John Malone Ends Liberty Starz Tracking Stock And Ups Share Repurchases

This will give Liberty Media Chairman John Malone and other executives a lot to talk about later this morning at the company’s annual dog-and-pony show for investors.The decision toconvert Liberty Starz and Liberty Capital from tracking stocks into a single asset-based stockshould diminish the growingsense that Malonewas fattening up Starz for a big deal — possibly a sale.The channel has been investing heavily in original programming, and Liberty Starz just unveiled a $1.5B credit facility.Janney Capital Markets analyst Tony Wible says that the Street “likely will be mixed in how it interprets the news” of the change in Liberty Starz’ status. Meanwhile, Liberty’s $1.25B stock repurchase “should help ease (investors’) concern.” And hope springs eternal:Miller Tabak analyst David Joyce says that “in time we would expect M&A activity with these assets to pick up again.” Here’s the company’s release: ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Liberty Media Corporation (Nasdaq: LCAPA, LCAPB, LSTZA, LSTZB) (Liberty) today announced that its board of directors has unanimously voted to eliminate Libertys tracking stock structure by converting each share of its Liberty Starz common stock into 0.88129 of a share of the corresponding series of Liberty Capital common stock, effective at 5:00 p.m., NY City time, on November 28, 2011 (the Conversion Date). Cash will be paid in lieu of fractional shares. We are pleased to announce the combination of Liberty Starz and Liberty Capital into an asset-backed security, said Greg Maffei, Liberty President and CEO. The board of directors determined this was the right move to increase the value for both Liberty Capital and Liberty Starz shareholders by eliminating the tracker discount, increasing liquidity in the stock and creating a stronger acquisition currency. In addition, we recently took advantage of the attractive debt markets to raise capital at Starz, and we have more opportunities to deploy it at a combined Liberty Media. The conversion of shares of Liberty Starz common stock will be effected pursuant to Article IV, Section A.2(b)(ii) of Libertys restated charter and will result in the conversion of all of the outstanding shares of Liberty Starz common stock on the Conversion Date unless, pursuant to the restated charter, the board determines to terminate the Conversion prior to the Conversion Date. The conversion does not require any action by Libertys shareholders and will have no impact on the businesses, assets and liabilities of Liberty. Following the conversion, Liberty will have two series of common stock, which will trade under the Nasdaq symbols LMCA and LMCB. Libertys board also determined to increase the repurchase authorization for Liberty Capital common stock to $1.25 billion following the conversion. Holders of certificated shares of Liberty Starz common stock will receive a letter of transmittal from Computershare Trust Company, N.A., with instructions on how to surrender their certificates formerly representing shares of Liberty Starz common stock for certificates representing shares of the corresponding series of Liberty Capital common stock. Certificated holders must surrender their stock certificates, together with a completed and duly executed letter of transmittal (and any other documentation required thereby), to Computershare, Corporate Actions, P.O. Box 43014, Providence, RI 02940-3014, in order to receive certificates representing their Liberty Capital common stock shares. With respect to holders of Liberty Starz common stock held in book-entry form, their accounts will be debited for all of their shares of Liberty Starz common stock and immediately credited with the applicable number and series of shares of Liberty Capital common stock on the Conversion Date.