QuickLinks -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document



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

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)  

ý

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

 

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2007

OR

o

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

 

For the transition period from to                             to                              

Commission file number 1-31945

THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

DELAWARE
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
  52-1106564
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

2230 East Imperial Highway
El Segundo, California

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

90245
(Zip Code)

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

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

        Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ý No o

        Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of "accelerated filer and large accelerated filer" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check One):

        Large accelerated filer ý    Accelerated filer o    Non-accelerated filer o

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

        As of August 6, 2007, the registrant had 1,188,616,284 shares of common stock outstanding.




TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
  Page No.
Part I—Financial Information (Unaudited)    
 
Item 1. Financial Statements

 

 
   
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 and 2006

 

2
   
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006

 

3
   
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 and 2006

 

4
   
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

 

5
 
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

20
 
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

41
 
Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

41

Part II—Other Information

 

 
 
Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

43
 
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

43
 
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

43
 
Item 6. Exhibits

 

45

Signature

 

46

1



PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)

 
  Three Months Ended June 30,
  Six Months Ended June 30,
 
 
  2007
  2006
  2007
  2006
 
 
  (Dollars in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)

 
Revenues   $ 4,135   $ 3,520   $ 8,043   $ 6,906  
Operating costs and expenses                          
  Costs of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense                          
    Broadcast programming and other     1,670     1,384     3,295     2,783  
    Subscriber service expenses     306     267     608     515  
    Broadcast operations expenses     81     75     156     146  
  Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense                          
    Subscriber acquisition costs     498     422     967     1,009  
    Upgrade and retention costs     199     146     431     441  
    General and administrative expenses     248     250     523     488  
  Gain from disposition of business                 (57 )
  Depreciation and amortization expense     393     235     760     448  
   
 
 
 
 
Total operating costs and expenses     3,395     2,779     6,740     5,773  
   
 
 
 
 
Operating profit     740     741     1,303     1,133  
Interest income     34     33     71     80  
Interest expense     (57 )   (56 )   (115 )   (115 )
Other, net     7     (2 )   17     20  
   
 
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and minority interests     724     716     1,276     1,118  
Income tax expense     (287 )   (257 )   (503 )   (418 )
Minority interests in net earnings of subsidiaries     (6 )       (6 )   (6 )
   
 
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations     431     459     767     694  
Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes     17         17      
   
 
 
 
 
Net income   $ 448   $ 459   $ 784   $ 694  
   
 
 
 
 

Basic and diluted earnings per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Income from continuing operations   $ 0.36   $ 0.36   $ 0.63   $ 0.53  
Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes     0.01         0.01      
   
 
 
 
 
Basic and diluted earnings per common share   $ 0.37   $ 0.36   $ 0.64   $ 0.53  
   
 
 
 
 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding (in millions)                          
  Basic     1,217     1,257     1,222     1,302  
  Diluted     1,224     1,264     1,230     1,308  

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

2



THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC.


CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)

 
  June 30,
2007

  December 31,
2006

 
 
  (Dollars in Millions, Except Share Amounts)

 
ASSETS              
Current assets              
  Cash and cash equivalents   $ 1,938   $ 2,499  
  Short-term investments     49     170  
  Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $89 and $66     1,184     1,345  
  Inventories     200     148  
  Deferred income taxes     96     166  
  Prepaid expenses and other     228     228  
   
 
 
      Total current assets     3,695     4,556  
Satellites, net     2,033     2,008  
Property and equipment, net     3,190     2,445  
Goodwill     3,708     3,515  
Intangible assets, net     1,736     1,811  
Investments and other assets     803     806  
   
 
 
      Total assets   $ 15,165   $ 15,141  
   
 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY              
Current liabilities              
  Accounts payable and accrued liabilities   $ 2,710   $ 2,816  
  Unearned subscriber revenues and deferred credits     358     286  
  Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt     25     220  
   
 
 
      Total current liabilities     3,093     3,322  
Long-term debt     3,377     3,395  
Deferred income taxes     450     315  
Other liabilities and deferred credits     1,406     1,366  
Commitments and contingencies              
Minority interests     6     62  
Stockholders' equity              
  Common stock and additional paid-in capital — $0.01 par value, 3,000,000,000 shares authorized; 1,200,433,084 shares and 1,226,490,193 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively     9,680     9,836  
  Accumulated deficit     (2,811 )   (3,107 )
  Accumulated other comprehensive loss     (36 )   (48 )
   
 
 
      Total stockholders' equity     6,833     6,681  
   
 
 
      Total liabilities and stockholders' equity   $ 15,165   $ 15,141  
   
 
 

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

3


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)

 
  Six Months Ended June 30,
 
 
  2007
  2006
 
 
  (Dollars in Millions)

 
Cash Flows From Operating Activities              
  Net income   $ 784   $ 694  
  Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes     (17 )    
   
 
 
  Income from continuing operations     767     694  
    Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities:              
    Depreciation and amortization     760     448  
    Gain from disposition of business         (57 )
    Net gain from sale of investments         (14 )
    Share-based compensation expense     24     22  
    Equity in earnings from unconsolidated affiliates     (17 )   (6 )
    Loss on disposal of fixed assets     7     16  
    Deferred income taxes and other     205     374  
    Change in other operating assets and liabilities:              
      Accounts receivable     197     81  
      Inventories     (52 )   82  
      Prepaid expenses and other         48  
      Accounts payable and accrued liabilities     (145 )   (387 )
      Unearned subscriber revenue and deferred credits     71     (1 )
      Other, net     39      
   
 
 
        Net cash provided by operating activities     1,856     1,300  
   
 
 
Cash Flows From Investing Activities              
    Purchase of short-term investments     (528 )   (1,673 )
    Sale and maturities of short-term investments     649     2,193  
    Cash paid for property and equipment     (1,234 )   (629 )
    Cash paid for satellites     (112 )   (105 )
    Investment in companies     (332 )   (390 )
    Proceeds from sale of investments         182  
    Other, net     35     (23 )
   
 
 
        Net cash used in investing activities     (1,522 )   (445 )
   
 
 
Cash Flows From Financing Activities              
    Repayment of debt     (215 )   (2 )
    Net increase (decrease) in short-term borrowings     2     (1 )
    Repayment of other long-term obligations     (63 )   (48 )
    Common shares repurchased and retired     (697 )   (2,682 )
    Stock options exercised     72     59  
    Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation     6     2  
   
 
 
        Net cash used in financing activities     (895 )   (2,672 )
   
 
 
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents     (561 )   (1,817 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period     2,499     3,701  
   
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period   $ 1,938   $ 1,884  
   
 
 
Supplemental Cash Flow Information              
  Cash paid for interest   $ 113   $ 114  
  Cash paid (refunded) for income taxes     101     (15 )

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

4



THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Note 1: Basis of Presentation

        The DIRECTV Group, Inc., which we refer to as the company, we or us, is a leading provider of digital television entertainment in the United States and Latin America through our DIRECTV U.S. and DIRECTV Latin America, or DTVLA, business units. DIRECTV U.S. is comprised of DIRECTV Holdings LLC and its subsidiaries. DTVLA is comprised of PanAmericana, which provides services in Venezuela, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Puerto Rico and certain other countries in the region through our wholly-owned subsidiary, DIRECTV Latin America, LLC, or DLA LLC; our 74% owned subsidiary Sky Brasil Servicos Ltda., which we refer to as Sky Brazil; and our 41% equity method investment in Innova, S. de R.L. de C.V., or Sky Mexico. In January 2007, we acquired Darlene Investments LLC's 14% minority interest in DLA LLC for $325 million in cash.

        On December 23, 2006, News Corporation and Liberty Media Corporation, or Liberty, entered into an agreement to exchange Liberty's 16.3% ownership interest in News Corporation for News Corporation's approximately 39.6% ownership in us, three regional sports networks and $550 million in cash. The transaction has been approved by the stockholders of News Corporation and is subject to regulatory approval from the Federal Communications Commission, the receipt of a private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service and antitrust clearance. It is expected that the transaction will close in the second half of 2007.

        We have prepared the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or GAAP, for interim financial reporting. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring items) that are necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the full year. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, on March 1, 2007, our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 filed with the SEC on May 10, 2007 and all of our other filings, including Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC after such date and through the date of this report.

Note 2: Accounting Change and New Accounting Standards

        Uncertain Tax Positions.    On January 1, 2007, we adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, Interpretation No. 48, "Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109", or FIN 48. We now recognize a benefit in "Income tax expense" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for uncertain tax positions that are more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination, measured at the largest amount that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon settlement. Unrecognized tax benefits represent tax benefits taken or expected to be taken in income tax returns, for which the benefit has not yet been recognized in "Income tax expense" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations due to the uncertainty of whether such benefits will be ultimately realized. The cumulative effect of adopting FIN 48 resulted in a $5 million increase to the January 1, 2007 balance of "Accumulated deficit" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of the date of adoption, our unrecognized tax benefits totaled $204 million, including $166 million of tax positions the recognition of which would affect the annual effective income tax rate. We include the

5


liability for unrecognized tax benefits in "Accounts payable and accrued liabilities" and "Other liabilities and deferred credits" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2007.

        We recognize interest and penalties accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in "Income tax expense" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. As of the date of adoption, we have accrued $45 million in interest and penalties as part of our liability for unrecognized tax benefits.

        During the three months ended June 30, 2007, we recorded a $17 million reduction to our unrecognized tax benefits as a result of the settlement of a foreign withholding tax dispute from a previously divested business, which we recorded in "Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

        We file numerous consolidated and separate income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and in many state and foreign jurisdictions. For U.S. federal tax purposes, the tax years 2001 through 2006 remain open to examination. The California tax years 1994 through 2006 remain open to examination and the income tax returns in the other state and foreign tax jurisdictions in which we have operations are generally subject to examination for a period of 3 to 5 years after filing of the respective return.

        We anticipate that the examination of the federal income tax returns for 2001 through 2003 will conclude by the end of 2007 and the statute of limitations will be closing in a foreign jurisdiction in the next twelve months resulting in an estimated reduction in our unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $45 million. We do not anticipate that other changes to the total unrecognized tax benefits in the next twelve months will have a significant effect on our results of operations or financial position.

New Accounting Standards

        In February 2007, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards, or SFAS, No. 159, "The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities—Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115." SFAS No. 159 permits, but does not require, companies to report at fair value the majority of recognized financial assets, financial liabilities and firm commitments. Under this standard, unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option is elected are reported in earnings at each subsequent reporting date. We are currently assessing the effect SFAS No. 159 may have, if any, to our consolidated results of operations or financial position when adopted on January 1, 2008.

        In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, "Fair Value Measurements." SFAS No. 157 defines fair value, sets out a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements of assets and liabilities. SFAS No. 157 applies under other accounting pronouncements previously issued by the FASB that require or permit fair value measurements. We do not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 157 on January 1, 2008 to have any effect on our consolidated results of operations or financial position.

        In September 2006, the Emerging Issues Task Force, or EITF, issued EITF No. 06-1, "Accounting for Consideration Given by a Service Provider to a Manufacturer or Reseller of Equipment Necessary for an End-Customer to Receive Service from the Service Provider" or EITF No. 06-1. EITF No. 06-1 provides guidance to service providers regarding the proper reporting of consideration given to manufacturers or resellers of equipment necessary for an end-customer to receive its services. Depending on the circumstances, such consideration is reported as either an expense or a reduction of revenues. We are currently assessing the effect EITF No. 06-1 may have, if any, to our consolidated results of operations when adopted on January 1, 2008.

6



Note 3: Acquisitions

        On January 30, 2007, we acquired Darlene's 14% equity interest in DLA LLC for $325 million in cash. We are accounting for this acquisition using the purchase method of accounting. Based on preliminary estimates, we have allocated the excess purchase price over the book value of the minority interest acquired to a subscriber related intangible asset of $105 million, goodwill of $196 million and a non-current deferred tax liability of $39 million. Amounts allocated to subscriber related intangible assets and deferred tax liabilities are estimates pending the completion of independent appraisals and additional analyses currently in process. The subscriber related intangible asset is included in "Intangible assets, net" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and is being amortized on a straight line basis over a 6 year period. We expect the final valuation and purchase accounting to be completed in the second half of 2007.

        During 2006, we completed the last in a series of transactions with News Corporation, Grupo Televisa, S.A., or Televisa, Globo Comunicacoes e Participacoes S.A., or Globo, and Liberty Media International, which we refer to as the Sky Transactions as further described below. The Sky Transactions resulted in the combination of the direct-to-home satellite platforms of DIRECTV and SKY in Latin America into a single platform in each of the major territories in the region.

        Brazil.    On August 23, 2006, we completed the merger of our Brazil business, Galaxy Brasil Ltda., with and into Sky Brazil, and completed the purchase of News Corporation's and Liberty Media International's interests in Sky Brazil. As a result of these transactions, we hold a 74% interest in the combined business and we assumed Sky Brazil's $210 million bank loan. We accounted for the Sky Brazil acquisition using the purchase method of accounting, and began consolidating the results of Sky Brazil from the date of acquisition. Amounts allocated to tangible and intangible assets, primarily subscriber related, deferred tax assets and liabilities, and accrued liabilities are estimates pending the completion of independent appraisals and additional analyses currently in process. Based on preliminary estimates, we have allocated $289 million to amortizable intangible assets that are included in "Intangible assets, net" in our Consolidated Balance Sheets which will be amortized over a period of 6 years on a straight line basis. We recorded the $461 million excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values of the net assets acquired as goodwill. We expect the purchase price allocation to be finalized during the third quarter of 2007, which may result in different amounts being allocated to amortizable or depreciable assets and could affect the amount of amortization and depreciation expense recognized.

        Mexico.    In February 2006, we recorded a gain of $57 million in "Gain from disposition of business" in our Consolidated Statements of Operations when DLA LLC received an equity interest in Sky Mexico resulting from the sale of DIRECTV Mexico's subscriber list and transfer of subscribers to Sky Mexico. Also in February 2006, we acquired News Corporation's and Liberty Media International's equity interests in Sky Mexico for $373 million in cash. On April 27, 2006, Televisa acquired a portion of our equity interest for $59 million which reduced our equity interest in Sky Mexico to 41%. We account for our investment in Sky Mexico using the equity method of accounting. See Note 6 for additional information regarding this investment.

7



Note 4: Lease Program

        On March 1, 2006, DIRECTV U.S. introduced a new set-top receiver lease program. Prior to March 1, 2006, we expensed most set-top receivers provided to new and existing DIRECTV U.S. subscribers immediately upon activation as a subscriber acquisition or upgrade and retention cost in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Subsequent to the introduction of the lease program, we lease most set-top receivers provided to new and existing subscribers, and therefore capitalize the receivers in "Property and equipment, net" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. We depreciate capitalized set-top receivers over a three year estimated useful life and include the amount of set-top receivers capitalized each period in "Cash paid for property and equipment" in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

        The following table sets forth the amount of DIRECTV U.S. set-top receivers we capitalized, and depreciation expense we recorded, under the lease program for each of the periods presented:

 
  Three Months Ended June 30,
  Six Months Ended June 30,
 
  2007
  2006
  2007
  2006
 
  (Dollars in Millions)

Subscriber leased equipment—subscriber acquisitions   $ 171   $ 153   $ 359   $ 199
Subscriber leased equipment—upgrade and retention     164     100     382     140
   
 
 
 
Total subscriber leased equipment capitalized   $ 335   $ 253   $ 741   $ 339
   
 
 
 
Depreciation expense—subscriber leased equipment   $ 143   $ 22   $ 257   $ 23

Note 5: Goodwill and Intangible Assets

        The changes in the carrying amounts of goodwill by reporting unit for the six months ended June 30, 2007 were as follows:

 
  DIRECTV U.S.
  DIRECTV
Latin
America

  Total
 
 
  (Dollars in Millions)

 
Balance as of December 31, 2006   $ 3,032   $ 483   $ 3,515  
Darlene transaction         196     196  
Other         (3 )   (3 )
   
 
 
 
Balance as of June 30, 2007   $ 3,032   $ 676   $ 3,708  
   
 
 
 

8


        The following table sets forth the amounts recorded for intangible assets as of the periods presented:

 
   
  June 30, 2007
  December 31, 2006
 
  Estimated
Useful Lives
(years)

  Gross
Amount

  Accumulated
Amortization

  Net
Amount

  Gross
Amount

  Accumulated
Amortization

  Net
Amount

 
   
  (Dollars in Millions)

Orbital slots   Indefinite   $ 432         $ 432   $ 432         $ 432
72.5 WL orbital license   5     208   $ 112     96     182   $ 94     88
Subscriber related   5-10     1,739     782     957     1,633     622     1,011
Dealer network   15     130     67     63     130     62     68
Distribution rights   7     334     146     188     334     122     212
       
 
 
 
 
 
  Total intangible assets       $ 2,843   $ 1,107   $ 1,736   $ 2,711   $ 900   $ 1,811
       
 
 
 
 
 

        The following table sets forth amortization expense for intangible assets for each of the periods presented:

 
  Three Months Ended
June 30,

  Six Months Ended
June 30,

 
  2007
  2006
  2007
  2006
 
  (Dollars in Millions)

Amortization expense   $ 104   $ 88   $ 207   $ 176

        Estimated amortization expense for intangible assets in each of the next five years and thereafter is as follows: $208 million in the remainder of 2007; $415 million in 2008; $354 million in 2009; $156 million in 2010; $98 million in 2011; and $73 million thereafter.

Note 6: Equity Method Investments

        As discussed in Note 3 we acquired a minority equity interest in Sky Mexico in February 2006. The following table sets forth equity in earnings (losses) of Sky Mexico for the periods presented:

 
  Three Months Ended
June 30,

  Six Months Ended
June 30,

 
 
  2007
  2006
  2007
  2006
 
 
  (Dollars in Millions)

 
Equity in earnings (losses) of Sky Mexico   $ 7   $ (1 ) $ 18   $ (4 )

        In January 2006, we completed the sale of our 50% interest in HNS LLC to SkyTerra Communications, Inc. and resolved a working capital adjustment from a prior transaction in exchange for $110 million in cash, which resulted in our recording a gain of $14 million related to the sale, in addition to equity earnings of HNS LLC of $11 million in "Other, net" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

9



Note 7: Debt

 
  Interest Rates at
June 30, 2007

  June 30,
2007

  December 31,
2006

 
   
  (Dollars in Millions)

8.375% senior notes due in 2013   8.375%   $ 910   $ 910
6.375% senior notes due in 2015   6.375%     1,000     1,000
Senior secured credit facility   6.568%     1,487     1,492
Sky Brazil bank loan           210
Other debt       5     3
       
 
  Total debt         3,402     3,615
Less short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt         25     220
       
 
  Long-term debt       $ 3,377   $ 3,395
       
 

        The 8.375% senior notes, 6.375% senior notes and senior secured credit facility were issued by DIRECTV U.S. The senior secured credit facility is secured by substantially all of DIRECTV U.S.' assets.

        The fair value of our 8.375% senior notes was approximately $954 million at June 30, 2007 and approximately $948 million at December 31, 2006. The fair value of our 6.375% senior notes was approximately $945 million at June 30, 2007 and approximately $962 million at December 31, 2006. We calculated the fair values based on quoted market prices on those dates.

        On August 23, 2006, we assumed Sky Brazil's $210 million U.S. dollar denominated variable rate bank loan due in August 2007 as part of the Sky Brazil transaction described in Note 3 above. In January 2007, we paid $210 million to the lending banks, who in turn assigned the loan to a wholly-owned subsidiary of the company. As a result, this loan is no longer outstanding on a consolidated basis.

        Our notes payable and senior secured credit facility mature as follows: $7 million in the remainder of 2007, $48 million in 2008, $98 million in 2009, $297 million in 2010, $97 million in 2011 and $2,852 million thereafter. These amounts do not reflect potential prepayments that may be required under our senior secured credit facility, which could result from a computation that we may be required to make at each year end under the credit agreement. We were not required to make a prepayment for the year ended December 31, 2006. The amount of interest accrued related to our outstanding debt was $26 million at June 30, 2007 and $27 million at December 31, 2006. The unamortized bond premium included in other debt was $3 million as of June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006.

        Covenants and Restrictions.    The senior secured credit facility requires DIRECTV U.S. to comply with certain financial covenants. The senior notes and the senior secured credit facility also include covenants that restrict DIRECTV U.S.' ability to, among other things, (i) incur additional indebtedness, (ii) incur liens, (iii) pay dividends or make certain other restricted payments, investments or acquisitions, (iv) enter into certain transactions with affiliates, (v) merge or consolidate with another entity, (vi) sell, assign, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets, and (vii) make voluntary prepayments of certain debt, in each case subject to exceptions as provided in the credit agreement and senior notes indentures. Should DIRECTV U.S. fail to comply with these covenants, all or a portion of its borrowings under the senior notes and senior secured credit facility could become

10



immediately payable and its revolving credit facility could be terminated. At June 30, 2007, DIRECTV U.S. was in compliance with all such covenants.

Note 8: Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments

        As of June 30, 2007, we anticipate minimum future payments under agreements to purchase broadcast programming, and the purchase of services that we have outsourced to third parties, such as billing services, satellite telemetry, tracking and control and satellite construction and launch contracts to be $5,331 million, payable as follows: $652 million in the remainder of 2007, $1,198 million in 2008, $1,242 million in 2009, $1,133 million in 2010, $718 million in 2011 and $388 million thereafter.

Contingencies

        Litigation is subject to uncertainties and the outcome of individual litigated matters is not predictable with assurance. Various legal actions, claims and proceedings are pending against us arising in the ordinary course of business. We have established loss provisions for matters in which losses are probable and can be reasonably estimated. Some of the matters may involve compensatory, punitive, or treble damage claims, or demands that, if granted, could require us to pay damages or make other expenditures in amounts that could not be estimated at June 30, 2007. After discussion with counsel representing us in those actions, it is the opinion of management that such litigation is not expected to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations or financial position.

        Finisar Corporation.    On April 4, 2005, Finisar Corporation filed a patent infringement action in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas (Beaumont) alleging that the company, DIRECTV Holdings LLC, DIRECTV Enterprises, LLC, DIRECTV Operations, LLC, DIRECTV, Inc., and DTV Network Systems, Inc. infringed U.S. Patent No. 5,404,505. On June 23, 2006, the jury determined that we willfully infringed this patent and awarded approximately $79 million in damages. On July 7, 2006, the Court entered its final written judgment which denied Finisar's request for an injunction and instead granted us a compulsory license. Under the license, we would be obligated to pay Finisar $1.60 per new set-top box manufactured for use with the DIRECTV system beginning June 17, 2006 and continuing until the patent expires in 2012 or is otherwise found to be invalid. The Court also increased the damages award by $25 million because of the jury finding of willful infringement and awarded pre-judgment interest of $13 million to Finisar. Post-judgment interest accrues on the total judgment.

        We filed a notice of appeal to the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit on October 5, 2006, and Finisar also filed a notice of appeal on October 18, 2006. A bond was submitted to the District Court in the amount of $127 million as required security for the damages awarded but not yet paid pending appeal plus interest for the anticipated duration of the appeal. We were successful in obtaining an order that post-judgment royalties pursuant to the compulsory license shall be held in escrow pending outcome of the appeal. Through June 30, 2007, the compulsory license fee amounted to $22 million, which has been paid into escrow.

        Based on our review of the record in this case, including discussion with and analysis by counsel of the bases for our appeal, we have determined that we have a number of strong arguments available on appeal and, although there can be no assurance as to the ultimate outcome, we are confident that the judgment against us will ultimately be reversed, or remanded for a new trial in which we believe we

11



would prevail. As a result, we have concluded that it is not probable that Finisar will ultimately prevail in this matter; therefore, we have not recorded any liability for this judgment nor are we recording any expense for the compulsory license.

        Darlene Litigation.    On January 30, 2007, we acquired Darlene's 14% equity interest in DLA LLC for $325 million in cash. All pending litigation filed by Darlene against us and the other parties has been dismissed in connection with this acquisition.

        We may purchase in-orbit and launch insurance to mitigate the potential financial impact of satellite launch and in-orbit failures if the premium costs are considered economic relative to the risk of satellite failure. The insurance generally covers the unamortized book value of covered satellites. We do not insure against lost revenues in the event of a total or partial loss of the capacity of a satellite. We generally rely on in-orbit spare satellites and excess transponder capacity at key orbital slots to mitigate the impact a satellite failure could have on our ability to provide service. At June 30, 2007, the net book value of in-orbit satellites was $1,294 million, of which $1,033 million was uninsured.

        As of June 30, 2007, included in "Investments and other assets" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets is a receivable for $30 million of the $57 million rebate that we can earn from Thomson by purchasing at least $4 billion of set-top receivers through June 2010. We have accrued this receivable based on our assessment that achievement of the minimum purchase requirement is both probable and reasonably estimable. On a quarterly basis, we assess the probability of earning the rebate over the contract term. If we subsequently determine that it is no longer probable that we will earn the rebate, we would be required to reverse the amount of the rebate earned to date as a charge to the Consolidated Statements of Operations at the time such determination is made.

        In connection with the Sky Brazil transaction, Globo was granted the right, until January 2014, to exchange shares in Sky Brazil for cash or common shares of the company. Upon exercising the exchange rights, the fair value of Sky Brazil shares will be determined by an outside valuation expert and we have the option to elect the consideration to be paid in cash, shares of our common stock or a combination of both.

Note 9: Related-Party Transactions

        In the ordinary course of our operations, we enter into transactions with related parties. News Corporation and its affiliates are considered related parties because News Corporation owns approximately 39.6% of our outstanding common stock. Companies in which we hold equity method investments are also considered related parties, which include Sky Mexico from the acquisition on February 16, 2006. We have the following types of contractual arrangements with our related parties: purchase of programming, products and advertising; license of certain intellectual property, including patents; purchase of system access products, set-top receiver software and support services; sale of advertising space; purchase of employee services; and use of facilities. The majority of payments under contractual arrangements with News Corporation entities relate to multi-year programming contracts. Payments under these contracts are typically subject to annual rate increases and are based on the number of subscribers receiving the related programming.

12



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

 
  Three Months Ended
June 30,

  Six Months Ended
June 30,

 
  2007
  2006
  2007
  2006
 
  (Dollars in Millions)

Sales   $ 5   $ 6   $ 10   $ 16
Purchases     274     201     543     399

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

 
  June 30, 2007
  December 31, 2006
 
  (Dollars in Millions)

Accounts receivable   $ 8   $ 11
Accounts payable     261     206

        The accounts receivable and accounts payable balances as of June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006 are primarily related to affiliates of News Corporation.

        In addition to the transactions described above, we made a cash payment to News Corporation of $285 million in the first quarter of 2006 in connection with our purchase of its interest in Sky Mexico.

Note 10: Earnings Per Common Share

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

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

 
  Three Months Ended
June 30,

  Six Months Ended
June 30,

 
  2007
  2006
  2007
  2006
 
  (Shares in Millions)

Common stock options excluded   34   57   34   57

13


        The following table sets forth comparative information regarding common shares outstanding:

 
  Six Months Ended
June 30,

 
 
  2007
  2006
 
 
  (Shares in Millions)

 
Common shares outstanding at January 1   1,226   1,391  
Decrease for common shares repurchased and retired   (32 ) (168 )
Increase for stock options exercised and restricted stock units vested and distributed   6   6  
   
 
 
Common shares outstanding at June 30   1,200   1,229  
   
 
 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding   1,222   1,302  
   
 
 

14


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

 
  Income
  Shares
  Per Share
Amounts

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

Three Months Ended June 30, 2007:                
Basic EPS                
  Income from continuing operations   $ 431   1,217   $ 0.36
Effect of dilutive securities                
  Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units       7    
   
 
 
Diluted EPS                
  Adjusted income from continuing operations   $ 431   1,224   $ 0.36
   
 
 

Three Months Ended June 30, 2006:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Basic EPS                
  Income from continuing operations   $ 459   1,257   $ 0.36
Effect of dilutive securities                
  Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units       7    
   
 
 
Diluted EPS                
  Adjusted income from continuing operations   $ 459   1,264   $ 0.36
   
 
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2007:                
Basic EPS                
  Income from continuing operations   $ 767   1,222   $ 0.63
Effect of dilutive securities                
  Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units       8    
   
 
 
Diluted EPS                
  Adjusted income from continuing operations   $ 767   1,230   $ 0.63
   
 
 

Six Months Ended June 30, 2006:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Basic EPS                
  Income from continuing operations   $ 694   1,302   $ 0.53
Effect of dilutive securities                
  Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units       6    
   
 
 
Diluted EPS                
  Adjusted income from continuing operations   $ 694   1,308   $ 0.53
   
 
 

Note 11: Stockholders' Equity

Share Repurchase Program

        On February 7, 2006, our Board of Directors authorized a $3 billion share repurchase program which we completed in February 2007. On February 27, 2007, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of an additional $1 billion of our common stock which we completed in August 2007. We used available cash and cash equivalents to repurchase all shares under the repurchase programs. On August 8, 2007, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of an additional $1 billion of our

15



common stock. The source of funds for the purchases is our existing cash on hand and cash from operations.

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

 
  Six Months Ended June 30,
 
  2007
  2006
 
  (Amounts in Millions,
Expect Per Share Amounts)

Total cost of repurchased shares   $ 737   $ 2,696
Average price per share     23.31     16.01
Number of shares repurchased and retired     32     168

        For the six months ended June 30, 2007, we recorded the $737 million in repurchases as a decrease of $254 million to "Common stock and additional paid in capital" and an increase of $483 million to "Accumulated deficit" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. We paid $40 million of the $737 million in repurchases during the first half of 2007 in July 2007. We paid $14 million of the $2,696 million in repurchases during the first half of 2006 in July 2006.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

        The following table sets forth the components of "Accumulated other comprehensive loss" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for the periods presented:

 
  As of
June 30,
2007

  As of
December 31,
2006

 
 
  (Dollars in Millions)

 
Unamortized net amount resulting from changes in defined benefit plan experience and actuarial assumptions, net of taxes   $ (53 ) $ (53 )
Unamortized amount resulting from changes in defined benefit plan provisions, net of taxes     (4 )   (4 )
Accumulated unrealized gains on securities, net of taxes     22     9  
Accumulated foreign currency translation adjustments     (1 )    
   
 
 
  Total accumulated other comprehensive loss   $ (36 ) $ (48 )
   
 
 

16


Other Comprehensive Income

        Total comprehensive income was as follows for the periods presented:

 
  Three Months
Ended June 30,

  Six Months
Ended June 30,

 
 
  2007
  2006
  2007
  2006
 
 
  (Dollars in Millions)

 
Net income   $ 448   $ 459   $ 784   $ 694  
Other comprehensive income (loss):                          
  Minimum pension liability adjustments, net of taxes         (5 )       (5 )
  Foreign currency translation adjustments     (1 )       (1 )   3  
  Unrealized gains (losses) on securities, net of taxes:                          
    Unrealized holding gains (losses)     6     (7 )   13     (14 )
    Less: reclassification adjustment for net gains recognized during the period                 (1 )
   
 
 
 
 
Other comprehensive income (loss)     5     (12 )   12     (17 )
   
 
 
 
 
    Total comprehensive income   $ 453   $ 447   $ 796   $ 677  
   
 
 
 
 

Note 12: Segment Reporting

        Our two business segments, DIRECTV U.S. and DIRECTV Latin America, acquire, promote, sell and distribute digital entertainment programming via satellite to residential and commercial subscribers. Corporate and Other includes the corporate office, eliminations and other entities.

        Selected information for our operating segments is reported as follows:

 
  DIRECTV
U.S.

  DIRECTV
Latin America

  Corporate
and Other

  Total
 
  (Dollars in Millions)

Three Months Ended:                        
June 30, 2007                        
Revenues   $ 3,726   $ 409   $   $ 4,135
   
 
 
 
Operating profit (loss)   $ 722   $ 41   $ (23 ) $ 740
Add: Depreciation and amortization expense     340     54     (1 )   393
   
 
 
 
Operating profit (loss) before depreciation and amortization(1)   $ 1,062   $ 95   $ (24 ) $ 1,133
   
 
 
 

June 30, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Revenues   $ 3,319   $ 202   $ (1 ) $ 3,520
   
 
 
 
Operating profit (loss)   $ 775   $ (13 ) $ (21 ) $ 741
Add: Depreciation and amortization expense     203     34     (2 )   235
   
 
 
 
Operating profit (loss) before depreciation and amortization(1)   $ 978   $ 21   $ (23 ) $ 976
   
 
 
 

17


 
  DIRECTV
U.S.

  DIRECTV
Latin America

  Corporate
and Other

  Total
 
  (Dollars in Millions)

Six Months Ended:                        
June 30, 2007                        
Revenues   $ 7,265   $ 778   $   $ 8,043
   
 
 
 
Operating profit (loss)   $ 1,288   $ 57   $ (42 ) $ 1,303
Add: Depreciation and amortization expense     643     118     (1 )   760
   
 
 
 
Operating profit (loss) before depreciation and amortization(1)   $ 1,931   $ 175   $ (43 ) $ 2,063
   
 
 
 

June 30, 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Revenues   $ 6,512   $ 395   $ (1 ) $ 6,906
   
 
 
 
Operating profit (loss)   $ 1,137   $ 31   $ (35 ) $ 1,133
Add: Depreciation and amortization expense     385     66     (3 )   448
   
 
 
 
Operating profit (loss) before depreciation and amortization(1)   $ 1,522   $ 97   $ (38 ) $ 1,581
   
 
 
 

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

18



THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(concluded)

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

 
  Three Months Ended June 30,
  Six Months Ended June 30,
 
 
  2007
  2006
  2007
  2006
 
 
  (Dollars in Millions)

 
Operating profit before depreciation and amortization   $ 1,133   $ 976   $ 2,063   $ 1,581  
Depreciation and amortization     393     235     760     448  
   
 
 
 
 
Operating profit     740     741     1,303     1,133  
Interest income     34     33     71     80  
Interest expense     (57 )   (56 )   (115 )   (115 )
Other, net     7     (2 )   17     20  
   
 
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and minority interests     724     716     1,276     1,118  
Income tax expense     (287 )   (257 )   (503 )   (418 )
Minority interests in net earnings of subsidiaries     (6 )       (6 )   (6 )
   
 
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations     431     459     767     694  
Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes     17         17      
   
 
 
 
 
Net income   $ 448   $ 459   $ 784   $ 694  
   
 
 
 
 

* * *

19


THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC.

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

        The following management's discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 filed with the SEC on March 1, 2007, our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2007 filed with the SEC on May 10, 2007, and all of our other filings, including Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC after such date and through the date of this report.

        This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q may contain certain statements that we believe are, or may be considered to be, "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of various provisions of the Securities Act of 1933 and of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements generally can be identified by use of statements that include phrases such as we "believe," "expect," "estimate," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "foresee," "project" or other similar words or phrases. Similarly, statements that describe our objectives, plans or goals also are forward-looking statements. All of these forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or from those expressed or implied by the relevant forward-looking statement. We discuss these risks and uncertainties in detail in Part I, Item 1A of our 2006 Form 10-K.

20


 
  Three Months Ended June 30,
  Six Months Ended June 30,
 
 
  2007
  2006
  2007
  2006
 
 
  (Dollars in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)

 
Consolidated Statements of Operations                          
Revenues   $ 4,135   $ 3,520   $ 8,043   $ 6,906  
Operating costs and expenses                          
  Costs of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense                          
    Broadcast programming and other     1,670     1,384     3,295     2,783  
    Subscriber service expenses     306     267     608     515  
    Broadcast operations expenses     81     75     156     146  
  Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense                          
    Subscriber acquisition costs     498     422     967     1,009  
    Upgrade and retention costs     199     146     431     441  
    General and administrative expenses     248     250     523     488  
  Gain from disposition of business                 (57 )
  Depreciation and amortization expense     393     235     760     448  
   
 
 
 
 
Total operating costs and expenses     3,395     2,779     6,740     5,773  
   
 
 
 
 
Operating profit     740     741     1,303     1,133  
Interest income     34     33     71     80  
Interest expense     (57 )   (56 )   (115 )   (115 )
Other, net     7     (2 )   17     20  
   
 
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and minority interests     724     716     1,276     1,118  
Income tax expense     (287 )   (257 )   (503 )   (418 )
Minority interests in net earnings of subsidiaries     (6 )       (6 )   (6 )
   
 
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations     431     459     767     694  
Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes     17         17      
   
 
 
 
 
Net income   $ 448   $ 459   $ 784   $ 694  
   
 
 
 
 

Basic and diluted earnings per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Income from continuing operations   $ 0.36   $ 0.36   $ 0.63     0.53  
Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes     0.01         0.01      
   
 
 
 
 
Basic and diluted earnings per common share   $ 0.37   $ 0.36   $ 0.64   $ 0.53  
   
 
 
 
 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding (in millions)                          
  Basic     1,217     1,257     1,222     1,302  
  Diluted     1,224     1,264     1,230     1,308  

21


 
  June 30,
2007

  December 31,
2006

 
  (Dollars in Millions)

Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:            
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 1,938   $ 2,499
Total current assets     3,695     4,556
Total assets     15,165     15,141
Total current liabilities     3,093     3,322
Long-term debt     3,377     3,395
Minority interests     6     62
Total stockholders' equity     6,833     6,681

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

 
  Three Months Ended June 30,
  Six Months Ended June 30,
 
 
  2007
  2006
  2007
  2006
 
 
  (Dollars in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)

 
Other Data:                          
Operating profit   $ 740   $ 741   $ 1,303   $ 1,133  
Add: Depreciation and amortization expense     393     235     760     448  
   
 
 
 
 
Operating profit before depreciation and amortization(1)   $ 1,133   $ 976   $ 2,063   $ 1,581  
   
 
 
 
 
Operating profit before depreciation and amortization margin(1)     27.4 %   27.7 %   25.6 %   22.9 %
Capital expenditures(2)   $ 656   $ 464   $ 1,334   $ 713  
Net cash provided by operating activities     857     860     1,856     1,300  
Net cash used in investing activities     (567 )   (208 )   (1,522 )   (445 )
Net cash used in financing activities     (612 )   (895 )   (895 )   (2,672 )

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

$

857

 

$

860

 

$

1,856

 

$

1,300

 
Less: Cash paid for property and equipment     (598 )   (415 )   (1,234 )   (629 )
Less: Cash paid for satellites     (58 )   (48 )   (112 )   (105 )
   
 
 
 
 
Free cash flow(3)   $ 201   $ 397   $ 510   $ 566  
   
 
 
 
 

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

22


(2)
Capital expenditures include cash paid and amounts accrued during the period for property, equipment and satellites.

(3)
Free cash flow, which is a financial measure that is not determined in accordance with GAAP, can be calculated by deducting amounts under the captions "Cash paid for property and equipment" and "Cash paid for satellites" from "Net cash provided by operating activities" from the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. This financial measure should be used in conjunction with other GAAP financial measures and is not presented as an alternative measure of cash flows from operating activities, as determined in accordance with GAAP. Our management and our Board of Directors use free cash flow to evaluate the cash generated by our current subscriber base, net of capital expenditures, for the purpose of allocating resources to activities such as adding new subscribers, retaining and upgrading existing subscribers, for additional capital expenditures and other capital investments or transactions and as a measure of performance for incentive compensation purposes. We believe this measure is useful to investors, along with other GAAP measures (such as cash flows from operating and investing activities), to compare our operating performance to other communications, entertainment and media companies. We believe that investors also use current and projected free cash flow to determine the ability of revenues from our current and projected subscriber base to fund required and discretionary spending and to help determine our financial value.

23


Selected Segment Data

 
  DIRECTV
U.S.

  DIRECTV
Latin America

  Corporate
and Other

  Total
 
 
   
  (Dollars in Millions)

   
 
Three Months Ended:                          
June 30, 2007                          
Revenues   $ 3,726   $ 409   $   $ 4,135  
% of total revenue     90.1 %   9.9 %       100.0 %
Operating profit (loss)   $ 722   $ 41   $ (23 ) $ 740  
Add: Depreciation and amortization expense     340     54     (1 )   393  
   
 
 
 
 
Operating profit (loss) before depreciation and amortization   $ 1,062   $ 95   $ (24 ) $ 1,133  
   
 
 
 
 
Operating profit before depreciation and amortization margin     28.5 %   23.2 %   N/A     27.4 %
Capital expenditures(1)   $ 546   $ 82   $ 28   $ 656  
June 30, 2006                          
Revenues   $ 3,319   $ 202   $ (1 ) $ 3,520  
% of total revenue     94.3 %   5.7 %       100.0 %
Operating profit (loss)   $ 775   $ (13 ) $ (21 ) $ 741  
Add: Depreciation and amortization expense     203     34     (2 )   235  
   
 
 
 
 
Operating profit (loss) before depreciation and amortization   $ 978   $ 21   $ (23 ) $ 976  
   
 
 
 
 
Operating profit before depreciation and amortization margin     29.5 %   10.4 %   N/A     27.7 %
Capital expenditures(1)   $ 423   $ 41   $   $ 464  

24


Selected Segment Data

 
  DIRECTV
U.S.

  DIRECTV
Latin America

  Corporate
and Other

  Total
 
 
   
  (Dollars in Millions)

   
 
Six Months Ended:                          
June 30, 2007                          
Revenues   $ 7,265   $ 778   $   $ 8,043  
% of total revenue     90.3 %   9.7 %       100.0 %
Operating profit (loss)   $ 1,288   $ 57   $ (42 ) $ 1,303  
Add: Depreciation and amortization expense     643     118     (1 )   760  
   
 
 
 
 
Operating profit (loss) before depreciation and amortization   $ 1,931   $ 175   $ (43 ) $ 2,063  
   
 
 
 
 
Operating profit before depreciation and amortization margin     26.6 %   22.5 %   N/A     25.6 %
Capital expenditures(1)   $ 1,164   $ 141   $ 29   $ 1,334  
June 30, 2006                          
Revenues   $ 6,512   $ 395   $ (1 ) $ 6,906  
% of total revenue     94.3 %   5.7 %       100.0 %
Operating profit (loss)   $ 1,137   $ 31   $ (35 ) $ 1,133  
Add: Depreciation and amortization expense     385     66     (3 )   448  
   
 
 
 
 
Operating profit (loss) before depreciation and amortization   $ 1,522   $ 97   $ (38 ) $ 1,581  
   
 
 
 
 
Operating profit before depreciation and amortization margin     23.4 %   24.6 %   N/A     22.9 %
Capital expenditures(1)   $ 643   $ 70   $   $ 713  

(1)
Capital expenditures include cash paid and amounts accrued during the period for property, equipment and satellites.

25


BUSINESS OVERVIEW

        The DIRECTV Group, Inc. is a leading provider of digital television entertainment in the United States and Latin America. Our two business segments, DIRECTV U.S. and DIRECTV Latin America, which are differentiated by their geographic location, acquire, promote, sell and distribute digital entertainment programming via satellite to residential and commercial subscribers.

        DIRECTV U.S.    DIRECTV Holdings LLC and its subsidiaries, or DIRECTV U.S., is the largest provider of direct-to-home, or DTH, digital television services and the second largest provider in the multi-channel video programming distribution, or MVPD, industry in the United States. As of June 30, 2007, DIRECTV U.S. had approximately 16.3 million subscribers.

        DIRECTV U.S. currently broadcasts from a fleet of nine geosynchronous satellites, including eight owned satellites and one leased satellite. Two additional satellites, DIRECTV 10 and DIRECTV 11, will provide us with increased capability for local and national high definition, or HD, channels, as well as capacity for new interactive and enhanced services and standard-definition programming once they become operational. DIRECTV 10 was launched July 6, 2007 and will operate from our 103° WL orbital location once in-orbit testing is completed during the third quarter of 2007. DIRECTV 11 is under construction and will operate from our 99° WL orbital location after its launch in late 2007 or early 2008 and successful completion of in-orbit testing. We have one additional satellite under construction, DIRECTV 12, which will serve as a ground spare.

        DIRECTV Latin America.    DIRECTV Latin America is a leading provider of DTH digital television services throughout Latin America. DTVLA is comprised of PanAmericana, which provides services in Venezuela, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Puerto Rico and certain other countries in the region through our wholly-owned subsidiary, DIRECTV Latin America, LLC, or DLA LLC, our 74% owned subsidiary Sky Brasil Servicos Ltda., which we refer to as Sky Brazil, and our 41% equity method investment in Innova, S. de R.L. de C.V., or Sky Mexico. As of June 30, 2007, PanAmericana had approximately 1.5 million subscribers, Sky Brazil had approximately 1.4 million subscribers and Sky Mexico had approximately 1.5 million subscribers.

SIGNIFICANT TRANSACTIONS AFFECTING THE COMPARABILITY OF THE RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

        On January 30, 2007, we acquired Darlene's 14% equity interest in DLA LLC for $325 million in cash and resolved all outstanding disputes with Darlene. We are accounting for this acquisition using the purchase method of accounting.

        During 2006, we completed the last in a series of transactions that were agreed in October 2004 with News Corporation, Televisa, Globo and Liberty Media International, which we refer to as the Sky Transactions. The Sky Transactions were designed to strengthen the operating and financial performance of DTVLA by consolidating the DTH platforms of DIRECTV and SKY in Latin America into a single platform in each of the major territories served in the region. These transactions were completed as follows:

26


        For additional information regarding the Darlene and Sky Transactions described above, see Note 3: Acquisitions in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1, Part I of this Quarterly Report.

        On March 1, 2006, DIRECTV U.S. introduced a new set-top receiver lease program. Prior to March 1, 2006, we expensed most set-top receivers provided to new and existing DIRECTV U.S. subscribers immediately upon activation as a subscriber acquisition or upgrade and retention cost in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Subsequent to the introduction of the lease program, we lease most set-top receivers provided to new and existing subscribers, and therefore capitalize the receivers in "Property and equipment, net" in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. We depreciate capitalized set-top receivers over a three year estimated useful life and include the amount of set-top receivers capitalized each period in "Cash paid for property and equipment" in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

        The following table sets forth the amount of DIRECTV U.S. set-top receivers we capitalized, and depreciation expense we recorded, under the lease program for each of the periods presented:

 
  Three Months Ended June 30,
  Six Months Ended June 30,
 
  2007
  2006
  2007
  2006
 
  (Dollars in Millions)

Subscriber leased equipment—subscriber acquisitions   $ 171   $ 153   $ 359   $ 199
Subscriber leased equipment—upgrade and retention     164     100     382     140
   
 
 
 
Total subscriber leased equipment capitalized   $ 335   $ 253   $ 741   $ 339
   
 
 
 
Depreciation expense—subscriber leased equipment   $ 143   $ 22   $ 257   $ 23

        In January 2006, we completed the sale of our 50% interest in HNS LLC to SkyTerra Communications, Inc. and resolved a working capital adjustment from a prior transaction in exchange for $110 million in cash, which resulted in our recording a gain of $14 million related to the sale, in addition to equity earnings of HNS LLC of $11 million in "Other, net" in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

27


EXECUTIVE OUTLOOK UPDATE

        During the first half of 2007, DIRECTV U.S. experienced higher than expected demand for HD and DVR services, which resulted in increased upgrade and retention costs as we make investments in advanced equipment required to receive HD and DVR services. DIRECTV U.S. also experienced higher than expected revenue growth primarily due to higher ARPU. In our 2006 Form 10-K, we reported that we expected DIRECTV U.S. upgrade and retention costs incurred during 2007, including the cost of set-top receivers capitalized under the lease program but excluding the cost of replacing MPEG-2 HD subscriber equipment with our new MPEG-4 HD subscriber equipment, to be relatively unchanged as compared to the approximately $1,250 million spent in 2006. As previously reported in our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2007, we expect upgrade and retention costs incurred for the year ending December 31, 2007 to be greater than in 2006. We also reported in our 2006 Form 10-K that we expected DIRECTV U.S. ARPU to increase 5% or more due to price increases and higher penetration of advanced products. We now expect ARPU to increase 6% or more.

        We previously reported in our 2006 Form 10-K that we expected The DIRECTV Group's free cash flow, defined as net cash provided by operating activities less cash paid for property and satellites, to remain relatively consistent with the $1,186 million of free cash flow generated in 2006. Primarily due to the anticipated increase in upgrade and retention costs discussed above, we now expect free cash flow to be lower in 2007.

28


KEY TERMINOLOGY USED IN MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

        Revenues.    We earn revenues mostly from monthly fees we charge subscribers for subscriptions to basic and premium channel programming, HD programming, pay-per-view programming and seasonal and live sporting events. We also earn revenues from monthly fees that we charge subscribers with multiple non-leased set-top receivers (which we refer to as mirroring fees), monthly fees we charge subscribers for leased set-top receivers, monthly fees we charge subscribers for digital video recorder, or DVR, service, hardware revenues from subscribers who purchase set-top receivers from us, our published programming guide, warranty service fees and advertising services.

        Broadcast Programming and Other.    These costs primarily include license fees for subscription service programming, pay-per-view programming, live sports and other events. Other costs include expenses associated with the publication and distribution of our programming guide, continuing service fees paid to third parties for active subscribers, warranty service costs and production costs for on-air advertisements we sell to third parties.

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

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

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

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

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

        Average Monthly Revenue Per Subscriber.    We calculate ARPU by dividing average monthly revenues for the period (total revenues during the period divided by the number of months in the

29



period) by the average number of subscribers for the period. We calculate average subscribers for the period by adding the number of subscribers as of the beginning of the period and for each quarter end in the current year or period and dividing by the sum of the number of quarters in the period plus one.

        Average Monthly Subscriber Churn.    Average monthly subscriber churn represents the number of subscribers whose service is disconnected, expressed as a percentage of the average total number of subscribers. We calculate average monthly subscriber churn by dividing the average monthly number of disconnected subscribers for the period (total subscribers disconnected, net of reconnects, during the period divided by the number of months in the period) by average subscribers for the period.

        Subscriber Count.    The total number of subscribers represents the total number of subscribers actively subscribing to our service, including seasonal subscribers and subscribers who are in the process of relocating.

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

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Three Months Ended June 30, 2007 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2006

Consolidated Results of Operations

        Revenues.    The following table presents our revenues by segment:

 
  Three Months Ended June 30,
   
   
 
 
  Change
 
Revenues by segment:

 
  2007
  2006
  $
  %
 
 
  (Dollars in Millions)

   
 
DIRECTV U.S.   $ 3,726   $ 3,319   $ 407   12.3 %
DIRECTV Latin America     409     202     207   102.5 %
Corporate and Other         (1 )   1   (100.0 )%
   
 
 
     
  Total revenues   $ 4,135   $ 3,520   $ 615   17.5 %
   
 
 
     

        The $615 million increase in our total revenues was primarily due to the $407 million increase in revenues at the DIRECTV U.S. segment, which resulted from higher ARPU on a larger subscriber base, and an increase in revenues at the DIRECTV Latin America segment, which resulted from added revenues from the acquisition of our interest in Sky Brazil and an increase in the number of subscribers throughout the region.

30


        Total operating costs and expenses.    The following table presents our operating costs and expenses by segment:

 
  Three Months Ended June 30,
   
   
 
 
  Change
 
Operating costs and expenses

 
  2007
  2006
  $
  %
 
 
  (Dollars in Millions)

   
   
 
DIRECTV U.S.   $ 3,004   $ 2,544   $ 460   18.1 %
DIRECTV Latin America     368     215     153   71.2 %
Corporate and Other     23     20     3   15.0 %
   
 
 
     
Total operating costs and expenses   $ 3,395   $ 2,779   $ 616   22.2 %
   
 
 
     

        The $616 million increase in our total operating costs and expenses was primarily due to a $460 million increase at the DIRECTV U.S. segment primarily due to increased programming costs, depreciation expense, upgrade and retention costs and subscriber acquisition costs, and a $153 million increase at the DIRECTV Latin America segment primarily due to the acquisition of Sky Brazil in August 2006.

        Interest income.    Interest income was $34 million for the second quarter of 2007 and $33 million for the same period of 2006.

        Interest expense.    Interest expense was $57 million for the second quarter of 2007 and $56 million for the second quarter of 2006. Interest expense is net of capitalized interest of $14 million for the second quarter of 2007 and the second quarter of 2006.

        Other, net.    Other, net increased by $9 million to $7 million in income during the second quarter of 2007 as compared to a $2 million loss in the second quarter of 2006 due to the increase in our equity in earnings from our investment in Sky Mexico.

        Income tax expense.    We recognized income tax expense of $287 million for the second quarter of 2007 compared to an income tax expense of $257 million for the second quarter of 2006. Income tax expense for the second quarter of 2006 was reduced by $27 million due to a tax deduction arising from the write-off of investments in certain entities.

        Income from discontinued operations.    As a result of a favorable tax settlement which we discuss in Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report, during the second quarter of 2007 we recorded a $17 million gain in "Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes" in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

31



DIRECTV U.S. Segment

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

 
  Three Months Ended and
As of June 30,

  Change
 
 
  2007
  2006
  $
  %
 
 
  (Dollars in Millions, Except Per Subscriber Amounts)

   
 
Revenues   $ 3,726   $ 3,319   $ 407   12.3 %
Operating costs and expenses                        
  Costs of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense                        
    Broadcast programming and other     1,513     1,315     198   15.1 %
    Subscriber service expenses     281     255     26   10.2 %
    Broadcast operations expenses     53     46     7   15.2 %
  Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense                        
  Subscriber acquisition costs     447     401     46   11.5 %
  Upgrade and retention costs     197     144     53   36.8 %
  General and administrative expenses     173     180     (7 ) (3.9 )%
  Depreciation and amortization expense     340     203     137   67.5 %
   
 
 
     
Total operating costs and expenses     3,004     2,544     460   18.1 %
   
 
 
     
Operating profit   $ 722   $ 775   $ (53 ) (6.8 )%
   
 
 
     
Other data:                        
Operating profit before depreciation and amortization   $ 1,062   $ 978   $ 84   8.6 %
Total number of subscribers (000's)     16,316     15,513     803   5.2 %
ARPU   $ 76.43   $ 71.59   $ 4.84   6.8 %
Average monthly subscriber churn %     1.58 %   1.59 %     (0.6 )%
Gross subscriber additions (000's)     900     863     37   4.3 %
Net subscriber additions (000's)     128     125     3   2.4 %
Average subscriber acquisition costs—per subscriber (SAC)   $ 688   $ 642   $ 46   7.2 %

        Subscribers.    Including the 128,000 net subscriber additions during the three months ended June 30, 2007, the total number of subscribers has increased 803,000, or 5.2%, during the last twelve months to 16.3 million at June 30, 2007. Gross subscriber additions for the three months ended June 30, 2007 increased 37,000 to 900,000 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2006.

        Revenues.    Our revenue increased $407 million to $3,726 million resulting from higher ARPU and the larger subscriber base. The 6.8% increase in ARPU to $76.43 resulted primarily from price increases on programming packages, an increase in the number of subscribers paying HD programming, lease and DVR fees, an increase in ad sales revenue and an increase in equipment upgrade fees.

        Total operating costs and expenses.    Our total operating costs and expenses increased $460 million to $3,004 million in the second quarter of 2007 resulting primarily from higher costs for broadcast programming, increased depreciation and amortization expense, higher upgrade and retention costs, higher subscriber acquisition costs and an increase in subscriber service expenses. We capitalized $171 million of set-top receivers leased to new subscribers and $164 million of set-top receivers leased

32



to existing subscribers during the second quarter of 2007 under the lease program compared to the capitalization of $153 million of set-top receivers leased to new subscribers and $100 million of set-top receivers leased to existing subscribers during the second quarter of 2006.

        Our broadcast programming and other costs increased $198 million primarily from annual program supplier rate increases and the increased number of subscribers. Subscriber service expenses increased mostly from the larger subscriber base and an increase in costs incurred at our call centers to support the increased number of subscribers with advanced products. Broadcast operations expenses increased primarily as a result of the costs to support new HD local channel markets.

        The $46 million increase in subscriber acquisition costs in the second quarter of 2007 was due mostly to higher gross subscriber additions, as well as an increase in average subscriber acquisition costs expensed per subscriber. The increase in average subscriber acquisition costs expensed per subscriber was due to higher installation costs associated with an increase in subscribers purchasing advanced services and higher advertising and marketing costs in 2007. Upgrade and retention costs increased by $53 million compared to the second quarter of 2006 primarily due to an increased number of our existing subscribers utilizing our HD and HD DVR upgrade programs. The $7 million decrease in general and administrative expenses resulted mainly from a $25 million insurance settlement related to losses incurred due to the hurricanes in 2005, partially offset by an increase in labor and employee benefit costs and higher legal costs.

        The increase in depreciation and amortization expense resulted mainly from the depreciation of leased set-top receivers capitalized under the new lease program and higher depreciation resulting from an increase in equipment purchased to support our broadcast operations.

        The improvement of operating profit before depreciation and amortization of $84 million was primarily due to the gross profit generated from the higher revenues, partially offset by higher upgrade and retention and subscriber acquisition costs and increased subscriber service expenses. The decrease in operating profit of $53 million was primarily due to higher depreciation and amortization expense in 2007, partially offset by the increase in operating profit before depreciation and amortization.

33



THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC.

DIRECTV Latin America Segment

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

 
  Three Months Ended
and as of
June 30,

  Change
 
 
  2007
  2006
  $
  %
 
 
  (Dollars in Millions, Except
Per Subscriber Amounts)

   
 
Revenues   $ 409   $ 202   $ 207   102.5 %
Operating profit before depreciation & amortization     95     21     74   352.4 %
Operating profit (loss)     41     (13 )   54   NM *
Other data:                        
Total number of subscribers (000's)     2,940     1,732     1,208   69.7 %
Net subscriber additions (000's)     141     77     64   83.1 %
ARPU   $ 47.51   $ 39.78   $ 7.73   19.4 %

*
Percentage not meaningful

        The increase in total subscribers was primarily due to the 869,000 subscribers added as a result of the acquisition of Sky Brazil in August 2006. Net subscriber additions increased 64,000 for the second quarter of 2007 from 77,000 for the second quarter 2006 due to subscriber growth at Sky Brazil and PanAmericana, particularly in Colombia and Venezuela.

        The $207 million increase in revenues in the second quarter of 2007 compared to the same period in 2006 primarily resulted from the $168 million increase in revenue for Brazil due to the acquisition of Sky Brazil in August 2006, along with higher ARPU throughout the region and subscriber growth in PanAmericana.

        The higher operating profit before depreciation and amortization is primarily due to the increase in revenues partially offset by the increase in costs from the addition of Sky Brazil.

        The higher operating profit was primarily due to the increase in operating profit before depreciation and amortization, partially offset by higher depreciation and amortization expense resulting from the Darlene and Sky Brazil transactions.

Corporate and Other

        Operating loss from Corporate and Other increased to $23 million in the second quarter of 2007 from $21 million in the second quarter of 2006.

34



Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2006

Consolidated Results of Operations

        Revenues.    The following table presents our revenues by segment:

 
  Six Months Ended
June 30,

   
   
 
 
  Change
 
Revenues by segment:

 
  2007
  2006
  $
  %
 
 
  (Dollars in Millions)

   
 
DIRECTV U.S.   $ 7,265   $ 6,512   $ 753   11.6 %
DIRECTV Latin America     778     395     383   97.0 %
Corporate and Other         (1 )   1   (100.0 )%
   
 
 
     
  Total revenues   $ 8,043   $ 6,906   $ 1,137   16.5 %
   
 
 
     

        The $1,137 million increase in our total revenues was primarily due to the $753 million increase in revenues at the DIRECTV U.S. segment, which resulted from higher ARPU on a larger subscriber base, and an increase in revenues at the DIRECTV Latin America segment, which resulted from added revenues from the acquisition of our interest in Sky Brazil and an increase in the number of subscribers throughout the region.

        Total operating costs and expenses.    The following table presents our operating costs and expenses by segment:

 
  Six Months Ended
June 30,

   
   
 
 
  Change
 
Operating costs and expenses:

 
  2007
  2006
  $
  %
 
 
  (Dollars in Millions)

   
 
DIRECTV U.S.   $ 5,977   $ 5,375   $ 602   11.2 %
DIRECTV Latin America     721     364     357   98.1 %
Corporate and Other     42     34     8   23.5 %
   
 
 
     
Total operating costs and expenses   $ 6,740   $ 5,773   $ 967   16.8 %
   
 
 
     

        The $967 million increase in our total operating costs and expenses was primarily due to a $602 million increase at the DIRECTV U.S. segment primarily due to increased programming costs and depreciation expense, and a $357 million increase at the DIRECTV Latin America segment primarily due to the acquisition of Sky Brazil in August 2006.

        Interest income.    Interest income decreased $9 million to $71 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007 compared to $80 million for the same period of 2006. The decrease in interest income is due to lower average cash and short-term investment balances as a result of the share repurchase programs, partially offset by an increase in average interest rates.

        Interest expense.    Interest expense was $115 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007 and June 30, 2006. Interest expense is net of capitalized interest of $29 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007 and $26 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006.

35


        Other, net.    Other, net decreased by $3 million during the six months ended June 30, 2007 as compared to the same period in 2006. The significant components of "Other, net" were as follows:

 
  Six Months Ended
June 30,

  Change

 
 
  2007
  2006
  $
 
 
  (Dollars in Millions)

 
Equity in earnings from unconsolidated affiliates   $ 17   $ 6   $ 11  
Net gain from sale of investments         14     (14 )
   
 
 
 
  Total   $ 17   $ 20   $ (3 )
   
 
 
 

        The decrease is primarily due to the $14 million net gain recorded on the sale of our remaining 50% interest in HNS LLC to SkyTerra in the first quarter of 2006, partially offset by an increase in equity in earnings from unconsolidated affiliates primarily from our investment in Sky Mexico.

        Income tax expense.    We recognized income tax expense of $503 for the six months ended June 30, 2007 compared to an income tax expense of $418 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006. The change in the income tax expense is primarily attributable to the change in income before income taxes and minority interests.

        Income from discontinued operations.    As a result of a favorable tax settlement which we discuss in Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report, during the second quarter of 2007 we recorded a $17 million gain in "Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes" in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

36



DIRECTV U.S. Segment

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

 
  Six Months Ended
and as of
June 30,

  Change
 
 
  2007
  2006
  $
  %
 
 
  (Dollars in Millions, Except
Per Subscriber Amounts)

   
 
Revenues   $ 7,265   $ 6,512   $ 753   11.6 %
Operating costs and expenses                        
  Costs of revenues, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense                        
    Broadcast programming and other     2,996     2,646     350   13.2 %
    Subscriber service expenses     561     492     69   14.0 %
    Broadcast operations expenses     105     88     17   19.3 %
  Selling, general and administrative expenses, exclusive of depreciation and amortization expense                        
    Subscriber acquisition costs     879     969     (90 ) (9.3 )%
    Upgrade and retention costs     423     437     (14 ) (3.2 )%
    General and administrative expenses     370     358     12   3.4 %
    Depreciation and amortization expense     643     385     258   67.0 %
   
 
 
     
Total operating costs and expenses     5,977     5,375     602   11.2 %
   
 
 
     
Operating profit   $ 1,288   $ 1,137   $ 151   13.3 %
   
 
 
     

Other data:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Operating profit before depreciation & amortization   $ 1,931   $ 1,522   $ 409   26.9 %
Total number of subscribers (000's)     16,316     15,513     803   5.2 %
ARPU   $ 74.96   $ 70.73   $ 4.23   6.0 %
Average monthly subscriber churn %     1.51 %   1.52 %     (0.7 )%
Gross subscriber additions (000's)     1,829     1,782     47   2.6 %
Net subscriber additions (000's)     363     380     (17 ) (4.5 )%
Average subscriber acquisition costs—per subscriber (SAC)   $ 677   $ 656   $ 21   3.2 %

        Subscribers.    Including the 363,000 net subscriber additions during the six months ended June 30, 2007, the total number of subscribers has increased 803,000, or 5.2%, during the last twelve months to 16.3 million at June 30, 2007. Gross subscriber additions for the six months ended June 30, 2007, increased 47,000 to 1,829,000 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2006.

        Revenues.    Our revenue increased $753 million to $7,265 million resulting from higher ARPU and the larger subscriber base. The 6.0% increase in ARPU to $74.96 resulted primarily from price increases on programming packages, an increase in the number of subscribers paying lease, HD programming, and DVR fees, and an increase in equipment upgrade fees.

        Total operating costs and expenses.    Our total operating costs and expenses increased $602 million to $5,977 million during the six months ended June 30, 2007 resulting primarily from higher costs for broadcast programming, depreciation and amortization expense and subscriber service expenses, partially offset by decreased subscriber acquisition costs and upgrade and retention costs due to the capitalization of set-top receivers leased to new and existing subscribers. We capitalized $359 million of

37



set-top receivers leased to new subscribers and $382 million of set-top receivers leased to existing subscribers during the six months ended June 30, 2007 under the lease program compared to the capitalization of $199 million of set-top receivers leased to new subscribers and $140 million of set-top receivers leased to existing subscribers during the six months ended June 30, 2006. The six months ended June 30, 2007 included six months of lease activity, while the six months ended June 30, 2006 included four months of lease activity from the introduction of the program on March 1, 2006.

        Our broadcast programming and other costs increased $350 million primarily from annual program supplier rate increases and the increased number of subscribers. Subscriber service expenses increased mostly from the larger subscriber base and an increase in service calls and costs incurred at our call centers to support the increased number of subscribers with advanced products. Broadcast operations expenses increased primarily as a result of the costs to support new HD local channel markets.

        Including the cost of set-top receivers leased to new subscribers, subscriber acquisition costs incurred increased $70 million compared to the six months ended June 30, 2006 primarily due to the higher number of gross subscriber additions and increased advertising and marketing costs. However, due to the capitalization of $160 million more of leased set-top receivers in 2007, which included six months of activity under the lease program compared to 2006, which included four months of activity under the lease program, subscriber acquisition costs decreased $90 million compared to the prior year. Including the cost of set-top receivers leased to existing subscribers under our upgrade and retention programs, upgrade and retention costs incurred increased $228 million compared to the six months ended June 30, 2006 primarily due to increased volume under our HD and HD DVR upgrade programs. The increase in upgrade and retention costs incurred was more than offset by a $242 million increase in the capitalization of leased set-top receivers compared to the six months ended June 30, 2006 due to six months of activity under the lease program in 2007 compared to four months in 2006. The $12 million increase in general and administrative expenses resulted mainly from an increase in labor and employee benefit costs and higher legal costs, partially offset by a $25 million insurance settlement related to losses incurred due to the hurricanes in 2005.

        The increase in depreciation and amortization expense resulted mainly from the depreciation of leased set-top receivers capitalized under the new lease program and higher depreciation resulting from an increase in equipment purchased to support our broadcast operations.

        The improvement of operating profit before depreciation and amortization of $409 million was primarily due to the increase in the amount of set-top receivers capitalized under the lease program, as well as the gross profit generated from the higher revenues, partially offset by increased upgrade and retention costs incurred, subscriber acquisition costs incurred and subscriber service expenses. The increase in operating profit of $151 million was primarily due to higher operating profit before depreciation and amortization, partially offset by higher depreciation and amortization expense in 2007.

38



DIRECTV Latin America Segment

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

 
  Six Months Ended
and as of
June 30,

  Change
 
 
  2007
  2006
  $
  %
 
 
  (Dollars in Millions, Except
Per Subscriber Amounts)

   
 
Revenues   $ 778   $ 395   $ 383   97.0 %
Operating profit before depreciation & amortization     175     97     78   80.4 %
Operating profit     57     31     26   83.9 %
Other data:                        
Total number of subscribers (000's)     2,940     1,732     1,208   69.7 %
Net subscriber additions (000's)     229     139     90   64.7 %
ARPU   $ 46.04   $ 39.62   $ 6.42   16.2 %

        The increase in total subscribers was primarily due to the 869,000 subscribers added as a result of the acquisition of Sky Brazil in August 2006. Net subscriber additions increased 90,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2007 to 229,000 from 139,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2006 due to subscriber growth at Sky Brazil and PanAmericana, particularly in Colombia and Venezuela.

        The $383 million increase in revenues in the six months ended June 30, 2007 compared to the same period in 2006 primarily resulted from the $317 million increase in revenue for Brazil due to the acquisition of Sky Brazil in August 2006, along with ARPU growth throughout the region and subscriber growth in PanAmericana.

        The higher operating profit before depreciation and amortization is primarily due to the increase in revenues partially offset by the increase in costs from the addition of Sky Brazil and the $57 million gain from the completion of the Sky Mexico transaction that we recorded in the first quarter of 2006.

        The higher operating profit was primarily due to the increase in operating profit before depreciation and amortization partially offset by higher depreciation and amortization expense resulting from the Darlene and Sky Brazil transactions.

Corporate and Other

        Operating loss from Corporate and Other increased to $42 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007 from $35 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

        At June 30, 2007, our cash and cash equivalent balances and short-term investments totaled $1.99 billion compared with $2.67 billion at December 31, 2006. The $682 million decrease resulted primarily from the use of $1.35 billion of cash for the acquisition of satellites and property, $697 million in cash for the share repurchase program, $325 million of cash to purchase Darlene's 14% interest in DLA LLC and $215 million cash for the repayment of debt, partially offset by $1.86 million of cash provided by operations.

        As a measure of liquidity, the current ratio (ratio of current assets to current liabilities) was 1.19 at June 30, 2007 and 1.37 at December 31, 2006. The decrease in our current ratio during the quarter was

39



due to the changes in our cash and short-term investment balances as a result of the uses discussed above.

        As of June 30, 2007, DIRECTV U.S. had the ability to borrow up to $500 million under its existing credit facility. The DIRECTV U.S. credit facility is available until 2011. DIRECTV U.S. is subject to restrictive covenants under its credit facility. These covenants limit the ability of DIRECTV U.S. and its respective subsidiaries to, among other things, make restricted payments, including dividends, loans or advances to us.

        On February 7, 2006, our Board of Directors authorized a $3.0 billion share repurchase program which we completed in February 2007. On February 27, 2007, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of an additional $1.0 billion of our common stock which we completed in August 2007. During the six months ended June 30, 2007, we repurchased 32 million shares for $737 million, at an average price of $23.31 per share. During the six months ended June 30, 2006, we repurchased 168 million shares for $2.7 billion, at an average price of $16.01 per share. On August 8, 2007, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of an additional $1 billion of our common stock. The source of the funds for the purchases is our existing cash on hand and cash from operations.

        We expect to fund our cash requirements and our existing business plan using our available cash balances, and cash provided by operations. Additional borrowings, which may include borrowings under the $500 million DIRECTV U.S. revolving credit facility, may be required for wireless broadband strategic investment opportunities should they arise, or if the authorized amount of our share repurchase program is significantly increased. However, our future cash flows may be reduced if we experience, among other things, significantly higher subscriber additions than planned, increased subscriber churn or upgrade and retention costs, higher than planned capital expenditures for satellites and broadcast equipment, satellite anomalies or signal theft or if we are required to make a prepayment on our term loans under DIRECTV U.S.' senior secured credit facility.

Debt

        At June 30, 2007, we had $3,402 million in total outstanding borrowings, bearing a weighted average interest rate of 7.0%. Our outstanding borrowings primarily consist of notes payable and amounts borrowed under a senior secured credit facility as more fully described in Note 7 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1, Part I of this Quarterly Report and in Note 9 to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8, Part II of our 2006 Form 10-K.

        Our short-term borrowings, notes payable, the senior secured credit facility and other borrowings mature as follows: $7 million in the remainder of 2007, $48 million in 2008, $98 million in 2009, $297 million in 2010, $97 million in 2011 and $2,852 million thereafter. These amounts do not reflect potential prepayments that may be required under our senior secured credit facility, which could result from a computation that we are required to make at each year end under the credit agreement. We were not required to make a prepayment for the year ended December 31, 2006.

        Debt ratings by the various rating agencies reflect each agency's opinion of the ability of issuers to repay debt obligations as they come due and the expected estimated loss given a default. In general, lower ratings result in higher borrowing costs. Please refer to our 2006 Form 10-K for discussion of Moody's Investors Service and Standard & Poor's Rating Service ratings range.

        Currently, The DIRECTV Group has the following security rating:

 
  Long-term
Corporate Rating

  Outlook
Standard & Poor's   BB   Stable

40


        Currently, DIRECTV U.S. has the following security ratings:

 
  Senior Secured
  Senior Unsecured
  Corporate
  Outlook
Standard & Poor's   BBB-   BB-   BB   Stable
Moody's   Baa3   Ba3   Ba2   Negative

Dividend Policy

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

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

        For a discussion of "Commitments and contingencies," see Part I, Item 1, Note 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of this Quarterly Report, which we incorporate herein by reference.

        Commitments and contingencies as discussed in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements do not include payments that could be made related to our unrecognized tax benefits liability, which amounted to $204 million as of January 1, 2007, the date we adopted FIN 48. The timing and amount of any future payments is not reasonably estimable, as such payments are dependent on the completion and resolution of examinations with tax authorities. We do not expect a significant payment related to these obligations within the next twelve months.

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS

        For a discussion of "Certain Relationships and Related-Party Transactions," see Part I, Item 1, Note 9 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of this Quarterly Report, which we incorporate herein by reference.

ACCOUNTING CHANGES

        For a discussion of "Accounting Changes," see Part I, Item 1, Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements of this Quarterly Report, which we incorporate herein by reference.

*  *  *


ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

        There have been no material changes in our market risk during the three months ended June 30, 2007. For additional information, see Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk in Part II of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.

*  *  *


ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

        We carried out an evaluation as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and

41



procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act). Based on the evaluation, our principal executive officer and our principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of June 30, 2007.

        There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during our fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2007, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

*  *  *

42


PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

        The risk factors included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 have not materially changed.


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

        On February 7, 2006, our Board of Directors authorized a $3.0 billion share repurchase program that was implemented on February 10, 2006 and completed in February 2007. On February 27, 2007, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of an additional $1 billion of our common stock which we completed in the August 2007. On August 8, 2007, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of an additional $1 billion of our common stock, from time to time through open market purchases or negotiated transactions, subject to market conditions, the program may be suspended or discontinued at any time. The source of funds for the purchases is existing cash on hand and cash from operations. Repurchased shares are retired but remain authorized for registration and issuance in the future.

        For the three months ended June 30, 2007, we repurchased 26 million shares for $604 million, at an average price of $23.41 per share. To date, no plans or programs for the purchase of our stock have been terminated prior to expiration. A summary of the repurchase activity for the three months ended June 30, 2007 is as follows:

Period

  Total Number of
Shares Purchased

  Average Price Paid
Per Share

  Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of
Publicly Announced
Plans or Programs

  Maximum Dollar
Value that May Yet
Be Purchased Under
the Plans or
Programs

 
  (Amounts in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts)

April 1–30, 2007   2   $ 23.83   2   $ 850
May 1–31, 2007   12     23.58   12     571
June 1–30, 2007   12     23.19   12     287
   
       
     
Total   26     23.41   26     287
   
       
     


ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

        At our annual meeting of stockholders held on June 5, 2007, the following matters were submitted to a vote of the stockholders of The DIRECTV Group, Inc.:

The DIRECTV Group, Inc.
Final Voting Results

43


        The election of Neil R. Austrian, Charles R. Lee and K. Rupert Murdoch as directors to serve for a three year term expiring at the annual meeting in 2010. The final voting results were:

Neil R. Austrian   For   1,105,258,436
    Withheld   12,188,850

Charles R. Lee

 

For

 

1,105,012,143
    Withheld   12,435,143

K. Rupert Murdoch

 

For

 

1,053,538,779
    Withheld   63,908,507

        Ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as independent registered public accountants for us for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2007. The final voting results were:

For   1,112,873,849
Against   593,662
Abstain   3,979,775
No Vote  

        Approval of amendment and restatement of the 2004 Stock Plan providing for equity-based compensation to our employees and directors. The final voting results were:

For   1,039,631,583
Against   23,038,708
Abstain   4,707,719
No Vote   50,069,276

        Approval of amendment and restatement of the Executive Officer Cash Bonus Plan providing for cash-based incentive payments to our executive officers. The final voting results were:

For   1,032,236,594
Against   30,266,600
Abstain   4,875,516
No Vote   50,068,576

        All matters voted on at the annual meeting were approved. In addition to the directors elected at the annual meeting, Ralph F. Boyd Jr., Chase Carey, Peter Cherin, James M. Cornelius, David F. De Voe, Peter Lund, Nancy S. Newcomb and Haim Saban continue to serve as directors.

44



ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

Exhibit
Number

  Exhibit Name


10.1

 

The DIRECTV Group, Inc. Amended and Restated 2004 Stock Plan

††10.2

 

The DIRECTV Group, Inc. Amended and Restated Executive Cash Bonus Plan

31.1

 

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

31.2

 

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

32.1

 

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

32.2

 

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

††
Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

45


SIGNATURE

        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.

    THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC.
(Registrant)

Date: August 9, 2007

 

By:

 

/s/  
MICHAEL W. PALKOVIC      
Michael W. Palkovic
(Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer)

46




QuickLinks

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)
THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC. NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC. NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(concluded)
PART II—OTHER INFORMATION
SIGNATURE