UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON,
DC 20549
FORM
10-K
(Mark
One)
☒ ANNUAL REPORT
UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For
the fiscal year ended: March 31 , 2021
☐ TRANSITION
REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission
File Number: 000-31810
Cinedigm
Corp.
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 22-3720962
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization) (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
237 West 35th Street , Suite 605 , New York , NY 10001
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(212)
206-8600
(Registrant’s
telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered
pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class Trading Symbol Name of each exchange on which registered
CLASS A COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $0.001 PER SHARE CIDM NASDAQ GLOBAL MARKET
Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: NONE
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Yes ☐ No ☒
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 every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act ☐
Large accelerated filer
☐
Accelerated filer
☐
Non-accelerated filer
☒
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 period 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 has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
The
aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the issuer based on a price of $0.57 per
share, the closing price of such common equity on the Nasdaq Global Market, as of September 30, 2020, was $ 30,930,293 . For purposes
of the foregoing calculation, all directors, officers and shareholders who beneficially own 10% of the shares of such common equity have
been deemed to be affiliates, but the Company disclaims that any of such persons are affiliates.
As of July 23, 2021, 167,800,341 shares of Class
A Common Stock, $0.001 par value were outstanding.
DOCUMENTS
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
NONE.
CINEDIGM
CORP.
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
Page
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
ii
PART I
ITEM 1.
Business
1
ITEM 1A.
Risk Factors
10
ITEM 1B.
Unresolved Staff Comments
21
ITEM 2.
Properties
22
ITEM 3.
Legal Proceedings
22
ITEM 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures
22
PART II
ITEM 5.
Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Shareholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
23
ITEM 6.
[Reserved]
24
ITEM 7.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
24
ITEM 8.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
40
ITEM 9.
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
41
ITEM 9A.
Controls and Procedures
41
ITEM 9B.
Other Information
42
PART III
ITEM 10.
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
43
ITEM 11.
Executive Compensation
48
ITEM 12.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Shareholder Matters
63
ITEM 13.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
64
ITEM 14.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
65
PART IV
ITEM 15.
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
67
SIGNATURES
75
i
FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS
Various
statements contained in this report or incorporated by reference into this report constitute “forward-looking statements”
within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and are indicated by
words or phrases such as “believe,” “expect,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “seek,”
“plan,” “intend” or “anticipate” or the negative thereof or comparable terminology, or by discussion
of strategy. Forward-looking statements represent as of the date of this report our judgment relating to, among other things, future
results of operations, growth plans, sales, capital requirements and general industry and business conditions applicable to us. Such
forward-looking statements are based largely on our current expectations and are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties. Our actual
results could differ materially from those that are anticipated or projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including,
but not limited to, a number of factors, such as:
● successful
execution of our business strategy, particularly for new endeavors;
● the
performance of our targeted markets;
● competitive
product and pricing pressures;
● changes
in business relationships with our major customers;
● successful
integration of acquired businesses;
● the
content we distribute through our in-theatre, on-line and mobile services may expose us to liability;
● general
economic and market conditions;
● the
effect of our indebtedness on our financial condition and financial flexibility, including, but not limited to, the ability to obtain
necessary financing for our business;
● disruptions
to our business due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including workforce inability to perform in the ordinary course due to illness or access
restrictions; and
● the
other risks and uncertainties that are set forth in Item 1, “Business”, Item 1A “Risk Factors” and Item 7, “Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”.
These
factors are not necessarily all of the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in
any of our forward-looking statements. Other unknown or unpredictable factors could also have material adverse effects on future results.
Except as otherwise required to be disclosed in periodic reports required to be filed by public companies with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (“SEC”) pursuant to the SEC’s rules, we have no duty to update these statements, and we undertake no obligation
to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In light
of these risks and uncertainties, we cannot assure you that the forward-looking information contained in this report will in fact transpire.
In
this report, “Cinedigm,” “we,” “us,” “our” and the “Company” refers to Cinedigm
Corp. and its subsidiaries unless the context otherwise requires.
ii
PART
I
ITEM
1. BUSINESS
OVERVIEW
Cinedigm
Corp. was incorporated in Delaware on March 31, 2000 (“Cinedigm”, and collectively with its subsidiaries, the “Company”).
Cinedigm is (i) a leading independent distributor and aggregator of independent film and television content rights distributed across
digital, over-the-top (OTT), physical, and home and mobile entertainment platforms as well as (ii) a leading servicer of digital cinema
assets on over 6,200 domestic and foreign movie screens.
Over
the past several years, Cinedigm has transformed itself from being a digital cinema equipment and physical content distributor to a leading
independent streaming company with the planned phasing out of its legacy projector division.
Cinedigm is a leading independent streaming entertainment
company serving global enthusiast fan bases. Since our inception, we have played a significant role in the digital distribution revolution
that continues to transform the media and entertainment landscape. Cinedigm delivers high-quality, curated content through subscription
video on demand (SVOD), dedicated ad-supported (AVOD) and free ad-supported streaming linear (FAST) channels.
Cinedigm’s broad portfolio enables the Company
to achieve significant market share on every key consumer streaming device and platform. As the Company achieves distribution to multiple,
high-growth territories on a global basis, the Company expects each of these channels will generate high-margin annual revenues to Cinedigm.
As its channel portfolio has grown, the Company’s viewership and subscription metrics have grown significantly. The Company currently
reaches over 23.8 million streaming channel monthly active viewers. The Company controls a library of over 33,000 film & TV assets,
16 different enthusiast streaming brands across 19 live streaming channels, and over 640,000 subscribers (SVOD) reaching 900 million unique
streaming devices globally.
Cinedigm has been a technological pioneer over
its history and continues to be one today. Through its world-class, proprietary streaming technology, the Company has become a partner
of choice for content producers, rightsholders, and major media companies seeking to monetize their content in the streaming ecosystem.
The Company’s streaming technology platform, known as Matchpoint TM , is a software-as-a-service platform which automates
the distribution of streaming content and OTT channels. The Company has a long legacy in using technology to transform the entertainment
industry, and played a pioneering role in transitioning over 11,000 movie screens from traditional analog film prints to digital distribution.
Cinedigm
is a leading distributor of independent film and television content. The Company operates a growing portfolio of owned and operated over-the-top
(“OTT”) streaming entertainment channels. The Company distributes content for major brands such as Hallmark, Televisa, ITV,
Nelvana, ZDF, Konami, NFL, and NHL as well as leading international and domestic content creators, movie producers, television producers
and other short form digital content producers. Cinedigm collaborates with producers, major brands and other IP owners to market, source,
curate and distribute quality content to targeted audiences through (i) existing and emerging digital home entertainment platforms, including
Apple, Amazon Prime, Netflix, Hulu, Xbox, Tubi, PlutoTV, Vudu and cable/satellite video-on-demand (“VOD”) and (ii) packaged
distribution of DVD and Blu-ray discs to wholesalers and retailers with sales coverage to over 48,000 retail storefronts, including Walmart,
Target, Best Buy and Amazon.
The Company is well positioned in a changing media
and entertainment landscape. Cinedigm is capitalizing on an evolving competitive environment where the top of the streaming industry is
consolidating including competitors such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu and Disney Plus while Cinedigm has a complimentary offering as
a leading independent distributor with a focus on the enthusiast segment of the market. The company believes the enthusiast segment, focusing
on audiences and genres underserved by the major streamers, will be a significant opportunity on a global basis. Today, the Company operate
properties in numerous specialty sectors, including faith and family, science fiction, horror, kids, and other major segments. Given our
extensive experience in operating and distributing enthusiast content, as well as the Company’s significantly improved financial
position, the Company has begun executing an M&A roll-up strategy with a focus on enthusiast channels, content, and supporting technology.
Over the past two years, the Company has acquired numerous channels and content libraries. The Company is actively focused on integrating
the most recent acquisitions, as well as building and launching a variety of associated critical products, including: Fantawild, Fandor,
The Film Detective, Screambox, Films Around the World and other initiatives driving major technological changes in the entertainment industry.
1
The Company will continue to pursue accretive
M&A opportunities in order to grow profitably and fortify its competitive advantage. The Company has completed & integrated four
acquisitions between October 2020 and March 31, 2021 with ongoing active M&A pipeline. As part of its M&A strategy, the Company
is:
● Executing
on roll-up by completing several content related acquisitions enabling monetization,
● Focused
on acquiring higher quality content and streaming channels,
● Exploring
opportunities for new technology and other revenue channels including NFTs, ecommerce, podcasts
and merchandise,
● Leveraging
its proprietary tech platform (Matchpoint TM ), which allows for on-boarding multiple
acquisitions concurrently, and
Some
of the evolving consumer habits that are driving consumption of streaming and OTT content include:
● Continued
“cord-cutting” resulting in rise in SVOD & AVOD migration,
● Consumer
preference towards third party channels and content platforms,
● The
rapid adoption of connected televisions and other dedicated streaming devices,
● A
rapid rise in consumption of ad-based content,
● Increasing
demand for underserved content, and the
● Trend
in youth (kids) media consumption across multiple devices and brands.
The
Company believes it is positioned to deliver sustained profitable growth in the future by executing on several key initiatives:
● Content :
Delivering high-quality, curated content through subscription video on demand (SVOD) and
dedicated ad-supported (AVOD) and free, ad-supported streaming (FAST) channels
● Technology
& Distribution :
○ Dramatically
expanding streaming content business through its Matchpoint™ platform,
○ Launching
and scaling our channel portfolio – including the building of an umbrella streaming
service encompassing all of the company’s brands.
○
Accelerating the Company’s device and platform reach, which has exceeded 900 million consumer devices, and establishing key strategic advantages through partnership deals with connected streaming TV including Samsung, Roku and Vizio, as well as large OEM’s, cable companies and technology platforms including Sinclair Broadcast Group, Samsung, Comcast Xfinity, Roku, Amazon, Vewd and Vizio, and others.
○ Licensing
film and TV content to every key player in OTT streaming ecosystem with Amazon, Apple,
Netflix and Google.
● Audience :
Growing viewership and subscription numbers significantly beyond our current base of more than 23 million viewers to potentially hundreds
of millions of global viewers across billions of connected devices.
● Financial
Performance/Metrics :
○ Paying
down debt and enhancing liquidity,
○ Driving
EBITDA through incremental revenue growth from new channel launches, expansion of distribution,
improved monetization and partnerships, and continuous efforts on cost mitigation.
2
The
Company announced its acquisition of FoundationTV on March 8, 2021, which was consummated on June 9, 2021, and the formation of Cinedigm
India, its wholly-owned subsidiary formed to house FoundationTV. In addition to powering Cinedigm’s portfolio of streaming channels
and digital video distribution business, the new division will allow Cinedigm to expand their global streaming footprint. The Company
is developing a channel umbrella with global reach, which is expected to further enable growth and profitability.
As
previously announced, on December 27, 2019, the Company entered into, and on February 14, 2020 amended, (see Note 2 - Summary of Significant
Accounting Policies ), a stock purchase agreement (as so amended, the “Stock Purchase Agreement”) with BeiTai Investment
LP (“BeiTai”), a related party for accounting purposes of Cinedigm, and Aim Right Ventures Limited (“Aim Right”),
two shareholders of Starrise Media Holdings Limited, a leading Chinese entertainment company (“Starrise”), and related party,
to buy from them an aggregate of 410,901,000 outstanding Starrise ordinary shares (the “Share Acquisition”). On February
14, 2020, the Company purchased 162,162,162 of the Starrise ordinary shares from BeiTai and issued to BeiTai 21,646,604 shares of its
Class A common stock in consideration. On April 10, 2020, the Company, in accordance with the terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement,
terminated its obligation to purchase Starrise ordinary shares from Aim Right under the December 27, 2019 stock purchase agreement.
On
April 10, 2020, the Company entered into another stock purchase agreement (the “April Stock Purchase Agreement”) with five
(5) shareholders of Starrise-Bison Global Investment SPC - Bison Global No. 1 SP, Huatai Investment LP, Antai Investment LP, Mingtai
Investment LP and Shangtai Asset Management LP, to buy an aggregate of 223,380,000 outstanding Starrise ordinary shares from them and
for the Company to issue to them an aggregate of 29,855,081 shares of its Class A common stock in consideration therefor (the “April
Share Acquisition”). On April 15, 2020, the April Share Acquisition was consummated and this transaction was also recorded as an
equity investment in Starrise. Mingtai is indirectly managed by a subsidiary BFGL, which is controlled by Peixin Xu, one of our directors.
BFGL’s subsidiary acts as a manager of Bison Global. Shangtai and Hutai are indirectly managed by a subsidiary of BFGL. Peixin
Xu controls the manager of the general partner of Antai.
Starrise’s ordinary shares (HK 1616) are listed on the main
board of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited. Based on the closing price of HKD 0.15 per share on July 23, 2021, calculated at an
exchange rate of $7.7698 Hong Kong Dollars to 1 US dollar, Cinedigm’s ownership in Starrise ordinary shares was approximately
$7.0 million.
On
October 11, 2019, the Company received a letter from the Listing Qualifications staff of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”)
indicating that, based upon the closing bid price of the Company’s Class A common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common
Stock”), for the prior 30 consecutive business days, the Company no longer met the requirement to maintain a minimum bid price
of $1 per share (the “Bid Price Rule”), as set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(a)(1).
On
December 18, 2019, the Company received a letter from Nasdaq indicating that the Company no longer met the requirement to maintain a
minimum market value of publicly held shares of $15,000,000 (the “MVPHS Rule”), as set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(b)(3)(C).
On
April 17, 2020, the Company received notice from Nasdaq that it has suspended, effective April 16, 2020 and until June 30, 2020, relevant
grace periods to regain compliance with the Bid Price Rule and the MVPHS Rule due to the global market impact caused by COVID-19. Specifically,
(x) no delisting would occur until July 1, 2020, and any extension to reach compliance with the Bid Price Rule, if granted by the Panel,
would be further extended by the duration of the suspension, and (y) the Company now had until August 29, 2020 to regain compliance with
the MVPHS Rule.
On
May 7, 2020, the Company was notified by Nasdaq that the previously disclosed MVPHS Rule deficiency had been cured, that the Company
was in compliance, and that Nasdaq considered the matter closed.
On
June 17, 2020, the Company was notified by Nasdaq that the previously disclosed Bid Price Rule had been cured and that the Company was
in compliance, and that Nasdaq considered the matter closed.
On
October 5, 2020, the Company received a letter from the Nasdaq indicating that the Company no longer met the Bid Price Rule.
On
February 2, 2021, the Company was notified by Nasdaq that the previously disclosed Bid Price Rule had been cured and that the Company
was in compliance, and that Nasdaq considered the matter closed.
On July 20, 2021, Cinedigm Corp. (the “Company”)
received a notice (the “Notice”) from the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) indicating that the Company is not
in compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5250(c)(1) (“Rule 5250(c)(1)”) because the Company did not timely file its Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021 (the “Form 10-K”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the “SEC”). The Notice states that the Company is required to submit a plan to regain compliance with Rule 5250(c)(1) within
60 calendar days from the date of the Notice. If the plan is accepted by Nasdaq, then Nasdaq can grant the Company up to 180 calendar
days from the due date of the Form 10-K to regain compliance. The Notice does not result in the immediate delisting of the Common Stock
from the Nasdaq Global Market. The filing of this Annual Report on Form 10-K satisfies Rule 5250(c)(1).
3
Risk
and Uncertainties
The
COVID-19 pandemic and related economic repercussions created significant volatility and uncertainty impacting the Company’s results
for the year. As part of our Content & Entertainment business, the Company sells DVDs and Blu-ray discs at brick-and-mortar stores.
With the closure of non-essential retail stores beginning in the spring of 2020, the sale of physical discs through our retail partners
declined although this was partially offset by digital purchases of physical product. As part of our Cinema Equipment business, the Company
earns revenue when movies are exhibited in theaters. Many movie theaters in the United States closed during the spring of 2020 and remained
closed or re-opened on a limited basis through March 31, 2021. The majority of major studios shifted films out of the fiscal year to
dates when more screens would be available, and consumers felt safe to return to theaters. Films released during the year had box office
results below pre-Covid expectations due to theater closure, limited capacity and new commercial models that permitted viewing day and
date via premium video on demand (“PVOD”) and subscription video on demand (“SVOD”). To the extent films are
not shown in theaters, we do not earn revenue.
Longer
term, there may be a shift in consumer preference towards digital consumption over physical or theatrical viewing. Studios may reduce
their theatrical slates to tentpoles and certain genres releasing other content directly on their own streaming services. This decision
could negatively impact the Company’s ability to license content for the sale of physical product, if those rights are withheld
to create exclusivity to the platform and reduce revenue opportunities for virtual print fees and sales of digital cinema equipment.
While the Company has been encouraged by the pace of mass vaccinations, spikes or the emergence of new variants could require future
closures.
CONTENT
& ENTERTAINMENT
Content
Distribution and our Enthusiast Streaming Channels
Cinedigm
Entertainment Group, or CEG, is a leading independent content distributor in North America. We are unique among most independent distributors
because of our direct relationships with thousands of digital as well as physical retail locations, including Walmart, Target, Apple,
Netflix and Amazon, as well as the national Video on Demand platforms. Our library of films and television episodes encompass award winning
documentaries from Docurama Films®, acclaimed independent films, festival picks and a wide range of content from brand name suppliers,
including Scholastic, NFL, Konami and Hallmark.
Additionally,
we are leveraging our infrastructure, technology, content and distribution expertise to rapidly and cost effectively build and expand
our streaming digital network businesses, which operates as Cinedigm Networks.
The Company currently operates 16 different enthusiast
streaming brands across 19 live streaming channels under a wide array of business models:
Subscription
Video on Demand (SVOD) Services:
● Docurama
– a documentary and nonfiction streaming service launched in September 2014
● CONtv
– a fandom-centric service focused on comics, genre films and geek culture, launched
in March 2015
● Dove
Channel – a faith and family entertainment service launched in August 2015
● Viewster
Anime – a Japanese Anime streaming service acquired in February, 2018
● Fandor
– an independent film streaming service, acquired in January 2021.
● Screambox,
a horror streaming service acquired in February 2021
Ad-Supported
Video on Demand (AVOD) or Free Ad Supported Streaming Television Channels:
● Dove
Channel – a faith and family linear channel launched in 2017
4
● Docurama
– a documentary and nonfiction linear channel launched in 2018
● CONtv
– a fandom-centric linear channel launched in 2018
● Comedy
Dynamics – a comedy linear channel launched in 2019
● The
Bob Ross Channel, a lifestyle linear channel launched in 2020
● MyTime,
a women’s entertainment linear channel, launched in 2020
● Gametoon
– an esports news and lifestyle linear channel launched in 2020
● Fashionbox
– a fashion lifestyle linear channel launched in 2020
● WhistleTV
– a sports lifestyle channel launched in 2020
● CONtv
Anime, an anime linear channel launched in 2020
● Bloody
Disgusting TV a horror linear channel launched in 2020
● The
Film Detective – a classic film linear channel and on demand platform acquired in 2020
● Lone
star – a classic western channel and on demand platform acquired in 2020
From time to time, the Company will announce channel
development deals with a variety of media companies. The timeline for planning and launching a channel varies from months to years and
is also dependent on carriage conversations with a wide array of platforms and distributors. We announced three channels in 2020 that
remain in development through 2021:
● LIVX,
a music and entertainment channel
● Party
Crashers, a political news channel
● AudPop,
a short form entertainment channel
The digital channels market is a nascent industry,
and from time to time, the Company will cease operating or distributing channels that do not find adequate audiences or meet the needs
of platforms or audiences. In the prior fiscal year, we elected to cease operating or distributing the following channels:
● Bambu,
a Chinese entertainment linear channel owned and operated by Cinedigm
● Hallypop,
a Korean music and lifestyle linear channel distributed by Cinedigm
● CombatGo,
an international combat sports linear channel distributed by Cinedigm
We
distribute our streaming channels in several distinct ways: direct to consumer, through major application platforms such as the web,
iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Vizio, and Samsung; and through third party distributors of content on emerging platforms
such as Amazon Prime, Twitch, Xumo and Sling/ Dish, and a wide variety of Smart TV manufacturers globally. Through our rapidly expanding
base of distribution arrangements, Cinedigm has an estimated addressable device footprint of more than 330 million devices in North America
and more than 370 million internationally. Our focus in the near term will be to expand our market position in the FAST and AVOD divisions
of the streaming industry, taking advantage of the shift of more than $70 billion dollars in television advertising revenue to the OTT
market. We believe our scale channel portfolio, our superior capabilities in launching and managing channels at scale, and our strategic
partnerships with key content owners and platforms will provide us a strategic advantage to gain considerable market share in the immediate
future.
5
Our
Strategy
The
shift from traditional entertainment consumption to streaming is accelerating. We believe that our large library of film and television
episodes, long-standing relationships with digital platforms, state of the art technologies and years of experience operating and growing
streaming audiences will allow us to continue to build a diversified portfolio of enthusiasts OTT channels that generate recurring revenue
streams from advertising, merchandising and subscriptions. We believe that our success, market leadership and scale will continue to
attract strong brands and media companies who bring name recognition, high-quality film and television content, and strong marketing
support (together our “Streaming” business).
We
believe that we are well positioned to succeed in the streaming channel business for the following key reasons:
●
More than 13 years of experience
as a primary distributor of content to scale 3rd party OTT platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Apple iTunes and more,
and nearly seven years of history operating OTT channels with millions of downloads, hundreds of thousands of registered users, and
hundreds of millions of discrete data points on our customer’s behavior and preferences,
●
The depth and breadth of
our almost 33,000 title film and television episode library,
●
Our digital assets and
deep, long-standing relationships as launch partners that cover the major digital platforms and devices,
●
Our marketing expertise,
●
Our
flexible releasing strategies, which differ from larger entertainment companies that need to protect their legacy businesses,
●
Our
proprietary streaming technology enabling us to operate at scale and at lower operating costs than our competitors, and
●
Our experienced
management team
Intellectual
Property
We
own certain copyrights, trademarks and Internet domain names in connection with the Content & Entertainment business. We view these
proprietary rights as valuable assets. We maintain registrations, where appropriate, to protect them and monitor them on an ongoing basis.
Customers
For
the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021, two customers, Amazon and Walmart each represented 10% or more of CEG’s revenues and
approximately 10% of our consolidated revenues.
Competition
Numerous
companies are engaged in various forms of producing and distributing independent movies and alternative content. These competitors may
have significantly greater financial, marketing and managerial resources than we do, may have generated greater revenue and may be better
known than we are at this time.
Competitors
to our Content & Entertainment and Digital Networks segment is as follows:
●
Entertainment One (eOne) Ltd.
●
IFC Entertainment
●
Lionsgate Entertainment
●
Magnolia Pictures
●
RLJ Entertainment, Inc.
●
AMC Networks
6
CINEMA
EQUIPMENT BUSINESS
The
Phase I Deployment and Phase II Deployment operations consist of the following:
Operations
of:
Products
and services provided:
Cinema
Equipment Business
Financing
vehicles and administrators for 3,122 Systems installed nationwide in our first deployment phase (“Phase I Deployment”)
to theatrical exhibitors and for 3,104 Systems installed domestically and internationally in our second deployment phase (“Phase
II Deployment”).
We retain ownership of our digital cinema equipment (the “Systems”) and the residual cash flows related to the Systems
in Phase I Deployment after the after the end of the 10-year deployment payment period.
For
certain Phase II Deployment Systems, we do not retain ownership of the residual cash flows and digital cinema equipment in Phase II Deployment
after the completion of cost recoupment and at the expiration of the exhibitor master license agreements.
The Cinema Equipment Business also provides monitoring, collection, verification and management services to this segment, as well as
to exhibitors who purchase their own equipment, and also collects and disburses VPFs from motion picture studios, and distributors and
ACFs from alternative content providers, movie exhibitors and theatrical exhibitors (collectively, “Services”).
PHASE
I DEPLOYMENT AND PHASE II DEPLOYMENT
In
June 2005, we formed our Phase I Deployment division in order to purchase up to 4,000 Systems under an amended framework agreement with
Christie Digital Systems USA, Inc. (“Christie”). As of March 31, 2021, Phase I Deployment had 3,122 Systems installed.
In
October 2007, we formed our Phase II Deployment division for the administration of up to 10,000 additional Systems. As of March 31,
2021, Phase II Deployment had 3,104 of such Systems installed.
Our Phase I Deployment and Phase II Deployment
divisions own and license Systems to theatrical exhibitors and collect virtual print fees (“VPFs”) from motion picture studios
and distributors, as well as alternative content fees (“ACFs”) from alternative content providers and theatrical exhibitors,
when content is shown on exhibitors’ screens. We have licensed the necessary software and technology solutions to the exhibitor
and have facilitated the industry’s transition from analog (film) to digital cinema. As part of the Phase I Deployment of our Systems,
we have agreements with nine motion picture studios and certain smaller independent studios and exhibitors, allowing us to collect VPFs
and ACFs when content is shown in theatres, in exchange for having facilitated and financed the deployment of Systems. Cinedigm Digital
Funding I, LLC (“Phase 1 DC”) has agreements with 17 theatrical exhibitors that license our Systems in order to show digital
content distributed by the motion picture studios and other providers, including Content & Entertainment, which is described below.
Beginning
in December 2015, certain of our digital cinema equipment began to reach the conclusion of their 10-year deployment payment period with
certain distributors and, therefore, revenues ceased to be recognized on such Systems, related to such distributors. Furthermore, because
the Phase I Deployment installation period ended in November 2007, a majority of the VPF revenue associated with the Phase I Deployment
Systems has ended. As of March 31, 2021, all of our 3,122 systems from the Phase I Deployment phase of our cinema equipment business
segment had ceased to earn a significant portion of VPF revenue from certain major studios, although various other studios, consisting
mostly of small independent studios, continued to pay VPFs through March 31, 2021. We expect to continue to earn such ancillary revenue
from the cinema equipment segment through December of 2021; however, such amounts are expected to be significantly less material to our
consolidated financial statements. The reduction in VPF revenue on cinema equipment business systems approximately coincided with the
conclusion of certain of our non-recourse debt obligations and, therefore, the reduced cash outflows related to such non-recourse debt
obligations partially offset the reduced VPF revenue since November 2017.
7
Under
the terms of our standard cinema equipment licensing agreements, exhibitors will continue to have the right to use our Systems through
the end of the term of the licensing agreement, after which time, they have the option to: (1) return the Systems to us; (2) renew their
license agreement for successive one-year terms; or (3) purchase the Systems from us at fair market value. As permitted by these agreements,
we have begun, and expect to continue, to pursue the sale of the Systems to such exhibitors. Such sales were as originally contemplated
as the conclusion of the digital cinema deployment plan. Cinedigm completed the sale of approximately 2,177 digital projection Systems
for an aggregate sales price of approximately $6.7 million during the year ended March 31, 2021.
Our Phase II Deployment division has entered into
digital cinema deployment agreements with eight motion picture studios, and certain smaller independent studios and exhibitors, to distribute
digital movie releases to exhibitors equipped with our Systems, for which we and our wholly owned, non-consolidated subsidiary Cinedigm
Digital Funding 2, LLC (“CDF2 Holdings”) earn VPFs. As of March 31, 2021, our Phase II Deployment division has master
license agreements with 102 exhibitors covering 3,104 screens, whereby the exhibitors agreed to install our Systems. As of March 31, 2021,
we had 3,104 Access Digital Phase 2 Corp. (“Phase 2 DC”) Systems installed, including 1,717 screens under the exhibitor-buyer
structure (“Exhibitor-Buyer”), and 1,387 screens covering 23 exhibitors through CDF2.
Exhibitors
paid us an installation fee of up to $2.0 thousand per screen out of the VPFs collected by our Services division. We manage the billing
and collection of VPFs and remit to exhibitors all VPFs collected, less an administrative fee of approximately 10%. For Phase 2 DC Systems
we own and finance on a non-recourse basis, we typically received a similar installation fee of up to $2.0 thousand per screen and an
ongoing administrative fee of approximately 10% of VPFs collected. We have recorded no debt, property and equipment, financing costs
or depreciation in connection with Systems covered under the Exhibitor-Buyer Structure and CDF2 Holdings.
VPFs
are earned pursuant to contracts with movie studios and distributors, whereby amounts are payable to our Phase I and Phase II deployment
businesses according to fixed fee schedules, when movies distributed by studios are displayed in movie theatres using our installed Systems.
One VPF is payable to us upon the initial booking of a movie, for every movie title displayed per System. Therefore, the amount of VPF
revenue that we earn depends on the number of unique movie titles released and displayed using our Systems. Our Phase II Deployment division
earns VPF revenues only for Systems that it owns.
Our
Phase II Deployment agreements with distributors require payment of VPFs for ten years from the date that each system is installed; however,
we may no longer collect VPFs once “cost recoupment,” as defined in the contracts with movie studios and distributors, is
achieved. Cost recoupment will occur once the cumulative VPFs and other cash receipts collected by us have equaled the total of all cash
outflows, including the purchase price of all Systems, all financing costs, all “overhead and ongoing costs,” as defined,
subject to maximum agreed upon amounts during the four-year roll-out period and thereafter. Furthermore, if cost recoupment occurs before
the end of the eighth contract year, a one-time “cost recoupment bonus” is payable to us by the studios. Cash flows, net
of expenses, received by our Phase II Deployment business, following the achievement of cost recoupment, must be returned to the distributors
on a pro-rata basis. At this time, we cannot estimate the timing or probability of the achievement of cost recoupment.
Customers
No
single Phase I or Phase II customer comprised more than 10% of our consolidated revenue.
Seasonality
Revenues
earned by our Cinema Equipment Business segment from the collection of VPFs from motion picture studios are seasonal, coinciding with
the timing of releases of movies by the motion picture studios. Generally, motion picture studios release the most marketable movies
during the summer and the winter holiday season. The unexpected emergence of a hit movie during other periods can alter the traditional
trend. The timing of movie releases can have a significant effect on our results of operations, and the results of one quarter are not
necessarily indicative of results for the next quarter or any other quarter. The seasonality of motion picture exhibition; however, has
become less pronounced as the motion picture studios are releasing movies somewhat more evenly throughout the year.
8
SERVICES
Our
Services division provides monitoring, billing, collection, verification and other management services to Phase 1 DC and Phase 2 DC as
well as to exhibitor-buyers who purchase their own equipment. Our Services division provides such services to the 3,122 screens in the
Phase I Deployment for a monthly service fee equal to 5% of the VPFs earned by Phase 1 DC and an incentive service fee equal to 2.5%
of the VPFs earned by Phase 1 DC. The Services division also provides services to the 3,104 Phase II Systems deployed, for which we typically
receive a monthly fee of approximately 10% of the VPFs earned by Phase 2 DC. The total Phase II service fees are subject to an annual
limitation under the terms of our agreements with motion picture studios and are determined based upon the respective Exhibitor-Buyer
Structure, or CDF2 agreements. Unpaid service fees in any period remain an obligation to Phase 2 DC in the cost recoupment framework.
Such fees are not recognized as income or accrued as an asset on our balance sheet given the uncertainty of the receipt and the timing
thereof as future movie release and bookings are not known. Service fees are accrued and recognized only on deployed Phase II Systems.
As a result, the annual service fee limitation is variable until these fees are paid.
In
February 2013, we (i) assigned to our wholly owned subsidiary, Cinedigm DC Holdings LLC (“DC Holdings”), the right and obligation
to service the digital cinema projection systems from the Phase I Deployment and certain systems that were part of the Phase II Deployment,
(ii) delegated to DC Holdings the right and obligation to service certain other systems that were part of the Phase II Deployment and
(iii) assigned to DC Holdings the right to receive servicing fees from the Phase I and Phase II Deployments. We also transferred to DC
Holdings certain of our operational staff whose responsibilities and activities relate solely to the operation of the servicing business
and to provide DC Holdings with the right to use the supporting software and other intellectual property associated with the operation
of the servicing business.
Our
Services division also has international servicing partnerships in Australia and New Zealand with the Independent Cinema Association
of Australia and serviced 107 screens as of March 31, 2021, at which time we ceased providing servicing to such parties.
Competition
Our
Services division faces limited competition domestically in its digital cinema services business as the major Hollywood movie studios
have only signed digital cinema deployment agreements with five entities, including us, and the deployment period in North America is
now complete. Competitors include: Digital Cinema Implementation Partners (“DCIP”), a joint venture of three large exhibitors
(Regal Entertainment Group, AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc. and Cinemark Holdings, Inc.) focused on managing the conversions of those
three exhibitors; Sony Digital Cinema, to support the deployment of Sony projection equipment; Christie Digital USA, Inc., to support
the deployment of Christie equipment; and GDC, Inc., to support the deployment of GDC equipment. We have a significantly greater market
share than all other competitors except for the DCIP consortium, which services approximately 18,000 total screens representing its consortium
members.
As
we expand our servicing platform internationally, additional competitors beyond those listed above consist of Arts Alliance, Inc., a
leading digital cinema servicer focused on the European markets, and GDC, as well as other potential local start-ups seeking to service
a specific international market. We typically seek to partner with a leading local entity to combine our efficient servicing infrastructure
and strong studio relationships with the necessary local market expertise and exhibitor relationships.
ENVIRONMENTAL
The
nature of our business does not subject us to environmental laws in any material manner.
EMPLOYEES
As of March 31, 2021, we had 72 employees,
with 4 part-time/temporaries and 68 full-time, of which 18 are in sales and marketing, 23 are in operations, and 31 are in executive,
finance, technology and administration functions.
AVAILABLE
INFORMATION
Our
Internet website address is www.cinedigm.com. We will make available, free of charge at the “Investor Relations - Financial Information”
section of our website, our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, proxy statements
and all amendments to those reports and statements filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended, as soon as reasonably practicable after such reports are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC.
In
addition, the SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding companies
that file electronically with the Commission. This information is available at www.sec.gov , the SEC’s Public Reference Room
at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549 or by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.
9
ITEM
1A. RISK FACTORS
Risks
Related to our Business
We
maintain an amount of outstanding indebtedness, which could impair our ability to operate our business and react to changes in our business,
remain in compliance with debt covenants and make payments on our debt.
We
maintain an amount of outstanding indebtedness, which could impair our ability to operate our business and react to changes in our business,
remain in compliance with debt covenants and make payments on our debt. Our level of indebtedness could require a significant portion
of our cash flow from operations to be dedicated to the payment of principal and interest on our indebtedness, therefore reducing our
ability to use our cash flow to fund our operations, capital expenditures and future business opportunities.
In
addition, our current credit facilities contain, and any future credit facilities will likely contain, covenants and other provisions
that restrict our operations. These restrictive covenants and provisions could limit our ability to obtain future financing, make needed
capital expenditures, withstand a future downturn in our business or the economy in general, or otherwise conduct necessary corporate
activities, and may prevent us from taking advantage of business opportunities that arise in the future. If we refinance our credit facilities,
we cannot guarantee that any new credit facility will not contain similar covenants and restrictions.
We
face the risks of doing business in new and rapidly evolving markets and may not be able successfully to address such risks and achieve
acceptable levels of success or profits.
We
have encountered and may continue to encounter the challenges, uncertainties and difficulties frequently experienced in new and rapidly
evolving markets, including:
●
limited
operating experience;
●
net losses;
●
lack of
sufficient customers or loss of significant customers;
●
a changing
business focus;
●
the downward
trend in sales of physical DVD and Blu-ray discs;
●
rapidly-changing
technology for some of the products and services we offer; and
●
difficulties
in managing potentially rapid growth.
We
expect competition to be intense. If we are unable to compete successfully, our business and results of operations will be seriously
harmed.
The
markets for the digital cinema business and the content distribution business are competitive, evolving and subject to rapid technological
and other changes. We expect the intensity of competition in each of these areas to increase in the future. Companies willing to expend
the necessary capital to create facilities and/or capabilities similar to ours may compete with our business. Increased competition may
result in reduced revenues and/or margins and loss of market share, any of which could seriously harm our business. In order to compete
effectively in each of these fields, we must differentiate ourselves from competitors.
Many
of our current and potential competitors have longer operating histories and greater financial, technical, marketing and other resources
than we do, which may permit them to adopt aggressive pricing policies. As a result, we may suffer from pricing pressures that could
adversely affect our ability to generate revenues and our results of operations. Many of our competitors also have significantly greater
name and brand recognition and a larger customer base than us. If we are unable to compete successfully, our business and results of
operations will be seriously harmed.
10
Our
plan to acquire additional businesses involves risks, including our inability to complete or integrate an acquisition successfully, our
assumption of liabilities, dilution of your investment and significant costs.
Strategic
and financially appropriate acquisitions are a key component of our growth strategy. Although there are no acquisitions identified by
us as probable at this time, we may make acquisitions of similar or complementary businesses or assets. Even if we identify appropriate
acquisition candidates, we may be unable to negotiate successfully the terms of the acquisitions, finance them, integrate the acquired
business into our then existing business, obtain required regulatory approvals, and/or attract and retain customers. Completing an acquisition
and integrating an acquired business may require a significant diversion of management time and resources and may involve assuming new
liabilities. Any acquisition also involves the risks that the assets acquired may prove less valuable than expected and/or that we may
assume unknown or unexpected liabilities, costs and problems. If we make one or more significant acquisitions in which any of the consideration
consists of our capital stock, your equity interest in the Company could be diluted, perhaps significantly. If we were to proceed with
one or more significant acquisitions in which the consideration included cash, we could be required to use a substantial portion of our
available cash or obtain additional financing to consummate them.
Our
previous acquisitions involve risks, including our inability to integrate successfully the new businesses and our assumption of certain
liabilities.
Our
previous acquisitions of businesses and their respective assets also involved the risks that the businesses and assets acquired may prove
to be less valuable than we expected and/or that we may assume unknown or unexpected liabilities, costs and problems. In addition, we
assumed certain liabilities in connection with these acquisitions and we cannot assure you that we will be able to satisfy adequately
such assumed liabilities. Other companies that offer similar products and services may be able to market and sell their products and
services more cost-effectively than we can.
We
have recorded goodwill impairment charges in the past and may be required to record additional charges to future earnings if our goodwill
becomes further impaired or our intangible assets become impaired.
We
are required under generally accepted accounting principles to review our goodwill and definite-lived intangible assets for impairment
when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. Goodwill must be tested for impairment at
least annually. Factors that may be considered a change in circumstances indicating that the carrying value of our reporting units and
intangible assets may not be recoverable include a decline in stock price and market capitalization, slower growth rates in our industry
or our own operations, and/or other materially adverse events that have implications on the profitability of our business. We may be
required to record additional charges to earnings during any period in which a further impairment of our goodwill or other intangible
assets is determined which could adversely affect our results of operations.
If
we do not manage our growth, our business will be harmed.
We
may not be successful in managing our growth. Past growth has placed, and future growth will continue to place, significant challenges
on our management and resources, related to the successful integration of the newly acquired businesses. To manage the expected growth
of our operations, we will need to improve our existing, and implement new, operational and financial systems, procedures and controls.
We may also need to expand our finance, administrative, client services and operations staffs and train and manage our growing employee
base effectively. Our current and planned personnel, systems, procedures and controls may not be adequate to support our future operations.
Our business, results of operations and financial position will suffer if we do not effectively manage our growth.
If
we are not successful in protecting our intellectual property, our business will suffer.
We
depend heavily on technology and viewing content to operate our business. Our success depends on protecting our intellectual property,
which is one of our most important assets. We have intellectual property consisting of:
●
rights
to certain domain names;
●
registered
service marks on certain names and phrases;
●
various
unregistered trademarks and service marks;
11
●
film,
television and other forms of viewing content;
●
know-how;
and
●
rights
to certain logos.
If
we do not adequately protect our intellectual property, our business, financial position and results of operations would be harmed. Our
means of protecting our intellectual property may not be adequate. Unauthorized parties may attempt to copy aspects of our intellectual
property or to obtain and use information that we regard as proprietary. In addition, competitors may be able to devise methods of competing
with our business that are not covered by our intellectual property. Our competitors may independently develop similar technology, duplicate
our technology or design around any intellectual property that we may obtain.
Although
we hold rights to various web domain names, regulatory bodies in the United States and abroad could establish additional top-level domains,
appoint additional domain name registrars or modify the requirements for holding domain names. The relationship between regulations governing
domain names and laws protecting trademarks and similar proprietary rights is unclear. We may be unable to prevent third parties from
acquiring domain names that are similar to or diminish the value of our proprietary rights.
Our
debt obligations could impair our financial flexibility and restrict our business significantly.
We now have, and will continue to have, debt obligations.
We have a credit facility with East West Bank (the “Credit Facility”), of which the principal amount outstanding was $1.9
million as of March 31, 2021. In February 2021, we fully paid off our previous second lien loan facility (the “Second Secured Lien
Notes”), of which the principal amount outstanding was approximately $8.2 million as of March 31, 2020. Our two outstanding convertible
notes in the aggregate principal amount of $15 million were converted into equity in September 2020. We also received a Paycheck Protection
Program loan in May 2020 having a principal amount of $2.1 million, which amount plus accrued interest were forgiven in full effective
June 30, 2021.
As
of March 31, 2021, total indebtedness of our consolidated subsidiaries (not including guarantees of our debt) was $2.0 million,
which does not include the loan from Prospect Capital (the “Prospect Loan”). In connection with the Prospect Loan, we provided
a limited recourse guaranty pursuant to which Cinedigm guaranteed certain representations and warranties and performance obligations
with respect to the Prospect Loan in favor of the collateral agent and the administrative agent for the Prospect Loan. Cinedigm Corp.
has provided a limited recourse guaranty in respect of a portion of this indebtedness $7.8 million as of March 31, 2021 pursuant
to which it agreed to become a primary obligor of such indebtedness in certain specified circumstances, none of which have occurred as
of the date hereof.
The
obligations and restrictions under the Credit Facility, the Prospect Loan, and our other debt obligations could have important consequences
for us, including:
●
limiting
our ability to obtain necessary financing in the future; and
●
requiring
us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow to payments on our debt obligations,
●
thereby
reducing the availability of our cash flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures
●
and other
corporate requirements or expansion of our business.
CDF2
and CDF2 Holdings are our indirect wholly owned, non-consolidated VIEs that are intended to be special purpose, bankruptcy remote entities.
CDF2 Holdings has entered into the CHG Lease pursuant to which CHG provided sale/leaseback financing for digital cinema projection systems
that were partially financed as part of the Phase II deployment of our Digital Equipment segment. The CHG Lease is non-recourse to Cinedigm
and our subsidiaries, excluding our VIEs, CDF2 and CDF2 Holdings, as the case may be. Although the Phase II financing arrangements undertaken
by CDF2 and CDF2 Holdings are important to us with respect to the success of our Phase II Deployment, our financial exposure related
to the debt of CDF2 and CDF2 Holdings is limited to the $2.0 million initial investment we made into CDF2 and CDF2 Holdings. CDF2 Holding’s
total stockholder’s deficit at March 31, 2021 was $46.3 million. We have no obligation to fund the operating loss or the deficit
beyond our initial investment, and accordingly, we carried our investment in CDF2 Holdings at $0 as of March 31, 2021 and 2020.
12
The
obligations and restrictions under the CHG Lease could have important consequences for CDF2 and CDF2 Holdings, including:
●
Limiting
our ability to obtain necessary financing in the future;
●
restricting
us from incurring liens on the digital cinema projection systems financed and from
●
subleasing,
assigning or modifying the digital cinema projection systems financed; and
●
requiring
them to dedicate a substantial portion of their cash flow to payments on their debt obligations, thereby reducing the availability
of their cash flow for other uses.
If
we are unable to meet our debt obligations, we could be forced to restructure or refinance our obligations, to seek additional equity
financing or to sell assets, which we may not be able to do on satisfactory terms or at all. As a result, we could default on those obligations
and in the event of such default, our lenders could accelerate our debt or take other actions that could restrict our operations.
The
foregoing risks would be intensified to the extent we borrow additional money or incur additional debt.
The
agreements governing the financing of the Credit Facility and the Prospect Loan impose certain limitations on us.
The
Credit Facility restricts our ability and the ability of our subsidiaries that have guaranteed the obligations under the Credit Facility,
subject to certain exceptions, to, among other things:
●
make investments;
●
incur
other indebtedness or liens;
●
create
or acquire subsidiaries;
●
engage
in a new line of business;
●
pay dividends;
●
sell assets;
●
acquire,
consolidate with, or merge with or into other companies; and
●
enter
into transactions with affiliates.
The
agreements governing the Prospect Loan restrict the ability of DC Holdings LLC and its subsidiaries, and ADCP2 and its subsidiaries,
subject to certain exceptions, to, among other things:
●
make certain
capital expenditures and investments;
●
incur
other indebtedness or liens;
●
engage
in a new line of business;
●
sell assets;
●
acquire,
consolidate with, or merge with or into other companies; and
●
enter
into transactions with affiliates.
13
We
may not be able to generate the amount of cash needed to fund our future operations.
Our
ability either to make payments on or to refinance our indebtedness, or to fund planned capital expenditures and research and development
efforts, will depend on our ability to generate cash in the future. Our ability to generate cash is in part subject to general economic,
financial, competitive, regulatory and other factors that are beyond our control.
Based
on our current level of operations and in conjunction with the cost reduction measures that we have recently implemented and continue
to implement, we believe our cash flow from operations, available borrowings and loan and credit agreement terms will be adequate to
meet our future liquidity needs through at least the next twelve months. Significant assumptions underlie this belief, including, among
other things, that there will be no material adverse developments in our business, liquidity or capital requirements. If we are unable
to service our indebtedness, we will be forced to adopt an alternative strategy that may include actions such as:
●
reducing
capital expenditures;
●
reducing
our overhead costs and/or workforce;
●
reducing
research and development efforts;
●
selling
assets;
●
restructuring
or refinancing our remaining indebtedness; and
●
seeking
additional funding.
We
cannot assure you, however, that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations, or that we will be able to make future
borrowings in amounts sufficient to enable us to pay the principal and interest on our current indebtedness or to fund our other liquidity
needs. We may need to refinance all or a portion of our indebtedness on or before maturity. We cannot assure you that we will be able
to refinance any of our indebtedness on commercially reasonable terms or at all.
We
have incurred losses since our inception.
We have incurred losses since our inception in
March 2000 and have financed our operations principally through equity raises and borrowings. As of March 31, 2021, we had negative
working capital, defined as current assets less current liabilities, of $14.2 million, and cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
totaling $17.8 million. We have total equity of $15.8 million. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021, we used $20.0 million
of net cash flows from operating activities.
Our
net losses and cash outflows may increase as and to the extent that we increase the size of our business operations, increase our sales
and marketing activities, increase our content distribution rights acquisition activities, enlarge our customer support and professional
services and acquire additional businesses. These efforts may prove to be more expensive than we currently anticipate which could further
increase our losses. We must continue to increase our revenues in order to become profitable. We cannot reliably predict when, or if,
we will become profitable. Even if we achieve profitability, we may not be able to sustain it. If we cannot generate operating income
or positive cash flows in the future, we will be unable to meet our working capital requirements.
14
We
face risks associated with our business in China.
In November 2017, Bison, a Hong Kong-based entity
that does business in mainland China as well as other locations, became our majority owner. We anticipated that Bison’s presence
and relationships in China will provide us with assistance in expanding our business to China. In January 2018, we announced a strategic
alliance with Starrise Media Holdings Limited, a leading Chinese entertainment company whose ordinary shares are listed on the Hong Kong
Stock Exchange (“Starrise”), to release films in China theatrically and to digital platforms, and to evaluate opportunities
to jointly produce Chinese/American film co-productions, and in February and April 2020, we acquired approximately 26% of the outstanding
ordinary shares of Starrise. Accordingly, we are exposed to risks of doing business in China. As a result, the economic, political, legal
and social conditions in China could have a material adverse effect on our business. In addition, the legal system in China has inherent
uncertainties that may limit the legal protections available in the event of any claims or disputes that we may have with third parties,
including our ability to protect the intellectual property we use in China. As China’s legal system is still evolving, the interpretation
of many laws, regulations and rules is not always uniform and enforcement of these laws, regulations and rules involve uncertainties,
which may limit the remedies available in the event of any claims or disputes with third parties. Some of the other risks related to doing
business in China include:
●
the Chinese
government exerts substantial influence over the manner in which we must conduct our business activities;
●
restrictions
on currency exchange may limit our ability to receive and use our cash effectively;
●
the Chinese
government may favor local businesses and make it more difficult for foreign businesses to operate in China on an equal footing,
or generally;
●
there
are increased uncertainties related to the enforcement of contracts with certain parties; and
●
more restrictive
rules on foreign investment could adversely affect our ability to expand our operations in China
As
a result of our growing operations in China, these risks could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations
and financial condition.
We
are subject to risks from our equity investment in a foreign company.
We
own approximately 22% of the outstanding ordinary shares of Starrise, a company that operates in China and whose ordinary shares trade
on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. We have partnered with Starrise in the past, and continue to do so, with respect to the release of U.S.-sourced
content in China and China-sourced content in the U.S. We may experience consequences from economic and regulatory events and requirements
outside of the United States that affect the value of these shares and their value to us, including changes in regulatory requirements
that affect Starrise, fluctuations in international currency exchange rates, volatility in international political and economic environments,
public disclosure requirements, and unforeseen developments and conditions, including terrorism, war, epidemics and international tensions
and conflicts. No assurance can be made that, if we were to sell these shares on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in Hong Kong currency,
we would receive the full value in U.S. dollars upon repatriating the proceeds, based on fluctuating currency exchange rates.
While
the impact of these factors is difficult to predict, any one or more of these factors could adversely affect the value of our investment
in the Starrise shares.
Our
success will significantly depend on our ability to hire and retain key personnel.
Our
success will depend in significant part upon the continued performance of our senior management personnel and other key technical, sales
and creative personnel. We do not currently have significant “key person” life insurance policies for any of our employees.
We currently have employment agreements with our chief executive officer. If we lose one or more of our key employees, we may not be
able to find a suitable replacement(s) and our business and results of operations could be adversely affected. In addition, competition
for key employees necessary to create and distribute our entertainment content and software products is intense and may grow in the future.
Our future success will also depend upon our ability to hire, train, integrate and retain qualified new employees and our inability to
do so may have an adverse impact upon our business, financial condition, operating results, liquidity and prospects for growth.
15
If
we do not respond to future changes in technology and customer demands, our financial position, prospects and results of operations may
be adversely affected.
The
demand for our Systems and other assets in connection with our digital cinema business (collectively, our “Digital Cinema Assets”)
may be affected by future advances in technology and changes in customer demands. We cannot assure you that there will be continued demand
for our Digital Cinema Assets. Our profitability depends largely upon the continued use of digital presentations at theatres. Although
we have entered into long term agreements with major motion picture studios and independent studios (the “Studio Agreements”),
there can be no assurance that these studios will continue to distribute digital content to movie theatres. If the development of digital
presentations and changes in the way digital files are delivered does not continue or technology is used that is not compatible with
our Systems, there may be no viable market for our Systems and related products. Any reduction in the use of our Systems and related
products resulting from the development and deployment of new technology may negatively impact our revenues and the value of our Systems.
The
demand for DVD products is declining, and we anticipate that this decline will continue. We anticipate, however, that the distribution
of DVD products will continue to generate positive cash flows for the Company for the foreseeable future. Should a decline in consumer
demand be greater than we anticipate, our business could be adversely affected.
We
have concentration in our digital cinema business with respect to our major motion picture studio customers, and the loss of one or more
of our largest studio customers could have a material adverse effect on us.
Our
Studio Agreements account for a significant portion of our service revenue within Phase 2. Our service fee revenue associated with these
studios generated 1.4% of our consolidated revenues for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021.
The
Studio Agreements are critical to our business. If some of the Studio Agreements were terminated prior to the end of their terms or found
to be unenforceable, or if our Systems are not upgraded or enhanced as necessary, or if we had a material failure of our Systems, it
may have a material adverse effect on our revenue, profitability, financial condition and cash flows. The Studio Agreements also generally
provide that the VPF rates and other material terms of the agreements may not be more favorable to one studio as compared to the others.
Termination
of the MLAs and MLAAs could damage our revenue and profitability.
The
master license agreements with each of our licensed exhibitors (the “MLAs”) are critical to our business as are master license
administrative agreements (the “MLAAs”). The MLAs have terms, which expire in 2020 through 2022 and provide the exhibitor
with an option to purchase our Systems or to renew for successive one-year periods up to ten years thereafter. The MLAs also require
our suppliers to upgrade our Systems when technology necessary for compliance with DCI Specification becomes commercially available and
we may determine to enhance the Systems, which may require additional capital expenditures. If any one of the MLAs were terminated prior
to the end of its term, not renewed at its expiration or found to be unenforceable, or if our Systems are not upgraded or enhanced as
necessary, it would have a material adverse effect on our revenue, profitability, financial condition and cash flows. Additionally, termination
of MLAAs could adversely impact our servicing business.
An
increase in the use of alternative movie distribution channels and other competing forms of entertainment could drive down movie theatre
attendance, which, if causing significant theatre closures or a substantial decline in motion picture production, may lead to reductions
in our revenues.
Various
exhibitor chains, which are our distributors, face competition for patrons from a number of alternative motion picture distribution channels,
such as DVD, network and syndicated television, VOD, pay-per-view television and downloading utilizing the Internet. These exhibitor
chains also compete with other forms of entertainment competing for patrons’ leisure time and disposable income such as concerts,
amusement parks and sporting events. An increase in popularity of these alternative movie distribution channels and competing forms of
entertainment could drive down movie theatre attendance and potentially cause certain of our exhibitors to close their theatres for extended
periods of time. Significant theatre closures could in turn have a negative impact on the aggregate receipt of our VPF revenues, which
in turn may have a material adverse effect on our business and ability to service our debt.
An
increase in the use of alternative movie distribution channels could also cause the overall production of motion pictures to decline,
which, if substantial, could have an adverse effect on the businesses of the major studios with which we have Studio Agreements. A decline
in the businesses of the major studios could in turn force the termination of certain Studio Agreements prior to the end of their terms.
The Studio Agreements with each of the major studios are critical to our business, and their early termination may have a material adverse
effect on our revenue, profitability, financial condition and cash flows.
16
Our
success depends on external factors in the motion picture and television industry.
Our
success depends on the commercial success of movies and television programs, which is unpredictable. Operating in the motion picture
and television industry involves a substantial degree of risk. Each movie and television program is an individual artistic work, and
inherently unpredictable audience reactions primarily determine commercial success. Generally, the popularity of movies and television
programs depends on many factors, including the critical acclaim they receive, the format of their initial release, for example, theatrical
or direct-to-video, the actors and other key talent, their genre and their specific subject matter. The commercial success of movies
and television programs also depends upon the quality and acceptance of movies or programs that our competitors release into the marketplace
at or near the same time, critical reviews, the availability of alternative forms of entertainment and leisure activities, general economic
conditions and other tangible and intangible factors, many of which we do not control and all of which may change. We cannot predict
the future effects of these factors with certainty, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition,
operating results, liquidity and prospects. In addition, because a movie’s or television program’s performance in ancillary
markets, such as home video and pay and free television, is often directly related to its box office performance or television ratings,
poor box office results or poor television ratings may negatively affect future revenue streams. Our success will depend on the experience
and judgment of our management to select and develop new content acquisition and investment opportunities. We cannot make assurances
that movies and television programs will obtain favorable reviews or ratings, will perform well at the box office or in ancillary markets
or that broadcasters will license the rights to broadcast any of our television programs in development or renew licenses to broadcast
programs in our library. The failure to achieve any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial
condition, operating results, liquidity and prospects.
In
addition, the motion picture industry has been significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic in light of mandatory theatre shutdown,
changes to the planned production, distribution and release schedules. The industry may continue to be negatively impacted by delays
in the production and release schedules of new motion pictures and TV shows, which may negatively affect our business, financial condition,
operating results, liquidity and prospects.
Our
business involves risks of liability claims for media content, which could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial
condition.
As
a distributor of media content, we may face potential liability for:
●
defamation;
●
invasion
of privacy;
●
negligence;
●
copyright
or trademark infringement (as discussed above); and
●
other
claims based on the nature and content of the materials distributed.
These
types of claims have been brought, sometimes successfully, against producers and distributors of media content. Any imposition of liability
that is not covered by insurance or is in excess of insurance coverage could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial
condition, operating results, liquidity and prospects.
O ur
revenues and earnings are subject to market downturns .
Our
revenues and earnings may fluctuate significantly in the future. General economic or other conditions could cause lower than expected
revenues and earnings within our digital cinema, technology or content and entertainment businesses. The global economic turmoil of recent
years has caused a general tightening in the credit markets, lower levels of liquidity, increases in the rates of default and bankruptcy,
an unprecedented level of intervention from the U.S. federal government and other foreign governments, decreased consumer confidence,
overall slower economic activity and extreme volatility in credit, equity and fixed income markets. While the ultimate outcome of these
events cannot be predicted, a decrease in economic activity in the U.S. or in other regions of the world in which we do business could
adversely affect demand for our movies, thus reducing our revenue and earnings. While stabilization has continued, it remains a slow
process and the global economy remains subject to volatility. Moreover, financial institution failures may cause us to incur increased
expenses or make it more difficult either to financing of any future acquisitions, or financing activities. Any of these factors could
have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and could result in significant additional dilution to shareholders.
17
Changes
in economic conditions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial position and results of operations.
Our
operations and performance could be influenced by worldwide economic conditions. Uncertainty about current global economic conditions
poses a risk as consumers and businesses may postpone spending in response to tighter credit, negative financial news and/or declines
in income or asset values, which could have a material negative effect on the demand for our products and services. Other factors that
could influence demand include continuing increases in fuel and other energy costs, conditions in the residential real estate and mortgage
markets, labor and healthcare costs, access to credit, consumer confidence, and other macroeconomic factors affecting consumer-spending
behavior. These and other economic factors could have a material adverse effect on demand for our products and services and on our financial
condition and operating results. Uncertainty about current global economic conditions could also continue to increase the volatility
of our stock price.
Changes
to existing accounting pronouncements or taxation rules or practices may affect how we conduct our business and affect our reported results
of operations.
New
accounting pronouncements or tax rules and varying interpretations of accounting pronouncements or taxation practice have occurred and
may occur in the future. A change in accounting pronouncements or interpretations or taxation rules or practices can have a significant
effect on our reported results and may even affect our reporting of transactions completed before the change is effective. Changes to
existing rules and pronouncements, future changes, if any, or the questioning of current practices or interpretations may adversely affect
our reported financial results or the way we conduct our business.
Our
ability to utilize our net operating loss carryforwards in the future is subject to substantial limitations and we may not be able to
use some identified net operating loss carryforwards, which could result in increased tax payments in future periods.
Under
Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, if a corporation undergoes an ownership change (generally defined as a greater than 50% change
(by value) in its equity ownership over a three-year period), the corporation’s ability to use its pre-change net operating loss
(“NOL”) carryforwards to offset its post-change income may be limited. Similar rules may apply under state tax laws. On November
1, 2018, we experienced an ownership change with respect to the Bison acquisition. Accordingly, our ability to utilize our NOL carryforwards
attributable to periods prior to November 1, 2018 is subject to substantial limitations. These limitations could result in increased
future tax payments, which could be material.
We
may experience unanticipated effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our
business could be adversely affected by the effects of a widespread outbreak of contagious disease, including the recent outbreak of
COVID-19. The COVID-19 pandemic and related economic repercussions created significant volatility and uncertainty impacting the Company’s
results for the year. As part of our Content & Entertainment business, the Company sells DVDs and Blu-ray discs at brick-and-mortar
stores. With the closure of non-essential retail stores beginning in the spring of 2020, the sale of physical discs through our retail
partners declined although this was partially offset by digital purchases of physical product. As part of our Cinema Equipment business,
the Company earns revenue when movies are exhibited in theaters. Many movie theaters in the United States closed during the spring of
2020 and remained closed or re-opened on a limited basis through March 31, 2021. The majority of major studios shifted films out of the
fiscal year to dates when more screens would be available, and consumers felt safe to return to theaters. Films released during the year
had box office results below pre-Covid expectations due to theater closure, limited capacity and new commercial models that permitted
viewing day and date via premium video on demand (“PVOD”) and subscription video on demand (“SVOD”). To the extent
films are not shown in theaters, we do not earn revenue.
Longer
term, there may be a shift in consumer preference towards digital consumption over physical or theatrical viewing. Studios may reduce
their theatrical slates to tentpoles and certain genres releasing other content directly on their own streaming services. This decision
could negatively impact the Company’s ability to license content for the sale of physical product, if those rights are withheld
to create exclusivity to the platform and reduce revenue opportunities for virtual print fees and sales of digital cinema equipment.
While the Company has been encouraged by the pace of mass vaccinations, spikes or the emergence of new variants could require future
closures. These changes could negatively impact results of operations, financial conditional and cash flows.
We have identified two material weaknesses in our internal control
over financial reporting and, as such, a material misstatement of the annual or interim financial statement may not be prevented or detected
on a timely basis.
Effective internal controls are necessary for us to provide reliable
financial reports. Nevertheless, all internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations. We identified two
material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting during the 2021 fiscal year. The material weaknesses relate to (i)
the fact that we have limited accounting personnel with sufficient expertise, accounting knowledge and training in United States generally
accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and financial reporting requirements and (ii) ineffective information and communication
controls. See Item 9A, “Controls and Procedures,” for additional information. If we fail to achieve and maintain effective
controls and procedures for financial reporting, we may be unable to provide timely and accurate financial information. This may cause
investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information. This may also have an adverse effect on the trading price of our Class
A common stock, give rise to an investigation by the SEC, and possible civil or criminal sanctions. Additionally, ineffective internal
control over financial reporting could place us at increased risk of fraud or misuse of corporate assets.
18
R isks
Related to Class A Common Stock
The
liquidity of the Class A common stock is uncertain; the limited trading volume of the Class A common stock may depress the price of such
stock or cause it to fluctuate significantly.
Although
the Class A common stock is listed on Nasdaq, there has been a limited public market for the Class A common stock and there can be no
assurance that a more active trading market for the Common Stock will develop. As a result, you may not be able to sell your shares of
Class A common stock in short time periods, or possibly at all. The absence of an active trading market may cause the price per share
of the Class A common stock to fluctuate significantly.
Substantial
resales or future issuances of our Class A common stock could depress our stock price.
The
market price for the Class A common stock could decline, perhaps significantly, as a result of resales or issuances of a large number
of shares of the Class A common stock in the public market or even the perception that such resales or issuances could occur. In addition,
we have outstanding a substantial number of options and warrants exercisable for shares of Class A common stock that may be exercised
in the future. These factors could also make it more difficult for us to raise funds through future offerings of our equity securities.
You
will incur substantial dilution as a result of certain future equity issuances.
We
have a substantial number of options and warrants currently outstanding which may be immediately exercised for shares of Class A common
stock. To the extent that these options or warrants are exercised, or to the extent we issue additional shares of Class A common stock
in the future, as the case may be, there will be further dilution to holders of shares of the Class A common stock.
Our
issuance of preferred stock could adversely affect holders of Class A common stock.
Our
board of directors is authorized to issue series of preferred stock without any action on the part of our holders of Class A common stock.
Our board of directors also has the power, without stockholder approval, to set the terms of any such series of preferred stock that
may be issued, including voting rights, dividend rights, preferences over our Class A common stock with respect to dividends or if we
liquidate, dissolve or wind up our business and other terms. If we issue preferred stock in the future that has preference over our Class
A common stock with respect to the payment of dividends or upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, or if we issue preferred
stock with voting rights that dilute the voting power of our Class A common stock, the rights of holders of our Class A common stock
or the price of our Class A common stock could be adversely affected.
Our
stock price has been volatile and may continue to be volatile in the future; this volatility may affect the price at which you could
sell our Class A common stock.
The
trading price of the Class A common stock has been volatile and may continue to be volatile in response to various factors, some of which
are beyond our control. Any of the factors listed below could have a material adverse effect on an investment in our securities:
● actual
or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly financial results or the quarterly financial results of companies perceived to be similar
to us;
● changes
in the market’s expectations about our operating results;
● success
of competitors;
● our
operating results failing to meet the expectation of securities analysts or investors in a particular period;
● changes
in financial estimates and recommendations by securities analysts concerning us, the market for digital and physical content, content
distribution and entertainment in general;
● operating
and stock price performance of other companies that investors deem comparable to us;
19
● our
ability to market new and enhanced products on a timely basis;
● changes
in laws and regulations affecting our business or our industry;
● commencement
of, or involvement in, litigation involving us;
● changes
in our capital structure, such as future issuances of securities or the incurrence of additional debt;
● the
volume of shares of the Class A common stock available for public sale;
● any
major change in our board of directors or management;
● sales
of substantial amounts of Class A common stock by our directors, executive officers or significant stockholders or the perception that
such sales could occur; and
● general
economic and political conditions such as recessions, interest rates, international currency fluctuations and acts of war or terrorism.
Broad
market and industry factors may materially harm the market price of the Class A common stock irrespective of our operating performance.
The stock market in general, and Nasdaq in particular, have experienced price and volume fluctuations that have often been unrelated
or disproportionate to the operating performance of the particular companies affected. The trading prices and valuations of these stocks,
and of the Class A common stock, may not be predictable. A loss of investor confidence in the market for retail stocks or the stocks
of other companies that investors perceive to be similar to us could depress our stock price regardless of our business, prospects, financial
conditions or results of operations. A decline in the market price of the Class A common stock also could adversely affect our ability
to issue additional securities and our ability to obtain additional financing in the future.
Anti-takeover
provisions contained in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, as well as provisions of Delaware law, could impair a takeover attempt.
Our
fifth amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws, as amended, contain provisions that could have the effect of delaying
or preventing changes in control or changes in our management without the consent of our board of directors.
These
provisions include:
● no
cumulative voting in the election of directors, which limits the ability of minority stockholders to elect director candidates;
● the
exclusive right of our board of directors to elect a director to fill a vacancy created by the expansion of the board of directors or
the resignation, death, or removal of a director, which prevents stockholders from being able to fill vacancies on our board of directors;
● the
ability of our board of directors to determine to issue shares of preferred stock and to determine the price and other terms of those
shares, including preferences and voting rights, without stockholder approval, which could be used to significantly dilute the ownership
of a hostile acquirer;
● the
requirement that an annual meeting of stockholders may be called only by the board of directors, which may delay the ability of our stockholders
to force consideration of a proposal or to take action, including the removal of directors;
● limiting
the liability of, and providing indemnification to, our directors and officers;
● controlling
the procedures for the conduct and scheduling of stockholder meetings; and
● providing
that directors may be removed prior to the expiration of their terms by the Board of Directors only for cause.
20
In
addition, our certificate of incorporation authorizes the issuance of 15,000,000 shares of preferred stock. The terms of our preferred
stock may be fixed by the company’s board of directors without further stockholder action. The terms of any outstanding series
or class of preferred stock may include priority claims to assets and dividends and special voting rights, which could adversely affect
the rights of holders of Class A common stock. Any future issuance(s) of preferred stock could make the takeover of the company more
difficult, discourage unsolicited bids for control of the company in which our stockholders could receive premiums for their shares,
dilute or subordinate the rights of holders of Class A common stock and adversely affect the trading price of the Class A common stock.
These
provisions, alone or together, could delay hostile takeovers and changes in control of the Company or changes in our management.
As
a Delaware corporation, we are also subject to provisions of Delaware law, including Section 203 of the DGCL, which prevents some stockholders
holding more than 15% of our outstanding common stock from engaging in certain business combinations without approval of the holders
of substantially all of our outstanding common stock. Any provision of our certificate of incorporation or bylaws or Delaware law that
has the effect of delaying or deterring a change in control could limit the opportunity for our stockholders to receive a premium for
their shares of our common stock, and could also affect the price that some investors are willing to pay for our securities.
We
may not be able to maintain the listing of our Common Stock on Nasdaq, which may adversely effect the flexibility of holders of Common
Stock to resell their securities in the secondary market.
The
Common Stock is presently listed on Nasdaq. If the Company is unable to meet the continued listing criteria of Nasdaq and the Common
Stock became delisted, trading of the Common Stock could thereafter be conducted in the over-the-counter markets in the OTC Pink, also
known as “pink sheets” or, if available, on another OTC trading platform. We cannot assure you that we will meet the criteria
for continued listing, in which case the Common Stock could become delisted. Any such delisting could harm our ability to raise capital
through alternative financing sources on terms acceptable to us, or at all, and may result in the loss of confidence in our financial
stability by suppliers, customers and employees. Investors would likely find it more difficult to dispose of, or to obtain accurate market
quotations for, the Common Stock, as the liquidity that Nasdaq provides would no longer be available to investors. In addition, the failure
of our Common Stock to continue to be listed on the Nasdaq could adversely impact the market price for the Common Stock and our other
securities, and we could face a lengthy process to re-list the Common Stock, if we are able to re-list the Common Stock.
We
have no present intention of paying dividends on our Class A common stock.
We
have never paid any cash dividends on our Class A common stock and have no present plans to do so. In addition, certain of our credit
facilities restrict our ability to pay dividends on the Class A common stock. As a result, you may not receive any return on an investment
in our Class A common stock unless you sell any shares you hold for a price greater than that which you paid for them.
Our
ability to raise capital in the future may be limited, which could make us unable to fund our capital requirements.
Our
business and operations may consume resources faster than we anticipate, or we may require additional funds to pursue acquisition or
expansion opportunities. In the future, we may need to raise additional funds through the issuance of new equity securities, debt or
a combination of both. Additional financing may not be available on favorable terms or at all. If adequate funds are not available
on acceptable terms, we may be unable to fund our capital requirements. If we issue new debt securities, the debt holders would have
rights senior to common stockholders to make claims on our assets, and the terms of any debt could restrict our operations,
including our ability to pay dividends on our Class A common stock. Because our decision to issue securities in any future offering
will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing or nature of
our future offerings. Thus, our stockholders bear the risk of our future securities offerings reducing the market price of our Class
A common stock, diluting their interest or being subject to rights and preferences senior to their own.
ITEM
1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
21
ITEM
2. PROPERTIES
We
operated from the following leased properties at March 31, 2021.
Location
Square Feet (Approx.)
Lease Expiration Date
Primary Use
New York City, New York
3,500
October, 2021 (1)
Corporate executive and administrative headquarters. Shared between all business segments.
(1) Company
moved into the premises in March 2020.
We
believe that we have sufficient space to conduct our business for the foreseeable future. All of our leased properties are, in the opinion
of our management, in satisfactory condition and adequately covered by insurance.
We
do not own any real estate or invest in real estate or related investments.
ITEM
3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
None.
ITEM
4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not
applicable.
22
PART
II
ITEM
5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED SHAREHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
CLASS
A COMMON STOCK
Our
Class A Common Stock trades publicly on The Nasdaq Global Market (“Nasdaq”), under the trading symbol “CIDM”.
The following table shows the high and low sales prices per share of our Class A Common Stock as reported by Nasdaq for the periods indicated:
For the Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
2021
2020
HIGH
LOW
HIGH
LOW
April 1 – June 30
$ 3.20
$ 0.32
$ 2.00
$ 1.29
July 1 – September 30
$ 2.49
$ 0.55
$ 1.36
$ 0.85
October 1 – December 31
$ 1.09
$ 0.45
$ 1.09
$ 0.69
January 1 – March 31
$ 2.33
$ 0.69
$ 0.82
$ 0.29
The last reported closing price per share of our
Class A Common Stock as reported by Nasdaq on July 23, 2021 was $1.46 per share. As of July 23, 2021, there were 69 holders of record of
our Class A Common Stock, not including beneficial owners of our Class A Common Stock whose shares are held in the names of various dealers,
clearing agencies, banks, brokers and other fiduciaries.
CLASS
B COMMON STOCK
On
October 31, 2017, we filed our Fifth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation which, in addition to other things, eliminated
the Class B Common Stock. Accordingly, no further Class B Common Stock will be issued.
DIVIDEND
POLICY
We
have never paid any cash dividends on our Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock and do not anticipate paying any on our Class
A Common Stock in the foreseeable future. Any future payment of dividends on our Class A Common Stock will be in the sole discretion
of our board of directors.
The
holders of our Series A 10% Non-Voting Cumulative Preferred Stock are entitled to receive dividends. There were $89 thousand of cumulative
dividends in arrears on the Preferred Stock at March 31, 2021.
SALES
OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES
None.
PURCHASE
OF EQUITY SECURITIES
There
were no purchases of shares of our Class A Common Stock made by us or on our behalf during the twelve months ended March 31,
2021 and 2020.
23
ITEM
6. [RESERVED]
ITEM
7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The
following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our historical consolidated financial statements and the related
notes included elsewhere in this report.
This
report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These include statements about our expectations,
beliefs, intentions or strategies for the future, which are indicated by words or phrases such as “believes,” “anticipates,”
“expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “will,” “estimates,” and similar words. Forward-looking
statements represent, as of the date of this report, our judgment relating to, among other things, future results of operations, growth
plans, sales, capital requirements and general industry and business conditions applicable to us. These forward-looking statements are
not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors, some of which are beyond
our control that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
OVERVIEW
Since
our inception, we have played a significant role in the digital distribution revolution that continues to transform the media landscape.
In addition to our pioneering role in transitioning approximately 12,000 movie screens from traditional analog film prints to digital
distribution, we have become a leading distributor of independent content, both through organic growth and acquisitions. We distribute
products for major brands such as the Hallmark, Televisa, ITV, Nelvana, ZDF, Konami, NFL, NHL and Scholastic, as well as leading international
and domestic content creators, movie producers, television producers and other short form digital content producers. We collaborate with
producers, major brands and other content owners to market, source, curate and distribute quality content to targeted audiences through
(i) existing and emerging digital home entertainment platforms, including but not limited to, iTunes, Amazon Prime, Netflix, Hulu, Xbox,
Sony PlayStation, Tubi and cable video-on-demand (“VOD”), and (ii) physical goods, including DVD and Blu-ray Discs.
We
report our financial results in two primary segments as follows: (1) cinema equipment business and (2) media content and entertainment
business (“Content & Entertainment” or “CEG”). The cinema equipment business segment consists of the non-recourse,
financing vehicles and administrators for our digital cinema equipment (the “Systems”) installed in movie theatres throughout
North America and several international countries. It also provides fee-based support to over 6,200 movie screens as well as directly
to exhibitors and other third-party customers in the form of monitoring, billing, collection and verification services. Our Content
& Entertainment segment is a market leader in: (1) ancillary market aggregation and distribution of entertainment content and (2)
branded and curated over-the-top (“OTT”) digital network business providing entertainment channels and applications.
Beginning
in December 2015, certain of our cinema equipment began to reach the conclusion of their 10-year deployment payment period with certain
distributors and, therefore, Virtual Print Fees (“VPF”) revenues ceased to be recognized on such Systems, related to such
distributors. Furthermore, because the Phase I Deployment installation period ended in November 2007, a majority of the VPF revenue associated
with the Phase I Deployment Systems has ended. The reduction in VPF revenue on cinema equipment business systems approximately coincided
with the conclusion of certain of our non-recourse debt obligations and, therefore, the reduced cash outflows related to such non-recourse
debt obligations partially offset the reduced VPF revenue since November 2017.
Under
the terms of our standard cinema equipment licensing agreements, exhibitors will continue to have the right to use our Systems through
the end of the term of the licensing agreement, after which time, they have the option to: (1) return the Systems to us; (2) renew their
license agreement for successive one-year terms; or (3) purchase the Systems from us at fair market value. As permitted by these agreements,
we typically pursue the sale of the Systems to such exhibitors. Such sales were as originally contemplated as the conclusion of the digital
cinema deployment plan.
We
are structured so that our cinema equipment business segment operates independently from our Content & Entertainment business. As
of March 31, 2021, we had approximately $7.8 million of non-recourse outstanding debt principal that relates to, and is serviced by,
our cinema equipment business. We have approximately $4.1 million of outstanding debt principal, as of March 31, 2021 that is attributable
to our Content & Entertainment and Corporate segments.
24
Risks
and Uncertainties
The
COVID-19 pandemic and related economic repercussions created significant volatility and uncertainty impacting the Company’s results
for the year. As part of our Content & Entertainment business, the Company sells DVDs and Blu-ray discs at brick-and-mortar stores.
With the closure of non-essential retail stores beginning in the spring of 2020, the sale of physical discs through our retail partners
declined although this was partially offset by digital purchases of physical product. As part of our Cinema Equipment business, the Company
earns revenue when movies are exhibited in theaters. Many movie theaters in the United States closed during the spring of 2020 and remained
closed or re-opened on a limited basis through March 31, 2021. The majority of major studios shifted films out of the fiscal year to
dates when more screens would be available, and consumers felt safe to return to theaters. Films released during the year had box office
results below pre-Covid expectations due to theater closure, limited capacity and new commercial models that permitted viewing day and
date via premium video on demand (“PVOD”) and subscription video on demand (“SVOD”). To the extent films are
not shown in theaters, we do not earn revenue.
Longer
term, there may be a shift in consumer preference towards digital consumption over physical or theatrical viewing. Studios may reduce
their theatrical slates to tentpoles and certain genres releasing other content directly on their own streaming services. This decision
could negatively impact the Company’s ability to license content for the sale of physical product, if those rights are withheld
to create exclusivity to the platform and reduce revenue opportunities for virtual print fees and sales of digital cinema equipment.
While the Company has been encouraged by the pace of mass vaccinations, spikes or the emergence of new variants could require future
closures.
Liquidity
We have incurred net losses historically and have
an accumulated deficit of $474.1 million and negative working capital of $14.2 million as of March 31, 2021. We may continue to generate
net losses for the foreseeable future. In addition, we have debt-related contractual obligations as of March 31, 2021 and beyond. Based
on these conditions, the Company entered into the following transactions:
Capital
Raises
On
February 2, 2021, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with a single institutional investor for the purchase and
sale of 5,600,000 shares of Class A common stock at a purchase price of $1.25 per share, in a registered direct offering, pursuant to
an effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 which was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission on July
10, 2020 (File No. 333-239710) and an applicable prospectus supplement. The closing of the sale occurred on February 5, 2021. The aggregate
gross proceeds for the sale was approximately $7.0 million. The net proceeds to the Company from the sale, after deducting the fees of
the placement agent but before paying the Company’s estimated offering expenses, was approximately $6.5 million.
In
July 2020, we entered into an At-the-Market sales agreement (the “ATM Sales Agreement”) with A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners
(“A.G.P.”) and B. Riley FBR, Inc. (“B. Riley” and, together with A.G.P., the “Sales Agents”), pursuant
to which the Company may offer and sell, from time to time, through the Sales Agents, shares of Common Stock at the market prices prevailing
on Nasdaq at the time of the sale of such shares. The Company is not obligated to sell any shares under the ATM Sales Agreement. Any
sales of shares made under the ATM Sales Agreement will be made pursuant to an effective registration statement on Form S-3 which was
declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 10, 2020 (File No. 333-239710), for an aggregate offering price
of up to $30 million. During the year ended March 31, 2021, we sold 28,405,840 shares of Common Stock under the ATM Sales Agreement.
Net proceeds from such sales totaled $18.6 million.
On
July 16, 2020, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement with certain investors for the purchase and sale of 7,213,334
shares of Class A common stock, par value $0.001 per share, at a purchase price of $1.50 per share, in a registered direct offering,
pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 which was declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission
on July 10, 2020 (File No. 333-239710) and an applicable prospectus supplement. The closing of the sale occurred on July 20, 2020. The
aggregate gross proceeds for the sale was approximately $10.8 million. The net proceeds to the Company from the sale, after deducting
the fees of the placement agents but before paying the Company’s estimated offering expenses, is approximately $10.1 million.
25
On
May 20, 2020, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement (the “Securities Purchase Agreement”) with certain
investors (the “Investors”) for the purchase and sale of 10,666,666 shares of the Class A common stock, at a purchase price
of $0.75 per share, in a registered direct offering, pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 which was declared
effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 14, 2020 (File No. 333-238183) and an applicable prospectus supplement. The
closing of the sale occurred on May 22, 2020. The aggregate gross proceeds for the sale was $8.0 million. The net proceeds to the Company
from the sale, after deducting the fees of the placement agents but before paying the Company’s estimated offering expenses, were
approximately $7.1 million.
As
of March 31, 2021, there is still approximately $38.0 million available under our shelf registration to raise additional capital.
Sale
of Cinematic Equipment
On March 17, 2021, the Company entered into two
separate agreements for the sale of cinematic equipment to American Multi-Cinema, Inc. (“AMC”). The agreement included the
sale in tranches of a total of 2,369 cinematic projectors starting in March 2021 throughout January 2023 for a total cash consideration
of $10.8 million. As of March 31, 2021 the Company executed the sale of the first tranche and recognized revenue for $300 thousand. A
portion of the total proceeds will be utilized to eliminate the remaining Prospect note payable.
Equity
Investment in a Related Party
As
previously announced, on December 27, 2019, the Company entered into, and on February 14, 2020 amended, (see Note 2 - Summary of Significant
Accounting Policies ), a stock purchase agreement (as so amended, the “Stock Purchase Agreement”) with BeiTai Investment
LP (“BeiTai”), a related party for accounting purposes of Cinedigm and Aim Right Ventures Limited (“Aim Right”),
two shareholders of Starrise Media Holdings Limited, a leading Chinese entertainment company (“Starrise”), to buy from them
an aggregate of 410,901,000 outstanding Starrise ordinary shares (the “Share Acquisition”). On February 14, 2020, the Company
purchased 162,162,162 of the Starrise ordinary shares from BeiTai and issued BeiTai 21,646,604 shares of its Class A common stock in
consideration. The Starrise shares received were valued at approximately $25 million and the Company issued shares that were valued at
approximately $11.2 million. On April 10, 2020, the Company, in accordance with the terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement, terminated
its obligation to purchase Starrise ordinary shares from Aim Right under the December 27, 2019 stock purchase agreement.
On
April 10, 2020, the Company entered into another stock purchase agreement (the “April Stock Purchase Agreement”) with five
(5) shareholders of Starrise-Bison Global Investment SPC - Bison Global No. 1 SP, Huatai Investment LP, Antai Investment LP, Mingtai
Investment LP and Shangtai Asset Management LP, all of which are related parties to the Company to buy an aggregate of 223,380,000 outstanding
Starrise ordinary shares from them and for the Company to issue to them an aggregate of 29,855,081 shares of its Class A common stock
as consideration therefor (the “April Share Acquisition”). On April 15, 2020, the April Share Acquisition was consummated
and this transaction was also recorded as an equity investment in Starrise.
Starrise’s ordinary shares (HK 1616) are
listed on the main board of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited. Based on the closing price of HKD 0.15 per share on July 23, 2021,
calculated at an exchange rate of 7.7663 Hong Kong Dollars to 1 US dollar, the market value of Cinedigm’s ownership in Starrise
ordinary shares was approximately $7.0 million.
Borrowings
On June 22, 2021, the maturity
date of the East West Credit Facility (as defined in Note 6 - Notes Payable) with East West Bank was extended from June 30, 2021 to September
28, 2021.
26
On
April 15, 2020, the Company received $2.2 million from East West Bank, the Company’s existing lender, pursuant to the Paycheck
Protection Program (the “PPP Loan”) of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”).
The PPP Loan matures on April 10, 2022 (the “Maturity Date”), accrues interest at 1% per annum and may be prepaid in whole
or in part without penalty. No interest payments are due within the initial six months of the PPP Loan. The interest accrued during the
initial six-month period is due and payable, together with the principal, on the Maturity Date. The Company used all proceeds from the
PPP Loan to retain employees, maintain payroll and make lease and utility payments to support business continuity throughout the COVID-19
pandemic, which amounts are intended to be eligible for forgiveness, subject to the provisions of the CARES Act and could be subject
to repayment. On January 5, 2021, the Company submitted its application for forgiveness and, as of June 30, 2021, obtained forgiveness for the
full amount as discussed on Note 12 – Subsequent Events .
On
June 24, 2020, the Company entered into an exchange agreement (the “Exchange Agreement”) pursuant to which the Company issued
329,501 shares of its Class A common stock, in exchange for $842,000, the’ principal amount and accrued and unpaid interest of outstanding
Second Lien Loans (as defined in Note 6 - Notes Payable ). The surrendered Second Lien Loans were immediately canceled. The exchange
was consummated on June 24, 2020.
On
June 26, 2020, the Company signed a consent agreement with the holders of the Second Lien loans to extend the maturity date to September
30, 2020 and grant the Company options to extend further to March 31, 2021 and then to June 30, 2021. A consent fee of $100,000 was paid
in connection with this extension.
In
a separate exchange with another holder of Second Lien Notes, on November 19, 2020, the Company issued 452,499 shares of Common Stock
in exchange for $247,108 principal amount of Second Lien Notes. The exchanged Second Lien Notes were immediately cancelled.
On
December 4, 2020, the Company entered into exchange agreements (the “December Exchange Agreements”) with certain holders
of notes under its Second Lien Loan Agreement dated as of July 14, 2016 among the Company, the lenders party thereto, and Cortland Capital
Market Services LLC, as Agent (“Second Lien Notes”). Pursuant to the December Exchange Agreements, the Company issued an
aggregate of 2,776,284 shares of its Class A common stock, par value $0.001 per share Common Stock in exchange for an aggregate of $1,386,106
of principal amount of Second Lien Notes. The exchanged Second Lien Notes were immediately cancelled.
On January 21, 2021, the Company entered into
an exchange agreement (the “Exchange Agreement”) with a holder of notes under its Second Lien Loan Agreement dated as of July
14, 2016 among the Company, the lenders party thereto, and Cortland Capital Market Services LLC, as Agent (“Second Lien Notes”).
Pursuant to the Exchange Agreement, the Company issued an aggregate of 1,247,626 shares of Class A common stock, in exchange for an aggregate
of $1,289,650 of principal amount of Second Lien Notes. The exchanged Second Lien Notes were immediately cancelled.
In two separate exchanges with another holder
of Second Lien Notes, on January 14, 2021 and January 21, 2021, the Company issued 689,500 shares and 580,448 shares (an aggregate of
1,269,948 shares) of Class A common stock in exchange for $500,000 and $600,000 (an aggregate of $1,100,000) principal amount of Second
Lien Notes. The exchanged Second Lien Notes were immediately cancelled.
On
February 2, 2021, the Company issued 425,290 shares of Class A common stock in exchange for $500,000 principal amount of Second Lien
Notes. The exchanged Second Lien Notes were immediately cancelled.
The
Second Lien Loans (as defined in Note 6 - Notes Payable) were to mature on June 16, 2020. On June 26, 2020, the Company entered into
a consent agreement with the lenders of the Second Lien Loans to an extension of the Second Lien Loans pursuant to which (i) the Company
paid down a portion of the outstanding principal amount plus accrued interest to date, and 47 (ii) the maturity date of the remaining
outstanding principal amount of the Second Lien Loans was extended to September 30, 2019. On July 30, 2019, one of the lenders, signed
a waiver to defer the receipt of the portion of the outstanding principal amount on the Second Lien Loans agreed to be paid no later
than September 30, 2019.The Company paid $3.4 million of the outstanding Second Lien Loans and expects to obtain additional capital from
or through Bison Capital Holding Limited or an affiliate thereof (“Bison”) for final payment of the remaining outstanding
balances. The Second Lien Loans (as defined in Note 6 - Notes Payable) were to mature on June February 16, 2020. On June 26, 2020, the
Company entered into a consent agreement with the lenders to extend the maturity date to September 30, 2020 and grant the Company options
to extend further to March 31, 2021 and then to June 30, 2021. There was a consent fee of $100,000 for this extension.
27
On
February 9, 2021, the Company prepaid all of the outstanding obligations in respect of principal, interest, fees and expenses
under the Second Lien Loan Agreement, among the Company, certain lenders and Cortland Capital Market Services LLC. The payoff amount
of approximately $3.18 million was comprised of (i) $3.1 million of principal, (2) accrued payment-in-kind interest of $.018 million,
(3) accrued current interest of $0.007 million, and (4) fees and expenses of $0.004 million. Upon such prepayment, the Second Lien Loan
Agreement was terminated effective February 9, 2021.
The
$10.0 million note payable (“2018 Loan”) to Bison Global Investment SPC for and on behalf of Global Investment SPC-Bison
Global No. 1, another affiliate of Bison (“Bison Global”), due July 20, 2019 is guaranteed by Bison Entertainment and Media
Group (“BEMG”). On July 20, 2018, the Company also entered into a side letter (the “Letter”) with BEMG, where
BEMG agreed to guarantee the payment directly to Bison Global of any amount due if (i) the 2018 Loan matures prior to June 28, 2021 or
(ii) Bison Global demands payment of the 2018 Loan, in whole or in part, prior to maturity.
On
July 12, 2019, the Company and Bison Global entered into a termination agreement (the “Termination Agreement”) with respect
to the $10.0 million 2018 Loan. Contemporaneously with the Termination Agreement, the Company entered into a convertible promissory note
(“Bison Convertible Note”) with Bison Global for $10.0 million.
The Bison Convertible Note had a term ending on
March 4, 2020, and bears interest at 5% per annum. The principal is payable upon maturity, in cash or in shares of our Class A common
stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock” or “Class A common stock”), or a combination of cash and
Common Stock, at the Company’s option. The Bison Convertible Note is unsecured and may be prepaid without premium or penalty, and
contains customary covenants, representations and warranties. The proceeds of the Bison Convertible Note were used to repay the 2018 Loan.
On April 15, 2020, the Company executed a letter amendment (the “Letter Amendment”) to the Bison Convertible Note. Among other
things, the Letter Amendment amended the Bison Convertible Note, effective as of March 4, 2020, to change the maturity date of the Bison
Convertible Note to March 4, 2021. The Bison Convertible Note due 2021 was converted to Common Stock in March 2021. See Note 6 - Notes
Payable .
On April 15, 2020, the Company executed a letter
amendment (the “Letter Amendment”) to the Bison Convertible Note (as defined in Note 6 - Notes Payable ). Among other
things, the Letter Amendment amended the Note, effective as of March 4, 2020, to extend the maturity date of the Bison Convertible note
to March 4, 2021.
On
October 9, 2018, the Company issued a subordinated convertible note (the “Convertible Note”) to MingTai Investment LP (the
“Lender”) for $5.0 million. All proceeds from the Convertible Note were used to pay the $5.0 million 2013 Notes. See Note
6 - Notes Payable . The Convertible Note bears interest at 8% and matured on October 9, 2019. The principal is payable upon maturity,
in cash or in shares of our Class A common stock, or a combination of cash and Common Stock, at the Company’s option. On October
9, 2019, the Company signed an extension to the Ming Tai Note of $5.0 million for the first of two (2) permitted additional (1) year
extensions at the Company’s option from the original maturity date to October 9, 2020.
On
October 9, 2019, the Company signed an extension to the Ming Tai Note of $5.0 million for the first of two (2) permitted additional
(1) year extensions at the Company’s option from the original maturity date to October 9, 2020. This note will continue in full
force and effect in accordance with its terms, including the Company’s reservation of its right to further extend the maturity
date of this note, if it so elects.
On
September 11, 2020, the Bison and Mingtai Notes, having an aggregate of $15 million principal amount (the “Notes”) were
converted in full into an aggregate of 10,000,000 shares of Common Stock at a conversion price of $1.50 per share in accordance with
the terms of the Notes. Accordingly, the Notes have been extinguished. The Notes were held by Bison Global and, both of which are affiliates
of Peixin Xu, the Chairman of Bison Capital Holding Company Limited, which is indirectly Cinedigm’s largest stockholder.
On July 3, 2019, the Company entered into an amendment
(the “EWB Amendment”) to the Loan, Guaranty and Security Agreement, dated as of March 30, 2018, by and between the Company,
East West Bank and the Guarantors named therein (the “EWB Credit Agreement”). The EWB Amendment reduced the size of the facility
to $18.0 million, required certain prepayments and daily cash sweeps from collections of receivables to be made, changed in certain respects
how the borrowing base is calculated, and extended the maturity date to June 30, 2020. In connection with the EWB Amendment, three of
our subsidiaries became additional Guarantors under the EWB Credit Agreement. On June 26, 2020, the Company signed another amendment and
extended the maturity date to June 30, 2021 and on June 22, 2021, the maturity date was extended to September 28, 2021. See Note 6 - Notes
Payable.
28
On
March 4, 2021, Cinedigm DC Holdings, LLC (“CDCH”), Access Digital Media, Inc., Access Digital Cinema Phase 2, Corp., Christie/AIX,
Inc., Cinedigm Digital Funding I, LLC, certain Lenders, and Prospect Capital Corporation, as administrative agent and collateral agent
(“Prospect”), entered into Amendment No. 3 (the “Amendment”) to the Term Loan Agreement dated February 28, 2013
(the “Term Loan Agreement”). Under the Amendment, the maturity date of the loan under the Term Loan Agreement (the “Loan”)
was extended to March 31, 2022.
We
believe the combination of: (i) our cash and cash equivalent balances at March 31, 2021, (ii) expected cash flows from operations,
(iii) expansion into Streaming, and (iv) the capacity under existing arrangements and access to new sources of capital will be sufficient
to satisfy our contractual obligations, as well as liquidity for our operational and capital needs, for twelve months from the filing
of this document. Our capital requirements will depend on many factors, and we may need to use capital resources and obtain additional
capital. Failure to generate additional revenues, obtain additional capital or manage discretionary spending could have an adverse effect
on our financial position, results of operations and liquidity.
Critical
Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our
consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
(“GAAP”). In connection with the preparation of our financial statements, we are required to make assumptions and estimates
about future events and apply judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue, expenses and the related disclosures.
We base our assumptions, estimates and judgments on historical experience, current trends and other factors that management believes
to be relevant at the time our consolidated financial statements are prepared. On a regular basis, management reviews the accounting
policies, assumptions, estimates and judgments to ensure that our financial statements are presented fairly and in accordance with GAAP.
However, because future events and their effects cannot be determined with certainty, actual results could differ from our assumptions
and estimates, and such differences could be material.
Our
significant accounting policies are discussed in Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies , of the Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements, included in Item 8, Financial Statements and Supplementary Data , of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Management
believes that the following accounting policies are the most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating our reported financial
results, and they require management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, resulting from the need to make estimates
about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. Management has reviewed these critical accounting estimates and related disclosures
with the Audit Committee of our board of directors.
PROPERTY
AND EQUIPMENT
Property
and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation expense is recorded using the straight-line
method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets as follows:
Computer equipment and software
3-5 years
Internal use software
5 years
Digital cinema projection systems
10 years
Machinery and equipment
3-10 years
Furniture and fixtures
3-6 years
Leasehold
improvements are being amortized over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful life of the improvement. Maintenance and
repair costs are charged to expense as incurred. Major renewals, improvements and additions are capitalized.
Useful
lives are determined based on an estimate of either physical or economic obsolescence, or both. During the fiscal years ended March 31,
2021 and 2020, we have neither made any revisions to estimated useful lives, nor recorded any impairment charges on our property, equipment
and internal use software.
29
FAIR
VALUE ESTIMATES
Goodwill,
Intangible and Long-Lived Assets
We
evaluate our goodwill for impairment in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year (as of March 31), or whenever events or changes in circumstances
indicate the fair value of a reporting unit is below its carrying amount. The determination of whether or not goodwill has become impaired
involves a significant level of judgment in the assumptions underlying the approach used to determine the value of our reporting units.
Inherent in the fair value determination for each reporting unit are certain judgments and estimates relating to future cash flows, including
management’s interpretation of current economic indicators and market conditions, and assumptions about our strategic plans with
regard to our operations. To the extent additional information arises, market conditions change or our strategies change, it is possible
that the conclusion regarding whether goodwill is impaired could change and result in future goodwill impairment charges that could have
a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.
The
Company has the option to assess goodwill for possible impairment by performing a qualitative analysis to determine if it is more likely
than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount or to perform the quantitative impairment test.
The
quantitative test involves comparing the estimated fair value of a reporting unit with its respective book value, including goodwill.
If the estimated fair value exceeds book value, goodwill is considered not to be impaired. If, however, the fair value of the reporting
unit is less than book value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to the excess.
The
Company tests for goodwill impairment annually at March 31. During the years ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, there were no impairment
charges recorded on goodwill. In 2021, we elected to conduct a qualitative goodwill assessment and in 2020 we conducted a quantitative
goodwill assessment. In determining fair value, we used various assumptions, including expectations of future cash flows based on projections
or forecasts derived from analysis of business prospects, economic or market trends and any regulatory changes that may occur. We estimated
the fair value of the reporting unit using a net present value methodology, which is dependent on significant assumptions related to
estimated future discounted cash flows, discount rates and tax rates. Certain of the estimates and assumptions that we used in determining
the value of our CEG reporting unit are discussed in Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies of Item 8 - Financial
Statements and Supplementary Data of this Report on Form 10-K.
We
review the recoverability of our long-lived assets and finite-lived intangible assets, when events or conditions occur that indicate
a possible impairment exists. Determining whether impairment has occurred typically requires various estimates and assumptions, including
determining which cash flows are directly related to the potentially impaired asset, the useful life over which cash flows will occur,
their amount and the asset’s residual value, if any. The assessment for recoverability is based primarily on our ability to recover
the carrying value of its long-lived and finite-lived assets from expected future undiscounted net cash flows. If the total of expected
future undiscounted net cash flows is less than the total carrying value of the assets the asset is deemed not to be recoverable and
possibly impaired. We then estimate the fair value of the asset to determine whether an impairment loss should be recognized. An impairment
loss will be recognized if the asset’s fair value is determined to be less than its carrying value. Fair value is determined by
computing the expected future discounted cash flows.
30
REVENUE
RECOGNITION
We
determine revenue recognition by:
● identifying
the contract, or contracts, with the customer;
● identifying
the performance obligations in the contract;
● determining
the transaction price;
● allocating
the transaction price to performance obligations in the contract; and
● recognizing
revenue when, or as, we satisfy performance obligations by transferring the promised goods or services.
We
recognize revenue in the amount that reflects the consideration we expect to receive in exchange for the services provided, sales of
physical products (DVDs and Blu-ray) or when the content is available for subscription on the digital platform or available on
the point-of-sale for transactional and VOD services which is when the control of the promised products and services is transferred to
our customers and our performance obligations under the contract have been satisfied. Revenues that might be subject to various taxes
is recorded net of transaction taxes assessed by governmental authorities such as sales value-added taxes and other similar taxes.
Payment
terms and conditions vary by customer and typically provide net 30 to 90 day terms. We do not adjust the promised amount of
consideration for the effects of a significant financing component when we expect, at contract inception, that the period between
our transfer of a promised product or service to our customer and payment for that product or service will be one year or less. We
have in the past entered into arrangements in connection with activation fees due from our digital cinema equipment (the
“Systems”) deployments that had extended payment terms. The outstanding balances on these arrangements are insignificant
and hence the impact of significant financing would be insignificant.
Cinema
Equipment Business
Financing vehicles and administrators for 3,122
Systems installed nationwide in our first deployment phase (“Phase I Deployment”) to theatrical exhibitors and for 3,104 Systems
installed domestically and internationally in our second deployment phase (“Phase II Deployment”).
We retain ownership of our digital cinema equipment (the “Systems”) and the residual cash flows related to the Systems in
Phase I Deployment after the after the end of the 10-year deployment payment period.
For certain Phase II Deployment Systems, we do
not retain ownership of the residual cash flows and digital cinema equipment in Phase II Deployment after the completion of cost recoupment
and at the expiration of the exhibitor master license agreements.
The Cinema Equipment Business also provides monitoring, collection, verification and management services to this segment, as well as to
exhibitors who purchase their own equipment, and also collects and disburses Virtual print fees (“VPFs”) from motion picture
studios, and distributors and ACFs from alternative content providers, movie exhibitors and theatrical exhibitors (collectively, “Services”).
VPFs are earned, net of administrative fees,
pursuant to contracts with movie studios and distributors, whereby amounts are payable by a studio to Phase I Deployment and to Phase
II Deployment when movies distributed by the studio are displayed on screens utilizing our Systems installed in movie theatres. VPFs
are earned and payable to Phase I Deployment based on a defined fee schedule until the end of the VPF term. One VPF is payable for every
digital title initially displayed per System. The amount of VPF revenue is dependent on the number of movie titles released and displayed
using the Systems in any given accounting period. VPF revenue is recognized in the period in which the digital title first plays on a
System for general audience viewing in a digitally equipped movie theatre, as Phase I Deployment’s and Phase II Deployment’s
performance obligations have been substantially met at that time.
Phase II Deployment’s agreements with distributors
require the payment of VPFs, according to a defined fee schedule, for ten years from the date each system is installed; however, Phase
II Deployment may no longer collect VPFs once “cost recoupment,” as defined in the contracts with movie studios and distributors,
is achieved. Cost recoupment will occur once the cumulative VPFs and other cash receipts collected by Phase II Deployment have equaled
the total of all cash outflows, including the purchase price of all Systems, all financing costs, all “overhead and ongoing costs”,
as defined, and including service fees, subject to maximum agreed upon amounts during the three-year rollout period and thereafter. Further,
if cost recoupment occurs before the end of the eighth contract year, the studios will pay us a one-time “cost recoupment bonus.”
The Company evaluated the constraining estimates related to the variable consideration, i.e., the one-time bonus and determined that
it is not probable to conclude at this point in time that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will
occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved.
Under
the terms of our standard Cinema Equipment licensing agreements, exhibitors will continue to have the right to use our Systems through
the end of the term of the licensing agreement, after which time, they have the option to: (1) return the Systems to us; (2) renew their
license agreement for successive one-year terms; or (3) purchase the Systems from us at fair market value. As permitted by these agreements,
we have begun, and expect to continue, to pursue the sale of the Systems to such exhibitors. Such sales were as originally contemplated
as the conclusion of the digital cinema deployment plan.
Revenues
earned in connection with up front exhibitor contributions are deferred and recognized over the expected cost recoupment period.
31
Exhibitors
who purchased and own Systems using their own financing in the Cinema Equipment Business paid us an upfront activation fee of approximately
$2.0 thousand per screen (the “Exhibitor-Buyer Structure”). Upfront activation fees were recognized in the period in which
these Systems were delivered and ready for content, as we had no further obligations to the customer after that time and collection was
reasonably assured. In addition, we recognize activation fee revenue of between $1.0 thousand and $2.0 thousand on Phase 2 DC Systems
and for Systems installed by CDF2 Holdings, a related party, (See Note 4 - Other Interests ) upon installation and such fees are
generally collected upfront upon installation. Our services division manages and collects VPFs on behalf of exhibitors, for which it
earns an administrative fee equal to 10% of the VPFs collected.
The
Cinema Equipment Business earns an administrative fee of approximately 5% of VPFs collected and, in addition, earns an incentive service
fee equal to 2.5% of the VPFs earned by Phase 1 DC. This administrative fee is related to the collection and remittance of the VPF’s
and the performance obligation is satisfied at that time the related VPF fees are due which is at the time the movies are displayed on
screens utilizing our Systems installed in movie theatres. The service fees are recognized as a point in time revenue when the corresponding
VPF fees are due from the movie studios and distributors.
Under
the terms of the standard cinema equipment licensing agreements, exhibitors will continue to have the right to use the Systems through
the end of the term of the licensing agreement, after which time, they have the option to: (1) return the Systems to us; (2) renew their
license agreement for successive one-year terms; or (3) purchase the Systems from us at fair market value. As permitted by these agreements,
we have begun, and expect to continue, to pursue the sale of the Systems to such exhibitors. Such sales were as originally contemplated
as the conclusion of the digital cinema deployment plan. Cinedigm completed the sale of approximately 2,177 and 152 digital projection
Systems for an aggregate sales price of approximately $6.7 million and $1.6 million during the year ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Content
& Entertainment Business
CEG earns fees for the distribution of content
in the home entertainment markets via several distribution channels, including digital, video on demand (“VOD”), and physical
goods (e.g., DVD and Blu-ray Discs). Fees earned are typically a percentage based on the net amounts received from our customers depending
upon the nature of the agreements with the platform and content providers, the fee rate that we earn varies. The Company’s performance
obligations include the delivery of content for transactional, subscription and ad supported/FAST on the digital platforms, and shipment
of DVD and Blu-ray Discs. Revenue is recognized at the point in time when the performance obligation is satisfied which is when the content
is available for subscription on the digital platform, at the time of shipment for physical goods, or point-of-sale for transactional
and VOD services as the control over the content or the physical title is transferred to the customer. The Company considers the delivery
of content through various distribution channels to be a single performance obligation. Physical Revenue is recognized after deducting
the reserves for sales returns and other allowances, which are accounted for as variable consideration.
Physical
goods Reserves for sales returns and other allowances are recorded based upon historical experience. If actual future returns and allowances
differ from past experience, adjustments to our allowances may be required.
Principal
Agent Considerations
We
determine whether revenue should be reported on a gross or net basis based on each revenue stream. Key indicators that we use in evaluating
gross versus net treatment include, but are not limited to, the following:
● which
party is primarily responsible for fulfilling the promise to provide the specified good or service; and
● which
party has discretion in establishing the price for the specified good or service.
Based
on our evaluation of the above indicators, we concluded that there were no changes to our gross versus net reporting from legacy GAAP.
Shipping
and Handling
Shipping
and handling costs are incurred to move physical goods (e.g., DVD and Blu-ray Discs) to customers. We recognize all shipping and handling
costs as an expense in cost of goods sold because we are responsible for delivery of the product to our customers prior to transfer of
control to the customer.
32
Contract
Liabilities
We
generally record a receivable related to revenue when we have an unconditional right to invoice and receive payment, and we record deferred
revenue (contract liability) when cash payments are received or due in advance of our performance, even if amounts are refundable.
We
maintain reserves for potential credit losses on accounts receivable. We review the composition of accounts receivable and analyze historical
bad debts, customer concentrations, customer credit worthiness, current economic trends and changes in customer payment patterns to evaluate
the adequacy of these reserves. Reserves are recorded primarily on a specific identification basis.
Our
CEG segment recognizes accounts receivable, net of an estimated allowance for product returns and customer chargebacks, at the time that
it recognizes revenue from a sale. Reserves for product returns and other allowances are recorded based upon historical experience. If
actual future returns and allowances differ from past experience, adjustments to our allowances may be required. Sales returns and allowances
are reported as a reduction of revenues.
We
record accounts receivable, long-term in connection with activation fees that we earn from Systems deployments that have extended payment
terms. Such accounts receivable are discounted to their present value at prevailing market rates. The outstanding balances on these arrangements
are insignificant and hence the impact of significant financing would be insignificant.
Deferred
revenue pertaining to our Content & Entertainment Business includes amounts related to the sale of DVDs with future release dates.
Deferred
revenue relating to our Cinema Equipment Business pertains to revenues earned in connection with up front exhibitor contributions that
are deferred and recognized over the expected cost recoupment period. It also includes unamortized balances in connection with activation
fees due from the Systems deployments that have extended payment terms.
The
ending deferred revenue balance, including current and non-current balances, as of March 31, 2021 was $0.9 million. For the year ended
March 31, 2021, the additions to our deferred revenue balance were primarily due to cash payments received or due in advance of satisfying
performance obligations, while the reductions to our deferred revenue balance were primarily due to the recognition of revenue upon fulfillment
of our performance obligations, both of which were in the ordinary course of business.
During
the year ended March 31, 2021, $1.6 million of revenue was recognized that was included in the deferred revenue balance at the beginning
of the year. As of March 31, 2021, the aggregate amount of contract revenue allocated to unsatisfied performance obligations is $0.9
million. We expect to recognize this balance over the next 12 months.
In
connection with revenue recognition for CEG, the following are also considered critical accounting policies:
Advances
Advances,
which are recorded within prepaid and other current assets within the consolidated balance sheets, represent amounts prepaid to studios
or content producers for which we provide content distribution services. We evaluate advances regularly for recoverability and record
impairment charges for amounts that we expect may not be recoverable as of the consolidated balance sheet date.
33
ASSET
ACQUISITIONS
An
asset acquisition is an acquisition of an asset, or a group of assets, that does not meet the definition of a business as substantially
all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired are concentrated in a single or group of similar, identifiable assets. Asset acquisitions
are accounted for by using the cost accumulation model whereby the cost of the acquisition, including certain transaction costs, is allocated
to the assets acquired on a relative fair value basis. Determining and valuing intangible assets requires judgment.
Results
of Operations for the Fiscal Years Ended March 31, 2021 and 2020
Revenues
For the Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
($ in thousands)
2021
2020
$ Change
% Change
Cinema Equipment Business
$ 3,222
$ 12,741
$ (9,519 )
(74.7 )%
Content & Entertainment
28,197
26,550
1,647
6.2 %
$ 31,419
$ 39,291
$ (7,872 )
(20.0 )%
Revenues
generated by our Cinema Equipment Business segment decreased as a result of the reduced number of Systems earning VPF revenue and
administrative fees for Phase II Deployment Systems, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic. During the year ended March 31, 2021, studios
temporarily halted distribution of new content to movie theatres due to mandatory theatre shutdowns. Restrictions for theatre
re-openings and capacity limitations were at the sole discretion of local governments and varied state to state. The majority of new
content released in theatres during the year ended March 31, 2021 was from small Independent distributors with limited releases.
There were two major studios that provided theatrical releases during the period though simultaneously releasing on streaming
platforms, while other studios chose to bypass the theatrical market entirely or postpone domestic releases. In addition, as studios
began to release new content directly on streaming platforms and capacity restrictions persisted, discounted VPFs were necessary to
encourage bookings in the limited theatrical market. Because our digital cinema business earns a VPF when a movie is first played on
a system, the temporary theatre closures, limited releases and discounted VPFs resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic significantly
affected the reduced revenues. The revenues in the Content & Entertainment Business segment increased by 6.2% for the year ended
March 31, 2021 compared to the year ended March 31, 2020. The increase is consistent with the addition of five new streaming
channels as well as an increase in the number of advertising partners and stay at home orders increased in home digital
viewing.
Direct
Operating Expenses
For the Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
($ in thousands)
2021
2020
$ Change
% Change
Cinema Equipment Business
$ 683
$ 1,236
$ (553 )
(44.7 )%
Content & Entertainment
15,420
15,910
(490 )
(3.1 )%
$ 16,103
$ 17,146
$ (1,043 )
(6.1 )%
The
decrease in direct operating expenses in the year ended March 31, 2021 for the Cinema Equipment Business compared to the prior period
was primarily due to a reduction in head count and shifting of certain employees from full time to part time as a result of the negative
impact of the Covid 19 pandemic. The decrease in direct operating expenses in the year ended March 31, 2021 for the Content & Entertainment
Business compared to the prior period was primarily due to reduced cost of sales from the change in revenue mix from physical sales to
digital distribution, also less spend on marketing and on theatrical releases due to COVID-19, partially offset by an increase in transition
expenses related to a new third party DVD distributor. These costs were mainly fulfillment and freight expenses.
34
Selling,
General and Administrative Expenses
For the Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
($ in thousands)
2021
2020
$ Change
% Change
Cinema Equipment Business
$ 2,277
$ 2,085
$ 192
9.2 %
Content & Entertainment
9,798
10,017
(219 )
(2.2 )%
Corporate
9,917
4,242
5,675
133.8 %
$ 21,992
$ 16,344
$ 5,648
34.6 %
Selling, general and administrative expenses for
the year ended March 31, 2021 increased by $5.7 million primarily due to a $4.9 million increase in bonus incentive expense and stock-based
compensation to management and employees, $0.7 million for legal and accounting fees related to securities reporting and consulting and
$0.3 for remote-working equipment, partially offset by $0.2 million related to occupancy costs as a result of the company-wide program
to downsize office space and move to a more remote workforce, in the Content & Entertainment Business segment.
(Recovery)
Provision for Doubtful Accounts
Provision
for doubtful accounts was $(0.1) million and $0.8 million for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Depreciation
and Amortization Expense on Property and Equipment
For the Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
($ in thousands)
2021
2020
$ Change
% Change
Cinema Equipment Business
$ 3,916
6,087
(2,171 )
(35.7 )%
Content & Entertainment
461
366
95
26.0 %
Corporate
27
167
(140 )
(83.8 )%
$ 4,404
$ 6,620
$ (2,216 )
(33.5 )%
Depreciation
and amortization expense decreased in our Cinema Equipment Business Segment as the majority of our digital cinema projection systems
reached the conclusion of their ten-year useful lives during fiscal years 2021 and 2020. Corporate and Content & Entertainment depreciation
and amortization expense is lower due to the write off of leasehold improvements with the closing of the Los Angeles office.
Interest
expense, net
For the Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
($ in thousands)
2021
2020
$ Change
% Change
Cinema Equipment Business
$ 2,346
$ 2,773
$ (427 )
(15.4 )%
Content & Entertainment
9
-
9
n/a
Corporate
1,695
4,464
(2,769 )
(62.0 )%
$ 4,050
$ 7,237
$ (3,187 )
(44.0 )%
Interest
expense in the Cinema Equipment Business segment decreased primarily as a result of reduced debt balances compared to the prior period
on the Prospect Term Loan. Interest expense in our Corporate segment decreased as a result of lower loan balances from our Credit Facility,
Second Lien Loans settled for Class A common stock and the conversion of the Bison Convertible Note and the Mingtai Convertible Note
into shares of Class A Common Stock.
35
Income
Tax Expense
We
recorded an income tax benefit of approximately $0.3 million for year ended March 31, 2021. We recorded income tax expense of approximately
$0.3 million year ended March 31, 2020. The benefit in income tax is mainly derived from minor changes in estimates between the
State tax income tax provision and its filling.
Adjusted
EBITDA
We define Adjusted EBITDA to be earnings before
interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, other income, net, stock-based compensation and expenses, merger and acquisition costs,
restructuring, transition and acquisitions expense, net, goodwill impairment, change in fair value on equity investment in Starrise and
certain other items.
Consolidated
Adjusted EBITDA (including the results of Cinema Equipment Business segment) for the year ended March 31, 2021 decreased by $9.7 million
compared to the year ended March 31, 2020. Adjusted EBITDA from our Cinema Equipment Business segment decreased primarily due to state
mandated theater closures due to COVID-19, the temporary halt of distribution of major studio releases and the expected decline of the
Cinema Equipment Business. Negative Adjusted EBITDA from the Content & Entertainment business and Corporate segment decreased by
$1.0 million for the year ended March 31, 2021 compared to the year ended March 31, 2020, due increase on bonus incentive and stock-compensation
expenses, offset by the growth of Streaming & Digital revenues based on higher volume for streaming due to the pandemic and
adding additional channels and content compared to the prior period.
Adjusted
EBITDA is not a measurement of financial performance under GAAP and may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other
companies. We use Adjusted EBITDA as a financial metric to measure the financial performance of the business because management believes
it provides additional information with respect to the performance of its fundamental business activities. For this reason, we believe
Adjusted EBITDA will also be useful to others, including its stockholders, as a valuable financial metric.
We
present Adjusted EBITDA because we believe that Adjusted EBITDA is a useful supplement to net loss from continuing operations as an indicator
of operating performance. We also believe that Adjusted EBITDA is a financial measure that is useful both to management and investors
when evaluating our performance and comparing our performance with that of our competitors. We also use Adjusted EBITDA for planning
purposes and to evaluate our financial performance because Adjusted EBITDA excludes certain incremental expenses or non-cash items, such
as stock-based compensation charges, that we believe are not indicative of our ongoing operating performance.
We
believe that Adjusted EBITDA is a performance measure and not a liquidity measure, and therefore a reconciliation between net loss from
continuing operations and Adjusted EBITDA has been provided in the financial results. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an
alternative to income from operations or net loss from continuing operations as an indicator of performance or as an alternative to cash
flows from operating activities as an indicator of cash flows, in each case as determined in accordance with GAAP, or as a measure of
liquidity. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA does not take into account changes in certain assets and liabilities as well as interest and
income taxes that can affect cash flows. We do not intend the presentation of these non-GAAP measures to be considered in isolation or
as a substitute for results prepared in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP measures should be read only in conjunction with our consolidated
financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP.
36
Following
is the reconciliation of our consolidated net loss to Adjusted EBITDA:
For the Fiscal Year
Ended March 31,
($ in thousands)
2021
2020
Net loss
$ (62,905 )
$ (14,724 )
Add Back:
Income tax (benefit)/expense
(315 )
313
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment
4,404
6,620
Amortization of intangible assets
2,515
2,772
Loss on extinguishment of note payable
1,498
-
Interest expense, net
4,050
7,237
Change in fair value on equity investment in Starrise
43,518
1,618
Other expense, net
1,475
1,585
(Recovery) Provision for doubtful accounts
(122 )
758
Stock-based compensation
2,892
543
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest
85
(10 )
Adjusted EBITDA
$ (2,905 )
$ 6,712
Adjustments related to the Cinema Equipment Business
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment
$ (3,916 )
$ (6,087 )
Amortization of intangible assets
(23 )
(46 )
Stock-based compensation and expenses
73
7
Income from operations
4,142
(1,721 )
Adjusted EBITDA from non-cinema equipment business
$ (2,629 )
$ (1,135 )
Recent
Accounting Pronouncements
See
Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to our consolidated financial statements included herein.
37
Changes
in our cash flows were as follows:
For the Fiscal Years Ended March 31,
($ in thousands)
2021
2020
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
$ (20,007 )
$ 7,762
Net cash used in investing activities
(1,710 )
(1,247 )
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
24,272
(10,093 )
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
$ 2,555
$ (3,578 )
As
of March 31, 2021, we had cash and restricted cash balances of $17.8 million.
As
of March 31, 2020, we had cash and restricted cash balances of $15.3 million.
For
the year ended March 31, 2021, net cash used in operating activities is primarily driven by loss from operations, excluding non-cash
expenses such as depreciation, amortization, recovery for doubtful accounts and stock-based compensation, including other changes in
working capital. Additionally, during the year ended March 31, 2021, the Company paid down $29.8 million to vendors at both CEG and Corporate.
Cash received from VPFs declined from the previous period as Phase I Deployment Systems in our Cinema Equipment Business reached the
conclusion of their deployment payment periods with certain major studios. Changes in accounts receivable from our studio customers largely
impact cash flows from operating activities and vary based on the seasonality of movie release schedules by the major studios. Operating
cash flows from CEG are typically higher during our fiscal third and fourth quarters, resulting from revenues earned during the holiday
season, and lower in the other two quarters as we pay royalties on such revenues. In addition, we make advances on theatrical releases
and to certain home entertainment distribution clients for which initial expenditures are generally recovered within six to twelve months.
Cash flows were also impacted as a result of COVID-19, as during the year ended March 31, 2021, theatres in many major markets remained
closed throughout the fourth quarter causing the majority of major studios to move wide releases scheduled for the year ended March 31,
2021 to future dates. Only two major studios had wide theatrical releases in the last part of the year, however, the theatrical
window before the streaming debut was shortened or eliminated to accommodate the lack of theatrical venues. Because our digital cinema
business earns a VPF when a movie is first played on a system, the temporary theatre closures resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic resulted
in reduced revenues.
For
the year ended March 31, 2020, net cash provided by operating activities is primarily driven by loss from operations, excluding non-cash
expenses such as depreciation, amortization, provision for doubtful accounts and stock-based compensation, offset by changes in working
capital. Cash received from VPFs declined from the previous period as Phase I and Phase II Deployment Systems in our Cinema Equipment
Business reached the conclusion of their deployment payment period with certain major studios. Changes in accounts receivable from our
studio customers largely impact cash flows from operating activities and vary based on the seasonality of movie release schedules by
the major studios. Operating cash flows from CEG are typically higher during our fiscal third and fourth quarters, resulting from revenues
earned during the holiday season, and lower in the other two quarters as we pay royalties on such revenues. In addition, we make advances
on theatrical releases and to certain home entertainment distribution clients for which initial expenditures are generally recovered
within six to twelve months.
For
the year ended March 31, 2021, cash flows used in investing activities consisted of proceeds from the sale of Starrise shares of $0.8
million, purchases of property and equipment of $0.06 million, the sale of property and equipment of $0.08 million, and the purchase of
intangible assets of $2.5 million related to the asset acquisition.
For
the year ended March 31, 2020, cash flows used in investing activities mainly consisted of purchases of property and equipment of $1.2
million.
For the year ended March 31, 2021, cash flows
provided by financing activities consisted of payments of approximately $7.7 million in notes payable, $12.8 million in Credit Facility
repayments, $42.7 million received in connection with the issuance Class A common stock and the exercise of warrants, and $2.2 million
received pursuant to the Payment Protection Program of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act.
For
the year ended March 31, 2020, cash flows used in financing activities reflects payments of $39.5 million on notes payable offset
by $23.6 million form proceeds under the revolving credit agreement and $5.8 million received in connection with the sale of 3,900,000
shares of our Common Stock.
38
We
may continue to generate net losses for the foreseeable future primarily due to depreciation and amortization, interest on our debt obligations,
marketing and promotional activities and content acquisition and marketing costs. Certain of these costs, including costs of content
acquisition, marketing and promotional activities, could be reduced if necessary. The restrictions imposed by the terms of our debt obligations
may limit our ability to obtain financing, make it more difficult to satisfy our debt obligations or require us to dedicate a substantial
portion of our cash flow to payments on our existing debt obligations. We feel we are adequately financed for at least the next twelve
months; however, we may need to raise additional capital for working capital as deemed necessary. Failure to generate additional revenues,
raise additional capital or manage discretionary spending could have an adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations
or liquidity.
Seasonality
Revenues
from our Cinema Equipment segment derived from the collection of VPFs from motion picture studios are seasonal, coinciding with the timing
of releases of movies by the motion picture studios. Generally, motion picture studios release the most marketable movies during the
summer and the winter holiday season. The unexpected emergence of a hit movie during other periods can alter the traditional trend. The
timing of movie releases can have a significant effect on our results of operations, and the results of one quarter are not necessarily
indicative of results for the next quarter or any other quarter. While CEG benefits from the winter holiday season, we believe the seasonality
of motion picture exhibition, is becoming less pronounced as the motion picture studios are releasing movies somewhat more evenly throughout
the year.
Off-balance
sheet arrangements
We
are not a party to any off-balance sheet arrangements, other than operating leases in the ordinary course of business, which are disclosed
above in the table of our significant contractual obligations, and CDF2 Holdings. In addition, as discussed further in Note 2 - Basis
of Presentation and Consolidation and Note - Other Interests to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of
this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we hold a 100% equity interest in CDF2 Holdings, which is an unconsolidated variable interest entity
(“VIE”), which wholly owns Cinedigm Digital Funding 2, LLC; however, we are not the primary beneficiary of the VIE.
Impact
of Inflation
The
impact of inflation on our operations has not been significant to date. However, there can be no assurance that a high rate of inflation
in the future would not have an adverse impact on our operating results.
39
ITEM
8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
CINEDIGM
CORP.
INDEX
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
F-1
Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2021 and 2020
F-2
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2021 and 2020
F-3
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2021 and 2020
F-4
Consolidated Statements of Equity (Deficit) for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2021 and 2020
F-5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2021 and 2020
F-7
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
F-8
40
REPORT
OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Cinedigm Corp.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated
balance sheets of Cinedigm Corp. (the “Company”) as of March 31, 2021 and 2020, and the related consolidated statements of
operations, comprehensive loss, equity(deficit), and cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended March 31, 2021, and
the related notes. In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position
of the Company as of March 31, 2021 and 2020, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years
in the two-year period ended March 31, 2021, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility
of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our
audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”)
and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable
rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the
standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged
to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding
of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s
internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess
the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond
to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.
Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating
the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is
a matter arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the
audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially
challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of the critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on
the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion
on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Revenue recognition – Content & Entertainment
Business segment.
As disclosed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial
statements, the Company’s Content & Entertainment business segment (“CEG”) earns fees for the distribution of content
in the home entertainment markets via several distribution channels, including digital, video on demand (“VOD”) and physical
goods. Fees earned are typically a percentage based on the net amounts received from customers. Depending on the nature of the agreements
with the platform and content providers, the fee rate that is earned varies. The Company’s performance obligations include the delivery
of content for transactional, subscription and ads supported on the digital platforms, and shipment of DVDS and Blu-Ray disks. Revenue
is recognized at the point in time when the performance obligation is satisfied which is when the content is available for subscription
on the digital platform, at the time of shipment of physical goods, or point-of-sale for transactional and VOD services as the control
over the content or the physical titles is transferred to the customer. The Company considers the delivery of content through various
distribution channels to be a single performance obligation. Physical revenue is recognized after deducting the reserves for sales returns
and revenue reductions, which are accounted for as variable consideration. Revenue is determined to be reported on a gross or net basis
for each revenue stream based on the transfer of control of goods and services. Total CEG revenues for the year ended March 31, 2021 was
$28.2 million.
We identified revenue recognition for CEG as a critical
audit matter due the level of judgement and estimation required by management in the recognition of fees earned from customers and estimation
of revenues accrued at period end. As such, there is a degree of auditor judgement and subjectivity, and significant audit effort and
audit procedures to address management’s revenue recognition for CEG.
Addressing the matter involved performing procedures
and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. We obtained an
understanding and evaluated the design of the Company’s controls over the revenue recognition of CEG. We gained an understanding
of the Company’s role as either principal or agent in the revenue streams and management’s determination of revenue streams
as either gross or net based on the transfer of control for the good and service. Our audit procedures included, among others, comparing
the revenue recognized to third party statements/reports, which can include sales, cash receipts, returns, revenue deductions, advance
payments, advance recoupments, expenses, and other information, to reconcile to the revenue recognized or the net amounts in which fees
are calculated on, as determined by the underlying contracts or third party statements for a sample of transactions. We also tested the
mathematical accuracy of management's calculations of revenue and the associated timing of revenue recognized in the financial statements,
as well as the Company’s estimation process, on a sample basis, for revenues accrued at period end.
/s/ EisnerAmper LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since
2004.
EISNERAMPER LLP
Iselin, New Jersey
July 29, 2021
F- 1
CINEDIGM
CORP.
CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS
(In
thousands, except for share and per share data)
March 31,
2021
2020
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents
$ 16,849
$ 14,294
Accounts receivable, net
21,093
34,785
Inventory, net
166
582
Unbilled revenue
1,377
1,992
Prepaid and other current assets
3,657
5,382
Total current assets
43,142
57,035
Restricted cash
1,000
1,000
Equity investment in Starrise, a related party, at fair value
6,443
23,433
Property and equipment, net
3,500
7,967
Operating lease right-of use assets
100
1,210
Intangible assets, net
9,860
6,924
Goodwill
8,701
8,701
Other long-term assets
2,700
4,170
Total assets
$ 75,446
$ 110,440
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Current liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
$ 46,627
$ 77,085
Current portion of notes payable, including unamortized debt discount and debt issuance costs of $ 0 and $ 460 , respectively (see Note 6)
1,956
37,249
Current portion of notes payable, non-recourse including unamortized debt discount of $ 0 and $ 763 , respectively (see Note 6)
7,786
11,442
Operating lease liabilities
87
593
Current portion of deferred revenue
924
1,645
Total current liabilities
57,380
128,014
PPP Loan
2,152
—
Operating lease liabilities, net of current portion
13
684
Deferred revenue, net of current portion
—
919
Other long-term liabilities
19
110
Total liabilities
59,564
129,727
Commitments and contingencies (see Note 8)
Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)
Preferred stock, 15,000,000 shares authorized; Series A 10 % - $ 0.001 par value per share; 20 shares authorized; 7 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2021 and 2020. Liquidation preference of $ 3,648
3,559
3,559
Common stock, $ 0.001 par value; Class A stock 200,000,000 and 150,000,000 shares authorized at March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, 167,542,404 and 63,251,429 shares issued and 166,228,568 and 61,937,593 shares outstanding at March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
164
62
Additional paid-in capital
499,272
400,784
Treasury stock, at cost; 1,313,836 Class A common shares at March 31, 2021 and 2020.
( 11,603 )
( 11,603 )
Accumulated deficit
( 474,080 )
( 410,904 )
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income
( 68 )
92
Total stockholders’ equity (deficit) of Cinedigm Corp.
17,244
( 18,010 )
Deficit attributable to noncontrolling interest
( 1,362 )
( 1,277 )
Total equity (deficit)
15,882
( 19,287 )
Total liabilities and equity (deficit)
$ 75,446
$ 110,440
See
accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
F- 2
CINEDIGM
CORP.
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In
thousands, except for share and per share data)
For the Fiscal Year Ended
March 31,
2021
2020
Revenues
$ 31,419
$ 39,291
Costs and expenses:
Direct operating (excludes depreciation and amortization shown below)
16,103
17,146
Selling, general and administrative
21,992
16,344
(Recovery) Provision for doubtful accounts
( 122 )
758
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment
4,404
6,620
Amortization of intangible assets
2,515
2,772
Total operating expenses
44,892
43,640
Loss from operations
( 13,473 )
( 4,349 )
Interest income
37
21
Interest expense
( 4,087 )
( 7,258 )
Changes in fair value of equity investment in Starrise, a related party
( 43,518 )
( 1,618 )
Loss in extinguishment of note payable
( 1,498 )
—
Other expense, net
( 681 )
( 1,207 )
Loss from operations before income taxes
( 63,220 )
( 14,411 )
Income tax benefit (expense)
315
( 313 )
Net loss
( 62,905 )
( 14,724 )
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest
85
( 10 )
Net loss attributable to controlling interests
( 62,820 )
( 14,734 )
Preferred stock dividends
( 356 )
( 356 )
Net loss attributable to common stockholders
$ ( 63,176 )
$ ( 15,090 )
Net loss per Class A common stock attributable to common stockholders - basic and diluted:
Net loss attributable to common stockholders
$ ( 0.49 )
$ ( 0.34 )
Weighted average number of Class A common stock outstanding: basic and diluted
127,787,379
44,004,780
See
accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
F- 3
CINEDIGM
CORP.
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(In
thousands)
For the Fiscal Year Ended
March 31,
2021
2020
Net loss
$ ( 62,905 )
$ ( 14,724 )
Other comprehensive (loss) income: foreign exchange translation
( 160 )
82
Comprehensive loss
( 63,065 )
( 14,642 )
Less: comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest
85
( 10 )
Comprehensive loss attributable to controlling interests
$ ( 62,980 )
$ ( 14,652 )
See
accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
F- 4
CINEDIGM
CORP.
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (DEFICIT)
(In
thousands, except share data)
Series
A
Preferred Stock
Class
A
Common Stock
Treasury
Stock
Additional
Paid-In
Accumulated
Accumulated
Other Comprehensive (Loss)
Total Stockholders’
Non-Controlling
Total
Shares
Amount
Shares
Amount
Shares
Amount
Capital
Deficit
Income
Deficit
Interest
Deficit
Balances as of
March 31, 2019
7
$ 3,559
35,678,597
$ 36
1,313,836
$ ( 11,603 )
$ 368,531
$ ( 395,814 )
$ 10
$ ( 35,281 )
$ ( 1,287 )
$ ( 36,568 )
Foreign exchange translation
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
82
82
—
82
Issuance of Class A common
stock for third party professional services
—
—
374,286
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
Issuance of Class A common
stock to Bison
—
—
3,900,000
4
—
—
5,846
—
—
5,850
—
5,850
Issuance of Class A common
stock in connection with the Starrise transaction, a related party
—
—
21,646,604
22
—
—
11,235
—
—
11,257
—
11,257
Contributed capital under the
Starrise transaction, a related party
—
—
—
—
—
—
13,795
—
—
13,795
—
13,795
Fair value of conversion feature
in connection with convertible note
—
—
—
—
—
—
478
—
—
478
—
478
Stock-based compensation
—
—
—
—
—
—
543
—
—
543
—
543
Preferred stock dividends paid
with common stock
—
—
338,106
—
—
—
356
( 356 )
—
—
—
—
Net
loss
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
( 14,734 )
—
( 14,734 )
10
( 14,724 )
Balances
as of March 31, 2020
7
$ 3,559
61,937,593
$ 62
1,313,836
$ ( 11,603 )
$ 400,784
$ ( 410,904 )
$ 92
$ ( 18,010 )
$ ( 1,277 )
$ ( 19,287 )
See
accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
F- 5
CINEDIGM
CORP.
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF EQUITY (DEFICIT)
(In
thousands, except share data)
Series
A
Preferred Stock
Class
A
Common Stock
Treasury
Stock
Additional
Paid-In
Accumulated
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
(Loss)
Total
Stockholders’
Non-
Controlling
Total
Shares
Amount
Shares
Amount
Shares
Amount
Capital
Deficit
Income
Deficit
Interest
Deficit
Balances as of March 31, 2020
7
$ 3,559
61,937,593
$ 62
1,313,836
$ ( 11,603 )
$ 400,784
$ ( 410,904 )
$ 92
$ ( 18,010 )
$ ( 1,277 )
$ ( 19,287 )
Foreign exchange translation
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
( 160 )
( 160 )
—
( 160 )
Issuance of Class A common stock
in connection with public offerings
—
—
51,885,840
52
—
42,299
—
—
42,351
—
42,351
Issuance of Class A common stock
in connection with the Starrise transaction, a related party
—
—
29,855,081
30
—
11,016
—
—
11,046
—
11,046
Contributed capital under the Starrise
transaction, a related party
—
—
—
—
—
17,187
—
—
17,187
—
17,187
Common stock issued in connection
with conversion of Convertible Notes and second lien loans
—
—
16,534,613
16
—
21,536
—
—
21,552
—
21,552
Stock-based compensation
—
—
1,860,554
1
—
—
2,891
—
—
2,892
—
2,892
Exercise of warrants for Class A
common stock
—
—
236,889
—
—
301
—
—
301
—
301
Class A common stock to be issued
in connection with asset acquisitions
—
—
3,098,126
3
—
—
2,902
—
—
2,905
—
2,905
Issuance of f Class A common stock
for third party professional services
—
—
196,914
—
—
—
—
—
—
Preferred stock dividends paid with
common stock
—
—
622,948
356
( 356 )
—
—
—
Net loss
—
—
—
—
—
—
( 62,820 )
—
( 62,820 )
( 85 )
( 62,905 )
Balances as of March 31, 2021
7
$ 3,559
166,228,568
$ 164
1,313,836
$ ( 11,603 )
$ 499,272
$ ( 474,080 )
$ ( 68 )
$ 17,244
$ ( 1,362 )
$ 15,882
See
accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
F- 6
CINEDIGM
CORP.
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In
thousands)
For the Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
2021
2020
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss
$ ( 62,905 )
$ ( 14,724 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment and amortization of intangible assets
6,919
9,392
Changes in fair value of equity investment in Starrise
43,518
1,618
Loss from sale of property and equipment
44
3
Amortization of debt issuance costs included in interest expense
1,223
1,218
(Recovery) Provision for doubtful accounts
( 122 )
758
Reserve (recovery) for inventory reserve
155
( 404 )
Stock-based compensation and expenses
2,892
543
Loss on extinguishment of note payable
1,498
—
Accretion and PIK interest expense added to note payable
302
1,495
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable
13,814
( 33 )
Inventory
251
495
Unbilled revenue
615
344
Prepaid and other current assets
3,195
554
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
( 29,766 )
7,983
Deferred revenue
( 1,640 )
( 1,480 )
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
( 20,007 )
7,762
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment
( 64 )
( 1,237 )
Purchase of intangible assets
( 2,545 )
( 10 )
Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment
84
—
Sale of equity investment shares
815
—
Net cash used in investing activities
( 1,710 )
( 1,247 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments of notes payable
( 7,703 )
( 39,493 )
(Repayments) proceeds under revolving credit agreement, net
( 12,829 )
23,550
Proceeds from PPP Loan
2,152
—
Net proceeds from issuance of Class A common stock
42,652
5,850
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
24,272
( 10,093 )
Net change in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
2,555
( 3,578 )
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year
15,294
18,872
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of year
$ 17,849
$ 15,294
See
accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
F- 7
CINEDIGM
CORP.
NOTES
TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1.
NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND LIQUIDITY
Cinedigm
Corp. (“Cinedigm,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or similar pronouns) was incorporated in
Delaware on March 31, 2000. We are (i) a distributor and aggregator of independent movie, television and other short form content managing
a library of distribution rights to thousands of titles and episodes released across digital, physical, theatrical, home and mobile entertainment
platforms (“Streaming”) and (ii) a servicer of digital cinema assets (“Systems”) for over 6,200 movie screens
in both North America and several international countries.
Risks
and Uncertainties
The
COVID-19 pandemic and related economic repercussions created significant volatility and uncertainty impacting the Company’s results
for the year. As part of our Content & Entertainment business, the Company sells DVDs and Blu-ray discs at brick-and-mortar stores.
With the closure of non-essential retail stores beginning in the spring of 2020, the sale of physical discs through our retail partners
declined although this was partially offset by digital purchases of physical product. As part of our Cinema Equipment business, the Company
earns revenue when movies are exhibited in theaters. Many movie theaters in the United States closed during the spring of 2020 and remained
closed or re-opened on a limited basis through March 31, 2021. The majority of major studios shifted films out of the fiscal year to
dates when more screens would be available, and consumers felt safe to return to theaters. Films released during the year had box office
results below pre-Covid expectations due to theater closure, limited capacity and new commercial models that permitted viewing day and
date via premium video on demand (“PVOD”) and subscription video on demand (“SVOD”). To the extent films are
not shown in theaters, we do not earn revenue.
Longer
term, there may be a shift in consumer preference towards digital consumption over physical or theatrical viewing. Studios may reduce
their theatrical slates to tentpoles and certain genres releasing other content directly on their own streaming services. This decision
could negatively impact the Company’s ability to license content for the sale of physical product, if those rights are withheld
to create exclusivity to the platform and reduce revenue opportunities for virtual print fees and sales of digital cinema equipment.
While the Company has been encouraged by the pace of mass vaccinations, spikes or the emergence of new variants could require future
closures. These changes could negatively impact results of operations, financial conditional and cash flows.
Liquidity
We have incurred net losses historically and have
an accumulated deficit of $ 474.1 million and negative working capital of $ 14.2 million as of March 31, 2021. Net cash used in operating
activities for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021 was $ 20 million. We may continue to generate net losses for the foreseeable future.
In addition, we have significant debt-related contractual obligations as of March 31, 2021 and beyond. Based on these conditions, the
Company entered into the following transactions described below:
Capital
Raise
On
February 2, 2021, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement with a single institutional investor for the purchase and
sale of 5,600,000 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock for net proceeds of $ 6.5 million.
In
July 2020, we entered into an At-the-Market sales agreement (the “ATM Sales Agreement”) with certain sales agents (the “Sales
Agents”), pursuant to which the Company may offer and sell, from time to time, through the Sales Agents, shares of Common Stock
at the market prices prevailing on The Nasdaq Global Market at the time of the sale of such shares. The Company is not obligated to sell
any shares under the ATM Sales Agreement. Any sales of shares made under the ATM Sales Agreement will be made pursuant to an effective
registration statement on Form S-3 filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 6, 2020, for an aggregate
offering price of up to $ 30 million. During the year ended March 31, 2021, we sold 28,405,840 shares of Common Stock under the ATM Sales
Agreement. Net proceeds from such sales totaled $ 18.6 million.
F- 8
On
July 16, 2020, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement for the sale of 7,213,334 shares of Class A common stock at a
purchase price of $ 1.50 per share, in a registered direct offering, pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3
and an applicable prospectus supplement. This registration statement covers offerings of up to an aggregate offering price of $ 75.0 million.
The Company closed the transaction on July 20, 2020. The net proceeds to the Company from the sale of the shares, after deducting the
fees of the placement agents but before paying the Company’s estimated offering expenses, was approximately $ 10.1 million.
On
May 20, 2020, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement with certain investors for the purchase and sale of 10,666,666
shares of the Company’s Class A common stock, at a purchase price of $ 0.75 per share, in a registered direct offering, pursuant
to an effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3 and an applicable prospectus supplement.
The
Company closed the transaction on May 22, 2020. The net proceeds to the Company from the sale of the Shares, after deducting the fees
of the placement agents but before paying the Company’s estimated offering expenses, were approximately $ 7.1 million.
Sale
of Cinematic Equipment
On March 17, 2021, the Company entered into two
separate agreements for the sale of cinematic equipment to American Multi-Cinema, Inc. (“AMC”), the agreements included the
sale in tranches of a total of 2,369 cinematic projectors starting in March 2021 throughout January 2023 for a total cash consideration
of $ 10.8 million. As of March 31, 2021, the Company executed the sale of the first tranche and recognized revenue for $ 300 thousand. A
portion of the total proceeds will be utilized to eliminate the remaining Prospect notes payable.
Equity
Investment in Starrise, a related party transaction
On
December 27, 2019, the Company entered into, and on February 14, 2020 amended, (see Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies),
a stock purchase agreement (as so amended, the “Starrise Stock Purchase Agreement”) with BeiTai Investment LP (“BeiTai”)
and Aim Right Ventures Limited (“Aim Right”), two shareholders of Starrise Media Holdings Limited, a leading Chinese entertainment
company (“Starrise”), to buy from them an aggregate of 410,901,000 outstanding Starrise ordinary shares (the “Share
Acquisition”). On February 14, 2020, the Company purchased 162,162,162 of the Starrise ordinary shares from BeiTai and issued BeiTai
21,646,604 shares of Class A common stock as consideration.
On
April 10, 2020, the Company, in accordance with the terms of the Starrise Stock Purchase Agreement, terminated its obligation to purchase
Starrise ordinary shares from Aim Right under the December 27, 2019 stock purchase agreement. On April 10, 2020, the Company entered
into another stock purchase agreement (the “April Stock Purchase Agreement”) with five (5) shareholders of Starrise - Bison
Global Investment SPC - Bison Global No. 1 SP (“Bison Global”), Huatai Investment LP, Antai Investment LP, Mingtai Investment
LP (“Mingtai”) and Shangtai Asset Management LP - to buy an aggregate of 223,380,000 outstanding Starrise ordinary shares
from them and for the Company to issue to them an aggregate of 29,855,081 shares of its Class A common stock in consideration
therefore (the “April Share Acquisition”). On April 15, 2020, the April Share Acquisition was consummated and recorded as
an equity investment in Starrise and is a related party transaction. As of March 31, 2021, the Company owns 362,987,397 shares
in Starrise or approximately 26 %.
Starrise’s ordinary shares (HK 1616) are
listed on the main board of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited. Based on the closing price of HKD 0.15 per share on July 23, 2021,
calculated at an exchange rate of $7.7698 Hong Kong Dollars to 1 US dollar, the Cinedigm’s ownership in Starrise
ordinary shares was approximately $7.0 million.
Borrowings
On June 22, 2021, the maturity date of the East
West Credit Facility (as defined in Note 6 - Notes Payable) with East West Bank was extended from June 30, 2021 to September 28,
2021.
F- 9
On
April 15, 2020, the Company received $ 2.2 million from East West Bank, the Company’s existing lender, pursuant to the
Paycheck Protection Program (the “PPP Loan”) of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES
Act”). The PPP Loan matures on April 10, 2022 (the “PPP Maturity Date”), accrues interest at 1 % per annum and may
be prepaid in whole or in part without penalty. No interest payments are due within the initial six months of the PPP Loan. The
interest accrued during the initial six-month period is due and payable, together with the principal, on the PPP Maturity Date. The
Company used all proceeds from the PPP Loan to retain employees, maintain payroll and make lease and utility payments to support
business continuity throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, which amounts are intended to be eligible for forgiveness, subject to the
provisions of the CARES Act and could be subject to repayment. On January 5, 2021, the Company submitted its application for
forgiveness and, as of June 30, 2021, obtained forgiveness for the full amount as discussed on Note 12 – Subsequent
Events .
On
June 2, 2020, the Company exchanged 33,465 shares of Class A common stock in exchange for $ 61,000 of second lien loan
principal.
On
June 24, 2020, the Company entered into an exchange agreement (the “Exchange Agreement”) pursuant to which the Company issued
329,501 shares of its Class A common stock, in exchange for the’ principal amount and accrued and unpaid interest of outstanding
Second Lien Loans (as defined in Note 6 - Notes Payable ). The surrendered Second Lien Loans were immediately canceled. The exchange
was consummated on June 24, 2020.
On
June 26, 2020, the Company signed a consent agreement with the holders of the Second Lien loans to extend the maturity date to September
30, 2020 and grant the Company options to extend further to March 31, 2021 and then to June 30, 2021. A consent fee of $ 100,000
was paid in connection with this extension.
In
a separate exchange with another holder of Second Lien Notes, on November 19, 2020, the Company issued 452,499 shares of Class A common
stock in exchange for $ 247,108 principal amount of Second Lien Notes. The exchanged Second Lien Notes were immediately cancelled.
On
December 4, 2020, the Company entered into exchange agreements (the “December Exchange Agreements”) with certain holders
of notes under its Second Lien Loan Agreement dated as of July 14, 2016 among the Company, the lenders party thereto, and Cortland Capital
Market Services LLC, as Agent (“Second Lien Notes”). Pursuant to the December Exchange Agreements, the Company issued an
aggregate of 2,776,284 shares of its Class A common stock, par value $ 0.001 per share Common Stock in exchange for an aggregate of $ 1,386,106
of principal amount of Second Lien Notes. The exchanged Second Lien Notes were immediately cancelled.
In
January 2021, the Company entered into exchange agreements with holders of the Second Lien Loan to exchange $ 2,389,650 of Second Lien
Loans for 2,517,574 shares of Class A Common Stock. The exchanged Second Lien Notes were immediately cancelled.
In
February 2021, the Company entered into exchange agreements with one holder of the Second Lien Loan to exchange $500,000 of Second Lien
Loans for 425,290 shares of Class A Common Stock. The exchanged Second Lien Notes were immediately cancelled.
On
February 9, 2021, the Company prepaid all of the outstanding Second Lien Loans.
On
April 15, 2020, the Company executed a letter amendment (the “Letter Amendment”) to the Bison Convertible Note (as defined
in Note 6 - Notes Payable ). Among other things, the Letter Amendment amended the Note, effective as of March 4, 2020, to extend
the maturity date of the Bison Convertible note to March 4, 2021.
On
October 9, 2019, the Company signed an extension to the Ming Tai Note of $5.0 million for the first of two (2) permitted additional
(1) year extensions at the Company’s option from the original maturity date to October 9, 2020. This note will continue in full
force and effect in accordance with its terms, including the Company’s reservation of its right to further extend the maturity
date of this note, if it so elects.
On
September 11, 2020, the Bison and Mingtai Notes, having an aggregate of $15 million principal amount (the “Notes”)
were converted in full into an aggregate of 10,000,000 shares of Common Stock at a conversion price of $1.50 per share in accordance
with the terms of the Notes. Accordingly, the Notes have been extinguished. The Notes were held by Bison Global and, both of which are
affiliates of Peixin Xu, the Chairman of Bison Capital Holding Company Limited, which is indirectly Cinedigm’s largest stockholder.
See Note 6- Notes Payable .
F- 10
On
March 4, 2021, Cinedigm DC Holdings, LLC (“CDCH”), Access Digital Media, Inc., Access Digital Cinema Phase 2, Corp., Christie/AIX,
Inc., Cinedigm Digital Funding I, LLC, certain Lenders, and Prospect Capital Corporation, as administrative agent and collateral agent
(“Prospect”), entered into Amendment No. 3 (the “Amendment”) to the Term Loan Agreement dated February 28, 2013
(the “Term Loan Agreement”). Under the Amendment, the maturity date of the loan under the Term Loan Agreement (the “Loan”)
was extended to March 31, 2022.
We
believe the combination of: (i) our cash and cash equivalent balances at March 31, 2021, (ii) expected cash flows from operations,
(iii) expansion into Streaming, and (iv) the capacity under existing arrangements and access to new sources of capital will
be sufficient to satisfy our contractual obligations, as well as liquidity for our operational and capital needs, for twelve months from
the filing of this document. Our capital requirements will depend on many factors, and we may need to use capital resources and obtain
additional capital. Failure to generate additional revenues, obtain additional capital or manage discretionary spending could have an
adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and liquidity.
2.
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
BASIS
OF PRESENTATION AND CONSOLIDATION
Our
consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Cinedigm and its wholly owned and majority owned subsidiaries. All intercompany
transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
Investments
in which we do not have a controlling interest or are not the primary beneficiary, but have the ability to exert significant influence,
are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Noncontrolling interests for which we have been determined to be the primary
beneficiary are consolidated and recorded as net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest. See Note 4 - Other Interests to
the Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of our noncontrolling interests.
USE
OF ESTIMATES
The
preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of
America (“GAAP”) requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the assets and liabilities, disclosures of contingent
assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the
reporting period. Such estimates include the adequacy of accounts receivable reserves, return reserves, inventory reserves, recovery
of advances, assessment of goodwill impairment, intangible asset impairment and estimated amortization lives, fair value for asset acquisitions,
valuation allowances for income taxes and stock awards. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
RECLASSIFICATIONS
Certain amounts related to cash advances classified
as current assets in the prior year consolidated balance sheet have been reclassified to long-term assets to conform to the presentation
of the current period as follows:
March 31,
2020
(as reported)
Reclassification
March 31,
2020
(as reclassified)
Prepaid and other current assets
$ 9,409
$ ( 4,027 )
$ 5,382
Total current asset
61,062
( 4,027 )
57,035
Other long-term assets
143
4,027
4,170
Total assets
$ 110,440
$ —
$ 110,440
F- 11
CASH,
CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH
We
consider all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be “cash equivalents.” We maintain
bank accounts with major banks, which from time to time may exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s insured limits.
We periodically assess the financial condition of the institutions and believe that the risk of any loss is minimal. Our Prospect Loan
requires that we maintain specified cash balances that are restricted to repayment of interest thereunder. See Note 6- Notes Payable
for information about our restricted cash balances.
Cash,
cash equivalents, and restricted cash consisted of the following:
As of
(in thousands)
March 31,
2021
March 31,
2020
Cash and Cash Equivalents
$ 16,849
$ 14,294
Restricted Cash
1,000
1,000
$ 17,849
$ 15,294
EQUITY
INVESTMENT IN STARRISE, A RELATED PARTY
On
February 14, 2020, the Company acquired an approximately 11.5 % interest in Starrise Media Holdings Limited (“Starrise”),
a leading publicly traded Chinese entertainment company whose ordinary shares are listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong. The Company
acquired such interest as a strategic investment and in a private transaction from a shareholder of Starrise that is related to our major
shareholders. Our major shareholders also maintain a significant beneficial interest ownership in Starrise. Upon consummation of the
transaction on February 14, 2020, the Company recorded an initial investment of approximately $ 25.1 million, which is the fair market
value of the Starrise shares on the transaction date on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong, in exchange for the Company’s common stock
of $ 11.2 million, valued as of the date of the issuance of the Class A common stock of the Company. The difference in value of shares
received in Starrise and shares issued by the Company is deemed as contributed capital and recorded in additional paid-in capital.
On
April 10, 2020, the Company purchased an additional 15 % interest in Starrise in a private transaction from shareholders of Starrise that
are affiliated with the major shareholder of the Company. The Company recorded an additional equity investment of approximately $ 28.2 million,
which is the fair market value of the Starrise shares on the transaction date on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong, in exchange for the
Company’s common stock of $ 11.0 million, valued at the date of the issuance of the Class A common stock of the Company. The
difference in the value of shares received in Starrise and shares issued by the Company is deemed as contributed capital and recorded
in additional paid-in capital. This transaction was also recorded as an equity investment in Starrise.
The
Company has accounted for these investments under the equity method of accounting as the Company can exert significant influence
over Starrise with its direct ownership and affiliation with the Company’s majority shareholders. The Company has made an
irrevocable election to apply the fair value option under ASC 825-10, Financial Instruments , as it relates to its equity
investment in Starrise. The Company’s investment in Starrise is marked to market and recorded at fair value. The stock
is traded on the Hong Kong Stock exchange with readily available pricing that is classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.
The Company has established a policy that consistently uses either the closing price of last active trades or the latest bid price
when there is no active trades, unadjusted at the last day of each reporting period, as the most relevant and representative
input to the Level 1 fair value measures of its investment holdings.
During
the year ended March 31, 2021, the Company sold 8,370,000 of Starrise shares for net proceeds of approximately $ 0.8 million which
resulted in a loss on sale of approximately $ 73 thousand.
As
of March, 31, 2021 and 2020, the value of our equity investment in Starrise, using the readily determinable fair value inputs from
the market pricing of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong, was approximately $ 6.4 million and $ 23.4 million, respectively,
resulting in a change in fair value of approximately $ 43.5 million for the year ended March 31, 2021, on our consolidated
statement of operations. At March 31, 2021, the Company owned 362,987,397 shares or 26 % of Starrise.
NON-MONETARY
TRANSACTIONS
During
the year ended March 31, 2021, respectively, the Company entered into agreements with certain vendors to transfer 14,184,765 Starrise
shares to satisfy outstanding liabilities with these vendors. Upon the sale of the Starrise shares by the vendors, with certain restrictions
on sales unless the Company gives consent to sell, if the proceeds do not satisfy the amount due to the vendor, the Company is liable
for the balance owed. Pursuant to such agreements, the Company reduced the amount payable to its vendors by $ 0.8 million as of March
31, 2021.
There
was no gain or loss resulting from these transactions for the year ended March 31, 2021.
F- 12
ACCOUNTS
RECEIVABLE
We
maintain reserves for potential credit losses on accounts receivable. We review the composition of accounts receivable and analyze historical
bad debts, customer concentrations, customer credit worthiness, current economic trends and changes in customer payment patterns to evaluate
the adequacy of these reserves. Reserves are recorded primarily on a specific identification basis.
We
record accounts receivable, long-term in connection with activation fees that we earn from our digital cinema equipment (the “Systems”)
deployments that have extended payment terms. Such accounts receivable are discounted to their present value at prevailing market rate.
ADVANCES
Advances,
which are recorded within prepaid and other current assets on the consolidated balance sheets, represent amounts prepaid to studios or
content producers for which we provide content distribution services. We evaluate advances regularly for recoverability and record impairment
charges for amounts that we expect may not be recoverable as of the consolidated balance sheet date. Impairments and accelerated amortization
related to advances were $ 0.3 million and $ 0.9 million, respectively, for the years ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.
PROPERTY
AND EQUIPMENT
Property
and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation expense is recorded using the straight-line
method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets as follows:
Computer equipment and software
3 - 5 years
Internal use software
5 years
Digital cinema projection systems
10 years
Machinery and equipment
3 - 10 years
Furniture and fixtures
3 - 6 years
We
capitalize costs associated with software developed or obtained for internal use when the preliminary project stage is completed, and
it is determined that the software will provide significantly enhanced capabilities and modifications. These capitalized costs are included
in property and equipment and include external direct cost of services procured in developing or obtaining internal-use software and
personnel and related expenses for employees who are directly associated with, and who devote time to internal-use software projects.
Capitalization of these costs ceases once the project is substantially complete and the software is ready for its intended use. Once
the software is ready for its intended use, the costs are amortized over the useful life of the software. Post-configuration training
and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.
Leasehold
improvements are amortized over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful life of the leasehold improvements. Repair and
maintenance costs are charged to expense as incurred. Major renewals, improvements and additions are capitalized. Upon the sale or other
disposition of any property and equipment, the cost and related accumulated depreciation and amortization are removed from the accounts
and the gain or loss on disposal is included in the consolidated statements of operations.
FAIR
VALUE MEASUREMENTS
The
fair value measurement disclosures are grouped into three levels based on valuation factors:
●
Level 1 – quoted
prices in active markets for identical investments
●
Level 2 – other significant
observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments and market corroborated inputs)
●
Level 3 – significant
unobservable inputs (including our own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)
F- 13
Assets
and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis use the market approach, where prices and other relevant information are
generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.
The
equity investment in Starrise is in Hong Kong dollars and was translated into US dollars as of March 31, 2021 and 2020 at an
exchange rate of 7.8 and 7.8 Hong Kong Dollars to 1 US Dollar, respectively. The fair value of this equity investment is measured by
the unadjusted market pricing of Starrise on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong.
The
following tables summarize the levels of fair value measurements of our financial assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2021and,
2020:
As of March 31, 2021
(in thousands)
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
Restricted cash
$ 1,000
$ —
$ —
$ 1,000
Equity investment in Starrise, at fair value
6,443
—
—
6,443
$ 7,443
$ —
—
$ 7,443
As of March 31, 2020
(in thousands)
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
Restricted cash
$ 1,000
$ —
$ —
$ 1,000
Equity investment in Starrise, at fair value
23,433
—
—
23,433
$ 24,433
$ —
$ —
$ 24,433
Our
cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, unbilled revenue and accounts payable and accrued expenses are financial instruments
and are recorded at cost in the consolidated balance sheets. The estimated fair values of these financial instruments approximate their
carrying amounts because of their short-term nature. At March 31, 2021 and 2020, the estimated fair value of our fixed rate
debt approximated its carrying amounts. We estimated the fair value of debt based upon current interest rates available to us at the
respective balance sheet dates for arrangements with similar terms and conditions. Based on borrowing rates currently available to us
for loans with similar terms, the fair value of the variable rate debt is $ 7.8 million and lease obligations approximates fair value.
IMPAIRMENT
OF LONG-LIVED AND FINITE-LIVED ASSETS
We
review the recoverability of our long-lived assets and finite-lived intangible assets, when events or conditions occur that indicate
a possible impairment exists. The assessment for recoverability is based primarily on our ability to recover the carrying value of our
long-lived and finite-lived assets from expected future undiscounted net cash flows. If the total of expected future undiscounted net
cash flows is less than the total carrying value of the asset, the asset is deemed not to be recoverable and possibly impaired. We
then estimate the fair value of the asset to determine whether an impairment loss should be recognized. An impairment loss will
be recognized if the asset’s fair value is determined to be less than its carrying value. Fair value is determined by computing
the expected future discounted cash flows. During the years ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, no impairment charge was recorded from
operations for long-lived assets or finite-lived assets.
ASSET
ACQUISITIONS
An
asset acquisition is an acquisition of an asset, or a group of assets, that does not meet the definition of a business. Asset acquisitions
are accounted for by using the cost accumulation model whereby the cost of the acquisition, including certain transaction costs, is allocated
to the assets acquired on the basis of relative fair values.
GOODWILL
Goodwill
is the excess of the purchase price paid over the fair value of the net assets of an acquired business. Goodwill is tested for impairment
on an annual basis or more often if warranted by events or changes in circumstances indicating that the carrying value may exceed fair
value, also known as impairment indicators.
F- 14
Inherent
in the fair value determination for each reporting unit are certain judgments and estimates relating to future cash flows, including
management’s interpretation of current economic indicators and market conditions, and assumptions about our strategic plans with
regard to its operations. To the extent additional information arises, market conditions change, or our strategies change, it is possible
that the conclusion regarding whether our remaining goodwill is impaired could change and result in future goodwill impairment charges
that will have a material effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.
The
Company has the option to assess goodwill for possible impairment by performing a qualitative analysis to determine if it is more likely
than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount or to perform the quantitative impairment test.
The
quantitative test involves comparing the estimated fair value of a reporting unit with its respective book value, including goodwill.
If the estimated fair value exceeds book value, goodwill is considered not to be impaired. If, however, the fair value of the reporting
unit is less than book value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to the excess.
No
goodwill impairment charge was recorded in the years ended March 31, 2021 and 2020. In 2021, we conducted a qualitative assessment of
goodwill considering the favorable developments in the equity and credit markets and the improvement on financial performance of the
business; in 2020, we elected to conduct a quantitative goodwill assessment as of March 31, 2020. In determining fair value, we used
various assumptions, including expectations of future cash flows based on projections or forecasts derived from analysis of business
prospects, economic or market trends and any regulatory changes that may occur. We estimated the fair value of the reporting unit using
a net present value methodology, which is dependent on significant assumptions related to estimated future discounted cash flows, discount
rates and tax rates.
Gross
amounts of goodwill and accumulated impairment charges that we have recorded are as follows:
(In thousands)
Goodwill
$ 32,701
Accumulated impairment charges
( 24,000 )
Goodwill at March 31, 2021 and 2020
$ 8,701
REVENUE
RECOGNITION
We
determine revenue recognition by:
●
identifying the contract,
or contracts, with the customer;
●
identifying the performance
obligations in the contract;
●
determining the transaction
price;
●
allocating the transaction
price to performance obligations in the contract; and
●
recognizing revenue when,
or as, we satisfy performance obligations by transferring the promised goods or services.
We
recognize revenue in the amount that reflects the consideration we expect to receive in exchange for the services provided, sales of
physical products (DVDs and Blu-ray Discs) or when the content is available for subscription on the digital platform or available on
the point-of-sale for transactional and video on demand services which is when the control of the promised products and services is transferred
to our customers and our performance obligations under the contract have been satisfied. Revenues that might be subject to various taxes
are recorded net of transaction taxes assessed by governmental authorities such as sales value-added taxes and other similar taxes.
Payment
terms and conditions vary by customer and typically provide net 30 to 90 day terms. We do not adjust the promised amount of consideration
for the effects of a significant financing component when we expect, at contract inception, that the period between our transfer of a
promised product or service to our customer and payment for that product or service will be one year or less. We have in the past entered
into arrangements in connection with activation fees due from our System deployments that had extended payment terms. The outstanding
balances on these arrangements are insignificant and hence the impact of significant financing would be insignificant.
F- 15
Cinema
Equipment Business
Our Cinema Equipment Business consists of financing
vehicles and administrators for 3,122 Systems installed nationwide in our first deployment phase (“Phase I Deployment”) to
theatrical exhibitors and for 3,104 Systems installed domestically and internationally in our second deployment phase (“Phase II
Deployment”).
We retain ownership of our digital cinema equipment (the “Systems”) and the residual cash flows related to the Systems in
Phase I Deployment after the after the end of the 10-year deployment payment period.
For certain Phase II Deployment Systems, we do
not retain ownership of the residual cash flows and digital cinema equipment in Phase II Deployment after the completion of cost recoupment
and at the expiration of the exhibitor master license agreements.
The Cinema Equipment Business also provides monitoring, collection, verification and management services to this segment, as well as
to exhibitors who purchase their own equipment, and also collects and disburses Virtual print fees (“VPFs”) from motion picture
studios, and distributors and ACFs from alternative content providers, movie exhibitors and theatrical exhibitors (collectively, “Services”).
VPFs are earned, net of administrative fees,
pursuant to contracts with movie studios and distributors, whereby amounts are payable by a studio to Phase I Deployment and to Phase
II Deployment when movies distributed by the studio are displayed on screens utilizing our Systems installed in movie theatres. VPFs
are earned and payable to Phase I Deployment based on a defined fee schedule until the end of the VPF term. One VPF is payable for every
digital title initially displayed per System. The amount of VPF revenue is dependent on the number of movie titles released and displayed
using the Systems in any given accounting period. VPF revenue is recognized in the period in which the digital title first plays on a
System for general audience viewing in a digitally equipped movie theatre, as Phase I Deployment’s and Phase II Deployment’s
performance obligations have been substantially met at that time.
Phase
II Deployment’s agreements with distributors require the payment of VPFs, according to a defined fee schedule, for ten years from
the date each system is installed; however, Phase II Deployment may no longer collect VPFs once “cost recoupment,” as defined
in the contracts with movie studios and distributors, is achieved. Cost recoupment will occur once the cumulative VPFs and other cash
receipts collected by Phase II Deployment have equaled the total of all cash outflows, including the purchase price of all Systems, all
financing costs, all “overhead and ongoing costs”, as defined, and including service fees, subject to maximum agreed upon
amounts during the three-year rollout period and thereafter. Further, if cost recoupment occurs before the end of the eighth contract
year, the studios will pay us a one-time “cost recoupment bonus.” The Company evaluated the constraining estimates related
to the variable consideration, i.e., the one-time bonus and determined that it is not probable to conclude at this point in time that
a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration
is subsequently resolved.
Under the terms of our standard cinema equipment
licensing agreements, exhibitors will continue to have the right to use our Systems through the end of the term of the licensing agreement,
after which time, they have the option to: (1) return the Systems to us; (2) renew their license agreement for successive one-year terms;
or (3) purchase the Systems from us at fair market value. As permitted by these agreements, we typically pursue the sale of the Systems
to such exhibitors. Such sales were as originally contemplated as the conclusion of the digital cinema deployment plan. Cinedigm completed
the sale of 2,177 and 152 digital projection Systems, respectively, for an aggregate sales price of approximately $ 6.7 million and $ 1.6 million,
and recognized revenue of $ 600 thousand and $ 1.4 million, during the years ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Revenues
earned in connection with up front exhibitor contributions are deferred and recognized over the expected cost recoupment period.
Exhibitors
who purchased and own Systems using their own financing in the Cinema Equipment Business paid us an upfront activation fee of approximately
$ 2.0 thousand per screen (the “Exhibitor-Buyer Structure”). Upfront activation fees were recognized in the period in which
these Systems were delivered and ready for content, as we had no further obligations to the customer after that time and collection was
reasonably assured. In addition, we recognize activation fee revenue of between $ 1.0 thousand and $ 2.0 thousand on Phase
II Deployment Systems and for Systems installed by CDF2 Holdings, a related party, (See Note 4 - Other Interests ) upon installation
and such fees are generally collected upfront upon installation. Our services division manages and collects VPFs on behalf of exhibitors,
for which it earns an administrative fee equal to 10 % of the VPFs collected (the “Services”).
The
Cinema Equipment Business earns an administrative fee of approximately 5 % of VPFs collected and, in addition, earns an incentive service
fee equal to 2.5 % of the VPFs earned by Phase 1 DC. This administrative fee is related to the collection and remittance of the VPF’s
and the performance obligation is satisfied at that time the related VPF fees are due which is at the time the movies are displayed on
screens utilizing our Systems installed in movie theatres. The service fees are recognized as a point in time revenue when the corresponding
VPF fees are due from the movie studios and distributors.
F- 16
Content & Entertainment Business
CEG
earns fees for the distribution of content in the home entertainment markets via several distribution channels, including digital, video
on demand (“VOD”) (“OTT Streaming and Digital”), and physical goods (e.g., DVDs and Blu-ray Discs) (“Physical
Revenue” or “Base Distribution Business”). Fees earned are typically a percentage based on the net amounts received
from our customers. Depending upon the nature of the agreements with the platform and content providers, the fee rate that we earn varies.
The Company’s performance obligations include the delivery of content for transactional, subscription and ad supported/FAST on
the digital platforms, and shipment of DVDs and Blu-ray Discs. Revenue is recognized at the point in time when the performance obligation
is satisfied which is when the content is available for subscription on the digital platform, at the time of shipment for physical goods,
or point-of-sale for transactional and VOD services as the control over the content or the physical title is transferred to the customer.
The Company considers the delivery of content through various distribution channels to be a single performance obligation. Physical Revenue
is recognized after deducting the reserves for sales returns and other allowances, which are accounted for as variable consideration.
Physical
goods reserves for sales returns and other allowances are recorded based upon historical experience. If actual future returns and allowances
differ from past experience, adjustments to our allowances may be required.
Reserves
for product returns and other allowances are recorded based upon historical experience. If actual future returns and allowances differ
from past experience, adjustments to our allowances may be required.
CEG
also has contracts for the theatrical distribution of third party feature movies and alternative content. CEG’s distribution fee
revenue and CEG’s participation in box office receipts is recognized at the time a feature movie and alternative content are viewed.
CEG has the right to receive or bill a portion of the theatrical distribution fee in advance of the exhibition date, and therefore such
amount is recorded as a receivable at the time of execution, and all related distribution revenue is deferred until the third party feature
movies’ or alternative content’s theatrical release date.
Principal
Agent Considerations
We determine whether revenue should be reported
on a gross or net basis for each revenue stream based on the transfer of control of goods and services. Key indicators that we use in
evaluating gross versus net treatment include, but are not limited to, the following:
●
which party is primarily
responsible for fulfilling the promise to provide the specified good or service; and
●
which party has discretion
in establishing the price for the specified good or service.
Shipping
and Handling
Shipping
and handling costs are incurred to move physical goods (e.g., DVDs and Blu-ray Discs) to customers. We recognize all shipping and handling
costs as an expense in cost of goods sold because we are responsible for delivery of the product to our customers prior to transfer of
control to the customer.
Contract
Liabilities
We
generally record a receivable related to revenue when we have an unconditional right to invoice and receive payment, and we record deferred
revenue (contract liability) when cash payments are received or due in advance of our performance, even if amounts are refundable.
We
maintain reserves for potential credit losses on accounts receivable. We review the composition of accounts receivable and analyze historical
bad debts, customer concentrations, customer credit worthiness, current economic trends and changes in customer payment patterns to evaluate
the adequacy of these reserves. Reserves are recorded primarily on a specific identification basis.
Our
CEG segment recognizes accounts receivable, net of an estimated allowance for product returns and customer chargebacks, at the time that
it recognizes revenue from a sale. Reserves for product returns and other allowances is variable consideration as part of the transaction
price. If actual future returns and allowances differ from past experience, adjustments to our allowances may be required.
F- 17
We
record accounts receivable, long-term in connection with activation fees that we earn from Systems deployments that have extended payment
terms. Such accounts receivable are discounted to their present value at prevailing market rates. The outstanding balances on these arrangements
are insignificant and hence the impact of significant financing would be insignificant.
Deferred
revenue pertaining to our Content & Entertainment Business includes amounts related to the sale of DVDs with future release dates.
Deferred
revenue relating to our Cinema Equipment Business pertains to revenues earned in connection with up front exhibitor contributions that
are deferred and recognized over the expected cost recoupment period. It also includes unamortized balances in connection with activation
fees due from the Systems deployments that have extended payment terms.
The
ending deferred revenue balance, including current and non-current balances, as of March 31, 2021 was $ 0.9 million. For the year ended
March 31, 2021, the additions to our deferred revenue balance were primarily due to cash payments received or due in advance of satisfying
performance obligations, while the reductions to our deferred revenue balance were primarily due to the recognition of revenue upon fulfillment
of our performance obligations, both of which were in the ordinary course of business.
During
the years ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, $ 1.6 million and $ 4.2 million, respectively of revenue was recognized that was included in the
deferred revenue balance at the beginning of the period. As of March 31, 2021, the aggregate amount of contract revenue allocated to
unsatisfied performance obligations was $ 0.9 million. We expect to recognize this balance over the next 12 months.
Participations
and royalties payable
When
we use third parties to distribute company owned content, we record participations payable, which represent amounts owed to the distributor
under revenue-sharing arrangements. When we provide content distribution services, we record accounts payable and accrued expenses to
studios or content producers for royalties owed under licensing arrangements. We identify and record as a reduction to the liability
any expenses that are to be reimbursed to us by such studios or content producers.
Disaggregation
of Revenue
The
Company disaggregates revenue into different revenue categories for the Cinema Equipment and CEG Businesses. The Cinema Equipment Business
revenue categories are: Phase I Deployment revenue, Phase II Deployment revenue, Services, and Digital System Sales, and the Content
& Entertainment Business revenue categories are: Base Distribution Business and OTT Streaming and Digital. For the year ended March
31, 2021, the Company further refined its reporting within the revenue categories of the Content & Entertainment Business resulting
in the update of Disaggregated Revenues for the Base Distribution Business and OTT Streaming and Digital previously reported amounts
of $ 19,222 and $ 7,328 , respectively for the year ended March 31, 2020 to the amounts disclosed in the table below.
The
following tables present the Company’s revenue categories for the year ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands):
Year Ended
March 31,
2021
2020
Cinema Equipment Business:
Phase I Deployment
$ 552
$ 5,476
Phase II Deployment
1,531
1,717
Services
539
4,122
Digital System Sales
600
1,426
Total Cinema Equipment Business revenue
$ 3,222
$ 12,714
Content & Entertainment Business:
Base Distribution Business
$ 10,230
$ 13,984
OTT Streaming and Digital
17,967
12,566
Total Content & Entertainment Business revenue
$ 28,197
$ 26,550
DIRECT
OPERATING COSTS
Direct
operating costs consist of operating costs such as cost of goods sold, fulfillment expenses, shipping costs, property taxes and insurance
on Systems, royalty expenses, impairments of advances, and marketing and direct personnel costs.
F- 18
STOCK-BASED
COMPENSATION
The Company issues
stock-based awards to employees and non-employees, generally in the form of restricted stock units and performance stock units.
The Company accounts for its stock-based compensation awards in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation
(“ASC 718”). ASC 718 requires all stock-based payments, including grants of stock options and restricted stock units
and modifications to existing stock options, to be recognized in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss based
on their fair values. The Company measures the compensation expense of employee and nonemployee services received in exchange for an
award of equity instruments based on the fair value of the award on the grant date. That cost is recognized on a straight-line basis
over the period during which the employee and nonemployee is required to provide service in exchange for the award. The fair value of
options on the date of grant is calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model based on key assumptions such as stock price,
expected volatility and expected term. The Company’s estimates of these assumptions are primarily based on the trading price of
the Company’s stock, historical data, peer company data and judgment regarding future trends and factors.
Employee
and director stock-based compensation expense related to our stock-based awards was as follows:
Year Ended
March 31,
(In thousands)
2021
2020
Selling, general and administrative
$ 2,892
$ 543
$ 2,892
$ 543
During
the year ended March 31, 2021, the Company granted 7,692,323 stock appreciation rights (“SARs”). The SARs were granted
under the Company’s 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2017 Plan). All SARs issued have an exercise price equal to the fair
value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant and a maturity date of 10 years. The SARs were valued on the grant date
utilizing an option pricing model, as follows:
Grant
Date: November 19, 2020 – February 17, 2021
Maturity
Date: November 19, 2030 – February 17, 2031
Fair
value of class A common stock on grant date: $ 0.54 - $ 1.97
Volatility:
91.05 % - 93.12 %
Discount
rate: 0.88 % - 1.59 %
There
was $ 1.6 million and $ 441 thousand of stock-based compensation recorded for the year ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively,
relating to these SARs.
Total
SARs outstanding are as follows:
Year Ended
March 31,
2021
SARs Outstanding March 31, 2020
1,462,610
Issued
7,692,323
Forfeited
—
Total SARs Outstanding March 31, 2021
9,154,933
There
are 696,050 units of performance stock units (“PSU”) which were granted on July 26, 2018 fully vested that were settled during
the year ended March 31, 2021. There was no stock-based compensation recorded related to these units for the year ended March 31, 2021
and there was a cumulative adjustment of $ 166 thousand of stock-based compensation recorded for the year ended March 31, 2020. During
the year ended March 31, 2021, the vested PSU’s were settled for 693,647 shares of Class A common stock. In addition, the Company
issued 689,364 shares of Class A common stock as a bonus to employees. The Company recorded $ 786 thousand as stock compensation
expense related to the bonus awards based on the $ 1.14 Class A common share value on the date of grant during the year ended March 31,
2021.
In
addition, during the year ended March 31, 2021, the Company granted and issued 320,000 shares of Class A common stock to the Company’s
Chief Executive Officer as a compensatory bonus. The shares were valued on the date of grant utilizing the fair value of the Company’s
class A common stock. The Company recognized stock compensation of $ 166 thousand for the issuance.
F- 19
There
was $ 5 thousand and $ 4 thousand of stock-based compensation recorded for the years ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively,
related to employees’ restricted stock awards.
There
was $ 239 thousand and $ 263 of stock-based compensation for the years ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 related to board of directors.
On
September 1, 2020, we issued 80,000 shares of Class A common stock to Ronald L. Chez as a bonus payable to him under the Strategic Investor
Agreement between the Company and him dated as of April 3, 2017. During the year ended March 31, 2021, we recognized an expense of $ 71 thousand
based on the stock price of the Class A common stock on the date of grant.
INCOME
TAXES
The
Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized
for the future tax consequences attributable to operating loss and tax credit carryforwards and for differences between the carrying
amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases.
Valuation
allowances are established when management is unable to conclude that it is more likely than not that some portion, or all, of the deferred
tax asset will ultimately be realized. The Company is primarily subject to income taxes in the United States.
The
Company accounts for uncertain tax positions in accordance with an amendment to ASC Topic 740-10, Income Taxes (Accounting
for Uncertainty in Income Taxes) , which clarified the accounting for uncertainty in tax positions. This amendment provides that the
tax effects from an uncertain tax position can be recognized in the financial statements only if the position is “more-likely-than-not”
to be sustained were it to be challenged by a taxing authority. The assessment of the tax position is based solely on the technical merits
of the position, without regard to the likelihood that the tax position may be challenged. If an uncertain tax position meets the “more-likely-than-not”
threshold, the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50 % likely to be recognized upon ultimate settlement with the taxing authority
is recorded. The Company has no uncertain tax positions.
NET
LOSS PER SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS
Basic
and diluted net loss per common share has been calculated as follows:
Basic and diluted net loss per common share attributable to common stockholders
=
Net loss attributable to common stockholders
Weighted average number of common stock outstanding during the period
Stock
issued and treasury stock repurchased during the period are weighted for the portion of the period that they are outstanding. Shares
issued and any shares that are reacquired during the period are weighted for the portion of the period that they are outstanding.
We
incurred net losses for the years ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, and therefore the impact of potentially dilutive common shares from
outstanding stock options and warrants, totaling 11,127,539 shares and 4,117,323 shares as of March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively,
were excluded from the computations of loss per share as their impact would have been anti-dilutive.
COMPREHENSIVE
LOSS
As
of the year ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, comprehensive loss consisted of net loss and foreign currency translation adjustments.
F- 20
RECENTLY
ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
Adopted
In
August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, “ Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework—Changes to the
Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement ”. The amendments in ASU 2018-13 modify the disclosure requirements associated
with fair value measurements based on the concepts in the Concepts Statement, including the consideration of costs and benefits. The
amendments on changes in unrealized gains and losses, the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop
Level 3 fair value measurements, and the narrative description of measurement uncertainty should be applied prospectively for only the
most recent interim or annual period presented in the initial fiscal year of adoption. All other amendments should be applied retrospectively
to all periods presented upon their effective date. The amendments are effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December
15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The adoption
of this ASU on April 1, 2020 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04,
“ Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting .” ASU 2020-04
provides optional expedients and exceptions to account for contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions that reference LIBOR
or another reference rate if certain criteria are met. The amendments of ASU No. 2020-04 are effective immediately, as of March 12, 2020,
and may be applied prospectively to contract modifications made and hedging relationships entered into on or before December 31, 2022.
The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Not
yet adopted
In
June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial
Instruments (“ASU 2016-13”), which provides new guidance regarding the measurement and recognition of credit impairment
for certain financial assets. Such guidance will impact how the Company determines its allowance for estimated uncollectible receivables
and evaluates its available-for-sale investments for impairment. ASU 2016-13 is effective for the Company in the first quarter of
fiscal 2023. The Company is currently evaluating the effect that ASU 2016-13 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related
disclosures.
On
December 18, 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, “ Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, ”
which simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740. The update also
simplifies GAAP for other areas of Topic 740 by clarifying and amending existing guidance to improve consistent application. The amendment
in this update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early
adoption is permitted. We are currently assessing the impact this pronouncement may have on our consolidated financial statements.
3.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET COMPONENTS
ACCOUNTS
RECEIVABLE
Accounts
receivable, net consisted of the following:
As of
(In thousands)
March 31,
2021
March 31,
2020
Trade receivables
$ 23,969
40,073
Allowance for doubtful accounts
( 2,876 )
( 5,288 )
Total accounts receivable
$ 21,093
$ 34,785
F- 21
PREPAID
AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS
Prepaid
and other current assets consisted of the following:
As of
(In thousands)
March 31,
2021
March 31,
2020
Non-trade accounts receivable
$ 413
$ 509
Advances
1,841
3,213
Due from producers
589
1,009
Prepaid insurance
409
336
Other prepaid expenses
405
315
Total prepaid and other current assets
$ 3,657
$ 5,382
PROPERTY
AND EQUIPMENT
Property
and equipment, net consisted of the following:
As of
(In thousands)
March 31,
2021
March 31,
2020
Leasehold Improvements
$ 8
$ 183
Computer equipment and software
1,002
1,051
Internal Use Software
5,164
3,950
Construction in Process
40
1,212
Digital Cinema Projection Systems
307,487
324,760
Machinery and Equipment
437
437
Furniture and Fixtures
1
24
314,139
331,617
Less - Accumulated Depreciation and Amortization
( 310,639 )
( 323,650 )
Total property and equipment, net
$ 3,500
$ 7,967
Total
depreciation and amortization of property and equipment was $ 4.4 million and $ 6.6 million for the years ended March 31, 2021 and 2020,
respectively.
INTANGIBLE
ASSETS
Intangible
assets, net consisted of the following:
As of March 31, 2021
(In thousands)
Gross Carrying Amount
Accumulated Amortization
Net Amount
Useful life (years)
Trademarks
$ 2,839
$ ( 382 )
$ 2,457
3
Customer relationships and contracts
22,137
( 17,610 )
4,527
3 - 15
Theatre relationships
550
( 550 )
-
10 - 12
Content library
23,148
( 20,272 )
2,876
3 - 6
Total
$ 48,674
$ ( 38,814 )
$ 9,860
F- 22
As of March 31, 2020
(In thousands)
Gross Carrying Amount
Accumulated Amortization
Net Amount
Useful life (years)
Trademarks
$ 271
$ ( 259 )
$ 12
3
Customer relationships and contracts
21,968
( 15,473 )
6,495
3 - 15
Theatre relationships
550
( 527 )
23
10 - 12
Content library
20,420
( 20,026 )
394
3 - 6
Total
$ 43,209
$ ( 36,285 )
$ 6,924
Amortization
expense related to intangible assets was $ 2.5 million and $ 2.8 million for the years ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Based
on identified intangible assets that are subject to amortization as of March 31, 2021, we expect future amortization expense for each
period to be as follows:
(In thousands) Fiscal years ending March 31,
2022
$ 2,760
2023
2,090
2024
1,920
2025
1,091
2026
177
Thereafter
1,822
Total
$ 9,860
ACCOUNTS
PAYABLE AND ACCRUED EXPENSES
Accounts
payable and accrued expenses consisted of the following:
As of
(In thousands)
March 31,
2021
March 31,
2020
Accounts payable
$ 30,111
$ 50,708
Amounts due to producers, net
10,557
19,599
Accrued compensation and benefits
2,995
1,237
Accrued taxes (refund) payable
( 99 )
453
Interest payable
10
954
Accrued other expenses
3,053
4,134
Total accounts payable and accrued expenses
$ 46,627
$ 77,085
4.
OTHER INTERESTS
Investment
in CDF2 Holdings
We
indirectly own 100 % of the common equity of CDF2 Holdings, LLC (“CDF2 Holdings”), which was created for the purpose of capitalizing
on the conversion of the exhibition industry from film to digital technology. CDF2 Holdings assists its customers in procuring the equipment
necessary to convert their systems to digital technology by providing financing, equipment, installation and related ongoing services.
F- 23
CDF2
Holdings is a Variable Interest Entity (“VIE”), as defined in Accounting Standards Codification Topic 810 (“ASC 810”),
“Consolidation.” ASC 810 requires the consolidation of VIEs by an entity that has a controlling financial interest in the
VIE which entity is thereby defined as the primary beneficiary of the VIE. To be a primary beneficiary, an entity must have the power
to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance, among other factors. Although
we indirectly, wholly own CDF2 Holdings, we, a third party that also has a variable interest in CDF2 Holdings, and an independent third
party manager must mutually approve all business activities and transactions that significantly impact CDF2 Holdings’ economic
performance. We have therefore assessed our variable interests in CDF2 Holdings and determined that we are not the primary beneficiary
of CDF2 Holdings. As a result, CDF2 Holdings’ financial position and results of operations are not consolidated in our financial
position and results of operations. In completing our assessment, we identified the activities that we consider most significant to the
economic performance of CDF2 Holdings and determined that we do not have the power to direct those activities, and therefore we account
for our investment in CDF2 Holdings under the equity method of accounting.
As
of March 31, 2021 and 2020, our maximum exposure to loss, as it relates to the non-consolidated CDF2 Holdings entity, represents
accounts receivable for service fees under a master service agreement with CDF2 Holdings. Such accounts receivable was $ 0.3 million and
$ 0.4 million as of March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, which are included in accounts receivable, net on the accompanying
consolidated balance sheets.
The
accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations include $ 128 thousand of digital cinema servicing revenue from CDF2 Holdings
for the year ended March 31, 2021. The accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations include $ 1.1 million of digital cinema
servicing revenue from CDF2 Holdings for the year ended March 31, 2020.
Total
Stockholders’ Deficit of CDF2 Holdings at March 31, 2021 and 2020 was $ 46.3 million and $ 31.8 million, respectively.
We have no obligation to fund the operating loss or the stockholders’ deficit beyond our initial investment of $ 2.0 million and,
accordingly, our investment in CDF2 Holdings as of March 31, 2021 and 2020 is carried at $ 0 .
Majority
Interest in CONtv
We
own an 85 % interest in CON TV, LLC, a worldwide digital network that creates original content, and sells and distributes on-demand digital
content on the Internet and other consumer digital distribution platforms, such as gaming consoles, set-top boxes, handsets, and tablets.
5.
ASSET ACQUISTION
On
December 21, 2020, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of The Film Detective, LLC (“TFD”), a leading content
distributor and streaming channel company focused on classic film and television programming. The purchase price for the TFD acquisition
was $ 750,000 in cash and 2,504,592 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock at $ 0.74 per share or $ 1,853,000 , as of the acquisition
date. In addition, TFD may be entitled to receive earnout amounts of up to an aggregate of $ 1,600,000 for the four years beginning
on April 1, 2021, payable in cash or with respect to a portion thereof, at the Company’s discretion and subject to certain conditions,
in shares of Common Stock. This acquisition is accounted for as an asset acquisition as substantially all of the value acquired resides
in a single group of assets. Accordingly, the acquisition cost related to the transaction is capitalized and the potential earnout will
only be recognized when the contingency is probable and estimable in the future. As of March 31, 2021 the Company determined that the
potential earnout was not probable. Acquired intangible assets include TFD’s content library, distribution contracts, trade name
and other and the final fair value allocation was as follows:
Asset
Amount in
($000)
Useful
Life
Content Library
$ 2,471
20 years
Distribution Contracts
124
2 years
Trade Name
24
2 years
Other
32
3 years
Total
$ 2,651
F- 24
In
January 2021, the Company acquired Fandor’s tradename, which specializes in independent film streaming service for a total of $ 745
thousand in cash. In February 2021, the Company acquired Screambox’s trademark, a horror streaming service, for $1.8 million consisting
of cash of $650 thousand, $850 thousand by issuance of 593,534 Class A common shares at a price of $1.4321 plus an amount held in escrow
for $200 thousand for future issuance of Class A common shares. In March 2021, the Company acquired Films Around the World’s classic
film content library for a total of $ 257 thousand in cash. Cinedigm estimates the useful life of these acquired assets is 3 years. These
are asset acquisitions where substantially all the value is ascribed to a single asset.
6.
NOTES PAYABLE
Notes
payable consisted of the following:
March 31, 2021
March 31, 2020
(In thousands)
Current Portion
Long Term Portion
Current Portion
Long Term Portion
Prospect Loan
$ 7,786
$ —
$ 12,205
$ —
Total non-recourse notes payable
7,786
—
12,205
—
Less: Unamortized debt issuance costs and debt discounts
—
—
( 763 )
—
Total non-recourse notes payable, net of unamortized debt issuance costs and debt discounts
$ 7,786
$ —
$ 11,442
$ —
Bison Note Payable
$ —
—
$ 10,000
$ —
Second Lien Loans
—
—
8,222
—
Credit Facility
1,956
—
14,487
—
Mingtai Convertible Note
—
—
5,000
—
PPP Loan
2,152
—
—
Total recourse notes payable
1,956
2,152
37,709
—
Less: Unamortized debt issuance costs and debt discounts
—
—
( 460 )
—
Total recourse notes payable, net of unamortized debt issuance costs and debt discounts
$ 1,956
$ 2,152
$ 37,249
$ —
Total notes payable, net of unamortized debt issuance costs
$ 9,742
$ 2,152
$ 48,691
$ —
Non-recourse
debt is generally defined as debt whereby the lenders’ sole recourse with respect to defaults, is limited to the value of the asset,
which is collateral for the debt. Certain of our subsidiaries are liable with respect to, and their assets serve as collateral for, certain
indebtedness for which our assets and the assets of our other subsidiaries that are not parties to the transaction are generally not
liable. We have referred to this indebtedness as “non-recourse debt” because the recourse of the lenders is limited to the
assets of specific subsidiaries. Such indebtedness includes the Prospect Loan.
Prospect
Loan
In
February 2013, our DC Holdings, AccessDM and Phase 2 DC subsidiaries entered into a term loan agreement (the “Prospect Loan”)
with Prospect Capital Corporation (“Prospect”), pursuant to which DC Holdings borrowed $ 70.0 million. The Prospect Loan bears
interest at LIBOR plus 9.0 % (with a 2.0 % LIBOR floor), which is payable in cash, and at an additional 2.50 % to be accrued as an increase
to the aggregate principal amount of the Prospect Loan until the Prospect Loan is paid off, at which time all accrued interest will be
payable in cash.
Collections
of DC Holdings accounts receivable are deposited into accounts designated to pay certain operating expenses, principal, interest, fees,
costs and expenses relating to the Prospect Loan. On a quarterly basis, if there is excess cash flow, it is used for prepayment of the
Prospect Loan. We also maintain a debt service fund under the Prospect Loan for future principal and interest payments. As of March 31,
2021, and 2020 , the debt service fund had a balance of $ 1.0 million, which is classified as part of restricted cash on our Consolidated
Balance Sheets.
F- 25
On
March 4, 2021, Cinedigm DC Holdings, LLC (“CDCH”), Access Digital Media, Inc., Access Digital Cinema Phase 2, Corp., Christie/AIX,
Inc., Cinedigm Digital Funding I, LLC, certain Lenders, and Prospect Capital Corporation, as administrative agent and collateral agent
(“Prospect”), entered into Amendment No. 3 (the “Amendment”) to the Term Loan Agreement dated February 28, 2013
(the “Term Loan Agreement”). Under the Amendment, the maturity date of the loan under the Term Loan Agreement (the “Loan”)
was extended to March 31, 2022. As a condition to the effectiveness of the Amendment, CDCH paid $ 3,500,000 to Prospect to reduce the
outstanding principal amount of the Loan.
The
Prospect Loan matures on March 31, 2022 and may be accelerated upon a change in control (as defined in the agreement) or other events
of default as set forth therein and would be subject to mandatory acceleration upon insolvency of DC Holdings. We are permitted to pay
the full outstanding balance of the Prospect Loan at any time after the second anniversary of the initial borrowing, subject to the following
prepayment penalties:
● 5.0 % of the principal amount prepaid between the second and third anniversaries of issuance;
● 4.0 % of the principal amount prepaid between the third and fourth anniversaries of issuance;
● 3.0 % of the principal amount prepaid between the fourth and fifth anniversaries of issuance;
● 2.0 % of the principal amount prepaid between the fifth and sixth anniversary of issuance;
● 1.0 % of the principal amount prepaid between the sixth and seventh anniversaries of issuance; and
●
No penalty if the balance
of the Prospect Loan, including accrued interest, is prepaid thereafter.
The
Prospect Loan is secured by, among other things, a first priority pledge of the stock of CDF2 Holdings, our wholly owned unconsolidated
subsidiary, the stock of AccessDM, owned by DC Holdings, and the stock of our Phase 2 DC subsidiary, and is also guaranteed by AccessDM
and Phase 2 DC. We provide limited financial support to the Prospect Loan not to exceed $ 1.5 million per year in the event financial
performance does not meet certain defined benchmarks.
The
Prospect Loan contains customary representations, warranties, affirmative covenants, negative covenants and events of default.
The
following table summarizes the activity related to the Prospect Loan:
As of
(In thousands)
March 31,
2021
March 31,
2020
Prospect Loan, at issuance
$ 70,000
$ 70,000
PIK Interest
6,397
4,778
Payments to date
( 68,611 )
( 62,573 )
Prospect Loan, gross
$ 7,786
$ 12,205
Less unamortized debt issuance costs and debt discounts
—
( 763 )
Prospect Loan, net
7,786
11,442
Less current portion
( 7,786 )
( 11,442 )
Total long term portion
$ —
$ —
Bison
Note Payable
In
December 2017, the Company entered into a loan with Bison for $ 10.0 million (the “Bison Loan”) and issued Warrants to
purchase 1,400,000 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock. See Note 7 - Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit) for
further discussion of the warrants.
F- 26
The
loan was made in accordance with the Stock Purchase Agreement between the Company and Bison Entertainment Investment Limited, another
affiliate of Bison, entered into on June 29, 2017.
On
July 20, 2018, the Company entered into a term loan agreement (the “2018 Loan Agreement”) with Bison Global, pursuant to
which the Company borrowed from Bison Global $ 10.0 million (the “2018 Loan”), the proceeds of which were used to pay
off the Bison Loan. The 2018 Loan has a one ( 1 ) year term that may be extended by mutual agreement of Bison Global
and the Company and bears interest at 5 % per annum, payable quarterly in cash. On July 12, 2019, we entered into a Termination Agreement
for the 2018 Loan and at the same time entered into a $ 10.0 million convertible note with Bison Global (the “Bison Convertible
Note”).
Bison
Convertible Note
The
Bison Convertible Note has a term ending on March 4, 2021, and bears interest at 5 % per annum. The principal is due on March 4,
2021, in cash or in shares of Common Stock, or a combination of cash and Common Stock, at the Company’s option. The Bison Convertible
Note is convertible at the Company’s option, at any time prior to payment in full of the principal balance and all accrued interest
of the note, to convert this note in whole or in part, into fully paid and nonassessable shares of the Company’s Class A common
stock. The Bison Convertible Note is Convertible into 6,666,666 shares of Company’s Class A common stock, based on initial
conversion price of $ 1.50 per share.
The
Bison Convertible Note is unsecured and may be prepaid without premium or penalty, and contains customary covenants, representations
and warranties. The proceeds of the Bison Convertible Note were used to repay the 2018 Loan. On April 15, 2020, the Company executed
a letter amendment to the Bison Convertible Note dated July 12, 2019, amending the Bison Convertible Note, effective as of March 4, 2020,
to change the maturity date of the note to March 4, 2021.
The
Bison Convertible Note, offset by the concurrent payoff and termination of the 2018 Loan, did not result in any increase to the Company’s
outstanding debt balance.
On
September 11, 2020, Bison Global converted the Bison Convertible Note in full into an aggregate of 6,666,667 shares of Common
Stock at a conversion price of $ 1.50 per share. Accordingly, the Bison Convertible Note has been extinguished. In accordance with
ASC 470, the Company recognized a loss on extinguishment of $ 285 thousand related to unamortized debt issuance costs for the nine
months ended December 31, 2020.
Second
Secured Lien Loans
On
July 14, 2016, we entered into a Second Lien Loan Agreement (the “Second Lien Loan Agreement”), under which we may borrow
up to $ 15.0 million (the “Second Lien Loans”), subject to certain limitations imposed on us regarding the number of shares
that we may issue in connection with the loans. The Second Lien Loan Agreement included balances borrowed from Ronald L. Chez, at that
time a member of the Board of Directors. Mr. Chez resigned from the Board of Directors in April 2017, and became a strategic advisor
to the Company through September 2020. The Second Lien Loans bear interest at 12.75 %, payable 7.5 % in cash and 5.25 % in cash or in kind
at our option. Before the June 30, 2019 maturity date, on June 28, 2019, the Company entered into a consent agreement with lenders of
the Second Lien Loans to an extension of the Second Lien Loans pursuant to which (i) the Company paid down a portion of the outstanding
principal amount plus accrued interest to date, and (ii) the maturity date of the remaining outstanding principal amount of the Second
Lien Loans was extended to September 30, 2019.
In
addition, under the terms of the Second Lien Loan Agreement, we are required to issue 98,000 shares of our Class A common stock for every
$ 1.0 million borrowed, subject to pro rata adjustments. As of March 31, 2021, we have issued 906,450 shares of Class A common stock
cumulatively under the Second Lien Loan Agreement. The Second Lien Loans may be prepaid without premium or penalty and contain customary
covenants, representations and warranties. The obligations under the Second Lien Loans are guaranteed by certain of our existing and
future subsidiaries. We have pledged substantially all of our assets, except those assets related to our digital cinema deployment business,
to secure payment on the Second Lien Loans.
On
June 24, 2020, the Company entered into an exchange agreement (the “Exchange Agreement”) pursuant to which the Company issued
329,501 shares of its Class A common stock in exchange for $ 842 thousand principal amount and accrued and unpaid interest of Second Lien
Loans with the holders of such notes. The surrendered notes were immediately canceled and the Company recognized a gain on extinguishment
of $ 23 thousand.
F- 27
The
Exchange Agreement included a true-up clause. The true-up clause stated that if the gross proceeds from the sale of the Company’s
Class A common stock are less than $ 758 thousand, the Company shall pay up to an aggregate maximum of $ 50 thousand of such shortfall
in cash, and, with respect to any balance of the shortfall remaining after the cash payment, shall issue such additional number of shares
of common stock not to exceed, together with the Shares, 1,000,000 shares equal in value, based on the closing price of the common stock.
On
July 2, 2020, in accordance with the true-up clause, an additional 33,465 shares of Class A common stock ($ 61 thousand
based on the stock price of the Company’s Class A common stock on the date of issue) were issued as a true-up adjustment pursuant
to the Exchange Agreement. In addition, the Company paid an additional $ 50 thousand in July 2020.
On June 26, 2020, the Company entered into a consent
agreement to extend the maturity date to September 30, 2020 and grant the Company options to extend further to March 31, 2021 and then
to June 30, 2021.There was a consent fee of $ 100,000 paid in connection with this extension. On September 21, 2020, the Company extended
the maturity date to March 31, 2021 upon payment of a fee of $ 50,000 . On February 9, 2021, the Company prepaid all of the outstanding
obligations in respect of principal, interest, fees and expenses under the Second Lien Loan Agreement, and the Second Lien Loan Agreement
was terminated.
On
November 19, 2020, the Company issued 452,499 shares of Common Stock in exchange for $ 247 thousand of principal and interest of Second
Lien Notes. The exchanged Second Lien Notes were immediately cancelled and the Company recorded a gain on extinguishment of $ 5 thousand.
On
December 4, 2020, the Company entered into exchange agreements (the “December Exchange Agreements”) with certain holders
of notes under its Second Lien Loan Agreement dated as of July 14, 2016 among the Company, the lenders party thereto, and Cortland Capital
Market Services LLC, as Agent (“Second Lien Notes”). Pursuant to the December Exchange Agreements, the Company issued an
aggregate of 2,776,284 shares of its Class A common stock, par value $ 0.001 per share Common Stock in exchange for an aggregate of $ 1,386
thousand of principal and interest of Second Lien Notes. The exchanged Second Lien Notes were immediately cancelled and the Company recorded
a loss on extinguishment of $ 545 thousand.
On
January 21, 2021, the Company entered into an exchange agreement (the “Exchange Agreement”) with a holder of notes under
its Second Lien Loan Agreement dated as of July 14, 2016 among the Company, the lenders party thereto, and Cortland Capital Market
Services LLC, as Agent (“Second Lien Notes”). Pursuant to the Exchange Agreement, the Company issued an aggregate of 1,247,626
shares of its Class A common stock, par value $ 0.001 per share Common Stock in exchange for an aggregate of $ 1,289,650 of principal
amount of Second Lien Notes. The exchanged Second Lien Notes were immediately cancelled and the Company recorded a loss on extinguishment
of $ 341 thousand.
In
two separate exchanges with another holder of Second Lien Notes, on January 14, 2021 and January 21, 2021, the Company issued 689,500
shares and 580,448 shares (an aggregate of 1,269,948 shares) of Class A Common Stock in exchange for $ 500,000 and $ 600,000 (an aggregate
of $ 1,100,000 ) principal amount of Second Lien Notes. The exchanged Second Lien Notes were immediately cancelled and the Company recorded
a loss on extinguishment of $ 247 thousand.
In
an exchange with another holder of Second Lien Notes, on February 2, 2021, the Company issued 425,290 shares of Class A Common Stock
in exchange for $ 500,000 principal amount of Second Lien Notes and the Company recorded a loss of $ 59 thousand.
Credit
Facility and Cinedigm Revolving Loans
On
March 30, 2018, the Company entered into the Loan, Guaranty and Security Agreement, dated as of March 30, 2018, by and between the Company,
East West Bank and the Guarantors named therein (the “Credit Facility”) for a maximum of $ 19.0 million in revolving loans
outstanding at any one time with a maturity date of March 31, 2020, which may be extended for two successive one-year periods at the
sole discretion of the lender, subject to certain conditions.
Interest
under the Credit Facility is due monthly at a rate elected by the Company of either 0.5 % plus Prime Rate or 3.25 % above LIBOR Rate established
by the lender.
F- 28
As of March 31, 2021 and
2020, there was $ 2.0 million and $ 14.5 million outstanding, respectively, and there was $ 6.3 million available, under
the Credit Facility based on the Company’s borrowing base as of March 31, 2021. On July 3, 2019, the Company entered into the EWB
Amendment to the Credit Facility. The EWB Amendment reduced the size of the facility to $ 18.0 million, required certain prepayments and
daily cash sweeps from collections of receivables to be made, changed in certain respects how the borrowing base is calculated, and extended
the maturity date to June 30, 2020. In connection with the EWB Amendment, three of our subsidiaries became Guarantors under the Credit
Facility. On June 25, 2020, the Company signed amendment No. 4 with East West Bank to extend the maturity of the Credit Facility to June
30, 2021 and waive events of default provisions. On June 22, 2021, the maturity date of the Credit Facility was extended to September
28, 2021.
Mingtai
Convertible Note
On October 9, 2018, the Company issued a subordinated convertible note (the “Mingtai Convertible Note”) to Mingtai for $ 5.0 million.
All proceeds from the Mingtai Convertible Note were used to pay the then-outstanding $ 5.0 million 2013 Notes. The $ 5.0 million
in aggregate principal bears interest at 8 % maturing on October 9, 2019 with two one year extensions at the Company’s option. The
Mingtai Convertible Note is convertible into 3,333,333 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock, based on initial
conversion price of $ 1.50 per share. On October 9, 2019, the Company signed an extension, for one additional year from the original
maturity date to be due on October 9, 2020.
The
Mingtai Convertible Note is convertible at the option of the Lender, or the Company, at any time prior to payment in full of the principal
balance, and all accrued interest of this Convertible Note in whole, or in part, into fully paid and non-assessable shares of Company’s
Class A common stock at the conversion rate of $ 1.50 .
Upon
conversion prior to maturity by Mingtai, or the Company, we may elect to settle such conversion in shares of our Class A common stock,
cash or a combination thereof. Upon the maturity date, the Company has the option to pay in Class A common shares convertible at the
greater of the closing price of the Class A common stock or $ 1.10 . As a result of our cash conversion option, we separately accounted
for the value of the embedded conversion option as a debt discount (with an offset to additional paid-in capital) of $ 270 thousand.
The value of the embedded conversion option was determined based on the estimated fair value of the debt without the conversion feature,
which was determined using market comparables to estimate the fair value similar nonconvertible debt; the debt discount is being amortized
to interest expense using the effective interest method over the one year term of the Mingtai Convertible Note.
On
September 11, 2020, Mingtai converted the Notes in full into an aggregate of 3,333,333 shares of Common Stock at a conversion
price of $ 1.50 per share. Accordingly, the Note has been extinguished. In accordance with ASC 470, the Mingtai Convertible Note
was analyzed for potential debt extinguishment. The discount on the note had been fully accreted prior to conversion, resulting in no
gain or loss from extinguishment.
PPP
Loan
On
April 15, 2020, the Company received $ 2.2 million from East West Bank, the Company’s existing lender. The PPP Loan matures on April
10, 2022 (the “PPP Maturity Date”), accrues interest at 1 % per annum and may be prepaid in whole or in part without penalty.
No interest payments are due within the initial six months of the PPP Loan. The interest accrued during the initial six-month period
is due and payable, together with the principal, on the PPP Maturity Date. The Company used all proceeds from the PPP Loan to retain
employees, maintain payroll and make lease and utility payments to support business continuity throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, which
amounts are intended to be eligible for forgiveness, subject to the provisions of the CARES Act and could be subject to repayment. On
January 5, 2021, the Company has submitted its application for forgiveness and, as of June 30, 2021 obtained forgiveness for the full amount
as discussed on Note 12 – Subsequent Events .
F- 29
7.
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)
COMMON
STOCK
During the year ended March 31, 2021, we issued
104,326,689 shares of Class A common stock which consists of the sale of 28,405,840 shares of our Class A common stock, 29,855,081 in
connection with the Starrise transaction, 23,480,000 shares of our Class A common stock in registered direct offerings, issuance of Class
A common stock in asset acquisitions, settlement of the outstanding second lien loans, issuance of restricted shares to employees, directors,
consultants and third parties, and the issuances of Class A common stock for warrants exercised and preferred stock dividends. On March
8, 2021, the Company cancelled 35,714 shares of Class A common stock issued to a board director that resigned from the board before such
shares vested.
On
June 24, 2020, the Company issued 329,501 shares of Common Stock in exchange for $ 842,000 of principal amount of Second Lien Notes. The
exchanged Second Lien Notes were immediately cancelled.
In
July 2020, we entered into an At-the-Market sales agreement (the “ATM Sales Agreement”) with A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners
(“A.G.P.”) and B. Riley FBR, Inc. (“B. Riley” and, together with A.G.P., the “Sales Agents”), pursuant
to which the Company may offer and sell, from time to time, through the Sales Agents, shares of Common Stock at the market prices prevailing
on The Nasdaq Global Market at the time of the sale of such shares. The Company is not obligated to sell any shares under the Sales Agreement.
Any sales of shares made under the Sales Agreement will be made pursuant to an effective registration statement on Form S-3 filed by
the Company with the SEC on July 6, 2020, for an aggregate offering price of up to $ 30 million.
During
the year ended March 31, 2021, we sold 28,405,840 shares of Common Stock under the ATM Sales Agreement. Net proceeds from such sales
totaled $ 18.6 million. Proceeds were used to strengthen our liquidity and working capital position.
On
September 1, 2020, we issued 80,000 shares of Class A common stock to Ronald L. Chez as a bonus payable to him under the Strategic Investor
Agreement between the Company and him dated as of April 3, 2017. We recognized an expense of $ 71 thousand based on the stock price of
the Class A common stock on the date of grant.
On
October 23, 2020, the Company filed a Certificate of Amendment to the Fifth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, pursuant
to which the number of shares of Class A common stock authorized for issuance was increased to 200,000,000 shares.
On
November 19, 2020, the Company issued 452,499 shares of Common Stock in exchange for $ 247,108 of principal amount of Second Lien Notes.
The exchanged Second Lien Notes were immediately cancelled.
On
December 4, 2020, the Company entered into Exchange Agreements with certain holders of the Second Lien Loans. Pursuant to the Exchange
Agreements, the Company issued an aggregate of 2,776,284 shares of its Class A common stock, par value $ 0.001 per share Common Stock
in exchange for an aggregate of $ 1,386,106 of principal amount of Second Lien Notes. The exchanged Second Lien Notes were immediately
cancelled. The exchange was consummated on December 4, 2020.
On
January 14, 2021 and January 21, 2021, the Company issued 689,500 shares, 580,448 shares, and 1,247,626 shares (an aggregate of 2,517,574
shares) of Class A Common Stock in exchange for $ 500,000 , $ 600,000 and $ 1,289,650 (an aggregate of $ 2,389,650 ) principal amount of Second
Lien Notes. The exchanged Second Lien Notes were immediately cancelled.
In
an exchange with another holder of Second Lien Notes, on February 2, 2021, the Company issued 425,290 shares of Class A Common Stock
in exchange for $ 500,000 principal amount of Second Lien Notes.
PREFERRED
STOCK
Cumulative
dividends in arrears on preferred stock were $ 0.1 million as of March 31, 2021 and 2020. In May 2021, we paid the preferred stock dividends
in arrears in the form of 53,278 shares of Class A common stock.
TREASURY
STOCK
We
have treasury stock, at a cost, consisting of 1,313,836 shares of Class A common stock at March 31, 2021 and 2020.
F- 30
CINEDIGM’S
EQUITY INCENTIVE PLANS
Stock
Based Compensation Awards
Awards
issued under our 2000 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2000 Plan”) may be in any of the following forms (or a combination thereof)
(i) stock option awards; (ii) stock appreciation rights; (iii) stock or restricted stock or restricted stock units; or (iv) performance
awards. The 2000 Plan provides for the granting of incentive stock options (“ISOs”) with exercise prices not less than the
fair market value of our Class A Common Stock on the date of grant. ISOs granted to shareholders having more than 10 % of the total combined
voting power of the Company must have exercise prices of at least 110 % of the fair market value of our Class A Common Stock on the date
of grant. ISOs and non-statutory stock options granted under the 2000 Plan are subject to vesting provisions, and exercise is subject
to the continuous service of the participant. The exercise prices and vesting periods (if any) for non-statutory options are set at the
discretion of our compensation committee. On November 1, 2017, upon the consummation of the initial equity investment in Cinedigm by
Bison, as a result of which there was a change of control of the Company, all stock options (incentive and non-statutory) and shares
of restricted stock were vested immediately and the options became fully exercisable.
In
connection with the grants of stock options and shares of restricted stock under the 2000 Plan, we and the participants have executed
stock option agreements and notices of restricted stock awards setting forth the terms of the grants. The 2000 Plan provided for the
issuance of up to 2,380,000 shares of Class A Common Stock to employees, outside directors and consultants.
As
of March 31, 2021, there were 261,587 stock options outstanding in the Plan with weighted average exercise price of $ 14.99 and a weighted
average contract life of 2.11 years. As of March 31, 2020, there were 272,766 shares pursuant to stock options outstanding in the Plan
with weighted average exercise price of $ 15.00 and a weighted average contract life of 3.11 years.
In
August 2017, the Company adopted the 2017 Plan. The 2017 Plan replaced the 2000 Plan, and applies to employees and directors of, and
consultants to, the Company. The 2017 Plan provided for the issuance of up to 2,108,270 shares of Class A common stock, in the form of
various awards, including stock options, stock appreciation rights, stock, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance awards
and cash awards. The Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) is authorized to administer
the 2017 Plan and make grants thereunder. The approval of the 2017 Plan does not affect awards already granted under the 2000 Plan. On
December 4, 2019, upon shareholder approval, the 2017 Plan was amended to increase the maximum number of shares of Class A common stock
authorized for issuance thereunder from 2,108,270 shares to 4,098,270 .
On
October 23, 2020, the Company amended its 2017 Equity Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares authorized for issuance thereunder
from 4,098,270 to 14,098,270 .
The
analysis of all options outstanding under the 2000 Plan as of March 31, 2020 is as follows:
As of March 31, 2021
Range of Prices
Options Outstanding
Weighted Average Remaining Life in Years
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Aggregate Intrinsic Value (In thousands)
$ 1.16 - $ 7.40
5,000
4.25
$ 7.40
$ —
$ 13.70 - $ 24.40
249,087
2.12
14.69
—
$ 30.00 - $ 50.00
7,500
0.38
30.00
—
261,587
$ —
An
analysis of all options exercisable under the 2000 Plan as of March 31, 2021 is presented below:
Options Exercisable
Weighted Average Remaining Life in Years
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
(In thousands)
261,587
2.11
$ 14.99
—
F- 31
OPTIONS
GRANTED OUTSIDE CINEDIGM’S EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
In
October 2013, we issued options outside of the 2000 Plan to 10 individuals who became employees as a result of a business combination.
The employees received options to purchase an aggregate of 62,000 shares of our Class A Common Stock at an exercise price of $ 17.50 per
share. The options were fully vested as of October 2017 and expire 10 years from the date of grant, if unexercised. As of March 31, 2021,
12,500 of such options remained outstanding.
In
December 2010, we issued options to purchase 450,000 shares of Class A Common Stock outside of the 2000 Plan as part of our Chief Executive
Officer’s initial employment agreement with the Company. Such options have exercise prices per share between $ 15.00 and $ 50.00 ,
were vested as of December 2013 and expired in December 2020. As of March 31, 2021, none of such options remained outstanding.
WARRANTS
The
following table presents information about outstanding warrants to purchase shares of our Class A common stock as of March 31, 2021.
All of the outstanding warrants are fully vested and exercisable.
Recipient
Amount outstanding
Expiration
Exercise
price per share
Strategic management service provider
52,500
July 2021
$ 17.20
- $ 30.00
Warrants issued in connection with Convertible Notes exchange transaction
246,019
December 2021
$ 1.30
5-year Warrant issued to BEMG in connection with a term loan agreement
1,400,000
December 2022
$ 1.80
Certain
warrants issued in connection with the Second Lien Loans (See Note 6- Notes Payable ) to Ronald L. Chez, at the time a member of
our Board of Directors, contain a cashless exercise provision and customary anti-dilution rights. On June 4, 2020, Ronald L. Chez exercised
all such warrants to purchase 236,889 shares of Class A common stock in connection with the Second Lien Loans, resulting in gross proceeds
of $ 301 thousand.
8.
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
We
operate from leased properties under non-cancelable operating lease agreements, certain of which contain escalating lease clauses.
The
Company leases office space under operating leases. The Company’s portfolio of leases is primarily related to real estate and since
most of our leases do not provide a readily determinable implicit rate, the Company estimated its incremental borrowing rate to discount
the lease payments based on information available at either the implementation date of Topic 842 or at lease commencement for leases
entered into thereafter.
The
table below presents the lease-related assets and liabilities recorded on the balance sheet as of March31, 2021
(In thousands)
Classification on the Balance Sheet
March 31,
2021
Assets
Noncurrent
Operating lease right-of-use asset
$ 100
Liabilities
Current
Operating leases - current portion
87
Noncurrent
Operating leases - long-term portion
13
Total operating lease liabilities
$ 100
Weighted-average discount rate (1)
5.1 %
(1) Upon
adoption of the new lease standard, discount rates used for existing leases were established at April 1, 2019.
F- 32
Lease
Costs
The
table below presents certain information related to lease costs for leases:
Year Ended
(In thousands)
March 31,
2021
Operating lease cost
$ 195
Total lease cost
$ 195
Other
Information
The
table below presents supplemental cash flow information related to leases:
Year Ended
(In thousands)
March 31,
2021
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities
197
Operating cash flows used for operating leases
$ 197
The
Company terminated an office lease in Los Angeles in April 2020 and a lease for office equipment was terminated in June 2020. The Company
removed the right-of-use assets of $ 927 thousand and the lease liabilities of $ 1.0 million as of June 30, 2020. The estimated future
lease liabilities are not expected to be material for the remaining outstanding office and equipment leases.
9.
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Year Ended
March 31,
(In thousands)
2021
2020
Cash interest paid
$ 4,052
$ 4,905
Income taxes paid
232
439
Accrued dividends on preferred stock
89
89
Issuance of Class A common stock for payment of preferred stock dividends
356
356
Issuance of Class A common stock to Starrise, a related party
11,046
11,257
Contributed capital under the Starrise transaction, a related party
17,187
13,795
Settlement of second lien loan with Class A common stock
6,485
—
Settlement of note payable with Class A common stock
15,067
—
Class A common stock to be issued in connection with the asset acquisition
2,905
—
Right-of-use assets and operating lease liability recorded upon adoption of ASU 842, net
—
90
Amounts accrued in connection with addition of property and equipment
—
403
Starrise shares used to pay down vendors
897
—
10.
SEGMENT INFORMATION
We
operate in two reportable segments: Cinema Equipment Business and Content & Entertainment Business. Our segments were determined
based on the economic characteristics of our products and services, our internal organizational structure, the manner in which our operations
are managed and the criteria used by our CODM to evaluate performance, which is generally the segment’s operating income (loss)
before depreciation and amortization.
F- 33
Operations of: Products and services provided:
Cinema Equipment Business Financing vehicles and administrators for 3,122 Systems installed nationwide in our first deployment phase (“Phase I Deployment”) to theatrical exhibitors and for 3,104 Systems installed domestically and internationally in our second deployment phase (“Phase II Deployment”).
We retain ownership of the Systems and the residual cash flows related to the Systems in Phase I Deployment after the repayment of all non-recourse debt at the expiration of exhibitor master license agreements. For certain Phase II Deployment Systems, we do not retain ownership of the residual cash flows and digital cinema equipment in Phase II Deployment after the completion of cost recoupment and at the expiration of the exhibitor master license agreements.
The
Cinema Equipment Business segment also provides monitoring, collection, verification and management services to this segment, as well
as to exhibitors who purchase their own equipment, and also collects and disburses VPFs from motion picture studios, distributors and
ACFs from alternative content providers, movie exhibitors and theatrical exhibitors (collectively, “Services”).
Content & Entertainment Business Leading independent streaming company of content and channels. We collaborate with producers and other content owners to market, source, curate and distribute independent content to targeted and under-served audiences in theatres and homes, and via mobile and emerging platforms.
The
following tables present certain financial information related to our reportable segments and Corporate:
As of March 31, 2021
(In thousands)
Intangible
Assets, net
Goodwill
Total
Assets
Notes
Payable,
Non-
Recourse
Notes
Payable
Operating
lease
liabilities
Cinema Equipment Business
$ —
$ —
$ 13,169
$ 7,786
$ —
$ 1
Content & Entertainment Business
9,858
8,701
42,733
—
—
69
Corporate
2
—
19,544
—
4,108
30
Total
$ 9,860
$ 8,701
$ 75,446
$ 7,786
$ 4,108
$ 100
As of March 31, 2020
(In thousands)
Intangible
Assets, net
Goodwill
Total
Assets
Notes
Payable,
Non-
Recourse
Notes
Payable
Operating
lease
liabilities
Cinema Equipment Business
$ 23
$ —
$ 34,465
$ 11,442
$ —
$ 594
Content & Entertainment Business
6,895
8,701
49,923
—
—
73
Corporate
6
—
26,052
—
37,249
610
Total
$ 6,924
$ 8,701
$ 110,440
$ 11,442
$ 37,249
$ 1,277
F- 34
Statements of Operations
Year Ended March 31, 2021
(in thousands)
Cinema
Equipment
Business
Content & Entertainment
Business
Corporate
Consolidated
Revenues
$ 3,222
$ 28,197
$ —
$ 31,419
Direct operating (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown below)
683
15,420
—
16,103
Selling, general and administrative
2,277
9,798
9,917
21,992
Allocation of corporate overhead
586
3,872
( 4,458 )
—
Recovery for doubtful accounts
( 121 )
( 1 )
—
( 122 )
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment
3,916
461
27
4,404
Amortization of intangible assets
23
2,488
4
2,515
Total operating expenses
7,364
32,038
5,490
44,892
Loss from operations
$ ( 4,142 )
$ ( 3,841 )
$ ( 5,490 )
$ ( 13,473 )
The
following employee and director stock-based compensation expense related to our stock-based awards is included in the above amounts as
follows:
(In thousands)
Cinema
Equipment
Business
Content & Entertainment
Business
Corporate
Consolidated
Direct operating
$ —
$ —
$ —
$ —
Selling, general and administrative
—
264
2,628
2,892
Total stock-based compensation
$ —
$ 264
$ 2,628
$ 2,892
Statements of Operations
Year Ended March 31, 2020
(in thousands)
Cinema
Equipment
Business
Content & Entertainment
Corporate
Consolidated
Revenues
$ 12,741
$ 26,550
$ —
$ 39,291
Direct operating (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown below)
1,236
15,910
—
17,146
Selling, general and administrative
2,085
10,017
4,242
16,344
Allocation of corporate overhead
807
4,704
( 5,511 )
—
Provision for doubtful accounts
759
( 1 )
—
758
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment
6,087
366
167
6,620
Amortization of intangible assets
46
2,722
4
2,772
Total operating expenses
11,020
33,718
( 1,098 )
43,640
Income (loss) from operations
$ 1,721
$ ( 7,168 )
$ 1,098
$ ( 4,349 )
The
following employee and director stock-based compensation expense related to our stock-based awards is included in the above amounts as
follows:
Cinema
Equipment
Business
Content & Entertainment
Corporate
Consolidated
Direct operating
$ —
$ —
$ —
$ —
Selling, general and administrative
( 6 )
55
494
543
Total stock-based compensation
$ ( 6 )
$ 55
$ 494
$ 543
F- 35
11. INCOME TAXES
We
calculate income tax expense based upon an annual effective tax rate forecast, including estimates and assumptions. We recorded an income
tax benefit from operations of $ 0.3 million and income tax expense of $ 0.3 million for the years ended March 31,
2021 and 2020, respectively, primarily for state income taxes in our Cinema Equipment Business and Corporate segments. The income tax
benefit for the year ended March 31, 2021 was mainly related to changes in estimates from timing of the income tax provisions to the
income tax fillings to state income tax expense. The income tax expense for the year ended March 31, 2020 was mainly related to taxable
income at the state level and timing differences related to fixed asset depreciation.
The
following table presents the components of income tax benefit (expense):
For the Fiscal Year
Ended March 31,
(In thousands)
2021
2020
Federal:
Current
$ —
$ —
Deferred
—
—
Total federal
—
—
State:
Current
315
( 313 )
Deferred
—
—
Total State
315
( 313 )
Income tax benefit (expense)
$ 315
$ ( 313 )
Net
deferred taxes consisted of the following:
As of March 31,
(In thousands)
2021
2020
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss carryforwards
$ 15,019
$ 7,549
Stock-based compensation
934
2,666
Intangibles
5,879
6,162
Accrued liabilities
1,054
1,162
Allowance for doubtful accounts
845
1,540
Investments
3,857
—
Nondeductible interest expense
3,693
2,821
Other
114
359
Total deferred tax assets before valuation allowance
31,394
22,259
Less: Valuation allowance
( 30,968 )
( 17,614 )
Total deferred tax assets after valuation allowance
$ 425
$ 4,645
Deferred tax liabilities:
Depreciation and amortization
$ ( 425 )
$ ( 1,398 )
Investments
—
( 3,247 )
Total deferred tax liabilities
( 425 )
( 4,645 )
Net deferred tax
$ —
$ —
F- 36
We
have provided a valuation allowance equal to our net deferred tax assets for the years ended March 31, 2021 and 2020.
We are required to recognize all or a portion of our deferred tax assets if we believe that it is more likely than not that such assets
will be realized, given the weight of all available evidence. We assess the realizability of the deferred tax assets at each interim
and annual balance sheet date. In assessing the need for a valuation allowance, we considered both positive and negative evidence, including
recent financial performance, projections of future taxable income and scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities. The net change
in the valuation allowance of $ 13.4 million during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021 was mainly due to increases in
the deferred tax asset related to our investment in Starrise, a related party, and increases in the net operating loss carryforward.
The net change in the valuation allowance of $ 1.5 million during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020, was mainly due to the recording
of a deferred tax liability related to our investment in Starrise, offset by an increase in other deferred tax assets. We will continue
to assess the realizability of the deferred tax assets at each interim and annual balance sheet date based upon actual and forecasted
operating results.
As
of March 31, 2021, we had federal and state net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $ 52.6 million available
in the United States of America (“U.S.”) and approximately $ 1.1 million in Australia to reduce future taxable income.
U.S. federal and state net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $ 22.2 and $ 52.6 million, respectively, generally begin to expire
in 2022. U.S. federal net operating loss carryforwards that were generated during the years ended March 31, 2020 and 2021, of approximately
$ 30.4 million, do not expire. The Australian net operating loss carryforward of $ 1.1 million, does not expire.
Under
the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, certain substantial changes in our ownership may result in a limitation on the amount of
net operating losses that may be utilized in future years. During the year ended March 31, 2018, approximately $ 233.5 million of
our net operating losses became subject to limitation under Internal Revenue Code Section 382 in connection with the consummation in
November 2017 of the transactions under the Stock Purchase Agreement with Bison. Approximately $ 209.0 million of our net operating
losses will not be able to be utilized because of the ownership change. Future significant ownership changes could cause a portion or
all of our remaining net operating losses to expire before utilization.
On
March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law. The Act contains several new or changed
income tax provisions, including but not limited to the following: increased limitation threshold for determining deductible interest
expense; class life changes to qualified improvements (in general, from 39 years to 15 years); and the ability to carry back net operating
losses incurred from tax years 2018 through 2020 up to the five preceding tax years. The Company has evaluated the new tax provisions
of the CARES Act and determined the impact to be either immaterial or not applicable.
The
differences between the United States statutory federal tax rate and our effective tax rate are as follows:
For the fiscal years
ended March 31,
2021
2020
Provision at the U.S. statutory federal tax rate
21.0 %
21.0 %
State income taxes, net of federal benefit
5.7 %
( 0.1 )%
Change in valuation allowance
( 26.7 )%
( 9.9 )%
Non-deductible expenses
( 3.4 )%
( 3.4 )%
Net operating loss decrease under IRC 382
---
( 10.2 )
Effect of tax reform
—
—
Losses from non-consolidated entities
3.8 %
0.4 %
Other
0.1
—
Income tax benefit /(expense)
0.5 %
( 2.2 )%
We
file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, various U.S. states, and Australia. For federal income tax purposes, our fiscal
2018 through 2021 tax years remain open for examination by the tax authorities under the normal three-year statute of limitations. For
U.S. state and Australian tax purposes, our fiscal 2017 through 2021 tax years generally remain open for examination by most of the tax
authorities under a four-year statute of limitations.
F- 37
12. SUBSEQUENT
EVENTS
Stock
Purchase Agreement
On
May 12, 2021, the Company entered into a stock purchase agreement (the “Stock Purchase Agreement”) with FoundationTV, Inc.
(“FoundationTV”), to buy all of FoundationTV´s issued and outstanding stock and for the Company to exchange in consideration
an aggregate of $5,125,000, of which $1 million was paid in cash and issue 1,483,129 shares of Class A common stock were issued for a
total of $2 million in consideration therefor at closing in June 9, 2021 and an additional $1.9 million will be paid in eight equal installments
of one installment on each six month anniversary of closing over forty-eight months, and a final lump sum payment of $225 thousand on
the four year anniversary of the closing. The Stock Purchase Agreement contains certain conditions to closing, including that the Company
obtain approval of its stockholders, applicable lenders, and regulatory authorities, as applicable, and representations and warranties
and covenants as are customary for transactions of this type. On June 9, 2021, the Stock Acquisition was consummated.
Prospect
Loan Payment
On a series of payments between April 30 and
July 9, 2021, the Company paid in full the prospect loan non-recourse debt amount by paying an aggregate principal amount of $ 7.8
million. Pre-payment of the Prospect loan is permissible without penalty.
PPP
Loan Forgiveness
On
July 7, 2021, the Company received notification from the Lender that the U.S. Small Business Administration had approved the Company’s
PPP Loan forgiveness application for the entire PPP Loan amount and accrued interest as of June 30, 2021. The forgiveness of the PPP
Loan will be recognized during the Company’s fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2021.
F- 38
PART
II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Definition and Limitations of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined
in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) are designed to
reasonably ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange
Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s
rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial
officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls
and Procedures
The management of the Company, under the supervision and with the participation
of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures
(as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), as of March 31,
2021. Based on such evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial and accounting officer have concluded that, as
of the end of such period, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were not effective to provide reasonable assurance that
information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed,
summarized and reported, on a timely basis, and (ii) accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the Company’s
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures due to the
material weaknesses identified in our internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2021.
Management’s Report on Internal
Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate
internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act). Management conducted an evaluation of
the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the criteria set forth in Internal Control - Integrated Framework
(2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”).
Based on our evaluation, management concluded
that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of March 31, 2021 and identified the following material weaknesses:
● Financial Close Process : the Company did
not maintain an effective control environment related to the financial close process due to significant turnover of personnel in the accounting
function where there was an insufficient complement of personnel, contributing to:
○ the Company did not design and maintain effective controls over the financial close process including
timely and sufficient analysis of certain financial statement account balances;
○ the Company did not identify and evaluate certain transactions under the appropriate accounting literature;
and
○ the Company did not perform timely and sufficient analysis of certain financial statement account balances
as part of the financial close process.
● Information and Communication Controls : the Company did not design
and maintain effective controls regarding significant transaction cycles to ensure policies and procedures designed to mitigate the risks
to the achievement of objectives are carried out.
A material weakness is a deficiency, or combination
of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement
of annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected and corrected on a timely basis. As this deficiency created
a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement would not be prevented or detected in a timely basis, management concluded that
the control deficiency represented a material weakness and accordingly our internal control over financial reporting was not effective
as of March 31, 2021. Management concluded that additional formal procedures should be implemented in the financial close and reporting
process to ensure that appropriate and timely reviews occur on all financial reporting analysis.
Management also concluded that due to employee
turnover within our corporate accounting group as of March 31, 2021, we did not have a sufficient complement of corporate personnel with
appropriate levels of accounting and controls knowledge and experience commensurate with our financial reporting requirements to appropriately
analyze, record and disclose accounting matters completely and accurately.
41
Remediation . Following identification
of this control deficiency, management is implementing modifications to better ensure that the Company has appropriate
and timely reviews on all financial reporting analysis. The material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting
will not be considered remediated until these modifications are implemented, in operation for a sufficient period of time, tested,
and concluded by management to be designed and operating effectively. In addition, as we continue to evaluate and work to improve our
internal control over financial reporting, management may determine to take additional measures to address control deficiencies or determine
to modify our remediation plan. Management will test and evaluate the implementation of these modifications to ascertain whether they
are designed and operating effectively to provide reasonable assurance that they will prevent or detect a material misstatement in the
Company’s financial statements.
The steps we took to address the deficiencies
identified included:
● we
appointed an SVP Finance and Accounting;
● we have engaged in efforts to restructure accounting
processes and revise organizational structures to enhance accurate accounting and appropriate financial reporting;
● we
have hired additional experienced accounting personnel in the corporate office to enhance the application of accounting standards and
our financial closing and reporting process;
● we
have engaged external advisors to provide financial accounting and reporting assistance;
● we
will enhance information and communication processes through information technology solutions to ensure that information needed for financial
reporting is accurate, complete, relevant and reliable, and communicated in a timely manner; and
● we
plan to engage external advisors to evaluate and document the design and operating effectiveness of our internal control over financial
reporting and assist with the remediation and implementation of our internal control function.
As noted above, we believe that, as a result of
management’s in-depth review of its accounting processes, and the additional procedures management has implemented, there are no
material inaccuracies or omissions of material fact in this Form 10-K and, to the best of our knowledge, we believe that the consolidated
financial statements in this Form 10-K fairly present in all material respects our financial condition, results of operations
and cash flows in conformity with GAAP.
We and our Board treat the controls surrounding,
and the integrity of, our financial statements with the utmost priority. Management is committed to the planning and implementation of
remediation efforts to address control deficiencies and any other identified areas of risk. These remediation efforts are intended to
both address the identified material weakness and to enhance our overall financial control environment. We are committed to maintaining
a strong internal control environment, and we believe the measures described above will strengthen our internal control over financial
reporting and remediate the material weakness we have identified. Our remediation efforts have begun, and we will continue to devote significant
time and attention to these remedial efforts. As we continue to evaluate and work to improve our internal control over financial
reporting, management may determine to take additional measures to strengthen controls or to modify the remediation plan described above,
which may require additional implementation time.
Changes
in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes, other than our remediation
efforts discussed above, in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal quarter ended March 31,
2021 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial
reporting.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
42
PART
III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Directors
Christopher
J. McGurk, 64 , has been the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board since January 2011. Mr. McGurk was
the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Overture Films from 2006 until 2010 and also the Chief Executive Officer of Anchor Bay Entertainment,
which distributed Overture Films’ products to the home entertainment industry. From 1999 to 2005, Mr. McGurk was Vice Chairman
of the Board and Chief Operating Officer of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. (“MGM”), acting as the company’s lead operating
executive until MGM was sold for approximately $5 billion to a consortium of investors. Mr. McGurk joined MGM from Universal Pictures,
where he served in various executive capacities, including President and Chief Operating Officer, from 1996 to 1999. From 1988 to 1996,
Mr. McGurk served in several senior executive roles at The Walt Disney Studios, including Studios Chief Financial Officer and President
of The Walt Disney Motion Picture Group. Mr. McGurk currently serves on the board of IDW Media Holdings, Inc. (Pink:IDWM) and has previously
served on the boards of BRE Properties, Inc., DivX Inc., DIC Entertainment, Pricegrabber.com, LLC and MGM Studios, Inc. Mr. McGurk’s
extensive career in various sectors of the theatrical production and exhibition industry will provide the Company with the benefits of
his knowledge of and experience in this field, as well as his wide-spread contacts within the industry.
Fan
“Tom” Bu, 41 , has been a member of the Board since March 2020. He served as an Audit/Financial Director for Bison Finance
Group Ltd. (HK:00888) from June 2017 through May 2021. From October 2017 through June 2019, he was the Chief Financial Officer of Xynomic
Pharmaceuticals Holdings, Inc., f/k/a Bison Capital Acquisition Corp. (OTC:XYN). From December 2013 to May 2017, Mr. Bu served as an
audit manager at KPMG Huazhen LLC. From October 2010 to December 2013, Mr. Bu served as the audit manager at KPMG Advisory (China) Limited.
Mr. Bu graduated from Shandong Economic University with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Trade in June 2007 and graduated from
Ocean University of China with a Master’s Degree in Economics in June 2010. Mr. Bu is a certified public accountant in China (CICPA).
Mr. Bu is a designee of Bison in accordance with the Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Bison Agreement”) dated as of June 29,
2017, by and between the Company and Bison Entertainment Investment Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bison. Mr. Bu brings knowledge
of doing business in China, as well as financial and accounting experience, to the Board.
Peter
C. Brown, 62 , has been a member of the Board since September 2010. He is Chairman of Grassmere Partners, LLC, a private investment
firm, which he founded in 2009. Prior to founding Grassmere Partners, Mr. Brown served as Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer
and President of AMC Entertainment Inc. (“AMC”), one of the world’s leading theatrical exhibition companies, from July
1999 until his retirement in February 2009. He joined AMC in 1990 and served as AMC’s President from January 1997 to July 1999
and Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from 1991 to 1997. Mr. Brown currently serves on the board of EPR Properties (NYSE:
EPR), a specialty real estate investment trust (REIT). Mr. Brown also serves as a director of CenturyLink (NYSE: CTL), a global leader
in communications, hosting, cloud and IT services. Past additional public company boards include: National CineMedia, Inc., Midway Games,
Inc., LabOne, Inc., and Protection One, Inc. Mr. Brown’s extensive experience in the theatrical exhibition and entertainment industry
and other public company boards provides the Board with valuable knowledge and insight relevant to the Company’s business.
Patrick
W. O’Brien , 74, has been a member of the Board since July 2015. He currently serves as the Managing Director & Principal
of Granville Wolcott Advisors, a company he formed in 2009 which provides business consulting, due diligence and asset management services
for public and private clients. From 2005 to 2009, Mr. O’Brien was a Vice President - Asset Management for Bentall-Kennedy Associates
Real Estate Counsel where he represented pension fund ownership interests in hotel real estate investments nationwide. Mr. O’Brien
has previously served as Chairman of the Board and CEO of Livevol, Inc., a private company that was a leader in equity and index options
technology which was successfully sold to CBOE Holdings. During the past five years, Mr. O’Brien has also served on the boards
of LVI Liquidation Corp., Creative Realities, Inc., ICPW Liquidation Trust, and Merriman Holdings, Inc. Mr. O’Brien brings to the
Board his seasoned executive and business expertise in private and public companies with an emphasis on financial analysis and business
development.
Peixin
Xu, 49 , has been a member of the Board since November 2017. Mr. Xu founded Bison, an investment company with a focus on the media
and entertainment, healthcare and financial service industries, in 2014 and has been serving as a partner and director since then. From
2013 to the present, Mr. Xu has been serving on the board of directors of Airmedia Group Inc. (Nasdaq: AMCN). Mr. Xu is a designee of
Bison in connection with the Bison Agreement. Mr. Xu brings to the Board investment experience, including in the media industry, in the
United States and in China.
43
Executive
Officers
The
Company’s executive officers are Christopher J. McGurk, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, Gary S. Loffredo,
President, Chief Operating Officer, General Counsel, and Secretary, and Erick Opeka, Executive Vice
President and President of Cinedigm Digital Networks. Biographical information for Mr. McGurk is included above.
Gary
S. Loffredo, 56, has been the Company’s President since December 2020, Chief Operating Officer since February 2019, and General
Counsel and Secretary since October 2011. He had previously served as President of Digital Cinema since 2011, as Senior Vice President
- Business Affairs, General Counsel and Secretary since 2000, as Interim Co-Chief Executive Officer from June 2010 through December 2010,
and was a member of the Board from September 2000 - October 2015. From March 1999 to August 2000, he had been Vice President, General
Counsel and Secretary of Cablevision Cinemas d/b/a Clearview Cinemas. Mr. Loffredo was an attorney at the law firm of Kelley Drye &
Warren LLP from September 1992 to February 1999. Having been with the Company since its inception and with Clearview Cinemas prior thereto,
Mr. Loffredo has over two decades of experience in the cinema exhibition industry, both on the movie theatre and studio sides, as well
as legal training and general business experience, which skills and understanding are beneficial to the Company. As part of his role
as Chief Operating Officer of the Company, the Company’s finance team reports directly to Mr. Loffredo.
Erick
Opeka, 47, has been the Company’s Chief Strategy Officer since December 2020 and President of Cinedigm Networks since joining
the Company in 2014, when, as EVP of Digital Networks, he oversaw the distribution of Cinedigm’s OTT networks online, as well as
on mobile devices, gaming consoles, and connected TVs. Mr. Opeka was integral in the development and launch of the Company’s flagship
digital first networks, further expanding the Company’s growth through landmark partnerships with leading platforms such as Sling
TV, XUMO, and Twitch, among others. Prior to joining Cinedigm, Mr. Opeka served as Senior Vice President and head of New Video Digital,
which he grew into the largest global aggregator of independent digital content for more than 850 content partners including A&E
Networks, The Jim Henson Company, Berman Braun, and others.
Key
Employees
The
Company’s key employee, other than executive officers, Yolanda Macías, Chief Content Officer of Cinedigm Entertainment Group.
Yolanda
Macías , 56, joined Cinedigm in 2013 and has been the Chief Content Officer of Cinedigm Entertainment Group since December
2020, in connection with which she is responsible for acquiring global content rights for all distribution and streaming platforms and
oversees all third party digital sales and marketing. Previously, Ms. Macías has over 25 years of entertainment distribution experience,
including executive positions at Vivendi/Universal from 2004 to 2012, DIRECTV from 1996 to 2003, and The Walt Disney Company from 1992
to 1995.
Delinquent
Section 16(a) Reports
Section
16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company’s directors, executive officers and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of
its Class A common stock to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the Commission and to furnish the Company with copies
of all such reports they file. Based on the Company’s review of the copies of such forms received by it, or written representations
from certain reporting persons, the Company believes that none of its directors, executive officers or persons who beneficially own more
than 10% of the Company’s Class A common stock failed to comply with Section 16(a) reporting requirements during the fiscal year
ended March 31, 2021 (the “Last Fiscal Year”), except for Mr. Xu, who had multiple late Form 4 filings reporting multiple
transactions, and Mr. Brown and Mr. O’Brien, each of whom had one late Form 4 filing reporting one transaction.
Code
of Business Conduct and Ethics
We
have adopted a code of ethics applicable to all members of the Board, executive officers and employees. Such code of ethics is available
on our Internet website, www.cinedigm.com. We intend to disclose any amendment to, or waiver of, a provision of our code of ethics by
filing a Form 8-K with the SEC.
44
Shareholder
Communications
The
Board currently does not provide a formal process for stockholders to send communications to the Board. In the opinion of the Board,
it is appropriate for the Company not to have such a process in place because the Board believes there is currently not a need for a
formal policy due to, among other things, the limited number of stockholders of the Company. While the Board will, from time to time,
review the need for a formal policy, at the present time, stockholders who wish to contact the Board may do so by submitting any communications
to the Company’s Secretary, Mr. Loffredo, 237 West 35th Street, Suite 605, New York, NY 10001, with an instruction to forward the
communication to a particular director or the Board as a whole. Mr. Loffredo will receive the correspondence and forward it to any individual
director or directors to whom the communication is directed.
MATTERS
RELATING TO OUR GOVERNANCE
Board
of Directors
The
Board oversees the Company’s risk management including understanding the risks the Company faces and what steps management is taking
to manage those risks, as well as understanding what level of risk is appropriate for the Company. The Board’s role in the Company’s
risk oversight process includes receiving regular updates from members of senior management on areas of material risk to the Company,
including operational, financial, legal and regulatory, human resources, employment, and strategic risks.
The
Company’s leadership structure currently consists of the combined role of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer and
a separate Lead Independent Director. Mr. O’Brien serves as our Lead Independent Director. The Lead Independent Director’s
responsibilities include presiding at all meetings of the Board at which the Chairman is not present, including executive sessions of
the independent directors, serving as a liaison between the Chairman and the independent directors, reviewing information sent to the
Board, consulting with the Nominating Committee with regard to the membership and performance evaluations of the Board and Board committee
members, calling meetings of and setting agendas for the independent directors, and serving as liaison for communications with stockholders.
The
Board intends to meet at least quarterly and the independent directors serving on the Board intend to meet in executive session (i.e.,
without the presence of any non-independent directors and management) immediately following regularly scheduled Board meetings. During
the Last Fiscal Year, the Board held five (5) meetings and acted sixteen (16) times by unanimous written consent in lieu of holding a
meeting. Each current member of the Board, who was then serving, attended at least 75% of the total number of meetings of the Board,
except for Mr. Xu, and of the committees of the Board on which they served in the Last Fiscal Year. No individual may be nominated for
election to the Board after his or her 73rd birthday. Messrs. Brown, Bu and O’Brien are considered “independent” under
the rules of the SEC and Nasdaq.
The
Company does not currently have a policy in place regarding attendance by Board members at the Company’s annual meetings.
The
Board has three standing committees, consisting of an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating Committee.
Audit
Committee
The
Audit Committee consists of Messrs. Brown, Bu and O’Brien. Mr. Brown is the Chairman of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee
held four (4) meetings in the Last Fiscal Year. The Audit Committee has met with the Company’s management and the Company’s
independent registered public accounting firm to review and help ensure the adequacy of its internal controls and to review the results
and scope of the auditors’ engagement and other financial reporting and control matters. Mr. Brown is financially literate, and
Mr. Brown is financially sophisticated, as those terms are defined under the rules of Nasdaq. Mr. Brown is also a financial expert, as
such term is defined under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Messrs. Brown, Bu and O’Brien are considered “independent”
under the rules of the SEC and Nasdaq.
The
Audit Committee has adopted a formal written charter (the “Audit Charter”). The Audit Committee is responsible for ensuring
that the Company has adequate internal controls and is required to meet with the Company’s auditors to review these internal controls
and to discuss other financial reporting matters. The Audit Committee is also responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight
of the auditors. Additionally, the Audit Committee is responsible for the review and oversight of all related party transactions and
other potential conflict of interest situations between the Company and its officers, directors, employees and principal stockholders.
The Audit Charter is available on the Company’s Internet website at www.cinedigm.com.
45
Compensation
Committee
The
Compensation Committee consists of Messrs. Brown and O’Brien. Mr. O’Brien is the Chairman of the Compensation Committee.
The Compensation Committee met ten (10) times during the Last Fiscal Year and acted one (1) time by unanimous written consent in lieu
of holding a meeting. The Compensation Committee approves the compensation package of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and,
based on recommendations by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, approves the levels of compensation and benefits payable to
the Company’s other executive officers, reviews general policy matters relating to employee compensation and benefits and recommends
to the entire Board, for its approval, stock option and other equity-based award grants to its executive officers, employees and consultants
and discretionary bonuses to its executive officers and employees. The Compensation Committee has the authority to appoint and delegate
to a sub-committee the authority to make grants and administer bonus and compensation plans and programs. Messrs. Brown and O’Brien
are considered “independent” under the rules of the SEC and the Nasdaq.
The
Compensation Committee has adopted a formal written charter (the “Compensation Charter”). The Compensation Charter sets forth
the duties, authorities and responsibilities of the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Charter is available on the Company’s
Internet website at www.cinedigm.com.
The
Compensation Committee, when determining executive compensation (including under the executive compensation program, as discussed below
under the heading Compensation Discussion and Analysis), evaluates the potential risks associated with the compensation policies and
practices. The Compensation Committee believes that the Company’s compensation programs are designed with an appropriate balance
of risk and reward in relation to the Company’s overall compensation philosophy and do not encourage excessive or unnecessary risk-taking
behavior. In general, the Company compensates its executives in a combination of cash and equity awards. The equity awards contain either
or both performance targets and vesting provisions, both of which encourage the executives, on a long-term basis, to strive to enhance
the value of such compensation as measured by the trading price of the Class A common stock or other performance metrics. The Compensation
Committee does not believe that this type of compensation encourages excessive or unnecessary risk-taking behavior. As a result, we do
not believe that risks relating to our compensation policies and practices for our employees are reasonably likely to have a material
adverse effect on the Company. The Company intends to recapture compensation if and as required under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. However,
there have been no instances where it needed to recapture any compensation.
During
the Last Fiscal Year, the Compensation Committee engaged Aon, a compensation consulting firm. The consultant met with the Compensation
Committee multiple times during the Last Fiscal Year and provided guidance for cash and equity bonus compensation to executive officers
and directors, which the Compensation Committee considered in reaching its determinations of such compensation. In addition, the consultant
was available to respond to specific inquiries throughout the year.
Compensation
Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
The
Compensation Committee currently consists of Messrs. Brown and O’Brien. Mr. O’Brien is the Chairman of the Compensation Committee.
None of such members was, at any time during the Last Fiscal Year or at any previous time, an officer or employee of the Company.
None
of the Company’s directors or executive officers serves as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee of any
other entity that has one or more of its executive officers serving as a member of the Company’s board of directors. No member
of the Compensation Committee had any relationship with us requiring disclosure under Item 404 of Securities and Exchange Commission
Regulation S-K.
Nominating
Committee
The
Nominating Committee consists of Messrs. Brown and O’Brien. Mr. Brown is the Chairman of the Nominating Committee. The Nominating
Committee held one (1) meeting during the Last Fiscal Year. The Nominating Committee evaluates and approves nominations for annual election
to, and to fill any vacancies in, the Board and recommends to the Board the directors to serve on committees of the Board. The Nominating
Committee also approves the compensation package of the Company’s directors. Messrs. Brown and O’Brien are considered “independent”
under the rules of the SEC and the Nasdaq.
46
The
Nominating Committee has adopted a formal written charter (the “Nominating Charter”). The Nominating Charter sets forth the
duties and responsibilities of the Nominating Committee and the general skills and characteristics that the Nominating Committee employs
to determine the individuals to nominate for election to the Board. The Nominating Charter is available on the Company’s Internet
website at www.cinedigm.com.
The
Nominating Committee will consider any candidates recommended by stockholders. In considering a candidate submitted by stockholders,
the Nominating Committee will take into consideration the needs of the Board and the qualifications of the candidate. Nevertheless, the
Board may choose not to consider an unsolicited recommendation if no vacancy exists on the Board and/or the Board does not perceive a
need to increase the size of the Board.
There
are no specific minimum qualifications that the Nominating Committee believes must be met by a Nominating Committee-recommended director
nominee. However, the Nominating Committee believes that director candidates should, among other things, possess high degrees of integrity
and honesty; have literacy in financial and business matters; have no material affiliations with direct competitors, suppliers or vendors
of the Company; and preferably have experience in the Company’s business and other relevant business fields (for example, finance,
accounting, law and banking). The Nominating Committee considers diversity together with the other factors considered when evaluating
candidates but does not have a specific policy in place with respect to diversity.
Members
of the Nominating Committee meet in advance of each of the Company’s annual meetings of stockholders to identify and evaluate the
skills and characteristics of each director candidate for nomination for election as a director of the Company. The Nominating Committee
reviews the candidates in accordance with the skills and qualifications set forth in the Nominating Charter and the rules of the Nasdaq.
There are no differences in the manner in which the Nominating Committee evaluates director nominees based on whether or not the nominee
is recommended by a stockholder.
Stock
Ownership Guidelines
The
Board has adopted stock ownership guidelines for its non-employee directors, pursuant to which the non-employee directors are required
to acquire, within three (3) years, and maintain until separation from the Company, shares equal in value to a minimum of three (3) times
the value of the annual cash retainer (not including committee or per-meeting fees) payable to such director. Shares acquired as Board
retainer fees and shares owned by an investment entity with which a non-employee director is affiliated may be counted toward the stock
ownership requirement.
Environmental,
Social and Governance (ESG)
The
Company is committed to responsible and sustainable business practices. We are currently in the process of building our ESG strategy,
with the goal of transparently communicating about our most material ESG impacts and initiatives.
Sustainability
The
Company is committed to working in a responsible and sustainable way to produce as few negative environmental effects as possible from
our operations. Our core business does not result in any significant negative environmental effects. We note our leading role in the
conversion, starting in 2005, from using analog films, which had to be shipped to theatre destinations, causing greenhouse gas emissions
and ultimately waste of the film after use, to digital projection of virtually all major and independent studio films, which are now
electronically delivered to theatre destinations. In addition, our current CEG business concentrates on digital and streaming distribution
of content, which again is environmentally-friendly. This conversion and streaming approach significantly reduces the carbon footprint
associated with the film exhibition industry.
Social
We
are committed to diverse representation across all levels of our workforce to reflect the vibrant and thriving diversity of the communities
which make up our customers, stockholders and home communities. Fostering a work environment that is culturally diverse, inclusive and
equitable is important to us.
We
encourage our employees to give back to the community. In 2021, we initiated a Community Service Policy that provides paid time off to
employees volunteering with qualified charitable organizations or causes (which organizations or causes may not discriminate based on
creed, race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, sex, gender, identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy or any other legally
protected classification). In addition, we have implemented a summer internship program in conjunction with C5 Youth Foundation of Southern
California, a non-profit inner-city youth program. This 8-week program will provide for four college students to rotate through four
departments at Cinedigm.
47
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
COMPENSATION
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
This
section describes the compensation program and related decisions for our Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”) in our fiscal
year ended March 31, 2021 (“Fiscal 2021”). As a “smaller reporting company,” as that term is defined under
SEC rules, we are not required to include a “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” and are permitted to exclude certain executive
compensation tables from our disclosure.
We
have elected to include this Compensation Discussion & Analysis (“CD&A”) as well as additional tables required under
Item 402 of Regulation S-K on a voluntary basis. As permitted under Item 402, we are not including pay ratio disclosure in light of our
status as a smaller reporting company. This CD&A is intended to be read in conjunction with the tables beginning on page 50, which
provide historical compensation information for the following NEOs:
NEOs
Title
Christopher
J. McGurk
Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer
Gary
S. Loffredo
President,
Chief Operating Officer, General Counsel and Secretary
Erick
Opeka
Chief
Strategy Officer and President of Cinedigm Digital Networks
Quick
CD&A Reference Guide
Compensation
Program Overview
Section
I
Compensation
Philosophy and Objectives
Section
II
Pay
Mix
Section
III
Competitive
Positioning
Section
IV
Elements
of Compensation
Section
V
Additional
Compensation Practices and Policies
Section
VI
I. Compensation
Program Overview
The
Company’s executive compensation program is designed to attract, motivate and retain highly skilled and experienced individuals
to attain the Company’s corporate goals. To do so, the program provides competitive compensation packages that motivate executive
officers, links pay to performance and aligns executive officers’ interests with those of the Company and its shareholders over
the long term.
The
executive compensation program for the NEOs is administered by the Compensation Committee, all of the members of which are independent.
The Compensation Committee annually reviews the executive compensation elements and assesses the integrity of the compensation program
as a whole to ensure that it continues to be aligned with the Company’s compensation objectives and supports the attainment of
Company goals.
As
the Company has evolved, so too has the compensation program. During the last several years, Cinedigm’s executive compensation
for NEOs has been transitioning to a more performance-oriented program. The Company aims to improve both shareholder returns and its
cash position. To help achieve these goals, the Compensation Committee has designed the compensation program to reward the Chief Executive
Officer (“CEO”) and other employees for achieving strategic goals and increasing shareholder value by linking a portion of
pay to performance through annual cash and equity, and long-term equity incentives.
48
The
compensation program generally consists of base salary, annual incentives, and long-term equity incentive compensation. In addition,
all of our NEOs receive some modest personal benefits and perquisites. Retirement benefits are accumulated through the Company’s
401(k) plan, which is open to all employees. The Company does not provide supplemental retirement benefits for NEOs. All of the NEOs
have employment agreements with the Company.
When
the Company does not meet performance targets or the share price does not increase, executive pay and payouts are affected. During Fiscal
2021, the Company made stock grants to employees, including the NEOs, to recognize extraordinary service contributions and loyalty to
the Company under difficult circumstances throughout the prior year. Such stock grants to the NEOs consisted of 320,000 shares to Mr.
McGurk, 125,000 shares to Mr. Loffredo and 125,000 shares to Mr. Opeka. In addition, during Fiscal 2021, certain Performance Stock Units
(“PSUs”) that were granted in 2018 and had vested were paid in shares, consisting of 320,000 to Mr. McGurk, 100,000 shares
to Mr. Loffredo and 100,000 shares to Mr. Opeka.
II. Compensation Philosophy and Objectives
Cinedigm’s
executive compensation program is focused on enabling the Company to hire and retain qualified and motivated executives, motivating them
to meet its business needs and objectives. The executive compensation program has been designed around the following objectives:
● Provide
competitive compensation levels to enable the recruitment and retention of highly qualified executives.
● Strengthen
the link between pay and corporate and business unit performance encouraging and rewarding
excellence and contributions to support Cinedigm’s success.
● Align
the interests of executives with those of shareholders through grants of equity-based compensation
that promote increasing shareholder value and also provide opportunities for ongoing executive
share ownership.
An
overarching principle in delivering on these objectives is to ensure that compensation decisions are made in the Company’s best
financial interests such that incentive awards are both affordable and reasonable, taking into account Company performance and circumstances
and considering the interests of all stakeholders.
III.
Pay Mix
The
Company’s pay philosophy has evolved from an emphasis on fixed pay to one that is based on the belief that a substantial portion
of each executive’s compensation should be at risk and dependent upon performance. While the Compensation Committee has not adopted
a targeted mix of either long-term to short-term, fixed to variable, or equity and non-equity compensation, it has taken steps to increase
the portion of variable compensation. Steps in this direction include the continuation of the performance-based annual incentive program
(MAIP) and more regular equity grants.
IV.
Compensation Determination Process
The
Compensation Committee designs the executive compensation program with the intention of accomplishing the goals described above. In determining
executive compensation, the Compensation Committee obtains input and advice from its independent compensation consultant. The Compensation
Committee reviews and approves compensation and performance awards to the CEO and executive officers and considers financial, operational
and share price performance to determine appropriate executive compensation parameters. The Compensation Committee also considers the
results of the prior stockholders’ advisory vote on executive compensation. To date, the stockholders have approved, on a non-binding
advisory basis, of executive compensation.
Role
of the Independent Compensation Consultant
The
Compensation Committee has selected and retained Aon as its independent compensation consultant to assist it in the performance of its
duties and responsibilities. While the Compensation Committee took into consideration the review and recommendations of this independent
consultant when making decisions about the Company’s executive and director compensation practices, the Compensation Committee
ultimately made its own independent decisions about these matters.
49
Competitive
Assessment
The
Compensation Committee used comparative compensation information from a relevant group of peer companies as one of several factors considered
as part of setting compensation for our CEO and our other NEOs. The Compensation Committee has not defined a target pay positioning relative
to the peer group for the CEO or the other NEOs, nor does it commit to providing total compensation at a specific percentile or within
a specific pay range. During Fiscal 2021, Mr. McGurk’s employment agreement was extended and his base salary was moderately increased.
In connection with such extension, Mr. McGurk’s compensation was not significantly increased and accordingly the Compensation Committee
did not believe a new peer group comparison was necessary in connection therewith. However, also in Fiscal 2021, the Company entered
into a new employment agreement with Mr. Loffredo and amended Mr. Opeka’s employment agreement, both of which were in connection
with promotions. In connection therewith, the Compensation Committee developed a peer group with the assistance of Aon. The Compensation
Committee retains discretion in determining the nature and extent of the use of peer group data. The Compensation Committee periodically
reassesses the companies within the peer groups and makes changes as appropriate, considering mergers and acquisitions involving peer
companies, changes in the Company’s business and other factors.
In
connection with Mr. Loffredo’s and Mr. Opeka’s employment agreements, the Compensation Committee selected a peer group that
consisted of the following companies:
Avid
Technology
Leaf
Group Ltd.
Ballantyne
Strong, Inc.
Limelight
Networks, Inc.
Brightcove
Inc.
LiveXLive
Media, Inc.
Chicken
Soup for the Soul Entertainment, Inc.
National
Cinemedia, Inc.
Dolphin
Entertainment, Inc.
NTN
Buzztime, Inc.
Gaia,
Inc.
Reading
International, Inc.
Glu
Mobile Inc.
RealNetworks,
Inc.
Harmonic
Inc.
TechTarget,
Inc.
IMAX
Corp.
TravelZoo
V.
Elements of Compensation
Compensation
for executive officers is comprised primarily of three main components:
● base
salary;
● annual
incentive awards; and
● long-term
incentive equity grants.
These
components support the core principles of our executive officer compensation philosophy of pay for performance and alignment of executive
officers’ interests with those of Cinedigm and its shareholders by emphasizing short- and long-term incentives. Our compensation
program encourages our employees to remain focused on both our short-term and long-term goals: our annual incentive (MAIP) measures and
rewards business and individual performance on an annual basis, while our equity awards typically vest in installments of several years
and increase in value with any share price appreciation, encouraging our executives to focus on the long-term performance of our company.
Base
Salary
Base
salaries are fixed compensation with the primary function of aiding in attraction and retention. Base salaries vary among executive officers,
and are individually determined according to each executive officer’s areas of responsibility, role and experience. The Compensation
Committee reviews the salaries for our NEOs periodically, as well as at the time of a promotion, change in responsibilities, or when
employment arrangements and/or agreements are renewed. Any increases are based on an evaluation of the performance of the Company and
the executive, the relative strategic importance of the position, market conditions, and competitive pay levels (though, as noted earlier,
the Compensation Committee does not target a specific percentile or range).
50
During
fiscal 2021, the Compensation Committee adjusted the base salary of all of the NEOs in connection with their employment agreement amendments
or new agreement.
Annual
Incentive Awards
The
annual cash incentive component aims to ensure that our executive officers are aligned in reaching our short- and long-term goals. Annual
cash incentives are designed to provide a significant pay-for-performance element of our executive compensation package, through the
formal performance-based MAIP. The MAIP incorporates predetermined, specific target award levels and performance metrics and goals that
the Compensation Committee deemed rigorous and challenging. The MAIP goals are critical to Cinedigm’s future success and are designed
to reward the collaboration across divisions and segments required to achieve corporate financial goals.
All
NEOs have a target bonus set at a fixed percentage of their base salary. The program also established threshold and maximum levels of
incentive awards defined as a percentage of a participant’s salary. The Compensation Committee generally establishes the individual
payout targets for each NEO based on the executive’s position, level of responsibility and a review of the competitive market.
Threshold,
target and maximum annual incentive opportunities for our NEOs for Fiscal 2021 were as follows:
MAIP
Potential Awards
Executive Officer
Threshold
Target
(as a % of base salary)
Maximum
Chris McGurk
37.5 %
100 %
150 %
Gary S. Loffredo
29 %
70 %
100 %
Erick Opeka
25 %
60 %
100 %
For
Fiscal 2021, the Compensation Committee established performance measures and goals set forth in the table below. The measures include
a Company and/or division component with a performance measure and an individual component. Mr. Loffredo and Mr. Opeka, who each led
a division in fiscal 2021, have a portion of their measurement determined by that division’s performance as compared to goals established
at the beginning of the fiscal year.
Company
Executive Officers
Cinedigm
Division
Individual
Chris McGurk
80 %
--
20 %
Gary Loffredo
60 %
20 %
20 %
Erick Opeka
60 %
20 %
20 %
We
do not disclose performance targets, division targets or individual goals, as we believe that such disclosure would result in competitive
harm. Based on our experience, we believe these targets were rigorous and challenging, and were set sufficiently high to provide incentive
to achieve a high level of performance. We believe it is difficult, although not unattainable, for the targets to be reached and, therefore,
no more likely than unlikely that the targets will be reached.
Long-Term
Incentive Awards
The
Compensation Committee uses equity-based compensation to reward future performance, as reflected by the market price of our shares and/or
other performance criteria. The Compensation Committee annually considers long-term incentive awards, for which it has the authority
to grant a variety of equity-based awards. The primary objective of such awards is to align the interests of executives with those of
the Company and its shareholders by offering incentives to achieve performance goals believed to be linked to increasing shareholder
value, increasing executive share ownership and fostering a long-term focus. In recent years, the earning and vesting of such awards
have been assessed and determined after fiscal year end in order to permit consideration of year-end performance.
51
We
currently maintain the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (“2017 Plan”). The 2017 Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee.
Under the 2017 Plan, the Compensation Committee or the Board has authority to grant awards of non-qualified stock options, incentive
stock options, stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares, performance
units, cash-based awards, or other stock-based awards to employees, non-employee directors, and third-party consultants.
The
Compensation Committee determines the executive officers’ equity-based awards, taking into account pay mix and the executive officer’s
contribution to Company performance. The mix of equity-based vehicles is structured to enhance the executive officers’ commitment
to increasing shareholder value.
Performance
Units
In
connection with the NEO employment agreement amendments or new arrangements during Fiscal 2021, under the 2017 Plan, the NEOs were awarded
new grants of performance units, subject to Earnings before Income Tax, Depreciation and Amortization (“EBITDA”) targets
to be determined in the sole and absolute discretion of the Compensation Committee and such other terms as the Compensation Committee
shall determine, with 50% of such shares to vest based on such targets for the period April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022 and the other 50%
of such shares to vest based on such targets for the period April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023. The Company was given discretion to pay
such awards in cash or in stock. Mr. McGurk was granted 250,000 performance units, Mr. Loffredo was granted 150,000 performance units,
and Mr. Opeka was granted 150,000 performance units.
SARs
In
connection with the NEO employment agreement amendments or new arrangements during Fiscal 2021, the Compensation Committee granted SARs
to the NEOs under the 2017 Plan. Mr. McGurk was granted 2,500,000 SARs, and Mr. Loffredo and Mr. Opeka were each granted 1,200,000 SARs.
The SARs granted to Mr. McGurk have an exercise price of $.54, and one-half (1/2) of which vested on November 19, 2020 and one-half (1/2)
of which will vest on March 31, 2023. The SARs granted to Mr. Loffredo have an exercise price of $.64 and will vest as follows: 500,000
SARs will vest on March 31, 2022, 500,000 SARS will vest on March 31, 2023, and 200,000 SARs will vest on June 30, 2023. The SARs granted
to Mr. Opeka have an exercise price of $.64 and will vest as follows: 500,000 SARs will vest on March 31, 2022, 500,000 SARS will vest
on March 31, 2023, and 200,000 SARs will vest on December 31, 2023.
VI.
Additional Compensation Arrangements, Policies and Practices
Mr.
McGurk’s Compensation Arrangements
Mr.
McGurk joined Cinedigm in January 2011 as CEO and Chairman of the Board. Accordingly, Mr. McGurk’s compensation package was created
in line with the Company’s current compensation philosophy of a base salary coupled with variable compensation including a large
portion of equity-based compensation, through stock options, linked to stock price performance. When negotiating Mr. McGurk’s employment
agreement, the Company sought to provide salary and bonus amounts that were in line with peer group amounts and that would provide incentive
for Mr. McGurk with a view toward increasing stockholder value.
A
summary of Mr. McGurk’s compensation package is located under the heading “Employment Agreements and Arrangements Between
the Company and Named Executives” of this Item 11.
Employment
Agreement with Mr. McGurk and Employment Arrangements for other NEOs
The
Company currently has employment agreements with Mr. McGurk, Mr. Loffredo and Mr. Opeka for retention during periods of uncertainty and
operational challenge. Additionally, the employment agreements include non-compete and non-solicitation provisions. The provisions for
severance benefits are at typical competitive levels. See “Employment Agreements and Arrangements Between the Company and Named
Executives” of this Item 11 for a description of the material terms of Messrs. McGurk’s, Loffredo’s and Opeka’s
employment agreements.
52
Personal
Benefits and Perquisites
In
addition to the benefits provided to all employees and grandfathered benefits (provided to all employees hired before January 1, 2005),
the CEO and NEOs are eligible for an annual physical and supplemental life insurance coverage of $200,000.
It
is the Company’s policy to provide minimal and modest perquisites to the CEO and NEOs. With the new employment arrangements, most
perquisites previously provided, including automobile allowances, have been eliminated.
Policy
on Deductibility of Compensation
Section
162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code limits the deductibility of compensation in excess of $1 million paid to certain executive officers
named in this proxy statement. Pursuant to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017, the
exemption from the deduction limit that was previously available for “performance-based compensation” is no longer available.
Consequently, for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2017, all remuneration in excess of $1 million paid to a specified executive
will not be deductible. Given the Company’s net operating losses, Section 162(m) is not currently a material factor in designing
compensation.
Recoupment
(“Clawback”) Policy
The
Company intends to recapture compensation as currently required under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. However, there have been no instances to
date where it needed to recapture any compensation.
Additionally,
we recognize that our compensation program will be subject to the forthcoming amendments to stock exchange listing standards required
by Section 954 of the Dodd-Frank Act, which requires that stock exchange listing standards be amended to require issuers to adopt a policy
providing for the recovery from any current or former executive officer of any incentive-based compensation (including stock options)
awarded during the three-year period prior to an accounting restatement resulting from material noncompliance of the issuer with financial
reporting requirements. We intend to adopt such a clawback policy which complies with all applicable standards when such rules are adopted.
Restriction
on Speculative Transactions
The
Company’s Insider Trading and Disclosure Policy restricts employees and directors of the Company from engaging in speculative transactions
in Company securities, including short sales, and discourages employees and directors of the Company from engaging in hedging transactions,
including “cashless” collars, forward sales, and equity swaps, that may indirectly involve short sales. Pre-clearance by
the Company is required for all equity transactions.
COMPENSATION
COMMITTEE REPORT
The
following report does not constitute soliciting material and is not considered filed or incorporated by reference into any other filing
by the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
The
Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis that precedes this Report as required by Item
402(b) of the SEC’s Regulation S-K. Based on its review and discussions with management, the Compensation Committee recommended
to the Board the inclusion of the Compensation Discussion and Analysis in this proxy statement.
The
Compensation Discussion and Analysis discusses the philosophy, principles, and policies underlying the Company’s compensation programs
that were in effect during fiscal 2021.
Respectfully
submitted,
The
Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors
Patrick
W. O’Brien, Chairman
Peter
C. Brown
53
Named
Executive Officers
The
following table sets forth certain information concerning compensation received by the Company’s NEOs, consisting of the Company’s
Chief Executive Officer and its two other most highly compensated individuals who were serving as executive officers at the end of the
Last Fiscal Year, plus up to two additional persons for whom disclosures would have been provided but for the fact that they were not
serving as executive officers at the end of the Last Fiscal Year, for services rendered in all capacities during the Last Fiscal Year.
SUMMARY
COMPENSATION TABLE
Name and Principal
Position (s)
Year
Salary
($)
Bonus
($)
Stock
Awards
($)(1)
Option
Awards
($)(2)
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)(3)
All Other
Compensation
($)(4)
Total
($)
Christopher J. McGurk
2021
600,000
600,000
1,498,866
—
—
33,553
2,508,848
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman
2020
600,000
—
—
—
—
31,722
631,722
2019
600,000
—
—
700,000
—
43,697
1,743,697
Gary S. Loffredo
2021
436,250
255,000
875,664
—
—
47,121
1,128,269
President, Chief Operating Officer,
2020
425,000
—
—
—
—
44,541
469,541
General Counsel and Secretary
2019
367,424
100,000
—
407,610
—
43,697
918,731
Erick Opeka
2021
343,750
113,750
875,664
—
—
33,553
911,023
Chief Strategy Officer and President of Digital Networks
2020
325,000
—
—
—
—
15,611
340,611
2019
292,295
100,000
—
355,000
—
7,537
754,831
(1) Includes
shares issued in November 2020 for fiscal year 2019 under performance share units (“PSUs”) to be paid during fiscal year
2021. See above for a description of the material terms of the PSUs.
(2) The
amounts in this column reflect the grant date fair value for all fiscal years presented in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Assumptions
used in the calculation of these amounts are included in footnote 2 to the Company’s audited financial statements for the fiscal
years ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, included in the 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “Form 10-K”).
(3) The
amounts in this column reflect amounts earned under annual incentive awards. See below for a description of the material terms of the
annual incentive plan for each NEO.
(4) Includes
life and disability insurance premiums paid by the Company and certain medical expenses paid by the Company for each NEO, (a) for the
fiscal year ended March 31, 2019: for Mr. McGurk, $1,107 and 42,590; for Mr. Loffredo, $1.107 and $42,590; and for Mr. Opeka, $830 and
$6,706, (b) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020: for Mr. McGurk, $1,104 and $30,618; for Mr. Loffredo, $1,104 and $43,437; and for
Mr. Opeka, $1,104 and $14,507, and (c) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021: for Mr. McGurk, $1,094 and $32,459; for Mr. Loffredo,
$1,094 and $46,027; and for Mr. Opeka, $1,094 and $32,459.
54
Employment
agreements and arrangements between the Company and Named Executive Officers
Christopher
J. McGurk . On August 22, 2013, the Company entered into a new employment agreement with Mr. McGurk (the “2013 McGurk Employment
Agreement”) which superseded his initial employment agreement, pursuant to which McGurk continued to serve as the Chief Executive
Officer and Chairman of the Board of the Company. The term of the 2013 McGurk Employment Agreement commenced on January 3, 2011 and ended
on March 31, 2017. Pursuant to the 2013 McGurk Employment Agreement, Mr. McGurk received an annual base salary of $600,000 subject to
annual reviews and increases in the sole discretion of the Compensation Committee. Mr. McGurk was entitled to receive a bonus of $250,000.
In addition, Mr. McGurk was entitled to receive a retention bonus of $750,000, payable in three equal installments on March 31 of each
of 2015, 2016 and 2017 in cash or shares of Class A Common Stock, or a combination thereof, at the Compensation Committee’s discretion.
Under the MAIP, Mr. McGurk’s target bonus for fiscal years 2015, 2016 and 2017 was $600,000.
Also
pursuant to the 2013 McGurk Employment Agreement, Mr. McGurk received a grant of non-statutory options to purchase 1,500,000 shares of
Common Stock, which options have an exercise price of $1.40 and a term of ten (10) years, and one-third (1/3) of which vested on March
31 of each of 2015, 2016 and 2017.
The
2013 McGurk Employment Agreement further provided that Mr. McGurk is entitled to participate in all benefit plans provided to senior
executives of the Company. In addition, if the Company terminated Mr. McGurk’s employment without cause or he resigned with good
reason, the 2013 McGurk Employment Agreement provided that he would be entitled to receive his base salary through the later of March
31, 2017 or twelve (12) months following such termination, as well as payment of any bonus earned and approved by the Compensation Committee,
reimbursement of expenses incurred, and payment of benefits accrued, in each case, prior to the termination date. If such termination
or resignation occurred within two years after a change in control, then in lieu of receiving his base salary as described above, Mr.
McGurk would have been entitled to receive a lump sum payment equal to the sum of his then base salary and target bonus amount, multiplied
by the greater of (i) two, or (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which would be the number of months remaining in the term (but no less
than twelve (12)), and the denominator of which is twelve. Upon a change in control, any unvested options shall immediately vest provided
that Mr. McGurk is an employee of the Company on such date.
On
January 4, 2017, Mr. McGurk and the Company amended the 2013 McGurk Employment Agreement to extend the term to March 31, 2018.
On
June 7, 2018, Mr. McGurk and the Company entered into an amendment (the “2018 Amendment”) to the 2013 McGurk Employment Agreement.
Pursuant to the 2018 Amendment, Mr. McGurk will continue to serve as the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of the Company
through March 31, 2021. The 2018 Amendment also provides that (i) if Mr. McGurk’s employment continues after March 31, 2021 without
an extension or renewal of the Employment Agreement, as amended, or entry into another employment agreement, then such employment will
be at-will and, for the duration of the at-will employment, Mr. McGurk will be entitled to receive the his base salary and participate
in the bonus, stock incentive, and benefit programs in effect at the expiration of the Term (as defined in the 2018 Amendment).
The
2018 Amendment also provides that Mr. McGurk is eligible for (i) under the MAIP, a target bonus opportunity percentage of 100% of the
Base Salary, to be adjusted higher or lower at the sole and absolute discretion of the Compensation Committee consistent with goals established
from time to time by the Compensation Committee, (ii) under the 2017 Plan, performance share units for up to 640,000 shares of Class
A common stock, subject to the EBITDA targets to be determined in the sole and absolute discretion of the Compensation Committee, with
50% of such shares to vest on March 31 of each of 2019 and 2020, and (iii) under the 2017 Plan, 700,000 SARs having an exercise price
of $1.47 and a term of ten (10) years, and one-third (1/3) of which will vest on March 31 of each of 2019, 2020 and 2021.
The
2018 Amendment also provides that, in the event of a termination without Cause, Mr. McGurk shall be entitled to payment of (i) the greater
of any Base Salary for the remainder of the Term or one year’s Base Salary and (ii) an amount equivalent to the average of the
last three (3) bonus payments under the MAIP, if any, under the Employment Agreement. In addition, the Amendment provides that the existing
severance terms in connection with a Change in Control apply if all conditions to such payment occur prior to March 31, 2020, and that
if such conditions apply occur thereafter, then Mr. McGurk shall be entitled to the payments described in the first sentence of this
paragraph instead.
55
All
terms of the 2013 McGurk Employment Agreement that were not affected by the Amendment remain in full force and effect.
On
November 19, 2020, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. McGurk (the “2020 McGurk Employment Agreement”).
The 2020 McGurk Employment Agreement took effect on April 1, 2021, after the 2013 McGurk Employment Agreement, as amended by the 2018
Amendment, terminated on March 31, 2021, and has a term ending on March 31, 2023, with a one-time automatic renewal for one year unless
either party provides written notice to the other no later than ninety days prior to the expiration of the initial term. Pursuant to
the 2020 McGurk Employment Agreement, Mr. McGurk will continue to serve as the Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of the
Company.
The
2020 McGurk Employment Agreement provides that Mr. McGurk will receive an annual base salary of $650,000 and will be eligible for (i)
under the Company’s Management Annual Incentive Plan, a target bonus opportunity of $650,000 (the “Target Bonus”) consistent
with goals established annually by the Compensation Committee, (ii) under the Company’s 2017 Plan, performance share units for
up to 250,000 shares of Class A common stock, subject to EBITDA targets to be determined in the sole and absolute discretion of the Compensation
Committee and such other terms as the Compensation Committee shall determine, and (iii) under the 2017 Plan, 2,500,000 SARs having an
exercise price of $.54 and a term of ten (10) years, one-half (1/2) of which vested on November 19, 2020 and one-half (1/2) of which
will vest on March 31, 2023. Mr. McGurk will also be entitled to participate in all benefit plans and programs that the Company provides
to its senior executives.
The
2020 McGurk Employment Agreement provides that, in the event of a termination without Cause (as defined in the 2020 McGurk Employment
Agreement) or a resignation for Good Reason (as defined in the 2020 McGurk Employment Agreement), Mr. McGurk shall be entitled to payment
of (i) the greater of any Base Salary for the remainder of the Term or eighteen (18) months’ Base Salary at the time of termination
and (ii) an amount equivalent to one and one-half (1.5) times the average of the last two (2) bonus payments under the MAIP, if any,
under the Employment Agreement. In the event of, on or after April 1, 2020 and within two (2) years after a Change in Control (as defined
in the 2017 Plan), a termination without Cause (other than due to Mr. McGurk’s death or disability) or a resignation for Good Reason,
then in lieu of receiving the amounts described above, Mr. McGurk would be entitled to receive a lump sum payment equal to three (3)
times the sum of (a) his then-current annual Base Salary and (b) his Target Bonus for the year of termination.
On
December 10, 2020, the Company entered into an amended employment agreement, effective as of November 19, 2020, with Mr. McGurk (the
“2020 A&R McGurk Employment Agreement”). The 2020 A&R McGurk Employment Agreement restated the 2020 McGurk Employment
Agreement, except that in the event of, on or after April 1, 2020 and within two (2) years after a Change in Control (as defined in the
2017 Plan), a termination without Cause (other than due to Mr. McGurk’s death or disability), a resignation for Good Reason, or
upon notice by the Company that it does not wish to renew the Term (as defined in the McGurk Employment Agreement), then in lieu of receiving
the amounts for severance other than in connection with a Change in Control, Mr. McGurk would be entitled to receive a lump sum payment
equal to three (3) times the sum of (a) his then-current annual Base Salary and (b) his Target Bonus (as defined in the 2020 A&R
McGurk Employment Agreement) for the year of termination.
Gary
S. Loffredo . On October 13, 2013, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Loffredo (the “2013 Loffredo Employment
Agreement”). Pursuant to the 2013 Loffredo Employment Agreement, Loffredo served as the Executive Vice President, Business Affairs,
General Counsel and Secretary of the Company and President of Digital Cinema Operations. The 2013 Loffredo Employment Agreement ended
on October 3, 2015, and upon such expiration, Mr. Loffredo became an at-will employee. Pursuant to the 2013 Loffredo Employment Agreement,
Mr. Loffredo received an annual base salary of $340,000 subject to increase at the discretion of the Compensation Committee. In addition,
Mr. Loffredo was eligible for a target bonus equal to 50% of his base salary for each fiscal year, payable based on Company performance
with goals to be established annually by the Compensation Committee.
Also
pursuant to the 2013 Loffredo Employment Agreement, Mr. Loffredo received a grant of non-statutory options to purchase 350,000 shares
of Common Stock, one-third (1/3) of which vested on March 31 of each of the first three anniversaries of the grant date.
The
2013 Loffredo Employment Agreement further provided that if the Company terminated Mr. Loffredo’s employment without cause or he
resigned with good reason, he would be entitled to receive his base salary for the longer of the remainder of the term or the (twelve)
12 months following the termination, as well as payment of salary and bonus(es) earned, reimbursement of expenses incurred, and payment
of benefits accrued, in each case, prior to the termination date. If such termination or resignation occurs within two years after a
change in control, then in lieu of receiving his base salary as described above, Mr. Loffredo would be entitled to receive a lump sum
payment equal to two times the sum of his then base salary and target bonus amount.
56
On
February 28, 2019, in connection with Mr. Loffredo’s promotion to Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Loffredo’s annual base salary
was increased to $425,000 and he became eligible for a target bonus equal to 60% of his base salary under the MAIP, consistent with goals
established annually by the Compensation Committee.
On
December 23, 2020, the Company entered into a new employment agreement with Mr. Loffredo (the “2020 Loffredo Employment Agreement”),
which replaced the surviving terms of the 2013 Loffredo Employment Agreement, took effect on January 1, 2021 and has a term ending on
March 31, 2023, with a one-time automatic renewal for one year unless either party provides written notice to the other no later than
ninety days prior to the expiration of the initial term. Pursuant to the 2020 Loffredo Employment Agreement, Mr. Loffredo serves as President,
and continues to serve as the Chief Operating Officer, General Counsel and Secretary, of the Company.
The
2020 Loffredo Employment Agreement provides that Mr. Loffredo will receive an annual base salary of $460,000 (as subject to adjustment,
the “Loffredo Base Salary”) and will be eligible for (i) under the Company’s Management Annual Incentive Plan, a target
bonus opportunity of $322,000 (the “Loffredo Target Bonus”) consistent with goals established annually by the Compensation
Committee, (ii) under the 2017 Plan, performance share units for up to 150,000 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock, subject
to EBITDA targets to be determined in the sole and absolute discretion of the Compensation Committee and such other terms as the Compensation
Committee shall determine, and (iii) under the Plan, 1,200,000 SARs having an exercise price of $.64 and a term of ten (10) years, and
vesting as follows: 500,000 SARs vest on March 31, 2022, 500,000 SARS vest on March 31, 2023, and 200,000 SARs vest on June 30, 2023.
Mr. Loffredo will also be entitled to participate in all benefit plans and programs that the Company provides to its senior executives.
The
2020 Loffredo Employment Agreement provides that, in the event of a termination without Cause (as defined in the 2020 Loffredo Employment
Agreement) or a resignation for Good Reason (as defined in the 2020 Loffredo Employment Agreement), Mr. Loffredo shall be entitled to
payment of twelve (12) months’ Loffredo Base Salary at the time of termination. In the event, within two (2) years after a Change
in Control (as defined in the Plan), of a termination without Cause (other than due to Mr. Loffredo’s death or disability), a resignation
for Good Reason, or upon notice by the Company that it does not wish to renew the Term (as defined in the Loffredo Employment Agreement),
then in lieu of receiving the amounts described above, Mr. Loffredo would be entitled to receive a lump sum payment equal to two (2)
times the sum of (a) his then-current annual Loffredo Base Salary and (b) the Loffredo Target Bonus for the year of termination.
Erick
Opeka, On September 15, 2018, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Opeka (the “2018 Opeka Employment
Agreement”), pursuant to which Mr. Opeka served as President Networks of the Company. The term of the 2018 Opeka Employment Agreement
is from September 15, 2018 through September 15, 2021 and upon such expiration Mr. Opeka will become an at-will employee. As outlined
in the 2018 Opeka Employment Agreement, Mr. Opeka will receive an annual base salary of $325,000 subject to annual reviews and increase
for subsequent years in the sole discretion of the Compensation Committee, and Mr. Opeka shall participate in the MAIP with a target
bonus equal to 35% of his base salary.
Pursuant
to the 2018 Opeka Employment Agreement, on September 28, 2018 Mr. Opeka was granted 355,000 SARs. Each SAR entitles the participant to
receive, upon exercise, an amount equal to the excess of the market price per share of the Class A common stock on the exercise date,
over $1.16, being not less than the market price per share of the Class A common stock on the grant date, in cash, common stock, or a
combination of both cash and common stock, at the option of the Company. These SARs expire ten years from the grant date and vest 118,333
shares on each of March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2020, and 118,334 shares on March 31, 2021.
On
December 23, 2020, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Opeka (the “2020 Opeka Employment Agreement”),
which replaced the 2018 Opeka employment Agreement, took effect on January 1, 2021 and has a term ending on September 15, 2023, with
a one-time automatic renewal for one year unless either party provides written notice to the other no later than ninety days prior to
the expiration of the initial term. Pursuant to the 2020 Opeka Employment Agreement, Mr. Opeka will serve as Chief Strategy Officer of
the Company and continue to serve as President of Cinedigm Networks.
57
The
2020 Opeka Employment Agreement provides that Mr. Opeka will receive an annual base salary of $400,000 (as subject to adjustment, the
“Opeka Base Salary”) and will be eligible for (i) under the MAIP, a target bonus opportunity of $240,000 (the “Opeka
Target Bonus”) consistent with goals established annually by the Compensation Committee, (ii) under the Plan, performance share
units for up to 150,000 shares of Class A common stock, subject to EBITDA targets to be determined in the sole and absolute discretion
of the Compensation Committee and such other terms as the Compensation Committee shall determine, and (iii) under the Plan, 1,200,000
SARs having an exercise price of $.64 and a term of ten (10) years, and vesting as follows: 500,000 SARs vest on March 31, 2022, 500,000
SARs vest on March 31, 2023, and 200,000 SARs vest on December 31, 2023. Mr. Opeka will also be entitled to participate in all benefit
plans and programs that the Company provides to its senior executives.
The
2020 Opeka Employment Agreement provides that, in the event of a termination without Cause (as defined in the 2020 Opeka Employment Agreement)
or a resignation for Good Reason (as defined in the 2020 Opeka Employment Agreement), Mr. Opeka shall be entitled to payment of twelve
(12) months’ Opeka Base Salary at the time of termination. In the event, within two (2) years after a Change in Control (as defined
in the Plan), of a termination without Cause (other than due to Mr. Opeka’s death or disability), a resignation for Good Reason,
or upon notice by the Company that it does not wish to renew the Term (as defined in the Opeka Employment Agreement), then in lieu of
receiving the amounts described above, Mr. Opeka would be entitled to receive a lump sum payment equal to two (2) times the sum of (a)
his then-current annual Opeka Base Salary and (b) the Opeka Target Bonus for the year of termination.
Equity
Compensation Plans
The
following table sets forth certain information, as of March 31, 2021, regarding the shares of Cinedigm’s Class A common stock authorized
for issuance under Cinedigm’s equity compensation plan.
Plan
Number
of shares of
Class A common stock
issuable upon
exercise of
outstanding options,
warrants or rights (1)
Weighted
average of
exercise price
of outstanding
Number
of shares
of Class A common stock
remaining
available for future
issuance
Cinedigm Second Amended and Restated 2000 Equity Incentive Plan (“the 2000 Plan”) approved by shareholders
261,587
$
14.99
—
Cinedigm 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2017 Plan”)
9,154,933
1.04
1,359,416
Cinedigm compensation plans not approved by shareholders (2)
12,500
$
17.50
—
(1) Shares
of Cinedigm Class A Common Stock
(2) Reflects
stock options which were not granted under the 2000 Plan or the 2017 Plan.
58
The
2000 Plan
Our
Board originally adopted the 2000 Plan on June 1, 2000 and our shareholders approved the 2000 Plan by written consent in July 2000. Certain
terms of the Plan were last amended and approved by our shareholders in September 2016. Under the 2000 Plan, we may grant incentive and
non-statutory stock options, stock, restricted stock, restricted stock units (RSUs), stock appreciation rights, and performance awards
to our employees, non-employee directors and consultants. The primary purpose of the 2000 Plan is to enable us to attract, retain and
motivate our employees, non-employee directors and consultants. The term of the 2000 Plan expires on June 1, 2020. The 2000 Plan has
been replaced by the 2017 Plan, and no new awards will be granted from the 2000 Plan; however, the adoption of the 2017 Plan did not
affect awards already granted under the 2000 Plan.
Options
granted under the 2000 Plan expire ten years following the date of grant (or such shorter period of time as may be provided in a stock
option agreement or five years in the case of incentive stock options granted to stockholders who own greater than 10% of the total combined
voting power of the Company) and are subject to restrictions on transfer. Options granted under the Plan generally vest over periods
of up to three or four years. The 2000 Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee, and may be amended or terminated by the Board,
although no amendment or termination may adversely affect the right of any individual with respect to any outstanding option without
the consent of such individual. The 2000 Plan provides for the granting of incentive stock options with exercise prices of not less than
100% of the fair market value of the Company’s Class A Common Stock on the date of grant. Incentive stock options granted to stockholders
of more than 10% of the total combined voting power of the Company must have exercise prices of not less than 110% of the fair market
value of the Company’s Class A Common Stock on the date of grant. Incentive and non-statutory stock options granted under the 2000
Plan are subject to vesting provisions, and exercise is generally subject to the continuous service of the optionee, except for consultants.
The exercise prices and vesting periods (if any) for non-statutory options may be set at the discretion of the Board or the Compensation
Committee. Upon a change of control of the Company, all options (incentive and non-statutory) that have not previously vested will vest
immediately and become fully exercisable. Options covering no more than 50,000 shares may be granted to one participant during any calendar
year unless pursuant to a multi-year award, in which case no more than options covering 50,000 shares per year of the award may be granted,
and during which period no additional options may be granted to such participant.
Grants
of restricted stock and restricted stock units are subject to vesting requirements, generally vesting over periods up to three years,
determined by the Compensation Committee and set forth in notices to the participants. Grants of stock, restricted stock and restricted
stock units shall not exceed 40% of the total number of shares available to be issued under the 2000 Plan.
SARs
consist of the right to the monetary equivalent of the increase in value of a specified number of shares over a specified period of time.
Upon exercise, SARs may be paid in cash or shares of Class A common stock or a combination thereof. Grants of SARs are subject to vesting
requirements, similar to those of stock options, determined by the Compensation Committee and set forth in agreements between the Company
and the participants. RSUs shall be similar to restricted stock except that no Class A common stock is actually awarded to the Participant
on the grant date of the RSUs and the Compensation Committee shall have the discretion to pay such RSUs upon vesting in cash or shares
of Class A common stock or a combination thereof.
Performance
awards consist of awards of stock and other equity-based awards that are valued in whole or in part by reference to, or are otherwise
based on, the market value of the Class A Common Stock, or other securities of the Company, and may be paid in shares of Class A Common
Stock, cash or another form of property as the Compensation Committee may determine. Grants of performance awards shall entitle participants
to receive an award if the measures of performance established by the Committee are met. Such measures shall be established by the Compensation
Committee but the relevant measurement period for any performance award must be at least 12 months. Grants of performance awards shall
not cover the issuance of shares that would exceed 20% of the total number of shares available to be issued under the 2000 Plan, and
no more than 50,000 shares pursuant to any performance awards shall be granted to one participant in a calendar year unless pursuant
to a multi-year award. The terms of grants of performance awards would be set forth in agreements between the Company and the participants.
59
The
2017 Plan
Our
Board adopted the 2017 Plan on August 7, 2017 and our stockholders approved the 2017 Plan on August 31, 2017. Under the 2017 Plan, we
may grant incentive and non-statutory stock options, stock, restricted stock, restricted stock units (RSUs), stock appreciation rights,
performance awards and other equity-based awards to our employees, non-employee directors and consultants. The primary purpose of the
2017 Plan is to enable us to attract, retain and motivate our employees, non-employee directors and consultants.
Options
granted under the 2017 Plan expire ten years following the date of grant (or such shorter period of time as may be provided in a stock
option agreement, or five years in the case of incentive stock options granted to stockholders who own greater than 10% of the total
combined voting power of the Company) and are subject to restrictions on transfer. The 2017 Plan is administered by the Compensation
Committee, and may be amended or terminated by the Committee, although no amendment or termination may have a material adverse effect
on the rights of any individual with respect to any outstanding option, without the consent of such individual. The exercise prices of
stock options granted must be not less than 100% of the fair market value of the Company’s Class A Common Stock on the date of
grant. Incentive stock options granted to stockholders of more than 10% of the total combined voting power of the Company must have exercise
prices of not less than 110% of the fair market value of the Company’s Class A common stock on the date of grant. Incentive and
non-statutory stock options granted under the 2017 Plan may be subject to vesting provisions, and exercise is generally subject to the
continuous service of the optionee, except for consultants. The exercise prices and vesting periods (if any) for non-statutory options
may be set at the discretion of the Board or the Compensation Committee. Upon a change of control of the Company, where
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