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): August 13, 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
9.50% Notes due 2025   CSSEN   The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

 

 

 

 

  

Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

 

On August 13, 2020, Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing its financial results for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 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 August 13, 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:  August 13, 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 Q2 2020 Results

 

Rising viewership of Original & Exclusive content paired with continued momentum in Distribution and Production drives strong Q2

 

COS COB, CT – August 13, 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 second quarter ended June 30, 2020.

 

Second Quarter 2020 Financial Summary

 

·Gross revenue of $13.9 million, compared to $12.2 million in the year-ago period
·Net loss of $10.0 million compared to net loss of $5.9 million in the year-ago period; $9.0 million net loss before preferred dividends, compared to $5.1 million net loss before preferred dividends in the year-ago period.
·Adjusted EBITDA was $2.7 million, compared to $1.3 million in the year-ago period. Year-to-date Adjusted EBITDA increased approximately 10x over year-to-date 2019 results.
·Online networks, which include Crackle and Popcornflix, generated $5.4 million in net revenue compared to $10.0 million in the year-ago period. The year-over-year decline reflects the absence of approximately $4.0 million in advertising revenue in the 2020 period due to the closing of Playstation Vue, the elimination of $1.2 million of intercompany revenue share payments to our Distribution & Production business, and the weaker 2020 advertising market environment.
·Distribution & Production generated $8.5 million in revenue, compared to $2.2 million in the year-ago period due to strength in the performance of Screen Media’s content on Crackle Plus and TVOD revenue.

 

Recent Business Highlights

 

·Original & Exclusive content represented 17.5% of total viewing on Crackle Plus in the quarter up from 15% last quarter and 0% a year ago, reflecting the company’s strategic focus on original programming.
·Continued to expand pipeline of Original & Exclusive content. Crackle Plus is fully programmed into early 2021 despite industry production delays and has announced agreements including 200 hours of new original and exclusive programming.
·Acquired an in-process next-generation technology platform to support delivery and growth of AVOD networks from Sony for $4.6 million; acquisition will enable Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment to accelerate completion of platform, which will improve service and drive ongoing operating cost efficiencies beginning immediately.
·Increased liquidity through bond issuance that raised an aggregate principal amount of more than $22.1 million after underwriters exercised their over-allotment option.

 

“Despite a challenging Q2 advertising market, we were able to exceed top line expectations and increase our EBITDA by 10-fold for the six months ended June 30, 2020 on a year-over-year basis. Our results are validating our differentiated business model focused on Original & Exclusive content for our AVOD networks, and acquiring and producing that content cost-effectively through our combined Distribution and Production operations,” said William J. Rouhana Jr., chairman and chief executive officer of Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment. “Since establishing the Crackle Plus joint venture a little over a year ago, the execution of our strategic plan is going well, and we believe we now have a solid foundation on which to implement the next stages of our growth strategy, which include accelerating the rollout of our next generation technology platform, growing viewership through increased distribution relationships, and building audience and advertising revenue. While the pandemic adversely impacted us in the quarter and continues to create uncertainties, we have adapted and now have momentum and significant tailwinds to our performance potential in the second half of 2020.”

 

   

www.cssentertainment.com

@CSSEntertain

www.facebook.com/chickensoupforthesoul

 

 

 

 

Gross profit for the quarter ended June 30, 2020 was $0.6 million, or 4% of net revenue, compared to $3.6 million, or 30% of net revenue for the year-ago period. The change in the percentage of gross profit resulted in part from $6.4 million of non-cash amortization of the film library in the company’s traditional distribution business, which is required by GAAP to be included in cost of revenue. Without this non-cash film library amortization expense, the gross profit would have been $7.0 million or 51% of total net revenue.

 

Operating loss for the quarter ended June 30, 2020 was $13.1 million, compared to an operating loss of $3.0 million for the year-ago period. Without this film library amortization expense, the operating loss would have been $6.7 million.

 

Net loss was $10.0 million, or $0.83 per share, compared to a net loss of $5.9 million, or $0.49 per share in the prior-year second quarter. Excluding preferred dividends, the net loss in the second quarter of 2020 would have been $9.0 million, or $0.75 per share, compared to net loss of $5.1 million, or $0.43 per share last year.

 

Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter ended June 30, 2020 was $2.7 million, compared to $1.3 million in the same period last year.

 

As of June 30, 2020, the company had $4.7 million of cash and cash equivalents compared to $6.4 million at December 31, 2019, and outstanding debt of $18.6 million as of June 30, 2020 compared to $20.2 million as of December 31, 2019. The company completed debt and equity financings after the end of the second quarter that increased liquidity.

 

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 and Pro Forma 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, August 13, 2020, 4:30 p.m. ET.
·Toll-free: (833) 832-5128
·International: (484) 747-6583
·Conference ID: 6999674
·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: 6999674

 

   

www.cssentertainment.com

@CSSEntertain

www.facebook.com/chickensoupforthesoul

 

 

 

 

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.

 

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-Q for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2020 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.

 

   

www.cssentertainment.com

@CSSEntertain

www.facebook.com/chickensoupforthesoul

 

 

 

 

###

 

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

 

   June 30,   December 31, 
   2020   2019 
   (unaudited)     
ASSETS        
Cash and cash equivalents  $4,655,317   $6,447,402 
Accounts receivable, net   22,573,432    34,661,119 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   1,485,557    1,173,223 
Goodwill   21,448,106    21,448,106 
Indefinite lived intangible assets   12,163,943    12,163,943 
Intangible assets, net   25,093,057    35,451,951 
Film library, net   41,105,470    33,250,149 
Due from affiliated companies   4,996,754    7,642,432 
Programming costs and rights, net   16,418,308    15,113,574 
Other assets, net   5,303,550    313,585 
Total assets  $155,243,494   $167,665,484 
           
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY          
Current maturities of commercial loan  $3,200,000   $3,200,000 
Commercial loan, net of unamortized deferred finance cost of $169,219 and $189,525 respectively   10,230,781    11,810,475 
Notes payable under revolving credit facility   5,000,000    5,000,000 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses   30,041,385    26,646,390 
Ad representation fees payable   8,511,033    12,429,838 
Film library acquisition obligations   8,335,600    5,020,600 
Programming obligations   6,416,012    7,300,861 
Accrued participation costs   12,064,073    5,066,512 
Other liabilities   1,484,050    170,106 
Total liabilities   85,282,934    76,644,782 
Commitments and contingencies          
           
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   88,084,137    87,610,030 
Deficit   (54,133,136)   (32,695,629)
Class A common stock held in treasury, at cost (74,235 shares)   (632,729)   (632,729)
Total stockholders’ equity   33,319,640    54,283,039 
Subsidiary convertible preferred stock   36,350,000    36,350,000 
Noncontrolling interests   290,920    387,663 
Total equity   69,960,560    91,020,702 
Total liabilities and equity  $155,243,494   $167,665,484 

  

   

www.cssentertainment.com

@CSSEntertain

www.facebook.com/chickensoupforthesoul

 

 

 

 

Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, Inc.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(unaudited)

 

   Three Months Ended June 30,   Six Months Ended June 30, 
   2020   2019   2020   2019 
Revenue:                
Online networks  $5,360,693   $10,009,078   $14,386,403   $10,744,342 
Distribution and Production   8,537,956    2,202,451    13,630,745    3,992,685 
Total revenue   13,898,649    12,211,529    28,017,148    14,737,027 
Less: returns and allowances   (378,109)   (241,047)   (1,252,535)   (573,391)
Net revenue   13,520,540    11,970,482    26,764,613    14,163,636 
Cost of revenue   12,933,545    8,321,994    22,843,935    9,954,095 
Gross profit   586,995    3,648,488    3,920,678    4,209,541 
Operating expenses:                    
Selling, general and administrative   7,052,776    4,700,424    13,892,673    7,522,481 
Amortization and depreciation   5,241,415    729,991    10,446,143    935,614 
Management and license fees   1,352,054    1,195,520    2,676,461    1,414,790 
Total operating expenses   13,646,245    6,625,935    27,015,277    9,872,885 
Operating loss   (13,059,250)   (2,977,447)   (23,094,599)   (5,663,344)
Interest expense   333,903    146,359    663,028    287,482 
Acquisition-related costs       2,258,801    98,926    2,656,736 
Other non-operating income, net   (4,331,409)   (12,024)   (4,337,847)   (25,549)
Loss before income taxes and preferred dividends   (9,061,744)   (5,370,583)   (19,518,706)   (8,582,013)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes   18,000    (253,000)   67,000    (691,000)
                     
Net loss before noncontrolling interests and preferred dividends   (9,079,744)   (5,117,583)   (19,585,706)   (7,891,013)
Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests   (43,889)   513    (96,743)   513 
Net loss attributable to Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, Inc.   (9,035,855)   (5,118,096)   (19,488,963)   (7,891,526)
Less: preferred dividends   974,272    797,981    1,948,544    1,401,288 
Net loss available to common stockholders  $(10,010,127)  $(5,916,077)  $(21,437,507)  $(9,292,814)
Net loss per common share:                    
Basic and diluted  $(0.83)  $(0.49)  $(1.79)  $(0.78)

 

   

www.cssentertainment.com

@CSSEntertain

www.facebook.com/chickensoupforthesoul

 

 

 

 

Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment, Inc.

Adjusted EBITDA

 

   Three Months Ended June 30, 
   2020   2019 
Net loss available to common stockholders  $(10,010,127)  $(5,916,077)
Preferred dividends   974,272    797,981 
Provision for income taxes   18,000    (253,000)
Other taxes   51,240    50,465 
Interest expense   333,903    146,359 
Film library and program rights amortization   6,407,283    1,563,268 
Share-based compensation expense   229,273    275,097 
Acquisition-related costs       2,258,801 
Reserve for bad debt and video returns   812,741    218,111 
Amortization and depreciation   5,496,972    729,991 
Other non-operating income, net   (4,331,409)   (12,024)
Transitional expenses   2,239,876    1,241,353 
All other nonrecurring costs   469,392    162,901 
Adjusted EBITDA  $2,691,416   $1,263,226 

 

   Six Months Ended June 30, 
   2020   2019 
Net loss available to common stockholders  $(21,437,507)  $(9,292,814)
Preferred dividends   1,948,544    1,401,288 
Provision for income taxes   67,000    (691,000)
Other Taxes   104,651    331,675 
Interest expense   663,028    287,482 
Film library and program rights amortization   8,902,115    2,434,394 
Share-based compensation expense   474,108    490,944 
Acquisition-related costs   98,926    2,656,736 
Reserve for bad debt & video returns   2,534,336    518,514 
Amortization and depreciation   10,701,700    935,614 
Other non-operating income, net   (4,337,847)   (25,549)
Transitional expenses   4,353,345    1,241,353 
All other nonrecurring costs   656,340    187,056 
Adjusted EBITDA  $4,728,739   $475,693 

 

   

www.cssentertainment.com

@CSSEntertain

www.facebook.com/chickensoupforthesoul