Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (WBD)
SIC breadcrumb: Transportation, Communications, Electric, Gas, And Sanitary Services > Communications > SIC 4841 Cable & Other Pay Television Services
SEC company page: https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=1437107. Latest filing source: 0001437107-26-000020.
Informational only - descriptive public-record data, not investment advice.
Selected Fundamentals
| Metric | Value | Unit | FY | Filed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 37,296,000,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-27 |
| Net income | 727,000,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-27 |
| Assets | 100,085,000,000 | USD | 2025 | 2026-02-27 |
Financials
Annual standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-02-27. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0001437107.json. Derived margins, ratios, and free cash flow are computed from the extracted annual SEC facts.
| Metric | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue | 6,497,000,000 | 6,873,000,000 | 10,553,000,000 | 11,144,000,000 | 10,671,000,000 | 12,191,000,000 | 33,817,000,000 | 41,321,000,000 | 39,321,000,000 | 37,296,000,000 | |||||
| Net income | 1,194,000,000 | -337,000,000 | 594,000,000 | 2,069,000,000 | 1,219,000,000 | 1,006,000,000 | -7,371,000,000 | -3,126,000,000 | -11,311,000,000 | 727,000,000 | |||||
| Operating income | 2,058,000,000 | 713,000,000 | 1,934,000,000 | 3,009,000,000 | 2,515,000,000 | 2,012,000,000 | -7,370,000,000 | -1,548,000,000 | -10,032,000,000 | 738,000,000 | |||||
| Diluted EPS | 1.52 | 2.80 | 2.48 | 2.97 | 1.81 | 1.54 | -3.82 | -1.28 | -4.62 | 0.29 | |||||
| Operating cash flow | 1,380,000,000 | 1,629,000,000 | 2,576,000,000 | 3,399,000,000 | 2,739,000,000 | 2,798,000,000 | 4,304,000,000 | 7,477,000,000 | 5,375,000,000 | 4,319,000,000 | |||||
| Capital expenditures | 88,000,000 | 135,000,000 | 147,000,000 | 289,000,000 | 402,000,000 | 373,000,000 | 987,000,000 | 1,316,000,000 | 948,000,000 | 1,231,000,000 | |||||
| Assets | 15,672,000,000 | 22,555,000,000 | 32,550,000,000 | 33,735,000,000 | 34,087,000,000 | 34,427,000,000 | 134,001,000,000 | 122,757,000,000 | 104,560,000,000 | 100,085,000,000 | |||||
| Liabilities | 10,262,000,000 | 17,532,000,000 | 22,033,000,000 | 21,769,000,000 | 21,704,000,000 | 21,031,000,000 | 85,334,000,000 | 76,285,000,000 | 69,622,000,000 | 62,919,000,000 | |||||
| Stockholders' equity | 5,451,000,000 | 4,610,000,000 | 8,386,000,000 | 9,891,000,000 | 10,464,000,000 | 11,599,000,000 | 47,095,000,000 | 45,226,000,000 | 34,037,000,000 | 35,919,000,000 | |||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 300,000,000 | 7,309,000,000 | 986,000,000 | 1,552,000,000 | 2,091,000,000 | 3,905,000,000 | 3,731,000,000 | 3,780,000,000 | 5,312,000,000 | 4,566,000,000 | |||||
| Free cash flow | 1,292,000,000 | 1,494,000,000 | 2,429,000,000 | 3,110,000,000 | 2,337,000,000 | 2,425,000,000 | 3,317,000,000 | 6,161,000,000 | 4,427,000,000 | 3,088,000,000 |
Ratios
| Metric | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net margin | 18.38% | -4.90% | 5.63% | 18.57% | 11.42% | 8.25% | -21.80% | -7.57% | -28.77% | 1.95% | |||||
| Operating margin | 31.68% | 10.37% | 18.33% | 27.00% | 23.57% | 16.50% | -21.79% | -3.75% | -25.51% | 1.98% | |||||
| Return on equity | -7.31% | 7.08% | 20.92% | 11.65% | 8.67% | -15.65% | -6.91% | -33.23% | 2.02% | ||||||
| Return on assets | 7.62% | -1.49% | 1.82% | 6.13% | 3.58% | 2.92% | -5.50% | -2.55% | -10.82% | 0.73% | |||||
| Liabilities / equity | 3.80 | 2.63 | 2.20 | 2.07 | 1.81 | 1.81 | 1.69 | 2.05 | 1.75 | ||||||
| Current ratio | 1.60 | 5.34 | 1.06 | 1.61 | 1.99 | 2.10 | 0.93 | 0.93 | 0.89 | 1.06 |
Financial Charts
Quarterly
Quarterly standardized facts from SEC companyfacts as of latest extracted filing date 2026-05-06. Source: https://data.sec.gov/api/xbrl/companyfacts/CIK0001437107.json.
| Quarter | End Date | Revenue | Net Income | Diluted EPS | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-Q2 | 2022-06-30 | -1.50 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2022-Q3 | 2022-09-30 | -0.95 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q1 | 2023-03-31 | -0.44 | reported discrete quarter | ||
| 2023-Q2 | 2023-06-30 | 10,358,000,000 | -1,240,000,000 | -0.51 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2023-Q3 | 2023-09-30 | 9,979,000,000 | -417,000,000 | -0.17 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2023-Q4 | 2023-12-31 | 10,284,000,000 | -400,000,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2024-Q1 | 2024-03-31 | 9,958,000,000 | -966,000,000 | -0.40 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q2 | 2024-06-30 | 9,713,000,000 | -9,986,000,000 | -4.07 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q3 | 2024-09-30 | 9,623,000,000 | 135,000,000 | 0.05 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2024-Q4 | 2024-12-31 | 10,027,000,000 | -494,000,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2025-Q1 | 2025-03-31 | 8,979,000,000 | -453,000,000 | -0.18 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q2 | 2025-06-30 | 9,812,000,000 | 1,580,000,000 | 0.63 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q3 | 2025-09-30 | 9,045,000,000 | -148,000,000 | -0.06 | reported discrete quarter |
| 2025-Q4 | 2025-12-31 | 9,460,000,000 | -252,000,000 | derived Q4 = FY annual - nine-month YTD | |
| 2026-Q1 | 2026-03-31 | 8,893,000,000 | -2,916,000,000 | -1.17 | reported discrete quarter |
Quarterly Charts
Macro Cross-References
- CPIAUCSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items in U.S. City Average
- UNRATE - Unemployment Rate
- FEDFUNDS - Federal Funds Effective Rate
- CES0500000003 - Average Hourly Earnings of All Employees, Total Private
- DFEDTARU - Federal Funds Target Range - Upper Limit
- DFEDTARL - Federal Funds Target Range - Lower Limit
- DGS3MO - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 3-Month Constant Maturity
- DGS2 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 2-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS10 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 10-Year Constant Maturity
- DGS30 - Market Yield on U.S. Treasury Securities at 30-Year Constant Maturity
- T10Y2Y - 10-Year Treasury Constant Maturity Minus 2-Year Treasury Constant Maturity
- CPILFESL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items Less Food and Energy
- CPIUFDSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Food
- CPIENGSL - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Energy
- CUSR0000SAH1 - Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Shelter
- PCEPI - Personal Consumption Expenditures: Chain-type Price Index
- PCEPILFE - Personal Consumption Expenditures Excluding Food and Energy: Chain-type Price Index
- PPIACO - Producer Price Index by Commodity: All Commodities
- T10YIE - 10-Year Breakeven Inflation Rate
- U6RATE - Total Unemployed, Plus All Marginally Attached Workers Plus Total Employed Part Time for Economic Reasons
- PAYEMS - All Employees, Total Nonfarm
- CIVPART - Labor Force Participation Rate
- EMRATIO - Employment-Population Ratio
- UNEMPLOY - Unemployed
- CE16OV - Employment Level
- ICSA - Initial Claims
- JTSJOL - Job Openings: Total Nonfarm
- JTSQUR - Quits: Total Nonfarm
- GDPC1 - Real Gross Domestic Product
- A191RL1Q225SBEA - Real Gross Domestic Product: Percent Change from Preceding Period
- INDPRO - Industrial Production: Total Index
- TCU - Capacity Utilization: Total Index
- HOUST - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Started: Total Units
- PERMIT - New Privately-Owned Housing Units Authorized in Permit-Issuing Places: Total Units
- RSAFS - Advance Retail Sales: Retail Trade
- PCE - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- DSPIC96 - Real Disposable Personal Income
- PSAVERT - Personal Saving Rate
- M2SL - M2
- BOPGSTB - U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services: Balance
- MSPUS - Median Sales Price of Houses Sold for the United States
- HSN1F - New One Family Houses Sold: United States
- RHORUSQ156N - Homeownership Rate in the United States
- TTLCONS - Total Construction Spending: Total Construction in the United States
- RRVRUSQ156N - Rental Vacancy Rate in the United States
- TOTALSL - Total Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- REVOLSL - Revolving Consumer Credit Owned and Securitized
- DRCCLACBS - Delinquency Rate on Credit Card Loans, All Commercial Banks
- GDP - Gross Domestic Product
- GPDI - Gross Private Domestic Investment
- GCE - Government Consumption Expenditures and Gross Investment
- PCEC - Personal Consumption Expenditures
- NETEXP - Net Exports of Goods and Services
- GFDEBTN - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt
- GFDEGDQ188S - Federal Debt: Total Public Debt as Percent of Gross Domestic Product
- FYFSD - Federal Surplus or Deficit
- FGRECPT - Federal Government Current Receipts
- FGEXPND - Federal Government: Current Expenditures
- MANEMP - All Employees, Manufacturing
- USCONS - All Employees, Construction
- USTRADE - All Employees, Retail Trade
- USFIRE - All Employees, Financial Activities
- USGOVT - All Employees, Government
- AWHAETP - Average Weekly Hours of All Employees, Total Private
- DGORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Durable Goods
- NEWORDER - Manufacturers' New Orders: Nondefense Capital Goods Excluding Aircraft
- BUSINV - Total Business Inventories
- EXPGS - Exports of Goods and Services
- IMPGS - Imports of Goods and Services
- IR - Import Price Index (End Use): All Commodities
- PPIFIS - Producer Price Index by Commodity: Final Demand
Latest quarter (10-Q)
Latest 10-Q source: 0001437107-26-000057.
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, 2025 (the “2025 Form 10-K”).
BUSINESS OVERVIEW
Warner Bros. Discovery is a leading global media and entertainment company that creates and distributes a differentiated and comprehensive portfolio of content and products across television, film, streaming, interactive gaming, publishing, themed experiences, and consumer products through brands including: Discovery Channel, HBO Max, CNN, DC Studios, TNT Sports, HBO, Food Network, TLC, TBS, Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group, Warner Bros. Television Group, Warner Bros. Games, Adult Swim, Turner Classic Movies, and others.
We are home to one of the largest collections of owned content in the world with assets and intellectual property across sports, news, lifestyle, and entertainment in most languages and regions of the globe. We create some of the best-in-class content using our renowned library, beloved franchises, and acclaimed creative expertise to serve our audiences and consumers. Our asset mix strongly positions us to execute our key strategies: grow our streaming business globally, enhance our Studios segment, and manage our linear networks for the best possible success in order to create long-term value for our stockholders.
In the first quarter of 2025, the Company renamed its DTC reportable segment to Streaming and its Networks reportable segment to Global Linear Networks.
Termination of Netflix Merger
On January 19, 2026, the Company entered into an amended and restated agreement and plan of merger, by and among the Company, Netflix, Inc. (“Netflix”), Nightingale Sub, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Netflix, and New Topco 25, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of WBD (the “Netflix Merger Agreement”), pursuant to which Netflix would have acquired the Streaming and Studios segments (subject to certain deviations) and certain other assets and liabilities, including the Company’s film and television studios, HBO Max, and HBO, following the separation and distribution of Discovery Global to the Company’s stockholders (the “Separation Transaction”).
Following the board of directors’ determination that it had received a “Company Superior Proposal,” as defined in the Netflix Merger Agreement, from Paramount Skydance Corporation (“PSKY”) and Netflix’s waiver of its right to propose revisions to the Netflix Merger Agreement, on February 27, 2026, in accordance with the terms of the Netflix Merger Agreement, the Company terminated the Netflix Merger Agreement in connection with entering into the PSKY Merger Agreement (as defined below). As a result of the termination of the Netflix Merger Agreement, PSKY, on behalf of the Company, paid Netflix a termination fee of $2.8 billion in cash (the “Netflix Termination Fee”) as required by the terms of the Netflix Merger Agreement. During the three months ended March 31, 2026, the Company recorded an expense for the Netflix Termination Fee in the consolidated statements of operations. The amount paid by PSKY is reimbursable by the Company to PSKY in certain circumstances in the event the PSKY Merger Agreement is terminated, and therefore has been recorded in accrued liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.
PSKY Merger
On February 27, 2026, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger, by and among the Company, PSKY and Prince Sub Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of PSKY (“Merger Sub”) (as may be amended from time to time, the “PSKY Merger Agreement”), pursuant to which and subject to the terms and conditions therein, at the effective time, Merger Sub will merge with and into WBD, with WBD surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of PSKY (the “PSKY Merger”).
Upon completion of the PSKY Merger, each issued and outstanding share of WBD’s Series A common stock (“WBD Common Stock”) (subject to certain exceptions) will be converted into the right to receive an amount in cash equal to $31.00, without interest, plus, if the closing date of the PSKY Merger occurs after September 30, 2026, the Ticking Consideration (together, the “Merger Consideration”). The “Ticking Consideration” will be an amount in cash equal to $0.00277778 multiplied by the number of calendar days elapsed after September 30, 2026 to and including the closing date (which, for the avoidance of doubt, will not exceed $0.25 per 90 calendar day period).
Concurrently with the execution of the PSKY Merger Agreement, Larry J. Ellison and an affiliated trust entered into a guarantee in favor of WBD to, among other things, jointly and severally guarantee certain payments by PSKY under the PSKY Merger Agreement, including $45.72 billion of the aggregate Merger Consideration, and assist WBD with the consummation of the PSKY Merger.
30
On April 23, 2026, WBD stockholders approved the adoption of the PSKY Merger Agreement. The completion of the PSKY Merger is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory clearances. In addition, PSKY’s obligation to consummate the PSKY Merger is subject to WBD not having completed the separation of its Streaming & Studios business from its Global Linear Networks business nor having declared or made any dividend to WBD’s stockholders to effectuate the separation. There can be no assurance that the PSKY Merger will occur in accordance with the expected plans or anticipated timeline, or at all.
The PSKY Merger Agreement contains certain customary termination rights for WBD and PSKY, including, without limitation, a right for either party to terminate if the PSKY Merger is not completed on or before March 4, 2027, subject to an extension to June 4, 2027 in certain circumstances as specified in the PSKY Merger Agreement. Termination under specified circumstances will require WBD to pay PSKY a termination fee of $3.0 billion and reimburse PSKY for (i) any payment made by PSKY, which will in no event be more than $1,528 million, in connection with WBD’s obligation to complete the Junior Lien Exchange Offer by December 30, 2026 and (ii) the Netflix Termination Fee, or PSKY to pay WBD a termination fee of $7.0 billion. Additionally, the PSKY Merger Agreement provides for customary pre-closing covenants of WBD, including covenants relating to conducting its business in the ordinary course consistent with past practice and to refrain from taking certain actions without PSKY’s consent.
Reportable Segments
As of March 31, 2026, we classified our operations in three reportable segments:
•Streaming - Our Streaming segment primarily consists of our premium pay-TV and streaming services.
•Studios - Our Studios segment primarily consists 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/streaming 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.
•Global Linear Networks - Our Global Linear Networks segment primarily consists of our domestic and international television networks.
Our segment presentation is 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.
INDUSTRY TRENDS
Headwinds in the industry, such as continued pressures on linear distribution and declines in linear subscribers and continued softness in the U.S. linear advertising market, have had, and are expected to continue to have, a material impact on the operations and results of the Company, including a negative impact on the results of operations attributed to declines in linear advertising revenue. The increase of digital advertising inventory available in the marketplace has also resulted in, and is expected to continue to result in, increased competition for advertising expenditures for both traditional linear networks and ad-supported tiers in streaming services. In addition, the imposition of tariffs by the U.S. government and any retaliatory tariffs from foreign governments, including tariffs directly or indirectly applicable to our industry, may negatively impact our operations and results, including by leading to higher productions costs or decreased spending by advertisers whose expenditures are sensitive to such actions or to general economic conditions. We continue to closely monitor the ongoing impact of industry trends to our business; however, the full effects on our operations and results will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted.
31
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Foreign Exchange Impacting Comparability
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. 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 reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
The ex-FX change represents the percentage change on a period-over-period basis adjusted for foreign currency impacts. The ex-FX change is calculated as the difference between the current year amounts translated at a baseline rate, which is a spot rate for each of our currencies determined early in the fiscal year as part of our forecasting process (the “2026 Baseline Rate”), and the prior year amounts translated at the same 2026 Baseline Rate. In addition, consistent with the assumption of a constant currency environment, our ex-FX results exclude the impact of our foreign currency hedging activities, as well as realized and unrealized foreign currency transaction gains and losses. Results on a constant currency basis, as we present them, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.
Consolidated Results of Operations
The table below presents our consolidated results of operations (in millions).
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[Excerpt truncated for page length; source filing is linked above.]
Latest 10-K MD&A
ITEM 7. 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, financial condition, contractual commitments, critical accounting policies, and estimates that require significant judgment and thus have the most significant potential impact on our consolidated financial statements. This discussion and analysis is intended to better allow investors to view the company from management’s perspective.
This section provides an analysis of our financial results for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 compared to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024. A discussion of our results of operations and liquidity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 can be found under Item 7 in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, filed on February 27, 2025, which is available free of charge on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and our Investor Relations website at ir.wbd.com. The information contained on our website is not part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and is not incorporated by reference herein.
BUSINESS OVERVIEW
Warner Bros. Discovery is a leading global media and entertainment company that creates and distributes a differentiated and comprehensive portfolio of content and products across television, film, streaming, interactive gaming, publishing, themed experiences, and consumer products through brands including: Discovery Channel, HBO Max, CNN, DC Studios, TNT Sports, HBO, Food Network, TLC, TBS, Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group, Warner Bros. Television Group, Warner Bros. Games, Adult Swim, Turner Classic Movies, and others. For a discussion of our global portfolio see our business overview set forth in Item 1, “Business” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
In connection with the WarnerMedia Merger, we have announced and taken actions to implement projects to achieve cost synergies for the Company. We finalized the framework supporting our ongoing restructuring and transformation initiatives during the year ended December 31, 2022, which included, among other things, strategic content programming assessments, organization restructuring, facility consolidation activities, and other contract termination costs. At that time, we expected to incur approximately $4,100 - $5,300 million in pre-tax restructuring charges, of which we incurred $4,662 million as of December 31, 2024. While our restructuring efforts are ongoing, the WarnerMedia Merger-related restructuring program was substantially completed at the end of 2024. During 2023, we initiated a strategic realignment plan associated with our Warner Bros. Pictures Animation group. During 2024, we initiated two additional restructuring initiatives - an organizational and personnel restructuring plan and a restructuring initiative associated with our Warner Bros. Games group. During 2025, we initiated restructuring plans related to the previously proposed Separation Transaction.
As of December 31, 2025, we classified our operations in three reportable segments:
•Streaming - Our Streaming segment primarily consists of our premium pay-TV and streaming services.
•Studios - Our Studios segment primarily consists 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/streaming 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.
•Global Linear Networks - Our Global Linear Networks segment primarily consists of our domestic and international television networks.
Our segment presentation was 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.
For further discussion of financial information for our segments and the geographical areas in which we do business, our content development activities, and revenues, see our business overview set forth in Item 1, “Business” and Note 23 to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
39
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Foreign Exchange Impacting Comparability
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. 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 reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
The ex-FX change represents the percentage change on a period-over-period basis adjusted for foreign currency impacts. The ex-FX change is calculated as the difference between the current year amounts translated at a baseline rate, which is a spot rate for each of our currencies determined early in the fiscal year as part of our forecasting process (the “2025 Baseline Rate”), and the prior year amounts translated at the same 2025 Baseline Rate. In addition, consistent with the assumption of a constant currency environment, our ex-FX results exclude the impact of our foreign currency hedging activities, as well as realized and unrealized foreign currency transaction gains and losses. Results on a constant currency basis, as we present them, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.
Consolidated Results of Operations – 2025 vs. 2024
Our consolidated results of operations for 2025 and 2024 were as follows (in millions).
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | % Change | % Change (ex-FX) | ||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Distribution | $ | 19,262 | $ | 19,701 | (2) | % | (2) | % | |||||||||||
| Advertising | 7,306 | 8,090 | (10) | % | (11) | % | |||||||||||||
| Content | 9,647 | 10,297 | (6) | % | (7) | % | |||||||||||||
| Other | 1,081 | 1,233 | (12) | % | (15) | % | |||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 37,296 | 39,321 | (5) | % | (5) | % | |||||||||||||
| Costs of revenues, excluding depreciation and amortization | 20,885 | 22,970 | (9) | % | (9) | % | |||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 9,418 | 9,296 | 1 | % | 1 | % | |||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 5,684 | 7,037 | (19) | % | (19) | % | |||||||||||||
| Restructuring and other charges | 399 | 447 | (11) | % | (11) | % | |||||||||||||
| Impairments and loss on dispositions | 172 | 9,603 | (98) | % | (98) | % | |||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 36,558 | 49,353 | (26) | % | (26) | % | |||||||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | 738 | (10,032) | NM | NM | |||||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | (2,085) | (2,017) | |||||||||||||||||
| Gain on extinguishment of debt | 2,945 | 632 | |||||||||||||||||
| Loss from equity investees, net | (24) | (121) | |||||||||||||||||
| Other income, net | 65 | 150 | |||||||||||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes | 1,639 | (11,388) | |||||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | (890) | (94) | |||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) | 749 | (11,482) | |||||||||||||||||
| Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | (24) | 129 | |||||||||||||||||
| Net loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests | 2 | 42 | |||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) available to Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. | $ | 727 | $ | (11,311) |
NM - Not meaningful
Unless otherwise indicated, the discussion of percent changes below is on an ex-FX basis. The ex-FX percent changes of line items below operating loss in the table above are not included as the activity is principally in U.S. dollars.
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Revenues
Distribution revenues are generated from fees charged to network distributors, which include cable, DTH satellite, telecommunications and digital service providers, and streaming subscribers. The largest component of distribution revenue is comprised of linear distribution rights to our networks from cable, DTH satellite, and telecommunication service providers. We have contracts with distributors representing most cable and satellite service providers around the world, including the largest operators in the U.S. and major international distributors. Distribution revenues are largely dependent on the rates negotiated in the agreements, the number of subscribers that receive our networks, the number of platforms covered in the distribution agreement, and the market demand for the content that we provide. From time to time, renewals of multi-year carriage agreements include significant year one market adjustments to reset subscriber rates. In some cases, we have provided distributors launch incentives, in the form of cash payments or free periods, to carry our networks.
Distribution revenue decreased 2% in 2025, primarily attributable to an 9% decline in Networks domestic linear subscribers and the impact of the previously disclosed domestic wholesale deal renewal that occurred in the second quarter of 2025, partially offset by a 13% increase in streaming subscribers as a result of continued growth and global expansion of HBO Max and a 3% increase in domestic contractual affiliate rates.
Advertising revenues are principally generated from the sale of commercial time on linear (television networks and authenticated TVE applications) and digital platforms (streaming subscription services and websites), and sold primarily on a national basis in the U.S. and on a pan-regional or local-language feed basis outside the U.S. Advertising contracts generally have a term of one year or less. Advertising revenue is dependent upon a number of factors, including the number of subscribers to our channels, viewership demographics, the popularity of our content, our ability to sell commercial time over a group of channels, the stage of development of television markets, and the popularity of free-to-air television. Revenue from advertising is subject to seasonality, market-based variations, the mix in sales of commercial time between the upfront and scatter markets, and general economic conditions. Advertising revenue is typically highest in the second and fourth quarters. In some cases, advertising sales are subject to ratings guarantees that require us to provide additional advertising time if the guaranteed audience levels are not achieved. We also generate revenue from the sale of advertising through our digital platforms on a stand-alone basis and as part of advertising packages with our television networks.
Advertising revenue decreased 11% in 2025, primarily attributable to audience declines in domestic linear networks of 25%, partially offset by an increase in domestic HBO Max ad-lite subscribers.
Content revenues are generated from the release of feature films for initial exhibition in theaters, production of programs licensed for initial television/SVOD exhibition, the additional licensing of feature films and television programs to various television, SVOD and other digital markets, distribution of feature films and television programs in the physical and digital home entertainment market, sales of console games and mobile in-game content, sublicensing of sports rights, and licensing of intellectual property such as characters and brands.
Content revenue decreased 7% in 2025, primarily attributable to sublicensing of Olympic sports rights in Europe, which had a favorable impact of $576 million on content revenue in 2024, lower initial telecast revenue due to fewer deliveries, and a decrease in games revenue due to lower carryover and fewer releases in 2025, partially offset by an increase in theatrical product revenue due to higher film rental revenue.
Other revenue primarily consists of studio production services and tours, and decreased 15% in 2025.
Costs of Revenues
Our principal component of costs of revenues is content expense. Content expense includes television/digital series, specials, films, games, and sporting events. Amortization related to both historical cost basis and any fair value adjustments to content arising from business combinations is included in costs of revenues. The costs of producing a content asset and bringing that asset to market consist of production costs, participation costs, and exploitation costs.
Costs of revenues decreased 9% in 2025, primarily attributable to the broadcast of the Olympics in 2024, which had an unfavorable impact to costs of revenues of $664 million in 2024, lower games content expense due to impairments of $384 million in the prior year and lower content expense commensurate with lower revenue in 2025, and lower content expense related to the amortization of purchase accounting fair value step-up for content, partially offset by higher international content costs to support HBO Max launches and higher theatrical content expense commensurate with higher revenue.
Selling, General and Administrative
Selling, general and administrative expenses consist principally of employee costs, marketing costs, research costs, occupancy, and back office support fees.
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 1% in 2025, primarily attributable to higher overhead costs, partially offset by lower marketing costs.
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Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization expense includes depreciation of fixed assets and amortization of finite-lived intangible assets.
Depreciation and amortization decreased 19% in 2025, primarily attributable to intangible assets acquired in connection with the WarnerMedia Merger that are being amortized using the sum of the months’ digits method and the end of the useful life for certain intangible assets, partially offset by the shortening of the useful lives of certain intangible assets. (See Note 5 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
Restructuring and Other Charges
Restructuring and other charges decreased 11% in 2025. Restructuring and other charges primarily includes contract terminations, facility consolidation activities, organizational restructuring, and other charges. (See Note 6 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
Impairments and Loss on Dispositions
Impairments and loss on dispositions were $172 million and $9,603 million in 2025 and 2024, respectively. The loss in 2024 was primarily attributable to a $9,147 million non-cash goodwill impairment charge related to the Global Linear Networks reporting unit during the second quarter of 2024 and $411 million right-of-use asset (“ROU asset”) impairment charges primarily related to the Hudson Yards, New York office lease. Impairments in 2025 were primarily attributable to an additional $112 million ROU asset impairment charge related to the Hudson Yards, New York office lease. (See Note 5 and Note 12 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
Interest Expense, net
Actual interest expense, net increased $68 million in 2025, primarily attributable by higher interest costs associated with the Bridge Loan Facility, partially offset by lower debt during the year. (See Note 11 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
Gain on Extinguishment of Debt
During 2025, the Company commenced and completed the Tender Offers (as defined herein) by purchasing senior notes and debentures in the aggregate principal amount of $17,665 million and recorded a gain on extinguishment of debt of approximately $2,959 million. (See Note 11 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
Loss from Equity Investees, net
Actual losses from our equity method investees were $24 million and $121 million in 2025 and 2024, respectively. The losses are attributable to our share of earnings and losses from our equity investees. (See Note 10 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
Other Income, net
Other income, net was $65 million and $150 million in 2025 and 2024, respectively. (See Note 18 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
Income Tax Expense
Income tax expense was $890 million and $94 million, and the Company’s effective tax rate was 54% and (1)% for 2025 and 2024, respectively. The increase in income tax expense in 2025 was primarily attributable to an increase in pre-tax book income, including a $2,959 million gain recognized in connection with the Tender Offers in 2025, as well as the absence of a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $9,147 million recorded in 2024, the majority of which was not deductible for tax purposes (See Note 5 and Note 11).
Income tax expense for 2025 reflects an effective income tax rate that differs from the federal statutory tax rate primarily attributable to the effect of foreign operations and changes in unrecognized tax benefits.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (“OECD”) Pillar Two Global Anti-Base Erosion (“GloBE”) model rules, issued under the OECD Inclusive Framework on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting, introduce a global minimum tax of 15% applicable to multinational enterprise groups with consolidated financial statement revenue in excess of €750 million. Numerous foreign jurisdictions have already enacted tax legislation based on the GloBE rules, with some effective as early as January 1, 2024. As of December 31, 2025, we recognized an immaterial income tax expense for Pillar Two GloBE minimum tax. The Company is continuously monitoring the evolving application of this legislation and assessing its potential impact on our future tax liability.
42
Segment Results of Operations – 2025 vs. 2024
The Company evaluates the operating performance of its operating segments based on financial measures such as revenues and Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as operating income excluding:
•employee share-based compensation;
•depreciation and amortization;
•restructuring and facility consolidation;
•certain impairment charges;
•gains and losses on business and asset dispositions;
•third-party transaction and integration costs;
•amortization of purchase accounting fair value step-up for content;
•amortization of capitalized interest for content; and
•other items impacting comparability.
Management believes that Adjusted EBITDA is an appropriate measure for evaluating the operating performance of the Company’s operating segments because it is the primary measure used by the Company’s CODM to assess the operating results and performance of the segments, perform analytical comparisons, identify strategies to improve performance, and allocate resources to each segment. (See Note 23 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
The table below presents our Adjusted EBITDA by segment (in millions).
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | % Change | ||||||||
| Streaming | $ | 1,370 | $ | 677 | NM | |||||
| Studios | 2,545 | 1,652 | 54 | % | ||||||
| Global Linear Networks | 6,412 | 8,149 | (21) | % | ||||||
| Corporate | (1,096) | (1,260) | 13 | % | ||||||
| Inter-segment eliminations | (487) | (186) | NM |
Supplemental Streaming & Studios and Global Linear Networks Division Information
The following tables present, for our Streaming & Studios and Global Linear Networks divisions, supplemental information about revenues and Adjusted EBITDA (in millions).
Revenues
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | % Change | % Change (ex-FX) | |||||||||||
| Streaming | $ | 10,876 | $ | 10,313 | 5 | % | 5 | % | ||||||
| Studios | 12,619 | 11,607 | 9 | % | 8 | % | ||||||||
| Streaming & Studios eliminations | (3,124) | (2,129) | (47) | % | (47) | % | ||||||||
| Streaming & Studios | 20,371 | 19,791 | 3 | % | 3 | % | ||||||||
| Global Linear Networks | 17,656 | 20,175 | (12) | % | (13) | % | ||||||||
| Corporate | 2 | 8 | (75) | % | (75) | % | ||||||||
| Other inter-segment eliminations | (733) | (653) | (12) | % | (12) | % | ||||||||
| Total revenues | $ | 37,296 | $ | 39,321 | (5) | % | (5) | % |
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Adjusted EBITDA
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | % Change | % Change (ex-FX) | |||||||||||
| Streaming | $ | 1,370 | $ | 677 | NM | NM | ||||||||
| Studios | 2,545 | 1,652 | 54 | % | 52 | % | ||||||||
| Streaming & Studios eliminations | (419) | (202) | NM | NM | ||||||||||
| Streaming & Studios | 3,496 | 2,127 | 64 | % | 66 | % | ||||||||
| Global Linear Networks | 6,412 | 8,149 | (21) | % | (21) | % | ||||||||
| Corporate | (1,096) | (1,260) | 13 | % | 15 | % | ||||||||
| Other inter-segment eliminations | (68) | 16 | NM | NM | ||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 8,744 | $ | 9,032 | (3) | % | (3) | % |
Streaming Segment
The following table presents, for our Streaming segment, revenues by type, certain operating expenses, Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to operating loss (in millions).
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | % Change | % Change (ex-FX) | ||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Distribution | $ | 9,444 | $ | 9,022 | 5 | % | 5 | % | |||||||||||
| Advertising | 1,032 | 855 | 21 | % | 20 | % | |||||||||||||
| Content | 388 | 428 | (9) | % | (10) | % | |||||||||||||
| Other | 12 | 8 | 50 | % | 50 | % | |||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 10,876 | 10,313 | 5 | % | 5 | % | |||||||||||||
| Costs of revenues, excluding depreciation and amortization | 7,401 | 7,459 | (1) | % | (1) | % | |||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 2,105 | 2,177 | (3) | % | (4) | % | |||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA - Streaming segment | 1,370 | 677 | NM | NM | |||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 1,415 | 1,831 | |||||||||||||||||
| Restructuring and other charges | 27 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
| Transaction and integration costs | — | (1) | |||||||||||||||||
| Impairment and amortization of fair value step-up for content | 169 | 282 | |||||||||||||||||
| Impairments and loss on dispositions | 23 | 47 | |||||||||||||||||
| Operating loss | $ | (264) | $ | (1,485) |
Unless otherwise indicated, the discussion of percent changes below is on an ex-FX basis.
Revenues
Subscriber information (as defined under Item 1. “Business”) consisted of the following (in millions).
| December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | % Change | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Domestic subscribers | 59.2 | 57.1 | 4 | % | |||||
| Total International subscribers | 72.4 | 59.8 | 21 | % | |||||
| Total Streaming subscribers | 131.6 | 116.9 | 13 | % |
Distribution revenue increased 5% in 2025, primarily attributable to a 13% increase year-over-year in subscribers as a result of continued growth and global expansion of HBO Max, including new distribution deals, partially offset by the impact of the previously disclosed domestic wholesale deal renewal that occurred in the second quarter of 2025.
Advertising revenue increased 20% in 2025, primarily attributable to an increase in ad-lite subscribers, partially offset by domestic pricing pressures.
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Global ARPU consisted of the following.
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | % Change (ex-FX) | |||||||||
| Domestic ARPU | $ | 10.79 | $ | 11.89 | (9) | % | |||||
| International ARPU | $ | 3.80 | $ | 3.85 | (1) | % | |||||
| Global ARPU1 | $ | 6.92 | $ | 7.76 | (11) | % |
Global ARPU decreased 11% in 2025, primarily attributable to broader wholesale distribution of HBO Max Basic with Ads, the impact of the previously disclosed domestic wholesale deal renewal that occurred in the second quarter of 2025, and growth in lower ARPU international markets.
Content revenue decreased 10% in 2025, primarily attributable to lower third-party licensing as a result of launching HBO Max in new international markets.
Costs of Revenues
Cost of revenues decreased 1% in 2025, primarily attributable to lower content costs due to lower sports costs and the timing of releases, partially offset by higher international content costs to support HBO Max launches.
Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased 4% in 2025, primarily attributable to lower marketing costs, partially offset by higher overhead expenses.
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA increased $693 million in 2025.
1ARPU: The Company defines Streaming Average Revenue Per User (“ARPU”) as total subscription revenue plus net advertising revenue for the period divided by the daily average number of paying subscribers for the period. Where daily values are not available, the sum of beginning of period and end of period divided by two is used.
Excluded from the ARPU calculation are: (i) Revenue and subscribers for streaming products, other than discovery+, HBO, HBO Max, Max, a Premium Sports Product, and independently-branded, regional products (currently consisting of TVN/Player), that may be offered by us or by certain joint venture partners or affiliated parties from time to time; (ii) A limited amount of international discovery+ revenue and subscribers that are part of non-strategic partnerships or short-term arrangements as may be identified by the Company from time to time; (iii) Cinemax, Max/HBO hotel and bulk institution (i.e., subscribers billed on a bulk basis), and international basic HBO revenue and subscribers; and (iv) Users on free trials who convert to a subscription for which we have recognized subscription revenue within the first seven days of the calendar month immediately following the month in which their free trial expires.
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Studios Segment
The following table presents, for our Studios segment, revenues by type, certain operating expenses, Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to operating income (in millions).
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | % Change | % Change (ex-FX) | ||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Distribution | $ | 8 | $ | 8 | — | % | — | % | |||||||||||
| Advertising | 1 | 5 | (80) | % | (80) | % | |||||||||||||
| Content | 11,740 | 10,717 | 10 | % | 9 | % | |||||||||||||
| Other | 870 | 877 | (1) | % | (3) | % | |||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 12,619 | 11,607 | 9 | % | 8 | % | |||||||||||||
| Costs of revenues, excluding depreciation and amortization | 7,397 | 7,530 | (2) | % | (2) | % | |||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 2,677 | 2,425 | 10 | % | 10 | % | |||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA - Studios segment | 2,545 | 1,652 | 54 | % | 52 | % | |||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 690 | 702 | |||||||||||||||||
| Employee share-based compensation | — | (1) | |||||||||||||||||
| Restructuring and other charges | 18 | 263 | |||||||||||||||||
| Transaction and integration costs | — | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
| Facility consolidation costs | — | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
| Impairment and amortization of fair value step-up for content | 124 | 96 | |||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of capitalized interest for content | 40 | 46 | |||||||||||||||||
| Impairments and (gain) loss on dispositions | (1) | 14 | |||||||||||||||||
| Operating income | $ | 1,674 | $ | 529 |
Unless otherwise indicated, the discussion of percent changes below is on an ex-FX basis. The Studios discussion below also includes intra-segment revenue and expense between product lines, which represented less than 3% of total revenues and operating expenses for this segment for the year ended December 31, 2025. Intra-segment revenue and expense are eliminated at the Studios segment level.
Fluctuations in results for our Studios segment may occur due to various factors, including (but not limited to) the timing and number of new film releases each quarter, the timing of marketing expenses recognized relative to (i.e., prior to) a film’s release, and the mix of content distributed each period.
Revenues
Content revenue increased 9% in 2025, primarily attributable to a 15% increase in theatrical product revenue and a 9% increase in television product revenue, partially offset by a 32% decrease in games revenue.
•The increase in theatrical product revenue was attributable to higher film rental revenue and higher content licensing. The increase in film rental revenue was primarily due to the strong current year performance of A Minecraft Movie, Superman, F1, Conjuring: Last Rites, Sinners, Final Destination Bloodlines, and Weapons.
•The increase in television product revenue was attributable to higher inter-segment content licensing, primarily due to the timing of renewals, partially offset by lower initial telecast revenue due to fewer deliveries.
•The decrease in games revenue was attributable to lower carryover and fewer releases in 2025.
Costs of Revenues
Costs of revenues decreased 2% in 2025, primarily attributable to a 55% decrease in games content expense, partially offset by a 6% increase in television product content expense and a 6% increase in theatrical product content expense.
•The decrease in games content expense was primarily due to impairments of $384 million in the prior year and lower content expense commensurate with lower revenue and fewer releases in 2025.
•The increase in television product content expense was due to higher costs commensurate with higher content licensing due to the timing of renewals.
•The increase in theatrical content expense was primarily due to higher film costs commensurate with higher theatrical product revenue.
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Selling, General and Administrative
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 10% in 2025, primarily attributable to higher overhead costs.
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA increased 52% in 2025.
Global Linear Networks Segment
The table below presents, for our Global Linear Networks segment, revenues by type, certain operating expenses, Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to operating income (loss) (in millions).
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | % Change | % Change (ex-FX) | ||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Distribution | $ | 9,819 | $ | 10,680 | (8) | % | (8) | % | |||||||||||
| Advertising | 6,332 | 7,306 | (13) | % | (14) | % | |||||||||||||
| Content | 1,195 | 1,848 | (35) | % | (35) | % | |||||||||||||
| Other | 310 | 341 | (9) | % | (11) | % | |||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 17,656 | 20,175 | (12) | % | (13) | % | |||||||||||||
| Costs of revenues, excluding depreciation and amortization | 8,479 | 9,238 | (8) | % | (8) | % | |||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 2,765 | 2,788 | (1) | % | (2) | % | |||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA - Global Linear Networks segment | 6,412 | 8,149 | (21) | % | (21) | % | |||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 3,184 | 4,172 | |||||||||||||||||
| Employee share-based compensation | (1) | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Restructuring and other charges | 69 | 85 | |||||||||||||||||
| Transaction and integration costs | — | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
| Impairment and amortization of fair value step-up for content | 440 | 495 | |||||||||||||||||
| Impairments and loss on dispositions | 28 | 9,154 | |||||||||||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | $ | 2,692 | $ | (5,759) |
Unless otherwise indicated, the discussion of percent changes below is on an ex-FX basis.
Revenues
Distribution revenue decreased 8% in 2025, primarily attributable to a 9% decline in domestic linear subscribers for the year, and to a lesser extent, lower international affiliate rates and international subscriber declines, partially offset by a 3% increase in domestic affiliate rates. Declines in linear subscribers are expected to continue.
Advertising revenue decreased 14% in 2025, primarily attributable to audience declines in domestic networks of 25% for the year.
Content revenue decreased 35% in 2025, primarily attributable to the sublicensing of Olympic sports rights in Europe, which had a favorable impact of $576 million on content revenue in 2024. Additionally, content revenue was negatively impacted by the timing of licensing renewals.
Costs of Revenues
Costs of revenues decreased 8% in 2025, primarily attributable to the broadcast of the Olympics in 2024 and the timing of content, production, and news related spend. The broadcast of the Olympics in Europe had an unfavorable impact to costs of revenues of $664 million in 2024.
Selling, General and Administrative
Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased 2% in 2025, primarily attributable to lower overhead costs, partially offset by higher marketing expenses.
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA decreased 21% in 2025.
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Corporate
The following table presents our Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to operating loss (in millions):
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | % Change | % Change (ex-FX) | ||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA - Corporate | $ | (1,096) | $ | (1,260) | 13 | % | 15 | % | |||||||||||
| Employee share-based compensation | 752 | 547 | |||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 399 | 332 | |||||||||||||||||
| Restructuring and other charges | 285 | 96 | |||||||||||||||||
| Transaction and integration costs | 166 | 239 | |||||||||||||||||
| Impairments and loss on dispositions | 122 | 388 | |||||||||||||||||
| Facility consolidation costs | 10 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
| Impairment and amortization of fair value step-up for content | 1 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
| Operating loss | $ | (2,831) | $ | (2,867) |
Corporate operations primarily consist of executive management and administrative support services, which are recorded in selling, general and administrative expense, as well as substantially all of our share-based compensation and third-party transaction and integration costs.
Adjusted EBITDA improved 15% in 2025, primarily attributable to lower facility costs due to office consolidations and closures and the release of previously recorded non-income tax reserves, partially offset by higher securitization expenses.
Inter-segment Eliminations
The following table presents our inter-segment eliminations by revenue and expense, Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to operating loss (in millions):
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||
| Inter-segment revenue eliminations | $ | (3,857) | $ | (2,782) | |||||
| Inter-segment expense eliminations | (3,370) | (2,596) | |||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA - Inter-segment eliminations | (487) | (186) | |||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | (4) | — | |||||||
| Impairment and amortization of fair value step-up for content | 50 | 264 | |||||||
| Operating loss | $ | (533) | $ | (450) |
Inter-segment revenue and expense eliminations primarily represent inter-segment content transactions and marketing and promotion activity between reportable segments. In our current segment structure, in certain instances, production and distribution activities are in different segments. Inter-segment content transactions are generally presented at market value (i.e., the segment producing and/or licensing the content reports revenue and profit from inter-segment transactions in a manner similar to the reporting of third-party transactions, and the required eliminations are reported on the separate “Eliminations” line when presenting our summary of segment results). Generally, timing of revenue recognition is similar to the reporting of third-party transactions. The segment distributing the content, e.g., via our streaming or linear services, capitalizes the cost of inter-segment content transactions, including “mark-ups” and amortizes the costs over the shorter of the license term, if applicable, or the expected period of use. The content amortization expense related to the inter-segment profit is also eliminated on the separate “Eliminations” line when presenting our summary of segment results.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Liquidity
Sources of Cash
Historically, we have generated a significant amount of cash from operations. During 2025, we funded our working capital needs primarily through cash flows from operations. As of December 31, 2025, we had $4,566 million of cash and cash equivalents on hand. We are a well-known seasoned issuer and have the ability to conduct registered offerings of securities, including debt securities, common stock and preferred stock, on short notice, subject to market conditions. Access to sufficient capital from the public market is not assured. We have a $4,000 million revolving credit facility and commercial paper program described below. We also participate in a revolving receivables program and an accounts receivable factoring program described below.
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•Debt
Bridge Loan Facility
During the year ended December 31, 2025, we and DGH entered into a Bridge Loan Facility with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., DGH drew $17,000 million of the available Bridge Loan Facility to finance the early settlement of the Tender Offers, Consent Solicitations, and the repayment in full and termination of our $1,500 million 364-day senior unsecured term loan facility, and the payment of fees and expenses therewith and for general corporate purposes. The Bridge Loan Facility contains customary representations and warranties as well as affirmative and negative covenants. As of December 31, 2025, we were in compliance with all applicable covenants and there were no events of default under the Bridge Loan Facility.
Revolving Credit Facility and Commercial Paper
DCL and certain subsidiaries of the Company, as borrowers, have a multicurrency revolving credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) and have the capacity to borrow up to $4,000 million under the Credit Agreement (the “Credit Facility”). DCL may also request additional commitments up to $1,000 million from the lenders upon the satisfaction of certain conditions. In 2025, we amended the Credit Agreement to, among other things, decrease the borrowing capacity from $6,000 million to $4,000 million and provide for early termination of the Credit Agreement upon completion of the previously proposed Separation Transaction. The Credit Agreement contains customary representations and warranties as well as affirmative and negative covenants. As of December 31, 2025, we were in compliance with all covenants and there were no events of default under the Credit Agreement.
Additionally, our commercial paper program is supported by the Credit Facility. Under the commercial paper program, we may issue up to $2,000 million. In 2025, we increased the issuance capacity under the commercial paper program from $1,000 million to $2,000 million. Borrowing capacity under the Credit Facility is effectively reduced by any outstanding borrowings under the commercial paper program.
During the year ended December 31, 2025, we and DCL borrowed and repaid $4,228 million under our Credit Facility and commercial paper program. As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, we and DCL had no outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility or the commercial paper program.
Term Loans
During the year ended December 31, 2025, we entered into and repaid a $1,500 million 364-day senior unsecured term loan credit facility. The proceeds were used to fund the redemption of $1,500 million aggregate principal amount outstanding of DGH’s senior notes due 2026.
•Revolving Receivables Program
We have a revolving agreement to transfer up to $5,000 million of certain receivables through our bankruptcy-remote subsidiary, Warner Bros. Discovery Receivables Funding, LLC, to various financial institutions on a recurring basis in exchange for cash equal to the gross receivables transferred. We service the sold receivables for the financial institution for a fee and pay fees to the financial institution in connection with this revolving agreement. As customers pay their balances, our available capacity under this revolving agreement increases and typically we transfer additional receivables into the program. In some cases, we may have collections that have not yet been remitted to the bank, resulting in a liability. The outstanding portfolio of receivables derecognized from our consolidated balance sheets was $3,700 million as of December 31, 2025.
•Accounts Receivable Factoring
We have factoring agreements to sell certain of our non-U.S. trade accounts receivable on a limited recourse basis to a third-party financial institution. For the year ended December 31, 2025, total trade accounts receivable sold under our factoring arrangement was $257 million.
•Investments
In January 2025, we contributed a 70% interest in our music catalog to a joint venture with Cutting Edge Group
in exchange for net proceeds of $601 million. Additionally, we received proceeds from the formation of a separate joint venture of $32 million and from the sale of investments of $54 million for the year ended December 31, 2025.
•Asset Dispositions
We received proceeds from asset dispositions of $60 million during the year ended December 31, 2025.
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Uses of Cash
Our primary uses of cash include the creation and acquisition of new content, business acquisitions, income taxes, personnel costs, costs to develop and market our enhanced streaming service HBO Max, principal and interest payments on our outstanding senior notes, funding for various equity method and other investments, and repurchases of our capital stock.
•Content Acquisition
We plan to continue to invest significantly in the creation and acquisition of new content, as well as certain sports rights. Additional information regarding contractual commitments to acquire content is set forth in “Material Cash Requirements from Known Contractual and Other Obligations” in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
•Debt
Bridge Loan Facility
During the year ended December 31, 2025, we repaid $2,000 million of aggregate principal amount outstanding of our Bridge Loan Facility. The Bridge Loan Facility was amended in February 2026 to, among other things, extend the maturity to the earlier of (x) June 30, 2027 and (y) the date that the previously proposed Separation Transaction occurs. The Bridge Loan Facility is expected to be refinanced prior to its maturity.
Senior Notes
During the year ended December 31, 2025, we repurchased or repaid $23,475 million of aggregate principal amount outstanding of our senior notes. In addition, we have $139 million of senior notes coming due in 2026.
We may from time to time seek to prepay, retire or purchase our other outstanding indebtedness through prepayments, redemptions, open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, tender offers, exchange offers, or otherwise. Any such repurchases or exchanges will be dependent upon several factors, including our liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions, general market conditions, as well as applicable regulatory, legal and accounting factors. Whether or not we repurchase or exchange any debt and the size and timing of any such repurchases or exchanges will be determined at our discretion.
•Capital Expenditures
We effected capital expenditures of $1,231 million in 2025, including amounts capitalized to support HBO Max. We expect to continue to incur significant costs to develop and market HBO Max.
•Investments and Business Combinations
Our uses of cash have included investments in equity method investments and equity investments without readily determinable fair value. (See Note 10 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.) We also provide funding to our investees from time to time. We contributed $100 million and $109 million in 2025 and 2024, respectively, for investments in and advances to our investees.
•Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest and Noncontrolling Interest
We had redeemable equity balances of $19 million at December 31, 2025, which may require the use of cash in the event holders of noncontrolling interests put their interests to us. Distributions to noncontrolling interests and redeemable noncontrolling interests totaled $198 million and $193 million in 2025 and 2024, respectively.
•Common Stock Repurchases
Historically, we have funded our stock repurchases through a combination of cash on hand, cash generated by operations and the issuance of debt. In February 2020, our board of directors authorized additional stock repurchases of up to $2,000 million upon completion of our existing $1,000 million authorization announced in May 2019. Under the new stock repurchase authorization, management is authorized to purchase shares from time to time through open market purchases at prevailing prices or privately negotiated purchases subject to market conditions and other factors. (See Note 3 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.) There were no common stock repurchases during 2025 or 2024.
•Income Taxes and Interest
We expect to continue to make payments for income taxes and interest on our outstanding Bridge Loan Facility and senior notes. During 2025 and 2024, we made cash payments of $1,926 million and $1,113 million for income taxes and $2,295 million and $1,996 million for interest on our outstanding debt, respectively.
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Cash Flows
The following table presents changes in cash and cash equivalents (in millions).
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, beginning of period | $ | 5,416 | $ | 4,319 | |||
| Cash provided by operating activities | 4,319 | 5,375 | |||||
| Cash used in investing activities | (1,179) | (349) | |||||
| Cash used in financing activities | (4,240) | (3,749) | |||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash | 254 | (180) | |||||
| Net change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash | (846) | 1,097 | |||||
| Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, end of period | $ | 4,570 | $ | 5,416 |
Operating Activities
Cash provided by operating activities was $4,319 million and $5,375 million in 2025 and 2024, respectively. The decrease in cash provided by operating activities was primarily attributable to a decrease in net income excluding non-cash items, partially offset by an improvement in working capital activity.
Investing Activities
Cash used in investing activities was $1,179 million and $349 million in 2025 and 2024, respectively. The increase in cash used in investing activities was primarily attributable to reduced proceeds from the sale of investments, increased purchases of property and equipment, and reduced proceeds from derivative instruments during the year ended December 31, 2025.
Financing Activities
Cash used in financing activities was $4,240 million and $3,749 million in 2025 and 2024, respectively. The increase in cash used in financing activities was primarily attributable to higher net debt repayments, partially offset by proceeds received for the contribution of 70% of our music catalog to a joint venture.
Capital Resources
As of December 31, 2025, capital resources were comprised of the following (in millions).
| December 31, 2025 | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Capacity | Outstanding Indebtedness | Unused Capacity | |||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 4,566 | $ | — | $ | 4,566 | |||||||
| Revolving credit facility and commercial paper program | 4,000 | — | 4,000 | ||||||||||
| Bridge loan | 15,000 | 15,000 | — | ||||||||||
| Senior notes (a) | 17,845 | 17,845 | — | ||||||||||
| Total | $ | 41,411 | $ | 32,845 | $ | 8,566 | |||||||
| (a) Interest on senior notes is paid annually, semi-annually, or quarterly. Our senior notes outstanding as of December 31, 2025 had interest rates that ranged from 1.90% to 8.30% and will mature between 2026 and 2062. |
We expect that our cash balance, cash generated from operations, and availability under the Credit Agreement will be sufficient to fund our cash needs for both the short-term and the long-term. We expect to refinance the Bridge Loan Facility prior to its maturity, though we may be unable to do so on favorable terms in a timely manner or at all. Our borrowing costs and access to capital markets can be affected by short and long-term debt ratings assigned by independent rating agencies which are based, in part, on our performance as measured by credit metrics such as interest coverage and leverage ratios. Credit rating agencies may continue to review and adjust our ratings or outlook. For example, in 2025, S&P, Moody’s and Fitch downgraded certain of our ratings in part due to declines in our linear business, including as a result of the weak operating environment for linear networks, our leverage ratio, and an increase in secured debt and uncertainty in connection with the previously planned separation of Warner Bros.
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The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act features a participation exemption regime with current taxation of certain foreign income and imposed a mandatory repatriation toll tax on unremitted foreign earnings. As of December 31, 2025, the Company intends to remit certain previously undistributed foreign earnings to the United States. Accordingly, the Company has recorded deferred taxes for applicable foreign withholding associated with the expected remittance. The Company may continue to reinvest other foreign earnings outside of the United States. For those earnings, if any, that remain indefinitely reinvested, additional taxes would be recognized upon distribution. Determination of the amount of any unrecognized deferred income tax liability related to such earnings is not practicable.
MATERIAL CASH REQUIREMENTS FROM KNOWN CONTRACTUAL AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS
As of December 31, 2025, our significant contractual and other obligations were as follows (in millions).
| Total | Short-term | Long-term | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long-term debt: | |||||||||||
| Principal payments | $ | 32,845 | $ | 139 | $ | 32,706 | |||||
| Interest payments | 10,709 | 1,947 | 8,762 | ||||||||
| Purchase obligations: | |||||||||||
| Content | 19,745 | 5,736 | 14,009 | ||||||||
| Other | 3,027 | 1,384 | 1,643 | ||||||||
| Finance lease obligations | 808 | 178 | 630 | ||||||||
| Operating lease obligations | 4,701 | 441 | 4,260 | ||||||||
| Pension and other employee obligations | 1,599 | 529 | 1,070 | ||||||||
| Total | $ | 73,434 | $ | 10,354 | $ | 63,080 |
Long-term Debt
Principal payments on long-term debt reflect the repayment of our outstanding senior notes and bridge loan, at face value, assuming repayment will occur upon maturity. Interest payments on our outstanding debt are projected based on their contractual interest rates and maturity dates.
Additionally, we have a multicurrency revolving Credit Agreement and have the capacity to borrow up to $4,000 million under the Credit Facility. We may also request additional commitments up to $1,000 million from the lenders upon the satisfaction of certain conditions. Additionally, our commercial paper program is supported by the Credit Facility. Under the commercial paper program, we may issue up to $2,000 million. Borrowing capacity under the Credit Facility is effectively reduced by any outstanding borrowings under the commercial paper program. As of December 31, 2025, we had no outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility or the commercial paper program. (See Note 11 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
Purchase Obligations
Content purchase obligations include commitments associated with third-party producers and sports associations for content that airs on our television networks and streaming services. Production and licensing contracts generally require the purchase of a specified number of episodes and payments during production or over the term of a license, and include both programs that have been delivered and are available for airing and programs that have not yet been produced or sporting events that have not yet taken place. If the content is ultimately never produced, our commitments expire without obligation. We expect to enter into additional production contracts and content licenses to meet our future content needs.
Other purchase obligations include agreements with certain vendors and suppliers for the purchase of goods and services whereby the underlying agreements are enforceable, legally binding and specify all significant terms. Significant purchase obligations include transmission services, television rating services, marketing commitments and research, equipment purchases, and information technology and other services. Some of these contracts do not require the purchase of fixed or minimum quantities and generally may be terminated with a 30-day to 60-day advance notice without penalty, and are not included in the table above past the 30-day to 60-day advance notice period. Other purchase obligations also include future funding commitments to equity method investees. Although the Company had funding commitments to equity method investees as of December 31, 2025, the Company may also provide uncommitted additional funding to its equity method investments in the future. (See Note 10 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
Content and other purchase obligations presented above exclude liabilities recognized on our consolidated balance sheets.
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Finance Lease Obligations
We acquire satellite transponders and other equipment through multi-year finance lease arrangements. Principal payments on finance lease obligations reflect amounts due under our finance lease agreements. Interest payments on our outstanding finance lease obligations are based on the stated or implied rate in our finance lease agreements. (See Note 12 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
Operating Lease Obligations
We obtain office space and equipment under multi-year lease arrangements. Most operating leases are not cancelable prior to their expiration. Payments for operating leases represent the amounts due under the agreements assuming the agreements are not canceled prior to their expiration. (See Note 12 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
Pension and Other Employee Obligations
The Company participates in and/or sponsors a qualified defined benefit pension plan that covers certain U.S. based employees and several non-U.S. defined benefit pension plans (“Pension Plans”). The Company’s Pension Plans consist of both funded and unfunded plans. Plan provisions vary by plan and by country, and all plans are noncontributory. (See Note 17 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
Contractual commitments include payments to meet minimum funding requirements of our Pension Plans in 2026 and estimated benefit payments. Benefit payments have been estimated over a ten-year period. While benefit payments under the Pension Plans are expected to continue beyond 2035, we believe it is not practicable to estimate payments beyond this period.
Other employee obligations are primarily related to employment agreements with creative talent for certain broadcast networks.
We are unable to reasonably predict the ultimate amount of any payments due to cash-settled share-based compensation awards. As of December 31, 2025, the current portion of the liability for cash-settled share-based compensation awards was $108 million.
Unrecognized Tax Benefits
Although we can reasonably estimate the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits related to certain of the Company’s uncertain tax positions that may decrease over the next twelve months, we are unable to reasonably predict the ultimate amount and timing of cash settlement with the respective taxing authorities.
Six Flags Guarantee
In connection with the WarnerMedia Business’ former investment in the Six Flags (as defined below) theme parks located in Georgia and Texas (collectively, the “Parks”), in 1997, certain subsidiaries of the Company agreed to guarantee (the “Six Flags Guarantee”) certain obligations of the partnerships that hold the Parks (the “Partnerships”) for the benefit of the limited partners in such Partnerships, including annual payments made to the Parks or to the limited partners and additional obligations at the end of the respective terms for the Partnerships in 2027 and 2028 (the “Guaranteed Obligations”). Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (formerly known as Six Flags, Inc. and Premier Parks Inc.) (“Six Flags”), which has the controlling interest in the Parks, has agreed, pursuant to a subordinated indemnity agreement (the “Subordinated Indemnity Agreement”), to guarantee the performance of the Guaranteed Obligations when due and to indemnify the Company, among others, if the Six Flags Guarantee is called upon. If Six Flags defaults on its indemnification obligations, the Company has the right to acquire control of the managing partner of the Parks. Six Flags’ obligations to the Company are further secured by its interest in all limited partnership units held by Six Flags.
In December 2024, Six Flags provided notice of its exercise of the option related to the theme parks located in Georgia that requires the redemption of all the limited partnership units that Six Flags does not then own in the Georgia Partnership in January 2027. Pursuant to the exercise of the option, all of such outstanding limited partnership interests will be redeemed, and Six Flags will also acquire certain related entity general partnership and managing member interests. In January 2026, Six Flags declined to exercise its option related to the theme parks in Texas.
Based on the Company’s evaluation of the current facts and circumstances surrounding the Guaranteed Obligations and the Subordinated Indemnity Agreement, it is unable to predict the loss, if any, that may be incurred under the Guaranteed Obligations, and no liability for the arrangements has been recognized as of December 31, 2025. Because of the specific circumstances surrounding the arrangements and the fact that no active or observable market exists for this type of financial guarantee, the Company is unable to determine a current fair value for the Guaranteed Obligations and related Subordinated Indemnity Agreement. The aggregate gross undiscounted estimated future cash flow requirements covered by the Six Flags Guarantee over the remaining term (through 2028) are $590 million. To date, no payments have been made by the Company pursuant to the Six Flags Guarantee.
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Other Contingent Commitments
Other contingent commitments primarily include contingent payments for post-production term advance obligations on a certain co-financing arrangement, as well as operating lease commitment guarantees, letters of credit, bank guarantees, and surety bonds, which generally support performance and payments for a wide range of global contingent and firm obligations, including insurance, litigation appeals, real estate leases, and other operational needs. Our other contingent commitments at December 31, 2025 were $85 million.
Put Rights
We have granted put rights to certain consolidated subsidiaries, but we are unable to reasonably predict the ultimate amount or timing of any payment. We recorded the carrying value of the noncontrolling interest in the equity associated with the put rights as a component of redeemable noncontrolling interest in the amount of $19 million. (See Note 19 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
Noncontrolling Interest
The Food Network and Cooking Channel are operated and organized under the terms of the TV Food Network Partnership (the “Partnership”). We hold interests in the Partnership, along with another noncontrolling owner. The Partnership agreement specifies a dissolution date of December 31, 2026. If the term of the Partnership is not extended prior to that date, the Partnership agreement permits us, as holder of 80% of the applicable votes, to reconstitute the Partnership and continue its business. If for some reason the Partnership is not continued, it will be required to limit its activities to winding up, settling debts, liquidating assets and distributing proceeds to the partners in proportion to their partnership interests.
Summarized Guarantor Financial Information
Basis of Presentation
As of December 31, 2025, the Company has outstanding senior notes issued by Discovery Communications, LLC (“DCL”), which are guaranteed by the Company, Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc. (“Scripps Networks”), and Discovery Global Holdings, Inc. (“DGH”) (formerly known as WarnerMedia Holdings, Inc.); senior notes issued by DGH, which are guaranteed by the Company, Scripps Networks, and DCL; and senior notes issued by the legacy WarnerMedia Business (not guaranteed). (See Note 11 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.) DCL, Scripps Networks, and DGH are wholly owned by the Company.
The tables below present the summarized financial information as combined for Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (the “Parent”), Scripps Networks, DCL, and DGH (collectively, the “Obligors”). All guarantees of DCL and DGH’s senior notes (the “Note Guarantees”) are full and unconditional, joint and several and unsecured, and cover all payment obligations arising under the senior notes.
Note Guarantees issued by Scripps Networks, DCL or DGH, or any subsidiary of the Parent that in the future issues a Note Guarantee (each, a “Subsidiary Guarantor”) may be released and discharged (i) concurrently with any direct or indirect sale or disposition of such Subsidiary Guarantor or any interest therein, (ii) at any time that such Subsidiary Guarantor is released from all of its obligations under its guarantee of payment, (iii) upon the merger or consolidation of any Subsidiary Guarantor with and into DCL, DGH or the Parent or another Subsidiary Guarantor, as applicable, or upon the liquidation of such Subsidiary Guarantor and (iv) other customary events constituting a discharge of the Obligors’ obligations.
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Summarized Financial Information
The Company has included the accompanying summarized combined financial information of the Obligors after the elimination of intercompany transactions and balances among the Obligors and the elimination of equity in earnings from and investments in any subsidiary of the Parent that is a non-guarantor (in millions).
| December 31, 2025 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Current assets | $ | 914 | |
| Non-guarantor intercompany trade receivables, net | 78 | ||
| Noncurrent assets | 3,951 | ||
| Current liabilities | 1,072 | ||
| Noncurrent liabilities | 33,733 | ||
| Year Ended December 31, 2025 | |||
| Revenues | $ | 1,765 | |
| Operating loss | (696) | ||
| Net income | 300 | ||
| Net income available to Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. | 281 |
Additional information regarding the changes in our outstanding indebtedness and the significant terms and provisions of our revolving credit facility and outstanding indebtedness is discussed in Note 11 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements included in Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
In the ordinary course of business, we enter into transactions with related parties, such as our equity method investees, entities that share common directorship, or minority partners of consolidated subsidiaries. Information regarding transactions and amounts with related parties is discussed in Note 21 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements included in Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
NEW ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
We adopted certain accounting and reporting standards during 2025. Information regarding our adoption of new accounting and reporting standards is discussed in Note 2 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements included in Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Supplemental Data for Results of Operations
The following table presents supplemental consolidating data for our Streaming & Studios division, Global Linear Networks reportable segment, Corporate, and consolidating adjustments.
Consolidated - Represents the consolidated results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries.
Streaming & Studios - Represents the results of our Streaming & Studios division, which includes our Streaming and Studios reportable segments and eliminations between those two reportable segments.
Global Linear Networks - Represents the results of our Global Linear Networks reportable segment.
Corporate - Represents the results of our Corporate functions.
Consolidating adjustments - Represents eliminations between the Streaming & Studios division and the Global Linear Networks reportable segment, as well as other Corporate eliminations.
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| Supplemental Data for Results of Operations (in millions) | Supplemental Consolidating Data | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Consolidated | Streaming & Studios | Global Linear Networks | Corporate | Consolidating adjustments | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| For the year ended December 31, | 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | 2025 | 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Distribution | $ | 19,262 | $ | 19,701 | $ | 9,452 | $ | 9,030 | $ | 9,819 | $ | 10,680 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | (9) | $ | (9) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Advertising | 7,306 | 8,090 | 1,027 | 856 | 6,332 | 7,306 | — | — | (53) | (72) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Content | 9,647 | 10,297 | 9,119 | 9,016 | 1,195 | 1,848 | — | — | (667) | (567) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other | 1,081 | 1,233 | 773 | 889 | 310 | 341 | 2 | 8 | (4) | (5) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 37,296 | 39,321 | 20,371 | 19,791 | 17,656 | 20,175 | 2 | 8 | (733) | (653) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Costs of revenues, excluding depreciation and amortization | 20,885 | 22,970 | 12,432 | 13,487 | 8,919 | 9,733 | 106 | 93 | (572) | (343) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 9,418 | 9,296 | 4,776 | 4,602 | 2,764 | 2,790 | 1,921 | 1,966 | (43) | (62) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 5,684 | 7,037 | 2,101 | 2,533 | 3,184 | 4,172 | 399 | 332 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Restructuring and other charges | 399 | 447 | 45 | 266 | 69 | 85 | 285 | 96 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Impairments and loss on dispositions | 172 | 9,603 | 22 | 61 | 28 | 9,154 | 122 | 388 | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 36,558 | 49,353 | 19,376 | 20,949 | 14,964 | 25,934 | 2,833 | 2,875 | (615) | (405) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | $ | 738 | $ | (10,032) | $ | 995 | $ | (1,158) | $ | 2,692 | $ | (5,759) | $ | (2,831) | $ | (2,867) | $ | (118) | $ | (248) |
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities.
On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and assumptions, including those related to unrecognized tax benefits, goodwill and intangible assets, content rights, consolidation, and revenue recognition. We base our estimates on historical experience, current developments and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under these circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about carrying values of assets and liabilities that cannot readily be determined from other sources. There can be no assurance that actual results will not differ from those estimates.
Management considers an accounting estimate to be critical if it required assumptions to be made that were uncertain at the time the estimate was made and changes in the estimate or different estimates could have a material effect on our results of operations.
The development and selection of these critical accounting estimates have been determined by management and the related disclosures have been reviewed with the Audit Committee. We believe the following accounting estimates are critical to our business operations and the understanding of our results of operations and involve the more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.
Uncertain Tax Positions
We are subject to income taxes in numerous U.S. and foreign jurisdictions. From time to time, we engage in transactions or take filing positions in which the tax consequences may be uncertain and may recognize tax liabilities based on estimates of whether additional taxes and interest will be due. We establish a reserve for unrecognized tax benefits unless we determine that such positions are more likely than not to be sustained upon examination based on their technical merits, including the resolution of any appeals or litigation processes. We include interest and where appropriate, potential penalties, as a component of income tax expense on the consolidated statements of operations. This assessment relies on estimates and assumptions and may involve a series of complex judgments about future events including the status and results of income tax audits with the relevant tax authorities. Significant judgment is exercised in evaluating all relevant information, the technical merits of the tax positions, and the accurate measurement of unrecognized tax benefits when determining the amount of reserve and whether positions taken on our tax returns are more likely than not to be sustained. This also involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions with respect to the potential outcome of positions taken on tax returns that may be reviewed by tax authorities.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill is allocated to our reporting units, which are our operating segments or one level below our operating segments (the component level). Reporting units are determined by the discrete financial information available for the component and whether it is regularly reviewed by segment management. Components are aggregated into a single reporting unit if they share similar economic characteristics. Our reporting units are Streaming, Studios, and Global Linear Networks.
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We evaluate our goodwill for impairment annually as of October 1 or earlier upon the occurrence of substantive unfavorable changes in economic conditions, industry trends, costs, cash flows, or ongoing declines in market capitalization. If we believe that as a result of our qualitative assessment it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount, a quantitative impairment test is required. The quantitative impairment test requires significant judgment in determining the fair value of the reporting units. We determine the fair value of our reporting units by using a combination of the income approach, which incorporates the use of the discounted cash flow (“DCF”) method and the market multiple approach, which incorporates the use of EBITDA and revenue multiples based on market data. For the DCF method, we use projections specific to the reporting unit, as well as those based on general economic conditions, which require the use of significant estimates and assumptions. Determining fair value specific to each reporting unit requires us to exercise judgment when selecting the appropriate discount rates, control premiums, terminal growth rates, relevant comparable company earnings multiples and the amount and timing of expected future cash flows, including revenue growth rates and profit margins. The cash flows employed in the DCF analysis for each reporting unit are based on the reporting unit’s budget, long range plan, and recent operating performance. Discount rate assumptions are based on an assessment of the risk inherent in the future cash flows of the respective reporting unit and market conditions.
2025 Impairment Analysis
For the 2025 annual impairment test, we performed a qualitative goodwill impairment assessment for all of our reporting units and determined that it was more likely than not that the fair value of each reporting unit exceeded its carrying value, therefore, no quantitative goodwill impairment analysis was performed.
We continue to monitor our reporting units for triggers that could impact the recoverability of goodwill. Long-term trends and risks we are monitoring in our ongoing assessment include, but are not limited to, the following:
•the delta between market capitalization and book value, as well as volatility or declines in the price of our common stock, including any impact from the PSKY Merger;
•uncertainty related to affiliate rights renewals associated with our Global Linear Networks and Streaming reporting units;
•declining levels of global GDP growth and continued softness in the U.S. linear advertising market associated with our Global Linear Networks reporting unit;
•increased competition for advertising expenditures associated with our Global Linear Networks and Streaming reporting units as a result of an increase in digital advertising inventory available in the marketplace;
•uncertainty surrounding the impacts related to the imposition of tariffs by the U.S. government and any retaliatory tariffs from foreign governments;
•content licensing trends and volatility related to the performance of theatrical film and game slates in our Studios reporting unit; and
•risks in executing the projected growth strategies of our Streaming reporting unit.
Content Rights
We capitalize the costs to produce or acquire feature films and television programs, and we amortize costs and test for impairment based on whether the content is predominantly monetized individually, or as a group.
For films and television programs predominantly monetized individually, the amount of capitalized film and television production costs (net of incentives and co-financing partner contributions) amortized and the amount of participations and residuals to be recognized as expense in a particular period are determined using the individual film forecast method. Under this method, the amortization of capitalized costs and the accrual of participations and residuals are based on the proportion of the film’s or television program’s revenues recognized for such period to the film’s or television program’s estimated remaining ultimate revenues (i.e., the total revenue to be received throughout a film’s or television program’s remaining life cycle).
For theatrical films, which are monetized on an individual basis, the process of estimating ultimate revenues requires us to make a series of judgments related to future revenue-generating activities associated with a particular film. Prior to the theatrical release of a film, our estimates are based on factors such as the historical performance of similar films, the star power of the lead actors, the rating and genre of the film, pre-release market research (including test market screenings), international distribution plans, and the expected number of theaters in which the film will be released. Subsequent to release, ultimate revenues are updated to reflect initial performance, which is often predictive of future performance.
For television programs that are monetized on an individual basis, ultimate revenues are estimated based on factors including the performance of similar programs in each applicable market, firm commitments in hand from customers that license the program in the future, and the popularity of the program in its initial markets.
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For a film or television program that is predominantly monetized on its own but also monetized with other films and/or programs (such as on our streaming or linear services), we make a reasonable estimate of the value attributable to the film or program’s exploitation while monetized with other films/programs, based on relative market rates, and expense such costs as the film or television program is exhibited.
Ultimates for content monetized on an individual basis are reviewed and updated (as applicable) on a quarterly basis; any adjustments are applied prospectively as of the beginning of the fiscal year of the change.
For programs monetized as a group, including licensed programming, amortization expense for network programs is generally based on projected usage, generally resulting in an accelerated or straight-line amortization pattern. Adjustments for projected usage are applied prospectively in the period of the change. Streaming and premium pay-TV content amortization is based on estimated viewing patterns, as there are generally limited to no direct revenues to associate to the individual content assets for premium pay-TV. As such, viewership is most representative of the use of the title.
Judgment is required to determine the useful lives and amortization patterns of our content assets that are predominantly monetized as a group. Critical assumptions include: (i) the grouping of content with similar characteristics, (ii) the application of a quantitative revenue forecast model or historical viewership model based on the adequacy of historical data, and (iii) determining the appropriate historical periods to utilize and the relative weighting of those historical periods in the forecast model. We then consider the appropriate application of the quantitative assessment given forecasted content use, expected content investment and market trends. Content use and future revenues may differ from estimates based on changes in expectations related to market acceptance, network affiliate fee rates, advertising demand, the number of subscribers receiving our networks, the number of subscribers to our streaming services, and program usage. Accordingly, we review our estimates and planned usage at least quarterly and revise our assumptions if necessary.
Consolidation
We have ownership and other interests in and contractual arrangements with various entities, including corporations, partnerships, and limited liability companies. For each such entity, we evaluate our ownership, other interests and contractual arrangements to determine whether we should consolidate the entity or account for its interest as an investment at inception and upon reconsideration events. As part of its evaluation, we initially determine whether the entity is a variable interest entity (“VIE”). Management evaluates key considerations through a qualitative and quantitative analysis in determining whether an entity is a VIE including whether (i) the entity has sufficient equity to finance its activities without additional financial support from other parties, (ii) the ability or inability to make significant decisions about the entity’s operations, and (iii) the proportionality of voting rights of investors relative to their obligations to absorb the expected losses (or receive the expected returns) of the entity. If the entity is a VIE and if we have a variable interest in the entity, we use judgment in determining if we are the primary beneficiary and are thus required to consolidate the entity. In making this determination, we evaluate whether we or another party involved with the VIE (1) has the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and (2) has the obligation to absorb losses of or receive benefits from the VIE that could be significant to the VIE.
If it is concluded that an entity is not a VIE, we consider our proportional voting interests in the entity and consolidate majority-owned subsidiaries in which a controlling financial interest is maintained. A controlling financial interest is determined by majority ownership and the absence of substantive third-party participation rights. Key factors we consider in determining the presence of substantive third-party participation rights include, but are not limited to, control of the board of directors, budget approval or veto rights, or operational rights that significantly impact the economic performance of the business such as programming, creative development, marketing, and selection of key personnel. Ownership interests in unconsolidated entities for which we have significant influence are accounted for as equity method.
We evaluated reconsideration events during the year ended December 31, 2025 and concluded there were no changes to our consolidation assessments.
Revenue Recognition
As described in Note 2, revenue is recognized upon transfer of control of promised services or goods to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration that we expect to receive in exchange for those services or goods. Significant estimates and judgments are applied in determining the timing of revenue recognition for certain types of transactions, such as bundled arrangements for advertising sales and content licensing arrangements.
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A substantial portion of the linear and digital advertising contracts in the U.S. and certain international markets guarantee the advertiser a minimum audience level that either the program in which their advertisements are aired or the advertisement will reach. These advertising campaigns are considered to represent a single, distinct performance obligation. For such contracts, judgment is required in measuring progress across our single performance obligation. Various factors such as pricing specific to the channel, daypart and targeted demographic, as well as audience guarantees, are considered in determining how to appropriately measure progress across the campaigns. Revenues are ultimately recognized based on the guaranteed audience level delivered multiplied by the average price per impression.
Our content licensing arrangements often include fixed license fees from the licensing of feature films and television programs in the off-network cable, premium pay, syndication, streaming, and international television and streaming markets. For arrangements that include multiple titles and/or staggered availabilities across geographical regions, the availability of each title and/or each region is considered a separate performance obligation, and the fixed fee is allocated to each title/region based on comparable market rates and recognized as revenue when the title is available for use by the licensee.
See Item 1A, “Risk Factors” for details on significant risks that could impact our ability to successfully grow our cash flows. For an in-depth discussion of each of our significant accounting policies, including our critical accounting policies and further information regarding estimates and assumptions involved in their application, see Note 2 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements included in Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
MD&A history
Prior-year 10-K MD&A spans are extracted from SEC filings with the same bounded parser used for the latest filing. The latest 10-K appears above; prior years are below.
FY 2024 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001437107-25-000031.
ITEM 7. 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, financial condition, contractual commitments, critical accounting policies, and estimates that require significant judgment and thus have the most significant potential impact on our consolidated financial statements. This discussion and analysis is intended to better allow investors to view the company from management’s perspective.
This section provides an analysis of our financial results for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023. A discussion of our results of operations and liquidity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 can be found under Item 7 in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, filed on February 23, 2024, which is available free of charge on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and our Investor Relations website at ir.wbd.com. The information contained on our website is not part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and is not incorporated by reference herein.
BUSINESS OVERVIEW
On April 8, 2022, Discovery, 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 DTC subscription products, completed its Merger with the WarnerMedia Business of AT&T and changed its name from “Discovery, Inc.” to “Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.” On April 11, 2022, our shares started trading on Nasdaq under the trading symbol WBD. (See Note 3 and Note 4 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
Warner Bros. Discovery is a leading global media and entertainment company that creates and distributes a differentiated and comprehensive portfolio of content and products across television, film, streaming, interactive gaming, publishing, themed experiences, and consumer products through brands including: Discovery Channel, Max, CNN, DC Studios, TNT Sports, HBO, Food Network, TLC, TBS, Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group, Warner Bros. Television Group, Warner Bros. Games, Adult Swim, Turner Classic Movies, and others. For a discussion of our global portfolio see our business overview set forth in Item 1, “Business” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
In connection with the Merger, we have announced and taken actions to implement projects to achieve cost synergies for the Company. We finalized the framework supporting our ongoing restructuring and transformation initiatives during the year ended December 31, 2022, which included, among other things, strategic content programming assessments, organization restructuring, facility consolidation activities, and other contract termination costs. At that time, we expected to incur approximately $4.1 - $5.3 billion in pre-tax restructuring charges, of which we have incurred $4.7 billion as of December 31, 2024. Of the total expected pre-tax restructuring charges, we expected total cash expenditures to be $1.0 - $1.5 billion. While our restructuring efforts are ongoing, the Merger-related restructuring program was substantially completed at the end of 2024. During 2023, we initiated a strategic realignment plan associated with our Warner Bros. Pictures Animation group and during 2024, we initiated two additional restructuring initiatives; an organizational and personnel restructuring plan and a restructuring initiative associated with our Warner Bros. Games group.
As of December 31, 2024, we classified our operations in three reportable segments:
•Studios - Our Studios segment primarily consists of the production and release of feature films for initial exhibition in theaters, production and initial licensing of television programs to our networks/DTC services as well as third parties, 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.
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•Networks - Our Networks segment primarily consists of our domestic and international television networks.
•DTC - Our DTC segment primarily consists of our premium pay-TV and streaming services.
Our segment presentation was 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.
For further discussion of financial information for our segments and the geographical areas in which we do business, our content development activities, and revenues, see our business overview set forth in Item 1, “Business” and Note 23 to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Foreign Exchange Impacting Comparability
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. 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 reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
The ex-FX change represents the percentage change on a period-over-period basis adjusted for foreign currency impacts. The ex-FX change is calculated as the difference between the current year amounts translated at a baseline rate, which is a spot rate for each of our currencies determined early in the fiscal year as part of our forecasting process (the “2024 Baseline Rate”), and the prior year amounts translated at the same 2024 Baseline Rate. In addition, consistent with the assumption of a constant currency environment, our ex-FX results exclude the impact of our foreign currency hedging activities, as well as realized and unrealized foreign currency transaction gains and losses. Results on a constant currency basis, as we present them, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.
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Consolidated Results of Operations – 2024 vs. 2023
Our consolidated results of operations for 2024 and 2023 were as follows (in millions).
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | % Change | % Change (ex-FX) | ||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Distribution | $ | 19,701 | $ | 20,237 | (3) | % | (1) | % | |||||||||||
| Advertising | 8,090 | 8,700 | (7) | % | (7) | % | |||||||||||||
| Content | 10,297 | 11,203 | (8) | % | (8) | % | |||||||||||||
| Other | 1,233 | 1,181 | 4 | % | 4 | % | |||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 39,321 | 41,321 | (5) | % | (4) | % | |||||||||||||
| Costs of revenues, excluding depreciation and amortization | 22,970 | 24,526 | (6) | % | (6) | % | |||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 9,296 | 9,696 | (4) | % | (3) | % | |||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 7,037 | 7,985 | (12) | % | (12) | % | |||||||||||||
| Restructuring and other charges | 447 | 585 | (24) | % | (23) | % | |||||||||||||
| Impairments and loss on dispositions | 9,603 | 77 | NM | NM | |||||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 49,353 | 42,869 | 15 | % | 16 | % | |||||||||||||
| Operating loss | (10,032) | (1,548) | NM | NM | |||||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | (2,017) | (2,221) | |||||||||||||||||
| Gain on extinguishment of debt | 632 | 17 | |||||||||||||||||
| Loss from equity investees, net | (121) | (82) | |||||||||||||||||
| Other income (expense), net | 150 | (29) | |||||||||||||||||
| Loss before income taxes | (11,388) | (3,863) | |||||||||||||||||
| Income tax (expense) benefit | (94) | 784 | |||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | (11,482) | (3,079) | |||||||||||||||||
| Net loss (income) attributable to noncontrolling interests | 129 | (38) | |||||||||||||||||
| Net loss (income) attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests | 42 | (9) | |||||||||||||||||
| Net loss available to Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. | $ | (11,311) | $ | (3,126) |
NM - Not meaningful
Unless otherwise indicated, the discussion of percent changes below is on an ex-FX basis. The ex-FX percent changes of line items below operating loss in the table above are not included as the activity is principally in U.S. dollars.
Revenues
Distribution revenues are generated from fees charged to network distributors, which include cable, DTH satellite, telecommunications and digital service providers, and DTC subscribers. The largest component of distribution revenue is comprised of linear distribution rights to our networks from cable, DTH satellite, and telecommunication service providers. We have contracts with distributors representing most cable and satellite service providers around the world, including the largest operators in the U.S. and major international distributors. Distribution revenues are largely dependent on the rates negotiated in the agreements, the number of subscribers that receive our networks, the number of platforms covered in the distribution agreement, and the market demand for the content that we provide. From time to time, renewals of multi-year carriage agreements include significant year one market adjustments to reset subscriber rates. In some cases, we have provided distributors launch incentives, in the form of cash payments or free periods, to carry our networks.
Distribution revenue decreased 1% in 2024, primarily attributable to an 8% decline in Networks domestic linear subscribers and our exit from our regional sports business (“AT&T SportsNets”) in the U.S., which had an unfavorable impact of $225 million for the year, partially offset by a 5% increase in domestic contractual affiliate rates, a 20% increase in DTC subscribers, and an increase in pricing following the launch of Max in Europe in 2024.
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Advertising revenues are principally generated from the sale of commercial time on linear (television networks and authenticated TVE applications) and digital platforms (DTC subscription services and websites), and sold primarily on a national basis in the U.S. and on a pan-regional or local-language feed basis outside the U.S. Advertising contracts generally have a term of one year or less. Advertising revenue is dependent upon a number of factors, including the number of subscribers to our channels, viewership demographics, the popularity of our content, our ability to sell commercial time over a group of channels, the stage of development of television markets, and the popularity of free-to-air television. Revenue from advertising is subject to seasonality, market-based variations, the mix in sales of commercial time between the upfront and scatter markets, and general economic conditions. Advertising revenue is typically highest in the second and fourth quarters. In some cases, advertising sales are subject to ratings guarantees that require us to provide additional advertising time if the guaranteed audience levels are not achieved. We also generate revenue from the sale of advertising through our digital platforms on a stand-alone basis and as part of advertising packages with our television networks.
Advertising revenue decreased 7% in 2024, primarily attributable to audience declines in domestic linear networks of 18%, partially offset by an increase in domestic Max ad-lite subscribers.
Content revenues are generated from the release of feature films for initial exhibition in theaters, production of programs licensed for initial television/SVOD exhibition, the additional licensing of feature films and television programs to various television, SVOD and other digital markets, distribution of feature films and television programs in the physical and digital home entertainment market, sales of console games and mobile in-game content, sublicensing of sports rights, and licensing of intellectual property such as characters and brands.
Content revenue decreased 8% in 2024, primarily attributable to a 53% decrease in games revenue due to the strong performance of the 2023 slate, including Hogwarts Legacy, compared to the 2024 slate, and a 4% decrease in theatrical product revenue due to the strong prior year performance of Barbie, which was released in 2023, partially offset by the sublicensing of Olympic sports rights in Europe in the current year, which had a favorable impact of $576 million in 2024.
Other revenue primarily consists of studio production services and tours.
Other revenue increased 4% in 2024, primarily attributable to the opening of Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo in June 2023, partially offset by the timing of services provided to the unconsolidated TNT Sports UK joint venture.
Costs of Revenues
Our principal component of costs of revenues is content expense. Content expense includes television/digital series, specials, films, games, and sporting events. Amortization related to both historical cost basis and any fair value adjustments to content arising from business combinations is included in costs of revenues. The costs of producing a content asset and bringing that asset to market consist of production costs, participation costs, and exploitation costs.
Costs of revenues decreased 6% in 2024, primarily attributable to lower content expense related to the amortization of purchase accounting fair value step-up for content, lower content expense commensurate with lower content revenue at DTC, and our exit from the AT&T SportsNet business, partially offset by the broadcast of the Olympics in Europe in the current year. The exit from the AT&T SportsNet business had a favorable impact to costs of revenues of $277 million for the year. The broadcast of the Olympics in Europe in the current year had an unfavorable impact to costs of revenues of $664 million.
Selling, General and Administrative
Selling, general and administrative expenses consist principally of employee costs, marketing costs, research costs, occupancy, and back office support fees.
Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased 3% in 2024, primarily attributable to lower marketing costs due to lower theatrical and games marketing expenses and the prior year launch of Max in the U.S., partially offset by the continuation of Max launches internationally.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization expense includes depreciation of fixed assets and amortization of finite-lived intangible assets.
Depreciation and amortization decreased 12% in 2024, primarily attributable to intangible assets acquired during the Merger that are being amortized on an accelerated basis, partially offset by the shortening of the useful lives of certain intangible assets. (See Note 5 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
Restructuring and Other Charges
Restructuring and other charges decreased 23% in 2024. Restructuring and other charges primarily includes contract terminations, facility consolidation activities, organizational restructuring, and other charges. (See Note 6 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
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Impairments and Loss on Dispositions
Impairments and loss on dispositions was a $9,603 million and $77 million loss in 2024 and 2023, respectively. The loss in 2024 was primarily attributable to a $9.1 billion pre-tax, non-cash goodwill impairment charge related to the Networks reporting unit during the second quarter of 2024 (see Note 5 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements) and $411 million right-of-use asset (“ROU asset”) impairment charges primarily related to the Hudson Yards, New York office lease. (See Note 12 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.) The loss in 2023 was primarily attributable to lease ROU asset impairments and costs associated with our exit from AT&T SportsNets.
Interest Expense, net
Actual interest expense, net decreased $204 million in 2024, primarily attributable to lower debt during the period. (See Note 11 and Note 13 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
Gain on extinguishment of debt
During 2024, we repaid in full at maturity $40 million of aggregate principal amount outstanding of our floating rate notes due March 2024 and we repurchased or repaid $5,923 million of aggregate principal amount outstanding of our senior notes. (See Note 11 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
Loss from Equity Investees, net
Actual losses from our equity method investees were $121 million and $82 million in 2024 and 2023, respectively. The losses are attributable to our share of earnings and losses from our equity investees. (See Note 10 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
Other Income (Expense), net
Other income (expense), net was $150 million and $(29) million in 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase was primarily attributable to our gain on sale of equity method investments and an increase to the Merger related tax indemnification receivable accrual, partially offset by foreign currency losses. (See Note 18 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
Income tax expense (benefit) was $94 million and $(784) million, and the Company’s effective tax rate was (1)% and 20% for 2024 and 2023, respectively. In 2024, the Company recorded a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $9.1 billion, the majority of which was not deductible for tax purposes. (See Note 5 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.) For the year ended December 31, 2024, the increase in income tax expense compared to the same period in 2023 was primarily attributable to a decrease in pre-tax book loss (excluding the non-cash goodwill impairment charge), an increase in state and local income taxes (including a state deferred tax adjustment recorded in the year ended December 31, 2024 and a one-time favorable release of an unrecognized state tax benefit in 2023 that did not recur in 2024), and a one-time favorable release of an unrecognized U.S. tax benefit in 2023 that did not recur in 2024. (See Note 16 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
Income tax expense for 2024 reflects an effective income tax rate that differs from the federal statutory tax rate primarily attributable to the non-deductible goodwill impairment charge and the effect of foreign operations.
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (“OECD”) Pillar Two Global Anti-Base Erosion (“GloBE”) model rules, issued under the OECD Inclusive Framework on Base Erosion and Profit Shifting, introduce a global minimum tax of 15% applicable to multinational enterprise groups with consolidated financial statement revenue in excess of €750 million. Numerous foreign jurisdictions have already enacted tax legislation based on the GloBE rules, with some effective as early as January 1, 2024. As of December 31, 2024, we recognized a nominal income tax expense for Pillar Two GloBE minimum tax. The Company is continuously monitoring the evolving application of this legislation and assessing its potential impact on our future tax liability.
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Segment Results of Operations – 2024 vs. 2023
The Company evaluates the operating performance of its operating segments based on financial measures such as revenues and Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as operating income excluding:
•employee share-based compensation;
•depreciation and amortization;
•restructuring and facility consolidation;
•certain impairment charges;
•gains and losses on business and asset dispositions;
•third-party transaction and integration costs;
•amortization of purchase accounting fair value step-up for content;
•amortization of capitalized interest for content; and
•other items impacting comparability.
Management believes that Adjusted EBITDA is an appropriate measure for evaluating the operating performance of the Company’s operating segments because it is the primary measure used by the Company’s chief operating decision maker to assess the operating results and performance of the segments, perform analytical comparisons, identify strategies to improve performance, and allocate resources to each segment. (See Note 23 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
The table below presents our Adjusted EBITDA by segment (in millions).
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | % Change | |||||||||
| Studios | $ | 1,652 | $ | 2,183 | (24) | % | |||||
| Networks | 8,149 | 9,063 | (10) | % | |||||||
| DTC | 677 | 103 | NM | ||||||||
| Corporate | (1,260) | (1,242) | (1) | % | |||||||
| Inter-segment eliminations | (186) | 93 | NM |
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Studios Segment
The following table presents, for our Studios segment, revenues by type, certain operating expenses, Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to operating income (in millions).
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | % Change | % Change (ex-FX) | ||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Distribution | $ | 8 | $ | 17 | (53) | % | (53) | % | |||||||||||
| Advertising | 5 | 15 | (67) | % | (67) | % | |||||||||||||
| Content | 10,717 | 11,358 | (6) | % | (5) | % | |||||||||||||
| Other | 877 | 802 | 9 | % | 9 | % | |||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 11,607 | 12,192 | (5) | % | (5) | % | |||||||||||||
| Costs of revenues, excluding depreciation and amortization | 7,530 | 7,296 | 3 | % | 3 | % | |||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 2,425 | 2,713 | (11) | % | (11) | % | |||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | 1,652 | 2,183 | (24) | % | (23) | % | |||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 702 | 667 | |||||||||||||||||
| Employee share-based compensation | (1) | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Restructuring and other charges | 263 | 225 | |||||||||||||||||
| Transaction and integration costs | 2 | 7 | |||||||||||||||||
| Facility consolidation costs | 1 | — | |||||||||||||||||
| Impairment and amortization of fair value step-up for content | 96 | 995 | |||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of capitalized interest for content | 46 | 46 | |||||||||||||||||
| Inter-segment eliminations | — | 31 | |||||||||||||||||
| Impairments and loss on dispositions | 14 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||
| Operating income | $ | 529 | $ | 211 |
Unless otherwise indicated, the discussion of percent changes below is on an ex-FX basis. The Studios discussion below also includes intra-segment revenue and expense between product lines, which represented less than 3% of total revenues and operating expenses for this segment for the year ended December 31, 2024. Intra-segment revenue and expense are eliminated at the Studios segment level.
Fluctuations in results for our Studios segment may occur due to various factors, including (but not limited to) the timing and number of new film releases each quarter, the timing of marketing expenses recognized relative to (i.e., prior to) a film’s release, and the mix of content distributed each period.
Revenues
Content revenue decreased 5% in 2024, primarily attributable to a 53% decrease in games revenue, and a 4% decrease in theatrical product revenue, partially offset by a 9% increase in television product revenue.
•The decrease in games revenue was primarily attributable to the strong performance of the 2023 slate, including Hogwarts Legacy, compared to the 2024 slate.
•The decrease in theatrical product revenue was attributable to lower film rental revenue and intra-segment licensing revenue, partially offset by higher home entertainment revenue. Film rental revenue decreased due to the strong prior year performance of Barbie, which was released in 2023, partially offset by higher carryover releases from 2023 compared to 2022. Home entertainment revenue increased due to the performance of Dune: Part Two, Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire, Wonka, Aquaman 2, and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice and higher catalog sales.
•The increase in television product revenue was attributable to higher intercompany content sales and higher initial telecast revenue due to the impact of the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes in the prior year, partially offset by lower third-party content sales.
Other revenue increased 9% in 2024, primarily attributable to the opening of Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo in June 2023.
Costs of Revenues
Costs of revenues increased 3% in 2024, primarily attributable to a 4% increase in theatrical product content expense due to product mix and higher development costs, and a 1% increase in games content expense due to impairments of $384 million, partially offset by lower intra-segment licensing costs. Television product content expense was flat in 2024, as higher content expense commensurate with higher revenues was offset by favorable product mix and lower development costs.
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Selling, General and Administrative
Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased 11% in 2024, primarily attributable to lower theatrical marketing expenses due to fewer new releases and lower games marketing expenses.
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA decreased 23% in 2024.
Networks Segment
The table below presents, for our Networks segment, revenues by type, certain operating expenses, Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to operating (loss) income (in millions).
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | % Change | % Change (ex-FX) | ||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Distribution | $ | 10,680 | $ | 11,521 | (7) | % | (6) | % | |||||||||||
| Advertising | 7,306 | 8,342 | (12) | % | (12) | % | |||||||||||||
| Content | 1,848 | 1,005 | 84 | % | 83 | % | |||||||||||||
| Other | 341 | 376 | (9) | % | (10) | % | |||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 20,175 | 21,244 | (5) | % | (4) | % | |||||||||||||
| Costs of revenues, excluding depreciation and amortization | 9,238 | 9,342 | (1) | % | — | % | |||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 2,788 | 2,839 | (2) | % | (1) | % | |||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | 8,149 | 9,063 | (10) | % | (10) | % | |||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 4,172 | 4,961 | |||||||||||||||||
| Restructuring and other charges | 85 | 201 | |||||||||||||||||
| Transaction and integration costs | 2 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
| Impairment and amortization of fair value step-up for content | 495 | 473 | |||||||||||||||||
| Inter-segment eliminations | — | 90 | |||||||||||||||||
| Impairments and loss on dispositions | 9,154 | 13 | |||||||||||||||||
| Operating (loss) income | $ | (5,759) | $ | 3,322 |
Unless otherwise indicated, the discussion of percent changes below is on an ex-FX basis.
Revenues
Distribution revenue decreased 6% in 2024, primarily attributable to an 8% decline in domestic linear subscribers for the year, partially offset by a 5% increase in domestic contractual affiliate rates. In addition, the exit from the AT&T SportsNet business had an unfavorable impact of $225 million for the year. Declines in linear subscribers are expected to continue.
Advertising revenue decreased 12% in 2024, primarily attributable to audience declines in domestic networks of 18% for the year, and continued softness in the U.S. linear advertising market.
Content revenue increased by 83% in 2024, primarily attributable to the sublicensing of Olympic sports rights in Europe in the current year, which had a favorable impact of $576 million, and timing of third-party licensing deals.
Other revenue decreased 10% in 2024, primarily attributable to the timing of services provided to the unconsolidated TNT Sports UK joint venture.
Costs of Revenues
Costs of revenues was flat in 2024. Sports-related content expense increased in 2024 primarily due to the broadcast of the Olympics in Europe in the current year and the acquisition of new sports rights, partially offset by our exit from the AT&T SportsNet business and the allocation of U.S. sports costs to DTC. The increase in sports-related content expense was further offset by lower entertainment content expense in 2024. Our exit from the AT&T SportsNet business had a favorable impact to costs of revenues of $277 million and the broadcast of the Olympics in Europe had an unfavorable impact to costs of revenues of $664 million in the current year.
Selling, General and Administrative
Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased 1% in 2024.
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Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA decreased 10% in 2024.
DTC Segment
The following table presents, for our DTC segment, revenues by type, certain operating expenses, Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to operating loss (in millions).
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | % Change | % Change (ex-FX) | ||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||
| Distribution | $ | 9,022 | $ | 8,703 | 4 | % | 5 | % | |||||||||||
| Advertising | 855 | 548 | 56 | % | 57 | % | |||||||||||||
| Content | 428 | 886 | (52) | % | (51) | % | |||||||||||||
| Other | 8 | 17 | (53) | % | (50) | % | |||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 10,313 | 10,154 | 2 | % | 2 | % | |||||||||||||
| Costs of revenues, excluding depreciation and amortization | 7,459 | 7,623 | (2) | % | (2) | % | |||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 2,177 | 2,428 | (10) | % | (9) | % | |||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | 677 | 103 | NM | NM | |||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 1,831 | 2,063 | |||||||||||||||||
| Restructuring and other charges | 3 | 66 | |||||||||||||||||
| Transaction and integration costs | (1) | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
| Impairment and amortization of fair value step-up for content | 282 | 460 | |||||||||||||||||
| Inter-segment eliminations | — | 72 | |||||||||||||||||
| Impairments and loss on dispositions | 47 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
| Operating loss | $ | (1,485) | $ | (2,565) |
Unless otherwise indicated, the discussion of percent changes below is on an ex-FX basis.
Revenues
Subscriber information (as defined under Item 1. “Business”) consisted of the following (in millions).
| December 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | % Change | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Domestic subscribers | 57.1 | 52.0 | 10 | % | |||||
| Total International subscribers | 59.8 | 45.6 | 31 | % | |||||
| Total DTC subscribers | 116.9 | 97.7 | 20 | % |
Distribution revenue increased 5% in 2024, primarily attributable to a 20% increase in subscribers and an increase in pricing following the launch of Max in Europe and Latin America in 2024, partially offset by continued domestic linear wholesale subscriber declines.
Advertising revenue increased 57% in 2024, primarily attributable to an increase in domestic ad-lite subscribers.
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Global ARPU consisted of the following.
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | % Change (ex-FX) | |||||||||
| Domestic ARPU | $ | 11.89 | $ | 11.20 | 6 | % | |||||
| International ARPU | $ | 3.85 | $ | 3.85 | 4 | % | |||||
| Global ARPU1 | $ | 7.76 | $ | 7.78 | 1 | % |
Global ARPU increased 1% in 2024, primarily attributable to subscriber growth of the ad-lite tier domestically, higher pricing, and a continuing subscriber mix shift from linear wholesale, partially offset by growth in lower ARPU international markets.
Content revenue decreased 51% in 2024, primarily attributable to fewer third-party licensing deals.
Costs of Revenues
Cost of revenues decreased 2% in 2024, primarily attributable to lower content expense commensurate with lower content revenue, partially offset by the allocation of U.S. sports from the Networks segment.
Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased 9% in 2024, primarily attributable to lower marketing costs due to the launch of Max in 2023 in the U.S., partially offset by higher overhead expenses and the continuation of Max launches internationally.
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA increased $574 million in 2024. The broadcast of the Olympics in Europe negatively impacted Adjusted EBITDA by $33 million.
Corporate
The following table presents our Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to operating loss (in millions):
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | % Change | % Change (ex-FX) | ||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | (1,260) | $ | (1,242) | (1) | % | (3) | % | |||||||||||
| Employee share-based compensation | 547 | 488 | |||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 332 | 294 | |||||||||||||||||
| Restructuring and other charges | 96 | 95 | |||||||||||||||||
| Transaction and integration costs | 239 | 148 | |||||||||||||||||
| Impairments and loss on dispositions | 388 | 60 | |||||||||||||||||
| Facility consolidation costs | 3 | 32 | |||||||||||||||||
| Impairment and amortization of fair value step-up for content | 2 | (6) | |||||||||||||||||
| Inter-segment eliminations | — | (193) | |||||||||||||||||
| Operating loss | $ | (2,867) | $ | (2,160) |
Corporate operations primarily consist of executive management and administrative support services, which are recorded in selling, general and administrative expense, as well as substantially all of our share-based compensation and third-party transaction and integration costs.
Adjusted EBITDA decreased 3% in 2024, primarily attributable to higher securitization expenses and overhead expenses, partially offset by lower facility costs due to office consolidations and closures and lower personnel costs.
1ARPU: The Company defines DTC Average Revenue Per User (“ARPU”) as total subscription revenue plus net advertising revenue for the period divided by the daily average number of paying subscribers for the period. Where daily values are not available, the sum of beginning of period and end of period divided by two is used.
Excluded from the ARPU calculation are: (i) Revenue and subscribers for DTC products, other than discovery+, HBO, HBO Max, Max, a Premium Sports Product, and independently-branded, regional products (currently consisting of TVN/Player and BluTV), that may be offered by us or by certain joint venture partners or affiliated parties from time to time; (ii) A limited amount of international discovery+ revenue and subscribers that are part of non-strategic partnerships or short-term arrangements as may be identified by the Company from time to time; (iii) Cinemax, Max/HBO hotel and bulk institution (i.e., subscribers billed on a bulk basis), and international basic HBO revenue and subscribers; and (iv) Users on free trials who convert to a subscription for which we have recognized subscription revenue within the first seven days of the calendar month immediately following the month in which their free trial expires.
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Inter-segment Eliminations
The following table presents our inter-segment eliminations by revenue and expense, Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to operating loss (in millions):
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||
| Inter-segment revenue eliminations | $ | (2,782) | $ | (2,269) | |||||
| Inter-segment expense eliminations | (2,596) | (2,362) | |||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | (186) | 93 | |||||||
| Restructuring and other charges | — | (2) | |||||||
| Impairment and amortization of fair value step-up for content | 264 | 451 | |||||||
| Operating loss | $ | (450) | $ | (356) |
Inter-segment revenue and expense eliminations primarily represent inter-segment content transactions and marketing and promotion activity between reportable segments. In our current segment structure, in certain instances, production and distribution activities are in different segments. Inter-segment content transactions are generally presented at market value (i.e., the segment producing and/or licensing the content reports revenue and profit from inter-segment transactions in a manner similar to the reporting of third-party transactions, and the required eliminations are reported on the separate “Eliminations” line when presenting our summary of segment results). Generally, timing of revenue recognition is similar to the reporting of third-party transactions. The segment distributing the content, e.g., via our DTC or linear services, capitalizes the cost of inter-segment content transactions, including “mark-ups” and amortizes the costs over the shorter of the license term, if applicable, or the expected period of use. The content amortization expense related to the inter-segment profit is also eliminated on the separate “Eliminations” line when presenting our summary of segment results.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Liquidity
Sources of Cash
Historically, we have generated a significant amount of cash from operations. During 2024, we funded our working capital needs primarily through cash flows from operations. As of December 31, 2024, we had $5.3 billion of cash and cash equivalents on hand. We are a well-known seasoned issuer and have the ability to conduct registered offerings of securities, including debt securities, common stock and preferred stock, on short notice, subject to market conditions. Access to sufficient capital from the public market is not assured. We have a $6.0 billion revolving credit facility and commercial paper program described below. We also participate in a revolving receivables program and an accounts receivable factoring program described below.
•Debt
Senior Notes
During the year ended December 31, 2024, we issued €650 million of 4.302% fixed rate senior notes due January 2030 and €850 million of 4.693% fixed rate senior notes due May 2033. After December 2029 and February 2033, respectively, the senior notes are redeemable at par plus accrued and unpaid interest.
Revolving Credit Facility and Commercial Paper
We have a multicurrency revolving credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) and have the capacity to borrow up to $6.0 billion under the Credit Agreement (the “Credit Facility”). We may also request additional commitments up to $1.0 billion from the lenders upon the satisfaction of certain conditions. The Credit Agreement contains customary representations and warranties as well as affirmative and negative covenants. As of December 31, 2024, we were in compliance with all covenants and there were no events of default under the Credit Agreement.
Additionally, our commercial paper program is supported by the Credit Facility. Under the commercial paper program, we may issue up to $1.0 billion. Borrowing capacity under the Credit Facility is effectively reduced by any outstanding borrowings under the commercial paper program.
During the year ended December 31, 2024, we borrowed and repaid $14,203 million under our Credit Facility and commercial paper program. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, we had no outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility or the commercial paper program.
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Term Loans
In January 2025, we entered into a new $1,500 million 364-day senior unsecured term loan credit facility. The proceeds were used to the fund the redemption of $1,500 million aggregate principal amount of our 6.412% senior notes due 2026.
•Revolving Receivables Program
We have a revolving agreement to transfer up to $5,200 million of certain receivables through our bankruptcy-remote subsidiary, Warner Bros. Discovery Receivables Funding, LLC, to various financial institutions on a recurring basis in exchange for cash equal to the gross receivables transferred. We service the sold receivables for the financial institution for a fee and pay fees to the financial institution in connection with this revolving agreement. As customers pay their balances, our available capacity under this revolving agreement increases and typically we transfer additional receivables into the program. In some cases, we may have collections that have not yet been remitted to the bank, resulting in a liability. The outstanding portfolio of receivables derecognized from our consolidated balance sheets was $4,637 million as of December 31, 2024.
•Accounts Receivable Factoring
We have a factoring agreement to sell certain of our non-U.S. trade accounts receivable on a limited recourse basis to a third-party financial institution. For the year ended December 31, 2024, total trade accounts receivable sold under our factoring arrangement was $313 million.
•Investments
In May 2024, we sold our 50% interest in All3Media, an equity method investment, for proceeds of $324 million.
In October 2024, we sold our minority interests in Formula E, which were recorded as an equity method investment and an investment without readily determinable fair value, to Liberty Global, a related party, for total proceeds of $217 million.
•Derivatives
We received investing proceeds of $136 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 from the unwind and settlement of derivative instruments. (See Note 13 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
Uses of Cash
Our primary uses of cash include the creation and acquisition of new content, business acquisitions, income taxes, personnel costs, costs to develop and market our enhanced streaming service Max, principal and interest payments on our outstanding senior notes, funding for various equity method and other investments, and repurchases of our capital stock.
•Content Acquisition
We plan to continue to invest significantly in the creation and acquisition of new content, as well as certain sports rights. Additional information regarding contractual commitments to acquire content is set forth in “Material Cash Requirements from Known Contractual and Other Obligations” in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
•Debt
Floating Rate Notes
During the year ended December 31, 2024, we repaid $40 million of aggregate principal amount of our floating rate notes due March 2024.
Senior Notes
During the year ended December 31, 2024, we repurchased or repaid $5,923 million of aggregate principal amount outstanding of our senior notes. In addition, we have $2,748 million of senior notes coming due in 2025.
In February 2025, we redeemed in full $1,500 million aggregate principal amount of our 6.412% senior notes due 2026. The redemption was funded with the proceeds of borrowings pursuant to the new $1,500 million 364-day senior unsecured term loan credit facility entered into in January 2025.
We may from time to time seek to prepay, retire or purchase our other outstanding indebtedness through prepayments, redemptions, open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, tender offers or otherwise. Any such repurchases or exchanges will be dependent upon several factors, including our liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions, general market conditions, as well as applicable regulatory, legal and accounting factors. Whether or not we repurchase or exchange any debt and the size and timing of any such repurchases or exchanges will be determined at our discretion.
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•Capital Expenditures
We effected capital expenditures of $948 million in 2024, including amounts capitalized to support Max. In addition, we expect to continue to incur significant costs to develop and market Max.
•Investments and Business Combinations
Our uses of cash have included investments in equity method investments and equity investments without readily determinable fair value. (See Note 10 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.) We also provide funding to our investees from time to time. We contributed $109 million and $112 million in 2024 and 2023, respectively, for investments in and advances to our investees.
•Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest and Noncontrolling Interest
We had redeemable equity balances of $109 million at December 31, 2024, which may require the use of cash in the event holders of noncontrolling interests put their interests to us. Distributions to noncontrolling interests and redeemable noncontrolling interests totaled $193 million and $301 million in 2024 and 2023, respectively.
•Common Stock Repurchases
Historically, we have funded our stock repurchases through a combination of cash on hand, cash generated by operations and the issuance of debt. In February 2020, our board of directors authorized additional stock repurchases of up to $2 billion upon completion of our existing $1 billion authorization announced in May 2019. Under the new stock repurchase authorization, management is authorized to purchase shares from time to time through open market purchases at prevailing prices or privately negotiated purchases subject to market conditions and other factors. (See Note 3 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.) There were no common stock repurchases during 2024 or 2023.
•Income Taxes and Interest
We expect to continue to make payments for income taxes and interest on our outstanding senior notes. During 2024 and 2023, we made cash payments of $1,113 million and $1,440 million for income taxes and $1,996 million and $2,237 million for interest on our outstanding debt, respectively.
Cash Flows
The following table presents changes in cash and cash equivalents (in millions).
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | ||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, beginning of period | $ | 4,319 | $ | 3,930 | |||
| Cash provided by operating activities | 5,375 | 7,477 | |||||
| Cash used in investing activities | (349) | (1,259) | |||||
| Cash used in financing activities | (3,749) | (5,837) | |||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash | (180) | 8 | |||||
| Net change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash | 1,097 | 389 | |||||
| Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, end of period | $ | 5,416 | $ | 4,319 |
Operating Activities
Cash provided by operating activities was $5,375 million and $7,477 million in 2024 and 2023, respectively. The decrease in cash provided by operating activities was primarily attributable to a decrease in net income excluding non-cash items. Cash flow for the year ended December 31, 2023 was also positively impacted by the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes.
Investing Activities
Cash used in investing activities was $349 million and $1,259 million in 2024 and 2023, respectively. The decrease in cash used in investing activities was primarily attributable to higher proceeds from the sale of investments and fewer purchases of property and equipment during the year ended December 31, 2024.
Financing Activities
Cash used in financing activities was $3,749 million and $5,837 million in 2024 and 2023, respectively. The decrease in cash used in financing activities was primarily attributable to lower net debt activity and lower distributions to noncontrolling interests and redeemable noncontrolling interests during the year ended December 31, 2024.
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Capital Resources
As of December 31, 2024, capital resources were comprised of the following (in millions).
| December 31, 2024 | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Capacity | Outstanding Indebtedness | Unused Capacity | |||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 5,312 | $ | — | $ | 5,312 | |||||||
| Revolving credit facility and commercial paper program | 6,000 | — | 6,000 | ||||||||||
| Senior notes (a) | 39,527 | 39,527 | — | ||||||||||
| Total | $ | 50,839 | $ | 39,527 | $ | 11,312 | |||||||
| (a) Interest on senior notes is paid annually, semi-annually, or quarterly. Our senior notes outstanding as of December 31, 2024 had interest rates that ranged from 1.90% to 8.30% and will mature between 2025 and 2062. |
We expect that our cash balance, cash generated from operations, and availability under the Credit Agreement will be sufficient to fund our cash needs for both the short-term and the long-term. Our borrowing costs and access to capital markets can be affected by short and long-term debt ratings assigned by independent rating agencies which are based, in part, on our performance as measured by credit metrics such as interest coverage and leverage ratios. Credit rating agencies may continue to review and adjust our ratings or outlook. For example, in 2024, S&P and Moody’s revised our ratings outlook from stable to negative in part due to declines in our linear business, including as a result of the weak operating environment for linear networks, and our leverage ratio.
The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act features a participation exemption regime with current taxation of certain foreign income and imposed a mandatory repatriation toll tax on unremitted foreign earnings. Notwithstanding the U.S. taxation of these amounts, we intend to continue to reinvest some of these funds outside of the U.S. Our current plans do not demonstrate a need to repatriate them to the U.S. However, if these funds were to be needed in the U.S., we would be required to accrue and pay non-U.S. taxes to repatriate them. The determination of the amount of unrecognized deferred income tax liability with respect to these undistributed foreign earnings is not practicable.
MATERIAL CASH REQUIREMENTS FROM KNOWN CONTRACTUAL AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS
As of December 31, 2024, our significant contractual and other obligations were as follows (in millions).
| Total | Short-term | Long-term | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long-term debt: | |||||||||||
| Principal payments | $ | 39,527 | $ | 2,749 | $ | 36,778 | |||||
| Interest payments | 27,336 | 1,792 | 25,544 | ||||||||
| Purchase obligations: | |||||||||||
| Content | 21,530 | 5,956 | 15,574 | ||||||||
| Other | 2,911 | 1,119 | 1,792 | ||||||||
| Finance lease obligations | 535 | 130 | 405 | ||||||||
| Operating lease obligations | 3,902 | 432 | 3,470 | ||||||||
| Pension and other employee obligations | 1,422 | 494 | 928 | ||||||||
| Total | $ | 97,163 | $ | 12,672 | $ | 84,491 |
Long-term Debt
Principal payments on long-term debt reflect the repayment of our outstanding senior notes, at face value, assuming repayment will occur upon maturity. Interest payments on our outstanding senior notes are projected based on their contractual interest rates and maturity dates.
Additionally, we have a multicurrency revolving Credit Agreement and have the capacity to borrow up to $6.0 billion under the Credit Facility. We may also request additional commitments up to $1.0 billion from the lenders upon the satisfaction of certain conditions. Additionally, our commercial paper program is supported by the Credit Facility. Under the commercial paper program, we may issue up to $1.0 billion. Borrowing capacity under the Credit Facility is effectively reduced by any outstanding borrowings under the commercial paper program. As of December 31, 2024, we had no outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility or the commercial paper program. (See Note 11 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
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Purchase Obligations
Content purchase obligations include commitments associated with third-party producers and sports associations for content that airs on our television networks and DTC services. Production and licensing contracts generally require the purchase of a specified number of episodes and payments during production or over the term of a license, and include both programs that have been delivered and are available for airing and programs that have not yet been produced or sporting events that have not yet taken place. If the content is ultimately never produced, our commitments expire without obligation. We expect to enter into additional production contracts and content licenses to meet our future content needs.
Other purchase obligations include agreements with certain vendors and suppliers for the purchase of goods and services whereby the underlying agreements are enforceable, legally binding and specify all significant terms. Significant purchase obligations include transmission services, television rating services, marketing commitments and research, equipment purchases, and information technology and other services. Some of these contracts do not require the purchase of fixed or minimum quantities and generally may be terminated with a 30-day to 60-day advance notice without penalty, and are not included in the table above past the 30-day to 60-day advance notice period. Other purchase obligations also include future funding commitments to equity method investees. Although the Company had funding commitments to equity method investees as of December 31, 2024, the Company may also provide uncommitted additional funding to its equity method investments in the future. (See Note 10 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
Content and other purchase obligations presented above exclude liabilities recognized on our consolidated balance sheets.
Finance Lease Obligations
We acquire satellite transponders and other equipment through multi-year finance lease arrangements. Principal payments on finance lease obligations reflect amounts due under our finance lease agreements. Interest payments on our outstanding finance lease obligations are based on the stated or implied rate in our finance lease agreements. (See Note 12 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
Operating Lease Obligations
We obtain office space and equipment under multi-year lease arrangements. Most operating leases are not cancelable prior to their expiration. Payments for operating leases represent the amounts due under the agreements assuming the agreements are not canceled prior to their expiration. (See Note 12 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
Pension and Other Employee Obligations
The Company participates in and/or sponsors a qualified defined benefit pension plan that covers certain U.S. based employees and several U.S. and non-U.S. nonqualified defined benefit pension plans that are noncontributory (“Pension Plans”). The Company’s Pension Plans consist of both funded and unfunded plans. (See Note 17 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
Contractual commitments include payments to meet minimum funding requirements of our Pension Plans in 2025 and estimated benefit payments. Benefit payments have been estimated over a ten-year period. While benefit payments under the Pension Plans are expected to continue beyond 2034, we believe it is not practicable to estimate payments beyond this period.
Other employee obligations are primarily related to employment agreements with creative talent for certain broadcast networks.
We are unable to reasonably predict the ultimate amount of any payments due to cash-settled share-based compensation awards. As of December 31, 2024, the current portion of the liability for cash-settled share-based compensation awards was $27 million.
Unrecognized Tax Benefits
Although we can reasonably estimate the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits related to certain of the Company’s uncertain tax positions that may decrease over the next twelve months, we are unable to reasonably predict the ultimate amount and timing of cash settlement with the respective taxing authorities.
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Six Flags Guarantee
In connection with the WarnerMedia Business’ former investment in the Six Flags (as defined below) theme parks located in Georgia and Texas (collectively, the “Parks”), in 1997, certain subsidiaries of the Company agreed to guarantee (the “Six Flags Guarantee”) certain obligations of the partnerships that hold the Parks (the “Partnerships”) for the benefit of the limited partners in such Partnerships, including annual payments made to the Parks or to the limited partners and additional obligations at the end of the respective terms for the Partnerships in 2027 and 2028 (the “Guaranteed Obligations”). Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (formerly known as Six Flags, Inc. and Premier Parks Inc.) (“Six Flags”), which has the controlling interest in the Parks, has agreed, pursuant to a subordinated indemnity agreement (the “Subordinated Indemnity Agreement”), to guarantee the performance of the Guaranteed Obligations when due and to indemnify the Company, among others, if the Six Flags Guarantee is called upon. If Six Flags defaults on its indemnification obligations, the Company has the right to acquire control of the managing partner of the Parks. Six Flags’ obligations to the Company are further secured by its interest in all limited partnership units held by Six Flags.
In December 2024, Six Flags provided notice of its exercise of the option related to the theme parks located in Georgia that requires the redemption of all the limited partnership units that Six Flags does not then own in the Georgia Partnership in January 2027. Pursuant to the exercise of the option, all of such outstanding limited partnership interests will be redeemed, and Six Flags will also acquire certain related entity general partnership and managing member interests.
Based on the Company’s evaluation of the current facts and circumstances surrounding the Guaranteed Obligations and the Subordinated Indemnity Agreement, it is unable to predict the loss, if any, that may be incurred under the Guaranteed Obligations, and no liability for the arrangements has been recognized as of December 31, 2024. Because of the specific circumstances surrounding the arrangements and the fact that no active or observable market exists for this type of financial guarantee, the Company is unable to determine a current fair value for the Guaranteed Obligations and related Subordinated Indemnity Agreement. The aggregate gross undiscounted estimated future cash flow requirements covered by the Six Flags Guarantee over the remaining term (through 2028) are $589 million. To date, no payments have been made by the Company pursuant to the Six Flags Guarantee.
Other Contingent Commitments
Other contingent commitments primarily include contingent payments for post-production term advance obligations on a certain co-financing arrangement, as well as operating lease commitment guarantees, letters of credit, bank guarantees, and surety bonds, which generally support performance and payments for a wide range of global contingent and firm obligations, including insurance, litigation appeals, real estate leases, and other operational needs. Our other contingent commitments at December 31, 2024 were immaterial.
Put Rights
We have granted put rights to certain consolidated subsidiaries, but we are unable to reasonably predict the ultimate amount or timing of any payment. We recorded the carrying value of the noncontrolling interest in the equity associated with the put rights as a component of redeemable noncontrolling interest in the amount of $109 million. (See Note 19 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
Noncontrolling Interest
The Food Network and Cooking Channel are operated and organized under the terms of the TV Food Network Partnership (the “Partnership”). We hold interests in the Partnership, along with another noncontrolling owner. The Partnership agreement specifies a dissolution date of December 31, 2025. If the term of the Partnership is not extended prior to that date, the Partnership agreement permits us, as holder of 80% of the applicable votes, to reconstitute the Partnership and continue its business. If for some reason the Partnership is not continued, it will be required to limit its activities to winding up, settling debts, liquidating assets and distributing proceeds to the partners in proportion to their partnership interests.
Summarized Guarantor Financial Information
Basis of Presentation
As of December 31, 2024, the Company has outstanding senior notes issued by Discovery Communications, LLC (“DCL”), which are guaranteed by the Company, Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc. (“Scripps Networks”), and WarnerMedia Holdings, Inc. (“WMH”); senior notes issued by WMH, which are guaranteed by the Company, Scripps Networks, and DCL; senior notes issued by the legacy WarnerMedia Business (not guaranteed); and senior notes issued by Scripps Networks (not guaranteed). (See Note 11 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.) DCL, Scripps Networks, and WMH are wholly owned by the Company.
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The tables below present the summarized financial information as combined for Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (the “Parent”), Scripps Networks, DCL, and WMH (collectively, the “Obligors”). All guarantees of DCL and WMH’s senior notes (the “Note Guarantees”) are full and unconditional, joint and several and unsecured, and cover all payment obligations arising under the senior notes.
Note Guarantees issued by Scripps Networks, DCL or WMH, or any subsidiary of the Parent that in the future issues a Note Guarantee (each, a “Subsidiary Guarantor”) may be released and discharged (i) concurrently with any direct or indirect sale or disposition of such Subsidiary Guarantor or any interest therein, (ii) at any time that such Subsidiary Guarantor is released from all of its obligations under its guarantee of payment, (iii) upon the merger or consolidation of any Subsidiary Guarantor with and into DCL, WMH or the Parent or another Subsidiary Guarantor, as applicable, or upon the liquidation of such Subsidiary Guarantor and (iv) other customary events constituting a discharge of the Obligors’ obligations.
Summarized Financial Information
The Company has included the accompanying summarized combined financial information of the Obligors after the elimination of intercompany transactions and balances among the Obligors and the elimination of equity in earnings from and investments in any subsidiary of the Parent that is a non-guarantor (in millions).
| December 31, 2024 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Current assets | $ | 2,194 | |
| Non-guarantor intercompany trade receivables, net | 404 | ||
| Noncurrent assets | 4,077 | ||
| Current liabilities | 3,948 | ||
| Noncurrent liabilities | 37,118 | ||
| Year Ended December 31, 2024 | |||
| Revenues | $ | 1,916 | |
| Operating loss | (245) | ||
| Net loss | (1,080) | ||
| Net loss available to Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. | (1,037) |
Additional information regarding the changes in our outstanding indebtedness and the significant terms and provisions of our revolving credit facility and outstanding indebtedness is discussed in Note 11 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements included in Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
In the ordinary course of business, we enter into transactions with related parties, primarily the Liberty Entities and our equity method investees. Information regarding transactions and amounts with related parties is discussed in Note 21 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements included in Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
NEW ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
We adopted certain accounting and reporting standards during 2024. Information regarding our adoption of new accounting and reporting standards is discussed in Note 2 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements included in Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities.
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On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and assumptions, including those related to unrecognized tax benefits, goodwill and intangible assets, content rights, consolidation and revenue recognition. We base our estimates on historical experience, current developments and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under these circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about carrying values of assets and liabilities that cannot readily be determined from other sources. There can be no assurance that actual results will not differ from those estimates.
Management considers an accounting estimate to be critical if it required assumptions to be made that were uncertain at the time the estimate was made and changes in the estimate or different estimates could have a material effect on our results of operations.
The development and selection of these critical accounting estimates have been determined by management and the related disclosures have been reviewed with the Audit Committee of the board of directors of the Company. We believe the following accounting estimates are critical to our business operations and the understanding of our results of operations and involve the more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.
Uncertain Tax Positions
We are subject to income taxes in numerous U.S. and foreign jurisdictions. From time to time, we engage in transactions or take filing positions in which the tax consequences may be uncertain and may recognize tax liabilities based on estimates of whether additional taxes and interest will be due. We establish a reserve for unrecognized tax benefits unless we determine that such positions are more likely than not to be sustained upon examination based on their technical merits, including the resolution of any appeals or litigation processes. We include interest and where appropriate, potential penalties, as a component of income tax expense on the consolidated statements of operations. This assessment relies on estimates and assumptions and may involve a series of complex judgments about future events including the status and results of income tax audits with the relevant tax authorities. Significant judgment is exercised in evaluating all relevant information, the technical merits of the tax positions, and the accurate measurement of unrecognized tax benefits when determining the amount of reserve and whether positions taken on our tax returns are more likely than not to be sustained. This also involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions with respect to the potential outcome of positions taken on tax returns that may be reviewed by tax authorities.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill is allocated to our reporting units, which are our operating segments or one level below our operating segments (the component level). Reporting units are determined by the discrete financial information available for the component and whether it is regularly reviewed by segment management. Components are aggregated into a single reporting unit if they share similar economic characteristics. Our reporting units are Studios, Networks, and DTC.
We evaluate our goodwill for impairment annually as of October 1 or earlier upon the occurrence of substantive unfavorable changes in economic conditions, industry trends, costs, cash flows, or ongoing declines in market capitalization. If we believe that as a result of our qualitative assessment it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount, a quantitative impairment test is required. The quantitative impairment test requires significant judgment in determining the fair value of the reporting units. We determine the fair value of our reporting units by using a combination of the income approach, which incorporates the use of the discounted cash flow (“DCF”) method and the market multiple approach, which incorporates the use of EBITDA and revenue multiples based on market data. For the DCF method, we use projections specific to the reporting unit, as well as those based on general economic conditions, which require the use of significant estimates and assumptions. Determining fair value specific to each reporting unit requires us to exercise judgment when selecting the appropriate discount rates, control premiums, terminal growth rates, relevant comparable company earnings multiples and the amount and timing of expected future cash flows, including revenue growth rates and profit margins. The cash flows employed in the DCF analysis for each reporting unit are based on the reporting unit’s budget, long range plan, and recent operating performance. Discount rate assumptions are based on an assessment of the risk inherent in the future cash flows of the respective reporting unit and market conditions.
2024 Impairment Analysis
During the second quarter 2024, we performed goodwill and intangible assets impairment monitoring procedures for all of our reporting units and concluded the delta between market capitalization and book value, continued softness in the U.S. linear advertising market, and uncertainty related to affiliate and sports rights renewals, including the NBA, represented a triggering event for the Networks reporting unit.
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As a result, we elected to perform a quantitative impairment assessment for all of our reporting units in the second quarter of 2024. For the Networks reporting unit, fair value was determined using a DCF method. The key judgments and assumptions used in the DCF method to determine the fair value of the Networks reporting unit were as follows:
• The expected future cash flows in terms of their amount and timing. These cash flows, utilized in the DCF analysis, are derived from the reporting unit’s budget and its strategic long-term plan, which reflect expectations based upon operating performance and assumptions consistent with those of a market participant with regards to affiliate revenue, sports rights, and continued softness in the U.S. linear advertising market.
• Long-term growth rate of negative 3%.
• A discount rate of 10.5%. This is reflective of the risks inherent in the future cash flows of the reporting unit and market conditions.
Given the inherent uncertainty in determining the assumptions underlying a DCF analysis, actual results may differ from those used in the valuations.
The carrying value of the Networks reporting unit exceeded its fair value and we recorded a pre-tax, non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $9.1 billion during the second quarter of 2024 in impairments and loss on dispositions in the consolidated statements of operations. The goodwill impairment charge does not have an impact on the calculation of our financial covenants under our debt arrangements.
As of October 1, 2024, we performed a quantitative goodwill impairment assessment for all of our reporting units. The estimated fair value of each reporting unit exceeded its carrying value and, therefore, no impairment was recorded. The DTC reporting unit had headroom of 20%. The Studios reporting unit, which had headroom of 16%, and the Networks reporting unit, which had headroom of 12%, both had fair values in excess of carrying value of less than 20%. The fair values of the reporting units were determined using a combination of DCF and market valuation methodologies. A 0.5% increase in the discount rate and a 1% decrease in the long-term growth rate would not result in an impairment loss across the reporting units.
We continue to monitor our reporting units for triggers that could impact the recoverability of goodwill. Long-term trends and risks we are monitoring in our ongoing assessment include, but are not limited to, the following:
•the delta between market capitalization and book value;
•uncertainty related to affiliate rights renewals associated with our Networks and DTC reporting units;
•declining levels of global GDP growth and continued softness in the U.S. linear advertising market associated with our Networks reporting unit;
•content licensing trends and volatility related to the performance of theatrical film and game slates in our Studios reporting unit; and
•risks in executing the projected growth strategies of our DTC reporting unit.
Content Rights
We capitalize the costs to produce or acquire feature films and television programs, and we amortize costs and test for impairment based on whether the content is predominantly monetized individually, or as a group.
For films and television programs predominantly monetized individually, the amount of capitalized film and television production costs (net of incentives) amortized and the amount of participations and residuals to be recognized as expense in a particular period are determined using the individual film forecast method. Under this method, the amortization of capitalized costs and the accrual of participations and residuals are based on the proportion of the film’s or television program’s revenues recognized for such period to the film’s or television program’s estimated remaining ultimate revenues (i.e., the total revenue to be received throughout a film’s or television program’s remaining life cycle).
For theatrical films, which are monetized on an individual basis, the process of estimating ultimate revenues requires us to make a series of judgments related to future revenue-generating activities associated with a particular film. Prior to the theatrical release of a film, our estimates are based on factors such as the historical performance of similar films, the star power of the lead actors, the rating and genre of the film, pre-release market research (including test market screenings), international distribution plans and the expected number of theaters in which the film will be released. Subsequent to release, ultimate revenues are updated to reflect initial performance, which is often predictive of future performance.
For television programs that are monetized on an individual basis, ultimate revenues are estimated based on factors including the performance of similar programs in each applicable market, firm commitments in hand from customers that license the program in the future, and the popularity of the program in its initial markets.
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For a film or television program that is predominantly monetized on its own but also monetized with other films and/or programs (such as on our DTC or linear services), we make a reasonable estimate of the value attributable to the film or program’s exploitation while monetized with other films/programs, based on relative market rates, and expense such costs as the film or television program is exhibited.
Ultimates for content monetized on an individual basis are reviewed and updated (as applicable) on a quarterly basis; any adjustments are applied prospectively as of the beginning of the fiscal year of the change.
For programs monetized as a group, including licensed programming, amortization expense for network programs is generally based on projected usage, generally resulting in an accelerated or straight-line amortization pattern. Adjustments for projected usage are applied prospectively in the period of the change. Streaming and premium pay-TV content amortization is based on estimated viewing patterns, as there are generally limited to no direct revenues to associate to the individual content assets for premium pay-TV. As such, viewership is most representative of the use of the title.
Judgment is required to determine the useful lives and amortization patterns of our content assets that are predominantly monetized as a group. Critical assumptions include: (i) the grouping of content with similar characteristics, (ii) the application of a quantitative revenue forecast model or historical viewership model based on the adequacy of historical data, and (iii) determining the appropriate historical periods to utilize and the relative weighting of those historical periods in the forecast model. We then consider the appropriate application of the quantitative assessment given forecasted content use, expected content investment and market trends. Content use and future revenues may differ from estimates based on changes in expectations related to market acceptance, network affiliate fee rates, advertising demand, the number of cable and satellite television subscribers receiving our networks, the number of subscribers to our streaming services, and program usage. Accordingly, we review our estimates and planned usage at least quarterly and revise our assumptions if necessary.
Consolidation
We have ownership and other interests in and contractual arrangements with various entities, including corporations, partnerships, and limited liability companies. For each such entity, we evaluate our ownership, other interests and contractual arrangements to determine whether we should consolidate the entity or account for its interest as an investment at inception and upon reconsideration events. As part of its evaluation, we initially determine whether the entity is a variable interest entity (“VIE”). Management evaluates key considerations through a qualitative and quantitative analysis in determining whether an entity is a VIE including whether (i) the entity has sufficient equity to finance its activities without additional financial support from other parties, (ii) the ability or inability to make significant decisions about the entity’s operations, and (iii) the proportionality of voting rights of investors relative to their obligations to absorb the expected losses (or receive the expected returns) of the entity. If the entity is a VIE and if we have a variable interest in the entity, we use judgment in determining if we are the primary beneficiary and are thus required to consolidate the entity. In making this determination, we evaluate whether we or another party involved with the VIE (1) has the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and (2) has the obligation to absorb losses of or receive benefits from the VIE that could be significant to the VIE.
If it is concluded that an entity is not a VIE, we consider our proportional voting interests in the entity and consolidate majority-owned subsidiaries in which a controlling financial interest is maintained. A controlling financial interest is determined by majority ownership and the absence of substantive third-party participation rights. Key factors we consider in determining the presence of substantive third-party participation rights include, but are not limited to, control of the board of directors, budget approval or veto rights, or operational rights that significantly impact the economic performance of the business such as programming, creative development, marketing, and selection of key personnel. Ownership interests in unconsolidated entities for which we have significant influence are accounted for as equity method.
We evaluated reconsideration events during the year ended December 31, 2024 and concluded there were no changes to our consolidation assessments.
Revenue Recognition
As described in Note 2, revenue is recognized upon transfer of control of promised services or goods to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration that we expect to receive in exchange for those services or goods. Significant estimates and judgments are applied in determining the timing of revenue recognition for certain types of transactions, such as bundled arrangements for advertising sales and content licensing arrangements.
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A substantial portion of the advertising contracts in the U.S. and certain international markets guarantee the advertiser a minimum audience level that either the program in which their advertisements are aired or the advertisement will reach. These advertising campaigns are considered to represent a single, distinct performance obligation. For such contracts, judgment is required in measuring progress across our single performance obligation. Various factors such as pricing specific to the channel, daypart and targeted demographic, as well as audience guarantees, are considered in determining how to appropriately measure progress across the campaigns. Revenues are ultimately recognized based on the guaranteed audience level delivered multiplied by the average price per impression.
Our content licensing arrangements often include fixed license fees from the licensing of feature films and television programs in the off-network cable, premium pay, syndication, streaming, and international television and streaming markets. For arrangements that include multiple titles and/or staggered availabilities across geographical regions, the availability of each title and/or each region is considered a separate performance obligation, and the fixed fee is allocated to each title/region based on comparable market rates and recognized as revenue when the title is available for use by the licensee.
See Item 1A, “Risk Factors” for details on significant risks that could impact our ability to successfully grow our cash flows. For an in-depth discussion of each of our significant accounting policies, including our critical accounting policies and further information regarding estimates and assumptions involved in their application, see Note 2 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements included in Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
FY 2023 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001437107-24-000017.
ITEM 7. 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, financial condition, contractual commitments, critical accounting policies, and estimates that require significant judgment and thus have the most significant potential impact on our consolidated financial statements. This discussion and analysis is intended to better allow investors to view the company from management’s perspective.
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This section provides an analysis of our financial results for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022. A discussion of our results of operations and liquidity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 can be found under Item 7 in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, filed on February 24, 2022, which is available free of charge on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and our Investor Relations website at ir.wbd.com. The information contained on our website is not part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and is not incorporated by reference herein.
BUSINESS OVERVIEW
On April 8, 2022, Discovery, 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 DTC subscription products, completed its Merger with the WM Business of AT&T and changed its name from “Discovery, Inc.” to “Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.” On April 11, 2022, our shares started trading on Nasdaq under the trading symbol WBD. (See Note 3 and Note 4 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
Warner Bros. Discovery is a premier global media and entertainment company that provides audiences with a differentiated portfolio of content, brands and franchises across television, film, streaming, and gaming. Some of our iconic brands and franchises include Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group, Warner Bros. Television Group, DC, HBO, HBO Max, Max, discovery+, CNN, Discovery Channel, HGTV, Food Network, TNT Sports, TBS, TLC, OWN, Warner Bros. Games, Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Harry Potter, Looney Tunes, Hanna-Barbera, Game of Thrones, and The Lord of the Rings. For a discussion of our global portfolio see our business overview set forth in Item 1, “Business” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
In connection with the Merger, we have announced and taken actions to implement projects to achieve cost synergies for the Company. We finalized the framework supporting our ongoing restructuring and transformation initiatives during the year ended December 31, 2022, which includes, among other things, strategic content programming assessments, organization restructuring, facility consolidation activities, and other contract termination costs. We expect that we will incur approximately $4.1 - $5.3 billion in pre-tax restructuring charges, of which we have incurred $4.2 billion as of December 31, 2023. Of the total expected pre-tax restructuring charges, we expect total cash expenditures to be $1.0 - $1.5 billion. We incurred $0.5 billion of pre-tax restructuring charges during the year ended December 31, 2023 related to this plan. While our restructuring efforts are ongoing, the restructuring program is expected to be substantially completed by the end of 2024.
As of December 31, 2023, we classified our operations in three reportable segments:
•Studios - Our Studios segment primarily consists of the production and release of feature films for initial exhibition in theaters, production and initial licensing of television programs to our networks/DTC services as well as third parties, 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 - Our Networks segment primarily consists of our domestic and international television networks.
•DTC - Our DTC segment primarily consists of our premium pay-TV and streaming services.
Our segment presentation was 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.
For further discussion of financial information for our segments and the geographical areas in which we do business, our content development activities, and revenues, see our business overview set forth in Item 1, “Business” and Note 23 to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The discussion below compares our actual results for the year ended December 31, 2023 to our pro forma combined results for the year ended December 31, 2022, as if the Merger occurred on January 1, 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 Studios, Networks, DTC, Corporate, and inter-segment eliminations information is based on the historical operating results of the respective segments and 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) transaction costs and other one-time non-recurring costs, (v) additional interest expense for borrowings related to the Merger and amortization associated with fair value adjustments of debt assumed, (vi) changes to align accounting policies, (vii) elimination of intercompany activity, and (viii) associated tax-related impacts of adjustments.
Adjustments do not include costs related to integration activities, cost savings or synergies that have been or may be achieved by the combined businesses. 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 year ended December 31, 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. 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 reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
The ex-FX change represents the percentage change on a period-over-period basis adjusted for foreign currency impacts. The ex-FX change is calculated as the difference between the current year amounts translated at a baseline rate, which is a spot rate for each of our currencies determined early in the fiscal year as part of our forecasting process (the “2023 Baseline Rate”), and the prior year amounts translated at the same 2023 Baseline Rate. In addition, consistent with the assumption of a constant currency environment, our ex-FX results exclude the impact of our foreign currency hedging activities, as well as realized and unrealized foreign currency transaction gains and losses. Results on a constant currency basis, as we present them, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.
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Consolidated Results of Operations – 2023 vs. 2022
Our consolidated results of operations for 2023 and 2022 were as follows (in millions).
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Actual | Actual | Pro Forma Adjustments | Pro Forma Combined | Actual | Pro Forma Combined (Actual) | Pro Forma Combined (ex-FX) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Distribution | $ | 20,237 | $ | 16,142 | $ | 4,339 | $ | 20,481 | 25 | % | (1) | % | — | % | ||||||||||
| Advertising | 8,700 | 8,524 | 1,412 | 9,936 | 2 | % | (12) | % | (13) | % | ||||||||||||||
| Content | 11,203 | 8,360 | 3,297 | 11,657 | 34 | % | (4) | % | (4) | % | ||||||||||||||
| Other | 1,181 | 791 | 230 | 1,021 | 49 | % | 16 | % | 14 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 41,321 | 33,817 | 9,278 | 43,095 | 22 | % | (4) | % | (4) | % | ||||||||||||||
| Costs of revenues, excluding depreciation and amortization | 24,526 | 20,442 | 5,125 | 25,567 | 20 | % | (4) | % | (4) | % | ||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 9,696 | 9,678 | 1,745 | 11,423 | — | % | (15) | % | (15) | % | ||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 7,985 | 7,193 | 34 | 7,227 | 11 | % | 10 | % | 10 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Restructuring and other charges | 585 | 3,757 | (90) | 3,667 | (84) | % | (84) | % | (84) | % | ||||||||||||||
| Impairment and loss on dispositions | 77 | 117 | — | 117 | (34) | % | (34) | % | (37) | % | ||||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 42,869 | 41,187 | 6,814 | 48,001 | 4 | % | (11) | % | (11) | % | ||||||||||||||
| Operating loss | (1,548) | (7,370) | 2,464 | (4,906) | 79 | % | 68 | % | 70 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | (2,221) | (1,777) | (515) | (2,292) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss from equity investees, net | (82) | (160) | (20) | (180) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other (expense) income, net | (12) | 347 | 139 | 486 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss before income taxes | (3,863) | (8,960) | 2,068 | (6,892) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax benefit | 784 | 1,663 | (56) | 1,607 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss | (3,079) | (7,297) | 2,012 | (5,285) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests | (38) | (68) | — | (68) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests | (9) | (6) | — | (6) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss available to Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. | $ | (3,126) | $ | (7,371) | $ | 2,012 | $ | (5,359) |
NM - Not meaningful
Unless otherwise indicated, the discussion below through operating loss reflects the results for the year ended December 31, 2022 on a pro-forma combined basis, ex-FX, since the actual increases year over year for revenues, cost of revenues, and selling, general and administrative expenses are substantially attributable to the Merger. The percent changes of line items below operating loss in the table above are not included as the activity is principally in U.S. dollars.
Revenues
Distribution revenues are generated from fees charged to network distributors, which include cable, DTH satellite, telecommunications and digital service providers, and DTC subscribers. The largest component of distribution revenue is comprised of linear distribution rights to our networks from cable, DTH satellite, and telecommunication service providers. We have contracts with distributors representing most cable and satellite service providers around the world, including the largest operators in the U.S. and major international distributors. Distribution revenues are largely dependent on the rates negotiated in the agreements, the number of subscribers that receive our networks, the number of platforms covered in the distribution agreement, and the market demand for the content that we provide. From time to time, renewals of multi-year carriage agreements include significant year one market adjustments to reset subscriber rates, which then increase at rates lower than the initial increase in the following years. In some cases, we have provided distributors launch incentives, in the form of cash payments or free periods, to carry our networks.
Distribution revenue was flat in 2023, as declines in linear subscribers and DTC wholesale in the U.S. were offset by higher U.S. contractual affiliate rates, new DTC partnership launches, DTC price increases in the U.S., and inflationary impact in Argentina.
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Advertising revenues are principally generated from the sale of commercial time on linear (television networks and authenticated TVE applications) and digital platforms (DTC subscription services and websites), and sold primarily on a national basis in the U.S. and on a pan-regional or local-language feed basis outside the U.S. Advertising contracts generally have a term of one year or less. Advertising revenue is dependent upon a number of factors, including the number of subscribers to our channels, viewership demographics, the popularity of our content, our ability to sell commercial time over a group of channels, the stage of development of television markets, and the popularity of free-to-air television. Revenue from advertising is subject to seasonality, market-based variations, the mix in sales of commercial time between the upfront and scatter markets, and general economic conditions. Advertising revenue is typically highest in the second and fourth quarters. In some cases, advertising sales are subject to ratings guarantees that require us to provide additional advertising time if the guaranteed audience levels are not achieved. We also generate revenue from the sale of advertising through our digital platforms on a stand-alone basis and as part of advertising packages with our television networks.
Advertising revenue decreased 13% in 2023, primarily attributable to audience declines in domestic general entertainment and news networks, soft advertising markets in the U.S., and to a lesser extent, certain international markets, and the prior year broadcast of the NCAA March Madness Final Four and Championship, partially offset by higher Max U.S. engagement and ad-lite subscriber growth.
Content revenues are generated from the release of feature films for initial exhibition in theaters, the licensing of feature films and television programs to various television, SVOD and other digital markets, distribution of feature films and television programs in the physical and digital home entertainment market, sales of console games and mobile in-game content, sublicensing of sports rights, and licensing of intellectual property such as characters and brands.
Content revenue decreased 4% in 2023, primarily attributable to lower TV licensing revenue and the prior year broadcast of the Olympics in Europe, partially offset by higher games revenue due to the release of Hogwarts Legacy and higher theatrical film rental revenue due to the release of Barbie.
Other revenue primarily consists of studio production services and tours.
Other revenue increased 14% in 2023, primarily attributable to the opening of Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo in June 2023, continued strong attendance at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London and Hollywood, and services provided to the unconsolidated TNT Sports joint venture.
Costs of Revenues
Our principal component of costs of revenues is content expense. Content expense includes television/digital series, specials, films, and sporting events. The costs of producing a content asset and bringing that asset to market consist of production costs, participation costs, and exploitation costs.
Costs of revenues decreased 4% in 2023, primarily attributable to lower content expense at our Studios segment for television products and our DTC segment and lower sports networks content expense, due to the prior year broadcast of the Olympics in Europe and our exit from AT&T SportsNets, partially offset by higher games content expense.
Selling, General and Administrative
Selling, general and administrative expenses consist principally of employee costs, marketing costs, research costs, occupancy, and back office support fees.
Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased 15% in 2023, primarily attributable to more efficient marketing-related spend and a reduction in personnel costs, partially offset by higher theatrical and games marketing expense.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization expense includes depreciation of fixed assets and amortization of finite-lived intangible assets. Depreciation and amortization increased 10% in 2023, primarily attributable to intangible assets acquired during the Merger that are being amortized using the sum of the months’ digits method, which resulted in lower pro forma amortization in 2022.
Restructuring and Other Charges
In connection with the Merger, the Company has announced and has taken actions to implement projects to achieve cost synergies for the Company. Restructuring and other charges decreased 84% in 2023, primarily attributable to lower content impairments and other content development costs and write-offs, contract terminations, facility consolidation activities, organizational restructuring, and other charges. (See Note 6 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
Impairments and Loss on Dispositions
Impairments and loss on dispositions was a $77 million and $117 million loss in 2023 and 2022, respectively. The loss in 2023 was primarily attributable to lease impairments and costs associated with our exit from AT&T SportsNets. The loss in 2022 was primarily attributable to the write-down to the estimated fair value, less costs to sell, of the Ranch Lot and Knoxville office building and land in connection with the classification as assets held for sale. (See Note 18 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
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Interest Expense, net
Actual interest expense, net increased $444 million in 2023, primarily attributable to debt assumed as a result of the Merger. (See Note 11 and Note 13 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
Loss from Equity Investees, net
Actual losses from our equity method investees were $82 million and $160 million in 2023 and 2022, respectively. The changes are attributable to the Company’s share of earnings and losses from its equity investees. (See Note 10 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
Other (Expense) Income, net
The table below presents the details of other (expense) income, net (in millions).
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||
| Foreign currency losses, net | $ | (173) | $ | (150) | |||
| Gains on derivative instruments, net | 28 | 475 | |||||
| Change in the value of investments with readily determinable fair value | 37 | (105) | |||||
| Change in the value of equity investments without readily determinable fair value | (73) | (142) | |||||
| Gain on sale of equity method investments | — | 195 | |||||
| Gain on extinguishment of debt | 17 | — | |||||
| Interest income | 179 | 67 | |||||
| Other (expense) income, net | (27) | 7 | |||||
| Total other (expense) income, net | $ | (12) | $ | 347 |
Income Taxes
The following table reconciles our effective income tax rate to the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate.
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||||||
| Pre-tax income at U.S. federal statutory income tax rate | $ | (811) | 21 | % | $ | (1,881) | 21 | % | ||||||
| State and local income taxes, net of federal tax benefit | (388) | 10 | % | (218) | 3 | % | ||||||||
| Effect of foreign operations | 342 | (9) | % | 246 | (3) | % | ||||||||
| Preferred stock conversion premium charge | — | — | % | 166 | (2) | % | ||||||||
| Noncontrolling interest adjustment | (9) | — | % | (17) | — | % | ||||||||
| Other, net | 82 | (2) | % | 41 | — | % | ||||||||
| Income tax benefit | $ | (784) | 20 | % | $ | (1,663) | 19 | % |
Income tax benefit was $(784) million and $(1,663) million, and the Company’s effective tax rate was 20% and 19% for 2023 and 2022, respectively. The decrease in tax benefit for the year ended December 31, 2023 was primarily attributable to a decrease in pre-tax book loss and the effect of foreign operations, including taxation and allocation of income and losses across various foreign jurisdictions. These decreases were partially offset by a state uncertain tax benefit remeasurement following a multi-year tax audit agreement and a favorable state deferred tax adjustment recorded in the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease for the year ended December 31, 2023 was further offset by a one-time expense incurred in 2022 related to a preferred stock conversion transaction expense that was not deductible for tax purposes.
37
Segment Results of Operations – 2023 vs. 2022
The Company evaluates the operating performance of its operating segments based on financial measures such as revenues and Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as operating income excluding:
•employee share-based compensation;
•depreciation and amortization;
•restructuring and facility consolidation;
•certain impairment charges;
•gains and losses on business and asset dispositions;
•certain inter-segment eliminations;
•third-party transaction and integration costs;
•amortization of purchase accounting fair value step-up for content;
•amortization of capitalized interest for content; and
•other items impacting comparability.
The Company uses this measure to assess the operating results and performance of its segments, perform analytical comparisons, identify strategies to improve performance, and allocate resources to each segment. The Company believes Adjusted EBITDA is relevant to investors because it allows them to analyze the operating performance of each segment using the same metric management uses. The Company excludes employee share-based compensation, restructuring, certain impairment charges, gains and losses on business and asset dispositions, and transaction and integration costs from the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA due to their impact on comparability between periods. Integration costs include transformative system implementations and integrations, such as Enterprise Resource Planning systems, and may take several years to complete. The Company also excludes the depreciation of fixed assets and amortization of intangible assets, amortization of purchase accounting fair value step-up for content, and amortization of capitalized interest for content, as these amounts do not represent cash payments in the current reporting period. Certain corporate expenses and inter-segment eliminations related to production studios are excluded from segment results to enable executive management to evaluate segment performance based upon the decisions of segment executives. Adjusted EBITDA should be considered in addition to, but not a substitute for, operating income, net income, and other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
The table below presents our Adjusted EBITDA by segment (in millions).
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | % Change | |||||||||
| Studios | $ | 2,183 | $ | 1,772 | 23 | % | |||||
| Networks | 9,063 | 8,725 | 4 | % | |||||||
| DTC | 103 | (1,596) | NM | ||||||||
| Corporate | (1,242) | (1,200) | (4) | % | |||||||
| Inter-segment eliminations | 93 | 17 | NM |
38
Studios Segment
The following table presents, for our Studios segment, revenues by type, certain operating expenses, Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to operating income (loss) (in millions).
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Actual | Actual | Pro Forma Adjustments | Pro Forma Combined | Actual | Pro Forma Combined (Actual) | Pro Forma Combined (ex-FX) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Distribution | $ | 17 | $ | 12 | $ | 6 | $ | 18 | 42 | % | (6) | % | (6) | % | ||||||||||
| Advertising | 15 | 15 | 9 | 24 | — | % | (38) | % | (38) | % | ||||||||||||||
| Content | 11,358 | 9,156 | 3,898 | 13,054 | 24 | % | (13) | % | (13) | % | ||||||||||||||
| Other | 802 | 548 | 154 | 702 | 46 | % | 14 | % | 13 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 12,192 | 9,731 | 4,067 | 13,798 | 25 | % | (12) | % | (12) | % | ||||||||||||||
| Costs of revenues, excluding depreciation and amortization | 7,296 | 6,310 | 2,392 | 8,702 | 16 | % | (16) | % | (16) | % | ||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 2,713 | 1,649 | 698 | 2,347 | 65 | % | 16 | % | 16 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | 2,183 | 1,772 | 977 | 2,749 | 23 | % | (21) | % | (21) | % | ||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 667 | 501 | 39 | 540 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Employee share-based compensation | — | 1 | 26 | 27 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Restructuring and other charges | 225 | 1,050 | (38) | 1,012 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Transaction and integration costs | 7 | 9 | — | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of fair value step-up for content | 995 | 1,370 | (785) | 585 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of capitalized interest for content | 46 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Inter-segment eliminations | 31 | 5 | — | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Impairments and loss on dispositions | 1 | 30 | — | 30 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income (loss) | $ | 211 | $ | (1,194) | $ | 1,735 | $ | 541 |
The discussion below reflects the results for the year ended December 31, 2022 on a pro forma combined basis, ex-FX, since the actual increases year over year for revenues, cost of revenue, selling, general and administrative expenses and Adjusted EBITDA are substantially attributable to the Merger.
Revenues
Content revenue decreased 13% in 2023, primarily attributable to lower TV licensing revenue, partially offset by higher games revenue due to the release of Hogwarts Legacy and higher theatrical film rental revenue due to the release of Barbie. TV licensing revenue decreased due to the timing of TV production, including the impact of the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, certain large TV licensing deals in the prior year, fewer series sold to our owned platforms, and fewer CW series.
Other revenue increased 13% in 2023, primarily attributable to the opening of Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo in June 2023 and continued strong attendance at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London and Hollywood, partially offset by lower studio production services due to the impact of the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes.
Costs of Revenues
Costs of revenues decreased 16% in 2023, primarily attributable to lower television product content expense, including the impact of the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, partially offset by higher content expense for games and theatrical products commensurate with higher revenues.
Selling, General and Administrative
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 16% in 2023, primarily attributable to higher theatrical marketing expense due to the increased quantity of films released and higher games marketing expense to support the release of Hogwarts Legacy.
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA decreased 21% in 2023.
39
Networks Segment
The table below presents, for our Networks segment, revenues by type, certain operating expenses, Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to operating income (in millions).
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Actual | Actual | Pro Forma Adjustments | Pro Forma Combined | Actual | Pro Forma Combined (Actual) | Pro Forma Combined (ex-FX) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Distribution | $ | 11,521 | $ | 9,759 | $ | 2,183 | $ | 11,942 | 18 | % | (4) | % | (2) | % | ||||||||||
| Advertising | 8,342 | 8,224 | 1,380 | 9,604 | 1 | % | (13) | % | (13) | % | ||||||||||||||
| Content | 1,005 | 1,120 | 220 | 1,340 | (10) | % | (25) | % | (24) | % | ||||||||||||||
| Other | 376 | 245 | 55 | 300 | 53 | % | 25 | % | 21 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 21,244 | 19,348 | 3,838 | 23,186 | 10 | % | (8) | % | (8) | % | ||||||||||||||
| Costs of revenues, excluding depreciation and amortization | 9,342 | 8,006 | 2,148 | 10,154 | 17 | % | (8) | % | (7) | % | ||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 2,839 | 2,617 | 364 | 2,981 | 8 | % | (5) | % | (4) | % | ||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | 9,063 | 8,725 | 1,326 | 10,051 | 4 | % | (10) | % | (9) | % | ||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 4,961 | 4,687 | 4 | 4,691 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Employee share-based compensation | — | — | 9 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Restructuring and other charges | 201 | 1,003 | (5) | 998 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Transaction and integration costs | 3 | 2 | — | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of fair value step-up for content | 473 | 73 | 425 | 498 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Inter-segment eliminations | 90 | 17 | — | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Impairments and loss on dispositions | 13 | 24 | — | 24 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income | $ | 3,322 | $ | 2,919 | $ | 893 | $ | 3,812 |
The discussion below reflects the results for the year ended December 31, 2022 on a pro forma combined basis, ex-FX, since the actual increases year over year for revenues, cost of revenue, selling, general and administrative expenses and Adjusted EBITDA are substantially attributable to the Merger.
Revenues
Distribution revenue decreased 2% in 2023, primarily attributable to a decline in linear subscribers in the U.S., and to a lesser extent, lower sports related revenue due to our exit from AT&T SportsNets and the TNT Sports Chile shift to DTC, partially offset by higher U.S. contractual affiliate rates and inflationary impact in Argentina.
Advertising revenue decreased 13% in 2023, primarily attributable to audience declines in domestic general entertainment and news networks, soft linear advertising markets in the U.S., and to a lesser extent, certain international markets, as well as the impact of broadcast of the NCAA March Madness Final Four and Championship in 2022.
Content revenue decreased by 24% in 2023, primarily attributable to lower international sports sublicensing due to the prior year broadcast of the Olympics in Europe, and lower third-party content licensing deals in the U.S., partially offset by higher inter-segment licensing of content to DTC.
Other revenue increased 21% in 2023, primarily attributable to services provided to the unconsolidated TNT Sports UK joint venture.
Costs of Revenues
Costs of revenues decreased 7% in 2023, primarily attributable to lower sports content expense, including the prior year broadcast of the Olympics in Europe and the NCAA March Madness Final Four and Championship and our exit from AT&T SportsNets, lower domestic general entertainment and news related expense, partially offset by unfavorable expenses from inflationary impact in Argentina and costs associated with the unconsolidated TNT Sports UK joint venture.
Selling, General and Administrative
Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased 4% in 2023, primarily attributable to lower marketing and personnel expenses.
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA decreased 9% in 2023.
40
DTC Segment
The following table presents, for our DTC segment, revenues by type, certain operating expenses, Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to operating loss (in millions).
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Actual | Actual | Pro Forma Adjustments | Pro Forma Combined | Actual | Pro Forma Combined (Actual) | Pro Forma Combined (ex-FX) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Distribution | $ | 8,703 | $ | 6,371 | $ | 2,150 | $ | 8,521 | 37 | % | 2 | % | 2 | % | ||||||||||
| Advertising | 548 | 371 | 36 | 407 | 48 | % | 35 | % | 35 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Content | 886 | 522 | 230 | 752 | 70 | % | 18 | % | 17 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Other | 17 | 10 | 3 | 13 | 70 | % | 31 | % | 31 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 10,154 | 7,274 | 2,419 | 9,693 | 40 | % | 5 | % | 5 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Costs of revenues, excluding depreciation and amortization | 7,623 | 6,211 | 1,977 | 8,188 | 23 | % | (7) | % | (7) | % | ||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 2,428 | 2,659 | 909 | 3,568 | (9) | % | (32) | % | (32) | % | ||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | 103 | (1,596) | (467) | (2,063) | NM | NM | NM | |||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 2,063 | 1,733 | 31 | 1,764 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Employee share-based compensation | — | (1) | — | (1) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Restructuring and other charges | 66 | 1,551 | (3) | 1,548 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Transaction and integration costs | 4 | 2 | — | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of fair value step-up for content | 460 | 390 | (52) | 338 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Inter-segment eliminations | 72 | 9 | — | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Impairments and loss on dispositions | 3 | 13 | — | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating loss | $ | (2,565) | $ | (5,293) | $ | (443) | $ | (5,736) |
The discussion below reflects the results for the year ended December 31, 2022 on a pro forma combined basis, ex-FX, since the actual increases year over year for revenues, cost of revenue, selling, general and administrative expenses and Adjusted EBITDA are substantially attributable to the Merger.
Revenues
As of December 31, 2023, we had 97.7 million DTC subscribers (as defined under Item 1. “Business”).
Distribution revenue increased 2% in 2023, primarily attributable to new partnership launches, price increases in the U.S. and most international markets, the launch of the Ultimate tier for Max in the U.S., and the TNT Sports Chile shift to DTC, partially offset by U.S. wholesale declines.
Advertising revenue increased 35% in 2023, primarily attributable to higher Max U.S. engagement and ad-lite subscriber growth.
Content revenue increased 17% in 2023, primarily attributable to a higher volume of licensing deals.
Costs of Revenues
Cost of revenues decreased 7% in 2023, primarily attributable to lower content expense and the shutdown of CNN+ in the prior year, partially offset by increased content licensing costs commensurate with higher content revenue.
Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased 32% in 2023, primarily attributable to more efficient marketing-related spend.
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA increased $2,150 million in 2023.
41
Corporate
The following table presents our Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to operating loss (in millions):
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Actual | Actual | Pro Forma Adjustments | Pro Forma Combined | Actual | Pro Forma Combined (Actual) | Pro Forma Combined (ex-FX) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | (1,242) | $ | (1,200) | $ | (353) | $ | (1,553) | (4) | % | 20 | % | 20 | % | ||||||||||
| Employee share-based compensation | 488 | 410 | (11) | 399 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 294 | 272 | (40) | 232 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Restructuring and other charges | 95 | 195 | (44) | 151 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Transaction and integration costs | 148 | 1,182 | (564) | 618 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Impairments and loss on dispositions | 60 | 50 | — | 50 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Facility consolidation costs | 32 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of fair value step-up for content | (6) | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Inter-segment eliminations | (193) | (31) | — | (31) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating loss | $ | (2,160) | $ | (3,278) | $ | 306 | $ | (2,972) |
Corporate operations primarily consist of executive management and administrative support services, which are recorded in selling, general and administrative expense, as well as substantially all of our share-based compensation and third-party transaction and integration costs.
As reported transaction and integration costs for 2022 included the impact of the issuance of additional shares of WBD common stock to Advance/Newhouse Programming Partnership of $789 million upon the closing of the Merger. (See Note 3 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
Adjusted EBITDA improved 20% in 2023, primarily attributable to reductions to personnel costs, lower technology-related operating expenses, and lower securitization expense.
Inter-segment Eliminations
The following table presents our inter-segment eliminations by revenue and expense, Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to operating loss (in millions):
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Actual | Actual | Pro Forma Adjustments | Pro Forma Combined | Actual | Pro Forma Combined (Actual) | Pro Forma Combined (ex-FX) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Inter-segment revenue eliminations | $ | (2,269) | $ | (2,566) | $ | (1,065) | $ | (3,631) | 12 | % | 38 | % | 38 | % | ||||||||||
| Inter-segment expense eliminations | (2,362) | (2,583) | (1,038) | (3,621) | 9 | % | 35 | % | 35 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | 93 | 17 | (27) | (10) | NM | NM | NM | |||||||||||||||||
| Restructuring and other charges | (2) | (42) | — | (42) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of fair value step-up for content | 451 | 583 | — | 583 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating loss | $ | (356) | $ | (524) | $ | (27) | $ | (551) |
Inter-segment revenue and expense eliminations primarily represent inter-segment content transactions and marketing and promotion activity between reportable segments. In our current segment structure, in certain instances, production and distribution activities are in different segments. Inter-segment content transactions are presented “gross” (i.e. the segment producing and/or licensing the content reports revenue and profit from inter-segment transactions in a manner similar to the reporting of third-party transactions, and the required eliminations are reported on the separate “Eliminations” line when presenting our summary of segment results). Generally, timing of revenue recognition is similar to the reporting of third-party transactions. The segment distributing the content, e.g. via our DTC or linear services, capitalizes the cost of inter-segment content transactions, including “mark-ups” and amortizes the costs over the shorter of the license term, if applicable, or the expected period of use. The content amortization expense related to the inter-segment profit is also eliminated on the separate “Eliminations” line when presenting our summary of segment results.
42
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Liquidity
Sources of Cash
Historically, we have generated a significant amount of cash from operations. During 2023, we funded our working capital needs primarily through cash flows from operations. As of December 31, 2023, we had $3.8 billion of cash and cash equivalents on hand. We are a well-known seasoned issuer and have the ability to conduct registered offerings of securities, including debt securities, common stock and preferred stock, on short notice, subject to market conditions. Access to sufficient capital from the public market is not assured. We have a $6.0 billion revolving credit facility and commercial paper program described below. We also participate in a revolving receivables program and an accounts receivable factoring program described below.
•Debt
Senior Notes
During the year ended December 31, 2023, we issued $1.5 billion of 6.412% fixed rate senior notes due March 2026. After March 2024, the senior notes are redeemable at par plus accrued and unpaid interest.
Revolving Credit Facility and Commercial Paper
We have a multicurrency revolving credit agreement (the “Revolving Credit Agreement”) and have the capacity to borrow up to $6.0 billion under the Revolving Credit Agreement (the “Credit Facility”). We may also request additional commitments up to $1.0 billion from the lenders upon the satisfaction of certain conditions. The Revolving Credit Agreement contains customary representations and warranties as well as affirmative and negative covenants. As of December 31, 2023, we were in compliance with all covenants and there were no events of default under the Revolving Credit Agreement.
Additionally, our commercial paper program is supported by the Credit Facility. Under the commercial paper program, we may issue up to $1.5 billion, including up to $500 million of euro-denominated borrowings. Borrowing capacity under the Credit Facility is effectively reduced by any outstanding borrowings under the commercial paper program.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, we borrowed and repaid $5,207 million and $5,214 million, respectively, under our Credit Facility and commercial paper program. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility or the commercial paper program.
•Revolving Receivables Program
We have a revolving agreement to transfer up to $5,500 million of certain receivables through our bankruptcy-remote subsidiary, Warner Bros. Discovery Receivables Funding, LLC, to various financial institutions on a recurring basis in exchange for cash equal to the gross receivables transferred. We service the sold receivables for the financial institution for a fee and pay fees to the financial institution in connection with this revolving agreement. As customers pay their balances, our available capacity under this revolving agreement increases and typically we transfer additional receivables into the program. In some cases, we may have collections that have not yet been remitted to the bank, resulting in a liability. The outstanding portfolio of receivables derecognized from our consolidated balance sheets was $5,200 million as of December 31, 2023.
•Accounts Receivable Factoring
We have a factoring agreement to sell certain of our non-U.S. trade accounts receivable on a limited recourse basis to a third-party financial institution. For the year ended December 31, 2023, total trade accounts receivable sold under our factoring arrangement was $383 million.
•Derivatives
We received investing proceeds of $121 million during the year ended December 31, 2023 from the unwind and settlement of derivative instruments. (See Note 13 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
Uses of Cash
Our primary uses of cash include the creation and acquisition of new content, business acquisitions, income taxes, personnel costs, costs to develop and market our streaming service Max, principal and interest payments on our outstanding senior notes and term loan, funding for various equity method and other investments, and repurchases of our capital stock.
43
•Content Acquisition
We plan to continue to invest significantly in the creation and acquisition of new content, as well as certain sports rights. Additional information regarding contractual commitments to acquire content is set forth in “Material Cash Requirements from Known Contractual and Other Obligations” in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
•Debt
Term Loan
During the year ended December 31, 2023, we repaid $4.0 billion of aggregate principal amount outstanding of our term loan prior to the due date of April 2025.
Floating Rate Notes
During the year ended December 31, 2023, we completed a tender offer and purchased $460 million of aggregate principal amount of our floating rate notes prior to the due date of March 2024.
Senior Notes
During the year ended December 31, 2023, we purchased or repaid $2,420 million of aggregate principal amount outstanding of our senior notes due in 2023 and 2024. In addition, we have $1,781 million of senior notes coming due in 2024.
We may from time to time seek to prepay, retire or purchase our other outstanding indebtedness through prepayments, redemptions, open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, tender offers or otherwise. Any such purchases or exchanges will be dependent upon several factors, including our liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions, and general market conditions, as well as applicable regulatory, legal and accounting factors. Whether or not we purchase or exchange any of our debt and the size and timing of any such purchases or exchanges will be determined at our discretion.
•Capital Expenditures
We effected capital expenditures of $1,316 million in 2023, including amounts capitalized to support Max. In addition, we expect to continue to incur significant costs to develop and market Max.
•Investments and Business Combinations
Our uses of cash have included investments in equity method investments and equity investments without readily determinable fair value. (See Note 10 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.) We also provide funding to our investees from time to time. We contributed $112 million and $168 million in 2023 and 2022, respectively, for investments in and advances to our investees.
We previously held a 35% interest in BluTV, an SVOD platform entity and content distributor in Turkey that was accounted for as an equity method investment. In December 2023, we acquired the remaining 65% of BluTV for $50 million.
•Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest and Noncontrolling Interest
Due to business combinations, we also had redeemable equity balances of $165 million at December 31, 2023, which may require the use of cash in the event holders of noncontrolling interests put their interests to us. In 2022, GoldenTree exercised its put right requiring us to purchase GoldenTree’s noncontrolling interest. In 2023, we paid GoldenTree $49 million for the redemption of their noncontrolling interest. (See Note 19 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.) Distributions to noncontrolling interests and redeemable noncontrolling interests totaled $301 million and $300 million in 2023 and 2022, respectively.
•Common Stock Repurchases
Historically, we have funded our stock repurchases through a combination of cash on hand, cash generated by operations and the issuance of debt. In February 2020, our board of directors authorized additional stock repurchases of up to $2 billion upon completion of our existing $1 billion authorization announced in May 2019. Under the new stock repurchase authorization, management is authorized to purchase shares from time to time through open market purchases at prevailing prices or privately negotiated purchases subject to market conditions and other factors. (See Note 3 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.) There were no common stock repurchases during 2023 or 2022.
44
•Income Taxes and Interest
We expect to continue to make payments for income taxes and interest on our outstanding senior notes. During 2023 and 2022, we made cash payments of $1,440 million and $1,027 million for income taxes and $2,237 million and $1,539 million for interest on our outstanding debt, respectively.
Cash Flows
The following table presents changes in cash and cash equivalents (in millions).
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, beginning of period | $ | 3,930 | $ | 3,905 | |||
| Cash provided by operating activities | 7,477 | 4,304 | |||||
| Cash (used in) provided by investing activities | (1,259) | 3,524 | |||||
| Cash used in financing activities | (5,837) | (7,742) | |||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash | 8 | (61) | |||||
| Net change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash | 389 | 25 | |||||
| Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, end of period | $ | 4,319 | $ | 3,930 |
Operating Activities
Cash provided by operating activities was $7,477 million and $4,304 million in 2023 and 2022, respectively. The increase in cash provided by operating activities was primarily attributable to an increase in net income, excluding non-cash items, partially offset by a negative fluctuation in working capital activity.
Investing Activities
Cash (used in) provided by investing activities was $(1,259) million and $3,524 million in 2023 and 2022, respectively. The decrease in cash provided by investing activities was primarily attributable to cash acquired from the Merger in the prior year, less proceeds received from the unwind and settlement of derivative instruments and sale of investments, and increased purchases of property and equipment during the year ended December 31, 2023.
Financing Activities
Cash used in financing activities was $5,837 million and $7,742 million in 2023 and 2022, respectively. The decrease in cash used in financing activities was primarily attributable to less net debt activity during the year ended December 31, 2023.
Capital Resources
As of December 31, 2023, capital resources were comprised of the following (in millions).
| December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Capacity | Outstanding Indebtedness | Unused Capacity | |||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 3,780 | $ | — | $ | 3,780 | |||||||
| Revolving credit facility and commercial paper program | 6,000 | — | 6,000 | ||||||||||
| Senior notes (a) | 43,955 | 43,955 | — | ||||||||||
| Total | $ | 53,735 | $ | 43,955 | $ | 9,780 | |||||||
| (a) Interest on senior notes is paid annually, semi-annually, or quarterly. Our senior notes outstanding as of December 31, 2023 had interest rates that ranged from 1.90% to 8.30% and will mature between 2024 and 2062. |
We expect that our cash balance, cash generated from operations, and availability under the Credit Agreement will be sufficient to fund our cash needs for both the short-term and the long-term. Our borrowing costs and access to capital markets can be affected by short and long-term debt ratings assigned by independent rating agencies which are based, in part, on our performance as measured by credit metrics such as interest coverage and leverage ratios.
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The 2017 Tax Act features a participation exemption regime with current taxation of certain foreign income and imposes a mandatory repatriation toll tax on unremitted foreign earnings. Notwithstanding the U.S. taxation of these amounts, we intend to continue to reinvest these funds outside of the U.S. Our current plans do not demonstrate a need to repatriate them to the U.S. However, if these funds were to be needed in the U.S., we would be required to accrue and pay non-U.S. taxes to repatriate them. The determination of the amount of unrecognized deferred income tax liability with respect to these undistributed foreign earnings is not practicable.
MATERIAL CASH REQUIREMENTS FROM KNOWN CONTRACTUAL AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS
As of December 31, 2023, our significant contractual and other obligations were as follows (in millions).
| Total | Short-term | Long-term | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long-term debt: | |||||||||||
| Principal payments | $ | 43,953 | $ | 1,781 | $ | 42,172 | |||||
| Interest payments | 33,177 | 2,007 | 31,170 | ||||||||
| Purchase obligations: | |||||||||||
| Content | 24,072 | 7,077 | 16,995 | ||||||||
| Other | 3,242 | 1,386 | 1,856 | ||||||||
| Finance lease obligations | 296 | 85 | 211 | ||||||||
| Operating lease obligations | 4,360 | 462 | 3,898 | ||||||||
| Pension and other employee obligations | 1,526 | 531 | 995 | ||||||||
| Total | $ | 110,626 | $ | 13,329 | $ | 97,297 |
Long-term Debt
Principal payments on long-term debt reflect the repayment of our outstanding senior notes, at face value, assuming repayment will occur upon maturity. Interest payments on our outstanding senior notes are projected based on their contractual interest rates and maturity dates.
Additionally, we have a multicurrency Revolving Credit Agreement and have the capacity to borrow up to $6.0 billion under the Credit Facility. We may also request additional commitments up to $1.0 billion from the lenders upon the satisfaction of certain conditions. Additionally, our commercial paper program is supported by the Credit Facility. Under the commercial paper program, we may issue up to $1.5 billion, including up to $500 million of euro-denominated borrowings. Borrowing capacity under the Credit Facility is effectively reduced by any outstanding borrowings under the commercial paper program. As of December 31, 2023, we had no outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility or the commercial paper program. (See Note 11 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
Purchase Obligations
Content purchase obligations include commitments associated with third-party producers and sports associations for content that airs on our television networks and DTC services. Production and licensing contracts generally require the purchase of a specified number of episodes and payments during production or over the term of a license, and include both programs that have been delivered and are available for airing and programs that have not yet been produced or sporting events that have not yet taken place. If the content is ultimately never produced, our commitments expire without obligation. We expect to enter into additional production contracts and content licenses to meet our future content needs.
Other purchase obligations include agreements with certain vendors and suppliers for the purchase of goods and services whereby the underlying agreements are enforceable, legally binding and specify all significant terms. Significant purchase obligations include transmission services, television rating services, marketing commitments and research, equipment purchases, and information technology and other services. Some of these contracts do not require the purchase of fixed or minimum quantities and generally may be terminated with a 30-day to 60-day advance notice without penalty, and are not included in the table above past the 30-day to 60-day advance notice period. Other purchase obligations also include future funding commitments to equity method investees. Although the Company had funding commitments to equity method investees as of December 31, 2023, the Company may also provide uncommitted additional funding to its equity method investments in the future. (See Note 10 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
Content and other purchase obligations presented above exclude liabilities recognized on our consolidated balance sheets.
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Finance Lease Obligations
We acquire satellite transponders and other equipment through multi-year finance lease arrangements. Principal payments on finance lease obligations reflect amounts due under our finance lease agreements. Interest payments on our outstanding finance lease obligations are based on the stated or implied rate in our finance lease agreements. (See Note 12 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
Operating Lease Obligations
We obtain office space and equipment under multi-year lease arrangements. Most operating leases are not cancellable prior to their expiration. Payments for operating leases represent the amounts due under the agreements assuming the agreements are not canceled prior to their expiration. (See Note 12 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
Pension and Other Employee Obligations
The Company participates in and/or sponsors a qualified defined benefit pension plan that covers certain U.S. based employees and several U.S. and non-U.S. nonqualified defined benefit pension plans that are noncontributory (“Pension Plans”). The Company’s Pension Plans consist of both funded and unfunded plans. (See Note 17 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
Contractual commitments include payments to meet minimum funding requirements of our Pension Plans in 2024 and estimated benefit payments. Benefit payments have been estimated over a ten-year period. While benefit payments under the Pension Plans are expected to continue beyond 2033, we believe it is not practicable to estimate payments beyond this period.
We are unable to reasonably predict the ultimate amount of any payments due to cash-settled share-based compensation awards. As of December 31, 2023, the current portion of the liability for cash-settled share-based compensation awards was $10 million.
Unrecognized Tax Benefits
We are unable to reasonably predict the ultimate amount or timing of settlement of our unrecognized tax benefits because, until formal resolutions are reached, reasonable estimates of the amount and timing of cash settlements with the respective taxing authorities are not practicable. Our unrecognized tax benefits totaled $2,147 million as of December 31, 2023.
Six Flags Guarantee
In connection with WM’s former investment in the Six Flags (as defined below) theme parks located in Georgia and Texas (collectively, the “Parks”), in 1997, certain subsidiaries of the Company agreed to guarantee (the “Six Flags Guarantee”) certain obligations of the partnerships that hold the Parks (the “Partnerships”) for the benefit of the limited partners in such Partnerships, including, annual payments made to the Parks or to the limited partners and additional obligations at the end of the respective terms for the Partnerships in 2027 and 2028 (the “Guaranteed Obligations”). The aggregate gross undiscounted estimated future cash flow requirements covered by the Six Flags Guarantee over the remaining term (through 2028) are $521 million. To date, no payments have been made by us pursuant to the Six Flags Guarantee.
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (formerly known as Six Flags, Inc. and Premier Parks Inc.) (“Six Flags”), which has the controlling interest in the Parks, has agreed, pursuant to a subordinated indemnity agreement (the “Subordinated Indemnity Agreement”), to guarantee the performance of the Guaranteed Obligations when due and to indemnify the Company, among others, if the Six Flags Guarantee is called upon. If Six Flags defaults on its indemnification obligations, we have the right to acquire control of the managing partner of the Parks. Six Flags’ obligations to us are further secured by its interest in all limited partnership units held by Six Flags.
Based on our evaluation of the current facts and circumstances surrounding the Guaranteed Obligations and the Subordinated Indemnity Agreement, we are unable to predict the loss, if any, that may be incurred under the Guaranteed Obligations, and no liability for the arrangements has been recognized as of December 31, 2023. Because of the specific circumstances surrounding the arrangements and the fact that no active or observable market exists for this type of financial guarantee, we are unable to determine a current fair value for the Guaranteed Obligations and related Subordinated Indemnity Agreement.
Other Contingent Commitments
Other contingent commitments primarily include contingent payments for post-production term advance obligations on a certain co-financing arrangement, as well as operating lease commitment guarantees, letters of credit, bank guarantees, and surety bonds, which generally support performance and payments for a wide range of global contingent and firm obligations, including insurance, litigation appeals, real estate leases, and other operational needs.
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The Company’s other contingent commitments at December 31, 2023 were $395 million, with $367 million estimated to be due in 2024. For other contingent commitments where payment obligations are outside our control, the timing of amounts represents the earliest period in which the payment could be requested. For the remaining other contingent commitments, the timing of the amounts presented represents when the maximum contingent commitment will expire but does not mean that we expect to incur an obligation to make any payments within that time period. In addition, these amounts do not reflect the effects of any indemnification rights we might possess.
Put Rights
We have granted put rights to certain consolidated subsidiaries, but we are unable to reasonably predict the ultimate amount or timing of any payment. We recorded the carrying value of the noncontrolling interest in the equity associated with the put rights as a component of redeemable noncontrolling interest in the amount of $165 million. (See Note 19 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
Noncontrolling Interest
The Food Network and Cooking Channel are operated and organized under the terms of the TV Food Network Partnership (the “Partnership”). We hold interests in the Partnership, along with another noncontrolling owner. The Partnership agreement specifies a dissolution date of December 31, 2024. If the term of the Partnership is not extended prior to that date, the Partnership agreement permits us, as holder of 80% of the applicable votes, to reconstitute the Partnership and continue its business. If for some reason the Partnership is not continued, it will be required to limit its activities to winding up, settling debts, liquidating assets and distributing proceeds to the partners in proportion to their partnership interests.
Summarized Guarantor Financial Information
Basis of Presentation
As of December 31, 2023, the Company has outstanding senior notes issued by DCL, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, and guaranteed by the Company, Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc. (“Scripps Networks”), and WMH; senior notes issued by WMH and guaranteed by the Company, Scripps Networks, and DCL; senior notes issued by the legacy WarnerMedia Business (not guaranteed); and senior notes issued by Scripps Networks (not guaranteed). (See Note 11 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.) DCL primarily includes the Discovery Channel and TLC networks in the U.S. DCL is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. Scripps Networks is also wholly owned by the Company.
The tables below present the summarized financial information as combined for Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (the “Parent”), Scripps Networks, DCL, and WMH (collectively, the “Obligors”). All guarantees of DCL and WMH’s senior notes (the “Note Guarantees”) are full and unconditional, joint and several and unsecured, and cover all payment obligations arising under the senior notes.
Note Guarantees issued by Scripps Networks, DCL or WMH, or any subsidiary of the Parent that in the future issues a Note Guarantee (each, a “Subsidiary Guarantor”) may be released and discharged (i) concurrently with any direct or indirect sale or disposition of such Subsidiary Guarantor or any interest therein, (ii) at any time that such Subsidiary Guarantor is released from all of its obligations under its guarantee of payment, (iii) upon the merger or consolidation of any Subsidiary Guarantor with and into DCL, WMH or the Parent or another Subsidiary Guarantor, as applicable, or upon the liquidation of such Subsidiary Guarantor and (iv) other customary events constituting a discharge of the Obligors’ obligations.
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Summarized Financial Information
The Company has included the accompanying summarized combined financial information of the Obligors after the elimination of intercompany transactions and balances among the Obligors and the elimination of equity in earnings from and investments in any subsidiary of the Parent that is a non-guarantor (in millions).
| December 31, 2023 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Current assets | $ | 1,539 | |
| Non-guarantor intercompany trade receivables, net | 336 | ||
| Noncurrent assets | 5,709 | ||
| Current liabilities | 2,847 | ||
| Noncurrent liabilities | 42,157 | ||
| Year Ended December 31, 2023 | |||
| Revenues | $ | 1,940 | |
| Operating income | 307 | ||
| Net loss | (1,436) | ||
| Net loss available to Discovery, Inc. | (1,447) |
Additional information regarding the changes in our outstanding indebtedness and the significant terms and provisions of our revolving credit facility and outstanding indebtedness is discussed in Note 11 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements included in Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
In the ordinary course of business, we enter into transactions with related parties, primarily the Liberty Entities and our equity method investees. Information regarding transactions and amounts with related parties is discussed in Note 21 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements included in Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
NEW ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
We adopted certain accounting and reporting standards during 2023. Information regarding our adoption of new accounting and reporting standards is discussed in Note 2 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements included in Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities.
On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and assumptions, including those related to uncertain tax positions, goodwill and intangible assets, content rights, consolidation and revenue recognition. We base our estimates on historical experience, current developments and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under these circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about carrying values of assets and liabilities that cannot readily be determined from other sources. There can be no assurance that actual results will not differ from those estimates.
Management considers an accounting estimate to be critical if it required assumptions to be made that were uncertain at the time the estimate was made and changes in the estimate or different estimates could have a material effect on our results of operations.
The development and selection of these critical accounting estimates have been determined by management and the related disclosures have been reviewed with the Audit Committee of the board of directors of the Company. We believe the following accounting estimates are critical to our business operations and the understanding of our results of operations and involve the more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.
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Uncertain Tax Positions
We are subject to income taxes in numerous U.S. and foreign jurisdictions. From time to time, we engage in transactions or take filing positions in which the tax consequences may be uncertain and may recognize tax liabilities based on estimates of whether additional taxes and interest will be due. We establish a reserve for uncertain tax positions unless we determine that such positions are more likely than not to be sustained upon examination based on their technical merits, including the resolution of any appeals or litigation processes. We include interest and where appropriate, potential penalties, as a component of income tax expense on the consolidated statement of operations. This assessment relies on estimates and assumptions and may involve a series of complex judgments about future events including the status and results of income tax audits with the relevant tax authorities. Significant judgment is exercised in evaluating all relevant information, the technical merits of the tax positions, and the accurate measurement of uncertain tax positions when determining the amount of reserve and whether positions taken on our tax returns are more likely than not to be sustained. This also involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions with respect to the potential outcome of positions taken on tax returns that may be reviewed by tax authorities. At December 31, 2023, the reserve for uncertain tax positions was $2,147 million, and it is reasonably possible that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits related to certain of our uncertain tax positions could decrease by as much as $84 million within the next twelve months as a result of ongoing audits, foreign judicial proceedings, lapses of statutes of limitations or regulatory developments.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill is allocated to our reporting units, which are our operating segments or one level below our operating segments (the component level). Reporting units are determined by the discrete financial information available for the component and whether it is regularly reviewed by segment management. Components are aggregated into a single reporting unit if they share similar economic characteristics. Our reporting units are Studios, Networks, and DTC.
We evaluate our goodwill for impairment annually as of October 1 or earlier upon the occurrence of substantive unfavorable changes in economic conditions, industry trends, costs, cash flows, or ongoing declines in market capitalization. If we believe that as a result of our qualitative assessment it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount, a quantitative impairment test is required. The quantitative impairment test requires significant judgment in determining the fair value of the reporting units. We determine the fair value of our reporting units by using a combination of the income approach, which incorporates the use of the discounted cash flow (“DCF”) method and the market multiple approach, which incorporates the use of EBITDA and revenue multiples based on market data. For the DCF method, we use projections specific to the reporting unit, as well as those based on general economic conditions, which require the use of significant estimates and assumptions. Determining fair value specific to each reporting unit requires us to exercise judgment when selecting the appropriate discount rates, control premiums, terminal growth rates, relevant comparable company earnings multiples and the amount and timing of expected future cash flows, including revenue growth rates and profit margins. The cash flows employed in the DCF analysis for each reporting unit are based on the reporting unit’s budget, long range plan, and recent operating performance. Discount rate assumptions are based on an assessment of the risk inherent in the future cash flows of the respective reporting unit and market conditions.
2023 Impairment Analysis
As of October 1, 2023, the Company performed a quantitative goodwill impairment assessment for all reporting units. The estimated fair value of each reporting unit exceeded its carrying value and, therefore, no impairment was recorded. The Studios reporting unit, which had headroom of 15%, and the Networks reporting unit, which had headroom of 5%, both had fair value in excess of carrying value of less than 20%. During our annual impairment testing, we evaluated the sensitivity of our most critical assumption, the discount rate, and determined that a 50 basis point increase in the discount rate selected would not have impacted the test results. Additionally, the Company could reduce the terminal growth rate by 100 basis points, and the fair value of the reporting units would still exceed their carrying value. The fair values of the reporting units were determined using a combination of DCF and market valuation methodologies. Due to declining levels of global GDP growth, soft advertising markets in the U.S. associated with the Company’s Networks reporting unit, content licensing trends in our Studios reporting unit, and execution risk associated with anticipated growth in the Company’s DTC reporting unit, the Company will continue to monitor its reporting units for changes that could impact recoverability.
Content Rights
We capitalize the costs to produce or acquire feature films and television programs, and we amortize costs and test for impairment based on whether the content is predominantly monetized individually, or as a group.
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For films and television programs predominantly monetized individually, the amount of capitalized film and television production costs (net of incentives) amortized and the amount of participations and residuals to be recognized as expense in a particular period are determined using the individual film forecast method. Under this method, the amortization of capitalized costs and the accrual of participations and residuals are based on the proportion of the film’s or television program’s revenues recognized for such period to the film’s or television program’s estimated remaining ultimate revenues (i.e., the total revenue to be received throughout a film’s or television program’s remaining life cycle).
For theatrical films, which are monetized on an individual basis, the process of estimating ultimate revenues requires us to make a series of judgments related to future revenue-generating activities associated with a particular film. Prior to the theatrical release of a film, our estimates are based on factors such as the historical performance of similar films, the star power of the lead actors, the rating and genre of the film, pre-release market research (including test market screenings), international distribution plans and the expected number of theaters in which the film will be released. Subsequent to release, ultimate revenues are updated to reflect initial performance, which is often predictive of future performance.
For television programs that are monetized on an individual basis, ultimate revenues are estimated based on factors including the performance of similar programs in each applicable market, firm commitments in hand from customers that license the program in the future, and the popularity of the program in its initial markets.
For a film or television program that is predominantly monetized on its own but also monetized with other films and/or programs (such as on our DTC or linear services), we make a reasonable estimate of the value attributable to the film or program’s exploitation while monetized with other films/programs, based on relative market rates, and expense such costs as the film or television program is exhibited.
Ultimates for content monetized on an individual basis are reviewed and updated (as applicable) on a quarterly basis; any adjustments are applied prospectively as of the beginning of the fiscal year of the change.
For programs monetized as a group, including licensed programming, amortization expense for network programs is generally based on projected usage, generally resulting in an accelerated or straight-line amortization pattern. Adjustments for projected usage are applied prospectively in the period of the change. Streaming and premium pay-TV content amortization is based on estimated viewing patterns, as there are generally limited to no direct revenues to associate to the individual content assets for premium pay-TV. As such, number of views is most representative of the use of the title.
Judgment is required to determine the useful lives and amortization patterns of our content assets that are predominantly monetized as a group. Critical assumptions include: (i) the grouping of content with similar characteristics, (ii) the application of a quantitative revenue forecast model or historical viewership model based on the adequacy of historical data, and (iii) determining the appropriate historical periods to utilize and the relative weighting of those historical periods in the forecast model. We then consider the appropriate application of the quantitative assessment given forecasted content use, expected content investment and market trends. Content use and future revenues may differ from estimates based on changes in expectations related to market acceptance, network affiliate fee rates, advertising demand, the number of cable and satellite television subscribers receiving our networks, the number of subscribers to our streaming services, and program usage. Accordingly, we review our estimates and planned usage at least quarterly and revise our assumptions if necessary.
Consolidation
We have ownership and other interests in and contractual arrangements with various entities, including corporations, partnerships, and limited liability companies. For each such entity, we evaluate our ownership, other interests and contractual arrangements to determine whether we should consolidate the entity or account for its interest as an investment at inception and upon reconsideration events. As part of its evaluation, we initially determine whether the entity is a variable interest entity (“VIE”). Management evaluates key considerations through a qualitative and quantitative analysis in determining whether an entity is a VIE including whether (i) the entity has sufficient equity to finance its activities without additional financial support from other parties, (ii) the ability or inability to make significant decisions about the entity’s operations, and (iii) the proportionality of voting rights of investors relative to their obligations to absorb the expected losses (or receive the expected returns) of the entity. If the entity is a VIE and if we have a variable interest in the entity, we use judgment in determining if we are the primary beneficiary and are thus required to consolidate the entity. In making this determination, we evaluate whether we or another party involved with the VIE (1) has the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and (2) has the obligation to absorb losses of or receive benefits from the VIE that could be significant to the VIE.
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If it is concluded that an entity is not a VIE, we consider our proportional voting interests in the entity and consolidate majority-owned subsidiaries in which a controlling financial interest is maintained. A controlling financial interest is determined by majority ownership and the absence of substantive third-party participation rights. Key factors we consider in determining the presence of substantive third-party participation rights include, but are not limited to, control of the board of directors, budget approval or veto rights, or operational rights that significantly impact the economic performance of the business such as programming, creative development, marketing, and selection of key personnel. Ownership interests in unconsolidated entities for which we have significant influence are accounted for as equity method.
We evaluated reconsideration events during the year ended December 31, 2023 and concluded there were no changes to our consolidation assessments.
Revenue Recognition
As described in Note 2, revenue is recognized upon transfer of control of promised services or goods to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration that we expect to receive in exchange for those services or goods. Significant estimates and judgements are applied in determining the timing of revenue recognition for certain types of transactions, such as bundled arrangements for advertising sales and content licensing arrangements.
A substantial portion of the advertising contracts in the U.S. and certain international markets guarantee the advertiser a minimum audience level that either the program in which their advertisements are aired or the advertisement will reach. These advertising campaigns are considered to represent a single, distinct performance obligation. For such contracts, judgment is required in measuring progress across our single performance obligation. Various factors such as pricing specific to the channel, daypart and targeted demographic, as well as audience guarantees, are considered in determining how to appropriately measure progress across the campaigns. Revenues are ultimately recognized based on the guaranteed audience level delivered multiplied by the average price per impression.
Our content licensing arrangements often include fixed license fees from the licensing of feature films and television programs in the off-network cable, premium pay, syndication, streaming, and international television and streaming markets. For arrangements that include multiple titles and/or staggered availabilities across geographical regions, the availability of each title and/or each region is considered a separate performance obligation, and the fixed fee is allocated to each title/region based on comparable market rates and recognized as revenue when the title is available for use by the licensee.
See Item 1A, “Risk Factors” for details on significant risks that could impact our ability to successfully grow our cash flows. For an in-depth discussion of each of our significant accounting policies, including our critical accounting policies and further information regarding estimates and assumptions involved in their application, see Note 2 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements included in Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
FY 2022 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001437107-23-000019.
ITEM 7. 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, financial condition, contractual commitments, critical accounting policies, and estimates that require significant judgment and thus have the most significant potential impact on our consolidated financial statements. This discussion and analysis is intended to better allow investors to view the company from management's perspective.
This section provides an analysis of our financial results for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021. A discussion of our results of operations and liquidity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 compared to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 can be found under Item 7 in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, filed on February 24, 2022, which is available free of charge on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and our Investor Relations website at ir.wbd.com. The information contained on our website is not part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and is not incorporated by reference herein.
BUSINESS OVERVIEW
On April 8, 2022, Discovery, 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 DTC subscription products, completed its Merger with the WM Business of AT&T and changed its name from “Discovery, Inc.” to “Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.” On April 11, 2022, our shares started trading on Nasdaq under the trading symbol WBD. (See Note 3 and Note 4 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
Warner Bros. Discovery is a premier global media and entertainment company that combines the WarnerMedia Business’s premium entertainment, sports and news assets with Discovery’s leading non-fiction and international entertainment and sports businesses, thus offering audiences a differentiated portfolio of content, brands and franchises across television, film, streaming and gaming. Some of our iconic brands and franchises include Warner Bros. Pictures Group, Warner Bros. Television Group, DC, HBO, HBO Max, Discovery Channel, discovery+, CNN, HGTV, Food Network, TNT, TBS, TLC, OWN, Warner Bros. Games, Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Harry Potter, Looney Tunes, Hanna-Barbera, Game of Thrones, and The Lord of the Rings. For a discussion of our global portfolio see our business overview set forth in Item 1, “Business” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
In connection with the Merger, we have announced and taken actions to implement projects to achieve cost synergies for the Company. We finalized the framework supporting our ongoing restructuring and transformation initiatives during 2022, which include, among other things, strategic content programming assessments, organization restructuring, facility consolidation activities, and other contract termination costs. We expect that we will incur approximately $4.1 - $5.3 billion in pre-tax restructuring charges. Of the total expected pre-tax restructuring charges, we expect total cash expenditures to be $1.0 - $ 1.5 billion. We incurred $3.8 billion of pre-tax restructuring charges during the year ended December 31, 2022. While our restructuring efforts are ongoing, the restructuring program is expected to be substantially completed by the end of 2024.
In connection with the Merger, we reevaluated and changed our segment presentation and reportable segments during 2022. As of December 31, 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 streaming services.
Our segment presentation was 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 2022, we exited our operations in Russia and removed all of our channels and services from the market. We do not expect these actions to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.
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For further discussion of financial information for our segments and the geographical areas in which we do business, our content development activities, and revenues, see our business overview set forth in Item 1, “Business” and Note 23 to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Impact of COVID-19
We continue to closely monitor the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on all aspects of our business and geographies; however, 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. Certain key sources of revenue for the Studios segment, including theatrical revenues, original television productions, 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.
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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 year ended December 31, 2022 to the year ended December 31, 2021. Management believes reviewing our 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 Studios, Networks, DTC, Corporate, and inter-segment eliminations information is based on the historical operating results of the respective segments and 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) transaction costs and other one-time non-recurring costs, (v) additional interest expense for borrowings related to the Merger and amortization associated with fair value adjustments of debt assumed, (vi) changes to align accounting policies, (vii) elimination of intercompany activity, and (viii) associated tax-related impacts of adjustments.
Adjustments do not include costs related to integration activities, cost savings or synergies that have been or may be achieved by the combined businesses. 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 year ended December 31, 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. 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 reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
The ex-FX change represents the percentage change on a period-over-period basis adjusted for foreign currency impacts. The ex-FX change is calculated as the difference between the current year amounts translated at a baseline rate, which is a spot rate for each of our currencies determined early in the fiscal year as part of our forecasting process (the “2022 Baseline Rate”), and the prior year amounts translated at the same 2022 Baseline Rate. In addition, consistent with the assumption of a constant currency environment, our ex-FX results exclude the impact of our foreign currency hedging activities, as well as realized and unrealized foreign currency transaction gains and losses. Results on a constant currency basis, as we present them, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.
35
Consolidated Results of Operations – 2022 vs. 2021
Our consolidated results of operations for 2022 and 2021 were as follows (in millions).
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Actual | Pro Forma Adjustments | Pro Forma Combined | Actual (a) | Pro Forma Adjustments | Pro Forma Combined | Actual | Pro Forma Combined (Actual) | Combined (ex-FX) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Advertising | $ | 8,524 | $ | 1,412 | $ | 9,936 | $ | 6,194 | $ | 4,395 | $ | 10,589 | 38 | % | (6) | % | (4) | % | ||||||||||
| Distribution | 16,142 | 4,339 | 20,481 | 5,202 | 15,579 | 20,781 | NM | (1) | % | — | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Content | 8,360 | 3,297 | 11,657 | 737 | 12,455 | 13,192 | NM | (12) | % | (9) | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Other | 791 | 230 | 1,021 | 58 | 706 | 764 | NM | 34 | % | 36 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 33,817 | 9,278 | 43,095 | 12,191 | 33,135 | 45,326 | NM | (5) | % | (3) | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Costs of revenues, excluding depreciation and amortization | 20,442 | 5,125 | 25,567 | 4,620 | 21,353 | 25,973 | NM | (2) | % | 1 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 9,678 | 1,745 | 11,423 | 4,016 | 8,987 | 13,003 | NM | (12) | % | (10) | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 7,193 | 34 | 7,227 | 1,582 | 6,774 | 8,356 | NM | (14) | % | (13) | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Restructuring | 3,757 | (90) | 3,667 | 32 | 90 | 122 | NM | NM | NM | |||||||||||||||||||
| Impairment and loss (gain) on disposition and disposal groups | 117 | — | 117 | (71) | 223 | 152 | NM | (23) | % | (23) | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 41,187 | 6,814 | 48,001 | 10,179 | 37,427 | 47,606 | NM | 1 | % | 3 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Operating (loss) income | (7,370) | 2,464 | (4,906) | 2,012 | (4,292) | (2,280) | NM | NM | NM | |||||||||||||||||||
| Interest expense, net | (1,777) | (515) | (2,292) | (633) | (2,026) | (2,659) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss from equity investees, net | (160) | (20) | (180) | (18) | 14 | (4) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other income, net | 347 | 139 | 486 | 72 | 100 | 172 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| (Loss) income before income taxes | (8,960) | 2,068 | (6,892) | 1,433 | (6,204) | (4,771) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax benefit (expense) | 1,663 | (56) | 1,607 | (236) | 1,448 | 1,212 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net (loss) income | (7,297) | 2,012 | (5,285) | 1,197 | (4,756) | (3,559) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests | (68) | — | (68) | (138) | — | (138) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests | (6) | — | (6) | (53) | — | (53) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net (loss) income available to Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. | $ | (7,371) | $ | 2,012 | $ | (5,359) | $ | 1,006 | $ | (4,756) | $ | (3,750) | ||||||||||||||||
| (a) Prior year actual results have been recast to conform to the current period presentation as a result of the Merger and segment recast. |
NM - Not meaningful
Unless otherwise indicated, the discussion through operating (loss) income below is on a pro-forma combined basis, ex-FX, since the actual increases year over year for revenues, cost of revenues, and selling, general and administrative expenses are substantially attributable to the Merger. The percent changes of line items below operating (loss) income in the table above are not included as the activity is principally in U.S. dollars.
Revenues
Advertising revenues are principally generated from the sale of commercial time on linear (television networks and authenticated TVE applications) and digital platforms (DTC subscription services and websites), and sold primarily on a national basis in the U.S. and on a pan-regional or local-language feed basis outside the U.S. Advertising contracts generally have a term of one year or less. Advertising revenue is dependent upon a number of factors, including the number of subscribers to our channels, viewership demographics, the popularity of our content, our ability to sell commercial time over a group of channels, the stage of development of television markets, and the popularity of FTA television. Revenue from advertising is subject to seasonality, market-based variations, the mix in sales of commercial time between the upfront and scatter markets, and general economic conditions. Advertising revenue is typically highest in the second and fourth quarters. In some cases, advertising sales are subject to ratings guarantees that require us to provide additional advertising time if the guaranteed audience levels are not achieved. We also generate revenue from the sale of advertising through our digital platforms on a stand-alone basis and as part of advertising packages with our television networks.
36
Advertising revenue decreased 4% in 2022, primarily attributable to declines in domestic general entertainment and news networks, partially offset by subscriber growth on our DTC ad-supported tiers and higher sports advertising in the U.S. due to the NCAA Men's Final Four and Championship games airing on our networks and the addition of the NHL starting in the fourth quarter of 2021.
Distribution revenues are generated from fees charged to network distributors, which include cable, DTH satellite, telecommunications and digital service providers, and DTC subscribers. The largest component of distribution revenue is comprised of linear distribution rights to our networks from cable, DTH satellite and telecommunication service providers. We have contracts with distributors representing most cable and satellite service providers around the world, including the largest operators in the U.S. and major international distributors. Distribution revenues are largely dependent on the rates negotiated in the agreements, the number of subscribers that receive our networks, the number of platforms covered in the distribution agreement, and the market demand for the content that we provide. From time to time, renewals of multi-year carriage agreements include significant year one market adjustments to re-set subscriber rates, which then increase at rates lower than the initial increase in the following years. In some cases, we have provided distributors launch incentives, in the form of cash payments or free periods, to carry our networks.
Distribution revenue was flat in 2022, primarily attributable to a decline in linear subscribers in the U.S. and lower contractual affiliate rates in some European markets, as well as a decline in wholesale revenues primarily due to the expiration of HBO Max on Amazon Channels in September 2021, offset by global retail subscriber gains on DTC platforms. HBO Max re-launched on Amazon Channels in December 2022.
Content revenues are generated from the release of feature films for initial exhibition in theaters, the licensing of feature films and television programs to various television, SVOD and other digital markets, distribution of feature films and television programs in the physical and digital home entertainment market, sales of console games and mobile in-game content, sublicensing of sports rights, and licensing of intellectual property such as characters and brands.
Content revenue decreased 9% in 2022, primarily attributable to lower TV licensing and home entertainment revenue, partially offset by higher theatrical film rental revenue and higher third-party licensing of HBO content.
Other revenue primarily consists of studio production services and tours.
Other revenue increased 36% in 2022, primarily attributable to a full year of results for the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London and Hollywood, as well as the Harry Potter flagship store in New York, which opened in June 2021, and services provided to the unconsolidated BT Sport joint venture.
Costs of Revenues
Our principal component of costs of revenues is content expense. Content expense includes television/digital series, specials, films, and sporting events. The costs of producing a content asset and bringing that asset to market consist of production costs, participation costs, and exploitation costs.
Costs of revenues increased 1% in 2022, primarily attributable to increased programming expenses on DTC platforms, higher theatrical product content expense, higher sports-related expense globally, and increased expense at CNN, partially offset by lower television product content expense and distribution fees.
Selling, General and Administrative
Selling, general and administrative expenses consist principally of employee costs, marketing costs, research costs, occupancy, and back office support fees.
Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased 10% in 2022, primarily attributable to lower marketing expenses.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization expense includes depreciation of fixed assets and amortization of finite-lived intangible assets. Depreciation and amortization decreased 13% in 2022, primarily attributable to a change in amortization method from the straight-line method to the sum of the months’ digits method for some of the WM assets acquired.
Restructuring
In connection with the Merger, the Company has announced and taken actions to implement projects to achieve cost synergies for the Company. Restructuring was $3,694 million and $121 million in 2022 and 2021, respectively. Restructuring in 2022 primarily related to strategic content programming assessments, organization restructuring, facility consolidation activities, and other contract termination costs. (See Note 6 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
37
Impairment and Loss (Gain) on Dispositions and Disposals Groups
Impairment and loss (gain) on disposition and disposal groups was a $117 million and $152 million loss in 2022 and 2021, respectively. The loss in 2022 was primarily attributable to the write-down to the estimated fair value, less costs to sell, of the Ranch Lot and Knoxville office building and land in connection with the classification as assets held for sale. (See Note 18 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.) The gain in 2021 was primarily attributable to the sale of our Great American Country network, partially offset by the WM sale of Hello Sunshine. (See Note 4 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
Interest Expense, net
Actual interest expense, net increased $1,144 million in 2022, primarily attributable to debt assumed as a result of the Merger. (See Note 11 and Note 13 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
Loss from Equity Investees, net
Actual losses from our equity method investees were $160 million and $18 million in 2022 and 2021, respectively. The changes are attributable to the Company's share of earnings and losses from its equity investees. (See Note 10 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
Other Income, net
The table below presents the details of other income, net (in millions).
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||
| Foreign currency (losses) gains, net | $ | (150) | $ | 93 | |||
| Gains (losses) on derivative instruments, net | 475 | (33) | |||||
| Gain on sale of investment with readily determinable fair value | — | 15 | |||||
| Change in the value of investments with readily determinable fair value | (105) | (6) | |||||
| Change in fair value of equity investments without readily determinable fair value | (142) | (13) | |||||
| Gain on sale of equity method investments | 195 | 4 | |||||
| Loss on extinguishment of debt | — | (10) | |||||
| Other income, net | 74 | 22 | |||||
| Total other income, net | $ | 347 | $ | 72 |
Income Taxes
The following table reconciles our effective income tax rate to the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate.
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||||||||||
| Pre-tax income at U.S. federal statutory income tax rate | $ | (1,881) | 21 | % | $ | 301 | 21 | % | ||||||
| State and local income taxes, net of federal tax benefit | (218) | 3 | % | 108 | 7 | % | ||||||||
| Effect of foreign operations | 246 | (3) | % | 25 | 2 | % | ||||||||
| Preferred stock conversion premium charge | 166 | (2) | % | — | — | % | ||||||||
| UK Finance Act legislative change | — | — | % | (155) | (11) | % | ||||||||
| Noncontrolling interest adjustment | (17) | — | % | (40) | (3) | % | ||||||||
| Other, net | 41 | — | % | (3) | — | % | ||||||||
| Income tax (benefit) expense | $ | (1,663) | 19 | % | $ | 236 | 16 | % |
Income tax (benefit) expense was $(1,663) million and $236 million, and the Company’s effective tax rate was 19% and 16% for 2022 and 2021, respectively. The decrease in the tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2022, was primarily attributable to a decrease in pre-tax book income, partially offset by an unfavorable tax adjustment related to the 2022 preferred stock conversion transaction expense that was not deductible for tax purposes (see Note 3), as well as the effect of foreign operations, including taxation and allocation of income and losses across multiple foreign jurisdictions. The decrease for the year ended December 31, 2022 was further offset by a deferred tax benefit of $155 million recorded in 2021 resulting from the UK Finance Act 2021 enacted in June 2021.
38
Segment Results of Operations – 2022 vs. 2021
The Company evaluates the operating performance of its operating segments based on financial measures such as revenues and Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as operating income excluding:
•employee share-based compensation;
•depreciation and amortization;
•restructuring and facility consolidation;
•certain impairment charges;
•gains and losses on business and asset dispositions;
•certain inter-segment eliminations;
•third-party transaction and integration costs;
•amortization of purchase accounting fair value step-up for content;
•amortization of capitalized interest for content; and
•other items impacting comparability.
The Company uses this measure to assess the operating results and performance of its segments, perform analytical comparisons, identify strategies to improve performance, and allocate resources to each segment. The Company believes Adjusted EBITDA is relevant to investors because it allows them to analyze the operating performance of each segment using the same metric management uses. The Company excludes employee share-based compensation, restructuring, certain impairment charges, gains and losses on business and asset dispositions, and transaction and integration costs from the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA due to their impact on comparability between periods. The Company also excludes the depreciation of fixed assets and amortization of intangible assets, amortization of purchase accounting fair value step-up for content, and amortization of capitalized interest for content, as these amounts do not represent cash payments in the current reporting period. Certain corporate expenses and inter-segment eliminations related to production studios are excluded from segment results to enable executive management to evaluate segment performance based upon the decisions of segment executives. Adjusted EBITDA should be considered in addition to, but not a substitute for, operating income, net income, and other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
The table below presents our Adjusted EBITDA by segment (in millions).
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | % Change | ||||||||
| Studios | $ | 1,772 | $ | 14 | NM | |||||
| Networks | 8,725 | 5,533 | 58 | % | ||||||
| DTC | (1,596) | (1,345) | (19) | % | ||||||
| Corporate | (1,200) | (385) | NM | |||||||
| Inter-segment eliminations | 17 | — | NM |
39
Studios Segment
The following table presents, for our Studios segment, revenues by type, certain operating expenses, Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to operating (loss) income (in millions).
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Actual | Pro Forma Adjustments | Pro Forma Combined | Actual (a) | Pro Forma Adjustments | Pro Forma Combined | Actual | Pro Forma Combined (Actual) | Pro Forma Combined (ex-FX) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Advertising | $ | 15 | $ | 9 | $ | 24 | $ | — | $ | 123 | $ | 123 | NM | (80) | % | (80) | % | ||||||||||
| Distribution | 12 | 6 | 18 | — | 14 | 14 | NM | 29 | % | 29 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Content | 9,156 | 3,898 | 13,054 | 20 | 14,336 | 14,356 | NM | (9) | % | (7) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Other | 548 | 154 | 702 | — | 516 | 516 | NM | 36 | % | 36 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 9,731 | 4,067 | 13,798 | 20 | 14,989 | 15,009 | NM | (8) | % | (6) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Costs of revenues, excluding depreciation and amortization | 6,310 | 2,392 | 8,702 | 3 | 9,589 | 9,592 | NM | (9) | % | (7) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 1,649 | 698 | 2,347 | 3 | 2,769 | 2,772 | NM | (15) | % | (13) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | 1,772 | 977 | 2,749 | 14 | 2,631 | 2,645 | NM | 4 | % | 8 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 501 | 39 | 540 | — | 691 | 691 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Employee share-based compensation | 1 | 26 | 27 | — | 85 | 85 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Restructuring | 1,050 | (38) | 1,012 | — | 38 | 38 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Transaction and integration costs | 9 | — | 9 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Inter-segment eliminations | 5 | — | 5 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Impairment and loss on disposition and disposal groups | 30 | — | 30 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of fair value step-up for content | 1,370 | (785) | 585 | — | 1,588 | 1,588 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating (loss) income | $ | (1,194) | $ | 1,735 | $ | 541 | $ | 14 | $ | 229 | $ | 243 | |||||||||||||||
| (a) Prior year actual results have been recast to conform to the current period presentation as a result of the Merger and segment recast. |
The discussion below is on a pro forma combined basis, ex-FX, since the actual increases year over year for revenues, cost of revenue, selling, general and administrative expenses and Adjusted EBITDA are substantially attributable to the Merger.
Revenues
Content revenue decreased 7% in 2022, primarily attributable to lower TV licensing and home entertainment revenue, partially offset by higher theatrical film rental revenue. TV licensing revenue decreased mainly due to large television licensing deals in the prior year and the timing of initial telecast revenue, as the prior year benefited from the ramp up of TV production following COVID-related delays in 2020. Home entertainment revenue was lower due to strong COVID-induced demand in the prior year and fewer new releases of theatrical products. Theatrical film rental revenue was favorably impacted by improved performance of our theatrical slate and improved audience attendance at movie theaters.
Other revenue increased 36% in 2022, primarily attributable to a full year of results for the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London and Hollywood, as well as the Harry Potter flagship store in New York, which opened in June 2021.
Costs of Revenues
Costs of revenues decreased 7% in 2022, primarily attributable to lower television product content expense and distribution fees related to the aforementioned television licensing deals, partially offset by higher theatrical product content expense.
Selling, General and Administrative
Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased 13% in 2022, primarily attributable to lower marketing expense due to fewer theatrical releases in 2022.
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA increased 8% in 2022.
40
Networks Segment
The table below presents, for our Networks segment, revenues by type, certain operating expenses, Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to operating income (in millions).
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | % Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Actual | Pro Forma Adjustments | Pro Forma Combined | Actual (a) | Pro Forma Adjustments | Pro Forma Combined | Actual | Pro Forma Combined (Actual) | Pro Forma Combined (ex-FX) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Advertising | $ | 8,224 | $ | 1,380 | $ | 9,604 | $ | 6,063 | $ | 4,330 | $ | 10,393 | 36 | % | (8) | % | (5) | % | ||||||||||
| Distribution | 9,759 | 2,183 | 11,942 | 4,486 | 7,843 | 12,329 | NM | (3) | % | (1) | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Content | 1,120 | 220 | 1,340 | 706 | 568 | 1,274 | 59 | % | 5 | % | 7 | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Other | 245 | 55 | 300 | 56 | 178 | 234 | NM | 28 | % | 35 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 19,348 | 3,838 | 23,186 | 11,311 | 12,919 | 24,230 | 71 | % | (4) | % | (2) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Costs of revenues, excluding depreciation and amortization | 8,006 | 2,148 | 10,154 | 3,926 | 6,098 | 10,024 | NM | 1 | % | 4 | % | |||||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 2,617 | 364 | 2,981 | 1,852 | 1,367 | 3,219 | 41 | % | (7) | % | (5) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | 8,725 | 1,326 | 10,051 | 5,533 | 5,454 | 10,987 | 58 | % | (9) | % | (7) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 4,687 | 4 | 4,691 | 1,212 | 4,151 | 5,363 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Employee share-based compensation | — | 9 | 9 | — | 41 | 41 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Restructuring | 1,003 | (5) | 998 | 30 | 5 | 35 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Transaction and integration costs | 2 | — | 2 | 4 | — | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of fair value step-up for content | 73 | 425 | 498 | — | 476 | 476 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Inter-segment eliminations | 17 | — | 17 | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Impairment and loss (gain) on disposition and disposal groups | 24 | — | 24 | (72) | (1) | (73) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating income | $ | 2,919 | $ | 893 | $ | 3,812 | $ | 4,359 | $ | 782 | $ | 5,141 | ||||||||||||||||
| (a) Prior year actual results have been recast to conform to the current period presentation as a result of the Merger and segment recast. |
The discussion below is on a pro forma combined basis, ex-FX, since the actual increases year over year for revenues, cost of revenue, selling, general and administrative expenses and Adjusted EBITDA are substantially attributable to the Merger.
Revenues
Advertising revenue decreased 5% in 2022, primarily attributable to declines in domestic general entertainment and news networks, partially offset by higher sports advertising in the U.S. due to the NCAA Men's Final Four and Championship games airing on our networks and the addition of the NHL starting in the fourth quarter of 2021.
Distribution revenue decreased 1% in 2022, primarily attributable to a decline in linear subscribers in the U.S. and lower contractual affiliate rates in some European markets, partially offset by an increase in contractual affiliate rates in the U.S. and certain Latin American markets and premium sports packages in Latin America.
Content revenue increased by 7% in 2022, primarily attributable to higher inter-segment licensing of content to DTC, partially offset by overall net lower sub-licensing revenue for the Winter Olympics in 2022 compared to the Summer Olympics in 2021.
Other revenue increased 35% in 2022, primarily attributable to services provided to the unconsolidated BT Sport joint venture.
Costs of Revenues
Costs of revenues increased 4% in 2022, primarily attributable to higher sports-related expense globally, increased expense at CNN, and costs associated with providing services to the unconsolidated BT Sport joint venture, partially offset by lower content expense due to the previously announced restructuring program and lower international sports rights driven by the Winter Olympics in 2022 (as compared to the Summer Olympics in 2021).
Selling, General and Administrative
Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased 5% in 2022, primarily attributable to lower personnel and marketing expenses.
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA decreased 7% in 2022.
41
DTC Segment
The following table presents, for our DTC segment, revenues by type, certain operating expenses, Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to operating loss (in millions).
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Actual | Pro Forma Adjustments | Pro Forma Combined | Actual (a) | Pro Forma Adjustments | Pro Forma Combined | Actual | Pro Forma Combined (Actual) | Pro Forma Combined (ex-FX) | |||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Advertising | $ | 371 | $ | 36 | $ | 407 | $ | 131 | $ | 49 | $ | 180 | NM | NM | NM | ||||||||||
| Distribution | 6,371 | 2,150 | 8,521 | 716 | 7,722 | 8,438 | NM | 1 | % | 3 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Content | 522 | 230 | 752 | 11 | 622 | 633 | NM | 19 | % | 19 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Other | 10 | 3 | 13 | 2 | 12 | 14 | NM | (7) | % | — | % | ||||||||||||||
| Total revenues | 7,274 | 2,419 | 9,693 | 860 | 8,405 | 9,265 | NM | 5 | % | 6 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Costs of revenues, excluding depreciation and amortization | 6,211 | 1,977 | 8,188 | 691 | 6,166 | 6,857 | NM | 19 | % | 21 | % | ||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 2,659 | 909 | 3,568 | 1,514 | 2,759 | 4,273 | 76 | % | (16) | % | (16) | % | |||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | (1,596) | (467) | (2,063) | (1,345) | (520) | (1,865) | (19) | % | (11) | % | (11) | % | |||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 1,733 | 31 | 1,764 | 275 | 1,757 | 2,032 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Employee share-based compensation | (1) | — | (1) | — | 16 | 16 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Restructuring | 1,551 | (3) | 1,548 | 2 | 3 | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Transaction and integration costs | 2 | — | 2 | 1 | — | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of fair value step-up for content | 390 | (52) | 338 | — | 293 | 293 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Inter-segment eliminations | 9 | — | 9 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||
| Impairment and loss on disposition and disposal groups | 13 | — | 13 | 1 | — | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Operating loss | $ | (5,293) | $ | (443) | $ | (5,736) | $ | (1,624) | $ | (2,589) | $ | (4,213) | |||||||||||||
| (a) Prior year actual results have been recast to conform to the current period presentation as a result of the Merger and segment recast. |
The discussion below is on a pro forma combined basis, ex-FX, since the actual increases year over year for revenues, cost of revenue, selling, general and administrative expenses and Adjusted EBITDA are substantially attributable to the Merger.
Revenues
As of December 31, 2022, we had 96.1 million DTC subscribers.2
Advertising revenue increased $229 million in 2022, primarily attributable to subscriber growth on our DTC ad-supported tiers.
Distribution revenue increased 3% in 2022, primarily attributable to global retail subscriber gains, partially offset by a decline in wholesale revenues primarily due to the expiration of HBO Max on Amazon Channels in September 2021. HBO Max re-launched on Amazon Channels in December 2022.
Content revenue increased 19% in 2022, primarily attributable to higher third-party licensing of HBO content.
2 We define a “DTC Subscription” as:
(i) a retail subscription to discovery+, HBO or HBO Max for which we have recognized subscription revenue, whether directly or through a third party, from a direct-to-consumer platform; (ii) a wholesale subscription to discovery+, HBO, or HBO Max for which we have recognized subscription revenue from a fixed-fee arrangement with a third party and where the individual user has activated their subscription; (iii) a wholesale subscription to discovery+, HBO or HBO Max for which we have recognized subscription revenue on a per subscriber basis; and (iv) users on free trials who convert to a subscription for which we have recognized subscription revenue within the first seven days of the calendar month immediately following the month in which their free trial expires.
We may refer to the aggregate number of DTC Subscriptions as “subscribers.”
The reported number of “subscribers” included herein and the definition of “DTC Subscription” as used herein excludes: (i) individuals who subscribe to DTC products, other than discovery+, HBO and HBO Max, that may be offered by us or by certain joint venture partners or affiliated parties from time to time; (ii) a limited number of international discovery+ subscribers that are part of non-strategic partnerships or short-term arrangements as may be identified by the Company from time to time; (iii) domestic and international Cinemax subscribers, and international basic HBO subscribers; and (iv) users on free trials except for those users on free trial that convert to a DTC Subscription within the first seven days of the next month as noted above.
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Costs of Revenues
Cost of revenues increased 21% in 2022, primarily attributable to increased programming expenses, which were moderated by the previously announced restructuring program.
Selling, General, and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased 16% in 2022, primarily attributable to more efficient marketing-related spend.
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA decreased 11% in 2022.
Corporate
The following table presents our Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to operating loss (in millions):
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Actual | Pro Forma Adjustments | Pro Forma Combined | Actual | Pro Forma Adjustments | Pro Forma Combined | Actual | Pro Forma Combined (Actual) | Pro Forma Combined (ex-FX) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | (1,200) | $ | (353) | $ | (1,553) | $ | (385) | $ | (966) | $ | (1,351) | NM | (15) | % | (17) | % | ||||||||||
| Employee share-based compensation | 410 | (11) | 399 | 167 | 177 | 344 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 272 | (40) | 232 | 95 | 175 | 270 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Restructuring | 195 | (44) | 151 | — | 44 | 44 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Transaction and integration costs | 1,182 | (564) | 618 | 90 | 1,138 | 1,228 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Impairment and loss on disposition and disposal groups | 50 | — | 50 | — | 224 | 224 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Inter-segment eliminations | (31) | — | (31) | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating loss | $ | (3,278) | $ | 306 | $ | (2,972) | $ | (737) | $ | (2,724) | $ | (3,461) |
Corporate operations primarily consist of executive management and administrative support services, which are recorded in selling, general and administrative expense, as well as substantially all of our share-based compensation and third-party transaction and integration costs.
Adjusted EBITDA decreased 17% for 2022, primarily attributable to increased securitization costs from higher interest rates, partially offset by lower personnel costs.
As reported transaction and integration costs for 2022 included the impact of the issuance of additional shares of WBD common stock to Advance/Newhouse Programming Partnership of $789 million upon the closing of the Merger. (See Note 3 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
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Inter-segment Eliminations
The following table presents our inter-segment eliminations by revenue and expense, Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to operating loss (in millions):
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Actual | Pro Forma Adjustments | Pro Forma Combined | Actual | Pro Forma Adjustments | Pro Forma Combined | Actual | Pro Forma Combined (Actual) | Pro Forma Combined (ex-FX) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Inter-segment revenue eliminations | $ | (2,566) | $ | (1,065) | $ | (3,631) | $ | — | $ | (3,219) | $ | (3,219) | NM | (13) | % | (13) | % | ||||||||||
| Inter-segment expense eliminations | (2,583) | (1,038) | (3,621) | — | (3,229) | (3,229) | NM | (12) | % | (12) | % | ||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | 17 | (27) | (10) | — | 10 | 10 | NM | NM | NM | ||||||||||||||||||
| Restructuring | (42) | — | (42) | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Amortization of fair value step-up for content | 583 | — | 583 | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Operating (loss) income | $ | (524) | $ | (27) | $ | (551) | $ | — | $ | 10 | $ | 10 |
Inter-segment revenue and expense eliminations primarily represent inter-segment content transactions and marketing and promotion activity between reportable segments. In our current segment structure, in certain instances, production and distribution activities are in different segments. Inter-segment content transactions are presented “gross” (i.e. the segment producing and/or licensing the content reports revenue and profit from inter-segment transactions in a manner similar to the reporting of third-party transactions, and the required eliminations are reported on the separate “Eliminations” line when presenting our summary of segment results). Generally, timing of revenue recognition is similar to the reporting of third-party transactions. The segment distributing the content, e.g. via our DTC or linear services, capitalizes the cost of inter-segment content transactions, including “mark-ups” and amortizes the costs over the shorter of the license term, if applicable, or the expected period of use. The content amortization expense related to the inter-segment profit is also eliminated on the separate “Eliminations” line when presenting our summary of segment results.
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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Liquidity
Sources of Cash
Historically, we have generated a significant amount of cash from operations. During 2022, we funded our working capital needs primarily through cash flows from operations. As of December 31, 2022, we had $3.7 billion of cash and cash equivalents on hand. We are a well-known seasoned issuer and have the ability to conduct registered offerings of securities, including debt securities, common stock and preferred stock, on short notice, subject to market conditions. Access to sufficient capital from the public market is not assured. We have a $6.0 billion revolving credit facility and commercial paper program described below. We also participate in a revolving receivables program and an accounts receivable factoring program described below.
•Debt
Revolving Credit Facility and Commercial Paper
In June 2021, Discovery Communication, LLC (“DCL”) entered into a multicurrency revolving credit agreement (the “Revolving Credit Agreement”), replacing the existing $2.5 billion credit agreement, dated February 4, 2016, as amended, among DCL, the Company, certain lenders from time to time party thereto, and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent. DCL has the capacity to borrow up to $6.0 billion under the Revolving Credit Agreement (the “Credit Facility”). The Revolving Credit Agreement includes a $150 million sublimit for the issuance of standby letters of credit. DCL may also request additional commitments up to $1.0 billion from the lenders upon the satisfaction of certain conditions. Obligations under the Revolving Credit Agreement are unsecured and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Company, Scripps Networks, and WarnerMedia Holdings, Inc. The Credit Facility will be available on a revolving basis until June 2026, with an option for up to two additional 364-day renewal periods subject to the lenders' consent. The Revolving Credit Agreement contains customary representations and warranties as well as affirmative and negative covenants. As of December 31, 2022, DCL was in compliance with all covenants and there were no events of default under the Revolving Credit Agreement.
Additionally, the Company’s commercial paper program is supported by the Credit Facility. Under the commercial paper program, the Company may issue up to $1.5 billion, including up to $500 million of euro-denominated borrowings. Borrowing capacity under the Credit Facility is reduced by any outstanding borrowings under the commercial paper program.
As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility or the commercial paper program.
•Revolving Receivables Program
The Company has a revolving agreement to transfer up to $5.7 billion of certain receivables through its bankruptcy-remote subsidiary, Warner Bros. Discovery Receivables Funding, LLC, to various financial institutions on a recurring basis in exchange for cash equal to the gross receivables transferred. The Company services the sold receivables for the financial institution for a fee and pays fees to the financial institution in connection with this revolving agreement. As customers pay their balances, the Company’s available capacity under this revolving agreement increases and typically the Company transfers additional receivables into the program. In some cases, the Company may have collections that have not yet been remitted to the bank, resulting in a liability. The outstanding portfolio of receivables derecognized from our consolidated balance sheets was $5,366 million as of December 31, 2022.
•Accounts Receivable Factoring
The Company has a factoring agreement to sell certain of its non-U.S. trade accounts receivable on a non-recourse basis to a third-party financial institution. Total trade accounts receivable sold under the Company’s factoring arrangements was $477 million as of December 31, 2022.
•Derivatives
We received investing proceeds of $752 million during the year ended December 31, 2022 from the unwind and settlement of derivative instruments. (See Note 13 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
•Investments and Business Combinations
In addition to other investments, we completed the sale of our minority interests in Discovery Education and Golden Maple Limited (known as Tencent Video VIP) and received cash of $306 million during the year ended December 31, 2022.
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Additionally, we acquired $3.6 billion of cash in connection with the Merger and the post-closing working capital settlement process.
Uses of Cash
Our primary uses of cash include the creation and acquisition of new content, business acquisitions, income taxes, personnel costs, costs to develop and market HBO Max and discovery+, principal and interest payments on our outstanding senior notes, funding for various equity method and other investments, and repurchases of our capital stock.
•Content Acquisition
We plan to continue to invest significantly in the creation and acquisition of new content, as well as certain sports rights. Subsequent to the Merger, our contractual commitments to acquire content have increased significantly. Additional information regarding contractual commitments to acquire content is set forth in “Material Cash Requirements from Known Contractual and Other Obligations” in Item 7, “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
•Debt
Term Loan
During the year ended December 31, 2022, we repaid $6.0 billion of aggregate principal amount outstanding of our term loans prior to the due dates of October 2023 and April 2025.
Senior Notes
During the year ended December 31, 2022, we repaid in full at maturity $327 million of aggregate principal amount outstanding of our 2.375% Euro Denominated Senior Notes due March 2022 and issued notices for the redemption in full of all $192 million of aggregate principal amount outstanding of our 3.250% senior notes due in 2023 and all $796 million of aggregate principal amount outstanding of our 2.950% senior notes due 2023 (collectively the “2023 Notes”). The 2023 Notes were redeemed in December 2022 for an aggregate redemption price of $988 million, plus accrued interest. During 2022, we also assumed $41.5 billion of senior notes (at par value) and term loans in connection with the Merger.
In addition, we have $363 million of senior notes coming due in 2023.
•Capital Expenditures and Investments in Next Generation Initiatives
We effected capital expenditures of $987 million in 2022, including amounts capitalized to support our next generation platforms, such as HBO Max and discovery+. In addition, we expect to continue to incur significant costs to develop and market our combined streaming service in the future.
•Investments and Business Combinations
Our uses of cash have included investments in equity method investments and equity investments without readily determinable fair value. (See Note 10 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.) We provide funding to our investees from time to time. We contributed $168 million and $184 million in 2022 and 2021, respectively, for investments in and advances to our investees.
We have and expect to continue to incur significant, one-time transaction and integration costs during the first year following the Merger. (See Note 4 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
•Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest and Noncontrolling Interest
Due to business combinations, we also had redeemable equity balances of $318 million at December 31, 2022 which may require the use of cash in the event holders of noncontrolling interests put their interests to us. In 2022, GoldenTree exercised its put right and we are required to purchase GoldenTree’s noncontrolling interest. (See Note 19 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.) Distributions to noncontrolling interests and redeemable noncontrolling interests totaled $300 million and $251 million in 2022 and 2021, respectively.
•Common Stock Repurchases
Historically, we have funded our stock repurchases through a combination of cash on hand, cash generated by operations and the issuance of debt. In February 2020, our board of directors authorized additional stock repurchases of up to $2 billion upon completion of our existing $1 billion authorization announced in May 2019. Under the new stock repurchase authorization, management is authorized to purchase shares from time to time through open market purchases at prevailing prices or privately negotiated purchases subject to market conditions and other factors. (See Note 3 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.) There were no common stock repurchases during 2022 or 2021.
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•Income Taxes and Interest
We expect to continue to make payments for income taxes and interest on our outstanding senior notes. During 2022 and 2021, we made cash payments of $1,027 million and $643 million for income taxes and $1,539 million and $664 million for interest on our outstanding debt, respectively. Cash required for interest payments has increased significantly as a result of the Merger.
Cash Flows
The following table presents changes in cash and cash equivalents (in millions).
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, beginning of period | $ | 3,905 | $ | 2,122 | |||
| Cash provided by operating activities | 4,304 | 2,798 | |||||
| Cash provided by (used in) investing activities | 3,524 | (56) | |||||
| Cash used in financing activities | (7,742) | (853) | |||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash | (61) | (106) | |||||
| Net change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash | 25 | 1,783 | |||||
| Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, end of period | $ | 3,930 | $ | 3,905 |
Operating Activities
Cash provided by operating activities was $4,304 million and $2,798 million in 2022 and 2021, respectively. The increase in cash provided by operating activities was primarily attributable to an increase in net income, excluding non-cash items, and working capital initiatives, partially offset by other negative fluctuations in working capital activity.
Investing Activities
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities was $3,524 million and $(56) million in 2022 and 2021, respectively. The increase in cash provided by investing activities was primarily attributable to proceeds received from cash acquired during the Merger and the post-closing working capital settlement process and cash received from the unwind and settlement of derivative instruments, partially offset by increased purchases of property and equipment and a reduction in cash received from the sales and maturities of investments during the year ended December 31, 2022.
Financing Activities
Cash used in financing activities was $7,742 million and $853 million in 2022 and 2021, respectively. The increase in cash used in financing activities was primarily attributable to principal repayments made on our term loans during the year ended December 31, 2022.
Capital Resources
As of December 31, 2022, capital resources were comprised of the following (in millions).
| December 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Capacity | Outstanding Indebtedness | Unused Capacity | |||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 3,731 | $ | — | $ | 3,731 | |||||||
| Revolving credit facility and commercial paper program | 6,000 | — | 6,000 | ||||||||||
| Term loans | 4,000 | 4,000 | — | ||||||||||
| Senior notes (a) | 45,276 | 45,276 | — | ||||||||||
| Total | $ | 59,007 | $ | 49,276 | $ | 9,731 | |||||||
| (a) Interest on senior notes is paid annually or semi-annually. Our senior notes outstanding as of December 31, 2022 had interest rates that ranged from 1.900% to 9.150% and will mature between 2023 and 2062. |
We expect that our cash balance, cash generated from operations and availability under the Credit Agreement will be sufficient to fund our cash needs for both the short-term and the long-term. Our borrowing costs and access to capital markets can be affected by short and long-term debt ratings assigned by independent rating agencies which are based, in part, on our performance as measured by credit metrics such as interest coverage and leverage ratios.
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As of December 31, 2022, we held $3.1 billion of our $3.7 billion of cash and cash equivalents in our foreign subsidiaries. The 2017 Tax Act features a participation exemption regime with current taxation of certain foreign income and imposes a mandatory repatriation toll tax on unremitted foreign earnings. Notwithstanding the U.S. taxation of these amounts, we intend to continue to reinvest these funds outside of the U.S. Our current plans do not demonstrate a need to repatriate them to the U.S. However, if these funds were to be needed in the U.S., we would be required to accrue and pay non-U.S. taxes to repatriate them. The determination of the amount of unrecognized deferred income tax liability with respect to these undistributed foreign earnings is not practicable.
MATERIAL CASH REQUIREMENTS FROM KNOWN CONTRACTUAL AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS
As of December 31, 2022, our significant contractual and other obligations were as follows (in millions).
| Total | Short-term | Long-term | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long-term debt: | |||||||||||
| Principal payments | $ | 49,276 | $ | 363 | $ | 48,913 | |||||
| Interest payments | 35,537 | 2,267 | 33,270 | ||||||||
| Purchase obligations: | |||||||||||
| Content | 29,732 | 7,969 | 21,763 | ||||||||
| Other | 3,047 | 1,597 | 1,450 | ||||||||
| Finance lease obligations | 282 | 82 | 200 | ||||||||
| Operating lease obligations | 4,304 | 465 | 3,839 | ||||||||
| Pension and other employee obligations | 1,378 | 501 | 877 | ||||||||
| Total | $ | 123,556 | $ | 13,244 | $ | 110,312 |
Long-term Debt
Principal payments on long-term debt reflect the repayment of our outstanding senior notes, at face value, assuming repayment will occur upon maturity. Interest payments on our outstanding senior notes are projected based on their contractual interest rates and maturity dates.
Additionally, DCL's revolving credit facility allows DCL and certain designated foreign subsidiaries of DCL to borrow up to $6.0 billion, including a $150 million sublimit for the issuance of standby letters of credit. DCL may also request additional commitments up to $1.0 billion from the lenders upon the satisfaction of certain conditions. Additionally, the Company's commercial paper program is supported by the Credit Facility. Under the commercial paper program, the Company may issue up to $1.5 billion, including up to $500 million of euro-denominated borrowings. Borrowing capacity under the Credit Facility is effectively reduced by any outstanding borrowings under the commercial paper program. As of December 31, 2022, we had no outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility or the commercial paper program. (See Note 11 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
Purchase Obligations
Content purchase obligations include commitments and liabilities associated with third-party producers and sports associations for content that airs on our television networks and DTC services. Production and licensing contracts generally require: purchase of a specified number of episodes; payments during production or over the term of a license; and include both programs that have been delivered and are available for airing and programs that have not yet been produced or sporting events that have not yet taken place. If the content is ultimately never produced, our commitments expire without obligation. The commitments exclude content liabilities recognized on the consolidated balance sheet. We expect to enter into additional production contracts and content licenses to meet our future content needs.
Other purchase obligations include agreements with certain vendors and suppliers for the purchase of goods and services whereby the underlying agreements are enforceable, legally binding and specify all significant terms. Significant purchase obligations include transmission services, television rating services, marketing commitments and research, equipment purchases, and information technology and other services. Some of these contracts do not require the purchase of fixed or minimum quantities and generally may be terminated with a 30-day to 60-day advance notice without penalty, and are not included in the table above past the 30-day to 60-day advance notice period.
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Finance Lease Obligations
We acquire satellite transponders and other equipment through multi-year finance lease arrangements. Principal payments on finance lease obligations reflect amounts due under our finance lease agreements. Interest payments on our outstanding finance lease obligations are based on the stated or implied rate in our finance lease agreements. (See Note 12 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
Operating Lease Obligations
We obtain office space and equipment under multi-year lease arrangements. Most operating leases are not cancelable prior to their expiration. Payments for operating leases represent the amounts due under the agreements assuming the agreements are not canceled prior to their expiration. (See Note 12 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
Pension and Other Employee Obligations
We sponsor a qualified defined benefit pension plan (“Pension Plan”) that covers certain U.S.-based employees. We also have a non-qualified Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”). In connection with the Merger, the Company assumed four U.S. nonqualified pension plans that are noncontributory and unfunded and several non-U.S. pension plans (See Note 17 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
Contractual commitments include payments to meet minimum funding requirements of our Pension Plan in 2023 and estimated benefit payments for our SERP that exceed plan assets. Payments for the SERP have been estimated over a ten-year period. While benefit payments under these plans are expected to continue beyond 2031, we believe it is not practicable to estimate payments beyond this period.
We are unable to reasonably predict the ultimate amount of any payments due to cash-settled share-based compensation awards. As of December 31, 2022, the current portion of the liability for cash-settled share-based compensation awards was $4 million.
Unrecognized Tax Benefits
We are unable to reasonably predict the ultimate amount or timing of settlement of our unrecognized tax benefits because, until formal resolutions are reached, reasonable estimates of the amount and timing of cash settlements with the respective taxing authorities are not practicable. Our unrecognized tax benefits totaled $1,929 million as of December 31, 2022.
Six Flags Guarantee
In connection with WM’s former investment in the Six Flags (as defined below) theme parks located in Georgia and Texas (collectively, the “Parks”), in 1997, certain subsidiaries of the Company agreed to guarantee (the “Six Flags Guarantee”) certain obligations of the partnerships that hold the Parks (the “Partnerships”) for the benefit of the limited partners in such Partnerships, including, annual payments made to the Parks or to the limited partners and additional obligations at the end of the respective terms for the Partnerships in 2027 and 2028 (the “Guaranteed Obligations”). The aggregate gross undiscounted estimated future cash flow requirements covered by the Six Flags Guarantee over the remaining term (through 2028) are $544 million. To date, no payments have been made by us pursuant to the Six Flags Guarantee.
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation (formerly known as Six Flags, Inc. and Premier Parks Inc.) (“Six Flags”), which has the controlling interest in the Parks, has agreed, pursuant to a subordinated indemnity agreement (the “Subordinated Indemnity Agreement”), to guarantee the performance of the Guaranteed Obligations when due and to indemnify the Company, among others, if the Six Flags Guarantee is called upon. If Six Flags defaults on its indemnification obligations, we have the right to acquire control of the managing partner of the Parks. Six Flags’ obligations to us are further secured by its interest in all limited partnership units held by Six Flags.
Based on our evaluation of the current facts and circumstances surrounding the Guaranteed Obligations and the Subordinated Indemnity Agreement, we are unable to predict the loss, if any, that may be incurred under the Guaranteed Obligations, and no liability for the arrangements has been recognized as of December 31, 2022. Because of the specific circumstances surrounding the arrangements and the fact that no active or observable market exists for this type of financial guarantee, we are unable to determine a current fair value for the Guaranteed Obligations and related Subordinated Indemnity Agreement.
Other Contingent Commitments
Other contingent commitments primarily include contingent payments for post-production term advance obligations on certain co-financing arrangements, as well as operating lease commitment guarantees, letters of credit, bank guarantees, and surety bonds, which generally support performance and payments for a wide range of global contingent and firm obligations, including insurance, litigation appeals, real estate leases, and other operational needs.
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The Company's other contingent commitments at December 31, 2022 were $283 million, with $279 million estimated to be due in 2026. For other contingent commitments where payment obligations are outside our control, the timing of amounts represents the earliest period in which the payment could be requested. For the remaining other contingent commitments, the timing of the amounts presented represents when the maximum contingent commitment will expire but does not mean that we expect to incur an obligation to make any payments within that time period. In addition, these amounts do not reflect the effects of any indemnification rights we might possess.
Put Rights
We have granted put rights to certain consolidated subsidiaries, but we are unable to reasonably predict the ultimate amount or timing of any payment. We recorded the carrying value of the noncontrolling interest in the equity associated with the put rights as a component of redeemable noncontrolling interest in the amount of $318 million. (See Note 19 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
Noncontrolling Interest
The Food Network and Cooking Channel are operated and organized under the terms of the TV Food Network Partnership (the “Partnership”). We hold interests in the Partnership, along with another noncontrolling owner. The Partnership agreement specifies a dissolution date of December 31, 2023. If the term of the Partnership is not extended prior to that date, the Partnership agreement permits us, as holder of 80% of the applicable votes, to reconstitute the Partnership and continue its business. If for some reason the Partnership is not continued, it will be required to limit its activities to winding up, settling debts, liquidating assets and distributing proceeds to the partners in proportion to their partnership interests.
Summarized Guarantor Financial Information
Basis of Presentation
As of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, all of the Company’s outstanding $13.8 billion registered senior notes have been issued by DCL, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, and guaranteed by the Company, Scripps Networks, and WarnerMedia Holdings, Inc. As of December 31, 2022, the Company also has outstanding $30.0 billion of senior notes issued by WarnerMedia Holdings, Inc. and guaranteed by the Company, Scripps and DCL; $1.5 billion of senior notes issued by the legacy WarnerMedia Business (not guaranteed); and approximately $23 million of un-exchanged senior notes issued by Scripps Networks (not guaranteed). (See Note 11 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.) DCL primarily includes the Discovery Channel and TLC networks in the U.S. DCL is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. Scripps Networks is also wholly owned by the Company.
The tables below present the summarized financial information as combined for Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (the “Parent”), Scripps Networks, DCL, and WarnerMedia Holdings, Inc. (collectively, the “Obligors”). All guarantees of DCL and WarnerMedia Holdings, Inc.'s senior notes (the “Note Guarantees”) are full and unconditional, joint and several and unsecured, and cover all payment obligations arising under the senior notes.
Note Guarantees issued by Scripps Networks, DCL or WarnerMedia Holdings, Inc., or any subsidiary of the Parent that in the future issues a Note Guarantee (each, a “Subsidiary Guarantor”) may be released and discharged (i) concurrently with any direct or indirect sale or disposition of such Subsidiary Guarantor or any interest therein, (ii) at any time that such Subsidiary Guarantor is released from all of its obligations under its guarantee of payment, (iii) upon the merger or consolidation of any Subsidiary Guarantor with and into DCL, WarnerMedia Holdings, Inc. or the Parent or another Subsidiary Guarantor, as applicable, or upon the liquidation of such Subsidiary Guarantor and (iv) other customary events constituting a discharge of the Obligors’ obligations.
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Summarized Financial Information
The Company has included the accompanying summarized combined financial information of the Obligors after the elimination of intercompany transactions and balances among the Obligors and the elimination of equity in earnings from and investments in any subsidiary of the Parent that is a non-guarantor (in millions). The summarized balance sheet information as of December 31, 2022 does not include information with respect to WarnerMedia Holdings, Inc., as WarnerMedia Holdings, Inc. was a wholly-owned subsidiary of AT&T with de minimis assets and no operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2022. The summarized income statement information for the year ended December 31, 2022 includes information with respect to WarnerMedia Holdings, Inc. beginning subsequent to the close of the Merger.
| December 31, 2022 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Current assets | $ | 1,949 | |
| Non-guarantor intercompany trade receivables, net | 112 | ||
| Noncurrent assets | 5,785 | ||
| Current liabilities | 1,095 | ||
| Noncurrent liabilities | 48,839 |
| Year Ended December 31, 2022 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenues | $ | 2,066 | |
| Operating loss | (574) | ||
| Net loss | (1,672) | ||
| Net loss available to Discovery, Inc. | (1,680) |
Additional information regarding the changes in our outstanding indebtedness and the significant terms and provisions of our revolving credit facility and outstanding indebtedness is discussed in Note 11 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements included in Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
In the ordinary course of business, we enter into transactions with related parties, primarily the Liberty Entities and our equity method investees. Information regarding transactions and amounts with related parties is discussed in Note 21 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements included in Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
NEW ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
We adopted certain accounting and reporting standards during 2022. Information regarding our adoption of new accounting and reporting standards is discussed in Note 2 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements included in Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities.
On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and assumptions, including those related to uncertain tax positions, goodwill and intangible assets, content rights, consolidation and revenue recognition. We base our estimates on historical experience, current developments and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under these circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about carrying values of assets and liabilities that cannot readily be determined from other sources. There can be no assurance that actual results will not differ from those estimates.
Management considers an accounting estimate to be critical if it required assumptions to be made that were uncertain at the time the estimate was made and changes in the estimate or different estimates could have a material effect on our results of operations.
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The development and selection of these critical accounting estimates have been determined by management and the related disclosures have been reviewed with the Audit Committee of the board of directors of the Company. We believe the following accounting estimates are critical to our business operations and the understanding of our results of operations and involve the more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.
Uncertain Tax Positions
We are subject to income taxes in numerous U.S. and foreign jurisdictions. From time to time, we engage in transactions or take filing positions in which the tax consequences may be uncertain and may recognize tax liabilities based on estimates of whether additional taxes and interest will be due. We establish a reserve for uncertain tax positions unless we determine that such positions are more likely than not to be sustained upon examination based on their technical merits, including the resolution of any appeals or litigation processes. We include interest and where appropriate, potential penalties, as a component of income tax expense on the consolidated statement of operations. This assessment relies on estimates and assumptions and may involve a series of complex judgments about future events including the status and results of income tax audits with the relevant tax authorities. Significant judgment is exercised in evaluating all relevant information, the technical merits of the tax positions, and the accurate measurement of uncertain tax positions when determining the amount of reserve and whether positions taken on our tax returns are more likely than not to be sustained. This also involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions with respect to the potential outcome of positions taken on tax returns that may be reviewed by tax authorities. At December 31, 2022, the reserve for uncertain tax positions was $1,929 million, and it is reasonably possible that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits related to certain of our uncertain tax positions could decrease by as much as $316 million within the next twelve months as a result of ongoing audits, foreign judicial proceedings, lapses of statutes of limitations or regulatory developments.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill is allocated to our reporting units, which are our operating segments or one level below our operating segments (the component level). Reporting units are determined by the discrete financial information available for the component and whether it is regularly reviewed by segment management. Components are aggregated into a single reporting unit if they share similar economic characteristics. Our reporting units are Studios, Networks, and DTC.
We evaluate our goodwill for impairment annually as of October 1 or earlier upon the occurrence of substantive unfavorable changes in economic conditions, industry trends, costs, cash flows, or ongoing declines in market capitalization. If we believe that as a result of our qualitative assessment it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount, a quantitative impairment test is required. The quantitative impairment test requires significant judgment in determining the fair value of the reporting units. We determine the fair value of our reporting units by using a combination of the income approach, which incorporates the use of the discounted cash flow (“DCF”) method and the market multiple approach, which incorporates the use of EBITDA multiples based on market data. For the DCF method, we use projections specific to the reporting unit, as well as those based on general economic conditions, which require the use of significant estimates and assumptions. Determining fair value specific to each reporting unit requires us to exercise judgment when selecting the appropriate discount rates, control premiums, terminal growth rates, relevant comparable company earnings multiples and the amount and timing of expected future cash flows, including revenue growth rates and profit margins. The cash flows employed in the DCF analysis for each reporting unit are based on the reporting unit's budget, long range plan, and recent operating performance. Discount rate assumptions are based on an assessment of the risk inherent in the future cash flows of the respective reporting unit and market conditions.
2022 Impairment Analysis
As of October 1, 2022, we performed a quantitative goodwill impairment assessment for all reporting units consistent with our accounting policy. The estimated fair value of each reporting unit exceeded its carrying value by at least 20% and, therefore, no impairment was recorded. Due to declining levels of global GDP growth and execution risk associated with anticipated growth in the Company’s DTC reporting unit, which is the DTC segment, the Company will continue to monitor its reporting units for changes that could impact recoverability.
Content Rights
We capitalize the costs to produce or acquire feature films and television programs, and we amortize costs and test for impairment based on whether the content is predominately monetized individually, or as a group.
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For films and television programs predominantly monetized individually, the amount of capitalized film and television production costs amortized and the amount of participations and residuals to be recognized as expense in a particular period are determined using the individual film forecast method. Under this method, the amortization of capitalized costs and the accrual of participations and residuals are based on the proportion of the film’s or television program’s revenues recognized for such period to the film’s or television program’s estimated remaining ultimate revenues (i.e., the total revenue to be received throughout a film’s or television program’s remaining life cycle).
For theatrical films, which are monetized on an individual basis, the process of estimating ultimate revenues requires us to make a series of judgments related to future revenue-generating activities associated with a particular film. Prior to the theatrical release of a film, our estimates are based on factors such as the historical performance of similar films, the star power of the lead actors, the rating and genre of the film, pre-release market research (including test market screenings), international distribution plans and the expected number of theaters in which the film will be released. Subsequent to release, ultimate revenues are updated to reflect initial performance, which is often predictive of future performance.
For television programs that are monetized on an individual basis, ultimate revenues are estimated based on factors including the performance of similar programs in each applicable market, firm commitments in hand from customers that license the program in the future, and the popularity of the program in its initial markets.
For a film or television program that is predominantly monetized on its own but also monetized with other films and/or programs (such as our DTC or linear services), we make a reasonable estimate of the value attributable to the film or program’s exploitation while monetized with other films/programs, based on relative market rates, and expense such costs as the film or television program is exhibited.
Ultimates for content monetized on an individual basis are reviewed and updated (as applicable) on a quarterly basis; any adjustments are applied prospectively as of the beginning of the fiscal year of the change.
For programs monetized as a group, including licensed programming, amortization expense for network programs is generally based on projected usage, generally resulting in an accelerated or straight-line amortization pattern. Adjustments to projected usage are applied prospectively in the period of the change. Streaming and premium pay-TV content amortization is based on estimated viewing patterns, as there are generally limited to no direct revenues to associate to the individual content assets for premium pay-TV. As such, number of views is most representative of the use of the title.
Judgment is required to determine the useful lives and amortization patterns of our content assets that are predominately monetized as a group. Critical assumptions include: (i) the grouping of content with similar characteristics, (ii) the application of a quantitative revenue forecast model or historical viewership model based on the adequacy of historical data, (iii) determining the appropriate historical periods to utilize and the relative weighting of those historical periods in the forecast model, and (iv) incorporating secondary revenue streams. We then consider the appropriate application of the quantitative assessment given forecasted content use, expected content investment and market trends. Content use and future revenues may differ from estimates based on changes in expectations related to market acceptance, network affiliate fee rates, advertising demand, the number of cable and satellite television subscribers receiving our networks, the number of subscribers to our streaming services, and program usage. Accordingly, we review our estimates and planned usage at least quarterly and revise our assumptions if necessary.
Consolidation
We have ownership and other interests in and contractual arrangements with various entities, including corporations, partnerships, and limited liability companies. For each such entity, we evaluate our ownership, other interests and contractual arrangements to determine whether we should consolidate the entity or account for its interest as an investment at inception and upon reconsideration events. As part of its evaluation, we initially determine whether the entity is a variable interest entity (“VIE”). Management evaluates key considerations through a qualitative and quantitative analysis in determining whether an entity is a VIE including whether (i) the entity has sufficient equity to finance its activities without additional financial support from other parties, (ii) the ability or inability to make significant decisions about the entity’s operations, and (iii) the proportionality of voting rights of investors relative to their obligations to absorb the expected losses (or receive the expected returns) of the entity. If the entity is a VIE and if we have a variable interest in the entity, we use judgment in determining if we are the primary beneficiary and are thus required to consolidate the entity. In making this determination, we evaluate whether we or another party involved with the VIE (1) has the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and (2) has the obligation to absorb losses of or receive benefits from the VIE that could be significant to the VIE.
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If it is concluded that an entity is not a VIE, we consider our proportional voting interests in the entity and consolidate majority-owned subsidiaries in which a controlling financial interest is maintained. A controlling financial interest is determined by majority ownership and the absence of substantive third-party participation rights. Key factors we consider in determining the presence of substantive third-party participation rights include, but are not limited to, control of the board of directors, budget approval or veto rights, or operational rights that significantly impact the economic performance of the business such as programming, creative development, marketing, and selection of key personnel. Ownership interests in unconsolidated entities for which we have significant influence are accounted for as equity method.
We evaluated reconsideration events during the year ended December 31, 2022 and concluded there were no changes to our consolidation assessments.
Revenue Recognition
As described in Note 2, revenue is recognized upon transfer of control of promised services or goods to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration that we expect to receive in exchange for those services or goods. Significant estimates and judgements are applied in determining the timing of revenue recognition for certain types of transactions, such as bundled arrangements for advertising sales and content licensing arrangements.
A substantial portion of the advertising contracts in the U.S. and certain international markets guarantee the advertiser a minimum audience level that either the program in which their advertisements are aired or the advertisement will reach. These advertising campaigns are considered to represent a single, distinct performance obligation. For such contracts, judgment is required in measuring progress across our single performance obligation. Various factors such as pricing specific to the channel, daypart and targeted demographic, as well as audience guarantees, are considered in determining how to appropriately measure progress across the campaigns. Revenues are ultimately recognized based on the guaranteed audience level delivered multiplied by the average price per impression.
Our content licensing arrangements often include fixed license fees from the licensing of feature films and television programs in the off-network cable, premium pay, syndication, streaming, and international television and streaming markets. For arrangements that include multiple titles and/or staggered availabilities across geographical regions, the availability of each title and/or each region is considered a separate performance obligation, and the fixed fee is allocated to each title/region based on comparable market rates and recognized as revenue when the title is available for use by the licensee.
Our games sometimes include digital offerings such as in-game purchases or other online features. In these cases, we determine the timing of satisfaction of our performance obligations based on the nature of the deliverable (e.g., whether the type of in-game purchase can be consumed by the player right away (“consumable good”, or used by the player over time “durable good”)), and if recognized over time, we estimate the duration of consumer game play based on available game play, historical, or market data.
See Item 1A, “Risk Factors” for details on significant risks that could impact our ability to successfully grow our cash flows. For an in-depth discussion of each of our significant accounting policies, including our critical accounting policies and further information regarding estimates and assumptions involved in their application, see Note 2 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements included in Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
FY 2021 10-K MD&A
SEC filing source: 0001437107-22-000031.
ITEM 7. 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, financial condition, contractual commitments, critical accounting policies, and estimates that require significant judgment and thus have the most significant potential impact on our consolidated financial statements. This discussion and analysis is intended to better allow investors to view the company from management's perspective.
This section provides an analysis of our financial results for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 compared to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020. A discussion of our result of operations and liquidity for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 compared to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 can be found under Item 7 in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, filed on February 22, 2021, which is available free of charge on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and our Investor Relations website at ir.corporate.discovery.com. The information contained on our website is not part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and is not incorporated by reference herein.
BUSINESS OVERVIEW
We are a global media company that provides content across multiple distribution platforms, including linear platforms such as pay-TV, FTA and broadcast television, our authenticated GO applications, digital distribution arrangements, content licensing arrangements and DTC subscription products. For a discussion of our global portfolio of networks and joint ventures see our business overview set forth in Item 1, “Business” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Our content spans genres including survival, natural history, exploration, sports, general entertainment, home, food, travel, heroes, adventure, crime and investigation, health and kids. We have an extensive library of content and own most rights to our content and footage, which enables us to leverage our library to quickly launch brands and services into new markets and on new platforms. Our content can be re-edited and updated in a cost-effective manner to provide topical versions of subject matter that can be utilized around the world on a variety of platforms.
We aim to invest in high-quality content for our networks and brands with the objective of building viewership, optimizing distribution revenue, capturing advertising revenue, and creating or repositioning branded channels and business to sustain long-term growth and occupy a desired content niche with strong consumer appeal. Our strategy is to maximize the distribution, ratings and profit potential of each of our branded networks and discovery+. In addition to growing distribution and advertising revenues for our branded networks, we have extended content distribution across new platforms, including brand-aligned websites, online streaming, mobile devices, VOD, and broadband channels, which provide promotional platforms for our television content and serve as additional outlets for advertising and distribution revenue. Our goal is to reach consumers wherever and whenever they are consuming content, as well as reaching new audiences including broadband only, cord cutters and cord nevers, while continuing to serve our linear network subscribers. Audience ratings, audience engagement and channel packaging are key drivers in generating advertising revenue and creating demand on the part of cable television operators, DTH satellite operators, telecommunication service providers, and other content distributors who deliver our content to their customers.
Although we utilize certain brands and content globally, we classify our operations in two reportable segments: U.S. Networks, consisting principally of domestic television networks and digital content services, and International Networks, consisting primarily of international television networks and digital content services. Our segment presentation aligns 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. For further discussion of financial information for our segments and the geographical areas in which we do business, our content development activities, and revenues see our business overview set forth in Item 1, “Business” and Note 23 to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Impact of COVID-19
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) outbreak to be a global pandemic. COVID-19 has continued to spread throughout the world, and the duration and severity of its effects and associated economic disruption remain uncertain. We continue to closely monitor the 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.
Beginning in the second quarter of 2020, demand for our advertising products and services decreased due to economic disruptions from limitations on social and commercial activity. These economic disruptions and the resulting effect on us eased
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during the second half of 2020. The pandemic did not have a significant impact on demand during fiscal year 2021. Many of our third-party production partners that were shut down during most of the second quarter of 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions came back online in the third quarter of 2020 and, as a result, we have incurred additional costs to comply with various governmental regulations and implement certain safety measures for our employees, talent, and partners. Additionally, certain sporting events that we have rights to were cancelled or postponed, thereby eliminating or deferring the related revenues and expenses, including the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, which occurred in July and August 2021. The postponement of the 2020 Olympic Games deferred both Olympic-related revenues and significant expenses from fiscal year 2020 to fiscal year 2021.
In response to the impact of the pandemic, we employed innovative production and programming strategies, including producing content filmed by our on-air talent and seeking viewer feedback on which content to air. We pursued a number of cost savings initiatives, which began during the third quarter of 2020 through the implementation of travel, marketing, production and other operating cost reductions, including personnel reductions, restructurings and resource reallocations to align our expense structure to ongoing changes within the industry.
The full extent of COVID-19’s effects on our operations and results is 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 surges of COVID-19, vaccine distribution and other actions to contain the virus or treat its impact, among others. We will continue to monitor COVID-19 and its impact on our business results and financial condition. The consolidated financial statements set forth in this Annual Report on Form 10-K reflect management’s latest 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.
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Items Impacting Comparability
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 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 reported in accordance with GAAP.
The ex-FX change represents the percentage change on a period-over-period basis adjusted for foreign currency impacts. The ex-FX change is calculated as the difference between the current year amounts translated at a baseline rate, which is a spot rate for each of our currencies determined early in the fiscal year as part of our forecasting process (the “2021 Baseline Rate”), and the prior year amounts translated at the same 2021 Baseline Rate. In addition, consistent with the assumption of a constant currency environment, our ex-FX results exclude the impact of our foreign currency hedging activities, as well as realized and unrealized foreign currency transaction gains and losses. Results on a constant currency basis, as we present them, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.
Consolidated Results of Operations – 2021 vs. 2020
Our consolidated results of operations for 2021 and 2020 were as follows (in millions).
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | % Change | % Change (ex-FX) | |||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||
| Advertising | $ | 6,215 | $ | 5,583 | 11 | % | 10 | % | ||||||
| Distribution | 5,409 | 4,866 | 11 | % | 11 | % | ||||||||
| Other | 567 | 222 | NM | NM | ||||||||||
| Total revenues | 12,191 | 10,671 | 14 | % | 14 | % | ||||||||
| Costs of revenues, excluding depreciation and amortization | 4,620 | 3,860 | 20 | % | 18 | % | ||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 4,016 | 2,722 | 48 | % | 46 | % | ||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 1,582 | 1,359 | 16 | % | 15 | % | ||||||||
| Impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets | — | 124 | NM | NM | ||||||||||
| Restructuring and other charges | 32 | 91 | (65) | % | (64) | % | ||||||||
| Gain on disposition | (71) | — | NM | NM | ||||||||||
| Total costs and expenses | 10,179 | 8,156 | 25 | % | 23 | % | ||||||||
| Operating income | 2,012 | 2,515 | (20) | % | (18) | % | ||||||||
| Interest expense, net | (633) | (648) | (2) | % | ||||||||||
| Loss on extinguishment of debt | (10) | (76) | (87) | % | ||||||||||
| Loss from equity investees, net | (18) | (105) | (83) | % | ||||||||||
| Other income, net | 82 | 42 | 95 | % | ||||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 1,433 | 1,728 | (17) | % | ||||||||||
| Income tax expense | (236) | (373) | (37) | % | ||||||||||
| Net income | 1,197 | 1,355 | (12) | % | ||||||||||
| Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests | (138) | (124) | 11 | % | ||||||||||
| Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests | (53) | (12) | NM | |||||||||||
| Net income available to Discovery, Inc. | $ | 1,006 | $ | 1,219 | (17) | % |
NM - Not meaningful
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Revenues
Our advertising revenue is generated across multiple platforms and consists of consumer advertising, which is sold primarily on a national basis in the U.S. and on a pan-regional or local-language feed basis outside the U.S. Advertising contracts generally have a term of one year or less. Advertising revenue is dependent upon a number of factors, including the stage of development of television markets, the popularity of FTA television, the number of subscribers to our channels, viewership demographics, the popularity of our content and our ability to sell commercial time over a group of channels. Revenue from advertising is subject to seasonality, market-based variations, the mix in sales of commercial time between the upfront and scatter markets, and general economic conditions. Advertising revenue is typically highest in the second and fourth quarters. In some cases, advertising sales are subject to ratings guarantees that require us to provide additional advertising time if the guaranteed audience levels are not achieved. We also generate revenue from the sale of advertising through our digital products on a stand-alone basis and as part of advertising packages with our television networks.
Advertising revenue increased 11% in 2021. Excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, advertising revenue increased 10%. The increase was primarily attributable to improved overall performance at International Networks as advertising markets recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the broadcast of the Summer Olympics throughout Europe in the third quarter of 2021.
Distribution revenue consists principally of fees from affiliates for distributing our linear networks, supplemented by revenue earned from SVOD content licensing, DTC subscription services, and other emerging forms of digital distribution. The largest component of distribution revenue is comprised of linear distribution services for rights to our networks from cable, DTH satellite and telecommunication service providers. We have contracts with distributors representing most cable and satellite service providers around the world, including the largest operators in the U.S. and major international distributors. Distribution revenues are largely dependent on the rates negotiated in the agreements, the number of subscribers that receive our networks or content, the number of platforms covered in the distribution agreement, and the market demand for the content that we provide. From time to time, renewals of multi-year carriage agreements include significant year one market adjustments to re-set subscriber rates, which then increase at rates lower than the initial increase in the following years. In some cases, we have provided distributors launch incentives, in the form of cash payments or free periods, to carry our networks. Distribution revenue also includes fees charged for bulk content arrangements and other subscription services for episodic content. These digital distribution revenues are impacted by the quantity, as well as the quality, of the content we provide.
As reported and excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, distribution revenue increased 11% in 2021 primarily attributable to the growth of discovery+ at both U.S. Networks and International Networks.
Other revenue increased $345 million in 2021. Excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, other revenue increased $354 million in 2021. Excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, the increases were primarily attributable to sublicensing of Olympics sports rights to broadcast networks throughout Europe.
Costs of Revenues
Our principal component of costs of revenues is content expense. Content expense includes television series, television specials, films, sporting events and digital products. The costs of producing a content asset and bringing that asset to market consist of film costs, participation costs, exploitation costs and manufacturing costs.
Costs of revenues increased 20% in 2021. Excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, costs of revenues increased 18%. The increase was primarily attributable to the Olympics and to a lesser extent, European sporting events and leagues
returning to a more normalized schedule, and higher content investment related to discovery+ at U.S. Networks and International Networks.
Selling, General and Administrative
Selling, general and administrative expenses consist principally of employee costs, marketing costs, research costs, occupancy and back office support fees. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 48% in 2021. Excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, selling, general and administrative increased 46%. The increase was primarily attributable to higher marketing related expenses to drive the growth of discovery+ at U.S. Networks and International Networks.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization expense includes depreciation of fixed assets and amortization of finite-lived intangible assets. Depreciation and amortization increased 16% in 2021. Excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, depreciation and amortization increased 15%. The increase was primarily attributable to a change in amortization method from the straight-line method to the sum of the years digits method effective October 1, 2021 for acquired customer relationships, and to a lesser extent, assets placed in service related to the launch of discovery+.
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Impairment of Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
There was no impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets in 2021 compared to $124 million in 2020. (See Note 7 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
Restructuring and Other Charges
Restructuring and other charges were $32 million and $91 million in 2021 and 2020, respectively. Restructuring and other charges primarily include employee relocation and termination costs. (See Note 17 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
Gain on Disposition
Gain on disposition was $71 million for 2021, and was primarily attributable to the sale of our Great American Country network. (See Note 3 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
Interest Expense, net
Interest expense decreased 2% in 2021. (See Note 8 and Note 10 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
Loss on Extinguishment of Debt
Losses on extinguishment of debt were $10 million and $76 million in 2021 and 2020, respectively. In 2020, we repurchased $1.5 billion aggregate principal amount of DCL's and Scripps Networks' senior notes. The repurchase resulted in a loss on extinguishment of debt of $76 million. (See Note 8 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
Loss from Equity Investees, net
We reported losses from our equity method investees of $18 million and $105 million in 2021 and 2020, respectively. The changes are attributable to the Company's share of earnings and losses from its equity investees.
Other Income, net
The table below presents the details of other income, net (in millions).
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||||
| Foreign currency gains (losses), net | $ | 93 | $ | (115) | |||
| (Losses) gains on derivative instruments, net | (33) | 29 | |||||
| Interest income | 18 | 10 | |||||
| Gain on sale of investment with readily determinable fair value | 15 | 101 | |||||
| Change in the value of equity investments without readily determinable fair value | (13) | — | |||||
| Change in the value of investments with readily determinable fair value | (6) | 28 | |||||
| Expenses from debt modification | — | (11) | |||||
| Other income, net | 8 | — | |||||
| Other income, net | $ | 82 | $ | 42 |
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Income Taxes
The following table reconciles our effective income tax rate to the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate.
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | |||||||||||||
| Pre-tax income at U.S. federal statutory income tax rate | $ | 301 | 21 | % | $ | 363 | 21 | % | ||||||
| State and local income taxes, net of federal tax benefit | 108 | 7 | % | (10) | — | % | ||||||||
| Effect of foreign operations | 25 | 2 | % | 58 | 3 | % | ||||||||
| UK Finance Act legislative change | (155) | (11) | % | (51) | (3) | % | ||||||||
| Noncontrolling interest adjustment | (40) | (3) | % | (29) | (2) | % | ||||||||
| Change in uncertain tax positions | 12 | 1 | % | 17 | 1 | % | ||||||||
| Impairment of goodwill | — | — | % | 25 | 2 | % | ||||||||
| Deferred tax adjustment | — | — | % | (22) | (1) | % | ||||||||
| Other, net | (15) | (1) | % | $ | 22 | 1 | % | |||||||
| Income tax expense | $ | 236 | 16 | % | $ | 373 | 22 | % |
Income tax expense was $236 million and $373 million, and the Company's effective tax rate was 16% and 22% for 2021 and 2020, respectively. The decrease in income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2021 was primarily attributable to a decrease in pre-tax book income and an increase in the deferred tax benefit from the UK Finance Act 2021 that was enacted in June 2021. Those decreases were partially offset by an increase in the state and local income tax expense recorded in 2021.
Segment Results of Operations – 2021 vs. 2020
We evaluate the operating performance of our operating segments based on financial measures such as revenues and Adjusted OIBDA. Adjusted OIBDA is defined as operating income excluding: (i) employee share-based compensation, (ii) depreciation and amortization, (iii) restructuring and other charges, (iv) certain impairment charges, (v) gains and losses on business and asset dispositions, (vi) certain inter-segment eliminations related to production studios, (vii) third-party transaction and integration costs, and (viii) other items impacting comparability. We use this measure to assess the operating results and performance of our segments, perform analytical comparisons, identify strategies to improve performance, and allocate resources to each segment. We believe Adjusted OIBDA is relevant to investors because it allows them to analyze the operating performance of each segment using the same metric management uses. We exclude share-based compensation, restructuring and other charges, certain impairment charges, gains and losses on business and asset dispositions, and acquisition and integration costs from the calculation of Adjusted OIBDA due to their impact on comparability between periods. We also exclude the depreciation of fixed assets and amortization of intangible assets, as these amounts do not represent cash payments in the current reporting period. Certain corporate expenses and inter-segment eliminations related to production studios are excluded from segment results to enable executive management to evaluate segment performance based upon the decisions of segment executives.
Adjusted OIBDA should be considered in addition to, but not a substitute for, operating income, net income and other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”).
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The table below presents our Adjusted OIBDA by segment, with a reconciliation of consolidated net income available to Discovery, Inc. to Adjusted OIBDA (in millions).
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | % Change | |||||||||
| Net income available to Discovery, Inc. | $ | 1,006 | $ | 1,219 | (17) | % | |||||
| Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests | 53 | 12 | NM | ||||||||
| Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests | 138 | 124 | 11 | % | |||||||
| Income tax expense | 236 | 373 | (37) | % | |||||||
| Income before income taxes | 1,433 | 1,728 | (17) | % | |||||||
| Other (income) expense, net | (82) | (42) | 95 | % | |||||||
| Loss from equity investees, net | 18 | 105 | (83) | % | |||||||
| Loss on extinguishment of debt | 10 | 76 | (87) | % | |||||||
| Interest expense, net | 633 | 648 | (2) | % | |||||||
| Operating income | 2,012 | 2,515 | (20) | % | |||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 1,582 | 1,359 | 16 | % | |||||||
| Impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets | — | 124 | NM | ||||||||
| Employee share-based compensation | 167 | 99 | 69 | % | |||||||
| Restructuring and other charges | 32 | 91 | (65) | % | |||||||
| Transaction and integration costs | 95 | 6 | NM | ||||||||
| (Gain) loss on disposition | (71) | 2 | NM | ||||||||
| Adjusted OIBDA | $ | 3,817 | $ | 4,196 | (9) | % | |||||
| Adjusted OIBDA | |||||||||||
| U.S. Networks | 3,940 | 3,975 | (1) | % | |||||||
| International Networks | 494 | 723 | (32) | % | |||||||
| Corporate, inter-segment eliminations, and other | (617) | (502) | 23 | % | |||||||
| Adjusted OIBDA | $ | 3,817 | $ | 4,196 | (9) | % |
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The table below presents the calculation of Adjusted OIBDA (in millions).
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | % Change | |||||||||
| Revenue: | |||||||||||
| U.S. Networks | $ | 7,662 | $ | 6,949 | 10 | % | |||||
| International Networks | 4,539 | 3,713 | 22 | % | |||||||
| Corporate, inter-segment eliminations, and other | (10) | 9 | NM | ||||||||
| Total revenue | 12,191 | 10,671 | 14 | % | |||||||
| Costs of revenues, excluding depreciation and amortization | 4,620 | 3,860 | 20 | % | |||||||
| Selling, general and administrative (a) | 3,754 | 2,615 | 44 | % | |||||||
| Adjusted OIBDA | $ | 3,817 | $ | 4,196 | (9) | % | |||||
| (a) Selling, general and administrative expenses exclude employee share-based compensation and third-party transaction and integration costs. |
U.S. Networks
The table below presents, for our U.S. Networks segment, revenues by type, certain operating expenses, and Adjusted OIBDA (in millions).
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | Change % | |||||||||
| Revenues: | |||||||||||
| Advertising | $ | 4,188 | $ | 4,012 | 4 | % | |||||
| Distribution | 3,297 | 2,852 | 16 | % | |||||||
| Other | 177 | 85 | NM | ||||||||
| Total revenues | 7,662 | 6,949 | 10 | % | |||||||
| Costs of revenues, excluding depreciation and amortization | 1,841 | 1,843 | — | % | |||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 1,881 | 1,131 | 66 | % | |||||||
| Adjusted OIBDA | 3,940 | 3,975 | (1) | % | |||||||
| Employee share-based compensation | 1 | — | |||||||||
| Gain on disposition | (77) | — | |||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 1,065 | 899 | |||||||||
| Restructuring and other charges | 4 | 41 | |||||||||
| Transactions and integration costs | 1 | — | |||||||||
| Inter-segment eliminations | 20 | 4 | |||||||||
| Operating income | $ | 2,926 | $ | 3,031 |
Revenues
Advertising revenue increased 4% in 2021 and was primarily attributable to higher pricing, the continued monetization of content offerings on our next generation initiatives, and higher inventory, partially offset by lower overall ratings and secular declines in the pay-TV ecosystem.
Distribution revenue increased 16% in 2021 and was primarily attributable to growth of discovery+ and an increase in contractual affiliate rates, partially offset by a decline in linear subscribers, and certain prior year nonrecurring items. Excluding these nonrecurring items, distribution revenue increased 17% in 2021. Total portfolio subscribers at December 31, 2021 were 8% lower than at December 31, 2020, while subscribers to our fully distributed networks were 4% lower than the prior year. Excluding the impact of the sale of our Great American Country linear network, total subscribers to our linear networks at December 31, 2021 were 5% lower than at December 31, 2020.
Other revenue increased $92 million in 2021 and was primarily attributable to a nonrecurring item.
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Costs of Revenues
Costs of revenues were flat in 2021, primarily attributable to our content investment in discovery+, a nonrecurring, non-cash item in 2020, and third-party app store fees, offset by more efficient content spend on our linear networks.
Content expense was $1.6 billion in 2021 and 2020.
Selling, General and Administrative
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 66% in 2021 and was primarily attributable to higher marketing-related expenses to drive the growth of discovery+.
Adjusted OIBDA
Adjusted OIBDA decreased 1% in 2021.
International Networks
The following table presents, for our International Networks segment, revenues by type, certain operating expenses, and Adjusted OIBDA (in millions).
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | Change % | Change % (ex-FX) | |||||||||||
| Revenues: | ||||||||||||||
| Advertising | $ | 2,027 | $ | 1,571 | 29 | % | 25 | % | ||||||
| Distribution | 2,112 | 2,014 | 5 | % | 4 | % | ||||||||
| Other | 400 | 128 | NM | NM | ||||||||||
| Total revenues | 4,539 | 3,713 | 22 | % | 20 | % | ||||||||
| Costs of revenues, excluding depreciation and amortization | 2,784 | 2,004 | 39 | % | 35 | % | ||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 1,261 | 986 | 28 | % | 24 | % | ||||||||
| Adjusted OIBDA | 494 | 723 | (32) | % | (27)% | |||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 394 | 374 | ||||||||||||
| Impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets | — | 124 | ||||||||||||
| Restructuring and other charges | 26 | 29 | ||||||||||||
| Transaction and integration costs | 4 | 4 | ||||||||||||
| Inter-segment eliminations | (15) | 1 | ||||||||||||
| Loss on disposition | 6 | — | ||||||||||||
| Operating income | $ | 79 | $ | 191 |
Revenues
Advertising revenue increased 29% in 2021. Excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, advertising revenue increased 25%. The increases were attributable to improved overall performance as advertising markets recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the broadcast of the Summer Olympics throughout Europe in the third quarter of 2021.
Distribution revenue increased 5% in 2021. Excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, distribution revenue increased 4%. The increases were primarily attributable to higher next generation revenues due to growth of discovery+, partially offset by lower contractual affiliate rates in some European markets.
Other revenue increased $272 million in 2021. Excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, other revenue increased $281 million. The increases were primarily attributable to sublicensing of Olympics sports rights to broadcast networks throughout Europe.
Costs of Revenues
Costs of revenues increased 39% in 2021. Excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, costs of revenues increased 35%. The increases were primarily attributable to the Olympics and to a lesser extent, European sporting events and leagues returning to a more normalized schedule, and higher content investment related to discovery+. Content expense, excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, was $2.0 billion for 2021 and $1.4 billion 2020.
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Selling, General and Administrative
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 28% in 2021. Excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, selling, general, and administrative expenses increased 24%. The increases were primarily attributable to higher marketing-related expenses to drive the growth of discovery+ and the Olympics, as well as personnel costs to support our next generation platforms.
Adjusted OIBDA
Adjusted OIBDA decreased 32% in 2021. Excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, adjusted OIBDA decreased 27%.
Corporate, Inter-segment Eliminations, and Other
The following table presents our unallocated corporate amounts including certain operating expenses, Adjusted OIBDA and a reconciliation of Adjusted OIBDA to operating loss (in millions).
| Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | % Change | ||||||||
| Revenues | $ | (10) | $ | 9 | NM | |||||
| Costs of revenues, excluding depreciation and amortization | (5) | 13 | NM | |||||||
| Selling, general and administrative | 612 | 498 | 23 | % | ||||||
| Adjusted OIBDA | (617) | (502) | (23) | % | ||||||
| Employee share-based compensation | 166 | 99 | ||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 123 | 86 | ||||||||
| Transaction and integration costs | 90 | 2 | ||||||||
| Restructuring and other charges | 2 | 21 | ||||||||
| Loss on asset disposition | — | 2 | ||||||||
| Inter-segment eliminations | (5) | (5) | ||||||||
| Operating loss | $ | (993) | $ | (707) |
Corporate operations primarily consist of executive management, administrative support services, substantially all of our share-based compensation and third-party transaction and integration costs.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Liquidity
Sources of Cash
Historically, we have generated a significant amount of cash from operations. During 2021, we funded our working capital needs primarily through cash flows from operations. As of December 31, 2021, we had $3.9 billion of cash and cash equivalents on hand. We are a well-known seasoned issuer and have the ability to conduct registered offerings of securities, including debt securities, common stock and preferred stock, on short notice, subject to market conditions. Access to sufficient capital from the public market is not assured. We also have a $2.5 billion revolving credit facility and commercial paper program described below.
•Debt
Revolving Credit Facility and Commercial Paper
In June 2021, we entered into a multicurrency revolving credit agreement (the "Credit Agreement"), replacing the existing $2.5 billion credit agreement, dated February 4, 2016, as amended. We have the capacity to initially borrow up to $2.5 billion under the Credit Agreement. Upon the closing of the proposed Combination with WarnerMedia and subject to certain conditions, the available commitments will increase by $3.5 billion, to an aggregate amount not to exceed $6 billion. The Credit Agreement includes a $150 million sublimit for the issuance of standby letters of credit. We may also request additional commitments up to $1 billion from the lenders upon satisfaction of certain conditions. Obligations under the Credit Agreement are unsecured and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Discovery, Inc. and Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc., and will also be guaranteed by the holding company of the WarnerMedia business upon the closing of the proposed Combination.
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The Credit Agreement will be available on a revolving basis until June 2026, with an option for up to two additional 364-day renewal periods subject to the lenders' consent. The Credit Agreement contains customary representations and warranties as well as affirmative and negative covenants. As of December 31, 2021, DCL was in compliance with all covenants and there were no events of default under the Credit Facility.
Additionally, our commercial paper program is supported by the Credit Facility. Under the commercial paper program, we may issue up to $1.5 billion, including up to $500 million of euro-denominated borrowings. Borrowing capacity under the Credit Facility is reduced by any outstanding borrowings under the commercial paper program.
As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility or the commercial paper program.
•Investments
We received proceeds of $599 million during 2021 from the sales and maturities of investments.
Uses of Cash
Our primary uses of cash include the creation and acquisition of new content, business acquisitions, repurchases of our capital stock, income taxes, personnel costs, costs to develop and market discovery+, principal and interest payments on our outstanding senior notes, and funding for various equity method and other investments.
•Content Acquisition
We plan to continue to invest significantly in the creation and acquisition of new content. Our investment in content has increased as we acquire and develop new content for discovery+. Additional information regarding contractual commitments to acquire content is set forth in "Material Cash Requirements from Known Contractual and Other Obligations" in this Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
•Debt
Senior Notes
In July 2021, we issued notices for the redemption in full of all $168 million aggregate principal amount outstanding of our 3.300% Senior Notes due May 2022 and $62 million aggregate principal amount outstanding of our 3.500% Senior Notes due June 2022 (collectively, the "2022 Notes"). The 2022 Notes were redeemed in July 2021 for an aggregate redemption price of $235 million, plus accrued interest.
In February 2021, we issued a notice for the redemption in full of all $335 million aggregate principal amount outstanding of our 4.375% Senior Notes due June 2021 (the “2021 Notes”). The 2021 Notes were redeemed in March 2021 for an aggregate redemption price of $339 million, plus accrued interest.
In addition, we have $339 million of senior notes coming due in March 2022.
•Capital Expenditures and Investments in Next Generation Initiatives
We effected capital expenditures of $373 million in 2021, including amounts capitalized to support our next generation platforms, such as discovery+. In addition, we expect to continue to incur significant costs to develop and market discovery+ in the future.
•Investments and Business Combinations
Our uses of cash have included investments in equity method investments and equity investments without readily determinable fair value. (See Note 4 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.) We provide funding to our investees from time to time. We contributed $184 million and $181 million in 2021 and 2020, for investments in and advances to our investees. We also purchased $103 million and $250 million of time deposit investments during 2021 and 2020.
In May 2021, we entered into an agreement with AT&T Inc. to combine with WarnerMedia’s ("WarnerMedia") entertainment, sports and news assets to create a standalone, global entertainment company. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2022, subject to approval by the Company's shareholders and customary closing conditions, including receipt of regulatory approvals. For the year ended December 31, 2021, we incurred transaction and integration costs of $95 million, primarily related to the WarnerMedia acquisition, and we expect to continue to incur significant transaction and integration costs in 2022 and beyond. (See Note 3 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
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•Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest and Noncontrolling Interest
Due to business combinations, we also have redeemable equity balances of $363 million, which may require the use of cash in the event holders of noncontrolling interests put their interests to us. Distributions to noncontrolling interests and redeemable noncontrolling interests totaled $251 million and $254 million in 2021 and 2020, respectively.
•Common Stock Repurchases
Historically, we have funded our stock repurchases through a combination of cash on hand, cash generated by operations and the issuance of debt. In February 2020, our Board of Directors authorized additional stock repurchases of up to $2 billion upon completion of our existing $1 billion authorization announced in May 2019. Under the new stock repurchase authorization, management is authorized to purchase shares from time to time through open market purchases at prevailing prices or privately negotiated purchases subject to market conditions and other factors. (See Note 12 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.) There was no common stock repurchase activity during 2021. During 2020, we repurchased $969 million of our Series C common stock.
•Income Taxes and Interest
We expect to continue to make payments for income taxes and interest on our outstanding senior notes. During 2021 and 2020, we made cash payments of $643 million and $641 million for income taxes and $664 million and $673 million for interest on our outstanding debt. Following the closing of the proposed Combination with WarnerMedia, we expect cash required for interest payments to significantly increase.
Cash Flows
The following table presents changes in cash and cash equivalents (in millions).
| Year Ended December 31, | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2020 | ||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, beginning of period | $ | 2,122 | $ | 1,552 | |||
| Cash provided by operating activities | 2,798 | 2,739 | |||||
| Cash used in investing activities | (56) | (703) | |||||
| Cash used in financing activities | (853) | (1,549) | |||||
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash | (106) | 83 | |||||
| Net change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash | 1,783 | 570 | |||||
| Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, end of period | $ | 3,905 | $ | 2,122 |
Operating Activities
Cash provided by operating activities was $2.8 billion and $2.7 billion in 2021 and 2020, respectively. The increase in cash provided by operating activities was primarily attributable to an increase in net income excluding non-cash items, partially offset by a negative fluctuation in working capital activity.
Investing Activities
Cash used in investing activities was $56 million and $703 million in 2021 and 2020, respectively. The decrease in cash used in investing activities was primarily attributable to proceeds received from the sales and maturities of investments and a reduction in purchases of investments, partially offset by an increase in payments for derivatives during 2021.
Financing Activities
Cash used in financing activities was $853 million and $1.5 billion in 2021 and 2020, respectively. The decrease in cash used in financing activities was primarily attributable to the suspension of stock repurchases throughout 2021.
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Capital Resources
As of December 31, 2021, capital resources were comprised of the following (in millions).
| December 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Capacity | Outstanding Letters of Credit | Outstanding Indebtedness | Unused Capacity | ||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 3,905 | $ | — | $ | — | $ | 3,905 | |||||||
| Revolving credit facility and commercial paper program | 2,500 | — | — | 2,500 | |||||||||||
| Senior notes (a) | 15,187 | — | 15,187 | — | |||||||||||
| Total | $ | 21,592 | $ | — | $ | 15,187 | $ | 6,405 | |||||||
| (a) Interest on senior notes is paid annually or semi-annually. Our senior notes outstanding as of December 31, 2021 had interest rates that ranged from 1.90% to 6.35% and will mature between 2022 and 2055. |
We expect that our cash balance, cash generated from operations and availability under the Credit Agreement will be sufficient to fund our cash needs for both the short-term and the long-term. Our borrowing costs and access to capital markets can be affected by short and long-term debt ratings assigned by independent rating agencies which are based, in part, on our performance as measured by credit metrics such as interest coverage and leverage ratios.
As of December 31, 2021, we held $236 million of our $3.9 billion of cash and cash equivalents in our foreign subsidiaries. The 2017 Tax Act features a participation exemption regime with current taxation of certain foreign income and imposes a mandatory repatriation toll tax on unremitted foreign earnings. Notwithstanding the U.S. taxation of these amounts, we intend to continue to reinvest these funds outside of the U.S. Our current plans do not demonstrate a need to repatriate them to the U.S. However, if these funds are needed in the U.S., we would be required to accrue and pay non-U.S. taxes to repatriate them. The determination of the amount of unrecognized deferred income tax liability with respect to these undistributed foreign earnings is not practicable.
Summarized Guarantor Financial Information
Basis of Presentation
As of December 31, 2021, all of the Company’s outstanding registered senior notes have been issued by DCL, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company and guaranteed by the Company and Scripps Networks, except for $23 million of senior notes outstanding as of December 31, 2021 that have been issued by Scripps Networks and are not guaranteed. (See Note 8 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.) DCL primarily includes the Discovery Channel and TLC networks in the U.S. DCL is a wholly owned, indirect subsidiary of the Company. Scripps Networks is also 100% owned by the Company.
The tables below present the summarized financial information as combined for Discovery, Inc. (the “Parent”), Scripps Networks and DCL (collectively, the “Obligors”). All guarantees of DCL's senior notes (the “Note Guarantees”) are full and unconditional, joint and several and unsecured, and cover all payment obligations arising under the senior notes.
Note Guarantees issued by Scripps Networks or any subsidiary of the Parent that in the future issues a Note Guarantee (each, a “Subsidiary Guarantor”) may be released and discharged (i) concurrently with any direct or indirect sale or disposition of such Subsidiary Guarantor or any interest therein, (ii) at any time that such Subsidiary Guarantor is released from all of its obligations under its guarantee of payment by DCL, (iii) upon the merger or consolidation of any Subsidiary Guarantor with and into DCL or the Parent or another Subsidiary Guarantor, or upon the liquidation of such Subsidiary Guarantor and (iv) other customary events constituting a discharge of the Obligors’ obligations.
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Summarized Financial Information
The Company has included the accompanying summarized combined financial information of the Obligors after the elimination of intercompany transactions and balances among the Obligors and the elimination of equity in earnings from and investments in any subsidiary of the Parent that is a non-guarantor (in millions).
| December 31, 2021 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Current assets | $ | 4,452 | |
| Non-guarantor intercompany trade receivables, net | 85 | ||
| Noncurrent assets | 5,969 | ||
| Current liabilities | 1,018 | ||
| Noncurrent liabilities | 15,778 |
| Year Ended December 31, 2021 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Revenues | $ | 2,091 | |
| Operating income | 1,028 | ||
| Net income | 294 | ||
| Net income available to Discovery, Inc. | 246 |
Additional information regarding the changes in our outstanding indebtedness and the significant terms and provisions of our revolving credit facility and outstanding indebtedness is discussed in Note 8 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements included in Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
MATERIAL CASH REQUIREMENTS FROM KNOWN CONTRACTUAL AND OTHER OBLIGATIONS
As of December 31, 2021, our significant contractual and other obligations were as follows (in millions).
| Total | Short-term | Long-term | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long-term debt: | |||||||||||
| Principal payments | $ | 15,187 | $ | 339 | $ | 14,848 | |||||
| Interest payments | 9,988 | 629 | 9,359 | ||||||||
| Purchase obligations: | |||||||||||
| Content | 5,352 | 1,798 | 3,554 | ||||||||
| Other | 1,611 | 704 | 907 | ||||||||
| Finance lease obligations | 277 | 65 | 212 | ||||||||
| Operating lease obligations | 801 | 84 | 717 | ||||||||
| Pension and other employee obligations | 17 | 3 | 14 | ||||||||
| Total | $ | 33,233 | $ | 3,622 | $ | 29,611 |
Long-term Debt
Principal payments on long-term debt reflect the repayment of our outstanding senior notes, at face value, assuming repayment will occur upon maturity. Interest payments on our outstanding senior notes are projected based on their contractual interest rates and maturity dates.
Additionally, DCL's revolving credit facility allows DCL and certain designated foreign subsidiaries of DCL to borrow up to $2.5 billion, including a $150 million sublimit for the issuance of standby letters of credit. Upon the closing of the Combination with WarnerMedia and subject to certain conditions, the available commitments will increase by $3.5 billion, to an aggregate amount not to exceed $6 billion. As of December 31, 2021, we had no outstanding borrowings under the credit facility or the commercial paper program. (See Note 8 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
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Purchase Obligations
Content purchase obligations include commitments and liabilities associated with third-party producers and sports associations for content that airs on our television networks. Production contracts generally require: purchase of a specified number of episodes; payments over the term of the license; and include both programs that have been delivered and are available for airing and programs that have not yet been produced or sporting events that have not yet taken place. If the content is ultimately never produced, our commitments expire without obligation. The commitments exclude content liabilities recognized on the consolidated balance sheet. We expect to enter into additional production contracts and content licenses to meet our future content needs.
Other purchase obligations include agreements with certain vendors and suppliers for the purchase of goods and services whereby the underlying agreements are enforceable, legally binding and specify all significant terms. Significant purchase obligations include transmission services, television rating services, marketing commitments and research, equipment purchases, and information technology and other services. Some of these contracts do not require the purchase of fixed or minimum quantities and generally may be terminated with a 30-day to 60-day advance notice without penalty, and are not included in the table above past the 30-day to 60-day advance notice period.
Finance Lease Obligations
We acquire satellite transponders and other equipment through multi-year finance lease arrangements. Principal payments on finance lease obligations reflect amounts due under our finance lease agreements. Interest payments on our outstanding finance lease obligations are based on the stated or implied rate in our finance lease agreements.
Operating Lease Obligations
We obtain office space and equipment under multi-year lease arrangements. Most operating leases are not cancelable prior to their expiration. Payments for operating leases represent the amounts due under the agreements assuming the agreements are not canceled prior to their expiration.
Pension and Other Employee Obligations
We sponsor a qualified defined benefit pension plan (“Pension Plan”) that covers certain U.S.-based employees. We also have a non-qualified Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”).
Contractual commitments include payments to meet minimum funding requirements of our Pension Plan in 2022 and estimated benefit payments for our SERP that exceed plan assets. Payments for the SERP have been estimated over a ten-year period. While benefit payments under these plans are expected to continue beyond 2031, we believe it is not practicable to estimate payments beyond this period.
We are unable to reasonably predict the ultimate amount of any payments due to cash-settled share-based compensation awards. As of December 31, 2021, the current portion of the liability for cash-settled share-based compensation awards was $17 million.
Unrecognized Tax Benefits
We are unable to reasonably predict the ultimate amount or timing of settlement of our unrecognized tax benefits because, until formal resolutions are reached, reasonable estimates of the amount and timing of cash settlements with the respective taxing authorities are not practicable. Our unrecognized tax benefits totaled $420 million as of December 31, 2021.
Put Rights
We have granted put rights to certain consolidated subsidiaries, but we are unable to reasonably predict the ultimate amount or timing of any payment. We recorded the carrying value of the noncontrolling interest in the equity associated with the put rights as a component of redeemable noncontrolling interest in the amount of $363 million. (See Note 11 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
Noncontrolling Interest
The Food Network and Cooking Channel are operated and organized under the terms of the TV Food Network Partnership (the "Partnership"). We hold interests in the Partnership, along with another noncontrolling owner. The Partnership agreement specifies a dissolution date of December 31, 2022. If the term of the Partnership is not extended prior to that date, the Partnership agreement permits us, as holder of 80% of the applicable votes, to reconstitute the Partnership and continue its business. If for some reason the Partnership is not continued, it will be required to limit its activities to winding up, settling debts, liquidating assets and distributing proceeds to the partners in proportion to their partnership interests.
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RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
In the ordinary course of business, we enter into transactions with related parties, primarily the Liberty Entities and our equity method investees. Information regarding transactions and amounts with related parties is discussed in Note 21 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements included in Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
NEW ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
We adopted certain accounting and reporting standards during 2021. Information regarding our adoption of new accounting and reporting standards is discussed in Note 2 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements included in Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP, which requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities.
On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and assumptions, including those related to uncertain tax positions, goodwill and intangible assets, content rights, consolidation and revenue recognition. We base our estimates on historical experience, current developments and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under these circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about carrying values of assets and liabilities that cannot readily be determined from other sources. There can be no assurance that actual results will not differ from those estimates.
Management considers an accounting estimate to be critical if it required assumptions to be made that were uncertain at the time the estimate was made and changes in the estimate or different estimates could have a material effect on our results of operations.
The development and selection of these critical accounting estimates have been determined by management and the related disclosures have been reviewed with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company. We believe the following accounting policies are critical to our business operations and the understanding of our results of operations and involve the more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.
Uncertain Tax Positions
We are subject to income taxes in numerous U.S. and foreign jurisdictions. From time to time, we engage in transactions or take filing positions in which the tax consequences may be uncertain and may recognize tax liabilities based on estimates of whether additional taxes and interest will be due. We establish a reserve for uncertain tax positions unless we determine that such positions are more likely than not to be sustained upon examination based on their technical merits, including the resolution of any appeals or litigation processes. We include interest and where appropriate, potential penalties, as a component of income tax expense on the consolidated statement of operations. This assessment relies on estimates and assumptions and may involve a series of complex judgments about future events including the status and results of income tax audits with the relevant tax authorities. Significant judgment is exercised in evaluating all relevant information, the technical merits of the tax positions, and the accurate measurement of uncertain tax positions when determining the amount of reserve and whether positions taken on our tax returns are more likely than not to be sustained. This also involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions with respect to the potential outcome of positions taken on tax returns that may be reviewed by tax authorities. At December 31, 2021, the reserve for uncertain tax positions was $420 million, and it is reasonably possible that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits related to certain of our uncertain tax positions could decrease by as much as $125 million within the next twelve months as a result of ongoing audits, foreign judicial proceedings, lapses of statutes of limitations or regulatory developments.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill is allocated to our reporting units, which are our operating segments or one level below our operating segments (the component level). Reporting units are determined by the discrete financial information available for the component and whether it is regularly reviewed by segment management. Components are aggregated into a single reporting unit if they share similar economic characteristics. Our reporting units are as follows: U.S. Networks, Europe, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific.
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We evaluate our goodwill for impairment annually as of October 1 or earlier upon the occurrence of substantive unfavorable changes in economic conditions, industry trends, costs, cash flows, or ongoing declines in market capitalization. If we believe that as a result of our qualitative assessment it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount, a quantitative impairment test is required. The quantitative impairment test requires significant judgment in determining the fair value of the reporting units. We determine the fair value of our reporting units by using a combination of the income approach, which incorporates the use of the discounted cash flow (“DCF”) method and the market multiple approach, which incorporates the use of EBITDA multiples based on market data. For the DCF method, we use projections specific to the reporting unit, as well as those based on general economic conditions, which require the use of significant estimates and assumptions. Determining fair value specific to each reporting unit requires the Company to exercise judgment when selecting the appropriate discount rates, control premiums, terminal growth rates, relevant comparable company earnings multiples and the amount and timing of expected future cash flows, including revenue growth rates and profit margins. The cash flows employed in the DCF analysis for each reporting unit are based on the reporting unit's budget, long range plan, and recent operating performance. Discount rate assumptions are based on an assessment of the risk inherent in the future cash flows of the respective reporting unit and market conditions.
2021 Impairment Analysis
During the fourth quarter of 2021, the Company performed a qualitative goodwill impairment assessment for all reporting units and it determined that it was more likely than not that the fair value of those reporting units exceeded their carrying values, therefore, no quantitative goodwill impairment analysis was performed
Content Rights
Content rights principally consist of television series, specials, films and sporting events. Costs of produced and coproduced content consist of development costs, acquired production costs, direct production costs, certain production overhead costs and participation costs and are capitalized if we have previously generated revenues from similar content in established markets and the content will be used and revenues will be generated for a period of at least one year.
Linear content amortization expense for each period is recognized based on the revenue forecast model, which approximates the proportion that estimated distribution and advertising revenues for the current period represent in relation to the estimated remaining total lifetime revenues. Digital content amortization for each period is recognized based on estimated viewing patterns as there are no direct revenues to associate to the individual content assets and therefore, number of views is most representative of the use of the title. Judgment is required to determine the useful lives and amortization patterns of our content assets.
Critical assumptions used in determining content amortization include: (i) the grouping of content with similar characteristics, (ii) the application of a quantitative revenue forecast model or viewership model based on the adequacy of historical data, (iii) determining the appropriate historical periods to utilize and the relative weighting of those historical periods in the forecast model, (iv) assessing the accuracy of our forecasts and (v) incorporating secondary streams. We then consider the appropriate application of the quantitative assessment given forecasted content use, expected content investment and market trends. Content use and future revenues may differ from estimates based on changes in expectations related to market acceptance, network affiliate fee rates, advertising demand, the number of cable and satellite television subscribers receiving our networks, the number of subscribers to our digital services, and program usage. Accordingly, we continually review our estimates and planned usage and revise our assumptions if necessary.
Consolidation
We have ownership and other interests in and contractual arrangements with various entities, including corporations, partnerships, and limited liability companies. For each such entity, we evaluate our ownership, other interests and contractual arrangements to determine whether we should consolidate the entity or account for its interest as an investment at inception and upon reconsideration events. As part of its evaluation, we initially determine whether the entity is a variable interest entity ("VIE"). Management evaluates key considerations through a qualitative and quantitative analysis in determining whether an entity is a VIE including whether (i) the entity has sufficient equity to finance its activities without additional financial support from other parties, (ii) the ability or inability to make significant decisions about the entity’s operations, and (iii) the proportionality of voting rights of investors relative to their obligations to absorb the expected losses (or receive the expected returns) of the entity. If the entity is a VIE and if we have a variable interest in the entity, we use judgment in determining if we are the primary beneficiary and are thus required to consolidate the entity. In making this determination, we evaluate whether we or another party involved with the VIE (1) has the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and (2) has the obligation to absorb losses of or receive benefits from the VIE that could be significant to the VIE.
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If it is concluded that an entity is not a VIE, we consider our proportional voting interests in the entity and consolidate majority-owned subsidiaries in which a controlling financial interest is maintained. A controlling financial interest is determined by majority ownership and the absence of substantive third-party participation rights. Key factors we consider in determining the presence of substantive third-party participation rights include, but are not limited to, control of the board of directors, budget approval or veto rights, or operational rights that significantly impact the economic performance of the business such as programming, creative development, marketing, and selection of key personnel. Ownership interests in unconsolidated entities for which we have significant influence are accounted for as equity method.
We evaluated reconsideration events during the year ended December 31, 2021 and concluded there were no changes to our consolidation assessments.
Revenue Recognition
As described in Note 2, we generate advertising revenues primarily from advertising sold on our television networks, authenticated TVE applications, DTC subscription services and websites and distribution revenues from fees charged to distributors of our network content, which include cable, direct-to-home satellite, telecommunications and digital service providers and bundled long-term content arrangements, as well as through DTC subscription services.
A substantial portion of the advertising contracts in the U.S. and certain international markets guarantee the advertiser a minimum audience level that either the program in which their advertisements are aired or the advertisement will reach. These advertising campaigns are considered to represent a single, distinct performance obligation. For such contracts, judgment is required in measuring progress across the Company’s single performance obligation. Various factors such as pricing specific to the channel, daypart and targeted demographic, as well as estimated audience guarantees, are considered in determining how to appropriately measure progress across the campaigns. Revenues are ultimately recognized based on the audience level delivered multiplied by the average price per impression.
See Item 1A, "Risk Factors" for details on significant risks that could impact our ability to successfully grow our cash flows.
For an in-depth discussion of each of our significant accounting policies, including our critical accounting policies and further information regarding estimates and assumptions involved in their application, see Note 2 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements included in Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.