Warner Bros. Discovery 10-Q 2022-06-30
Filed 2022-08-05. 8 sections, 393K characters. Original on sec.gov · Markdown · JSON
Cover and table of contents
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
| ☒ | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2022
OR
| ☐ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number: 001-34177

Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Delaware | 35-2333914 | ||||||||||
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | ||||||||||
| 230 Park Avenue South | 10003 | ||||||||||
| New York, New York | (Zip Code) | ||||||||||
| (Address of principal executive offices) |
(212) 548-5555
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
N/A
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| Title of Each Class | Trading Symbols | Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered | ||||||
| Series A Common Stock | WBD | The Nasdaq Global Select Market |
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ý No o
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 ý No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
| Large accelerated filer | ý | Accelerated filer | ¨ | ||||||||
| Non-accelerated filer | o | 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 ý
Total number of shares outstanding of each class of the Registrant’s common stock as of July 21, 2022:
| Series A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share | 2,427,592,861 |
WARNER BROS. DISCOVERY, INC.
FORM 10-Q
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Unaudited Financial Statements.
WARNER BROS. DISCOVERY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited; in millions, except per share amounts)
| Three Months Ended June 30, | Six Months Ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Advertising | $ | 2,721 | $ | 1,634 | $ | 4,197 | $ | 3,043 | |||||||||||||||
| Distribution | 4,838 | 1,312 | 6,190 | 2,570 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Content | 2,064 | 100 | 2,387 | 212 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 204 | 16 | 212 | 29 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 9,827 | 3,062 | 12,986 | 5,854 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Costs and expenses: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Costs of revenues, excluding depreciation and amortization | 6,625 | 1,055 | 7,861 | 2,024 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 3,538 | 952 | 4,578 | 2,003 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 2,266 | 341 | 2,791 | 702 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Restructuring and other charges | 1,033 | 7 | 1,038 | 22 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Loss (gain) on disposition | 4 | (72) | 4 | (72) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 13,466 | 2,283 | 16,272 | 4,679 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Operating (loss) income | (3,639) | 779 | (3,286) | 1,175 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | (511) | (157) | (664) | (320) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Loss from equity investees, net | (43) | (7) | (57) | (11) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other (expense) income, net | (51) | 105 | 439 | 173 | |||||||||||||||||||
| (Loss) income before income taxes | (4,244) | 720 | (3,568) | 1,017 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax benefit (expense) | 836 | (2) | 635 | (108) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net (loss) income | (3,408) | 718 | (2,933) | 909 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests | (7) | (38) | (23) | (84) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests | (3) | (8) | (6) | (13) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net (loss) income available to Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. | $ | (3,418) | $ | 672 | $ | (2,962) | $ | 812 | |||||||||||||||
| Net (loss) income per share allocated to Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. Series A common stockholders: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic | $ | (1.50) | $ | 1.02 | $ | (2.09) | $ | 1.23 | |||||||||||||||
| Diluted | $ | (1.50) | $ | 1.01 | $ | (2.09) | $ | 1.22 | |||||||||||||||
| Weighted average shares outstanding: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Basic | 2,286 | 589 | 1,443 | 587 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Diluted | 2,286 | 664 | 1,443 | 666 | |||||||||||||||||||
| The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. |
WARNER BROS. DISCOVERY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME
(unaudited; in millions)
| Three Months Ended June 30, | Six Months Ended June 30, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net (loss) income | $ | (3,408) | $ | 718 | $ | (2,933) | $ | 909 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive (loss) income adjustments, net of tax: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Currency translation | (488) | 108 | (587) | (59) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Derivatives | (18) | (112) | (36) | 125 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive (loss) income | (3,914) | 714 | (3,556) | 975 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests | (7) | (38) | (23) | (84) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests | (3) | (8) | (6) | (13) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. | $ | (3,924) | $ | 668 | $ | (3,585) | $ | 878 | ||||||||||||||||||
| The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. |
WARNER BROS. DISCOVERY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited; in millions, except par value)
| June 30, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||||||
| ASSETS | |||||||||||
| Current assets: | |||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 2,575 | $ | 3,905 | |||||||
| Receivables, net | 7,049 | 2,446 | |||||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 5,825 | 913 | |||||||||
| Total current assets | 15,449 | 7,264 | |||||||||
| Film and television content rights and games, net | 30,120 | 3,832 | |||||||||
| Property and equipment, net | 5,597 | 1,336 | |||||||||
| Goodwill | 34,273 | 12,912 | |||||||||
| Intangible assets, net | 48,724 | 6,317 | |||||||||
| Other noncurrent assets | 8,077 | 2,766 | |||||||||
| Total assets | $ | 142,240 | $ | 34,427 | |||||||
| LIABILITIES AND EQUITY | |||||||||||
| Current liabilities: | |||||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 1,397 | $ | 412 | |||||||
| Accrued liabilities | 10,279 | 2,230 |
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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is a supplement to and should be read in conjunction with the accompanying consolidated financial statements and related notes. This section provides additional information regarding our businesses, current developments, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition. Additional context can also be found in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021 (the “2021 Form 10-K”).
BUSINESS OVERVIEW
On April 8, 2022, Discovery, Inc., a global media company that provides content across multiple distribution platforms including linear, free-to-air and broadcast television, authenticated GO applications, digital distribution arrangements, content licensing arrangements and direct-to-consumer (“DTC”) subscription products, completed its merger (the "Merger") with the WarnerMedia business (the “WarnerMedia Business”, “WM Business”, or “WM”) of AT&T Inc. (“AT&T”) and changed its name from “Discovery, Inc.” to “Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.” ("Warner Bros. Discovery", “WBD”, the “Company”, “we”, “us”, or “our”). On April 11, 2022, the Company’s shares started trading on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (the “Nasdaq”) under the trading symbol WBD. (See Note 3 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
Warner Bros. Discovery is a leading global media and entertainment company that creates and distributes the world’s most differentiated and complete portfolio of content and brands across television, film and streaming. Available in more than 220 countries and territories and 50 languages, Warner Bros. Discovery inspires, informs and entertains audiences worldwide through its iconic brands and products including: Discovery Channel, discovery+, CNN, DC, Eurosport, HBO, HBO Max, HGTV, Food Network, OWN, Investigation Discovery, TLC, Magnolia Network, TNT, TBS, truTV, Travel Channel, MotorTrend, Animal Planet, Science Channel, Warner Bros. Pictures, Warner Bros. Television, Warner Bros. Games, New Line Cinema, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Turner Classic Movies, Discovery en Español, Hogar de HGTV and others.
In conjunction with the Merger, the Company reevaluated and changed its segment presentation and reportable segments for the quarter ending June 30, 2022. As of June 30, 2022, we classified our operations in three reportable segments:
Studios, consisting primarily of the production and release of feature films for initial exhibition in theaters, production and initial licensing of television programs to third parties and our networks/DTC services, distribution of our films and television programs to various third party and internal television and streaming services, distribution through the home entertainment market (physical and digital), related consumer products and themed experience licensing, and interactive gaming;
Networks, consisting principally of our domestic and international television networks; and
DTC, consisting primarily of our premium pay TV and digital content services.
Our segment presentation aligned with our management structure and the financial information management uses to make decisions about operating matters, such as the allocation of resources and business performance assessments. Prior periods have been recast to conform to the current period presentation.
During the three months ended March 31, 2022, we exited our operations in Russia and removed all of our channels and services from the market. We do not expect these actions will have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.
Impact of COVID-19
We continue to closely monitor the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on all aspects of our business and geographies, including the impact on our customers, employees, suppliers, vendors, distribution and advertising partners, production facilities, and various other third parties. Certain key sources of revenue for WM, including theatrical revenues, television production, studio operations and themed entertainment, have been adversely impacted by governmentally imposed shutdowns and related labor interruptions and constraints on consumer activity, particularly in the context of public entertainment venues, such as cinemas and theme parks.
The nature and full extent of COVID-19’s effects on our operations and results are not yet known and will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including new information that may emerge concerning the severity and the extent of future variants or surges of COVID-19, vaccine distribution and efficacy and other actions to contain the virus or treat its impact, among others. Our consolidated financial statements reflect management’s estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and related disclosures as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods presented. Actual results may differ significantly from these estimates and assumptions.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The discussion below compares our actual and pro forma combined results, as if the Merger occurred on January 1, 2021, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 to the three and six months ended June 30, 2021. Management believes reviewing our pro forma combined operating results in addition to actual operating results is useful in identifying trends in, or reaching conclusions regarding, the overall operating performance of our businesses. Our combined Studios, Networks, DTC, Corporate, and inter-segment eliminations pro forma information is based on the historical operating results of the respective segments and includes adjustments in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X to illustrate the effects of the Merger as if it had occurred on January 1, 2021. The unaudited pro forma combined results include, where applicable, adjustments for (i) additional costs of revenues from the fair value step up of film and television library, (ii) additional amortization expense related to acquired intangible assets, (iii) additional depreciation expense from the fair value of property and equipment, (iv) adjustments for transaction costs and other one-time non-recurring costs, (v) changes to align accounting policies, and (vi) adjustments to eliminate intercompany activity.
Adjustments do not include costs related to integration activities, cost savings or synergies that have been or may be achieved by the combined business. Pro forma amounts are not necessarily indicative of what our results would have been had we operated the combined businesses since January 1, 2021 and should not be taken as indicative of the Company's future consolidated results of operations.
Actual amounts for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 include results of operations for Discovery for the entire period and WM for the period subsequent to the completion of the Merger on April 8, 2022.
Foreign Exchange Impacting Comparability
In addition to the Merger, the impact of exchange rates on our business is an important factor in understanding period-to-period comparisons of our results. For example, our international revenues are favorably impacted as the U.S. dollar weakens relative to other foreign currencies, and unfavorably impacted as the U.S. dollar strengthens relative to other foreign currencies. We believe the presentation of results on a constant currency basis (“ex-FX”), in addition to results reported in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) provides useful information about our operating performance because the presentation ex-FX excludes the effects of foreign currency volatility and highlights our core operating results. The presentation of results on a constant currency basis should be considered in addition to, but not a substitute for, measures of financial performance repor
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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Quantitative and qualitative disclosures about our existing market risk are set forth in Item 7A, “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk,” in the 2021 Form 10-K. Our exposures to market risk have not changed materially since December 31, 2021.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of June 30, 2022. The term “disclosure controls and procedures,” as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), means controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Based on the evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of June 30, 2022, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
On April 8, 2022, Discovery completed its merger with WM. (See Note 3 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements). We are currently integrating policies, processes, people, technology and operations for the combined company. Management will continue to evaluate our internal control over financial reporting as we execute integration activities. During the three months ended June 30, 2022, except as noted above, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f), that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1. Legal Proceedings
In the normal course of business, we experience routine claims and legal proceedings. It is the opinion of our management, based on information available at this time, that none of the current claims and proceedings will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. (See Note 19 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
As of July 1, 2022, eight lawsuits had been filed by alleged Discovery stockholders against the Company related to the preliminary proxy statement filed with the SEC in connection with the Merger. The cases have been dismissed.
The dismissed cases are as follows: A complaint captioned Rahman v. Discovery Inc. et al., Case No. 1:21-cv-09785 (the “Rahman Complaint”), was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York on November 23, 2021. A complaint captioned Chiao v. Discovery Inc. et al., Case No. 1:21-cv-10409, was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York on December 6, 2021. A complaint captioned Whitfield v. Discovery Inc. et al., Case No. 1:21-cv-10514 (the “Whitfield Complaint”), was filed by Matthew Whitfield in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York on December 8, 2021. A complaint captioned Solakian v. Discovery Inc. et al., Case No. 1:21-cv-06806, was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York on December 8, 2021. A complaint captioned Finger v. Discovery Inc. et al., Case No. 2:21-cv-09799, was filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California on December 20, 2021. A complaint captioned Ciccotelli v. Discovery Inc. et al., Case No. 2:21-cv-05566, was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania on December 21, 2021. A complaint captioned Kent v. Discovery Inc. et al., Case No. 1:22-cv-00033-UNA, was filed by Michael Kent in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware on January 7, 2022. A complaint captioned Jones v. Discovery Inc. et al., Case No. 1:22-cv-00204, was filed by Brian Jones in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York on January 10, 2022. Each of the above complaints named as defendants Discovery and members of the Discovery Board. The Whitfield Complaint and the Rahman Complaint also named as defendants AT&T, Inc. and Drake Subsidiary, Inc. The Whitfield Complaint named Magallanes, Inc. as an additional defendant. Each of the complaints alleged violations of Sections 14(a) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Rule 14a-9 promulgated thereunder. The complaints generally alleged that the respective defendants filed a materially incomplete and misleading preliminary proxy statement with the SEC. Each of the complaints sought injunctive relief, damages and other relief.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Investors should carefully review and consider the information regarding certain factors that could materially affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows as set forth under Part I, Item 1A - Risk Factors of the Company’s 2021 Form 10-K and Part II, Item 1A - Risk Factors of the Company's Q1 Form 10-Q, as supplemented by the additional risk factor described below under “Risks Related to Our Industry.” In addition, certain of the risks described in our 2021 Form 10-K and Q1 Form 10-Q are amended and restated as set forth below.
Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe not to be material may also adversely impact our business, results of operations, financial position and cash flows.
Risks Related to our Acquisition of the WarnerMedia Business
We could be required to recognize impairment charges related to goodwill and other intangible assets.
The Merger added a significant amount of goodwill and other intangible assets to our consolidated balance sheet. In accordance with GAAP, management periodically assesses these assets to determine if they are impaired. Significant negative industry or economic trends, including the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, disruptions to our business, inability to effectively integrate acquired businesses, underperformance of the WarnerMedia Business as compared to management's initial expectations, unexpected significant changes or planned changes in use of the assets, divestitures and market capitalization declines may impair goodwill and other intangible assets. Any charges relating to such impairments could materially adversely affect our results of operations in the periods recognized.
We may be unable to provide (or obtain from third parties) the same types and level of services to the WarnerMedia Business that historically have been provided by AT&T or may be unable to provide (or obtain) them at the same cost.
Prior to the Merger, as part of a separate reporting segment of AT&T, the WarnerMedia Business was able to receive services from AT&T. Following the Merger, we have replaced these services either by providing them internally from our existing services or by obtaining them from unaffiliated third parties, including AT&T. These services include AT&T bundling HBO Max with some of its wireless and broadband offerings, and certain administrative and operating functions of which effective and appropriate performance is critical to the operations of the WarnerMedia Business and the Company as a whole following the Merger. AT&T is providing certain services on a transitional basis pursuant to a Transition Services Agreement (the “TSA”) with us. The duration of such services is subject to a limited term set out in the Services Schedule to the TSA. We may have difficulty enforcing the terms of the agreements governing the provision of these services or be unable to replace these services in a timely manner or on terms and conditions as favorable as those the WarnerMedia Business currently receives from AT&T. The costs for these services, or the costs associated with replacing these services, could in the aggregate be higher than the combination of our historical costs and those reflected in the historical financial statements of the WarnerMedia Business. If we are unable to replace the services provided by AT&T or are unable to replace them at the same cost or are delayed in replacing the services provided by AT&T, our results of operations may be materially adversely impacted.
If the results of operations of the WarnerMedia Business following the Merger continue to be below management’s expectations, the Company may not achieve the increases in revenues and net earnings that management expects as a result of the Merger.
In connection with our comprehensive business and strategic review which commenced following the Merger, we determined that certain WarnerMedia budget projections that were made available to us prior to closing varied from what we now view as WarnerMedia’s baseline post-closing. We are actively implementing actions to address these issues. However, as we derive a majority of our revenues and net earnings from the WarnerMedia Business, if the results of operations of the WarnerMedia Business continue to be below management’s expectations, we may not achieve the increases in revenue and net earnings expected as a result of the Merger. Significant factors that could negatively impact the results of operations of the WarnerMedia Business, and therefore harm the results of operations of the Company, include:
-
more intense competitive pressure from existing or new competitors;
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fluctuations in the exchange rates in the jurisdictions in which the WarnerMedia Business operates;
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increases in promotional and operating costs for the WarnerMedia Business;
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a decline in the viewership or consumption of content provided by the WarnerMedia Business; and
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additional material variations in the results of operations of the WarnerMedia Business from expectations or projections of such results of operations, any or all of which may prove to be incorrect or inaccurate.
Risks Related to our Industry
If our DTC products fail to attract and retain subscribers, our business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely impacted.
In January 2021, Discovery launched an aggregated DTC product, discovery+, in the U.S. In May 2020, the WarnerMedia Business launched HBO Max in the U.S. We have incurred and will likely continue to incur significant costs to develop and market discovery+ and HBO Max, including costs related to developing and implementing a go-to-market strategy that coordinates and/or combines our DTC products, and there can be no assurance that consumers and advertisers will embrace our offerings or that subscribers will activate or renew a subscription.
Our discovery+ and HBO Max offerings are subscription-based streaming products and are among many such services in a crowded and competitive landscape. Their success will also be largely dependent on our ability to initially attract, and ultimately retain, subscribers. Competitors to discovery+ and HBO Max include traditional linear programming networks, including our own linear channels, competing subscription video-on-demand services, and other digital entertainment platforms and offerings all vying for consumer time, attention and discretionary spending. If we are unable to effectively market our DTC products or if consumers do not perceive the pricing and related features of our DTC products to be of value versus our competitors, we may not be able to attract and retain subscribers. In particular, decreases in consumer discretionary spending where our DTC products are offered may reduce our ability to attract and retain subscribers to our services, which could have a negative impact on our business. Relatedly, a decrease in viewing subscribers on our advertising-supported DTC products could also have a negative impact on the rates we are able to charge advertisers for advertising-supported services. The ability to attract and retain subscribers will also depend in part on our ability to provide compelling content choices that are differentiated from that of our competitors and that are more attractive than other sources of entertainment that consumers could choose in their free time. Furthermore, our ability to provide a quality subscriber experience and our relative service levels, may also impact our ability to attract and retain subscribers. If existing subscribers, including those who receive subscriptions through wireless and broadband bundling arrangements with third parties, cancel or discontinue their subscriptions for any reason, including as a result of selecting an alternative wireless or broadband plan that does not bundle our products, or due to the availability of competing offerings that are perceived to offer greater value compared to our DTC products, our business may be adversely affected. We must continue to add new subscribers both to replace subscribers who cancel or discontinue their subscriptions and to grow our business. If we are unable to attract and retain subscribers and offset the losses of subscribers who cancel or discontinue their subscriptions to our DTC products, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected.
Forecasting our financial results requires us to make judgements and estimates which may differ materially from actual results.
Given the dynamic nature of our business, the current uncertain economic climate and the inherent limitations in predicting the future, forecasts of our revenues, Adjusted EBITDA, free cash flow and core subscriber growth, and other financial and operating data, may differ materially from actual results, including as a result of events outside of our control and other risks and uncertainties described herein. Such discrepancies could cause a decline in the trading price of our common stock.
Item 5. Other Information
Aircraft Time Sharing Agreement
On August 1, 2022, Warner Media LLC (“Warner”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into an aircraft time sharing agreement for the use of Warner’s aircrafts (the “Aircraft Time Sharing Agreement”) with David Zaslav, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer.
Under the Aircraft Time Sharing Agreement and in accordance with Mr. Zaslav’s amended and restated employment agreement, dated as of May 16, 2021 (as amended, the “Employment Agreement”), Mr. Zaslav is entitled to use the Company’s aircrafts for up to 250 hours of personal use per year, which includes Mr. Zaslav’s spouse traveling separately on the aircraft if such travel is to join Mr. Zaslav at a location where he has travelled for business purposes. The Company shall pay for the first 125 hours of personal use and Mr. Zaslav shall reimburse the Company for personal use in excess of 125 hours. Under the Aircraft Time Sharing Agreement, the reimbursement rate is two times the actual fuel cost for the airplane, in accordance with FAA-permitted reimbursement methods.
Amendment No. 2 to DCL Revolving Credit Agreement
On August 2, 2022, DCL, the Company, Scripps Networks, WMH, certain lenders party thereto and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, entered into the second amendment to the DCL Revolving Credit Agreement (“Amendment No. 2 to Revolver”) to amend the definition of “Consolidated EBITDA” to add back certain cash restructuring costs, charges or expenses subject to a cap equal to 15% of Consolidated EBITDA (prior to giving effect to such add-back).
The foregoing description of Amendment No. 2 to Revolver does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to Amendment No. 2 to Revolver, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.6 and incorporated by reference herein.
Amendment No. 1 to WMH Term Loan Credit Agreement
On August 2, 2022, WMH, the Company, Scripps Networks, DCL, certain lenders party thereto and JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, entered into the first amendment to the WMH Term Loan Credit Agreement (“Amendment No. 1 to Term Loan”) to amend the definition of “Consolidated EBITDA” to add back certain cash restructuring costs, charges or expenses subject to a cap equal to 15% of Consolidated EBITDA (prior to giving effect to such add-back).
The foregoing description of Amendment No. 1 to Term Loan does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to Amendment No. 1 to Term Loan, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.7 and incorporated by reference herein.
JB Perrette Employment Agreement
On August 2, 2022, Discovery Communications, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into an employment agreement with JB Perrette, our President and CEO, Global Streaming and Games (the “Perrette Agreement”).
Pursuant to the Perrette Agreement, Mr. Perrette will continue to serve as our President and CEO, Global Streaming and Games. The term of the Perrette Agreement is effective as of August 2, 2022 and runs through August 1, 2025. The parties may agree to renew the Perrette Agreement at the end of the term. If we desire to renew the Perrette Agreement, Mr. Perrette must be notified to that effect, in writing, no later than 150 days prior to the end of the term of the Perrette Agreement. If a “qualifying renewal offer” (as described below) is not made to Mr. Perrette, Mr. Perrette will be eligible for severance payments in connection with his termination.
For purposes of the Perrette Agreement, a “qualifying renewal offer” is an offer to renew the term of the Perrette Agreement with a meaningful increase in base salary and a bonus target that is at least the same level as in effect under the Perrette Agreement at the end of his term, and with other material terms that are at least as favorable to Mr. Perrette in the aggregate as the material terms of the Perrette Agreement.
Under the Perrette Agreement, Mr. Perrette’s base salary was increased from £1.525 million per annum to $2.5 million per annum, effective as of April 8, 2022 (the same day as the closing of the Merger (the “Closing”). Future salary increases will be reviewed and decided in accordance with the Company’s standard practices and procedures for similarly situated executives. Mr. Perrette’s target annual bonus was increased from 175% of his base salary to 200% of his base salary, effective as of the Closing. There is no guaranteed annual bonus amount. Mr. Perrette is also entitled to certain tax-related benefits related to his relocation from the United Kingdom to Los Angeles, California. In addition, two times per year, Mr. Perrette will be permitted to be accompanied by his family on the Company’s corporate airplane in connection with Mr. Perrette’s business duties in Europe.
Mr. Perrette will also be considered for annual equity grants under the Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) in accordance with our normal executive compensation processes and practices. Beginning in 2023, and subject to approval from our Compensation Committee, such annual equity grants will have a target grant date value of $8.5 million per annum. Mr. Perrette will also be granted a one-time award of 146,736 restricted stock units (“RSUs”) under the Plan. This one-time award of RSUs shall vest in three equal annual installments, with the first installment vesting on August 2, 2023. The award documents that evidence equity awards made to Mr. Perrette pursuant to the Perrette Agreement shall provide for double-trigger vesting upon an Approved Transaction, Board Change or Control Purchase (each as defined in the Plan). The terms of the equity awards granted to Mr. Perrette under the Perrette Agreement will otherwise be consistent with our normal executive compensation processes and practices, with vesting subject to continued employment, and other terms and conditions, as well as approval of our Compensation Committee in each case.
Mr. Perrette’s employment may be terminated for “cause.” “Cause” for purposes of the Perrette Agreement means: (i) the conviction of, or nolo contendere or guilty plea, to a felony (whether any right to appeal has been or may be exercised); (ii) conduct constituting embezzlement, misappropriation or fraud, whether or not related to Mr. Perrette’s employment with us; (iii) conduct constituting a financial crime, material act of dishonesty or conduct in material violation of our Code of Ethics or other of our written policies of which Mr. Perrette has knowledge; (iv) improper conduct substantially prejudicial to our business (whether financial or otherwise); (v) willful unauthorized disclosure or use of our confidential information; (vi) material improper destruction of our property; or (vii) willful misconduct in connection with the performance of Mr. Perrette’s duties. If Mr. Perrette’s employment is terminated for “cause,” he will be entitled to receive only amounts or benefits that have been earned or vested at the time of his termination, or as may be required by applicable law.
If Mr. Perrettes’s employment is terminated without “cause” (as defined above) or by Mr. Perrette for “good reason”, Mr. Perrette will be eligible to receive the following severance payments: (a) base salary for the longest of (i) the balance of the term of employment under the Perrette Agreement, (ii) twelve (12) months, or (iii) the number of weeks of severance Mr. Perrette would otherwise have been entitled to under our severance plan, in each case subject to a maximum of twenty-four (24) months; (b) annual bonus payments at target under our annual incentive plan for each year in which Mr. Perrette is entitled to base salary continuation under clause (a) above (subject to proration for partial years); and (c) reimbursement of up to eighteen (18) months of COBRA premiums. In certain circumstances in which Mr. Perrette is relieved of all work responsibilities for some period of time prior to the effective date of his termination of employment, salary paid during this period of “garden leave” will be offset against the severance amounts otherwise payable to Mr. Perrette. “Good reason” under the Perrette Agreement means: (a) a material reduction in Mr. Perrette’s duties or responsibilities; (b) a material change in the location of the office where Mr. Perrette works (i.e., relocation outside the Los Angeles, CA metropolitan area); or (c) a material breach of the Perrette Agreement by us, including a diminution of Mr. Perrette’s title or change in the position to which Mr. Perrette reports. These severance amounts are contingent on Mr. Perrette executing a release of claims. Additionally, if Mr. Perrette secures employment or any consulting, contractor or other business arrangement for services during the period during which he is receiving severance payments, the severance payments he is receiving may be reduced by the amounts otherwise payable under the Perrette Agreement by the amount Mr. Perrette receives for those services.
The Perrette Agreement also contains certain nonsolicitation covenants effective during Mr. Perrette’s employment and for a period of twelve (12) months after the conclusion of Mr. Perrette’s employment. If Mr. Perrette ceases to comply with the nonsolicitation clauses in the Perrette Agreement, any unpaid severance payments would be terminated.
Item 6. Exhibits.
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101) |
*Exhibits, schedules and annexes have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K and will be supplementally provided to the SEC upon request.
**Other instruments defining the rights of holders of long-term debt of the registrant and its consolidated subsidiaries may be omitted from Exhibit 4 in accordance with Item 601(b)(4)(iii)(A) of Regulation S-K. Copies of any such agreements will be supplementally provided to the SEC upon request.
*** Indicates management contract or compensatory plan, contract or arrangement.
†Certain provisions of this exhibit have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(10)(iv) of Regulation S-K and will be supplementally provided to the SEC upon request.
♦Attached as Exhibit 101 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are the following formatted in Inline XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, (v) Consolidated Statement of Equity for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, and (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
| WARNER BROS. DISCOVERY, INC. (Registrant) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Date: August 4, 2022 | By: | /s/ David M. Zaslav | ||||||||||||||||||
| David M. Zaslav | ||||||||||||||||||||
| President and Chief Executive Officer | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Date: August 4, 2022 | By: | /s/ Gunnar Wiedenfels | ||||||||||||||||||
| Gunnar Wiedenfels | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Chief Financial Officer |