Viacom has recorded its total liabilities on the earnout for the year 2007 and 2008 as $208.7 million, and here’s how it is accounted for: “To the extent financial results exceed specific contractual targets against a defined gross profit metric through 2008, former Harmonix shareholders will be eligible for incremental earn-out payments with respect to the years ended December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2008. At December 31, 2007, a liability of $208.7 million has been recorded in Other liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet for the expected earn-out payment. We expect to have a final payment with respect to the year ended December 31, 2008 done in 2009.” What this means is that they will be paid up to $208.7 million in 2008, and likely more in 2009.

SEE ALSO: MTVN’s Rock Band Is A Hit With 2.5 Million Song Downloads

Alex Rigopulos and Eran Egozy founded Harmonix in 1995. Guitar Hero was released in 2005 (now owned by Activision/Redoctane), and its big bet with Rock Band was released with EA last fall. The company’s games are the cornerstone of MTVN’s game strategy, in which it plans to invest $500 million over the next two years.

Staci adds: Both Guitar Hero and Rock Band have some music releases coming up that should boost sales: next week’s Rock Band download includes 6 classic Grateful Dead tunes for $2 each or $10 for the package; the company and the band plan to release 18 master tracks in all over the next few months. Guitar Hero is coming out with a $60 Aerosmith edition in June.