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LIONS GATE ENTERTAINMENT CORP /CN/ - Quarter Report: 2015 December (Form 10-Q)

Table of Contents

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
___________________________________________________________
Form 10-Q 
___________________________________________________________
(Mark One)
ý
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended December 31, 2015
or
¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from              to             
Commission File No.: 1-14880
___________________________________________________________
Lions Gate Entertainment Corp.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
___________________________________________________________
British Columbia, Canada
 
N/A
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
 Identification No.)
250 Howe Street, 20th Floor
Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3R8
and
2700 Colorado Avenue
Santa Monica, California 90404
(Address of principal executive offices)
___________________________________________________________
(877) 848-3866
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
___________________________________________________________
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  ý    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ý    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer þ
 
Accelerated filer o
 
Non accelerated filer o
 
Smaller reporting company o
 
 
 
 
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes  ¨  No  ý
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Title of Each Class
 
Outstanding at February 1, 2016
Common Shares, no par value per share
 
149,990,683 shares




Table of Contents

 
 
 
Item
Page
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


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Table of Contents

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This report includes statements that are, or may be deemed to be, “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). These forward looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms “believes,” “estimates,” “potential,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “projects,” “forecasts,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “would” or “should” or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements include all matters that are not historical facts. They appear in a number of places throughout this report and include statements regarding our intentions, beliefs or current expectations concerning, among other things, our results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, prospects, growth, strategies and the industry in which we operate.
By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future. We believe that these risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, those discussed under Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” found in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on May 21, 2015, which risk factors are incorporated herein by reference, as updated by the risk factors found under Part II, Item 1A. "Risk Factors" herein. These risk factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read with the other cautionary statements and information in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, and this report.
We caution you that forward-looking statements made in this report or anywhere else are not guarantees of future performance and that our actual results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, and the development of the industry in which we operate may differ materially and adversely from those made in or suggested by the forward-looking statements contained in this report as a result of various important factors, including, but not limited to, the substantial investment of capital required to produce and market films and television series, increased costs for producing and marketing feature films and television series, budget overruns, limitations imposed by our credit facilities and notes, unpredictability of the commercial success of our motion pictures and television programming, risks related to acquisition and integration of acquired businesses, the effects of dispositions of businesses or assets, including individual films or libraries, the cost of defending our intellectual property, difficulties in integrating acquired businesses, technological changes and other trends affecting the entertainment industry, and the other risks and uncertainties discussed under Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” found in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on May 21, 2015, which risk factors are incorporated herein by reference, as updated by the risk factors found under Part II, Item 1A. "Risk Factors" herein. In addition, even if our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, and the development of the industry in which we operate are consistent with the forward-looking statements contained in this report, those results or developments may not be indicative of results or developments in subsequent periods.
Any forward-looking statements, which we make in this report, speak only as of the date of such statement, and we undertake no obligation to update such statements. Comparisons of results for current and any prior periods are not intended to express any future trends or indications of future performance, unless expressed as such, and should only be viewed as historical data.
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q  may contain references to our trademarks and to trademarks belonging to other entities. Solely for convenience, trademarks and trade names referred to in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including logos, artwork and other visual displays, may appear without the ® or TM symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that we will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights or the rights of the applicable licensor to these trademarks and trade names. We do not intend our use or display of other companies’ trade names or trademarks to imply a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship of us by, any other company.
Unless otherwise indicated or the context requires, all references to the “Company,” “Lionsgate,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Lions Gate Entertainment Corp., a corporation organized under the laws of the province of British Columbia, Canada, and its direct and indirect subsidiaries.


3

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PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements.

LIONS GATE ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
 
December 31,
2015
 
March 31,
2015
 
(Amounts in thousands,
except share amounts)
ASSETS
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
88,292

 
$
102,697

Restricted cash
2,650

 
2,508

Accounts receivable, net of reserves for returns and allowances of $52,613 (March 31, 2015 - $64,362) and provision for doubtful accounts of $5,245 (March 31, 2015 - $4,120)
943,998

 
891,880

Investment in films and television programs, net
1,561,968

 
1,381,829

Property and equipment, net
41,914

 
26,651

Investments
475,109

 
438,298

Goodwill
534,143

 
323,328

Other assets
84,822

 
74,784

Deferred tax assets
105,503

 
50,114

Total assets
$
3,838,399

 
$
3,292,089

LIABILITIES
 
 
 
Senior revolving credit facility
$

 
$

5.25% Senior Notes
225,000

 
225,000

Term Loan
400,000

 
375,000

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
327,828

 
332,473

Participations and residuals
549,985

 
471,661

Film obligations and production loans
895,558

 
656,755

Convertible senior subordinated notes
99,508

 
114,126

Deferred revenue
295,971

 
274,787

Total liabilities
2,793,850

 
2,449,802

Commitments and contingencies (Note 16)

 

Redeemable noncontrolling interest
89,175

 

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
 
Common shares, no par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized, 150,252,445 shares issued (March 31, 2015 - 145,532,978 shares)
951,360

 
830,786

Retained earnings
7,673

 
13,720

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(3,659
)
 
(2,219
)
Total shareholders' equity
955,374

 
842,287

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
$
3,838,399

 
$
3,292,089

See accompanying notes.

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Table of Contents

LIONS GATE ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
Revenues
$
670,522

 
$
751,299

 
$
1,556,222

 
$
1,753,558

Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Direct operating
404,068

 
400,576

 
927,188

 
945,840

Distribution and marketing
203,121

 
171,439

 
428,185

 
421,637

General and administration
70,083

 
61,407

 
198,372

 
186,975

Depreciation and amortization
2,970

 
1,708

 
7,320

 
4,685

Total expenses
680,242

 
635,130

 
1,561,065

 
1,559,137

Operating income (loss)
(9,720
)
 
116,169

 
(4,843
)
 
194,421

Other expenses (income):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash interest
11,833

 
10,567

 
32,561

 
29,546

Amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs
2,336

 
2,984

 
6,863

 
10,048

Total interest expense
14,169

 
13,551

 
39,424

 
39,594

Interest and other income
(521
)
 
(623
)
 
(1,676
)
 
(2,188
)
Loss on extinguishment of debt

 
690

 

 
1,276

Total other expenses, net
13,648

 
13,618

 
37,748

 
38,682

Income (loss) before equity interests and income taxes
(23,368
)
 
102,551

 
(42,591
)
 
155,739

Equity interests income
10,826

 
10,898

 
29,363

 
37,353

Income (loss) before income taxes
(12,542
)
 
113,449

 
(13,228
)
 
193,092

Income tax provision (benefit)
(45,140
)
 
15,264

 
(44,441
)
 
30,865

Net income
32,598

 
98,185

 
31,213

 
162,227

Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
8,119

 

 
8,119

 

Net income attributable to Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. shareholders
$
40,717

 
$
98,185

 
$
39,332

 
$
162,227

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Per share information attributable to Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. shareholders:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic net income per common share
$
0.27

 
$
0.70

 
$
0.26

 
$
1.17

Diluted net income per common share
$
0.26

 
$
0.65

 
$
0.26

 
$
1.10

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
149,480

 
139,963

 
148,484

 
138,618

Diluted
159,412

 
151,713

 
154,412

 
151,716

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends declared per common share
$
0.09

 
$
0.07

 
$
0.25

 
$
0.19

See accompanying notes.

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Table of Contents

LIONS GATE ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(Amounts in thousands)
Net income
$
32,598

 
$
98,185

 
$
31,213

 
$
162,227

Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax
(1,407
)
 
(2,373
)
 
586

 
(4,166
)
Net unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities, net of tax of $2,351 and $557 in the three and nine months ended December 31, 2015, respectively
(15,730
)
 

 
(3,728
)
 

Net unrealized gain (loss) on foreign exchange contracts, net of tax
(1,292
)
 
277

 
1,702

 
693

Comprehensive income
14,169

 
96,089

 
29,773

 
158,754

Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest
8,119

 

 
8,119

 

Comprehensive income attributable to Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. shareholders
$
22,288

 
$
96,089

 
$
37,892

 
$
158,754

See accompanying notes.


6


LIONS GATE ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY



 
Common Shares
 
Retained Earnings
 
Accumulated
 Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 
 
 
Number
 
Amount
 
 
 
Total
 
(Amounts in thousands, except share amounts)
Balance at March 31, 2015
145,532,978

 
$
830,786

 
$
13,720

 
$
(2,219
)
 
$
842,287

Exercise of stock options
397,183

 
6,007

 

 

 
6,007

Share-based compensation, net of withholding tax obligations of $22,278
811,031

 
41,939

 

 

 
41,939

Conversion of April 2009 3.625% Notes
1,983,058

 
16,162

 

 

 
16,162

Issuance of common shares to directors for services
10,744

 
377

 

 

 
377

Issuance of common shares related to Pilgrim Studios acquisition
1,517,451

 
56,089

 

 

 
56,089

Dividends declared

 

 
(37,260
)
 

 
(37,260
)
Net income attributable to Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. shareholders

 

 
39,332

 

 
39,332

Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax

 

 

 
586

 
586

Net unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities, net of tax

 

 

 
(3,728
)
 
(3,728
)
Net unrealized gain on foreign exchange contracts, net of tax

 

 

 
1,702

 
1,702

Noncontrolling interest adjustments to redemption value

 

 
(8,119
)
 

 
(8,119
)
Balance at December 31, 2015
150,252,445

 
$
951,360

 
$
7,673

 
$
(3,659
)
 
$
955,374


See accompanying notes.

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LIONS GATE ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
Nine Months Ended
 
December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(Amounts in thousands)
Operating Activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
31,213

 
$
162,227

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:
 
 
 
Depreciation and amortization
7,320

 
4,685

Amortization of films and television programs
655,288

 
639,472

Amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs
6,863

 
10,048

Non-cash share-based compensation
47,399

 
48,691

Other non-cash items
681

 

Distribution from equity method investee

 
7,788

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 
1,276

Equity interests income
(29,363
)
 
(37,353
)
Deferred income taxes
(54,733
)
 
11,243

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
Restricted cash
(142
)
 
1,417

Accounts receivable, net
(36,663
)
 
(94,803
)
Investment in films and television programs
(771,255
)
 
(815,469
)
Other assets
(2,254
)
 
(1,416
)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
(8,018
)
 
(52,700
)
Participations and residuals
77,428

 
(6,070
)
Film obligations
(30,176
)
 
(33,953
)
Deferred revenue
(4,139
)
 
(8,124
)
Net Cash Flows Used In Operating Activities
(110,551
)
 
(163,041
)
Investing Activities:
 
 
 
Proceeds from the sale of equity method investees

 
14,575

Investment in equity method investees
(3,954
)
 
(14,750
)
Purchase of Pilgrim Studios, net of cash acquired of $15,816 (see Note 9)
(126,892
)
 

Purchases of other investments
(750
)
 
(2,000
)
Purchases of property and equipment
(13,680
)
 
(11,293
)
Net Cash Flows Used In Investing Activities
(145,276
)
 
(13,468
)
Financing Activities:
 
 
 
Senior revolving credit facility - borrowings
238,000

 
681,500

Senior revolving credit facility - repayments
(238,000
)
 
(618,619
)
Term Loan - borrowings, net of deferred financing costs of $964
24,036

 

Convertible senior subordinated notes - repurchases
(5
)
 
(16
)
Production loans - borrowings
509,569

 
533,781

Production loans - repayments
(240,565
)
 
(261,868
)
Repurchase of common shares

 
(129,859
)
Dividends paid
(33,927
)
 
(23,536
)
Excess tax benefits on equity-based compensation awards

 
6,767

Exercise of stock options
6,007

 
4,404

Tax withholding required on equity awards
(22,871
)
 
(14,939
)
Net Cash Flows Provided By Financing Activities
242,244

 
177,615

Net Change In Cash And Cash Equivalents
(13,583
)
 
1,106

Foreign Exchange Effects on Cash
(822
)
 
2,088

Cash and Cash Equivalents - Beginning Of Period
102,697

 
25,692

Cash and Cash Equivalents - End Of Period
$
88,292

 
$
28,886

See accompanying notes.

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Table of Contents


LIONS GATE ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. General
Nature of Operations
Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. (the “Company,” “Lionsgate,” "Lions Gate," “we,” “us” or “our”) is a premier next generation global content leader with a strong and diversified presence in motion picture production and distribution, television programming and syndication, home entertainment, digital distribution, channel platforms and international distribution and sales.
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Lionsgate and all of its majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries.
The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States (“U.S.”) generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and the instructions to quarterly report on Form 10-Q under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of the Company’s management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been reflected in these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. Operating results for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016. The balance sheet at March 31, 2015 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date, but does not include all the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read together with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015.
Certain amounts presented in prior years have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. The most significant estimates made by management in the preparation of the financial statements relate to ultimate revenue and costs for investment in films and television programs; estimates of sales returns and other allowances and provisions for doubtful accounts; fair value of equity-based compensation; fair value of assets and liabilities for allocation of the purchase price of companies acquired; income taxes; accruals for contingent liabilities; and impairment assessments for investment in films and television programs, property and equipment, equity investments, goodwill and intangible assets. Actual results could differ from such estimates.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued an accounting standard update relating to the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers, which will supersede most current U.S. GAAP revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The core principle is that a company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration for which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The new revenue recognition standard provides a five-step analysis of transactions to determine when and how revenue is recognized. Based on the current guidance, the new framework will become effective on either a full or modified retrospective basis for the Company on April 1, 2018. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this new guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.
In April 2015, the FASB issued an accounting standards update relating to the presentation of debt issuance costs. The accounting update requires companies to present debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts, rather than as an asset.  The guidance is effective for the Company's fiscal year beginning April 1, 2016, with early adoption permitted. The Company plans to adopt the new guidance effective April 1, 2016. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

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LIONS GATE ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)



In September 2015, the FASB issued new guidance on adjustments to provisional amounts recognized in a business combination, which are currently recognized on a retrospective basis. Under the new requirements, adjustments will be recognized in the reporting period in which the adjustments are determined. The effects of changes in depreciation, amortization, or other income arising from changes to the provisional amounts, if any, are included in earnings of the reporting period in which the adjustments to the provisional amounts are determined. An entity is also required to present separately on the face of the income statement or disclose in the notes the portion of the amount recorded in current-period earnings by line item that would have been recorded in previous reporting periods if the adjustment to the provisional amounts had been recognized as of the acquisition date. The guidance is effective for the Company's fiscal year beginning April 1, 2016, with early adoption permitted, and is required to be implemented on a prospective basis. The Company adopted the new guidance effective October 1, 2015 and it did not have an impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.


2. Investment in Films and Television Programs
 
December 31,
2015
 
March 31,
2015
 
(Amounts in thousands)
Motion Pictures Segment - Theatrical and Non-Theatrical Films
 
 
 
Released, net of accumulated amortization
$
526,903

 
$
507,628

Acquired libraries, net of accumulated amortization
5,134

 
9,357

Completed and not released
21,835

 
76,968

In progress
583,493

 
478,879

In development
33,644

 
21,054

Product inventory
19,210

 
23,023

 
1,190,219

 
1,116,909

Television Production Segment - Direct-to-Television Programs
 
 
 
Released, net of accumulated amortization
208,322

 
231,470

In progress
158,270

 
28,585

In development
5,157

 
4,865

 
371,749

 
264,920

 
$
1,561,968

 
$
1,381,829

The Company expects approximately 49% of completed films and television programs, net of accumulated amortization, will be amortized during the one-year period ending December 31, 2016. Additionally, the Company expects approximately 81% of completed and released films and television programs, net of accumulated amortization and excluding acquired libraries, will be amortized during the three-year period ending December 31, 2018.
During the three and nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company performed fair value measurements related to certain films. In determining the fair value of its films, the Company employs a discounted cash flows ("DCF") methodology that includes cash flow estimates of a film’s ultimate revenue and costs as well as a discount rate. The discount rate utilized in the DCF analysis is based on the Company’s weighted average cost of capital plus a risk premium representing the risk associated with producing a particular film. As the primary determination of fair value is determined using a DCF model, the resulting fair value is considered a Level 3 measurement (see Note 8). During the three and nine months ended December 31, 2015, the Company recorded $3.1 million and $11.6 million, respectively, of fair value film write-downs, as compared to $13.5 million and $16.9 million of fair value film write-downs recorded during the three and nine months ended December 31, 2014.


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Table of Contents
LIONS GATE ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)



3. Investments
The carrying amounts of investments, by category, at December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015 were as follows:
 
 
December 31,
2015
 
March 31,
2015
 
 
(Amounts in thousands)
Equity method investments
 
$
274,548

 
$
234,202

Available-for-sale securities
 
157,739

 
162,024

Cost method investments
 
42,822

 
42,072

 
 
$
475,109

 
$
438,298


Equity Method Investments:
The carrying amounts of equity method investments at December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015 were as follows:
 
 
December 31,
2015
 
 
 
 
Equity Method Investee
Ownership
Percentage
 
December 31,
2015
 
March 31,
2015
 
 
 
(Amounts in thousands)
EPIX
31.2%
 
$
153,745

 
$
119,688

Pop
50.0%
 
93,085

 
91,683

Other(1)
Various
 
27,718

 
22,831

 
 
 
$
274,548

 
$
234,202

Equity interests in equity method investments for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows (income (loss)):
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
Equity Method Investee
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(Amounts in thousands)
EPIX
$
12,826

 
$
11,214

 
$
34,055

 
$
27,446

Pop
(63
)
 
(1,115
)
 
602

 
(4,663
)
Other(1)
(1,937
)
 
799

 
(5,294
)
 
14,570

 
$
10,826

 
$
10,898

 
$
29,363

 
$
37,353

_________________________
(1)The Company records its share of the net income or loss of other equity method investments on a one quarter lag. Equity interest income from other equity method investments for the nine months ended December 31, 2014 includes a gain on sale of the Company's investment in FEARnet of $11.4 million.
EPIX. In April 2008, the Company formed a joint venture with Viacom, its Paramount Pictures unit and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios to create a premium television channel and subscription video-on-demand service named “EPIX”. The Company invested $80.4 million through September 30, 2010, and no additional amounts have been funded since. During the three and nine months ended December 31, 2014, the Company received distributions from EPIX of nil and $7.8 million, respectively. No distributions were made during the three and nine months ended December 31, 2015. Since the Company's original investment in April 2008, the Company has received distributions from EPIX of $28.0 million.
EPIX Financial Information:
The following table presents summarized balance sheet data as of December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015 for EPIX:

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)



 
 
December 31,
2015
 
March 31,
2015
 
(Amounts in thousands)
Current assets
$
304,263

 
$
285,819

Non-current assets
$
353,169

 
$
277,888

Current liabilities
$
95,000

 
$
121,451

Non-current liabilities
$
21,426

 
$
6,753

The following table presents the summarized statements of income for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 for EPIX and a reconciliation of the net income reported by EPIX to equity interest income recorded by the Company:
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(Amounts in thousands)
Revenues
$
98,381

 
$
101,124

 
$
314,974

 
$
288,424

Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating expenses
56,476

 
59,224

 
189,566

 
178,690

Selling, general and administrative expenses
5,932

 
5,863

 
18,067

 
17,503

Operating income
35,973

 
36,037

 
107,341

 
92,231

Interest and other expense
(376
)
 
(399
)
 
(1,777
)
 
(1,130
)
Net income
$
35,597

 
$
35,638

 
$
105,564

 
$
91,101

Reconciliation of net income reported by EPIX to equity interest income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income reported by EPIX
$
35,597

 
$
35,638

 
$
105,564

 
$
91,101

Ownership interest in EPIX
31.15
%
 
31.15
%
 
31.15
%
 
31.15
%
The Company's share of net income
11,088

 
11,101

 
32,883

 
28,378

Eliminations of the Company’s share of profits on licensing sales to EPIX(1)
(240
)
 
(1,935
)
 
(5,941
)
 
(7,007
)
Realization of the Company’s share of profits on licensing sales to EPIX(2)
1,978

 
2,048

 
7,113

 
6,075

Total equity interest income recorded
$
12,826

 
$
11,214

 
$
34,055

 
$
27,446

_________________________
(1)
Represents the elimination of the gross profit recognized by the Company on licensing sales to EPIX in proportion to the Company's ownership interest in EPIX.
(2)
Represents the realization of a portion of the profits previously eliminated. This profit remains eliminated until realized by EPIX. EPIX initially records the license fee for the title as inventory on its balance sheet and amortizes the inventory over the license period. Accordingly, the profit is realized as the inventory on EPIX's books is amortized.
Pop. The Company’s investment interest in Pop consists of an equity investment in its common stock units and mandatorily redeemable preferred stock units. The Company's partner in Pop, CBS TVG Inc. ("CBS"), has a call option to purchase a portion of the Company's ownership interest in Pop at fair market value, which would result in CBS owning 80% of Pop, exercisable beginning March 26, 2018 for a period of 30 days. During the nine months ended December 31, 2015, the Company made contributions to Pop of $0.8 million (no contributions were made during the three months ended December 31, 2015). During the three and nine months ended December 31, 2014, the Company made contributions to Pop of nil and $10.5 million, respectively.
The mandatorily redeemable preferred stock units carry a dividend rate of 10% compounded annually and are mandatorily redeemable in May 2019 at the stated value plus the dividend return and any additional capital contributions less previous distributions. The mandatorily redeemable preferred stock units were initially recorded based on their estimated fair value, as determined using an option pricing model. The mandatorily redeemable preferred stock units and the 10% dividend are being accreted up to their redemption amount over the ten-year period to the redemption date, which is recorded as income within equity interest.

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)



Pop Financial Information:
The following table presents summarized balance sheet data as of December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015 for Pop:
 
December 31,
2015
 
March 31,
2015
 
(Amounts in thousands)
Current assets
$
38,126

 
$
32,815

Non-current assets
$
187,316

 
$
187,985

Current liabilities
$
26,697

 
$
26,048

Non-current liabilities
$
8,589

 
$
7,196

Redeemable preferred stock
$
443,155

 
$
399,247

The following table presents the summarized statements of operations for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 for Pop and a reconciliation of the net loss reported by Pop to equity interest income (loss) recorded by the Company:
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(Amounts in thousands)
Revenues
$
22,481

 
$
20,507

 
$
63,872

 
$
59,073

Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of services
10,880

 
8,645

 
28,171

 
26,938

Selling, marketing, and general and administration
9,940

 
11,934

 
28,540

 
34,527

Depreciation and amortization
1,940

 
1,928

 
5,829

 
5,866

Operating income (loss)
(279
)
 
(2,000
)
 
1,332

 
(8,258
)
Other expense

 
6

 

 
391

Interest expense, net
120

 
160

 
334

 
551

Accretion of redeemable preferred stock units(1)
14,575

 
12,461

 
42,308

 
35,361

Total interest expense, net
14,695

 
12,627

 
42,642

 
36,303

Net loss
$
(14,974
)
 
$
(14,627
)
 
$
(41,310
)
 
$
(44,561
)
Reconciliation of net loss reported by Pop to equity interest income (loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net loss reported by Pop
$
(14,974
)
 
$
(14,627
)
 
$
(41,310
)
 
$
(44,561
)
Ownership interest in Pop
50
%
 
50
%
 
50
%
 
50
%
The Company's share of net loss
(7,487
)
 
(7,314
)
 
(20,655
)
 
(22,281
)
Accretion of dividend and interest income on redeemable preferred stock units(1)
7,287

 
6,231

 
21,154

 
17,681

Elimination of the Company's share of profits on licensing sales to Pop
(424
)
 

 
(774
)
 
(367
)
Realization of the Company’s share of profits on licensing sales to Pop
561

 
(32
)
 
877

 
304

Total equity interest income (loss) recorded
$
(63
)
 
$
(1,115
)
 
$
602

 
$
(4,663
)
 ___________________
(1)
Accretion of mandatorily redeemable preferred stock units represents Pop's 10% dividend and the amortization of discount on its mandatorily redeemable preferred stock units held by the Company and the other interest holder. The Company recorded its share of this expense as income from the accretion of dividend and discount on mandatorily redeemable preferred stock units within equity interest income (loss).

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LIONS GATE ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)



Other Equity Method Investments
Defy Media. In June 2007, the Company acquired an interest in Break Media, a multi-platform digital media company and a leader in male-targeted content creation and distribution. In October 2013, Break Media merged with Alloy Digital, a multi-platform digital media company with a strong presence in the youth market, to create Defy Media. The Company's effective economic interest in Defy Media through its investment in Break Media and its direct investment in Defy Media is approximately 16.0%. The Company is accounting for its investment in Defy Media, a limited liability company, under the equity method of accounting due to the Company's board representation that provides significant influence over the investee.
Roadside Attractions. Roadside Attractions is an independent theatrical distribution company. The Company owns a 43.0% interest in Roadside Attractions.
Pantelion Films. Pantelion Films is a joint venture with Videocine, an affiliate of Televisa, which produces, acquires and distributes a slate of English and Spanish language feature films that target Hispanic moviegoers in the U.S. The Company owns a 49.0% interest in Pantelion Films.
Atom Tickets. Atom Tickets is the first-of-its-kind theatrical mobile ticketing platform and app. The Company made initial investments totaling $4.3 million in Atom Tickets during the year ended March 31, 2015. In December 2015, the Company agreed to participate in an equity offering of Atom Tickets and funded $7.9 million in January 2016. The Company owns an interest of approximately 20.1% in Atom Tickets. The Company is accounting for its investment in Atom Tickets, a limited liability company, under the equity method of accounting due to the Company's board representation that provides significant influence over the investee.
Tribeca Short List. Tribeca Short List is a subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) service. The Company made an initial investment of $2.1 million during the year ended March 31, 2015, and during the nine months ended December 31, 2015, the Company made capital contributions to Tribeca Short List of $2.4 million, net of cash acquired of $0.4 million (see below). The Company holds a 75.0% economic interest in Tribeca Short List. Through October 17, 2015, the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of Tribeca Short List was shared equally with Tribeca Enterprises, and accordingly through October 17, 2015, the Company's interest in Tribeca Short List was accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Subsequent to October 17, 2015, the terms of the arrangement increased the Company's power to control the board, and the Company now has the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of Tribeca Short List. Accordingly, the Company has consolidated Tribeca Short List beginning in the quarter ended December 31, 2015, with no gain or loss recognized upon consolidation since the carrying value of the net assets approximated the fair value.

Available-for-Sale Securities:

The cost basis, unrealized gains and fair market value of available-for-sale securities are set forth below:

 
 
December 31,
2015
 
March 31,
2015
 
 
(Amounts in thousands)
Cost basis
 
$
158,916

 
$
158,916

Gross unrealized gain (loss)
 
(1,177
)
 
3,108

Fair value
 
$
157,739

 
$
162,024


Starz. At December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015, available-for-sale securities consisted of the Company's minority interest in Starz. On March 27, 2015, pursuant to the terms of a stock exchange agreement entered into on February 10, 2015 (the "Exchange Agreement"), the Company exchanged 4,967,695 of its newly issued common shares for 2,118,038 shares of Series A common stock of Starz and 2,590,597 shares of Series B common stock of Starz held by certain affiliates of John C. Malone ("Dr. Malone") (the exchange transaction, the "Exchange"). The Exchange Agreement placed certain restrictions on the ability to transfer the shares issued by the Company.

The Company classifies the Series A common stock of Starz within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy as the valuation inputs are based on quoted prices in active markets (see Note 8). The Series B common stock of Starz are considered a Level 2 security because the quoted market prices are based on infrequent transactions. Therefore, the fair value of the Series B

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LIONS GATE ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)



common stock, which is convertible, at the holder’s option, into Series A common stock of Starz is based on the quoted market price of the Series A common stock, which is an equivalent security other than for the voting rights.

As of December 31, 2015, the Company's investment in Starz was in an unrealized loss position, however due to the fluctuation of the security's market price in an active market and the short-term duration of the unrealized loss, the Company has the intent and ability to hold the securities until the fair value recovers. As of February 3, 2016, the fair value of the Company's minority interest in Starz was $137.4 million, compared to the Company's original cost basis of $158.9 million.


Cost Method Investments:
Telltale. Telltale Games ("Telltale") is a creator, developer and publisher of interactive software episodic games based upon popular stories and characters across all major gaming and entertainment platforms. In February 2015, the Company invested $40.0 million in Telltale, which consisted of a cash investment in Telltale of $28.0 million in exchange for 2,628,072 of Telltale's Series D Convertible Preferred Stock, and 361,229 newly issued common shares of the Company with a fair value of approximately $12.0 million in exchange for approximately 1,126,316 existing common shares of Telltale, representing in the aggregate an approximately 14% economic interest in Telltale.
Next Games. Next Games is a mobile games development company headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, with a focus on crafting visually impressive, highly engaging games. In July 2014, the Company invested $2.0 million in Next Games for a small minority ownership interest, and during the three months ended December 31, 2015, the Company invested an additional $0.2 million in Next Games.


4. Other Assets
The composition of the Company’s other assets is as follows as of December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015:
 
 
December 31,
2015
 
March 31,
2015
 
(Amounts in thousands)
Deferred financing costs, net of accumulated amortization
$
23,170

 
$
28,060

Prepaid expenses and other
49,826

 
45,537

Finite-lived intangible assets
11,826

 
1,187

 
$
84,822

 
$
74,784

Deferred Financing Costs. Deferred financing costs primarily include costs incurred in connection with the Company's various debt issuances (see Note 5).
Prepaid Expenses and Other. Prepaid expenses and other primarily include prepaid expenses, security deposits, and other assets.
Finite-lived Intangible Assets. Finite-lived intangibles consist primarily of noncompete agreements, trademarks and trade names, and sales agency relationships. The composition of the Company's finite-lived intangible assets and the associated accumulated amortization is as follows as of December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015:
 
December 31, 2015
 
March 31, 2015
 
Gross Carrying Amount
 
Accumulated Amortization
 
Net Carrying Amount
 
Gross Carrying Amount
 
Accumulated Amortization
 
Net Carrying Amount
 
(Amounts in thousands)
Finite-lived intangible assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Noncompete agreements
$
9,300

 
$
158

 
$
9,142

 
$

 
$

 
$

Trademarks and trade names
9,100

 
6,653

 
2,447

 
6,600

 
5,913

 
687

Sales agency relationships
6,200

 
5,963

 
237

 
6,200

 
5,700

 
500

 
$
24,600

 
$
12,774

 
$
11,826

 
$
12,800

 
$
11,613

 
$
1,187


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LIONS GATE ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)




The increase in the carrying value of finite-lived intangible assets from March 31, 2015 was primarily due to the November 12, 2015 acquisition of Pilgrim Studios (see Note 9). Amortization expense associated with the Company's intangible assets for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2015 was approximately $0.8 million and $1.6 million, respectively (2014 - $0.5 million and $1.4 million, respectively). Amortization expense remaining relating to intangible assets for each of the years ending March 31, 2016 through 2020 is estimated to be approximately $0.6 million$1.6 million$1.2 million$1.2 million, and $1.2 million, respectively.


5. Corporate Debt

The total carrying values of corporate debt of the Company, excluding film obligations and production loans, were as follows as of December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015:
 
December 31,
2015
 
March 31,
2015
 
(Amounts in thousands)
Senior revolving credit facility
$

 
$

5.25% Senior Notes
225,000

 
225,000

Term Loan Due 2022
400,000

 
375,000

Convertible senior subordinated notes, net of unamortized discount of $2,342 (March 31, 2015 - $3,891)
99,508

 
114,126

 
$
724,508

 
$
714,126

The following table sets forth future annual contractual principal payment commitments of corporate debt as of December 31, 2015:
 
 
 
Conversion Price Per Share at December 31, 2015
 
Maturity Date
 
Year Ended March 31,
Debt Type
 
 
 
2016
 
2017
 
2018
 
2019
 
2020
 
Thereafter
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Amounts in thousands)
Senior revolving credit facility
 
N/A
 
September 2017
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

5.25% Senior Notes
 
N/A
 
August 2018
 

 

 

 
225,000

 

 

 
225,000

Term Loan Due 2022
 
N/A
 
March 2022
 

 

 

 

 

 
400,000

 
400,000

Principal amounts of convertible senior subordinated notes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
January 2012 4.00% Notes
 
$10.30
 
January 2017
 

 
41,850

 

 

 

 

 
41,850

April 2013 1.25% Notes
 
$29.44
 
April 2018
 

 

 

 
60,000

 

 

 
60,000

 
 
 
 
 
 
$

 
$
41,850

 
$

 
$
285,000

 
$

 
$
400,000

 
726,850

Less aggregate unamortized discount
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(2,342
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
724,508


Senior Revolving Credit Facility
Availability of Funds. The senior revolving credit facility provides for borrowings and letters of credit up to an aggregate of $800.0 million, and at December 31, 2015 there was $800.0 million available (March 31, 2015$800.0 million). The availability of funds is limited by a borrowing base and also reduced by outstanding letters of credit, if any. There were no letters of credit outstanding at December 31, 2015 (March 31, 2015none).
Maturity Date. September 27, 2017.

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)



Interest. Interest is payable at an alternative base rate, as defined, plus 1.5%, or LIBOR plus 2.5%, as designated by the Company.
Commitment Fee. The Company is required to pay a quarterly commitment fee of 0.375% to 0.5% per annum, depending on the average balance of borrowings outstanding during the period, on the total senior revolving credit facility of $800 million less the amount drawn.
Security. Obligations are secured by collateral (as defined in the credit agreement) granted by the Company and certain subsidiaries of the Company, as well as a pledge of equity interests in certain of the Company’s subsidiaries.
Covenants. The senior revolving credit facility contains a number of covenants that, among other things, require the Company to satisfy certain financial covenants and restrict the ability of the Company to incur additional debt, pay dividends, make certain investments and acquisitions, repurchase its stock, prepay certain indebtedness, create liens, enter into agreements with affiliates, modify the nature of its business, enter into sale-leaseback transactions, transfer and sell material assets and merge or consolidate. As of December 31, 2015, the Company was in compliance with all applicable covenants.
Change in Control. The Company may also be subject to an event of default upon a change in control (as defined in the credit agreement) which, among other things, includes a person or group acquiring ownership or control in excess of 50% of the Company’s common shares.

5.25% Senior Notes

Issuance Date. On July 19, 2013, Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. issued $225.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.25% Senior Secured Second-Priority Notes (the "5.25% Senior Notes").

Interest. Interest is payable semi-annually on February 1 and August 1 of each year at a rate of 5.25% per year, and commenced on February 1, 2014.

Maturity Date. August 1, 2018.

Covenants. The 5.25% Senior Notes contain certain restrictions and covenants that, subject to certain exceptions, limit the Company’s ability to incur additional indebtedness, pay dividends or repurchase the Company’s common shares, make certain loans or investments, and sell or otherwise dispose of certain assets subject to certain conditions, among other limitations. As of December 31, 2015, the Company was in compliance with all applicable covenants.

Term Loan Due 2022

Issuance Date. On March 17, 2015, Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. entered into a second lien credit and guarantee agreement (the "Credit Agreement"), and pursuant to the Credit Agreement, borrowed a term loan in an aggregate amount of $375.0 million (the "Term Loan Due 2022"). In May 2015, Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. amended the Credit Agreement governing its Term Loan Due 2022, and pursuant to the amended Credit Agreement, borrowed an additional term loan in an aggregate amount of $25.0 million. Contemporaneously with the issuance of the Term Loan Due 2022 (which carries a fixed interest rate of 5.00%), the Company used a portion of the proceeds to redeem its $225.0 million principal amount term loan (the "Term Loan Due 2020") (which carried a variable interest rate of LIBOR, subject to a 1.00% floor, plus 4.00%).

Interest. Interest on the Term Loan Due 2022 is payable on the last business day of each April, July, October and January at a rate of 5.00% per year.

Maturity Date. The Term Loan Due 2022 matures on March 17, 2022.

Covenants. Substantially similar to the 5.25% Senior Notes discussed above. As of December 31, 2015, the Company was in compliance with all applicable covenants.


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LIONS GATE ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)



Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes
Outstanding Amount and Terms. The following table sets forth the convertible senior subordinated notes outstanding and certain key terms of these notes at December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015:
 
 
 
Maturity Date
 
Conversion Price Per Share at December 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2015
 
March 31, 2015
Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes
 
 
 
Principal
 
Unamortized Discount
 
Net Carrying Amount
 
Principal
 
Unamortized Discount
 
Net Carrying Amount
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Amounts in thousands)
April 2009 3.625% Notes(1)
 
N/A
 
 N/A
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
16,167

 
$

 
$
16,167

January 2012 4.00% Notes
 
January 11, 2017
 
$10.30
 
41,850

 
(2,342
)
 
39,508

 
41,850

 
(3,891
)
 
37,959

April 2013 1.25% Notes
 
April 15, 2018
 
$29.44
 
60,000

 

 
60,000

 
60,000

 

 
60,000

 
 
 
 
 
 
$
101,850

 
$
(2,342
)
 
$
99,508

 
$
118,017

 
$
(3,891
)
 
$
114,126

__________________________
(1)
On March 17, 2015, the April 2009 3.625% Notes were called for redemption and in April 2015, the holders of the notes converted substantially all of the outstanding principal amounts into common shares.

January 2012 4.00% Notes: In January 2012, Lions Gate Entertainment Inc. ("LGEI") issued approximately $45.0 million of January 2012 4.00% Notes, of which $10.1 million was allocated to the equity component. Interest is payable semi-annually on January 15 and July 15 of each year.

April 2013 1.25% Notes: In April 2013, LGEI issued approximately $60.0 million in aggregate principal amount of April 2013 1.25% Notes. Interest is payable semi-annually on April 15 and October 15 of each year, and commenced on October 15, 2013.

Conversion Features: The convertible senior subordinated notes are convertible, at any time, into the number of common shares of the Company determined by the principal amount being converted divided by the conversion price, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances.
 
The January 2012 4.00% Notes provide that upon conversion, the Company has the option to deliver, in lieu of common shares, cash or a combination of cash and common shares of the Company. Convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash upon conversion (including partial cash settlement) are recorded by separately accounting for the liability and equity component (i.e., conversion feature), thereby reducing the principal amount with a debt discount that is amortized as interest expense over the expected life of the note using the effective interest method. The effective interest rate on the liability component of the January 2012 4.00% Notes is 9.56%.

The April 2013 1.25% Notes are convertible only into the Company's common shares and do not carry an option to be settled in cash upon conversion, and accordingly, have been recorded at their principal amount (not reduced by a debt discount for the equity component).

Conversions. The following conversions were completed with respect to the Company's convertible senior subordinated notes in the nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, which resulted in a loss on extinguishment of debt of $1.3 million in the nine months ended December 31, 2014 (2015 - none):


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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)



 
Nine Months Ended
 
December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(Amounts in thousands, except share amounts)
April 2009 3.625% Notes
 
 
 
Principal amount converted
$
16,162

 
$
24,046

Common shares issued upon conversion
1,983,058

 
2,929,899

Weighted average conversion price per share
$
8.15

 
$
8.21

October 2004 2.9375% Notes
 
 
 
Principal amount converted
$

 
$
99

Common shares issued upon conversion

 
8,634

Weighted average conversion price per share
$

 
$
8.23

Total
 
 
 
Principal amount converted
$
16,162

 
$
24,145

Common shares issued upon conversion
1,983,058

 
2,938,533

Weighted average conversion price per share
$
8.15

 
$
8.22

Interest Expense. Interest expense recognized for the convertible senior subordinated notes for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 is presented below:
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(Amounts in thousands)
Interest Expense
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contractual interest coupon
$
606

 
$
776

 
$
1,761

 
$
2,705

Amortization of discount on liability component and debt issuance costs
542

 
1,061

 
1,588

 
4,322

 
$
1,148

 
$
1,837

 
$
3,349

 
$
7,027



6. Participations and Residuals
The Company expects approximately 72% of accrued participations and residuals will be paid during the one-year period ending December 31, 2016.

Theatrical Slate Participation

On March 10, 2015, the Company entered into a theatrical slate participation arrangement with TIK Films (U.S.), Inc. and TIK Films (Hong Kong) Limited (collectively, "TIK Films"), both wholly owned subsidiaries of Hunan TV & Broadcast Intermediary Co. Ltd. Under the arrangement, TIK Films, in general and subject to certain limitations including per picture and annual caps, will contribute a minority share of 25% of the Company’s production or acquisition costs of “qualifying” theatrical feature films, released during the three-year period ending January 23, 2018, and participate in a pro-rata portion of the pictures’ net profits or losses similar to a co-production arrangement based on the portion of costs funded. The arrangement excludes among others, any theatrical feature film incorporating any elements from the Twilight, Hunger Games or Divergent franchises. The percentage of the contribution could vary on certain pictures.

Amounts provided from TIK Films are reflected as a participation liability in the Company's consolidated balance sheet and amounted to $33.5 million at December 31, 2015 (March 31, 2015 - $13.6 million). The difference between the ultimate

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participation expected to be paid to TIK Films and the amount provided by TIK Films is amortized as a charge to or a reduction of participation expense under the individual-film-forecast method.



7. Film Obligations and Production Loans
 
 
December 31,
2015
 
March 31,
2015
 
(Amounts in thousands)
Film obligations
$
25,610

 
$
55,811

Production loans
869,948

 
600,944

Total film obligations and production loans
$
895,558

 
$
656,755


The following table sets forth future annual repayment of film obligations and production loans as of December 31, 2015:
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
March 31,
 
Year Ended March 31,
 
2016
 
2017
 
2018
 
2019
 
2020
 
Thereafter
 
Total
 
(Amounts in thousands)
Film obligations
$
20,831

 
$
1,923

 
$
2,000

 
$
1,000

 
$

 
$

 
$
25,754

Production loans
138,099

 
710,249

 
21,600

 

 

 

 
869,948

 
$
158,930

 
$
712,172

 
$
23,600

 
$
1,000

 
$

 
$

 
895,702

Less imputed interest on film obligations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(144
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
895,558

Film Obligations
Film obligations include minimum guarantees, which represent amounts payable for film rights that the Company has acquired and certain theatrical marketing obligations for amounts received from third parties that are contractually committed for theatrical marketing expenditures associated with specific titles.
Production Loans
Production loans represent individual loans for the production of film and television programs that the Company produces. The majority of production loans have contractual repayment dates either at or near the expected completion date, with the exception of certain loans containing repayment dates on a longer term basis, and incur interest at rates ranging from 3.35% to 3.85%.


8. Fair Value Measurements
Fair Value
Accounting guidance and standards about fair value define fair value as the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.
Fair Value Hierarchy
Fair value hierarchy requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. A financial instrument’s categorization within the fair value hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The accounting guidance and standards establish three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:


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Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 — Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets with insufficient volume or infrequent transactions (less active markets); or model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs are observable or can be derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. Level 2 liabilities that are not required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis include the Company’s convertible senior subordinated notes, production loans, 5.25% Senior Notes, and Term Loan, which are priced using discounted cash flow techniques that use observable market inputs, such as LIBOR-based yield curves, swap rates, and credit ratings.
Level 3 — Unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that are significant to the measurement of fair value of assets or liabilities. The Company measures the fair value of its investment in Pop's Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Stock Units using primarily a discounted cash flow analysis based on the expected cash flows of the investment. The analysis reflects the contractual terms of the investment, including the period to maturity, and uses a discount rate commensurate with the risk associated with the investment.
The following table sets forth the assets and liabilities required to be carried at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015:
 
December 31, 2015
 
March 31, 2015
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Total
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Total
Assets:
(Amounts in thousands)
Available-for-sale securities (see Note 3):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Starz Series A common stock
$
70,954

 
$

 
$
70,954

 
$
72,882

 
$

 
$
72,882

Starz Series B common stock

 
86,785

 
86,785

 

 
89,142

 
89,142

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Forward exchange contracts (see Note 18)

 
10,933

 
10,933

 

 
8,335

 
8,335

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Forward exchange contracts (see Note 18)

 
(2,119
)
 
(2,119
)
 

 
(2,024
)
 
(2,024
)
 
$
70,954

 
$
95,599

 
$
166,553

 
$
72,882

 
$
95,453

 
$
168,335



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The following table sets forth the carrying values and fair values of the Company’s investment in Pop's mandatorily redeemable preferred stock units and outstanding debt at December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015:
 
 
December 31, 2015
 
March 31, 2015
 
(Amounts in thousands)
 
Carrying
Value
 
Fair Value
 
Carrying Value
 
Fair Value
 
 
 
(Level 3)
 
 
 
(Level 3)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment in Pop's Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Stock Units
$
93,085

 
$
110,000

 
$
91,683

 
$
110,000

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Carrying
Value
 
Fair Value
 
Carrying Value
 
Fair Value
 
 
 
(Level 2)
 
 
 
(Level 2)
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
April 2009 3.625% Notes
$

 
$

 
$
16,167

 
$
16,167

January 2012 4.00% Notes
39,508

 
41,707

 
37,959

 
41,473

April 2013 1.25% Notes
60,000

 
53,218

 
60,000

 
53,241

Production loans
869,948

 
869,948

 
600,944

 
600,944

5.25% Senior Notes
225,000

 
231,750

 
225,000

 
233,438

Term Loan
400,000

 
396,500

 
375,000

 
375,938

 
$
1,594,456

 
$
1,593,123

 
$
1,315,070

 
$
1,321,201


9. Acquisition

Acquisition of Pilgrim Studios. On November 12, 2015, the Company purchased 62.5% of the membership interests in Pilgrim Media Group, LLC ("Pilgrim Studios"), a worldwide independent reality television producer and distributor. The aggregate purchase price was approximately $198.8 million, net of $7.7 million allocated to certain transactional costs attributable to the noncontrolling shareholder. These costs are included in the general and administrative expense of Pilgrim Studios, however, pursuant to the profit sharing provisions in the operating agreement, the amount is included in net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest in our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of income and thus does not impact earnings per share attributable to Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. shareholders.
The purchase price consisted of $142.7 million in cash and 1,517,451 of the Company's common shares, valued at $56.1 million. These shares were valued based on the closing price of the Company’s common shares on the date of closing of the acquisition, discounted to the fair value of the shares considering certain transfer restrictions. The Company incurred approximately $2.9 million of acquisition-related costs that were expensed in general and administrative expenses during the nine months ended December 31, 2015.
The acquisition was accounted for as a purchase, with the results of operations of Pilgrim Studios included in the Company's consolidated results from November 12, 2015. Revenues and net loss for the period from November 12, 2015 through December 31, 2015 of Pilgrim Studios were $22.9 million and $8.8 million, respectively. The net loss of Pilgrim Studios includes the $7.7 million charge discussed above, approximately $4.0 million ($3.6 million included in direct operating expense and $0.4 million in depreciation and amortization) of incremental cost associated with the amortization of the increase in the carrying value of the assets to fair value as discussed below, and the $0.7 million charge associated with the noncontrolling interest discount as discussed in Note 10. The Company has made a preliminary allocation of the purchase price of Pilgrim Studios to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair value. The preliminary purchase price allocation is subject to revision, as a more detailed analysis of investment in television programs and intangible assets is completed and additional information on the fair value of assets and liabilities becomes available, including receipt of final appraisals of the net assets acquired. A change in the fair value of the net assets may change the amount of the purchase price allocable to goodwill, and could impact the amounts of amortization expense. The Company used DCF analyses, which represent Level 3 fair value measurements, to assess certain components of its purchase price allocation. Based on the preliminary valuation and other information currently available, the preliminary allocation of the purchase price, including the fair value of redeemable noncontrolling interest recognized, is as follows:


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Preliminary allocation of the total purchase consideration:
(Amounts in thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents
$
15,816

Accounts receivable, net
15,781

Investment in films and television programs, net
63,387

Other assets acquired
7,019

Finite-lived intangible assets:
 
Noncompete agreements
9,300

Trade name
2,000

Other liabilities assumed
(36,827
)
Fair value of net assets acquired
76,476

Goodwill
210,815

Redeemable noncontrolling interest (Note 10)
(88,494
)
 
$
198,797


Goodwill of $210.8 million represents the excess of the purchase price over the preliminary estimate of the fair value of the underlying tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The acquisition goodwill arises from the opportunity for synergies of the combined companies to grow and diversify the Company's television operations by adding nonfiction programming to complement its existing scripted production and syndication operations and leverage the strength of the Company's global distribution infrastructure. The goodwill recorded as part of this acquisition is included in the Television Production segment. Although the goodwill will not be amortized for financial reporting purposes, it is anticipated that substantially all of the goodwill will be deductible for federal tax purposes over the statutory period of 15 years. The noncompete agreements and trade name have a weighted average estimated useful life of eight years.

The following unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statements of income presented below illustrate the results of operations of the Company as if the acquisition of Pilgrim Studios as described above occurred on April 1, 2014. The information below is based on a preliminary estimate of the purchase price allocation to the assets and liabilities acquired. The statements of income information below includes the statements of income of Pilgrim Studios for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 combined with the Company's statements of income for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.
 
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
Revenues
 
$
1,662,131

 
$
1,857,099

Net income attributable to Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. shareholders
 
$
46,142

 
$
162,007

Basic Net Income Per Common Share attributable to Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. shareholders
 
$
0.31

 
$
1.16

Diluted Net Income Per Common Share attributable to Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. shareholders
 
$
0.30

 
$
1.09

The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statements of income do not include adjustments for any restructuring activities, operating efficiencies or cost savings, and exclude certain one-time transactional costs of $7.7 million attributable to the noncontrolling shareholder (see Note 10) expensed in connection with the transaction, as well as $2.9 million of acquisition-related costs that were expensed in general and administrative expenses.

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Goodwill. The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reporting segment in the nine months ended December 31, 2015 were as follows:
 
Motion
Pictures
 
Television
Production
 
Total
 
(Amounts in thousands)
Balance as of March 31, 2015
$
294,367

 
$
28,961

 
$
323,328

Acquisition of Pilgrim Studios

 
210,815

 
210,815

Balance as of December 31, 2015
$
294,367

 
$
239,776

 
$
534,143




10. Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest

In connection with the acquisition of a controlling interest in Pilgrim Studios on November 12, 2015, the Company recorded a redeemable noncontrolling interest of $88.5 million, representing 37.5% of Pilgrim Studios. The noncontrolling interest holder has a right to put and the Company has a right to call a portion of the noncontrolling interest, equal to 17.5% of Pilgrim Studios, at fair value, subject to a cap, exercisable at five years after the acquisition date of November 12, 2015. In addition, the noncontrolling interest holder has a right to put and the Company has a right to call the remaining amount of noncontrolling interest at fair value, subject to a cap, exercisable at seven years after the acquisition date of November 12, 2015. The put and call options have been determined to be embedded in the noncontrolling interest, and because the put rights are outside the control of the Company and require partial cash settlement, the noncontrolling interest holder's interest is presented as redeemable noncontrolling interest outside of shareholders' equity on the Company's unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet.

In addition, the noncontrolling interest holder is the President and CEO of Pilgrim Studios, who will continue in this role pursuant to an employment contract entered into at the time of close. Pursuant to the operating agreement, if the employment of the noncontrolling interest holder is terminated, under certain circumstances as defined in the operating agreement, the Company can call and the noncontrolling interest holder can put the noncontrolling interest at a discount to fair value. The amount of the discount related to the 17.5% noncontrolling interest is being expensed through the five-year call period, and the portion of the discount related to the remaining noncontrolling interest is being expensed over the seven-year call period. The amounts are included in general and administrative expense of Pilgrim Studios and reflected as an addition to redeemable noncontrolling interest.

Redeemable noncontrolling interest is measured at the greater of (i) the redemption amount that would be paid if settlement occurred at the balance sheet date less the amount attributed to unamortized noncontrolling interest discount, as discussed above, or (ii) the historical value resulting from the original acquisition date value plus or minus any earnings or loss attribution, plus the amount of unamortized noncontrolling interest discount as discussed above. The amount of the redemption value in excess of the historical values of the noncontrolling interest, if any, is recognized as an increase to noncontrolling interest and a charge to retained earnings.


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The table below presents the reconciliation of changes in redeemable noncontrolling interest:

 
Nine Months Ended
 
December 31,
 
2015
 
(Amounts in thousands)
Beginning balance
$

Initial fair value of redeemable noncontrolling interest of Pilgrim Studios
88,494

Net loss of Pilgrim Studios attributable to noncontrolling interest
(8,119
)
Noncontrolling interest discount accretion
681

Adjustments to redemption value
8,119

Ending balance
$
89,175

 
The net loss of Pilgrim Studios attributable to noncontrolling interest includes certain transactional costs of $7.7 million of Pilgrim Studios attributable to the noncontrolling shareholder (see Note 9). These costs are included in the general and administrative expense of Pilgrim Studios, however, pursuant to the profit sharing provisions in the operating agreement, the amount is included in net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest in our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of income and thus does not impact earnings per share attributable to Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. shareholders.


11. Net Income Per Share
Basic net income per share is calculated based on the weighted average common shares outstanding for the period. Basic net income per share for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 is presented below:
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
Basic Net Income Per Common Share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Numerator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. shareholders
$
40,717

 
$
98,185

 
$
39,332

 
$
162,227

Denominator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding
149,480

 
139,963

 
148,484

 
138,618

Basic net income per common share
$
0.27

 
$
0.70

 
$
0.26

 
$
1.17


Diluted net income per common share reflects the potential dilutive effect, if any, of the conversion of convertible senior subordinated notes under the "if converted" method. Diluted net income per common share also reflects share purchase options, including equity-settled share appreciation rights and restricted share units ("RSUs") using the treasury stock method when dilutive, and any contingently issuable shares when dilutive. Diluted net income per common share for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 is presented below:


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Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
Diluted Net Income Per Common Share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Numerator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. shareholders
$
40,717

 
$
98,185

 
$
39,332

 
$
162,227

Add:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest on convertible notes, net of tax
729

 
1,163

 
328

 
4,456

Numerator for diluted net income per common share
$
41,446

 
$
99,348

 
$
39,660

 
$
166,683

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Denominator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding
149,480

 
139,963

 
148,484

 
138,618

Effect of dilutive securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Conversion of notes
6,084

 
8,360

 
2,117

 
9,995

Share purchase options
3,459

 
2,943

 
3,393

 
2,662

Restricted share units
389

 
447

 
418

 
441

Adjusted weighted average common shares outstanding
159,412

 
151,713

 
154,412

 
151,716

Diluted net income per common share
$
0.26

 
$
0.65

 
$
0.26

 
$
1.10

For the three and nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, the outstanding common shares issuable presented below were excluded from diluted net income per common share because their inclusion would have had an anti-dilutive effect.

 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(Amounts in thousands)
Anti-dilutive shares issuable
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Conversion of notes

 

 
4,041

 

Share purchase options
3,237

 
3,122

 
3,432

 
4,334

Restricted share units
57

 
97

 
81

 
144

Contingently issuable shares
541

 
298

 
390

 
286

Total weighted average anti-dilutive shares issuable excluded from diluted net income per common share
3,835

 
3,517

 
7,944

 
4,764




12. Capital Stock

(a) Common Shares
The Company had 500 million authorized common shares at December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015. The table below outlines common shares reserved for future issuance:
 

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December 31,
2015
 
March 31,
2015
 
(Amounts in thousands)
Stock options outstanding, average exercise price $24.60 (March 31, 2015 - $22.22)
14,899

 
12,215

Restricted share units — unvested
1,676

 
1,662

Share purchase options and restricted share units available for future issuance
2,885

 
7,163

Shares issuable upon conversion of April 2009 3.625% Notes at conversion price of $8.15 per share at March 31, 2015

 
1,984

Shares issuable upon conversion of January 2012 4.00% Notes at conversion price of $10.30 per share (March 31, 2015 - $10.38)
4,063

 
4,032

Shares issuable upon conversion of April 2013 1.25% Notes at conversion price of $29.44 per share (March 31, 2015 - $29.65)
2,038

 
2,024

Shares reserved for future issuance
25,561

 
29,080


In September 2012, the Company adopted the 2012 Performance Incentive Plan, as amended on September 9, 2014 (the "2012 Plan"). The 2012 Plan provides for the issuance of up to 27.6 million common shares of the Company, stock options, share appreciation rights, restricted shares, stock bonuses and other forms of awards granted or denominated in common shares or units of common shares of the Company, as well as certain cash bonus awards to eligible directors of the Company, officers or employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, and certain consultants and advisors to the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

(b) Share-based Compensation

The Company recognized the following share-based compensation expense during the three and nine months ended December 31, 2015, and 2014:
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(Amounts in thousands)
Compensation Expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stock Options
$
6,322

 
$
7,551

 
$
25,845

 
$
25,560

Restricted Share Units and Other Share-based Compensation
6,913

 
6,477

 
21,373

 
19,515

Share Appreciation Rights

 
1,104

 
288

 
3,800

 
13,235

 
15,132

 
47,506

 
48,875

Impact of accelerated vesting on stock options and restricted share units(1)

 

 

 
1,194

Total share-based compensation expense
$
13,235

 
$
15,132

 
$
47,506

 
$
50,069

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tax impact(2)
(4,853
)
 
(5,547
)
 
(17,420
)
 
(18,355
)
Reduction in net income
$
8,382

 
$
9,585

 
$
30,086

 
$
31,714

___________________
(1)
Represents the impact of the acceleration of certain vesting schedules for stock options and restricted share units pursuant to the severance arrangements related to the integration of the marketing operations of the Company's Lionsgate and Summit film labels.
(2)
Represents the income tax benefit recognized in the statements of income for share-based compensation arrangements.


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The following table sets forth the stock option, equity-settled share appreciation rights, and restricted share unit activity during the nine months ended December 31, 2015:
 
Stock Options
 
Weighted-Average Exercise Price
 
Restricted Share Units
 
Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value
Outstanding at March 31, 2015
13,214,696

 
$21.26
 
1,662,028

 
$28.10
Granted
3,089,552

 
$32.75
 
1,282,319

 
$33.51
Options exercised or RSUs vested
(635,183
)
 
$12.96
 
(1,235,455
)
 
$28.46
Forfeited or expired
(8,429
)
 
$21.48
 
(32,897
)
 
$30.50
Outstanding at December 31, 2015
15,660,636

 
$23.86
 
1,675,995

 
$31.92
During the nine months ended December 31, 2014, 75,000 cash-settled share appreciation rights were exercised resulting in a cash payment of $1.7 million.
The excess tax benefits realized from tax deductions associated with option exercises and RSU activity were $6.8 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2014. There were no excess tax benefits realized for the nine months ended December 31, 2015.
Total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options and restricted share unit awards at December 31, 2015 are $52.9 million and $34.1 million, respectively, and are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.6 and 1.7 years, respectively.

(c) Dividends

On December 11, 2015, the Company's Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.09 per common share payable on February 5, 2016, to shareholders of record as of December 31, 2015. As of December 31, 2015, the Company had $13.4 million of cash dividends payable included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities on the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet.

(d) Shareholder Transactions

In November 2015, the Company was advised that each of Liberty Global Incorporated Limited (“Liberty”), a limited company organized under the laws of the United Kingdom and a wholly owned subsidiary of Liberty Global plc, and Discovery Lightning Investments Ltd. (“Discovery”), a limited company organized under the laws of the United Kingdom and a wholly owned subsidiary of Discovery Communications, Inc., agreed to each purchase 5,000,000 common shares, no par value per share, of the Company (“common shares”) from funds affiliated with MHR Fund Management, LLC (“MHR Fund Management”). In connection with the purchases, the Company entered into separate registration rights agreements with each of Liberty and Discovery, and amended the registration rights agreement with MHR Fund Management, which provide Liberty, Discovery and MHR Fund Management (together with certain of their affiliates) with certain registration rights, subject to the terms and conditions set forth therein. The Company also entered into an underwriting agreement with J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as underwriter, Liberty, Discovery and Bank of America, N.A. in connection with a registered underwritten secondary public offering of the common shares. Among other transaction costs, the Company has incurred expenses on behalf of MHR Fund Management for certain costs related to the registration and offering of the common shares. Such costs, amounting to approximately $0.8 million, are included in general and administration expense in the unaudited condensed consolidated statement of income for the three months ended December 31, 2015. Mark H. Rachesky, the Chairman of the Board of the Company, is the principal of MHR Fund Management, which holds approximately 20.1% of the Company’s outstanding common stock as of January 8, 2016. The registration and offering were disclosed by the Company on Current Reports on Form 8-K dated November 10, 2015 and November 13, 2015.


13. Income Taxes
In the quarter ended December 31, 2015, the Company determined that a small change in its estimated pretax results for the year ended March 31, 2016 would create a large change in its expected annual effective rate. Accordingly, it was determined that a reliable estimate of the expected annual effective tax rate could not be made. As a result, the Company computed its tax provision (benefit) using the cut-off method which resulted in an income tax benefit of $45.1 million for the three months ended

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)



December 31, 2015 based on the actual taxes attributable to its year-to-date earnings. This tax benefit is primarily related to the mix of the Company's pre-tax income (loss) generated across the various jurisdictions in which the Company operates in addition to the tax deductions generated by the Company's capital structure.
The income tax provision for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2014 was calculated by estimating the Company's annual effective tax rate, and then applying the effective tax rate to income before income taxes for the period, along with any items that relate discretely to the period.
The Company's effective tax rate differs from the federal statutory rate and has changed from the prior period and could fluctuate significantly in the future, as the Company's effective tax rates are affected by many factors, including the overall level of pre-tax income, the mix of pre-tax income generated across the various jurisdictions in which the Company operates, changes in tax laws and regulations in those jurisdictions, changes in valuation allowances on its deferred tax assets, tax planning strategies available to the Company, and other discrete items.


14. Government Assistance
Tax credits earned for film and television production activity for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2015 totaled $16.5 million and $120.2 million, respectively (three and nine months ended December 31, 2014 - $103.5 million and $193.0 million, respectively) and are recorded as a reduction of the cost of the related film and television program. Accounts receivable at December 31, 2015 includes $285.8 million with respect to tax credits receivable (March 31, 2015 - $219.2 million).
The Company is subject to routine inquiries and review by regulatory authorities of its various incentive claims which have been received or are receivable. Adjustments of claims have generally not been material historically.

15. Segment Information
The Company’s reportable segments are determined based on the distinct nature of their operations and each segment is a strategic business unit that offers different products and services and is managed separately. The Company has two reportable business segments as of December 31, 2015: Motion Pictures and Television Production.
Motion Pictures consists of the development and production of feature films, acquisition of North American and worldwide distribution rights, North American theatrical, home entertainment and television distribution of feature films produced and acquired, and worldwide licensing of distribution rights to feature films produced and acquired.
Television Production consists of the development, production and worldwide distribution of television productions including television series, television movies and mini-series, and non-fiction programming.


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LIONS GATE ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)



Segment information by business unit is as follows:
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(Amounts in thousands)
Segment revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Motion Pictures
$
505,793

 
$
590,072

 
$
1,135,110

 
$
1,320,012

Television Production
164,729

 
161,227

 
421,112

 
433,546

 
$
670,522

 
$
751,299

 
$
1,556,222

 
$
1,753,558

Direct operating expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Motion Pictures
$
264,480

 
$
260,309

 
$
580,646

 
$
583,792

Television Production
139,588

 
140,267

 
346,542

 
362,048

 
$
404,068

 
$
400,576

 
$
927,188

 
$
945,840

Distribution and marketing
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Motion Pictures
$
191,827

 
$
162,884

 
$
399,146

 
$
396,587

Television Production
11,294

 
8,555

 
29,039

 
25,050

 
$
203,121

 
$
171,439

 
$
428,185

 
$
421,637

Gross segment contribution
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Motion Pictures
$
49,486

 
$
166,879

 
$
155,318

 
$
339,633

Television Production
13,847

 
12,405

 
45,531

 
46,448

 
$
63,333

 
$
179,284

 
$
200,849

 
$
386,081

Segment general and administration
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Motion Pictures
$
18,874

 
$
18,669

 
$
55,841

 
$
54,252

Television Production
4,401

 
3,172

 
13,260

 
10,081

 
$
23,275

 
$
21,841

 
$
69,101

 
$
64,333

Segment profit
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Motion Pictures
$
30,612

 
$
148,210

 
$
99,477

 
$
285,381

Television Production
9,446

 
9,233

 
32,271

 
36,367

 
$
40,058

 
$
157,443

 
$
131,748

 
$
321,748


Gross segment contribution is defined as segment revenue less segment direct operating and distribution and marketing expenses.
Segment profit is defined as segment revenue less segment direct operating, distribution and marketing, and general and administration expenses. The reconciliation of total segment profit to the Company’s income (loss) before income taxes is as follows:
 

30

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LIONS GATE ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)



 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(Amounts in thousands)
Company’s total segment profit
$
40,058

 
$
157,443

 
$
131,748

 
$
321,748

Shared services and corporate expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Share-based compensation expense
(13,235
)
 
(15,132
)
 
(47,506
)
 
(48,875
)
Restructuring and other items(1)
(13,398
)
 
(766
)
 
(17,605
)
 
(7,008
)
Purchase accounting and related adjustments(2)
(681
)
 

 
(681
)
 

Start-up costs of new business initiatives(3)
(2,630
)
 

 
(3,045
)
 

Other shared services and corporate expenses
(16,864
)
 
(23,668
)
 
(60,434
)
 
(66,759
)
Total shared services and corporate expenses
(46,808
)
 
(39,566
)
 
(129,271
)
 
(122,642
)
Depreciation and amortization
(2,970
)
 
(1,708
)
 
(7,320
)
 
(4,685
)
Operating income (loss)
(9,720
)
 
116,169

 
(4,843
)
 
194,421

Interest expense
(14,169
)
 
(13,551
)
 
(39,424
)
 
(39,594
)
Interest and other income
521

 
623

 
1,676

 
2,188

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 
(690
)
 

 
(1,276
)
Equity interests income
10,826

 
10,898

 
29,363

 
37,353

Income (loss) before income taxes
$
(12,542
)
 
$
113,449

 
$
(13,228
)
 
$
193,092

___________________
(1)
Restructuring and other items includes restructuring and severance costs, certain transaction related costs, and certain unusual items, when applicable. Amounts in the three and nine months ended December 31, 2015 represent professional fees associated with certain strategic transactions including, among others, the acquisition of Pilgrim Studios and certain shareholder transactions, the costs related to the move of our international sales and distribution organization to the United Kingdom, and certain transactional costs of $7.7 million of Pilgrim Studios attributable to the noncontrolling shareholder (see Note 9). Pursuant to the profit sharing provisions in the Pilgrim Studios operating agreement, the transactional costs of $7.7 million are included in net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest in the unaudited condensed consolidated statement of income and thus does not impact earnings per share attributable to Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. shareholders. In addition, amounts in the nine months ended December 31, 2015 include pension withdrawal costs of $2.7 million related to an underfunded multi-employer pension plan in which the Company is no longer participating.
Amounts in the three and nine months ended December 31, 2014 primarily represent costs related to the move of our international sales and distribution organization to the United Kingdom. In addition, amounts in the nine months ended December 31, 2014 include severance costs associated with the integration of the marketing operations of the Company's Lionsgate and Summit film labels, of which approximately $1.2 million are non-cash charges resulting from the acceleration of vesting of stock awards (see Note 12).
(2)
Purchase accounting and related adjustments represent the charge for the accretion of the noncontrolling interest discount that is included in general and administrative expense (see Note 10).
(3)
Start-up costs of new business initiatives represent general and administrative expense associated with the Company's direct to consumer initiatives including its subscription video-on-demand platforms.



31

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LIONS GATE ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)



The following table sets forth significant assets as broken down by segment and other unallocated assets as of December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015:
 
 
December 31, 2015
 
March 31, 2015
 
Motion
Pictures
 
Television
Production
 
Total
 
Motion
Pictures
 
Television
Production
 
Total
 
(Amounts in thousands)
Significant assets by segment
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
$
458,694

 
$
485,304

 
$
943,998

 
$
538,515

 
$
353,365

 
$
891,880

Investment in films and television programs, net
1,190,219

 
371,749

 
1,561,968

 
1,116,909

 
264,920

 
1,381,829

Goodwill
294,367

 
239,776

 
534,143

 
294,367

 
28,961

 
323,328

 
$
1,943,280

 
$
1,096,829

 
$
3,040,109

 
$
1,949,791

 
$
647,246

 
$
2,597,037

Other unallocated assets (primarily cash, other assets, and investments)
 
 
 
 
798,290

 
 
 
 
 
695,052

Total assets
 
 
 
 
$
3,838,399

 
 
 
 
 
$
3,292,089


The following table sets forth acquisition of investment in films and television programs as broken down by segment for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
December 31,
 
December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
(Amounts in thousands)
Acquisition of investment in films and television programs
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Motion Pictures
$
140,114

 
$
89,041

 
$
504,536

 
$
517,385

Television Production
95,671

 
87,409

 
266,719

 
298,084

 
$
235,785

 
$
176,450

 
$
771,255

 
$
815,469


Purchases of property and equipment amounted to $6.8 million and $13.7 million for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2015, respectively, and $6.8 million and $11.3 million for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2014, respectively, primarily pertaining to purchases for the Company’s corporate headquarters.


16. Contingencies

Two purported Lions Gate stockholders initiated legal proceedings in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York relating to the March 13, 2014 announcement that the Company had entered into an administrative order with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") that resolved the SEC’s investigation into transactions that the Company announced on July 20, 2010. These actions were captioned Laborers Pension Trust Fund-Detroit & Vicinity v. Lions Gate Entertainment Corp., et al., Case No. 14 CV 5197 (filed July 11, 2014) and Barger v. Lions Gate Entertainment Corp., Case No. 14 CV 5477 (filed July 21, 2014). The actions alleged, among other things, that the Company and certain of its current and former officers and directors violated the federal securities laws by failing to disclose the SEC’s investigation prior to March 13, 2014. On October 28, 2014, the court consolidated the actions under the caption In re Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. Securities Litigation, Case No. 1:14-cv-05197-JGK, and appointed lead plaintiff and lead counsel. Lead plaintiff filed a consolidated amended complaint on December 29, 2014 and a second consolidated amended complaint on March 30, 2015. On April 30, 2015, defendants moved to dismiss the action. The court held oral argument on November 5, 2015. On January 22, 2016, the court granted the defendants’ motion to dismiss.


32

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LIONS GATE ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)



In addition, on May 16, 2014, the Company received a letter from another purported stockholder, Arkansas Teacher Retirement System, demanding that the Company seek to recover damages, including the costs associated with the SEC investigation, and the fine paid, from the directors who were on the board (and certain officers) at the time the July 20, 2010 transactions occurred. On August 6, 2014, the board created a Special Committee of independent directors (composed of Mr. Frank Giustra and Mr. Gordon Crawford) to consider the demand. On October 1, 2014, the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System filed a petition in the Supreme Court of British Columbia seeking an order granting it leave to prosecute the claims in the name and on behalf of Lions Gate. The Special Committee concluded that commencing an action in British Columbia against the proposed defendants (or any of them) as demanded by the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System would not be in the best interests of the Company, and the Company has taken steps to oppose the petition, including through filing materials in opposition in December 2014 and January 2015. The Arkansas Teacher Retirement System has filed materials in reply. The petition was scheduled to be heard on February 1-3, 2016.
From time to time, the Company is involved in other claims and legal proceedings arising in the normal course of business. While the resolution of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not believe, based on current knowledge, that the outcome of any currently pending legal proceedings in which the Company is currently involved will have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flow.

17. Consolidating Financial Information — Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes

The January 2012 4.00% Notes and the April 2013 1.25% Notes by their terms, are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Company. LGEI, the issuer of the January 2012 4.00% Notes and the April 2013 1.25% Notes that are guaranteed by the Company, is 100% owned by the parent company guarantor, Lions Gate Entertainment Corp.

The following tables present condensed consolidating financial information as of December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015, and for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 for (1) the Company, on a stand-alone basis, (2) LGEI, on a stand-alone basis, (3) the non-guarantor subsidiaries of the Company (including the subsidiaries of LGEI), on a combined basis (collectively, the “Non-guarantor Subsidiaries”) and (4) the Company, on a consolidated basis.
 

33

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LIONS GATE ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)



 
As of
 
December 31, 2015
 
Lions Gate
Entertainment
Corp.
 
Lions Gate
Entertainment
Inc.
 
Non-guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Consolidating
Adjustments
 
Lions Gate
Consolidated
 
(Amounts in thousands)
BALANCE SHEET
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
1,773

 
$
51,230

 
$
35,289

 
$

 
$
88,292

Restricted cash

 
2,650

 

 

 
2,650

Accounts receivable, net
664

 
1,607

 
941,727

 

 
943,998

Investment in films and television programs, net

 
6,407

 
1,555,561

 

 
1,561,968

Property and equipment, net

 
34,115

 
7,799

 

 
41,914

Investments
40,072

 
16,331

 
418,706

 

 
475,109

Goodwill
10,172

 

 
523,971

 

 
534,143

Other assets
7,535

 
59,555

 
23,262

 
(5,530
)
 
84,822

Deferred tax assets
615

 
94,817

 
10,071

 

 
105,503

Subsidiary investments and advances
1,545,358

 
1,605,165

 
3,232,304

 
(6,382,827
)
 

 
$
1,606,189

 
$
1,871,877

 
$
6,748,690

 
$
(6,388,357
)
 
$
3,838,399

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity (Deficiency)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior revolving credit facility
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

5.25% Senior Notes
225,000

 

 

 

 
225,000

Term Loan
400,000

 

 

 

 
400,000

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
25,815

 
71,765

 
230,248

 

 
327,828

Participations and residuals

 
3,663

 
546,322

 

 
549,985

Film obligations and production loans

 

 
895,558

 

 
895,558

Convertible senior subordinated notes

 
99,508

 

 

 
99,508

Deferred revenue

 
5,661

 
290,310

 

 
295,971

Intercompany payable

 
1,955,839

 
2,489,183

 
(4,445,022
)
 

Redeemable noncontrolling interest

 

 
89,175

 

 
89,175

Total shareholders' equity (deficiency)
955,374

 
(264,559
)
 
2,207,894

 
(1,943,335
)
 
955,374

 
$
1,606,189

 
$
1,871,877

 
$
6,748,690

 
$
(6,388,357
)
 
$
3,838,399



34

Table of Contents
LIONS GATE ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)



 
Nine Months Ended
 
December 31, 2015
 
Lions Gate
Entertainment
Corp.
 
Lions Gate
Entertainment
Inc.
 
Non-guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Consolidating
Adjustments
 
Lions Gate
Consolidated
 
 
 
(Amounts in thousands)
 
 
STATEMENT OF INCOME
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
$

 
$
15,709

 
$
1,540,947

 
$
(434
)
 
$
1,556,222

EXPENSES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Direct operating
572

 
33

 
926,583

 

 
927,188

Distribution and marketing

 
5,982

 
422,203

 

 
428,185

General and administration
5,849

 
109,519

 
84,266

 
(1,262
)
 
198,372

Depreciation and amortization

 
5,906

 
1,414

 

 
7,320

Total expenses
6,421

 
121,440

 
1,434,466

 
(1,262
)
 
1,561,065

OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
(6,421
)
 
(105,731
)
 
106,481

 
828

 
(4,843
)
Other expenses (income):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
28,025

 
163,552

 
128,319

 
(280,472
)
 
39,424

Interest and other income
(154,398
)
 
(165
)
 
(127,200
)
 
280,087

 
(1,676
)
Total other expenses (income)
(126,373
)
 
163,387

 
1,119

 
(385
)
 
37,748

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE EQUITY INTERESTS AND INCOME TAXES
119,952

 
(269,118
)
 
105,362

 
1,213

 
(42,591
)
Equity interests income (loss)
(81,059
)
 
185,971

 
30,875

 
(106,424
)
 
29,363

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES
38,893

 
(83,147
)
 
136,237

 
(105,211
)
 
(13,228
)
Income tax provision (benefit)
(439
)
 
(45,672
)
 
53,941

 
(52,271
)
 
(44,441
)
NET INCOME (LOSS)
39,332

 
(37,475
)
 
82,296

 
(52,940
)
 
31,213

Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 

 
8,119

 
8,119

Net income (loss) attributable to Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. shareholders
$
39,332

 
$
(37,475
)
 
$
82,296

 
$
(44,821
)
 
$
39,332

 
Nine Months Ended
 
December 31, 2015
 
Lions Gate
Entertainment
Corp.
 
Lions Gate
Entertainment
Inc.
 
Non-guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Consolidating
Adjustments
 
Lions Gate
Consolidated
STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
 
 
(Amounts in thousands)
 
 
NET INCOME (LOSS)
39,332

 
(37,475
)
 
82,296

 
(52,940
)
 
31,213

Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax
(1,440
)
 
(3,876
)
 
(3,698
)
 
9,600

 
586

Net unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities, net of tax of $557

 

 
(3,728
)
 

 
(3,728
)
Net unrealized gain on foreign exchange contracts, net of tax

 

 
1,702

 

 
1,702

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
37,892

 
(41,351
)
 
76,572

 
(43,340
)
 
29,773

Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 

 
8,119

 
8,119

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. shareholders
$
37,892

 
$
(41,351
)
 
$
76,572

 
$
(35,221
)
 
$
37,892



35

Table of Contents
LIONS GATE ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)



 
Nine Months Ended
 
December 31, 2015
 
Lions Gate
Entertainment
Corp.
 
Lions Gate
Entertainment
Inc.
 
Non-guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Consolidating
Adjustments
 
Lions Gate
Consolidated
 
(Amounts in thousands)
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NET CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES
$
25,021

 
$
18,047

 
$
(153,619
)
 
$

 
$
(110,551
)
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment in equity method investees

 

 
(3,954
)
 

 
(3,954
)
Purchase of Pilgrim Studios, net of cash acquired of $15,816

 

 
(126,892
)
 

 
(126,892
)
Purchases of other investments

 
(750
)
 

 

 
(750
)
Purchases of property and equipment

 
(13,352
)
 
(328
)
 

 
(13,680
)
NET CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 
(14,102
)
 
(131,174
)
 

 
(145,276
)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior revolving credit facility - borrowings
238,000

 

 

 

 
238,000

Senior revolving credit facility - repayments
(238,000
)
 

 

 

 
(238,000
)
Term Loan - borrowings, net of deferred financing costs of $964
24,036

 

 

 

 
24,036

Convertible senior subordinated notes - repurchases

 
(5
)
 

 

 
(5
)
Production loans - borrowings

 

 
509,569

 

 
509,569

Production loans - repayments

 

 
(240,565
)
 

 
(240,565
)
Dividends paid
(33,927
)
 

 

 

 
(33,927
)
Excess tax benefits on equity-based compensation awards

 

 

 

 

Exercise of stock options
6,007

 

 

 

 
6,007

Tax withholding required on equity awards
(22,871
)
 

 

 

 
(22,871
)
NET CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES
(26,755
)
 
(5
)
 
269,004

 

 
242,244

NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
(1,734
)
 
3,940

 
(15,789
)
 

 
(13,583
)
FOREIGN EXCHANGE EFFECTS ON CASH
8

 

 
(830
)
 

 
(822
)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS — BEGINNING OF PERIOD
3,499

 
47,290

 
51,908

 

 
102,697

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS — END OF PERIOD
$
1,773

 
$
51,230

 
$
35,289

 
$

 
$
88,292



36

Table of Contents
LIONS GATE ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)



 
As of
 
March 31, 2015
 
Lions Gate
Entertainment
Corp.
 
Lions Gate
Entertainment
Inc.
 
Non-guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Consolidating
Adjustments
 
Lions Gate
Consolidated
 
(Amounts in thousands)
BALANCE SHEET
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
3,499

 
$
47,290

 
$
51,908

 
$

 
$
102,697

Restricted cash

 
2,508

 

 

 
2,508

Accounts receivable, net
617

 
7,933

 
883,330

 

 
891,880

Investment in films and television programs, net

 
6,402

 
1,375,427

 

 
1,381,829

Property and equipment, net

 
24,938

 
1,713

 

 
26,651

Investments
40,072

 
9,229

 
388,997

 

 
438,298

Goodwill
10,172

 

 
313,156

 

 
323,328

Other assets
8,109

 
61,409

 
11,180

 
(5,914
)
 
74,784

Deferred tax assets
10,524

 
32,252

 
7,338

 

 
50,114

Subsidiary investments and advances
1,385,522

 
1,378,571

 
2,571,801

 
(5,335,894
)
 

 
$
1,458,515

 
$
1,570,532

 
$
5,604,850

 
$
(5,341,808
)
 
$
3,292,089

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity (Deficiency)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior revolving credit facility
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

5.25% Senior Notes
225,000

 

 

 

 
225,000

Term Loan
375,000

 

 

 

 
375,000

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
16,228

 
86,472

 
229,773

 

 
332,473

Participations and residuals

 
3,417

 
468,244

 

 
471,661

Film obligations and production loans

 

 
656,755

 

 
656,755

Convertible senior subordinated notes

 
114,126

 

 

 
114,126

Deferred revenue

 
7,722

 
267,065

 

 
274,787

Intercompany payable

 
1,530,299

 
2,547,928

 
(4,078,227
)
 

Redeemable noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

 

Total shareholders' equity (deficiency)
842,287

 
(171,504
)
 
1,435,085

 
(1,263,581
)
 
842,287

 
$
1,458,515

 
$
1,570,532

 
$
5,604,850

 
$
(5,341,808
)
 
$
3,292,089




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LIONS GATE ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)



 
Nine Months Ended
 
December 31, 2014
 
Lions Gate
Entertainment
Corp.
 
Lions Gate
Entertainment
Inc.
 
Non-guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Consolidating
Adjustments
 
Lions Gate
Consolidated
 
(Amounts in thousands)
STATEMENT OF INCOME
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
$

 
$
21,565

 
$
1,732,520

 
$
(527
)
 
$
1,753,558

EXPENSES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Direct operating
2

 
3,243

 
942,595

 

 
945,840

Distribution and marketing

 
1,575

 
420,062

 

 
421,637

General and administration
2,383

 
115,942

 
69,010

 
(360
)
 
186,975

Depreciation and amortization

 
2,721

 
1,964

 

 
4,685

Total expenses
2,385

 
123,481

 
1,433,631

 
(360
)
 
1,559,137

OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)
(2,385
)
 
(101,916
)
 
298,889

 
(167
)
 
194,421

Other expenses (income):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense
25,919

 
138,139

 
96,941

 
(221,405
)
 
39,594

Interest and other income
(126,019
)
 
(2,766
)
 
(94,457
)
 
221,054

 
(2,188
)
Loss on extinguishment of debt

 
1,276

 

 

 
1,276

Total other expenses (income)
(100,100
)
 
136,649

 
2,484

 
(351
)
 
38,682

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE EQUITY INTERESTS AND INCOME TAXES
97,715

 
(238,565
)
 
296,405

 
184

 
155,739

Equity interests income (loss)
66,045

 
317,176

 
37,224

 
(383,092
)
 
37,353

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES
163,760

 
78,611

 
333,629

 
(382,908
)
 
193,092

Income tax provision (benefit)
1,533

 
12,566

 
52,982

 
(36,216
)
 
30,865

NET INCOME (LOSS)
162,227

 
66,045

 
280,647

 
(346,692
)
 
162,227

Less: Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss) attributable to Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. shareholders
$
162,227

 
$
66,045

 
$
280,647

 
$
(346,692
)
 
$
162,227


 
Nine Months Ended
 
December 31, 2014
 
Lions Gate
Entertainment
Corp.
 
Lions Gate
Entertainment
Inc.
 
Non-guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Consolidating
Adjustments
 
Lions Gate
Consolidated
STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(Amounts in thousands)
NET INCOME (LOSS)
162,227

 
66,045

 
280,647

 
(346,692
)
 
162,227

Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax
(3,473
)
 
(4,383
)
 
(1,301
)
 
4,991

 
(4,166
)
Net unrealized gain on foreign exchange contracts, net of tax

 

 
693

 

 
693

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
$
158,754

 
$
61,662

 
$
280,039

 
$
(341,701
)
 
$
158,754

Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. shareholders
$
158,754

 
$
61,662

 
$
280,039

 
$
(341,701
)
 
$
158,754



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LIONS GATE ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)



 
Nine Months Ended
 
December 31, 2014
 
Lions Gate
Entertainment
Corp.
 
Lions Gate
Entertainment
Inc.
 
Non-guarantor
Subsidiaries
 
Consolidating
Adjustments
 
Lions Gate
Consolidated
 
(Amounts in thousands)
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NET CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES
$
93,761

 
$
16,210

 
$
(273,012
)
 
$

 
$
(163,041
)
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proceeds from the sale of equity method investees

 

 
14,575

 

 
14,575

Investment in equity method investees

 
(2,150
)
 
(12,600
)
 

 
(14,750
)
Purchases of other investments

 
(2,000
)
 

 

 
(2,000
)
Purchases of property and equipment

 
(9,309
)
 
(1,984
)
 

 
(11,293
)
NET CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 
(13,459
)
 
(9
)
 

 
(13,468
)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior revolving credit facility - borrowings
681,500

 

 

 

 
681,500

Senior revolving credit facility - repayments
(618,619
)
 

 

 

 
(618,619
)
Convertible senior subordinated notes - repurchases

 
(16
)
 

 

 
(16
)
Production loans - borrowings

 

 
533,781

 

 
533,781

Production loans - repayments

 

 
(261,868
)
 

 
(261,868
)
Repurchase of common shares
(129,859
)
 

 

 

 
(129,859
)
Dividends paid
(23,536
)
 

 

 

 
(23,536
)
Excess tax benefits on equity-based compensation awards

 
6,767

 

 

 
6,767

Exercise of stock options
4,404

 

 

 

 
4,404

Tax withholding required on equity awards
(14,939
)
 

 

 

 
(14,939
)
NET CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES
(101,049
)
 
6,751

 
271,913

 

 
177,615

NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
(7,288
)
 
9,502

 
(1,108
)
 

 
1,106

FOREIGN EXCHANGE EFFECTS ON CASH
(1
)
 

 
2,089

 

 
2,088

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS — BEGINNING OF PERIOD
8,128

 
5,999

 
11,565

 

 
25,692

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS — END OF PERIOD
$
839

 
$
15,501

 
$
12,546

 
$

 
$
28,886





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Table of Contents
LIONS GATE ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(Continued)




18. Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
The Company enters into forward foreign exchange contracts to hedge its foreign currency exposures on future production expenses and tax credit receivables denominated in various foreign currencies. As of December 31, 2015, the Company had the following outstanding forward foreign exchange contracts (all outstanding contracts have maturities of less than 11 months from December 31, 2015):

December 31, 2015
Foreign Currency
 
Foreign Currency Amount
 
US Dollar Amount
 
Weighted Average Exchange Rate Per $1 USD
 
 
(Amounts in millions)
 
(Amounts in millions)
 
 
British Pound Sterling
 

£0.9

in exchange for

$1.0

 
£0.93
Australian Dollar
 

A$56.8

in exchange for

$50.6

 
A$1.12
Euro
 

€3.4

in exchange for

$3.8

 
€0.89
Canadian Dollar
 

C$49.2

in exchange for

$37.5

 
C$1.31
Changes in the fair value representing a net unrealized fair value gain (loss) on foreign exchange contracts that qualified as effective hedge contracts outstanding during the three and nine months ended December 31, 2015 were losses, net of tax, of $1.3 million and gains, net of tax, of $1.7 million, respectively (2014 - gains, net of tax, of $0.3 million and $0.7 million, respectively), and are included in accumulated other comprehensive loss, a separate component of shareholders’ equity. Changes in the fair value representing a net unrealized fair value gain on foreign exchange contracts that did not qualify as effective hedge contracts outstanding during the three and nine months ended December 31, 2015 were less than $0.1 million (three and nine months ended December 31, 2014 - nil and $0.4 million) and are included in direct operating expenses in the consolidated statements of income. The Company monitors its positions with, and the credit quality of, the financial institutions that are party to its financial transactions.
As of December 31, 2015, $10.9 million was included in other assets and $2.1 million in accounts payable and accrued liabilities (March 31, 2015 - $8.3 million in other assets and $2.0 million in accounts payable and accrued liabilities) in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets related to the Company's use of foreign currency derivatives. The Company classifies its forward foreign exchange contracts within Level 2 as the valuation inputs are based on quoted prices and market observable data of similar instruments.
During the three and nine months ended December 31, 2015, the Company did not have any significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive loss. As of December 31, 2015, based on the current release schedule, the Company estimates approximately $7.1 million of gains associated with cash flow hedges in accumulated other comprehensive loss to be reclassified into earnings during the one-year period ending December 31, 2016.  



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19. Supplementary Cash Flow Statement Information

The supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 is presented below.

 
Nine Months Ended
 
December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(Amounts in thousands)
Non-cash investing activities:
 
 
 
Issuance of common shares related to Pilgrim Studios acquisition (see Note 9)
$
56,089

 
$

 
 
 
 
Non-cash financing activities:
 
 
 
Accrued dividends (see Note 12)
$
13,360

 
$
9,817

Accrued share repurchases
$

 
$
2,106

Conversions of convertible senior subordinated notes (see Note 5)
$
16,162

 
$
24,145




20. Subsequent Events

Share Repurchases. On February 2, 2016, our Board of Directors authorized the Company to increase its previously announced share repurchase plan from $300 million to $468 million. To date, approximately $218.0 million of the Company's common shares have been purchased, leaving approximately $250.0 million of authorized potential purchases. Of the purchased shares, 0.3 million of the Company's common shares were purchased for an aggregate price of $7.9 million (weighted average repurchase price of $29.48) during the period from January 1, 2016 to January 13, 2016. The remaining $250.0 million of the Company's common shares may be purchased from time to time at the Company's discretion, including quantity, timing and price thereof, and will be subject to market conditions. Such purchases will be structured as permitted by securities laws and other legal requirements.



ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

Overview
Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. (“Lionsgate,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”) is a premier next generation global content leader with a strong and diversified presence in motion picture production and distribution, television programming and syndication, home entertainment, digital distribution, channel platforms and international distribution and sales. We operate primarily through two reporting segments: Motion Pictures and Television Production.
Revenues
Our revenues are derived from the Motion Pictures and Television Production segments, as described below. Our revenues are derived from the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and other foreign countries. None of the non-U.S. countries individually comprised greater than 10% of total revenues for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.
Motion Pictures. Our Motion Pictures segment includes revenues derived from the following:
Theatrical. Theatrical revenues are derived from the domestic theatrical release of motion pictures licensed to theatrical exhibitors on a picture-by-picture basis (directly distributed by us in the U.S. and through a sub-distributor in Canada). The revenues from Canada are reported net of distribution fees and release expenses of the Canadian sub-distributor. The financial terms that we negotiate with our theatrical exhibitors in the U.S. generally provide that we receive a percentage of the box office results and are negotiated on a picture-by-picture basis.

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Home Entertainment. Home Entertainment revenues are derived from the sale or rental of our film productions and acquired or licensed films (including theatrical and direct-to-video releases) and certain television programs, to retail stores and through digital media platforms. In addition, we have revenue sharing arrangements with certain digital media platforms which generally provide that, in exchange for a nominal or no upfront sales price, we share in the rental or sales revenues generated by the platform on a title-by-title basis. We categorize our Home Entertainment revenue as follows:
Packaged media revenue: Packaged media revenue consists of the sale or rental of DVDs and Blu-ray discs.
Digital media revenue: Digital media revenue consists of revenues generated from pay-per-view and video-on-demand platforms, electronic sell-through (“EST”), and digital rental.
Television. Television revenues are primarily derived from the licensing of our theatrical productions and acquired films to the domestic cable, satellite, and free and pay television markets.
International. International revenues are derived from the licensing of our productions, acquired films, our catalog product and libraries of acquired titles from our international subsidiaries, and revenues from our distribution to international sub-distributors, on a territory-by-territory basis. International revenues also includes revenues from the direct distribution of our productions, acquired films, and our catalog product and libraries of acquired titles in the United Kingdom.
Motion Pictures - Other. Other revenues are derived from, among others, our interactive ventures and games division, our global franchise management and strategic partnerships division, the sales and licensing of music from the theatrical exhibition of our films and the television broadcast of our productions, and from the licensing of our films and television programs to ancillary markets.
Television Production. Our Television Production segment includes revenues derived from the following:
Domestic Television. Domestic television revenues are derived from the licensing and syndication to domestic markets of one-hour and half-hour series, television movies, mini-series and non-fiction programming.
International. International television revenues are derived from the licensing and syndication to international markets of one-hour and half-hour series, television movies, mini-series and non-fiction programming.
Home Entertainment. Home entertainment revenues are derived from the sale or rental of television production movies or series to retail stores and through digital media platforms. Home entertainment revenue consists of packaged media revenue and digital media revenue.
Television Production - Other. Other revenues are derived from, among others, product integration in our television episodes and programs, the sales and licensing of music from the television broadcasts of our productions, and from the licensing of our television programs to ancillary markets. For additional information, see Motion Pictures - Other above.
Expenses
Our primary operating expenses include direct operating expenses, distribution and marketing expenses and general and administration expenses.
Direct operating expenses include amortization of film and television production or acquisition costs, participation and residual expenses, provision for doubtful accounts, and foreign exchange gains and losses. Participation costs represent contingent consideration payable based on the performance of the film or television program to parties associated with the film or television program, including producers, writers, directors or actors, etc. Residuals represent amounts payable to various unions or “guilds” such as the SAG - AFTRA, Directors Guild of America, and Writers Guild of America, based on the performance of the film or television program in certain ancillary markets or based on the individual’s (i.e., actor, director, writer) salary level in the television market.
Distribution and marketing expenses primarily include the costs of theatrical “prints and advertising” (“P&A”) and of DVD/Blu-ray duplication and marketing. Theatrical P&A includes the costs of the theatrical prints delivered to theatrical exhibitors and the advertising and marketing cost associated with the theatrical release of the picture. DVD/Blu-ray duplication represents the cost of the DVD/Blu-ray product and the manufacturing costs associated with creating the physical products. DVD/Blu-ray marketing costs represent the cost of advertising the product at or near the time of its release or special promotional advertising.

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General and administration expenses include salaries and other overhead.


CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The preparation of our financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP") requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. The application of the following accounting policies, which are important to our financial position and results of operations, requires significant judgments and estimates on the part of management. As described more fully below, these estimates bear the risk of change due to the inherent uncertainty attached to the estimate. In some cases, changes in the accounting estimates are reasonably likely to occur from period to period. Accordingly, actual results could differ materially from our estimates. For example, accounting for films and television programs requires us to estimate future revenue and expense amounts which, due to the inherent uncertainties involved in making such estimates, are likely to differ to some extent from actual results. To the extent that there are material differences between these estimates and actual results, our financial condition or results of operations will be affected. We base our estimates on past experience and other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, and we evaluate these estimates on an ongoing basis. For a summary of all of our accounting policies, including the accounting policies discussed below, see Note 2 to our audited consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on May 21, 2015.
Accounting for Films and Television Programs. We capitalize costs of production and acquisition, including financing costs and production overhead, to investment in films and television programs. These costs for an individual film or television program are amortized and participation and residual costs are accrued to direct operating expenses in the proportion that current year’s revenues bear to management’s estimates of the ultimate revenue at the beginning of the current year expected to be recognized from exploitation, exhibition or sale of such film or television program. Ultimate revenue includes estimates over a period not to exceed ten years following the date of initial release of the motion picture. For an episodic television series, the period over which ultimate revenues are estimated cannot exceed ten years following the date of delivery of the first episode, or, if still in production, five years from the date of delivery of the most recent episode, if later. For previously released films or television programs acquired as part of a library, ultimate revenue includes estimates over a period not to exceed twenty years from the date of acquisition.
Due to the inherent uncertainties involved in making such estimates of ultimate revenues and expenses, these estimates have differed in the past from actual results and are likely to differ to some extent in the future from actual results. In addition, in the normal course of our business, some films and titles are more successful than anticipated and some are less successful than anticipated. Our management regularly reviews and revises when necessary its ultimate revenue and cost estimates, which may result in a change in the rate of amortization of film costs and participations and residuals and/or write-down of all or a portion of the unamortized costs of the film or television program to its estimated fair value. Our management estimates the ultimate revenue based on experience with similar titles or title genre, the general public appeal of the cast, actual performance (when available) at the box office or in markets currently being exploited, and other factors such as the quality and acceptance of motion pictures or programs that our competitors release into the marketplace at or near the same time, critical reviews, general economic conditions and other tangible and intangible factors, many of which we do not control and which may change.
An increase in the estimate of ultimate revenue will generally result in a lower amortization rate and, therefore, less film and television program amortization expense, while a decrease in the estimate of ultimate revenue will generally result in a higher amortization rate and, therefore, higher film and television program amortization expense, and also periodically results in a write-down of the film cost to the title’s fair value. These write-downs are included in amortization expense within direct operating expenses in our consolidated statements of income. Investment in films and television programs is stated at the lower of amortized cost or estimated fair value. The valuation of investment in films and television programs is reviewed on a title-by-title basis, when an event or change in circumstances indicates that the fair value of a film or television program is less than its unamortized cost. In determining the fair value of our films and television programs, we employ a discounted cash flows ("DCF") methodology with assumptions for cash flows. Key inputs employed in the DCF methodology include estimates of a film's ultimate revenue and costs as well as a discount rate. The discount rate utilized in the DCF analysis is based on our weighted average cost of capital plus a risk premium representing the risk associated with producing a particular film or television program. The fair value of any film costs associated with a film or television program that we plan to abandon is zero. As the primary determination of fair value is determined using a DCF model, the resulting fair value is considered a Level 3 measurement (as defined in Note 8 to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements). Additional amortization is recorded in the amount by which the unamortized costs exceed the estimated fair value of the film or television program. Estimates of future revenue involve measurement uncertainty and it is therefore possible that reductions in the carrying value of investment in films and television programs may be required as a consequence of changes in our future revenue estimates.

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Revenue Recognition. Revenue from the theatrical release of feature films is recognized at the time of exhibition based on our participation in box office receipts. Revenue from the sale of DVDs and Blu-ray discs in the retail market, net of an allowance for estimated returns and other allowances, is recognized on the later of receipt by the customer or “street date” (when it is available for sale by the customer). Under revenue sharing arrangements, including digital and EST arrangements, such as download-to-own, download-to-rent, video-on-demand, and subscription video-on-demand, revenue is recognized when we are entitled to receipts and such receipts are determinable. Revenues from television or digital licensing for fixed fees are recognized when the feature film or television program is available to the licensee for telecast. For television licenses that include separate availability “windows” during the license period, revenue is allocated over the “windows.” Revenue from sales to international territories are recognized when access to the feature film or television program has been granted or delivery has occurred, as required under the sales contract, and the right to exploit the feature film or television program has commenced. For multiple media rights contracts with a fee for a single film or television program where the contract provides for media holdbacks (defined as contractual media release restrictions), the fee is allocated to the various media based on our assessment of the relative fair value of the rights to exploit each media and is recognized as each holdback is released. For multiple-title contracts with a fee, the fee is allocated on a title-by-title basis, based on our assessment of the relative fair value of each title. The primary estimate requiring the most subjectivity and judgment involving revenue recognition is the estimate of sales returns associated with our revenue from the sale of DVDs/Blu-ray discs in the retail market which is discussed separately below under the caption “Sales Returns Allowance.”
Sales Returns Allowance. Revenues are recorded net of estimated returns and other allowances. We estimate reserves for DVD/Blu-ray returns based on previous returns experience, point-of-sale data available from certain retailers, current economic trends, and projected future sales of the title to the consumer based on the actual performance of similar titles on a title-by-title basis in each of the DVD/Blu-ray businesses. Factors affecting actual returns include, among other factors, limited retail shelf space at various times of the year, success of advertising or other sales promotions, and the near term release of competing titles. We believe that our estimates have been materially accurate in the past; however, due to the judgment involved in establishing reserves, we may have adjustments to our historical estimates in the future. Our estimate of future returns affects reported revenue and operating income. If we underestimate the impact of future returns in a particular period, then we may record less revenue in later periods when returns exceed the estimated amounts. If we overestimate the impact of future returns in a particular period, then we may record additional revenue in later periods when returns are less than estimated. An incremental change of 1% in our estimated sales returns rate (i.e., provisions for returns divided by gross sales of related product) for home entertainment products would have had an impact of approximately $1.3 million and $3.2 million on our total revenue in the three and nine months ended December 31, 2015 (2014 - $1.8 million and $4.5 million, respectively).
Provisions for Accounts Receivable. We estimate provisions for accounts receivable based on historical experience and relevant facts and information regarding the collectability of the accounts receivable. In performing this evaluation, significant judgments and estimates are involved, including an analysis of specific risks on a customer-by-customer basis for our larger customers and an analysis of the length of time receivables have been past due. The financial condition of a given customer and its ability to pay may change over time or could be better or worse than anticipated and could result in an increase or decrease to our allowance for doubtful accounts, which, when the impact of such change is material, is disclosed in our discussion on direct operating expenses elsewhere in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
Income Taxes. We are subject to federal and state income taxes in the U.S., and in several foreign jurisdictions. We record deferred tax assets related to net operating loss carryforwards and certain temporary differences, net of applicable reserves. We recognize a future tax benefit to the extent that realization of such benefit is more likely than not; otherwise a valuation allowance is applied. In order to realize the benefit of our deferred tax assets, we will need to generate sufficient taxable income in the future. In previous years, we had historically provided a full valuation allowance against our net deferred tax assets because of our historical operating losses. Due to the profitability achieved in our fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, which resulted in a cumulative positive three year pre-tax income, and our current projections of profitability in the next few years, we determined that it was more likely than not that we will realize the benefit of certain of our deferred tax assets, including our net operating loss carryforwards and, accordingly, the valuation allowance related to those assets was reversed as of March 31, 2013. In addition, due to certain financing transactions in the year ended March 31, 2014, we determined that it was more likely than not that we will realize the benefit of certain of our deferred tax assets in our Canadian tax jurisdiction, and accordingly, the valuation allowance related to those assets was reversed during the year ended March 31, 2014. However, the assessment as to whether there will be sufficient taxable income to realize our net deferred tax assets is an estimate which could change in the future depending primarily upon the actual performance of our Company. We will be required to continually evaluate the more likely than not assessment that our net deferred tax assets will be realized, and if operating results deteriorate, we may need to reestablish all or a portion of the valuation allowance through a charge to our income tax provision.


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Table of Contents

Our quarterly income tax provision (benefit) and our corresponding annual effective tax rate are based on expected income, statutory tax rates and tax planning opportunities available in the various jurisdictions in which we operate. For interim financial reporting, except in circumstances as described in the following paragraph, we estimate the annual effective tax rate based on projected taxable income for the full year and record a quarterly tax provision in accordance with the expected annual effective tax rate. As the year progresses, we refine the estimates of the year’s taxable income as new information becomes available, including year-to-date financial results. This continual estimation process often results in a change to our expected annual effective tax rate for the year. When this occurs, we adjust our income tax provision during the quarter in which the change in estimate occurs so that the year-to-date income tax provision reflects the expected annual effective tax rate. Significant judgment is required in determining our annual effective tax rate and in evaluating our tax positions.
 
When a small change in our estimated pretax results would create a large change in our expected annual effective rate such that a reliable estimate of the expected annual effective tax rate cannot be made, as was the case for the quarter ended December 31, 2015, we calculate the income tax provision (benefit) using the cut-off method.
Our effective tax rates differ from the federal statutory rate and are affected by many factors, including the overall level of pre-tax income, mix of our pre-tax income generated across the various jurisdictions in which we operate, changes in tax laws and regulations in those jurisdictions, changes in valuation allowances on our deferred tax assets, tax planning strategies available to us and other discrete items.
Goodwill. Goodwill is reviewed for impairment each fiscal year or between the annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that indicate it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. We perform our annual impairment test as of January 1 in each fiscal year. We performed our last annual impairment test on our goodwill as of January 1, 2015 by first assessing qualitative factors to determine whether it was necessary to perform the two-step annual goodwill impairment test. Based on our qualitative assessments, including but not limited to, the results of our most recent quantitative impairment test, consideration of macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions, cash flows, and changes in our share price, we concluded that it was more likely than not that the fair value of our reporting units was greater than their carrying value.

Consolidation. We consolidate entities in which we own more than 50% of the voting common stock and control operations and also variable interest entities for which we are the primary beneficiary. Investments in nonconsolidated affiliates in which we own more than 20% of the voting common stock or otherwise exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies, but not control of the nonconsolidated affiliate, are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Investments in nonconsolidated affiliates in which we own less than 20% of the voting common stock are accounted for using the cost method of accounting.

Business Combinations. We account for our business combinations under the acquisition method of accounting. Identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree are recognized and measured as of the acquisition date at fair value. Goodwill is recognized to the extent by which the aggregate of the acquisition-date fair value of the consideration transferred and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree exceeds the recognized basis of the identifiable assets acquired, net of assumed liabilities. Determining the fair value of assets acquired, liabilities assumed and noncontrolling interest requires management’s judgment and often involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions, including assumptions with respect to future cash flows, discount rates and asset lives among other items.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued an accounting standard update relating to the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers, which will supersede most current U.S. GAAP revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The core principle is that a company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration for which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The new revenue recognition standard provides a five-step analysis of transactions to determine when and how revenue is recognized. Based on the current guidance, the new framework will become effective on either a full or modified retrospective basis for the Company on April 1, 2018. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this new guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.
In April 2015, the FASB issued an accounting standards update relating to the presentation of debt issuance costs. The accounting update requires companies to present debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts, rather than as an asset.  The guidance is effective for our fiscal year beginning April 1, 2016, with early adoption permitted. We are planning to adopt the new guidance effective April 1, 2016. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

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In September 2015, the FASB issued new guidance on adjustments to provisional amounts recognized in a business combination, which are currently recognized on a retrospective basis. Under the new requirements, adjustments will be recognized in the reporting period in which the adjustments are determined. The effects of changes in depreciation, amortization, or other income arising from changes to the provisional amounts, if any, are included in earnings of the reporting period in which the adjustments to the provisional amounts are determined. An entity is also required to present separately on the face of the income statement or disclose in the notes the portion of the amount recorded in current-period earnings by line item that would have been recorded in previous reporting periods if the adjustment to the provisional amounts had been recognized as of the acquisition date. The guidance is effective for our fiscal year beginning April 1, 2016, with early adoption permitted, and is required to be implemented on a prospective basis. We adopted the new guidance effective October 1, 2015, and it did not have an impact on our consolidated financial statements.
.


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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Three Months Ended December 31, 2015 Compared to Three Months Ended December 31, 2014
The following table sets forth segment information by business unit, and as a percentage of segment revenues, for the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014. Due to the acquisition of Pilgrim Media Group, LLC ("Pilgrim Studios"), the results of operations for the Television Production segment for the three months ended December 31, 2015 includes revenues of $22.9 million and direct operating expenses of $22.7 million from Pilgrim Studios from the acquisition date of November 12, 2015 through December 31, 2015 (see Note 9). 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
 
December 31,
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
Amount
 
% of Segment Revenues
 
Amount
 
% of Segment Revenues
 
Amount
 
Percent
 
(Amounts in millions)
 
 
Segment revenues(1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Motion Pictures
$
505.8

 
 
 
$
590.1

 
 
 
$
(84.3
)
 
(14.3
)%
Television Production
164.7

 
 
 
161.2

 
 
 
3.5

 
2.2
 %
 
$
670.5

 
 
 
$
751.3

 
 
 
$
(80.8
)
 
(10.8
)%
Direct operating expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Motion Pictures
$
264.5

 
52.3
%
 
$
260.3

 
44.1
%
 
$
4.2

 
1.6
 %
Television Production
139.6

 
84.8

 
140.3

 
87.0

 
(0.7
)
 
(0.5
)%
 
$
404.1

 
60.3
%
 
$
400.6

 
53.3
%
 
$
3.5

 
0.9
 %
Distribution and marketing
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Motion Pictures
$
191.8

 
37.9
%
 
$
162.9

 
27.6
%
 
$
28.9

 
17.7
 %
Television Production
11.3

 
6.9

 
8.6

 
5.3

 
2.7

 
31.4
 %
 
$
203.1

 
30.3
%
 
$
171.5

 
22.8
%
 
$
31.6

 
18.4
 %
Gross segment contribution
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Motion Pictures
$
49.5

 
9.8
%
 
$
166.9

 
28.3
%
 
$
(117.4
)
 
(70.3
)%
Television Production
13.8

 
8.4

 
12.4

 
7.7

 
1.4

 
11.3
 %
 
$
63.3

 
9.4
%
 
$
179.3

 
23.9
%
 
$
(116.0
)
 
(64.7
)%
_________________________________________
(1)
A significant component of revenue comes from home entertainment. The following table sets forth total home entertainment revenue for both the Motion Pictures and Television Production reporting segments for the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
 
 
 
December 31,
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
2015
 
2014
 
Amount
 
Percent
 
(Amounts in millions)
 
 
 
 
Home Entertainment Revenue
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Motion Pictures
$
126.3

 
$
170.9

 
$
(44.6
)
 
(26.1
)%
Television Production
15.7

 
12.2

 
3.5

 
28.7
 %
 
$
142.0

 
$
183.1

 
$
(41.1
)
 
(22.4
)%

Motion Pictures Revenue
The table below sets forth the components of revenue and the changes in these components for the Motion Pictures reporting segment for the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.


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Three Months Ended
 
 
 
December 31,
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
2015
 
2014
 
Amount
 
Percent
 
(Amounts in millions)
 
 
 
 
Motion Pictures
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Theatrical
$
183.1

 
$
186.4

 
$
(3.3
)
 
(1.8
)%
Home Entertainment
126.3

 
170.9

 
(44.6
)
 
(26.1
)%
Television
48.6

 
82.9

 
(34.3
)
 
(41.4
)%
International(1)
140.1

 
142.1

 
(2.0
)
 
(1.4
)%
Other
7.7

 
7.8

 
(0.1
)
 
(1.3
)%
 
$
505.8

 
$
590.1

 
$
(84.3
)
 
(14.3
)%
_________________________________
(1)
The three months ended December 31, 2014 includes a reclassification of Lionsgate UK (previously presented separately) amounting to $62.7 million to the International line item, in order to be consistent with the current fiscal year classification.
Motion Pictures — Theatrical Revenue
The following table sets forth the titles released from our Fiscal 2016 and Fiscal 2015 Theatrical Slates and titles released in other product categories that represented a significant portion of revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively:
Three Months Ended December 31,
2015
 
2014
 
Theatrical
Release Date
 
 
Theatrical
Release Date
Fiscal 2016 Theatrical Slate:
 
 
Fiscal 2015 Theatrical Slate:
 
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2
November 2015
 
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1
November 2014
Love the Coopers
November 2015
 
John Wick
October 2014
The Last Witch Hunter
October 2015
 
Addicted*
October 2014*
Freeheld*
October 2015*
 
 
 
Sicario**
September 2015*
 
 
 
_________________________________
* Limited release
** Initially a limited release through September 30, 2015, with a wide release in October 2015.
Theatrical revenue of $183.1 million decreased $3.3 million, or 1.8%, in the three months ended December 31, 2015 as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2014, primarily driven by the performance of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 in the current quarter as compared to the performance of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 in the prior year's quarter, which was mostly offset by higher revenues attributable to the number and performance of other theatrical slate titles (listed in the table above) released in the current quarter as compared to the prior year's quarter.

Motion Pictures — Home Entertainment Revenue

The following table sets forth the titles released on home entertainment from our theatrical slates in the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, in addition to titles from our theatrical slates and other product categories which contributed a significant amount of revenue in the current and prior year's quarter, respectively:
 

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Table of Contents

Three Months Ended December 31,
2015
 
2014
 
Packaged Media
Release Date
 
 
Packaged Media
Release Date
Fiscal 2016 Theatrical Slate:
 
 
Fiscal 2015 Theatrical Slate:
 
American Ultra
November 2015
 
Step Up All In
November 2014
Shaun the Sheep
November 2015
 
The Expendables 3
November 2014
Age of Adaline
September 2015
 
Draft Day
September 2014
Fiscal 2015 Theatrical Slate:
 
 
Fiscal 2014 Theatrical Slate:
 
The Divergent Series: Insurgent
August 2015
 
Tyler Perry's A Madea Christmas
November 2014
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1
March 2015
 
Divergent
August 2014
 
 
 
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
March 2014
 
 
 
Prior Theatrical Slates:
 
 
 
 
The Hunger Games
August 2012
Managed Brands (1):
 
 
Managed Brands (1):
 
Dragon Blade
December 2015
 
A Most Wanted Man
November 2014
Mr. Holmes
November 2015
 
America: Imagine the World Without Her
October 2014
 
 
 
The Prince
October 2014
 ___________________
(1)
Managed Brands represents Direct-to-DVD motion pictures, acquired and licensed brands, third-party library product and ancillary-driven platform theatrical releases.

The following table sets forth the components of home entertainment revenue by product category for the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:
 
 
Three Months Ended December 31,
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
Total Increase (Decrease)
 
Packaged
Media
 
Digital
Media(1)
 
Total
 
Packaged
Media
 
Digital
Media(1)
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Amounts in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Home entertainment revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fiscal 2016 Theatrical Slate
$
11.6

 
$
9.7

 
$
21.3

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
21.3

Fiscal 2015 Theatrical Slate
12.2

 
11.3

 
23.5

 
27.7

 
10.3

 
38.0

 
(14.5
)
Fiscal 2014 Theatrical Slate
5.1

 
1.7

 
6.8

 
26.8

 
15.0

 
41.8

 
(35.0
)
Prior Theatrical Slates
8.5

 
5.4

 
13.9

 
13.9

 
5.8

 
19.7

 
(5.8
)
Total Theatrical Slates
37.4

 
28.1

 
65.5

 
68.4

 
31.1

 
99.5

 
(34.0
)
Managed Brands
36.8

 
20.2

 
57.0

 
46.8

 
21.5

 
68.3

 
(11.3
)
Other Feature Film (2)
2.2

 
1.6

 
3.8

 
1.8

 
1.3

 
3.1

 
0.7

 
$
76.4

 
$
49.9

 
$
126.3

 
$
117.0

 
$
53.9

 
$
170.9

 
$
(44.6
)
 ___________________
(1)
Digital media revenue consists of revenues generated from pay-per-view and video-on-demand platforms, EST, and digital rental.
(2)
Other Feature Film includes certain specialty theatrical releases and other titles.
Home entertainment revenue of $126.3 million decreased $44.6 million, or 26.1%, in the three months ended December 31, 2015, as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2014. Of the decrease, approximately $34.0 million was driven by our theatrical slates, and approximately $11.3 million was driven by our Managed Brands category. The decrease in our theatrical slates was primarily driven by the performance of the titles released on packaged media in the current quarter as compared to the prior year's quarter, and in particular the performance of The Expendables 3 in the prior year's quarter. To a lesser extent, the decrease was driven by fewer titles released on packaged media (two) from our theatrical slates in the current

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quarter, as compared to the prior year's quarter (three). The decrease in Managed Brands was primarily due to the performance of the titles listed in the table above.
Motion Pictures — Television Revenue
The following table sets forth the titles contributing significant motion pictures television revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:
 
Three Months Ended December 31,
2015
  
2014
Fiscal 2015 Theatrical Slate:
  
Fiscal 2014 Theatrical Slate:
The Divergent Series: Insurgent
  
Divergent
 
  
Fiscal 2013 Theatrical Slate:
 
 
The Expendables 2
 
 
Prior Theatrical Slates:
 
 
The Hunger Games
 
 
Managed Brands:
 
 
God's Not Dead

The following table sets forth the components of television revenue by product category for the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
 
 
 
December 31,
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
2015
 
2014
 
Amount
 
Percent
 
(Amounts in millions)
 
 
 
 
Television revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fiscal 2015 Theatrical Slate
$
19.5

 
$
2.1

 
$
17.4

 
n/m

Fiscal 2014 Theatrical Slate
1.9

 
21.7

 
(19.8
)
 
(91.2
)%
Prior Theatrical Slates
17.2

 
41.4

 
(24.2
)
 
(58.5
)%
Total Theatrical Slates
38.6

 
65.2

 
(26.6
)
 
(40.8
)%
Managed Brands
8.0

 
14.0

 
(6.0
)
 
(42.9
)%
Other Feature Film
2.0

 
3.7

 
(1.7
)
 
(45.9
)%
 
$
48.6

 
$
82.9

 
$
(34.3
)
 
(41.4
)%
___________________
n/m - Percentage not meaningful.
Television revenue decreased in the three months ended December 31, 2015, as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2014, due primarily to the fewer number of titles with television windows opening in the period from our theatrical slates, and in particular, higher revenues from The Hunger Games in the prior year's quarter. The decrease in Managed Brands was primarily due to television revenues for God's Not Dead in the prior year's quarter, with no comparable revenues in the current quarter.

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Table of Contents

Motion Pictures — International Revenue
The following table sets forth the titles contributing significant motion pictures international revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:
 
Three Months Ended December 31,
2015
  
2014
Fiscal 2016 Theatrical Slate:
  
Fiscal 2015 Theatrical Slate:
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2
 
Step Up All In
The Last Witch Hunter
 
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1
 
 
UK Third Party Product:
 
 
Postman Pat: The Movie
 
 
The Railway Man
The following table sets forth the components of international revenue by product category for the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
 
 
 
December 31,
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
2015
 
2014
 
Amount
 
Percent
 
(Amounts in millions)
 
 
 
 
International revenues(1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fiscal 2016 Theatrical Slate
$
86.4

 
$

 
$
86.4

 
n/m

Fiscal 2015 Theatrical Slate
9.8

 
85.7

 
(75.9
)
 
(88.6
)%
Fiscal 2014 Theatrical Slate
6.6

 
7.8

 
(1.2
)
 
(15.4
)%
Prior Theatrical Slates
9.5

 
12.0

 
(2.5
)
 
(20.8
)%
Total Theatrical Slates
112.3

 
105.5

 
6.8

 
6.4
 %
UK Third Party Product(2)
17.7

 
24.9

 
(7.2
)
 
(28.9
)%
Managed Brands
6.2

 
7.0

 
(0.8
)
 
(11.4
)%
Other Feature Film
3.9

 
4.7

 
(0.8
)
 
(17.0
)%
 
$
140.1

 
$
142.1

 
$
(2.0
)
 
(1.4
)%
___________________
n/m - Percentage not meaningful.
(1)
Certain amounts in the prior year's quarter have been reclassified between product types in order to be consistent with the current period classification. Specifically, Lionsgate UK revenues in the three months ended December 31, 2014 of $62.7 million, which were previously separately presented, have been combined within our international revenue product categories. 
(2)
UK Third Party Product represents titles acquired separately for self-distribution in the U.K. territory.

International motion pictures revenue decreased slightly in the three months ended December 31, 2015, as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2014, primarily due to a decrease in revenue from UK Third Party Product due to revenue in the prior year's quarter from the titles listed in the table above, mostly offset by higher revenue from our theatrical slates primarily driven by the release of The Last Witch Hunter in the current quarter.

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Television Production Revenue
The following table sets forth the components and the changes in the components of revenue that make up television production revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
 
 
 
December 31,
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
2015
 
2014
Amount
 
Percent
 
(Amounts in millions)
 
 
 
 
Television Production
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Domestic Television
$
120.9

 
$
124.4

 
$
(3.5
)
 
(2.8
)%
International
25.9

 
23.6

 
2.3

 
9.7
 %
Home Entertainment
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Digital
9.8

 
8.6

 
1.2

 
14.0
 %
Packaged Media
5.9

 
3.6

 
2.3

 
63.9
 %
Total Home Entertainment
15.7

 
12.2

 
3.5

 
28.7
 %
Other
2.2

 
1.0

 
1.2

 
120.0
 %
 
$
164.7

 
$
161.2

 
$
3.5

 
2.2
 %
 
Television Production - Domestic Television
Domestic television revenue decreased in the three months ended December 31, 2015, as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2014, primarily due to a decrease in television episodes delivered, and in particular significant revenue in the prior year's quarter from Mad Men - Season 7, which was mostly offset by $22.9 million of domestic television revenue from the November 12, 2015 acquisition of Pilgrim Studios. Television episodes delivered for original exhibition during the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 included the episode deliveries as shown in the table below:
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
December 31, 2015
 
 
 
December 31, 2014
 
 
Episodes
 
Hours
 
 
 
Episodes
 
Hours
Manhattan - Season 2
1hr
5

 
5.0

 
Anger Management
1/2hr
15

 
7.5

Nashville - Season 4
1hr
8

 
8.0

 
Ascension
1hr
6

 
6.0

Orange Is The New Black - Season 4
1hr
2

 
2.0

 
Mad Men - Season 7
1hr
5

 
5.0

The Royals - Season 2
1hr
10

 
10.0

 
Manhattan - Season 1
1hr
2

 
2.0

Other(1)
1/2hr & 1hr
31

 
21.0

 
Nashville - Season 3
1hr
7

 
7.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
Orange Is The New Black - Season 3
1hr
7

 
7.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
Other(1)
1/2hr & 1hr
32

 
24.0

 
 
56

 
46.0

 
 
 
74

 
58.5

______________________

(1)
Other in the three months ended December 31, 2015 includes episodes delivered for Christina Milian Turned Up (Season 2), Flea Market Flip (Seasons 6 & 7), and Rocket Jump: The Show, among others. Other in the three months ended December 31, 2014 includes episodes delivered for Alaska: Battle on the Bay, Deal With It (Season 2), Deion's Family Playbook, and Flea Market Flip (Season 4).

In addition to the titles mentioned in the table above, significant domestic television revenue was contributed in the three months ended December 31, 2015 from House of Payne, Family Feud (Seasons 8 & 9), The Wendy Williams Show (Seasons 6 & 7), Celebrity Name Game (Season 2), and Anger Management, and from David Tutera's CELEBrations (Season 3), Ghost Hunters (Season 11), and Wicked Tuna (Season 5) as a result of the acquisition of Pilgrim Studios. In the three months ended December 31, 2014, in addition to the titles mentioned in the table above, significant domestic television revenue was contributed from Family Feud (Seasons 7 & 8), The Wendy Williams Show (Season 6) and Celebrity Name Game.


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Table of Contents

Television Production - International Revenue
International revenue in the three months ended December 31, 2015 increased slightly as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2014, primarily driven by increased revenue from Orange Is the New Black (Season 4), offset by lower revenue from Anger Management and Nashville.

Television Production - Home Entertainment Revenue
The increase in home entertainment revenue is primarily due to an increase in packaged media revenue and digital media revenue in the three months ended December 31, 2015 as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2014.
Direct Operating Expenses
The following table sets forth direct operating expenses by segment for the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
Three Months Ended
 
December 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
Motion
Pictures
 
Television
Production
 
Total
 
Motion
Pictures
 
Television
Production
 
Total
 
(Amounts in millions)
Direct operating expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization of films and television programs
$
200.9

 
$
93.1

 
$
294.0

 
$
170.0

 
$
110.4

 
$
280.4

Participation and residual expense
63.1

 
44.7

 
107.8

 
86.0

 
28.8

 
114.8

Other expenses
0.5

 
1.8

 
2.3

 
4.3

 
1.1

 
5.4

 
$
264.5

 
$
139.6

 
$
404.1

 
$
260.3

 
$
140.3

 
$
400.6

Direct operating expenses as a percentage of segment revenues
52.3
%
 
84.8
%
 
60.3
%
 
44.1
%
 
87.0
%
 
53.3
%
Direct operating expenses of the Motion Pictures segment of $264.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2015 were 52.3% of motion pictures revenue, compared to $260.3 million, or 44.1% of motion pictures revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2014. Direct operating expenses increased by $4.2 million, even though motion pictures revenue decreased in the current quarter, primarily due to higher direct operating expense as a percent of motion pictures revenues in the current quarter, as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2014. The increase in direct operating expenses as a percentage of motion pictures revenue was primarily driven by the higher amortization rates of our Fiscal 2016 and Fiscal 2015 Theatrical Slates in the current quarter, and in particular, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 and The Last Witch Hunter, as compared to the amortization rates of our Fiscal 2015 and Fiscal 2014 Theatrical Slates in the prior year's quarter, and in particular, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1. Included in amortization expense are investment in film write-downs of approximately $3.1 million in the three months ended December 31, 2015, compared to approximately $13.5 million in the three months ended December 31, 2014. Other direct operating expenses in the three months ended December 31, 2015 decreased as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2014, primarily due to lower foreign exchange losses and a decrease in the provision for doubtful accounts.
Direct operating expenses of the Television Production segment of $139.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2015 were 84.8% of television revenue, compared to $140.3 million, or 87.0%, of television revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2014. Direct operating expense in the current quarter includes $22.7 million related to Pilgrim Studios from the date of acquisition (i.e., November 12, 2015). Pilgrim Studios direct operating expense includes $3.6 million representing the amortization of the increase in the carrying value of the shows acquired to fair value as a result of the application of purchase accounting. Direct operating expenses excluding Pilgrim Studios decreased by $23.4 million due to a decrease in television production revenue (excluding Pilgrim Studios) and direct operating expense as a percent of revenue in the three months ended December 31, 2015, as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2014. The decrease in direct operating expenses as a percentage of television production revenue is primarily due to the mix of titles generating revenue in the current quarter as compared to the prior year's quarter, including revenue from The Royals, Family Feud, The Wendy Williams Show and Orange Is The New Black. These decreases were offset partially by an increase attributable to a greater number of new television programs in the three months ended December 31, 2015 compared to the three months ended December 31, 2014, which typically result in higher amortization expenses in relation to revenues initially, until there are a

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sufficient number of subsequent seasons ordered and episodes produced, such that revenue can be generated from syndication in domestic and international markets.

Distribution and Marketing Expenses
The following table sets forth distribution and marketing expenses by segment for the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:

 
Three Months Ended
 
Three Months Ended
 
December 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
Motion
Pictures
 
Television
Production
 
Total
 
Motion
Pictures
 
Television
Production
 
Total
 
(Amounts in millions)
Distribution and marketing expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Theatrical
$
131.2

 
$

 
$
131.2

 
$
95.6

 
$

 
$
95.6

Home Entertainment
36.9

 
4.5

 
41.4

 
43.7

 
2.4

 
46.1

International(1)
20.2

 
2.7

 
22.9

 
21.6

 
3.3

 
24.9

Television and Other
3.5

 
4.1

 
7.6

 
2.0

 
2.8

 
4.8

 
$
191.8

 
$
11.3

 
$
203.1

 
$
162.9

 
$
8.5

 
$
171.4

___________________
(1)
The three months ended December 31, 2014 includes certain reclassifications to be consistent with the current fiscal year classification, primarily related to Lionsgate UK.  
The majority of distribution and marketing expenses relate to the Motion Pictures segment. Theatrical prints and advertising (“P&A”) in the Motion Pictures segment in the three months ended December 31, 2015 of $131.2 million increased $35.6 million, compared to $95.6 million in the three months ended December 31, 2014. The increase was primarily driven by higher P&A spending in the three months ended December 31, 2015 on our theatrical slates, as a result of a greater number of wide releases requiring P&A in the current quarter, including P&A incurred for the wide release of Sicario in October 2015. In the three months ended December 31, 2015, approximately $15.2 million of P&A was incurred in advance for films to be released in subsequent quarters, such as Dirty Grandpa, Norm of the North, and The Divergent Series: Allegiant. In the three months ended December 31, 2014, approximately $11.5 million of P&A was incurred in advance for films to be released in subsequent quarters, such as Mortdecai, The Divergent Series: Insurgent, and The D.U.F.F.
Home entertainment distribution and marketing costs on motion pictures and television product in the three months ended December 31, 2015 of $41.4 million decreased $4.7 million, or 10.2%, compared to $46.1 million in the three months ended December 31, 2014, primarily due to lower motion pictures home entertainment revenue. Home entertainment distribution and marketing costs as a percentage of home entertainment revenues were 29.2% in the three months ended December 31, 2015, compared to home entertainment distribution and marketing costs as a percentage of home entertainment revenues of 25.2% in the three months ended December 31, 2014. The increase in home entertainment distribution and marketing costs as a percentage of home entertainment revenues was primarily due to higher packaged media distribution and marketing costs relative to home entertainment revenue in the three months ended December 31, 2015 as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2014.
International distribution and marketing expenses in the Motion Pictures segment in the three months ended December 31, 2015 of $20.2 million decreased from $21.6 million in the three months ended December 31, 2014.


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Gross Segment Contribution

Gross segment contribution is defined as segment revenue less segment direct operating and distribution and marketing expenses. The following table sets forth gross segment contribution for the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:

 
Three Months Ended
 
 
 
 
 
December 31,
 
 
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
Amount
 
% of Segment Revenues
 
Amount
 
% of Segment Revenues
 
Amount
 
Percent
 
(Amounts in millions)
 
 
 
 
Gross segment contribution
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Motion Pictures
$
49.5

 
9.8
%
 
$
166.9

 
28.3
%
 
$
(117.4
)
 
(70.3
)%
Television Production
13.8

 
8.4

 
12.4

 
7.7

 
1.4

 
11.3
 %
 
$
63.3

 
9.4
%
 
$
179.3

 
23.9
%
 
$
(116.0
)
 
(64.7
)%
Gross segment contribution of the Motion Pictures segment for the three months ended December 31, 2015 of $49.5 million decreased $117.4 million, or 70.3%, as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2014. The decrease in gross segment contribution and gross contribution margin of the Motion Pictures segment is primarily due to lower motion pictures revenue, and higher direct operating expenses and distribution and marketing expenses as a percentage of motion pictures revenue.
Gross segment contribution of the Television Production segment for the three months ended December 31, 2015 of $13.8 million increased $1.4 million, as compared to $12.4 million for the three months ended December 31, 2014. The increase in gross segment contribution and gross contribution margin of the Television Production segment is due to an increase in television production revenue, lower direct operating expenses as a percentage of television production revenue, partially offset by slightly higher distribution and marketing expenses as a percentage of television production revenue.



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General and Administrative Expenses
The following table sets forth general and administrative expenses by segment for the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
 
 
 
December 31,
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
2015
 
2014
Amount
 
Percent
 
(Amounts in millions)
General and administrative expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Motion Pictures
$
18.9

 
$
18.7

 
$
0.2

 
1.1
 %
Television Production
4.4

 
3.2

 
1.2

 
37.5
 %
Shared services and corporate expenses, excluding items below
16.9

 
23.6

 
(6.7
)
 
(28.4
)%
General and administrative expenses before items below:
40.2

 
45.5

 
(5.3
)
 
(11.6
)%
Share-based compensation expense
13.2

 
15.1

 
(1.9
)
 
(12.6
)%
Restructuring and other items
13.4

 
0.8

 
12.6

 
n/m

Purchase accounting and related adjustments
0.7

 

 
0.7

 
n/m

Start-up costs of new business initiatives
2.6

 

 
2.6

 
n/m

Total general and administrative expenses
$
70.1

 
$
61.4

 
$
8.7

 
14.2
 %
Total general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue
10.5
%
 
8.2
%
 
 
 
 
General and administrative expenses excluding share-based compensation expense, restructuring and other items, purchase accounting and related adjustments, and start-up costs of new business initiatives, as a percentage of revenue
6.0
%
 
6.1
%
 
 
 
 
Total General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses increased by $8.7 million, or 14.2%, as reflected in the table above and further discussed below.
General and administrative expenses of the Motion Pictures segment were comparable to the three months ended December 31, 2014.
General and administrative expenses of the Television Production segment increased $1.2 million, or 37.5% primarily due to increases in salaries and related expenses associated with the reorganization of our international sales operations.
Shared services and corporate expenses excluding share-based compensation expense, restructuring and other items, purchase accounting and related adjustments and start-up costs of new business initiatives decreased $6.7 million, or 28.4%, primarily due to a decrease in incentive compensation partially offset by an increase in other shared services and corporate expenses including rent and facilities costs.


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Share-Based Compensation Expense. The following table sets forth share-based compensation expense included in shared services and corporate expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
 
 
 
December 31,
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
2015
 
2014
Amount
 
Percent
 
(Amounts in millions)
Share-based compensation expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stock options
$
6.3

 
$
7.5

 
$
(1.2
)
 
(16.0
)%
Restricted share units and other share-based compensation
6.9

 
6.5

 
0.4

 
6.2
 %
Share appreciation rights

 
1.1

 
(1.1
)
 
(100.0
)%
 
$
13.2

 
$
15.1

 
$
(1.9
)
 
(12.6
)%

Restructuring and Other Items. Restructuring and other items includes restructuring and severance costs, certain transaction related costs, and certain unusual items, when applicable. Amounts in the three months ended December 31, 2015 represent professional fees associated with certain strategic transactions including, among others, the acquisition of Pilgrim Studios and certain shareholder transactions, the costs related to the move of our international sales and distribution organization to the United Kingdom, and certain transactional costs of $7.7 million of Pilgrim Studios attributable to the noncontrolling shareholder (see Note 9). Pursuant to the profit sharing provisions in the Pilgrim Studios operating agreement, the transactional costs of $7.7 million are included in net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest in our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations. Amounts in the three months ended December 31, 2014 primarily represent costs related to the move of our international sales and distribution organization to the United Kingdom.

Purchase accounting and related adjustments. Purchase accounting and related adjustments represent the charge for the accretion of the noncontrolling interest discount that is included in general and administrative expense (see Note 10).

Start-up costs of new business initiatives. Start-up costs of new business initiatives represent general and administrative expense associated with the Company's direct to consumer initiatives including its subscription video-on-demand platforms.
Depreciation, Amortization and Other Expenses (Income)
Depreciation and amortization was $3.0 million in the three months ended December 31, 2015, compared to $1.7 million in the three months ended December 31, 2014.
Interest expense of $14.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2015 increased $0.6 million, or 4.4%, from $13.6 million in the three months ended December 31, 2014. The following table sets forth the components of interest expense for the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(Amounts in millions)
Interest Expense
 
 
 
Cash Based:
 
 
 
Senior revolving credit facility
$
1.3

 
$
2.0

Convertible senior subordinated notes
0.6

 
0.8

5.25% Senior Notes
3.0

 
3.0

Term Loans
5.1

 
2.9

Other
1.9

 
1.9

 
11.9

 
10.6

Non-Cash Based:
 
 
 
Amortization of discount and deferred financing costs
2.3

 
3.0

 
$
14.2

 
$
13.6


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Interest and other income was $0.5 million in the three months ended December 31, 2015, compared to $0.6 million in the three months ended December 31, 2014.
The following table represents our portion of the income or (loss) of our equity method investees based on our percentage ownership for the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:
 
 
December 31, 2015
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
December 31,
 
Ownership Percentage
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
(Amounts in millions)
EPIX(1)
31.2%
 
$
12.8

 
$
11.2

Pop(1)
50.0%
 
(0.1
)
 
(1.1
)
Other
Various
 
(1.9
)
 
0.7

 
 
 
$
10.8

 
$
10.8

 ______________________
(1)
We license certain of our theatrical releases and other films and television programs to EPIX and Pop. A portion of the profits of these licenses reflecting our ownership share in the venture is eliminated through an adjustment to the equity interest income (loss) of the venture. These profits are recognized as they are realized by the venture (see Note 3 to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements).

Loss on Extinguishment of Debt

Loss on extinguishment of debt was $0.7 million for the three months ended December 31, 2014, with no comparable loss in the three months ended December 31, 2015.

Income Tax Provision (Benefit)
We had an income tax benefit of $45.1 million in the three months ended December 31, 2015, compared to an expense of $15.3 million in the three months ended December 31, 2014. In the quarter ended December 31, 2015, we determined that a small change in our estimated pretax results for the year ended March 31, 2016 would create a large change in our expected annual effective rate. Accordingly, it was determined that a reliable estimate of the expected annual effective tax rate could not be made. As a result, we computed our tax provision (benefit) using the cut-off method which resulted in an income tax benefit of $45.1 million based on the actual taxes attributable to our year-to-date earnings. This tax benefit is primarily related to the mix of our pre-tax income (loss) generated across the various jurisdictions in which we operate in addition to the tax deductions generated by our capital structure.
Our effective tax rate differs from the federal statutory rate and has changed from the prior period and could fluctuate significantly in the future, as our effective tax rates are affected by many factors, including the overall level of pre-tax income, the mix of pre-tax income generated across the various jurisdictions in which we operate, changes in tax laws and regulations in those jurisdictions, changes in valuation allowances on our deferred tax assets, tax planning strategies available to us, and other discrete items.
We expect that with the utilization of our net operating loss carryforwards and other tax attributes, our cash tax requirements will not increase significantly in fiscal 2016 as compared to fiscal 2015.

Net Income Attributable to Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. Shareholders
Net income attributable to our shareholders for the three months ended December 31, 2015 was $40.7 million, or basic net income per common share of $0.27 on 149.5 million weighted average common shares outstanding and diluted net income per common share of $0.26 on 159.4 million weighted average common shares outstanding. This compares to net income attributable to our shareholders for the three months ended December 31, 2014 of $98.2 million, or basic net income per common share of $0.70 on 140.0 million weighted average common shares outstanding and diluted net income per common share of $0.65 on 151.7 million weighted average common shares outstanding.

Nine Months Ended December 31, 2015 Compared to Nine Months Ended December 31, 2014
The following table sets forth segment information by business unit, and as a percentage of segment revenues, for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014. Due to the acquisition of Pilgrim Studios, the results of operations for the

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Television Production segment for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 includes revenues of $22.9 million and direct operating expenses of $22.7 million from Pilgrim Studios from the acquisition date of November 12, 2015 through December 31, 2015 (see Note 9). 
 
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
 
December 31,
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
Amount
 
% of Segment Revenues
 
Amount
 
% of Segment Revenues
 
Amount
 
Percent
 
(Amounts in millions)
 
 
Segment revenues(1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Motion Pictures
$
1,135.1

 
 
 
$
1,320.0

 
 
 
$
(184.9
)
 
(14.0
)%
Television Production
421.1

 
 
 
433.5

 
 
 
(12.4
)
 
(2.9
)%
 
$
1,556.2

 
 
 
$
1,753.5

 
 
 
$
(197.3
)
 
(11.3
)%
Direct operating expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Motion Pictures
$
580.7

 
51.2
%
 
$
583.8

 
44.2
%
 
$
(3.1
)
 
(0.5
)%
Television Production
346.5

 
82.3

 
362.0

 
83.5

 
(15.5
)
 
(4.3
)%
 
$
927.2

 
59.6
%
 
$
945.8

 
53.9
%
 
$
(18.6
)
 
(2.0
)%
Distribution and marketing
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Motion Pictures
$
399.2

 
35.2
%
 
$
396.6

 
30.0
%
 
$
2.6

 
0.7
 %
Television Production
29.0

 
6.9

 
25.1

 
5.8

 
3.9

 
15.5
 %
 
$
428.2

 
27.5
%
 
$
421.7

 
24.0
%
 
$
6.5

 
1.5
 %
Gross segment contribution
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Motion Pictures
$
155.3

 
13.7
%
 
$
339.6

 
25.7
%
 
$
(184.3
)
 
(54.3
)%
Television Production
45.5

 
10.8

 
46.4

 
10.7

 
(0.9
)
 
(1.9
)%
 
$
200.8

 
12.9
%
 
$
386.0

 
22.0
%
 
$
(185.2
)
 
(48.0
)%
_________________________________________
(1)
A significant component of revenue comes from home entertainment. The following table sets forth total home entertainment revenue for both the Motion Pictures and Television Production reporting segments for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
 
 
 
December 31,
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
2015
 
2014
 
Amount
 
Percent
 
 
 
(Amounts in millions)
 
 
Home Entertainment Revenue
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Motion Pictures
$
388.7

 
$
458.1

 
$
(69.4
)
 
(15.1
)%
Television Production
36.3

 
30.4

 
5.9

 
19.4
 %
 
$
425.0

 
$
488.5

 
$
(63.5
)
 
(13.0
)%

Motion Pictures Revenue
The table below sets forth the components of revenue and the changes in these components for the motion pictures reporting segment for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.
 

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Table of Contents

 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
 
 
 
December 31,
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
2015
 
2014
 
Amount
 
Percent
 
(Amounts in millions)
 
 
 
 
Motion Pictures
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Theatrical
$
232.5

 
$
273.9

 
$
(41.4
)
 
(15.1
)%
Home Entertainment
388.7

 
458.1

 
(69.4
)
 
(15.1
)%
Television
156.9

 
211.1

 
(54.2
)
 
(25.7
)%
International(1)
332.7

 
345.7

 
(13.0
)
 
(3.8
)%
Other
24.3

 
31.2

 
(6.9
)
 
(22.1
)%
 
$
1,135.1

 
$
1,320.0

 
$
(184.9
)
 
(14.0
)%
_________________________________
(1)
The nine months ended December 31, 2014 includes a reclassification of Lionsgate UK (previously presented separately) amounting to $130.0 million to the International line item, in order to be consistent with the current fiscal year classification.
Motion Pictures — Theatrical Revenue
The following table sets forth the titles released from our Fiscal 2016 and Fiscal 2015 Theatrical Slates and titles released in other product categories that represented a significant portion of revenue for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively:
Nine Months Ended December 31,
2015
 
2014
 
Theatrical 
Release Date
 
 
Theatrical 
Release Date
Fiscal 2016 Theatrical Slate:
 
 
Fiscal 2015 Theatrical Slate:
 
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2
November 2015
 
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1
November 2014
Love the Coopers
November 2015
 
John Wick
October 2014
The Last Witch Hunter
October 2015
 
Addicted*
October 2014*
Freeheld*
October 2015*
 
The Expendables 3
August 2014
Sicario**
September 2015*
 
Step Up All In
August 2014
Shaun the Sheep Movie
August 2015
 
The Quiet Ones
April 2014
American Ultra
August 2015
 
Draft Day
April 2014
The Age of Adaline
April 2015
 
 
 
Child 44*
April 2015*
 
 
 
Fiscal 2015 Theatrical Slate:
 
 
Fiscal 2014 Theatrical Slate:
 
The Divergent Series: Insurgent
March 2015
 
Divergent
March 2014
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1
November 2014
 
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
November 2013
Managed Brands(1):
 
 
Managed Brands(1):
 
Love & Mercy
June 2015
 
A Most Wanted Man
August 2014
Other Feature Film(2):
 
 
Other Feature Film(2):
 
Un Gallo Con Muchos Huevos
September 2015
 
Cantinflas
August 2014
 ___________________
* Limited release
** Initially a limited release through September 30, 2015, with a wide release in October 2015.
(1)
Managed Brands represents Direct-to-DVD motion pictures, acquired and licensed brands, third-party library product and ancillary-driven platform theatrical releases.
(2)
Other Feature Film includes certain specialty theatrical releases and other titles.
Theatrical revenue of $232.5 million decreased $41.4 million, or 15.1%, in the nine months ended December 31, 2015, as compared to the nine months ended December 31, 2014, primarily due to the performance of our theatrical slate titles, as listed in the table above, and in particular, the lower box office generated from The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 and The

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Table of Contents

Divergent Series: Insurgent as compared to The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 and Divergent in the prior year's period. To a lesser extent, the decrease was also driven by the limited releases of Child 44 and Freeheld in the current period, and while The Age of Adaline had a strong performance at the box office, under the terms of our distribution arrangement, we record only our distribution fee as theatrical revenue.

Motion Pictures — Home Entertainment Revenue
The following table sets forth the titles released on home entertainment from our theatrical slates in the nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, in addition to titles from our theatrical slates and other product categories which contributed a significant amount of revenue in the current and prior year's period, respectively:

Nine Months Ended December 31,
2015
 
2014
 
Packaged Media
Release Date
 
 
Packaged Media
Release Date
Fiscal 2016 Theatrical Slate:
 
 
Fiscal 2015 Theatrical Slate:
 
American Ultra
November 2015
 
The Expendables 3
November 2014
Shaun the Sheep
November 2015
 
Step Up All In
November 2014
Age of Adaline
September 2015
 
Draft Day
September 2014
Child 44
August 2015
 
The Quiet Ones
August 2014
Fiscal 2015 Theatrical Slate:
 
 
Fiscal 2014 Theatrical Slate:
 
The Divergent Series: Insurgent
August 2015
 
Tyler Perry's A Madea Christmas
November 2014
The D.U.F.F.
June 2015
 
Divergent
August 2014
Mortdecai
May 2015
 
The Single Moms Club
July 2014
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1
March 2015
 
I, Frankenstein
May 2014
John Wick
February 2015
 
The Legend of Hercules
April 2014
 
 
 
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
March 2014
The following table sets forth the components of home entertainment revenue by product category for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:
 
 
Nine Months Ended December 31,
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
Total Increase (Decrease)
 
Packaged
Media
 
Digital
Media(1)
 
Total
 
Packaged
Media
 
Digital
Media(1)
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Amounts in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Home entertainment revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fiscal 2016 Theatrical Slate
$
21.7

 
$
11.0

 
$
32.7

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
32.7

Fiscal 2015 Theatrical Slate
61.1

 
64.2

 
125.3

 
39.3

 
12.2

 
51.5

 
73.8

Fiscal 2014 Theatrical Slate
12.3

 
6.0

 
18.3

 
98.5

 
80.1

 
178.6

 
(160.3
)
Prior Theatrical Slates
21.4

 
17.7

 
39.1

 
31.2

 
16.1

 
47.3

 
(8.2
)
Total Theatrical Slates
116.5

 
98.9

 
215.4

 
169.0

 
108.4

 
277.4

 
(62.0
)
Managed Brands
106.9

 
56.1

 
163.0

 
115.6

 
52.8

 
168.4

 
(5.4
)
Other Feature Film
6.5

 
3.8

 
10.3

 
6.9

 
5.4

 
12.3

 
(2.0
)
 
$
229.9

 
$
158.8

 
$
388.7

 
$
291.5

 
$
166.6

 
$
458.1

 
$
(69.4
)
  ___________________
(1)
Digital media revenue consists of revenues generated from pay-per-view and video-on-demand platforms, EST, and digital rental.
Home entertainment revenue of $388.7 million decreased $69.4 million, or 15.1%, in the nine months ended December 31, 2015, as compared to the nine months ended December 31, 2014. The decrease was primarily driven by our theatrical slates, due to the performance of the titles released on packaged media from our Fiscal 2016 and Fiscal 2015 Theatrical Slates in the

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Table of Contents

nine months ended December 31, 2015 (as listed in the table above), compared to the revenue from the titles released on packaged media from our Fiscal 2015 and Fiscal 2014 Theatrical Slates in the nine months ended December 31, 2014 (as listed in the table above). In particular, significant home entertainment revenues were generated in the prior year's period from Divergent, which compared to lower home entertainment revenues in the current period from The Divergent Series: Insurgent. The decrease was also, to a lesser extent, driven by the fewer titles released on packaged media from our theatrical slates in the current period (seven) as compared to the prior year's period (nine). Additionally, Managed Brands decreased $5.4 million in the nine months ended December 31, 2015, as compared to the nine months ended December 31, 2014.
Motion Pictures — Television Revenue
The following table sets forth the titles contributing significant motion pictures television revenue for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:
 
Nine Months Ended December 31,
2015
  
2014
Fiscal 2015 Theatrical Slate:
  
Fiscal 2014 Theatrical Slate:
John Wick
 
Divergent
The Divergent Series: Insurgent
 
Ender's Game
The Expendables 3
 
Red 2
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1
 
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
 
 
The Legend of Hercules
Prior Theatrical Slates:
 
Prior Theatrical Slates:
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2
 
The Hunger Games
 
 
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1
 
 
 

The following table sets forth the components of television revenue by product category for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:
 
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
 
 
 
December 31,
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
2015
 
2014
 
Amount
 
Percent
 
(Amounts in millions)
 
 
 
 
Television revenues
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fiscal 2015 Theatrical Slate
$
58.0

 
$
2.1

 
$
55.9

 
n/m

Fiscal 2014 Theatrical Slate
7.3

 
88.5

 
(81.2
)
 
(91.8
)%
Prior Theatrical Slates
62.5

 
88.6

 
(26.1
)
 
(29.5
)%
Total Theatrical Slates
127.8

 
179.2

 
(51.4
)
 
(28.7
)%
Managed Brands
25.1

 
27.0

 
(1.9
)
 
(7.0
)%
Other Feature Film
4.0

 
4.9

 
(0.9
)
 
(18.4
)%
 
$
156.9

 
$
211.1

 
$
(54.2
)
 
(25.7
)%
___________________
n/m- Percentage not meaningful 
Television revenue decreased in the nine months ended December 31, 2015, as compared to the nine months ended December 31, 2014, due primarily to the fewer number of titles with television windows opening in the period from our smaller Fiscal 2015 Theatrical Slate as compared to our Fiscal 2014 Theatrical Slate, and the lower revenue generated from those titles. The decrease was also due to lower revenue in the current period from our Prior Theatrical Slates, largely driven by a significant contribution from The Hunger Games in the prior year's period.

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Table of Contents

Motion Pictures — International Revenue
The following table sets forth the titles contributing significant motion pictures international revenue for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:
 
Nine Months Ended December 31,
2015
  
2014
Fiscal 2016 Theatrical Slate:
  
Fiscal 2015 Theatrical Slate:
Child 44
 
Step Up All In
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2
 
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1
The Last Witch Hunter
 
 
Fiscal 2015 Theatrical Slate:
 
Fiscal 2014 Theatrical Slate:
Mortdecai
  
Divergent
The Divergent Series: Insurgent
 
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1
 
 
The following table sets forth the components of international revenue by product category for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:
 
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
 
 
 
December 31,
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
2015
 
2014
 
Amount
 
Percent
 
(Amounts in millions)
 
 
 
 
International revenues(1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fiscal 2016 Theatrical Slate
$
121.9

 
$

 
$
121.9

 
n/m

Fiscal 2015 Theatrical Slate
92.7

 
100.8

 
(8.1
)
 
(8.0
)%
Fiscal 2014 Theatrical Slate
11.1

 
94.7

 
(83.6
)
 
(88.3
)%
Prior Theatrical Slates
30.5

 
61.5

 
(31.0
)
 
(50.4
)%
Total Theatrical Slates
256.2

 
257.0

 
(0.8
)
 
(0.3
)%
UK Third Party Product(2)
50.8

 
53.5

 
(2.7
)
 
(5.0
)%
Managed Brands
14.9

 
18.7

 
(3.8
)
 
(20.3
)%
Other Feature Film
10.8

 
16.5

 
(5.7
)
 
(34.5
)%
 
$
332.7

 
$
345.7

 
$
(13.0
)
 
(3.8
)%
___________________
n/m - Percentage not meaningful.
(1)
Certain amounts in the prior year's period have been reclassified between product types in order to be consistent with the current period classification. Specifically, Lionsgate UK revenues in the nine months ended December 31, 2014 of $130.0 million, which were previously separately presented, have been combined within our international revenue product categories. 
(2)
UK Third Party Product represents titles acquired separately for self-distribution in the U.K. territory.

International motion pictures revenue decreased in the nine months ended December 31, 2015, as compared to the nine months ended December 31, 2014, primarily due to lower revenue from our Prior Theatrical Slates category, which included significant contributions from The Hunger Games, The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 1 and The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2 in the prior year's period, which was mostly offset by a higher contribution from our Fiscal 2016 Theatrical Slate due to a greater number of titles generating revenue in the nine months ended December 31, 2015, as compared to the revenue generated by our Fiscal 2015 Theatrical Slate in the nine months ended December 31, 2014. Additionally, international revenue from Other Feature Film decreased $5.7 million, and international revenue from Managed Brands decreased $3.8 million.
Motion Pictures — Other Revenue

Other revenue included in motion pictures revenue decreased in the nine months ended December 31, 2015, as compared to the nine months ended December 31, 2014, primarily due to a licensing arrangement made in the prior year's period.

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Television Production Revenue
The following table sets forth the components and the changes in the components of revenue that make up television production revenue for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:

 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
 
 
 
December 31,
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
2015
 
2014
Amount
 
Percent
Television Production
(Amounts in millions)
 
 
 
 
Domestic Television
$
267.8

 
$
306.8

 
$
(39.0
)
 
(12.7
)%
International
111.8

 
91.6

 
20.2

 
22.1
 %
Home Entertainment Revenue
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Digital
25.4

 
21.2

 
4.2

 
19.8
 %
Packaged Media
10.9

 
9.2

 
1.7

 
18.5
 %
Total Home Entertainment Revenue
36.3

 
30.4

 
5.9

 
19.4
 %
Other
5.2

 
4.7

 
0.5

 
10.6
 %
 
$
421.1

 
$
433.5

 
$
(12.4
)
 
(2.9
)%
 
Television Production - Domestic Television
Domestic television revenue decreased in the nine months ended December 31, 2015, as compared to the nine months ended December 31, 2014, primarily due to a decrease in television episodes delivered in the nine months ended December 31, 2015, as compared to the nine months ended December 31, 2014, and in particular significant revenue in the prior year's period from Mad Men - Season 7, which was partially offset by television revenue of $22.9 million from the November 12, 2015 acquisition of Pilgrim Studios. Television episodes delivered for original exhibition during the nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 included the episode deliveries as shown in the table below:
 
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
December 31, 2015
 
 
 
December 31, 2014
 
 
Episodes
 
Hours
 
 
 
Episodes
 
Hours
Casual
1/2hr
10

 
5.0

 
Anger Management
1/2hr
35

 
17.5

Manhattan - Season 2
1hr
10

 
10.0

 
Ascension
1hr
6

 
6.0

Monica the Medium
1hr
10

 
10.0

 
Houdini
1hr
4

 
4.0

Nashville - Season 3
1hr
5

 
5.0

 
Mad Men - Season 7
1hr
11

 
11.0

Nashville - Season 4
1hr
10

 
10.0

 
Manhattan - Season 1
1hr
13

 
13.0

Orange Is The New Black - Season 3
1hr
1

 
1.0

 
Nashville - Season 2
1hr
3

 
3.0

Orange Is The New Black - Season 4
1hr
6

 
6.0

 
Nashville - Season 3
1hr
10

 
10.0

The Royals - Season 2
1hr
10

 
10.0

 
Orange Is The New Black - Season 3
1hr
10

 
10.0

Other(1)
1/2hr & 1hr
56

 
37.0

 
Rosemary's Baby
1hr
4

 
4.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
Other(1)
1/2hr & 1hr
63

 
39.5

 
 
118

 
94.0

 
 
 
159

 
118.0

___________________
(1)
Other in the nine months ended December 31, 2015 includes episodes delivered for Christina Milian Turned Up (Season 2), Deadbeat (Season 2), Deion's Family Playbook, DeSean Jackson: Home Team (Season 1), Flea Market Flip (Seasons 6 & 7), Rocket Jump: The Show, among others. Other in the nine months ended December 31, 2014 includes episodes delivered for Alaska: Battle on the Bay, Deal With It (Season 2), Flea Market Flip (Season 4), Partners, and Way Out West.

In addition to the titles mentioned in the table above, significant domestic television revenue was contributed in the nine months ended December 31, 2015 from Family Feud (Seasons 8 & 9), The Wendy Williams Show (Season 6), House of Payne,

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Celebrity Name Game, and Anger Management. In the nine months ended December 31, 2014, in addition to the titles mentioned in the table above, significant domestic television revenue was contributed from Are We There Yet, House of Payne, Family Feud (Seasons 7 & 8), Meet The Browns, and The Wendy Williams Show (Season 5).

Television Production - International Revenue
International revenue in the nine months ended December 31, 2015 increased as compared to the nine months ended December 31, 2014, primarily driven by a significant contribution of revenue from Orange Is The New Black (Seasons 1, 2, 3 & 4) in the nine months ended December 31, 2015, partially offset by decreases in revenues from Anger Management, Mad Men, and to a lesser extent, Nashville.
Television Production - Home Entertainment Revenue
The increase in home entertainment revenue is primarily due to an increase in digital media revenue, largely driven by revenues from The Royals (Season 1), Blue Mountain State (Seasons 1,2 & 3), and Mad Men (Season 7) in the current period, compared to revenues from Manhattan (Season 1) in the prior year's period, and a slight increase in packaged media revenue in the nine months ended December 31, 2015 as compared to the nine months ended December 31, 2014.
Direct Operating Expenses
The following table sets forth direct operating expenses by segment for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:
 
 
Nine Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
December 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
Motion
Pictures
 
Television
Production
 
Total
 
Motion
Pictures
 
Television
Production
 
Total
 
(Amounts in millions)
Direct operating expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amortization of films and television programs
$
421.0

 
$
234.3

 
$
655.3

 
$
376.7

 
$
262.8

 
$
639.5

Participation and residual expense
159.0

 
108.4

 
267.4

 
201.1

 
98.1

 
299.2

Other expenses
0.7

 
3.8

 
4.5

 
6.0

 
1.1

 
7.1

 
$
580.7

 
$
346.5

 
$
927.2

 
$
583.8

 
$
362.0

 
$
945.8

Direct operating expenses as a percentage of segment revenues
51.2
%
 
82.3
%
 
59.6
%
 
44.2
%
 
83.5
%
 
53.9
%

Direct operating expenses of the Motion Pictures segment of $580.7 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 were 51.2% of motion pictures revenue, compared to $583.8 million, or 44.2% of motion pictures revenue for the nine months ended December 31, 2014. Direct operating expenses decreased by only $3.1 million, even though motion pictures revenue decreased by $184.9 million, primarily due to higher direct operating expense as a percent of motion pictures revenue in the current period, as compared to the nine months ended December 31, 2014. The increase in direct operating expenses as a percentage of motion pictures revenue was primarily driven by the higher amortization rates of our Fiscal 2016 and Fiscal 2015 Theatrical Slates in the current period, and in particular, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2 and to a lesser extent, The Divergent Series: Insurgent, as compared to the amortization rates of our Fiscal 2015 and Fiscal 2014 Theatrical Slates in the prior year's period, and in particular, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 and to a lesser extent, Divergent. Included in amortization expense is investment in film write-downs of approximately $11.6 million in the nine months ended December 31, 2015, compared to approximately $16.9 million in the nine months ended December 31, 2014. Other direct operating expenses in the nine months ended December 31, 2015 decreased as compared to the nine months ended December 31, 2014, primarily due to lower foreign exchange losses, offset partially by an increase in the provision for doubtful accounts.
Direct operating expenses of the Television Production segment of $346.5 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 were 82.3% of television revenue, compared to $362.0 million, or 83.5%, of television revenue for the nine months ended December 31, 2014. Direct operating expense in the current period includes $22.7 million related to Pilgrim Studios from the date of acquisition (i.e., November 12, 2015). Pilgrim Studios direct operating expense includes $3.6 million representing the amortization of the increase in the carrying value of the shows acquired to fair value as a result of the application of purchase accounting. Direct operating expenses excluding Pilgrim Studios decreased by $38.2 million, due to a decrease in television production revenue (excluding Pilgrim Studios) and direct operating expenses as a percent of revenue in the nine months ended

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December 31, 2015, as compared to the nine months ended December 31, 2014. The decrease in direct operating expenses as a percentage of television production revenue is primarily due to the mix of titles generating revenue in the current period as compared to the prior year's period, including revenue from The Royals, Family Feud, The Wendy Williams Show, and Orange Is The New Black. These decreases were offset partially by an increase attributable to a greater number of new television programs in the nine months ended December 31, 2015 compared to the nine months ended December 31, 2014, which typically result in higher amortization expenses in relation to revenues initially, until there are a sufficient number of subsequent seasons ordered and episodes produced, such that revenue can be generated from syndication in domestic and international markets.

Distribution and Marketing Expenses
The following table sets forth distribution and marketing expenses by segment for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:
 
 
Nine Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
December 31, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
 
Motion
Pictures
 
Television
Production
 
Total
 
Motion
Pictures
 
Television
Production
 
Total
 
(Amounts in millions)
Distribution and marketing expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Theatrical
$
242.9

 
$

 
$
242.9

 
$
208.5

 
$

 
$
208.5

Home Entertainment
97.6

 
7.9

 
105.5

 
118.2

 
5.6

 
123.8

International(1)
47.7

 
10.1

 
57.8

 
64.6

 
9.4

 
74.0

Television and Other
11.0

 
11.0

 
22.0

 
5.3

 
10.0

 
15.3

 
$
399.2

 
$
29.0

 
$
428.2

 
$
396.6

 
$
25.0

 
$
421.6

___________________
(1)
The nine months ended December 31, 2014 includes certain reclassifications to be consistent with the current fiscal year classification, primarily related to Lionsgate UK.  
The majority of distribution and marketing expenses relate to the Motion Pictures segment. Theatrical P&A in the Motion Pictures segment in the nine months ended December 31, 2015 of $242.9 million increased $34.4 million, compared to $208.5 million in the nine months ended December 31, 2014. The increase was primarily driven by higher P&A spending on our wide releases from our theatrical slates in the nine months ended December 31, 2015. In the nine months ended December 31, 2015, approximately $17.9 million of P&A was incurred in advance for films to be released in subsequent quarters, such as Dirty Grandpa, Norm of the North, and The Divergent Series: Allegiant. In the nine months ended December 31, 2014, approximately $16.5 million of P&A was incurred in advance for films to be released in subsequent quarters, such as Mortdecai, The Divergent Series: Insurgent, and The D.U.F.F.
Home entertainment distribution and marketing costs on motion pictures and television product in the nine months ended December 31, 2015 of $105.5 million decreased $18.3 million, or 14.8%, compared to $123.8 million in the nine months ended December 31, 2014, primarily due to lower motion pictures home entertainment revenue. Home entertainment distribution and marketing costs as a percentage of home entertainment revenues were 24.8% in the nine months ended December 31, 2015, and were comparable to home entertainment distribution and marketing costs as a percentage of home entertainment revenues of 25.3% in the nine months ended December 31, 2014.
International distribution and marketing expenses in the motion pictures segment in the nine months ended December 31, 2015 of $47.7 million decreased from $64.6 million in the nine months ended December 31, 2014.


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Gross Segment Contribution

Gross segment contribution is defined as segment revenue less segment direct operating and distribution and marketing expenses. The following table sets forth gross segment contribution for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:

 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
 
 
 
December 31,
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
2015
 
% of Segment Revenues
 
2014
 
% of Segment Revenues
 
Amount
 
Percent
 
(Amounts in millions)
 
 
 
 
Gross segment contribution
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Motion Pictures
$
155.3

 
13.7
%
 
$
339.6

 
25.7
%
 
$
(184.3
)
 
(54.3
)%
Television Production
45.5

 
10.8

 
46.4

 
10.7

 
(0.9
)
 
(1.9
)%
 
$
200.8

 
12.9
%
 
$
386.0

 
22.0
%
 
$
(185.2
)
 
(48.0
)%
Gross segment contribution of the Motion Pictures segment for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 of $155.3 million decreased $184.3 million, or 54.3%, as compared to the nine months ended December 31, 2014. The decrease in gross segment contribution and gross contribution margin of the Motion Pictures segment is due to lower motion pictures revenue, higher direct operating expenses as a percentage of motion pictures revenue, and to a lesser extent, higher distribution and marketing expenses as a percentage of motion pictures revenue.
Gross segment contribution of the Television Production segment for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 of $45.5 million decreased $0.9 million, or 1.9%, as compared to the nine months ended December 31, 2014. The slight decrease in gross segment contribution of the Television Production segment is due to a decrease in television production revenue and slightly higher distribution and marketing expenses as a percentage of television production revenue, offset partially by slightly lower direct operating expenses as a percentage of television production revenue.

General and Administrative Expenses
The following table sets forth general and administrative expenses by segment for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:
 
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
 
 
 
December 31,
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
2015
 
2014
Amount
 
Percent
 
(Amounts in millions)
General and administrative expenses
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Motion Pictures
$
55.8

 
$
54.3

 
$
1.5

 
2.8
 %
Television Production
13.3

 
10.1

 
3.2

 
31.7
 %
Shared services and corporate expenses, excluding items below
60.5

 
66.7

 
(6.2
)
 
(9.3
)%
General and administrative expenses before items below:
129.6

 
131.1

 
(1.5
)
 
(1.1
)%
Share-based compensation expense
47.5

 
48.9

 
(1.4
)
 
(2.9
)%
Restructuring and other items
17.6

 
7.0

 
10.6

 
151.4
 %
Purchase accounting and related adjustments
0.7

 

 
0.7

 
n/m

Start-up costs of new business initiatives
3.0

 

 
3.0

 
n/m

Total general and administrative expenses
$
198.4

 
$
187.0

 
$
11.4

 
6.1
 %
Total general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue
12.7
%
 
10.7
%
 
 
 
 
General and administrative expenses excluding share-based compensation expense, restructuring and other items, purchase accounting and related adjustments, and start-up costs of new business initiatives, as a percentage of revenue
8.3
%
 
7.5
%
 
 
 
 

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Total General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses increased by $11.4 million, or 6.1%, as reflected in the table above and further discussed below.

General and administrative expenses of the Motion Pictures segment increased $1.5 million, or 2.8%, primarily due to increases in salaries and related expenses partially offset by decreases in other general and administrative expenses including rent and facilities costs.

General and administrative expenses of the Television Production segment increased $3.2 million, or 31.7%, primarily due to increases in salaries and related expenses associated with the reorganization of our international sales operations.
Shared services and corporate expenses excluding share-based compensation expense, restructuring and other items, purchase accounting and related adjustments and start-up costs of new business initiatives decreased $6.2 million, or 9.3%, primarily due to a decrease in incentive compensation partially offset by increases in professional fees and other shared services and corporate expenses including rent and facilities costs.

Share-Based Compensation Expense. The following table sets forth share-based compensation expense included in shared services and corporate expenses for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:
 
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
 
 
 
December 31,
 
Increase (Decrease)
 
2015
 
2014
Amount
 
Percent
 
(Amounts in millions)
Share-based compensation expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stock options
$
25.8

 
$
25.6

 
$
0.2

 
0.8
 %
Restricted share units and other share-based compensation
21.4

 
19.5

 
1.9

 
9.7
 %
Share appreciation rights
0.3

 
3.8

 
(3.5
)
 
(92.1
)%
 
$
47.5

 
$
48.9

 
$
(1.4
)
 
(2.9
)%

Restructuring and Other Items. Restructuring and other items includes restructuring and severance costs, certain transaction related costs, and certain unusual items, when applicable. Amounts in the nine months ended December 31, 2015 represent professional fees associated with certain strategic transactions including, among others, the acquisition of Pilgrim Studios and certain shareholder transactions, the costs related to the move of our international sales and distribution organization to the United Kingdom, and certain transactional costs of $7.7 million of Pilgrim Studios attributable to the noncontrolling shareholder (see Note 9). Pursuant to the profit sharing provisions in the Pilgrim Studios operating agreement, the transactional costs of $7.7 million are included in net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest in our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations. In addition, amounts in the nine months ended December 31, 2015 include pension withdrawal costs of $2.7 million related to an underfunded multi-employer pension plan in which the Company is no longer participating. Amounts in the nine months ended December 31, 2014 primarily represent costs related to the move of our international sales and distribution organization to the United Kingdom. In addition, amounts in the nine months ended December 31, 2014 include severance costs associated with the integration of the marketing operations of the Company's Lionsgate and Summit film labels, of which approximately $1.2 million are non-cash charges resulting from the acceleration of vesting of stock awards (see Note 12).

Purchase accounting and related adjustments. Purchase accounting and related adjustments represent the charge for the accretion of the noncontrolling interest discount that is included in general and administrative expense (see Note 10).

Start-up costs of new business initiatives. Start-up costs of new business initiatives represent general and administrative expense associated with the Company's direct to consumer initiatives including its subscription video-on-demand platforms.

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Table of Contents

Depreciation, Amortization and Other Expenses (Income)
Depreciation and amortization of $7.3 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 increased $2.6 million from $4.7 million in the nine months ended December 31, 2014.
Interest expense of $39.4 million in the nine months ended December 31, 2015 decreased $0.2 million from the nine months ended December 31, 2014. The following table sets forth the components of interest expense for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:
 
 
Nine Months Ended
 
December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(Amounts in millions)
Interest Expense
 
 
 
Cash Based:
 
 
 
Senior revolving credit facility
$
3.2

 
$
5.2

Convertible senior subordinated notes
1.7

 
2.7

5.25% Senior Notes
8.9

 
8.9

Term Loans
15.1

 
8.6

Other
3.6

 
4.2

 
32.5

 
29.6

Non-Cash Based:
 
 
 
Amortization of discount and deferred financing costs
6.9

 
10.0

 
$
39.4

 
$
39.6

Interest and other income was $1.7 million in the nine months ended December 31, 2015, compared to $2.2 million in the nine months ended December 31, 2014.
The following table represents our portion of the income or (loss) of our equity method investees based on our percentage ownership for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:
 
 
December 31, 2015
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
December 31,
 
Ownership Percentage
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
(Amounts in millions)
EPIX(1)
31.2%
 
$
34.1

 
$
27.4

Pop(1)
50.0%
 
0.6

 
(4.7
)
Other(2)
Various
 
(5.3
)
 
14.6

 
 
 
$
29.4

 
$
37.3

 ______________________
(1)
We license certain of our theatrical releases and other films and television programs to EPIX and Pop. A portion of the profits of these licenses reflecting our ownership share in the venture is eliminated through an adjustment to the equity interest income (loss) of the venture. These profits are recognized as they are realized by the venture (see Note 3 to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements).
(2)
On April 14, 2014, we sold all of our 34.5% interest in FEARnet, which resulted in a gain on sale of $11.4 million in the nine months ended December 31, 2015 included in our other equity method investments income shown above. See Note 3 to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

Loss on Extinguishment of Debt

Loss on extinguishment of debt was $1.3 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2014, with no comparable loss for the nine months ended December 31, 2015.


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Income Tax Provision (Benefit)

We had an income tax benefit of $44.4 million in the nine months ended December 31, 2015, compared to an expense of $30.9 million in the nine months ended December 31, 2014. In the quarter ended December 31, 2015, we determined that a small change in our estimated pretax results for the year ended March 31, 2016 would create a large change in our expected annual effective rate. Accordingly, it was determined that a reliable estimate of the expected annual effective tax rate could not be made. As a result, we computed our tax provision (benefit) using the cut-off method which resulted in an income tax benefit of $44.4 million based on the actual taxes attributable to our year-to-date earnings. This tax benefit is primarily related to the mix of our pre-tax income (loss) generated across the various jurisdictions in which we operate in addition to the tax deductions generated by our capital structure.
Our effective tax rate differs from the federal statutory rate and has changed from the prior period and could fluctuate significantly in the future, as our effective tax rates are affected by many factors, including the overall level of pre-tax income, the mix of pre-tax income generated across the various jurisdictions in which we operate, changes in tax laws and regulations in those jurisdictions, changes in valuation allowances on our deferred tax assets, tax planning strategies available to us, and other discrete items.
We expect that with the utilization of our net operating loss carryforwards and other tax attributes, our cash tax requirements will not increase significantly in fiscal 2016 as compared to fiscal 2015.

Net Income Attributable to Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. Shareholders
Net income attributable to our shareholders for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 was $39.3 million, or basic and diluted net income per common share of $0.26 on 148.5 million and 154.4 million weighted average common shares outstanding, respectively. This compares to net income attributable to our shareholders for the nine months ended December 31, 2014 of $162.2 million, or basic net income per common share of $1.17 on 138.6 million weighted average common shares outstanding and diluted net income per common share of $1.10 on 151.7 million weighted average common shares outstanding.


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Sources and Uses of Cash
Our liquidity and capital resources have been provided principally through cash generated from operations, corporate debt, and our production loans. Our corporate debt at December 31, 2015 primarily consisted of our senior revolving credit facility, 5.25% Senior Notes, Term Loan Due 2022, and our convertible senior subordinated notes.
Our principal uses of cash in operations include the funding of film and television productions, film rights acquisitions, and the distribution and marketing of films and television programs. We also use cash for debt service (i.e. principal and interest payments) requirements, equity or cost method investments, quarterly cash dividends, the purchase of common shares under our share repurchase program, capital expenditures, and acquisitions of businesses. The Company also has a redeemable noncontrolling interest balance of $89.2 million, which may require the use of cash in the event the holders of the noncontrolling interests put their interests to the Company.
We may from time to time seek to retire or purchase our outstanding debt through cash purchases and/or exchanges for equity securities, in open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. Such repurchases or exchanges, if any, will depend on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors. The amounts involved may be material.
Anticipated Cash Requirements. The nature of our business is such that significant initial expenditures are required to produce, acquire, distribute and market films and television programs, while revenues from these films and television programs are earned over an extended period of time after their completion or acquisition. We believe that cash flow from operations, cash on hand, senior revolving credit facility availability, tax-efficient financing, and available production financing will be adequate to meet known operational cash, quarterly cash dividends and debt service (i.e. principal and interest payments) requirements for the foreseeable future, including the funding of future film and television production, film rights acquisitions and theatrical and video release schedules, and future equity or cost method investment funding requirements, and the purchase of common shares under our share repurchase program. We monitor our cash flow liquidity, availability, fixed charge coverage, capital base, film spending and leverage ratios with the long-term goal of maintaining our credit worthiness.
Our current financing strategy is to fund operations and to leverage investment in films and television programs through our cash flow from operations, our senior revolving credit facility, single-purpose production financing, government incentive

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programs, film funds, and distribution commitments. In addition, we may acquire businesses or assets, including individual films or libraries that are complementary to our business. Any such transaction could be financed through our cash flow from operations, credit facilities, equity or debt financing. If additional financing beyond our existing cash flows from operations and credit facilities cannot fund such transactions, there is no assurance that such financing will be available on terms acceptable to us. We may also dispose of businesses or assets, including individual films or libraries, and use the net proceeds from such dispositions to fund operations or such acquisitions, or to repay debt.
Share Repurchase Plan. On February 2, 2016, our Board of Directors authorized to increase our previously announced share repurchase plan from $300 million to $468 million. To date, approximately $218.0 million of our common shares have been purchased, leaving approximately $250.0 million of authorized potential purchases. Of the purchased shares, 0.3 million of our common shares were purchased for an aggregate price of $7.9 million (weighted average repurchase price of $29.48) during the period from January 1, 2016 to January 13, 2016. The remaining $250.0 million of our common shares may be purchased from time to time at the Company's discretion, including quantity, timing and price thereof, and will be subject to market conditions. Such purchases will be structured as permitted by securities laws and other legal requirements.
Dividends. On December 11, 2015, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.09 per common share payable on February 5, 2016, to shareholders of record as of December 31, 2015. The amount of dividends, if any, that we pay to our shareholders is determined by our Board of Directors, at its discretion, and is dependent on a number of factors, including our financial position, results of operations, cash flows, capital requirements and restrictions under our credit agreements, and shall be in compliance with applicable law. We cannot guarantee the amount of dividends paid in the future, if any.

Discussion of Operating, Investing, Financing Cash Flows
Cash and cash equivalents decreased by $13.6 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 and did not change significantly for the nine months ended December 31, 2014, before foreign exchange effects on cash. Components of these changes are discussed below in more detail.
Operating Activities. Cash flows used in operating activities for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:
 
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
 
 
December 31,
 
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
Net Change
 
 
(Amounts in thousands)
Operating income (loss)
 
$
(4,843
)
 
$
194,421

 
$
(199,264
)
Amortization of films and television programs
 
655,288

 
639,472

 
15,816

Non-cash share-based compensation
 
47,399

 
48,691

 
(1,292
)
Cash interest
 
(32,561
)
 
(29,546
)
 
(3,015
)
Current income tax provision
 
(10,292
)
 
(19,622
)
 
9,330

Other non-cash charges included in operating activities
 
9,677

 
14,661

 
(4,984
)
Cash flows from operations before changes in operating assets and liabilities
 
664,668

 
848,077

 
(183,409
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts receivable, net
 
(36,663
)
 
(94,803
)
 
58,140

Investment in films and television programs
 
(771,255
)
 
(815,469
)
 
44,214

Other changes in operating assets and liabilities
 
32,699

 
(100,846
)
 
133,545

Changes in operating assets and liabilities
 
(775,219
)
 
(1,011,118
)
 
235,899

Net Cash Flows Used In Operating Activities
 
$
(110,551
)
 
$
(163,041
)
 
$
52,490

Cash flows used in operating activities for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 were $110.6 million compared to $163.0 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2014. The decrease in cash used in operating activities for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 as compared to the nine months ended December 31, 2014 is primarily due to decreases in investment in films and television programs production activity, increases from changes in other operating assets and liabilities primarily driven by increases in participations and residuals, lower decreases in accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, partially offset by lower operating income (loss) as compared to the nine months ended December 31, 2014.

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Investing Activities. Cash flows used in investing activities for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:
 
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(Amounts in thousands)
Proceeds from the sale of equity method investees
 
$

 
$
14,575

Investment in equity method investees
 
(3,954
)
 
(14,750
)
Purchase of Pilgrim Studios, net of cash acquired of $15,816
 
(126,892
)
 

Purchases of property and equipment
 
(13,680
)
 
(11,293
)
Other investing activities
 
(750
)
 
(2,000
)
Net Cash Flows Used In Investing Activities
 
$
(145,276
)
 
$
(13,468
)
Cash used in investing activities of $145.3 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 compared to $13.5 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2014, as reflected above. The change was primarily due to cash used for the purchase of Pilgrim Studios of $126.9 million, net of cash acquired in the nine months ended December 31, 2015. In addition, the nine months ended December 31, 2014 included proceeds from the sale of equity method investees, due to the sale of our interest in FEARnet, with no comparable proceeds in the nine months ended December 31, 2015. These were partially offset by lower investments in equity method investees in the current period as compared to the prior year's period, primarily related to investments in Pop ($0.8 million in the current period compared to $10.5 million in the prior year's period) (see Note 3 to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements).
Financing Activities. Cash flows provided by financing activities for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows:
 
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
(Amounts in thousands)
Senior revolving credit facility - borrowings
 
$
238,000

 
$
681,500

Senior revolving credit facility - repayments
 
(238,000
)
 
(618,619
)
Net proceeds from senior revolving credit facility
 

 
62,881

 
 
 
 
 
Term Loan - borrowings, net of deferred financing costs of $964
 
24,036

 

Convertible senior subordinated notes - repurchases
 
(5
)
 
(16
)
Net proceeds from corporate debt
 
24,031

 
62,865

 
 
 
 
 
Production loans - borrowings
 
509,569

 
533,781

Production loans - repayments
 
(240,565
)
 
(261,868
)
Net proceeds from production loans
 
269,004

 
271,913

 
 
 
 
 
Repurchase of common shares
 

 
(129,859
)
Other financing activities
 
(50,791
)
 
(27,304
)
Net Cash Flows Provided By Financing Activities
 
$
242,244

 
$
177,615

Cash flows provided by financing activities of $242.2 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 increased from $177.6 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2014. Cash flows provided by financing activities for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 primarily reflects production loan borrowings in order to fund productions and production loan repayments, and net proceeds of $24.0 million from additional borrowings under the Term Loan Due 2022, offset by cash used for other financing activities which includes dividend payments of $33.9 million and tax withholding of $22.9 million required on equity awards offset by the proceeds from the exercise of stock options.
Cash flows provided by financing activities for the nine months ended December 31, 2014 primarily reflects net borrowings under production loans of $271.9 million, and net proceeds from our senior revolving credit facility of $62.9

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million, offset by cash used for share repurchases and other financing activities which includes dividend payments and tax withholding required on equity awards.

Corporate Debt

See Note 5 to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for a discussion of our corporate debt. The principal amounts outstanding under our corporate debt as of December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015 were as follows:
 
Maturity Date
 
Conversion Price Per Share as of December 31, 2015
 
Principal Amounts Outstanding
 
 
 
December 31,
 
March 31,
 
 
 
2015
 
2015
 
 
 
 
 
(Amounts in thousands)
Senior revolving credit facility(1)
September 2017
 
N/A
 
$

 
$

5.25% Senior Notes(2)
August 2018
 
N/A
 
225,000

 
225,000

Term Loan Due 2022(3)
March 2022
 
N/A
 
400,000

 
375,000

Principal amounts of convertible senior subordinated notes
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
April 2009 3.625% Notes
N/A
 
N/A
 

 
16,167

January 2012 4.00% Notes
January 2017
 
$10.30
 
41,850

 
41,850

April 2013 1.25% Notes
April 2018
 
$29.44
 
60,000

 
60,000

 
 
 
 
 
$
726,850

 
$
718,017

 ______________________
(1)
Senior Revolving Credit Facility: The senior revolving credit facility provides for borrowings up to $800.0 million, limited by a borrowing base and also reduced by outstanding letters of credit, if any. At December 31, 2015, there was $800.0 million available (March 31, 2015$800.0 million). Interest is payable at an alternative base rate, as defined, plus 1.5% or LIBOR plus 2.5% as designated by us. We are required to pay a quarterly commitment fee of 0.375% to 0.5% per annum on our unused capacity for the period. Obligations are secured by collateral (as defined in the credit agreement) granted by us and certain of our subsidiaries, as well as a pledge of equity interests in certain of our subsidiaries. The senior revolving credit facility contains a number of covenants, and as of December 31, 2015, we were in compliance with all applicable covenants.
(2)
5.25% Senior Notes: The 5.25% Senior Notes contain a number of certain restrictions and covenants, and as of December 31, 2015, we were in compliance with all applicable covenants. Interest is payable semi-annually on February 1 and August 1 of each year at a rate of 5.25% per year.
(3)
Term Loan Due 2022: The Term Loan Due 2022 contains a number of certain restrictions and covenants, and as of December 31, 2015, we were in compliance with all applicable covenants. Interest is payable on the last business day of each April, July, October and January at a rate of 5.00% per year.

Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes Conversions. During the nine months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, there were various conversions of our convertible senior subordinated notes. The table below summarizes the total principal amount converted, common shares issued upon conversion and weighted average conversion price per share (see Note 5 to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for detailed information by debt instrument):
 
Nine Months Ended
 
December 31,
 
2015
 
2014
 
(Amounts in thousands, except share amounts)
Principal amount converted
$
16,162

 
$
24,145

Common shares issued upon conversion
1,983,058

 
2,938,533

Weighted average conversion price per share
$
8.15

 
$
8.22


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Production Loans
The amounts outstanding under our production loans as of December 31, 2015, and March 31, 2015 were as follows:
 
 
December 31,
 
March 31,
 
 
2015
 
2015
 
 
(Amounts in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
Production loans(1)
 
$
869,948

 
$
600,944

 ______________________
(1)
Represents individual loans for the production of film and television programs that we produce. Production loans have contractual repayment dates either at or near the expected film or television program completion date, with the exception of certain loans containing repayment dates on a longer term basis, and incur interest at rates ranging from 3.35% to 3.85%.


Table of Debt and Contractual Commitments
The following table sets forth our future annual repayment of debt, and our contractual commitments as of December 31, 2015:
 
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
Year Ended March 31,
 
2016
 
2017
 
2018
 
2019
 
2020
 
Thereafter
 
Total
 
 
 
 
 
(Amounts in thousands)
 
 
 
 
Future annual repayment of debt recorded as of December 31, 2015 (on-balance sheet arrangements)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior revolving credit facility
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

5.25% Senior Notes

 

 

 
225,000

 

 

 
225,000

Term Loan Due 2022

 

 

 

 

 
400,000

 
400,000

Film obligations and production loans(1)
158,930

 
712,172

 
23,600

 
1,000

 

 

 
895,702

Principal amounts of convertible senior subordinated notes

 
41,850

 

 
60,000

 

 

 
101,850

 
158,930

 
754,022

 
23,600

 
286,000

 

 
400,000

 
1,622,552

Contractual commitments by expected repayment date (off-balance sheet arrangements)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Film obligation and production loan commitments(2)
145,582

 
148,493

 
177,850

 
2,745

 

 

 
474,670

Interest payments(3)
11,743

 
34,237

 
32,563

 
26,281

 
20,000

 
42,444

 
167,268

Operating lease commitments
3,249

 
12,705

 
12,478

 
12,822

 
13,164

 
48,069

 
102,487

Other contractual obligations
22,635

 
52,994

 
26,618

 
9,420

 
2,100

 
1,964

 
115,731

 
183,209

 
248,429

 
249,509

 
51,268

 
35,264

 
92,477

 
860,156

Total future commitments under contractual obligations (4)
$
342,139

 
$
1,002,451

 
$
273,109

 
$
337,268

 
$
35,264

 
$
492,477

 
$
2,482,708

 ___________________
(1)
Film obligations include minimum guarantees and theatrical marketing obligations. Production loans represent loans for the production of film and television programs that we produce. Repayment dates are based on anticipated delivery or release date of the related film or contractual due dates of the obligation.
(2)
Film obligation commitments include distribution and marketing commitments and minimum guarantee commitments. Distribution and marketing commitments represent contractual commitments for future expenditures associated with distribution and marketing of films which we will distribute. The payment dates of these amounts are primarily based on the anticipated release date of the film. Minimum guarantee commitments represent contractual commitments related to the purchase of film rights for pictures to be delivered in the future. Production loan commitments represent amounts committed for future film production and development to be funded through production financing and recorded as a production loan liability when incurred. Future payments under these commitments are based on anticipated delivery or

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release dates of the related film or contractual due dates of the commitment. The amounts include future interest payments associated with the commitment.
(3)
Includes cash interest payments on our corporate debt, excluding the interest payments on the senior revolving credit facility as future amounts are not fixed or determinable due to fluctuating balances and interest rates.
(4)
Not included in the amounts above are $89.2 million of redeemable noncontrolling interest, as future amounts and timing are subject to a number of uncertainties such that we are unable to make sufficiently reliable estimations of future payments (see Note 10 to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements).

Theatrical Slate Participation

On March 10, 2015, we entered into a theatrical slate participation arrangement with TIK Films (U.S.), Inc. and TIK Films (Hong Kong) Limited (collectively, "TIK Films"), both wholly owned subsidiaries of Hunan TV & Broadcast Intermediary Co. Ltd. Under the arrangement, TIK Films, in general and subject to certain limitations including per picture and annual caps, will contribute a minority share of 25% of our production or acquisition costs of “qualifying” theatrical feature films, released during the three-year period ending January 23, 2018, and participate in a pro-rata portion of the pictures’ net profits or losses similar to a co-production arrangement based on the portion of costs funded. The arrangement excludes among others, any theatrical feature film incorporating any elements from the Twilight, Hunger Games, or Divergent franchises. The percentage of the contribution could vary on certain pictures.

Amounts provided from TIK Films are reflected as a participation liability in our consolidated balance sheet and amounted to $33.5 million at December 31, 2015 (March 31, 2015 - $13.6 million). The difference between the ultimate participation expected to be paid to TIK Films and the amount provided by TIK Films is amortized as a charge to or a reduction of participation expense under the individual-film-forecast method.
Filmed Entertainment Backlog
Backlog represents the amount of future revenue not yet recorded from contracts for the licensing of films and television product for television exhibition and in international markets. Backlog at December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015 was $1.3 billion and $1.1 billion, respectively.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not have any transactions, arrangements and other relationships with unconsolidated entities that will affect our liquidity or capital resources. We have no special purpose entities that provided off-balance sheet financing, liquidity or market or credit risk support, nor do we engage in leasing, hedging or research and development services, that could expose us to liability that is not reflected on the face of our consolidated financial statements. Our commitments to fund operating leases, minimum guarantees, production loans, equity method investment funding requirements and all other contractual commitments not reflected on the face of our consolidated financial statements are presented in the table above.


Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

Currency and Interest Rate Risk Management
Market risks relating to our operations result primarily from changes in interest rates and changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Our exposure to interest rate risk results from the financial debt instruments that arise from transactions entered into during the normal course of business. As part of our overall risk management program, we evaluate and manage our exposure to changes in interest rates and currency exchange risks on an ongoing basis. Hedges and derivative financial instruments will be used in the future in order to manage our interest rate and currency exposure. We have no intention of entering into financial derivative contracts, other than to hedge a specific financial risk.
Currency Rate Risk. We enter into forward foreign exchange contracts to hedge our foreign currency exposures on future production expenses denominated in various foreign currencies. As of December 31, 2015, we had the following outstanding forward foreign exchange contracts (all outstanding contracts have maturities of less than 11 months from December 31, 2015):

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December 31, 2015
Foreign Currency
 
Foreign Currency Amount
 
US Dollar Amount
 
Weighted Average Exchange Rate Per $1 USD
 
 
(Amounts in millions)
 
(Amounts in millions)
 
 
British Pound Sterling
 

£0.9

in exchange for

$1.0

 
£0.93
Australian Dollar
 

A$56.8

in exchange for

$50.6

 
A$1.12
Euro
 

€3.4

in exchange for

$3.8

 
€0.89
Canadian Dollar
 

C$49.2

in exchange for

$37.5

 
C$1.31
Changes in the fair value representing a net unrealized fair value gain on foreign exchange contracts that qualified as effective hedge contracts outstanding during the three and nine months ended December 31, 2015 were losses, net of tax, of $1.3 million and gains, net of tax, of $1.7 million, respectively (2014 - gains, net of tax, of $0.3 million and $0.7 million, respectively), and are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), a separate component of shareholders’ equity. Changes in the fair value representing a net unrealized fair value gain on foreign exchange contracts that did not qualify as effective hedge contracts outstanding during the three and nine months ended December 31, 2015 were less than $0.1 million (three and nine months ended December 31, 2014 - nil and $0.4 million) and are included in direct operating expenses in the consolidated statements of income. These contracts are entered into with major financial institutions as counterparties. We are exposed to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the counterparty, which is limited to the cost of replacing the contracts, at current market rates. We do not require collateral or other security to support these contracts.
Interest Rate Risk. Certain of our borrowings, primarily borrowings under our amended and restated senior revolving credit facility and certain production loans, are, and are expected to continue to be, at variable rates of interest and expose us to interest rate risk. If interest rates increase, our debt service obligations on the variable rate indebtedness would increase even though the amount borrowed remained the same, and our net income would decrease. The applicable margin with respect to loans under the amended and restated senior revolving credit facility is a percentage per annum equal to 2.50% plus an adjusted rate based on LIBOR. Assuming the amended and restated senior revolving credit facility is drawn up to its maximum borrowing capacity of $800 million, based on the applicable LIBOR in effect as of December 31, 2015, each quarter point change in interest rates would result in a $2.0 million change in annual interest expense on the amended and restated senior revolving credit facility.
The variable interest production loans incur interest at rates ranging from approximately 3.35% to 3.85% and applicable margins ranging from 2.25% over the one, two, or three-month LIBOR to 3.0% over the one, three or six-month LIBOR. A quarter point increase of the interest rates on the outstanding principal amount of our variable rate production loans would result in $2.2 million in additional costs capitalized to the respective film or television asset.

At December 31, 2015, our 5.25% Senior Notes, Term Loan Due 2022 and convertible senior subordinated notes had an aggregate outstanding carrying value of $724.5 million, and an estimated fair value of $723.2 million. A 1% increase or decrease in the level of interest rates would increase or decrease the fair value of the 5.25% Senior Notes, Term Loan Due 2022 and convertible senior subordinated notes by approximately $22.7 million and $24.0 million, respectively.

The following table presents our financial instruments that are sensitive to changes in interest rates. The table also presents the cash flows of the principal amounts of the financial instruments with the related weighted-average interest rates by expected maturity dates and the fair value of the instrument as of December 31, 2015:
 

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Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
Year Ended March 31,
 
Fair Value
 
2016
 
2017
 
2018
 
2019
 
2020
 
Thereafter
 
Total
 
December 31,
2015
 
 
 
 
 
(Amounts in thousands)
 
 
 
 
Variable Rates:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior Revolving Credit Facility(1)
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Average Interest Rate

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
Production loans(2)
138,099

 
710,249

 
21,600

 

 

 

 
869,948

 
869,948

Average Interest Rate
3.63
%
 
3.54
%
 
3.60
%
 

 

 

 
 
 
 
Fixed Rates:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
5.25% Senior Notes(3)

 

 

 
225,000

 

 

 
225,000

 
231,750

Average Interest Rate

 

 

 
5.25
%
 

 

 
 
 
 
Term Loan Due 2022(4)

 

 

 

 

 
400,000

 
400,000

 
396,500

Average Interest Rate

 

 

 

 

 
5.00
%
 
 
 
 
Principal Amounts of Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
January 2012 4.00% Notes

 
41,850

 

 

 

 

 
41,850

 
41,707

Average Interest Rate

 
4.00
%
 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
April 2013 1.25% Notes

 

 

 
60,000

 

 

 
60,000

 
53,218

Average Interest Rate

 

 

 
1.25
%
 

 

 
 
 
 
 
$
138,099

 
$
752,099

 
$
21,600

 
$
285,000

 
$

 
$
400,000

 
$
1,596,798

 
$
1,593,123

 ____________________
(1)
Amended and restated senior revolving credit facility, which expires September 27, 2017 and bears interest of 2.50% over the Adjusted LIBOR rate.
(2)
Represents amounts owed to film production entities on anticipated delivery date or release date of the titles or the contractual due dates of the obligation, that incur interest at rates ranging from approximately 3.35% to 3.85%.
(3)
Senior secured second-priority notes with a fixed interest rate equal to 5.25%.
(4)
Term Loan maturing on March 17, 2022 with a fixed interest rate equal to 5.00%.


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Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The term “disclosure controls and procedures” is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (the “Exchange Act”). These rules refer to the controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within required time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
As of December 31, 2015, the end of the period covered by this report, the Company carried out an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e). Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that such controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2015.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

On November 12, 2015, we purchased 62.5% of the membership interests in Pilgrim Media Group, LLC ("Pilgrim Studios") and, as a result, we have begun integrating the processes, systems and controls relating to Pilgrim Studios into our existing system of internal control over financial reporting in accordance with our integration plans. As required by Rule 13a-15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated whether any changes occurred to the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, such control. Based on that evaluation, except for the processes, systems and controls relating to the integration of Pilgrim Studios, there has been no such change during the period covered by this report.



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PART II

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings.

From time to time, the Company is involved in certain claims and legal proceedings arising in the normal course of business. While the resolution of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not believe, based on current knowledge, that the outcome of any currently pending legal proceedings in which the Company is currently involved will have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flow.

For a discussion of certain claims and legal proceedings, see Note 16 - Contingencies to our unaudited consolidated financial statements, which discussion is incorporated by reference into this Part II, Item 1, Legal Proceedings.



Item 1A.  Risk Factors.

Other than as set forth below, there were no other material changes to the risk factors previously reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2015.

If our level of corporate debt increases, it could adversely affect our ability to raise additional capital to fund our operations, require us to dedicate substantial capital to servicing our debt obligations, expose us to interest rate risk, limit our ability to pursue strategic business opportunities, affect our ability to react to changes in the economy or our industry and prevent us from meeting our debt obligations.

As of December 31, 2015, our corporate debt was $726.9 million (carrying value - $724.9 million). In addition, our production loan obligations were $869.9 million.

On July 19, 2013, we redeemed $432.0 million of our 10.25% Senior Secured Second-Priority Notes (the “10.25% Senior Notes”), issued $225.0 million of our 5.25% Senior Secured Second-Priority Notes (the “5.25% Senior Notes”) and borrowed $225.0 million under our Second Lien Credit and Guarantee Agreement dated July 19, 2013 (the “Term Loan Due 2020”). On March 17, 2015, we redeemed the Term Loan Due 2020 and borrowed $375 million under our Second Lien Credit and Guarantee Agreement dated March 17, 2015 (the "Term Loan Due 2022"). On March 17, 2015, the April 2009 3.625% Notes were called for redemption and in April 2015, the holders of the notes converted substantially all of the outstanding principal amounts into common shares. On May 4, 2015, we amended the Term Loan Due 2022 to increase the aggregate principal amount to $400 million.

A substantial degree of leverage could have important consequences, including the following:

it may limit our ability to obtain additional debt or equity financing for working capital, capital expenditures, motion picture and television development, production and distribution, debt service requirements, acquisitions or general corporate or other purposes, or limit our ability to obtain such financing on terms acceptable to us;
a portion of our cash flows from operations will be dedicated to the payment of principal and interest on our indebtedness and will not be available for other purposes, including funding motion picture and television production, development and distribution and other operating expenses, capital expenditures and future business opportunities;
the debt service requirements of our indebtedness could make it more difficult for us to satisfy our financial obligations;
certain of our borrowings, including borrowings under our secured credit facilities are at variable rates of interest, exposing us to the risk of increased interest rates;
it may limit our ability to adjust to changing market conditions and place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less debt;
it may limit our ability to pursue strategic acquisitions and other business opportunities that may be in our best interests;
we may be vulnerable to a downturn in general economic conditions or in our business; and/or
we may be unable to carry out capital spending that is important to our growth.

Despite our current indebtedness levels, we and our subsidiaries may be able to incur additional debt in the future.

Although each of our credit facilities and the indentures governing our senior secured notes contains covenants that, among other things, limit our ability to incur additional indebtedness, including guarantees, make restricted payments and investments, and grant liens on our assets, the covenants contained in such debt documents provide a number of important exceptions and thus, do

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not prohibit us or our subsidiaries from doing so. Such exceptions will provide us substantial flexibility to incur indebtedness, grant liens and expend funds to operate our business. For example, under the terms of the indenture governing our senior secured notes (i) with few restrictions, we may incur indebtedness in connection with certain film and television financing arrangements, including without limitation, purchasing or acquiring rights in film or television productions or financing print and advertising expenses, and such indebtedness may be secured by liens senior to the liens in respect of our senior secured notes, and (ii) in limited circumstances, we may make investments in assets that are not included in the borrowing base supporting our senior secured notes, in each case, without having to meet the leverage ratio tests for debt incurrence or to fit such investments within the restricted payments “build up basket” or within other categories of funds applicable to making investments and other restricted payments under the indenture governing our senior secured notes.

In addition, we may incur additional indebtedness through our senior secured credit facility. We may borrow up to $800 million under the senior secured credit facility. At December 31, 2015, we have no borrowings under our senior secured credit facility, and no letters of credit outstanding. We could borrow some or all of the remaining permitted amount in the future. The amount we have available to borrow under this facility depends upon our borrowing base, which in turn depends on the value of our existing library of films and television programs, as well as accounts receivable and cash held in collateral accounts. If new debt is added to our and our subsidiaries' existing debt levels, this has the potential to magnify the risks discussed above relating to our ability to service our indebtedness and the potential adverse impact our high level of indebtedness could have on us.

An increase in the ownership of our common shares by certain shareholders could trigger a change in control under the agreements governing our long-term indebtedness.

The agreements governing certain of our long-term indebtedness contain change in control provisions that are triggered when any of our shareholders, directly or indirectly, acquires ownership or control in excess of a certain percentage of our common shares. As of January 8, 2016, five of our shareholders, Mark H. Rachesky, M.D., Capital Research Global Investors, FMR, LLC, Capital World Investors and JANA Partners LLC, and their respective affiliates, beneficially owned approximately 20.1%, 5.9%, 5.8%, 5.7% and 4.8%, respectively, of our outstanding common shares.

Under certain circumstances, including the acquisition of ownership or control by a person or group in excess of 50% of our common shares, the holders of our senior secured notes and our convertible senior subordinated notes may require us to repurchase all or a portion of such notes upon a change in control and the holders of our convertible senior subordinated notes may be entitled to receive a make whole premium based on the price of our common shares on the change in control date. We may not be able to repurchase these notes upon a change in control because we may not have sufficient funds. Further, we may be contractually restricted under the terms of our secured credit facilities from repurchasing all of the notes tendered by holders upon a change in control. Our failure to repurchase our senior secured notes upon a change in control would cause a default under the indentures governing the senior secured notes and the convertible senior subordinated notes and a cross-default under our secured credit facilities.

Our secured credit facilities also provide that a change in control, which includes a person or group acquiring ownership or control in excess of 50% of our outstanding common shares, will be an event of default that permits lenders to accelerate the maturity of borrowings thereunder and to enforce security interests in the collateral securing such debt, thereby limiting our ability to raise cash to purchase our outstanding senior secured notes and convertible senior subordinated notes. Any of our future debt agreements may contain similar provisions.

Certain shareholders own a substantial amount of our outstanding common shares.

As of January 8, 2016, five of our shareholders beneficially owned an aggregate of 63,515,049 of our common shares, or approximately 42.3% of the outstanding shares. In addition, one of these shareholders, Mark H. Rachesky, M.D., the beneficial owner of approximately 20.1% of our outstanding common shares, currently serves as the Chairman of our Board of Directors. Accordingly, these five shareholders, collectively, have the power to exercise substantial influence over us and on matters requiring approval by our shareholders, including the election of directors, the approval of mergers and other significant corporate transactions. This concentration of ownership may make it more difficult for other shareholders to effect substantial changes in our company and may also have the effect of delaying, preventing or expediting, as the case may be, a change in control of our company.



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Sales of a substantial number of shares of our common shares, or the perception that such sales might occur, could have an adverse effect on the price of our common shares, and therefore our ability to raise additional capital to fund our operations.

As of January 8, 2016, approximately 37.5% of our common shares were held beneficially by certain individuals and institutional investors who each had ownership of equal to or greater than 5% of our common shares. We also filed resale registration statements to enable certain shareholders who received our common shares in connection with acquisitions and certain holders of debt convertible into our common shares, to resell our common shares. Sales by such individuals and institutional investors of a substantial number of shares of our common shares into the public market, or the perception that such sales might occur, could have an adverse effect on the price of our common shares, which could materially impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of common shares or debt that is convertible into our common shares.


Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

Issuer Purchases of Securities

On May 31, 2007, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $50 million of our common shares. On each of May 29, 2008 and November 6, 2008, our Board of Directors authorized additional repurchases up to an additional $50 million of our common shares. On December 17, 2013, our Board of Directors authorized the Company to increase its stock repurchase plan to $300 million and on February 2, 2016, our Board of Directors authorized the Company to further increase its stock repurchase plan to $468 million. To date, approximately $218.0 million of our common shares have been purchased, leaving approximately $250.0 million of authorized potential purchases. The remaining $250.0 million of our common shares may be purchased from time to time at the Company’s discretion, including quantity, timing and price thereof, and will be subject to market conditions. Such purchases will be structured as permitted by securities laws and other legal requirements.

During the period from the authorization date through January 13, 2016, 5,610,064 common shares have been repurchased at a cost of approximately $152.7 million, including commission costs. The share repurchase program has no expiration date.

The following table sets forth information with respect to shares of our common stock purchased by us during the three months ended December 31, 2015:

ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Period
(a) Total Number of Shares Purchased
 
(b) Average Price Paid per Share
 
(c) Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
 
(d) Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
October 1, 2015 - October 31, 2015

 
$

 

 
$
89,931,883

November 1, 2015 - November 31, 2015

 
$

 

 
$
89,931,883

December 1, 2015 - December 31, 2015

 
$

 

 
$
89,931,883

Total

 
$

 

 
$
89,931,883


Additionally, during the three months ended December 31, 2015, 97,128 common shares were withheld upon the vesting of restricted share units and share issuances to satisfy minimum statutory federal, state and local tax withholding obligations.



Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
None

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

Not applicable.

Item 5. Other Information.
None

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Item 6. Exhibits.
Exhibit
 
 
Number
 
Description of Documents
3.1(1)
 
Articles
3.2(2)
 
Notice of Articles
3.3(3)
 
Vertical Short Form Amalgamation Application
3.4(3)
 
Certificate of Amalgamation
10.108 (4)
 
Investor Rights Agreement, dated as of November 10, 2015, by and among Lions Gate Entertainment Corp., Liberty Global plc, Discovery Communications, Inc., Liberty Global Incorporated Limited, Discovery Lightning Investments Ltd. and affiliates of MHR Fund Management, LLC
10.109 (5)
 
Voting and Standstill Agreement, dated as of November 10, 2015, by and among Lions Gate Entertainment Corp., Liberty Global plc, Discovery Communications, Inc., Liberty Global Incorporated Limited, Discovery Lightning Investments Ltd., Dr. John C. Malone and affiliates of MHR Fund Management, LLC
10.110 (6)
 
Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of November 10, 2015, by and among Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. and Liberty Global Incorporated Limited
10.111 (7)
 
Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of November 10, 2015, by and among Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. and Discovery Lightning Investments Ltd.
10.112 (8)
 
Amendment No. 2 to the Third Amended and Restated Credit, Security, Guaranty and Pledge Agreement, dated November 12, 2015
10.113 (9)
 
Underwriting Agreement, dated November 12, 2015, by and among Lions Gate Entertainment Corp., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Liberty Global Incorporated Limited, Discovery Lightning Investments Ltd. And Bank of America, N.A.
10.114 (10)*
 
Employment Agreement between Lions Gate Films, Inc. and Brian Goldsmith dated November 13, 2015
10.115 (11)*
 
Employment Agreement between Lions Gate Entertainment, Inc. and Wayne Levin dated November 13, 2015
10.116 x
 
Amendment No. 1, dated as of February 3, 2016, to Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of October 22, 2009, by and among Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. and the
persons listed on the signature pages thereto.
31.1
 
Certification of CEO pursuant to Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2
 
Certification of CFO pursuant to Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1
 
Certification of CEO and CFO pursuant to Section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101
 
The following materials from the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2015 formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Income, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss), (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity, (v) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
__________________________
(1)
Incorporated by reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005 as filed on June 29, 2005.
(2)
Incorporated by reference to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2010 as filed on February 9, 2011.
(3)
Incorporated by reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007 as filed on May 30, 2007.
(4)
Incorporated by reference as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K as filed on November 10, 2015.
(5)
Incorporated by reference as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K as filed on November 10, 2015.
(6)
Incorporated by reference as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K as filed on November 10, 2015.
(7)
Incorporated by reference as Exhibit 10.4 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K as filed on November 10, 2015.
(8)
Incorporated by reference as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K as filed on November 12, 2015.
(9)
Incorporated by reference as Exhibit 1.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K as filed on November 13, 2015.
(10)
Incorporated by reference as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K as filed on November 19, 2015.
(11)
Incorporated by reference as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K as filed on November 19, 2015.

*
Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement
x
Filed herewith


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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
 
 
 
LIONS GATE ENTERTAINMENT CORP.
 
 
 
By:  
/s/ JAMES W. BARGE
 
 
 
Name:
James W. Barge
 
DATE: February 4, 2016
 
Title:
Duly Authorized Officer and Chief Financial Officer
 




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