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10-K - FORM 10-K - LIONS GATE ENTERTAINMENT CORP /CN/v56342e10vk.htm
EX-10.7 - EX-10.7 - LIONS GATE ENTERTAINMENT CORP /CN/v56342exv10w7.htm
EX-21.1 - EX-21.1 - LIONS GATE ENTERTAINMENT CORP /CN/v56342exv21w1.htm
EX-23.1 - EX-23.1 - LIONS GATE ENTERTAINMENT CORP /CN/v56342exv23w1.htm
EX-32.1 - EX-32.1 - LIONS GATE ENTERTAINMENT CORP /CN/v56342exv32w1.htm
EX-23.2 - EX-23.2 - LIONS GATE ENTERTAINMENT CORP /CN/v56342exv23w2.htm
EX-31.1 - EX-31.1 - LIONS GATE ENTERTAINMENT CORP /CN/v56342exv31w1.htm
EX-31.2 - EX-31.2 - LIONS GATE ENTERTAINMENT CORP /CN/v56342exv31w2.htm
EXHIBIT 99.1
Studio 3 Partners L.L.C.
(A development stage enterprise)
Financial Statements
December 31, 2009 and 2008

 


 

Studio 3 Partners L.L.C.
Index
December 31, 2009 and 2008
         
    Page(s)  
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
    1  
 
       
Financial Statements
       
 
       
Balance Sheets
    2  
 
       
Statements of Operations
    3  
 
       
Statements of Changes in Members’ Equity
    4  
 
       
Statements of Cash Flows
    5  
 
       
Notes to the Financial Statements
    6-9  

 


 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board and Members of Studio 3 Partners L.L.C.
In our opinion, the accompanying balance sheets and the related statements of operations, changes in Members’ equity and cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Studio 3 Partners, LLC (a development stage enterprise) at December 31, 2009 and 2008 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2009, the period from April 18, 2008 (date of inception) to December 31, 2008 and the period from April 18, 2008 (date of inception) to December 31, 2009 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 1 to the financial statements, the Company has incurred losses from operations since its inception, has generated negative cash flows from operations since its inception and has entered into significant future programming commitments that raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans with respect to these matters are set forth in Note 1. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
New York, New York
May 25, 2010

1


 

Studio 3 Partners L.L.C.
Balance Sheets
                 
(in thousands)   December 31, 2009     December 31, 2008  
Assets
               
Current assets
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 9,211     $ 5,176  
Program rights
    97,603       7,660  
Prepaid expenses and other assets
    1,012       68  
 
           
Total current assets
    107,826       12,904  
 
               
Non-current assets
               
Program rights
    56,585       37,091  
 
           
Total assets
  $ 164,411     $ 49,995  
 
           
 
               
Liabilities and Members’ Equity
               
Current liabilities
               
Accrued expenses
  $ 3,706     $ 882  
Related party service fee payable
    11,668        
Program rights obligations due to related parties
    33,839       6,185  
Other program rights obligations
    296        
 
           
Total current liabilities
    49,509       7,067  
 
               
Non-current liabilities
               
Program rights obligations due to related parties
    14,989       8,732  
Related party service fee payable
          1,463  
 
           
Total liabilities
    64,498       17,262  
 
               
Commitments and contingencies (Note 5) Members’ equity
               
Members’ equity interests
    164,654       36,000  
Deficit accumulated during the development stage
    (64,741 )     (3,267 )
 
           
Total Members’ equity
    99,913       32,733  
 
           
Total Liabilities and Members’ Equity
  $ 164,411     $ 49,995  
 
           
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

2


 

Studio 3 Partners L.L.C.
Statements of Operations
                         
                    Period from  
                    April 18, 2008  
    January 1,     April 18, 2008     (inception)  
    2009 to     (inception) to     through  
    December 31,     December 31,     December 31,  
(in thousands)   2009     2008     2009  
Revenues
                       
Affiliate fees
  $ 27     $     $ 27  
 
                       
Expenses
                       
Operating expenses (including related party programming expense of $35,151, $0 and $35,151, respectively)
    44,501       260       44,761  
Selling, general and administrative expenses (including related party service fees of $10,205, $1,463, and $11,668, respectively)
    16,890       3,326       20,216  
 
                 
Total expenses
    61,391       3,586       64,977  
 
                       
Operating loss
    (61,364 )     (3,586 )     (64,950 )
 
                       
Interest expense
    (154 )           (154 )
Interest income
    44       319       363  
 
                 
 
                       
Loss before provision for income taxes
    (61,474 )     (3,267 )     (64,741 )
 
                       
Provision for Income taxes
                 
 
                 
Net loss
  $ (61,474 )   $ (3,267 )   $ (64,741 )
 
                 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

3


 

Studio 3 Partners L.L.C.
Statements of Changes in Members’ Equity
                         
            Deficit        
            Accumulated        
    Members’     During the     Total  
    Equity     Development     Members’  
(in thousands)   Interests     Stage     Equity  
Balance at April 18, 2008 (inception)
  $     $     $  
Member Contributions
    36,000             36,000  
Net Loss
          (3,267 )     (3,267 )
 
                 
Balance at December 31, 2008
    36,000       (3,267 )     32,733  
Member Contributions
    128,654             128,654  
Net Loss
          (61,474 )     (61,474 )
 
                 
Balance at December 31, 2009
  $ 164,654     $ (64,741 )   $ 99,913  
 
                 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

4


 

Studio 3 Partners L.L.C.
Statements of Cash Flow
                         
                    Period from  
                    April 18, 2008  
    January 1,     April 18,     (Inception)  
    2009 to     2008 to     through  
    December 31,     December 31,     December 31,  
(in thousands)   2009     2008     2009  
Cash flows from operating activities
                       
Net loss
  $ (61,474 )   $ (3,267 )   $ (64,741 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities
                       
Programming expense
    37,559             37,559  
Changes in assets and liabilities
                       
Program rights, net
    (112,789 )     (29,834 )     (142,623 )
Prepaid expenses and other
    (944 )     (68 )     (1,012 )
Accrued liabilities
    2,824       882       3,706  
Related party service fee payable
    10,205       1,463       11,668  
Other, net
    154             154  
 
                 
Net cash used in operating activities
    (124,465 )     (30,824 )     (155,289 )
 
                 
Cash flows from financing activities
                       
Capital contributions from Members
    128,500       36,000       164,500  
 
                 
Net cash provided by financing activities
    128,500       36,000       164,500  
 
                 
Increase in cash and cash equivalents
    4,035       5,176       9,211  
Cash and cash equivalents
                       
Beginning of period
    5,176              
 
                 
End of period
  $ 9,211     $ 5,176     $ 9,211  
 
                 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

5


 

Studio 3 Partners L.L.C.
Notes to Financial Statements, continued
December 31, 2009 and 2008
1.   Description of Business
 
    Studio 3 Partners, LLC, a limited liability company (“Studio 3” or “the Company”), was formed pursuant to a Limited Liability Agreement dated April 18, 2008, between Viacom Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary Paramount Pictures Corporation, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc., and Lions Gate Films Inc. (collectively, the “Members”). The Company began operations immediately following its formation. The Company operates a premium Pay TV cable and satellite service, branded as “Epix”, which currently exhibits feature film content, primarily licensed from the Members’ film studios as well as other content from third parties. The service is sold to multichannel television distributors for distribution as linear television, subscription video on demand and online services. The service is currently available in the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Bermuda.
 
    As of December 31, 2009, the Company is a development stage enterprise. The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on a basis that the Company will continue as a going concern. The Company has not yet established ongoing revenue sources sufficient to cover its programming commitments and operating costs. The ability of the Company to continue as a going concern is dependent on the Company obtaining adequate capital to fund operating losses until it becomes profitable.
 
    Management’s plans with regard to these matters include generating additional cash from operations by increasing affiliate revenues through expanding the number of multi-channel-television distributors who carry the Company’s Epix service, obtaining additional funding from its Members and closely managing operating cost and investments in growth initiatives. In this regard, the Company has successfully negotiated agreements subsequent to year end for the Epix service to be carried by Cox Communications, Charter Communications, Mediacom and Dish Network, has received Member funding of $72 million and has secured additional committed funding from its Members of $13.7 million which the Company projects supports cash needs of the business through June 2010. There is no assurance that the Company will be successful in accomplishing its plans. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
 
    Subsequent Events
 
    The Company has performed an evaluation of subsequent events through May 25, 2010, the date of issuance of the financial statements.
 
2.   Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
    Basis of Presentation
 
    The financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
 
    Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
    The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
 
    Revenue Recognition
 
    Revenues from cable, satellite and telephone company affiliate fees related to the Company’s cable programming services are recognized as services are provided.

6


 

Studio 3 Partners L.L.C.
Notes to Financial Statements, continued
December 31, 2009 and 2008
    Program Rights
 
    The Company acquires rights to exhibit programming through contractual license agreements. These program rights are stated at the lower of cost, less accumulated amortization, or net realizable value. Program rights and related liabilities are recorded when the license period begins, the cost of the program is determinable, and the program is accepted and available for airing in accordance with ASC 920, Entertainment-Broadcasters. Net realizable value of acquired rights programming is evaluated by the Company on a daypart basis, which is defined as an aggregation of programs of a similar type.
 
    The capitalized cost of a program is amortized on a program-by-program basis over the license term based on the actual airings of the program as a percentage of the total expected airings of the program through the term of the license agreement. Program rights are classified as current if the asset is to be amortized within the next year.
 
    Advertising Costs
 
    Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. The Company incurred total advertising costs of $2.9 million and $0 in 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
    Income Taxes
 
    The Company is taxed as a partnership for federal and state/local income tax purposes and, therefore, the Company is generally not subject to income tax at the federal and state/local levels. Instead, the Company’s Members are taxed on their allocable share of the Company’s income. However, the Company is subject to certain local taxes including the New York City Unincorporated Business Tax. As the Company generated net losses in the periods April 18, 2008 to December 31, 2008 and January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009, there is no tax owed for either period.
 
    Use of Estimates
 
    The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. On an on-going basis, the Company evaluates its estimates to ensure that they accurately reflect the best information available to the Company. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
3.   Related Party Transactions
 
    The Company engages in various business relationships with certain Members and their affiliates. The nature and amounts of the significant transactions are disclosed below.

7


 

Studio 3 Partners L.L.C.
Notes to Financial Statements, continued
December 31, 2009 and 2008
    The Company and each of the Members have entered into related party licensing agreements whereby the Company licenses pay television exhibition rights from the Members. The per title purchase price payable by the Company to each Member for titles theatrically released between 2008 through 2013 is calculated via a contractually determined formula driven by a title’s domestic box office performance. For the periods January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009 and April 18, 2008 to December 31, 2008 the Company incurred, $35.1 million and $0 of related party programming expense, respectively. The Company held related party program rights of $153.3 million and $44.8 million and had related party program rights obligations of $48.8 million and $14.9 million pursuant to the licensing of these rights at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.
 
    The Company entered into a service agreement with MTV Networks, a wholly owned subsidiary of Viacom Inc., effective the date the Company was formed, for the period through December 31, 2013. The fees associated with the services agreement, which are contractually stipulated, are incurred for signal transmission, technical maintenance, rent, legal services and various other selling, general and administrative support services.
 
4.   Members’ Interests
 
    Upon formation of the Company on April 18, 2008, the Company allocated 100% of the equity interests in Studio 3 Partners LLC in return for committed Member funding contributions of $110 million. The percentage of equity interest owned by each of the Members is determined based upon the proportion of the total contribution made by each Member to the aggregate contributions made by all Members.
 
    Of the $110 million of committed funding, $36 million was contributed in 2008 and $74 million was contributed in 2009. Certain of the Members made additional optional contributions of $54.7 million in 2009.
 
    At December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 the ownership interest in the Company was as follows:
                 
    2009     2008  
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc.
    19.09 %     28.57 %
Lions Gate Films Inc.
    31.15 %     28.57 %
Viacom Inc. and affiliates
    49.76 %     42.86 %
 
           
 
    100.00 %     100.00 %
 
           
    The Company is governed by a Board which is comprised of two representatives from each of the Members. Each Member’s representatives must vote together and each Member’s representatives collectively have one vote.

8


 

Studio 3 Partners L.L.C.
Notes to Financial Statements, continued
December 31, 2009 and 2008
5.   Commitments and Contingencies
 
    The Company’s commitments primarily consist of commitments to purchase program rights from the Members for the period through December 31, 2013 and related party service fee commitments through December 31, 2013. These arrangements result from the Company’s ordinary course of business and represent obligations that are payable over several years. Annual payments that are reasonably estimable relating to these commitments at December 31, 2009 are as follows:
         
2010
  $ 135,116  
2011
    102,086  
2012
    31,120  
2013
    17,973  
2014
     
Thereafter
     
 
     
 
  $ 286,295  
 
     
The amounts enumerated above include all titles which have been released theatrically through May 25, 2010. For 2010 and in subsequent years through 2013, the Company is committed to license up to 20 newly released titles per Member through 2013 based on the terms of the licensing agreements. Such commitments cannot be reasonably estimated at this time as the titles have not yet been released theatrically.

9