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SIRIUS XM Radio Reports Second Quarter 2009 Results

- Adjusted Income from Operations of $132 Million - An Improvement of $193 Million Year Over Year

- Pro Forma Total Revenue of $608 Million, Up 1%

- EPS Excluding Charges ($0.01) vs. ($0.06) Year Over Year, In-line with Wall Street Estimates

- Company Increases Full-year Guidance for Adjusted Income from Operations to Over $400 Million From Over $350 Million



NEW YORK, Aug. 6/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SIRIUS XM Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI) today announced second quarter 2009 financial and operating results, including $132 million in adjusted income from operations, marking the company's third consecutive quarter of positive adjusted income. The company also announced a 28% decrease in total cash operating expenses since the merger of SIRIUS and XM one year ago. SIRIUS XM also increased its full-year 2009 guidance for adjusted income from operations to over $400 million from over $350 million.

"Just one year ago, combined operations produced negative adjusted income from operations of $61 million," said Mel Karmazin, SIRIUS XM's CEO. "This year our revenue increase in the second quarter, paired with a $187 million expense reduction, drove an improvement of approximately $193 million in adjusted income from operations to $132 million in second quarter 2009. Based on these results we are increasing guidance again and expect to exceed over $400 million in adjusted income from operations during 2009. Growing our revenue in the face of broad declines in the advertising and automotive markets is a remarkable accomplishment, and we are well positioned for a rebound in auto sales."

Second quarter 2009 pro forma total revenue was $608 million, up 1% from second quarter 2008 pro forma total revenue of $601 million. Second quarter 2009 subscription revenue was $577 million, up 3% from the second quarter 2008 subscription revenue of $558 million. Subscriber acquisition cost (SAC) per gross subscriber addition was $57 in the second quarter 2009, an improvement of 20% over the $71 in pro forma SAC per gross subscriber addition in the second quarter 2008.

SIRIUS XM ended the second quarter 2009 with 18,413,435 total subscribers, a decrease of 1% from the second quarter 2008 pro forma total subscribers of 18,576,830 and a decrease of 185,999 from the first quarter 2009 subscribers of 18,599,434. Self-pay subscribers were 15,421,414 in second quarter 2009, virtually unchanged from first quarter 2009 self-pay subscribers of 15,436,410 and up 592,264, or 4%, from the 14,829,150 self-pay subscribers in the second quarter 2008. Promotional subscribers were 2,992,021 in second quarter 2009.

Monthly average revenue per subscriber (ARPU) was $10.66 in the second quarter 2009, up from $10.55 in the second quarter 2008. The pro forma self-pay monthly customer churn rate was 2.0% in the second quarter 2009 down from 2.2% in the first quarter 2009, and up from 1.7% in second quarter 2008 pro forma self-pay churn.

In the second quarter 2009, SIRIUS XM achieved positive pro forma adjusted income from operations of $132 million as compared to a pro forma loss from operations of ($61) million in the second quarter 2008. The second quarter 2009 US GAAP net loss was ($157) million, or ($0.04) per share, and includes $108 million, or ($0.03) per share, in net charges for the loss on the extinguishment of debt and credit facilities and a $24 million write-off, or ($.007) per share, of prepayments for future launch services attributable to the counterparty's bankruptcy filing. Absent these charges, the US GAAP net loss per share of ($0.01) was in line with Wall Street estimates. In the second quarter 2008 the US GAAP net loss was ($84) million, or ($0.06) per share. Second quarter 2009 free cash flow was $13 million compared to ($169) million of free cash flow in the second quarter 2008.

2009 OUTLOOK

SIRIUS XM now expects to achieve over $400 million in 2009 adjusted income from operations. This is an increase from the company's previous guidance of over $350 million in 2009 adjusted income from operations provided on May 7, 2009.

BALANCE SHEET IMPROVEMENTS

During the second quarter the company made improvements to its balance sheet including refinancing some of its debt at lower rates, extending maturities, and improving amortization schedules and covenants.

"These transactions have significantly improved the credit profile of the company, and we intend to be opportunistic in pursuing additional balance sheet improvements," said David Frear, SIRIUS XM's EVP and CFO.

Based upon the company's current plans, it has sufficient cash, cash equivalents, available borrowings under credit facilities and marketable securities to cover the company's estimated funding needs through cash flow breakeven, the point at which revenues are sufficient to fund expected operating expenses, capital expenditures, working capital requirements, interest payments and taxes. The company's projections are based on assumptions, which it believes are reasonable but contain uncertainties.

PRO FORMA RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The discussion of operating results below is based upon pro forma comparisons as if the merger of SIRIUS and XM occurred on January 1, 2008 and excludes the effects of stock-based compensation and purchase accounting adjustments.

SECOND QUARTER 2009 VERSUS SECOND QUARTER 2008

For the second quarter of 2009, SIRIUS XM recognized total pro forma revenue of $608 million compared to $601 million for the second quarter 2008. This 1%, or $7 million, increase in revenue was driven by a 1% growth in weighted average subscribers from the second quarter 2008 as well as an increase in ARPU.

Total ARPU for the three months ended June 30, 2009 was $10.66, compared to $10.55 for the three months ended June 30, 2008. The increase was driven mainly by the sale of "Best of" programming, increased rates on the company's multi-subscription packages and revenues earned on the company's internet packages, partially offset by a decline in net advertising revenue per average subscriber.

In the second quarter 2009, the company achieved positive pro forma adjusted income from operations of $132 million, compared to an adjusted loss from operations of ($61) million for the second quarter of 2008 (refer to the reconciliation table of net loss to adjusted income (loss) from operations). The improvement was driven by the increase in total revenue of $7 million and a $187 million decrease, or 28%, in expenses included in adjusted income (loss) from operations.

Satellite and transmission costs decreased 27%, or $7 million, in the three months ended June 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008 due to reductions in maintenance costs, repeater lease expense, and personnel costs.

Programming and content costs decreased 14%, or $14 million, in the three months ended June 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008, mainly due to reductions in personnel and on-air talent costs as well as savings on certain content agreements.

Revenue share and royalties decreased by 5%, or $6 million, compared to the same period in 2008.

Customer service and billing costs remained relatively flat for the three months ended June 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008.

Cost of equipment decreased by 49%, or $8 million, in the three months ended June 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008 as a result of a decrease in the company's direct to customer sales and lower inventory write-downs.

Sales and marketing costs decreased 53%, or $55 million, and have decreased as a percentage of revenue to 8% from 17% in the three months ended June 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008. The decrease in Sales and marketing costs was due to reduced advertising and cooperative marketing spend, as well as, reductions to personnel costs and third party distribution support expenses.

Subscriber acquisition costs decreased 46%, or $70 million, and decreased as a percentage of revenue to 13% from 25% in the three months ended June 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008. SAC per gross addition declined by 20% to $57 from $71 in the year ago period. This improvement was driven by fewer OEM installations relative to gross subscriber additions, decreased production of certain radios, lower OEM subsidies and lower aftermarket inventory reserves as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2008. Subscriber acquisition costs also decreased as a result of the 35% decline in gross additions during the three months ended June 30, 2009 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2008.

General and administrative costs decreased 33%, or $22 million, mainly due to the absence of certain legal and regulatory charges incurred in 2008 and lower personnel costs.

Engineering, design and development costs decreased 35%, or $6 million, in the three months ended June 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008, due to lower costs associated with the manufacturing of radios, OEM tooling and manufacturing, and personnel.

Restructuring, impairments and related costs increased $27 million mainly due to a loss of $24 million on capitalized installment payments for the launch of a satellite, which are expected to provide no future benefits due to the counterparty's bankruptcy filing.

Other expenses increased 285%, or $147 million, in the three months ended June 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008 driven mainly by the loss on extinguishment of debt and credit facilities of $108 million, and an increase in interest expense of $53 million, offset by an increase of $13 million in gain on investments. The loss on the extinguishment of debt and credit facilities was incurred on the full repayment of XM's Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and its Second-Lien Credit Agreement. Interest expense increased due primarily to the issuance of XM's 13% Senior Notes due 2013 and the 7% Exchangeable Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014 in the third quarter of 2008.

SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2009 VERSUS SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2008

For the six months ended June 30, 2009, SIRIUS XM recognized total pro forma revenue of $1,213 million compared with $1,180 million for the six months ended June 30, 2008. This 3%, or $33 million, increase in revenue was primarily driven by an increase in subscriber revenue resulting primarily from a 4% growth in weighted average subscribers over the period as well as revenues from the sale of "Best of" programming, increased rates on the company's multi-subscription packages and revenues earned on the company's internet packages.

Total ARPU for the six months ended June 30, 2009 was $10.57, compared to $10.54 for the six months ended June 30, 2008. The increase was driven mainly by the sale of "Best of" programming, increased rates on the company's multi-subscription packages and revenues earned on its internet packages, partially offset by a decline in net advertising revenue per average subscriber.

The company's pro forma adjusted income from operations increased $372 million to $241 million for the six months ended June 30, 2009 from a loss of ($131) million for the six months ended June 30, 2008 (refer to the reconciliation table of net loss to adjusted income (loss) from operations). This increase was driven by a 3%, or $33 million, increase in revenue and a 26%, or $339 million, decrease in expenses included in adjusted income (loss) from operations.

Satellite and transmission costs decreased 25%, or $13 million, in the six months ended June 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008 due to reductions in maintenance costs, repeater lease expense, and personnel costs.

Programming and content costs decreased 12%, or $25 million, in the six months ended June 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008, due mainly to reductions in personnel and on-air talent costs as well as savings on certain content agreements.

Revenue share and royalties increased by 2%, or $4 million, while declining slightly as a percentage of revenue in the six months ended June 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008.

Customer service and billing costs remained relatively flat for the six months ended June 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008 due to scale efficiencies over a larger daily weighted average subscriber base.

Cost of equipment decreased by 50%, or $16 million, in the six months ended June 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008 as a result of a decrease in the company's direct to customer sales and lower inventory write-downs.

Sales and marketing costs decreased 46%, or $83 million, and decreased as a percentage of revenue to 8% from 15% in the six months ended June 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008 due to reduced advertising and cooperative marketing spend as well as reductions to personnel costs and third party distribution support expenses.

Subscriber acquisition costs decreased 47%, or $147 million, and decreased as a percentage of revenue to 14% from 26% in the six months ended June 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008. This decrease was driven by a 23% improvement in SAC, as adjusted, per gross addition due to fewer OEM installations relative to gross subscriber additions, decreased production of certain radios, lower OEM subsidies and lower aftermarket inventory reserves in the six months ended June 30, 2009 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2008. Subscriber acquisition costs also decreased as a result of the 35% decline in gross additions during the six months ended June 30, 2009.

General and administrative costs decreased 32%, or $45 million, mainly due to the absence of certain legal and regulatory charges incurred in 2008 and lower personnel costs.

Engineering, design and development costs decreased 42%, or $13 million, in the six months ended June 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008, due to lower costs associated with the manufacturing of radios, OEM tooling and manufacturing, and personnel.

Restructuring, impairments and related costs increased $28 million mainly due to a loss of $24 million on capitalized installment payments, which are expected to provide no future benefits due to the counterparty's bankruptcy filing, for the launch of a satellite.

Other expenses increased 190%, or $194 million, in the six months ended June 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008 driven mainly by the loss on extinguishment of debt and credit facilities of $126 million, and an increase in interest expense of $79 million, offset by an increase of $9 million in gain on investments. The loss on the extinguishment of debt and credit facilities was incurred on the full repayment of XM's Amended and Restated Credit Agreement and its Second-Lien Credit Agreement. Interest expense increased due primarily to the issuance of XM's 13% Senior Notes due 2013 and the 7% Exchangeable Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014 in the third quarter of 2008.


SOURCE SIRIUS XM Radio