using the straight-line method during the vesting period. Changes in the fair value of liability instruments that occur subsequent to the vesting period are recorded as adjustments to compensation costs in the period in which the change occurs.
     The fair value of each SAR granted under the Incentive Plans is determined using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The following table presents a summary of the weighted-average assumptions used to determine the fair value of each SAR as of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008.
                 
    June 30,   December 31,
    2009   2008
Risk-free interest rate
    0.58 %     0.37 %
Expected term (years)
    0.76       1.20  
Expected volatility
    66.06 %     39.89 %
Dividend yield
           
     A summary of SAR activity for the six months ended June 30, 2009 is presented below (in millions, except price and years).
                                 
                    Weighted Average    
            Weighted Average     Contractual Life   Aggregate  
    SARs   Grant Price     (years)   Intrinsic Value  
Outstanding as of December 31, 2008
    5.5     $ 14.40                  
Granted
    0.7     $ 14.79                  
Exercised
    (1.7 )   $ 14.46                  
Forfeited
    (0.3 )   $ 14.48                  
 
                               
Outstanding as of June 30, 2009
    4.2     $ 14.44       0.76     $ 33.9  
 
                               
Exercisable as of June 30, 2009
    1.3     $ 14.39       0.71     $ 10.7  
 
                               
Share-Based Compensation Expense
     The following table presents a summary of shared-based compensation expense and the related tax expense, by award type, recognized by the Company during the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 (in millions).
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2009     2008     2009     2008  
            (recast)             (recast)  
Stock options
  $ 7     $ 1     $ 12     $ 1  
Stock appreciation rights
    20             33        
HSW Plan
    2       1       1       6  
DAP award units
    32       53       52       12  
 
                       
Total impact on operating income
  $ 61     $ 55     $ 98     $ 19  
 
                       
Tax benefit recognized
  $ 22     $ 28     $ 36     $ 10  
 
                       
     Compensation expense associated with all share based awards is recorded as a component of Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company classifies as a current liability the intrinsic value of

23


 

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (continued)
(unaudited)
DAP unit awards and stock appreciation rights that are vested or will become vested within one year. The intrinsic value of DAP unit awards that were classified as a current liability at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 was $44 million and $4 million, respectively. The intrinsic value of stock appreciation rights that were classified as a current liability at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 was $31 million and $1 million, respectively.
13. EXIT AND RESTRUCTURING CHARGES
     The following table presents a summary of the Company’s exit and restructuring costs expensed, by segment, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2009 (in millions).
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2009     2008     2009     2008  
          (recast)           (recast)  
U.S. Networks
  $ 7     $     $ 7     $  
International Networks
    3             4        
Commerce, Education, and Other
    1       4       1       4  
Corporate
    3             5        
 
                       
Total exit and restructuring charges
  $ 14     $ 4     $ 17     $ 4  
 
                       
     The following table presents a summary of changes in the Company’s liability with respect to exit and restructuring costs during the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 (in millions).
                         
            Employee        
    Contract     Relocations/        
    Termination Costs     Terminations     Total  
Liability as of December 31, 2008
  $ 6     $ 18     $ 24  
Net accruals
          3       3  
Cash paid
    (1 )     (10 )     (11 )
 
                 
Remaining liability as of March 31, 2009
  $ 5     $ 11     $ 16  
Net accruals
    2       12       14  
Cash paid
    (1 )     (6 )     (7 )
 
                 
Remaining liability as of June 30, 2009
  $ 6     $ 17     $ 23  
 
                 
     The Company reorganized portions of its operations to better align its organizational structure with the Company’s strategic priorities and to reduce its cost structure, which resulted in exit and restructuring charges primarily for changes in management structure and employee terminations. As of June 30, 2009, exit and restructuring related accruals expected to be paid within one year totaling $20 million were classified as a component of Accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company does not expect to incur a significant amount of additional costs with respect to these particular activities.
14. INCOME TAXES
     The provisions for income taxes were $267 million and $337 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, respectively, and $82 million and $192 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008. The effective tax rates were 60% and 53% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, respectively, and 50% and 55% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008. The effective tax rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 differed from the federal statutory rate of 35% due primarily to the permanent difference on the $125 million gain from the sale of 50% of the Company’s ownership interest in Discovery Kids, the $127 million gain as a result of “stepping up” the Company’s basis for the 50% retained interest in Discovery Kids, and to a lesser extent state income taxes. Discovery did not record a deferred tax liability of $48 million with respect to the portion of the outside basis in the Hasbro-Discovery venture attributable to nondeductible goodwill. The increases were partially offset by the release of a valuation allowance of $12 million on a previously recorded capital loss.
     The effective tax rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 differed from the federal statutory rate of 35% principally due to the presentation of the Newhouse Transaction as though it was consummated on January 1, 2008 in accordance with ARB 51. Accordingly, Discovery’s condensed consolidated financial statements and notes include the gross combined financial results of both DHC and DCH since January 1, 2008. Prior to the Newhouse Transaction on September 17, 2008, DHC owned 66 2 / 3 % of DCH and, therefore, recognized a portion of DCH’s operating results. As a result, the tax provision for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 includes the taxes recognized by both DCH and DHC related to the portion of DCH’s operating results recognized by DHC. DHC recognized $29 million and $52 million of deferred tax expense related to its investment in DCH prior to the Newhouse Transaction (net of tax benefit from intangible amortization related to the spin-off of Travel Channel in 2007) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, respectively.
     During 2009, the Company reclassified $68 million of deferred tax liabilities to U.S. federal and state taxes payable in order to recapture certain accelerated tax deductions claimed in 2004 through 2008 related to program content that

24


 

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (continued)
(unaudited)
the Company determined would not qualify as accelerated deductions. As a result of the disallowance of these accelerated deductions, the Company has accrued interest of $3 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2009. In June 2009, Discovery also recorded a tax expense of approximately $4 million related to the reversal of accelerated deductions taken on programs that were disposed of by the Company.
     There have been no significant changes to the Company’s reserves for uncertain tax positions since December 31, 2008.
15. NET INCOME PER SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC. STOCKHOLDERS
     Basic net income per share is computed by dividing net income available to Discovery Communications, Inc. stockholders by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period. The weighted average number of shares outstanding for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 includes Discovery’s Series A, B, and C common shares, as well as Discovery’s Series A and C convertible preferred shares. Preferred shares are included in the weighted average number of shares outstanding when calculating both basic and diluted income per share for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 as the common and preferred shares participate equally in any dividends paid. The weighted average number of shares outstanding for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 represent only the outstanding shares of Discovery’s Series A, B, and C common stock, as though the Newhouse Transaction was consummated on January 1, 2008. Preferred shares are excluded from the weighted average number of shares outstanding when calculating both basic and diluted income per share for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 as the preferred shares are a new security issued September 18, 2008 in connection with the Newhouse Transaction and were not exchanged with the common shares of the Company’s predecessor, DHC.
     The following table presents a reconciliation of the weighted average number of shares outstanding between basic and diluted net income per share.
                                 
    Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
    June 30,   June 30,
    2009   2008   2009   2008  
Weighted average number of shares outstanding — basic
    422             422        
Dilutive effect of equity awards
    2             1        
 
                       
Weighted average number of shares outstanding — diluted
    424             423        
 
                       
     Diluted net income per share adjusts basic net income per share for the dilutive effects of stock options, restricted stock units, and stock settled stock appreciation rights, only in the periods in which such effect is dilutive. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, options to purchase 16 million and 17 million common shares, respectively, were excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per share because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. Additionally, the net income per share calculations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 exclude 1.5 million of contingently issuable preferred shares placed in escrow for which specific conditions have not yet been met. Due to the relative insignificance of dilutive securities in 2009 and 2008, their inclusion does not impact net income per share.
16. ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Cash Flows
     The following tables present a summary of certain cash payments made and received as well as certain noncash transactions (in millions).
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2009     2008     2009     2008  
            (recast)             (recast)  
Cash payments made for interest expense
  $ 58     $ 65     $ 118     $ 138  
Cash payments received for interest income
          (1 )           (1 )
 
                       
Cash interest payments, net
  $ 58     $ 64     $ 118     $ 137  
 
                       
 
                               
Cash payments made for income taxes
  $ 72     $ 93     $ 89     $ 120  
Cash payments received for income tax refunds
                      (17 )
 
                       
Cash tax payments, net
  $ 72     $ 93     $ 89     $ 103  
 
                       
 
                               
Cash payments made for business acquisitions:
                               
Fair value of liabilities assumed
  $     $ 4     $     $ 7  
 
                       
Cash payments made for business acquisitions, net of cash acquired
  $     $ 4     $     $ 7  
 
                       
 
                               
Non cash transactions:
                               
Capital leases
  $ 32     $ 46     $ 32     $ 46  
 
                       
Stock dividends to preferred interests
  $ 2     $     $ 2     $  
 
                       
Other
  $ 11     $     $ 22     $  
 
                       

25


 

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (continued)
(unaudited)
Other Non-Operating Income (Expense), Net
     The following table presents a summary of the components of Other non-operating income (expense), net (in millions) .
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2009     2008     2009     2008  
            (recast)             (recast)  
Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated affiliates
  $ 2     $ (1 )   $ 3     $ (1 )
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivative instruments, net
    4       18       15       2  
Realized gains (losses) on derivative instruments, net
                (6 )      
Realized gain on sale of securities
    13       3       13       3  
Income from discontinued operations, net
          2             2  
Other, net
    1             3        
 
                       
Total other non-operating income (expense), net
  $ 20     $ 22     $ 28     $ 6  
 
                       
     During the three months ended June 30, 2009, the Company sold securities for $22 million, which resulted in a pretax gain of $13 million. Approximately $6 million of unrealized pretax gains were reclassified from Other comprehensive income . During the six months ended June 30, 2008, AMC, which is reported as discontinued operations, sold securities for $24 million. There was no gain associated with this sale.
17. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
     The Company identifies related parties as investors in its consolidated subsidiaries, the Company’s joint venture partners and equity investments, and the Company’s executive management and directors and their respective affiliates. Transactions with related parties typically result from distribution of networks, mainly with the Discovery Japan, Inc. and Discovery Channel Canada joint ventures, production of content primarily with BBC affiliates, and services involving satellite uplink, systems integration, origination and post-production.
     The following table presents a summary of balances related to transactions with related parties during the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 (in millions).
                                 
    Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
    June 30,   June 30,
    2009   2008   2009   2008
            (recast)           (recast)
Revenues
  $ 8     $ 6     $ 12     $ 13  
Operating costs and expenses
  $ 6     $ 21     $ 10     $ 36  
     Revenues for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 exclude $16 million and $25 million, respectively, for related party transactions that were recorded by AMC, which was spun-off effective January 1, 2008. Operating costs and expenses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 include disbursements of $16 million and $25 million, respectively, to an entity that is no longer a related party following the Newhouse Transaction.
     The following table presents a summary of outstanding balances from transactions with related parties as of June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 (in millions).
                 
    June 30,   December 31,
    2009   2008
Accounts receivable
  $ 5     $ 12  
18. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
     As more fully described in the Company’s 2008 revised consolidated financial statements in the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 16, 2009, the Company and its subsidiaries lease offices, satellite transponders, and certain equipment under capital and operating lease arrangements. The Company has several investments in joint ventures. From time to time the Company agrees to fund the operations of the ventures on an as needed basis. The Company has long-term noncancelable lease commitments for office space and equipment, studio facilities, transponders, vehicles and operating equipment. Content commitments of the Company not recorded on the balance sheet include obligations relating to programming development, programming production and

26


 

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (continued)
(unaudited)
programming acquisitions and talent contracts. Other commitments include obligations to purchase goods and services, employment contracts, sponsorship agreements and transmission services. A majority of such fees are payable over several years, as part of the normal course of business.
     In December 2007, Discovery acquired HSW and a 49.5% interest in HSWI. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, Discovery has the option to (i) distribute the HSWI stock to the former HSW shareholders, or (ii) sell the HSWI stock and distribute substantially all proceeds in excess of $0.37 per share to the former HSW shareholders. Discovery continues to record a liability of $4 million as of June 30, 2009 for its estimated obligation with respect to the HSWI shares to the former HSW shareholders.
     Pursuant to the OWN venture agreement, Discovery is committed to loan up to $100 million to the venture through September 30, 2011 to fund operations, of which $18 million has been funded through June 30, 2009. The Company anticipates that a significant portion of the $100 million funding obligation will occur in 2009. Discovery expects to recoup the entire amount contributed in future periods if the joint venture is profitable and has sufficient funds to repay the Company.
     In connection with the Newhouse Transaction, DHC’s outstanding stock options were converted into stock options or stock settled stock appreciation rights of Discovery, in accordance with the terms of the agreements governing the Newhouse Transaction. Additionally, Advance/Newhouse received shares of Discovery’s Series A and Series C convertible preferred stock. In the event that the stock options or stock settled appreciation rights that were converted in connection with the Newhouse Transaction are exercised, Advance/Newhouse is entitled to receive additional shares of the same series of convertible preferred stock. The Company has placed approximately 1.6 million shares of preferred stock into an escrow account for this anti-dilution provision. In the event that shares are released from escrow to Advance/Newhouse, the distribution would be accounted for as a dividend measured at the fair value of the underlying shares as of the Newhouse Transaction date. During the quarter ended June 30, 2009, the Company recognized $2 million of non-cash stock dividends for the release of approximately 100,000 shares of preferred stock from escrow.
     In the normal course of business, the Company has pending claims and legal proceedings. It is the opinion of the Company’s management, based on information available at this time, that none of the other current claims and proceedings will have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Concentrations of Credit Risk
     Concentrations of credit risk arise when a number of customers and counterparties engage in similar activities or have similar economic characteristics that make them susceptible to similar changes in industry conditions, which could affect their ability to meet their contractual obligations. The increasing consolidation of the financial services industry will increase our concentration risk to counterparties in this industry, and we will become more reliant on a smaller number of institutional counterparties, which both increases our risk exposure to any individual counterparty and decreases our negotiating leverage with these counterparties. Based on our assessment of business conditions that could impact our financial results, we have determined that none of the Company’s customers or counterparties represent significant concentrations of credit risk.
Derivatives Counterparties
     The risk associated with a derivative transaction is that a counterparty will default on payments due to us. If there is a default, we may have to acquire a replacement derivative from a different counterparty at a higher cost or may be unable to find a suitable replacement. Our derivative credit exposure relates principally to interest rate derivative contracts. Typically, we seek to manage these exposures by contracting with experienced counterparties that are investment grade-rated. These counterparties consist of large financial institutions that have a significant presence in the derivatives market.
Lender Counterparties
     The risk associated with a debt transaction is that a counterparty will not be available to fund as obligated under the terms of our revolver facility. If funding under committed lines of credit are unavailable, we may have to acquire a replacement credit facility from a different counterparty at a higher cost or may be unable to find a suitable replacement. Typically, we seek to manage these exposures by contracting with experienced large financial institutions and monitoring the credit quality of our lenders.
     The Company manages its exposure to derivative and lender counterparties by continually monitoring its positions with, and the credit quality of, the financial institutions that are counterparties to its financial instruments and does not anticipate nonperformance by the counterparties.
Customers
     The Company’s trade receivables do not represent a significant concentration of credit risk as of June 30, 2009 due to the wide variety of customers and markets in which the Company operates and their dispersion across many geographic areas.

27


 

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (continued)
(unaudited)
19. REPORTABLE SEGMENTS INFORMATION
     The Company has three reportable segments: U.S. Networks, consisting principally of domestic cable and satellite television network programming, web brands, and other digital services; International Networks, consisting principally of international cable and satellite television network programming; and Commerce, Education, and Other, consisting principally of e-commerce, catalog, sound production, and domestic licensing businesses.
     Prior to the Newhouse Transaction and related AMC spin-off (refer to Note 1), DHC had three reportable segments: Creative Services Group, which provided various technical and creative services necessary to complete principal photography into final products such as films, trailers, shows, and other media; Network Services Group, which provided the facilities and services necessary to assemble and distribute programming content for cable and broadcast networks; and DCH, as a significant equity method investee. In connection with the Newhouse Transaction, DHC spun-off its interest in AMC, which included the Creative Services Group segment, except for CSS, and the Network Services Group segment. The discontinued operations of the Creative Services Group and Network Services Group segments have been excluded from the reportable segment information presented below.
     The CSS business, which remains with Discovery subsequent to the Newhouse Transaction and AMC spin-off, is included in the Commerce, Education, and Other segment. In accordance with ARB 51, the financial results of both DHC and DCH have been combined in Discovery’s financial statements as if the Newhouse Transaction occurred January 1, 2008. Accordingly, the Commerce, Education, and Other segment information for June 30, 2008 includes amounts for CSS since January 1, 2008.
     The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies, except that certain inter-segment transactions that are eliminated at the consolidated level are not eliminated at the segment level as they are treated similar to third-party sales transactions in determining segment performance. Inter-segment transactions primarily include the purchase of advertising and content between segments. Inter-segment transactions are not material to the periods presented.
     The Company evaluates the operating performance of its segments based on financial measures such as revenues and adjusted operating income before depreciation and amortization (“Adjusted OIBDA”). Adjusted OIBDA is defined as revenues less cost of revenues and selling, general and administrative expense excluding (i) mark-to-market share-based compensation expense, (ii) amortization of deferred launch incentives, (iii) restructuring and impairment charges, and (iv) gains (losses) on asset dispositions. Management uses Adjusted OIBDA to assess the operational strength and performance of its segments. Management uses this measure to view operating results, perform analytical comparisons, identify strategies to improve performance and allocate resources to each segment. The Company believes Adjusted OIBDA is relevant to investors because it allows them to analyze operating performance of each segment using the same metric management uses and also provides investors a measure to analyze operating performance of each segment against historical data. The Company excludes mark-to-market compensation expense and restructuring and impairment charges from the calculation of Adjusted OIBDA due to their volatility or non-recurring nature. The Company also excludes the amortization of deferred launch incentive payments because these payments are infrequent and the amortization does not represent cash payments in the current reporting period. Because Adjusted OIBDA is a non-GAAP measure, it should be considered in addition to, but not a substitute for, operating income, net income, cash flow provided by operating activities and other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
     The Company’s reportable segments are determined based on (i) financial information reviewed by the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”), the Chief Executive Officer, (ii) internal management and related reporting structure, and (iii) the basis upon which the CODM makes resource allocation decisions.
     The following tables present summarized financial information for each of the Company’s reportable segments (in millions).
Revenues by Segment (in millions)
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2009     2008     2009     2008  
            (recast)             (recast)  
U.S. Networks
  $ 557     $ 544     $ 1,066     $ 1,028  
International Networks
    283       298       538       564  
Commerce, Education, and Other
    40       41       89       81  
Corporate and inter-segment eliminations
    1       2       5       21  
 
                       
Total revenues
  $ 881     $ 885     $ 1,698     $ 1,694  
 
                       

28


 

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (continued)
(unaudited)
Adjusted OIBDA by Segment (in millions)
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2009     2008     2009     2008  
            (recast)             (recast)  
U.S. Networks
  $ 330     $ 296     $ 605     $ 554  
International Networks
    92       97       188       177  
Commerce, Education, and Other
    5       (3 )     11       (3 )
Corporate and inter-segment eliminations
    (46 )     (54 )     (94 )     (91 )
 
                       
Total adjusted OIBDA
  $ 381     $ 336     $ 710     $ 637  
 
                       
Reconciliation of Total Adjusted OIBDA to Total Operating Income (in millions)
                                 
    Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2009     2008     2009     2008  
            (recast)             (recast)  
Total adjusted OIBDA
  $ 381     $ 336     $ 710     $ 637  
Expense arising from long-term incentive plan awards (mark-to-market)
    (54 )     (54 )     (86 )     (18 )
Depreciation and amortization
    (40 )     (49 )     (78 )     (96 )
Amortization of deferred launch incentives
    (13 )     (21 )     (27 )     (42 )
Asset impairments
    (26 )           (26 )      
Gain on business disposition
    252             252        
Exit and restructuring charges
    (14 )     (4 )     (17 )     (4 )
 
                       
Total operating income
  $ 486     $ 208     $ 728     $ 477  
 
                       
Total Assets by Segment (in millions)
                 
          June 30,           December 31,  
    2009     2008  
U.S. Networks
  $ 2,118     $ 1,840  
International Networks
    1,105       1,043  
Commerce, Education, and Other
    97       115  
Corporate
    7,376       7,486  
 
           
Total assets
  $ 10,696     $ 10,484  
 
           
     Total assets allocated to “Corporate” in the above table include the Company’s goodwill balance as the financial reports reviewed by the Company’s CODM do not include an allocation of goodwill to each reportable segment. Goodwill by reportable segment is disclosed in
Note 7.
20. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION
     On June 17, 2009, the Company filed a Registration Statement on Form S-3 with the SEC to register certain securities, including debt securities of DCL and DCH that may be issued in the future with full and unconditional guarantees by the Company. Accordingly, set forth below is condensed consolidating financial information presenting the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows of (i) Discovery Communications, Inc. (“Discovery” or the “Company”), (ii) Discovery Communications, LLC (“DCL”), (iii) Discovery Communications Holding, LLC (“DCH”), (iv) non-guarantor subsidiaries of DCL on a combined basis, (v) other non-guarantor subsidiaries of Discovery on a combined basis, and (vi) the eliminations and reclassifications necessary to arrive at the information for the Company on a consolidated basis. Discovery, DCL, and DCH are each potential issuers or guarantors. For any issuance of debt, Discovery will be an issuer or guarantor.
     The supplemental condensed consolidating financial information should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of the Company.
     The existing indebtedness of DCL and DCH comprises substantially all of the indebtedness of the Company. The financial covenants of the respective debt agreements limit DCL and DCH from making distributions to Discovery. The terms of DCL’s senior notes restrict the cumulative payment of dividends over the life of the senior notes to an amount calculated based on the cumulative equity contributions and net income of DCL less the cumulative distributions to DCL’s owners. In addition, the terms of the DCH’s Term Loan B and Term Loan C allow DCH to pay dividends to Discovery to the extent that DCH’s leverage ratio does not exceed 5 to 1 based upon defined measures of cash flows and indebtedness.

29


 

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (continued)
(unaudited)
Basis of Presentation
     In accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC, the equity method has been applied to (i) Discovery’s interest in DCH and other non-guarantor subsidiaries, (ii) DCH’s interest in DCL, and (iii) DCL’s interest in non-guarantor subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. Discovery’s bases in all subsidiaries, including goodwill and recognized intangible assets, have been “pushed-down” to the applicable subsidiaries.

30


 

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (continued)
(unaudited)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
June 30, 2009
(in millions)
                                                         
                            Non-Guarantor                      
                            Subsidiaries of     Other Non-Guarantor             Discovery  
    Discovery     Discovery     Discovery     Discovery     Subsidiaries of     Reclassifications     Communications,  
    Communications,     Communications     Communications,     Communications,     Discovery     and     Inc. and  
    Inc.     Holdings, LLC     LLC     LLC     Communications, Inc.     Eliminations     Subsidiaries  
ASSETS
                                                       
Current assets:
                                                       
Cash and cash equivalents
  $     $     $ 249     $ 89     $ 1     $     $ 339  
Receivables, net
                365       412       13       (31 )     759  
Content rights, net
                15       63                   78  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    1             54       98       2             155  
 
                                         
Total current assets
    1             683       662       16       (31 )     1,331  
 
                                                       
Investment in and advances to subsidiaries
    8,534       8,054       4,255             6,493       (27,336 )      
Noncurrent content rights, net
                522       708                   1,230  
Property and equipment, net
                85       319       6             410  
Goodwill
                3,876       2,552       11             6,439  
Intangible assets, net
                389       275       1             665  
Other noncurrent assets
          64       436       249             (128 )     621  
 
                                         
Total assets
  $ 8,535     $ 8,118     $ 10,246     $ 4,765     $ 6,527     $ (27,495 )   $ 10,696  
 
                                         
 
                                                       
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS IN SUBSIDIARIES, AND EQUITY                          
Current liabilities:
                                                       
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
  $ 203     $ 14     $ 170     $ 201     $ 6     $ (30 )   $ 564  
Current portion of long-term debt
          20       388       13                   421  
Other current liabilities
          47       88       107                   242  
 
                                         
Total current liabilities
    203       81       646       321       6       (30 )     1,227  
 
                                                       
Long-term debt
          1,937       1,055       61                   3,053  
Other noncurrent liabilities
    1             491       64       20       (127 )     449  
 
                                         
Total liabilities
    204       2,018       2,192       446       26       (157 )     4,729  
 
                                                       
Redeemable non-controlling interests in subsidiaries
                      49                   49  
 
                                                       
Intercompany contributions and advances between Discovery Communications, Inc. and subsidiaries
    2,428       2,682       2,692       5,224       1,747       (14,773 )      
Equity attributable to Discovery Communications, Inc.
    5,903       3,418       5,362       (960 )     4,754       (12,574 )     5,903  
 
                                         
Equity and advances attributable to Discovery Communications, Inc.
    8,331       6,100       8,054       4,264       6,501       (27,347 )     5,903  
Equity attributable to non-controlling interests
                      6             9       15  
 
                                         
Total equity
    8,331       6,100       8,054       4,270       6,501       (27,338 )     5,918  
 
                                         
Total liabilities, redeemable non-controlling interests in subsidiaries, and equity
  $ 8,535     $ 8,118     $ 10,246     $ 4,765     $ 6,527     $ (27,495 )   $ 10,696  
 
                                         

31


 

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (continued)
(unaudited)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
December 31, 2008
(in millions)
                                                         
                            Non-Guarantor                      
                            Subsidiaries of     Other Non-Guarantor             Discovery  
    Discovery     Discovery     Discovery     Discovery     Subsidiaries of     Reclassifications     Communications,  
    Communications,     Communications     Communications,     Communications,     Discovery     and     Inc. and  
    Inc.     Holdings, LLC     LLC     LLC     Communications, Inc.     Eliminations     Subsidiaries  
ASSETS
                                                       
Current assets:
                                                       
Cash and cash equivalents
  $     $     $ 13     $ 84     $ 3     $     $ 100  
Receivables, net
                369       415       12       (16 )     780  
Content rights, net
                13       60                   73  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    13       12       58       93             (20 )     156  
 
                                         
Total current assets
    13       12       453       652       15       (36 )     1,109  
 
                                                       
Investment in and advances to subsidiaries
    7,989       7,006       4,372             6,144       (25,511 )      
Noncurrent content rights, net
                533       640             (10 )     1,163  
Property and equipment, net
                90       301       4             395  
Goodwill
                4,142       2,738       11             6,891  
Intangible assets, net
                394       321       1             716  
Other noncurrent assets
          50       35       225       1       (101 )     210  
 
                                         
Total assets
  $ 8,002     $ 7,068     $ 10,019     $ 4,877     $ 6,176     $ (25,658 )   $ 10,484  
 
                                         
 
                                                       
LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS IN SUBSIDIARIES, AND EQUITY                          
Current liabilities:
                                                       
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
  $     $ 4     $ 242     $ 214     $     $ (39 )   $ 421  
Current portion of long-term debt
          15       431       12                   458  
Other current liabilities
          16       61       114       7       (7 )     191  
 
                                         
Total current liabilities
          35       734       340       7       (46 )     1,070  
 
                                                       
Long-term debt
          1,463       1,835       33                   3,331  
Other noncurrent liabilities
          53       444       58       19       (101 )     473  
 
                                         
Total liabilities
          1,551       3,013       431       26       (147 )     4,874  
 
                                                       
Redeemable non-controlling interests in subsidiaries
                      49                   49  
 
                                                       
Intercompany contributions and advances between Discovery Communications, Inc. and subsidiaries
    2,466       2,459       2,398       5,470       1,635       (14,428 )      
Equity attributable to Discovery Communications, Inc.
    5,536       3,058       4,608       (1,082 )     4,515       (11,099 )     5,536  
 
                                         
Equity and advances attributable to Discovery Communications, Inc.
    8,002       5,517       7,006       4,388       6,150       (25,527 )     5,536  
Equity attributable to non-controlling interests
                      9             16       25  
 
                                         
Total equity
    8,002       5,517       7,006       4,397       6,150       (25,511 )     5,561  
 
                                         
Total liabilities, redeemable non-controlling interests in subsidiaries, and equity
  $ 8,002     $ 7,068     $ 10,019     $ 4,877     $ 6,176     $ (25,658 )   $ 10,484  
 
                                         

32


 

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (continued)
(unaudited)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2009
(in millions)
                                                         
                            Non-Guarantor                      
                            Subsidiaries of     Other Non-Guarantor             Discovery  
    Discovery     Discovery     Discovery     Discovery     Subsidiaries of     Reclassifications     Communications,  
    Communications,     Communications     Communications,     Communications,     Discovery     and     Inc. and  
    Inc.     Holdings, LLC     LLC     LLC     Communications, Inc.     Eliminations     Subsidiaries  
Revenues:
                                                       
Distribution
  $     $     $ 179     $ 247     $     $     $ 426  
Advertising
                210       158                   368  
Other
                21       51       19       (4 )     87  
 
                                         
Total revenues
                410       456       19       (4 )     881  
 
                                                       
Costs of revenues, excluding depreciation and amortization listed below
                84       159       16       (2 )     257  
Selling, general and administrative
    2             108       197       5       (2 )     310  
Depreciation and amortization
                13       27                   40  
Asset impairments
                      26                   26  
Exit and restructuring charges
                3       11                   14  
Gain on business dispositions
                (252 )                       (252 )
 
                                         
 
    2             (44 )     420       21       (4 )     395  
 
                                         
 
                                                       
Operating (loss) income
    (2 )           454       36       (2 )           486  
 
                                                       
Other income (expense):
                                                       
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries
    187       209       38             127       (561 )      
Interest expense
          (31 )     (27 )     (2 )                 (60 )
Other non-operating (expense) income, net
          (1 )     20       1                   20  
 
                                         
Total other income (expense), net
    187       177       31       (1 )     127       (561 )     (40 )
 
                                         
 
                                                       
Income before income taxes
    185       177       485       35       125       (561 )     446  
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes
          12       (276 )     (3 )                 (267 )
 
                                         
 
                                                       
Net income
    185       189       209       32       125       (561 )     179  
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interests
                      (2 )           8       6  
 
                                         
Net income attributable to Discovery Communications, Inc.
    185       189       209       30       125       (553 )     185  
 
                                                       
Stock dividends to preferred interests
    (2 )                                   (2 )
 
                                         
Net income available to Discovery Communications, Inc. stockholders
  $ 183     $ 189     $ 209     $ 30     $ 125     $ (553 )   $ 183  
 
                                         

33


 

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (continued)
(unaudited)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2008
(in millions)
                                                         
                            Non-Guarantor                      
                            Subsidiaries of     Other Non-Guarantor             Discovery  
    Discovery     Discovery     Discovery     Discovery     Subsidiaries of     Reclassifications     Communications,  
    Communications,     Communications     Communications,     Communications,     Discovery     and     Inc. and  
    Inc.     Holdings, LLC     LLC     LLC     Communications, Inc.     Eliminations     Subsidiaries  
Revenues:
                                                       
Distribution
  $     $     $ 179     $ 239     $     $     $ 418  
Advertising
                212       166                   378  
Other
                13       60       21       (5 )     89  
 
                                         
Total revenues
                404       465       21       (5 )     885  
 
                                                       
Costs of revenues, excluding depreciation and amortization listed below
                82       159       15       (2 )     254  
Selling, general and administrative
                127       240       6       (3 )     370  
Depreciation and amortization
                12       36       1             49  
Exit and restructuring charges
                      4                   4  
 
                                         
 
                221       439       22       (5 )     677  
 
                                         
 
                                                       
Operating income (loss)
                183       26       (1 )           208  
 
                                                       
Other income (expense):
                                                       
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries
    43       127       19             38       (227 )      
Interest expense, net
          (25 )     (38 )     (3 )                 (66 )
Other non-operating income, net
          1       19       1       1             22  
 
                                         
Total other income (expense), net
    43       103             (2 )     39       (227 )     (44 )
 
                                         
 
                                                       
Income before income taxes
    43       103       183       24       38       (227 )     164  
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes
          10       (56 )     (4 )     (32 )           (82 )
 
                                         
 
                                                       
Net income
    43       113       127       20       6       (227 )     82  
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests
                                  (39 )     (39 )
 
                                         
Net income attributable to Discovery Communications, Inc.
  $ 43     $ 113     $ 127     $ 20     $ 6     $ (266 )   $ 43  
 
                                         

34


 

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (continued)
(unaudited)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2009
(in millions)
                                                         
                            Non-Guarantor                      
                            Subsidiaries of     Other Non-Guarantor             Discovery  
    Discovery     Discovery     Discovery     Discovery     Subsidiaries of     Reclassifications     Communications,  
    Communications,     Communications     Communications,     Communications,     Discovery     and     Inc. and  
    Inc.     Holdings, LLC     LLC     LLC     Communications, Inc.     Eliminations     Subsidiaries  
Revenues:
                                                       
Distribution
  $     $     $ 361     $ 490     $     $     $ 851  
Advertising
                382       288             (1 )     669  
Other
                41       108       36       (7 )     178  
 
                                         
Total revenues
                784       886       36       (8 )     1,698  
 
                                                       
Costs of revenues, excluding depreciation and amortization listed below
                180       305       29       (4 )     510  
Selling, general and administrative
    4             191       393       7       (4 )     591  
Depreciation and amortization
                25       54       (1 )           78  
Asset impairments
                      26                   26  
Exit and restructuring charges
                5       12                   17  
Gain on business disposition
                (252 )                       (252 )
 
                                         
 
    4             149       790       35       (8 )     970  
 
                                         
 
                                                       
Operating (loss) income
    (4 )           635       96       1             728  
 
                                                       
Other income (expense):
                                                       
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries
    307       342       73             205       (927 )      
Interest expense
          (56 )     (58 )     (3 )                 (117 )
Other non-operating income, net
                25       3                   28  
 
                                         
Total other income (expense), net
    307       286       40             205       (927 )     (89 )
 
                                         
 
                                                       
Income before income taxes
    303       286       675       96       206       (927 )     639  
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes
    1       21       (333 )     (25 )     (1 )           (337 )
 
                                         
 
                                                       
Net income
    304       307       342       71       205       (927 )     302  
Less: Net (income) loss attributable to non-controlling interests
                      (5 )           7       2  
 
                                         
Net income attributable to Discovery Communications, Inc.
    304       307       342       66       205       (920 )     304  
 
                                                       
Stock dividends to preferred interests
    (2 )                                   (2 )
 
                                         
Net income available to Discovery Communications Inc. stockholders
  $ 302     $ 307     $ 342     $ 66     $ 205     $ (920 )   $ 302  
 
                                         

35


 

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (continued)
(unaudited)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2008
(in millions)
                                                         
                            Non-Guarantor                      
                            Subsidiaries of     Other Non-Guarantor             Discovery  
    Discovery     Discovery     Discovery     Discovery     Subsidiaries of     Reclassifications     Communications,  
    Communications,     Communications     Communications,     Communications,     Discovery     and     Inc. and  
    Inc.     Holdings, LLC     LLC     LLC     Communications, Inc.     Eliminations     Subsidiaries  
Revenues:
                                                       
Distribution
  $     $     $ 350     $ 470     $     $     $ 820  
Advertising
                386       296                   682  
Other
                26       141       36       (11 )     192  
 
                                         
Total revenues
                762       907       36       (11 )     1,694  
 
                                                       
Costs of revenues, excluding depreciation and amortization listed below
                161       312       27       (4 )     496  
Selling, general and administrative
                190       423       15       (7 )     621  
Depreciation and amortization
                24       70       2             96  
Exit and restructuring charges
                      4                   4  
 
                                         
 
                375       809       44       (11 )     1,217  
 
                                         
 
                                                       
Operating income (loss)
                387       98       (8 )           477  
 
                                                       
Other income (expense):
                                                       
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries
    77       243       40             70       (430 )      
Interest expense, net
          (51 )     (78 )     (6 )                 (135 )
Other non-operating income (expense), net
                6       (1 )     1             6  
 
                                         
Total other income (expense), net
    77       192       (32 )     (7 )     71       (430 )     (129 )
 
                                         
 
                                                       
Income before income taxes
    77       192       355       91       63       (430 )     348  
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes
          19       (112 )     (43 )     (56 )           (192 )
 
                                         
 
                                                       
Net income
    77       211       243       48       7       (430 )     156  
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interests
                                  (79 )     (79 )
 
                                         
Net income attributable to Discovery Communications, Inc.
  $ 77     $ 211     $ 243     $ 48     $ 7     $ (509 )   $ 77  
 
                                         

36


 

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (continued)
(unaudited)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2009
(in millions)
                                                         
                            Non-Guarantor                      
                            Subsidiaries of     Other Non-Guarantor             Discovery  
    Discovery     Discovery     Discovery     Discovery     Subsidiaries of           Communications,  
    Communications,     Communications     Communications,     Communications,     Discovery           Inc. and  
    Inc.     Holdings, LLC     LLC     LLC     Communications, Inc.     Eliminations     Subsidiaries  
Operating Activities
                                                       
Net income
  $ 304     $ 307     $ 342     $ 71     $ 205     $ (927 )   $ 302  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
                                                       
Share-based compensation expense
    1             35       62                   98  
Depreciation and amortization
                25       54       (1 )           78  
Asset impairments
                26                         26  
Gain on business disposition
                (252 )                       (252 )
Gain on sale of securities
                (13 )                       (13 )
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries
    (307 )     (342 )     (73 )           (205 )     927        
Deferred income taxes
                14             1             15  
Other noncash expenses (income), net
          1       (17 )     34                   18  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
                                                       
Receivables, net
                3       13       (1 )           15  
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    216       9       (93 )     (34 )     8             106  
Other, net
          11       (25 )     (50 )     (9 )           (73 )
 
                                         
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities
    214       (14 )     (28 )     150       (2 )           320  
 
                                                       
Investing Activities
                                                       
Purchases of property and equipment
                (19 )     (13 )     (2 )           (34 )
Proceeds from business disposition
                300                         300  
Proceeds from sales of securities
                22                         22  
 
                                         
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities
                303       (13 )     (2 )           288  
 
                                                       
Financing Activities
                                                       
Net repayments of revolver loans
                (315 )                       (315 )
Borrowings from long-term debt, net of discount and debt issuance costs
          478                               478  
Principal repayments of long-term debt
          (9 )     (509 )                       (518 )
Principal repayments of capital lease obligations
                (2 )     (3 )                 (5 )
Cash distribution to non-controlling interest
                      (8 )                 (8 )
Intercompany contributions and other financing activities, net
    (214 )     (455 )     787       (123 )     2             (3 )
 
                                         
Cash (used in) provided by financing activities
    (214 )     14       (39 )     (134 )     2             (371 )
 
                                                       
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
                      2                   2  
 
                                         
 
                                                       
Change in cash and cash equivalents
                236       5       (2 )           239  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
                13       84       3             100  
 
                                         
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $     $     $ 249     $ 89     $ 1     $     $ 339  
 
                                         

37


 

DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (continued)
(unaudited)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2008
(in millions)
                                                         
                            Non-Guarantor                      
                            Subsidiaries of     Other Non-Guarantor             Discovery  
    Discovery     Discovery     Discovery     Discovery     Subsidiaries of             Communications,  
    Communications,     Communications     Communications,     Communications,     Discovery             Inc. and  
    Inc.     Holdings, LLC     LLC     LLC     Communications, Inc.     Eliminations     Subsidiaries  
Operating Activities
                                                       
Net income
  $ 77     $ 211     $ 243     $ 48     $ 7     $ (430 )   $ 156  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
                                                       
Share-based compensation expense
                9       10                   19  
Depreciation and amortization
                24       69       34             127  
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries
    (77 )     (243 )     (40 )           (70 )     430        
Deferred income taxes
                31       (10 )     56             77  
Other noncash (income) expenses, net
                (69 )     104                   35  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of discontinued operations:
                                                       
Receivables, net
                (43 )     9       (33 )           (67 )
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
          (15 )     (87 )     (14 )     16             (100 )
Other, net
                15       (78 )     (2 )           (65 )
 
                                         
Cash (used in) provided by operating activities
          (47 )     83       138       8             182  
 
                                                       
Investing Activities
                                                       
Purchases of property and equipment
                (12 )     (11 )     (19 )           (42 )
Net cash acquired from Newhouse Transaction
                      45                   45  
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired
                      (7 )                 (7 )
Proceeds from sales of securities
                            24             24  
Other investing activities, net
                            2             2  
 
                                         
Cash (used in) provided by investing activities
                (12 )     27       7             22  
 
                                                       
Financing Activities
                                                       
Net borrowings from (repayments of) revolver loans
                132       (40 )                 92  
(Repayments of) borrowings from long-term debt
          (8 )     (180 )     1                   (187 )
Principal repayments of capital lease obligations
                (1 )     (7 )                 (8 )
Intercompany contributions and other financing activities, net
          55       (18 )     (48 )     2             (9 )
 
                                         
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities
          47       (67 )     (94 )     2             (112 )
 
                                                       
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
                      7                   7  
 
                                         
 
                                                       
Change in cash and cash equivalents
                4       78       17             99  
Cash and cash equivalents of continuing operations, beginning of period
                            8             8  
Cash and cash equivalents of discontinued operations, beginning of period
                            201             201  
 
                                         
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $     $     $ 4     $ 78     $ 226     $     $ 308  
 
                                         

38


 

ITEM 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
     Management’s discussion and analysis of results of operations and financial condition is a supplement to and should be read in conjunction with the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes. This information provides additional information regarding Discovery Communications, Inc.’s (“Discovery”, “Company”, “we”, “us” or “our”) businesses, recent developments, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition and critical accounting policies. Additional context can also be found in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 filed with the United States (“U.S.”) Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 26, 2009, as revised by the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 16, 2009 (the “2008 Annual Report”).
CAUTIONARY NOTE CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
     Certain statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding our business, marketing and operating strategies, integration of acquired businesses, new service offerings, financial prospects, and anticipated sources and uses of capital. Words such as “anticipates,” “estimates,” “expects,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes” and words and terms of similar substance used in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance identify forward-looking statements. Where, in any forward-looking statement, we express an expectation or belief as to future results or events, such expectation or belief is expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance that the expectation or belief will result or be achieved or accomplished. The following include some but not all of the factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated: continued deterioration in the macroeconomic environment; the inability of advertisers or affiliates to remit payment to us in a timely manner or at all; general economic and business conditions and industry trends including the timing of, and spending on, feature film, television and television commercial production; spending on domestic and foreign television advertising and spending on domestic and foreign first-run and existing content libraries; the regulatory and competitive environment of the industries in which we, and the entities in which we have interests, operate; continued consolidation of the broadband distribution and movie studio industries; uncertainties inherent in the development of new business lines and business strategies; integration of acquired operations; uncertainties associated with product and service development and market acceptance, including the development and provision of programming for new television and telecommunications technologies; changes in the distribution and viewing of television programming, including the expanded deployment of personal video recorders, video on demand and IP television and their impact on television advertising revenue; rapid technological changes; future financial performance, including availability, terms and deployment of capital; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and political unrest in international markets; the ability of suppliers and vendors to deliver products, equipment, software and services; the outcome of any pending or threatened litigation; availability of qualified personnel; the possibility of an industry-wide strike or other job action affecting a major entertainment industry union, or the duration of any existing strike or job action; changes in, or failure or inability to comply with, government regulations, including, without limitation, regulations of the Federal Communications Commission, and adverse outcomes from regulatory proceedings; changes in the nature of key strategic relationships with partners and joint venturers; competitor responses to our products and services, and the products and services of the entities in which we have interests; threatened terrorist attacks and ongoing military action in the Middle East and other parts of the world; reduced access to capital markets or significant increases in costs to borrow; and a failure to secure affiliate agreements or renewal of such agreements on less favorable terms. For additional risk factors, refer to PART I., ITEM 1A. Risk Factors in our 2008 Annual Report. These forward-looking statements and such risks, uncertainties and other factors speak only as of the date of this Quarterly Report, and we expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein, to reflect any change in our expectations with regard thereto, or any other change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.
BUSINESS OVERVIEW
     This section provides a general description of our business and business segments, as well as recent developments we believe are important in understanding our results of operations and financial condition or in understanding anticipated future trends.
     We are a leading global media and entertainment company that provides original and purchased programming across multiple distribution platforms in the U.S. and approximately 170 other countries, including television networks offering customized programming in 35 languages. Our strategy is to optimize the distribution, ratings and profit potential of each of our branded channels. Additionally, we own and operate a diversified portfolio of website properties and other digital services and develop and sell consumer and educational products as well as media sound services in the U.S. and internationally.
     Our media content is designed to target key audience demographics and the popularity of our programming creates a reason for advertisers to purchase commercial time on our channels. Audience ratings are a key driver in generating advertising revenue and creating demand on the part of cable television operators, direct-to-home (“DTH”) satellite operators and other content distributors to deliver our programming to their customers.
     In addition to growing distribution and advertising revenue for our branded channels, we are focused on growing revenue across new distribution platforms, including brand-aligned web properties, mobile devices, video-on-demand and broadband channels, which serve as additional outlets for advertising and affiliate sales, and provide promotional platforms for our programming. We also operate

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internet sites, such as HowStuffWorks.com, providing supplemental news, information and entertainment content that are aligned with our television programming.
     We manage and report our operations in three segments: U.S. Networks; International Networks; and Commerce, Education, and Other.
U.S. Networks
     U.S. Networks is our largest segment, which owns and operates 11 cable and satellite channels, including Discovery Channel, TLC and Animal Planet, as well as a portfolio of website properties and other digital services. U.S. Networks also provides distribution and advertising sales services for Travel Channel and distribution services for BBC America. U.S. Networks derives revenues primarily from distribution fees and advertising sales, which comprised 44% and 52%, respectively, of revenues for this segment for the three months ended June 30, 2009, and 46% and 50%, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2009. During both the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, Discovery Channel, TLC and Animal Planet collectively generated 77% of U.S. Networks’ total revenues. U.S. Networks earns distribution fees under multi-year affiliation agreements with cable operators, DTH operators and other distributors of television programming. Distribution fees are based on the number of subscribers receiving programming. Upon the launch of a new channel, we may initially pay distributors to carry such channel (such payments are referred to as “launch incentives”), or may provide the channel to the distributor for free for a predetermined length of time. Launch incentives are amortized on a straight-line basis as a reduction of revenues over the term of the affiliation agreement. U.S. Networks generates advertising revenues by selling commercial time on our networks and websites. The number of subscribers to our channels, the popularity of our programming and our ability to sell commercial time over a group of channels are key drivers of advertising revenue.
     Several of our domestic networks, including Discovery Channel, TLC and Animal Planet, are currently distributed to substantially all of the cable television and direct broadcast satellite homes in the U.S. Accordingly, the rate of growth in U.S. distribution revenue in future periods is expected to be less than historical rates. Our other U.S. Networks are distributed primarily on the digital tier of cable systems and equivalent tiers on DTH platforms and have been successful in maximizing their distribution within this more limited universe. There is, however, no guarantee that these digital networks will ever be able to gain the distribution levels or advertising rates of our major networks. Our contractual arrangements with U.S. distributors are renewed or renegotiated from time to time in the ordinary course of business.
     U.S. Networks’ largest single cost is the cost of programming, including production costs for original programming. U.S. Networks amortizes the cost of original or purchased programming based on the expected realization of revenue resulting in an accelerated amortization for Discovery Channel, TLC and Animal Planet and straight-line amortization over three to five years for the remaining networks.
International Networks
     International Networks manages a portfolio of channels, led by the Discovery Channel and Animal Planet brands that are distributed in virtually every pay-television market in the world through an infrastructure that includes major operational centers in London, Singapore and Miami. International Networks’ regional operations cover most major markets and are organized into four locally-managed regional operations including the U.K.; Europe (excluding the U.K.), Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”); Asia-Pacific; and Latin America. International Networks currently operates over 100 unique distribution feeds in 35 languages with channel feeds customized according to language needs and advertising sales opportunities. Most of the segment’s channels are wholly-owned by us with the exception of: (i) the international Animal Planet channels, which are generally joint ventures in which the British Broadcasting Corporation (“BBC”) owns 50%, (ii) People+Arts, which operates in Latin America and Iberia as a 50-50 joint venture with the BBC, and (iii) several channels in Japan and Canada, which operate as joint ventures with strategically important local partners.
     International Networks’ priorities include maintaining a leadership position in nonfiction and certain fictional entertainment in international markets and continuing to grow and improve the performance of the international operations. These priorities will be achieved through increased distribution, expanding local advertising sales capabilities, creating licensing and digital growth opportunities, and improving operating efficiencies by strengthening programming and promotional collaboration between U.S. Networks’ and International Networks’ groups.
     Similar to U.S. Networks, the primary sources of revenues for International Networks are distribution fees and advertising sales, and the primary cost is programming. International Networks executes a localization strategy by offering high quality shared programming with U.S. Networks, customized content, and localized schedules via our distribution feeds. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, distribution revenues represented approximately 63% and 66% of the segment’s operating revenues, respectively, and continue to deliver growth in markets with the highest potential for pay television expansion.
     Advertising sales are increasingly important to the segment’s financial success, representing 28% and 25% of the segment’s total revenues for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, respectively. International television markets vary in their stages of development. Some, notably the U.K., are more advanced digital multi-channel television markets, while others remain in the analog environment with varying degrees of investment from operators in expanding channel capacity or converting to digital. In developing pay television markets, we expect advertising revenue growth will result from subscriber growth, our localization strategy, and the shift of advertising spending from broadcast to pay television. In relatively mature markets, such as the U.K., the growth dynamic is

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changing. Increased market penetration and distribution are unlikely to drive rapid growth in those markets. Instead, growth in advertising sales will come from increasing viewership and advertising pricing on our existing pay television networks and launching new services, either in pay television or free television environments.
     Our international businesses are subject to a number of risks including fluctuations in currency exchange rates, regulatory issues, and economic and political instability. Changes in any of these areas could adversely affect the performance of the International Networks.
Commerce, Education, and Other
     Our commerce business engages with licensees, manufacturers, publishers and retailers to design, develop, publish, promote and sell a wide variety of products based on existing and new Company intellectual property. The Company primarily engages in catalog sales and online distribution of products through DiscoveryStore.com. In April 2009, we changed our commerce business to a licensing model by outsourcing the commerce direct-to-consumer operations including our commerce website, related marketing, product development and fulfillment to a third party in exchange for royalties. Our new structure for our commerce business enables us to continue offering high quality DVD programming as well as many merchandise categories leveraging both licensed and make and sell products. Although we expect this new structure to facilitate growth in operating income, thereby providing for growth in profitability and reducing the financial risk of holding significant product inventories, we expect an initial reduction in top-line revenue contribution, as well as a reduction in direct operating expenses in 2009. Commerce will continue to grow our established brand and home video licensing businesses to further expand our national presence in key retailers.
     Our education business is focused on our comprehensive domestic and international direct-to-school K-12 online streaming distribution subscription services, as well as our professional development services for teachers, benchmark student assessment services, and publishing hardcopy content through a network of distribution channels including online, catalog and dealers. Our education business also participates in a growing sponsorship, global brand and content licensing business with leading non-profits, foundations, trade associations and Fortune 500 companies.
     Other businesses primarily include sound, music, mixing sound effects and other related services to major motion picture studios, independent producers, broadcast networks, cable channels, advertising agencies, and interactive producers.
Changes in Business
Newhouse Transaction
     Discovery was formed in connection with Discovery Holding Company (“DHC”) and Advance/Newhouse Programming Partnership (“Advance/Newhouse”) combining their respective ownership interests in Discovery Communications Holding, LLC (“DCH”) and exchanging those interests with and into Discovery, which was consummated on September 17, 2008 (the “Newhouse Transaction”). Prior to the Newhouse Transaction, DCH was a stand-alone private company, which was owned approximately 66 2 / 3 % by DHC and 33 1 / 3 % by Advance/Newhouse. The Newhouse Transaction was completed as follows:
    On September 17, 2008, DHC completed the spin-off to its shareholders of Ascent Media Corporation (“AMC”), a subsidiary holding the cash and businesses of DHC except for certain businesses that provide sound, music, mixing, sound effects, and other related services (the “AMC spin-off”). Such businesses remain with us following the completion of the Newhouse Transaction.
 
    On September 17, 2008, immediately following the AMC spin-off, DHC merged with a transitory merger subsidiary of Discovery, with DHC’s existing shareholders receiving common stock of Discovery; and
 
    On September 17, 2008, immediately following the exchange of shares between Discovery and DHC, Advance/Newhouse contributed its interests in DCH and Animal Planet to Discovery in exchange for shares of Discovery’s Series A and Series C convertible preferred stock that are convertible at any time into our common stock, which at the transaction date represented one-third of the outstanding shares of our common stock.
     As a result of the Newhouse Transaction, DHC and DCH became wholly-owned subsidiaries of Discovery, with Discovery becoming the successor reporting entity to DHC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Because Advance/Newhouse was a one-third owner of DCH prior to the completion of the Newhouse Transaction and is a one-third owner of us immediately following completion of the Newhouse Transaction, there was no effective change in ownership. Our convertible preferred stock does not have any special dividend rights and only a de minimis liquidation preference. Additionally, Advance/Newhouse retains significant participatory special class voting rights with respect to certain matters that could be submitted to stockholder vote. Pursuant to Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Technical Bulletin No. 85-5, Issues Relating to Accounting for Business Combinations (“FTB 85-5”), for accounting purposes the Newhouse Transaction was treated as a non-substantive merger, and therefore, the Newhouse Transaction was recorded at the investors’ historical bases. Refer to Note 1 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for further description of the Newhouse Transaction.

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Hasbro-Discovery Joint Venture
     On May 22, 2009, we formed a 50-50 joint venture with Hasbro, Inc. (“Hasbro”) that will operate a television network and website dedicated to high-quality children’s and family entertainment and educational programming. In connection with the arrangement, Discovery contributed the Discovery Kids Network (“Discovery Kids”) to the joint venture. Additionally, Hasbro acquired a 50% ownership interest in the joint venture for a cash payment of $300 million and a tax receivables agreement collectible over 20 years valued at $57 million, which resulted in a total gain of $252 million. The rebranded network is scheduled to premiere in late 2010. Additional information regarding the joint venture is disclosed in Note 3 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
     This section provides an analysis of our results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the three and six months ended June 30, 2008. This analysis is provided on both a consolidated and segment basis. Additionally, a brief description is provided for significant transactions and events that impact the comparability of the results of operations being analyzed.
Changes in Basis of Presentation
     As described more fully in the notes to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements, certain of the 2008 financial information has been recast so that the basis of presentation is consistent with that of the 2009 financial information. This recast reflects (i) the gross combined financial information of both DHC and DCH as though the Newhouse Transaction was consummated on January 1, 2008 (refer to Note 1), (ii) adjustments to revenues and expenses to exclude amounts for Ascent Media Corporation, Ascent Media Systems & Technology Services, LLC, and Ascent Media CANS, LLC, which were disposed of in September 2008 (refer to Note 4), and (iii) the adoption of FASB Statement No. 160, Non-controlling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements, an Amendment of ARB No. 51 (“FAS 160”) (refer to Note 2).
Items Impacting Comparability
     Beginning May 22, 2009, we ceased to consolidate the gross operating results of Discovery Kids. However, as we continue to be involved in the operations of the joint venture, we have not presented the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows of Discovery Kids recorded through May 21, 2009 as discontinued operations. Our interest in the joint venture is accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Accordingly, our consolidated results of operations include the gross operating results of Discovery Kids through May 21, 2009, whereas for subsequent periods we record only our proportionate share of the joint venture’s net operating results. Similarly, the results of operations for the U.S. Networks segment include the gross revenues and expenses of Discovery Kids through May 21, 2009, whereas for subsequent periods the segment’s results do not include the operating results for Discovery Kids. The following table presents total revenues and operating expenses recognized by Discovery for Discovery Kids prior to deconsolidation (in millions).
                                 
    April 1, 2009   Three Months   January 1, 2009   Six Months
    through   ended   through   ended
    May 21, 2009   June 30, 2008   May 21, 2009   June 30, 2008
Revenues
  $ 7     $ 10     $ 19     $ 20  
Operating expenses
  $ 2     $ 5     $ 7     $ 12  
     Our results of operations were also impacted by the effects of consolidating OWN, beginning in July 2008, and to a lesser extent the change in our commerce business model to a licensing model in April 2009. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, OWN incurred operating expenses of $7 million and $13 million, respectively.

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Consolidated Results of Operations
     The following table presents our consolidated results of operations (in millions).
                                                 
    Three Months Ended             Six Months Ended        
    June 30,             June 30,        
    2009     2008     % Change     2009     2008     % Change  
            (recast)                     (recast)          
Revenues:
                                               
Distribution
  $ 426     $ 418       2 %   $ 851     $ 820       4 %
Advertising
    368       378       (3 )%     669       682       (2 )%
Other
    87       89       (2 )%     178       192       (7 )%
 
                                       
Total revenues
    881       885       0 %     1,698       1,694       0 %
 
                                               
Costs of revenues, excluding
depreciation and amortization listed below
    257       254       1 %     510       496       3 %
Selling, general and administrative
    310       370       (16 )%     591       621       (5 )%
Depreciation and amortization
    40       49       (18 )%     78       96       (19 )%
Asset impairments
    26           NM       26           NM  
Exit and restructuring charges
    14       4       250 %     17       4       325 %
Gain on business disposition
    (252 )         NM       (252 )         NM  
 
                                       
 
    395       677       (42 )%     970       1,217       (20 )%
 
                                       
 
                                               
Operating income
    486       208       134 %     728       477       53 %
 
                                               
Interest expense
    (60 )     (66 )     (9 )%     (117 )     (135 )     (13 )%
Other non-operating income, net
    20       22       (9 )%     28       6       367 %
 
                                       
 
                                               
Income before income taxes
    446       164       172 %     639       348       84 %
Provision for income taxes
    (267 )     (82 )     226 %     (337 )     (192 )     76 %
 
                                       
 
                                               
Net income
    179       82       118 %     302       156       94 %
Less: Net loss (income) attributable to non-controlling interests
    6       (39 )     (115 )%     2       (79 )     (103 )%
 
                                       
Net income attributable to Discovery Communications, Inc.
    185       43       330 %     304       77       295 %
 
                                               
Stock dividends to preferred interests
    (2 )         NM       (2 )         NM    
 
                                       
Net income available to Discovery Communications, Inc. stockholders
  $ 183     $ 43       326 %   $ 302     $ 77       292
 
                                       
 
                                               
Net income per share available to Discovery Communications, Inc. stockholders (1) :
                                               
Basic
  $ 0.43     $ 0.16             $ 0.72     $ 0.28          
 
                                       
Diluted
  $ 0.43     $ 0.16             $ 0.71     $ 0.28          
 
                                       
Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
                                               
Basic
    422       282               422       282          
 
                                       
Diluted
    424       282               423       282          
 
                                       
 
(1)   Income per share amounts for the quarterly and year-to-date periods have been calculated separately. Accordingly, the quarterly amounts may not add to the year-to-date amounts because of differences in the average shares outstanding during each period and, with regard to diluted per share amounts only, because of the inclusion of the effect of potentially dilutive securities only in the periods in which such effect would have been dilutive. Further, income per share has been calculated using actual amounts for the period. Accordingly, calculating income per share using the rounded figures reported above may produce immaterial differences.
 
NM = not meaningful
Revenues
     Distribution revenues increased $8 million and $31 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, respectively, as compared to distribution revenues for the corresponding periods in 2008. Increased distribution revenues were due primarily to higher revenues at the U.S. Networks segment, which were partially offset by decreases at the International Networks segment. The increases at the U.S. Networks segment were due to an increase in paying subscribers, principally for networks carried on the digital tier, annual contractual rate increases, and a reduction in the amortization of launch incentives. These increases were partially offset by the

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absence of a one-time revenue correction that increased revenues by $8 million in the second quarter of 2008 and the effect of deconsolidating Discovery Kids in May 2009, which decreased our consolidated revenues by $3 million for the three month period. The decreases at the International Networks segment were attributable to unfavorable impacts of foreign currency exchange rates of $17 million and $34 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, respectively, which were partially offset by an increase in paying subscribers.
     Advertising revenues decreased $10 million and $13 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, respectively, as compared to advertising revenues for the same periods in 2008. The decreases in advertising revenues were driven by decreases at the International Networks segment, partially offset by increases at the U.S. Networks segment. The decreases at the International Networks segment were attributable to unfavorable impacts of foreign currency exchange rates of $14 million and $26 million, respectively, which were partially offset by an increase in advertising sales as a result of increases in our paying subscriber base. Increased advertising revenues at the U.S. Networks segment were driven by increased pricing and higher ratings, which were partially offset by lower cash sellouts.
     Other revenues, which primarily consist of sales of DVDs, merchandise, educational services and content, and sound and music services, decreased $2 million and $14 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, respectively, as compared with other revenues for the corresponding periods in 2008. The decreases in other revenues is principally from a decline in sales of the Planet Earth DVD series, which was partially offset by an increase from the online streaming distribution and direct-to-consumer businesses in our Commerce, Education, and Other business segment.
Costs of Revenues
     Costs of revenues, which consist primarily of content amortization expense, production costs, and distribution costs, increased $3 million and $14 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, respectively, when compared to the corresponding periods in 2008. Increased costs of revenues for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 was primarily attributable to higher content amortization expense due to a higher content asset base, reflecting our continued investment in content. These increases were partially offset by $13 million and $28 million of favorable impacts from foreign currency exchange rates combined with decreases in production costs for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, respectively.
Selling, General and Administrative
     Selling, general and administrative expenses, which are principally comprised of employee costs, marketing costs, occupancy and back office support fees, decreased $60 million and $30 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, respectively, as compared to the same periods in 2008. The decreases for the three and six month periods was due primarily to lower overall employee costs, consulting fees and marketing costs, reflecting cost savings initiatives and improvements in operating efficiencies. Also contributing to the decreases were favorable impacts of foreign currency exchange rates of $12 million and $24 million, respectively. The increases were partially offset by the impact of consolidating OWN beginning in July 2008, which increased costs by $7 million and $13 million for the three and six month periods.
     Employee costs include share-based compensation expense arising from equity awards to employees under our incentive plans. Total share-based compensation expense was $61 million and $98 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, respectively, as compared to $55 million and $19 million for the corresponding periods in 2008. The increase in share-based compensation for the three month period reflects an increase in stock options outstanding. Increased share-based compensation for the six month period was due to an increase in the fair value of outstanding cash settled equity awards and to a lesser extent an increase in stock options outstanding, which were partially offset by a reduction in the number of outstanding cash settled equity awards. A portion of our equity awards are cash settled and, therefore, the value of such awards outstanding must be remeasured at fair value each reporting date based on changes in the price of our Series A common stock. Compensation expense for cash settled equity awards, including changes in fair value, was $54 million and $86 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, respectively, as compared to $54 million and $18 million for the similar periods in 2008. For the three month period, an increase in compensation expense for cash settled awards due to an increase in fair value was equally offset by a decline in the number of such awards outstanding. Increased compensation expense for cash settled awards for the six month period was due to an increase in fair value, partially offset by a decline in the number of such awards outstanding. Increases in fair value of cash settled awards was attributable to an increase in the price of our Series A common stock of 41% and 59% during the three and six months ended June 30, 2009. We do not intend to make addition cash settled equity awards, except as may be required by contractual arrangements or to employees in countries in which stock option awards are not permitted.
Depreciation and Amortization
     Depreciation and amortization expense decreased $9 million and $18 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, respectively, as compared to the depreciation and amortization expense for the corresponding periods in 2008. The decreases were due to a decline in amortization expense resulting from lower intangible asset balances in 2009 compared to the same periods in 2008.

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Asset Impairments
     We recorded $26 million of impairment charges related to intangible assets and capitalized software during the three months ended June 30, 2009, primarily for certain asset groups at our Other U.S. Networks reporting unit due to declines in expected operating performance.
Exit and Restructuring Charges
     We recorded exit and restructuring charges of $14 million and $17 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, respectively, in connection with a reorganization of portions of our operations and to reduce our cost structure. The charges were primarily incurred by our U.S. Networks and International Networks segments as well as our corporate operations. The charges for the six months ended June 30, 2009 include $12 million of severance costs and $2 million of contract termination costs. We incurred an additional $3 million in severance costs in the first quarter of 2009. We expect the majority of these charges to be paid in 2009 with certain payments extending through 2012. We do not expect material future charges associated with these restructuring programs.
Gain on Business Disposition
     In connection with the formation of the Hasbro-Discovery Joint Venture, we recorded a $252 million gain, which included $127 million as a result of “stepping up” our basis for the 50% retained interest in Discovery Kids and $125 million for the sale of 50% of our ownership interest to Hasbro.
Interest Expense
     Interest expense decreased $6 million and $18 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, respectively, when compared with the same periods in 2008 primarily due to a decrease in average debt outstanding.
Other Non-Operating Income, Net
     Other non-operating income, net includes our realized and unrealized gains and losses from derivative transactions that are not accounted for as hedging instruments, realized gains and losses from sale of available-for-sale securities, and other non-operating expenses net of non-operating income. Other non-operating income, net decreased $2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008 and increased $22 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008. In the second quarter of 2009 we sold securities and recorded a pre-tax gain of $13 million. In addition, we recognized net realized and unrealized gains on derivatives that are not designated as hedging instruments of $4 million and $9 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, respectively, and net realized and unrealized gains of $18 million and $2 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, respectively. Refer to Note 9 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for a more detailed discussion of our derivative transactions.
Provision for Income Taxes
     The provisions for income taxes were $267 million and $337 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, respectively, as compared to the provisions for income taxes of $82 million and $192 million for the corresponding periods in 2008. The effective tax rates were 60% and 53% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, respectively, as compared to the effective tax rates of 50% and 55% for the corresponding periods in 2008. The effective tax rate for the 2009 periods differed from the federal statutory rate of 35% due primarily to the permanent difference on the $125 million gain from the sale of 50% of our ownership interest in Discovery Kids, the $127 million gain as a result of “stepping up” our basis for the 50% retained interest in Discovery Kids, and to a lesser extent state income taxes. The increases were partially offset by the release of a valuation allowance of $12 million on a previously recorded capital loss.
     The effective tax rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 differed from the federal statutory rate of 35% principally due to the presentation of the Newhouse Transaction as though it was consummated on January 1, 2008 in accordance with Accounting Research Bulleting No. 51, Consolidated Financial Statements , as amended (“ARB 51”). Accordingly, Discovery’s condensed consolidated financial statements and notes include the gross combined financial results of both DHC and DCH since January 1, 2008. Prior to the Newhouse Transaction on September 17, 2008, DHC owned 66 2 / 3 % of DCH and, therefore, recognized a portion of DCH’s operating results. As a result, the tax provision for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 includes the taxes recognized by both DCH and DHC related to the portion of DCH’s operating results recognized by DHC. DHC recognized $29 million and $52 million of deferred tax expense related to its investment in DCH prior to the Newhouse Transaction (net of tax benefit from intangible amortization related to the spin-off of Travel Channel in 2007) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, respectively.
Net Loss (Income) Attributable to Non-Controlling Interests
     Net loss (income) attributable to non-controlling interests represents the portion of net operating results allocable to the non-controlling partners, which were $6 million and $2 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, respectively, and $(39) million and $(79) million for the corresponding periods in 2008. The decrease in net loss (income) attributable to non-controlling interests for the 2009 periods is primarily a result of allocating a portion of DCH’s profits to Advance/Newhouse for its ownership interest in DCH for periods prior to the Newhouse Transaction.

45


 

Stock Dividends to Preferred Interests
     During the quarter ended June 30, 2009, the Company recognized $2 million of non-cash stock dividends for the release of preferred stock from escrow.
Income (Loss) From Discontinued Operations, Net of Tax
     In connection with the Newhouse Transaction, DHC completed the spin-off to its shareholders of AMC. Additionally, in September 2008, DHC sold its ownership interests in AMSTS and AccentHealth. ASMTS and AccentHealth were components of the AMC business. Accordingly, total revenues of $174 million and $348 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, respectively, have been excluded from our total revenues, and total operating costs and expenses of $171 million and $345 million for the 2008 periods have been excluded from our total revenues. As the combined net income of $2 million for these entities was not significant for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008, their results of operations are reported as a component of Other non-operating income, net in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Segment Results of Operations
     We manage and report our operations in three segments: U.S. Networks; International Networks; and Commerce, Education, and Other. Corporate primarily consists of corporate functions, executive management, administrative support services, and ancillary revenues and expenses from a consolidated joint venture. Corporate expenses are excluded from segment results to enable executive management to evaluate segment performance based upon decisions made directly by segment executives. Operating results exclude mark-to-market share-based compensation expense, restructuring and impairment charges, and gains (losses) on asset dispositions, consistent with our segment reporting. Refer to Note 19 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for a further description of our segments.
     We evaluate the operating performance of our segments based on financial measures such as revenues and adjusted operating income before depreciation and amortization (“Adjusted OIBDA”). Adjusted OIBDA is defined as revenues less costs of revenues and selling, general and administrative expense excluding (i) mark-to-market share-based compensation expense, (ii) amortization of deferred launch incentives, (iii) restructuring and impairment charges, and (iv) gain (loss) on asset dispositions. Management uses Adjusted OIBDA to assess the operational strength and performance of our segments. Management uses this measure to view operating results, perform analytical comparisons, identify strategies to improve performance and allocate resources to each segment. We believe Adjusted OIBDA is relevant to investors because it allows them to analyze operating performance of each segment using the same metric management uses and also provides investors a measure to analyze operating performance of each segment against historical data. We exclude mark-to-market share-based compensation expense, restructuring and impairment charges, and gains (losses) on asset dispositions from the calculation of Adjusted OIBDA due to their volatility or non-recurring nature. We also exclude the amortization of deferred launch incentives because these payments are infrequent and the amortization does not represent cash payments in the current reporting period. Because Adjusted OIBDA is a non-GAAP measure, it should be considered in addition to, but not a substitute for, operating income, net income, cash flow provided by operating activities and other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
     The following table presents our revenues by segment and certain consolidated operating expenses, contra revenue amounts, and Adjusted OIBDA (in millions).
                                                 
    Three Months Ended             Six Months Ended        
    June 30,             June 30,        
    2009     2008     %Change     2009     2008     %Change  
            (recast)                     (recast)          
Revenues:
                                               
U.S. Networks
  $ 557     $ 544       2 %   $ 1,066     $ 1,028       4 %
International Networks
    283       298       (5 )%     538       564       (5 )%
Commerce, Education, and Other
    40       41       (2 )%     89       81       10 %
Corporate and intersegment eliminations
    1       2       (50 )%     5       21       (76 )%
 
                                       
Total revenues
    881       885       0 %     1,698       1,694       0 %
Costs of revenues (1)
    (257 )     (254 )     1 %     (510 )     (496 )     3 %
Selling, general and administrative (1)
    (256 )     (316 )     (19 )%     (505 )     (603 )     (16 )%
Add: Amortization of deferred launch incentives (2)
    13       21       (38 )%     27       42       (36 )%
 
                                       
Adjusted OIBDA
  $ 381     $ 336       13 %   $ 710     $ 637       11 %
 
                                       

46


 

 
(1)   Costs of revenues and selling, general and administrative expenses exclude depreciation and amortization, income (expense) arising from long-term incentive plan awards (mark-to-market), exit and restructuring charges, gain on business dispositions, and impairment of intangible assets.
 
(2)   Amortization of deferred launch incentives are included in distribution revenues for U.S. GAAP reporting, but are excluded from Adjusted OIBDA.
     The following table presents our Adjusted OIBDA by segment with a reconciliation of Adjusted OIBDA to consolidated operating income (in millions).
                                                 
    Three Months Ended             Six Months Ended        
    June 30,             June 30,        
    2009     2008     %Change     2009     2008     %Change  
            (recast)                     (recast)          
Adjusted OIBDA:
                                               
U.S. Networks
  $ 330     $ 296       11 %   $ 605     $ 554       9 %
International Networks
    92       97       (5 )%     188       177       6 %
Commerce, Education, and Other
    5       (3 )     (267 )%     11       (3 )     (467 )%
Corporate and intersegment eliminations
    (46 )     (54 )     15 %     (94 )     (91 )     (3 )%
 
                                       
Total adjusted OIBDA
    381       336       13 %     710       637       11 %
Gain on business disposition
    252           NM       252           NM  
Asset impairments
    (26 )         NM       (26 )         NM  
Expense arising from long-term incentive plan awards (mark-to-market)
    (54 )     (54 )     0 %     (86 )     (18 )     (378 )%
Depreciation and amortization
    (40 )     (49 )     (18 )%     (78 )     (96 )     (19 )%
Exit and restructuring charges
    (14 )     (4 )     250 %     (17 )     (4 )     (325 )%
Amortization of deferred launch incentives
    (13 )     (21 )     (38 )%     (27 )     (42 )     36 %
 
                                       
Total operating income
  $ 486     $ 208       134 %   $ 728     $ 477       53 %
 
                                       
 
NM   not meaningful
U.S. Networks
     The following table presents, for our U.S. Networks segment, revenues by type, certain operating expenses, contra revenue amounts, Adjusted OIBDA, and a reconciliation of Adjusted OIBDA to operating income (in millions).
                                                 
    Three Months Ended             Six Months Ended        
    June 30,             June 30,        
    2009     2008     %Change     2009     2008     %Change  
            (recast)                     (recast)          
Revenues:
                                               
Distribution
  $ 247     $ 236       5 %   $ 495     $ 460       8 %
Advertising
    290       288       1 %     534       527       1 %
Other
    20       20       0 %     37       41       (10 )%
 
                                       
Total revenues
    557       544       2 %     1,066       1,028       4 %
Costs of revenues
    (126 )     (124 )     2 %     (257 )     (240 )     7 %
Selling, general and administrative
    (106 )     (134 )     (21 )%     (215 )     (254 )     (15 )%
Add: Amortization of deferred launch incentives
    5       10       (50 )%     11       20       (45 )%
 
                                       
Adjusted OIBDA
    330       296       11 %     605       554       9 %
Expense arising from long-term incentive plan awards (mark-to-market)
    (2 )     (1 )     100 %     (1 )     (6 )     (83 )%
Asset impairments
    (20 )         NM       (20 )         NM  
Depreciation and amortization
    (8 )     (14 )     (43 )%     (16 )     (28 )     (43 )%
Gain on business disposition
    252           NM       252           NM  
Exit and restructuring charges
    (7 )         NM       (7 )         NM  
Amortization of deferred launch incentives
    (5 )     (10 )     (50 )%     (11 )     (20 )     (45 )%
 
                                       
Operating income
  $ 540     $ 271       99 %   $ 802     $ 500       60 %
 
                                       
 
NM  not meaningful

47


 

Revenues
     Total revenues increased $13 million and $38 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, respectively, as compared to total revenues for the corresponding periods in 2008. The increase in total revenues was due primarily to increases in distribution revenues of $11 million and $35 million, respectively, and increases in advertising revenues of $2 million and $7 million, respectively. Other revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2009 remained equal as compared to the same period in 2008 while other revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2009 decreased $4 million when compared to the corresponding period in 2008.
     Increased distribution revenues for the three and six month periods were due to an increase in paying subscribers, principally for networks carried on the digital tier, and annual contractual rate increases. Additionally, distribution revenues increased as amortization of contra revenue items, primarily launch incentives, declined $5 million and $9 million for the three and six month periods. The increases in distribution revenues were partially offset by the absence of a one-time revenue correction recorded during the second quarter of 2008 that increased revenues $8 million and the effect of deconsolidating Discovery Kids in May 2009, which resulted in a decline of $3 million for the three month period.
     Advertising revenues increased as a result of increased pricing and higher ratings, which were partially offset by lower cash sellouts.
Costs of Revenues
     Costs of revenues, which consist primarily of content amortization expense, production costs, and distribution costs, increased $2 million and $17 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, respectively, as compared to costs of revenues for the corresponding periods in 2008. The increases in costs of revenues were due primarily to higher content amortization expense. For the three and six month periods, content amortization expense increased $10 million and $22 million, respectively, due to a higher content asset balance, reflecting our continued investment in content. These increases were partially offset by declines of $7 million and $10 million for the three and six month periods in charges related to the decision not to proceed with certain completed and in-process content and the effect of deconsolidating Discovery Kids in May 2009, which resulted in a decline of $1 million and $2 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, respectively.
Selling, General and Administrative
     Selling, general and administrative expenses, which are principally comprised of employee costs, marketing costs, research and development costs, and occupancy and back office support fees, decreased $28 million and $39 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, respectively, when compared to selling, general and administrative expenses for the similar periods in 2008. The decreases were attributable primarily to lower marketing costs and to a lesser extent overhead costs. Also contributing to the decline was the effect of deconsolidating Discovery Kids in May 2009 resulted in a decline of $2 million and $3 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009. These decreases were partially offset by increased costs related to the consolidation of OWN beginning in July 2008. Costs incurred related to OWN were $7 million and $13 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, respectively.
Adjusted OIBDA
     Adjusted OIBDA increased $34 million and $51 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, respectively, as compared to Adjusted OIBDA for the corresponding periods in 2008. The increases were primarily due to higher distribution revenues and lower selling, general and administrative expenses. Increased distribution revenues were due to an increase in paying subscribers for networks carried on the digital tier, annual contractual rate increases, and a reduction in the amortization of launch incentives. The decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses was attributable to lower marketing and overhead costs. These improvements were partially offset by the absence of the one-time adjustment to revenues in the second quarter of 2008, increases in content amortization expense, and the consolidation of OWN beginning in July 2008.

48


 

International Networks
     The following table presents, for our International Networks segment, revenues by type, certain operating expenses, contra revenue amounts, Adjusted OIBDA, and a reconciliation of Adjusted OIBDA to operating income (in millions).
                                                 
    Three Months Ended             Six Months Ended        
    June 30,             June 30,        
    2009     2008     %Change     2009     2008     %Change  
            (recast)                     (recast)          
Revenues:
                                               
Distribution
  $ 179     $ 182       (2 )%   $ 356     $ 360       (1 )%
Advertising
    78       90       (13 )%     135       155       (13 )%
Other
    26       26       0 %     47       49       (4 )%
 
                                       
Total revenues
    283       298       (5 )%     538       564       (5 )%
Costs of revenues
    (108 )     (102 )     6 %     (200 )     (197 )     2 %
Selling, general and administrative
    (91 )     (110 )     (17 )%     (166 )     (212 )     (22 )%
Add: Amortization of deferred launch incentives
    8       11       (27 )%     16       22       (27 )%
 
                                       
Adjusted OIBDA
    92       97       (5 )%     188       177       6 %
Asset impairments
    (6 )         NM       (6 )         NM  
Depreciation and amortization
    (11 )     (11 )     0 %     (21 )     (20 )     5 %
Exit and restructuring charges
    (3 )         NM       (4 )         NM  
Amortization of deferred launch incentives
    (8 )     (11 )     (27 )%     (16 )     (22 )     (27 )%
 
                                       
Operating income
  $ 64     $ 75       (15 )%   $ 141     $ 135       4 %
 
                                       
 
NM  not meaningful
Revenues
     Total revenues decreased $15 million and $26 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, respectively, as compared to total revenues for the corresponding periods in 2008. The decrease in total revenues was due primarily to unfavorable impacts of foreign currency exchange rates of $34 million and $66 million, respectively. Excluding the impact of foreign currency exchange rates, total revenues increased $19 million and $40 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, respectively.
     Distribution revenues decreased $3 million and $4 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, respectively, as compared to distribution revenues for the corresponding periods in 2008. The decline in distribution revenues was driven by unfavorable impacts of foreign currency exchange rates of $17 million and $34 million for the three and six month periods. Excluding the unfavorable impacts of foreign currency exchange rates, distribution revenues increased $14 million and $30 million for the three and six month periods. These increases were attributable to an increase in paying subscribers in Latin America, EMEA, and Asia-Pacific, which reflect the growth in pay television subscribers in these regions.
     Advertising revenues decreased $12 million and $20 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, respectively, as compared to advertising revenues for the corresponding periods in 2008. Decreased advertising revenues were due to unfavorable impacts of foreign currency exchange rates of $14 million and $26 million for the three and six month periods. Excluding the unfavorable impacts of foreign currency exchange rates, advertising revenues increased $2 million and $6 million for the three and six month periods. The increases were primarily due to growth in EMEA and the U.K. reflecting higher viewership combined with an increased subscriber base.
Costs of Revenues
     Costs of revenues, which consist primarily of content amortization expense, production costs, and distribution costs, increased $6 million and $3 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, respectively, as compared to costs of revenues for the corresponding periods in 2008. The increases in costs of revenues were net of favorable impacts of foreign currency exchange rates of $13 million and $28 million, respectively. Excluding the favorable impacts of foreign currency exchange rates, costs of revenues increased $19 million and $31 million for the three and six month periods. The increases were due primarily to higher content amortization expense. For the three and six month periods, content amortization expense increased $7 million and $12 million, respectively, due to a higher content asset balance, reflecting our continued investment in original content production and language customization to support additional local feeds for growth in local advertising sales. Also contributing to higher content amortization expense were increases of $11 million in charges related to the decision not to proceed with certain completed and in-process content for both the three and six month periods.
Selling General and Administrative
     Selling, general and administrative expenses, which are principally comprised of employee costs, marketing costs, occupancy and back office support fees, decreased $19 million and $46 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, respectively, when compared to selling, general, and administrative expenses for the similar periods in 2008. For the three month period, there were favorable impacts of foreign currency exchange rates of $12 million and a decline of $4 million in marketing and employee costs. Favorable impacts of foreign currency exchange rates of $24 million and a decline of $15 million in marketing and employee costs as a result of cost saving initiatives and improvements in operating efficiencies contributed to the decline in selling, general and administrative expense for the six month period.
Adjusted OIBDA
     Adjusted OIBDA decreased $5 million and increased $11 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, respectively, as compared to Adjusted OIBDA for the corresponding periods in 2008. Excluding the impacts of foreign exchange currency exchange rate fluctuations, Adjusted OIBDA increased $7 million and $30 million, respectively. The increases reflect growth in distribution revenues and a decline in selling, general and administrative expenses, which were partially offset by increases in costs of revenues. Increased distribution revenues reflect the growth in our paying subscriber base internationally. The decreases in selling, general, and administrative expenses were attributable to lower marketing and employee costs. These improvements were partially offset by higher content amortization expense attributable to a higher content asset balance and charges related to the decision not to proceed with certain completed and in-process content.

49


 

Commerce, Education, and Other
     The following table presents, for our Commerce, Education, and Other segment, revenues, certain operating expenses, Adjusted OIBDA, and a reconciliation of Adjusted OIBDA to operating income (loss) (in millions).
                                                 
    Three Months Ended             Six Months Ended        
    June 30,             June 30,        
    2009     2008     %Change     2009     2008     %Change  
            (recast)                     (recast)          
Revenues:
                                               
Other
  $ 40     $ 41       (2 )%   $ 89     $ 81       10 %
 
                                       
Total revenues
    40       41       (2 )%     89       81       10 %
Costs of revenues
    (24 )     (26 )     (8 )%     (52 )     (51 )     2 %
Selling, general and administrative
    (11 )     (18 )     (39 )%     (26 )     (33 )     (21 )%
 
                                       
Adjusted OIBDA
    5       (3 )     267 %     11       (3 )     467 %
Depreciation and amortization
    (1 )     (3 )     (67 )%     (2 )     (5 )     (60 )%
Exit and restructuring charges
    (1 )     (4 )     (75 )%     (1 )     (4 )     (75 )%
 
                                       
Operating income (loss)
  $ 3     $ (10 )     130 %   $ 8     $ (12 )     167 %
 
                                       
Revenues
     Total revenues decreased $1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to total revenues for the corresponding period in 2008 due to a $3 million decrease in sales of hardcopy education content, commerce sales, and sound services, offset by a $2 million increase in online streaming distribution revenues. Total revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2009 increased $8 million as compared to total revenues for the same period in 2008, principally due to growth in online streaming distribution revenues, partially offset by a decline in sales of hardcopy education content. Also contributing to the increase for the six month period were higher commerce sales as a result of selling our inventory to our third party distributor, reflecting the transition of our commerce business to a licensing model. We expect this transition will result in a reduction in our commerce revenue and direct operating expenses for the remainder of 2009.
Costs of Revenues
     Costs of revenues, which consist principally of content amortization expense, production costs, and royalty payments, decreased $2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to costs of revenues for the corresponding period in 2008 primarily due to a reduction in direct operating costs as a result of the transition of our commerce business to a licensing model in the first quarter of 2009. Costs of revenues increased $1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 primarily due to higher costs of sold inventory for our commerce business as result of selling our inventory to our third party distributor, in connection with the transition of our commerce business to a licensing model.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
     Selling, general and administrative expenses, which are principally comprised of employee costs, occupancy and back office support fees, decreased $7 million for both the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 when compared to selling, general and administrative expenses for the corresponding periods in 2008 primarily due to cost reductions in the commerce business. The declines in expenses at the commerce business were attributable to lower employee costs as a result of the transition to a licensing model.
Adjusted OIBDA
     Adjusted OIBDA increased $8 million and $14 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, respectively, as compared to Adjusted OIBDA for the corresponding periods in 2008. The increases principally reflect higher revenues from online streaming distribution revenues and cost reductions from the transition of our commerce business to a licensing model.

50


 

Corporate and Intersegment Eliminations
     The following table presents, for our unallocated corporate amounts, revenues, certain operating expenses, Adjusted OIBDA, and a reconciliation of Adjusted OIBDA to operating loss (in millions).
                                                 
    Three Months Ended             Six Months Ended        
    June 30,             June 30,        
    2009     2008     %Change     2009     2008     %Change  
            (recast)                     (recast)          
Revenues:
                                               
Other
  $ 1     $ 2       (50 )%   $ 5     $ 21       (76 )%
 
                                       
Total revenues
    1       2       (50 )%     5       21       (76 )%
Costs of revenues
    1       (2 )     (150 )%     (1 )     (8 )     (88 )%
Selling, general and administrative
    (48 )     (54 )     (11 )%     (98 )     (104 )     (6 )%
 
                                       
Adjusted OIBDA
    (46 )     (54 )     15 %     (94 )     (91 )     (3 )%
Expense arising from long-term incentive plan awards (mark-to-market)
    (52 )     (53 )     (2 )%     (85 )     (12 )     608 %
Depreciation and amortization
    (20 )     (21 )     (5 )%     (39 )     (43 )     (9 )%
Exit and restructuring charges
    (3 )         NM       (5 )         NM  
 
                                       
Operating loss
  $ (121 )   $ (128 )     5 %   $ (223 )   $ (146 )     (53 )%
 
                                       
 
NM  not meaningful
     Corporate primarily consists of corporate functions, executive management, administrative support services, and ancillary revenues and expenses from a consolidated joint venture. Consistent with our segment reporting, corporate expenses are excluded from segment results to enable executive management to evaluate business segment performance based upon decisions made directly by business segment executives.
     Corporate revenues decreased $1 million and $16 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, respectively, when compared with the corresponding periods in 2008, primarily due to decreased ancillary revenues from a consolidated joint venture, whose primary sales were of the Planet Earth DVD. Corporate selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $6 million for both the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 driven by lower consulting costs.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
     This section provides a description of our primary sources and uses of cash, as well as significant transactions affecting liquidity, for the six months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2008.
Sources of Cash
     Our principal sources of liquidity are cash in-hand, cash flows from operations, proceeds from a business disposition, and borrowings under our credit facilities. We anticipate that our cash flows from operations, existing cash, cash equivalents and borrowing capacity under our revolving credit facility will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash requirements for at least the next 12 months.
     As of June 30, 2009, we had approximately $1.9 billion of total liquidity, comprised of $339 million in cash and cash equivalents and the ability to borrow approximately $ 1.6 billion under our revolving credit facility.
Operating Activities
     For the six months ended June 30, 2009, our cash provided by operating activities was $320 million, as compared to $182 million for the same period in 2008, driven by an increase in cash provided by working capital. The components of working capital are subject to fluctuation based on the timing of cash transactions related to programming schedules, collection of accounts receivable, and payment of operating expenditures.
Investing Activities
     Cash provided by investing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2009was $288 million compared to $22 million during the corresponding period in 2008. The increase primarily reflects $300 million we received from Hasbro in exchange for a 50% ownership interest in a new joint venture that will operate the Discovery Kids business.
Financing Activities
     Our committed debt facilities include three term loans, a revolving loan facility, and various senior notes payable. Credit Agreement Supplement No. 1 (“Term Loan C”) to Term Loan B was entered into on May 14, 2009 for $500 million maturing on May 14, 2014. The loan bears interest at an initial interest rate of LIBOR plus 3.25%, with a LIBOR floor of 2.00%. Term Loan C is repayable in equal quarterly installments of $1.25 million beginning on June 30,2009 with the balance due at the maturity date. The cash proceeds of Term Loan C, net of issuance costs and discount, were $478 million and were used to pay down existing debts. Total commitments of these facilities were $5 billion at June 30, 2009. Debt outstanding on these facilities aggregated $3.4 billion at June 30, 2009, providing excess debt availability of $1.6 billion.
     We currently have fixed the interest rate on the majority of our outstanding debt. The anticipated interest payments, together with the scheduled principal payments, due over the next year are within the available capacity on our committed facilities. Although we have adequate liquidity to fund our operations and to meet our debt service obligations over the next 12 months, we may seek to arrange new financing in the current year in advance of the maturity of our debt facility in 2010.

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     Term Loan B and Term Loan C are secured by DCH’s assets, excluding assets held by its subsidiaries. Term Loan A, the revolving loan and senior notes are unsecured. The debt facilities contain covenants that require the respective borrowers to meet certain financial ratios and place restrictions on the payment of dividends, sale of assets, additional borrowings, mergers, and purchases of capital stock, assets and investments. We were in compliance with all debt covenants as of June 30, 2009.
Uses of Cash
     Our primary uses of cash include the creation and acquisition of new content, commitments to equity affiliates, and debt and related interest payments.
Financing Activities
     During the six months ended June 30, 2009, $371 million of cash was used in financing activities as compared to $122 million used during the similar period in 2008. Our primary use of cash for financing activities during 2009 was principal payments under our bank facilities and senior notes totaling $833 million, of which $104 million were mandatory payments. This outflow was partially offset by $478 million in net cash proceeds from Term Loan C discussed above. During the six months ended June 30, 2008, our primary use of cash for financing activities was mandatory principal payments under our bank facilities and senior notes totaling $187 million, which was partially offset by additional borrowings of $92 million under our revolving credit facility.
     In 2009, we expect our uses of cash to be approximately $ 1 billion for debt repayments, between $230 million and $260 million for interest expense, and $50 million to $60 million for capital expenditures. We will also be required to make payments for employee cash settled equity awards. Amounts expensed and payable for cash settled equity awards are dependent on future calculations of fair value which are primarily affected by changes in our stock price, changes in the number of awards outstanding, and changes to the plan.
     On July 23, 2008, we formed a 50-50 joint venture with Oprah Winfrey and Harpo, Inc. Pursuant to the venture agreement, Discovery is committed to loan up to $100 million to the venture through September 30, 2011 to fund operations, of which $18 million has been funded as of June 30, 2009. We anticipate that a significant portion of the $100 million funding obligation will occur in 2009. We expect to recoup the entire amount contributed in future periods provided that the joint venture is profitable and has sufficient funds to repay us.
Factors Affecting Sources of Liquidity
     If we were to experience a significant decline in operating performance, or have to meet an unanticipated need for additional liquidity beyond our available commitments, there is no certainty that we would be able to access the needed liquidity. While we have established relationships with U.S. and international banks and investors which continue to participate in our various credit agreements, the current tightening in the credit markets may cause some lenders to have to reduce or withdraw their commitments if we were to seek to negotiate a refinancing or an increase in our total commitments. Covenants in existing debt agreements may constrain our capacity for additional debt or there may be significant increases in costs to refinance existing debt to access additional liquidity. As a public company, we may have access to other sources of capital such as the public bond and equity markets. However, access to sufficient liquidity in these markets is not assured given our substantial debt outstanding and the continued volatility in the equity markets and further tightening in the credit markets.
     On June 17, 2009, we filed a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (“shelf registration”) with the SEC in which we registered securities, including debt securities, common stock, and preferred stock. While we are not required to issue securities under this shelf registration, we may issue securities at a future date.
     Our access to capital markets can be affected by factors outside of our control. In addition, our cost to borrow is impacted by market conditions and our financial performance as measured by certain credit metrics defined in our credit agreements, including interest coverage and leverage ratios.
     We expect to have sufficient cash flow from operations in 2009, combined with $339 million of cash on hand at June 30, 2009, to meet current year interest payments, remaining expected capital expenditures, and remaining mandatory principal repayments of $197 million. In addition, we have $1.6 billion of available capacity on our existing revolving credit facility if our cash flow from operations is less than anticipated.

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     We are compliant with all debt covenants and have sufficient excess capacity to draw on existing debt commitments or incur additional debt should we seek refinancing during 2009 in advance of our debt facility maturing in October 2010. We have no indication that any of our lenders would be unable to perform under the requirements of our credit agreements should we seek additional funding. Although our leverage and interest coverage covenants limit the total amount of debt we might incur relative to our operating cash flow, we expect we would continue to maintain compliance with our debt covenants with a 50% reduction in our current operating performance.
     Capital expenditures of $102 million in 2008 included the investment in building improvements, broadcast equipment, computer hardware/software, and office furniture/equipment, including $35 million related to AMC, which was spun off in September 2008. Therefore, capital expenditures of continuing operations in 2008 were $67 million. We expect capital expenditures to be between $50 million and $60 million during 2009.
     We anticipate $296 million of our Term Loan A debt will mature in 2010 as will any remaining revolving debt. We expect to meet a significant portion of the maturing debt obligations through cash flows from operations. We are also considering various options for refinancing debt in both the public and private credit markets. If we are unable to access additional credit or if we do not have the ability to refinance the maturing debt, we could bridge a portion of our remaining 2010 cash needs by taking advantage of flexibility in our cost structure and reducing certain expenditures.
Contractual Obligations
     We have agreements covering leases of satellite transponders, facilities and equipment. These agreements expire at various dates through 2028. We are obligated to license programming under agreements with content suppliers that expire over various dates. We also have other contractual commitments arising in the ordinary course of business.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
     We have no material off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined in Item 303(a)(4) of Regulation S-K, that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
     The preparation of our financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate estimates, which are based on historical experience and on various other assumptions believed reasonable under the circumstances. The results of these evaluations form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities and the reported amount of expenses that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions. Critical accounting policies impact the presentation of our financial condition and results of operations and require significant judgment and estimates. An appreciation of our critical accounting policies facilitates an understanding of our financial results. Amounts disclosed relate to Discovery for June 30, 2009 and 2008. Unless otherwise noted, we applied critical accounting policies and estimates methods consistently in all material respects and for all periods presented. For further information regarding these critical accounting policies and estimates, please see the Notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements.
Revenues
     We derive revenues from (i) distribution revenues from cable systems, satellite operators and other distributors, (ii) advertising aired on our networks and websites, and (iii) other, which is largely e-commerce and educational sales.
Distribution
     Distributors generally pay a per-subscriber fee for the right to distribute our programming under the terms of long-term distribution contracts (“distribution revenues”). Distribution revenues is reported net of incentive costs or other consideration, if any, offered to system operators in exchange for long-term distribution contracts. We recognize distribution revenues over the term of the contracts based on contracted monthly license fee provisions and reported subscriber levels. Network incentives have historically included upfront cash incentives referred to as “launch incentive” in connection with the launch of a network by the distributor within certain time frames. Any such amounts are capitalized as assets upon launch of our programming by the distributor and are amortized on a straight-line basis as a reduction of revenue over the terms of the contracts. In instances where the distribution agreement is extended prior to the expiration of the original term, we evaluate the economics of the extended term and, if it is determined that the deferred launch asset continues to benefit us over the extended term, then we will adjust the launch amortization period accordingly. Other incentives are recognized as a reduction of revenue as incurred.
     The amount of distribution revenues due to us is reported by distributors based on actual subscriber levels. Such information is generally not received until after the close of the reporting period. Therefore, reported distribution revenues are based upon our estimates of the number of subscribers receiving our programming for the month, plus an adjustment for the prior month estimate. Our subscriber estimates are based on the most recent remittance or confirmation of subscribers received from the distributor.

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Advertising
     We record advertising revenues net of agency commissions and audience deficiency liabilities in the period advertising spots are broadcast. A substantial portion of the advertising sold in the United States includes guaranteed levels of audience that either the program or the advertisement will reach. Deferred revenue is recorded and adjusted as the guaranteed audience levels are achieved. Audience guarantees are initially developed by our internal research group and actual audience and delivery information is provided by third party ratings services. In certain instances, the third party ratings information is not received until after the close of the reporting period. In these cases, reported advertising revenues and related deferred revenue are based on our estimates for any under-delivery of contracted advertising ratings based on the most current data available from the third party ratings service. Differences between the estimated under-delivery and the actual under-delivery have historically been insignificant. Online advertising revenues are recognized as impressions are delivered.
     Certain of our advertising arrangements include deliverables in addition to commercial time, such as the advertiser’s product integration into the programming, customized vignettes, and billboards. These contracts that include other deliverables are evaluated as multiple element revenue arrangements under Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 00-21, Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables.
Other
     Other revenues primarily consist of revenues from our Commerce, Education, and CSS businesses. Commerce revenues are recognized upon product shipment, net of estimated returns, which are not material to our condensed consolidated financial statements. Educational service sales are generally recognized ratably over the term of the agreement. CSS services revenues are recognized when services are performed. Revenues from post-production and certain distribution related services are recognized when services are provided. Prepayments received for services to be performed at a later date are deferred.
Derivative Financial Instruments
     FASB Statement No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, (“FAS 133”), requires every derivative instrument to be recorded on the balance sheet at fair value as either an asset or a liability. The statement also requires that changes in the fair value of derivatives be recognized currently in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met. We use financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges. The effective changes in fair value of derivatives designated as cash flow hedges are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Amounts are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) as interest expense is recorded for debt. We use the cumulative dollar offset method to assess effectiveness. To be highly effective, the ratio calculated by dividing the cumulative change in the value of the actual swap by the cumulative change in the hypothetical swap must be between 80% and 125%. The ineffective portion of a derivative’s change in fair value is immediately recognized in earnings. We use derivative instruments principally to manage the risk associated with the movements of foreign currency exchange rates and changes in interest rates that will affect the cash flows of our debt transactions. Refer to Note 9 for additional information regarding derivative instruments held by us and our risk management strategies.
Content Rights
     Costs incurred in the direct production, co-production or licensing of content rights are capitalized and stated at the lower of unamortized cost, fair value, or net realizable value. In accordance with Statement of Position (“SOP”) No. 00-2, Accounting by Producers or Distributors of Films , we amortize our content assets based upon the ratio of current revenue to total estimated revenue (“ultimate revenue”). To determine this ratio, we analyze historical and projected usage for similar programming and apply such usage factors to projected revenues by network adjusted for any future significant programming strategy changes.
     The result of this policy is an accelerated amortization pattern for the fully distributed U.S. Networks segment (Discovery Channel, TLC, Animal Planet) and Discovery Channel in the International Networks segment over a period of no more than four years. The accelerated amortization pattern results in the amortization of approximately 40% to 50% of the program cost during the first year. Topical or current events programming is amortized over shorter periods based on the nature of the programming and may be expensed upon its initial airing. All other networks in the U.S. Networks segment and International Networks segment utilize up to five year useful life. For these networks, with programming investment levels lower than the established networks and higher reuse of programming, straight-line amortization is considered a reasonable estimate of the use of content consistent with the pace of earning ultimate revenue.
     Ultimate revenue assessments include advertising and affiliate revenue streams. Ancillary revenue is considered immaterial to the assessment. Changes in management’s assumptions, such as changes in expected use, could significantly alter our estimates for amortization. Amortization is approximately $172 million and $339 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, respectively. The unamortized programming balance at June 30, 2009 is $1.3 billion.
     If we expect to alter the planned use of programming because of a change in network strategy, we write it down to its net realizable value based on adjusted ultimate revenues when we identify the need to alter the planned use. On a periodic basis, management evaluates the net realizable value of content in conjunction with our strategic review of the business. Changes in

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management’s assumptions, such as changes in expected use, could significantly alter our estimates for write-offs. Consolidated content impairment, including accelerated amortization of certain programs is approximately $17 million and $26 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, respectively.
Expenses Arising from Long-Term Incentive Plans
     Expenses arising from liability awards based on long-term incentive plans are primarily related to our unit-based LTIP for our employees who meet certain eligibility criteria. Units were awarded to eligible employees and vest at a rate of 25% per year. Prior to the Newhouse Transaction, we accounted for the LTIP in accordance with FAS 133 and EITF Issue No. 02-08, Accounting for Options Granted to Employees in Unrestricted, Publicly Traded Shares of an Unrelated Entity , as the value of units in the LTIP was indexed to the value of DHC Series A common stock. Upon redemption of the LTIP awards, participants received a cash payment based on the difference between the market price of DHC Series A common stock on the vesting date and the market price on the date of grant. Following the Newhouse Transaction, units remained outstanding and were adjusted to track changes in the value of our publicly traded stock. We account for these cash settled stock appreciation awards in accordance with FASB Statement No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment (“FAS 123R”).
     The value of units in the LTIP is calculated using the Black-Scholes model each reporting period, and the change in unit value of LTIP awards outstanding is recorded as compensation expense over the period outstanding. Compensation expense, including the change in fair value, is attributed using the straight-line method during the vesting period. We use volatility of DHC common stock or our common stock, if available, in our Black-Scholes models. However, if the term of the units is in excess of the period common stock that has been outstanding, we use a combination of historical and implied volatility. Different assumptions could result in different market valuations. However the most significant factor in determining the unit value is the price of our common stock.
Goodwill and Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets
     On September 17, 2008, we were formed as a result of DHC and Advance/Newhouse Programming Partnership (“Advance/Newhouse”) combining their respective interests in DCH and exchanging those interests with the Company (the “Newhouse Transaction”). The Newhouse Transaction provided, among other things, for the combination of DHC’s 66 2 / 3 % interest with Advance/Newhouse’s 33 1 / 3 % interests in DCH.
     For financial reporting purposes, we are the successor reporting entity to DHC. Because there is no effective change in ownership, in accordance with ARB 51, paragraph 11, both DHC and DCH have been consolidated in our financial statements as if the transaction had occurred January 1, 2008. Our critical accounting policies were adopted from DCH following the Newhouse Transaction. For purposes of analyzing DCI’s critical accounting policies, we present associated 2008 financial information consistent with our financial statement presentation and present associated 2007 financial information consistent with the financial statement presentation of DCH.
     The majority of our goodwill balance is the result of the Newhouse and Cox transactions in 2008 and 2007, respectively. As a result of the Newhouse Transaction, we allocated $1.8 billion of goodwill previously allocated to DHC’s equity investment in DCH and $251 million of goodwill for the basis differential between the carrying value of DHC’s and Advance/Newhouse’s investments in DCH to our reporting units. The formation of DCH as part of the Cox Transaction required “pushdown” accounting of each shareholder’s basis in DCH. The result was the pushdown of $4.6 billion of additional goodwill previously recorded on the investors’ books to DCH reporting units.
     We performed our annual goodwill impairment testing in accordance with FASB Statement No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangibles Assets (“FAS 142”) on November 30, 2008. Under the guidelines established by FASB Statement No. 131, Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information (“FAS 131”), we have aggregated our operating segments into the following three reportable segments: U.S. Networks, International Networks, and Commerce, Education, and Other. However, the goodwill impairment analysis, under the requirements of FAS 142, is performed at the reporting unit level. A reporting unit is the same as, or one level below, an operating segment as defined in FAS 131.

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     The following table presents our goodwill balances, by reporting unit, as of December 31, 2008 and 2007. The December 31, 2008 goodwill balances for each reportable segment agree to Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements. The December 31, 2007 balances have been included for comparative purposes and agree in total to the consolidated goodwill balance included in the Rule 3-09 financial statements of the significant subsidiary, DCH (in millions).
                 
    As of  
    December 31,  
    2008     2007  
Discovery Channel
  $ 2,284     $ 1,507  
TLC
    1,551       1,063  
Animal Planet
    313       229  
Other U.S. Networks
    1,421       1,263  
 
           
Total U.S. Networks
    5,569       4,062  
 
U.K.
    181       181  
EMEA
    693       397  
Latin America
    230       55  
Asia Pacific
    164       130  
Antenna Audio
    5       6  
 
           
Total International Networks
    1,273       769  
 
               
Commerce
    22       21  
Education
    16       18  
Creative Sound Services
    11        
 
           
Total Commerce, Education, and Other
    49       39  
 
           
 
               
Total Goodwill
  $ 6,891     $ 4,870  
 
           
     We utilized a discounted cash flow (“DCF”) model and market approach to estimate the fair value of our reporting units. The discounted cash flow model utilizes projected financial results for each reporting unit. The projected financial results are created from critical assumptions and estimates which are based on management’s business plans and historical trends. The market approach relies on data from publicly traded guideline companies. Determining fair value requires the exercise of significant judgments, including judgments about appropriate discount rates, perpetual growth rates, the amount and timing of expected future cash flows, and relevant comparable company earnings multiples.
     A summary of the critical assumptions utilized for our annual impairment tests in 2008 and 2007 are outlined below. We believe this information coupled with our sensitivity analysis considering reporting units whose fair value would not exceed carrying value following a hypothetical reduction in fair value of 10% and 20% provide relevant information to understand our goodwill impairment testing and evaluate our goodwill balances.
     During 2008, there were no significant changes in our reporting units. However, as a result of the Newhouse Transaction we allocated $2.0 billion of goodwill to our reporting units. For the annual goodwill impairment test performed on November 30, 2008, we did not significantly change the methodology from 2007 to determine the fair value of our reporting units. Due to the decline in the global economic environment, we made changes to certain of the assumptions utilized in the discounted cash flow model for 2008 compared with the prior year. For instance, generally we increased discount rates and assumed lower growth rates in our 2008 discounted cash flow calculations. Our assumed growth rates in 2008 were also lower than historical growth rates. The following is a summary analysis of the significant assumptions used in our DCF model, as well as a sensitivity analysis on the impact of changes in certain assumptions to our overall conclusion concerning impairment of our goodwill balances.
      Discount rate : The discount rate represents the expected return on capital. Each of the U.S. Networks’ reporting units generally used a discount rate of 12% for 2008, which represents an increase from a rate of 11% utilized in 2007. The International Networks’ reporting units’ discount rates were a weighted average of 16% and 14% for the years 2008 and 2007, respectively. For our remaining reporting units, discount rates were a weighted average of 15% for the years 2008 and 2007. We used the average interest rate of a 20 year government security over a one year period to determine the risk free rate in our weighted average cost of capital calculation. The difference between our discount rate and the risk free rate was 8% and 7% in 2008 and 2007, respectively.
      Growth assumptions: Projected annual growth is primarily driven by assumed advertising sales and cable subscriber trends offset by expected expenses. Other considerations include historical performance and anticipated economic conditions for the current period and long term.
     We use a five year period of assumed cash flows to assess short-term company net free cash flow for our DCF calculation. We assumed lower overall net free cash flow growth due to current market conditions accompanied by a modest recovery in 2010. The projected revenue growth for the U.S. Networks’ reporting units was a weighted average of 5% for the 2008 DCF calculation, compared with 8% in 2007. U.S. Networks experienced actual revenue growth of 10% in 2008 and 2007, when adjusted for the spin-off of the Travel Channel. The projected expense growth for the U.S. Networks’ reporting units was a weighted average of 5% in 2008, compared with 3% in 2007. The projected revenue growth for the International Networks’ reporting units was a weighted average of 7% for the 2008 DCF calculation, compared with 11% in 2007. International Networks experienced actual revenue growth of 12% and 13% in 2008 and 2007, respectively. The projected expense growth for the International Networks’ reporting units was a weighted average of 6% in 2008, compared with 7% in 2007. The projected revenue growth for our other reporting units was a weighted average of 4% for the 2008 DCF calculation, compared with 8% in 2007. Other reporting units experienced an actual revenue decline of 19% and an increase of 39% in 2008 and 2007, respectively. The historical revenue decline for our other reporting units in 2008 is not relevant due to one time items and the closure of retail stores in the third quarter of 2007. The projected expense decline for other reporting units was 1% in 2008, compared with increases of 4% in 2007.
     We used a weighted average terminal value growth rate of 4% and 5% for the U.S. Networks’ reporting units in our 2008 and 2007 DCF calculations, respectively. We used a weighted average terminal value growth rate of 5% and 6% for the International Networks’

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reporting units in our 2008 and 2007 DCF calculations, respectively. We used a weighted average terminal value growth rate of 7% and 5% for our other reporting units in our 2008 and 2007 DCF calculations, respectively. The terminal values used in our DCF model are calculated using the dividend discount model. As a result, the terminal values used for our reporting units are a function of their respective discount rates and terminal value growth rates.
      Market approach assumptions : We used both an Earnings Before Interest Depreciation and Amortization (“EBITDA”) and price per subscriber multiples to estimate fair value using a market approach. The U.S. Networks’ reporting units’ EBITDA multiples ranged from 12 to 6 and from 14 to 4 for 2008 and 2007, respectively. The International Networks’ reporting units’ EBITDA multiples ranged from 15 to 6 and from 18 to 12 for 2008 and 2007, respectively.
     The U.S. Networks’ reporting units made up 75% and 79% of the fair value of our Company in 2008 and 2007, respectively. At the date of impairment testing, the carrying value of our U.S. Networks’ reporting units made up 77% of the carrying value of net assets allocated for purposes of goodwill impairment testing in 2008 and 2007. The International Networks’ reporting units made up 23% and 20% of the fair value of our Company in 2008 and 2007, respectively. The carrying value of the International Networks’ reporting units made up 22% and 23% of the carrying value of net assets allocated for purposes of goodwill impairment testing in 2008 and 2007, respectively. The fair value of our other reporting units made up 2% and 1% of the fair value of our Company in 2008 and 2007, respectively. The carrying value of our other reporting units made up 1% of the carrying value of net assets allocated for purposes of goodwill impairment testing in 2008 and 2007, respectively.
      Sensitivity Analysis : In order to analyze the sensitivity our assumptions have on our overall impairment assessment, we determined the impact that a hypothetical 10% and 20% reduction in fair value would have on our conclusions.
    There were no reporting units for which a 10% decline in fair value would result in the reporting unit’s carrying value to be in excess of its fair value.
 
    The fair values of the U.K. and the Other U.S. Networks reporting units do not exceed their carrying values by 20%. A hypothetical 20% reduction in fair value of these reporting units results in carrying values in excess of fair value by 9% and 4%, respectively. The goodwill balance attributable to these two reporting units is $1.6 billion in 2008. A 100 basis point change in the discount rate used for these two reporting units’ results in a weighted average 8% decline or 11% rise in fair value. A 50 basis point change in long-term growth rates used for these two reporting units results in a weighted average 4% decline or rise in fair value.
     Reductions of 36% and 34% in the fair value of our largest reporting units (in terms of fair value), Discovery and TLC, respectively, would result in their carrying values exceeding their fair values. Given the reductions required and the assumptions used in our fair value modeling at the time of our impairment review, there did not appear to be any likely changes or trigger events that would indicate an impairment of these reporting units.
     If changes in the fair value of our reporting units caused the carrying value of a reporting unit to exceed its fair value, the second step of the goodwill impairment test would be required to be performed to determine the ultimate amount of impairment loss to record.
     During 2009, we deconsolidated Discovery Kids and reevaluated the fair value of the Other U.S. Networks reporting unit. As a result, the Company allocated $437 million of goodwill assigned to Discovery Kids based on the relative fair values of the network and the portion of the Other U.S. Networks reporting unit that has been retained. The Company used the purchase consideration provided by Hasbro to determine the fair value of Discovery Kids. The significant assumptions used in the DCF models to determine the fair value of the other components of the U.S. Networks reporting unit were generally consistent with those used during year-end 2008, except that the expected cash flows of certain components declined causing long-term growth rates to increase slightly. The market approach relied on public information and involves the exercise of judgment in identifying the relevant comparable company market multiples. The Company multiplied certain financial measures of the Other U.S. Networks reporting unit by the market multiples identified in determining the estimated fair value. A reduction in market multiples and decline in cash flow projections for certain components of the business indicated an impairment of long lived assets of $20 million, included in the long-lived assets discussion below. Despite the reduced fair value of certain components of the Other U.S. Networks reporting unit, the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, and the goodwill of the reporting unit is not impaired.
     The deconsolidation of Discovery Kids and decline in the value of certain asset groups, results in a change in the results of a hypothetical 20% reduction in the fair value compared with our annual assessment. A hypothetical 20% reduction in fair value of the Other U.S. Networks reporting unit would result in carrying value exceeding fair value by 1%.
     We will perform our annual impairment testing of goodwill as of November 30, 2009, unless there is a triggering event, which would require the performance of impairment testing before our annual impairment testing date. We monitor our anticipated operating performance to ensure that no event has occurred requiring goodwill impairment testing. As part of our annual impairment testing or any interim impairment test deemed necessary, we will evaluate whether our assumptions and methodologies require changes as a result of the current global economic environment.

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     The determination of recoverability of goodwill and indefinite lived intangibles requires significant judgment and estimates regarding future cash flows, fair values and the appropriate grouping of assets. Such estimates are subject to change and could result in impairment losses being recognized in the future. If different reporting units, asset groupings, or different valuation methodologies had been used, the impairment test results could have differed.
Long-lived Assets
     Long-lived assets (e.g., amortizing trademarks, customer lists, other intangibles and property, plant and equipment) do not require that an annual impairment test be performed; instead, long-lived assets are tested for impairment upon the occurrence of a triggering event. Triggering events include the likely (i.e., more likely than not) disposal of a portion of such assets or the occurrence of an adverse change in the market involving the business employing the related assets. Once a triggering event has occurred, the impairment test employed is based on whether the intent is to hold the asset for continued use or to hold the asset for sale. If the intent is to hold the asset for continued use, the impairment test first requires a comparison of undiscounted future cash flows against the carrying value of the asset. If the carrying value of the asset exceeds the undiscounted cash flows, the asset would be deemed to be impaired. Impairment would then be measured as the difference between the fair value of the asset and its carrying value. Fair value is generally determined by discounting the future cash flows associated with that asset. If the intent is to hold the asset for sale and certain other criteria are met (e.g., the asset can be disposed of currently, appropriate levels of authority have approved the sale, and there is an active program to locate a buyer), the impairment test involves comparing the asset’s carrying value to its fair value. To the extent the carrying value is greater than the asset’s fair value, an impairment loss is recognized for the difference.
     Significant judgments in this area involve determining whether a triggering event has occurred, determining the future cash flows for the assets involved and determining the proper discount rate to be applied in determining fair value.
     During the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, we recorded long-lived asset impairments of $26 million primarily related to our HowStuffWorks.com business, a component of the other U.S. Networks reporting unit, due to declines in expected operating performance.
     The determination of recoverability of long-lived assets requires significant judgment and estimates regarding future cash flows, fair values, and the appropriate grouping of assets. Such estimates are subject to change and could result in impairment losses being recognized in the future. If different reporting units, asset groupings, or different valuation methodologies had been used, the impairment test results could have differed.
Redeemable Interests in Subsidiaries
     For those instruments with an estimated redemption value, redeemable interests in subsidiaries are accreted or amortized to an estimated redemption value ratably over the period to the redemption date. Accretion and amortization are recorded as a component of Net loss (income) attributable to non-controlling interests on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Income Taxes
     Income taxes are recorded using the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effect of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. A valuation allowance is provided for deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not such assets will be unrealized.
Recently Issued Accounting and Reporting Pronouncements
Accounting and Reporting Pronouncements Adopted
Subsequent Events
     In May 2009, the FASB issued Statement No. 165, Subsequent Events (“FAS 165”), which establishes general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. FAS 165 requires disclosure of the date through which an entity has evaluated subsequent events, which for us is the date the financial statements were issued. Effective June 30, 2009, we adopted the provisions of FAS 165, which are being applied prospectively. The adoption of FAS 165 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. The relevant disclosures required by FAS 165 are included in Note 1.
Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments
     In April 2009, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) No. FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1, Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments (“FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1”). This FSP amends FASB Statement No. 107, Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments , and Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 28 , Interim Financial Reporting , to require disclosures about fair value of financial instruments in interim financial statements in addition to annual financial statements. Effective June 30, 2009, we adopted the interim disclosure requirements of FSP No. 107-1 and APB 28-1, which are being applied

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prospectively. The adoption of FSP 107-1 and APB 28-1 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. The relevant disclosures required by FSP 107-1 and APB 28-1 are included in various notes to our consolidated financial statements.
Determining Whether Instruments Granted in Share-Based Payment Transactions Are Participating Securities
     In June 2008, the FASB issued FSP Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 03-6-1, Determining Whether Instruments Granted in Share-Based Payment Transactions Are Participating Securities (“FSP EITF 03-6-1”). The provisions of FSP EITF 03-6-1 became effective for us on January 1, 2009. This FSP provides that all outstanding unvested share-based payment awards that contain rights to non-forfeitable dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) are considered participating securities. Because such awards are considered participating securities, the issuing entity is required to apply the two-class method of computing basic and diluted earnings per share retrospectively to all prior-period earnings per share computations. The adoption of FSP EITF 03-6-1 did not impact our computation of earnings per share for the periods presented.
Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets
     In April 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. 142-3, Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets (“FSP 142-3”), which amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset pursuant to FASB Statement No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (“FAS 142”). Effective January 1, 2009, we adopted the provisions of FSP 142-3, which are being applied prospectively to intangible assets acquired on or subsequent to the effective date. Our policy is to expense costs incurred to contractually renew or extend the terms of its intangible assets. The adoption of FSP 142-3 did not impact our consolidated financial statements.
Disclosures about Derivative Investments and Hedging Activities
     In March 2008, the FASB issued Statement No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 133 (“FAS 161”), which amends and expands the disclosure requirements of FASB Statement No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (“FAS 133”), to include information about how and why an entity uses derivative instruments; how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under FAS 133 and its related interpretations; and how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. We adopted the provisions of FAS 161 effective January 1, 2009, which are being applied prospectively. The adoption of FAS 161 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. The relevant disclosures required by FAS 161 are included in Note 9.
Non-controlling Interests
     In December 2007, the FASB issued FAS 160, which establishes accounting and reporting standards for the non-controlling interest in a subsidiary, commonly referred to as minority interest. Among other matters, FAS 160 requires that non-controlling interests be reported within the equity section of the balance sheet and that the amounts of consolidated net income or loss and consolidated comprehensive income or loss attributable to the parent company and the non-controlling interests are clearly presented separately in the consolidated financial statements. Also, pursuant to FAS 160, where appropriate, losses will be allocated to non-controlling interests even when that allocation may result in a deficit balance. Effective January 1, 2009, we adopted the provisions of FAS 160, which are being applied prospectively, except for the presentation and disclosure requirements, which are being applied retrospectively to all periods presented. Upon adoption of FAS 160, non-controlling interests of $25 million as of December 31, 2008 have been reclassified from Other noncurrent liabilities to Equity attributable to non-controlling interests in the equity section of the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Additionally, $39 million and $79 million previously recorded as Minority interests, net of tax for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008 has been reclassified to Net income attributable to non-controlling interests and excluded from the caption Net income in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. The computation of earnings per share for all prior periods is not impacted.
Business Combinations
     In December 2007, the FASB issued Statement No. 141(R), Business Combinations (“FAS 141R”), which requires, among other matters, that companies expense business acquisition transaction costs; record an asset for in-process research and development; record at fair value amounts for contingencies, including contingent consideration, as of the purchase date with subsequent adjustments recognized in operating results; recognize decreases in valuation allowances on acquired deferred tax assets in operating results, which are considered to be subsequent changes in consideration and are recorded as decreases in goodwill; and measure at fair value any non-controlling interest in the acquired entity. Effective January 1, 2009, we adopted the provisions of FAS 141R, which are being applied prospectively to new business combinations consummated on or subsequent to the effective date. While FAS 141R applies to new business acquisitions consummated on or subsequent to the effective date, the amendments to FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes (“FAS 109”), with respect to deferred tax valuation allowances and liabilities for income tax uncertainties, applies to changes in deferred tax valuation allowances and liabilities for income tax uncertainties recognized in prior business acquisitions. In April 2009, the FASB issued FSP 141(R)-1, Accounting for Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed in a Business Combination That Arise from Contingencies (“FSP 141R-1”), which amends and clarifies the accounting, recording and measurement of certain contingent assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. The provisions of FSP 141R-1

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were effective immediately and required to be applied retrospectively to business combinations that occurred on or after January 1, 2009. The adoption of FAS 141R and FSP 141R-1, effective January 1, 2009, did not impact our consolidated financial statements. Generally, the impact of FAS 141R will depend on future acquisitions.
Accounting for Collaborative Arrangements
     In December 2007, the EITF issued EITF Issue No. 07-1, Accounting for Collaborative Arrangements (“EITF 07-1”). EITF 07-1 defines collaborative arrangements and establishes accounting and reporting requirements for transactions between participants in the arrangement and third parties. A collaborative arrangement is defined as a contractual arrangement that involves a joint operating activity, such as an agreement to co-produce and distribute programming with another media company. Effective January 1, 2009, we adopted the provisions of EITF 07-1, which are being applied retrospectively to all periods presented for all collaborative arrangements as of the effective date. The adoption of EITF 07-1 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. The relevant disclosures required by EITF 07-1 are included in Note 6.
Fair Value Measurements
     In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“FAS 157”), which establishes the authoritative definition of fair value, sets out a framework for measuring fair value, and expands the required disclosures about fair value measurement. The provisions of FAS 157 related to financial assets and liabilities as well as nonfinancial assets and liabilities carried at fair value on a recurring basis were adopted prospectively on January 1, 2008 and did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. In February 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. 157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157 (“FSP 157-2”), which delayed the effective date of FAS 157 for non-recurring measurements of non-financial assets and liabilities to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008 and interim periods within those fiscal years. Effective January 1, 2009, we adopted the provisions of FAS 157 related to non-financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis, which are being applied prospectively. The adoption of FAS 157 for non-recurring measurements of non-financial assets and liabilities did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. The relevant disclosures required by FAS 157 are included in Note 5.
Accounting and Reporting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities
     In June 2009, the FASB issued Statement No. 167, Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46 (R) (“FAS 167”), which amends certain requirements of FIN 46R. Among other matters, FAS 167 requires a qualitative rather than a quantitative analysis to determine the primary beneficiary of a VIE; amends FIN 46R’s consideration of related party relationships in the determination of the primary beneficiary of a VIE by providing, among other things, an exception with respect to de facto agency relationships in certain circumstances; amends certain guidance in FIN 46R for determining whether an entity is a VIE, which may change an entity’s assessment of which entities with which it is involved are VIEs; requires continuous assessments of whether an entity is the primary beneficiary of a VIE; and requires enhanced disclosures about an entity’s involvement with a VIE. In general, the disclosure requirements are consistent with the provisions of FSP No. FAS 140-4 and FIN 46(R)-8, Disclosures by Public Entities (Enterprises) about Transfers of Financial Assets and Interests in Variable Interest Entities . The provisions of FAS 167 will be effective for us on January 1, 2010, and will be applied retrospectively to all periods presented. We are currently evaluating the impact that the provisions of FAS 167 will have on our consolidated financial statements.

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ITEM 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.
     Our earnings and cash flows are exposed to market risk and can be affected by, among other things, economic conditions, interest rate changes, foreign currency fluctuations, and changes in the market values of investments. We have established policies, procedures and internal processes governing our management of market risks and the use of financial instruments to manage our exposure to such risks. We use derivative financial instruments to modify our exposure to market risks from changes in interest rates and foreign exchange rates. We do not hold or enter into financial instruments for speculative trading purposes.
Interest Rates
     The nature and amount of our long-term debt are expected to vary as a result of future requirements, market conditions and other factors. Our interest expense is exposed to movements in short-term interest rates. Of our $3.4 billion of debt, $2.5 billion was floating rate debt at June 30, 2009. Derivative instruments, including variable to fixed and fixed to variable interest rate instruments, are used to modify this exposure. The variable to fixed interest rate instruments had a notional amount of $2.3 billion and had a weighted average interest rate of 4.68% at both June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008. The fixed to variable interest rate agreements had a notional amount of $50 million and had a weighted average interest rate of 5.82% and 7.90% at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively. As of June 30, 2009, we have a notional amount of $860 million of forward starting variable to fixed interest rate swaps, of which a notional amount of $560 million will become effective in December 2009 and a notional amount of $300 million will become effective in June 2010. The fair value of our interest rate derivative contracts, adjusted for our credit risk and our counterparties’ credit risk, aggregate $54 million and $106 million at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.
     Of the total notional amount of $3.2 billion in interest rate derivatives, $2.3 billion of these derivative instruments are highly effective cash flow hedges. The fair value of these hedges in a loss position at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 was $27 million and $70 million, respectively, with changes in the mark-to-market value recorded as a component of Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes . We do not expect material hedge ineffectiveness in the next twelve months. As of June 30, 2009, a parallel shift in the interest rate yield curve equal to one percentage point would change the fair value of our interest rate derivative portfolio by approximately $48 million. In addition, a change of one percentage point in interest rates on variable rate debt would impact interest expense by approximately $3 million on an annual basis.
     We continually monitor our positions with, and the credit quality of, the financial institutions that are counterparties to our derivative instruments and do not anticipate nonperformance by the counterparties. In addition, we limit the amount of investment credit exposure with any one institution.
     Refer to Note 9 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding our interest rate derivative instruments.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rates
     We continually monitor our economic exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates and may enter into foreign exchange agreements when appropriate. Substantially all of our foreign transactions are denominated in foreign currencies, including the liabilities of our foreign subsidiaries. The majority of our foreign currency exposure is to the British pound and the Euro. Although our foreign transactions are not generally subject to significant foreign exchange transaction gains or losses, the financial statements of our foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars as part of our consolidated financial reporting. As a result, fluctuations in exchange rates affect our financial position and results of operations.
     Our objective in managing exposure to foreign currency fluctuations is to reduce volatility of earnings and cash flows. Accordingly, we may enter into foreign currency derivative instruments that change in value as foreign exchange rates change. At June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the notional amount of foreign exchange derivative contracts was $3 million and $75 million, respectively. These derivative instruments did not receive hedge accounting treatment. The fair value of these derivative instruments aggregates to less than $1 million and $5 million at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively. As of June 30, 2009, an estimated 10% adverse movement in exchange rates against the U.S. dollar would decrease the fair value of our portfolio by less than $1 million.
     Refer to Note 9 to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding our foreign currency derivative instruments.
Market Values of Investments
     We are exposed to market risk as it relates to changes in the market value of our investments. We invest directly and indirectly through mutual funds in equity instruments of public and private companies. These securities are subject to significant fluctuations in fair market value due to the volatility of the stock market and the industries in which the companies operate. During the three months ended June 30, 2009, we sold a common stock investment, which resulted in a pretax gain of $13 million. Our remaining investments at June 30, 2009 had a fair value of $30 million which is recorded as a component of Other current assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of June 30, 2009, a 10% decline in the fair value of these investments would reduce the fair value of these investments to $27 million.

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ITEM 4.   Controls and Procedures.
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
     The Company’s management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report. The term “disclosure controls and procedures,” as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), means controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Based on the evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
     There have been no changes to the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act, during the quarter ended June 30, 2009, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
     As of December 31, 2009, the Company is required to comply with the management certification and auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. In the interim, the Company is required to perform the documentation, evaluation and testing required to make these assessments.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1.   Legal Proceedings.
     We experience routine litigation in the normal course of our business. We believe that none of the pending litigation will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition, future results of operations, or liquidity.
ITEM 1A.   Risk Factors.
     There have been no material changes to our risk factors from those disclosed in PART I., ITEM 1A. Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 26, 2009, as revised by the Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 16, 2009.
ITEM 2.   Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
     None.
ITEM 3.   Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
     None.
ITEM 4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
     The following information reflects voting activities for Discovery’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on May 11, 2009.
      Proposal 1 : Election of the following to the Company’s Board of Directors:
     Class I Common Stock Directors with terms expiring at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held in 2012, elected by the holders of our Series A and Series B common stock:
                 
    Votes For   Votes Withheld
Robert R. Beck
    143,543,053       42,099,115  
J. David Wargo
    134,913,139       50,729,029  
     The terms of office of Paul A. Gould, M. LaVoy Robison, John S. Hendricks, John C. Malone, Robert R. Bennett and David M. Zaslav continued following the meeting. Messrs. Gould, Robison and Hendricks serve as Class II directors, with terms expiring at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held in 2010 and Messrs. Malone, Bennett and Zaslav serve as Class III directors, with terms expiring at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held in 2011.
     Broker non-votes had no effect on voting for the election of directors, and abstentions and unreturned proxies have been treated as votes withheld.
     Preferred Stock Directors with terms of office expiring at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be hold in 2010, elected by holders of our Series A preferred stock:
                 
    Votes For   Votes Withheld
Robert J. Miron
    71,107,312       0  
Steven A. Miron
    71,107,312       0  
Lawrence S. Kramer
    71,107,312       0  
      Proposal 2 : To consider and vote upon a proposal to ratify the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as Discovery Communications, Inc.’s independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2009.
         
Votes For   Votes Against   Abstain
256,177,850
  558,274   13,355
ITEM 5.   Other Information.
     None.

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ITEM 6.   Exhibits.
     
Exhibit No.   Description
10.1
  Form of Restricted Stock Unit Grant Agreement
 
   
10.2
  Amendment No. 1 dated May 14, 2009 to the Credit, Pledge and Security Agreement dated May 14, 2007, among Discovery Communications, LLC, as Borrower, Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent and the lenders that are party thereto
 
   
10.3
  Credit Agreement Supplement No. 1 dated May 14, 2009, among Discovery Communications, LLC, as Borrower, Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent and the lenders that are party thereto
 
   
31.1
  Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as Amended, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
   
31.2
  Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as Amended, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
   
32.1
  Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
   
32.2
  Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
 
   
101.INS
  XBRL Instance Document
 
   
101.SCH
  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
 
   
101.CAL
  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
 
   
101.LAB
  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
 
   
101.PRE
  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
 
   
101.DEF
  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

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SIGNATURES
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
         
  DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
(Registrant)
 
 
Date: August 4, 2009  By:   /s/ David M. Zaslav    
    David M. Zaslav   
    President and Chief Executive Officer   
 
     
Date: August 4, 2009  By:   /s/ Bradley E. Singer    
    Bradley E. Singer   
    Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer   
 

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EXHIBIT 10.1
Employee RSU Form
<Participant Full Name>
Dear <Participant First Name>
Congratulations, you have been awarded a restricted stock unit (“ RSU ”) in recognition of your contributions to the success of Discovery Communications, Inc. (the “ Company ”). A restricted stock unit entitles you to receive a specific number of shares of the Company’s Series A common stock at a future date, assuming that you satisfy conditions of the Plan and the implementing agreement. We would like you to have an opportunity to share in the continued success of the Company through this RSU under the Discovery Communications, Inc. 2005 Incentive Plan (As Amended and Restated) (the “ Plan ”). The following represents a brief description of your grant. Additional details regarding your RSU are provided in the attached Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (the “Grant Agreement”) and in the Plan. In addition, if you are located in a country other than the United States, you will receive an International Addendum with your first award under the Plan that you must sign and return to the Company. If you are subject to this requirement, the International Addendum is enclosed.
RSU Grant Summary:
     
Date of Grant
  <Grant Date>
 
   
RSU Shares
  <Number of Shares Granted>
 
   
Vesting Schedule
  <Insert Vesting Schedule — example: 33% on the Second Anniversary of the Date of Grant, 33% on the Third Anniversary, and 34% on the Fourth Anniversary>
 
   
Vesting Date(s)
  [Dates and Any Performance Conditions]
  You have been granted an RSU for shares (“ Shares ”) of Discovery Communications, Inc. Series A Common Stock for the number of Shares specified under “RSU Shares” in the chart.
 
  The potential value of your RSU increases if the price of the Company’s stock increases, but you also have to continue to provide services for the Company (except as the Grant Agreement provides) to actually receive such value. Of course, the value of the stock may go up and down over time.
 
  You will not receive the Shares represented by the RSU until the RSU vests. Your RSU vests as provided in the chart above under “Vesting,” assuming you remain an employee or become and remain a director of the Company and subject to the terms in the Grant Agreement and any rounding that is required to deliver whole shares.
 
  Once you have received the Shares, you will own the Shares and may decide whether to hold the Shares, sell the Shares or give the Shares to someone as a gift.
 
  Your ability to receive Shares under the RSU is conditioned upon compliance with any local laws that apply to you.
You can access the PEP page on the portal for updates and information, email pepquestions@discovery.com , or call
the Compensation Hotline at
240-662-3493 with any questions.

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Discovery Communications, Inc.
Restricted Stock Unit Grant Agreement for Employees
     Discovery Communications, Inc. (the “ Company ”) has granted you a restricted stock unit (the “ RSU ”) under the Discovery Communications, Inc. 2005 Incentive Plan (As Amended and Restated) (the “ Plan ”). The RSU lets you receive a specified number (the “ RSU Shares ”) of shares (“ Shares ”) of the Company’s Series A common stock upon satisfaction of the conditions to receipt.
     The individualized communication you received (the “ Cover Letter ”) provides the details for your RSU. It specifies the number of RSU Shares, the Date of Grant, the schedule for vesting, and the Vesting Date(s).
     The RSU is subject in all respects to the applicable provisions of the Plan. This grant agreement does not cover all of the rules that apply to the RSU under the Plan; please refer to the Plan document. Capitalized terms are defined either further below in this grant agreement (the “ Grant Agreement ”) or in the Plan.
The Plan document is available on the Fidelity website. The Prospectus for the Plan, the Annual Report on Form 10-K, and other filings the Company makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission are available for your review on the Company’s web site. You may also obtain paper copies of these documents upon request to the Company’s HR department.
Neither the Company nor anyone else is making any representations or promises regarding the duration of your service, vesting of the RSU, the value of the Company’s stock or of this RSU, or the Company’s prospects. The Company is not providing any advice regarding tax consequences to you or regarding your decisions regarding the RSU; you agree to rely only upon your own personal advisors.
No one may sell, transfer, or distribute the RSU or the securities that may be received under it without an effective registration statement relating thereto or an opinion of counsel satisfactory to Discovery Communications, Inc. or other information and representations satisfactory to it that such registration is not required.

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     In addition to the Plan’s terms and restrictions, the following terms and restrictions apply:
     
Vesting Schedule
  Your RSU becomes nonforfeitable (“ Vested ”) as provided in the Cover Letter and the Grant Agreement assuming you remain employed (or serve as a member of the Company’s board of directors (“ Board ”)) until the Vesting Date(s). For purposes of this Grant Agreement, employment with the Company will include employment with any Subsidiary whose employees are then eligible to receive Awards under the Plan (provided that a later transfer of employment to an ineligible Subsidiary will not terminate employment unless the Board determines otherwise).
 
   
 
  Vesting will accelerate fully on your death or Disability (as defined in the Plan). If your employment is terminated without Cause or on your Retirement before the RSU is fully Vested, the RSU will remain or become Vested pursuant to the original vesting schedule as though you remained working through any Vesting Date(s) occurring during the 90 days after the date of termination, subject to any applicable performance conditions. (“ Cause ” has the meaning provided in Section 11.2(b) of the Plan; “ Retirement ” means your employment ends for any reason other than Cause at a point at which you are at least age 60 and have been employed by the Company, and any of its subsidiaries, or Discovery Communications, LLC for at least five years, where your period of service is determined using the Company’s Prior Employment Service Policy or a successor policy chosen by the Committee).
 
   
Change in Control
 
Notwithstanding the Plan’s provisions, if an Approved Transaction, Control Purchase, or Board Change (each a “ Change in Control ”) occurs before the first anniversary of the Date of Grant, the RSU will only have accelerated Vesting as a result of the Change in Control if (i) within 12 months after the Change in Control, the Company terminates your employment other than for Cause and (ii) with respect to any Approved Transaction, the transaction actually closes before the first anniversary. Accelerated Vesting will only accelerate the Distribution Date if and to the extent permitted under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code (“ Section 409A ”).
 
   
 
 
The Board reserves its ability under Section 10.1(b) of the Plan to vary this treatment if the Board determines there is an equitable substitution or replacement award in connection with a Change in Control.
 
   
Distribution Date
  Subject to any overriding provisions in the Plan, you will receive a distribution of the Shares equivalent to your Vested RSU Shares as soon as practicable following the date on which you become Vested (with the actual date being the “ Distribution Date ”) and, in any event, no later than March 15 of the year following the calendar year in which the Vesting Date(s) occurred, unless the Board determines that you may make a timely deferral election to defer distribution to a later date and you have made such an election (in which case the deferred date will be the “ Distribution Date ”).
 
   
Restrictions and Forfeiture
  You may not sell, assign, pledge, encumber, or otherwise transfer any interest (“ Transfer ”) in the RSU Shares until the RSU Shares are distributed to you. Any attempted Transfer that precedes the Distribution Date is invalid.
 
   
 
  Unless the Board determines otherwise or the Grant Agreement provides otherwise, if your employment or service with the Company terminates for any reason before your RSU is Vested, then you will forfeit the RSU (and the Shares to which they relate) to the extent that the RSU does not otherwise vest as a result of the termination, pursuant to the rules in the Vesting Schedule section. The forfeited RSU will then immediately revert to the Company. You will receive no payment for the RSU if you forfeit it.
 
   
Limited Status
  You understand and agree that the Company will not consider you a shareholder for any purpose with respect to the RSU Shares, unless and until the RSU Shares have been issued to you on the Distribution Date. You will not receive dividends with respect to the RSU.
 
   
Voting
  You may not vote the RSU Shares unless and until the Shares are distributed to you.
 
   
Taxes and Withholding
  The RSU provides tax deferral, meaning that the RSU Shares are not taxable to until you actually receive the RSU Shares on or around the Distribution Date. You will then owe taxes at ordinary income tax rates as of the Distribution Date at the Shares’ value. As an employee of the Company, you may owe FICA and HI (Social Security and Medicare) taxes before the Distribution Date.

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  Issuing the Shares under the RSU is contingent upon satisfaction of all obligations with respect to required tax or other required withholdings (for example, in the U.S., Federal, state, and local taxes). The Company may take any action permitted under Section 11.9 of the Plan to satisfy such obligation, including, if the Board so determines, satisfying the tax obligations by (i) reducing the number of RSU Shares to be issued to you by that number of RSU Shares (valued at their Fair Market Value on the date of distribution) that would equal all taxes required to be withheld (at their minimum withholding levels), (ii) accepting payment of the withholdings from a broker in connection with a sale of the RSU Shares or directly from you, or (iii) taking any other action under Section 11.9 of the Plan. If a fractional share remains after deduction for required withholding, the Company will pay you the value of the fraction in cash.
 
   
Compliance with Law
  The Company will not issue the RSU Shares if doing so would violate any applicable Federal or state securities laws or other laws or regulations. You may not sell or otherwise dispose of the RSU Shares in violation of applicable law.
 
   
Additional Conditions to Receipt
  The Company may postpone issuing and delivering any RSU Shares for so long as the Company determines to be advisable to satisfy the following:
   
 
   
 
 
its completing or amending any securities registration or qualification of the RSU Shares or its or your satisfying any exemption from registration under any Federal or state law, rule, or regulation;
 
   
 
 
its receiving proof it considers satisfactory that a person seeking to receive the RSU Shares after your death is entitled to do so;
 
   
 
 
your complying with any requests for representations under the Plan; and
 
   
 
 
your complying with any Federal, state, or local tax withholding obligations.
 
   
Additional Representations from You
  If the vesting provisions of the RSU are satisfied and you are entitled to receive RSU Shares at a time when the Company does not have a current registration statement (generally on Form S-8) under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “ Act ”) that covers issuances of shares to you, you must comply with the following before the Company will issue the RSU Shares to you. You must —
 
   
 
 
represent to the Company, in a manner satisfactory to the Company’s counsel, that you are acquiring the RSU Shares for your own account and not with a view to reselling or distributing the RSU Shares; and
 
   
 
 
agree that you will not sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of the RSU Shares unless:
 
   
 
 
a registration statement under the Act is effective at the time of disposition with respect to the RSU Shares you propose to sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of; or
 
   
 
 
the Company has received an opinion of counsel or other information and representations it considers satisfactory to the effect that, because of Rule 144 under the Act or otherwise, no registration under the Act is required.
 
   
No Effect on Employment or Other Relationship
  Nothing in this Grant Agreement restricts the Company’s rights or those of any of its affiliates to terminate your employment or other relationship at any time and for any or no reason. The termination of employment or other relationship, whether by the Company or any of its affiliates or otherwise, and regardless of the reason for such termination, has the consequences provided for under the Plan and any applicable employment or severance agreement or plan.
 
   
No Effect on Running Business
  You understand and agree that the existence of the RSU will not affect in any way the right or power of the Company or its stockholders to make or authorize any adjustments, recapitalizations, reorganizations, or other changes in the Company’s capital structure or its business, or any merger or consolidation of the Company, or any issuance of bonds, debentures, preferred or other

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  stock, with preference ahead of or convertible into, or otherwise affecting the Company’s common stock or the rights thereof, or the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or any sale or transfer of all or any part of its assets or business, or any other corporate act or proceeding, whether or not of a similar character to those described above.
 
   
Section 409A
  The RSU is intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A and must be construed consistently with that section. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan or this Grant Agreement to the contrary, if the RSU Vests in connection with your “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A, as determined by the Company), and if (x) you are then a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A at the time of such separation from service (as determined by the Company, by which determination you agree you are bound) and (y) the distribution of RSU Shares under such accelerated RSU will result in the imposition of additional tax under Section 409A if distributed to you within the six month period following your separation from service, then the distribution under such accelerated RSU will not be made until the earlier of (i) the date six months and one day following the date of your separation from service or (ii) the 10 th day after your date of death. Neither the Company nor you shall have the right to accelerate or defer the delivery of any such RSU Shares or benefits except to the extent specifically permitted or required by Section 409A. In no event may the Company or you defer the delivery of the RSU Shares beyond the date specified in the Distribution Date section, unless such deferral complies in all respects with Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b) related to subsequent changes in the time or form of payment of nonqualified deferred compensation arrangements, or any successor regulation. In any event, the Company makes no representations or warranty and shall have no liability to you or any other person, if any provisions of or distributions under this Grant Agreement are determined to constitute deferred compensation subject to Section 409A but not to satisfy the conditions of that section.
 
   
Unsecured Creditor
  The RSU creates a contractual obligation on the part of the Company to make a distribution of the RSU Shares at the time provided for in this Grant Agreement. Neither you nor any other party claiming an interest in deferred compensation hereunder shall have any interest whatsoever in any specific assets of the Company. Your right to receive distributions hereunder is that of an unsecured general creditor of Company.
 
   
Governing Law
  The laws of the State of Delaware will govern all matters relating to the RSU, without regard to the principles of conflict of laws.
 
   
Notices
  Any notice you give to the Company must follow the procedures then in effect. If no other procedures apply, you must send your notice in writing by hand or by mail to the office of the Company’s Secretary (or to the Chair of the Board if you are then serving as the sole Secretary). If mailed, you should address it to the Company’s Secretary (or the Chair of the Board) at the Company’s then corporate headquarters, unless the Company directs RSU holders to send notices to another corporate department or to a third party administrator or specifies another method of transmitting notice. The Company and the Board will address any notices to you using its standard electronic communications methods or at your office or home address as reflected on the Company’s personnel or other business records. You and the Company may change the address for notice by notice to the other, and the Company can also change the address for notice by general announcements to RSU holders.
 
   
Amendment
  Subject to any required action by the Board or the stockholders of the Company, the Company may cancel the RSU and provide a new Award under the Plan in its place, provided that the Award so replaced will satisfy all of the requirements of the Plan as of the date such new Award is made and no such action will adversely affect the RSU to the extent then Vested.
 
   
Plan Governs
  Wherever a conflict may arise between the terms of this Grant Agreement and the terms of the Plan, the terms of the Plan will control. The Board may adjust the number of RSU Shares and other terms of the RSU from time to time as the Plan provides.

5

EXHIBIT 10.2
AMENDMENT NO. 1
     This AMENDMENT NO. 1, dated as of May 14, 2009 (this “ Agreement ”), among DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS HOLDING, LLC , a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Borrower ”), the Lenders (such capitalized term and all other capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein to have the meanings provided in Article I below) who are signatories to this Agreement, and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. , as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “ Administrative Agent ”) for the Lenders.
W I T N E S S E T H:
      WHEREAS , the Borrower, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent are parties to the Credit Agreement;
      WHEREAS , the Borrower has requested that the Lenders amend the Credit Agreement as hereinafter set forth; and
      WHEREAS , the Lenders signatory to this Agreement are, on the terms and conditions stated below, willing to grant the request of the Borrower;
      NOW THEREFORE , for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, each party to this Agreement agrees as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
     1.01 Definitions. The following terms (whether or not underscored) when used in this Agreement, including its preamble and recitals, shall have the following meanings (such definitions to be equally applicable to the singular and plural forms thereof):
     “ Agreement Effective Date ” means the date on which the conditions precedent to the effectiveness of this Agreement as specified in Article III herein have been satisfied.
     “ Credit Agreement ” means the Credit, Pledge and Security Agreement dated as of May 14, 2007, among the Borrower, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent.
     “ Lenders ” means the lenders from time to time party to the Credit Agreement.
     1.02 Other Definitions . Unless otherwise defined herein or the context otherwise requires, terms used in this Agreement, including its preamble and recitals, have the meanings provided in the Credit Agreement.
     1.03 Other Interpretive Provisions. The rules of construction in Sections 1.02 to 1.06 of the Credit Agreement shall be equally applicable to this Agreement.
ARTICLE II
AMENDMENTS
     Effective as of the Agreement Effective Date, the Credit Agreement is hereby amended as follows:
     2.01 Additional Term Facilities. Section 2.03(a) of the Credit Agreement is amended to delete the parenthetical clause “(which shall in no event be less than ten Business Days from the date of delivery of such notice to the Lenders)” from such Section.
     2.02 Repayment of Loans . Section 2.06(a) of the Credit Agreement is amended to delete the reference to “Section 2.05” therein and insert a reference to “Section 2.04” in lieu thereof.
     2.03 Burdensome Agreements. Section 7.09 of the Credit Agreement is amended and restated in its entirety, as follows:

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     “7.09 Burdensome Agreements . Enter into any Contractual Obligation (other than this Agreement or any other Loan Document) that limits the ability (a) of any Restricted Subsidiary to make Restricted Payments to the Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary or to otherwise transfer property to the Borrower, (b) of any Restricted Subsidiary to Guarantee the Obligations of the Borrower or any other Restricted Subsidiary, or (c) of the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist Liens on property of such Person to secure the Obligations of such Person; provided , however , that:
     (i) any Indebtedness permitted to be incurred by the Borrower or a Restricted Subsidiary pursuant to Section 7.03 may include Contractual Obligations that limit the ability of any Restricted Subsidiary to take any such actions or to suffer to exist any such Lien; provided , however , that all cash proceeds of any such Indebtedness incurred by the Borrower that includes such a Contractual Obligation (net of any underwriting discounts and commissions, and other reasonable and customary out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the Borrower in connection therewith) shall be promptly applied to Refinance Indebtedness of the Borrower under this Agreement or Indebtedness of a Restricted Subsidiary or promptly contributed or advanced to a Restricted Subsidiary and promptly applied to Refinance Indebtedness of such Restricted Subsidiary or at the election of the Borrower (as notified by the Borrower to the Administration Agent not later that the fifth Business Day following the incurrence of such Indebtedness by the Borrower) and so long as no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, such Restricted Subsidiary may invest all or any portion of the proceeds of such contribution or advance to acquire, maintain, develop, construct, improve, upgrade or repair assets useful in the business of such Restricted Subsidiary so long as (A) within 365 days after the incurrence of such Indebtedness by the Borrower, such proceeds shall have been so invested or a definitive agreement for such investment shall have been entered into (as certified by the Borrower in writing to the Administrative Agent) and (B) within 180 days after the execution of such definitive agreement, such investment shall have been consummated (as certified by the Borrower in writing to the Administrative Agent); provided , further , however , that any such proceeds not so invested or subject to such definitive agreement shall be promptly applied to Refinance Indebtedness of such Restricted Subsidiary or another Restricted Subsidiary; and
     (ii) in the case of any Restricted Subsidiary which is a joint venture between any Restricted Subsidiary, on the one hand, and any Joint-Venture Partner, on the other hand, where all the owners of the Equity Interests of such joint venture Restricted Subsidiary have entered, or may in the future enter, into a Contractual Obligation with such Restricted Subsidiary limiting the ability of such Restricted Subsidiary (A) to make Restricted Payments to, (B) Guaranty the Indebtedness of, or (C) to grant any Lien on the property of such Restricted Subsidiary for the benefit of, in each case, any owner of the Equity Interests in such joint venture Restricted Subsidiary, this Section 7.09 shall not prohibit any such Contractual Obligation; provided , however , that no Restricted Subsidiary shall waive their rights to the benefits of any such Contractual Obligation as against any Joint-Venture Partner to permit such joint venture Restricted Subsidiary to Guaranty the Indebtedness of such Joint Venture Partner or to grant a Lien on the property of such Restricted Subsidiary for the benefit of such Joint Venture Partner.”
ARTICLE III
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT
     3.01 Conditions of Effectiveness. This Agreement is subject to the provisions of Section 11.01 of the Credit Agreement, and shall become effective when, and only when, each of the following conditions shall have been satisfied:
     (a) Deliveries . The Administrative Agent shall have received all of the following documents (in sufficient copies for each Lender), each such document (unless otherwise specified) dated the date of receipt thereof by the Administrative Agent and each in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent:

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     (i) counterparts of this Agreement executed by (A) the Borrower, and (B) the Required Lenders, or, as to any such Lender, advice satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that such Lender has executed this Agreement; and
     (ii) a Certificate executed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, dated the Agreement Effective Date, confirming the matters provided in subsection (b) below, and as to such other matters as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request.
     (b) Representations and Warranties . The representations and warranties of the Borrower contained in Article IV hereof shall be true and correct in all material respects.
     (c) Fees . The Administrative Agent shall have received payment of the following: (i) for the account of each Lender which has executed and delivered a counterpart of this Agreement, a work fee equal to 0.15% of the Commitment of such Lender; and (ii) for the account of any Lead Arranger, the amount of any fees and expenses required to be paid by the Borrower to such Lead Arranger on or prior to the Agreement Effective Date.
ARTICLE IV
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
     In order to induce the Lenders to enter into this Agreement, the Borrower, hereby represents and warrants that on and as of the Agreement Effective Date after giving effect to this Agreement:
     4.01 Due Authorization; No Conflict . The execution and delivery by the Borrower of this Agreement and the performance by the Borrower of this Agreement and the Credit Agreement, as amended by this Agreement, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other organizational action of the Borrower, and do not and will not: (a) contravene the terms of the Borrower’s Organization Documents; (b) conflict with or result in any breach or contravention of, or the creation of any Lien under, or require any payment to be made under (i) any Contractual Obligation to which the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary is a party or affecting the Borrower or properties of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or (ii) any order, injunction, writ or decree of any Governmental Authority or any arbitral award to which the Borrower or its property is subject; or (c) violate any Law to which the Borrower or its property is subject.
     4.02 Enforceability . Each of this Agreement and the Credit Agreement, as amended by this Agreement, constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Borrower, enforceable against the Borrower in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable Debtor Relief Laws and by general equitable principles (whether enforcement is sought by proceedings in equity or at law).
     4.03 Credit Agreement Representations . The representations and warranties of the Borrower contained in the Credit Agreement are true and correct in all material respects except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date.
     4.04 No Default . No Default or Event of Default exists.
ARTICLE V
MISCELLANEOUS
     5.01 Loan Document . This Agreement is a Loan Document executed pursuant to the Credit Agreement and shall (unless otherwise expressly indicated herein) be construed, administered and applied in accordance with the terms and provisions thereof.
     5.02 Effect of Agreement . (a) The Credit Agreement, as specifically amended by this Agreement, is and shall continue to be in full force and effect and is hereby in all respects ratified and confirmed.
     (b) The execution, delivery and effectiveness of this Agreement shall not, except as expressly provided herein, operate as a waiver of any right, power or remedy of any Lender or the Administrative Agent under any of the Loan Documents, nor constitute a waiver of any provision of any of the Loan Documents.

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     5.03 Costs and Expenses . The Borrower agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses of the Administrative Agent in connection with the preparation, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other instruments and documents to be delivered hereunder (including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and expenses of McGuireWoods LLP, as special counsel for the Administrative Agent) in accordance with the terms of Section 11.04(a) of the Credit Agreement, in each case, promptly after receipt of an invoice for any such amount.
     5.04 Section Captions. Section captions used in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only, and shall not affect the construction of this Agreement.
     5.05 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Agreement by telecopier or by other electronic means shall be effective as manual delivery of an executed counterpart hereof.
     5.06 Governing Law . THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
[Signature Pages Follow]

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      IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, as of the date first above written.
         
  DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS HOLDING, LLC
 
 
  By      
    Name:      
    Title:      
 

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  BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. , as Administrative
Agent, as L/C Issuer and as a Lender
 
 
  By      
    Name:      
    Title:      
 

6


 

         
 
  [ Name of Lender ]
 
 
  By      
    Name:      
    Title:      
 
         

7


 

         
 
  [ Name of Lender ]
 
 
  By      
    Name:      
    Title:      
 
     
  By      
    Name:      
    Title:      
 

8

EXHIBIT 10.3
CREDIT AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT NO. 1
     This CREDIT AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT NO. 1, dated as of May 14, 2009 (this “ Agreement ”; capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein having the meanings provided in Article I below), among DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS HOLDING, LLC , a Delaware limited liability company (the “ Borrower ”), the lenders who are signatories to this Agreement (the “ Term C Lenders ”), and BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. , as administrative agent (in such capacity, the “ Administrative Agent ”) for the Lenders.
W I T N E S S E T H:
      WHEREAS , the Borrower, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent are parties to the Credit Agreement;
      WHEREAS , the Borrower has requested the establishment of an Additional Term Facility pursuant to Section 2.03 of the Credit Agreement and each Term B Lender has been offered the opportunity to participate in such Additional Term Facility;
      WHEREAS , each Term C Lender has been approved by the Borrower and the Administrative Agent for purposes of Section 11.06(b)(iii) of the Credit Agreement; and
      WHEREAS , the Term C Lenders are, on the terms and conditions stated below, willing to provide an Additional Term Facility on the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Credit Agreement, as supplemented by this Agreement;
      NOW THEREFORE , for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, each party to this Agreement agrees as follows:
ARTICLE VI
DEFINITIONS
     6.01 Definitions. The following terms (whether or not underscored) when used in this Agreement, including its preamble and recitals, shall have the following meanings (such definitions to be equally applicable to the singular and plural forms thereof):
     “ Agreement Effective Date ” means the date on which the conditions precedent to the effectiveness of this Agreement as specified in Article III herein have been satisfied.
     “ Credit Agreement ” means the Credit, Pledge and Security Agreement dated as of May 14, 2007, as amended by Amendment No. 1 dated as of May 14, 2009, each among the Borrower, the Lenders party thereto and the Administrative Agent.
     “ Lenders ” means the lenders from time to time party to the Credit Agreement.
     6.02 Other Definitions . Unless otherwise defined herein or the context otherwise requires, terms used in this Agreement, including its preamble and recitals, have the meanings provided in the Credit Agreement.
     6.03 Other Interpretive Provisions. The rules of construction in Sections 1.02 to 1.06 of the Credit Agreement shall be equally applicable to this Agreement.
ARTICLE VII
ADDITIONAL TERM FACILITY
     Effective as of the Agreement Effective Date, the Credit Agreement is supplemented to establish an Additional Term Facility (this “ Facility ” or the “ Term C Facility ”), as follows:
     7.01 Additional Term Commitments. The Additional Term Commitment of each Term C Lender under this Facility is set forth on Schedule 2.01 opposite the name of such Term C Lender under the caption “Term C Commitment”. Such Additional Term Commitments are sometimes referred to herein and in the other Loan Documents as the “ Term C Commitments ”.

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     7.02 Additional Term Loans. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 2.02(b) of the Credit Agreement, each Term C Lender shall make the amount of the Additional Term Loan of such Term C Lender under this Facility (each a “ Term C Loan ”) available to the Administrative Agent on the Agreement Effective Date pursuant to Section 2.01(b) of the Credit Agreement in the amount of 100% thereof (subject to receipt of the 2.00% fee contemplated by Section 3.01(c)(i)) , in full satisfaction of the Term C Commitment of such Term C Lender. Upon such funding, the Administrative Agent will make all funds so received available to the Borrower in the manner set forth in Section 2.02(b) of the Credit Agreement. Upon such funding by the Administrative Agent, the Borrower shall be obligated to such Term C Lender in respect of the full principal amount of its Term C Loan (in the amount of its Term C Commitment) on the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Credit Agreement, as supplemented by this Agreement. Additional Term Borrowings under the Term C Facility are sometimes referred to herein and in the other Loan Documents as “ Term C Borrowings ”.
     7.03 Applicable Rate . The Applicable Rate for this Facility shall be (a) 2.25% per annum for Base Rate Loans and (b) 3.25% per annum for Eurodollar Rate Loans.
     7.04 Base Rate; Eurodollar Rate. (a) For purposes of each Base Rate Loan under this Facility, notwithstanding the definition for such term in the Credit Agreement, the Base Rate for any day with respect to such Base Rate Loan shall be the greater of (i) 3.00% per annum and (ii) the rate per annum otherwise calculated as the Base Rate for such day.
     (b) For purposes of each Eurodollar Rate Loan under this Facility, notwithstanding the definition for such term in the Credit Agreement, the Eurodollar Rate for any Interest Period with respect to such Eurodollar Rate Loan shall be the greater of (i) 2.00% per annum and (ii) the rate per annum otherwise calculated as the Eurodollar Rate for such Interest Period.
     7.05 Maturity Date . The Maturity Date for this Facility shall be May 14, 2014.
     7.06 Maximum Interest Periods; Initial Borrowing . After giving effect to the Term C Borrowing on the Agreement Effective Date, and all conversions of Term C Loans from one Type to the other, and all continuations of Term C Loans as the same Type, there shall be not more than five (5) Interest Periods in effect in respect of the Term C Facility. Anything in Section 2.02 of the Credit Agreement notwithstanding, the Borrower may only select the Eurodollar Rate for Term C Loans on or after the Agreement Effective Date (or any earlier day agreed by the Administrative Agent).
     7.07 Repayment of Additional Term Loans . The Borrower shall repay to the Term C Lenders the aggregate principal amount of all Term C Loans outstanding on the following dates in the respective amounts set forth opposite such dates (which amounts shall be reduced as a result of the application of prepayments in accordance with the order of priority set forth in Section 2.04(a) or 2.04(b) of the Credit Agreement, as the case may be):
         
Date   Amount
June 30, 2009
  $ 1,250,000  
September 30, 2009
  $ 1,250,000  
December 31, 2009
  $ 1,250,000  
March 31, 2010
  $ 1,250,000  
June 30, 2010
  $ 1,250,000  
September 30, 2010
  $ 1,250,000  
December 31, 2010
  $ 1,250,000  
March 31, 2011
  $ 1,250,000  
June 30, 2011
  $ 1,250,000  
September 30, 2011
  $ 1,250,000  
December 31, 2011
  $ 1,250,000  
March 31, 2012
  $ 1,250,000  
June 30, 2012
  $ 1,250,000  
September 30, 2012
  $ 1,250,000  
December 31, 2012
  $ 1,250,000  
March 31, 2013
  $ 1,250,000  
June 30, 2013
  $ 1,250,000  
September 30, 2013
  $ 1,250,000  
December 31, 2013
  $ 1,250,000  
March 31, 2014
  $ 1,250,000  
Maturity Date
  Balance

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; provided , however , that the final principal repayment installment of the Term C Loans shall be repaid on the Maturity Date for the Term C Facility and in any event shall be in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of all Term C Loans outstanding on such date.
     7.08 Use of Proceeds . The Borrower shall use the proceeds of the Term C Borrowing on the Agreement Effective Date to (a) Refinance Indebtedness of the Company and (b) to pay costs and expenses of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
     7.09 Note . Upon the request of any Term C Lender made through the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 2.09(b) of the Credit Agreement, the Borrower shall execute and deliver to such Term C Lender (through the Administrative Agent) a Note (each a “ Term C Note ”), which shall evidence the Term C Loans of such Term C Lender.
ARTICLE VIII
ADDITIONAL TERM FACILITY EFFECTIVE DATE
     8.01 Conditions of Effectiveness. This Agreement shall become effective, and the Additional Term Facility Effective Date for the Term C Facility shall occur, when, and only when, each of the following conditions shall have been satisfied:
     (a) Deliveries . The Administrative Agent shall have received all of the following documents (in sufficient copies for each Term C Lender), each such document (unless otherwise specified) dated the date of receipt thereof by the Administrative Agent and each in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent:
     (i) counterparts of this Agreement executed by (A) the Borrower, and (B) the Term C Lenders, or, as to any such Term C Lender, advice satisfactory to the Administrative Agent that such Lender has executed this Agreement;
     (ii) a Certificate executed by the Secretary, Assistant Secretary or a Responsible Officer of the Borrower dated the Agreement Effective Date as to (A) no changes to Organizational Documents of the Borrower delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 4.01 of the Credit Agreement, (B) true and correct copies of the resolutions of the Borrower authorizing the execution and delivery by the Borrower of this Agreement, and the performance of its Obligations under this Agreement and the Credit Agreement, as supplement by this Agreement, and (C) the incumbency and a specimen signature of the Responsible Officer of the Borrower authorized to execute and deliver this Agreement on behalf of the Borrower;
     (iii) a good standing certificate for the Borrower from the Delaware Secretary of State dated as of a recent date;
     (iv) a favorable opinion of WilmerHale, counsel for the Borrower, as to such matters as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request;
     (v) a Certificate executed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower, dated the Agreement Effective Date, confirming the matters provided in subsection (b) below, and as to such other matters as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request;
     (vi) a Loan Notice, completed for the Term C Borrowing requested on the Agreement Effective Date and executed by the Borrower; and
     (vii) evidence that arrangements satisfactory to the Administrative Agent have been made for the prompt Refinancing of Indebtedness of the Company with the cash proceeds of such Term C Borrowing net of amounts required to pay expenses of the Borrower in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and Amendment No. 1, dated

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as of the date hereof among the Borrower, the Lenders party thereto and the Administrative Agent.
     (b) Representations and Warranties . The representations and warranties of the Borrower contained in Article IV hereof shall be true and correct in all material respects.
     (c) Fees . The Administrative Agent shall have received payment of the following (or the Administrative Agent shall be satisfied that satisfactory arrangements have been made for such payment on the Agreement Effective Date): (i) for the account of each Term C Lender that has funded 100% of its Term C Loan pursuant to Section 2.02 , a fee equal to 2.00% of the Term C Commitment of such Term C Lender; and (ii) for the account of each Lead Arranger, any fees and expenses required to be paid by the Borrower to such Lead Arranger on or prior to the Agreement Effective Date.
ARTICLE IX
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
     In order to induce the Term C Lenders to enter into this Agreement, the Borrower, hereby represents and warrants that on and as of the Agreement Effective Date immediately after giving effect to this Agreement and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement to be consummated on the Agreement Effective Date:
     9.01 Due Authorization; No Conflict . The execution and delivery by the Borrower of this Agreement and the performance by the Borrower of this Agreement and the Credit Agreement, as supplemented by this Agreement, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or other organizational action of the Borrower, and do not and will not: (a) contravene the terms of the Borrower’s Organization Documents; (b) conflict with or result in any breach or contravention of, or the creation of any Lien under, or require any payment to be made under (i) any Contractual Obligation (other than the Loan Documents) to which the Borrower or any Restricted Subsidiary is a party or affecting the Borrower or properties of the Borrower or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries or (ii) any order, injunction, writ or decree of any Governmental Authority or any arbitral award to which the Borrower or its property is subject; or (c) violate any Law to which the Borrower or its property is subject.
     9.02 Enforceability . Each of this Agreement and the Credit Agreement, as supplemented by this Agreement, constitute a legal, valid and binding obligation of the Borrower, enforceable against the Borrower in accordance with its terms, except as enforceability may be limited by applicable Debtor Relief Laws and by general equitable principles (whether enforcement is sought by proceedings in equity or at law).
     9.03 Credit Agreement Representations . The representations and warranties of the Borrower contained in the Credit Agreement are true and correct in all material respects except to the extent that such representations and warranties specifically refer to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date.
     9.04 No Default . No Default or Event of Default exists (and the Borrower is in compliance with Section 7.12 of the Credit Agreement after giving effect to the Term C Borrowing on the Agreement Effective Date).
ARTICLE X
MISCELLANEOUS
     10.01 Loan Document . This Agreement is a Credit Agreement Supplement and a Loan Document executed pursuant to the Credit Agreement and shall (unless otherwise expressly indicated herein) be construed, administered and applied in accordance with the terms and provisions thereof.
     10.02 Effect of Agreement; Joinder Agreement . (a) The Credit Agreement, as specifically supplemented by this Agreement, is and shall continue to be in full force and effect and is hereby in all respects ratified and confirmed.
     (b) Each Term C Lender (i) represents and warrants that (A) it has full power and authority, and has taken all necessary action, to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and to become an Term C Lender under this Agreement and a Lender under the Credit Agreement, (B) it meets the requirements to be a Lender under Section 11.06(b)(v) and (vi) of the Credit Agreement, (C) from and after the Agreement Effective Date, it shall be bound by the

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provisions of the Credit Agreement as a Lender thereunder, (D) it is sophisticated with respect to transactions of the type contemplated by this Agreement, (E) it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement, and has received or has been accorded the opportunity to receive copies of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 6.01 of the Credit Agreement, as applicable, and such other documents and instruments as it deems appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decisions to enter into this Agreement, (F) it has, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement, and (G), if it is a Foreign Lender, it has delivered to the Administrative Agent any documentation required to be delivered by it pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement, duly completed and executed by such Term C Lender; and (ii) it agrees that (A) it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender, and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Loan Documents, and (B) it will perform in accordance with their terms all of the obligations which by the terms of the Loan Documents are required to be performed by it as a Lender.
     (c) The Borrower and the Administrative Agent hereby approve each Term C Lender for purposes of Section 11.06(b)(iii) of the Credit Agreement.
     10.03 Costs and Expenses . The Borrower agrees to pay all reasonable costs and expenses of the Administrative Agent in connection with the preparation, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the other instruments and documents to be delivered hereunder (including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and expenses of McGuireWoods LLP, as special counsel for the Administrative Agent) in accordance with the terms of Section 11.04(a) of the Credit Agreement, in each case, promptly after receipt of an invoice for any such amount.
     10.04 Section Captions. Section captions used in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only, and shall not affect the construction of this Agreement.
     10.05 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which shall constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart of this Agreement by telecopier or by other electronic means shall be effective as manual delivery of an executed counterpart hereof.
     10.06 Governing Law . THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
[Signature Pages Follow]

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      IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, as of the date first above written.
         
  DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS HOLDING, LLC
 
 
  By      
    Name:      
    Title:      
 

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  BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. , as Administrative Agent
 
 
  By      
    Name:      
    Title:      
 

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  BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. , as
     Term C Lender
 
 
  By      
    Name:      
    Title:      
 

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SCHEDULE 2.01
to
Credit Agreement Supplement No. 1
COMMITMENTS; APPLICABLE PERCENTAGES
TERM C FACILITY
                 
Term C Lender   Term C Commitment     Applicable Percentage  
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
  $ 500,000,000.00       100.0000000000 %
 
               
 
           
Total
  $ 500,000,000.00       100.0000000000 %

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EXHIBIT 31.1
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a — 14(a) AND RULE 15d — 14(a)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, David M. Zaslav, certify that:
1.   I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Discovery Communications, Inc.;
2.   Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.   Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.   The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
  a)   Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
 
  b)   Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
 
  c)   Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
 
  d)   Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.   The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
  a)   All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
 
  b)   Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
         
     
Date: August 4, 2009  By:   /s/ David M. Zaslav    
    David M. Zaslav   
    President and Chief Executive Officer   
 

 

EXHIBIT 31.2
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a — 14(a) AND RULE 15d — 14(a)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
I, Bradley E. Singer, certify that:
1.   I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Discovery Communications, Inc.;
2.   Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.   Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.   The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
  a)   Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
 
  b)   Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
 
  c)   Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
 
  d)   Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.   The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
  a)   All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
 
  b)   Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
         
     
Date: August 4, 2009  By:   /s/ Bradley E. Singer    
    Bradley E. Singer   
    Senior Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer 
 
 

 

EXHIBIT 32.1
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
     In connection with the Quarterly Report of Discovery Communications, Inc. (“Discovery”), on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2009, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, David M. Zaslav, President and Chief Executive Officer of Discovery, certify that to my knowledge:
  1.   the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
  2.   the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Discovery.
         
     
Date: August 4, 2009  By:   /s/ David M. Zaslav    
    David M. Zaslav   
    President and Chief Executive Officer   

 

         
EXHIBIT 32.2
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
     In connection with the Quarterly Report of Discovery Communications, Inc. (“Discovery”), on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2009, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Bradley E. Singer, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Discovery, certify that to my knowledge:
  1.   the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
  2.   the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Discovery.
         
     
Date: August 4, 2009  By:   /s/ Bradley E. Singer    
    Bradley E. Singer   
    Senior Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer