UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

______________

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 14, 2020

 

Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

Delaware   001-38125   81- 2560811

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

132 E. Putnam Avenue, Floor 2W, Cos Cob, CT   06807
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (855) 398-0443

 

N/A
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of Holdco under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

 

¨Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

¨Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e 4(c))

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

 

Emerging growth company x

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class   Ticker symbol(s)   Name of each exchange on which registered
Class A Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share   CSSE   The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
9.75% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock, $0.0001 par value per share   CSSEP   The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2.02.Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

 

On May 14, 2020, Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing its financial results for the three month period ended March 31, 2020. The press release is attached to this Current Report as Exhibit 99.1.

 

The information furnished under this Item 2.02, including the exhibit related thereto, shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any disclosure document of the Company, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such document.

 

Item 9.01.Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

  (d)   Exhibits:
       
  Exhibit No.   Description
       
  99.1   Press Release, dated May 14, 2020.

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

Dated: May 14, 2020 CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL 
ENTERTAINMENT INC.
     
     
    By: /s/ William J. Rouhana, Jr.
      Name: William J. Rouhana, Jr.
      Title: Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

  

Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment Reports Q1 2020 Results

 

Robust Crackle Plus viewership coupled with Distribution and Production momentum drives strong Q1

 

COS COB, CT – May 14, 2020 – Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, Inc. (Nasdaq: CSSE), one of the largest operators of streaming advertising-supported video-on-demand (AVOD) networks, today announced its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2020.

 

First Quarter 2020 Financial Highlights

 

·Gross revenue of $14.1 million, compared to $2.5 million in the year-ago period
·Net loss of $11.4 million compared to net loss of $3.4 million in the year-ago period; $10.5 million net loss before preferred dividends, compared to $2.8 million net loss before preferred dividends in the year-ago period
·Adjusted EBITDA was $2.0 million, compared to $(0.8) million in the year-ago period
·Online networks, which include Crackle and Popcornflix generated $9.0 million in revenue compared to $0.7 million in the year-ago period
·Distribution & Production revenue increased 184% to $5.1 million compared to $1.8 million in the year-ago period

 

Recent Business Highlights

 

·Viewership and registered user strength in the first quarter drove Crackle Plus networks
·Original and exclusive content rose to more than 14% of total viewing on Crackle Plus
·Distribution & Production growth driven by revenue share from Crackle Plus and an increased pace of new releases

 

“We delivered solid year-over-year growth across our Online Networks and Distribution & Production businesses in the first quarter, continuing the momentum we began building late last year. While early second quarter trends reflect the initial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on advertisers, we believe our performance over the past six months demonstrates the potential of our differentiated business model,” said William J. Rouhana Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment. “We’ve seen strong growth in viewership on our Crackle Plus networks, with accelerating interest in our original and exclusive content. Our revamped Distribution & Production strategy is driving rapid growth as well, benefitting from our strong pipeline of new content and the value of our library, and this business is expected to help buffer our performance in a weaker advertising environment. While our long-term outlook is promising, we are managing through a period of significant uncertainty. We remained focused on managing our costs and maintaining a healthy balance sheet and liquidity position. These efforts combined with continued solid execution of our strategy should put us in a position to emerge with a stronger business well-positioned for the long term.”

 

Gross profit for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 was $3.3 million, or 25% of net revenue, compared to $0.6 million, or 26% of net revenue for the year-ago period. The change in the percentage of gross profit resulted in part from $2.4 million of non-cash amortization of the film library in the company’s traditional distribution business. Without this non-cash film library amortization expense, the gross profit would have been $5.7 million or 43% of total net revenue.

 

     

www.cssentertainment.com

@CSSEntertain

www.facebook.com/chickensoupforthesoul

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating loss for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 was $10.0 million compared to an operating loss of $2.7 million for the year-ago period. Without the film library amortization expense included in cost of revenue and the amortization expense of acquired intangible assets resulting from the Crackle transaction, the operating loss for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 would have been $2.3 million compared to $1.9 million in the year ago period.

 

Net loss was $11.4 million, or $0.95 per share, compared to a net loss of $3.4 million, or $0.28 per share in the prior-year first quarter. Excluding preferred dividends, the net loss in the first quarter of 2020 would have been $10.5 million, or approximately $0.87 per share, compared to net loss of $2.8 million, or $0.23 per share last year.

 

Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 was $2.0 million, compared to $(0.8) million in the same period last year.

 

As of March 31, 2020, the company had $7.1 million of cash and cash equivalents compared to $6.4 million as of December 31, 2019, and outstanding debt of $19.4 million as of March 31, 2020 compared to $20.2 million as of December 31, 2019.

 

For a discussion of the financial measures presented herein which are not calculated or presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), see “Note Regarding Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below and the schedules to this press release for additional information and reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures.

 

The company presents non-GAAP measures such as Adjusted EBITDA to assist in an analysis of its business. These non-GAAP measures should not be considered an alternative to GAAP measures as an indicator of the company’s operating performance.

 

Conference Call Information

·Date, Time: Thursday, May 14, 2020, 4:30 p.m. ET.
·Toll-free: (833) 832-5128
·International: (484) 747-6583
·Conference ID: 7998306
·A live webcast and replay will be available at http://ir.cssentertainment.com/ under the “News & Events” tab

Conference Call Replay Information

·Toll-free: (855) 859-2056
·International: (404) 537-3406
·Conference ID: 7998306

 

ABOUT CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL ENTERTAINMENT

Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, Inc. (Nasdaq: CSSE) operates streaming video-on-demand networks (VOD). The company owns a majority stake in Crackle Plus, a company formed with Sony Pictures Television, which owns and operates a variety of ad-supported and subscription-based VOD networks including Crackle, Popcornflix, Popcornflix Kids, Truli, Pivotshare, Españolflix and FrightPix. The company also acquires and distributes video content through its Screen Media subsidiary and produces original long and short-form content through Landmark Studio Group, its Chicken Soup for the Soul Originals division and APlus.com. Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment is a subsidiary of Chicken Soup for the Soul, LLC, which publishes the famous book series and produces super-premium pet food under the Chicken Soup for the Soul brand name.

 

     

www.cssentertainment.com

@CSSEntertain

www.facebook.com/chickensoupforthesoul

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note Regarding Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The company’s consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”). It uses a non-GAAP financial measure to evaluate its results of operations and as a supplemental indicator of operating performance. The non-GAAP financial measure that is used is Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA (as defined below) is considered a non-GAAP financial measure as defined by Regulation G promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Management believes this non-GAAP financial measure enhances the understanding of the company’s historical and current financial results and enables the board of directors and management to analyze and evaluate financial and strategic planning decisions that will directly affect operating decisions and investments. The presentation of Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an inference that future results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items or by non-cash items. This non-GAAP financial measure should be considered in addition to, rather than as a substitute for, the company’s actual operating results included in its condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

“Adjusted EBITDA” means earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and non-cash share-based compensation expense, and also includes the gain on bargain purchase of subsidiary and adjustments for other identified charges such as costs incurred to form the company and to prepare for the offering of its Class A common stock to the public, prior to its IPO. Identified charges also include the cost of maintaining a board of directors prior to being a publicly traded company. As the IPO has been completed, director fees will be deducted from Adjusted EBITDA going forward. Adjusted EBITDA is not an earnings measure recognized by GAAP and does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP; accordingly, Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Management believes Adjusted EBITDA to be a meaningful indicator of the company’s performance that provides useful information to investors regarding its financial condition and results of operations. The most comparable GAAP measure is operating income.

 

A reconciliation of net loss to Adjusted EBITDA is provided in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Reconciliation of Unaudited Historical Results to Adjusted EBITDA.”

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks (including those set forth in the Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2020) and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ from the forward-looking statements. The company expressly disclaims any obligations or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the company’s expectations with respect thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any statement is based. Investors should realize that if our underlying assumptions for the projections contained herein prove inaccurate or that known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results could vary materially from our expectations and projections.

 

###

 

INVESTOR RELATIONS MEDIA CONTACT
Taylor Krafchik Kate Barrette
Ellipsis RooneyPartners LLC
CSSE@ellipsisir.com kbarrette@rooneyco.com
646-776-0886 (212) 223-0561

 

 

Tables Follow

  

     

www.cssentertainment.com

@CSSEntertain

www.facebook.com/chickensoupforthesoul

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

   March 31,   December 31, 
   2020   2019 
    (unaudited)      
ASSETS          
Cash and cash equivalents  $7,121,339   $6,447,402 
Accounts receivable, net   25,017,923    34,661,119 
Prepaid expenses   862,153    861,190 
Inventory, net   338,932    312,033 
Goodwill   21,448,106    21,448,106 
Indefinite lived intangible assets   12,163,943    12,163,943 
Intangible assets, net   30,272,504    35,451,951 
Film library, net   37,362,602    33,250,149 
Due from affiliated companies   6,790,980    7,642,432 
Programming costs, net   15,546,857    14,459,271 
Program rights, net   600,551    654,303 
Other assets, net   649,911    313,585 
Total assets  $158,175,801   $167,665,484 
           
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY          
Current maturities of commercial loan  $3,200,000   $3,200,000 
Commercial loan and revolving line of credit, net of unamortized deferred finance cost of $179,373 and $189,525 respectively   11,020,627    11,810,475 
Notes payable under revolving credit facility   5,000,000    5,000,000 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses   27,315,709    26,646,390 
Ad representation fees payable   11,552,967    12,429,838 
Film library acquisition obligations   6,909,100    5,020,600 
Programming obligations   7,300,861    7,300,861 
Accrued participation costs   5,861,388    5,066,512 
Other liabilities   229,846    170,106 
Total liabilities   78,390,498    76,644,782 
           
Equity          
Stockholders' Equity:          
Series A cumulative redeemable perpetual preferred stock, $.0001 par value, liquidation preference of $25.00 per share, 10,000,000 shares authorized; 1,599,002 shares issued and outstanding, redemption value of $39,975,050   160    160 
Class A common stock, $.0001 par value, 70,000,000 shares authorized; 4,267,725 and 4,259,920 shares issued, 4,193,490 and 4,185,685 shares outstanding, respectively   426    425 
Class B common stock, $.0001 par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized; 7,813,938 shares issued and outstanding   782    782 
Additional paid-in capital   87,854,864    87,610,030 
Retained deficit   (44,123,009)   (32,695,629)
Class A common stock held in treasury, at cost (74,235 shares)   (632,729)   (632,729)
Total stockholders’ equity   43,100,494    54,283,039 
Subsidiary convertible preferred stock   36,350,000    36,350,000 
Noncontrolling interests   334,809    387,663 
Total equity   79,785,303    91,020,702 
Total liabilities and equity  $158,175,801   $167,665,484 

 

     

www.cssentertainment.com

@CSSEntertain

www.facebook.com/chickensoupforthesoul

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertianment, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(unaudited)

 

   Three Months Ended March 31, 
   2020   2019 
         
Revenue:          
Online networks  $9,025,710   $735,264 
Distribution and Production   5,092,789    1,790,234 
Total revenue   14,118,499    2,525,498 
Less: returns and allowances   (874,426)   (332,344)
Net revenue   13,244,073    2,193,154 
Cost of revenue   9,910,390    1,632,101 
Gross profit   3,333,683    561,053 
Operating expenses:          
Selling, general and administrative   6,839,897    2,822,057 
Amortization and depreciation   5,204,728    205,623 
Management and license fees   1,324,407    219,270 
Total operating expenses   13,369,032    3,246,950 
Operating loss   (10,035,349)   (2,685,897)
Interest income   (6,438)   (13,525)
Interest expense   329,125    141,123 
Acquisition-related costs   98,926    397,935 
Loss before income taxes and preferred dividends   (10,456,962)   (3,211,430)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes   49,000    (438,000)
Net loss before noncontrolling interests and preferred dividends   (10,505,962)   (2,773,430)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests   (52,854)    
Net loss attributable to Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, Inc.   (10,453,108)   (2,773,430)
Less: Preferred dividends   974,272    603,307 
Net loss available to common stockholders  $(11,427,380)  $(3,376,737)
Net loss per common share:          
Basic and diluted  $(0.95)  $(0.28)

 

     

www.cssentertainment.com

@CSSEntertain

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Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, Inc.

Adjusted EBITDA

 

   Three Months Ended March 31, 
   2020   2019 
Net loss available to common stockholders  $(11,427,380)  $(3,376,737)
Preferred dividends   974,272    603,307 
Provision for income taxes   49,000    (438,000)
Other Taxes   53,411    281,210 
Interest expense, net of interest income   322,687    127,598 
Film library and program rights amortization   2,494,832    871,126 
Share-based compensation expense   244,835    215,847 
Acquisition-related costs   98,926    397,935 
Reserve for bad debt and video returns   1,721,595    300,403 
Amortization and depreciation   5,204,728    205,623 
Transitional Expenses   2,113,469     
All other nonrecurring costs   186,948    24,155 
Adjusted EBITDA  $2,037,323   $(787,533)

 

     

www.cssentertainment.com

@CSSEntertain

www.facebook.com/chickensoupforthesoul