# National CineMedia, Inc. (NCMI) FY 2024 MD&A

Verbatim Item 7 Management's Discussion and Analysis from National CineMedia, Inc.'s 10-K for fiscal year 2024.

SEC filing source: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1377630/000095017025034706/ncmi-20241226.htm
Accession: 0000950170-25-034706
Filing date: 2025-03-06
Report date: 2024-12-26
Extracted from a substantive MD&A body after the formal Item 7 span was a TOC or reference stub.
Confidence: high

Company profile: /company/NCMI/
All MD&A years: /company/NCMI/mda/
Previous year: /company/NCMI/mda/fy2023/ (FY 2023)
Next year: /company/NCMI/mda/fy2026/ (FY 2026)

Overview

National CineMedia is the largest cinema advertising platform in the US. With unparalleled reach and scale, NCM connects brands to sought-after young, diverse audiences through the power of movies and pop culture. A premium video, full-funnel marketing solution for advertisers, NCM enhances marketers’ ability to measure and drive results. We currently derive revenue principally from the sale of advertising to national, regional and local businesses in The Noovie® Show, our cinema advertising and entertainment show seen on movie screens across the U.S.

We present multiple formats of The Noovie® Show depending on the theater circuit in which it runs, which may include Post-Showtime advertising inventory after the advertised showtime. As of December 26, 2024, theaters presenting The Noovie Show format with Post-Showtime Inventory made up approximately 65.0% of our network. All other NCM network theater circuits, which make up the remaining 35.0% of our network, present The Noovie Show, without Post-Showtime advertising inventory. The movie trailers presented by the theater circuits that run before the feature film are not part of The Noovie Show.

We also sell advertising on our LEN, a series of strategically-placed screens located in movie theater lobbies, as well as other forms of advertising, promotions and experiences in theater lobbies. In addition, we sell digital advertising through NCMx and NCM Boost, to connect brands with audiences across all screens, both in theaters and beyond, before, during and after their moviegoing experience. As of December 26, 2024, approximately 7.4 million moviegoers have downloaded our mobile apps. These downloads and the acquisition of second- and third-party data sets have resulted in unique data records of approximately 824.4 million as of December 26, 2024. We have long-term ESAs (approximately 14.1 weighted average

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years) with the ESA Parties and multi-year agreements with network affiliates, which expire at various dates between July 7, 2025 and July 13, 2033, with our largest affiliate agreement expiring on July 13, 2033. The weighted average remaining term of the ESAs and the network affiliate agreements is 11.3 years as of December 26, 2024. The ESAs and network affiliate agreements grant NCM LLC exclusive rights in their theaters to sell advertising, subject to limited exceptions. The Noovie Show and our LEN programming are distributed predominantly via satellite through our proprietary DCN.

Management focuses on several measurements that we believe provide us with the necessary ratios and key performance indicators to manage our business, determine how we are performing versus our internal goals and targets, and against the performance of our competitors and other benchmarks in the marketplace in which we operate. We focus on many operating metrics including revenue, Adjusted OIBDA and Adjusted OIBDA margin, as some of our primary measurement metrics. In addition, we monitor our monthly advertising performance measurements, including advertising inventory utilization, advertising pricing (CPM), local advertising rate per theater per week, advertising revenue per attendee, as well as significant operating expenses and related trends. We also monitor free cash flow, cash balances, the fixed charge coverage ratio and revolving credit facility availability to ensure financial debt covenant compliance and that there is adequate cash availability to fund our working capital needs, debt obligations and any future dividends declared by our Board of Directors.

Recent Developments

Debt Agreement—On January 24, 2025, NCM LLC as borrower, entered into a Loan and Security Agreement with U.S. Bank National Association, as lender. The agreement provides for a $45.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility (the “2025 Credit Facility”) that matures on January 24, 2028. In connection with entering into the 2025 Credit Facility, NCM LLC repaid in full the $10.0 million balance outstanding as of December 26, 2024 and terminated all commitments under its 2023 Revolving Credit Facility, and in connection with this termination, paid a prepayment fee equal to 1% of the total commitment. The 2025 Credit Facility is expected to result in a meaningful reduction of the Company’s overall interest expense, extends the maturity date to 2028 and is a cash flow-based revolving loan compared to the asset-based revolving loan of the 2023 Revolving Credit Facility. As of March 6, 2025, NCM LLC has not made any borrowings under the 2025 Credit Facility. Borrowings under the 2025 Credit Facility may be used for, among other things, working capital and other general corporate purposes of the Company and bear interest at a floating rate equal to term SOFR (subject to a floor of zero) plus an applicable margin of 2.00%, which is subject to increase by an additional 2.00% upon the occurrence of an event of default.

Other Investments—On October 1, 2024, the Company invested $1.0 million in cash to acquire equity interests in an advertising-related company. Additionally, on October 8, 2024, the Company entered into an agreement with an entertainment company to exchange $2.0 million of on-screen advertising to be provided over a three-year term for equity interests. These investments are included in ‘Other investments’ on the audited Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 26, 2024.

Share Repurchase Program—On March 18, 2024, the Board of Directors of the Company approved a stock repurchase program under which the Company is authorized to use assets of the Company to repurchase up to $100.0 million of shares of the Company’s Common Stock, exclusive of any fees, commissions or other expenses related to such repurchases, from time to time over a period of three years. Shares may be repurchased under the program through open market purchases, block trades, or accelerated or other structured share repurchase programs. During the year ended December 26, 2024, 2,524,991 shares were repurchased on the open market or privately negotiated purchases. In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 505—Equity, these shares were retired and the excess over par value paid of $13.4 million was recorded as a reduction to retained earnings during the year ended December 26, 2024.

Reverse Stock Split—On August 3, 2023, the Company effected a one-for-ten (1:10) reverse stock split of its common stock, par value $0.01 per share. The reverse stock split, which was authorized by its Board of Directors, was approved by the Company’s stockholders on August 2, 2023. The reverse stock split reduced the number of outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock from 174,112,385 shares as of August 3, 2023, to 17,411,323 shares outstanding post-split. After the cancellation of Regal’s shares on August 7, 2023, there were 13,343,065 shares outstanding. The primary purpose of the reverse stock split was to comply with the Company’s obligations under the NCMI 9019 Settlement so that the Plan could become effective, as well as, to increase the per share market price of the Company’s common stock in an effort to maintain compliance with applicable Nasdaq continued listing standards with respect to the closing price of the Company’s common stock.

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Bankruptcy Filing, Deconsolidation and Reconsolidation of NCM LLC—On April 11, 2023, NCM LLC filed a voluntary petition for reorganization with a prearranged Chapter 11 plan under Chapter 11 of Title 11 of the United States Code in the Bankruptcy Code in the Bankruptcy Court. During the Chapter 11 Case, the Company was deemed to no longer control NCM LLC for accounting purposes and NCM LLC was deconsolidated from the Company’s financial statements prospectively as of April 11, 2023. We continued to operate as the manager of the debtor-in-possession pursuant to the authority granted under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code throughout the Chapter 11 Case.

On June 27, 2023, the Bankruptcy Court entered the Confirmation Order approving the Disclosure Statement on a final basis and confirming the Company’s Plan. Following confirmation of the Plan on August 7, 2023, all the conditions to effectiveness of the Plan were satisfied or waived, the Restructuring Transactions were substantially consummated and NCM LLC emerged from bankruptcy. Among other things, on the Effective Date, in accordance with the Plan, all common units under the NCM LLC Operating Agreement were canceled and extinguished, NCM, Inc. received NCM LLC common units and transferred the NCM Capital Contribution of approximately $15.5 million to NCM LLC, NCM LLC assumed certain unexpired Executory Contracts and Unexpired Leases, including AMC’s and Cinemark’s ESAs, NCM LLC transferred $8.8 million of cash to a professional fees escrow account and $15.0 million to an unsecured creditor settlements escrow account for the General Unsecured Claim Pool. NCM LLC commenced distributions to creditors, including the issuance of shares of NCM, Inc. common stock to holders of Secured Debt Claims and NCM LLC entered into an Exit Facility to support operations upon emergence. As a result of the Plan, all historical debt of NCM LLC was discharged and NCM LLC recorded a gain on bankruptcy of $916.4 million for the year ended December 28, 2023.

Additionally, upon emergence from bankruptcy, NCM, Inc., regained control and retained 100.0% ownership of NCM LLC, after taking into account elections by the holders of Secured Debt Claims to receive NCM, Inc. common stock in lieu of NCM LLC common units and was therefore reconsolidated into the Company’s financial statements prospectively as of August 7, 2023 akin to an acquisition under ASC 805 – Business Combinations. In accordance with ASC 805 – Business Combinations, the assets and liabilities of NCM LLC were adjusted to their estimated fair value as of the Effective Date.

As of December 26, 2024, the Company has not completed all agreed upon payments to the General Unsecured Claim Pool, due to the existence of one pre-petition litigation matter that is ongoing in the Bankruptcy Court, the result of which could impact the payments to other unsecured creditors from the General Unsecured Claims Pool and held a total of $3.0 million within the escrow accounts and accruals, presented within ‘Restricted cash’ and ‘Accounts Payable’ on the audited Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 26, 2024 and December 28, 2023, respectively.

Regal Advertising Agreement—On September 7, 2022, Cineworld Group plc, the parent company of Regal, and certain of its subsidiaries, including Regal, Regal Cinemas, Inc., formerly a party to an ESA with NCM LLC, and Regal CineMedia Holdings, LLC, formerly a party to other agreements with NCM LLC and NCM, Inc., filed petitions for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in the Southern District of Texas. On October 21, 2022, Regal filed a motion to reject the ESA without specifying an effective date for the rejection and indicated that Regal planned on negotiating with NCM LLC. NCM LLC also filed an adversary proceeding against Regal seeking declaratory relief and an injunction prohibiting Regal from breaching certain exclusivity, non-compete, non-negotiate and confidentiality provisions in the ESA by entering into a new agreement with a third-party or bringing any of the services performed by NCM LLC in-house. On February 1, 2023, Cineworld filed a motion for summary judgment on NCM LLC’s adversary proceeding. On May 5, 2023, NCM LLC and Regal agreed to stay the ongoing litigation while the parties worked towards the terms of a new arrangement for NCM LLC to provide advertising services to Regal. In lieu of litigating Regal’s potential rejection of the ESA and NCM LLC’s adversary proceeding against Regal, the parties negotiated a Regal Advertising Agreement and Regal Termination Agreement. The Regal Advertising Agreement was effective on July 14, 2023 and provides that NCM LLC acquired the exclusive right to provide on-screen advertisements at Regal’s theaters for a term of ten years in exchange for payments based on the attendance at Regal’s theaters and the revenue generated by NCM LLC through advertising displayed in Regal’s theaters.

Pursuant to the Regal Advertising Agreement, NCM LLC has the right to display advertising in Regal’s theaters with a program of inventory that provides for (i) up to five minutes in length for exhibition on-screen immediately prior to showtime of a feature film or digital programming event, (ii) up to ten minutes immediately after the showtime of a feature film, extending the time available to NCM LLC by five minutes, and (iii) the Platinum Spot that may be exhibited on-screen prior to the last two trailers, which may be either thirty or sixty seconds in length, and subject to Regal’s approval, NCM LLC may display two thirty-second spots in the Platinum Spot and a Gold Spot, a thirty second spot displayed immediately prior to the fourth trailer preceding a feature film or digital programming event.

Pursuant to the Regal Termination Agreement, effective on July 14, 2023, Regal rejected and terminated the ESA. Additionally Regal and Regal’s affiliates’ waived all rights and interests as to the Tax Receivable Agreement, the Common Unit Adjustment Agreement, the Software License Agreement, the Director Designation Agreement, the Registration Rights Agreement and all the other joint venture agreements described in NCM LLC’s Company Operating Agreement and Regal and Regal’s affiliates waived and released claims against other parties thereto. In connection with the Regal Advertising

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Agreement, NCM LLC and Regal also agreed to dismiss with prejudice the ongoing litigation between the parties related to NCM LLC’s request to enforce certain provisions of the ESA, including the exclusivity provision. Following the effective date of the Regal Termination Agreement of July 14, 2023, Regal is no longer an ESA Party or related party and is included within the network affiliate metrics.

Summary Operating Data

The results of operations data for the years ended December 26, 2024 and December 28, 2023 and the balance sheet data as of December 26, 2024 and December 28, 2023 are derived from the audited Consolidated Financial Statements of NCM, Inc. included elsewhere in this document. Within the financial results outlined below, all activity during the Chapter 11 Case from April 11, 2023 to August 7, 2023 when NCM LLC was deconsolidated from NCM, Inc. represents activity and balances for NCM, Inc. standalone. All activity and balances prior to the deconsolidation of NCM LLC on April 11, 2023 and after the reconsolidation of NCM LLC on August 7, 2023 represent NCM, Inc. consolidated, inclusive of NCM LLC. The operating results for NCM LLC, which management believes better represent the Company’s historical consolidated performance, are presented separately subsequent to the operating data for NCM, Inc., which is presented below (dollars in millions, except share and margin data):

[[GREPCENT_TABLE]]
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[[/GREPCENT_TABLE]]

Basis of Presentation

Prior to the completion of our IPO, NCM LLC was wholly-owned by its ESA Parties. In connection with the offering, NCM, Inc. purchased newly issued common membership units from NCM LLC and common membership units from NCM LLC’s ESA Parties and became a member of and the sole manager of NCM LLC. We entered into several agreements to effect the reorganization and the financing transaction and certain amendments were made to the existing ESAs to govern the relationships among NCM LLC and NCM LLC’s ESA Parties after the completion of these transactions.

The results of operations data discussed herein were derived from the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and accounting records of NCM, Inc. and should be read in conjunction with the notes thereto.

We have a 52-week or 53-week fiscal year ending on the first Thursday after December 25. Fiscal year 2024 contained 52 weeks and fiscal year 2023 contained 52 weeks. Our 2025 fiscal year will contain 53 weeks. Throughout this document, we refer to our fiscal years as set forth below:

[[GREPCENT_TABLE]]
[["","","Reference in"],["Fiscal Year Ended","","this Document"],["December 26, 2024","","2024"],["December 28, 2023","","2023"]]
[[/GREPCENT_TABLE]]

Results of Operations

Fiscal Years 2024 and 2023

Revenue. Total revenue increased $75.6 million, or 45.8%, from $165.2 million for 2023 to $240.8 million for 2024. The following is a summary of revenue by category (in millions):

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[[GREPCENT_TABLE]]
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[[/GREPCENT_TABLE]]

National advertising revenue. National advertising revenue increased by $73.2 million, or 63.8%, from $114.8 million in 2023 to $188.0 million in 2024. The increase in national advertising revenue was primarily due to the deconsolidation and reconsolidation of NCM LLC within 2023. The $114.8 million of revenue within 2023 represents the activity of NCM LLC prior to the deconsolidation of NCM LLC on April 11, 2023 and after the reconsolidation of NCM LLC on August 7, 2023, compared to the $188.0 million of revenue in 2024 representing a full year of consolidated activity.

Local and regional advertising revenue. Local and regional advertising revenue increased by $8.7 million, or 28.6%, from $30.4 million in 2023 to $39.1 million in 2024. The increase in local and regional advertising revenue was primarily due to the deconsolidation and reconsolidation of NCM LLC within 2023. The $30.4 million of revenue within 2023 represents the activity of NCM LLC prior to the deconsolidation of NCM LLC on April 11, 2023 and after the reconsolidation of NCM LLC on August 7, 2023, compared to the $39.1 million of revenue in 2024 representing a full year of consolidated activity.

ESA Party beverage revenue. ESA Party beverage revenue increased $3.8 million, or 38.4%, from $9.9 million in 2023 to $13.7 million in 2024. The increase in ESA Party beverage revenue was primarily due to the deconsolidation and reconsolidation of NCM LLC within 2023. The $9.9 million of revenue within 2023 represents the activity of NCM LLC prior to the deconsolidation of NCM LLC on April 11, 2023 and after the reconsolidation of NCM LLC on August 7, 2023, compared to the $13.7 million of revenue in 2024 representing a full year of consolidated activity.

Management fee reimbursement. Management fee reimbursement decreased by $10.1 million, or 100.0%, from $10.1 million in 2023 to $0.0 million in 2024. The $10.1 million represents the revenue recognized by NCM, Inc. for managing unconsolidated NCM LLC during the unconsolidated period of 2023. This amount is equal to the expenses incurred by NCM, Inc. that were paid by NCM LLC. In 2024, NCM LLC is consolidated by NCM, Inc., following the completion of NCM LLC's Chapter 11 Case and these amounts have been eliminated upon consolidation.

Operating expenses. Total operating expenses increased $67.8 million, or 35.2%, from $192.5 million for 2023 to $260.3 million for 2024. The following table shows the changes in operating expense for 2024 and 2023 (in millions):

[[GREPCENT_TABLE]]
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[[/GREPCENT_TABLE]]

Network operating costs. Network operating costs increased $3.1 million, or 29.2%, from $10.6 million in 2023 to $13.7 million in 2024. The increase in network operating costs was primarily due to the deconsolidation and reconsolidation of NCM LLC within 2023. The $10.6 million of expense within 2023 represents the activity of NCM LLC prior to the deconsolidation of NCM LLC on April 11, 2023 and after the reconsolidation of NCM LLC on August 7, 2023, compared to the $13.7 million of expense in 2024 representing a full year of consolidated activity.

ESA Parties and network affiliate fees. ESA Parties and network affiliate fees increased $42.4 million, or 61.0%, from $69.5 million in 2023 to $111.9 million in 2024. The increase in ESA Parties and network affiliate fees was primarily due to the deconsolidation and reconsolidation of NCM LLC within 2023. The $69.5 million of expense within 2023 represents the activity of NCM LLC prior to the deconsolidation of NCM LLC on April 11, 2023 and after the reconsolidation of NCM LLC on August 7, 2023, compared to the $111.9 million of expense in 2024 representing a full year of consolidated activity. The increase was also due to the increase in fees owed under the Regal Advertising Agreement, which commenced on July 14, 2023, as well as due to contractual rate increases within the ESAs in 2024, as compared to 2023.

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Selling and marketing costs. Selling and marketing costs increased $12.0 million, or 40.5%, from $29.6 million in 2023 to $41.6 million in 2024. The increase in selling and marketing costs was primarily due to the deconsolidation and reconsolidation of NCM LLC within 2023. The $29.6 million of expense within 2023 represents the activity of NCM LLC prior to the deconsolidation of NCM LLC on April 11, 2023 and after the reconsolidation of NCM LLC on August 7, 2023, compared to the $41.6 million of expense in 2024 representing a full year of consolidated activity.

Administrative and other costs. Administrative and other costs decreased $6.6 million, or 11.5%, from $57.3 million in 2023 to $50.7 million in 2024. The decrease is primarily due to a $12.8 million decrease in advisor and legal fees related to the Chapter 11 Case and Cineworld Proceeding incurred in 2024, as compared to 2023, as well as a $4.1 million decrease in performance-based compensation costs due to a retention program implemented to ensure continuity of the management team during the Chapter 11 Case which was in place during the majority of 2023. The decrease was partially offset by a $6.6 million increase in stock based compensation following the grant of a management equity incentive plan in the first quarter of 2024 compared to limited grant activity in 2023, a $3.3 million increase in personnel cost and other corporate expenses in 2024, as compared to 2023, due to the deconsolidation of NCM LLC during a portion of 2023 while NCM LLC's Chapter 11 Case was ongoing and a $0.5 million increase in severance expense in 2024.

Depreciation expense. Depreciation expense increased $1.5 million, or 48.4%, from $3.1 million in 2023 to $4.6 million in 2024. The increase in depreciation expense was primarily due to the deconsolidation and reconsolidation of NCM LLC within 2023. The $3.1 million of expense within 2023 represents the activity of NCM LLC prior to the deconsolidation of NCM LLC on April 11, 2023 and after the reconsolidation of NCM LLC on August 7, 2023, compared to the $4.6 million of expense in 2024 representing a full year of consolidated activity. The increase was also due to the fair value adjustments to NCM LLC's fixed assets upon reconsolidation by NCM, Inc. on August 7, 2023.

Amortization expense. Amortization expense increased $15.4 million, or 68.8%, from $22.4 million in 2023 to $37.8 million in 2024. The increase in amortization expense was primarily due to the deconsolidation and reconsolidation of NCM LLC within 2023. The $22.4 million of expense within 2023 represents the activity of NCM LLC prior to the deconsolidation of NCM LLC on April 11, 2023 and after the reconsolidation of NCM LLC on August 7, 2023, compared to the $37.8 million of expense in 2024 representing a full year of consolidated activity. The increase was also due to the fair value adjustments to NCM LLC's intangible assets upon reconsolidation by NCM, Inc. on August 7, 2023.

Non-operating expense (income). Total non-operating expense increased $726.6 million, or 100.4%, from non-operating income of $724.0 million in 2023 to non-operating expense of $2.6 million in 2024. The following table shows the changes in non-operating expense for 2024 and 2023 (in millions):

[[GREPCENT_TABLE]]
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[[/GREPCENT_TABLE]]

The increase in non-operating expense was primarily due to the $557.7 million decrease in gain on deconsolidation of affiliate, the $167.8 million decrease in gain on reconsolidation of NCM LLC and the $35.5 million decrease in gain on remeasurement of NCM LLC incurred in 2023, as compared to 2024. This was partially offset by a $26.2 million decrease in interest on borrowings primarily due to the discharge of historical debt that occurred upon NCM LLC’s emergence from bankruptcy and reconsolidation on August 7, 2023, a $4.7 million decrease in the loss on re-measurement of the payable under the tax receivable agreement due to the inclusion of three years of projected taxable book income/(loss) within the calculation of the TRA payable in 2024, as compared to only one year in 2023, due to management’s ability to more accurately forecast following the conclusion of the COVID-19 pandemic, a $2.3 million increase in interest income and a $1.2 million increase in other non-operating income in 2024 compared to 2023.

Results of Operations - NCM LLC

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The following table presents operating data and Adjusted OIBDA (dollars in millions, except share and margin data) for the years ended December 26, 2024 and December 28, 2023 for NCM LLC:

[[GREPCENT_TABLE]]
[["","","Years Ended","","","$ Change","","","% Change"],["($ in millions)","","Dec. 26, 2024","","","Dec. 28, 2023","","","2023 to 2024","","","2023 to 2024"],["Revenue","","$","240.8","","","$","259.8","","","$","(19.0",")","","","(7.3",")%"],["Operating expenses:"],["Network operating costs","","","13.7","","","","14.7","","","","(1.0",")","","","(6.8",")%"],["ESA Parties and network affiliate fees","","","111.9","","","","115.3","","","","(3.4",")","","","(2.9",")%"],["Selling and marketing costs","","","41.6","","","","44.1","","","","(2.5",")","","","(5.7",")%"],["Administrative and other costs","","","28.8","","","","75.9","","","","(47.1",")","","","(62.1",")%"],["Loss on impairment of Regal ESA","","","\u2014","","","","125.7","","","","(125.7",")","","","(100.0",")%"],["Impairment of long-lived assets","","","\u2014","","","","8.9","","","","(8.9",")","","","(100.0",")%"],["Administrative fee\u2014managing member","","","21.9","","","","21.7","","","","0.2","","","","0.9","%"],["Depreciation expense","","","4.6","","","","4.6","","","","\u2014","","","","0.0","%"],["Amortization expense","","","37.8","","","","29.8","","","","8.0","","","","26.8","%"],["Total operating expenses","","","260.3","","","","440.7","","","","(180.4",")","","","(40.9",")%"],["Operating loss","","$","(19.5",")","","$","(180.9",")","","$","161.4","","","","(89.2",")%"],["Adjusted OIBDA","","$","45.7","","","$","52.7","","","$","(7.0",")","","","(13.3",")%"],["Adjusted OIBDA margin","","","19.0","%","","","20.3","%","","","(1.3",")%","","","(6.4",")%"],["Total theater attendance (in millions) (1)","","","390.7","","","","438.9","","","","(48.2",")","","","(11.0",")%"],["Total screens","","","18,028","","","","18,403","","","","(375.0",")","","","(2.0",")%"],["Total ESA Party screens","","","9,455","","","","9,573","","","","(118.0",")","","","(1.2",")%"]]
[[/GREPCENT_TABLE]]

(1)
Represents the total attendance within NCM LLC’s advertising network, excluding screens and attendance associated with AMC Carmike theaters that are currently part of another cinema advertising network for each of the periods presented. Refer to Note 6 to the audited Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this document.

Revenue. Revenue decreased $19.0 million, or 7.3%, from $259.8 million in 2023 to $240.8 million in 2024.

National advertising revenue decreased by $2.1 million, or 1.1%, from $190.1 million in 2023 to $188.0 million in 2024. The decrease in national advertising revenue was primarily due to an 11.0% decrease in attendance due to a decreased movie slate in 2024, caused by the writer and actor strikes in the second half of 2023. This was partially offset by a 10.2% increase in national advertising utilization in 2024, as compared to 2023.

Local and regional advertising revenue decreased by $12.0 million, or 23.5%, from $51.1 million in 2023 to $39.1 million in 2024. The decrease in local and regional advertising revenue was primarily due to a decrease in contract activity and average size within education, dining, entertainment and consumer packaged goods, due in part to a 11.0% decrease in attendance as well as a decreased movie slate in 2024, caused by the writer and actor strikes in 2023. The decrease was partially offset by an increase in contract activity and size within automotive, government, and technology in 2024, as compared to 2023.

ESA Party beverage revenue decreased by $4.9 million, or 26.3%, from $18.6 million in 2023 to $13.7 million for 2024. The decrease was due to Regal's termination of its ESA in 2023 and the resulting discontinuation of its beverage revenue as well as a 6.2% decrease in ESA Party attendance in 2024, as compared to 2023.

Network operating costs. Network operating costs decreased $1.0 million, or 6.8%, from $14.7 million in 2023 to $13.7 million in 2024. The decrease was due primarily to a $1.3 million decrease in personnel related expenses due in part to the workforce reorganization in the first quarter of 2024, as well as a $0.3 million decrease in costs associated with our digital out of home offering in 2024, as compared to 2023. These decreases were partially offset by a $0.4 million increase in satellite costs related to the one-time transition of providers in 2024, as compared to 2023.

ESA Parties and network affiliate fees. ESA Parties and network affiliate fees decreased $3.4 million, or 2.9%, from $115.3 million in 2023 to $111.9 million in 2024. The decrease was primarily due to the 11.0% decrease in network attendance, as well as the rejection of certain affiliate agreements through the bankruptcy proceedings in 2023. These decreases were partially offset by the increase in fees owed under the Regal Advertising Agreement, which commenced on July 14, 2023, as well as due to contractual rate increases within the ESAs in 2024, as compared to 2023.

42

Selling and marketing costs. Selling and marketing costs decreased $2.5 million, or 5.7%, from $44.1 million in 2023 to $41.6 million in 2024. The decrease was due to a $2.9 million decrease in personnel related costs primarily related to performance-based compensation due in part to the decrease in revenue, as well as changes in the Company's incentive compensation plan following the workforce reorganization in 2024. There was also a $2.6 million decrease in costs associated with our digital offerings due to a decrease in digital revenue, as well as a $0.4 million decrease in lease related expenses in 2024, as compared to 2023, due to the renegotiations of certain leases as part of the Chapter 11 Case. These decreases were partially offset by a $1.6 million increase in selling related expenses, a $1.1 million increase in severance expense due to the workforce reorganization in 2024, a $0.5 million increase in bad debt expense due to low receivable write-off activity in 2023 and a $0.2 million increase in expenses related to our new programmatic offering in 2024, as compared to 2023.

Administrative and other costs. Administrative and other costs decreased $47.1 million, or 62.1%, from $75.9 million in 2023 to $28.8 million in 2024. This decrease was primarily related to a $44.9 million decrease in legal and professional fees related to the Chapter 11 Case and Cineworld Proceeding, a $2.9 million decrease in personnel related costs due to the workforce reorganization in the first quarter of 2024 and a $0.7 million decrease in lease related expenses due to the renegotiations of certain leases as part of the Chapter 11 Case. This was offset partially by a $0.6 million decrease in capitalized labor costs driven by the nature of the work being performed by our information technology department in 2024, compared to 2023, $0.5 million increase in cloud computing expenses and a $0.4 million increase in costs incurred related to a one-time assessment of the technology surrounding the Company's programmatic offerings beginning in 2024, as compared to 2023.

Administrative fee—managing member. Administrative fee—managing member increased $0.2 million, or 0.9%, from $21.7 million in 2023 to $21.9 million in 2024. This increase was primarily related to a $6.2 million increase in share-based compensation following the grant of a management equity incentive plan in the first quarter of 2024 compared to limited grant activity in 2023. This increase was offset by a $2.7 million decrease in legal and professional fees related to the Chapter 11 Case and Cineworld Proceeding, a $2.5 million decrease in personnel related costs due to a retention program implemented to ensure continuity of the management team during the Chapter 11 Case in place the majority of 2023, as compared to 2024, as well as a $0.5 million decrease in personnel related costs primarily due to retainers paid to the members of the special and restructuring committees of the Company’s Board of Directors during the Chapter 11 Case and a $0.3 million decrease in other corporate expenses in 2024, as compared to 2023.

Loss on termination of Regal ESA. Loss on termination of Regal ESA costs decreased $125.7 million, or 100.0%, from $125.7 million in 2023 to $0.0 million in 2024. This was primarily due to the absence in 2024 of the $141.5 million loss on disposal of the intangible asset related to the Regal ESA, partially offset by a decrease in the $13.0 million gain on Regal's surrender of ownership in the Company and $2.9 million in payables forgiven in conjunction with emergence from bankruptcy in the third quarter of 2023.

Impairment of long-lived assets. Impairment of long-lived assets decreased $8.9 million, or 100.0%, from $8.9 million in 2023 to $0.0 million in 2024. This was due to the $8.9 million write-off of certain long-lived intangible assets in 2023.

Depreciation expense. Depreciation expense remained at $4.6 million in 2023 and 2024.

Amortization expense. Amortization expense increased $8.0 million, or 26.8%, from $29.8 million in 2023, to $37.8 million in 2024. The increase was primarily due to the fair value adjustments to NCM LLC’s intangible assets upon reconsolidation with NCM, Inc. on August 7, 2023.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures for NCM LLC

Adjusted OIBDA and Adjusted OIBDA margin are not financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP in the United States.

Adjusted OIBDA represents operating income before depreciation and amortization expense adjusted to also exclude non-cash share-based payment costs, impairment of long-lived assets, workforce reorganization costs, termination of the Regal ESA, system optimization costs, satellite transitions costs and advisor fees related to involvement in the Cineworld Proceeding and Chapter 11 Case. Our management uses this non-GAAP financial measure to evaluate operating performance, to forecast future results and as a basis for compensation. The Company believes this is an important supplemental measure of operating performance because it eliminates items that have less bearing on its operating performance and highlights trends in its core business that may not otherwise be apparent when relying solely on GAAP financial measures. The Company believes the presentation of this measure is relevant and useful for investors because it enables them to view performance in a manner similar to the method used by the Company’s management, helps improve their ability to understand the Company’s operating performance and makes it easier to compare the Company’s results with

43

other companies that may have different depreciation and amortization policies, non-cash share-based payment costs, impairment of long-lived assets, workforce reorganization costs, termination of the Regal ESA, system optimization costs, satellite transition costs and advisor fees related to involvement in the Cineworld Proceeding and Chapter 11 Case, interest rates, debt levels or income tax rates.

Adjusted OIBDA margin is calculated by dividing Adjusted OIBDA by total revenue. Our management uses this non-GAAP financial measure to evaluate operating performance, to forecast future results and as a basis for compensation. The Company believes this is an important supplemental measure of operating performance because it eliminates items that have less bearing on its operating performance and highlight trends in its core business that may not otherwise be apparent when relying solely on GAAP financial measures. The Company believes the presentation of this measure is relevant and useful for investors because it enables them to view performance in a manner similar to the method used by the Company’s management, helps improve their ability to understand the Company’s operating performance and makes it easier to compare the Company’s results with other companies that may have different depreciation and amortization policies, non-cash share-based payment costs, impairment of long-lived assets, workforce reorganization costs, termination of the Regal ESA, system optimization costs, satellite transitions costs, advisor fees related to involvement in the Cineworld Proceeding and Chapter 11 Case, interest rates, debt levels or income tax rates.

A limitation of both of these measures, however, is that they exclude depreciation and amortization, which represent a proxy for the periodic costs of certain capitalized tangible and intangible assets used in generating revenues in NCM LLC’s business. In addition, Adjusted OIBDA and Adjusted OIBDA margin have the limitation of not reflecting the effect of the Company’s depreciation and amortization expense, non-cash share-based payment costs, impairment of long-lived assets, workforce reorganization costs, termination of the Regal ESA, system optimization costs, satellite transitions costs and advisor fees related to involvement in the Cineworld Proceeding and Chapter 11 Case. Adjusted OIBDA should not be regarded as an alternative to operating income, net income or as indicators of operating performance, nor should it be considered in isolation of, or as substitutes for financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. The Company believes that operating income is the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure to Adjusted OIBDA, and operating margin is the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure to Adjusted OIBDA margin. Because not all companies use identical calculations, these non-GAAP presentations may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies, or calculations in NCM LLC’s Revolving Credit Facility 2023.

The following table reconciles operating income to Adjusted OIBDA for NCM LLC for the periods presented (dollars in millions):

[[GREPCENT_TABLE]]
[["","","Years Ended"],["","","December 26, 2024","","","December 28, 2023"],["Operating loss","","$","(19.5",")","","$","(180.9",")"],["Depreciation expense","","","4.6","","","","4.6"],["Amortization expense","","","37.8","","","","29.8"],["Share-based compensation costs (1)","","","12.2","","","","5.5"],["Impairment of long-lived assets (2)","","","\u2014","","","","8.9"],["Workforce reorganization costs (3)","","","2.9","","","","\u2014"],["Loss on termination of Regal ESA, net (4)","","","\u2014","","","","125.6"],["Satellite transition costs (5)","","","0.8","","","","\u2014"],["System optimization costs (6)","","","0.4","","","","\u2014"],["Advisor fees related to the Chapter 11 Case (7)","","","6.5","","","","59.2"],["Adjusted OIBDA","","$","45.7","","","$","52.7"],["Total revenue","","$","240.8","","","$","259.8"],["Adjusted OIBDA margin","","","19.0","%","","","20.3","%"]]
[[/GREPCENT_TABLE]]

(1)
Share-based compensation costs are included in network operations, selling and marketing and administrative expense in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements.

(2)
The impairment of long-lived assets primarily relates to the write down of certain intangible assets related to a purchased affiliate and internally developed software and leasehold improvements no longer in use.

(3)
Workforce reorganization costs represent redundancy costs associated with changes to the Company’s workforce primarily implemented during 2024, as well as related office relocations and redundancy costs associated with changes to the Company's sales force implemented during the first quarter of 2022.

(4)
The net impact of Regal’s termination of the ESA resulting from the disposal of the intangible asset partially offset by the surrender of Regal’s ownership in the Company and the forgiveness of prepetition claims.

44

(5)
One-time costs of transitioning satellite providers during 2024.

(6)
System optimization costs represent costs incurred related to a one-time assessment of the technology surrounding the Company's programmatic offerings beginning in 2024.

(7)
Advisor and legal fees and expenses incurred in connection with the Company’s involvement in the Cineworld Proceeding and Chapter 11 Case and related appeals, as well as insurance and retention related expenses and retainers related to the members of the special and restructuring committees of the Company’s Board of Directors.

Known Trends and Uncertainties

Beverage Revenue—Under the ESAs, up to 90 seconds of The Noovie® Show program can be sold to the ESA Parties to satisfy their on-screen advertising commitments under their beverage concessionaire agreements. In 2023, Cinemark and Regal, prior to the termination of Regal's ESA, purchased 60 seconds of on-screen advertising time and AMC purchased 30 seconds to satisfy their obligations under their beverage concessionaire agreements. In 2024, Cinemark purchased 60 seconds of on-screen advertising time and AMC purchased 30 seconds to satisfy their obligations under their beverage concessionaire agreements. The ESA Parties’ current long-term contracts with their beverage suppliers require the 30 or 60 seconds of beverage advertising, although such commitments could change in the future. Per the ESA with AMC, the time sold to the beverage supplier is priced equal to the greater of (1) the advertising CPM charged by NCM LLC in the previous year for the time sold to the beverage supplier and (2) the advertising CPM for the previous year charged by NCM LLC to unaffiliated third parties during segment one (closest to showtime) of The Noovie Show in the ESA Parties’ theaters, limited to the highest advertising CPM being then-charged by NCM LLC. Beginning in 2020 and in accordance with the 2019 ESA Amendments, the price for the time sold to Cinemark and Regal’s beverage suppliers now increases at a fixed rate of 2.0% each year. As of July 14, 2023, the effective date of the Regal Advertising Agreement, the Company no longer receives ESA beverage revenue from Regal.

ESA Parties and network affiliate fees—In consideration for NCM LLC’s access to the ESA Parties’ and network affiliate theaters for on-screen and LEN advertising and lobby promotions, the ESA Parties and network affiliates receive access fees based either upon number of attendees, a revenue share or a combination, including a minimum revenue guarantee per attendee. Many of these agreements contain annual increases to the respective fee structures or guaranteed minimums, either per patron, per theater and/or per digital screen. The payments under the ESA Parties' agreements and network affiliate agreements are recorded within ‘ESA Parties and network affiliate fees’ in the audited Consolidated Statement of Operations.

Financial Condition and Liquidity

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our cash balances can fluctuate due to the seasonality of our business and related timing of collections of accounts receivable balances and operating expenditure payments, as well as interest or principal payments on our Revolving Credit Facility 2023, income tax payments, TRA payments, available cash payments (as defined in the NCM LLC Operating Agreement) to Cinemark and AMC in the event the ESA Parties hold NCM LLC membership units and any amount of dividends to NCM, Inc.’s common stockholders. We have sufficient sources of liquidity to meet our material cash commitments for the next 12 months and the foreseeable future.

On January 24, 2025, NCM LLC as borrower, entered into a Loan and Security Agreement with U.S. Bank National Association, as lender. The agreement provides for a $45.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility, the 2025 Credit Facility, that matures on January 24, 2028. In connection with entering into the 2025 Credit Facility, NCM LLC repaid in full the $10.0 million balance outstanding as of December 26, 2024 and terminated all commitments under its 2023 Revolving Credit Facility, and in connection with this termination, paid a prepayment fee equal to 1% of the total commitment. As of March 6, 2025, NCM LLC has not made any borrowings under the 2025 Credit Facility. Borrowings under the 2025 Credit Facility may be used for, among other things, working capital and other general corporate purposes of the Company and bear interest at a floating rate equal to term SOFR (subject to a floor of zero) plus an applicable margin of 2.00%, which is subject to increase by an additional 2.00% upon the occurrence of an event of default.

On August 7, 2023, NCM LLC entered into the Revolving Credit Facility 2023 with CIT Northbridge Credit LLC as agent. The Revolving Credit Facility 2023 is an asset backed line facility where the capacity depends upon NCM LLC’s trade accounts receivable balance, as adjusted for aged balances and other considerations. The maximum availability NCM LLC has access to under the revolver is $55.0 million. The proceeds of the Revolving Credit Facility 2023 may be used for, inter alia, working capital and capital expenditures. The Revolving Credit Facility 2023 will mature on August 7, 2026. The interest rate under the Revolving Credit Facility 2023 is a base rate or SOFR benchmark plus (i) 3.75% if less than 50% of revolving commitments are utilized or (ii) 4.50% if 50% or more of revolving commitments are utilized (utilizing the average revolver usage for the prior calendar month as a benchmark for this determination). The Revolving Credit Facility 2023 also

45

contains a financial maintenance covenant requiring that the fixed charge coverage ratio ending on the last day of each fiscal month is at least 1.1 to 1.0 during a “Trigger Period.” A Trigger Period begins upon (i) an event of default or (ii) if availability is less than the greater of (a) $5.0 million and (b) 10% of aggregate revolving commitments. A Trigger Period ends only if (i) no event of default existed for the preceding 30 consecutive days and (ii) availability is greater than both (a) $5.0 million and (b) 10% of aggregate revolving commitments. Upon the effectiveness of the Revolving Credit Facility 2023, NCM LLC immediately drew $10.0 million from the facility, which represents the only amount currently outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility 2023, as of December 26, 2024. This balance was subsequently repaid on January 24, 2025 upon the termination of the Revolving Credit Facility 2023, effective on January 24, 2025.

A summary of our financial liquidity is as follows (in millions):

[[GREPCENT_TABLE]]
[["","","Years Ended","","","$ Change"],["","","December 26, 2024","","","December 28, 2023","","","2023 to 2024"],["Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities (1)","","$","75.2","","","$","34.6","","","$","40.6"],["NCM LLC\u2019s Revolving Credit Facility 2023 availability (2)","","","44.4","","","","44.4","","","","\u2014"],["Total liquidity","","$","119.6","","","$","79.0","","","$","40.6"]]
[[/GREPCENT_TABLE]]

(1)
Included in cash and cash equivalents as of December 26, 2024 and December 28, 2023 there was $63.5 million and $31.9 million, respectively, of cash held by NCM LLC which is not available to satisfy NCM, Inc.'s dividend payments and other NCM, Inc. obligations.

(2)
NCM LLC’s total capacity under the Revolving Credit Facility 2023, which is subject to fluctuations in the underlying assets, is $55.0 million as of December 26, 2024. As of December 26, 2024, the amount available under the NCM LLC Revolving Credit Facility 2023 in the table above is net of the amount outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility 2023 of $10.0 million and the outstanding letters of credit of $0.6 million.

We have generated and used cash as follows (in millions):

[[GREPCENT_TABLE]]
[["","","Years Ended"],["","","2024","","","2023"],["Operating cash flow","","$","60.3","","","$","(6.7",")"],["Investing cash flow","","$","(5.7",")","","$","32.6"],["Financing cash flow","","$","(14.1",")","","$","(52.1",")"]]
[[/GREPCENT_TABLE]]

Cash Flows – Fiscal Years 2024 and 2023

Operating Activities. The $67.0 million increase in cash provided by operating activities for 2024, as compared to 2023, was due to 1) a $59.1 million decrease in net loss adjusted for non-cash items, 2) an $18.6 million increase in deferred revenue, 3) a $6.7 million increase in amounts due from to ESA Parties, net, 4) a $6.1 million decrease in the change in prepaid expenses, 5) a $2.6 million decrease in payments of accounts payable and accrued expenses and 6) a $2.6 million increase in other operating assets and liabilities for 2024, as compared to 2023. These increases in cash provided by operating activities were partially offset by a $25.7 million decrease in the change in account receivable collections and a $3.8 million reduction in the receipts of ESA Party integration and encumbered theater payments in 2024, as compared to 2023.

Investing Activities. The $38.3 million increase in cash used in investing activities for 2024, as compared to 2023, was primarily due to the $49.5 million addition of cash and cash equivalents upon the reconsolidation of NCM LLC in 2023 with no similar activity in 2024. Additionally, there was a $2.5 million increase in purchases of property and equipment due in part to the commencement of new leases and a $1.0 million decrease in proceeds from sale and maturities of marketable securities, as well as a $1.0 million increase in the purchase of a cost method investment for 2024, as compared to 2023. These increases in cash used by investing activities were partially offset by a $15.5 million cash contribution made in conjunction with the reconsolidation of NCM LLC during 2023 and a $0.6 million increase in proceeds received from an equity method investment for 2024, as compared to 2023.

Financing Activities. The $38.0 million decrease in cash used in financing activities for 2024, as compared to 2023, was primarily due to the removal of $49.6 million of cash caused by the deconsolidation of NCM LLC in the second quarter of 2023. Additionally, there was a $1.2 million decrease in payments of debt issuance costs and a $0.8 million decrease in repayments of the term loan facility due to an amendment to the Credit Agreement 2018 and Revolving Credit Agreement 2022 in the year ended December 28, 2023, as compared to the year ended December 26, 2024. These decreases were partially offset by a $13.1 million increase in payments made to repurchase shares of NCM, Inc.'s common stock and $0.7 million increase in cash redemptions of NCM LLC common membership units during 2024, as compared to 2023.

Sources of Capital and Capital Requirements

46

NCM, Inc.’s primary source of liquidity and capital resources is the quarterly available cash distributions from NCM LLC as well as its existing cash and cash equivalents balances, which as of December 26, 2024 were $78.2 million (including $66.5 million of cash and restricted cash held by NCM LLC). NCM LLC’s primary sources of liquidity and capital resources are (i) its cash provided by operating activities, (ii) cash on hand and (iii) as of January 24, 2025, availability under the new 2025 Credit Facility. NCM LLC's previous Revolving Credit Facility 2023 was terminated and repaid on January 24, 2025. NCM LLC drew down $10.0 million of its Revolving Credit Facility 2023 immediately upon emergence from bankruptcy on August 7, 2023. The $66.5 million of cash at NCM LLC will be used to fund operations. Cash at NCM, Inc. is used to fund income taxes, payments associated with the TRA, stock repurchases and for future payment of dividends to NCM, Inc. stockholders if and when declared by the Board of Directors.

Cash flows generated by NCM LLC’s distributions to NCM, Inc. and NCM LLC’s other members were deferred during the Chapter 11 Case. NCM LLC is required, pursuant to the terms of the NCM LLC Operating Agreement, to distribute its available cash, as defined in the NCM LLC Operating Agreement, quarterly to its members (only NCM, Inc. and AMC as of December 26, 2024). The other members are only able to receive available cash when they hold units. The available cash distribution to the members of NCM LLC for the year ended December 26, 2024 was calculated as approximately $26.2 million, due almost entirely to NCM, Inc, as the primary holder of NCM LLC units as of December 26, 2024. The $26.2 million is comprised of negative available cash generated by NCM LLC to NCM, Inc. for the first quarter of 2024 of $10.2 million and positive available cash generated by NCM LLC to NCM, Inc. for the second, third and fourth quarter of 2024 totaling $36.4 million. The positive available cash generated by NCM LLC for the second quarter of 2024, of $1.3 million, was completely offset against the accumulated negative available cash amounts generated in prior years in accordance with the terms of the NCM LLC Operating Agreement. The cumulative negative available cash balance as of December 26, 2024 is $223.6 million (including $165.1 million for NCM, Inc., $56.3 million for Cinemark and $2.2 million for AMC). These amounts can only be offset against positive available cash within the second quarter of future years. NCM, Inc. has the option to defer payment of any available cash distributions payable to NCM, Inc. at its discretion. As of December 26, 2024, NCM LLC owed NCM, Inc. $46.3 million in deferred available cash distributions.

NCM, Inc. expects to use its cash balances and cash received from future available cash distributions (as allowed for under the Revolving Credit Facility 2023) to fund payments associated with the TRA, stock repurchases, strategic initiatives and future dividends if and when declared by the Board of Directors. The Company does expect to make a TRA payment in 2025 for the 2024 tax year and did not make a TRA payment in 2024 for the 2023 tax year. Distributions from NCM LLC and NCM, Inc. cash balances should be sufficient to fund payments associated with the TRA, income taxes and any stock repurchases or declared dividends for the foreseeable future at the discretion of the Board of Directors. At the discretion of the Board of Directors, the Company will consider returning a portion of its free cash flow to stockholders. The declaration, payment, timing and amount of any future stock repurchases or dividends payable will be at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors who will take into account general economic and advertising market business conditions, the Company’s financial condition, available cash, current and anticipated cash needs and any other factors that the Board of Directors considers relevant.

Capital Expenditures

Capital expenditures of NCM LLC include digital applications being developed primarily by our programmers and outside consultants, capitalized software development or upgrades for our Digital Content Software, audience targeting and data management systems, cinema advertising management system, equipment required for our Customer Experience Center and content production and post-production facilities, office leasehold improvements, desktop equipment for use by our employees, and in certain cases, the costs necessary to install equipment at or digitize all or a portion of a network affiliate’s theaters when they are added to our network. Capital expenditures in 2024 were $5.6 million (including $1.9 million associated with upgrades to our existing systems related to the continued upgrades of our cinema advertising management system; $1.7 million associated with leasehold improvements; $1.0 million associated with digital product development; $0.4 million associated with network affiliate additions and $0.4 million associated with certain implementation and prepaid costs associated with Cloud Computing arrangements) compared to $5.3 million in 2023 (including $2.0 million associated with upgrades to our existing systems related to the continued upgrades of our cinema advertising management system; $1.5 million associated with digital product development; $1.3 million associated with certain implementation and prepaid costs associated with Cloud Computing arrangements and $0.3 million associated with network affiliate additions). The capital expenditures have typically been satisfied through cash flow from operations. All capital expenditures related to the DCN within the ESA Parties’ theaters have been made by the ESA Parties under the ESAs. We expect they will continue to be made by the ESA Parties in accordance with the ESAs.

We expect to make approximately $10.5 million to $11.5 million of capital expenditures in fiscal 2025. We expect approximately $6.0 million of capital expenditures related to upgrades to our Digital Content distribution and management software and our other internal management systems, including our cinema advertising management system, reporting systems, network equipment and software licensing, $2.0 million towards network affiliate additions and upgrades to

47

currently contracted network affiliates, $1.5 million towards digital products and audience measurement tools and $1.0 million towards leasehold improvements. Our capital expenditures may increase as we add additional network affiliates. We expect that additional expenditures, if any, would be funded in part by additional cash flows associated with those new network affiliates.

Financings

On January 24, 2025, NCM LLC as borrower, entered into a Loan and Security Agreement with U.S. Bank National Association, as lender. The agreement provides for a $45.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility, the 2025 Credit Facility, that matures on January 24, 2028. In connection with entering into the 2025 Credit Facility, NCM LLC repaid in full the $10.0 million balance outstanding as of December 26, 2024 and terminated all commitments under its 2023 Revolving Credit Facility, and in connection with this termination, paid a prepayment fee equal to 1% of the total commitment.

As of January 27, 2025, NCM LLC has not made any borrowings under the 2025 Credit Facility. Borrowings under the 2025 Credit Facility may be used for, among other things, working capital and other general corporate purposes of the Company and bear interest at a floating rate equal to term SOFR (subject to a floor of zero) plus an applicable margin of 2.00%, which is subject to increase by an additional 2.00% upon the occurrence of an event of default. A commitment fee of 0.25% is payable quarterly in arrears based on the average daily amount of the undrawn portion of the commitments under the 2025 Credit Facility for the preceding quarter. The 2025 Credit Facility has a $5.0 million sublimit for the issuance of letters of credit. Fees are payable on outstanding letters of credit at a per annum rate equal to 2.00%, plus certain customary fees payable in connection with the issuance, amendment, renewal and extension of letters of credit and the processing of drawings thereunder.

Certain of NCM LLC’s future subsidiaries, the Guarantors, are required to guarantee the repayment of NCM LLC’s obligations under the 2025 Credit Facility. The obligations of NCM LLC and any such Guarantors with respect to the 2025 Credit Facility are and will be secured by a pledge of substantially all assets of NCM LLC and each of the Guarantors, including, without limitation, accounts receivables, deposit accounts, intellectual property, investment property, inventory, equipment and equity interests in their respective subsidiaries. The 2025 Credit Facility contains affirmative and negative covenants customary for financings of this type, including limitations on the NCM LLC’s and its subsidiaries ability to incur additional debt, grant or permit additional liens, make investments and acquisitions, merge or consolidate with others, dispose of assets, pay dividends and distributions, make equity repurchases, pay subordinated indebtedness and enter into affiliate transactions. In addition, the 2025 Credit Facility contains financial covenants requiring NCM LLC to maintain a maximum leverage ratio of no greater than 2.25 to 1.00 and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of no less than 1.50 to 1.00, each measured on a quarterly basis. The 2025 Credit Facility also includes events of default customary for facilities of this type and upon the occurrence of such events of default, subject to customary cure rights, all outstanding loans under the 2025 Credit Facility may be accelerated and/or the Company’s commitments terminated. The 2025 Credit Facility also contains representations, warranties, and events of defaults customary for this type of facility.

On August 7, 2023, NCM LLC entered into the Revolving Credit Facility 2023 with CIT Northbridge Credit LLC as agent and on January 24, 2025, it was terminated. The Revolving Credit Facility 2023 was an asset backed line facility where the capacity depends upon NCM LLC’s trade accounts receivable balance, as adjusted for aged balances and other considerations, and was secured by a lien on substantially all of assets of NCM LLC. The maximum availability NCM LLC had access to under the Revolving Credit Facility 2023 is $55.0 million. The proceeds of the Revolving Credit Facility 2023 could have been used for, inter alia, working capital and capital expenditures. The Revolving Credit Facility 2023 would have matured on August 7, 2026. The interest rate under the Revolving credit facility 2023 was a base rate or SOFR benchmark plus (i) 3.75% if less than 50% of revolving commitments were utilized or (ii) 4.50% if 50% or more of revolving commitments were utilized (utilizing the average revolver usage for the prior calendar month as a benchmark for this determination). The Revolving Credit Facility 2023 also contained a financial maintenance covenant requiring that the fixed charge coverage ratio ending on the last day of each fiscal month was at least 1.1 to 1.0 during a “Trigger Period.” A Trigger Period began upon (i) an event of default or (ii) if availability is less than the greater of (a) $5.0 million and (b) 10% of aggregate revolving commitments. A Trigger Period ended only if (i) no event of default existed for the preceding thirty (30) consecutive days and (ii) availability was greater than both (a) $5.0 million and (b) 10% of aggregate revolving commitments. Upon the effectiveness of the Revolving Credit Facility 2023, NCM LLC immediately drew $10.0 million from the facility, which represented the only amount currently outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility 2023, as of December 26, 2024. The Revolving Credit Facility 2023 also contained customary representations, warranties, covenants, events of default, terms and conditions, including limitations on liens, incurrence of debt, mergers and significant asset dispositions. As of December 26, 2024, NCM LLC’s maximum availability under the $55.0 million Revolving Credit Facility 2023 was $44.4 million, net of $10.0 million outstanding and net letters of credit of $0.6 million. The weighted-average interest rate on the Revolving Credit Facility 2023 as of December 26, 2024 was 8.4%. Upon execution of the Revolving Credit Facility 2023, NCM LLC recorded $2.4 million as debt issuance costs and received $9.1 million in proceeds.

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The Revolving Credit Facility 2023 contained a number of covenants and financial ratio requirements, with which NCM LLC was in compliance at December 26, 2024, including maintaining a fixed charge coverage ratio in excess of 1.1:1.00 on a monthly basis while maintaining availability in excess of either (i) $8.25 million or (ii) 15.0% of the aggregate revolver commitments (the “availability thresholds”). NCM LLC was permitted to make quarterly dividend payments and other payments based on the fixed charge coverage ratio and availability thresholds so long as no default or event of default had occurred and continued to occur. Dividend payments and other distributions could have been made if the fixed charge coverage ratio was in excess of 1.1:1.0 and availability, after the distribution, was in compliance with the availability thresholds.

There were no borrower distribution restrictions as long as NCM LLC’s fixed coverage ratio was 1.1:1.0, NCM LLC maintained availability under the availability thresholds and NCM LLC was in compliance with its debt covenants. If there were borrower distribution restrictions on the payments, NCM LLC could not declare or pay any dividends, or make any payments on account of NCM LLC or make any other distribution for obligations of NCM LLC. When these restrictions were effective, NCM LLC could still pay the services fee and reimbursable costs pursuant to terms of a management services agreement, between NCM, Inc. and NCM LLC, in exchange for NCM, Inc. providing specified management services to NCM LLC. NCM LLC could also make payments pursuant to the Common Unit Adjustment Agreement and Tax Receivable Agreement in the amount, and at the time necessary to satisfy the contractual obligations with respect to the actual cash tax benefits payable to NCM LLC’s founding members.

As of December 26, 2024, the NCM LLC’s fixed charge coverage ratio was 1.7 to 1.0 (versus the required ratio of 1.1:1.0) and had availability under the Revolving Credit Facility 2023 of $44.4 million (versus the applicable availability threshold of $8.25 million). As of December 26, 2024, NCM LLC was in compliance with the financial covenants of the Revolving Credit Facility 2023 described above.

As of December 26, 2024, the weighted average remaining maturity was 1.6 years. As of December 26, 2024, 100.0% of our borrowings bear interest at variable rates and as such, our net income and earnings per share could fluctuate with market interest rate fluctuations that could increase or decrease the interest paid on our borrowings.

Critical Accounting Estimates and Policies

The significant accounting policies of the Company are described in Note 1 to the audited Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this document. Certain accounting policies involve significant judgments, assumptions and estimates by management that have a material impact on the carrying value of certain assets and liabilities, which management considers critical accounting policies. The judgments, assumptions and estimates used by management are based on historical experience, knowledge of the accounts and other factors, which are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances and are evaluated on an ongoing basis. Because of the nature of the judgments and assumptions made by management, actual results could differ from these judgments and estimates, which could have a material impact on the carrying values of assets and liabilities and the results of operations of the Company.

Deconsolidation of NCM LLC

NCM LLC does not have a readily determinable fair value. Upon the deconsolidation of NCM LLC, the original cost of the investment was valued based upon NCM, Inc.'s ownership of the secured debt of NCM LLC and the estimation of the enterprise value of NCM LLC utilizing a combination of a market approach and income approach. The market approach relied upon a comparison with guideline public companies and entails selecting relevant financial information of the subject company and capitalizing those amounts using valuation multiples that are based on empirical market observation. The income approach relied upon an analysis of NCM LLC’s projected economic earnings discounted to present value. Significant assumptions utilized within these analyses include the weighted average cost of capital and NCM LLC’s forecasted cash flows. Due to the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair value of securities that do not have a readily available fair value, the determination of the fair value required significant judgment or estimation and changes in the estimates and assumptions used in the valuation models could materially affect the determination.

Reconsolidation of NCM LLC

The Company accounted for the reconsolidation of NCM LLC using the acquisition method of accounting. The acquisition method requires the Company to make significant estimates and assumptions, especially at the acquisition date as the Company allocates the estimated fair values of acquired tangible and intangible assets and the liabilities assumed. The Company also uses our best estimates to determine the useful lives of the tangible and definite-lived intangible assets, which impact the periods over which depreciation and amortization of those assets are recognized. These best estimates and assumptions are inherently uncertain as they pertain to forward looking views of the Company’s businesses, client behavior and market conditions. See Note 5—Reconsolidation of NCM LLC for further information on the valuation methods and the results of applying the acquisition method of accounting, including the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, and, where relevant, the estimated remaining useful lives.

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Valuation of Intangible Assets

In accordance with ASC 360—Property, Plant and Equipment, we evaluate intangible assets and other long-lived assets for impairment whenever a triggering event occurs indicating that they may not be recoverable. Recoverability is assessed by comparing the carrying amount of an asset group to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated. If the carrying amount of an asset group is not recoverable, an impairment loss is recognized equal to the difference between the carrying amount and the fair value of the asset group. We group assets for purposes of such review at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows of the asset group are largely independent of the cash flows of the other groups of assets and liabilities. In order to calculate the future undiscounted net cash flows, we utilize estimates and assumptions based on historical data and consideration of future market conditions while incorporating management’s expectations as of the balance sheet date. Unforeseen events, changes in circumstances and market conditions and material differences in estimates of future cash flows could adversely affect the fair value of our assets and could result in impairment charges.

Income Taxes

Nature of Estimates Required. We account for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740 – Income Taxes, which requires an asset and liability approach to financial accounting and reporting for income taxes. Accordingly, deferred tax assets and liabilities arise from the differences between the tax basis of an asset or liability and its reported amount in the audited Consolidated Financial Statements. Deferred tax amounts are determined using the tax rates expected to be in effect when the taxes will actually be paid or refunds received, as provided under currently enacted tax law. Valuation allowances are to be established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. The Company generated a three-year cumulative pre-tax book loss during 2021 driven by the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Company’s operations in 2020 and 2021. Given the associated weight assigned to this item as negative evidence within the Company’s analysis, the Company determined it is more-likely-than-not that the Company will not be able to realize certain of the Company’s deferred tax assets before they expire. Given the additional pre-tax book losses in 2024, the Company continues to have a valuation allowance in the amount of $169.1 million against the deferred tax asset as of December 26, 2024. The Company had a valuation allowance in the amount of $146.0 million against the deferred tax asset as of December 28, 2023. As we do expect to generate pre-tax book income following the complete recovery from the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Chapter 11 Case, we have recorded an impact from the Net Business Interest Expense Limitation IRC § 163(j) on our payable to ESA Parties under the TRA.

In addition, due to the basis differences resulting from our IPO-related transactions (including the TRA with the ESA Parties) and subsequent adjustments pursuant to the Common Unit Adjustment Agreement, we are required to make cash payments under the TRA to the ESA Parties in amounts equal to 90% of our actual tax benefit realized from the tax amortization of the basis difference for certain deferred assets noted above. Following the increase in the valuation allowance as of December 31, 2020, the Company recorded a corresponding $151.9 million reduction to the “Payable to ESA Parties under the tax receivable agreement” equal to the portion of the payable related to 90% of the amortization of the expected benefits from the realization of the deferred tax assets deemed not more-likely-than-not to be realized as of December 31, 2020. Once the Company returns to a more normal operating level and emerges from a three-year cumulative pre-tax book loss position, part or all the valuation allowance is expected to reverse, resulting in an inverse impact to the payable to ESA Parties under the tax receivable agreement which would increase to reflect future payments to the ESA Parties at that time. The requirements of the TRA, as amended, are highly technical and complex and involve management’s judgment, including judgments to determine hypothetical tax outcomes exclusive of the IPO date transaction and agreements. Management performs thorough analysis of the estimate each quarter and upon new information or conditions will refine its estimate. If we were to fail to meet certain of the requirements of the TRA, we could be subject to additional payments to taxing authorities or to the ESA Parties. We recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only when it is more likely than not, based on the technical merits of the position, that the tax position will be sustained upon examination, including the resolution of any related appeals or litigation. The tax benefits recognized in the audited Consolidated Financial Statements from such a position are measured as the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate resolution.

For fiscal 2024, our provision for income taxes was $0.2 million. Changes in management’s estimates and assumptions regarding the enacted tax rate applied to deferred tax assets and liabilities, the ability to realize the value of deferred tax assets, or the timing of the reversal of tax basis differences and judgments used to determine hypothetical tax outcomes exclusive of the IPO date transaction and agreements could impact the provision for income taxes and change the effective tax rate.

Share-based Compensation

During 2024, a portion of the restricted stock units issued by the Company vest subject to market-based metrics. We measured the fair value of these awards on the date of grant using a Monte Carlo simulation model. This model considers various subjective assumptions as inputs, and represent our best estimates, which involve inherent uncertainties and the

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application of our judgment as it relates to market volatilities, the historical volatility of our stock price, risk-free rates and expected life. The valuation model also incorporates exercise and forfeiture assumptions based on an analysis of historical data. Determining these assumptions is subjective and complex, and therefore, a change in the assumptions utilized could impact the calculation of the fair value of our market-based share awards and the associated compensation expense. Refer to Note 11—Share Based Compensation in the notes to our consolidated financial statements for further information regarding our share-based compensation awards.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

For a discussion of the recent accounting pronouncements relevant to our business operations, refer to the information provided under Note 1 to the audited Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this document.

Related-Party Transactions

For a discussion of the related-party transactions, refer to the information provided under Note 9 to the audited Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this document.