NFLX-03.31.12-10Q-DOC
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
| |
ý | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2012
OR
| |
¨ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number: 000-49802
Netflix, Inc.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
|
| |
Delaware | 77-0467272 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
100 Winchester Circle, Los Gatos, California 95032
(Address and zip code of principal executive offices)
(408) 540-3700
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
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 ý No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ý No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
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| | | | |
Large accelerated filer | ý | | Accelerated filer | ¨ |
Non-accelerated filer | ¨ | (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) | Smaller reporting company | ¨ |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No ý
As of March 31, 2012, there were 55,515,631 shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $0.001, outstanding.
Table of Contents
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| | |
| | Page |
| Part I. Financial Information | |
Item 1. | Consolidated Financial Statements | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
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| | |
Item 2. | | |
Item 3. | | |
Item 4. | | |
| Part II. Other Information | |
Item 1. | | |
Item 1A. | | |
Item 6. | | |
| | |
| | |
NETFLIX, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share data)
|
| | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended |
| March 31, 2012 | | March 31, 2011 |
Revenues | $ | 869,791 |
| | $ | 718,553 |
|
Cost of revenues: | | | |
Subscription | 564,015 |
| | 376,992 |
|
Fulfillment expenses | 59,918 |
| | 61,159 |
|
Total cost of revenues | 623,933 |
| | 438,151 |
|
Gross profit | 245,858 |
| | 280,402 |
|
Operating expenses: | | | |
Marketing | 135,900 |
| | 104,259 |
|
Technology and development | 82,801 |
| | 50,905 |
|
General and administrative | 29,092 |
| | 22,998 |
|
Total operating expenses | 247,793 |
| | 178,162 |
|
Operating income (loss) | (1,935 | ) | | 102,240 |
|
Other income (expense): | | | |
Interest expense | (4,974 | ) | | (4,865 | ) |
Interest and other income (expense) | (116 | ) | | 865 |
|
Income (loss) before income taxes | (7,025 | ) | | 98,240 |
|
Provision (benefit) for income taxes | (2,441 | ) | | 38,007 |
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Net income (loss) | $ | (4,584 | ) | | $ | 60,233 |
|
Net income (loss) per share: | | | |
Basic | $ | (0.08 | ) | | $ | 1.14 |
|
Diluted | $ | (0.08 | ) | | $ | 1.11 |
|
Weighted average common shares outstanding: | | | |
Basic | 55,456 |
| | 52,759 |
|
Diluted | 55,456 |
| | 54,246 |
|
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
NETFLIX, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(unaudited)
(in thousands)
|
| | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended |
| March 31, 2012 | | March 31, 2011 |
Net income (loss) | $ | (4,584 | ) | | $ | 60,233 |
|
Other comprehensive income (loss): | | | |
Foreign currency translation adjustments | 811 |
| | — |
|
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities | 98 |
| | (262 | ) |
Other comprehensive income (loss) before tax | 909 |
| | (262 | ) |
Income tax benefit (expense) related to items of other comprehensive income | (38 | ) | | 102 |
|
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax | 871 |
| | (160 | ) |
Comprehensive income (loss) | $ | (3,713 | ) | | $ | 60,073 |
|
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
NETFLIX, INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except share and par value data)
|
| | | | | | | |
| As of |
| March 31, 2012 | | December 31, 2011 |
Assets | | | |
Current assets: | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 395,992 |
| | $ | 508,053 |
|
Short-term investments | 408,534 |
| | 289,758 |
|
Current content library, net | 1,155,443 |
| | 919,709 |
|
Prepaid content | 53,013 |
| | 56,007 |
|
Other current assets | 45,759 |
| | 57,330 |
|
Total current assets | 2,058,741 |
| | 1,830,857 |
|
Non-current content library, net | 1,226,274 |
| | 1,046,934 |
|
Property and equipment, net | 128,197 |
| | 136,353 |
|
Other non-current assets | 67,247 |
| | 55,052 |
|
Total assets | $ | 3,480,459 |
| | $ | 3,069,196 |
|
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | | | |
Current liabilities: | | | |
Content liabilities | $ | 1,163,839 |
| | $ | 935,036 |
|
Accounts payable | 83,119 |
| | 86,992 |
|
Accrued expenses | 49,106 |
| | 54,231 |
|
Deferred revenue | 150,602 |
| | 148,796 |
|
Total current liabilities | 1,446,666 |
| | 1,225,055 |
|
Long-term debt | 200,000 |
| | 200,000 |
|
Long-term debt due to related party | 200,000 |
| | 200,000 |
|
Non-current content liabilities | 908,188 |
| | 739,628 |
|
Other non-current liabilities | 62,203 |
| | 61,703 |
|
Total liabilities | 2,817,057 |
| | 2,426,386 |
|
Commitments and contingencies (Note 8) |
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| |
|
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Stockholders’ equity: | | | |
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 160,000,000 shares authorized at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011; 55,515,631 and 55,398,615 issued and outstanding at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively | 55 |
| | 55 |
|
Additional paid-in capital | 243,424 |
| | 219,119 |
|
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net | 1,577 |
| | 706 |
|
Retained earnings | 418,346 |
| | 422,930 |
|
Total stockholders’ equity | 663,402 |
| | 642,810 |
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Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 3,480,459 |
| | $ | 3,069,196 |
|
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
NETFLIX, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(unaudited)
(in thousands)
|
| | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended |
| March 31, 2012 | | March 31, 2011 |
Cash flows from operating activities: | | | |
Net income (loss) | $ | (4,584 | ) | | $ | 60,233 |
|
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities: | | | |
Additions to streaming content library | (764,893 | ) | | (192,307 | ) |
Change in streaming content liabilities | 397,553 |
| | 84,048 |
|
Amortization of streaming content library | 339,736 |
| | 85,937 |
|
Amortization of DVD content library | 20,046 |
| | 26,990 |
|
Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and intangibles | 11,331 |
| | 9,826 |
|
Stock-based compensation expense | 19,332 |
| | 12,264 |
|
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation | (3,755 | ) | | (15,654 | ) |
Other non-cash items | (1,519 | ) | | (925 | ) |
Deferred taxes | (10,843 | ) | | (4,982 | ) |
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | | | |
Prepaid content | 2,994 |
| | (12,380 | ) |
Other current assets | 11,741 |
| | 9,498 |
|
Accounts payable | (1,756 | ) | | 15,232 |
|
Accrued expenses | 1,783 |
| | 20,293 |
|
Deferred revenue | 1,806 |
| | 15,862 |
|
Other non-current assets and liabilities | 137 |
| | 2,388 |
|
Net cash provided by operating activities | 19,109 |
| | 116,323 |
|
Cash flows from investing activities: | | | |
Acquisitions of DVD content library | (13,528 | ) | | (22,119 | ) |
Purchases of short-term investments | (299,467 | ) | | (52,266 | ) |
Proceeds from sale of short-term investments | 172,335 |
| | 14,961 |
|
Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments | 8,275 |
| | 650 |
|
Purchases of property and equipment | (4,766 | ) | | (16,320 | ) |
Other assets | 1,334 |
| | 1,419 |
|
Net cash used in investing activities | (135,817 | ) | | (73,675 | ) |
Cash flows from financing activities: | | | |
Proceeds from issuance of common stock upon exercise of options | 1,224 |
| | 6,762 |
|
Financing costs | (388 | ) | | — |
|
Repurchases of common stock | — |
| | (108,643 | ) |
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation | 3,755 |
| | 15,654 |
|
Principal payments of lease financing obligations | (559 | ) | | (501 | ) |
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | 4,032 |
| | (86,728 | ) |
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | 615 |
| | — |
|
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents | (112,061 | ) | | (44,080 | ) |
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | 508,053 |
| | 194,499 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ | 395,992 |
| | $ | 150,419 |
|
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
NETFLIX, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
1. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
The accompanying consolidated interim financial statements of Netflix, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries (the “Company”) have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S.”) and are consistent in all material respects with those applied in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on February 10, 2012. The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the amortization policy of the Company’s content library; the valuation of stock-based compensation; and the recognition and measurement of income tax assets and liabilities. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that the Company believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. The actual results experienced by the Company may differ from management’s estimates.
The interim financial information is unaudited, but reflects all normal recurring adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary to fairly present the information set forth herein. The interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and related notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results for a full year.
The Company is organized into three operating segments: Domestic streaming, International streaming and Domestic DVD. Substantially all of the Company’s revenues are generated in the U.S., and substantially all of the Company’s long-lived tangible assets are held in the U.S. The Company’s revenues are derived from monthly subscription fees.
Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation. These reclassifications did not impact total assets, total liabilities, stockholders’ equity, results of operations or cash flows.
There have been no material changes in the Company’s significant accounting policies as compared to the significant accounting policies described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.
2. Net Income (Loss) Per Share
Basic net income (loss) per share is computed using the weighted-average number of outstanding shares of common stock during the period. Diluted net income (loss) per share is computed using the weighted-average number of outstanding shares of common stock and, when dilutive, potential outstanding shares of common stock during the period. Potential common shares consist of shares issuable upon the assumed conversion of the Company’s Senior Convertible Notes and incremental shares issuable upon the assumed exercise of stock options. The computation of net income (loss) per share is as follows:
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| | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended |
| March 31, 2012 | | March 31, 2011 |
| (in thousands, except per share data) |
Basic earnings per share: | | | |
Net income (loss) | $ | (4,584 | ) | | $ | 60,233 |
|
Shares used in computation: | | | |
Weighted-average common shares outstanding | 55,456 |
| | 52,759 |
|
Basic earnings per share | $ | (0.08 | ) | | $ | 1.14 |
|
| | | |
Diluted earnings per share: | | | |
Net income (loss) | $ | (4,584 | ) | | $ | 60,233 |
|
Shares used in computation: | | | |
Weighted-average common shares outstanding | 55,456 |
| | 52,759 |
|
Employee stock options | — |
| | 1,487 |
|
Weighted-average number of shares | 55,456 |
| | 54,246 |
|
Diluted earnings per share | $ | (0.08 | ) | | $ | 1.11 |
|
For the three months ended March 31, 2012, 2.3 million shares issuable upon the assumed conversion of the Company's Senior Convertible Notes and 1.8 million incremental shares issuable upon the assumed exercise of stock options are not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per share, as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.
For the three months ended March 31, 2011, employee stock options with exercise prices greater than the average market price of the common stock during the period were excluded from the diluted calculation of earnings per share, as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. The number of options excluded for the three months ended March 31, 2011 was 26,864.
3. Short-Term Investments and Fair Value Measurement
The Company’s investment policy is consistent with the definition of available-for-sale securities. The Company does not buy and hold securities principally for the purpose of selling them in the near future. The Company’s policy is focused on the preservation of capital, liquidity and return. From time to time, the Company may sell certain securities but the objectives are generally not to generate profits on short-term differences in price. The following table summarizes, by major security type, the Company’s assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and are categorized using the fair value hierarchy:
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of |
| March 31, 2012 |
| Amortized Cost | | Gross Unrealized Gains | | Gross Unrealized Losses | | Estimated Fair Value |
| (in thousands) |
Cash | $ | 394,726 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 394,726 |
|
Level 1 securities (1): | | | | | | | |
Money market funds | 6,134 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 6,134 |
|
Level 2 securities (3): | | | | | | | |
Corporate debt securities | 104,998 |
| | 769 |
| | (65 | ) | | 105,702 |
|
Government and agency securities | 253,897 |
| | 417 |
| | (147 | ) | | 254,167 |
|
Asset and mortgage-backed securities | 48,452 |
| | 228 |
| | (15 | ) | | 48,665 |
|
| $ | 808,207 |
| | $ | 1,414 |
| | $ | (227 | ) | | $ | 809,394 |
|
Less: Long-term restricted cash (1) | | | | | | | (4,868 | ) |
Total cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments | | | | | | | $ | 804,526 |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of |
| December 31, 2011 |
| Amortized Cost | | Gross Unrealized Gains | | Gross Unrealized Losses | | Estimated Fair Value |
| (in thousands) |
Cash | $ | 388,941 |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | — |
| | $ | 388,941 |
|
Level 1 securities (2): | | | | | | | |
Money market funds | 123,608 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 123,608 |
|
Level 2 securities (3): | | | | | | | |
Corporate debt securities | 112,264 |
| | 603 |
| | (214 | ) | | 112,653 |
|
Government and agency securities | 175,464 |
| | 694 |
| | (56 | ) | | 176,102 |
|
Asset and mortgage-backed securities | 941 |
| | 62 |
| | — |
| | 1,003 |
|
| $ | 801,218 |
| | $ | 1,359 |
| | $ | (270 | ) | | $ | 802,307 |
|
Less: Long-term restricted cash (2) | | | | | | | (4,496 | ) |
Total cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments | | | | | | | $ | 797,811 |
|
| |
(1) | Includes $1.2 million classified in cash and cash equivalents and $4.9 million classified in other non-current assets. |
| |
(2) | Includes $119.1 million classified in cash and cash equivalents and $4.5 million classified in other current assets and non-current assets. |
| |
(3) | Included in short-term investments. |
Fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. The hierarchy level assigned to each security in the Company’s available-for-sale portfolio and cash equivalents is based on its assessment of the transparency and reliability of the inputs used in the valuation of such instrument at the measurement date. The fair value of available-for-sale securities and cash equivalents included in the Level 1 category is based on quoted prices that are readily and regularly available in an active market. The fair value of available-for-sale securities included in the Level 2 category is based on observable inputs, such as quoted prices for similar assets at the measurement date; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly. These values were obtained from an independent pricing service and were evaluated using pricing models that vary by asset class and may incorporate available trade, bid and other market information and price quotes from well-established independent pricing vendors and broker-dealers. The Company's procedures include controls to ensure that appropriate fair values are recorded, such as comparing prices obtained from multiple independent sources. See Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements for further information regarding the fair value of the Company’s Senior Convertible Notes and Senior Notes.
Because the Company does not intend to sell the investments that are in an unrealized loss position and it is not likely that the Company will be required to sell any investments before recovery of their amortized cost basis, the Company does not consider those investments with an unrealized loss to be other-than-temporarily impaired at March 31, 2012. There were no material other-than-temporary impairments or credit losses related to available-for-sale securities in the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011. In addition, there were no material gross realized gains or losses in the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011.
The estimated fair value of short-term investments by contractual maturity as of March 31, 2012 is as follows:
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| | | |
| (in thousands) |
Due within one year | $ | 48,650 |
|
Due after one year and through 5 years | 329,494 |
|
Due after 5 years and through 10 years | 10,191 |
|
Due after 10 years | 20,199 |
|
Total short-term investments | $ | 408,534 |
|
4. Balance Sheet Components
Content Library
Content library consisted of the following:
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of |
| March 31, 2012 | | December 31, 2011 |
| Streaming | | DVD | | Total | | Streaming | | DVD | | Total |
| (in thousands) |
Total content library, gross | $ | 3,166,320 |
| | $ | 580,507 |
| | $ | 3,746,827 |
| | $ | 2,552,284 |
| | $ | 599,155 |
| | $ | 3,151,439 |
|
Accumulated amortization | (821,149 | ) | | (543,961 | ) | | (1,365,110 | ) | | (632,270 | ) | | (552,526 | ) | | (1,184,796 | ) |
Total content library, net | 2,345,171 |
| | 36,546 |
| | 2,381,717 |
| | 1,920,014 |
| | 46,629 |
| | 1,966,643 |
|
Current content library, net | 1,155,443 |
| | — |
| | 1,155,443 |
| | 919,709 |
| | — |
| | 919,709 |
|
Non-current content library, net | $ | 1,189,728 |
| | $ | 36,546 |
| | $ | 1,226,274 |
| | $ | 1,000,305 |
| | $ | 46,629 |
| | $ | 1,046,934 |
|
Content Liabilities
Content liabilities consisted of the following:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of |
| March 31, 2012 | | December 31, 2011 |
| Streaming | | DVD | | Total | | Streaming | | DVD | | Total |
| (in thousands) |
Content liabilities | $ | 1,144,789 |
| | $ | 19,050 |
| | $ | 1,163,839 |
| | $ | 915,796 |
| | $ | 19,240 |
| | $ | 935,036 |
|
Non-current content liabilities | 908,188 |
| | — |
| | 908,188 |
| | 739,628 |
| | — |
| | 739,628 |
|
Total content liabilities | $ | 2,052,977 |
| | $ | 19,050 |
| | $ | 2,072,027 |
| | $ | 1,655,424 |
| | $ | 19,240 |
| | $ | 1,674,664 |
|
The Company typically enters into multi-year licenses with studios and other distributors that may result in an increase in the content library and a corresponding increase in current and non-current content liabilities. The payment terms for these license fees may extend over the term of the license agreement, which typically ranges from six months to five years. As of March 31, 2012, total content liabilities increased $397.4 million, over December 31, 2011, as compared to an increase in total content library, net, of $415.1 million.
Property and Equipment, Net
Property and equipment and accumulated depreciation consisted of the following:
|
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | As of |
| | | March 31, 2012 | | December 31, 2011 |
| | | (in thousands) |
Computer equipment | | 3 years | $ | 65,771 |
| | $ | 67,090 |
|
Operations and other equipment | | 5 years | 100,307 |
| | 100,306 |
|
Software, including internal-use software | | 3 years | 36,313 |
| | 35,356 |
|
Furniture and fixtures | | 3 years | 17,509 |
| | 17,310 |
|
Buildings | | 30 years | 40,681 |
| | 40,681 |
|
Leasehold improvements | | Over life of lease | 45,237 |
| | 44,473 |
|
Capital work-in-progress | | | 466 |
| | 822 |
|
Property and equipment, gross | | | 306,284 |
| | 306,038 |
|
Less: Accumulated depreciation | | | (178,087 | ) | | (169,685 | ) |
Property and equipment, net | | | $ | 128,197 |
| | $ | 136,353 |
|
5. Long-term Debt
Senior Convertible Notes
As of March 31, 2012, the Company had outstanding $200.0 million aggregate principal amount of zero coupon senior convertible notes due on December 1, 2018 (the “Convertible Notes”). The Convertible Notes were issued in a private placement offering to TCV VII, L.P., TCV VII(A), L.P. and TCV Member Fund, L.P. A general partner of these funds also serves on the Company’s board of directors, and as such,
the issuance of the notes was considered a related party transaction. At any time following May 28, 2012, the Company may elect to cause the conversion of the Convertible Notes into shares of the Company’s common stock when specified conditions are satisfied, including that the daily volume weighted average price of the Company’s common stock is equal or greater than $111.54 for at least 50 trading days during a 65 trading day period prior to the conversion date. The Convertible Notes include, among other terms and conditions, limitations on the Company’s ability to pay cash dividends or to repurchase shares of its common stock, subject to specified exceptions. At March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company was in compliance with these covenants.
Based on quoted market prices of the Company’s publicly traded debt, the fair value of the Convertible Notes as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 was approximately $218.0 million and $206.5 million, respectively.
Senior Notes
As of March 31, 2012, the Company also had outstanding $200.0 million aggregate principal amount of 8.50% senior notes due November 15, 2017 (the “8.50% Notes”). Interest on the 8.50% Notes is payable semi-annually at a rate of 8.50% per annum on May 15 and November 15 of each year.
The 8.50% Notes include, among other terms and conditions, limitations on the Company’s ability to create, incur, assume or be liable for indebtedness (other than specified types of permitted indebtedness); dispose of assets outside the ordinary course (subject to specified exceptions); acquire, merge or consolidate with or into another person or entity (other than specified types of permitted acquisitions); create, incur or allow any lien on any of its property or assign any right to receive income (except for specified permitted liens); make investments (other than specified types of investments); or pay dividends, make distributions, or purchase or redeem the Company’s equity interests (each subject to specified exceptions). At March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company was in compliance with these covenants.
Based on quoted market prices, the fair value of the 8.50% Notes as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 was approximately $218.0 million and $206.5 million, respectively.
6. Stockholders’ Equity
Stock Option Plan
In June 2011, the Company adopted the 2011 Stock Plan. The 2011 Stock Plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options to employees and for the grant of non-statutory stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock and restricted stock units to employees, directors and consultants. As of March 31, 2012, 5.5 million shares were reserved for future grants under the 2011 Stock Plan.
In February 2002, the Company adopted the 2002 Stock Plan, which was amended and restated in May 2006. The 2002 Stock Plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options to employees and for the grant of non-statutory stock options and stock purchase rights to employees, directors and consultants. In the first quarter of 2012, 1.2 million shares reserved for future grants under the 2002 Stock Plan expired.
A summary of the activity related to the Company’s stock option plans during the three months ended March 31, 2012 is as follows:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Options Outstanding | | | | |
| Shares Available for Grant | | Number of Shares | | Weighted- Average Exercise Price | | Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term (in Years) | | Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in Thousands) |
Balances as of December 31, 2011 | 7,013,508 |
| | 2,957,754 |
| | $ | 66.59 |
| | | | |
Granted | (347,367 | ) | | 347,367 |
| | 97.75 |
| | | | |
Exercised | — |
| | (117,016 | ) | | 10.47 |
| | | | |
Canceled | 48 |
| | (48 | ) | | 35.95 |
| | | | |
Expired | (1,160,721 | ) | | — |
| | — |
| | | | |
Balances as of March 31, 2012 | 5,505,468 |
| | 3,188,057 |
| | 72.04 |
| | 6.61 | | $ | 183,361 |
|
Vested and exercisable at March 31, 2012 | | | 3,188,057 |
| | 72.04 |
| | 6.61 | | $ | 183,361 |
|
The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pretax intrinsic value (the difference between the Company’s closing stock price on the last trading day of the first quarter of 2012 and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options) that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options on March 31, 2012. This amount changes based on the fair market value of the Company’s common stock. Total intrinsic value of options exercised for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 was $11.7 million and $44.1 million, respectively.
Cash received from option exercises for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 was $1.2 million and $6.8 million, respectively.
Stock Option Expense
Vested stock options granted before June 30, 2004 can be exercised up to three months following termination of employment. Vested stock options granted after June 30, 2004 and before January 1, 2007 can be exercised up to one year following termination of employment. Vested stock options granted after January 2007 will remain exercisable for the full ten year contractual term regardless of employment status. The following table summarizes the assumptions used to value stock option grants using the lattice-binomial model:
|
| | | | | |
| Three Months Ended |
| March 31, 2012 | | March 31, 2011 |
Dividend yield | — | % | | — | % |
Expected volatility | 65 | % | | 52 | % |
Risk-free interest rate | 1.97 | % | | 3.42 | % |
Suboptimal exercise factor | 2.26 - 3.65 |
| | 2.17 – 3.39 |
|
The Company bifurcates its option grants into two employee groupings (executive and non-executive) based on exercise behavior and considers several factors in determining the estimate of expected term for each group, including the historical option exercise behavior, the terms and vesting periods of the options granted.
The weighted-average fair value of employee stock options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 was $55.65 and $109.21 per share, respectively.
The following table summarizes stock-based compensation expense, net of tax, related to stock option plans which was allocated as follows:
|
| | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended |
| March 31, 2012 | | March 31, 2011 |
| (in thousands) |
Fulfillment expenses | $ | 67 |
| | $ | 560 |
|
Marketing | 1,404 |
| | 1,249 |
|
Technology and development | 10,600 |
| | 5,292 |
|
General and administrative | 7,261 |
| | 5,163 |
|
Stock-based compensation expense before income taxes | 19,332 |
| | 12,264 |
|
Income tax benefit | (6,708 | ) | | (4,744 | ) |
Stock-based compensation after income taxes | $ | 12,624 |
| | $ | 7,520 |
|
Stock Repurchases
Under the Company’s current stock repurchase plan, announced on June 11, 2010, the Company is authorized to repurchase up to $300.0 million of its common stock through the end of 2012. During the three months ended March 31, 2012, the Company did not repurchase stock. As of March 31, 2012, $41.0 million of this authorization remained. The timing and actual number of shares repurchased is at management’s discretion and will depend on various factors including price, corporate and regulatory requirements, debt covenant requirements, alternative investment opportunities and other market conditions.
7. Income Taxes
The effective tax (benefit) rates for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 were (34.7)% and 38.7%, respectively. As of December 31, 2011, the Company had $28.1 million of gross unrecognized tax benefits. During the three months ended March 31, 2012, the Company had an increase in gross unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $1.4 million. The gross unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized by the Company, will result in a reduction of approximately $23.3 million to the provision for income taxes thereby favorably impacting the Company’s effective tax rate. The Company’s unrecognized tax benefits are classified as “Other non-current liabilities” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The Company includes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within the "Provision (benefit) for income taxes" on the Consolidated Statements of Operations. As of March 31, 2012, the total amount of gross interest and penalties accrued was $2.6 million, and is classified as “Other non-current liabilities” on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Deferred tax assets include $9.8 million and $10.0 million classified as “Other current assets” and $39.3 million and $28.3 million classified as “Other non-current assets” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. In evaluating its ability to realize the net deferred tax assets, the Company considered all available positive and negative evidence, including its past operating results and the forecast of future market growth, forecasted earnings, future taxable income, and prudent and feasible tax planning strategies. As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, it was considered more likely than not that substantially all deferred tax assets would be realized, and no significant valuation allowance was recorded.
Income tax benefits attributable to the exercise of employee stock options of $3.7 million and $15.1 million, during the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, were recorded directly to "Additional paid-in capital" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The Company files U.S. federal, state and foreign tax returns. The Company is currently under examination by the IRS for the years 2008 and 2009, and the year 2010 remains subject to examination by the IRS. The Company is currently under examination by the state of California for the years 2006 and 2007. The years 1997 through 2005, as well as 2008 through 2010, remain subject to examination by the state of California.
Given the potential outcome of the current examinations, as well as the impact of the current examination on the potential expiration of the statute of limitations, it is reasonably possible that the balance of unrecognized tax benefits could significantly change within the next twelve months. However, at this time, an estimate of the range of reasonably possible adjustments to the balance of unrecognized tax benefits cannot be made.
8. Commitments and Contingencies
Streaming Content
The Company had $3.68 billion and $3.91 billion of obligations at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, including agreements to acquire and license streaming content that represent long-term liabilities or that are not reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets because they do not meet content library asset recognition criteria. The license agreements do not meet content library asset recognition criteria because either the fee is not known or reasonably determinable for a specific title or it is known but the title is not yet available for streaming to subscribers. For those agreements with variable terms, the Company does not estimate what the total obligation may be beyond any minimum quantities and/or pricing as of the reporting date. For those agreements that include renewal provisions that are solely at the option of the content provider, the Company includes the commitments associated with the renewal period to the extent such commitments are fixed or a minimum amount is specified.
The expected timing of payments as of March 31, 2012 for these obligations is as follows:
|
| | | |
| (in thousands) |
Less than one year | $ | 729,628 |
|
Due after one year and through 3 years | 2,374,734 |
|
Due after 3 years and through 5 years | 505,553 |
|
Due after 5 years | 74,155 |
|
Total streaming content obligations | $ | 3,684,070 |
|
The Company has entered into certain license agreements that include an unspecified or a maximum number of titles that the Company may or may not receive in the future and/or that include pricing contingent upon certain variables, such as theatrical exhibition receipts for the title. As of the reporting date, it is unknown whether the Company will receive access to these titles or what the ultimate price per title will be. Accordingly, such amounts are not reflected in the commitments described above. However such amounts are expected to be significant and the expected timing of payments could range from less than one year to more than five years.
In addition to the streaming content obligations above, the Company has licenses with certain performing rights organizations (“PRO”), and is currently involved in negotiations with other PROs, that hold certain rights to musical compositions used in connection with streaming content. For the latter, the Company accrues for estimated royalties that are due to PROs and adjusts these accruals based on any changes in estimates. While the Company anticipates finalizing these negotiations, the outcome of these negotiations is uncertain. The results of any negotiation may be materially different from management’s estimates.
Litigation
From time to time, in the normal course of its operations, the Company is a party to litigation matters and claims, including claims relating to employee relations, business practices and patent infringement. Litigation can be expensive and disruptive to normal business operations. Moreover, the results of complex legal proceedings are difficult to predict and the Company’s view of these matters may change in the future as the litigation and events related thereto unfold. The Company expenses legal fees as incurred. The Company records a provision for contingent losses when it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. An unfavorable outcome to any legal matter, if material, could have an adverse effect on the Company’s operations or its financial position, liquidity or results of operations.
On January 13, 2012, the first of three purported shareholder class action lawsuits was filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California against the Company and certain of its officers and directors. Two additional purported shareholder class action lawsuits were filed in the same court on January 27, 2012 and February 29, 2012, respectively, alleging substantially similar claims. Two of the three purported shareholder class action lawsuits have since been consolidated, and the Company anticipates consolidation of the third as well as the selection of a lead plaintiff. The purported class action lawsuits allege, among other things, that the Company issued materially false and misleading statements regarding the Company’s business practices and its contracts with content providers, which led to artificially inflated stock prices. The purported class action lawsuits also allege violations of the federal securities laws, and seek unspecified compensatory damages and other relief. Management has determined a potential loss is reasonably possible however, based on its current knowledge, management does not believe that the amount of such possible loss or a range of potential loss is reasonably estimable.
On November 23, 2011, the first of five purported shareholder derivative suits was filed in the Superior Court of California, Santa Clara County, against the Company and certain of its officers and directors. Four additional purported shareholder derivative suits have subsequently been filed: one on February 9, 2012 in the Superior Court of California, Santa Clara County; and three in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California on February 13, 2012, February 24, 2012 and April 2, 2012. The purported shareholder derivative lawsuits allege, among other things, that the Company’s officers and directors breached their fiduciary duties, wasted valuable corporate assets, and were unjustly enriched as a result of causing the Company to buy back stock at artificially inflated prices to the detriment of the Company and its shareholders. Additionally, certain of the purported shareholder derivative lawsuits contain allegations similar to those set forth in the purported shareholder class action suits regarding false and misleading statements surrounding the Company’s business practices and its contracts with content providers. The purported shareholder derivative lawsuits seek unspecified compensatory damages and other relief. Management has determined a potential loss is reasonably possible however, based on its current knowledge, management does not believe that the amount of such possible loss or a range of potential loss is reasonably estimable.
The Company is involved in other litigation matters not listed above but does not consider the matters to be material either individually or in the aggregate at this time. The Company’s view of the matters not listed may change in the future as the litigation and events related thereto unfold.
Indemnification
In the ordinary course of business, the Company has entered into contractual arrangements under which it has agreed to provide indemnification of varying scope and terms to business partners and other parties with respect to certain matters, including, but not limited to, losses arising out of the Company’s breach of such agreements and out of intellectual property infringement claims made by third parties. In these circumstances, payment may be conditional on the other party making a claim pursuant to the procedures specified in the particular contract.
The Company’s obligations under these agreements may be limited in terms of time or amount, and in some instances, the Company may have recourse against third-parties for certain payments. In addition, the Company has entered into indemnification agreements with its directors and certain of its officers that will require it, among other things, to indemnify them against certain liabilities that may arise by reason of their status or service as directors or officers. The terms of such obligations vary.
It is not possible to make a reasonable estimate of the maximum potential amount of future payments under these or similar agreements due to the conditional nature of the Company’s obligations and the unique facts and circumstances involved in each particular agreement. No amount has been accrued in the accompanying financial statements with respect to these indemnification obligations.
9. Segment Information
Effective in the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company has three operating segments: Domestic streaming, International streaming and Domestic DVD. Segment information is presented along the same lines that the Company’s chief operating decision maker reviews the operating results in assessing performance and allocating resources. The Company’s chief operating decision maker reviews revenue and contribution profit (loss) for each of the reportable segments. Contribution profit (loss) is defined as revenues less cost of revenues and marketing expenses. There are no internal revenue transactions between the Company’s reporting segments. The Company's chief operating decision maker does not review an allocation of assets by reportable segment. The Domestic and International streaming segments derive revenue from monthly subscription services consisting solely of streaming content. The Domestic DVD segment derives revenue from monthly subscription services consisting solely of DVDs-by-mail.
Between the fourth quarter of 2010 and the third quarter of 2011, the Company had two operating segments: Domestic and International. During this time, the Company’s domestic streaming service and DVDs-by-mail operations were combined. Subscribers in the U.S. were able to receive both streaming services and DVDs under a single hybrid plan. Accordingly, revenues were generated and marketing expenses were incurred in connection with the subscription offerings as a whole. Therefore, it is impracticable to allocate revenues or marketing expenses or present discrete segment information for the Domestic streaming and Domestic DVD segments for periods prior to the fourth quarter of 2011.
In the third quarter of 2011, the Company made certain changes to its domestic pricing and plan structure which require subscribers who wish to receive both streaming services and DVDs-by-mail to have two separate subscription plans. Following this change, beginning in the fourth quarter of 2011, the Company was able to generate discrete financial information for its Domestic streaming and Domestic DVD operations and began reporting this information to the chief operating decision maker for review.
The following table represents segment information for the first quarter of 2012:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of/Three Months ended March 31, 2012 |
| Domestic Streaming | | International Streaming | | Domestic DVD | | Consolidated |
| (in thousands) |
Total subscriptions at end of period | 23,410 |
| | 3,065 |
| | 10,089 |
| | — |
|
Revenues | $ | 506,665 |
| | $ | 43,425 |
| | $ | 319,701 |
| | $ | 869,791 |
|
Cost of revenues and marketing expense | 440,157 |
| | 146,108 |
| | 173,568 |
| | 759,833 |
|
Contribution profit (loss) | $ | 66,508 |
| | $ | (102,683 | ) | | $ | 146,133 |
| | $ | 109,958 |
|
Other operating expenses | | | | | | | 111,893 |
|
Operating loss | | | | | | | (1,935 | ) |
Other income (expense) | | | | | | | (5,090 | ) |
Benefit for income taxes | | | | | | | (2,441 | ) |
Net loss | | | | | | | $ | (4,584 | ) |
The following tables represent the Company’s segment information for the first quarter ended March 31, 2011 based on the Company’s segment reporting prior to the fourth quarter of 2011:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of/Three Months ended March 31, 2011 |
| Domestic | | International | | Consolidated |
| (in thousands) |
Total unique subscribers at end of period (1) | 22,797 |
| | 803 |
| | 23,600 |
|
Revenues | $ | 706,274 |
| | $ | 12,279 |
| | $ | 718,553 |
|
Cost of revenues and marketing expense | 519,389 |
| | 23,021 |
| | 542,410 |
|
Contribution profit (loss) | $ | 186,885 |
| | $ | (10,742 | ) | | $ | 176,143 |
|
Other operating expenses | | | | | 73,903 |
|
Operating income | | | | | 102,240 |
|
Other income (expense) | | | | | (4,000 | ) |
Provision for income taxes | | | | | 38,007 |
|
Net income | | | | | $ | 60,233 |
|
(1) For purposes of determining the number of unique subscribers, domestic subscribers who have elected both a DVD and a streaming subscription plan are considered a single unique subscriber.
| |
Item 2. | Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
Forward-Looking Statements
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to statements regarding: our core strategy, net subscriber additions, contribution margins, both domestically and internationally, international expansion, DVD and streaming subscriber trends, consolidated revenues, profitability, content payments and expense, free cash flow, deferred tax assets, stock repurchases and future contractual obligations. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those included in forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 10, 2012, in particular the risk factors discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item IA.
We assume no obligation to revise or publicly release any revision to any forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, unless required by law.
Overview
We are the world’s leading Internet subscription service for enjoying TV shows and movies. Our subscribers can instantly watch as many TV shows and movies as they want, streamed over the Internet to their TVs, computers and mobile devices. Additionally, in the U.S., our subscribers can receive standard definition DVDs, and their high definition successor, Blu-ray discs (collectively referred to as “DVD”), delivered quickly to their homes.
Our core strategy is to grow our streaming subscription business domestically and globally. We are continuously improving the customer experience, with a focus on expanding our streaming content, enhancing our user interface and extending our streaming service to even more Internet-connected devices, while staying within the parameters of our consolidated net income (loss) and operating segment contribution profit (loss) targets. Contribution profit (loss) is defined as revenue less cost of revenues and marketing expenses.
We are a pioneer in the Internet delivery of TV shows and movies, launching our streaming service in 2007. Since this launch, we have developed an ecosystem of Internet-connected devices and have licensed increasing amounts of content that enable consumers to enjoy TV shows and movies directly on their TV’s, computers and mobile devices. As a result of these efforts, we have experienced growing consumer acceptance of and interest in the delivery of TV shows and movies directly over the Internet. We believe that the DVD portion of our domestic service will be a fading differentiator to our streaming success. Historically, our acquisition of new subscriptions has been seasonal with the first and fourth quarters representing our strongest net subscription additions and our second quarter representing the lowest net subscription additions in a calendar year.
Prior to July 2011, in the U.S., our streaming and DVDs-by-mail operations were combined and subscribers could receive both streaming content and DVDs under a single “hybrid” plan. In July 2011, we introduced DVD only plans and separated the combined plans, making it necessary for subscribers who wish to receive both streaming services and DVDs-by-mail to have two separate subscription plans. This resulted in a price increase for our members who were taking a hybrid plan. We made a subsequent announcement during the third quarter of 2011 concerning the rebranding of our DVDs-by-mail service and the separation of the DVDs-by-mail and streaming websites. The consumer reaction to the price change, and to a lesser degree, the branding announcement, was very negative leading to significant customer cancellations. We subsequently retracted our plans to rebrand our DVDs-by-mail service and separate the DVDs-by-mail and streaming websites.
In September 2010, we began international operations by offering our streaming service in Canada. In September 2011, we expanded our streaming service to Latin America and the Caribbean. In January 2012, we launched our streaming service in the United Kingdom ("U.K.") and Ireland. We anticipate significant contribution losses in the International streaming segment in 2012. In April 2012, we announced that we anticipated expanding our International operations to another market in the fourth quarter of 2012.
As a result of the changes to our pricing and plan structure, we no longer offer a single subscription plan including both DVDs-by-mail and streaming in the U.S. Domestic subscribers who wish to receive DVDs-by-mail and watch streaming content must elect both a DVDs-by-mail subscription plan and a streaming subscription plan. Accordingly, beginning with the third quarter of 2011, management views the number of paid subscriptions as the key driver of revenues. The following metrics reflect these changes.
|
| | | | | | | | |
| As of /Three Months Ended, |
| March 31, 2012 | | December 31, 2011 | | March 31, 2011 |
| (in thousands) |
Domestic streaming: | | | | | |
Net additions | 1,739 |
| | 223 |
| | |
Paid subscriptions at end of period | 22,022 |
| | 20,153 |
| | |
Total subscriptions at end of period | 23,410 |
| | 21,671 |
| | |
International streaming: | | | | | |
Net additions | 1,207 |
| | 378 |
| | 294 |
|
Paid subscriptions at end of period | 2,409 |
| | 1,447 |
| | 674 |
|
Total subscriptions at end of period | 3,065 |
| | 1,858 |
| | 803 |
|
Domestic DVD: | | | | | |
Net losses | (1,076 | ) | | (2,763 | ) | | |
Paid subscriptions at end of period | 9,958 |
| | 11,039 |
| | |
Total subscriptions at end of period | 10,089 |
| | 11,165 |
| | |
Total domestic: | | | | | |
Net unique subscriber additions during period (1) | 1,679 |
| | 606 |
| | 3,296 |
|
Total domestic unique subscribers at end of period (1) | 26,074 |
| | 24,395 |
| | 22,797 |
|
Consolidated: | | | | | |
Net unique subscriber additions during period (1) | 2,886 |
| | 984 |
| | 3,590 |
|
Paid unique subscribers at end of period (1) | 27,083 |
| | 24,305 |
| | 22,079 |
|
Total unique subscribers at end of period (1) | 29,139 |
| | 26,253 |
| | 23,600 |
|
| |
(1) | For purposes of determining the number of unique subscribers, domestic subscribers who have elected both a DVD and a streaming subscription plan are considered a single unique subscriber. |
The following represents our consolidated performance highlights:
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended | | Change |
| March 31, 2012 | | December 31, 2011 | | March 31, 2011 | | Q1’12 vs. Q4’11 | | Q1’12 vs. Q1’11 |
| (in thousands, except per share data) | | | | |
Revenues | $ | 869,791 |
| | $ | 875,575 |
| | $ | 718,553 |
| | (0.7 | )% | | 21.0 | % |
Operating income (loss) | (1,935 | ) | | 61,872 |
| | 102,240 |
| | (103.1 | )% | | (101.9 | )% |
Net income (loss) | (4,584 | ) | | 35,219 |
| | 60,233 |
| | (113.0 | )% | | (107.6 | )% |
Net income (loss) per share—diluted | (0.08 | ) | | 0.64 |
| | 1.11 |
| | (112.5 | )% | | (107.2 | )% |
Free cash flow (2) | 2,149 |
| | 33,921 |
| | 79,303 |
| | (93.7 | )% | | (97.3 | )% |
| |
(2) | See “Liquidity and Capital Resources” for a definition of “free cash flow” and a reconciliation of “net cash provided by operating activities” to “free cash flow.” |
Domestic streaming subscriptions increased 8% from December 31, 2011 to March 31, 2012. Net subscription additions are expected to be seasonally low in the second quarter of 2012, increasing in the third and fourth quarters. Our contribution margin for the Domestic streaming segment was 13.1% for the first quarter of 2012, up from 10.9% in the fourth quarter of 2011, and we expect further contribution margin expansion.
International streaming subscriptions increased 65% from December 31, 2011 to March 31, 2012 and account for 12% of total streaming subscriptions at the end of the first quarter. In the first quarter of 2012, our International streaming segment reported a contribution loss of $102.7 million. The $42.9 million increase in the contribution loss as compared to the fourth quarter of 2011 is primarily due to our expansion to the U.K. and Ireland in January 2012. We expect a continued contribution loss in our International streaming segment as we launch additional international markets, the next of which is planned for the fourth quarter of 2012.
DVD subscriptions decreased 10% from December 31, 2011 to March 31, 2012, due to cancellations during the quarter. We expect
continued decreases in the number of DVD subscriptions which will offset the growth in domestic and consolidated revenues expected from streaming subscription increases. Domestic DVD contribution margins are expected to be relatively flat in coming quarters.
Consolidated revenues for the first quarter of 2012 were flat as compared to the fourth quarter of 2011 and consolidated net income (loss) decreased by 113.0% to a consolidated net loss of $4.6 million. We expect consolidated revenues to increase at a modest pace sequentially in future quarters driven by the growth in global streaming subscriptions and partially offset by a decline in domestic DVD. We believe that the consolidated net loss will decline in the second quarter of 2012 and we may be at or near consolidated net income. Future investments in new international markets, such as that which we have planned to launch in the fourth quarter of 2012, may result in future consolidated net losses.
Free cash flow for the three months ended March 31, 2012 decreased as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2011 to $2.1 million. Free cash flow was $6.7 million higher than the net loss of $4.6 million, primarily due to non-cash expenses related to stock-based compensation, depreciation expense associated with our property and equipment, and accrued interest expense for our 8.50% Notes, partially offset by differences between the cash payments for taxes and the benefit for income tax and the excess streaming and DVD content payments over expense. The excess streaming and DVD content payments over expense will continue to fluctuate over time based on new content licenses domestically and internationally and in particular may increase as a result of higher up-front cash requirements for original content. We expect that free cash flow in future periods will be negatively impacted by investments in new international markets and the cash requirements for original content and that we may use cash in 2012.
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth, for the periods presented, the line items on our Consolidated Statements of Operations as a percentage of total revenues. The information contained in the table below should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements, notes to the consolidated financial statements and the entirety of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
|
| | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended |
| March 31, 2012 | | December 31, 2011 | | March 31, 2011 |
Revenues | 100.0 | % | | 100.0 | % | | 100.0 | % |
Cost of revenues: | | | | | |
Subscription | 64.8 | % | | 58.6 | % | | 52.5 | % |
Fulfillment expenses | 6.9 | % | | 7.1 | % | | 8.5 | % |
Total cost of revenues | 71.7 | % | | 65.7 | % | | 61.0 | % |
Operating expenses: | | | | | |
Marketing | 15.6 | % | | 13.1 | % | | 14.5 | % |
Technology and development | 9.5 | % | | 9.2 | % | | 7.1 | % |
General and administrative | 3.4 | % | | 3.9 | % | | 3.2 | % |
Legal settlement | — | % | | 1.0 | % | | — | % |
Total operating expenses | 28.5 | % | | 27.2 | % | | 24.8 | % |
Operating income (loss) | (0.2 | )% | | 7.1 | % | | 14.2 | % |
Other income (expense): | | | | | |
Interest expense | (0.6 | )% | | (0.6 | )% | | (0.7 | )% |
Interest and other income (expense) | — | % | | — | % | | 0.2 | % |
Income (loss) before income taxes | (0.8 | )% | | 6.5 | % | | 13.7 | % |
Provision (benefit) for income taxes | (0.3 | )% | | 2.5 | % | | 5.3 | % |
Net income (loss) | (0.5 | )% | | 4.0 | % | | 8.4 | % |
Revenues
We derive our revenues from monthly subscription fees and recognize subscription revenues ratably over each subscriber’s monthly subscription period. We currently generate substantially all of our revenues in the U.S.
In the Domestic streaming segment, we derive revenues from services consisting solely of streaming content offered through a subscription plan priced at $7.99 per month. In the Domestic DVD segment, we derive revenues from our DVDs-by-mail subscription services. The price per plan for DVDs-by-mail varies from $7.99 to $43.99 per month based on the number of DVDs that a subscriber may have out at any given point. Customers electing access to high definition Blu-ray discs in addition to standard definition DVDs pay a surcharge ranging
from $2 to $4 per month for our most popular plans.
In July 2011, in the U.S., we introduced DVD only plans and separated DVDs-by-mail and streaming making it necessary for subscribers who opt to receive both DVDs-by-mail and streaming to have two separate subscription plans. As subscribers were able to receive both streaming and DVDs-by-mail under a single hybrid plan prior to the fourth quarter of 2011, it is impracticable to allocate revenues to the Domestic streaming and Domestic DVD segments prior to the fourth quarter of 2011.
In the International streaming segment, we derive revenues from services consisting solely of streaming content offered through a subscription plan priced at approximately the equivalent of USD7.99 per month. In September 2010, we began international operations in Canada. We expanded to Latin America and the Caribbean in September 2011 and the U.K. and Ireland in January 2012.
Three months ended March 31, 2012 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2011 (1)
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended | | Change |
| March 31, 2012 | | March 31, 2011 | | Q1’12 vs. Q1’11 |
| (in thousands, except percentages) |
Revenues | $ | 869,791 |
| | $ | 718,553 |
| | 21.0 | % |
Domestic | 826,366 |
| | 706,274 |
| | 17.0 | % |
International | 43,425 |
| | 12,279 |
| | 253.7 | % |
(1) Presented using the Company's segment reporting prior to the fourth quarter of 2011.
The $151.2 million increase in our consolidated revenues was due to the $120.1 million increase in domestic revenues and a $31.1 million increase in international revenues. Domestic revenues increased 17.0% as a result of the 20.8% growth in the domestic average number of unique paying subscribers driven by new streaming subscriptions. This increase was offset in part by a 3.2% decline in domestic average monthly revenue per unique paying subscriber, resulting from the popularity of the streaming subscription and a decline in the percentage of unique paying subscribers electing both a streaming and a DVD subscription. During the three months ended March 31, 2012, 87.8% of our new gross domestic unique subscribers chose only a streaming subscription compared to 54.4% in the three months ended March 31, 2011. As of March 31, 2012, only 28.5% of our domestic unique subscribers had both a streaming and DVD subscription compared to 81.4% as of March 31, 2011.
International revenues increased by $31.1 million primarily due to our launch in Latin America and the Caribbean in September 2011 and our launch in the U.K. and Ireland in January 2012.
Three months ended March 31, 2012 as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2011
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended | | Change |
| March 31, 2012 | | December 31, 2011 | | Q1’12 vs. Q4’11 |
| (in thousands, except percentages) |
Revenues | $ | 869,791 |
| | $ | 875,575 |
| | (0.7 | )% |
Domestic streaming | 506,665 |
| | 476,334 |
| | 6.4 | % |
International streaming | 43,425 |
| | 28,988 |
| | 49.8 | % |
Domestic DVD | 319,701 |
| | 370,253 |
| | (13.7 | )% |
The $5.8 million decrease in our consolidated revenues was primarily a result of the 15.5% decrease in the number of average paying DVD subscriptions offset by a 58.3% increase in the average number of paying international subscriptions coupled with a 3.7% increase in the average number of paying domestic streaming subscriptions.
We expect the streaming subscription plans offered both domestically and internationally to continue to grow as a percentage of our total paid subscriber base. We expect that as a result of the increase in streaming subscription plans both domestically and internationally partially offset by declines in DVD subscriptions, consolidated revenues will increase at a modest pace sequentially in future quarters.
Cost of Revenues
Cost of revenues consists of cost of subscription revenues and fulfillment expenses.
Cost of subscription revenues consists of expenses related to the acquisition and licensing of content, as well as content delivery costs related to providing streaming content and shipping DVDs to subscribers. Costs related to free-trial periods are allocated to marketing expenses.
Content acquisition and licensing expenses consist primarily of amortization of streaming content licenses, which may or may not be recognized in the streaming content library, amortization of DVD content library and revenue sharing expenses. We obtain content through streaming content license agreements, DVD direct purchases and DVD revenue sharing agreements with studios, distributors and other suppliers. Content agreements are made in the ordinary course of business and our business is not substantially dependent on any particular agreement.
Content delivery expenses consist of the postage costs to mail DVDs to and from our paying subscribers, the packaging and label costs for the mailers and all costs associated with delivering streaming content over the Internet. We utilize third-party content delivery networks to help us efficiently stream content in high volume to our subscribers over the Internet.
Fulfillment expenses represent those expenses incurred in content processing including operating and staffing our shipping centers as well as receiving, encoding, inspecting and warehousing our content library. Fulfillment expenses also include operating and staffing our customer service centers and credit card fees.
Three months ended March 31, 2012 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2011
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended | | Change |
| March 31, 2012 | | March 31, 2011 | | Q1’12 vs. Q1’11 |
| (in thousands, except percentages) |
Total cost of revenues | $ | 623,933 |
| | $ | 438,151 |
| | 42.4 | % |
As a percentage of revenues | 71.7 | % | | 61.0 | % | | |
The $185.8 million increase in cost of revenues was primarily due to the following factors:
| |
• | Content acquisition and licensing expenses increased by $234.6 million. This increase was primarily attributable to continued investments in existing and new streaming content available for viewing to our domestic subscribers. The increase is also partially attributable to an increase in streaming content titles available in our International locations. |
| |
• | Content delivery expenses decreased $47.5 million primarily due to a 41.8% decrease in the number of DVDs mailed for paid subscriptions. The decrease in DVD delivery expenses was partially offset by an increase in costs associated with our use of third-party delivery networks resulting from an increase in the total number of hours of streaming content viewed by our subscribers. |
Three months ended March 31, 2012 as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2011
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended | | Change |
| March 31, 2012 | | December 31, 2011 | | Q1’12 vs. Q4’11 |
| (in thousands, except percentages) |
Total cost of revenues | $ | 623,933 |
| | $ | 575,155 |
| | 8.5 | % |
As a percentage of revenues | 71.7 | % | | 65.7 | % | | |
The $48.8 million increase in cost of revenues was primarily due to the following factors:
| |
• | Content acquisition and licensing expenses increased by $55.2 million. This increase was primarily attributable to an increase in streaming content titles available in our International locations. The increase is also partially attributed to continued investments in existing and new streaming content available for viewing to our domestic subscribers. |
| |
• | Content delivery expenses decreased $3.8 million primarily due to a 6.0% decrease in the number of DVDs mailed for paid subscriptions. The decrease in the number of DVDs mailed was driven by a 15.5% decline in the number of average paying DVD subscriptions offset by an 11.2% increase in monthly DVD rentals per average paying DVD subscriber. The decrease in DVD delivery expenses was partially offset by an increase in costs associated with our use of third-party delivery networks resulting from |
an increase in the total number of hours of streaming content viewed by our subscribers.
Marketing
Marketing expenses consist primarily of advertising expenses and also include payments made to our affiliates and consumer electronics partners and payroll related expenses. Advertising expenses include promotional activities such as television and online advertising as well as allocated costs of revenues relating to free trial periods. Payments to our affiliates and consumer electronics partners may be in the form of a fixed-fee or may be a revenue sharing payment.
Three months ended March 31, 2012 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2011
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended | | Change |
| March 31, 2012 | | March 31, 2011 | | Q1’12 vs. Q1’11 |
| (in thousands, except percentages) |
Marketing | $ | 135,900 |
| | $ | 104,259 |
| | 30.3 | % |
As a percentage of revenues | 15.6 | % | | 14.5 | % | | |
The $31.6 million increase in marketing expenses was primarily due to a $35.3 million increase in marketing program spending primarily in television and online advertising due to our launch in Latin America and the Caribbean and in the U.K. and Ireland. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in direct mail marketing.
Three months ended March 31, 2012 as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2011
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended | | Change |
| March 31, 2012 | | December 31, 2011 | | Q1’12 vs. Q4’11 |
| (in thousands, except percentages) |
Marketing | $ | 135,900 |
| | $ | 114,288 |
| | 18.9 | % |
As a percentage of revenues | 15.6 | % | | 13.1 | % | | |
The $21.6 million increase in marketing expenses was primarily due to a $19.5 million increase in marketing program spending primarily in online advertising due to our launch in the U.K. and Ireland in January 2012.
Technology and Development
Technology and development expenses consist of payroll and related costs incurred in making improvements to our service offering, including testing, maintaining and modifying our user interface, our recommendation and merchandising technology, as well as, telecommunications systems and infrastructure and other internal-use software systems. Technology and development expenses also include costs associated with computer hardware and software.
Three months ended March 31, 2012 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2011
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended | | Change |
| March 31, 2012 | | March 31, 2011 | | Q1’12 vs. Q1’11 |
| (in thousands, except percentages) |
Technology and development | $ | 82,801 |
| | $ | 50,905 |
| | 62.7 | % |
As a percentage of revenues | 9.5 | % | | 7.1 | % | | |
The $31.9 million increase in technology and development expenses was primarily the result of a $26.2 million increase in personnel-related costs, including a $5.3 million increase in stock-based compensation. This increase in personnel-related costs is due to a 58% growth in average headcount supporting continued improvements in our streaming service and our international expansion.
Three months ended March 31, 2012 as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2011
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended | | Change |
| March 31, 2012 | | December 31, 2011 | | Q1’12 vs. Q4’11 |
| (in thousands, except percentages) |
Technology and development | $ | 82,801 |
| | $ | 80,783 |
| | 2.5 | % |
As a percentage of revenues | 9.5 | % | | 9.2 | % | | |
Technology and development expenses were relatively flat as compared to the prior period.
General and Administrative
General and administrative expenses consist of payroll and related expenses for executive and administrative personnel, as well as recruiting, professional fees and other general corporate expenses. General and administrative expenses also include the gain on disposal of DVDs.
Three months ended March 31, 2012 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2011
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended | | Change |
| March 31, 2012 | | March 31, 2011 | | Q1’12 vs. Q1’11 |
| (in thousands, except percentages) |
General and administrative | $ | 29,092 |
| | $ | 22,998 |
| | 26.5 | % |
As a percentage of revenues | 3.4 | % | | 3.2 | % | | |
The $6.1 million increase in general and administrative expenses was primarily attributable to an increase in personnel-related costs of $9.7 million resulting from a 28% increase in average headcount. This increase was partially offset by a $3.6 million decrease in other miscellaneous expenses primarily related to the use of outside and professional services, taxes and insurance.
Three months ended March 31, 2012 as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2011
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended | | Change |
| March 31, 2012 | | December 31, 2011 | | Q1’12 vs. Q4’11 |
| (in thousands, except percentages) |
General and administrative | $ | 29,092 |
| | $ | 34,477 |
| | (15.6 | )% |
As a percentage of revenues | 3.4 | % | | 3.9 | % | | |
The $5.4 million decrease in general and administrative expenses was primarily attributable to a decrease in miscellaneous expenses related to the use of outside and professional services, taxes and insurance.
Provision (benefit) for Income Taxes
Three months ended March 31, 2012 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2011
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended | | Change |
| March 31, 2012 | | March 31, 2011 | | Q1’12 vs. Q1’11 |
| (in thousands, except percentages) |
Provision (benefit) for income taxes | $ | (2,441 | ) | | $ | 38,007 |
| | (106.4 | )% |
Effective tax rate | (34.7 | )% | | 38.7 | % | | |
Three months ended March 31, 2012 as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2011
|
| | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended | | Change |
| March 31, 2012 | | December 31, 2011 | | Q1’12 vs. Q4’11 |
| (in thousands, except percentages) |
Provision (benefit) for income taxes | $ | (2,441 | ) | | $ | 21,616 |
| | (111.3 | )% |
Effective tax rate | (34.7 | )% | | 38.0 | % | | |
Our effective tax (benefit) for the first quarter of 2012 was (34.7)% and differed from the federal statutory rate due primarily to state taxes and the California R&D tax credit. The expiration of the Federal R&D tax credit on December 31, 2011 resulted in a decrease in our tax benefit for the three months ended March 31, 2012.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported periods. The SEC has defined a company’s critical accounting policies as the ones that are most important to the portrayal of a company’s financial condition and results of operations, and which require a company to make its most difficult and subjective judgments. Based on this definition, we have identified the critical accounting policies and judgments addressed below. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
Content Accounting
We obtain content through streaming content license agreements, DVD direct purchases and DVD revenue sharing agreements with studios, distributors and other suppliers.
We obtain content distribution rights in order to stream TV shows and movies to subscribers’ TVs, computers and mobile devices. Streaming content is generally licensed for a fixed-fee for the term of the license agreement which may have multiple windows of availability. The license agreement may or may not be recognized in content library.
When the streaming license fee is known or reasonably determinable for a specific title and the specific title is first available for streaming to subscribers, the title is recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as “Current content library” for the portion available for streaming within one year and as “Non-current content library” for the remaining portion. New titles recognized in the content library are classified in the line item “Additions to streaming content library” within net cash provided by operating activities on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. We amortize the content library on a straight-line basis over each title’s contractual window of availability, which typically ranges from six months to five years. The streaming content library is reported at the lower of unamortized cost or estimated net realizable value. No material write down from unamortized cost to a lower net realizable value was recorded in any of the periods presented. The amortization is classified in “Cost of revenues—Subscription” on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and in the line item “Amortization of streaming content library” within net cash provided by operating activities on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Costs related to sub-titles, dubbing, and closed captioning are capitalized in “Current content library” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and amortized over the window of availability. Payment terms for these license fees may extend over the term of the license agreement, which typically ranges from six months to five years. For the titles recognized in content library, the license fees due but not paid are classified on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as “Content liabilities” for the amounts due within one year and as “Non-current content liabilities” for the amounts due beyond one year. Changes in these liabilities are classified in the line item “Change in streaming content liabilities” within net cash provided by operating activities on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. We record the streaming content library assets and their related liability on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at the gross amount of the liability. Payments for the titles not yet available for streaming are not yet recognized in the content library but in prepaid content. Minimum commitments for the titles not yet available for streaming are not yet recognized in the content library and are included in Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements.
When the streaming license fee is not known or reasonably determinable for a specific title, the title does not meet the criteria for asset recognition in the content library. Titles do not meet the criteria for asset recognition in the content library because the underlying license agreement does not specify the number of titles or the license fee per title or the windows of availability per title, so that the license fee is not known or reasonably determinable for a specific title. Typical payment terms for these agreements, which can range from three to five years, require us to make equal fixed payments at the beginning of each quarter of the license term. To the extent that cumulative payments exceed cumulative amortization, prepaid content is recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. We amortize the license fees on a straight-line basis over the term of each license agreement. The amortization is classified in “Cost of revenues—Subscription” on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and in the line item “Net income (loss)” within net cash provided by operating activities on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Changes in prepaid content are classified within net cash provided by operating activities in the line item “Prepaid content” on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Commitments for licenses that do not meet the criteria for asset recognition in the content library are included in Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements.
We acquire DVD content for the purpose of renting such content to our subscribers and earning subscription rental revenues, and, as such, we consider our direct purchase DVD library to be a productive asset. Accordingly, we classify our DVD library in “Non-current content library” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The acquisition of DVD content library, net of changes in related liabilities, is classified in the line item “Acquisitions of DVD content library” within cash used in investing activities on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows because the DVD content library is considered a productive asset. Other companies in the in-home entertainment video industry classify these cash flows as operating activities. We amortize our direct purchase DVDs, less estimated salvage value, on a “sum-of-the-months” accelerated basis over their estimated useful lives. The useful life of the new release DVDs and back-catalog DVDs is estimated to be one year and three years, respectively. The amortization of the DVD content library is classified in “Cost of revenues—Subscription” on the Consolidated Statement of Operations and in the line item “Amortization of DVD content library” within net cash provided by operating activities on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
We also obtain DVD and streaming content through revenue sharing agreements with studios and distributors. Revenue sharing obligations incurred based on utilization are classified in “Cost of revenues—Subscription” on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and in the line item “Net income (loss)” within net cash provided by operating activities on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The terms of some revenue sharing agreements obligate us to make a low initial payment for certain titles, representing a minimum contractual obligation under the agreement. The low initial payment is in exchange for a commitment to share a percentage of our subscription revenues or to pay a fee, based on utilization, for a defined period of time. The initial payment may be in the form of an upfront non-refundable payment which is classified in content library or in the form of a prepayment of future revenue sharing obligations which is classified as prepaid content.
Stock-Based Compensation
Stock-based compensation expense at the grant date is based on the total number of options granted and an estimate of the fair value of the awards expected to vest and is recognized as expense ratably over the requisite service period, which is the vesting period.
We calculate the fair value of new stock-based compensation awards under our stock option plans using a lattice-binomial model. This model requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, including price volatility of the underlying stock. Changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the estimate of fair value of options granted and our results of operations could be impacted.
| |
• | Expected Volatility: Our computation of expected volatility is based on a blend of historical volatility of our common stock and implied volatility of tradable forward call options to purchase shares of our common stock. Our decision to incorporate implied volatility was based on our assessment that implied volatility of publicly traded options in our common stock is more reflective of market conditions and, therefore, can reasonably be expected to be a better indicator of expected volatility than historical volatility of our common stock. We include the historical volatility in our computation due to low trade volume of our tradable forward call options in certain periods thereby precluding sole reliance on implied volatility. An increase of 10% in our computation of expected volatility would increase the total stock-based compensation expense by approximately $0.7 million. |
| |
• | Suboptimal Exercise Factor: Our computation of the suboptimal exercise factor is based on historical option exercise behavior and the terms and vesting periods of the options granted and is determined for both executives and non-executives. An increase in the suboptimal exercise factor of 10% would increase the total stock-based compensation expense by approximately $0.8 million. |
Income Taxes
We record a provision for income taxes for the anticipated tax consequences of our reported results of operations using the asset and liability method. Deferred income taxes are recognized by applying enacted statutory tax rates to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, as well as net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. 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. The measurement of deferred tax assets is reduced, if necessary, by a valuation allowance for any tax benefits for which future realization is uncertain.
Although we believe our assumptions, judgments and estimates are reasonable, changes in tax laws or our interpretation of tax laws and the resolution of any tax audits could significantly impact the amounts provided for income taxes in our consolidated financial statements.
In evaluating our ability to recover our deferred tax assets, in full or in part, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including our past operating results, and our forecast of future earnings, future taxable income and prudent and feasible tax planning strategies. The assumptions utilized in determining future taxable income require significant judgment and are consistent with the plans and estimates we are using to manage the underlying businesses. Actual operating results in future years could differ from our current assumptions, judgments and estimates. However, we believe that it is more likely than not that substantially all deferred tax assets recorded on our balance sheet will ultimately be realized. In the event we were to determine that we would not be able to realize all or part of our net deferred tax assets in the future, an adjustment to the deferred tax assets would be charged to earnings in the period in which we make such determination.
We did not recognize certain tax benefits from uncertain tax positions within the provision for income taxes. We may recognize a tax benefit only if it is more likely than not the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such positions are then measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon settlement. At March 31, 2012, our estimated gross unrecognized tax benefits were $29.5 million of which $23.3 million, if recognized, would favorably impact our future earnings. Due to uncertainties in any tax audit outcome, our estimates of the ultimate settlement of our unrecognized tax positions may change and the actual tax benefits may differ significantly from the estimates. See Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements for further information regarding income taxes.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our primary source of liquidity has been cash generated from operations. Additionally, in November 2011, we issued $200.0 million of Senior Convertible Notes and raised an additional $200.0 million through a public offering of common stock. The Senior Convertible Notes consist of $200.0 million aggregate principal amount due on December 1, 2018 and do not bear interest. In November 2009, we issued $200.0 million of our 8.50% senior notes due November 15, 2017 (the “8.50% Notes”). Interest on the 8.50% Notes is payable semi-annually at a rate of 8.50% per annum on May 15 and November 15 of each year, commencing on May 15, 2010. (See Note 5 to the consolidated financial statements.)
Our primary uses of cash include the acquisition and licensing of content, content delivery expenses, marketing, payroll related expenses, and capital expenditures related to information technology and automation equipment. We expect to continue to make significant investments to license streaming content both domestically and internationally. These investments could impact our liquidity and in particular our operating cash flows.
As a result of our increased investments in new International markets and in original content we may have negative operating cash flows and/or use of cash in 2012. Although we currently anticipate that our available funds will be sufficient to meet our cash needs for the foreseeable future, we may be required or choose to obtain additional financing. Our ability to obtain additional financing will depend on, among other things, our development efforts, business plans, operating performance, current and projected compliance with our debt covenants, and the condition of the capital markets at the time we seek financing. We may not be able to obtain such financing on terms acceptable to us or at all. If we raise additional funds through the issuance of equity, equity-linked or debt securities, those securities may have rights, preferences or privileges senior to the rights of our common stock, and our stockholders may experience dilution.
On June 11, 2010, we announced that our Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program allowing us to repurchase $300.0 million of our common stock through the end of 2012. As of March 31, 2012, $41.0 million of this authorization remained. The timing and actual number of shares repurchased is in the discretion of management and will depend on various factors, including price, corporate and regulatory requirements, debt covenant requirements, alternative investment opportunities and other market conditions. We do not expect to make further stock repurchases for the foreseeable future.
Cash Flow
Three months ended March 31, 2012 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2011
|
| | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended | | Change |
| March 31, 2012 | | March 31, 2011 | | Q1’12 vs. Q1’11 |
| (in thousands, except percentages) |
Net cash provided by operating activities | 19,109 |
| | 116,323 |
| | (83.6 | )% |
Net cash used in investing activities | (135,817 | ) | | (73,675 | ) | | 84.3 | % |
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | 4,032 |
| | (86,728 | ) | | 104.6 | % |
Cash provided by operating activities decreased $97.2 million, primarily due to increased payments for content acquisition and licensing other than DVD library of $234.2 million or 99.3%, partially offset by an increase in subscription revenues of $151.2 million or 21.0%. Operating cash flows were further impacted by increases in payroll expenses and payments for advertising and affiliates transactions.
Cash used in investing activities increased $62.1 million, primarily due to an $82.2 million increase in the purchases, net of proceeds from sales and maturities, of short-term investments. These increases were partially offset by an $11.6 million decrease in the purchase of property and equipment due to a decrease in purchases of automation equipment for our various shipping centers and an $8.6 million decrease in the acquisitions of DVD content library.
Cash provided by financing activities for the first quarter of 2012 was $4.0 million related primarily to a $3.8 million excess tax benefit on stock options. In the first quarter of 2011, cash used in financing activities was $86.7 million which consisted primarily of stock repurchases of $108.6 million offset partially by the excess tax benefit and proceeds from issuance of stock options.
Three months ended March 31, 2012 as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2011
|
| | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended | | Change |
| March 31, 2012 | | December 31, 2011 | | Q1’12 vs. Q4’11 |
| (in thousands, except percentages) |
Net cash provided by operating activities | 19,109 |
| | 65,466 |
| | (70.8 | )% |
Net cash used in investing activities | (135,817 | ) | | (115,609 | ) | | 17.5 | % |
Net cash provided by financing activities | 4,032 |
| | 398,997 |
| | (99.0 | )% |
Cash provided by operating activities decreased $46.4 million, primarily due to increased payments for content acquisition and licensing other than DVD library of $57.3 million or 13.9%. Operating cash flows were further impacted by increases in payroll expenses and payments for advertising and affiliates transactions.
Cash used in investing activities increased $20.2 million primarily due to a $34.8 million increase in the purchases, net of proceeds from sales and maturities, of short-term investments. These increases were partially offset by a $9.6 million decrease in the acquisitions of DVD content library and a $5.9 million decrease in the purchase of property and equipment.
Cash provided by financing activities decreased by $395.0 million primarily due to $198.1 million of proceeds from the issuance of debt, net of issuance costs, and $199.9 million of proceeds from public offering of common stock, net of issuance costs, that occurred in the three months ended December 31, 2011.
Free Cash Flow
We define free cash flow as cash provided by operating and investing activities excluding the non-operational cash flows from purchases, maturities and sales of short-term investments. We believe free cash flow is an important liquidity metric because it measures, during a given period, the amount of cash generated that is available to repay debt obligations, make investments, repurchase our stock, and for certain other activities. Free cash flow is considered a non-GAAP financial measure and should not be considered in isolation of, or as a substitute for, net income (loss), operating income (loss), cash flow from operating activities, or any other measure of financial performance or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP.
In comparing free cash flow to net income (loss), the major recurring differences are excess content payments over expenses, stock-based compensation expense, deferred revenue, taxes and semi-annual interest payments on the 8.50% Notes. Our receivables from customers settle quickly and deferred revenue is a source of cash flow. For streaming content, we typically enter into multi-year licenses with studios and other distributors that may result in an increase in content library and a corresponding increase in liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The payment terms for these license fees may extend over the term of the license agreements, which typically range from six months to five years. License fee obligations with payment terms that are due beyond one year are classified on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as “Non-current content liabilities.” Minimum commitments for licenses and known titles that do not meet the criteria for asset recognition in the content library are included in Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements.
The following tables reconcile net cash provided by operating activities, a GAAP financial measure, to free cash flow, a non-GAAP financial measure.
|
| | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended |
| March 31, 2012 | | March 31, 2011 |
| (in thousands) |
Non-GAAP free cash flow reconciliation: | | | |
Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 19,109 |
| | $ | 116,323 |
|
Acquisitions of DVD content library | (13,528 | ) | | (22,119 | ) |
Purchases of property and equipment | (4,766 | ) | | (16,320 | ) |
Other assets | 1,334 |
| | 1,419 |
|
Non-GAAP free cash flow | $ | 2,149 |
| | $ | 79,303 |
|
Free cash flow for the three months ended March 31, 2012 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2011 decreased $77.2 million primarily due to a decrease of $57.7 million in net income as adjusted for non-cash stock based compensation, a decrease of $14.1 million in the cash flow from deferred revenue and an increase of $18.6 million in excess tax payments over tax provision (benefit). This was partially offset by a decrease in both the excess content payments over content expenses and excess property and equipment payments over depreciation expense. Payments for content increased $225.6 million while content expenses increased $234.6 million.
|
| | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended |
| March 31, 2012 | | December 31, 2011 |
| (in thousands) |
Non-GAAP free cash flow reconciliation: | | | |
Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 19,109 |
| | $ | 65,466 |
|
Acquisitions of DVD content library | (13,528 | ) | | (23,144 | ) |
Purchases of property and equipment | (4,766 | ) | | (10,656 | ) |
Other assets | 1,334 |
| | 2,255 |
|
Non-GAAP free cash flow | $ | 2,149 |
| | $ | 33,921 |
|
Free cash flow for the three months ended March 31, 2012 as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2011 decreased $31.8 million primarily due to a decrease of $38.5 million in net income as adjusted for non-cash stock based compensation coupled with an increase of $7.3 million in excess tax payments over tax provision (benefit). This was partially offset by an increase in the cash flow from deferred revenue of $13.9 million. Payments for content increased $47.7 million while content expenses increased $55.2 million.
Effect of Exchange Rates
Revenues, as well as certain expenses, primarily content licensing and marketing, incurred in the International streaming segment, are denominated in the local currency. During the three months ended March 31, 2012, the losses on foreign exchange transactions was $1.4 million and the effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents was $0.6 million. During the three months ended March 31, 2011, the gains or losses on foreign exchange transactions and the effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents were immaterial.
Contractual Obligations
For the purposes of this table, contractual obligations for purchases of goods or services are defined as agreements that are enforceable and legally binding and that specify all significant terms, including: fixed or minimum quantities to be purchased; fixed, minimum or variable price provisions; and the approximate timing of the transaction. The expected timing of payment of the obligations discussed above is estimated based on information available to us as of March 31, 2012. Timing of payments and actual amounts paid may be different depending on the time of receipt of goods or services or changes to agreed-upon amounts for some obligations. The following table summarizes our contractual obligations at March 31, 2012:
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Payments due by Period |
Contractual obligations (in thousands): | Total | | Less than 1 year (3) | | 1-3 years | | 3-5 years | | More than 5 years |
Streaming content obligations (1) | $ | 3,684,070 |
| | $ | 729,628 |
| | $ | 2,374,734 |
| | $ | 505,553 |
| | $ | 74,155 |
|
8.50% Notes | 302,000 |
| | 17,000 |
| | 34,000 |
| | 34,000 |
| | 217,000 |
|
Senior Convertible Notes | 200,000 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 200,000 |
|
Operating lease obligations | 56,142 |
| | 17,660 |
| | 24,867 |
| | 12,254 |
| | 1,361 |
|
Lease financing obligations (2) | 18,224 |
| | 4,000 |
| | 5,886 |
| | 5,886 |
| | 2,452 |
|
Other purchase obligations | 267,748 |
| | 165,849 |
| | 100,768 |
| | 1,131 |
| | — |
|
Total | $ | 4,528,184 |
|
| $ | 934,137 |
| | $ | 2,540,255 |
| | $ | 558,824 |
| | $ | 494,968 |
|
| |
(1) | Streaming content obligations include agreements to acquire and license streaming content that represent long-term liabilities or that are not reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. For those agreements with variable terms, we do not estimate what the total obligation may be beyond any minimum quantities and/or pricing as of the reporting date. For those agreements that include renewal provisions that are solely at the option of the content provider, we include the commitments associated with the renewal period to the extent such commitments are fixed or a minimum amount is specified. For these reasons, the amounts presented in the table may not provide a reliable indicator of our expected future cash outflows. |
We have entered into certain streaming content license agreements that include an unspecified or a maximum number of titles that we may or may not receive in the future and/or that include pricing contingent upon certain variables, such as theatrical exhibition receipts for the title. As of the reporting date, it is unknown whether we will receive access to these titles or what the ultimate price per title will be. Accordingly such amounts are not reflected in the above contractual obligations table. However, such amounts are expected to be significant and the expected timing of payments for these commitments could range from less than one year to more than five years.
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(2) | Represents the lease financing obligations for our Los Gatos, California headquarters. |
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(3) | For purposes of this table, less than one year does not include liabilities which are reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as current liabilities. Content liabilities for instance include $1,144.8 million in streaming content obligations not reflected in the above table. |
As of March 31, 2012, we had gross unrecognized tax benefits of $29.5 million and an additional $2.6 million for gross interest and penalties classified as “Other non-current liabilities” on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. At this time, we are not able to make a reasonably reliable estimate of the timing of payments in individual years due to uncertainties in the timing of tax audit outcomes; therefore, such amounts are not included in the above contractual obligation table.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As part of our ongoing business, we do not engage in transactions that generate relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities. Accordingly, our operating results, financial condition and cash flows are not subject to off-balance sheet risks.
Indemnification
The information set forth under Note 8 in the notes to the consolidated financial statements under the caption “Indemnification” is incorporated herein by reference.
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Item 3. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk |
For financial market risks related to changes in interest rates, reference is made to Item 7A “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” contained in Part II of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. Our exposure to market risk has not changed significantly since December 31, 2011.
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Item 4. | Controls and Procedures |
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of 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) as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q were effective in providing reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, 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 our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal controls will prevent all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent
limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within Netflix have been detected.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2012 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
The information set forth under Note 8 in the notes to the consolidated financial statements under the caption “Litigation” is incorporated herein by reference.
There have been no material changes from the risk factors as previously disclosed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.
(a) Exhibits:
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| | | | | | | | | | | | |
ExhibitNumber | | Exhibit Description | | Incorporated by Reference | | Filed Herewith |
| | | | Form | | File No. | | Exhibit | | Filing Date | | |
| | | | | | | |
3.1 | | Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation | | 10-Q | | 000-49802 | | 3.1 | | August 2, 2004 | | |
| | | | | | | |
3.2 | | Amended and Restated Bylaws | | 8-K | | 000-49802 | | 3.1 | | March 20, 2009 | | |
| | | | | | | |
3.3 | | Certificate of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation | | 10-Q | | 000-49802 | | 3.3 | | August 2, 2004 | | |
| | | | | | | |
4.1 | | Form of Common Stock Certificate | | S-1/A | | 333-83878 | | 4.1 | | April 16, 2002 | | |
| | | | | | | |
4.2 | | Indenture, dated November 6, 2009, among Netflix, Inc., the guarantors from time to time party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, relating to the 8.50% Senior Notes due 2017. | | 8-K | | 000-49802 | | 4.1 | | November 9, 2009 | | |
| | | | | | | |
4.3 | | Indenture, dated November 28, 2011, among Netflix, Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, relating to the Zero Coupon Senior Convertible Notes due 2018. | | 8-K | | 000-49802 | | 4.1 | | November 28, 2011 | | |
4.4 | | Registration Rights Agreement dated November 28, 2011, by and among Netflix, Inc., TCV VII, L.P., TCV VII(A), L.P. and TCV Member Fund, L.P. | | 8-K | | 000-49802 | | 10.1 | | November 28, 2011 | | |
10.1† | | Form of Indemnification Agreement entered into by the registrant with each of its executive officers and directors | | S-1/A | | 333-83878 | | 10.1 | | March 20, 2002 | | |
| | | | | | | |
10.2† | | 2002 Employee Stock Purchase Plan | | Def 14A | | 000-49802 | | A | | April 8, 2010 | | |
| | | | | | | |
10.3† | | Amended and Restated 1997 Stock Plan | | S-1/A | | 333-83878 | | 10.3 | | May 16, 2002 | | |
| | | | | | | |
10.4† | | Amended and Restated 2002 Stock Plan | | Def 14A | | 000-49802 | | A | | March 31, 2006 | | |
| | | | | | | |
10.5 | | Amended and Restated Stockholders’ Rights Agreement | | S-1 | | 333-83878 | | 10.5 | | March 6, 2002 | | |
| | | | | | | |
10.6† | | 2011 Stock Plan | | Def 14A | | 000-49802 | | A | | April 20, 2011 | | |
| | | | | | | |
10.8† | | Description of Director Equity Compensation Plan | | 8-K | | 000-49802 | | 99.1 | | June 16, 2010 | | |
| | | | | | | |
10.9† | | Description of Director Equity Compensation Plan | | 8-K | | 000-49802 | | 10.1 | | December 28, 2009 | | |
| | | | | | | |
10.10† | | Amended and Restated Executive Severance and Retention Incentive Plan | | 10-Q | | 000-49802 | | 10.10 | | May 7, 2009 | | |
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31.1 | | Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 | | | | | | | | | | X |
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31.2 | | Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 | | | | | | | | | | X |
| | | | | | | |
32.1* | | Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 | | | | | | | | | | X |
| | | | | | | |
101 | | The following financial information from Netflix, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 filed with the SEC on April 27, 2012, formatted in XBRL includes: (i) Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 (iii) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 and (v) the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. | | | | | | | | | | X |
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* | These certifications are not deemed filed by the SEC and are not to be incorporated by reference in any filing we make under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, irrespective of any general incorporation language in any filings. |
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† | Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan. |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
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| | |
| NETFLIX, INC. |
Dated: April 27, 2012 | By: | /s/ REED HASTINGS |
| | Reed Hastings Chief Executive Officer (Principal executive officer) |
| | |
Dated: April 27, 2012 | By: | /s/ DAVID WELLS |
| | David Wells Chief Financial Officer (Principal financial and accounting officer) |
EXHIBIT INDEX
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Exhibit Number | | Exhibit Description | | Incorporated by Reference | | Filed Herewith |
| | | | Form | | File No. | | Exhibit | | Filing Date | | |
| | | | | | | |
3.1 | | Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation | | 10-Q | | 000-49802 | | 3.1 | | August 2, 2004 | | |
| | | | | | | |
3.2 | | Amended and Restated Bylaws | | 8-K | | 000-49802 | | 3.1 | | March 20, 2009 | | |
| | | | | | | |
3.3 | | Certificate of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation | | 10-Q | | 000-49802 | | 3.3 | | August 2, 2004 | | |
| | | | | | | |
4.1 | | |