Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity
ITEM
5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity
Securities
Our
common stock is listed on the NYSE American under the symbol “NTN.”
On
March 9, 2021, the closing price for our common stock as reported on the NYSE American was $3.47 and there were approximately
283 stockholders of record. The number of stockholders of record is based upon the actual number of holders registered
on our books at such date. A substantially greater number of holders of our common stock are “street name” or beneficial
holders, whose shares are held by banks, brokers and other financial institutions.
We
have 156,112 shares of Series A Preferred Stock issued and outstanding. The Series A Preferred Stock provides for a cumulative
annual dividend of 10 cents per share, payable in semi-annual installments in June and December. Dividends may be paid in cash
or in shares of our common stock. In 2020, we paid approximately $16,000 in cash dividends to the holders of our Series A Preferred
Stock. We expect to pay the dividends on our Series A Preferred Stock in accordance with its terms, though we may elect to pay
the dividend in shares of our common stock in the future.
ITEM
6. Selected Financial Data
Under
SEC rules and regulations, as a smaller reporting company, we are not required to provide the information otherwise required by
this item.
ITEM
7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Introduction
Management’s
discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations (“MD&A”) should be read in conjunction
with the accompanying audited consolidated financial statements and notes, included in Item 8 of this report, to help provide
an understanding of our financial condition, the changes in our financial condition and our results of operations. You should
also see the section entitled “Forward-Looking Statements” at the beginning of this report. Our MD&A is organized
as follows:
●
Overview .
This section provides a general description of our business.
●
Results
of Operations . This section provides an analysis of our results of operations presented in the accompanying consolidated
statements of operations by comparing the results for our two most recent completed fiscal years.
●
Liquidity
and Capital Resources . This section provides an analysis of our historical cash flows, as well as our future capital requirements.
●
Off-Balance
Sheet Arrangements . This section provides information related to any off-balance sheet arrangement we may have that would
affect our consolidated finance statements.
●
Critical
Accounting Policies and Estimates . This section provides a listing of our significant accounting policies, including any
material changes in our critical accounting policies, estimates and judgments during the year ended December 31, 2020 from
those described in the MD&A section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.
●
Recent
Accounting Pronouncements. This section provides information related to new or updated accounting guidance that may impact
our consolidated financial statements.
Overview
We
deliver interactive entertainment and innovative technology to our partners in a wide range of verticals – from bars and
restaurants to casinos and senior living centers. By enhancing the overall guest experience, we believe we help our hospitality
partners acquire, engage, and retain patrons.
Through
social fun and friendly competition, our platform creates bonds between our hospitality partners and their patrons, and between
patrons themselves. We believe this unique experience increases dwell time, revenue, and repeat business for venues – and
has also created a large and engaged audience which we connect with through our in-venue TV network. Until the significant disruptions
to the restaurant and bar industry resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, or the pandemic, that began in March 2020, over 1 million
hours of trivia, card, sports and arcade games were played on our network each month. Since March 2020, approximately 100,000
hours per month of such games have been played on our network each month.
23
As
mentioned below, we will be holding our special meeting of stockholders to consider the Merger (as defined below), the Asset Sale
(as defined below) and related proposals on March 15, 2021 at 9:00 a.m., Pacific Time, unless postponed or adjourned to a later
date or time. We are focused on managing our operating expenses and maintaining our operations through consummation of the Merger
and Asset Sale. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in completing the Merger or the Asset Sale or managing our
operating expenses or maintaining our operations through consummation of the Merger and Asset Sale. As a result of the impact
of the pandemic on our business and taking into account our current financial condition and our existing sources of projected
revenue and our projected subscription revenue, advertising revenue and cash flows from operations, we believe we will have sufficient
cash resources to pay forecasted cash outlays only through mid-March 2021, assuming we are able to continue to successfully manage
our working capital deficit by managing the timing of payments to our vendors and other third parties. We expect that the earliest
the Asset Sale and the Merger could be completed is during the week of March 15, 2021. If the completion of the Asset Sale and
the Merger is delayed beyond that week, we will need to raise additional capital to maintain operations through the completion
of the Asset Sale and the Merger, and we currently have no arrangements for such capital. If we do not complete the Merger for
any reason, we would likely be required to dissolve and liquidate our assets, and we would be required to pay all our debts and
contractual obligations and set aside certain reserves for potential future claims. In such event, our investors may lose their
entire investment. While we could attempt to complete another strategic transaction like the Merger or to raise additional capital
through equity financings and/or alternative sources of debt to allow us to continue as a going concern, based on the strategic
process conducted to date, we do not believe that we would be able to identify and complete another reverse merger or consummate
a financing to obtain sufficient additional financial resources when needed, on acceptable terms, or at all.
Proposed
Merger with Brooklyn
On
August 12, 2020, we entered into an agreement and plan of merger and reorganization (the “Merger Agreement”) with
Brooklyn Immunotherapeutics LLC (“Brooklyn”), a privately-held, biopharmaceutical company focused on exploring the
role that cytokine-based therapy can have in treating patients with cancer. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, subject to the satisfaction
or waiver of the conditions set forth in the agreement, BIT Merger Sub, Inc., our wholly-owned subsidiary formed solely for purposes
of carrying out the merger, will merge with and into Brooklyn, with Brooklyn surviving the merger as a wholly-owned subsidiary
of our company and Brooklyn’s members receiving newly issued shares of our common stock in exchange for their ownership
interests in Brooklyn (the “Merger”). The Merger, if completed, will result in a change in control of NTN as described
below. If the Merger is completed, NTN expects to change its name to Brooklyn ImmunoTherapeutics, Inc. and the combined company
will focus on Brooklyn’s business of exploring the role that cytokine-based therapy can have on the immune system in treating
patients with cancer. Upon completion of the Merger, the board of directors of the combined company is expected to consist entirely
of individuals designated by Brooklyn and the officers of the combined company are expected to be members of Brooklyn’s
current management team.
If
the Merger is completed, at the effective time of the Merger, Brooklyn’s members will exchange their equity interests in
Brooklyn for shares of NTN common stock representing between approximately 94.08% and 96.74% of the outstanding common stock of
NTN immediately following the effective time of the Merger on a fully diluted basis (less a portion of such shares which will
be allocated to Brooklyn’s banker, Maxim, in respect of the success fee owed to it by Brooklyn), and NTN’s stockholders
as of immediately prior to the effective time, will own between approximately 5.92% and 3.26% of the outstanding common stock
of NTN immediately after the effective time of the Merger on a fully diluted basis. The exact number of shares to be issued in
the Merger will be determined pursuant to a formula in the Merger Agreement that takes into account the amount of Brooklyn’s
cash and cash equivalents as of the closing of the Merger and the amount by which NTN’s net cash is less than zero at the
closing.
See
the section titled “Business” in Item 1 of Part I this report for additional information about the Merger Agreement
and Merger.
Proposed
Asset Sale to eGames.com
When
NTN announced the signing of the Merger Agreement, NTN also announced that it was continuing to explore the sale of substantially
all of the assets relating to its current business to provide additional capital and allow the combined company following the
closing of the Merger, if it closes, to be in a position to focus exclusively on Brooklyn’s business.
On
September 18, 2020, NTN and eGames.com Holdings LLC (“eGames.com”) entered into an asset purchase agreement (as amended
from time to time, the “APA”) pursuant to which, subject to the terms and conditions thereof, NTN will sell and assign
(the “Asset Sale”) all of its right, title and interest in and to the assets relating to its current business (the
“Purchased Assets”) to eGames.com. The Purchased Assets comprise substantially all of NTN’s assets. At the closing
of the Asset Sale, in addition to assuming specified liabilities of NTN, eGames.com will pay NTN $2.0 million in cash. In connection
with entering into the APA, the sole owner of eGames.com absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably guaranteed to NTN the full
and prompt payment when due of any and all amounts, from time to time, payable by eGames.com under the APA.
In
connection with entering into the APA, Fertilemind Management, LLC, an affiliate of eGames.com (“Fertilemind”), on
behalf of eGames.com, made a $1.0 million bridge loan to NTN. On November 19, 2020, NTN, eGames.com and Fertilemind entered into
an omnibus amendment and agreement pursuant to which, among other things, eGames.com agreed to provide, or cause Fertilemind,
on behalf of eGames.com, to provide, an additional $0.5 million bridge loan to NTN on December 1, 2020, and the parties agreed
to increase the interest rate on the $1.0 million bridge loan Fertilemind made to NTN in September 2020 from 8% to 10% effective
December 1, 2020. Fertilemind provided the $0.5 million bridge loan to NTN on December 1, 2020. On January 12, 2021, NTN, eGames.com
and Fertilemind entered into a second omnibus amendment and agreement pursuant to which, among other things, eGames.com agreed
to provide, or cause Fertilemind, on behalf of eGames.com, to provide an additional $0.2 million bridge loan to NTN on January
12, 2021. Fertilemind provided the $0.2 million bridge loan to NTN on January 12, 2021. The principal and accrued interest of
each of the loans provided by Fertilemind to NTN will be applied toward the $2.0 million purchase price at the closing of the
Asset Sale.
24
See
the section titled “Business” in Item 1 of Part I this report for additional information about the APA and Asset Sale.
Recent
Developments
The
negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the restaurant and bar industry was abrupt and substantial, and our business, cash
flows from operations and liquidity suffered, and continues to suffer, materially as a result. In many jurisdictions, including
those in which we have many customers and prospective customers, restaurants and bars were ordered by the government to shut-down
or close all on-site dining operations in the latter half of March 2020. Since then, governmental orders and restrictions impacting
restaurants and bars in certain jurisdictions were eased or lifted as the number of COVID-19 cases decreased or plateaued, but
as jurisdictions began experiencing a resurgence in COVID-19 cases, many jurisdictions reinstated such orders and restrictions,
including mandating the shut-down of bars and the closing of all on-site dining operations of restaurants. We have experienced
material decreases in subscription revenue, advertising revenue and cash flows from operations, which we expect to continue for
at least as long as the restaurant and bar industry continues to be negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and which may
continue thereafter if restaurants and bars seek to reduce their operating costs or are unable to re-open even if restrictions
within their jurisdictions are eased or lifted. For example, at its peak, approximately 70% of our customers had their subscriptions
to our services temporarily suspended. As of March 9, 2021, approximately 11% of our customers remain on subscription suspensions.
In
response to the impact of the pandemic on our business, we implemented measures to reduce our operating expenses and preserve
capital, and we may implement additional measures in the future.
●
We
reduced our headcount (as of March 9, 2021, we had 22 employees, compared to 74 at December 31, 2019).
●
Our
chief executive officer agreed to defer payment of 45% of his base salary between May 1, 2020 and October 31, 2020 until the
earlier of October 31, 2020 or such time as our board of directors determines in good faith that we are in the financial position
to pay his accumulated deferred salary. All such deferred base salary payments were made by November 6, 2020.
●
We
terminated the lease for our corporate headquarters, resulting in a reduction in our future cash obligations under the lease
by approximately $3.4 million (see Note 16 to our audited consolidated financial statements included herein).
●
We
substantially eliminated all capital projects and are aggressively managing our expenditures to limit further cash outlays
and manage our working capital.
In
April 2020, we received a loan of approximately $1,625,000 under the Paycheck Protection Program of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief,
and Economic Security Act administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The loan matures on April 18, 2022 and bears
interest at a rate of 1.0% per annum. We began making monthly interest only payments in November 2020. One final payment of all
unforgiven principal plus any accrued unpaid interest is due at maturity. In November 2020, we were informed by our lender that
the U.S Small Business Administration approved the forgiveness of approximately $1,093,000 of the $1,625,000 loan, leaving a principal
balance of approximately $532,000. For additional information, see the section entitled “Liquidity and Capital Resources—Paycheck
Protection Program Loan,” below.
All
amounts outstanding under our term loan we entered into with Avidbank in September 2018 were paid in full on December 31, 2020
and we have no further obligations to Avidbank.
In
January 2020, we sold all of our assets used to conduct the live hosted knowledge-based trivia events known as Stump! Trivia and
OpinioNation for approximately $1.4 million in cash.
Results
of Operations
We
generated a net loss of $4,415,000 for the year ended December 31, 2020, compared to a net loss of $2,047,000 for the year ended
December 31, 2019.
Revenue
We
generate revenue by charging subscription fees to our partners for access to our 24/7 trivia network, by selling and leasing tablet
and hardware equipment for custom usage beyond trivia/entertainment, by selling digital-out-of-home (DOOH) advertising direct
to advertisers and on national ad exchanges, by licensing our entertainment and trivia content to other parties, and by providing
professional services such as custom game design or development of new platforms on our existing tablet form factor. Until February
1, 2020, we also generated revenue from hosting live trivia events. We sold all our assets used to host live trivia events in
January 2020. (See Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements included in this report.) The table below summarizes the type
of revenue we generated for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019:
Years ended December 31,
2020
2019
$
% of Total
Revenue
$
% of Total
Revenue
Change $
%
Change
Subscription revenue
4,882,000
84.2 %
14,278,000
72.1 %
(9,396,000 )
(65.8 %)
Hardware revenue
426,000
7.3 %
2,350,000
11.9 %
(1,924,000 )
(81.9 %)
Other revenue
492,000
8.5 %
3,178,000
16.0 %
(2,686,000 )
(84.5 %)
Total
5,800,000
100.0 %
19,806,000
100.0 %
(14,006,000 )
(70.7 %)
25
Subscription
Revenue
The
decrease in subscription revenue for the year ended December 31, 2020 was due to lower average site count, lower average revenue
per site and the impact of the COVD-19 pandemic on our business when compared to 2019. We previously reported that our subscription
revenue would materially decrease beginning in the first quarter of 2020 if we did not add network subscribers or other revenue
sources sufficient to replace the revenue historically received from Buffalo Wild Wings corporate-owned restaurants and its franchisees,
after our existing relationships with BWW terminated in November 2019. To date, we have not offset the lost subscription revenue
from Buffalo Wild Wings corporate-owned restaurants and its franchisees, and, in light of the substantial negative impact the
pandemic has had, continues to have and is expected to continue to have, on the restaurant and bar industry and on our business,
and taking into account the measures we implemented in response to the impact of the pandemic on our business to reduce operating
expenses and preserve capital, including reducing our headcount and sales and marketing team, we do not expect that will be able
to do so in the foreseeable future.
Although
shelter-in-place orders and governmental orders and restrictions on the operations of restaurants and bars to shut have been lifted
or reduced for many of our customers, our subscription revenue suffered during 2020 and we expect that it will continue to suffer
as a result of the pandemic, including because we expect governmental orders and restrictions impacting restaurants and bars will
remain in effect or be reinstated in response to resurgences in COVID-19 cases. See “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of this
report for additional information regarding the impact of the pandemic on our business and outlook.
ASC
No. 606 specifies certain criteria that an arrangement with a customer must have in order for a contract to exist for purposes
of revenue recognition, one of which is that it must be probable that we will collect the consideration to which we will be entitled
under the contract. As a result of the impact that the pandemic has had, and continues to have, on our customers, we determined
that due to the uncertainty of collectability of the subscription fees for certain customers, our arrangement with those customers
no longer meets all the criteria needed for a contract to exist for revenue recognition purposes. Therefore, we did not recognize
revenue for these customers and fully reserved for accounts receivable in the allowance for doubtful accounts. We only recognize
revenue for the arrangements that continued to meet the contract criteria, including the criteria that collectability was probable.
The table below provides a geographic breakdown of our site count as of the date indicated:
Network Subscribers
as of December 31,
2020
2019
United States
941
1,318
Canada
95
122
Total
1,036
1,440
Hardware
Revenue
The
decrease in hardware revenue for the year ended December 31, 2020 was due to decreased sales-type lease arrangements as well as
a reduction in hardware sales to our jail services partner when compared to 2019. As previously reported, in September 2020, we
entered into an agreement with our jail service partner to terminate our existing contract and cancel the remaining tablets to
be delivered under our contract. We do not expect to recognize material hardware revenue in the future.
Other
Revenue
The
decrease in other revenue for the year ended December 31, 2020 was primarily due to a decrease in revenue from our live-hosted
trivia events when compared to 2019 as a result of the sale in January 2020 of all our assets used to conduct such events. We
do not expect to recognize revenue from live-hosted trivia events in the future.
We
also recognized less license revenue and advertising revenue during the year ended December 31, 2020 when compared to 2019. We
expect our advertising revenue will continue to be materially adversely impacted because of a decrease in advertising sales arising
from a slowdown in consumer traffic in the restaurant and bars that subscribe to our service as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
26
Direct
Costs and Gross Margin
The
following table compares the direct costs and gross margin for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019:
For the years ended
December 31,
2020
2019
Change
Revenues
$ 5,800,000
$ 19,806,000
$ (14,006,000 )
Direct Costs
2,907,000
7,483,000
(4,576,000 )
Gross Margin
$ 2,893,000
$ 12,323,000
$ (9,430,000 )
Gross Margin Percentage
49.9 %
62.2 %
For
the year ended December 31, 2020, the decrease in direct costs was primarily due to decreased (1) direct wages of approximately
$1,133,000 as a result of no longer providing live-hosted trivia events after January 2020; (2) equipment expense of approximately
$1,545,000 due primarily to a reduction in hardware revenue as well as a reduction in equipment write-offs of certain older site
equipment; (3) depreciation expense of $979,000; (4) service provider and freight expense of approximately $581,000; and (5) other
miscellaneous expenses of $338,000, in each case, when compared to 2019.
The
decrease in gross margin for the year ended December 31, 2020 was primarily due to the reduction in revenue when compared to the
same periods in 2019. Additionally, certain fixed costs, such as direct depreciation and amortization expense, negatively impacted
gross margins for the year ended December 31, 2020 when compared to 2019.
Operating
Expenses
For the years ended
December 31,
2020
2019
Change
Selling, general and administrative
$ 8,091,000
$ 13,175,000
$ (5,084,000 )
Impairment of capitalized software
$ 248,000
$ 550,000
$ (302,000 )
Impairment of goodwill
$ 662,000
$ -
$ 662,000
Depreciation and amortization (non-direct)
$ 201,000
$ 360,000
$ (159,000 )
Selling,
General and Administrative Expenses
The
decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2020 when compared to 2019 was primarily
due to decreased (1) payroll and related expense of $4,450,000 as a result of reduced headcount; (2) marketing fees of $732,000
due to managing discretionary spending; (3) lease expense of approximately $245,000 due to terminating our lease and vacating
our corporate headquarters in June 2020, and (4) miscellaneous expense of $396,000, in each case, when compared to 2019. These
decreases were partially offset by increased transaction-related expenses of $739,000 for the year ended December 31, 2020, consisting
primarily of professional financial advisor, legal and accounting fees associated with evaluating strategic opportunities, negotiating
the Merger Agreement and the APA and other services related to the proposed Merger and Asset Sale.
Impairment
of Capitalized Software
During
each of the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, we abandoned certain capitalized software development projects that we concluded
were no longer a current strategic fit or for which we determined that the marketability of the content had decreased due to obtaining
additional information regarding the specific purpose for which the content was intended.
Impairment
of Goodwill
Through
March 31, 2020, we had goodwill resulting from the excess of costs over the fair value of assets we acquired in 2003 related to
our Canadian business (the “Reporting Unit”). Goodwill and intangible assets acquired in a purchase combination that
are determined to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized, but instead are assessed annually, or at interim periods,
for impairment based on qualitative factors, such as macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, cost factors,
overall financial performance and other relevant events, to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to
a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the Reporting Unit is less than its carrying amount. If
there are indications of impairment, then we perform a quantitative impairment test.
27
During
out evaluation of impairment indicators as of March 31, 2020, we determined that the uncertainty relating to the impact of the
COVID-19 pandemic on the Reporting Unit’s future operating results represented an indicator of impairment. Accordingly,
we compared the estimated fair value of the Reporting Unit to its carrying value at March 31, 2020, determined that a full impairment
loss was warranted and recognized an impairment charge of $662,000 for the year ended December 31, 2020, all of which was recorded
during the three months ended March 31, 2020. There was no goodwill impairment recorded for the year ended December 31, 2019.
Depreciation
and Amortization
The
decrease in depreciation and amortization expense for the year ended December 31, 2020 was primarily due to various equipment
becoming fully depreciated and not replacing with new assets, and as a result of writing off our leasehold improvement assets
when we terminated our lease and vacated our corporate headquarters in June 2020.
Other
(Expense) Income, Net
For the years ended
December 31,
Increase in other
2020
2019
income, net
Interest expense, net
$ (138,000 )
$ (249,000 )
Other income (expense), net
2,026,000
(9,000 )
Total other income (expense), net
$ 1,888,000
$ (258,000 )
$ 2,146,000
The
increase in other income, net for the year ended December 31, 2020 when compared to 2019 was primarily related to (1) a gain of
approximately $1,225,000 for the sale of all our assets used to conduct live-hosted trivia events; (2) decreased interest expense
of approximately $111,000 due to lower debt balances; and (3) a gain of approximately $1,093,000 related to the forgiveness of
the loan we received under the Paycheck Protection Program (the “PPP”) of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic
Security Act administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (the “CARES Act”). In October 2020, we submitted
our loan forgiveness application for our PPP loan, and in November 2020, the lender informed us that the U.S Small Business Administration
approved the forgiveness of approximately $1,093,000 of the $1,625,000 loan, leaving a principal balance of approximately $532,000.
These increases in other income, net were partially offset by increased losses during the year ended December 31, 2020 of approximately
$284,000 related to disposals of assets when we terminated the lease for our corporate headquarters in June 2020 when compared
to 2019.
Income
Taxes
For the years ended
December 31,
2020
2019
Benefit (provision) for income taxes
$ 6,000
$ (27,000 )
We
expect to incur state income tax liability in 2020 related to our U.S. operations. We also expect to incur an income tax liability
in 2020 in Canada due to the profitability of our Canadian subsidiary.
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
As
of December 31, 2020, we had cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash of $777,000 compared to cash, cash equivalents and restricted
cash of $3,409,000 as of December 31, 2019. During the year ended December 31, 2020, we incurred a net loss of $4,415,000 compared
to a net loss of $2,047,000 for the year ended December 31, 2019.
In
connection with preparing our financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020, our management evaluated whether
there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that are known and reasonably knowable that would raise substantial
doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern through twelve months after the date that such financial statements are
issued.
As
discussed in more detail under “Bridge Loans,” below, we have received an aggregate of $1.7 million in principal amount
of bridge loans from Fertilemind, an affiliate of eGames.com. The principal amount of these loans and accrued interest thereon
will be applied toward the $2.0 million purchase price under the APA. If the Asset Sale does not close, the principal amount of
these loans and accrued interest thereon is due and payable upon the earlier of (i) the termination of the APA, (ii) the closing
of a Business Combination (as defined in the promissory note evidencing the loan), and (iii) April 30, 2021.
28
Our
primary source of capital is cash from operations. We have experienced material decreases in subscription revenue, advertising
revenue and cash flows from operations as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the restaurant and bar industry.
We expect the negative impact on our business to continue for as long as restaurants and bars continue to be negatively impacted
by the pandemic, and which may continue thereafter if restaurants and bars seek to reduce their operating costs or choose not
to re-open even if governmental orders and restrictions are eased or lifted.
As
a result of the impact of the pandemic on our business and taking into account our current financial condition and our existing
sources of projected revenue and our projected subscription revenue, advertising revenue and cash flows from operations, we believe
we will have sufficient cash resources to pay forecasted cash outlays only through mid-March 2021, assuming we are able to continue
to successfully manage our working capital deficit by managing the timing of payments to our vendors and other third parties.
We expect that the earliest the Asset Sale and the Merger could be completed is during the week of March 15, 2021. If the completion
of the Asset Sale and the Merger is delayed beyond that week, we will need to raise additional capital to maintain operations
through the completion of the Asset Sale and the Merger, and we currently have no arrangements for such capital.
If
we do not complete the Merger for any reason, we would likely be required to dissolve and liquidate our assets, and we would be
required to pay all our debts and contractual obligations and set aside certain reserves for potential future claims. In such
event, our investors may lose their entire investment. While we could attempt to complete another strategic transaction like the
Merger or to raise additional capital through equity financings and/or alternative sources of debt to allow us to continue as
a going concern, based on the strategic process conducted to date, we do not believe that we would be able to identify and complete
another reverse merger or consummate a financing to obtain sufficient additional financial resources when needed, on acceptable
terms, or at all. See “ITEM 1A, Risk Factors—Risk Factors That May Affect Our Business—”Our cash flows
from operations and liquidity have been materially adversely affected by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. We need to raise
capital in the near term and/or complete a strategic transaction, and our inability to do so could result in us pursuing a restructuring,
which may include a reorganization or bankruptcy under Federal bankruptcy laws, assignment for the benefit of creditors, or a
dissolution, liquidation and/or winding up, ” above.
Based
on the factors described above, management concluded that there is substantial doubt regarding our ability to continue as a going
concern through the twelve month period following the date that our financial statements as of and for the year ended December
31, 2020 are issued. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going-concern basis, which contemplates
the realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. The accompanying consolidated
financial statements do not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects on the recoverability and classification
of assets or the amounts and classifications of liabilities that may result from uncertainty related to our ability to continue
as a going concern.
Avidbank
Term Loan
Under
a loan and security agreement we entered into with Avidbank in September 2018, or the Original LSA, we borrowed $4,000,000 in
the form of a 48-month term loan, all of which we used to pay-off the $4,050,000 of principal borrowed from our then-existing
lender. In February 2020, we made a pre-payment on the term loan of approximately $150,000 following the sale in January 2020
of all our assets used to conduct live-hosted trivia events. In March 2020, we entered into an amendment to the Original LSA.
We refer to the Original LSA, as amended, as the Avidbank LSA. In connection with entering into the amendment, we made a $433,000
payment on our term loan, which included the $83,333 monthly principal payment for March 2020 plus accrued interest and a $350,000
principal prepayment. All amounts owing under the term loan were paid on December 31, 2020, when the term loan matured, and Avidbank
released its security interest in all of our existing personal property.
We
incurred approximately $26,000 of debt issuance costs related to the Original LSA and the amendment to the LSA. The debt issuance
costs were amortized to interest expense using the effective interest rate method over the life of the loan. The debt issuance
costs were fully amortized as of December 31, 2020.
Paycheck
Protection Program Loan
In
April 2020, we issued a note in the principal amount of approximately $1,625,000 evidencing the loan we received under the PPP
that bears interest at a rate of 1.0% per annum. Under the terms of the PPP, certain amounts of the PPP loan may be forgiven if
they used for qualifying expenses as described in the CARES Act. In October 2020, we submitted our loan forgiveness application
for the PPP loan, and in November 2020, our lender informed us that the U.S Small Business Administration approved the forgiveness
of approximately $1,093,000 of the $1,625,000 loan, leaving a principal balance of approximately $532,000. The unforgiven principal
balance, plus accrued and unpaid interest, is due at the closing of the Asset Sale, if the Asset Sale occurs, or at the closing
of the Merger, if the Merger occurs. If neither the Asset Sale nor the Merger occurs, the unforgiven principal balance, plus accrued
and unpaid interest, is due at maturity, April 18, 2022. We began making monthly interest only payments on November 18, 2020.
We may prepay the PPP loan at any time with no prepayment penalties. As of December 31, 2020, the outstanding principal balance
of the PPP loan was approximately $532,000.
29
Bridge
Loans
In
connection with entering into the APA, we issued to Fertilemind an unsecured promissory note (the “First Note”) in
the principal amount of $1,000,000, evidencing a $1,000,000 loan received from Fertilemind on behalf of eGames.com. As described
below, until December 1, 2020, the principal amount of the First Note accrued interest at the rate of 8% per annum (increasing
to 15% per annum upon the occurrence of an event of default), compounded annually. On November 19, 2020, eGames.com agreed to
loan, or cause Fertilemind, on behalf of eGames.com, to loan an additional $500,000 to us on December 1, 2020. Upon receipt of
such $500,000 loan, on December 1, 2020, we issued a second unsecured promissory note (the “Second Note”) evidencing
such loan. In connection with borrowing the additional $500,000 loan, the interest rate of the First Note increased from 8% to
10% beginning on December 1, 2020. On January 12, 2021, eGames.com agreed to loan, or cause Fertilemind, on behalf of eGames.com,
to loan an additional $200,000 to us on January 12, 2021. Upon receipt of such $200,000 loan, on January 12, 2021, we issued a
third unsecured promissory note (the “Third Note,” and together with the First Note and the Second Note, the “Bridge
Notes”) evidencing such loan. The principal amount of the Second Note and the Third Note accrues interest at the rate of
10% per annum (increasing to 15% per annum upon the occurrence of an event of default), compounded annually. The principal amount
of the Bridge Notes and accrued interest thereon is due and payable upon the earlier of (i) the termination of the APA, (ii) the
closing of a Business Combination (as defined in the Bridge Notes), and (iii) April 30, 2021. Upon the closing of the Asset Sale,
the outstanding principal amount of the Bridge Notes and all accrued and unpaid interest thereon will be applied against the purchase
price under the APA, and the Bridge Notes will be extinguished. We may use the proceeds under the Bridge Notes for, among other
things, the payment of obligations related to the transactions contemplated by the APA and the Merger and other general working
capital purposes.
The
Bridge Notes include customary events of default, including if any portion of either of the Bridge Notes is not paid when due;
if we default in the performance of any other material term, agreement, covenant or condition of either of the Bridge Notes, subject
to a cure period; if any final judgment for the payment of money is rendered against us and we do not discharge the same or cause
it to be discharged or vacated within 90 days; if we make an assignment for the benefit of creditors, if we generally does not
pay its debts as they become due; if a receiver, liquidator or trustee is appointed for us, or if we are adjudicated bankrupt
or insolvent. In the event of an event of default, the Bridge Notes will accelerate and become immediately due and payable at
the option of the holder.
Working
Capital
As
of December 31, 2020, we had negative working capital (current liabilities in excess of current assets) of $636,000 compared to
negative working capital of $25,000 as of December 31, 2019. The following table shows our change in working capital from December
31, 2019 to December 31, 2020.
Increase
(Decrease)
Working capital deficit as of December 31, 2019
$ (25,000 )
Changes in current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
(2,432,000 )
Accounts receivable, net of allowance
(1,079,000 )
Site equipment to be installed
(435,000 )
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
(350,000 )
Net decrease in current assets
(4,346,000 )
Changes in current liabilities:
Accounts payable
(565,000 )
Accrued compensation
(524,000 )
Accrued expenses
(252,000 )
Sales taxes payable
(125,000 )
Income taxes payable
6,000
Current portion of obligations under capital leases
(373,000 )
Deferred revenue
1,000
Deferred rent
(384,000 )
Other current liabilities
(280,000 )
Net decrease in current liabilities
(3,735,000 )
Net decrease in working capital
(611,000 )
Working capital deficit as of December 31, 2020
$ (636,000 )
30
Cash
Flows
Cash
flows from operating, investing and financing activities, as reflected in the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows,
are summarized as follows:
For the years ended
December 31,
2020
2019
Change
Cash (used in) provided by:
Operating activities
$ (3,894,000 )
$ 2,744,000
$ (6,638,000 )
Investing activities
960,000
(1,065,000 )
2,025,000
Financing activities
291,000
(1,098,000 )
1,389,000
Effect of exchange rates
11,000
42,000
(31,000 )
Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
$ (2,632,000 )
$ 623,000
$ (3,255,000 )
Net
cash (used in) provided by operations. The increase in cash used in operating activities was primarily due to an increase
in net loss of $5,643,000 after giving effect to adjustments made for non-cash transactions as well as increased cash used for
operating assets and liabilities of $995,000 during 2020 compared to 2019.
Our
largest use of cash is payroll and related costs. Cash used for payroll and related costs decreased $4,862,000 from $9,296,000
for 2019 to $4,434,000 for 2020, primarily due to reduced headcount.
Our
primary source of cash is cash we generate from customers. Cash received from customers decreased $13,041,000 from $19,790,000
for 2019 to $6,749,000 for 2020, primarily related to decreased subscription revenue, hardware revenue and live hosted trivia
revenue.
Net
cash provided by (used in) investing activities. The $2,025,000 increase in cash provided by investing activities was primarily
due to receiving $1,226,000 in net proceeds from the sale of all our assets used to conduct live-hosted trivia events in January
2020 as well as decreased capital expenditures.
Net
cash provided by (used in) financing activities. During the year ended December 31, 2020, we received $1,625,000 in proceeds
from the PPP loan and $1,500,000 in proceeds from bridge loans received from Fertilemind. There were no similar transactions during
2019. During 2020, we made $1,750,000 more in principal payments on long-term debt and $26,000 less in principal payments on our
finance leases when compared to 2019.
Off-Balance
Sheet Arrangements
We
have no off-balance sheet arrangements that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a current or future effect on our financial
condition, changes in our financial condition, expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.
Critical
Accounting Policies and Estimates
The
discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based on our consolidated financial statements,
which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates
and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent
assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to deferred costs and revenues,
depreciation of fixed assets, allowance for doubtful accounts, site equipment to be installed, investments, intangible assets,
and contingencies. We base our estimates on a combination of historical experience and various other assumptions that are believed
to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of
assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ materially from these estimates.
Critical accounting policies and estimates are defined as those that are both most important to the portrayal of our financial
condition and results and require management’s most subjective judgments.
We
believe the following critical accounting policies affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation
of our consolidated financial statements.
Allowance
for Doubtful Accounts —We maintain allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from nonpayment by
our customers. We reserve for all accounts that have been suspended or terminated from our Buzztime network services and for customers
with balances that are greater than a predetermined number of days past due. We analyze historical collection trends, customer
concentrations and creditworthiness, economic trends and anticipated changes in customer payment patterns when evaluating the
adequacy of our allowance for doubtful accounts for specific and general risks. Additional reserves may also be established if
specific customers’ balances are identified as potentially uncollectible. If the financial condition of our customers were
to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required.
31
Site
Equipment to be Installed— Site equipment to be installed consists of fixed assets related to our tablet platform that
have not yet been placed in service and are stated at cost. Such equipment includes the Classic Playmaker, tablets, other associated
electronics and the computers located at customer’s sites. These assets remain in site equipment to be installed until installed
at our customer sites, at which point, the cost of the deployed site equipment is reclassified to fixed assets and depreciated
over the estimated useful life. We evaluate the recoverability of site equipment to be installed for impairment whenever events
or circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of such assets may not be recoverable. Recoverability is measured by comparing
the carrying amount of an asset or asset group to estimated undiscounted future net cash flows expected to be generated. If the
carrying amount of the asset or asset group is not recoverable on an undiscounted cash flow basis, an impairment is recognized
to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds its fair value. Fair value is determined through various valuation techniques including
discounted cash flow models, quoted market values, and third-party independent appraisals, as considered necessary. During the
year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, we recognized a loss of approximately $307,000 and $591,000, respectively, for the disposition
of site equipment to be installed for which we did not expect to generate future cash flows.
Fixed
Assets — Fixed assets are recorded at cost. Equipment under finance leases is recorded at the present value of future
minimum lease payments. We evaluate the recoverability of our fixed assets for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate
that the carrying amounts of such assets may not be recoverable. If the carrying amount of the asset or asset group is not recoverable
on an undiscounted cash flow basis, an impairment is recognized to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds its fair value.
During the year ended December 31, 2020, we recognized a loss of approximately $54,000 of fixed assets related to deployed site
equipment in the ordinary course of business. As discussed further in Note 16 to the accompanying financial statements, we our
lease for our corporate headquarters and vacated the facility as of June 30, 2020. As a result, during the year ended December
31, 2020, we wrote-off approximately $890,000 of unamortized tenant improvement allowance that is recorded as part of the gain
on termination of lease, as well as approximately $87,000 in leasehold improvement assets and $197,000 in furniture and fixtures
and our vehicle. During the year ended December 31, 2019, total loss for the disposition of fixed assets was approximately $127,000.
Depreciation
of fixed assets is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Depreciation of leasehold
improvements and fixed assets under finance leases is computed using the straight-line method over the shorter of the estimated
useful lives of the assets or the lease period.
We
incur a relatively significant level of depreciation expense in relation to our operating income. The amount of depreciation expense
in any fiscal year is largely related to the equipment located at our customers’ sites. Such equipment is depreciated over
one to three years based on the shorter of the contractual finance lease period or the estimated useful life, which considers
anticipated technology changes. Machinery and equipment are depreciated over three to five years. If our fixed assets turn out
to have longer lives, on average, than estimated, then our depreciation expense would be significantly reduced in those future
periods. Conversely, if the fixed assets turn out to have shorter lives, on average, than estimated, then our depreciation expense
would be significantly increased in those future periods. As of December 31, 2020, we determined there were no changes to the
estimated useful lives for any of our assets.
Goodwill —Goodwill
represents the excess of costs over fair value of assets of businesses acquired. Goodwill acquired in a purchase combination determined
to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized, but instead are assessed annually, or at interim periods, for impairment
based on qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is
more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. Such qualitative factors include
macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, cost factors, overall financial performance and other relevant events.
If after assessing the totality of events or circumstances we determine it is more likely than not that the fair value of the
reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then we must perform the step one quantitative impairment test outlined in Accounting
Standards Codification (“ASC”) No. 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other.
Our
goodwill balance of $696,000 as of December 31, 2019 relates to the excess of costs over the fair value of assets we acquired
in 2003 related to our Canadian business (the “Reporting Unit”). In our evaluation of impairment indicators as of
March 31, 2020, we determined that the uncertainty relating to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Reporting Unit’s
future operating results represented an indicator of impairment. Accordingly, we compared the estimated fair value of the Reporting
Unit to its carrying value at March 31, 2020, determined that a full impairment loss was warranted and recognized an impairment
charge of $662,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2020. No further evaluations were necessary after March 31, 2020. There
was no goodwill impairment recorded for the year ended December 31, 2019.
Revenue
Recognition —In accordance with ASC No. 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, we recognize revenue when
we transfer promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to receive in exchange
for those goods or services.
We
generate revenue by charging subscription fees to partners for access to our 24/7 trivia network, by selling and leasing tablet
and hardware equipment for custom usage beyond trivia/entertainment, by selling DOOH advertising direct to advertisers and on
national ad exchanges, by licensing our entertainment and trivia content to other entities, and by providing professional services
such as custom game design or development of new platforms on our existing tablet form factor. Until February 1, 2020, we also
generated revenue from hosting live trivia events. We sold all of our assets used to host live trivia events in January 2020.
In
general, when multiple performance obligations are present in a customer contract, we allocated the transaction price to the individual
performance obligation based on the relative stand-alone selling prices, and recognize the revenue when or as each performance
obligation has been satisfied. We treat discounts as a reduction to the overall transaction price and allocate the discount to
the performance obligations based on the relative stand-alone selling prices. We recognize revenue net of sales tax we collect
from the customer.
32
ASC
No. 606 specifies certain criteria that an arrangement with a customer must have in order for a contract to exist for purposes
of revenue recognition, one of which is that it must be probable that we will collect the consideration to which we will be entitled
under the contract. As a result of the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had, and continues to have, on our customers, we
determined that due to the uncertainty of collectability of the subscription fees for certain customers, our arrangement with
those customers no longer meets all the criteria needed for a contract to exist for revenue recognition purposes. Therefore, we
did not recognize revenue for these customers and fully reserved for accounts receivable in the allowance for doubtful accounts.
We only recognized revenue for the arrangements that continued to meet the contract criteria, including the criteria that collectability
was probable.
Software
Development Costs —We capitalize costs related to the development of certain software products in accordance with ASC
No. 350. We recognize amortization of costs related to interactive programs on a straight-line basis over the programs’
estimated useful lives, generally two to three years. Amortization expense relating to capitalized software development costs
totaled $551,000 and $519,000 for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. As of December 31, 2020 and 2019,
approximately $123,000 and $177,000, respectively, of capitalized software costs were not subject to amortization as the development
of various software projects was not complete.
We
performed our annual review of software development projects for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, and determined to
abandon various software development projects that we concluded were no longer a current strategic fit or for which we determined
that the marketability of the content had decreased due to obtaining additional information regarding the specific industry for
which the content was intended. As a result, for the year ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, we recognized an impairment charge
of $248,000 and $550,000, respectively. Impairment of capitalized software is shown separately on our consolidated statement of
operations.
Income
Taxes —Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized
for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets
and liabilities and their respective tax bases, and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities
are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are
expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized
in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the
opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
ASC
No. 740, Income Taxes, defines the threshold for recognizing the benefits of tax return positions in the financial statements
as “more-likely-than-not” to be sustained by the taxing authority. A tax position that meets the “more-likely-than-not”
criterion is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is more than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement.
We have reviewed our tax positions and determined that an adjustment to the tax provision is not considered necessary nor is a
reserve for income taxes required.
Recent
Accounting Pronouncements
In
December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued ASU No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic
740) – Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. This ASU enhances and simplifies various aspects of the income tax
accounting guidance, including requirements such as tax basis step-up in goodwill obtained in a transaction that is not a business
combination, ownership changes in investments, methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period when a year-to-date
loss exceeds the anticipated loss for the year and interim-period accounting for enacted changes in tax law. The amendment will
be effective for public companies with fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020 (which was January 1, 2021 for us); early
adoption is permitted. We do not expect that the adoption of this accounting standard update to have a material impact on our
consolidated financial statements.
In
June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments , which supersedes current
guidance requiring recognition of credit losses when it is probable that a loss has been incurred. The ASU requires an entity
to establish an allowance for estimated credit losses on financial assets, including trade and other receivables, at each reporting
date. This ASU will result in earlier recognition of allowances for losses on trade and other receivables and other contractual
rights to receive cash. For smaller reporting companies, the effective date for this standard has been delayed and will be effective
for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022 (which will be January 1, 2023 for us). We are evaluating the impact that the
adoption of this standard will have on our consolidated financial statements.
ITEM
7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Under
SEC rules and regulations, as a smaller reporting company we are not required to provide the information otherwise required by
this item.
ITEM
8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
See
“Index to Consolidated Financial Statements” on page F-1 for a listing of the Consolidated Financial Statements filed
with this report.
33
ITEM
9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None
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