UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

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

For the quarterly period ended September 28, 2017March 29, 2018

Commission file number: 001-33296

 

NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

20-5665602

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

9110 East Nichols Avenue, Suite 200

Centennial, Colorado

 

80112-3405

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (303) 792-3600

 

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      No  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes      No  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer”filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “smaller reporting“emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer

 

Accelerated filer

 

 

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Smaller reporting company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition method for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

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

As of November 2, 2017, 78,501,468May 3, 2018, 78,994,527 shares of the registrant’s common stock (including unvested restricted shares), par value of $0.01 per share, were outstanding.

 

 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

 

 

PART I

 

 

��

 

 

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements

 

1

 

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

1

 

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

 

2

 

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

3

 

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity/(Deficit)

 

5

 

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

6

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

2124

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

3435

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

 

35

 

 

 

 

 

PART II

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

 

3536

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

 

3536

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

36

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

36

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

 

36

Item 5.

Other Information

 

36

Item 6.

Exhibits

 

3637

 

 

 

 

Signatures

 

3738

 

 

 


PART I

Item 1. Financial Statements

NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In millions, except share and per share data)

(UNAUDITED)

 

 

September 28,

2017

 

 

December 29,

2016

 

 

March 29,

2018

 

 

December 28,

2017

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

30.4

 

 

$

23.0

 

 

$

46.0

 

 

$

30.2

 

Short-term marketable securities

 

 

3.7

 

 

 

26.1

 

 

 

22.0

 

 

 

13.1

 

Receivables, net of allowance of $6.0 and $6.3, respectively

 

 

118.4

 

 

 

160.5

 

Receivables, net of allowance of $5.7 and $6.0, respectively

 

 

115.0

 

 

 

160.6

 

Prepaid expenses

 

 

4.1

 

 

 

3.1

 

 

 

4.9

 

 

 

4.2

 

Income tax receivable

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

2.4

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

0.2

 

Current portion of notes receivable - founding members

 

 

4.2

 

 

 

5.6

 

 

 

4.2

 

 

 

4.2

 

Other current assets

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

0.1

 

Total current assets

 

 

161.7

 

 

 

221.1

 

 

 

192.6

 

 

 

212.6

 

NON-CURRENT ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $69.3 and $64.1,

respectively

 

 

29.2

 

 

 

29.6

 

Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $138.8 and $118.9, respectively

 

 

732.6

 

 

 

560.5

 

Deferred tax assets

 

 

199.0

 

 

 

209.1

 

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $72.9 and $70.4,

respectively

 

 

31.5

 

 

 

30.7

 

Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $152.1 and $145.4, respectively

 

 

724.2

 

 

 

717.2

 

Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance of $89.1 and $98.1, respectively

 

 

186.5

 

 

 

186.0

 

Long-term notes receivable, net of current portion - founding members

 

 

8.3

 

 

 

8.3

 

 

 

4.1

 

 

 

4.1

 

Other investments

 

 

3.6

 

 

 

6.6

 

 

 

3.1

 

 

 

3.5

 

Long-term marketable securities

 

 

15.8

 

 

 

19.6

 

 

 

13.2

 

 

 

16.2

 

Debt issuance costs, net

 

 

1.4

 

 

 

1.9

 

 

 

1.1

 

 

 

1.3

 

Other assets

 

 

1.8

 

 

 

0.7

 

 

 

1.4

 

 

 

1.5

 

Total non-current assets

 

 

991.7

 

 

 

836.3

 

 

 

965.1

 

 

 

960.5

 

TOTAL ASSETS

 

$

1,153.4

 

 

$

1,057.4

 

 

$

1,157.7

 

 

$

1,173.1

 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY/(DEFICIT)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amounts due to founding members

 

$

24.0

 

 

$

42.7

 

Amounts due to founding members, net

 

$

10.8

 

 

$

32.7

 

Payable to founding members under tax receivable agreement

 

 

15.9

 

 

 

18.4

 

 

 

19.6

 

 

 

19.6

 

Accrued expenses

 

 

22.4

 

 

 

19.6

 

 

 

17.1

 

 

 

19.9

 

Accrued payroll and related expenses

 

 

9.7

 

 

 

12.2

 

 

 

8.8

 

 

 

11.1

 

Accounts payable

 

 

14.0

 

 

 

17.4

 

 

 

17.0

 

 

 

19.3

 

Deferred revenue

 

 

5.7

 

 

 

10.3

 

 

 

6.1

 

 

 

7.1

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

91.7

 

 

 

120.6

 

 

 

79.4

 

 

 

109.7

 

NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt, net of debt issuance costs of $9.2 and $10.7, respectively

 

 

910.8

 

 

 

924.3

 

Long-term debt, net of debt issuance costs of $8.2 and $8.7, respectively

 

 

944.8

 

 

 

923.3

 

Deferred tax liability

 

 

68.2

 

 

 

48.3

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

 

Income tax payable

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

2.0

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

0.3

 

Payable to founding members under tax receivable agreement

 

 

144.2

 

 

 

143.4

 

 

 

214.3

 

 

 

212.6

 

Other liabilities

 

 

3.3

 

 

 

2.0

 

Total non-current liabilities

 

 

1,123.6

 

 

 

1,118.0

 

 

 

1,162.7

 

 

 

1,138.2

 

Total liabilities

 

 

1,215.3

 

 

 

1,238.6

 

 

 

1,242.1

 

 

 

1,247.9

 

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (NOTE 7)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (NOTE 8)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EQUITY/(DEFICIT):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NCM, Inc. Stockholders’ Equity/(Deficit):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized, none issued and

outstanding, respectively

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $0.01 par value; 175,000,000 shares authorized, 75,230,298 and

59,874,412 issued and outstanding, respectively

 

 

0.8

 

 

 

0.6

 

Common stock, $0.01 par value; 175,000,000 shares authorized, 76,904,155 and

76,242,222 issued and outstanding, respectively

 

 

0.8

 

 

 

0.8

 

Additional paid in capital/(deficit)

 

 

(111.6

)

 

 

(207.7

)

 

 

(229.3

)

 

 

(233.1

)

Retained earnings (distributions in excess of earnings)

 

 

(250.5

)

 

 

(215.6

)

 

 

(145.6

)

 

 

(130.2

)

Total NCM, Inc. stockholders’ equity/(deficit)

 

 

(361.3

)

 

 

(422.7

)

 

 

(374.1

)

 

 

(362.5

)

Noncontrolling interests

 

 

299.4

 

 

 

241.5

 

 

 

289.7

 

 

 

287.7

 

Total equity/(deficit)

 

 

(61.9

)

 

 

(181.2

)

 

 

(84.4

)

 

 

(74.8

)

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY/DEFICIT

 

$

1,153.4

 

 

$

1,057.4

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY/(DEFICIT)

 

$

1,157.7

 

 

$

1,173.1

 

 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

1


NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(In millions, except share and per share data)

(UNAUDITED)

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

September 28,

2017

 

 

September 29,

2016

 

 

September 28,

2017

 

 

September 29,

2016

 

 

March 29,

2018

 

 

March 30,

2017

 

REVENUE (including revenue from founding members of

$6.7, $7.6, $22.7 and $22.1, respectively)

 

$

116.4

 

 

$

113.5

 

 

$

285.4

 

 

$

305.1

 

REVENUE (including revenue from founding members of $8.0 and $8.4,

respectively)

 

$

80.2

 

 

$

71.9

 

OPERATING EXPENSES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Advertising operating costs

 

 

8.9

 

 

 

7.5

 

 

 

21.4

 

 

 

20.8

 

 

 

7.0

 

 

 

5.0

 

Network costs

 

 

3.7

 

 

 

4.1

 

 

 

11.9

 

 

 

12.9

 

 

 

3.5

 

 

 

4.2

 

Theater access fees—founding members

 

 

18.1

 

 

 

19.2

 

 

 

57.4

 

 

 

56.8

 

 

 

20.6

 

 

 

20.6

 

Selling and marketing costs

 

 

17.2

 

 

 

16.8

 

 

 

54.2

 

 

 

54.5

 

 

 

16.0

 

 

 

18.1

 

Administrative and other costs

 

 

8.8

 

 

 

8.6

 

 

 

28.6

 

 

 

32.9

 

 

 

12.6

 

 

 

9.3

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

9.4

 

 

 

8.9

 

 

 

28.2

 

 

 

26.5

 

 

 

9.5

 

 

 

9.6

 

Total

 

 

66.1

 

 

 

65.1

 

 

 

201.7

 

 

 

204.4

 

 

 

69.2

 

 

 

66.8

 

OPERATING INCOME

 

 

50.3

 

 

 

48.4

 

 

 

83.7

 

 

 

100.7

 

 

 

11.0

 

 

 

5.1

 

NON-OPERATING EXPENSES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest on borrowings

 

 

13.1

 

 

14.3

 

 

 

39.4

 

 

 

41.2

 

 

 

13.8

 

 

13.2

 

Interest income

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

(0.3

)

 

 

(1.0

)

 

 

(1.3

)

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

(0.4

)

Accretion of interest on the discounted payable to

founding members under tax receivable agreement

 

 

3.2

 

 

 

3.4

 

 

 

9.5

 

 

 

10.4

 

Loss on early retirement of debt

 

 

 

 

 

10.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.4

 

Gain on re-measurement of the payable to founding members

under the tax receivable agreement

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

 

Other non-operating income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.1

)

Total

 

 

16.1

 

 

 

27.8

 

 

 

47.8

 

 

 

60.7

 

 

 

13.5

 

 

 

12.7

 

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

 

 

34.2

 

 

 

20.6

 

 

 

35.9

 

 

 

40.0

 

LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES

 

 

(2.5

)

 

 

(7.6

)

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

 

2.3

 

 

 

(1.1

)

 

 

2.6

 

 

 

1.3

 

 

 

1.0

 

 

 

(1.8

)

CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME

 

 

31.9

 

 

 

21.7

 

 

 

33.3

 

 

 

38.7

 

Less: Net income attributable to

noncontrolling interests

 

 

22.5

 

 

 

13.5

 

 

 

27.4

 

 

 

28.0

 

NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NCM, INC.

 

$

9.4

 

 

$

8.2

 

 

$

5.9

 

 

$

10.7

 

CONSOLIDATED NET LOSS

 

 

(3.5

)

 

 

(5.8

)

Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

(1.6

)

 

 

(4.5

)

NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO NCM, INC.

 

$

(1.9

)

 

$

(1.3

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET INCOME PER NCM, INC. COMMON SHARE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET LOSS PER NCM, INC. COMMON SHARE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.15

 

 

$

0.14

 

 

$

0.10

 

 

$

0.18

 

 

$

(0.03

)

 

$

(0.02

)

Diluted

 

$

0.15

 

 

$

0.13

 

 

$

0.10

 

 

$

0.18

 

 

$

(0.03

)

 

$

(0.02

)

WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

63,993,273

 

 

 

59,846,496

 

 

 

61,637,445

 

 

 

59,763,012

 

 

 

76,640,414

 

 

 

60,309,087

 

Diluted

 

 

64,281,581

 

 

 

60,878,806

 

 

 

62,074,577

 

 

 

60,479,977

 

 

 

76,640,414

 

 

 

60,309,087

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends declared per common share

 

$

0.22

 

 

$

0.22

 

 

$

0.66

 

 

$

0.66

 

 

$

0.17

 

 

$

0.22

 

 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In millions) (UNAUDITED)

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

September 28,

2017

 

 

September 29,

2016

 

 

March 29,

2018

 

 

March 30,

2017

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated net income

 

$

33.3

 

 

 

38.7

 

Adjustments to reconcile consolidated net income to net cash provided by

operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated net loss

 

$

(3.5

)

 

 

(5.8

)

Adjustments to reconcile consolidated net loss to net cash provided by

operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred income tax expense

 

 

4.1

 

 

 

3.8

 

 

 

0.7

 

 

 

(2.0

)

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

28.2

 

 

 

26.5

 

 

 

9.5

 

 

 

9.6

 

Non-cash share-based compensation

 

 

8.3

 

 

 

13.7

 

 

 

2.8

 

 

 

2.7

 

Accretion of interest on the discounted payable to founding members

under tax receivable agreement

 

 

9.5

 

 

 

10.4

 

Impairment on investment

 

 

3.1

 

 

 

0.7

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

1.4

 

Amortization of debt issuance costs

 

 

2.0

 

 

 

2.0

 

 

 

0.7

 

 

 

0.7

 

Redemption premium paid and write-off of debt issuance costs related to

redemption of Senior Notes due 2021

 

 

 

 

 

10.4

 

Reversal of tax contingency reserve

 

 

(1.7

)

 

 

(2.9

)

Non-cash gain on re-measurement of the payable to founding

members under the tax receivable agreement

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

 

Other

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

 

 

 

(0.1

)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Receivables, net

 

 

42.1

 

 

 

16.0

 

 

 

45.5

 

 

 

67.9

 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

 

(1.7

)

 

 

(7.9

)

 

 

(5.8

)

 

 

(12.2

)

Amounts due to founding members

 

 

(0.4

)

 

 

(0.7

)

Payment to founding members under tax receivable agreement

 

 

(17.3

)

 

 

(23.5

)

Amounts due to founding members, net

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

(0.4

)

Deferred revenue

 

 

(4.6

)

 

 

5.1

 

 

 

(1.0

)

 

 

(3.0

)

Income taxes and other

 

 

(0.7

)

 

 

(1.3

)

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

(1.8

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

 

104.0

 

 

 

90.9

 

 

 

49.5

 

 

 

57.0

 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of property and equipment

 

 

(7.7

)

 

 

(9.0

)

 

 

(3.5

)

 

 

(2.9

)

Acquisition of a business

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

 

Purchases of marketable securities

 

 

(21.7

)

 

 

(45.0

)

 

 

(7.9

)

 

 

(17.0

)

Proceeds from sale and maturities of marketable securities

 

 

48.4

 

 

 

50.5

 

 

 

2.0

 

 

 

12.0

 

Purchases of intangible assets from network affiliates

 

 

(1.7

)

 

 

(1.6

)

 

 

 

 

 

(0.2

)

Proceeds from notes receivable - founding members

 

 

1.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.4

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

 

18.5

 

 

 

(5.1

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(9.4

)

 

 

(6.7

)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payment of dividends

 

 

(42.1

)

 

 

(41.4

)

 

 

(15.0

)

 

 

(15.3

)

Proceeds from borrowings under the revolving credit facility

 

 

60.0

 

 

 

105.0

 

Repayments of borrowings under the revolving credit facility

 

 

(75.0

)

 

 

(168.0

)

Proceeds from issuance of Senior Notes due 2026

 

 

 

 

 

250.0

 

Redemption of Senior Notes due 2021

 

 

 

 

 

(207.9

)

Payment of debt issuance costs

 

 

 

 

 

(4.7

)

Proceeds from borrowings

 

 

58.0

 

 

 

50.0

 

Repayments of borrowings

 

 

(37.0

)

 

 

(35.0

)

Founding member integration and other encumbered theater payments

 

 

6.1

 

 

 

1.7

 

 

 

9.4

 

 

 

1.0

 

Distributions to founding members

 

 

(60.1

)

 

 

(42.2

)

 

 

(37.6

)

 

 

(39.9

)

Proceeds from stock option exercises

 

 

0.6

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.6

 

Repurchase of stock for restricted stock tax withholding

 

 

(4.6

)

 

 

(4.8

)

 

 

(2.1

)

 

 

(4.5

)

Net cash used in financing activities

 

 

(115.1

)

 

 

(111.9

)

 

 

(24.3

)

 

 

(43.1

)

CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

 

7.4

 

 

 

(26.1

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

 

23.0

 

 

 

31.7

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

30.4

 

 

$

5.6

 

CHANGE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND RESTRICTED CASH:

 

 

15.8

 

 

 

7.2

 

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period

 

 

30.2

 

 

 

23.3

 

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period

 

$

46.0

 

 

$

30.5

 

 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

3


NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)

(In millions)

(UNAUDITED)

 

Nine Months Ended

 

Three Months Ended

 

September 28,

2017

 

 

September 29,

2016

 

March 29,

2018

 

 

March 30,

2017

 

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing and investing activity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase of an intangible asset with NCM LLC equity

$

201.8

 

 

$

21.1

 

$

15.9

 

 

$

201.8

 

Accrued distributions to founding members

$

27.2

 

 

$

25.3

 

$

8.4

 

 

$

5.0

 

Purchase of subsidiary equity with NCM, Inc. equity

$

77.8

 

 

$

 

Decrease in dividends not requiring cash in the period

$

(1.3

)

 

$

(0.4

)

Increase in cost and equity method investments

$

 

 

$

2.0

 

Accrued integration and other encumbered theater payments

due from founding members

$

1.9

 

 

$

 

Increase in dividends not requiring cash in the period

$

0.2

 

 

$

0.1

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for interest

$

34.9

 

 

$

38.0

 

$

11.6

 

 

$

9.8

 

Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds

$

1.5

 

 

$

0.5

 

$

0.1

 

 

$

0.3

 

 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

 

 

4


NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY/(DEFICIT)

(In millions, except share and per share data)

(UNAUDITED)

 

 

 

 

 

 

NCM, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NCM, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retained

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retained

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional

 

 

Earnings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional

 

 

Earnings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paid in

 

 

(Distribution

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Paid in

 

 

(Distribution

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

 

Capital

 

 

in Excess of

 

 

Noncontrolling

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

 

Capital

 

 

in Excess of

 

 

Noncontrolling

 

 

Consolidated

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

(Deficit)

 

 

Earnings)

 

 

Interest

 

 

Consolidated

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

(Deficit)

 

 

Earnings)

 

 

Interest

 

Balance—December 31, 2015

 

$

(171.7

)

 

 

59,239,154

 

 

$

0.6

 

 

$

(221.5

)

 

$

(186.1

)

 

$

235.3

 

Distributions to founding members

 

 

(35.2

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(35.2

)

NCM LLC equity issued for purchase

of intangible asset

 

 

21.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.9

 

Income tax and other impacts of NCM

LLC ownership changes

 

 

(2.8

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4.2

)

 

 

 

 

 

1.4

 

Comprehensive income, net of tax

 

 

38.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10.7

 

 

 

28.0

 

Share-based compensation issued

 

 

(4.4

)

 

 

614,652

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4.4

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share-based compensation

expense/capitalized

 

 

14.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.6

 

Cash dividends declared $0.66 per share

 

 

(41.0

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(41.0

)

 

 

 

Balance— September 29, 2016

 

$

(181.3

)

 

 

59,853,806

 

 

$

0.6

 

 

$

(211.5

)

 

$

(216.4

)

 

$

246.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance—December 29, 2016

 

$

(181.2

)

 

 

59,874,412

 

 

$

0.6

 

 

$

(207.7

)

 

$

(215.6

)

 

$

241.5

 

 

$

(232.2

)

 

 

59,874,412

 

 

$

0.6

 

 

$

(343.6

)

 

$

(130.7

)

 

$

241.5

 

Distributions to founding members

 

 

(47.4

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(47.4

)

 

 

(5.0

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(5.0

)

NCM LLC equity issued for purchase

of intangible asset

 

 

201.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

78.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

123.0

 

 

 

201.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

78.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

123.0

 

Income tax and other impacts of NCM

LLC ownership changes

 

 

(32.2

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

(48.4

)

 

 

(35.5

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(53.5

)

 

 

 

 

 

18.0

 

Issuance of shares

 

 

77.8

 

 

 

14,600,000

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

77.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NCM, Inc. investment in NCM LLC

 

 

(77.8

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(77.8

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income, net of tax

 

 

33.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.9

 

 

 

27.4

 

Comprehensive loss, net of tax

 

 

(5.8

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1.3

)

 

 

(4.5

)

Share-based compensation issued

 

 

(4.0

)

 

 

755,886

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4.0

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3.9

)

 

 

720,989

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3.9

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share-based compensation

expense/capitalized

 

 

8.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.3

 

 

 

2.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.3

 

Cash dividends declared $0.66 per share

 

 

(40.8

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(40.8

)

 

 

 

Balance—September 28, 2017

 

$

(61.9

)

 

 

75,230,298

 

 

$

0.8

 

 

$

(111.6

)

 

$

(250.5

)

 

$

299.4

 

Cash dividends declared $0.22 per share

 

 

(13.4

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(13.4

)

 

 

 

Balance—March 30, 2017

 

$

(91.2

)

 

 

60,595,401

 

 

$

0.6

 

 

$

(320.7

)

 

$

(145.4

)

 

$

374.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance—December 28, 2017

 

$

(74.8

)

 

 

76,242,222

 

 

$

0.8

 

 

$

(233.1

)

 

$

(130.2

)

 

$

287.7

 

Cumulative-effect adjustment for adoption of

ASU 2014-09

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

 

Distributions to founding members

 

 

(8.4

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(8.4

)

NCM LLC equity issued for purchase

of intangible asset

 

 

15.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.2

 

Income tax and other impacts of NCM

LLC ownership changes

 

 

(0.8

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3.7

)

 

 

 

 

 

2.9

 

Comprehensive loss, net of tax

 

 

(3.5

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1.9

)

 

 

(1.6

)

Share-based compensation issued

 

 

(2.1

)

 

 

661,933

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2.1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share-based compensation

expense/capitalized

 

 

2.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.9

 

Cash dividends declared $0.17 per share

 

 

(13.3

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(13.3

)

 

 

 

Balance—March 29, 2018

 

$

(84.4

)

 

 

76,904,155

 

 

$

0.8

 

 

$

(229.3

)

 

$

(145.6

)

 

$

289.7

 

 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

 

 

5


NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

1.  T1.  THEHE COMPANY

Description of Business

National CineMedia, Inc. (“NCM, Inc.”) was incorporated in Delaware as a holding company with the sole purpose of becoming a member and sole manager of National CineMedia, LLC (“NCM LLC”), a limited liability company owned by NCM, Inc., American Multi-Cinema, Inc. and AMC ShowPlace Theatres, Inc., wholly owned subsidiaries of AMC Entertainment, Inc. (“AMC”), Regal Cinemas, Inc. and Regal CineMedia Holdings, LLC, wholly owned subsidiaries of Cineworld Group plc and Regal Entertainment Group (“Regal”) and Cinemark Media, Inc. and Cinemark USA, Inc., wholly owned subsidiaries of Cinemark Holdings, Inc. (“Cinemark”).  The terms “NCM”, “the Company” or “we” shall, unless the context otherwise requires, be deemed to include the consolidated entity.  AMC, Regal, Cinemark and their affiliates are referred to in this document as “founding members”.  NCM LLC operates the largest digital in-theater network in North America, allowing NCM LLC to sell advertising under long-term exhibitor services agreements (“ESAs”) with the founding members (approximately 19 years remaining as of September 28, 2017)March 29, 2018) and certain third-party theater circuits, referred to in this document as “network affiliates” under long-term network affiliate agreements, which have terms from one to twenty years.

As of September 28, 2017,March 29, 2018, NCM LLC had 154,069,410157,564,977 common membership units outstanding, of which 75,230,29876,904,155 (48.8%) were owned by NCM, Inc., 27,871,862 (18.1%30,403,438 (19.3%) were owned by Regal, 28,779,904 (18.3%) were owned by Cinemark 27,574,620 (17.9%) were owned by Regal and 23,392,630 (15.2%21,477,480 (13.6%) were owned by AMC. The membership units held by the founding members are exchangeable into NCM, Inc. common stock on a one-for-one basis.

Basis of Presentation

The Company has prepared the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes of NCM, Inc. in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).  Accordingly, certain information and footnote disclosures typically included in an annual report have been condensed or omitted for this quarterly report.  The balance sheet as of December 29, 201628, 2017 is derived from the audited financial statements of NCM, Inc.  Therefore, the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K filed for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2016.28, 2017.

In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary to present fairly in all material respects the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for all periods presented have been made.  The Company’s business is seasonal and for this and other reasons operating results for interim periods may not be indicative of the Company’s full year results or future performance. As a result of the various related party agreements discussed in Note 4—5—Related Party Transactions, the operating results as presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that might have occurred if all agreements were with non-related third parties.  The Company manages its business under one reportable segment of advertising.

Estimates—The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates include those related to the reserve for uncollectible accounts receivable, share-based compensation and income taxes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Significant Accounting Policies

The Company’s annual financial statements included in its Form 10-K filed for the fiscal year ended December 29, 201628, 2017 contain a complete discussion of the Company’s significant accounting policies. Following is additional information related to the Company’s accounting policies.

Revenue Recognition—The Company derives revenue principally from the advertising business, which includes on-screen and lobby network (LEN) advertising and lobby promotions and advertising on entertainment websites and mobile applications owned by NCM LLC and other companies. Revenue is recognized over time as the customer receives the benefits provided by NCM LLC’s advertising services and the Company has the right to payment for performance to date. The Company considers the terms of each arrangement to determine the appropriate accounting treatment as more fully discussed in Note 2 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers.

 

6


NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

Concentration of Credit Risk and Significant Customers—Bad debts are provided for using the allowance for doubtful accounts method based on historical experience and management’s evaluation of outstanding receivables at the end of the period. Receivables are written off when management determines amounts are uncollectible. Trade accounts receivable are uncollateralized and represent a large number of geographically dispersed debtors. The collectability risk with respect to national and regional advertising is reduced by transacting with founding members or large, national advertising agencies who have strong reputations in the advertising industry and clients with stable financial positions. The Company has smaller contracts with thousands of local clients that are not individually significant. As of SeptemberMarch 29, 2018 and December 28, 2017, and December 29, 2016, there were no advertising agency groups or individual customers through which the Company sources national advertising revenue representing more than 10% of the Company’s outstanding gross receivable balance.  During the three and nine months ended September 28,March 29, 2018 and March 30, 2017, and September 29, 2016, the Company had no customers that accounted for more than 10% of revenue.

Share-Based Compensation—The Company has issued stock options and restricted stock to certain employees and restricted stock units to its independent directors. The Company has not granted stock options since 2012.  In 20162017 and 2017,2018, the restricted stock grants for Company officers vest upon the achievement of Company performance measures and/or service conditions, while non-officer grants vest only upon the achievement of service conditions.  Compensation expense of restricted stock that vests upon the achievement of Company performance measures is based on management’s financial projections and the probability of achieving the projections, which require considerable judgment. A cumulative adjustment is recorded to share-based compensation expense in periods that management changes its estimate of the number of shares of restricted stock expected to vest. Ultimately, the Company adjusts the expense recognized to reflect the actual vested shares following the resolution of the performance conditions. Dividends are accrued when declared on unvested restricted stock that is expected to vest and are only paid with respect to shares that actually vest.  During the three and nine months ended September 28,March 29, 2018 and March 30, 2017, 956,239 and September 29, 2016, 20,204, 15,492, 1,028,322 and 909,322978,359 shares of restricted stock and restricted stock units vested, respectively. During the three and nine months ended September 28, 2017 andMarch 29, 2018, no stock options were exercised. During the three and nine months ended September 29, 2016, 0, 7,078,March 30, 2017, 58,450 and 30,528 stock options were exercised at a weighted average exercise price of $0, $12.86, $11.04 and $12.98 per share, respectively.share.

Consolidation—NCM, Inc. consolidates the accounts of NCM LLC under the provisions of ASC 810, Consolidation (“ASC 810”).  The following table presents the changes in NCM, Inc.’s equity resulting from net income attributable to NCM, Inc. and transfers to or from noncontrolling interests (in millions):

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

September 28,

2017

 

 

September 29,

2016

 

 

March 29,

2018

 

 

March 30,

2017

 

Net income attributable to NCM, Inc.

 

$

5.9

 

 

$

10.7

 

Net loss attributable to NCM, Inc.

 

$

(1.9

)

 

$

(1.3

)

NCM LLC equity issued for purchase of intangible asset

 

 

78.8

 

 

 

9.2

 

 

 

7.7

 

 

 

78.8

 

Income tax and other impacts of subsidiary ownership

changes (1)

 

 

16.2

 

 

 

(4.2

)

 

 

(3.7

)

 

 

(53.5

)

Change from net income attributable to NCM, Inc. and

transfers from noncontrolling interests

 

$

100.9

 

 

$

15.7

 

Change from net loss attributable to NCM, Inc. and

transfers from noncontrolling interests

 

$

2.1

 

 

$

24.0

 

 

(1)

Subsequent to the issuance of the December 29, 2016 financial statements, an error was identified to the recording of related party balances between the Company and NCM LLC. As of September 28, 2017, the Company recorded an increase of approximately $3.6 million to its additional paid in capital balance and recorded an equivalent reduction to its noncontrolling interests equity balance related to the correction of out of period errors.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

InDuring the first quarter of 2017,2018, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update 2016-07, Investments- Equity Method and Joint Ventures: Simplifying the Transition to the Equity Method of Accounting (“ASU 2016-07”) on a prospective basis. ASU 2016-07 eliminates the requirement to apply the equity method of accounting retrospectively when a reporting entity obtains significant influence over a previously held investment. The adoption of ASU 2016-07 did not have a material impact on the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements or notes thereto.

In the first quarter of 2017, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update 2016-17, Consolidation (Topic 810): Interests Held through Related Parties That Are under Common Control (“ASU 2016-17”) on a retrospective basis to all periods since its adoption of Accounting Standards Update 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis (“ASU 2015-02”) in the first quarter of 2016. ASU 2016-17 changes the evaluation of whether a

7


NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

reporting entity is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity by changing how a reporting entity that is a single decision maker of a variable interest entity treats indirect interests in the entity held through related parties that are under common control with the reporting entity. If a reporting entity satisfies the first characteristic of a primary beneficiary (such that it is the single decision maker of a variable interest entity), the amendments require that reporting entity, in determining whether it satisfies the second characteristic of a primary beneficiary, to include all of its direct variable interests in a variable interest entity and, on a proportionate basis, its indirect variable interests in a variable interest entity held through related parties, including related parties that are under common control with the reporting entity. The adoption of ASU 2016-17 did not have a material impact on the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements or notes thereto.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (“ASU 2014-09”), which supersedes using the revenue recognition requirements in Accounting Standards Codification 605, Revenue Recognition. The new revenue recognition standard requires entities to recognize revenue in a way that depicts the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. In August 2015, the FASB revised the effective date for this standard to annual and interim periods beginning on or after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted, but not earlier than the original effective date of annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016, for public entities. ASU 2014-09 allows for either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective transition method. The Company expects to adopt this guidance using the modified retrospective transition method during the first quarter of 2018. The Company expects to identifyidentified the same performance obligations under ASU 2014-09 as compared with deliverables and separate units of account previously identified. ASU 2014-09 will impactimpacted the accounting for barter transactions where the Company exchanges advertising time for products and services used principally for selling and marketing activities. The Company currently recognizeshistorically recognized revenue for these transactions at the estimated fair value of the advertising exchanged based on the fair value received for similar advertising from cash paying customers. UnderIn accordance with the new guidance, the Company expects towill recognize revenue for these transactions based upon the fair value of the products and services received, rather than the value of the advertising provided. The Company has evaluatedmodified retrospective transition method allows entities to apply the new revenue standard prospectively and record a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period the new revenue standard is first applied. Upon the adoption of ASU 2014-09 and does not expecton December 29, 2017, the effect of adopting this guidance to be materialCompany recorded an $0.2 million cumulative-effect adjustment related to the change in accounting for barter transactions on contracts that are not completed as of December 29, 2017 in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, however, the Company does expect additional disclosures in its notes toBalance Sheet. The Company’s adoption of ASU 2014-09 did not have a material impact on the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company intendshas incorporated additional disclosures in Note 2 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers to design and implement changesthe unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements to certain processes and internal controls related to its adoptioncomply with ASU 2014-09.

7


NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

During the first quarter of ASU 2014-09.  

In January 2016,2018, the FASB issuedCompany adopted Accounting Standards Update 2016-01, Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (“ASU 2016-01”), which requires equity investments that are not accounted for under the equity method of accounting to be measured at fair value with changes recognized in earnings (rather than reported through other comprehensive income) and updates certain presentation and disclosure requirements. In February 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2018-03, Technical Corrections and Improvements to Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (“ASU 2018-03”). These amendments clarify the guidance on certain topics referred to in ASU 2016-01. No changes to the methodology utilized to value the Company’s investments were necessary upon adoption of the ASU 2016-01. The guidance is effective for reporting periods (interimCompany has incorporated changes to disclosures in its notes to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements to comply with ASU 2016-01.

During the first quarter of 2018, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and annual) beginning after December 15, 2017, for public companies and should be adoptedCash Payments (“ASU 2016-15”) on a prospectiveretrospective basis. ASU 2016-15 provides guidance on certain cash receipts and cash payments presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. The Company is currently evaluating theadoption of ASU 2016-15 did not have a material impact that adopting this guidance will have on the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements or notes thereto.

During the first quarter of 2018, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash (“ASU 2016-18”) on a retrospective basis. ASU 2016-18 requires that the reconciliation of the beginning-of-period and end-of-period amounts shown in the statement of cash flows include restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents. The Company has adjusted the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow for the three months ended March 30, 2017 to include the restricted cash balance within the aforementioned captions. The adoption of ASU 2016-18 had no other impact on the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements or notes thereto.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (“ASU 2016-02”). ASU 2016-02 establishes a right-of-use (“ROU”) model that requires a lessee to record a ROU asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than twelve months. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. A modified retrospective transition approach is required for lessees for capital and operating leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements, with certain practical expedients available. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that adopting this guidance will have on the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements or notes thereto.

In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Statements (“ASU 2016-13”), which requires a financial asset (or group of financial assets) measured at amortized cost basis to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. The allowance for credit losses is a valuation account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of the financial asset(s) to present the net carrying value at the amount expected to be collected on the financial asset. ASU 2016-13 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted and is to be adopted on a modified retrospective basis. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that adopting this guidance will have on the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements or notes thereto.

8


NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

In August 2016,March 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-15, 2018-04, Statement of Cash FlowsInvestments – Debt Securities (Topic 230)320) and Regulated Operations (Topic 980): Classification of Certain Cash ReceiptsAmendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 117 and Cash Payments SEC Release No. 33-9273(“ (“ASU 2016-15”2018-04”), which providesamends and supersedes variance paragraphs that contain SEC guidance on how certain cash receiptsin ASC 320, Investments-Debt Securities and cash payments are to be presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-15 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. A retrospective transition method should be used in the application of the amendments within ASU 2016-15. If retrospective application is considered impracticable, retrospective application may be used as of the earliest date practicable.ASC 980, Regulated Operations. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that adopting this guidance will have on the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements or notes thereto.

In November 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash (“ASU 2016-18”), which requires that the reconciliation of the beginning-of-period and end-of-period amounts shown in the statement of cash flows include restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents. If restricted cash is presented separately from cash and cash equivalents on the balance sheet, companies will have to reconcile the amounts presented on the statement of cash flows to the amounts on the balance sheet. Companies will also need to disclose information about the nature of the restrictions. ASU 2016-18 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2016-18 to have a material impact on the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements or notes thereto.

The Company has considered all other recently issued accounting pronouncements and does not believe the adoption of such pronouncements will have a material impact on its unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements or notes thereto.

8


NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

Change in Accounting Principle and Correction of an Error

During the first quarter of 2018, the Company changed its method of accounting for its payable to founding members under the tax receivable agreement (“TRA”), which requires the Company to pay 90% of the expected cash savings to NCM, Inc. from federal, state, and local jurisdictions upon realization of amortization and other deductions specified under the TRA. At inception of the TRA in 2007, the payable was recorded at the fair value by discounting the amounts expected to be payable to founding members under the TRA at the Company’s weighted average cost of capital. The Company then remeasured the present value of the payable to founding members under the TRA each subsequent reporting period.

As a result of the change in accounting principle, the payable is now stated at the undiscounted amount of all expected future payments under the agreement. The Company believes that the undiscounted presentation is preferable because it is consistent with the predominant accounting method used by other companies with such TRA agreements and is more consistent with the undiscounted approach used for the corresponding deferred tax assets that are subject to the TRA.  Accordingly, the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income, Condensed Statements of Equity (Deficit) and Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the respective prior periods have been recast to reflect retrospective application of the change in accounting principle.  Since this change in accounting principle dates back to the Company’s IPO, the Company has recorded the cumulative effect for the change in accounting principle to beginning retained earnings as of December 29, 2016.

Additionally, subsequent to the issuance of the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 29, 2016, the Company identified and corrected an immaterial non-cash error related to the accounting under ASC 740 for the Company’s payable to founding members under the TRA which was corrected within the Company’s Form 10-K for the period ending December 28, 2017. As a result of the error, the liability under the TRA (including the historical discount on such payable) and related accounts for the year ended December 29, 2016 were restated from the amount previously reported to reflect the additional amounts that will be payable under the TRA upon settlement of all expected future payments to the founding members. Further, the deferred tax liability recorded at the IPO related to the discounted TRA liability was reversed to reflect all applicable basis differences related to the TRA. The impact of the error on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 30, 2017 is presented within the tables below and the impact of the error on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity for the three months ended March 30, 2017 is stated below.

The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and corresponding footnotes for the three months ended March 30, 2017 have been restated from the amounts previously reported to reflect the correction of this error as shown within the tables below.

The following table presents the effect of the change in accounting principle to the December 29, 2016 beginning retained earnings balance and additional paid in capital (deficit) balance (in millions):

Beginning retained earnings, as of December 29, 2016 – as previously reported

$

(248.3

)

Cumulative effect for change in accounting principle

 

117.6

 

Beginning retained earnings, as of December 29, 2016 – as adjusted

$

(130.7

)

Beginning additional paid in capital (deficit), as of December 29, 2016 – as previously reported

$

(110.5

)

Cumulative effect for change in accounting principle

 

(233.1

)

Beginning additional paid in capital (deficit), as of December 29, 2016 – as adjusted

$

(343.6

)

The following table presents the effects of the change in accounting principle to the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (in millions):

9


NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

As of December 28, 2017

 

 

As Reported

 

 

Change in Accounting Principle

 

 

As Adjusted

 

Long-term deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance of $98.1

$

161.0

 

 

$

25.0

 

 

$

186.0

 

TOTAL ASSETS

 

1,148.1

 

 

 

25.0

 

 

 

1,173.1

 

Long-term payable to founding members under tax receivable agreement

 

114.0

 

 

 

98.6

 

 

 

212.6

 

Total liabilities

 

1,149.3

 

 

 

98.6

 

 

 

1,247.9

 

Additional paid in capital (deficit)

 

13.8

 

 

 

(246.9

)

 

 

(233.1

)

Retained earnings (distributions in excess of earnings)

 

(303.5

)

 

 

173.3

 

 

 

(130.2

)

Total equity/(deficit)

 

(1.2

)

 

 

(73.6

)

 

 

(74.8

)

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY/DEFICIT

 

1,148.1

 

 

 

25.0

 

 

 

1,173.1

 

The following table presents the effects of the correction of the prior period error and change in accounting principle to the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income (in millions, except for per share data):

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

March 30, 2017

 

 

As Reported

 

 

Correction of an Error

 

 

As Corrected

 

 

Change in Accounting Principle

 

 

As Corrected and Adjusted

 

Accretion of interest on the discounted payable to

   founding members under tax receivable agreement

$

3.4

 

 

$

1.4

 

 

$

4.8

 

 

$

(4.8

)

 

$

 

Total non-operating expenses

 

16.1

 

 

 

1.4

 

 

 

17.5

 

 

 

(4.8

)

 

 

12.7

 

LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES

 

(11.0

)

 

 

(1.4

)

 

 

(12.4

)

 

 

4.8

 

 

 

(7.6

)

Income tax benefit

 

(1.5

)

 

 

1.0

 

 

 

(0.5

)

 

 

(1.3

)

 

 

(1.8

)

CONSOLIDATED NET LOSS

 

(9.5

)

 

 

(2.4

)

 

 

(11.9

)

 

 

6.1

 

 

 

(5.8

)

NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO NCM, INC.

$

(5.0

)

 

$

(2.4

)

 

$

(7.4

)

 

$

6.1

 

 

$

(1.3

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

��

 

 

 

 

 

NET LOSS PER NCM, INC. COMMON SHARE:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

$

(0.08

)

 

$

(0.04

)

 

$

(0.12

)

 

$

0.10

 

 

$

(0.02

)

Diluted

$

(0.08

)

 

$

(0.04

)

 

$

(0.12

)

 

$

0.10

 

 

$

(0.02

)

The following table presents the effects of the correction of the prior period error and change in accounting principle to the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow (in millions):

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

 

March 30, 2017

 

 

 

 

As Reported

 

 

Correction of an Error

 

 

As Corrected

 

 

Change in Accounting Principle

 

 

As Corrected and Adjusted

 

 

 

Consolidated net loss

$

(9.5

)

 

$

(2.4

)

 

$

(11.9

)

 

$

6.1

 

 

$

(5.8

)

 

 

Adjustments to reconcile consolidated net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred income tax expense

 

(1.7

)

 

 

1.0

 

 

 

(0.7

)

 

 

(1.3

)

 

 

(2.0

)

 

 

Accretion of interest on the discounted payable to founding members under tax receivable agreement

 

3.4

 

 

 

1.4

 

 

 

4.8

 

 

 

(4.8

)

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

57.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

57.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

57.0

 

 

 

The correction of the error resulted in an increase of $3.4 million within the activity and a decrease of $93.9 million in the ending balance of the additional paid in capital (deficit) balance for the quarter ended March 30, 2017.

The change in accounting principle resulted in a decrease of $13.6 million within the activity and an increase of $219.6 million in the ending balance of the additional paid in capital (deficit) balance for the quarter ended March 30, 2017. These adjustments were within the ‘Income tax and other impacts of NCM LLC ownership changes’ line of the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity included herein. The change in accounting principle resulted in an $2.1 million decrease in the net loss and a $0.03 decrease in net loss per share for the quarter ended March 29, 2018.

10


NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

2.  EARNINGSREVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS

On December 29, 2017, the Company adopted ASU 2014-09. The following disclosures have been added in accordance with ASU 2014-09.

Revenue Recognition

The Company derives revenue principally from the sale of advertising to national, regional and local businesses in Noovie, the Company’s cinema advertising and entertainment pre-show. The Company also sells advertising through the Lobby Entertainment Network (“LEN”), a series of strategically-placed screens located in movie theater lobbies, as well as other forms of advertising and promotions in theater lobbies. In addition, the Company sells online and mobile advertising through the Cinema Accelerator digital product. The Company also has a long-term agreement to exhibit the advertising of the founding members’ beverage suppliers.

National advertising, including advertising under the beverage concessionaire and PSA agreements, is sold on a cost per thousand “CPM” basis. The Company recognizes national advertising over time as impressions (or theater attendees) are delivered. National advertising is also sold to content partners. The content partners provide the Company with original entertainment content segments, typically 90 seconds in length, that are entertaining, informative, or educational in nature in the Noovie pre-show and they make commitments to buy a portion of the Company’s advertising inventory at a specified CPM.  The Company recognizes revenue for the content segments ratably over time as the content segments air. Local and regional advertising is sold on a per-screen, per-week basis and to a lesser extent on a CPM basis. The Company recognizes local on-screen advertising revenue over the period in which the advertising airs as dictated by the underlying sales contracts. When sold separately, LEN advertising and lobby promotions are sold based on length and breadth of the promotion. The Company recognizes revenue derived from lobby network and promotions over time when the advertising is displayed in theater lobbies. The Company sells online and mobile advertising on a CPM basis. The Company recognizes revenue from branded entertainment websites and mobile applications over time as the online or mobile impressions are served.

Customer contracts often include multiple advertising services to reach the movie goer at multiple points during a theater experience. The Company considers each of these advertising services to represent distinct performance obligations of the contract and allocates a portion of the transaction price to each service based upon the standalone selling price of the service, when available. When standalone selling prices are not available or not applicable given the nature of the customer, the Company allocates the transaction price based upon all information that is reasonably available and maximizes the use of observable inputs. Methods utilized include the adjusted market and expected cost-plus margin approaches.

The Company enters into barter transactions that exchange advertising program time for products and services used principally for selling and marketing activities.  The Company records barter transactions at the estimated fair value of the products and services received.  Revenues for advertising barter transactions are recognized when advertising is provided, and products and services received are charged to expense when used.

The Company makes contractual guarantees to deliver a specified number of impressions to view the customers’ advertising. If those contracted number of impressions are not delivered, the Company will run additional advertising to deliver the contracted impressions at a later date.  The deferred portion of the revenue associated with undelivered impressions is referred to as a make-good provision. In rare cases, the Company will make a cash refund of the portion of the contract related to the undelivered impressions. Given the limited history of cash settlements of the make-good provision, the Company recognizes revenue on the guaranteed contracts as the impressions are delivered and no reserve for variable consideration is recorded. The Company defers the revenue associated with the make-good until the advertising airs to the theater attendance specified in the advertising contract. The make-good provision is recorded within accrued expenses in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of March 29, 2018 and December 28, 2017, the Company had a make-good provision of $1.9 million and $5.5 million, respectively.

The Company recognizes revenue as the performance obligation for the advertising services is satisfied. Invoices are generated following the processing of each revenue contract and payment is due from the customer within 30 days of the invoice date. Customers select to pay the invoice in full at the start of a contract or through equal monthly installments over the course of the contract. The Company records deferred revenue when cash payments are received, or invoices are issued, in advance of revenue being earned.  Deferred revenue is classified as a current liability as it is expected to be earned within the next twelve months.

The Company has certain contracts with two-year terms that are noncancelable following a specified date within the contract period.  The estimated revenue expected to be recognized in the future related to these contracted performance obligations that are unsatisfied (or partially unsatisfied) as of March 29, 2018, was $13.2 million, $5.5 million of which is

11


NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

expected to be recognized in 2018 and $7.7 million is expected to be recognized in 2019.  Agreements with a duration less than one year are not included within this disclosure as the Company elected to use the practical expedient in ASC 606-10-50-14 for those contracts.  In addition, other of the Company’s contracts longer than one year that are cancelable are not included within this disclosure.

Disaggregation of Revenue

The Company disaggregates revenue based upon the type of customer: national; local and regional; and beverage concessionaire. This method of disaggregation is in alignment with how revenue is reviewed by management and discussed with and historically disclosed to investors.

The following table summarizes revenue from contracts with customers for the three-month periods ended March 29, 2018 and March 30, 2017:

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

 

March 29,

2018

 

 

March 30,

2017

 

National advertising revenue

 

$

54.8

 

 

$

44.4

 

Local and regional advertising revenue

 

 

17.4

 

 

 

19.1

 

Founding member advertising revenue from

   beverage concessionaire agreements

 

 

8.0

 

 

 

8.4

 

Total revenue

 

$

80.2

 

 

$

71.9

 

Deferred Revenue and Unbilled Accounts Receivable

The changes in deferred revenue for the three months ended March 29, 2018 were as follows (in millions):

 

 

Three months ended

 

 

 

March 29,

2018

 

Balance at beginning of period

 

$

(7.1

)

Performance obligations satisfied

 

 

6.6

 

New contract liabilities

 

 

(5.6

)

Balance at end of period

 

$

(6.1

)

Unbilled accounts receivable is classified as a current asset as it is expected to be billed within the next twelve months. As of March 29, 2018 and December 28, 2017, the Company had $5.9 million and $10.6 million in unbilled accounts receivable, respectively.  

Practical Expedients and Exemptions

The Company expenses sales commissions when incurred as the amortization period would have been one year or less. These costs are recorded within sales and marketing expenses in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income.

The Company does not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for contracts with an original expected length of one year or less.

12


NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

3.  LOSS PER SHARE

Basic earningsloss per share is computed on the basis of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding.  Diluted earnings per share is computed on the basis of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus the effect of potentially dilutive common stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units using the treasury stock method.  The components of basic and diluted earningsloss per NCM, Inc. share are as follows:

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

Three Months Ended

 

September 28,

2017

 

 

September 29,

2016

 

 

September 28,

2017

 

 

September 29,

2016

 

March 29,

2018

 

 

March 30,

2017

 

Net income attributable to NCM, Inc. (in millions)

$

9.4

 

 

$

8.2

 

 

$

5.9

 

 

$

10.7

 

Net loss attributable to NCM, Inc. (in millions)

$

(1.9

)

 

$

(1.3

)

Weighted average shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

63,993,273

 

 

 

59,846,496

 

 

 

61,637,445

 

 

 

59,763,012

 

 

76,640,414

 

 

 

60,309,087

 

Add: Dilutive effect of stock options and

restricted stock

 

288,308

 

 

 

1,032,310

 

 

 

437,132

 

 

 

716,965

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted

 

64,281,581

 

 

 

60,878,806

 

 

 

62,074,577

 

 

 

60,479,977

 

 

76,640,414

 

 

 

60,309,087

 

Income per NCM, Inc. share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Loss per NCM, Inc. share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

$

0.15

 

 

$

0.14

 

 

$

0.10

 

 

$

0.18

 

$

(0.03

)

 

$

(0.02

)

Diluted

$

0.15

 

 

$

0.13

 

 

$

0.10

 

 

$

0.18

 

$

(0.03

)

 

$

(0.02

)


The effect of 90,069,881, 77,320,333, 87,769,71378,273,221 and 76,920,80379,800,145 weighted average exchangeable NCM LLC common units held by the founding members for the three and nine months ended September 28,March 29, 2018 and March 30, 2017, and September 29, 2016, respectively, have been excluded from the calculation of diluted weighted average shares and earningsloss per NCM, Inc. share as they were antidilutive.  NCM LLC common units do not participate in dividends paid on NCM, Inc’sInc.’s common stock.  In addition, there were 935,912, 11,801, 433,2244,352,728 and 26,3874,759,834 stock options and non-vested (restricted) shares for the three and nine months ended September 28,March 29, 2018 and March 30, 2017, and September 29, 2016, respectively, excluded from the calculation as they were antidilutive.  The Company’s non-vested (restricted) shares do not meet the definition of a participating security as the dividends will not be paid if the shares do not vest.

9


NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

3.4.  INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Intangible assets consist of contractual rights to provide the Company’s services within the theaters of the founding members and network affiliates and are stated at cost, net of accumulated amortization.  The Company’s intangible assets with its founding members are recorded at the fair market value of NCM, Inc.’s publicly traded stock as of the date on which the common membership units were issued.  The NCM LLC common membership units are fully convertible into NCM, Inc.’s common stock. In addition, the Company records intangible assets for up-front fees paid to network affiliates upon commencement of a network affiliate agreement. The Company’s intangible assets have a finite useful life and the Company amortizes the assets over the remaining useful life corresponding with the ESAs or the term of the network affiliate agreement.  

Common Unit Adjustments—In accordance with NCM LLC’s Common Unit Adjustment Agreement with its founding members, on an annual basis NCM LLC determines the amount of common membership units to be issued to or returned by the founding members based on theater additions or dispositions during the previous year.  In addition, NCM LLC’s Common Unit Adjustment Agreement requires that a Common Unit Adjustment occur for a specific founding member if its acquisition or disposition of theaters, in a single transaction or cumulatively since the most recent Common Unit Adjustment, results in an attendance increase or decrease in excess of two percent of the annual total attendance at the prior adjustment date.  

During the first quarter of 2018, NCM LLC issued 2,821,710 (3,736,860 issued, net of 915,150 returned) common membership units to its founding members for the rights to exclusive access to the theater screens and attendees added, net of dispositions by the founding members to NCM LLC’s network during the 2017 fiscal year and NCM LLC recorded a net intangible asset of $15.9 million during the first quarter of 2018 as a result of the Common Unit Adjustment.

13


NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

During the first quarter of 2017, NCM LLC issued 2,351,029 common membership units to its founding members for the rights to exclusive access to the theater screens and attendees added, net of dispositions by the founding members to NCM LLC’s network during the 2016 fiscal year.  Also during the first quarter of 2017, NCM, Inc. and NCM LLC entered into a binding Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with AMC to effectuate aspects of a final judgment (the “Final Judgment”) entered into by the Department of Justice (the “DOJ”) in connection with AMC’s acquisition of Carmike Cinemas, Inc. (“Carmike”).  Pursuant to the MOU, the Company issued 18,425,423 NCM LLC common membership units to AMC in respect of the annual attendance at such Carmike theaters in accordance with the Common Unit Adjustment Agreement during the first quarter of 2017.  AMC’s acquisition of Carmike meets the criteria for a Common Unit Adjustment because it resulted in an extraordinary attendance increase of approximately 9.5%.  Further, the Final Judgment required AMC to transfer advertising rights to 17 theaters from NCM LLC to another advertising provider.  Pursuant to the MOU, AMC surrendered 4,657,673 NCM LLC common membership units in respect of such theaters.  The 4,657,673 NCM LLC common membership units were comprised of (i) 2,850,453 NCM LLC common membership units pursuant to the adjustment for divested theaters in the Common Unit Adjustment Agreement and (ii) an additional 1,807,220 NCM LLC common membership units valued at $25.0 million to compensate for NCM LLC’s lost operating income for these theaters during the 10-year term of the Final Judgment.  To facilitate the theater transfers, during the first quarter of 2017, AMC and Regal entered into an amendment of its ESA with NCM LLC and Cinemark entered into a waiver of certain rights under its ESA.  NCM LLC recorded a net intangible asset of $201.8 million during the first quarter of 2017 related to these transactions.  

During the first quarter of 2016, NCM LLC issued 1,416,515 common membership units to its founding members for the rights to exclusive access to the theater screens and attendees added, net of dispositions by the founding members to NCM LLC’s network during the 2015 fiscal year and NCM LLC recorded a net intangible asset of $21.1 million during the first quarter of 2016 as a result of the Common Unit Adjustment.

10


NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

Integration Payments and Other Encumbered Theater Payments—If an existing on-screen advertising agreement with an alternative provider is in place with respect to any acquired theaters, the founding members may elect to receive common membership units related to those encumbered theaters in connection with the Common Unit Adjustment.  If the founding members make this election, then they are required to make payments on a quarterly basis in arrears in accordance with certain run-out provisions pursuant to the ESAs (“integration payments”). Because the Carmike theaters are subject to an existing on-screen advertising agreement with an alternative provider, AMC will make integration payments to NCM LLC. The integration payments will continue until the earlier of (i) the date the theaters are transferred to NCM LLC’s network or (ii) the expiration of the ESA. Integration payments are calculated based upon the advertising cash flow that the Company would have generated if it had exclusive access to sell advertising in the theaters with pre-existing advertising agreements. The ESA additionally entitles NCM LLC to payments related to the founding members’ on-screen advertising commitments under their beverage concessionaire agreements for encumbered theaters. These payments are also accounted for as a reduction to the intangible asset. During the three and nine months ended September 28,March 29, 2018 and March 30, 2017, and September 29, 2016, the Company recorded a reduction to net intangible assets of $6.9 million, $0.7 million, $11.6$2.2 million and $1.5$0.4 million, respectively, related to integration and other encumbered theater payments. These payments received from AMC related to their acquisitions of theaters from Carmike and Rave Cinemas and from Cinemark related to their acquisition of theaters from Rave Cinemas. During the three and nine months ended September 28,March 29, 2018 and March 30, 2017, and September 29, 2016, AMC and Cinemark paid a total of $4.6 million, $0.7 million, $6.1$9.4 million and $1.7$1.0 million, respectively, in integration and other encumbered theater payments (as payments are made one quarter and one month in arrears, respectively). If common membership units are issued to a founding member for newly acquired theaters that are subject to an existing on-screen advertising agreement with an alternative provider, the amortization of the intangible asset commences after the existing agreement expires and NCM LLC can utilize the theaters for all of its services.

 

 

4.5.  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Founding Member Transactions—In connection with NCM, Inc.’s initial public offering (“IPO”), the Company entered into several agreements to define and regulate the relationships among NCM, Inc., NCM LLC and the founding members. They include the following:

ESAs. Under the ESAs, NCM LLC is the exclusive provider within the United States of advertising services in the founding members’ theaters (subject to pre-existing contractual obligations and other limited exceptions for the benefit of the founding members). The advertising services include the use of the digital content network (“DCN”) equipment required to deliver the on-screen advertising and other content included in the Noovie pre-show, use of the lobby entertainment network (“LEN”) and rights to sell and display certain lobby promotions. Further, 30 to 60 seconds of advertising included in the Noovie pre-show is sold to NCM LLC’s founding members to satisfy the founding members’ on-screen advertising commitments under their beverage concessionaire agreements. In consideration for access to the founding members’ theaters, theater patrons, the network equipment required to display on-screen and LEN video advertising and the use of theaters for lobby promotions, the founding members receive a monthly theater access fee.

14


NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

Common Unit Adjustment Agreement. The common unit adjustment agreement provides a mechanism for increasing or decreasing the membership units held by the founding members based on the acquisition or construction of new theaters or sale or closure of theaters that are operated by each founding member and included in NCM LLC’s network.

Common Unit Adjustment Agreement. The Common Unit Adjustment Agreement provides a mechanism for increasing or decreasing the membership units held by the founding members based on the acquisition or construction of new theaters or sale or closure of theaters that are operated by each founding member and included in NCM LLC’s network.

Tax Receivable Agreement. The tax receivable agreement provides for the effective payment by NCM, Inc. to the founding members of 90% of the amount of cash savings, if any, in U.S. federal, state and local income tax or franchise tax that is actually realized as a result of certain increases in NCM, Inc.’s proportionate share of tax basis in NCM LLC’s tangible and intangible assets resulting from the IPO and related transactions.

Software License Agreement. At the date of the Company’s IPO, NCM LLC was granted a perpetual, royalty-free license from NCM LLC’s founding members to use certain proprietary software that existed at the time for the delivery of digital advertising and other content through the DCN to screens in the U.S. NCM LLC has made improvements to this software since the IPO date and NCM LLC owns those improvements, except for improvements that were developed jointly by NCM LLC and NCM LLC’s founding members, if any.

11


NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

The following tables provide summaries of the transactions between the Company and the founding members (in millions):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

Included in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income:

 

September 28,

2017

 

 

September 29,

2016

 

 

September 28,

2017

 

 

September 29,

2016

 

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beverage concessionaire revenue (included in

   advertising revenue) (1)

 

$

6.7

 

 

$

7.5

 

 

$

22.7

 

 

$

21.8

 

Advertising inventory revenue (included in

   advertising revenue) (2)

 

 

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.3

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Theater access fee (3)

 

 

18.1

 

 

 

19.2

 

 

 

57.4

 

 

 

56.8

 

Purchase of movie tickets and concession products

   and rental of theater space (included in selling

   and marketing costs) (4)

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

1.2

 

 

 

1.2

 

Purchase of movie tickets and concession products

   and rental of theater space (included in advertising

   operating costs) (4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

 

Purchase of movie tickets and concession products

   and rental of theater space (included in

   administrative and other costs) (4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.1

 

Non-operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income from notes receivable (included in

   interest income) (5)

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

0.6

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Included in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income:

 

March 29,

2018

 

 

March 30,

2017

 

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beverage concessionaire revenue (included in advertising

   revenue) (1)

 

$

8.0

 

 

$

8.4

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Theater access fee (2)

 

 

20.6

 

 

 

20.6

 

Purchase of movie tickets and concession products and

   rental of theatre space (included in selling and

   marketing costs) (3)

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

0.5

 

Non-operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income from notes receivable (included in

   interest income) (4)

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

(1)

For the ninethree months ended September 28,March 29, 2018 and March 30, 2017, and September 29, 2016, two of the founding members purchased 60 seconds of on-screen advertising time and one founding member purchased 30 seconds (with all three founding members having a right to purchase up to 90 seconds) from NCM LLC to satisfy their obligations under their beverage concessionaire agreements at a 30 second equivalent cost per thousand (“CPM”) rate specified by the ESA.

(2)

The value of such purchases is calculated by reference to NCM LLC’s advertising rate card.

(3)

Comprised of payments per theater attendee and payments per digital screen with respect to the founding member theaters included in the Company’s network, including payments for access to higher quality digital cinema equipment.

(4)(3)

Used primarily for marketing to NCM LLC’s advertising clients.

(5)(4)

On December 26, 2013, NCM LLC sold its Fathom Events business to a newly formed limited liability company (AC JV, LLC) owned 32% by each of the founding members and 4% by NCM LLC.  In consideration for the sale, NCM LLC received a total of $25.0 million in promissory notes from its founding members (one-third or approximately $8.3 million from each founding member).  The notes bear interest at a fixed rate of 5.0% per annum, compounded annually.  Interest and principal payments are due annually in six equal installments commencing on the first anniversary of the closing.

 

 

As of

 

Included in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets:

 

September 28,

2017

 

 

December 29,

2016

 

Current portion of notes receivable - founding members (1)

 

 

4.2

 

 

 

5.6

 

Long-term portion of notes receivable - founding members (1)

 

 

8.3

 

 

 

8.3

 

Interest receivable on notes receivable (included in other

   current assets) (1)

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

0.3

 

Common unit adjustments, net of amortization and integration

   payments (included in intangible assets) (2)

 

 

702.2

 

 

 

529.9

 

Current payable to founding members under tax receivable

   agreement (3)

 

 

15.9

 

 

 

18.4

 

Long-term payable to founding members under tax receivable

   agreement (3)

 

 

144.2

 

 

 

143.4

 

15


NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

 

As of

 

Included in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets:

 

March 29,

2018

 

 

December 28,

2017

 

Purchase of movie tickets and concession products

   (included in prepaid expenses)

 

$

0.2

 

 

$

 

Current portion of notes receivable - founding members (1)

 

 

4.2

 

 

 

4.2

 

Long-term portion of notes receivable - founding members (1)

 

 

4.1

 

 

 

4.1

 

Interest receivable on notes receivable (included in other

   current assets) (1)

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

 

Common unit adjustments, net of amortization and integration

   payments (included in intangible assets) (2)

 

 

694.9

 

 

 

687.1

 

Current payable to founding members under tax receivable

   agreement (3)

 

 

19.6

 

 

 

19.6

 

Long-term payable to founding members under tax receivable

   agreement (4)

 

 

214.3

 

 

 

212.6

 

 

 

(1)

Refer to the discussion of notes receivable from the founding members above.

12


NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

(2)

Refer to Note 3—4—Intangible Assets for further information on common unit adjustments and integration payments.

 

(3)

The Company paid the founding members $17.3$18.8 million in the second quarter of 2017 which was for the 2016 tax year. The Company paid the founding members $23.5 millionpayment for 2017 occurred in the firstsecond quarter of 2016,2018.

(4)

These balances have been recast following the adoption of which $2.7 million was net operating loss carrybacks for the 2013 year and $20.8 million was for the 2015 tax year.change in accounting principle discussed within Note 1—The Company.

Pursuant to the terms of the NCM LLC Operating Agreement in place since the completion of the Company’s IPO, NCM LLC is required to make mandatory distributions on a proportionate basis to its members of available cash, as defined in the NCM LLC Operating Agreement, on a quarterly basis in arrears.  Mandatory distributions of available cash for the three and nine months ended September 28,March 29, 2018 and March 30, 2017 and September 29, 2016 were as follows (in millions):

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

September 28,

2017

 

 

September 29,

2016

 

 

September 28,

2017

 

 

September 29,

2016

 

 

March 29,

2018

 

 

March 30,

2017

 

AMC

 

$

8.1

 

 

$

7.8

 

 

$

16.3

 

 

$

11.3

 

 

$

2.2

 

 

$

2.0

 

Cinemark

 

 

9.6

 

 

 

8.6

 

 

 

15.6

 

 

 

11.8

 

 

 

3.0

 

 

 

1.5

 

Regal

 

 

9.5

 

 

 

8.9

 

 

 

15.5

 

 

 

12.1

 

 

 

3.2

 

 

 

1.5

 

Total founding members

 

 

27.2

 

 

 

25.3

 

 

 

47.4

 

 

 

35.2

 

 

 

8.4

 

 

 

5.0

 

NCM, Inc.

 

 

25.9

 

 

 

19.6

 

 

 

39.0

 

 

 

26.6

 

 

 

8.1

 

 

 

3.2

 

Total

 

$

53.1

 

 

$

44.9

 

 

$

86.4

 

 

$

61.8

 

 

$

16.5

 

 

$

8.2

 

 

    The mandatory distributions of available cash by NCM LLC to its founding members for the three months ended September 28, 2017March 29, 2018 of $27.2$8.4 million is included in amounts due to founding members, net on the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 28, 2017March 29, 2018 and will be made in the fourthsecond quarter of 2017.2018.  The mandatory distributions to NCM, Inc. are eliminated in consolidation.

Amounts due to founding members, net as of September 28, 2017March 29, 2018 were comprised of the following (in millions):

 

 

 

AMC

 

 

Cinemark

 

 

Regal

 

 

Total

 

Theater access fees, net of beverage revenues

   and encumbered theater payments

 

$

1.2

 

 

$

0.9

 

 

$

1.3

 

 

$

3.4

 

Distributions payable to founding members

 

 

8.1

 

 

 

9.6

 

 

 

9.5

 

 

 

27.2

 

Integration payments due from founding members

 

 

(6.2

)

 

 

(0.3

)

 

 

 

 

 

(6.5

)

Cost and other reimbursement

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.1

)

Total amounts due to founding members

 

$

3.0

 

 

$

10.2

 

 

$

10.8

 

 

$

24.0

 

Amounts due to founding members as of December 29, 2016 were comprised of the following (in millions):

 

AMC

 

 

Cinemark

 

 

Regal

 

 

Total

 

 

AMC

 

 

Cinemark

 

 

Regal

 

 

Total

 

Theater access fees, net of beverage revenues

and encumbered theater payments

 

$

1.6

 

 

$

0.9

 

 

$

1.4

 

 

$

3.9

 

Theatre access fees, net of beverage revenues

and other encumbered theater payments

 

$

1.5

 

 

$

1.0

 

 

$

1.6

 

 

$

4.1

 

Distributions payable to founding members

 

 

12.3

 

 

 

13.6

 

 

 

14.0

 

 

 

39.9

 

 

 

2.2

 

 

 

3.0

 

 

 

3.2

 

 

 

8.4

 

Integration payments due from founding members

 

 

(0.7

)

 

 

(0.3

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1.0

)

 

 

(1.6

)

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

 

 

 

(1.7

)

Cost and other reimbursement

 

 

 

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

 

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

 

Total amounts due to founding members

 

$

13.2

 

 

$

14.1

 

 

$

15.4

 

 

$

42.7

 

Total amounts due to founding members, net

 

$

2.1

 

 

$

4.0

 

 

$

4.7

 

 

$

10.8

 

 

 

1316


NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

Common Unit Membership Redemption—The NCM LLC Operating Agreement provides a redemption rightAmounts due to founding members, net as of December 28, 2017 were comprised of the founding members to exchange common membership unitsfollowing (in millions):

 

 

AMC

 

 

Cinemark

 

 

Regal

 

 

Total

 

Theatre access fees, net of beverage revenues

   and other encumbered theater payments

 

$

1.5

 

 

$

1.0

 

 

$

1.5

 

 

$

4.0

 

Distributions payable to founding members

 

 

10.8

 

 

 

13.5

 

 

 

13.3

 

 

 

37.6

 

Integration payments due from founding members

 

 

(8.5

)

 

 

(0.4

)

 

 

 

 

 

(8.9

)

Total amounts due to founding members, net

 

$

3.8

 

 

$

14.1

 

 

$

14.8

 

 

$

32.7

 

As of NCM LLC for shares of the Company’s common stock on a one-for-one basis, or at the Company’s option, a cash payment equal to the market price of one share of NCM, Inc. common stock. During the third quarter of 2017,March 29, 2018, AMC exercised the redemption right of an aggregate 14.6owned 1.0 million common membership units for a like number of shares of NCM, Inc.’s common stock. Pursuant to ASC 810-10-45, the Company accounted for the change in its ownership interest in NCM LLC as an equity transaction whereby, the issuance of shares of NCM, Inc. common stock were offset by the purchase of NCM LLC’s (a subsidiary’s) equity within the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Equity. Further, no gain or loss was recognized in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. AMC also exercised the redemption right of an aggregate 200,000 common membership units for a like number of shares of NCM, Inc.’s common stock in December 2015. Duringand during the three months ended September 28,March 29, 2018 and March 30, 2017, 12.0 million of these shares were sold and as of September 28, 2017, 2.8 million of these shares remained outstanding. The Company did not receive any proceeds from the sale of its common stock by AMC. The 2.8 million shares were subsequently sold on September 29, 2017. During the three and nine months ended September 28, 2017 and September 29, 2016, AMC received cash dividends of approximately $0.2 million and $0.0 million, $0.0 million, $0.1 million and $0.1 millionrespectively, on its shares of NCM, Inc. common stock. During the nine months ended September 28, 2017, the Company recorded a reduction to deferred tax assets of $2.4 million for its additional ownership interest in NCM LLC as a result of these redemptions to reflect the tax effective difference between the tax basis and the book basis, the majority of which will be amortized over a 15-year period for federal income tax purposes. In addition, the Company recorded a decrease of $1.1 million during the nine months ended September 28, 2017 in its long-term payable to founding members for the estimated payment to the founding members of 90% of the amount of cash savings, if any, in U.S. federal, state and local income tax or franchise tax that the Company expects to realize as a result of the deferred tax asset, which is recorded at its present value. The discount on this liability is a temporary difference that resulted in the reduction of $0.4 million to the deferred tax liability during the nine months ended September 28, 2017. 

Memorandum of Understanding with AMCPursuant to the Final Judgment, AMC is required to divest the majority of its equity interests in NCM LLC and NCM, Inc., so that by June 20, 2019 it owns no more than 4.99% of NCM LLC’s common membership units and NCM, Inc. common stock, taken together, on a fully converted basis (“NCM’s outstanding equity interests”). AMC must complete the divestiture per the following schedule: (i) on or before December 20, 2017, AMC must own no more than 15.0% of NCM’s outstanding equity interests, (ii) on or before December 20, 2018, AMC must own no more than 7.5% of NCM’s outstanding equity interests and (iii) on or before June 20, 2019, AMC must own no more than 4.99% of NCM’s outstanding equity interests.  Pursuant to the MOU, AMC also has agreed, among other things, subject to limited exceptions to retain at least 4.5% of NCM’s outstanding equity interests during the term of the Final Judgment, subject to certain exceptions which allow for certain sell downs after the 30-month anniversary of the MOU. As of September 28, 2017, AMC owned 15.2% of NCM’s outstanding equity interests. AMC also agreed to reimburse the Company for its incurred and ongoing costs and expenses in connection with the Final Judgment including, but not limited to, its financial advisor and legal fees up to $1.0 million of such costs and expenses.  During the nine months ended September 28, 2017, the Company incurred $1.3 million of these costs, of which $1.0 million was reimbursed through the “Amounts due to founding members” within the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and the remaining $0.3 million is included in administrative costs within the Condensed Consolidated Income Statement.

AC JV, LLC Transactions—In December 2013, NCM LLC sold its Fathom Events business to a newly formed limited liability company, AC JV, LLC, owned 32% by each of the founding members and 4% by NCM LLC.  The Company accounts for its investment in AC JV, LLC under the equity method of accounting in accordance with ASC 323-30, Investments—Equity Method and Joint Ventures (“ASC 323-30”) because AC JV, LLC is a limited liability company with the characteristics of a limited partnership and ASC 323-30 requires the use of equity method accounting unless the Company’s interest is so minor that it would have virtually no influence over partnership operating and financial policies.  Although NCM LLC does not have a representative on AC JV, LLC’s Board of Directors or any voting, consent or blocking rights with respect to the governance or operations of AC JV, LLC, the Company concluded that its interest was more than minor under the accounting guidance.   The Company’s investment in AC JV, LLC was $1.1$1.0 million and $1.0 million as of SeptemberMarch 29, 2018 and December 28, 2017, and December 29, 2016, respectively. Equity in earnings from AC JV, LLC for the three and nine months ended September 28,March 29, 2018 and March 30, 2017, and September 29, 2016, were $0.0 million $0.0 million,and $0.1 million and $0.0 million, respectively, and is included in non-operating expenses in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.     

 

14


NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

Related Party Affiliates—NCM LLC has an agreement with LA Live, an affiliate of The Anschutz Corporation to provide in-theater advertising.  The Anschutz Corporation is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Anschutz Company, which is the controlling stockholder of Regal.  During the three and nine months ended September 28, 2017 and September 29, 2016, there was $0.1 million, $0.1 million, $0.2 million and $0.2 million, respectively, included in advertising operating costs related to LA Live, and there was approximately $0.1 million and $0.1 million of accounts payable with this company as of September 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016, respectively.

Other Transactions—NCM LLC has an agreement with AEG Live, an affiliate of The Anschutz Corporation, for AEG Live to showcase musical artists in NCM LLC’s Noovie pre-show.  During the three and nine months ended September 28, 2017 and September 29, 2016, NCM LLC recorded approximately $0.4 million, $0.5 million $1.0 million and $1.3 million, respectively, in revenue from AEG Live.  As of September 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016, NCM LLC had approximately $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively, of accounts receivable from AEG Live.

5.6.  BORROWINGS

The following table summarizes NCM LLC’s total outstanding debt as of SeptemberMarch 29, 2018 and December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016 and the significant terms of its borrowing arrangements (in millions):

 

 

Outstanding Balance as of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding Balance as of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Borrowings

 

September 28,

2017

 

 

December 29,

2016

 

 

Maturity

Date

 

Interest

Rate

 

 

March 29,

2018

 

 

December 28,

2017

 

 

Maturity

Date

 

Interest

Rate

 

Revolving credit facility

 

$

 

 

$

15.0

 

 

November 26, 2019

 

(1)

 

 

$

33.0

 

 

$

12.0

 

 

November 26, 2019

 

(1)

 

Term loans

 

 

270.0

 

 

 

270.0

 

 

November 26, 2019

 

(1)

 

 

 

270.0

 

 

 

270.0

 

 

November 26, 2019

 

(1)

 

Senior secured notes due 2022

 

 

400.0

 

 

 

400.0

 

 

April 15, 2022

 

 

6.000%

 

 

 

400.0

 

 

 

400.0

 

 

April 15, 2022

 

6.000%

 

Senior unsecured notes due 2026

 

 

250.0

 

 

 

250.0

 

 

August 15, 2026

 

 

5.750%

 

 

 

250.0

 

 

 

250.0

 

 

August 15, 2026

 

5.750%

 

Total borrowings

 

$

920.0

 

 

$

935.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

953.0

 

 

$

932.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less: debt issuance costs related to term

loans and senior notes

 

 

(9.2

)

 

 

(10.7

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(8.2

)

 

 

(8.7

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carrying value of long-term debt

 

$

910.8

 

 

$

924.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

944.8

 

 

$

923.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

The interest rates on the revolving credit facility and term loans are described below.

Senior Secured Credit Facility—As of September 28, 2017,March 29, 2018, NCM LLC’s senior secured credit facility consisted of a $175.0 million revolving credit facility and a $270.0 million term loan. On May 26, 2016, NCM LLC entered into an incremental amendment of itsThe obligations under the senior secured credit facility wherebyare secured by a lien on substantially all of the revolving credit facility was increased by $40.0 million from $135.0 million to $175.0 million.assets of NCM LLC.

17


NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

Revolving Credit Facility—The revolving credit facility portion of NCM LLC’s total borrowings is available, subject to certain conditions, for general corporate purposes of NCM LLC in the ordinary course of business and for other transactions permitted under the senior secured credit facility, and a portion is available for letters of credit.  As of September 28, 2017,March 29, 2018, NCM LLC’s total availability under the $175.0 million revolving credit facility was $170.2$137.2 million, net of $33.0 million outstanding and $4.8 million in letters of credit.  The unused line fee is 0.50% per annum.  Borrowings under the revolving credit facility bear interest at NCM LLC’s option of either the LIBOR index plus an applicable margin or the base rate (Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate, as defined in the senior secured credit facility) plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin for the revolving credit facility is determined quarterly and is subject to adjustment based upon a consolidated net senior secured leverage ratio for NCM LLC (the ratio of secured funded debt less unrestricted cash and cash equivalents, over a non-GAAP measure defined in the senior secured credit facility).  

Term Loans—The interest rate on the term loans is a rate chosen at NCM LLC’s option of either the LIBOR index plus 2.75% or the base rate (Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate, as defined in the senior secured credit facility) plus 1.75%.  The weighted-average interest rate on the term loans as of September 28, 2017March 29, 2018 was 4.0%4.4%.  Interest on the term loans is currently paid monthly.

The senior secured credit facility contains a number of covenants and financial ratio requirements, with which NCM LLC was in compliance as of September 28, 2017,March 29, 2018, including maintaining a consolidated net senior secured leverage ratio of equal to or less than 6.5 times on a quarterly basis.  In addition, there are no borrower distribution restrictions as long as NCM LLC’s consolidated net senior secured leverage ratio is below 6.5 times and NCM LLC is in compliance with its financial debt covenants.  As of September 28, 2017,March 29, 2018, NCM LLC’s consolidated net senior secured leverage ratio was 3.23.1 times (versus the covenant of 6.5 times).

15


NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

Senior Secured Notes due 2022—On April 27, 2012, NCM LLC completed a private placement of $400.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.000% Senior Secured Notes (the “Notes due 2022”) for which the registered exchange offering was completed on November 26, 2012.  The Notes due 2022 pay interest semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15 of each year, which commenced on October 15, 2012.  The Notes due 2022 are senior secured obligations of NCM LLC, rank the same as NCM LLC’s senior secured credit facility, subject to certain exceptions, and share in the same collateral that secures NCM LLC’s obligations under the senior secured credit facility.  The Notes due 2022 contain certain non-maintenance covenants with which NCM LLC was in compliance as of September 28, 2017.  

Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026—On August 19, 2016, NCM LLC completed a private placement of $250.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.750% Senior Unsecured Notes (the “Notes due 2026”).  The Notes due 2026 pay interest semi-annually in arrears on February 15 and August 15 of each year, which commenced on February 15, 2017.  The Notes due 2026 were issued at 100% of the face amount thereof and are the senior unsecured obligations of NCM LLC and will be effectively subordinated to all existing and future secured debt, including the Notes due 2022, itsNCM LLC’s senior secured credit facility and any future asset backed loan facility.  The Notes due 2026 will rank equally in right of payment with all of NCM LLC’s existing and future senior indebtedness, including the Notes due 2022, NCM LLC’s existing senior secured credit facility, any future asset backed loan facility, in each case, without giving effect to collateral arrangements.  The Notes due 2026 will be effectively subordinated to all liabilities of any subsidiaries that NCM LLC may form or acquire in the future, unless those subsidiaries become guarantors of the Notes due 2026.  NCM LLC does not currently have any subsidiaries, and the Notes due 2026 will not be guaranteed by any subsidiaries that NCM LLC may form or acquire in the future except in very limited circumstances.  The Notes due 2026 contain certain non-maintenance covenants with which NCM LLC was in compliance as of September 28, 2017.

6.7.  INCOME TAXES

Uncertain Tax PositionsThe Company is subject to taxation in the U.S. and various states.  The Company has established a contingency reserve for material, known tax exposures.  The Company’s reserve reflects management’s judgment as to the resolution of the issues involved if subject to judicial review or other settlement.  While the Company believes its reserves are adequate to cover reasonably expected tax risks, there can be no assurance that, in all instances, an issue raised by a tax authority will be resolved at a financial cost that does not exceed its related reserve.  With respect to the reserve, the Company’ income tax expense would include (i) any changes in tax reserves arising from material changes during the period in the facts and circumstances (i.e., new information) surrounding a tax issue and (ii) any difference from the Company’s tax position as recorded in the financial statements and the final resolution of a tax issue during the period.  Such resolution could materially increase or decrease income tax expense in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in future periods and could impact operating cash flows.

Unrecognized tax benefits represent the aggregate tax effect of differences between tax return positions and the amounts otherwise recognized in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.  The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits as of SeptemberMarch 29, 2018 and December 28, 2017, and December 29, 2016, was $0.3 million and $1.6$0.3 million, respectively, excluding accrued interest and penalties, which if recognized would affect the effective tax rate.  The Company recognizes interest and penalties with respect to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and records the liability in income taxes payable in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company recognized $0.0 million, $0.0 million $0.0 million and $0.1 millionan inconsequential amount in interest and penalties during the three and nine months ended September 28, 2017 and September 29, 2016, respectively. The Company has accrued $0.0 million and $0.4 million for the payment of interest and penalties as of September 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016, respectively.  

During the three  and nine months ended September 28, 2017, the Company reversed approximately $1.7 million of its contingency reserve ($1.3 million of unrecognized tax benefits and $0.4 million of accrued interest and penalties) because the statute of limitations expired.  It is reasonably possible that the Company’s total unrecognized tax benefits will decrease by approximately $0.3 million during the next twelve months due to the expiration of certain statutes of limitations.  

During the nine months ended September 28, 2017, the Company recorded a reduction to its deferred tax assets of approximately $35.0 million related to the tax effective difference between the tax basis and book basis of the intangible assets recorded for the extraordinary Common Unit Adjustment, as discussed further in Note 3 – Intangible Assets.  The Company recorded a deferred tax liability of approximately $15.8 million during the nine months ended September 28, 2017 related to imputed interest on the integration payments associated with the extraordinary Common Unit Adjustment.  These items also resulted in a net reduction to additional paid-in capital of approximately $50.8 million. Further, the Company’s deferred tax asset balance as of September 28, 2017, includes a tax basis note receivable of $27.4 million in connection with

 

1618


NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

months ended March 29, 2018 and March 30, 2017, respectively.The Company has accrued $0.1 million and $0.1 million for the common membership unit redemptionpayment of interest and penalties as of March 29, 2018 and December 28, 2017, respectively. As of March 29, 2018, the Company’s reserve for unrecognized tax benefits was $0.3 million. It is reasonably possible that occurred on September 7, 2017, as discussed furtherthis reserve will decrease by this amount to $0.0 million in Note 4 – Related Party Transactions.the next twelve months due to the expiration of certain statutes of limitations.   

7.Tax Reform—On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted the Tax Act which makes broad and complex changes to the U.S. tax code that will affect the Company’s fiscal year ending December 27, 2018, including, but not limited to, (1) reducing the U.S. federal corporate tax rate, (2) allowing full expensing of qualified property, (3) creating a new limitation on deductible interest expense; (4) changing rules related to uses and limitations of net operating loss carryforwards created in tax years beginning after December 31, 2017, and (5) limiting the amount of compensation that can be deducted for highly compensated officers by terminating the exclusion of performance-based compensation from the $1 million per employee, per year limitation.  Following the enactment of the Tax Act, the SEC staff issued SAB 118 which provides guidance on accounting for the tax effects of the Tax Act. SAB 118 provides a measurement period that should not extend beyond one year from the Tax Act enactment date for companies to complete the accounting under ASC 740. While the Company is able to make a reasonable estimate of the impact of the reduction in the corporate tax rate, the Company’s accounting for various elements of the Tax Act may be affected by other related analysis including, but not limited to, bonus depreciation that will allow for immediate expensing of qualified property and the state tax effect of adjustments made to federal temporary differences. As such, the impact of the Tax Act is an estimate pending further information and the analysis noted.

Changes in the Company’s Effective Tax Rate—The Company’s effective tax rate increased from 24.8% for the three months ended March 30, 2017 to 88.6% for the three months ended March 29, 2018 primarily due to tax expense recorded in the three months ended March 29, 2018 upon the vesting of the Company’s restricted stock related to the permanent difference between the allowable deduction for stock based compensation for tax purposes (valued based upon the stock price at vesting) and book purposes  (valued based upon the stock price at grant) due to the decline in the Company’s stock price subsequent to the grant of the shares. This increase was partially offset by a 13.5% decrease in the Company’s current rate following the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act by the US government on December 22, 2017.

8.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Legal Actions—The Company is subject to claims and legal actions in the ordinary course of business.  The Company believes such claims will not have a material effect individually and in the aggregate on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Minimum Revenue Guarantees―As part of the network affiliate agreements entered into in the ordinary course of business under which the Company sells advertising for display in various network affiliate theater chains, the Company has agreed to certain minimum revenue guarantees on a per attendee basis. If a network affiliate achieves the attendance set forth in their respective agreement, the Company has guaranteed minimum revenue for the network affiliate per attendee if such amount paid under the revenue share arrangement is less than its guaranteed amount.  As of September 28, 2017,March 29, 2018, the maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make pursuant to the minimum revenue guarantees is $84.3$77.8 million over the remaining terms of the network affiliate agreements. These minimum guarantees relate to various affiliate agreements ranging in term from one to twenty years, prior to any renewal periods of which some are at the option of the Company. During the ninethree months ended September 28,March 29, 2018 and March 30, 2017, and September 29, 2016, the Company paid $0.1 million and $0.0 million, respectively,made no payments related to these minimum guarantees. For these periods, there are no other affiliate agreements with guaranteed minimums in excess of the revenue share arrangement.

Theater Access Fee Guarantees—In consideration for NCM LLC’s access to the founding members’ theater attendees for on-screen advertising and use of lobbies and other space within the founding members’ theaters for the LEN and lobby promotions, the founding members receive a monthly theater access fee under the ESAs. The theater access fee is composed of a fixed payment per patron, a fixed payment per digital screen (connected to the DCN) and a fee for access to higher quality digital cinema equipment. The payment per theater patron increases by 8% every five years, with this increase last occurring forin fiscal year 2017, and the payment per digital screen and for digital cinema equipment increasesincreasing annually by 5%. The theater access fee paid in the aggregate to all founding members cannot be less than 12% of NCM LLC’s aggregate advertising revenue (as defined in the ESA), or it will be adjusted upward to reach this minimum payment.  As of SeptemberMarch 29, 2018 and December 28, 2017, and December 29, 2016, the Company had no liabilities recorded for the minimum payment, as the theater access fee was in excess of the minimum.

8.

19


NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

9.  FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Fair value is the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair value is estimated by applying the following hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value into three levels and bases the categorization within the hierarchy upon the lowest level of input that is available and significant to the fair value measurement:

Level 1—Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2—Observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

Level 3—Inputs that are generally unobservable and typically reflect management’s estimate of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.

Non-Recurring Measurements—Certain assets are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis. These assets are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances. These assets include long-lived assets, intangible assets, cost and equity methodother investments, notes receivable and borrowings.

Long-Lived Assets, Intangible Assets, Other Investments and Notes Receivable—The Company regularly reviews long-lived assets (primarily property, plant and equipment), intangible assets, investments accounted for under the cost or equity method and notes receivable for impairment whenever certain qualitative factors, events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of the assets may not be fully recoverable. When the estimated fair value is determined to be lower than the carrying value of the asset, an impairment charge is recorded to write the asset down to its estimated fair value.  

17


NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

Other investments consisted of the following (in millions):

 

 

As of

 

 

As of

 

 

September 28,

2017

 

 

December 29,

2016

 

 

March 29,

2018

 

 

December 28,

2017

 

Investment in AC JV, LLC (1)

 

$

1.1

 

 

$

1.0

 

 

$

1.0

 

 

$

1.0

 

Other investments (2)

 

 

2.5

 

 

 

5.6

 

 

 

2.1

 

 

 

2.5

 

Total

 

$

3.6

 

 

$

6.6

 

 

$

3.1

 

 

$

3.5

 

 

 

(1)

Refer to Note 4—5—Related Party Transactions. This investment is accounted for utilizing the equity method

 

(2)

The Company received equity securities in privately held companies as consideration for a portion of advertising contracts. The equity securities wereare accounted for at adjusted cost in accordance with the practicability exception under the cost methodASU 2016-01 and represent an ownership of less than 20%. The Company does not exert significant influence on these companies’ operating or financial activities.

  During the three and nine months ended September 28,March 29, 2018 and March 30, 2017, and September 29, 2016, the Company recorded other-than-temporary impairment charges of $0.0 million, $0.7 million, $3.1$0.4 million and $0.7$1.4 million, respectively, on certain of its investments due to a significant deterioration in the business prospects of the investee or new information regarding the fair value of the investee, inwhich brought the nine months ended September 28, 2017. These impairment charges brought theimpaired investments to a remaining fair value of $0.1 million. The fair value$0.0 million, in the three months ended March 29, 2018 and March 30, 2017. As of March 29, 2018, no other observable price changes or impairments have been recorded as a result of the other investments has not been estimated asCompany’s qualitative assessment of September 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016 as there were no identified events or changes in the circumstances that had a significant adverse effect onof the fair value of those investments and it is not practicable to do so because the equity securities are not in publicly traded companies.remaining investments. The investment in AC JV, LLC was initially valued using comparative market multiples. The other investments were recorded based upon the fair value of the services provided in exchange for the investment. As the inputs to the determination of fair value are based upon non-identical assets and use significant unobservable inputs, they have been classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

As of SeptemberMarch 29, 2018 and December 28, 2017, and December 29, 2016, the Company had notes receivable totaling $12.5$8.3 million and $13.9$8.3 million, respectively, from its founding members related to the sale of Fathom Events, as described in Note 4—5—Related Party Transactions. These notes were initially valued using comparative market multiples.  There were no identified events or changes in circumstances that had a significant adverse effect on the fair value of the notes receivable.  The notes are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy as the inputs to the determination of fair value are based upon non-identical assets and use significant unobservable inputs.

20


NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

Borrowings—The carrying amount of the revolving credit facility is considered a reasonable estimate of fair value due to its floating-rate terms. The estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments where carrying values do not approximate fair value were as follows (in millions):

 

 

As of September 28,

2017

 

 

As of December 29,

2016

 

 

As of March 29,

2018

 

 

As of December 28,

2017

 

 

Carrying Value

 

 

Fair Value (1)

 

 

Carrying Value

 

 

Fair Value (1)

 

 

Carrying Value

 

 

Fair Value (1)

 

 

Carrying Value

 

 

Fair Value (1)

 

Term loans

 

$

270.0

 

 

$

269.6

 

 

$

270.0

 

 

$

272.7

 

 

$

270.0

 

 

$

270.7

 

 

$

270.0

 

 

$

270.8

 

Notes due 2022

 

 

400.0

 

 

 

409.5

 

 

 

400.0

 

 

 

414.5

 

 

 

400.0

 

 

 

405.3

 

 

 

400.0

 

 

 

407.3

 

Notes due 2026

 

 

250.0

 

 

 

233.8

 

 

 

250.0

 

 

 

256.7

 

 

 

250.0

 

 

 

226.6

 

 

 

250.0

 

 

 

235.0

 

 

 

(1)

The Company has estimated the fair value on an average of at least two non-binding broker quotes and the Company’s analysis. If the Company were to measure the borrowings in the above table at fair value on the balance sheet they would be classified as Level 2.2 based upon the inputs utilized.

18


NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

Recurring Measurements—The fair values of the Company’s assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis pursuant to ASC 820-10, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures are as follows (in millions):

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using

 

 

Fair Value as of

September 28,

2017

 

 

Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets

(Level 1)

 

 

Significant Other

Observable

Inputs

(Level 2)

 

 

Significant Unobservable Inputs

(Level 3)

 

 

Fair Value as of

March 29,

2018

 

 

Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets

(Level 1)

 

 

Significant Other

Observable

Inputs

(Level 2)

 

 

Significant Unobservable Inputs

(Level 3)

 

ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash equivalents (1)

 

$

22.3

 

 

$

22.3

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

16.4

 

 

$

12.4

 

 

$

4.0

 

 

$

 

Short-term marketable securities (2)

 

 

3.7

 

 

 

2.0

 

 

 

1.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

22.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

22.0

 

 

 

 

Long-term marketable securities (2)

 

 

15.8

 

 

 

13.7

 

 

 

2.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

13.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

13.2

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

41.8

 

 

$

38.0

 

 

$

3.8

 

 

$

 

 

$

51.6

 

 

$

12.4

 

 

$

39.2

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using

 

 

Fair Value as of

December 29,

2016

 

 

Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets

(Level 1)

 

 

Significant Other

Observable

Inputs

(Level 2)

 

 

Significant Unobservable Inputs

(Level 3)

 

 

Fair Value as of

December 28,

2017

 

 

Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets

(Level 1)

 

 

Significant Other

Observable

Inputs

(Level 2)

 

 

Significant Unobservable Inputs

(Level 3)

 

ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash equivalents (1)

 

$

5.3

 

 

$

0.3

 

 

$

5.0

 

 

$

 

 

$

12.2

 

 

$

8.2

 

 

$

4.0

 

 

$

 

Short-term marketable securities (2)

 

 

26.1

 

 

 

5.2

 

 

 

20.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

13.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

13.1

 

 

 

 

Long-term marketable securities (2)

 

 

19.6

 

 

 

17.3

 

 

 

2.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

16.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

16.2

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

51.0

 

 

$

22.8

 

 

$

28.2

 

 

$

 

 

$

41.5

 

 

$

8.2

 

 

$

33.3

 

 

$

 

 

 

(1)

Cash Equivalents—The Company’s cash equivalents are carried at estimated fair value.  Cash equivalents consist of money market accounts which the Company has classified as Level 1 given the active market for these accounts and commercial paper with original maturities of three months or less, which are classified as Level 2 and are valued as described below.

21


NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

(2)

Short-Term and Long-Term Marketable Securities—The carrying amount and fair value of the marketable securities are equivalent since the Company accounts for these instruments at fair value. The Company’s government agency bonds, commercial paper and certificates of deposit are valued using third party broker quotes. The value of the Company’s government agency bonds is derived from quoted market information. The inputs in the valuation are generally classified as Level 1 given the active market for these securities; however, if an active market does not exist, the inputs are recorded at a lower level in the fair value hierarchy. The value of commercial paper and certificates of deposit is derived from pricing models using inputs based upon market information, including contractual terms, market prices and yield curves. The inputs to the valuation pricing models are observable in the market, and as such are generally classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. For the three and nine months ended September 28,March 29, 2018 and March 30, 2017, and September 29, 2016, there was an inconsequential amount of net realized gains (losses) recognized in interest income and an inconsequential amount of net unrealized holding gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income.  Original cost of short-term marketable securities is based on the specific identification method. As of SeptemberMarch 29, 2018 and December 28, 2017, and December 29, 2016, there was an inconsequential amount$0.2 million and $0.2 million, respectively, of gross unrealized losses related to individual securities of $1.4$8.2 million and $8.2 million, respectively, that had been in a continuous loss position for 12 months or longer. The Company has the intention and ability to hold these securities to maturity.

19


NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

The amortized cost basis, aggregate fair value and maturities of the marketable securities the Company held as of SeptemberMarch 29, 2018 and December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016 were as follows:

 

 

As of September 28, 2017

 

 

As of March 29, 2018

 

 

Amortized Cost

Basis

(in millions)

 

 

Aggregate Fair

Value

(in millions)

 

 

Maturities (1)

(in years)

 

 

Amortized Cost

Basis

(in millions)

 

 

Aggregate Fair

Value

(in millions)

 

 

Maturities (1)

(in years)

 

MARKETABLE SECURITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term U.S. government treasury bonds

 

$

1.2

 

 

$

1.2

 

 

 

0.1

 

Short-term municipal bonds

 

$

0.5

 

 

$

0.5

 

 

 

0.9

 

Short-term U.S. government agency bonds

 

 

0.8

 

 

 

0.8

 

 

 

0.9

 

 

 

3.6

 

 

 

3.6

 

 

 

0.8

 

Short-term commercial paper:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial

 

 

4.0

 

 

 

4.0

 

 

 

0.1

 

Industrial

 

 

9.9

 

 

 

10.0

 

 

 

0.2

 

Utility

 

 

2.0

 

 

 

2.0

 

 

 

0.3

 

Short-term certificates of deposit

 

 

1.7

 

 

 

1.7

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

1.9

 

 

 

1.9

 

 

 

0.8

 

Total short-term marketable securities

 

 

3.7

 

 

 

3.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

21.9

 

 

 

22.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term municipal bonds

 

 

1.9

 

 

 

1.9

 

 

 

2.4

 

 

 

1.3

 

 

 

1.3

 

 

 

2.3

 

Long-term U.S. government agency bonds

 

 

11.9

 

 

 

11.8

 

 

 

2.5

 

 

 

9.0

 

 

 

8.8

 

 

 

2.4

 

Long-term financial certificates of deposit:

 

 

2.1

 

 

 

2.1

 

 

 

2.0

 

Long-term certificates of deposit:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial

 

 

3.1

 

 

 

3.1

 

 

 

1.8

 

Total long-term marketable securities

 

 

15.9

 

 

 

15.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13.4

 

 

 

13.2

 

 

 

 

 

Total marketable securities

 

$

19.6

 

 

$

19.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

35.3

 

 

$

35.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of December 29, 2016

 

 

 

Amortized Cost

Basis

(in millions)

 

 

Aggregate Fair

Value

(in millions)

 

 

Maturities (1)

(in years)

 

MARKETABLE SECURITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term U.S. government treasury bonds

 

$

1.2

 

 

$

1.2

 

 

 

0.8

 

Short-term municipal bonds

 

 

2.9

 

 

 

2.9

 

 

 

0.6

 

Short-term U.S. government agency bonds

 

 

1.0

 

 

 

1.0

 

 

 

0.5

 

Short-term commercial paper

 

 

13.0

 

 

 

13.0

 

 

 

0.1

 

Short-term certificates of deposit:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial

 

 

7.7

 

 

 

7.7

 

 

 

0.6

 

Industrial

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

0.9

 

Total short-term marketable securities

 

 

26.1

 

 

 

26.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term municipal bonds

 

 

1.9

 

 

 

1.8

 

 

 

2.7

 

Long-term U.S. government agency bonds

 

 

15.6

 

 

 

15.5

 

 

 

3.5

 

Long-term certificates of deposit

 

 

2.2

 

 

 

2.3

 

 

 

2.6

 

Total long-term marketable securities

 

 

19.7

 

 

 

19.6

 

 

 

 

 

Total marketable securities

 

$

45.8

 

 

$

45.7

 

 

 

 

 

22


NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

 

As of December 28, 2017

 

 

 

Amortized Cost

Basis

(in millions)

 

 

Aggregate Fair

Value

(in millions)

 

 

Maturities (1)

(in years)

 

MARKETABLE SECURITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term U.S. government agency bonds

 

 

2.3

 

 

 

2.2

 

 

 

0.9

 

Short-term certificates of deposit

 

 

0.9

 

 

 

0.9

 

 

 

0.8

 

Short-term commercial paper:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial

 

 

6.0

 

 

 

6.0

 

 

 

0.3

 

Industrial

 

 

4.0

 

 

 

4.0

 

 

 

0.3

 

Total short-term marketable securities

 

 

13.2

 

 

 

13.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term municipal bonds

 

 

1.9

 

 

 

1.9

 

 

 

2.1

 

Long-term U.S. government agency bonds

 

 

10.4

 

 

 

10.2

 

 

 

2.5

 

Long-term certificates of deposit

 

 

4.1

 

 

 

4.1

 

 

 

1.8

 

Total long-term marketable securities

 

 

16.4

 

 

 

16.2

 

 

 

 

 

Total marketable securities

 

$

29.6

 

 

$

29.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Maturities—Securities available for sale include obligations with various contractual maturity dates some of which are greater than one year. The Company considers the securities to be liquid and convertible to cash within 30 days.

9.10.  SUBSEQUENT EVENT

On NovemberMay 3, 2017,2018, the Company declared a cash dividend of $0.22$0.17 per share (approximately $16.8$13.1 million) on each share of the Company’s common stock (not including outstanding restricted stock which will accrue dividends until the shares vest) to stockholders of record on November 16, 2017May 18, 2018 to be paid on DecemberJune 1, 2017.

On October 20, 2017, AMC exercised its redemption right of an aggregate 1.0 million common membership units for a like number of shares of NCM, Inc.’s common stock which increased the Company’s ownership to 49.5%.2018.

 

 

 


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

Some of the information in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), as amended.  All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this Form 10-Q, including, without limitation, certain statements under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”,Operations,” may constitute forward-looking statements.  In some cases, you can identify these “forward-looking statements” by the specific words, including but not limited to “may,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative of those words and other comparable words.  These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties.  Our actual results could differ materially from those indicated in these statements as a result of certain factors as more fully discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” contained below and in our annual report on Form 10-K for the Company’s fiscal year ended December 29, 2016.28, 2017. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included herein and the audited financial statements and other disclosure included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the Company’s fiscal year ended December 29, 2016.28, 2017. In the following discussion and analysis, the term net income refers to net income attributable to NCM, Inc.

Overview

We are America's Movie Network. As the #1 weekend network for Millennials (age 18-34) in the U.S., we are the connector between brands and movie audiences. We currently derive revenue principally from the sale of advertising to national, regional and local businesses in Noovie, our cinema advertising and entertainment pre-show seen on movie screens across the U.S. We also sell advertising on our LEN, a series of strategically-placed screens located in movie theater lobbies, as well as other forms of advertising and promotions in theater lobbies. In addition, we sell online and mobile advertising through our Cinema Accelerator digital product to reach entertainment audiences beyond the theater. We have long-term ESAs (approximately 19 years remaining as of September 28, 2017)March 29, 2018) with the founding members and multi-year agreements with our network affiliates, which expire at various dates between March 5,December 31, 2018 and July 22, 2031. The weighted average remaining term (based on attendance) of the ESAs and the network affiliate agreements is 17.116.6 years as of September 28, 2017.March 29, 2018. The ESAs and network affiliate agreements grant NCM LLC exclusive rights in their theaters to sell advertising, subject to limited exceptions. Our Noovie pre-show and LEN programming are distributed predominantly via satellite through our proprietary DCN. Approximately 98% of the aggregate founding member and network affiliate theater attendance is generated by theaters connected to our DCN (the remaining screens receive advertisements on USB drives) and 100% of the Noovie pre-show is projected on digital projectors (91%(93% digital cinema projectors and 9%7% LCD projectors) as of September 28, 2017.March 29, 2018.

Management focuses on several measurements that we believe provide us with the necessary ratios and key performance indicators to manage our business, determine how we are performing versus our internal goals and targets, and against the performance of our competitors and other benchmarks in the marketplace in which we operate. Senior executives hold meetings at least once per quarter with officers to discuss and analyze operating results and address significant variances to budget and prior year in an effort to identify trends and changes in our business. We focus on operating metrics including changes in revenue, OIBDA, Adjusted OIBDA and Adjusted OIBDA margin, as defined and discussed below, as some of our primary measurement metrics. In addition, we monitor our monthly advertising performance measurements, including advertising inventory utilization, national and local and regional advertising pricing (CPM), local and regional advertising rate per screen per week, national and local and regional and total advertising revenue per attendee.  We also monitor free cash flow, the dividend coverage ratio, financial leverage ratio (net debt divided by Adjusted OIBDA including integration payments and other encumbered theater payments), cash balances and revolving credit facility availability to ensure financial debt covenant compliance and that there is adequate cash availability to fund our working capital needs and debt obligations and current and future dividends declared by our Board of Directors.

Our operating results may be affected by a variety of internal and external factors and trends described more fully in the section entitled “Risk Factors” below and in our Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 24, 2017March 19, 2018 for our fiscal year ended December 29, 2016.28, 2017.

 


Summary Historical and Operating Data

You should read this information with the other information contained in this document, and our unaudited historical financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this document. We have recast previously disclosed amounts for the first quarter of 2017 income tax expense and non-operating gain (loss) related to our TRA with the founding members to reflect the impact of a change in accounting principle and an immaterial non-cash error which was corrected within the Company’s Form 10-K for the period ending December 28, 2017. Refer to Note 1 to the unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this document.

The following table presents operating data, OIBDA and Adjusted OIBDA (dollars in millions, except share and margin data):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

% Change

 

 

 

 

 

% Change

 

 

Q3 2017

 

 

Q3 2016

 

 

YTD 2017

 

 

YTD 2016

 

 

Q3 2017 to

Q3 2016

 

 

YTD 2017 to

YTD 2016

 

 

Q1 2018

 

 

Q1 2017

 

 

Q1 2018 to

Q1 2017

 

Revenue

 

$

116.4

 

 

$

113.5

 

 

$

285.4

 

 

$

305.1

 

 

 

2.6

%

 

 

(6.5

%)

 

$

80.2

 

 

$

71.9

 

 

 

11.5

%

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Advertising

 

 

43.3

 

 

 

42.6

 

 

 

130.8

 

 

 

129.2

 

 

 

1.6

%

 

 

1.2

%

 

 

42.6

 

 

 

43.2

 

 

 

(1.4

%)

Network, administrative and unallocated

costs

 

 

22.8

 

 

 

22.5

 

 

 

70.9

 

 

 

75.2

 

 

 

1.3

%

 

 

(5.7

%)

 

 

26.6

 

 

 

23.6

 

 

 

12.7

%

Total operating expenses

 

 

66.1

 

 

 

65.1

 

 

 

201.7

 

 

 

204.4

 

 

 

1.5

%

 

 

(1.3

%)

 

 

69.2

 

 

 

66.8

 

 

 

3.6

%

Operating income

 

 

50.3

 

 

 

48.4

 

 

 

83.7

 

 

 

100.7

 

 

 

3.9

%

 

 

(16.9

%)

 

 

11.0

 

 

 

5.1

 

 

 

115.7

%

Non-operating expenses

 

 

16.1

 

 

 

27.8

 

 

 

47.8

 

 

 

60.7

 

 

 

(42.1

%)

 

 

(21.3

%)

 

 

13.5

 

 

 

12.7

 

 

 

6.3

%

Income tax expense

 

 

2.3

 

 

 

(1.1

)

 

 

2.6

 

 

 

1.3

 

 

NM

 

 

 

100.0

%

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

22.5

 

 

 

13.5

 

 

 

27.4

 

 

 

28.0

 

 

 

66.7

%

 

 

(2.1

%)

Net income attributable to NCM, Inc.

 

$

9.4

 

 

$

8.2

 

 

$

5.9

 

 

$

10.7

 

 

 

14.6

%

 

 

(44.9

%)

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

 

1.0

 

 

 

(1.8

)

 

 

(155.6

%)

Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

 

 

(1.6

)

 

 

(4.5

)

 

 

(64.4

%)

Net loss attributable to NCM, Inc.

 

$

(1.9

)

 

$

(1.3

)

 

 

46.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income per NCM, Inc. basic share

 

$

0.15

 

 

$

0.14

 

 

$

0.10

 

 

$

0.18

 

 

 

7.1

%

 

 

(44.4

%)

Net income per NCM, Inc. diluted share

 

$

0.15

 

 

$

0.13

 

 

$

0.10

 

 

$

0.18

 

 

 

15.4

%

 

 

(44.4

%)

Net loss per NCM, Inc. basic share

 

$

(0.03

)

 

$

(0.02

)

 

 

50.0

%

Net loss per NCM, Inc. diluted share

 

$

(0.03

)

 

$

(0.02

)

 

 

50.0

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OIBDA

 

$

59.7

 

 

$

57.3

 

 

$

111.9

 

 

$

127.2

 

 

 

4.2

%

 

 

(12.0

%)

Adjusted OIBDA

 

$

62.6

 

 

$

60.9

 

 

$

122.5

 

 

$

144.3

 

 

 

2.8

%

 

 

(15.1

%)

 

$

23.3

 

 

$

17.6

 

 

 

32.4

%

Adjusted OIBDA margin

 

 

53.8

%

 

 

53.7

%

 

 

42.9

%

 

 

47.3

%

 

 

0.1

%

 

 

(4.4

%)

 

 

29.1

%

 

 

24.5

%

 

 

4.6

%

Total theater attendance (in millions) (1)

 

 

150.6

 

 

 

179.6

 

 

 

492.1

 

 

 

524.1

 

 

 

(16.1

%)

 

 

(6.1

%)

 

 

177.0

 

 

 

181.5

 

 

 

(2.5

%)

 

NM = Not meaningful.

(1)

Represents the total attendance within our advertising network, excluding screens and attendance associated with certain AMC Carmike, AMC Rave and Cinemark Rave theaters that are currently part of another cinema advertising network for all periods presented.


Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Operating Income Before Depreciation and Amortization (“OIBDA”), Adjusted OIBDA and Adjusted OIBDA margin are not financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP in the United States.  OIBDA represents operating income before depreciation and amortization expense.  Adjusted OIBDA excludes from OIBDA non-cash share based compensation costs and Chief Executive Officer transition costs and early lease termination expense.costs.  Adjusted OIBDA margin is calculated by dividing Adjusted OIBDA by total revenue.  Our management uses these non-GAAP financial measures to evaluate operating performance, to forecast future results and as a basis for compensation. The Company believes these are important supplemental measures of operating performance because they eliminate items that have less bearing on its operating performance and so highlight trends in its core business that may not otherwise be apparent when relying solely on GAAP financial measures.  The Company believes the presentation of these measures is relevant and useful for investors because it enables them to view performance in a manner similar to the method used by the Company’s management, helps improve their ability to understand the Company’s operating performance and makes it easier to compare the Company’s results with other companies that may have different depreciation and amortization policies, non-cash share based compensation programs, CEO turnover, early lease termination expense, interest rates, debt levels or income tax rates. A limitation of these measures, however, is that they exclude depreciation and amortization, which represent a proxy for the periodic costs of certain capitalized tangible and intangible assets used in generating revenues in the Company’s business. In addition, Adjusted OIBDA has the limitation of not reflecting the effect of the Company’s share based payment costs or costs associated with the resignation of the Company’s former Chief Executive Officer or early lease termination costs.Officer. OIBDA or Adjusted OIBDA should not be regarded as an alternative to operating income, net income or as indicators of operating performance, nor should they be considered in isolation of, or as substitutes for financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. The Company believes that operating income is the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure to OIBDA. Because not all companies use identical calculations, these non-GAAP presentations may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies, or calculations in the Company’s debt agreement.


The following table reconciles operating income to OIBDA and Adjusted OIBDA for the periods presented (dollars in millions):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Q3 2017

 

 

Q3 2016

 

 

YTD 2017

 

 

YTD 2016

 

 

Q1 2018

 

 

Q1 2017

 

Operating income

 

$

50.3

 

 

$

48.4

 

 

$

83.7

 

 

$

100.7

 

 

$

11.0

 

 

$

5.1

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

9.4

 

 

 

8.9

 

 

 

28.2

 

 

 

26.5

 

 

 

9.5

 

 

 

9.6

 

OIBDA

 

$

59.7

 

 

$

57.3

 

 

$

111.9

 

 

$

127.2

 

 

$

20.5

 

 

$

14.7

 

Share-based compensation costs (1)

 

 

2.8

 

 

 

3.4

 

 

 

8.3

 

 

 

13.7

 

 

 

2.8

 

 

 

2.7

 

CEO transition costs (2)

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

3.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.2

 

Early lease termination expense (3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.8

 

 

 

 

Adjusted OIBDA

 

$

62.6

 

 

$

60.9

 

 

$

122.5

 

 

$

144.3

 

 

$

23.3

 

 

$

17.6

 

Total revenue

 

$

116.4

 

 

$

113.5

 

 

$

285.4

 

 

$

305.1

 

 

$

80.2

 

 

$

71.9

 

Adjusted OIBDA margin

 

 

53.8

%

 

 

53.7

%

 

 

42.9

%

 

 

47.3

%

 

 

29.1

%

 

 

24.5

%

 

 

(1)

Share-based compensation costs are included in network operations, selling and marketing and administrative expense (YTD 2016 includes $2.3 million of expense associated with modifying the former CEO’s equity awards in the first nine months of 2016) in the accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

(2)

Chief Executive Officer transition costs represent severance, consulting, relocation and other costs.

(3)

Early lease termination expense represents an expense recorded upon the early termination of the lease of our corporate headquarters because the early termination payment made by the Company was reimbursed by the landlord of the new building.

Basis of Presentation

The results of operations data for the three and nine months ended September 28,March 29, 2018 (first quarter of 2018) and March 30, 2017 (third(first quarter of 2017) and September 29, 2016 (third quarter of 2016) was derived from the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and accounting records of NCM, Inc. and should be read in conjunction with the notes thereto.

Results of Operations

ThirdFirst Quarter of 20172018 and ThirdFirst Quarter of 20162017

Revenue. Total revenue increased 2.6%11.5%, from $113.5$71.9 million for the thirdfirst quarter of 20162017 to $116.4$80.2 million for the thirdfirst quarter of 2017.2018.  The following is a summary of revenue by category (in millions):

 

 

 

 

$ Change

 

 

% Change

 

 

 

 

 

$ Change

 

 

% Change

 

 

Q3 2017

 

 

Q3 2016

 

 

Q3 2017 to

Q3 2016

 

 

Q3 2017 to

Q3 2016

 

 

Q1 2018

 

 

Q1 2017

 

 

Q1 2018 to

Q1 2017

 

 

Q1 2018 to

Q1 2017

 

National advertising revenue

 

$

84.5

 

 

$

82.3

 

 

$

2.2

 

 

 

2.7

%

 

$

54.8

 

 

$

44.4

 

 

$

10.4

 

 

 

23.4

%

Local and regional advertising revenue

 

 

25.2

 

 

 

23.7

 

 

 

1.5

 

 

 

6.3

%

 

 

17.4

 

 

 

19.1

 

 

 

(1.7

)

 

 

(8.9

%)

Founding member advertising revenue from

beverage concessionaire agreements

 

 

6.7

 

 

 

7.5

 

 

 

(0.8

)

 

 

(10.7

%)

 

 

8.0

 

 

 

8.4

 

 

 

(0.4

)

 

 

(4.8

%)

Total revenue

 

$

116.4

 

 

$

113.5

 

 

$

2.9

 

 

 

2.6

%

 

$

80.2

 

 

$

71.9

 

 

$

8.3

 

 

 

11.5

%


The following table shows data on theater attendance and revenue per attendee for the thirdfirst quarter of 20172018 and the thirdfirst quarter of 2016:

 

 

 

 

 

% Change

 

 

 

Q3 2017

 

 

Q3 2016

 

 

Q3 2017 to

Q3 2016

 

National advertising revenue per attendee

 

$

0.561

 

 

$

0.458

 

 

 

22.5

%

Local and regional advertising revenue per attendee

 

$

0.167

 

 

$

0.132

 

 

 

26.5

%

Total advertising revenue (excluding founding

   member beverage revenue) per attendee

 

$

0.728

 

 

$

0.590

 

 

 

23.4

%

Total advertising revenue per attendee

 

$

0.773

 

 

$

0.632

 

 

 

22.3

%

Total theater attendance (in millions) (1)

 

 

150.6

 

 

 

179.6

 

 

 

(16.1

%)

(1)

Represents the total attendance within our advertising network, excluding screens and attendance associated with certain AMC Carmike, AMC Rave and Cinemark Rave theaters that are currently part of another cinema advertising network for all periods presented.


National advertising revenue.The $2.2 million, or 2.7%, increase in national advertising revenue (excluding beverage revenue from the founding members) was due primarily to an increase of $2.7 million, or 29.9%, in online, mobile and other revenue not included in the inventory measured by impressions sold or CPMs and a 2.0% increase in impressions sold, partially offset by a 2.7% decrease in national advertising CPMs (excluding beverage). The increase in impressions sold was due to higher demand in the scatter market in the third quarter of 2017, compared to the third quarter of 2016, partially offset by lower upfront and content partner spending quarter over quarter, which resulted in an increase in national inventory utilization from 132.5% in the third quarter of 2016 to 161.3% in the third quarter of 2017, on a 16.1% decrease in network attendance. Inventory utilization is calculated as utilized impressions divided by total advertising impressions, which is based on eleven 30-second salable national advertising units in our Noovie pre-show, which can be expanded, should market demand dictate. The decrease in national advertising CPMs (excluding beverage) in the third quarter of 2017, compared to the third quarter of 2016, was due to lower CPMs on scatter revenue, and to a lesser extent on revenue from upfront advertisers, year over year.

Local and regional advertising revenue. The $1.5 million, or 6.3%, increase in local and regional advertising revenue was primarily due to an increase in revenue from contracts over $100,000, driven primarily by higher advertising within the automotive category and a $0.6 million increase in online and mobile revenue during the third quarter of 2017, compared to the third quarter of 2016. These increases in local and regional advertising revenue were partially offset by lower revenue on contracts less than $100,000 in the third quarter of 2017, compared to the third quarter of 2016.

Founding member beverage revenue.  The $0.8 million, or 10.7%, decrease in national advertising revenue from the founding members’ beverage concessionaire agreements was primarily due to an 18.1% decrease in founding member attendance, partially offset by a 10.2% increase in beverage revenue CPMs, in the third quarter of 2017, compared to the third quarter of 2016. The 2017 beverage revenue CPM is based on the change in CPM during segment one of our pre-show from 2015 to 2016, which increased 10.2%.

Operating expenses. Total operating expenses increased$1.0million, or 1.5%, from $65.1 million for the third quarter of 2016 to $66.1million for the third quarter of 2017.  The following table shows the changes in operating expense for the third quarter of 2017 and the third quarter of 2016 (in millions):2017:

 

 

 

 

 

$ Change

 

 

% Change

 

 

 

Q3 2017

 

 

Q3 2016

 

 

Q3 2017 to

Q3 2016

 

 

Q3 2017 to

Q3 2016

 

Advertising operating costs

 

$

8.9

 

 

$

7.5

 

 

$

1.4

 

 

 

18.7

%

Network costs

 

 

3.7

 

 

 

4.1

 

 

 

(0.4

)

 

 

(9.8

%)

Theater access fees—founding members

 

 

18.1

 

 

 

19.2

 

 

 

(1.1

)

 

 

(5.7

%)

Selling and marketing costs

 

 

17.2

 

 

 

16.8

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

2.4

%

Administrative and other costs

 

 

8.8

 

 

 

8.6

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

2.3

%

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

9.4

 

 

 

8.9

 

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

5.6

%

Total operating expenses

 

$

66.1

 

 

$

65.1

 

 

$

1.0

 

 

 

1.5

%

Advertising operating costs. Advertising operating costs increased $1.4 million, or 18.7%, from $7.5 million for the third quarter of 2016 to $8.9 million for the third quarter of 2017. This increase was primarily due to a $1.2 million increase in affiliate advertising payments related to higher revenue during the third quarter of 2017, compared to the third quarter of 2016 and a 14.6%, or 500 screen, increase in the number of average affiliate screens for the third quarter of 2017, compared to the third quarter of 2016.

Network costs. Network costs decreased $0.4 million, or 9.8%, from $4.1 million for the third quarter of 2016 to $3.7 million for the third quarter of 2017. This decrease was primarily due to a $0.2 million decrease in personnel related expenses due primarily to a lower bonus expense (related to lower performance against internal targets) in the third quarter of 2017 compared to the third quarter of 2016.

Theater access fees—founding members. Theater access fees decreased $1.1 million, or 5.7%, from $19.2 million for the third quarter of 2016 to $18.1 million for the third quarter of 2017. The decrease was due to a $1.3 million decrease in the expense associated with founding member attendance, partially offset by a $0.2 million increase in the expense associated with the founding member digital screens that are connected to the DCN, including higher quality digital cinema projectors and related equipment. The $1.3 million decrease in the theater access fee expense based upon attendance decreased $2.2 million due to a 18.1% decrease in founding member attendance, partially offset by $0.9 million increase due to a contractual 8% rate increase this year (the payment per patron rate increase occurs every five years with this increase taking place in 2017). The $0.2 million increase in digital screen fee expense increased primarily due to an annual 5% increase specified in the ESAs.


Selling and marketing costs.Selling and marketing costs increased $0.4 million, or 2.4%, from $16.8 million for the third quarter of 2016 to $17.2 million for the third quarter of 2017. These expenses increased $0.7 million in online publisher expense related to higher online and mobile revenue, partially offset by $0.3 million in personnel related expenses driven by a decrease in noncash share-based compensation expense (related to lower performance against internal targets).

Administrative and other costs.  Administrative and other costs increased $0.2 million, or 2.3%, from $8.6 million in the third quarter of 2016 to $8.8 million in the third quarter of 2017 due primarily to $0.2 million in legal and professional fees associated with the Final Judgement related to AMC’s acquisition of Carmike that were above the reimbursement limit in the MOU.

Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense increased $0.5 million, or 5.6%, from $8.9 million for the third quarter of 2016 to $9.4 million for the third quarter of 2017 primarily due to an increase in depreciation expense driven by more software being placed into service during the period.

Non-operating expenses.  Total non-operating expenses decreased $11.7 million, or 42.1%, from $27.8 million for the third quarter of 2016 to $16.1 million for the third quarter of 2017.  The following table shows the changes in non-operating expense for the third quarter of 2017 and the third quarter of 2016 (in millions):

 

 

 

 

 

$ Change

 

 

% Change

 

 

 

Q3 2017

 

 

Q3 2016

 

 

Q3 2017 to

Q3 2016

 

 

Q3 2017 to

Q3 2016

 

Interest on borrowings

 

$

13.1

 

 

$

14.3

 

 

$

(1.2

)

 

 

(8.4

%)

Interest income

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

(0.3

)

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

(33.3

%)

Accretion of interest on the discounted

   payable to founding members under

   tax receivable agreement

 

 

3.2

 

 

 

3.4

 

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

(5.9

%)

Loss on early retirement of debt

 

 

 

 

 

10.4

 

 

 

(10.4

)

 

 

(100.0

%)

Total non-operating expenses

 

$

16.1

 

 

$

27.8

 

 

$

(11.7

)

 

 

(42.1

%)

The decrease in non-operating expense was due primarily to the absence of a $10.4 million loss on early retirement of debt recorded in the third quarter of 2016 as a result of the redemption of senior unsecured notes and a $1.2 million decrease in interest on borrowings primarily related to a one-month period between the issuance of and redemption of notes during the third quarter of 2016, whereby interest was paid on both notes for one month in the third quarter of 2016.

Net Income. Net income increased $1.2 million from $8.2 million for the third quarter of 2016 to $9.4 million for the third quarter of 2017. The increase in net income was due to a decrease in non-operating expenses of $11.7 million, as discussed above and a $1.9 million increase in operating income, partially offset by a $9.0 million increase in net income attributable to noncontrolling interests related to higher consolidated net income and a $3.4 million increase in income tax expense related to higher taxable income and a decrease in the tax benefit realized quarter over quarter due to the reversals of the reserve for uncertain tax positions.

Nine Months Ended September 28, 2017 and September 29, 2016

Revenue. Total revenue decreased 6.5%, from $305.1 million for the nine months ended September 29, 2016 to $285.4 million for the nine months ended September 28, 2017.  The following is a summary of revenue by category (in millions):

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

$ Change

 

 

% Change

 

 

 

September 28,

2017

 

 

September 29,

2016

 

 

YTD 2017 to

YTD 2016

 

 

YTD 2017 to

YTD 2016

 

National advertising revenue

 

$

194.9

 

 

$

215.5

 

 

$

(20.6

)

 

 

(9.6

%)

Local and regional advertising revenue

 

 

67.8

 

 

 

67.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.0

%

Founding member advertising revenue from

   beverage concessionaire agreements

 

 

22.7

 

 

 

21.8

 

 

 

0.9

 

 

 

4.1

%

Total revenue

 

$

285.4

 

 

$

305.1

 

 

$

(19.7

)

 

 

(6.5

%)


The following table shows data on theatre attendance and revenue per attendee for the nine months ended September 28, 2017 and September 29, 2016:

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

% Change

 

 

 

 

 

% Change

 

 

September 28,

2017

 

 

September 29,

2016

 

 

YTD 2017 to

YTD 2016

 

 

Q1 2018

 

 

Q1 2017

 

 

Q1 2018 to

Q1 2017

 

National advertising revenue per attendee

 

$

0.396

 

 

$

0.411

 

 

 

(3.6

%)

 

$

0.310

 

 

$

0.245

 

 

 

26.5

%

Local and regional advertising revenue per attendee

 

$

0.138

 

 

$

0.129

 

 

 

7.0

%

 

$

0.098

 

 

$

0.105

 

 

 

(6.7

%)

Total advertising revenue (excluding founding

member beverage revenue) per attendee

 

$

0.534

 

 

$

0.541

 

 

 

(1.3

%)

 

$

0.408

 

 

$

0.350

 

 

 

16.6

%

Total advertising revenue per attendee

 

$

0.580

 

 

$

0.582

 

 

 

(0.3

%)

 

$

0.453

 

 

$

0.396

 

 

 

14.4

%

Total theater attendance (in millions) (1)

 

 

492.1

 

 

 

524.1

 

 

 

(6.1

%)

 

 

177.0

 

 

 

181.5

 

 

 

(2.5

%)

 

 

(1)

Represents the total attendance within our advertising network, excluding screens and attendance associated with certain AMC Carmike, AMC Rave and Cinemark Rave theaters that are currently part of another cinema advertising network for all periods presented.

National advertising revenue. The $20.6$10.4 million, or 9.6%23.4%, decreaseincrease in national advertising revenue (excluding beverage revenue from NCM LLC’sthe founding members) was due primarily to an 8.5% decrease in national advertising CPMs (excluding beverage) and a 5.3% decrease21.8% increase in impressions sold, in the first nine monthsan increase of 2017, compared to the first nine months of 2016, partially offset by a $4.0$1.9 million or 12.9%, increase in online, mobile and other revenue not included in the inventory measured by impressions sold or CPMs. The decreaseCPMs and a 2.3% increase in national advertising CPMs was due primarily to lower CPMs on revenue from upfront advertisers, including content partners, year over year.(excluding beverage). The decreaseincrease in national advertising impressions sold was primarily due to lower content partner spending andsignificantly higher demand in the scatter market, forwhich is inventory not included within an upfront or content partner commitment sold closer to the advertisement air date typically at higher CPMs, in the first nine monthsquarter of 2017,2018, compared to the first nine monthsquarter of 2016. However,2017, partially offset by lower upfront and content partner spending quarter over quarter. The increase in impressions resulted in an increase in national inventory utilization remained almost consistent, with a slight increase from 112.9%76.2% in the first nine monthsquarter of 20162017 to 113.9%95.2% in the first nine monthsquarter of 2017, on2018, despite a 6.1%2.5% decrease in network attendance. Inventory utilization is calculated as utilized impressions divided by total advertising impressions, which is based on eleven 30-second salable national advertising units in our Noovie pre-show, which can be expanded, should market demand dictate. The increase in national advertising CPMs (excluding beverage) in the first quarter of 2018, compared to the first quarter of 2017, was due to heavier weight of high CPM scatter revenue.

Local and regional advertising revenue. Local and regional advertising revenue remained constant at $67.8The $1.7 million, for the first nine months of 2017 and 2016, primarily due to an increase in revenue from contracts over $100,000, driven primarily by higher sales within the automotive industry and a $1.5 million increase in online and mobile revenue during the first nine months of 2017, compared to the first nine months of 2016. These increasesor 8.9%, decrease in local and regional advertising revenue were offset by an equivalentwas primarily due to a 10.5% decrease in the amounttotal volume of local and regional contracts less than $100,000 in the first nine months of 2017, compared to the first nine monthsquarter of 2016.2017 primarily related to a 30.0% decrease in the number of contracts greater than $100,000. Additionally, we believe the decrease in volume of contracts was in part related to a transition period following the reassignment of accounts and sales management following a realignment of the local and regional sales department in December 2017.

Founding member beverage revenue.  The $0.9$0.4 million, or 4.1%4.8%, increasedecrease in national advertising revenue from the founding members’ beverage concessionaire agreements was primarily due primarily to a 10.2%4.1% decrease in founding member attendance, partially offset by a 1.1% increase in beverage revenue CPMs, partially offset by an 8.0% decrease in founding member attendance in the first nine monthsquarter of 2017,2018, compared to the first nine monthsquarter of 2016.2017. The 20172018 beverage revenue CPM is based on the change in CPM during segment one of our pre-show from 20152016 to 2016,2017, which increased 10.2%1.1%.

Operating expenses.Total operating expenses decreased $2.7 increased$2.4million, or 1.3%3.6%, from $204.4$66.8 million for the nine months ended September 29, 2016first quarter of 2017 to $201.7 $69.2million for the nine months ended September 28, 2017.first quarter of 2018.  The following table shows the changes in operating expense for the nine months ended September 28,first quarter of 2018 and the first quarter of 2017 and September 29, 2016 (in millions):

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

$ Change

 

 

% Change

 

 

 

 

 

$ Change

 

 

% Change

 

 

September 28,

2017

 

 

September 29,

2016

 

 

YTD 2017 to

YTD 2016

 

 

YTD 2017 to

YTD 2016

 

 

Q1 2018

 

 

Q1 2017

 

 

Q1 2018 to

Q1 2017

 

 

Q1 2018 to

Q1 2017

 

Advertising operating costs

 

$

21.4

 

 

$

20.8

 

 

$

0.6

 

 

 

2.9

%

 

$

7.0

 

 

$

5.0

 

 

$

2.0

 

 

 

40.0

%

Network costs

 

 

11.9

 

 

 

12.9

 

 

 

(1.0

)

 

 

(7.8

%)

 

 

3.5

 

 

 

4.2

 

 

 

(0.7

)

 

 

(16.7

%)

Theater access fees—founding members

 

 

57.4

 

 

 

56.8

 

 

 

0.6

 

 

 

1.1

%

 

 

20.6

 

 

 

20.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.0

%

Selling and marketing costs

 

 

54.2

 

 

 

54.5

 

 

 

(0.3

)

 

 

(0.6

%)

 

 

16.0

 

 

 

18.1

 

 

 

(2.1

)

 

 

(11.6

%)

Administrative and other costs

 

 

28.6

 

 

 

32.9

 

 

 

(4.3

)

 

 

(13.1

%)

 

 

12.6

 

 

 

9.3

 

 

 

3.3

 

 

 

35.5

%

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

28.2

 

 

 

26.5

 

 

 

1.7

 

 

 

6.4

%

 

 

9.5

 

 

 

9.6

 

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

(1.0

%)

Total operating expenses

 

$

201.7

 

 

$

204.4

 

 

$

(2.7

)

 

 

(1.3

%)

 

$

69.2

 

 

$

66.8

 

 

$

2.4

 

 

 

3.6

%

 


Advertising operating costs. Advertising operating costs increased $0.6$2.0 million, or 2.9%40.0%, from $20.8$5.0 million for the first nine monthsquarter of 20162017 to $21.4$7.0 million for the first nine monthsquarter of 2017.2018. This increase was primarily the result ofdue to a $1.0$1.8 million increase in affiliate advertising payments related to higher revenue during the first quarter of 2018, compared to the first quarter of 2017, and a $0.6 million increase in personnel related expenses. The


increase in affiliate advertising payments was primarily driven by a 10.7%5.5%, or 367362 screen, increase in the number of average affiliate screens as well as a slight increase in the associated revenue share percentages for the new affiliates for the first nine monthsquarter of 2017,2018, compared to the first nine monthsquarter of 2016. The increase in personnel related expenses were primarily related to higher salary expense in the first nine months of 2017, compared to the first nine months of 2016. These increases in advertising operating costs were partially offset by a $1.0 million decrease in production costs related to lower revenue in the first nine months of 2017, compared to the first nine months of 2016.2017.

Network costs. Network costs decreased $1.0$0.7 million, or 7.8%16.7%, from $12.9$4.2 million for the first nine monthsquarter of 20162017 to $11.9$3.5 million compared tofor the first nine monthsquarter of 2017.2018. This decrease was primarily relateddue to a $0.5$0.8 million decrease in personnel related expenses due to lower salaries and bonus expense (related to lower performance against internal targets) and a $0.2 million decrease in network maintenance costs related to our DCN in the first nine monthsquarter of 2017,2018 as compared to the first nine monthsquarter of 2016.2017. This decrease is primarily due to severance expense recorded in the first quarter of 2017 due to the elimination of certain positions within network operations and the resulting decrease in salary expense in the first quarter of 2018 due to the aforementioned reduction in headcount.

Theater access fees—founding members. Theater access fees increased $0.6 million, or 1.1%, from $56.8remained flat at $20.6 million for the first nine monthsquarter of 2016 to $57.42017 and 2018. The expense associated with founding member attendance decreased $0.5 million for the first nine months of 2017. The increase was due to a $0.84.1% decrease in founding member attendance which was offset by a $0.5 million increase in the expense associated with the founding member digital screens that are connected to the DCN, including higher quality digital cinema projectors and related equipment, partially offset by a $0.2 million decrease in the expense associated with founding member attendance in the first nine months of 2017, compareddue to the first nine months of 2016. The $0.8 million increase in digital screen fee expense increased primarily due to an annual 5% increase specified in the ESAs. The $0.2 million decrease in the theater access fee expense based upon attendance decreased $2.9 million due to an 8.0% decrease in founding member attendance, partially offset by an increase of $2.7 million due to a contractual 8% rate increase (the payment per patron rate increase occurs every five years with this increase taking place in 2017).

Selling and marketing costs. Selling and marketing costs decreased $0.3$2.1 million, or 0.6%11.6%, from $54.5$18.1 million for the first nine months ended 2016quarter of 2017 to $54.2$16.0 million for the first nine months ended 2017.quarter of 2018. This decrease was primarily duerelated to a $1.8 million decrease in personnel related expenses due primarily to lower commission based expense and lower non-cash share-based compensation expense (related to lower revenue and lower performance against internal targets) and a $1.0 million decrease in non-cash barterimpairment expense related to the nature and timing of these expenses in the first nine monthsquarter of 2017,2018, compared to the first nine monthsquarter of 2016. These decreases in selling and marketing costs were partially offset by a $2.4 million increase in non-cash impairment expense recorded during the first nine months of 2017, compared to the first nine months of 2016, related to investments obtained in prior years in exchange for advertising services.services, a $0.4 million decrease in market research expense, and a $0.3 million decrease in barter expense in the first quarter of 2018, compared to the first quarter of 2017.

Administrative and other costs.  Administrative and other costs decreased $4.3increased $3.3 million, or 13.1%35.5%, from $32.9$9.3 million forin the first nine monthsquarter of 20162017 to $28.6$12.6 million forin the first nine monthsquarter of 20172018 primarily due primarily to 1) a $3.0$2.0 million increase in personnel related expenses due to a decrease in CEO transitioncapitalized personnel costs becausedriven by the nature of severance expense that occurredthe work being performed by our information technology department during the first nine monthsquarter of 2016, and 2) $2.3 million of expense related to the modification of the former CEO’s equity awards that occurred during the first nine months of 2016. In addition, personnel related expenses decreased approximately $1.4 million during the first nine months of 2017,2018 as compared to the first nine monthsquarter of 2016 due to lower2017, an increase in bonus expense and non-cash share-based compensation (related to lowerdriven by more favorable projected performance against internal targets). These decreasesbonus targets in 2018 as compared to 2017, an increase in the amount of personnel focused on developing and managing digital products in the first quarter of 2018 as compared to the first quarter of 2017, and an increase in share-based compensation expense driven by the departure of certain members of the Company’s leadership team effective in March 2018. Additionally, administrative and other costs were partially offset byincreased during the first quarter of 2018 due to a $1.8$0.7 million early lease termination charge forincrease in consulting services, the accrual of certain performance bonuses and licensing costs related to our corporate headquarters (the payment of which was reimbursed by the new landlord).digital products and a $0.3 million increase in other legal and professional expenses.

Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense increased $1.7decreased $0.1 million, or 6.4%1.0%, from $26.5$9.6 million for the first nine monthsquarter of 20162017 to $28.2$9.5 million for the first nine monthsquarter of 2017. The increase was2018 primarily due to an increasea decrease in depreciationamortization expense primarily from more software being placed into service.of intangible assets.


Non-operating expenses. Total non-operating expenses decreased $12.9increased $0.8 million, or 21.3%6.3%, from $60.7$12.7 million for the nine months ended September 29, 2016first quarter of 2017 to $47.8$13.5 million for the nine months ended September 28, 2017.first quarter of 2018. The following table shows the changes in non-operating expense for the nine months ended September 28,first quarter of 2018 and the first quarter of 2017 and September 29, 2016 (in millions):

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

$ Change

 

 

% Change

 

 

 

 

 

$ Change

 

 

% Change

 

 

September 28,

2017

 

 

September 29,

2016

 

 

YTD 2017 to

YTD 2016

 

 

YTD 2017 to

YTD 2016

 

 

Q1 2018

 

 

Q1 2017

 

 

Q1 2018 to

Q1 2017

 

 

Q1 2018 to

Q1 2017

 

Interest on borrowings

 

$

39.4

 

 

$

41.2

 

 

$

(1.8

)

 

 

(4.4

%)

 

$

13.8

 

 

$

13.2

 

 

$

0.6

 

 

 

4.5

%

Interest income

 

 

(1.0

)

 

 

(1.3

)

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

(23.1

%)

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

(0.4

)

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

(50.0

%)

Accretion of interest on the discounted payable to founding members under tax receivable agreement

 

 

9.5

 

 

 

10.4

 

 

 

(0.9

)

 

 

(8.7

%)

Loss on early retirement of debt

 

 

 

 

 

10.4

 

 

 

(10.4

)

 

 

(100.0

%)

Other non-operating expense

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

 

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

(100.0

%)

Gain on re-measurement of the

payable to founding members under the

tax receivable agreement

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

 

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

100.0

%

Other non-operating income

 

 

 

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

(100.0

%)

Total non-operating expenses

 

$

47.8

 

 

$

60.7

 

 

$

(12.9

)

 

 

(21.3

%)

 

$

13.5

 

 

$

12.7

 

 

$

0.8

 

 

 

6.3

%

The decreaseincrease in non-operating expense was due primarily to the absence of a $10.4$0.6 million loss on early retirement of debt recorded in the first nine months of 2016 as a result of the redemption of senior unsecured notes and a $1.8 million decreaseincrease in interest on borrowings primarily related to a one-month period betweenhigher LIBOR rate on our term loans for the issuance of and redemption of notes during the thirdfirst quarter of 2016, whereby interest was paid on both notes for one month in2018 as compared to the thirdfirst quarter of 2016.2017.


Net IncomeLoss. Net income decreased $4.8loss increased $0.6 million from $10.7$1.3 million for the first nine monthsquarter of 20162017 to $5.9$1.9 million forin the first nine monthsquarter of 2017.2018. The decreaseincrease in net incomeloss was due to a $17.0$2.9 million decrease in operating income relatednet loss attributable to lower revenue as outlined above andnoncontrolling interests, a $1.3$2.8 million increase in income tax expense related toand a decrease$0.8 million increase in the tax benefit realized period over period due to the reversals of the reserve for uncertain tax positions,other non-operating expenses, partially offset by a $12.9$5.9 million decreaseincrease in non-operating expenses, as described further above, and a $0.6 million decreaseoperating income primarily due to higher revenue in net income attributablethe first quarter of 2018, compared to noncontrolling interests related to lower net income.the first quarter of 2017.

Known Trends and Uncertainties

Trends and Uncertainties Related to our Business, Industry and Corporate Structure

Our Marketplace—Changes in the current macro-economic environment and changes in the national, regional and local advertising markets present uncertainties that could impact our results of operations, including the timing and amount of spending from our advertising clients as expenditures from advertisers tend to be cyclical, reflecting overall economic conditions, as well as our clients’ budgeting and buying patterns.  In the current environment, it is difficult to know if these changes are short-term or temporary in nature or are long-term trends and changes. These changes include increased competition related to the expansion of online and mobile advertising platforms as well as fluctuations from quarter to quarter of the demand from national, regional and local advertisers.  Further, we could negatively be impacted by factors that could reduce the viewership of our Noovie pre-show, such as the expansion of reserved seating (utilized in approximately 41.2%45.4% of our network as of October 3, 2017)March 29, 2018), online ticketing, an increase in the number and length of trailers for upcoming films, increased dwell time of patrons in exhibitor lobbies before showtime and lower network attendance, which could result from shortening of release windows, more alternative methods of delivering movies to consumers, lower consumer confidence and disposable income and a decline in the motion picture box office. The motion picture box office could be impacted by audience’s interest in the available motion pictures, shrinking theatrical exclusive release windows, and the marketing efforts of the major motion picture studios. These factors may affect the attractiveness of our offerings to advertisers.  If pre-show viewership declines significantly, we will be required to provide additional advertising time (makegoods) to national advertisers to reach agreed-on audience delivery thresholds.  National advertising sales and rates also are dependent on the methodology used to measure audience impressions. If a change is made to this methodology that reflects fewer audience impressions available during the pre-show, this would adversely affect our revenues and results of operations. The impact to our business associated with these issues could be mitigated over time due to factors including the increase in salable advertising impressions, better geographic coverage related to the expansion of our network, diversification and growth of our advertising client base, improvements in Noovie pre-show engagement and upgrades to our inventory management and data management systems. We could also benefit if the effectiveness of cinema advertising improves relative to other advertising mediums.


We continue to participateThrough continued participation in the televisionadvertising upfront advertising selling process andmarketplace, we believe that over time a shift towardwe will be able to secure more upfront commitments wouldfrom advertisers. This will allow us to bundle several client flights throughout the year in an effort to stabilize month-to-month and quarter-to-quarter volatility. Consistent with the television industry upfront booking practices, a portion of our upfront commitments have cancellation options or options to reduce the amount that advertisers may purchase and we would need to rely on the scatter market to replace those commitments. In addition, advertising sold through our upfront commitments may be placed throughout the period very irregularly which may affect our overall sales; for example, if a substantial portion of advertising from our upfront commitments is scheduled for peak periods of advertising demand, we will have fewer peak period advertising slots available for sale into the higher priced scatter market. Volatility in scatter market demand could cause our financial results to vary period to period.

Our Network—The change in the number of screens in our network by the founding members and network affiliates during the first ninethree months of 20172018 was as follows.

 

 

Number of screens

 

 

 

Founding Members

 

 

Network Affiliates

 

 

Total

 

Balance as of December 29, 2016

 

 

17,022

 

 

 

3,526

 

 

 

20,548

 

New affiliates (1)

 

 

 

 

 

475

 

 

 

475

 

AMC screen transfers (2)

 

 

(318

)

 

 

 

 

 

(318

)

Openings, net of closures

 

 

6

 

 

 

(50

)

 

 

(44

)

Balance as of September 28, 2017

 

 

16,710

 

 

 

3,951

 

 

 

20,661

 

 

 

Number of screens

 

 

 

Founding Members

 

 

Network Affiliates

 

 

Total

 

Balance as of December 29, 2017

 

 

16,808

 

 

 

4,042

 

 

 

20,850

 

  New affiliates (1)

 

 

 

 

 

19

 

 

 

19

 

  Closures, net of openings

 

 

(21

)

 

 

(46

)

 

 

(67

)

Balance as of March 29, 2018

 

 

16,787

 

 

 

4,015

 

 

 

20,802

 

 

 

(1)

Represents fivetwo new affiliates added to our network during the first ninethree months of 2017.

(2)

Refer to Memorandum of Understanding with AMC below for further information.2018.


Thus far in 2017,2018, we have also contracted with two more newanother network affiliatesaffiliate for 77281 screens that will be added to our network later in 2017 and early 2018. We believe that adding screens and attendees to our network will provide our advertising clients with a better marketing product with increased reach and improved geographic coverage.  We have begun to offer our advertising clients better audience targeting capabilities and more robust campaign data analytics that we believe will provide a better product offering and should expand our overall national client base.  We also believe that the continued growth of our market coverage could strengthen our selling proposition and competitive positioning against other national, regional and local video advertising platforms, including television, online and mobile video platforms and other out of home video advertising platforms.

Memorandum of Understanding with AMC—During the first quarter of 2017, NCM, Inc. and NCM LLC entered into a binding MOU with AMC to effectuate aspects of the Final Judgment entered into by the DOJ in connection with AMC’s acquisition of Carmike.  Pursuant to the MOU, AMC received NCM LLC common membership units in respect of the annual attendance at such Carmike theaters in accordance with the Common Unit Adjustment Agreement during the first quarter of 2017.  Since these theaters are subject to an existing on-screen advertising agreement with an alternative provider, AMC will make integration payments to us reflecting the estimated advertising cash flow that we would have generated if we had exclusive access to sell advertising in those theaters. The integration payments will continue until the earlier of (i) the date the theaters are transferred to our network or (ii) the expiration of the ESA. Integration payments are calculated based upon the advertising cash flow that the Company would have generated if it had exclusive access to sell advertising in the theaters with pre-existing advertising agreements and fluctuate based on earnings and Adjusted OIBDA. The ESA additionally entitles NCM LLC to payments related to the founding members’ on-screen advertising commitments under their beverage concessionaire agreements for encumbered theaters. These payments are also accounted for as a reduction to the intangible asset. During the three and nine months ended September 28,March 29, 2018 and March 30, 2017, and September 29, 2016, the Company recorded a reduction to net intangible assets of $6.9 million, $0.7 million, $11.6$2.2 million and $1.5$0.4 million, respectively, related to integration and other encumbered theater payments. During the three and nine months ended September 28,March 29, 2018 and March 30, 2017, and September 29, 2016, AMC and Cinemark paid a total of $4.6million, $0.7 million, $6.1$9.4 million and $1.7$1.0 million, respectively.

Further, during the first quarter of 2017, AMC transferred 17 theaters (318 screens) to another advertising provider in accordance with the Final Judgment, for which AMC surrendered NCM LLC common membership units during the first quarter of 2017.  At the end of the 10-year term of the Final Judgment, these theaters will revert back to us.  Also, in April 2017, AMC completed a sale of five theaters on our network pursuant to the Final Judgment.  AMC will surrender NCM LLC common unit membership units to NCM LLC for these divestures pursuant to the Common Unit Adjustment Agreement at the next Adjustment Date.  These 22 transferred and sold theaters represent approximately 1.3% of our total theater network as of September 28, 2017.  The Common Unit Adjustments are discussed further within Trends Related to Ownership in NCM LLC below.


Lastly, AMC also agreed to reimburse us for our incurred and ongoing costs and expenses in connection with the Final Judgment including, but not limited to, our financial advisor and legal fees up to $1.0 million of such costs and expenses.  During the first nine months of 2017, we incurred $1.3million of these costs, of which $1.0 million was recorded as a reduction to “Amounts due to founding members” within the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and the remaining $0.3 million is included within administrative costs within the Condensed Consolidated Income Statement.

Utilization and Pricing— We have experienced volatility in our pricing (CPMs) over the years, with annual national CPM increases (decreases) ranging from (16.4%) to 9.6%9.7% over the last fourfive years.  In the first ninethree months of 2017,2018, we experienced a declinean increase of 8.5%,2.3% in national advertising CPMs (excluding beverage revenue) compared to the first ninethree months of 2016.2017.  This volatility in pricing can be driven by increased competition from other national video networks, including online and mobile advertising platforms, television networks and other out-of-home video networks and seasonal marketplace supply and demand characteristics. Volatility in pricing is also caused by changes in our customer mix period to period due to the variation in CPMs charged to each customer. We have also experienced volatility in our utilization over the years, with annual national inventory utilization ranging from 109.3% to 128.3% over the last fourfive years.  We experience even more substantial volatility quarter-to-quarter.  This volatility in utilization can be driven by the loss or addition of one or more significant national contracts, whereby the timing and amount of these national contracts can be based upon the advertising budgets of our customers, product launches, the financial performance of our customers or other industry or macro-economic factors.  We expect our CPMs and utilization to continue to be impacted period to period based upon the factors described above.  

Beverage Revenue—Under the ESAs, up to 90 seconds of the Noovie pre-show program can be sold to the founding members to satisfy their on-screen advertising commitments under their beverage concessionaire agreements. For the first ninethree months of 20172018 and 2016,2017, two of the founding members purchased 60 seconds of on-screen advertising time and one founding member purchased 30 seconds to satisfy their obligations under their beverage concessionaire agreements.  The founding members’ current long-term contracts with their beverage suppliers require the 30 or 60 seconds of beverage advertising, although such commitments could change in the future. Should the amount of time acquired as part of these beverage concessionaire agreements decline with the other founding members, this premium time will be available for sale to other clients. Per the ESAs, the time sold to the founding member beverage supplier is priced equal to the advertising CPM for the previous year charged by NCM LLC to unaffiliated third parties during segment one (closest to showtime) of the Noovie pre-show, limited to the highest advertising CPM being then-charged by NCM LLC.  Due to a 10.2%1.1% increase in segment one CPMs in 2017, the CPM on our beverage concessionaire revenue increased during the first quarter of 20172018 by 10.2%1.1% and the remainder of 20172018 will increase by an equivalent percentage.


Theater Access Fees—In consideration for NCM LLC’s access to the founding members’ theater attendees for on-screen advertising and use of lobbies and other space within the founding members’ theaters for the LEN and lobby promotions, the founding members receive a monthly theater access fee under the ESAs. The theater access fee is composed of a fixed payment per patron and a fixed payment per digital screen (connected to the DCN). The payment per theater patron increases by 8% every five years, with this last increase occurring forin fiscal year 2017 and the payment per digital screen increases annually by 5%. Pursuant to the ESAs, the theater access fee paid to the members of NCM LLC included an additional fee for access to the higher quality digital cinema systems. This additional fee will continue to increase as additional screens are equipped with the new digital cinema equipment and the fee increasesincreasing annually by 5%. As of September 28, 2017, 97%March 29, 2018, 98% of our founding member network screens were showing advertising on digital cinema projectors, and thus the future impact on the theater access fee related to additional digital cinema installations within existing founding member theaters is expected to be minimal.  The theater access fee paid in the aggregate to all founding members cannot be less than 12% of NCM LLC’s aggregate advertising revenue (as defined in the ESA), or it will be adjusted upward to reach this minimum payment. As of SeptemberMarch 29, 2018 and December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016, we had no liabilities recorded for the minimum payment, as the theater access fee was in excess of the minimum.

Trends and Uncertainties Related to Liquidity and Financial Performance

Debt—During the past several years, we amended our senior secured credit facility to extend the maturity, expand the revolver availability and reduce the interest rate spreads.  In August 2016, we completed a private placement of $250.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.750% Senior Unsecured Notes due in 2026. A portion of the proceeds were used to redeem our $200.0 million 7.875% Senior Unsecured Notes due in 2021. The remaining proceeds, after the payment of fees and the redemption premium, were used to pay down the balance on our revolving credit facility.  As a result of these financing transactions on our revolving credit facility and senior notes, we extended the average maturities of our debt and as of September 28, 2017March 29, 2018 the weighted average remaining maturity was 5.04.4 years. As of September 28, 2017,March 29, 2018, approximately 71%68% of our total borrowings bear interest at fixed rates.  The remaining 29%32% of our borrowings bear interest at variable rates and as such, our net income and earnings per share could fluctuate with market interest rate fluctuations that could increase the interest paid on our borrowings.


The senior secured credit facility contains a number of covenants and financial ratio requirements, with which NCM LLC was in compliance at September 28, 2017,March 29, 2018, including a consolidated net senior secured leverage ratio as of September 28, 2017March 29, 2018 of 3.23.1 versus a covenant of 6.5 times for each quarterly period.  For purposes of calculating the net consolidated senior secured leverage ratio (senior secured debt divided by Adjusted OIBDA), Adjusted OIBDA includes integration payments by the founding members.  NCM LLC is permitted to make quarterly dividend payments and other payments based on leverage ratios for NCM LLC and its subsidiary so long as no default or event of default has occurred and continues to occur. The quarterly dividend payments and other distributions are made if the consolidated net senior secured leverage ratio is less than or equal to 6.5 times. Refer to Note 5—6—Borrowings to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q for more information regarding the Company’s borrowings.

Dividends— At times our cash flow available for the payment of dividends (NCM LLC’s Adjusted OIBDA, less capital expenditures, interest expense, distributions to NCM LLC’s founding members, income taxes, tax receivable agreement payments to NCM LLC’s founding members and plus integration payments and certain other cash items) has been less than our regular dividend payment. Any deficit has been funded by NCM, Inc.’s cash and marketable securities balances. We expect that such deficits may occur in the future depending on factors such as future operating performance and the number of shares of NCM, Inc. common stock outstanding. We expect to fund any future deficits with NCM, Inc.’s cash and marketable securities balances.  As of September 28, 2017,March 29, 2018, these cash and marketable securities balances totaled $47.3$78.1 million (excluding NCM LLC). We intend to pay a regular quarterly dividend for the foreseeable future at the discretion of the Board of Directors consistent with our intention to distribute over time a substantial portion of our free cash flow. The declaration, payment, timing and amount of any future dividends payable will be at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors who will take into account general economic and advertising market business conditions, the Company’s financial condition, available cash, current and anticipated cash needs, and any other factors that the Board of Directors considers relevant. While it is the intention of the Company to continue our practice of distributing a highsubstantial proportion of our free cash flow actual results, ongoing reinvestment in our network and product offerings, as well as, prudent capital management may reduce such distributable free cash flow in future periods. As a result, the Board of Directors continues to review thesethe factors listed above and others as deemed relevant to determine a sustainable distribution rate which balances our operating and strategic needs with those of our lenders and stockholders.


Trends Related to Ownership in NCM LLC

Common Unit Adjustments—In accordance with NCM LLC’s Common Unit Adjustment Agreement with its founding members, on an annual basis NCM LLC determines the amount of common membership units to be issued to or returned by the founding members based on theater additions or dispositions during the previous year.  In addition, NCM LLC’s Common Unit Adjustment Agreement requires that a Common Unit Adjustment occur for a specific founding member if its acquisition or disposition of theaters, in a single transaction or cumulatively since the most recent Common Unit Adjustment, results in an attendance increase or decrease in excess of two percent of the annual total attendance at the prior adjustment date.  

During the first quarter of 2017, the following Common Unit Adjustments occurred:

1.

Annual Common Unit Adjustment for 2016 Fiscal Year—During the first quarter of 2017,2018, NCM LLC issued 2,821,710 (3,736,860 issued approximately 2.4 million common membership units to its founding members for the rights to exclusive access to the theater screens and attendees added, net of dispositions by the founding members to NCM LLC’s network during the 2016 fiscal year.  

2.

Extraordinary Common Unit Adjustment for AMC’s Acquisition of Carmike—Pursuant to the MOU, NCM LLC issued approximately 18.4 million NCM LLC common membership units to AMC in respect of the annual attendance at Carmike theaters in accordance with the Common Unit Adjustment Agreement.  AMC’s acquisition of Carmike meets the criteria for a Common Unit Adjustment for this acquisition because it resulted in an extraordinary attendance increase of approximately 9.5%.

3.

Surrendered Units for AMC Screen TransfersThe Final Judgment required AMC to transfer advertising rights to 17 theaters from NCM LLC to another advertising provider.  Pursuant to the MOU, AMC surrendered approximately 4.7 million NCM LLC common membership units in respect of such theaters.  The 4.7 million NCM LLC common membership units were comprised of (i) approximately 2.9 million NCM LLC common membership units pursuant to the adjustment for divested theaters in the Common Unit Adjustment Agreement and (ii) approximately 1.8 million NCM LLC common membership units valued at $25.0 million to compensate for lost operating income for these theaters during the 10-year term of the Final Judgment.  

During the third quarter of 2017, AMC exercised the redemption right of an aggregate 14.6 million915,150 returned) common membership units to its founding members for the like numberrights to exclusive access to the theater screens and attendees added, net of shares ofdispositions by the founding members to NCM Inc.’s common stock. The Company accounted forLLC’s network during the change in its ownership interest in2017 fiscal year and NCM LLC recorded a net intangible asset of $15.9 million during the first quarter of 2018 as an equity transaction and no gain or loss was recognized ina result of the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.Common Unit Adjustment.


Overall, NCM, Inc.’s ownership in NCM LLC increaseddecreased to 48.8% as of SeptemberMarch 29, 2018 compared to 49.5% at December 28, 2017 compared to 43.7% at December 29, 2016 due primarily to AMC’s redemption of units for shares of NCM, Inc.’s common stock, partially offset by the common unit adjustmentsadjustment described above, which has proportionally increased net income attributable to NCM, Inc. and decreased net income attributable to noncontrolling interests.

On October 20, 2017, AMC exercised its redemption right of an aggregate 1.0 million common membership units for a like number of shares of NCM, Inc.’s common stock which increased the Company’s ownership in NCM LLC to 49.5%.above.

AMC Mandatory Ownership Divestitures—Pursuant to the Final Judgment, AMC is required to divest the majority of its equity interests in NCM LLC and NCM, Inc., so that by June 20, 2019 it owns no more than 4.99% of NCM LLC’s common membership units and NCM, Inc. common stock, taken together, on a fully converted basis (“NCM’s outstanding equity interests”). AMC must complete the divestiture per the following schedule: (i) on or before December 20, 2017, AMC must own no more than 15.0% of NCM’s outstanding equity interests, (ii) on or before December 20, 2018, AMC must own no more than 7.5% of NCM’s outstanding equity interests and (iii) on or before June 20, 2019, AMC must own no more than 4.99% of NCM’s outstanding equity interests.  Pursuant to the MOU, AMC also has agreed, among other things, subject to limited exceptions, to retain at least 4.5% of NCM’s outstanding equity interests during the term of the Final Judgment, subject to certain exceptions which allow for certain sell downs after the 30-month anniversary of the MOU. As of September 28, 2017,March 29, 2018, AMC owned 17.0% of NCM’s outstanding equity interests. On September 29, 2017, AMC sold 2.8 million shares of NCM, Inc. common stock and as of September 29, 2017 AMC owned 15.2%14.3% of NCM’s outstanding equity interests. When AMC redeems its common membership units for NCM, Inc. common stock, NCM, Inc.’s ownership wouldof NCM LLC will increase proportionally and the number of shares outstanding of NCM, Inc. common stock would increase, which would also result in greater aggregate dividend payments by NCM, Inc. The increase in NCM, Inc.’s ownership would also result in higher available cash payments to NCM, Inc. (and lower available cash payments to AMC). from NCM LLC.

Financial Condition and Liquidity

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our cash balances can fluctuate due to the seasonality of our business and related timing of collections of accounts receivable balances and operating expenditure payments, as well as available cash payments (as defined in the NCM LLC Operating Agreement) to NCM LLC’s founding members, interest or principal payments on our term loan and the Senior Secured Notes and Senior Unsecured Notes, income tax payments, tax receivable agreement payments to NCM LLC’s founding members and amount of quarterly dividends to NCM, Inc.’s common stockholders (including special dividends).

A summary of our financial liquidity is as follows (in millions):

 

 

As of

 

 

$ Change

 

 

$ Change

 

 

As of

 

 

$ Change

 

 

$ Change

 

 

September 28,

2017

 

 

December 29,

2016

 

 

September 29,

2016

 

 

Q3 2017 to

YE 2016

 

 

Q3 2017 to

Q3 2016

 

 

March 29,

2018

 

 

December 28,

2017

 

 

March 30,

2017

 

 

Q1 2018 to

YE 2017

 

 

Q1 2018 to

Q1 2017

 

Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities (1)

 

$

49.9

 

 

$

68.7

 

 

$

54.0

 

 

$

(18.8

)

 

$

(4.1

)

 

$

81.2

 

 

$

59.5

 

 

$

80.9

 

 

$

21.7

 

 

$

0.3

 

NCM LLC revolver availability (2)

 

 

170.2

 

 

 

158.8

 

 

 

170.8

 

 

 

11.4

 

 

 

(0.6

)

 

 

137.2

 

 

 

158.2

 

 

 

143.8

 

 

 

(21.0

)

 

 

(6.6

)

Total liquidity

 

$

220.1

 

 

$

227.5

 

 

$

224.8

 

 

$

(7.4

)

 

$

(4.7

)

 

$

218.4

 

 

$

217.7

 

 

$

224.7

 

 

$

0.7

 

 

$

(6.3

)

 

(1)

Included in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities as of SeptemberMarch 29, 2018, December 28, 2017 December 29, 2016 and September 29, 2016,March 30, 2017, was $2.6$3.1 million, $10.7$4.6 million and $1.4$6.8 million, respectively, of cash and marketable securities held by NCM LLC that is not available to satisfy NCM, Inc.’s dividend, income tax, tax receivable payments to NCM LLC’s founding members and other obligations.

(2)

The revolving credit facility portion of NCM LLC’s total borrowings is available, subject to certain conditions, for general corporate purposes of NCM LLC in the ordinary course of business and for other transactions permitted under the senior secured credit facility, and a portion is available for letters of credit. NCM LLC’s total capacity under the revolving credit facility was $175.0 million as of SeptemberMarch 29, 2018, December 28, 2017 December 29, 2016 and September 29, 2016.March 30, 2017. As of SeptemberMarch 29, 2018, December 28, 2017 December 29, 2016 and September 29, 2016,March 30, 2017, the amount available under the NCM LLC revolving credit facility in the table above, was net letters of credit of $4.8 million, $1.2$4.8 million and $1.2 million, respectively.

 


We have generated and used cash as follows (in millions):

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

September 28,

2017

 

 

September 29,

2016

 

 

Q1 2018

 

 

Q1 2017

 

Operating cash flow

 

$

104.0

 

 

$

90.9

 

 

$

49.5

 

 

$

57.0

 

Investing cash flow

 

$

18.5

 

 

$

(5.1

)

 

$

(9.4

)

 

$

(6.7

)

Financing cash flow

 

$

(115.1

)

 

$

(111.9

)

 

$

(24.3

)

 

$

(43.1

)

 

Operating Activities. The $13.1$7.5 million increasedecrease in cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 28, 2017,first quarter of 2018, compared to the nine months ended September 29, 2016first quarter of 2017 was due primarily to an increasea decrease in the change in accounts receivable of $26.1approximately $22.4 million related to timing of collections and higher collections duringrevenue in the nine months ended September 28, 2017,first quarter of 2018, compared to the nine months ended September 29, 2016,first quarter of 2017. This decrease was partially offset by 1) a $6.4 million increase in the change in accounts payable and accrued expenses due primarily to timing, 2) a $6.2$2.7 million smaller decrease in deferred income tax expense driven by an increase in the Company’s effective tax rate from 24.8% to 88.6%, 3) a $2.3 million decrease in paymentsconsolidated net loss, as described further above and 4) a smaller decrease of $2.0 million in deferred revenue in the first quarter of 2018, compared to founding members under the tax receivable agreement, partially offset by a $17.0 million decrease in operating income, as discussed above.first quarter of 2017.

Investing Activities. The $23.6$2.7 million increase in cash provided byused in investing activities for the nine months ended September 28, 2017,first quarter of 2018, compared to the nine months ended September 29, 2016first quarter of 2017 was due primarily to lower purchases of marketable securities, net of proceeds, of approximately $21.2 million and $1.4 million higherof lower proceeds from founding membermembers notes receivable due to timing of payments.the payments and $0.9 million lower proceeds from marketable securities, net of purchases, partially offset by $0.6 million in higher purchases of property, plant and equipment related to digital product development in the first quarter of 2018, compared to the first quarter of 2017.

Financing Activities. The $3.2$18.8 million increasedecrease in cash used in financing activities forduring the nine months ended September 28, 2017,first quarter of 2018, compared to the nine months ended September 29, 2016first quarter of 2017 was due primarily to $37.4 million of proceeds from the issuance of the Senior Notes due 2026, net of the redemption of the Senior Notes due 2021 in the first nine months of 2016 and a $17.9an $8.4 million increase in distributions to founding members, partially offset by $48.0member integration payments and a $6.0 million of higher repayments,increase in proceeds from borrowings, net of proceeds,repayments under our revolving credit facility and a $4.4 million increase in integration payments and other encumbered theater payments related to founding member encumbered theater acquisitions in the first nine months of 2017, compared to the first nine months of 2016.facility.

Sources of Capital and Capital Requirements.

NCM, Inc.’s primary source of liquidity and capital resources is the quarterly available cash distributions from NCM LLC as well as its existing cash balances and marketable securities, which as of September 28, 2017March 29, 2018 were $47.3$78.1 million (excluding NCM LLC).  NCM LLC’s primary sources of liquidity and capital resources are its cash provided by operating activities, availability under its revolving credit facility and cash on hand.

Management believes that future funds generated from NCM LLC’s operations and cash on hand should be sufficient to fund working capital requirements, NCM LLC’s debt service requirements, and capital expenditure and other investing requirements, through the next twelve months. Cash flows generated by NCM LLC’s distributions to NCM, Inc. and the founding members can be impacted by the seasonality of advertising sales, stock option exercises, interest on borrowings under our revolving credit agreement and to a lesser extent theater attendance. NCM LLC is required pursuant to the terms of the NCM LLC Operating Agreement to distribute its available cash, as defined in the operating agreement, quarterly to its members (NCM LLC’s founding members and NCM, Inc.). The available cash distribution to the members of NCM LLC for the ninethree months ended September 28, 2017March 29, 2018 was approximately $86.4$16.5 million, of which approximately $39.0$8.1 million was distributed to NCM, Inc.  NCM, Inc. expects to use cash received from future available cash distributions and its cash balances to fund income taxes, payments associated with the tax receivable agreement with the founding members and current and future dividends as declared by the Board of Directors, including a dividend declared on NovemberMay 3, 20172018 of $0.22$0.17 per share (approximately $16.8$13.1 million) on each share of the Company’s common stock (not including outstanding restricted stock) to stockholders of record on November 16, 2017May 18, 2018 to be paid on DecemberJune 1, 2017.2018. Distributions from NCM LLC and NCM, Inc. cash balances should be sufficient to fund payments associated with the tax receivable agreement with NCM LLC’s founding members, income taxes and regular dividends for the foreseeable future at the discretion of the Board of Directors. The declaration, payment, timing and amount of any future dividends payable will be at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors who will take into account general economic and advertising market business conditions, the Company’s financial condition, available cash, current and anticipated cash needs, and any other factors that the Board of Directors considers relevant.

 


Critical Accounting Policies

For a discussion of accounting policies that we consider critical to our business operations and understanding of our results of operations, and that affect the more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, see Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Critical Accounting Policies” contained in our annual report on Form 10-K filed for the fiscal year ended December 29, 201628, 2017 and incorporated by reference herein.  As of September 28, 2017,March 29, 2018, there were no significant changes in those critical accounting policies.policies except for the change in barter revenue recognition upon the adoption of ASU 2014-09 in the first quarter of 2018 and the change in the presentation of the payable to founding members under the TRA following the change in accounting principle discussed further within Note 2 – Revenue from Contracts with Customers and Note 1 – The Company to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q, respectively.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

For a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements, see the information provided under Note 1—The Company to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

The Company has considered all other recently issued accounting pronouncements and does not believe the adoption of such pronouncements will have a material impact on its unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Related Party Transactions

For a discussion of related party transactions, see the information provided under Note 4—5—Related Party Transactions to the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Our operating lease obligations, which primarily include office leases, are not reflected on our balance sheet.  See Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Contractual and Other Obligations” contained in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 201628, 2017 and incorporated by reference herein.  We do not believe these arrangements are material to our current or future financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital resources or capital expenditures.

Contractual and Other Obligations

There were no material changes to our contractual obligations during the three months ended September 28, 2017.March 29, 2018.

Seasonality

Our revenue and operating results are seasonal in nature, coinciding with the timing of marketing expenditures by our advertising clients and to a lesser extent the attendance patterns within the film exhibition industry. Both advertising expenditures and theater attendance tend to be higher during the second, third, and fourth fiscal quarters. Advertising revenue is primarily correlated with new product releases, advertising client marketing priorities and economic cycles and to a lesser extent theater attendance levels. Seasonal demand during the summer is driven by the absence of alternative attractive advertising mediums and during the winter holiday season due to consumers’ increased interest in the available motion pictures. The actual quarterly results for each quarter could differ materially depending on these factors or other risks and uncertainties. Based on our historical experience, our first quarter typically has less revenue than the other quarters of a given year due primarily to lower advertising client demand and lower theater industry attendance levels. Accordingly, there can be no assurances that seasonal variations will not materially affect our results of operations in the future.

The following table reflects the quarterly percentage of total revenue for the fiscal years ended 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2016.2017.

 

First

 

 

Second

 

 

Third

 

 

Fourth

 

 

First

 

 

Second

 

 

Third

 

 

Fourth

 

 

Quarter

 

 

Quarter

 

 

Quarter

 

 

Quarter

 

 

Quarter

 

 

Quarter

 

 

Quarter

 

 

Quarter

 

FY 2014

 

 

17.8%

 

 

 

25.4%

 

 

 

25.6%

 

 

 

31.2%

 

FY 2015

 

 

17.2%

 

 

 

27.2%

 

 

 

25.0%

 

 

 

30.6%

 

 

17.2%

 

 

27.2%

 

 

25.0%

 

 

30.6%

 

FY 2016

 

 

17.0%

 

 

 

25.8%

 

 

 

25.4%

 

 

 

31.8%

 

 

17.0%

 

 

25.8%

 

 

25.4%

 

 

31.8%

 

FY 2017

 

16.9%

 

 

22.8%

 

 

27.3%

 

 

33.0%

 


Item 3.  Quantitative and QualitativeQualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The primary market risk to which we are exposed is interest rate risk.  The Notes due 2022 and the Notes due 2026 are at fixed rates, and therefore are not subject to market risk.  As of September 28, 2017,March 29, 2018, the only interest rate risk that we are exposed to is related to our $175.0 million revolving credit facility and our $270.0 million term loan.  A 100-basis point fluctuation in market interest rates underlying our term loan and revolving credit facility would have the effect of increasing or decreasing our cash interest expense by approximately $2.7$3.0 million for an annual period on the $33.0 million revolving credit balance and $270.0 million term loan outstanding as of September 28, 2017.March 29, 2018.  For a discussion of market risks, see Item 7A. “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” contained in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 29, 201628, 2017 and incorporated by reference herein.


Item 4.  Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit to the SEC under the Exchange Act, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the Commission’s rules and forms, and that information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including the Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial and accounting officer) as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.  As of September 28, 2017,March 29, 2018, our management evaluated, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act.  Based on that evaluation, the Company’s management concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of SeptemberMarch 29, 2018 were ineffective due to the material weakness in internal control over financial reporting described below.

At the year ended December 28, 2017, were effective.

There have been no changesa material weakness existed in the Company’s internal controlscontrol over financial reporting relating to the accounting for income taxes under ASC 740, specifically controls over the accuracy and completeness of the deferred tax accounts related to the Company’s tax receivable agreement with the founding members. This material weakness is fully described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 28, 2017.

A material weakness, as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2, is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that occurredthere is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the Company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. 

While this material weakness did not result in errors that were material to our annual or interim financial statements, it could result in misstatements of our consolidated financial statements and disclosures which would result in material misstatement of our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and disclosures which would not be prevented or detected.

Notwithstanding such material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-Q present fairly, in all material respects, our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

In designing and evaluating our disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any control, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. Due to the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected.

Remediation Efforts and Status of Material Weakness

                During the quarter ended March 29, 2018, the Company enhanced the design of certain controls over accounting for income taxes under ASC 740 in accordance with the remediation plan of the material weakness disclosed in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2017. The additional control activities were implemented in the first quarter of 2018 and the operating effectiveness of the resulting controls was tested by internal audit for the first quarter of 2018. Management will continue to test the effectiveness of these new controls in the second quarter of 2018, and consider the material weakness remediated after the applicable remedial controls operate effectively for a sufficient period of time.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting


Other than as discussed above under “Remediation of Previously Disclosed Material Weakness,” there were no changes our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 28, 2017March 29, 2018 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’sour internal controlscontrol over financial reporting.

 

 

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

We are sometimes involved in legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. We are not aware of any other litigation currently pending that would have a material adverse effect on our operating results or financial condition.

Item 1A.  Risk Factors

Excluding the risk factor outlined further below, thereThere have been no material changes from risk factors as previously disclosed in our annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 28, 2017March 19, 2018 for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2016.28, 2017.

The markets for advertising are competitive and we may be unable to compete successfully

The market for advertising is very competitive. Cinema advertising is a small component of video advertising in the U.S. and thus, we must compete with established, larger and better known national and local media platforms such as cable, broadcast and satellite television networks and other video media platforms including those distributed on the internet and mobile networks. In addition to these video advertising platforms, we compete for advertising directly with several additional media platforms, including radio, various local print media and billboards. We also compete with several other local and national cinema advertising companies. We expect all of these competitors to devote significant effort to maintaining and growing their business at our expense. We also expect existing competitors and new entrants to the advertising business, most notably the online and mobile advertising companies, to constantly revise and improve their business models to meet expectations of advertising clients or competing media platforms, including us.  In addition, the pricing and volume of advertising may be affected by shifts in spending toward online and mobile offerings from more traditional media, or toward new ways of purchasing advertising, such as through automated purchasing, dynamic advertising insertion, third parties selling local advertising posts and advertising exchanges, some or all of which may not be as advantageous to the Company as current advertising methods.  Expenditures by advertisers tend to be cyclical, reflecting overall economic conditions, as well as budgeting and buying patterns.  A decline in the economic prospects of advertisers or the economy in general could alter current or prospective advertisers’ spending priorities.  If we cannot respond effectively to changes in the media marketplace in response to new entrants or advances by our existing competitors, our business may be adversely affected.

In addition, advertisers’ willingness to purchase advertising from the Company may be adversely affected by lower theater attendance and viewership of our Noovie pre-show.  If pre-show viewership declines significantly, the Company will be required to provide additional advertising time (makegoods) to national advertisers to reach agreed-on audience delivery thresholds.  National advertising sales and rates also are dependent on the methodology used to measure audience impressions.  If a change is made to this methodology that reflects fewer audience impressions available during the pre-show, this would adversely affect the Company’s revenue and results of operations.


Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of EquityEquity Securities and Use of Proceeds

The table below provides information about shares delivered to the Company from restricted stock held by Company employees upon vesting for purpose of funding the recipient’s tax withholding obligations.

 

Period

 

(a)

Total Number of Shares Purchased

 

 

(b)

Average Price Paid Per Share

 

 

(c)

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

 

 

(d)

Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares that may yet be Purchased under the Plans or Programs

June 30, 2017 through July 27, 2017

 

 

985

 

 

$

7.53

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

July 28, 2017 through August 31 2017

 

 

3,527

 

 

$

6.98

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

September 1, 2017 through September 28, 2017

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

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 Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares that may yet be Purchased under the Plans or Programs

December 29, 2017 through January 25, 2018

 

 

172,783

 

 

$

6.56

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

January 26, 2018 through February 22, 2018

 

 

 

 

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

February 23, 2018 through March 29, 2018

 

 

121,523

 

 

$

7.70

 

 

 

 

 

N/A

Item 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None

Item 4.  Mine Safety Disclosures

Not Applicable

Item 5.  Other Information

None


Item 6.  Exhibits

 

Exhibit

Reference

Description

 

 

 

18.1

*

Preferability letter from Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

31.1

*

Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer.

31.2

*

Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer.

32.1

**

Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.

32.2

**

Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.

101.INS

*

XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH

*

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL

*

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.DEF

*

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

101.LAB

*

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE

*

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

Filed herewith.

**

Furnished herewith.

 

 


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

 

NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC.

 

 

 

(Registrant)

 

 

 

 

Date:

November 7, 2017May 8, 2018

 

/s/ Andrew J. England

 

 

 

Andrew J. England

 

 

 

Chief Executive Officer and Director

 

 

 

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

Date:

November 7, 2017May 8, 2018

 

/s/ Katherine L. Scherping

 

 

 

Katherine L. Scherping

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3738