UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
Form 10-Q
(Mark One)
| |
☒ | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED March 31, 2024
| |
☐ | 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: 000-55029
THE CHOSEN, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| |
Delaware | 82-3246222 |
(State or other jurisdiction of | (I.R.S. Employer |
| |
4 S 2600 W, Suite 5 | 84737 |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
(435) 767-1338
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act
| | |
Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered |
None | N/A | N/A |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
| | | |
Large accelerated filer | ☐ | Accelerated filer | ☐ |
Non-accelerated filer | ☒ | Smaller reporting company | ☒ |
| | Emerging growth company | ☒ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
At May 15, 2024, 6,950,000 shares of the registrant’s Series A Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share, were issued and outstanding and 5,595,015 shares of the registrant’s Series B Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share, were issued and outstanding.
Table of Contents
1
CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
THIS QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q (THIS “QUARTERLY REPORT”) MAY CONTAIN FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND INFORMATION RELATING TO, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE COMPANY, ITS BUSINESS PLAN AND STRATEGY, AND ITS INDUSTRY. THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS ARE BASED ON THE BELIEFS OF, ASSUMPTIONS MADE BY, AND INFORMATION CURRENTLY AVAILABLE TO THE COMPANY’S MANAGEMENT. WHEN USED IN THE THIS FILING, THE WORDS “ESTIMATE,” “PROJECT,” “BELIEVE,” “ANTICIPATE,” “INTEND,” “EXPECT” AND SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS ARE INTENDED TO IDENTIFY FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS, WHICH CONSTITUTE FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS. THESE STATEMENTS REFLECT MANAGEMENT’S CURRENT VIEWS WITH RESPECT TO FUTURE EVENTS AND ARE SUBJECT TO RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES THAT COULD CAUSE THE COMPANY’S ACTUAL RESULTS TO DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM THOSE CONTAINED IN THE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. INVESTORS ARE CAUTIONED NOT TO PLACE UNDUE RELIANCE ON THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS, WHICH SPEAK ONLY AS OF THE DATE ON WHICH THEY ARE MADE. THE COMPANY DOES NOT UNDERTAKE ANY OBLIGATION TO REVISE OR UPDATE THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS TO REFLECT EVENTS OR CIRCUMSTANCES AFTER SUCH DATE OR TO REFLECT THE OCCURRENCE OF UNANTICIPATED EVENTS.
2
Part I - Financial Information
Item 1. Financial Statements
The Chosen, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands)
| | | | | | |
|
| As of | ||||
| | March 31, 2024 |
| December 31, 2023 | ||
|
| (unaudited) |
| |
| |
Assets |
| |
|
| |
|
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 19,117 | | $ | 65,179 |
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of | | | 23,712 | | | 8,325 |
Inventory | | | 15,138 | | | 15,060 |
Prepaid assets | | | 4,947 | | | 2,867 |
Other current assets | | | 1,882 | | | 1,259 |
Total current assets | | | 64,796 | | | 92,690 |
Property and equipment, net | | | 39,549 | | | 37,450 |
Film costs, net | | | 64,401 | | | 67,009 |
Other assets | | | 1,085 | | | 1,056 |
Deferred tax asset, net | | | 3,582 | | | — |
Total assets | | $ | 173,413 | | $ | 198,205 |
Liabilities and Equity | | | | | | |
Accounts payable | | $ | 8,365 | | $ | 10,843 |
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | | | 11,020 | | | 8,907 |
Current portion of long-term debt and lease liabilities | | | 417 | | | 359 |
Total current liabilities | | | 19,802 | | | 20,109 |
Long-term debt and lease liabilities, net | | | 138,286 | | | 138,028 |
Other noncurrent liabilities | | | 2,560 | | | 3,078 |
Deferred tax liability, net | | | — | | | 2,570 |
Total liabilities | | | 160,648 | | | 163,785 |
Commitments and contingencies | | | | | | |
Series A Common Stock, $0.001 par value; 10,900 shares authorized; 6,950 and | | | 7 | | | 7 |
Series B Common Stock, $0.001 par value; 25,000 shares authorized; | | | 6 | | | 6 |
Additional paid-in capital | | | 10,237 | | | 10,237 |
Retained earnings (deficit) | | | (5,810) | | | 14,435 |
Noncontrolling interest | | | 8,325 | | | 9,735 |
Total equity | | | 12,765 | | | 34,420 |
Total liabilities and equity | | $ | 173,413 | | $ | 198,205 |
See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
3
The Chosen, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited, in thousands, except per share data)
| | | | | | |
|
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||
|
| 2024 |
| 2023 | ||
Revenues |
| |
|
| |
|
Licensed content and merchandise revenues | | $ | 27,537 | | $ | 15,987 |
Contribution revenues | | | — | | | 8,726 |
Total revenues | | | 27,537 | | | 24,713 |
| | | | | | |
Cost of revenues | | | 10,327 | | | 5,910 |
Distribution and marketing | | | 14,770 | | | 2,753 |
Amortization of film costs | | | 10,839 | | | 3,988 |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 2,826 | | | 2,145 |
General and administrative | | | 13,956 | | | 5,358 |
Net operating income (loss) | | | (25,181) | | | 4,559 |
Interest income | | | 293 | | | 920 |
Interest expense | | | (2,955) | | | (365) |
Other income (expense) | | | 166 | | | 16 |
Net income (loss) before income taxes | | | (27,677) | | | 5,130 |
Benefit (provision) for income taxes | | | 6,022 | | | (1,614) |
Net income (loss) | | | (21,655) | | | 3,516 |
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest | | | 1,410 | | | 1,268 |
Net income (loss) attributable to The Chosen, Inc. | | $ | (20,245) | | $ | 4,784 |
Net income (loss) attributable to Common Stock/Common Units | | $ | (20,245) | | $ | 4,784 |
Earnings (loss) per Common Stock/Common Units, basic and diluted(1) | | $ | (1.61) | | $ | 0.38 |
Weighted average Common Stock/Common Units outstanding, basic and diluted(1) | | | 12,545 | | | 12,545 |
(1) | Represents earnings (loss) per share and weighted average issued and outstanding Series A Common Stock and Series B Common Stock (see Note 3). |
See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
4
The Chosen, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Equity
(Unaudited, in thousands)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Stockholders’ Equity | | | | | | | | | | | | | |||||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Series A | | Series B | | Series A | | | | | | | | | | | | | |||||||||
| | Common Stock | | Common Stock | | Preferred Stock | | Additional | | | | | Non | | | | |||||||||||
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Paid-In | | Retained | | controlling | | Total | ||||
|
| Shares |
| Amount |
| Shares |
| Amount |
| Shares |
| Amount |
| Capital |
| earnings (deficit) |
| Interest |
| Equity | |||||||
Balance as of December 31, 2022 | | 6,950 | | $ | 7 | | 1,254 | | $ | 1 | | 4,341 | | $ | 5 | | $ | 10,237 | | $ | 18,004 | | $ | 10,100 | | $ | 38,354 |
Conversion to Series B Common Stock | | — | | | — | | 4,341 | | | 5 | | (4,341) | | | (5) | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — |
Contributions from noncontrolling interest |
| — | |
| — |
| — |
| | — |
| — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 110 |
| | 110 |
Net income (loss) |
| — | |
| — |
| — |
| | — |
| — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 4,784 |
| | (1,268) |
| | 3,516 |
Balance as of March 31, 2023 | | 6,950 | | $ | 7 | | 5,595 | | $ | 6 | | — | | $ | — | | $ | 10,237 | | $ | 22,788 | | $ | 8,942 | | $ | 41,980 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance as of December 31, 2023 |
| 6,950 | | $ | 7 |
| 5,595 |
| $ | 6 |
| — |
| $ | — |
| $ | 10,237 |
| $ | 14,435 |
| $ | 9,735 |
| $ | 34,420 |
Net income (loss) |
| — | |
| — |
| — |
| | — |
| — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | (20,245) |
| | (1,410) | | | (21,655) |
Balance as of March 31, 2024 |
| 6,950 | | $ | 7 |
| 5,595 |
| $ | 6 |
| — |
| $ | — |
| $ | 10,237 |
| $ | (5,810) |
| $ | 8,325 |
| $ | 12,765 |
See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
5
The Chosen, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited, in thousands)
| | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended | ||||
| | March 31, | ||||
|
| 2024 |
| 2023 | ||
Cash flows from operating activities | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) |
| $ | (21,655) |
| $ | 3,516 |
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash from operating activities: | | | | | | |
Depreciation and amortization expense | | | 2,826 | | | 2,145 |
Amortization of film costs | | | 10,839 | | | 3,988 |
Deferred income tax (benefit) provision | | | (6,152) | | | 1,614 |
Amortization of debt issuance costs | | | — | | | 33 |
Accretion of debt discount and issuance costs | | | 258 | | | — |
Non-cash lease expense | | | 108 | | | 16 |
Allowance for credit losses | | | 43 | | | — |
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | | | | | | |
(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable | | | (15,511) | | | (2,958) |
(Increase) decrease in inventory | | | (78) | | | (1,044) |
(Increase) decrease in prepaids and other current assets | | | (2,703) | | | (1,046) |
(Increase) decrease in film costs | | | (8,267) | | | (7,015) |
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable | | | (2,668) | | | (264) |
Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses and other current liabilities | | | 1,197 | | | 4,228 |
Increase (decrease) in other noncurrent liabilities | | | (19) | | | (642) |
Net cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities | | | (41,782) | | | 2,571 |
Cash flows from investing activities | | | | | | |
Acquisition of property & equipment | | | (4,280) | | | (529) |
Net cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities | | | (4,280) | | | (529) |
Cash flows from financing activities | | | | | | |
Contributions from noncontrolling interest member | | | — | | | 110 |
Principal paid on finance lease | | | — | | | (5) |
Principal paid on debt | | | — | | | (347) |
Dividends paid | | | — | | | (10,417) |
Net cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities | | | — | | | (10,659) |
Net change in cash and cash equivalents | | | (46,062) | | | (8,617) |
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | | | 65,179 | | | 124,790 |
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period |
| $ | 19,117 |
| $ | 116,173 |
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: | | | | | | |
Cash paid for income taxes | | | — | | | — |
Cash paid for interest | | | 2,697 | | | 365 |
Cash received for interest |
| | 293 |
| | — |
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing information: | | | | | | |
Purchase of property and equipment with accounts payable | | | 643 | | | — |
Accounts payable and accrued expenses and other current liabilities related to film costs, net |
| | 463 |
| | — |
See accompanying notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
6
The Chosen, Inc.
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)
Note 1 – Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
The Chosen, Inc., a Delaware corporation, is an independent television and film production company, which was created to develop and produce an episodic television series entitled The Chosen (the “Series”). The Series is based on the gospels of the Bible and tells the story of the life of Jesus Christ primarily through the perspectives of those who met him throughout his life. While the Company is primarily focused on producing the remaining three seasons of the Series, it continues to evaluate opportunities to diversify its content through other Biblical based productions.
The condensed consolidated financial statements of The Chosen, Inc., its wholly owned subsidiaries, and its variable controlling interest in Impossible Math, LLC (collectively the “Company”), have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) and are consistent in all material respects with those applied in the Company’s Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2023 included in the Company’s Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on April 1, 2024 . The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. 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 of content assets 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. On a regular basis, the Company evaluates the assumptions, judgments, and estimates. Actual results may differ from these 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 condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results for a full year.
The Company changed the presentation of operating expenses related to distribution activities in its Annual Report on Form 10-K. Distribution related expenses were reclassified from General and administrative costs to Distribution and marketing costs (See Note 1 and the Company’s Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2023 for further information). The change in presentation and classification has been applied retrospectively to the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2023, resulting in an increase to Distribution and marketing costs of $1,126 thousand, and a decrease to General and administrative costs of $1,126 thousand.
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 for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Going Concern
In the consolidated financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2023, the Company had previously disclosed substantial doubts about its ability to continue as a going concern, which the Company determined the Company’s plans were probable to be implemented and that they alleviate the substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. On May 13, 2024, the Company and Come and See Foundation, Inc. (“CAS”) signed the Asset Purchase Agreement, which provides for a series of transactions by and among the Company and CAS, following which the Company believes it has enough financial resources to fund its operations, meet its capital requirements, and fulfill its anticipated obligations in the next twelve months. Therefore, the Company has determined that the conditions and events that raised these substantial doubts no longer exist and the condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared under the assumption that the Company will continue as a going concern. Refer to Note 11 Subsequent Events, for further information on the agreement with CAS.
7
Concentrations of Credit Risk
The Company maintains its cash in bank deposit accounts which, at times, exceed federally insured limits. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the bank balance exceeded the federally insured limit by $11,443 thousand and $19,028 thousand, respectively.
A major customer is considered to be one that comprises more than 10% of the Company’s accounts receivable or annual revenues. For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023, 74.3% and 69.3%, respectively, of the Company’s revenues were collectively with two and one major customers, respectively. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, 89.6% and 83% respectively, of the Company’s accounts receivable were due from the two and one major customers, respectively.
Note 2 - Revenue Recognition
The Company primarily earns its revenue from licensing its intellectual property rights related to the Series. Licensed content revenues are primarily earned from licensing agreements which include distribution of the Company’s intellectual property via (i) streaming of digital media (video-on-demand (“VOD”) and subscription video-on-demand (“SVOD”), (ii) physical media (digital versatile discs (“DVDs”) and Blu-ray discs), (iii) linear television, (iv) theatrical distribution of certain episodes or other content, (v) books and printed materials and (vi) merchandise.
Under these arrangements, the Company’s performance obligation is a license of functional intellectual property that provides the licensee the right to use the Company’s internally produced programming, or uploaded marketing advertisements, as it exists at a point in time. Merchandise revenue is generated from online store and wholesale sales of The Chosen merchandise and physical media products. The Company contracts with third parties to fulfill orders and also utilizes third-party distributors to sell merchandise to retailers.
Prior to the Second Amendment to the Contribution Agreement with CAS on October 31, 2023, the Company also generated revenues from funds received under a non-reciprocal agreement with CAS for donation proceeds received by CAS through The Chosen App to be used in furtherance of the charitable purposes of CAS, which included the production of the Series. However, after the Second Amendment to the Contribution Agreement, the Company no longer receives the contribution revenue. Contributions that were received from voluntary donations pursuant to the agreement with CAS were reported as Contribution revenues in the Consolidated Statement of Operations in accordance with ASC Topic 958, Not-for-Profit Entities.
The following table presents the Company’s revenue disaggregated by licensed content and merchandise revenues as well as contribution revenues (in thousands):
| | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended | ||||
| | March 31, | ||||
|
| 2024 |
| 2023 | ||
Licensed content | | $ | 22,816 | | $ | 8,543 |
Merchandise | | | 4,721 | | | 7,444 |
Licensed content and merchandise revenues | | $ | 27,537 | | $ | 15,987 |
Contribution revenues | | | — | | | 8,726 |
Total revenues | | $ | 27,537 | | $ | 24,713 |
Contract Assets and Liabilities
A contract asset is recorded when revenue is recognized in advance of the Company’s right to bill and receive consideration and that right is conditioned upon something other than the passage of time. The Company did not have any contract assets as of March 31, 2024, and December 31, 2023.
Contract liabilities are recorded when consideration is received from a customer prior to fully satisfying a performance obligation in a contract. The Company’s contract liabilities primarily consist of deferred revenue for cash received related to licensed content arrangements under which a payment has been received and the content has not yet been made available to the customer and
8
cash received related to merchandise arrangements under which a payment has been received and the order is pending fulfillment. These contract liabilities will be recognized as revenues when control of the related product or service is transferred to the customer.
The following table presents contract liabilities included in the following on the Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands):
| | | | | | |
| | As of | ||||
| | March 31, | | December 31, | ||
|
| 2024 |
| 2023 | ||
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | | $ | 1,778 | | $ | 1,142 |
Other noncurrent liabilities (1) | |
| 1,286 | |
| 1,928 |
Total | | $ | 3,064 | | $ | 3,070 |
(1) | This amount reflects the cash payment received from the CAS transaction for outstanding performance obligations as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. |
Revenue recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2024, from amounts included in total contract liabilities as of December 31, 2023, was $830 thousand. Revenue recognized for three months ended March 31, 2023 from amounts included in total contract liabilities as of December 31, 2022 was $165 thousand.
Note 3 – Earnings (loss) per share
Earnings (loss) per share (“EPS”) is calculated using the two-class method, which involves the allocation of earnings to each class of common stock outstanding and to participating securities with rights to earnings that would otherwise have been available to common stockholders. Except with respect to the number of votes per share, Series A Common Stock and Series B Common Stock have the same rights and preferences, including equal rights to participation in the dividends and other distributions of the Company. Accordingly, basic and diluted earnings per share is the same for both classes and EPS for the three months ended March 31, 2024 have been presented as a single class of common stock.
All Series A Preferred Stock were previously reflected as converted into Class B Common Stock for basic EPS as of December 31, 2022 following the declaration of the Dividend to Series A Preferred Stockholders (See Note 1 and the Company’s Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2023). As of March 31, 2024, the Company does not have any potentially dilutive instruments outstanding.
Note 4 – Balance Sheet Components
Inventory
As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, inventory consisted of the following (in thousands):
| | | | | | |
|
| As of | ||||
| | March 31, | | December 31, | ||
|
| 2024 |
| 2023 | ||
Raw materials | | $ | 175 | | $ | 175 |
Finished goods | | | 15,618 | | | 15,540 |
Inventory reserve | |
| (655) | |
| (655) |
Inventory | | $ | 15,138 | | $ | 15,060 |
9
Property and Equipment
Property and Equipment and accumulated depreciation consisted of the following:
| | | | | | | | |
|
| As of |
| | ||||
| | March 31, | | December 31, | | Estimated | ||
|
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| Useful Lives | ||
| | (in thousands) | | (in years) | ||||
Land | | $ | 90 | | $ | 90 | |
|
Capitalized Software | | | 3,389 | | | 2,690 | | 3 |
Buildings and improvements | | | 48,660 | | | 37,297 | | 4 – 30 |
Equipment | | | 866 | | | 791 | | 3 – 15 |
Furniture and fixtures | | | 80 | | | 80 | | 5 |
Vehicles | | | 484 | | | 484 | | 8 |
Construction in process | | | 855 | | | 8,069 | | |
Property and equipment, gross | | | 54,424 | | | 49,501 | |
|
Accumulated depreciation | | | (14,875) | | | (12,051) | |
|
Property and equipment, net | | $ | 39,549 | | $ | 37,450 | |
|
No impairment of property and equipment was recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. Depreciation of property and equipment was $2,826 thousand and $2,145 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023, respectively.
Film Costs
The following table represents the components of film costs (in thousands):
| | | | | | |
| | As of | ||||
| | March 31, | | December 31, | ||
|
| 2024 |
| 2023 | ||
Released and completed film costs | | $ | 93,785 | | $ | 48,395 |
Not released, in production film costs | | | 8,387 | | | 44,737 |
In development or preproduction film costs | | | 3,453 | | | 4,262 |
Film costs, gross | | | 105,625 | | | 97,394 |
Accumulated amortization | | | (41,224) | | | (30,385) |
Film costs, net of amortization | | $ | 64,401 | | $ | 67,009 |
Amortization expense for film costs for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, was $10,839 thousand and $3,988 thousand, respectively.
The future aggregate amounts of amortization expense expected to be recognized over the next five years related to released and completed film costs as of March 31, 2024 are as follows (in thousands):
| | | |
Years Ending December 31: |
| Amount | |
Remainder of 2024 | | $ | 13,473 |
2025 | | | 15,982 |
2026 | | | 9,551 |
2027 | | | 9,711 |
2028 | | | 3,844 |
Total | | $ | 52,561 |
10
Leases
The Company has operating leases for some of the Company’s office facilities and vehicles. The leases expire at various dates through 2026 and provide for renewal options ranging from one month to four terms of ten-years. In the normal course of business, it is expected that these leases will be renewed or replaced by leases on other properties.
The Company’s operating and finance right-of-use assets and lease liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):
| | | | | | |
|
| March 31, 2024 |
| December 31, 2023 | ||
Right-of-use assets (1) |
| |
|
| |
|
Operating leases | | $ | 942 | | $ | 891 |
Finance leases | | | — | | | — |
Total right-of-use assets | | $ | 942 | | $ | 891 |
| | | | | | |
Short-term lease liabilities (2) | | | | | | |
Operating leases | | $ | 417 | | $ | 359 |
Finance leases | | | — | | | — |
| | $ | 417 | | $ | 359 |
Long-term lease liabilities (3) | | | | | | |
Operating leases | | $ | 367 | | $ | 368 |
Finance leases | | | — | | | — |
| | $ | 367 | | $ | 368 |
| | | | | | |
Total lease liabilities | | $ | 784 | | $ | 727 |
(1) | Included in Other assets in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. |
(2) | Included in Current portion of long-term debt and lease liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. |
(3) | Included in Long-term debt and lease liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. |
The components of lease costs consisted of the following (in thousands):
| | | | | | |
| | March 31, | | March 31, | ||
|
| 2024 |
| 2023 | ||
Lease costs |
| |
|
| |
|
Finance lease cost |
| |
|
| |
|
Amortization of right-of-use assets | | $ | — | | $ | 5 |
Interest on lease liabilities | | | — | | | 1 |
Operating lease cost | | | 134 | | | 176 |
Variable and short-term lease cost | | | 463 | | | 191 |
Total lease cost | | $ | 597 | | $ | 373 |
11
Cash paid during the period for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):
| | | | | | |
| | March 31, | | March 31, | ||
|
| 2024 |
| 2023 | ||
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: |
| |
|
| |
|
Operating cash flows for finance leases | | $ | — | | $ | 5 |
Operating cash flows for operating leases | | | 128 | | | 161 |
| | | | | | |
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations: | | | | | | |
Operating leases | | $ | 79 | | $ | 293 |
Finance leases | | | — | | | — |
Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases consisted of the following (in thousands):
| | | | | |
|
| March 31, 2024 |
| March 31, 2023 |
|
Weighted average remaining lease term (in years): |
|
|
|
| |
Operating leases |
| 2.10 years |
| 2.60 years | |
Finance leases |
| — |
| 4.08 years | |
| | | | | |
Weighted average discount rate: |
| |
| | |
Operating leases |
| 6.63 | % | 6.17 | % |
Finance leases |
| — | % | 4.26 | % |
Maturities of lease liabilities as of March 31, 2024 were as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | |
|
| Operating Leases |
| Finance Leases | ||
Remainder of 2024 | | $ | 360 | | $ | — |
2025 | | | 295 | | | — |
2026 | | | 181 | | | — |
2027 | | | — | | | — |
2028 | | | — | | | — |
Thereafter | | | — | | | — |
Total lease payments | | | 837 | | | — |
Imputed interest | | | (53) | | | — |
Total lease liability | | $ | 784 | | $ | — |
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):
| | | | | | |
| | As of | ||||
| | March 31, | | December 31, | ||
|
| 2024 |
| 2023 | ||
| | | | | | |
Accrued participant royalties | | $ | 4,309 | | $ | 2,564 |
Accrued compensation | | | 3,053 | | | 1,527 |
Contract liabilities | | | 1,778 | | | 1,142 |
Credit card liabilities | | | 651 | | | 1,489 |
Income tax payable | | | 405 | | | 405 |
Accrued inventory purchases | | | 57 | | | 1,020 |
Other | | | 767 | | | 760 |
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | | $ | 11,020 | | $ | 8,907 |
12
Note 5 - Debt
On November 29, 2022, the Company entered into a financing agreement with CAS with an aggregate principal of $145,500 thousand. This loan has no maturity date with no fixed repayment schedule and is non-interest bearing for the first seven years, after which the loan accrues interest at the then-current applicable federal rate. The Company is required to repay the loan on a quarterly basis, utilizing a specified percentage of 5% applied to the proceeds received from certain of the Company’s licensed content and merchandise revenues, which continues to be paid to CAS after the aggregate principal balance is settled. The loan is recorded applying the effective interest method based on the expected repayments and estimated timing and amount due upon a potential liquidity event.
In addition, upon the occurrence of certain events, the Company’s repayment of the outstanding principal balance may be accelerated or be declared immediately due. Such events include voluntary or non-voluntary bankruptcy, change of control, corporate arrangement, or other customary events of non-performance. The loan is secured by the intellectual property owned by the Company, whereby CAS receives a first-priority continuing senior security interest.
On October 31, 2023, the Company and CAS mutually agreed to reevaluate certain terms of the financing arrangement with CAS, executing the Second Amendment on October 31, 2023. The Second Amendment was accounted for as a debt modification in accordance with ASC Topic 470, Debt. The modification led to an adjusted aggregate principal of $145,500 thousand,minus a debt discount of $221 thousand and $7,217 thousand of additional debt issuance costs paid to CAS. The amended loan accrues interest at a rate per annum (“Interest Rate”), equal to the median secured overnight financing rate (“SOFR”) published by the Federal Reserve, plus two percent (2)%. The Company must repay the interest on the loan quarterly, following each calendar quarter. The loan is recorded applying the effective interest method over life of the loan, based on the expected maturity date of November 22, 2029.
The following table presents debt on the Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands):
| | | | | | |
| | As of | ||||
| | March 31, | | December 31, | ||
|
| 2024 |
| 2023 | ||
Long-term debt (1) | | $ | 137,918 | | $ | 137,660 |
Current portion of long-term debt (2) | |
| — | |
| — |
Total long-term debt | | $ | 137,918 | | $ | 137,660 |
(1) | Included in Long-term debt and lease liabilities, net in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. |
(2) | Included in Current portion of long-term debt and lease liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. |
Long-term debt is net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $7,581 thousand and $7,840 thousand as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively.
Note 6 - Equity
Each share of Series A Common Stock is entitled to ten votes per share, and each share of Series B Common Stock is entitled to one vote per share. Except with respect to the number of votes per share, Series A Common Stock and Series B Common Stock have the same rights and preferences, including equal rights to participation in the dividends and other distributions of the Company.
Note 7 - Income Taxes
| | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended | | ||||
| | March 31, | | ||||
|
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| ||
Provision (benefit) for income taxes | | $ | (6,022) | | $ | 1,614 | |
Effective tax rate | |
| 22 | % |
| 31 | % |
The effective tax rates for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023 differed from the Federal statutory rate primarily due to the impact from the net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest (“NCI”) and the benefit of state income taxes, net of Federal income tax effect.
13
The decrease in the effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was primarily due the impact from the net loss attributable to NCI of $1,410 thousand offset by the benefit of state income taxes, net of Federal income tax effect of $755 thousand.
Note 8 – Employee Benefits
The Company sponsors a defined contribution retirement savings plan under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code which covers substantially all employees who meet minimum age and service requirements and allows participants to defer a portion of their annual compensation on a pre- or post-tax basis. During the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company contributions to the plan amounted to $130 thousand and $119, respectively.
Note 9 - Related Party Transactions
The Company has entered into various agreements with an executive and their immediate family member to write various books related to the Series. They receive a percentage of sales for each book. In total, the Company recognized expenses from transactions with related parties for writer fees and book royalties of $19 thousand and $22 thousand during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. As of March 31, 2024, and March 31, 2023, there were related party liability balances of $2 thousand and $22 thousand respectively.
Note 10 - Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments
Under the Company’s current license agreement with Angel Studios, the Company is required to remit payments to Angel Studios, in perpetuity, based on a specified percentage of certain of the Company’s revenues derived from The Chosen series.
Refer to Note 4 Balance Sheet Components and Note 5 Debt for information related to the Company’s contractual commitments for leasing and financing arrangements.
Litigation
As of October 18, 2022, the Company had entered into a non-exclusive license agreement (“Content License Agreement”) with Angel Studios, Inc.(“Angel”) pursuant to which the Company granted Angel a non-exclusive license to exploit the Series in exchange for a defined share of Angel’s revenues from such exploitation. As described in the Form 8-K filed on April 10, 2023 by the Company, the Company delivered to Angel a Notice of Termination of the Content License Agreement on April 4, 2023 due to Angel’s previously noticed and uncured material breaches of the Content License Agreement. Initially, the Company elected to hold the termination in abeyance pending binding arbitration of the dispute with Angel, which the Company initiated on April 6, 2023. On October 15, 2023, following additional noticed and uncured material breaches by Angel, the Company delivered to Angel a second Notice of Termination, with such termination of the Content License Agreement to be effective as of October 20, 2023. The arbitration the Company initiated to resolve the dispute on April 6, 2023 is ongoing. While there is no guarantee of the ultimate outcome of the arbitration proceedings, the Company, after consultation with legal counsel, does not believe these proceedings will have a material negative impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or liquidity.
Note 11 - Subsequent Events
Management has evaluated events and transactions for potential recognition or disclosure through May 15, 2024, the date the consolidated financial statements were available to be issued.
On May 13, 2024, The Chosen, Inc. entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (the “APA”) with the nonprofit corporation Come and See Foundation, Inc. Contemporaneously therewith, the Company issued a promissory note in favor of CAS, in the principal amount of approximately $11,684 thousand (the “Bridge Note”), in exchange for CAS’s making a short-term loan to the Company for such same amount.
14
Asset Purchase Agreement
The transactions contemplated by the APA are intended to re-define the terms of an existing business relationship between the Company and CAS, pursuant to which (i) CAS currently owns the intellectual property rights to the episodic television program entitled The Chosen, including the first four existing seasons in distribution and all unproduced seasons of episodes, plus derivatives (collectively with the Series, the “The Chosen Programs”) and licenses the Commercial Rights (as defined below), including, without limitation, the right to develop, produce, distribute and market The Chosen Programs (collectively, the “Commercial Rights”), to the Company on an exclusive basis, subject to CAS’s retention of certain rights to distribute and market The Chosen Programs to the non-profit sector, pursuant to a License Agreement, dated as of November 29, 2022, by and between the Company and CAS (the “Existing License Agreement”) and (ii) the Company currently develops, produces, distributes, and markets The Chosen Programs with funding from CAS pursuant to an existing Contribution Funding and Production Agreement, dated as of November 29, 2022, between CAS and the Company (as successor-in-interest to The Chosen, LLC, a Utah limited liability company), as the same has been amended from time to time (the “Existing Funding Agreement”).
The APA provides for, subject to certain terms and conditions, the entry into (i) a Production Services and Funding Agreement (the “PSFA”) between CAS and The Chosen Texas, LLC, a subsidiary of the Company (“TCT”), and (ii) an Amended and Restated Distribution License and Marketing Services Agreement (the “DMA”, and together with the PSFA and APA, the “CAS Agreements”) between CAS and Company. The PSFA and the DMA, together, contain the terms pursuant to which the Company will continue, after the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the APA (the “Closing”), develop, produce, distribute, and market The Chosen Programs.
Under the terms of the APA and the other CAS Agreements, the Company has agreed to (i) transfer the Commercial Rights and certain other assets to CAS, (ii) re-license the Commercial Rights from CAS and distribute and market The Chosen Programs on an exclusive basis subject to royalty and other terms set forth in the DMA, (iii) provide for the cancellation of the existing indebtedness owed by the Company to CAS and (iv) terminate the Existing Funding Agreement and implement the PSFA, pursuant to which the Company will be engaged to provide production services to CAS in respect of The Chosen Programs and CAS will continue fund the Company’s activities in respect of The Chosen Programs.
The consideration payable to the Company under the APA will consist of:
(i) | the cancellation of all of the existing indebtedness owed by the Company to CAS, which includes approximately $145,500 thousand of existing indebtedness owed by the Company to CAS under the Existing Funding Agreement, and approximately $11,684 thousand of indebtedness under the Bridge Note, and any accrued but unpaid interest thereon as of the Closing Date; and |
(ii) | up to approximately $85,000 thousand of certain milestone payments, which may be paid following the Closing to the extent earned upon the completion and delivery of seasons 5, 6, and 7, respectively, of the Series. |
The Closing will take place on the second business day following the satisfaction or waiver of the closing conditions or such other date as the parties may mutually determine (the “Closing Date”). The conditions to Closing include, among other things, at least twenty (20) calendar days having elapsed from the date of filing and distribution of the Company’s definitive information statement on Schedule 14C to its stockholders with respect to the transaction under the APA, the accuracy of representations and warranties, material performance of covenants, and no occurrence of a material adverse effect.
Bridge Note
The Bridge Note bears interest at a rate equal to 7% per annum and matures and becomes payable by the Company on the earliest of the Closing Date, the termination of the APA and the date on which all amounts under the Bridge Note become due and payable due to the occurrence of an Event of Default (as defined in the Bridge Note). Events of Default include (as more fully described in the Bridge Note):
● | the Company’s failure to pay any amount of principal or interest when due; |
● | the Company’s breach of any representation or warranty made to CAS pursuant to the Bridge Note; |
15
● | the Company’s breach or failure to perform any of its covenants, agreements, or obligations under the Bridge Note (including, without limitation, not to undertake a major transaction, e.g. a merger or other sale transaction other than as contemplated by the APA or incur any additional non-ordinary course indebtedness without CAS’s consent); |
● | certain cross-defaults under any other existing indebtedness of the Company, the APA or any ancillary agreement thereto, or any other material contract to which the Company is a party; |
● | certain bankruptcy proceedings; and |
● | certain judgments or decrees against the Company. |
All of the Company’s obligations under the Bridge Note will become immediately due and payable upon the occurrence of any Event of Default.
The Company determined the transaction contemplated through the CAS Agreements does not qualify for reporting as discontinued operations presentation as it is not considered a component of an entity that comprises operations and cash flows that can be clearly distinguished from the rest of the Company, nor is not considered to represent a strategic shift in the Company’s operations. As of March 31, 2024, the combined net carrying amounts of assets to be disposed of through the APA are film costs of $59,149 thousand, recognized and measured in accordance with ASC Subtopic 926-20, Entertainment—Films—Other Assets—Film Costs, and insignificant carrying value related to copyright and trademark intangible assets. The Company determined there was no impairment loss to be recognized related to film costs as a result of the contemplated transactions.
16
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
For purposes of this discussion, the use of the words “we,” “us,” “Company,” or “our” refers to The Chosen, Inc. (f/k/a The Chosen, LLC) and its subsidiaries, except where the context otherwise requires.
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the Company’s registration statement on Form 10K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ( the “SEC”) on April 1, 2024, including the audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes included therein and the consolidated interim financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any future period, and results for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.
In addition to our consolidated interim financial statements, the following discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates and beliefs. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. See “Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements” and the “Risk Factors” set forth in Part II, Item 1A herein for a discussion of the uncertainties, risks and assumptions associated with these statements.
Results of Operations
Overview
The Company is an entertainment company, which develops, produces, and licenses for distribution, domestically and internationally, an episodic television series entitled The Chosen. The Company collaborates with partners to market, source, curate and distribute the Series to targeted audiences through (i) existing and emerging digital home entertainment platforms, including but not limited to Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, and most VOD streaming platforms, as well as (ii) physical media, including DVD and Blu-ray Discs, (iii) linear television, (iv) theatrical distribution of certain episodes or other content, (v) books, and (vi) merchandise.
The Company’s revenue model primarily includes royalties received from the licensing of The Chosen as well as online store and wholesale sales of The Chosen physical media products, merchandise, and contributions. Our marketing efforts include limited and strategically focused distribution and marketing campaigns through targeted TV, streaming, and social media campaigns.
17
Comparison of the Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 and 2023
The following summary of our consolidated results of operations should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements, and related notes, included herein.
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended |
| | | |
| | ||||
| | March 31, | | Change |
| |||||||
|
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| 2024 vs. 2023 |
| |||||
| | (in thousands, except percentages) |
| |||||||||
Revenues: | | |
| | |
| | |
| |
|
|
Licensed content and merchandise revenues | | $ | 27,537 | | $ | 15,987 | | $ | 11,550 | | 72 | % |
Contribution revenues | | | — | | | 8,726 | | | (8,726) |
| (100) | % |
Total revenues | | | 27,537 | | | 24,713 | | | 2,824 |
| 11 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cost of revenues | | | 10,327 | | | 5,910 | | | 4,417 |
| 75 | % |
Distribution and marketing | | | 14,770 | | | 2,753 | | | 12,017 |
| 437 | % |
Amortization of film costs | | | 10,839 | | | 3,988 | | | 6,851 |
| 172 | % |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 2,826 | | | 2,145 | | | 681 |
| 32 | % |
General and administrative | | | 13,956 | | | 5,358 | | | 8,598 |
| 160 | % |
Net operating income (loss) | | | (25,181) | | | 4,559 | | | (29,740) |
| (652) | % |
Interest income | | | 293 | | | 920 | | | (627) | | (68) | % |
Interest expense | | | (2,955) | | | (365) | | | (2,590) |
| 710 | % |
Other income (expense) | | | 166 | | | 16 | | | 150 |
| 938 | % |
Net income (loss) before income taxes | | | (27,677) | | | 5,130 | | | (32,807) |
| (640) | % |
Benefit (provision) for income taxes | | | 6,022 | | | (1,614) | | | 7,636 |
| (473) | % |
Net income (loss) | | $ | (21,655) | | $ | 3,516 | | $ | (25,171) |
| (716) | % |
Licensed Content and Merchandise Revenues
Licensed content and merchandise revenues include payments received, principally via royalties, from our licensing agreements and sales of merchandise. Revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2024 increased $11,550 thousand, or 72%, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023, primarily due to all episodes of Season 4 being released theatrically in the United States, and various Season 4 episodes released internationally in the first quarter of 2024 of $12,430 thousand compared to theatrical releases of two episodes of Season 3 in the first quarter of 2023, partially offset by a decrease in revenues related to merchandise of $2,679 thousand, as merchandise sales were softer in the first quarter of 2024 compared to 2023. The remaining is attributable to an increase in revenues of licensing Seasons 1-3 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023.
Contribution Revenues
Contribution revenues is comprised of contributions received revenues under a non-reciprocal agreement with the CAS for donation proceeds received by CAS through The Chosen App to help fund the future production of the Series. Contribution revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2023 were $8,726 thousand. While the Second Amendment executed in October 2023 modified and revised various commercial terms, it also eliminated the obligation of CAS to continue to provide Contribution Revenue to the Company. As such, no additional Contribution Revenue was received by the Company for reporting periods subsequent to the signing of the Second Amendment.
Cost of Revenues
Cost of revenues primarily include the costs of products, third party expenses to fulfill merchandise sales orders, costs associated with events related to The Chosen, and participation and residual costs owed to writers, producers, actors and other film participants. Cost of revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2024 increased $4,417 thousand, or 75% as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023 primarily due to the theatrical release of Season 4. The increase was driven by an increase to costs related to actor theatrical release bonuses of $3,845 thousand and increased actor and residual costs of $2,383 thousand. These cost increases
18
were partially offset by a decrease in cost of sales related to merchandise of $1,811 thousand, as merchandise sales were softer in the first quarter of 2024 compared to 2023.
Distribution and Marketing
Distribution and marketing include costs to promote the Series and primarily includes marketing on social and digital platforms as well as costs for producing marketing and managing the exploitation of the licensed content for both domestic and international audiences. Distribution and Marketing expense for the three months ended March 31, 2024, increased $12,017 thousand, or 437% as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023, which is primarily attributable to increased marketing costs to promote the theatrical release of Season 4 and extended worldwide distribution of the previously released Seasons. Specifically, the Company released all episodes of Season 4 in theaters across the United States and various Season 4 episodes internationally in 36 countries. The Company also executed four international theatrical premier events (England, Poland, Mexico, and Brazil) in addition to the United States theatrical premier event in Los Angeles, CA. The increases in Distribution and Marketing expenses for the three months ending March 31, 2024 represent strategic expansion in both domestic and international markets which will support future releases of the fifth, sixth, and seventh seasons.
Amortization of Film Costs
Costs of producing the Series are amortized using the individual-film-forecast method, based on the ratio of the current period’s revenues to the Company’s estimated ultimate revenue.
Amortization of film costs for the three months ended March 31, 2024 increased $6,851 thousand, or 172%, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023, primarily due to the additional amortization of film costs as a result of the release of Season 4 in the first quarter of 2024.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment for the three months ended March 31, 2024 increased $681 thousand, or 32%, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023, primarily due to the Company completing construction on a second soundstage late in the first quarter of 2024.
General and Administrative
General and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2024, increased $8,598 thousand, or 160%, as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023, primarily due to, (i) legal, accounting and professional fees of $4,205 thousand primarily attributed to the ongoing arbitration with Angel Studios, the continuing negotiations with CAS on the follow-up to the Second Amendment and other professional services to support various corporate initiatives, (ii) information technology and administrative related expenses of $3,086 thousand primarily attributed to mobile app development and hosting costs, (iii) payroll expenses of $450 thousand primarily attributed to the Company’s growth.
Income Taxes
Income tax benefit for the three months ended March 31,2024 decreased $7,636 thousand or (473%), as compared to three months ended March 31, 2023, primarily due to the impact of the Company’s expected tax benefit at U.S. Federal statutory rates of $5,812 thousand.
The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2024 decreased 9% as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023, primarily due to the impact from the net loss attributable to non-controlling interest of $1,410 thousand offset by the benefit of state income taxes, net of Federal income tax effect of $755 thousand.
19
Liquidity and Capital Resource
Comparison of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023
| | | | | | | | | |
| | As of |
| | | ||||
| | March 31, | | December 31, | | | | ||
|
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| Change | |||
| | (in thousands) | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 19,117 | | $ | 65,179 | | $ | (46,062) |
Long-term debt | |
| 138,703 | |
| 138,387 | |
| 316 |
The Company’s primary sources of liquidity are from cash flows generated from operations and financing activities. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company had cash of $19,117 thousand and $65,179 thousand, respectively. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company had long-term debt of $138,703 thousand and $138,387, respectively.
The Company’s primary uses of cash generally relate to film costs. The decrease in cash of $46,062 thousand was primarily attributable to an increase of $8,267 thousand in film costs related to the production of Season 4 and an increase of $15,511 in accounts receivable, partially offset by an increase of $1,197 thousand in accrued expenses and other accrued liabilities and $21,655 thousand in net loss.
The Company’s long-term debt relates to the agreement with CAS, whereby CAS provided $145,500 thousand for the Company’s use in the development, production, distribution and marketing of the Series and to provide the Company with operating and working capital.
The Company believes its existing cash and expected cash flows from operations will be sufficient to meet our working capital, capital expenditures, and expected cash needs from known contractual agreements for the next twelve months and beyond.
Comparison of the Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 and 2023
Our cash flow activities were as follows for the periods presented:
| | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended |
| | | ||||
| | March 31, | | | | ||||
|
| 2024 |
| 2023 |
| Change | |||
| | (in thousands) | |||||||
Net cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities | | $ | (41,782) | | $ | 2,571 | | $ | (44,353) |
Net cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities | |
| (4,280) | |
| (529) | |
| (3,751) |
Net cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities | |
| — | |
| (10,659) | |
| 10,659 |
Operating activities
Net cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities was $(41,782) thousand and $2,571 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The decrease of net cash flows provided by operating activities of $44,353 thousand was primarily driven by the increase of $12,553 thousand in accounts receivable, an increase of $7,766 thousand in deferred income tax benefit, and by the decrease of $25,088 thousand in net income (loss), exclusive of non-cash items, resulting from cash flows generated from operations.
Investing activities
Net cash flows used in investing activities was $4,280 thousand and $529 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase of net cash flows used in investing activities of $3,751 thousand was primarily driven by the increase in acquisition of property and equipment for the film campus.
20
Financing activities
There were no financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2024. The net cash flows used in financing activities of $10,659 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2023 primarily included dividend payments of $10,417 thousand.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America U.S. GAAP 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, the Company has identified the critical accounting policies and judgments addressed below. Estimates are based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that the Company believes to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. There have been no material changes to the Company’s critical accounting estimates included in our Annual Report on our Form 10K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Film Costs
Costs of producing the Series are amortized, and residual and participation costs are accrued, using the individual-film-forecast method, based on the ratio of the current period’s revenues to the Company’s estimated remaining ultimate revenue per each episodic block. The initial estimate of ultimate revenue includes estimates of revenues through various distribution channels such as theatrical, home entertainment and other distribution platforms and are based on historical experience for past seasons. The Company regularly monitors the performance of each season, and evaluates whether impairment indicators are present (i.e., low ratings), and based upon our review, the Company revises the estimates as needed.
Due to the inherent uncertainties involved in making such estimates of ultimate revenues and expenses, these estimates have differed in the past from actual results and are likely to differ to some extent in the future from actual results. In addition, in the normal course of our business, some seasons are more successful or less successful than anticipated. Management regularly reviews and revises, when necessary, its ultimate revenue and cost estimates, which may result in a change in the rate of amortization of film costs and participations and residuals and/or a write-down of all or a portion of the unamortized costs of the film or television program to its estimated fair value.
An increase in the estimate of ultimate revenue will generally result in a lower amortization rate and, therefore, lesser film amortization expense, while a decrease in the estimate of ultimate revenue will generally result in a higher amortization rate and, therefore, higher film amortization expense.
The amortization of film costs is on an accelerated basis, as the Company typically expects more upfront viewing. On average, over 50% of the film costs related to our produced content is expected to be amortized within one year after its month of first availability. The Company reviews factors that may impact the amortization of film costs on a monthly basis, such as prospective licensing arrangements, monitoring the popularity of the show, as well as market and consumer trends. Our estimates related to these factors require considerable management judgment.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023, the Company had no off-balance sheet arrangements that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a current or future effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to investors.
21
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risks have been omitted as permitted under rules applicable to smaller reporting companies.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures
As required by Rule 13a-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), we evaluated, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our President and our Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Based on the foregoing evaluation, our President and our Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of March 31, 2024, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to accomplish their objectives at the reasonable assurance level that we would meet our disclosure obligations.
Changes in internal control over financial reporting
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act) that occurred during our most recently completed fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
22
Part II - Other Information
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
From time to time we may be involved in various disputes and litigation matters that arise in the ordinary course of business. Other than as set forth below, we are currently not a party to any material legal proceeding.
As disclosed in the Company’s Form 10-K filed with the SEC on April 1, 2024, the Company’s Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on November 14, 2023 and the Company’s Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 10, 2023 and October 19, 2023, respectively, the Company delivered to Angel Studios two separate Notices of Termination (the “Termination Notices”) of the License Agreement. The Company delivered the Termination Notices due to Angel Studios’ material breach of the License Agreement. Such termination was effective on October 20, 2023. See Note 10 of the Company’s interim condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information concerning the termination of the License Agreement. The Company is currently engaged in binding arbitration with Angel Studios to resolve the dispute.
Item 1A Risk Factors
Other than as set forth below, there have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed within Item 1A “Risk Factors” in the Form 10-K.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
None.
Item 3. Default upon Senior Securities
None.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
None.
Item 5. Other Information
None.
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Item 6. Exhibits
| | |
Exhibit No |
| Description |
| | |
2.1 | | |
| | |
3.1 | | |
| | |
3.2 | | |
| | |
10.1 | | |
| | |
10.2 | | |
| | |
10.3 | | |
| | |
10.4 | | |
| | |
10.5 | | |
| | |
10.6 | | Employment Agreement dated July 12, 2020 by and between the Company and Colin McLeod (2) |
| | |
10.7 | | Employment Agreement dated July 15, 2020 by and between the Company and Adam Swerdlow (2) |
| | |
10.8 | | Employment Agreement dated August 1, 2020 by and between the Company and Derral Eves (2) |
| | |
10.9 | | Employment Agreement dated August 1, 2020 by and between the Company and Dallas Jenkins (2) |
| | |
10.10 | | |
| | |
10.11 | | |
| | |
10.12 | | |
| | |
10.13 | | |
| | |
10.14 | | |
| | |
10.15 | | |
| | |
10.16 | | Location Agreement, dated August 4, 2022, by and between the Company and The Salvation Army (7) |
| | |
10.17 | | |
| | |
10.18 | | |
| | |
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10.19 | | |
| | |
31.1 | | Certification of President pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.* |
| | |
31.2 | | Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.* |
| | |
32.1 | | Certification of President pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.* |
| | |
32.2 | | Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.* |
| | |
101.SCH | | Inline XBRL Schema Document |
| | |
101.CAL | | Inline XBRL Calculation Linkbase Document |
| | |
101.DEF | | Inline XBRL Definition Linkbase Document |
| | |
101.LAB | | Inline XBRL Label Linkbase Document |
| | |
101.PRE | | Inline XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document |
| | |
101.INS | | XBRL Instance Document |
| | |
104 | | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document and included in Exhibit 101). |
* | Previously filed. |
(1) | Filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Regulation A Offering Statement on Form 1-A (Commission File No. 024-10814) filed with the SEC on May 25, 2018. |
(2) | Filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Regulation A Offering Statement on Form 1-A (Commission File No. 024-11312) filed with the SEC on September 3, 2020. |
(3) | Filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Regulation A Offering Statement on Form 1-K (Commission File No. 24R-00162) filed with the SEC on June 12, 2020. |
(4) | Filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 1-U filed with the SEC on December 2, 2022. |
(5) | Filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 1-U filed with the SEC on December 23, 2022. |
(6) | Filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10-12G filed with the SEC on February 2, 2023. |
(7) | Filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10-12G/A filed with the SEC on April 3, 2023. |
(8) | Filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on November 6, 2023. |
(9) | Filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on April 1, 2024. |
(10) | Filed as an exhibit to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on May 15, 2024. |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requires 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.
| | |
| THE CHOSEN, INC. | |
| | |
| | |
| By: | /s/ Bradley Pelo |
| | Name: Bradley Pelo |
| | Title: President |
| | |
| | |
| By: | /s/ JD Larsen |
| | Name: JD Larsen |
| | Title: Chief Financial Officer |
| | |
Date: May 15, 2024 | | |
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