Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Description of Business Spark Networks SE (“Spark Networks” or "the Company”) is a leader in social dating platforms for meaningful relationships focusing on the 40+ age demographic and faith-based affiliations, including Zoosk, Inc. ("Zoosk"), EliteSingles, SilverSingles, Christian Mingle, Jdate and JSwipe, among others. The Company’s brands are tailored to quality dating with real users looking for love and companionship in a safe and comfortable environment. The Company is domiciled in Germany with significant corporate operations, including executive leadership, accounting and finance, located in the United States. Basis of Presentation and Consolidation The Company prepares its consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP"). The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all of its wholly-owned subsidiaries. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. Use of Estimates The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Significant estimates and assumptions are required in the determination of: revenue reserves, deferred tax asset valuation allowances, unrecognized tax benefits, classification and measurement of virtual stock option plans, and annual impairment testing of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets. The Company evaluates its estimates and judgements on an ongoing basis based on historical experience, expectations of future events and various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances and revises them when necessary. Actual results may differ from the original or revised estimates. Liquidity and Capital Resources The Company's financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which contemplates the realization of assets and liquidation of liabilities in the normal course of business. As of the date of the financial statements, the Company has generated losses from operations, incurred impairment charges to its Zoosk goodwill and intangible assets and has a working capital deficiency. These factors are potential indications of the Company's inability to continue as a going concern. In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 205-40, Going Concern, the Company evaluated whether there are conditions and events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that these consolidated financial statements are issued. This evaluation initially does not take into consideration the potential mitigating effect of management’s plans that have not been fully implemented as of the date the financial statements are issued. When substantial doubt exists under this methodology, management evaluates whether the mitigating effect of its plans sufficiently alleviates substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The Company's plans to alleviate these indicators include growing its subscriber base by improving its marketing techniques and implementing new features to increase customer engagement on its various platforms. Further, the Company has plans in place to refinance the existing debt to provide more covenant flexibility and allowing more resources to be invested into the business to drive growth. The Company's plans, which include refinancing the debt, along with its current cash and cash equivalents, and cash flow from operations, is expected to be sufficient to meet its anticipated cash requirements for financial liabilities, capital expenditures and contractual obligations, for at least the next 12 months from the issuance of these financial statements. On March 11, 2022, the Company completed the successful refinancing of its existing term and revolving facility. Refer to Note 15 for additional information. Revenue Recognition The Company generates revenue primarily from users in the form of recurring subscriptions. The Company recognizes revenue through the following steps: (1) identification of the contract, or contracts, with a customer; (2) identification of the performance obligations in the contract; (3) determination of the transaction price; (4) allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (5) recognition of revenue when, or as, the Company satisfies a performance obligation. The Company enters into contracts with customers that include promises to provide subscription services with enhanced access to our dating platforms. Revenue is recognized when the promised services are provided to our customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those services. Subscription revenue is presented net of refunds and credit card chargebacks. Sales and value-added-taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities are not included in revenue and are reflected as Accrued expenses and other current liabilities on the balance sheet. Subscribers pay in advance, primarily by credit card or through mobile app stores. The Company records deferred revenue when cash payments are received in advance of satisfying its performance obligations. Enhanced access to dating platforms represents a series of distinct services as the Company continually provides enhanced access over the subscription term and represents a single performance obligation that is satisfied over time. Revenue is recognized using the straight-line method over the terms of the applicable subscription period, which primarily range from one to twelve months. The Company applies the practical expedient for contracts with duration of one year or less and therefore does not consider the effects of the time value of money. The Company evaluates whether it is appropriate to recognize revenue on a gross or net basis based upon its evaluation of whether the Company obtains control of the specified services by considering if it is primarily responsible for fulfillment of the promise, has latitude in establishing pricing and selecting suppliers, among other factors. Based on its evaluation of these factors, for revenue earned through certain mobile applications, including iOS and Android, the Company recognizes subscription revenue gross of the application processing fees primarily because the Company is the principal and has the contractual right to determine the price paid by the subscriber. The Company records the related application processing fees as cost of revenue, exclusive of depreciation and amortization, in the period incurred. As subscriptions terms do not exceed one year, the Company applies the practical expedient for the recognition of incremental costs of obtaining a contract, and expenses them as incurred. Revenue is also earned from virtual currency and advertising. Virtual currency may be redeemed by members and subscribers for certain premium features, delivery confirmation of messages, and virtual gifts. Virtual currency is paid upfront and is initially recorded as deferred revenue, and the Company records virtual currency revenue as it is redeemed. Unredeemed virtual currency is recognized into revenue if a user account is inactive for more than two years. Advertising revenues are derived primarily from sponsored links and display advertisements and is recognized when the ad is displayed, based on the number of clicks. Advertising and virtual currency revenues were each less than 3% of total revenues for all periods presented. Cost of Revenue, exclusive of depreciation and amortization Cost of revenue, exclusive of depreciation and amortization, consists primarily of direct marketing advertising expenses, compensation and other employee-related costs for personnel dedicated to maintaining the Company's data centers, data center expenses, credit card fees and mobile application processing fees. The Company incurs direct marketing advertising expenses in order to generate traffic to its websites and mobile applications. Direct marketing advertising expenses are directly attributable to the revenue the Company receives from its subscribers and consist of both online and offline marketing, particularly television and out-of-home advertising. Direct marketing advertising expenses are recognized as incurred and totaled $105.8 million and $115.1 million for 2021 and 2020, respectively. Foreign Exchange Financial statements of subsidiaries outside the United States are generally measured using the local currency as the functional currency. All assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into the U.S dollar using the exchange rate in effect at the reporting date. Revenue and expenses are translated using average exchange rates during the period. Foreign currency translation adjustments are reflected in shareholders' equity as a component of other comprehensive income (loss). Transaction gains and losses including intercompany balances denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the entity involved are included in foreign exchange gain (loss) within other income (expense) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss. Defined Contribution Plan The Company maintains a 401(k) savings plan covering all U.S. employees. Participating employees may contribute a portion of their salary into the saving plan, subject to certain limitations. The Company matches 100.0% of each employee's contributions, up to a maximum of 4.0% of the employee's eligible earnings. The Company's matching contribution expense in 2021 and 2020 totaled $0.1 million and $0.4 million, respectively. Stock-based Compensation Stock-based compensation is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is generally expensed over the requisite service period (generally the vesting period). The amount recognized as an expense is adjusted to reflect the number of awards for which the related service and non-market performance conditions are expected to be met, such that the amount ultimately recognized is based on the number of awards that meet the related service conditions at the vesting date. The Company recognizes compensation expense on a straight-line basis from the beginning of the service period. For awards with graded-vesting features, each vesting tranche is separately expensed over the related vesting period. The Company estimates the fair value of each stock option grant using the capped-call Black-Scholes option pricing model, which requires management to make certain assumptions of future expectations based on historical and current data. The assumptions include the expected term of the stock option, expected volatility, dividend yield, and risk-free interest rate. The expected term represents the amount of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding, using the simplified method, as the Company's historical share option exercise experience does not provide a reasonable basis upon which to estimate the expected term. The simplified method deems the term to be the average of the time-to-vesting and contractual life of the stock-based awards. Expected volatility is estimated based on a combination of implied market volatilities, historical volatility of our stock price and other factors. The Company’s dividend yield is based on forecasted expected payments, which are expected to be zero, and the risk-free rate is derived from the U.S Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. In a net settlement of an award, the Company does not receive payment of the exercise price from the employees but reduces the number of ADRs issued. In addition, the Company net settles for the purposes of payment of a grantee's minimum income tax obligation. ADRs issued pursuant to the exercise of the awards are issued from the Company's treasury shares. Income Taxes Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recorded with respect to temporary differences in the accounting treatment of items for financial reporting purposes and for income tax purposes. Where, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more-likely-than-not that some amount of recorded deferred tax assets will not be realized, a valuation allowance is established for the amount that, in management’s judgment, is sufficient to reduce the deferred tax asset to an amount that is more-likely-than-not to be realized. The benefit of a tax position is recognized if it is more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by the applicable taxing authority, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefit to be recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon settlement. Interest Expense Interest expense primarily includes interest for the Company's long-term debt obligation and the amortization of deferred issuance costs and original issue discounts on debt. Earnings per share Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing net earnings (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing net earnings (loss) by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period after adjusting for dilutive securities, such as awards under equity compensation plans. Dilutive potential common shares from equity awards are determined using the average share price for each period under the treasury stock method. In addition, proceeds from exercise of equity awards and the average amount of unrecognized compensation expense for equity awards are assumed to be used to repurchase shares. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, diluted loss per share excludes 988,180 and 296,817 potentially dilutive common shares, respectively, related to vested option awards, as their effect was anti-dilutive. Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash Cash and cash equivalents include all cash balances and the restricted cash primarily represents the net cash proceeds of the loan commitment that were deposited into the reserve account. See Note 9 — Long-term Debt for additional information. The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the Consolidated Balance Sheets to the total amounts shown in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows: December 31, (in thousands) 2021 2020 Cash and cash equivalents $ 16,141 $ 19,267 Restricted cash included in other current assets 138 1,850 Total cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash as shown on the consolidated statements of cash flows $ 16,279 $ 21,117 Accounts Receivable, net Accounts receivable is primarily comprised of credit card payments for subscription fees, pending collection from the credit card processors. The Company recognizes current estimated credit losses for accounts receivable, net. The allowance for credit losses reflects the Company's current estimate of credit losses expected to be incurred for an estimated amount of receivables that will not be collected. The Company considers various factors in establishing, monitoring, and adjusting its allowance for credit losses including the historical losses. Historically, the Company has not experienced significant credit losses. The Company also monitors other risk factors and forward-looking information, such as country specific risks and default rates across bank cards in establishing and adjusting its allowance for credit losses. Accounts receivable are written off after all collection efforts have ceased. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, accounts receivable is presented net of an allowance for credit losses of $0.4 million and $0.1 million, respectively. In the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company recognized credit loss expense of $0.5 million and $0.3 million, respectively, which is included as a component of Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss. Concentration of Credit Risk Financial instruments that can potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consists of cash and receivables from credit card processors. The Company reduces credit risk by placing its cash with major financial institutions with high credit ratings. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insures up to $250,000 per depositor at each financial institution. Users primarily purchase our services through the Company's mobile app and desktop stores. Payments made through these stores are processed by third-party payment providers. At December 31, 2021, two payment providers accounted for approximately 46% and 35%, respectively, of our accounts receivables, net. The comparable amounts at December 31, 2020 were 32% and 47%, respectively. Receivables from payment processors settle relatively quickly, and the Company has not experienced historical experience of losses. Management monitors the creditworthiness of payment processors closely. The Company also maintains allowances to reserve for potential refunds or chargebacks issued to users. These amounts are based on historical evidence. Business Combinations The Company accounts for business combinations using the acquisition method of accounting. The Company allocates the fair value of purchase consideration to the tangible assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and identifiable intangible assets acquired based on their estimated fair values determined as of the acquisition date. Estimated fair value represents the estimated price that would be paid by a third-party market participant. The excess of the purchase consideration over the fair values of these identifiable assets and liabilities is recorded as goodwill. The results of businesses acquired in a business combination are included in the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements from the date of acquisition. Determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions, including estimates of future revenues and adjusted earnings before interest and taxes, and discount rates. Estimates of fair value are based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable, but which are inherently uncertain and unpredictable and, as a result, actual results may differ from estimates. During the measurement period, which can be up to one year from the acquisition date, the Company may record adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with the corresponding adjustment to goodwill to the extent the Company identifies an adjustment to the preliminary purchase allocation. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period, any subsequent adjustments are recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss. Acquisition-related expenses incurred by the Company in a business combination are accounted for as an expense in the period in which the costs are incurred. Segment Reporting Segments are reflective of how the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) reviews operating results for the purpose of allocating resources and assessing performance. The Company considers a combination of factors when evaluating the composition of its operating segments, including the results regularly reviewed by the CODM, economic characteristics, services offered, classes of customers, distribution channels, geographic and regulatory environment considerations. The Company has two operating segments, Zoosk and Spark, which share similar economic and other qualitative characteristics, and are aggregated together as one reportable segment. Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets The Company's goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets resulted from business combinations in previous years. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized but are subject to annual impairment testing. The Company assesses goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually during the fourth quarter, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that goodwill or indefinite-lived intangible assets may be impaired. Triggering events that may indicate impairment include, but are not limited to, a significant adverse change in customer demand or business climate or a significant decrease in expected cash flows. Goodwill Goodwill represents the excess of the aggregate fair value of the consideration transferred in a business combination over the fair value of the asset acquired, net of liabilities assumed. The impairment tests for goodwill are conducted at the reporting unit level, which is defined as an operating segment or one level below an operating segment, for which discrete financial information is regularly reviewed by the segment manager. For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company has two reporting units. The fair value of the reporting units is determined using an income approach based on discounted cash flow ("DCF") model and a market approach based on appropriate valuation multiples observed for the reporting unit's guideline public companies. The fair value is estimated based upon a complex series of judgements about future events and uncertainties and rely heavily on estimates and assumptions at a point in time. The DCF model incorporates a number of reporting unit specific market participant assumptions including future revenue growth rates and operating margins. The discount rates represent the weighted average cost of capital measuring the reporting unit's cost of debt and equity financing, which are weighted by the percentage of debt and percentage of equity in a company's target capital structure. The discount rates applied also include adjustments to reflect management's assessment of a market participant's view concerning other risks associated with the projected cash flows of the individual reporting units. We validate our estimates of fair value determined using the income approach by considering the implied control premium to determine if the estimated enterprise value is appropriate compared to external market indicators. In testing for goodwill impairment, the Company has the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination whether it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the Company determines that it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then a quantitative assessment for impairment is required. The Company may elect not to perform the qualitative assessment for some or all reporting units. For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company performed the quantitative assessment of goodwill. Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets Indefinite-lived intangible asset consists of acquired trade names, which are expected to contribute to cash flows indefinitely. Similar to the goodwill impairment test, the Company may first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform a quantitative impairment test. If the Company chooses to bypass the qualitative assessment, or if the qualitative assessment indicates that the indefinite-lived intangible asset is more-likely-than-not impaired, a quantitative impairment test must be performed. If the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than the carrying amount, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to the difference. The Company estimates the fair value using an income approach, specifically the relief-from-royalty method, based on the present value of future cash flows. Significant assumptions under the relief-from-royalty method include the royalty rate, projected sales and the discount rate applied to the estimated cash flows. For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company performed the quantitative analysis for the Zoosk indefinite-lived intangible assets, while performing a qualitative analysis for all other indefinite-lived intangible assets. Long-lived Assets Property and Equipment, net Property and equipment is stated at cost. Depreciation and amortization begin at the time the asset is placed into service and are recognized using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives as follows: • Office and other equipment: 3 - 5 years • Leasehold improvements: the shorter of the lease term or 5 years Disposals are removed at cost less accumulated depreciation, and any gain or loss from disposition is reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss. Internal-Use Software Development Costs The Company capitalizes certain internal-use software development costs including external direct costs utilized in developing or obtaining the software and compensation for personnel directly associated with the development of the software. Capitalization of such costs begins when the preliminary project stage is complete and ceases when the project is substantially complete and ready for its intended purpose. Capitalized internal-use software costs less accumulated amortization are included in Property and equipment, net within the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Depreciation and amortization are recognized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the internal use software, which range from 3 to 6 years. Additions and improvements that increase the value or extend the life of an asset are capitalized. For property and equipment and internal-use software development costs, depreciation and amortization methods, useful lives and residual values are reviewed at each reporting date and adjusted if appropriate. Definite-lived Intangible Assets The Company's definite-lived intangible assets is primarily attributed to business combinations in previous years. Intangible assets with definite lives are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated lives. The estimated lives of intangible assets for current and comparative periods are as follows: • Licenses and domains: 2 - 5 years • Brands and trademarks: 10 years • Other intangible assets: 1 - 6 years Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Long-lived assets, which consist of right-of-use assets, property and equipment and long-lived intangible assets, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. The carrying value of a long-lived asset is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. If the carrying value is deemed not to be recoverable, an impairment loss is recorded equal to the amount by which the carrying value of the long-lived asset exceeds its fair value. Amortization of definite-lived intangible assets is computed on a straight-line basis. Leases The Company leases office space in multiple locations under non-cancelable operating lease agreements. Operating right-of-use assets represent the Company's right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represents the Company's obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease, both of which are recognized based on the present value of future minimum lease payments over the lease term at the commencement date, increased for any prepaid lease costs and reduced by any lease incentives. Leases with a lease term of 12 months or less at inception are not recorded within the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are expensed on a straight-line basis over the lease term in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss. The lease payments are discounted at the Company's incremental borrowing rate as the implicit rate in the lease is not readily determinable for most of the Company's leases, which is the rate incurred to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term an amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment. The Company elected to combine lease and non-lease components on all new or modified leases agreements, which are recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease. For contractual obligations related to the sublease of office space where the Company remains the primary obligor upon assignment of the lease and does not obtain a release from the lessor, the Company continues to recognize rent expense and operating lease assets and liabilities for the head lease on its Consolidated Balance Sheets. The related lease obligation to the lessor is presented separately from the sublease created by the lease assignment to the sublessee. The Company accounts for the head lease based on the original assessment at inception and determines if the sublease arrangement is either a sales-type, direct financing, or operating lease at inception. If the total remaining lease cost on the head lease for the term of the sublease is greater than the anticipated sublease income, the right-of-use asset is assessed for impairment. The Company's sublease is an operating lease and the Company recognizes sublease income on a straight-line basis over the sublease term. Fair Value Measurements Fair value is a market-based measurement that is determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or a liability. When determining the fair value measurements for assets and liabilities which are required to be recorded at fair value, the Company considers the principal or most advantageous market in which the Company would transact and the market-based risk measurement or assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the assets or liabilities, such as inherent risk, transfer restrictions and credit risk. The Company applies the following fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value into three levels and bases the categorization within the hierarchy upon the lowest level of input that is available and significant to the fair value measurement: • Level 1— Observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. • Level 2— Other inputs that are directly or indirectly observable in the marketplace for similar assets or liabilities. • Level 3— Unobservable inputs which are supported by little or no market activity. The fair value hierarchy requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The Company's material financial instruments consist primarily of cash, accounts receivable, long-term debt, accounts payable and accrued expenses. The fair value of long-term debt was determined using observable inputs (Level 2). The carrying values of the Company's accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximated fair values at December 31, 2021 and 2020, due to the short period of time to maturity or repayment. The Company's non-financial assets, such as goodwill, intangible assets, right-of-use assets and property and equipment are adjusted to fair value when an impairment is recognized. Contingencies The Company accrues for contingencies when the obligation is probable, and the amount can be reasonably estimated. As facts concerning contingencies become known, the Company reassesses its position and makes appropriate adjustments to the consolidated financial statements. Significant judgement is required to determine both the probability and the estimated amount of loss. These estimates have been based on our assessment of the facts and circumstances at each balance sheet date and are subject to change based on new information and future events. COVID-19 Update During 2020, the novel coronavirus ("COVID-19") outbreak spread worldwide and was declared a global pandemic in March 2020. Despite challenging economic conditions on consumers, we maintained stable churn levels during the period and experienced positive user engagement. The global outbreak of COVID-19 continues to rapidly evolve. Management is actively monitoring the global situation and potential impact on its business. The effects of COVID-19 did not have a material |