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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
_______________________
FORM 10-K
AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934 FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 1998
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 Number 0-11071
_______________________
IMAGE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
_______________________
CALIFORNIA 84-0685613
(State or other jurisdiction (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation) Identification Number)
9333 OSO AVENUE, CHATSWORTH, CALIFORNIA 91311
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
(818) 407-9100
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Common Stock, no
par value
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 ( x ) NO ( )
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of the registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information
statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any
amendment to this Form 10-K. ( x )
At June 1, 1998, 13,507,044 shares of Common Stock were outstanding, and the
aggregate market value of the shares of Common Stock held by the registrant's
nonaffiliates was approximately $45,478,043 (based upon the closing price of the
Common Stock on the NASDAQ National Market System on such date), excluding
shares of Common Stock held by the registrant's directors, executive officers
and 5% or more shareholders. Their holdings have been excluded in that such
persons may be deemed affiliates. This determination of affiliate status is not
necessarily a conclusive determination for other purposes.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Part III - Proxy Statement for Registrant's 1998 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
to be filed within 120 days of fiscal year-end.
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IMAGE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.
AMENDMENT NO. 1
FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 1998
AMENDED ITEMS
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PART I
ITEM 1. Business
PART II
ITEM 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations
ITEM 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
PART IV
ITEM 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on
Form 8-K
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PART I
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ITEM 1. BUSINESS.
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GENERAL
Image Entertainment, Inc. (the "Company") was incorporated in Colorado in
April 1975 as Key International Film Distributors, Inc. The Company's present
name was adopted in June 1983. The Company reincorporated in California in
November 1989. Its principal executive offices are located at 9333 Oso Avenue,
Chatsworth, California 91311, and its telephone number is (818) 407-9100.
The Company operates in one industry segment, the domestic home video
market. The Company has distributed a broad range of programming on laserdisc
("LD") since 1983, and is the largest LD licensee and wholesale distributor in
North America. In prior fiscal years, the Company's net sales were derived
almost entirely from its LD business. In March 1997, a new optical disc format,
the digital video disc ("DVD"), was introduced into the domestic home video
market. The Company began distributing DVD programming on a nonexclusive
wholesale distribution basis in March 1997 and began releasing exclusively
licensed DVD programming in June 1997. In fiscal 1998, LD and DVD respectively
represented approximately 79% and 21% of the Company's net sales; however, in
the fourth quarter of fiscal 1998, LD and DVD respectively represented 62% and
38% of the Company's net sales.
The Company distributes thousands of titles on LD and, since DVD's March
1997 introduction, over 1,000 titles on DVD. These titles range from feature
films and music videos to family, documentary and special interest programming.
LD and DVD titles are obtained from major motion picture studios and other
program suppliers under exclusive and nonexclusive license agreements and,
typically, nonexclusive wholesale distribution arrangements. When the Company
acts as a nonexclusive wholesale distributor, it acquires programming in
finished, prepackaged form for resale to retail accounts.
The Company has exclusive LD (license and distribution) agreements with
program suppliers such as Disney's Buena Vista Home Video ("Disney"), Twentieth
Century Fox Home Entertainment ("Fox"), MGM Home Entertainment ("MGM") (under an
agreement with Warner Home Video which controls MGM's LD rights), New Line Home
Video ("New Line"), Orion Home Video ("Orion"), Playboy Home Video ("Playboy"),
PolyGram Video ("PolyGram"), Warner Home Video ("Warner") and The Voyager
Company ("Voyager"). Some of the exclusive LD titles currently available from
the Company include: Alien Resurrection, The Full Monty, Midnight in the Garden
of Good and Evil and The Game. Some of the exclusive LD titles the Company
expects to release in fiscal 1999 include: The Wedding Singer, Armageddon,
Hercules, Lost In Space and The Horse Whisperer. See "Risk Factors -- Release
Date Delays" below.
The Company is a nonexclusive wholesale distributor of LD programming from
Columbia/TriStar and other LD program suppliers with whom the Company does not
have an exclusive LD license. See "Risk Factors" "-- Competition" and "--
Release Date Delays" below. (The Company does not distribute LD programming
from Paramount and no longer distributes new LD programming from Universal, both
Paramount and Universal have exclusive license agreements with Pioneer
Entertainment. See "Risk Factors -- Competition" below).
The Company has exclusive DVD license agreements with Orion (12 catalogue
titles), Playboy (output of new release and catalogue titles) and Universal
Studios Home Video ("Universal") (50 catalogue titles), and many independent
program suppliers. Some of the exclusive DVD titles currently available from
the Company include: The Terminator, Silence of the Lambs and Tina Turner: Live
in Amsterdam. Some of the exclusive DVD titles the Company expects to release
in fiscal 1999 include: A&E's Pride and Prejudice, Rolling Stones: Live at the
Max and the THX version of Dances With Wolves. See "Risk Factors -- Release Date
Delays" below.
The Company is a nonexclusive wholesale distributor of DVD programming from
motion picture studios and other DVD program suppliers with whom the Company
does not have an exclusive license, such as Columbia/TriStar, Disney, MGM, New
Line, Universal (the Company has an exclusive license to distribute 50 of
Universal's DVD catalogue titles) and Warner. See "Risk Factors-- Competition"
below.
In preparing titles for LD and DVD replication, the Company uses its in-
house digital postproduction facility to create submasters. DVD's require the
added interim step of authoring and compression which the Company does not do
in-house. The LD and DVD submasters are then delivered to outside replication
facilities. The Company's in-house, full-service creative services/computer
graphics department designs LD and DVD packaging and creative materials for
advertising and marketing. The Company's in-house marketing department
implements marketing programs, issues publicity and publishes Image Preview, a
free, consumer-oriented, monthly magazine available through most LD/DVD
retailers, featuring new releases and containing articles and information of
current interest to the Company's customers.
In addition to its core LD/DVD business, in fiscal 1998 the Company began
distributing exclusively licensed compact disc ("CD") music programming encoded
in the DTS Digital Surround ("DTS") multichannel audio format as well as certain
exclusively licensed niche entertainment programming on videocassette tape
("VHS"). See "Distribution of VHS and DTS Encoded CDs Software" below.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
On September 15, 1997, the Company entered into a short-form agreement with
Universal granting the Company the exclusive right to author, compress,
manufacture, market and sell 50 DVD catalogue titles in the United States and
Canada. The parties intend to enter into a long-form agreement which embodies
the terms and conditions of the short-form agreement.
The Company entered into a credit agreement (the "Credit Agreement") with
Image Investors Co. ("IIC"), a principal stockholder of the Company owned and
controlled by John W. Kluge and Stuart Subotnick, dated as of September 29,
1997, pursuant to which the Company borrowed $5 million from IIC, with interest
payable quarterly at 8% per annum, and principal due in five years. The loan is
unsecured and subordinated to the Company's senior lender, Union Bank, and is
convertible into the Company's common stock at any time during the term at a
conversion price of $3.625 per share (the closing price of the Company's common
stock on September 29, 1997). Proceeds from the loan were used to pay down the
Company's outstanding balance under its revolving credit facility with Union
Bank. See Item 7. "Liquidity and Capital Resources -- Financing Activities --
Convertible Subordinated Note Payable."
In December 1997, the Company began construction of a 76,000 square foot
warehouse and automated distribution facility on approximately 8.4 acres of the
Company's real property adjacent to McCarren International Airport in Las Vegas,
Nevada. The new facility will replace the Company's leased warehouse space in
Chatsworth, California. The Company expects the facility to be operational by
September 1998. See Item 2. "Properties." See also Item 7. "Liquidity and
Capital Resources -- Las Vegas Warehouse and Distribution Facility and Adjacent
Land."
LD AND DVD BASICS
LDs and DVDs are respectively a 12" and 5" optical disc entertainment
software format encoded with audio and visual information. Just as compact discs
offer distinct advantages over records and audiotapes, LDs and DVDs offer
distinct advantages over VHS, such as higher resolution video, full-fidelity
discrete channel digital audio, instant access to any scene, frame-by-frame
viewing, greater durability and superior interactive capability. Since both LD
and DVD are optical disc-based home video formats, the marketing, sale and
distribution of LDs and DVDs are similar. LDs offer a number of features which
are similar to DVD, however, DVD enjoys the enviable position as the state-of-
the-art delivery system for home entertainment optical disc software. This
section discusses LDs and DVDs basics. For a further discussion of the DVD
format see Item 7. "General" "-- The DVD Format," "-- Potential Competing Format
to DVD," "-- The Company's DVD Distribution," "-- DVD's Continued Negative
Impact on LD Sales," "-- Fourth Quarter Charges Associated with Write-Down of
Carrying Value of LD Inventory and Estimated Losses on LD License and
Distribution Agreements," "-- Coexistence of LD Despite DVD's Success" and "--
Future LD Distribution Strategy."
SOFTWARE AVAILABILITY. All major studios and a large number of independent
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program suppliers (including the Company) actively release numerous new release
and catalogue programming in the LD format. Over 10,000 titles are currently
available on LD. All of the major motion picture studios participate to some
extent in the DVD format. Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment has only
committed to the DIVX DVD format (an alternative DVD format). See Item 7.
"General -- Potential Competing Format to DVD." Several independent program
suppliers, such as the Company, also release DVD programming. Over 1,100 titles
are currently available on DVD. To date, DVD releases have typically consisted
of new "A title" releases and "evergreen" catalogue titles, however, the Company
expects the product mix to change as the DVD market matures, supporting demand
for a greater variety of DVD releases.
HARDWARE AVAILABILITY. LD players generally retail from $399 to $5,000,
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DVD players generally retail from $350 to $5,500, and LD/DVD combination players
generally retail from $999 to $1,799. Consumer electronic manufacturers have
shifted away from LD hardware to DVD hardware, however, Pioneer Electronics and
several high-end manufacturers still manufacture LD players. DVD players from a
variety of consumer electronic manufacturers (such as Toshiba, Panasonic
Consumer Electronics Company, Pioneer Electronics (USA), Sony Electronics,
Thomson Consumer Electronics and Yamaha Electronics Corporation) are available
through the same retail channels that support LD and LD/DVD combination players,
as well as certain nationally recognized consumer electronic retail chain
stores. The LD/DVD combination player is available at nearly all of the
locations where LD players are sold and most of the locations where DVD players
are sold. Both LD players, DVD players and LD/DVD combination players play CDs.
VIDEO QUALITY. Both DVD and LD are optical disc formats which are read by
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a laser beam. DVD's picture is digital while LD's picture is analog. DVD's video
image is compressed to fit on a 5" disc while LD's video image is transferred to
a 12" disc. Both DVD and LD provide picture quality superior to VHS. DVD, LD and
VHS respectively offer 500 (if properly compressed), 425 and 240 lines of
resolution.
AUDIO QUALITY. Digital audio is offered on all LDs. The audio format
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offered on all DVDs is Dolby Digital (AC-3) (i.e., up to 5.1 channels of
discrete audio), however, many LD titles also offer Dolby Digital. DTS digital
sound (an audio format arguably superior to Dolby Digital) and Dolby Stereo
Surround are also being offered on certain LDs. DVD is also capable of carrying
a DTS audio signal. Consumers must have hardware compatible with Dolby Digital
and DTS technology to take advantage of these audio formats.
CONTENT CAPACITY. A DVD typically holds 133 minutes of compressed
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programming per side for a total of 266 minutes (almost 4 1/2 hours), although
dual layer technology exists allowing for greater per side storage capacity. A
LD can hold 60 minutes of programming per side for a total of 120 minutes (2
hours). Many LD player models will automatically play the second side of a LD
after a several second delay, while low-end LD players require manual flipping
of the disc. A LD program with a run-time in excess of two hours requires two
discs. Most newer DVD releases with run-times in excess of 133 minutes are
encoded on a dual layer disc which does not require manual flipping of the disc.
SOFTWARE FEATURES. DVDs and LDs are playback-only formats, and unlike VHS,
-----------------
neither format can record. Although there is speculation regarding the
availability of an affordable, consumer-oriented recordable DVD machine, the
Company believes that such hardware will not be available for several years.
Both DVD and LD offer chapter stops and random/direct program access akin to
CD's random track access. Both DVD and LD can offer programming with
entertaining and informative ancillary material such as audio commentaries by
film talent, deleted scenes, scripts, photos, alternative endings and multiple
versions such as a "director's cut." DVD can offer an on-screen interactive
menu allowing access to key scenes or chapters, ancillary material and foreign
language dubbing and subtitle choices. LD typically lists such choices on the
back of the LD packaging. LD provides subtitles for foreign films and sometimes
offers foreign language alternatives on separate audio tracks. Although many
initial DVD releases have offered ancillary materials and multiple language and
subtitle choices, it is uncertain whether future DVD releases will continue to
offer the same variety of features and options. LD titles are generally
released in the widescreen version preferred by videophiles. Many DVD releases
offer both widescreen and pan-and-scan (full-format) versions on the same disc;
however, it is unclear whether the future DVD releases will continue to offer
both versions on the same disc. Whether or not all or any of these features
will be included on any LD or DVD is determined by the studio or program
supplier, or in certain instances, licensees such as the Company.
RETAIL SALE AND PRICING. LDs and DVDs are priced for the sell-through
-----------------------
market as opposed to the rental market. Currently, most LD titles sell for
between $29.99 and $39.99 and are generally discounted up to 20% by the
speciality LD retailer, music chain stores and mail order/Internet sources that
sell LDs. Since DVD's introduction, LD retailers and vendors have added DVD
programming to their offerings. Currently, most DVD titles sell for between
$24.99 and $29.99 and are generally discounted up to 20%. Major video/music
software discounters and retailers such as Best Buy, Musicland and Tower are the
DVD market leaders, with large selections of DVD titles. Mass merchants such as
Wal-Mart and Target Stores, with a small presence in DVD, have announced plans
to increase the number of outlets that carry DVD. With increasing DVD hardware
penetration and growing consumer interest in DVD, an increasing number of video
speciality stores are stocking DVD software for rental and sale.
MANUFACTURING AND PRODUCTION COST. Although the cost of DVD replication is
---------------------------------
generally half that of LD replication, DVD's 5-inch format and on-screen random
access requires costly and time-consuming compression and authoring techniques
which LD does not.
MARKET PENETRATION. LD hardware and software is not supported by mass-
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market retailers and, as a result, the LD market has become a niche market
relative to VHS. DVD is currently being supported by certain mass-merchants and
national hardware and software chain stores, as well as the regional music/video
chain stores, electronics specialty hardware retailers and independent retailers
which support LD. The Company believes that if the market for DVD does not grow
large enough to justify continued mass-market support, DVD will most likely be a
niche market relative to the VHS market. Management believes that the
respective market penetration for VHS, LD and DVD is currently approximately
85%, 2% and 0.3% of estimated television households.
DVD'S IMPACT ON LD. Even though DVD has been marketed as the replacement
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for VHS many early adopters of the format were and continue to be LD consumers.
As a result, the competitive presence of DVD has contributed to a reduction in
the Company's LD sales, and will likely continue to adversely impact the
Company's LD sales as the DVD market evolves. (DVD has not materially impacted
the VHS market if at all.) See Item 7. "General" "-- The DVD Format" and "--
DVD's Continued Negative Impact on LD Sales," "Results of Operations" and
"Summary and Outlook." Notwithstanding the impact of DVD on the Company's LD
business, the Company believes that it is well-positioned to take advantage of
the opportunities presented by DVD and rapidly changing DVD market. The
Company's LD licensing, production, marketing, creative services and
distribution skills are easily applied to the DVD format. In addition, LD is a
well-established videophile format and the disparity between the number of
titles available on LD and the number of titles available on DVD is significant.
The Company is therefore dedicated to continuing its efforts to secure
additional rights in both the LD and DVD formats and to explore and exploit
licensing and distribution opportunities for both formats. See "Risk Factors --
Ability to Sustain LD Business During Transition Period Caused by DVD" below.
ACQUISITION OF LD AND DVD PROGRAMMING
GENERAL. Because the Company does not produce its own LD and DVD
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programming, its success depends upon entering into new and renewing existing
licenses and wholesale distribution agreements for feature films and other
programming. There can be no assurance that suppliers of programming will
continue to enter into or renew licenses or distribution agreements on terms
acceptable to the Company. The Company, however, believes that its production,
creative services, marketing and distribution expertise will continue to make it
an attractive partner for such suppliers. See "Risk Factors" "-- Competition,"
"-- Ability to Sustain LD Business During Transition Period Caused by DVD" and
"-- Growth of the DVD Market" below.
Licensed titles accounted for approximately 46% of fiscal 1998 net sales
(of which 37% was derived from LD and 9% was derived from DVD), 56% of fiscal
1997 net sales (the Company did not commence distribution of licensed DVD titles
until fiscal 1998) and 50% of fiscal 1996 net sales.
Wholesale (exclusive and nonexclusive) distribution accounted for
approximately 54% of fiscal 1998 net sales (of which 42% was derived from LD and
12% was derived from DVD), 44% of fiscal 1997 net sales (of which less than 1%
was derived from DVD) and 50% of fiscal 1996 net sales.
LICENSE AGREEMENTS. The Company enters into licenses whereby it acquires
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from suppliers of programming the right to manufacture and distribute their
titles on LD, DVD or both (and in some cases VHS as well). Licenses can be
exclusive or nonexclusive, but are typically exclusive. Licenses either cover
specific titles, or a licensor's existing library (or "catalogue") and future
releases over a designated term. This latter type of license agreement is
commonly referred to as an "output" agreement. When the Company licenses rights
it provides a variety of value-added services relative to the licensed programs
such as creation of the jacket and packaging art work, quality-control,
replication and manufacture of the product, marketing, sales, warehousing and
distribution, and in certain instances the addition of enhancements such as
separate audio tracks, commentaries, foreign language tracks, menus and other
similar ancillary materials.
In return for the grant of rights, the Company pays royalties to its
licensors. Royalties are expressed as a percentage of the Company's net
revenues from sales. In many cases, the Company pays licensors advances or
minimum guarantees which are recoupable against royalties earned on a title-by-
title basis or, if cross-collateralized, against all or certain groups of the
licensed titles. Advances under most output licenses are paid according to
predetermined schedules, regardless of the number and marketability of the
titles subsequently available. In entering into licenses, and evaluating the
required advances, guarantees and other obligations, the Company depends, to a
large extent, on its ability to anticipate the public's changing taste in
programming and to foresee (for output licenses) licensors' future releases.
Generally, the Company's license agreements have terms of two to seven
years and are limited to the United States and Canada, and their respective
territories and possessions. Under most of the Company's output license
agreements, the Company has two to five years to select titles and two to five
years to distribute a title after its release. While efforts are made to
renegotiate and renew licenses prior to expiration, there can be no assurances
that licenses or distribution agreements will be renegotiated or renewed.
Exclusive titles from the following licensors accounted for the largest
percentages of fiscal 1998 net sales (the only percentage equal to or in excess
of 10% is indicated): Disney (17%, or 21.5% of LD only revenues) (agreement
covers LD titles only), New Line (agreement covers LD titles only), Warner
(license agreement for certain classic MGM/UA and MGM/Turner library titles
only) (agreement covers LD titles only), Polygram (agreement covers LD titles
only) and Playboy (includes revenue derived from the sale of both LD and DVD
titles). Exclusive titles from the following licensors accounted for the largest
percentages of fiscal 1997 net sales (only percentages equal to or in excess of
10% are indicated) (the Company did not release any exclusively licensed DVD
titles in the fiscal 1997): Disney (26.9%, or 27.1% of LD only revenues), MGM
(10.2%), New Line, Warner (agreement covers certain classic MGM/UA and
MGM/Turner library titles only) and Hallmark. Exclusive titles from the
following licensors accounted for the largest percentages of fiscal 1996 net
sales (the only percentage equal to or in excess of 10% is indicated) (DVD was
not introduced until the end of fiscal 1997): Disney (27.7%), New Line, Orion,
Hallmark and MGM. The decline in total sales of Disney LD titles from 26.9% in
fiscal 1997 to 17% in fiscal 1998 is attributable primarily to two factors: (1)
DVD sales increased as a percentage of total (LD and DVD) sales from 1% in 1997
to 21% in 1998, resulting in a lower percentage of Disney LD sales to total
sales; and (2) the general decline in annual LD sales and the corresponding
change in retailer purchasing patterns for LD resulting from DVD's presence in
the market.
The terms for the five licenses which accounted for the largest percentages
of fiscal 1998 net sales are as follows: (1) Under the Company's exclusive LD
output license agreement with Disney, the Company has the right to distribute
Disney programming (i.e., titles from The Walt Disney Company, such as the
animated classics Little Mermaid and Hercules, Touchstone, Buena Vista and
Hollywood Pictures, and certain Miramax titles) on LD in the United States and
Canada and their respective territories (although Disney may distribute to
certain accounts if it so elects) through December 31, 1999 (and in some
instances through June 30, 2000), however, Disney can terminate the license if
specified events of default occur, such as a "change in control" (as defined in
the agreement) of the Company. (2) The Company's December 22, 1992 exclusive LD
output license with New Line would have expired on December 31, 1997, however,
the parties agreed that the term will continue indefinitely unless terminated by
either party upon the giving of 90 days' prior written notice. (3) The Company's
exclusive LD output license agreement with Warner (that covers certain classic
MGM/UA and MGM/Turner library titles only) ended on May 21, 1998 and the Company
is currently in a six month nonexclusive "sell-off period" with respect to the
titles. The Company had the opportunity to extend the agreement, however, the
terms of the extension were not favorable to the Company given the recent
decline in consumer demand for LD. The Company is currently seeking to negotiate
terms of a new agreement; however, there can be no assurance that the Company
will be successful in such negotiations. (4) The Company's exclusive LD output
license agreement with Polygram expires on January 1, 2002. The Company is
currently seeking to renegotiate terms more favorable to the Company; however,
there can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in such
negotiations. (5) The Company's exclusive LD output license agreement with
Playboy expires on July 31, 1998; however, the parties are currently actively
negotiating a new agreement which will revise and extend the grant of LD rights
and also incorporate certain of the terms and conditions embodied in an existing
agreement between the parties covering exclusive DVD rights. The new agreement,
which will cover both LD and DVD rights, should extend the Company's exclusive
LD and DVD rights to February 27, 2002 (subject to early termination of DVD
rights, at Playboy's option, should the installed based of DVD players reach 3
million); however, there can be no assurance that the Company will be successful
in such negotiations.
Historically, the Company has not attempted to obtain foreign (with the
exception of Canadian) distribution rights, since foreign sales, outside of
Canada and certain Pacific Rim countries where such rights are generally
unavailable to United States licensees, have been minimal. Under a special
arrangement, the Company sells Disney LD titles to Disney for distribution to
designated Disney licensees and distributors in foreign territories such as Hong
Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand. From
time to time, the Company similarly acts as a fulfillment center servicing
foreign territories for other licensors with respect to LD product. Currently,
the Company has no similar arrangements with respect to DVD product.
WHOLESALE DISTRIBUTION. In addition to its licensing activities, the
----------------------
Company is a wholesale distributor of LD and DVD programming that it acquires
from certain major motion picture studios and other suppliers. In general, the
Company acquires LD and DVD programming for wholesale distribution in finished,
prepackaged form, and thus does not provide any creative services with respect
to such programming. The Company has three exclusive LD distribution agreements
(with Fox, Voyager and Warner) pursuant to which the Company, for a fee,
typically provides all of the same value-added services it provides under
exclusive license agreements (the Company currently has no exclusive DVD
distribution agreements). More typical is the nonexclusive wholesale
distribution arrangement where the program supplier notifies the Company of its
upcoming releases and the Company then solicits its customers and places orders
for the releases; however, the Company generally recognizes higher margins and
revenues from its exclusive distribution agreements. In acquiring LDs and DVDs
for nonexclusive wholesale distribution, the Company is generally required to
pay within 60 days of delivery.
Exclusive wholesale distribution under the following agreements accounted
for the largest percentage of fiscal 1998 net sales (the only percentage in
excess of 10% is indicated): Fox (15%) (agreement covers LD titles only),
Voyager (agreement covers LD and certain DVD titles) and Warner (agreement,
which commenced in August 1997, covers LD titles only). Exclusive wholesale
distribution under the following agreements accounted for the largest percentage
of fiscal 1997 net sales (the only percentage in excess of 10% is indicated):
Fox (19%) (agreement covers LD titles only) and Voyager (agreement covers LD and
certain DVD titles). Exclusive wholesale distribution under the following
agreements accounted for the largest percentage of fiscal 1996 net sales (the
only percentage in excess of 10% is indicated): Fox (24%) (agreement covers LD
titles only) and Voyager (agreement covers LD and certain DVD titles).
Generally, the Company's profit margin on exclusive licensed product and
exclusive wholesale distributed product has been greater than its profit margin
on nonexclusive product it distributes wholesale.
The terms for the three exclusive distribution agreements which accounted
for the largest percentages of fiscal 1998 net sales are as follows: (1) Under
the Company's July 1, 1996 exclusive LD output distribution agreement with Fox,
the Company has the right to distribute Fox titles on LD in the United States,
Canada and Puerto Rico (although Fox may distribute to certain accounts if it so
elects) until June 30, 1999. Fox has the right to terminate the agreement if
specified events of default occur, such as a "change in control" (as defined in
the agreements) of the Company. Unlike most of the Company's distribution
agreements (which are nonexclusive), the Company provides the same value added
services under the Warner and Fox distribution agreements (for a fee) as it
customarily provides under a typical license agreement. (2) Under the Company's
November 10, 1992 exclusive output distribution agreement with Voyager, the
Company has the right to distribute Voyager titles in the United States (and in
some instances, Canada) until March 31, 1999. The Voyager agreement also
provides for nonexclusive distribution rights for Voyager's DVD titles. From
time-to-time, the Company sublicenses to Voyager certain rights to DVD titles,
however, the Company retains the exclusive distribution rights to these titles.
(3) Under the Company's August 8, 1997 exclusive LD output distribution
agreement with Warner, the Company has the right to distribute Warner
programming on LD in the United States and Canada until August 7, 2002.
PURSUIT OF DVD RIGHTS. The Company intends to continue to actively pursue
---------------------
DVD license and distribution rights as it has pursued, and will continue to
pursue, LD license and distribution rights. As with LD licensing, the Company
will generally seek programming it deems appropriate for release in the DVD
market and attempt to secure exclusive rights under license agreements which
will most likely provide for advances and royalty payments. Where the Company
is unable to secure licensed rights, it will attempt to purchase and distribute
DVD programming on a wholesale distribution basis. Further, given the
similarities between LD and DVD, and the steps required to bring DVD programming
to the market, the Company believes that its advertising, marketing, production,
sales and creative services departments can offer the DVD licensor high-quality
value-added service and a professional and experienced staff. See "Risk Factors
- -- Competition" below.
SALES, CUSTOMERS AND CREDIT POLICIES
The Company sells both licensed and wholesale LD and DVD product directly
to retailers or through subdistributors subject to the terms of the Company's
dealer sales policies. Sales to the following customers accounted for the
largest percentages of the Company's fiscal 1998 net sales (only percentages
equal to or greater than 10% are indicated) (no customer purchased DVDs in
excess of 10% of fiscal 1998 net sales): Norwalk Record Distributors (10.9%),
Ken Crane's Home Entertainment (10.6%) and Musicland (10%). LD sales to the
following customers accounted for the largest percentage of the Company's fiscal
1997 net sales (only percentages equal to or greater than 10% are indicated) (on
a per customer basis, DVD sales, relative to LD sales, were de minimus):
Musicland (11.2%), Alliance Entertainment (which includes its consolidated
subsidiaries Bassin Distributors, one of the Company's top five customers in
fiscal 1996, and Abbey Road Distributors, another of the Company's customers)
(10.4%), Ken Crane's Home Entertainment (10.2%), Norwalk Record Distributors and
Trans World Entertainment Corp. LD sales to the following customers accounted
for the largest percentage of the Company's fiscal 1996 net sales (the only
percentage equal to or greater than 10% is indicated) (DVD was not introduced
until the end of fiscal 1997): Musicland (10.9%), MTS/Tower Records and Video,
Trans World Entertainment Corp., Ken Crane's Home Entertainment, Bassin
Distributors and Norwalk Record Distributors. The Company does not have any
short- or long-term contracts or exclusive dealing arrangements with its major
customers.
The Company's prospective customers generally submit a credit application
followed by a minimum opening order for LDs. If the application is accepted,
credit terms are assigned. Open account terms generally require payment within
45 to 60 days of delivery. The Company may also require a customer to provide a
purchase money security interest, a personal guarantee, a letter of credit
and/or other collateral. The assignment of certain doubtful receivables to
third parties at return rates more favorable than anticipated resulted in the
Company realizing net recoveries of doubtful accounts receivable of 0.4% of net
sales during fiscal 1998. The provision for doubtful accounts receivable was
2.3% of net sales during fiscal 1997 (the significant increase in fiscal 1997
was attributable to the financial difficulties experienced by several of the
Company's largest customers), and less than 0.2% of net sales during fiscal
1996. The amount of doubtful accounts receivable actually written off in fiscal
1998, 1997 and 1996 was approximately $894,000, $650,000 and $149,000,
respectively. The allowance for doubtful accounts at March 31, 1998 and 1997
was approximately $404,000 and $1,629,000, respectively.
Although sales of LDs and DVDs are generally considered final, the Company
allows customers to return a portion of their stock on a quarterly basis. This
allowance is generally non-cumulative and is generally based on the customer's
prior quarter purchases and is limited on an individual-title basis, however, on
occasion greater return allowances are afforded to certain large customers.
Stock returns, other than for defective product, amounted to approximately 5.0%
of all net sales during fiscal 1998 (includes both LD and DVD), approximately
9.5% of all LDs sold in fiscal 1997 (DVD sales were de minimus in fiscal 1997)
and 7.2% of all LDs sold in fiscal 1996. Returns of defective have been minimal
and are generally covered by manufacturers' warranties.
As of June 15, 1998, the Company had approximately $6.0 million of backlog
orders (including pre-orders of $3.3 million for LD new releases and $2.1
million for DVD new releases), 66% from LD product and 34% from DVD software
product which was launched in March 1997. The Company expects to fill 80% of
the LD backlog orders and substantially all of the DVD backlog orders within the
current fiscal year. As of June 10, 1997, the Company had approximately $7.3
million of backlog orders (including pre-orders of $4.5 million for LD new
releases and $550,000 for DVD new releases), 89% from LD product and 11% from
DVD software product which was launched in the home video market in March 1997
and which the Company commenced selling in March 1997.
THE MARKETING OF LDS AND DVDS
The Company's strategy is to promote its LD and DVD product, in particular,
and the LD and DVD formats, in general. The Company's marketing efforts are
directed toward consumers and video software and hardware dealers, and involve
point-of-sale advertising, advertising in trade and consumer publications,
dealer incentive programs, trade show exhibits, bulletins featuring new releases
and in-stock catalogue titles and the publication of the Image Preview, a free,
full-color, consumer-oriented, monthly magazine. The Company spent approximately
$500,000 for advertising in trade and consumer publications in fiscal 1998 and
approximately $700,000 in fiscal 1997.
Promotion of each new title generally begins eight to sixteen weeks before
the scheduled in-store release with the mailing of the Image Preview magazine
and bulletins. An active telemarketing campaign follows. The Company attempts
to release its titles as close in time as possible to their VHS release date to
capitalize on the extensive VHS advertising and publicity campaigns typically
mounted by the major studios.
The Company also maintains a website on the Internet at www.image-
entertainment.com. The site includes an on-line edition of the Image Preview,
weekly new product announcements and information of general interest to the home
video consumer.
LD AND DVD PRODUCTION AND REPLICATION
Under a typical license, the licensor of a title delivers a program master
and art work to the Company for quality evaluation. If the Company deems the
program master acceptable, the Company's in-house postproduction facility
creates a submaster with specifications for LD or DVD format.
LD submasters are delivered to the LD manufacturer for replication. The
Company currently uses five LD replication facilities (three in the United
States and two in Japan). In fiscal 1998, the following manufacturers supplied
the largest percentages of the LDs replicated for the Company (only percentages
equal to or greater than 10% are indicated): Kuraray (36.3%), Pioneer (32.8%),
Sony's DADC (18.4%), Mitsubishi (12.4%) and 3M. In fiscal 1997, the following
manufacturers supplied the largest percentages of the LDs replicated for the
Company (only percentages equal to or greater than 10% are indicated): Kuraray
(41.1%), Mitsubishi (26.9%), Pioneer (22.8%), Sony's DADC and 3M. While the
Company believes that LD manufacturing facilities currently have the aggregate
capacity to fulfill its orders, if any LD manufacturer used by the Company were
unable to supply the Company with LDs, the Company believes it can shift its
product to other manufacturers (subject to such manufacturers' willingness to
re-prioritize their LD pressing schedules).
DVDs require the additional interim step of authoring and compression which
the Company does not do in-house. The Company uses any one of several
compression facilities for this work, with Pioneer, WAMO (Warner Advanced Media
Operations) and CVC (California Video Center) doing most of the Company's work
in fiscal 1998. After compression work is completed, the DVD submaster is
delivered to an outside manufacturing facility for replication. DVD replication
is faster and less expensive than LD replication. It takes approximately two to
three weeks from the time the Company places a replication order for DVDs for
the units to arrive at the Company, whereas the turnaround time for LDs is
approximately three to four weeks. The average per unit replication cost for
DVDs is approximately $2.00, whereas the average replication cost for LDs is
approximately $8.00, however, the average cost of authoring, compression and
production of a DVD title is approximately $10,000 as compared to the $2,000
average cost of mastering a two-sided LD. The Company currently replicates all
of its DVDs at WAMO but has agreements in place with other DVD replication
facilities should the need arise. The Company believes it could easily shift its
product to any number of DVD replication facilities, such as Panasonic, Pioneer,
Technicolor, Nimbus, Sony, and Cinram.
The Company attempts to solicit orders from its customers prior to
submitting replication orders. The Company generally must pay for finished discs
within 45 to 90 days of invoicing. The Company's goal is to order for
manufacture that number of units of each title which will enable the Company to
ship the bulk of the order within 30 days of delivery. Attainment of this goal
depends largely upon the Company's ability to predict the popularity of a title.
The LD and DVD package is designed and produced by the Company's creative
services staff and sent to a printer for replication. The LD manufacturer will
either package and shrink-wrap the LDs and ship the completed product to the
Company or ship the LDs in bulk to the Company and the Company will package and
shrink-wrap the LDs at its own facility. The Company estimates that 30% of the
manufactured LD units are received in finished form and 70% of the manufactured
LD units are received in bulk shipments requiring packaging and shrink-wrapping
in-house. Unlike LDs, WAMO currently replicates and packages all of the
Company's DVD product, returning the finished DVD product to the Company for
distribution.
To reduce production costs and expedite the production process, in November
1990 the Company installed an in-house digital postproduction facility, which
has been upgraded from time-to-time. To further increase efficiencies and reduce
costs, in January 1995 the Company purchased computer graphics equipment for the
output of high resolution, four-color separations used for LD and DVD package
printing. These facilities allow the Company to format over 80% of the masters
(from all licensors) it would otherwise contract out to postproduction
facilities and deliver to printers final, color separated film it would
otherwise contract out to outside facilities.
DISTRIBUTION OF VHS AND DTS ENCODED CDS SOFTWARE
In addition to the Company's LD and DVD licensing and distribution
activities, the Company distributes CD music programming encoded in DTS Digital
Surround ("DTS"), as well as certain programming on VHS. The Company's views
its distribution of VHS and DTS encoded CDs programming as a compliment to its
core LD/DVD business.
In fiscal 1998, the Company began licensing certain niche entertainment
programming on VHS for exclusive distribution. When and where feasible, the
Company plans to continue to acquire exclusive VHS distribution rights. Such
rights are often offered as part of a bundle of rights which include LD and DVD
rights. See Item 7. "Summary and Outlook -- Exclusive Distribution of Niche
Entertainment Programming on VHS."
DTS is a multichannel audio format that delivers up to six discrete
channels of audio which surrounds the home theater consumer with 360 degrees of
sound that better approximates a live concert experience. Special decoder
hardware is required to receive the enhanced sound capabilities offered by DTS.
In 1997, the Company entered into two exclusive agreements, with Digital Theater
Systems, Inc. and Miller Nevada, Ltd., both of which grant to the Company
exclusive distribution rights to DTS encoded CDS. See Item 7. "Summary and
Outlook -- Exclusive Distribution of DTS Encoded Software." The Company also
releases certain DTS encoded LDs.
SUBSIDIARY ACTIVITIES
In May 1998, the Company announced the closure of its only active
subsidiary, U.S. Laser Video Distributors, Inc. ("U.S. Laser"), a New Jersey-
based owner-operator of "Digitainment," a retail store which sold optical disc
software (LDs, DVDs and CD-ROMs). U. S. Laser also sold optical disc software
direct to the consumer via mail order and the Internet. The closure is expected
to be finalized by July 1998. See Item 7. "Closure of Subsidiary -- U.S. Laser
Video Distributors, Inc."
TRADEMARKS
The Company has received Federal registration of the trademark "IMAGE" in
the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The Company also uses the
trademarks "Vocal Images," "The Music Disc". "The Finest in Laserdiscs" and "The
Finest in Home Entertainment" and the service marks "Image Post" and "Image
Creative Group."
EMPLOYEES
At June 1, 1998, the Company had 109 full-time employees and 2 part-time
employees. At June 1, 1998, subsidiary U.S. Laser had 7 full-time employees and
1 part-time employee. Upon finalization of U.S. Laser's closure (expected to
occur by July 1998), all but two of U.S. Laser's remaining employees will be
terminated. The remaining two U.S. Laser employees will relocate to the
Company's California offices and become full-time employees of the Company (on
June 1, 1998 a third U.S. Laser employee relocated to California and became a
full-time employee of the Company).
RISK FACTORS
This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains certain forward-looking statements
within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are based on the
beliefs of Company's management as well as assumptions made by and information
currently available to the Company's management. When used in this document,
the words "anticipate," "believe," "may," "estimate," "expect" and similar
expressions, variations of such terms or the negative of such terms as they
relate to the Company or its management are intended to identify such forward-
looking statements. Such statements are based on management's current
expectations and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions.
Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should
underlying assumptions prove incorrect, the Company's actual results,
performance or achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or
implied by, any such forward-looking statements.
The Company has made forward-looking statements in this Item 1. and
subsequent Items of this Annual Report concerning, among other things, (i) the
viability of the LD format for several years despite the introduction of DVD;
(ii) Pioneer's continued commitment to the LD/DVD combination player and the
success of the LD/DVD combination player in attracting customers to both
formats; (iii) the recent strengthening of the retail entertainment software
market in which several of the Company's largest customers operate; (iv) the
Company's ability to develop a successful direct-to-consumer LD business; (v)
the Company's ability to renegotiate and/or extend material license and
distribution agreements which have recently expired or which no longer contain
terms favorable to the Company given the recent decline in consumer demand for
LDs; (vi) closing escrow on the sale of one or both parcels comprising the front
8.8 acres of the Company's Las Vegas, Nevada property; (vii) ultimate completion
and full operation by September 1998 of the Las Vegas, Nevada warehouse and
distribution facility; (viii) the possibility that major studios may someday
perceive DVD as a niche business affording the Company greater opportunities to
secure exclusive license rights; and (ix) the Company's ability to continue to
secure additional LD and DVD rights through license or distribution agreements.
The inclusion of such forward-looking information should not be regarded as a
representation by the Company, its management or any other person that the
future events, plans or expectations contemplated by the Company will be
achieved. The Company undertakes no obligation to release publically any updates
or revisions to any such forward-looking statements that may reflect events or
circumstances occurring after the date of this Annual Report. Factors that
could cause or contribute to such material differences include, but are not
limited to, those discussed below.
COMPETITION.
-----------
COMPETITION FOR LD RIGHTS AND DISTRIBUTION. The Company believes
------------------------------------------
it is the largest LD licensee and distributor in the United States;
however, the Company also faces competition for LD rights from
Pioneer, which also licenses and distributes LDs (and has exclusive LD
output license agreements with Paramount and Universal), and other
independent licensees. The Company also faces competition from LD
subdistributors and Columbia/TriStar, which sells its own programming
directly to retailers, as well as to the Company and other
distributors. The Company currently expects that it will be able to
continue to purchase LD titles on a wholesale basis from
Columbia/TriStar, however, there can be no assurance that the Company
will be able to continue to purchase and distribute such programming
in the event Columbia/TriStar elects to sell direct, increase the
number of entities distributing their programming or limit the
Company's access to programming. Further, there can be no assurance
that the Company will be able to continue to secure LD license and
distribution rights on terms acceptable to the Company.
COMPETITION FOR DVD RIGHTS AND DISTRIBUTION. Given the relative
-------------------------------------------
newness of the DVD format and its uncertain position in the home video
software market, none of the major motion picture studios have yet to
grant exclusive licenses for their new releases and most popular
catalogue titles, preferring to sell this programming directly to
retailers, as well as to the Company and other distributors. Further,
since DVD is positioned as the replacement for VHS (although it
remains to be seen whether this will occur), unlike LD (which is a
confirmed niche market), the Company faces licensing and distribution
competition from significantly more sources (primarily independent
licensing and distribution entities from the VHS sector of the home
video market). Further, there can be no assurance that the Company
will be able to continue to secure DVD license and distribution rights
on terms acceptable to the Company. Finally, the Company currently
expects that it will be able to purchase on a wholesale basis DVD
titles from all participating program suppliers for sale to the
Company's customers, however, there can be no assurance that the
Company will be able to continue to purchase and distribute such
programming in the event DVD program suppliers elect to sell direct,
increase the number of entities distributing their programming or
limit the Company's access to programming.
COMPETITIVE POSITION IN THE SALE OF LDS AND DVDS. The Company
------------------------------------------------
believes it has a competitive advantage with respect to its exclusive
LD and DVD titles because it is the only source for such titles. The
Company believes that it is able to successfully compete to obtain
exclusive rights for such titles because of its reputation and
relationships, the quality of its product and its ability to make
advance payments against revenues to its suppliers. With respect to LD
and DVD titles for which the Company does not have exclusive rights,
the Company believes that it has a competitive advantage because of
the amount and selection of its inventory as well as its pricing.
Although the Company's prices may not be as low as those of the
studios that sell their own product, this has a limited effect on the
Company because the studios only sell to a limited number of
purchasers, and most retailers must purchase through a distributor
such as the Company. The Company believes that it also benefits from
the convenience of "one-stop shopping" for retailers who purchase
exclusive titles from the Company and can easily purchase additional
non-exclusive titles at the same time.
COMPETITION FROM OTHER FORMS OF HOME VIDEO ENTERTAINMENT. Both
--------------------------------------------------------
the LD and DVD formats face competition from other forms of in-home
entertainment, e.g., VHS, network, syndicated and pay/cable television
and home satellite systems. LD and DVD also face competition from new
and emerging technologies in the entertainment industry (such as
entertainment programming on the Internet, video-on-demand,
high-definition television, digital videotape and optical discs with
greater storage capacity) which offer or may come to offer alternate
forms of leisure-time entertainment, or alter the way in which
existing forms are delivered.
FINANCIAL CONDITION OF KEY CUSTOMERS. Although the entertainment software
------------------------------------
retail sector appears to be strengthening after several years of declining sales
growth and deteriorating profitability which adversely impacted the Company's
business and operations, there can be no assurance that an economic recovery
will be sustained or be sufficient to support the same level of customer
purchasing present before the slump. See Item 7. "Summary and Outlook --
Improving Financial Condition of the Retail Entertainment Software Market."
ABILITY TO SUSTAIN LD BUSINESS DURING TRANSITION PERIOD CAUSED BY DVD.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Although the Company believes that if the DVD market becomes a niche market
(albeit a much larger niche market than the LD market) the Company could occupy
a role similar to its current role in the niche LD market, there can be no
assurance that the Company will be able to sustain its core LD business until a
transition can be made to DVD, if ever, or whether current LD program suppliers
and LD hardware manufacturers will continue to support the LD format during the
transition period. Further, if the Company can maintain its LD business during
such a transition period there can be no assurance that it will be able to
license and distribute DVD programming with the same success it has experienced
in the LD market, either generally or relative to the breadth of programming it
is now able to offer customers and at the margins it currently enjoys. Finally,
the Company is beginning to distribute its LD (and DVD) inventory through
alternative distribution channels, including direct-to-consumer distribution via
mail order and the Internet, in an effort to increase sales and compensate for
the dramatic reduction in LD purchases by the major music/video software chains
who have long been supporters of the LD format. See Item 7. "General" " -- The
DVD Format," "--DVD's Continued Negative Impact on LD Sales" and "--Future LD
Distribution Strategy."
GROWTH OF THE DVD MARKET. The Company currently believes that the lack of
------------------------
mass market acceptance of DVD is principally due to the lack of a consumer-
priced recordable DVD player, the lack of an established rental market, consumer
confusion regarding the features, availability and potential of the format,
potential competition from the "DIVX" DVD format (see Item 7. "General --
Potential Competing Format to DVD"), and the large number of titles currently
available on LD, all of which may impede the growth and acceptance of DVD.
There can be no assurance that a rental market will develop or that a consumer-
priced recordable DVD player (which could lead to greater mass-market appeal)
will be available in the near future. Further, there can be no assurance that
studios and program suppliers will decide to make an aggressive commitment to
the release of a wide variety of new release and catalogue DVD titles so that
the available library of DVD titles comes to rival that of LD.
LD/DVD PRODUCTION AND REPLICATION. The Company currently expects that it
---------------------------------
will be able to continue utilizing a variety of outside vendors to author,
compress and replicate marketable DVD titles for release under its exclusive DVD
license agreements. Despite LD's decline, the Company also believes it will be
able to use several outside manufacturing facilities to replicate its LD
product. There can be no assurance, however, that the Company's vendors will be
able to continue to provide such services at the same or higher level of quality
and quantity, or that the Company will be able to access or afford alternative
vendors for such services.
SEASONALITY AND VARIABILITY. The Company has generally experienced higher
---------------------------
sales of LDs and DVDs in the quarters ended December 31 and March 31 due to
increased consumer spending associated with the year-end holidays and because
most sales of a title occur in the first few months after its release. In
addition to seasonality issues, other factors have contributed to variability in
the Company's LD and DVD net sales on a quarterly basis. These factors include:
(i) DVD's negative impact on LD sales; (ii) the popularity of titles in release
during the quarter; (iii) the Company's marketing and promotional activities;
(iv) the Company's rights and distribution activities; (v) the extension,
termination or non-renewal of existing license and distribution rights; and (vi)
general economic changes affecting consumer demand for LD and DVD hardware and
software and affecting the buying habits of the Company's customers.
RELEASE DATE DELAYS. The Company currently expects that all new LD and DVD
-------------------
titles with expected release dates in fiscal 1999 will be released during that
year. In the past, however, the Company's LD licensors, for various reasons,
have from time-to-time delayed releasing certain titles to the LD and VHS
markets. There can be no assurance that delays of this type will not occur in
the future. Although it is too early to tell, the Company believes that its
experience relative to delayed releases for certain LD titles will be the same
for certain DVD titles.
NATURE OF THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY. Audience acceptance of the Company's
------------------------------------
products represents a response not only to the artistic components of the
products, but also to the level of advertising and promotion by Company, the
studios and distributors, the availability of alternative forms of entertainment
and leisure time activities, changes in public taste, and other intangible
factors, all of which change rapidly and cannot be predicted. This situation
presents a number of risks, including the risk that some of the Company's LD and
DVD titles may not be commercially successful, that costs will not be recouped
or that anticipated profits justifying the Company's commitments will not be
realized.
ACQUISITION OPPORTUNITIES. The Company has explored, and continues to
-------------------------
explore, acquisition opportunities in various businesses compatible with and/or
complementary to those of the Company. To date, however, other than the 1995
acquisition of U.S. Laser (see "Subsidiary Activities" below) no acquisition
agreement has been reached. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that the
Company will enter into any acquisition agreement, nor can the Company currently
predict how such an agreement would impact its results. Any material
acquisition would require the Company to obtain financing. There can be no
assurance that the Company will obtain such financing on terms and conditions
which are reasonable or acceptable to the Company.
DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL. The success of the Company depends to a
---------------------------
significant degree on the efforts of the Company's executive management: its
President and Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief
Administrative Officer and General Counsel, and Senior Vice President of Sales,
Marketing and Operations. The Company's operations may be adversely affected if
one or more members of executive management were to leave the Company.
<PAGE>
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PART II
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
---------------------------------------------------------------
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
---------------------
Forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the "safe harbor"
provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, are made
throughout this Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations. Such statements are based on the beliefs of the
Company's management as well as assumptions made by and information currently
available to the Company's management. When used in this report, the words
"anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "may," "expect" and similar expressions,
variations of such terms or the negative of such terms as they relate to the
Company or its management are intended to identify such forward-looking
statements. Such statements are based on management's current expectations and
are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Should one or more
of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should the underlying
assumptions prove incorrect, the Company's actual results, performance or
achievements could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, any
such forward-looking statements. For a more detailed description of risks and
uncertainties that may affect forward-looking statements see Item 1. "Risk
Factors."
GENERAL
Image Entertainment, Inc. (the "Company"), has licensed and distributed a
broad range of entertainment programming on laserdisc ("LD") since 1983. In
prior fiscal years, the Company's net sales were derived almost entirely from
the distribution of the LD format. In March 1997, a new optical disc video
format, the digital video disc ("DVD"), was introduced. The Company began
distributing DVD programming on a nonexclusive wholesale basis in March 1997 and
began releasing exclusively licensed DVD programming in June 1997. In fiscal
1998, LD and DVD, respectively, represented approximately 79% and 21% of the
Company's net sales; however, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 1998, LD and DVD,
respectively, represented 62% and 38% of the Company's net sales. The Company
also distributes music programming on compact audio disc ("CD") encoded in the
DTS Digital Surround ("DTS") multichannel audio format as well as certain
programming on videocassette tape ("VHS").
THE DVD FORMAT.
--------------
On March 24, 1997, Warner Home Video ("WHV"), currently a leading supplier
of DVD programming, became the first major program supplier to release DVD
software with its launch of DVD software in seven cities including Los Angeles,
New York, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington, D.C. On August 26, 1997, WHV
became the first nation-wide major DVD program supplier with its release of DVD
programming in the remaining U.S. cities. Since WHV's March 1997 launch of DVD,
most of the major motion picture studios and numerous independent program
suppliers, including the Company, have released DVD programming. In February
1997, Pioneer Electronics released the first DVD player in the U.S. market.
Since then, 20 consumer electronics manufacturers have introduced or announced
introduction of DVD players in the U.S. market. The Electronics Industries
Association ("EIA") reported that from March 1997 to May 29, 1998, approximately
550,000 DVD players have been sold to consumer electronics retailers (this
figure does not reflect the number of DVD players that have actually sold
through to consumers).
DVD software and hardware sales have sustained consistent growth; however,
video software, hardware and retail industry insiders differ regarding whether
DVD will ultimately become a niche platform replacing LD as the preferred
optical video disc format or a mass-market platform replacing VHS as the primary
home video format. DVD's ultimate market share is dependent upon the following:
. Consumer and retailer acceptance. Management believes that DVD has
--------------------------------
been embraced by early adopters of electronic entertainment
technology, such as LD consumers, who appreciate the features of a
state-of-the-art video format, including its improved video and audio
quality over VHS. DVD is currently a sell-through business (i.e., DVD
software is priced for purchase versus VHS which is priced for
purchase and rental) Major video/music software discounters and
retailers such as Best Buy, Musicland and Tower are the market leaders
in DVD retail with large selections and "sale" pricing (20% off of
suggested retail pricing). Mass merchants such as Wal-Mart and Target
Stores, with a smaller presence in DVD, have announced plans to
increase the number of stores that carry DVD. Many of the larger
retailers have been consistently offering DVD programming at "sale"
pricing bringing the price of many DVD titles below $20. With
increasing DVD hardware penetration and growing consumer interest, an
increasing number of video speciality stores are stocking DVD software
for rental and sale. A December 1997 survey of video speciality stores
conducted by Video Store Magazine, a video software industry trade
publication, indicated that on average, 5% of the retailers responding
to the survey said they currently carry DVD for rental or sale.
Additionally, of the retailers responding to the survey who did not
carry DVD, 27% planned to introduce DVD for rental and 19% planned to
introduce DVD for sale within the next six months. Management believes
that sufficient retail support exists to, at a minimum, ensure DVD's
place as a successful niche market; however, for DVD to supplant VHS
as the primary home video format, retailers and consumers must support
DVD as a rental platform. It is currently unclear whether such support
will develop.
. DVD hardware penetration and hardware availability. Management
--------------------------------------------------
estimates that there are currently approximately 330,000 DVD
households (approximately 60% of the EIA's estimate of approximately
550,000 total DVD players sold through May 29, 1998 to consumer
electronics retailers) representing an approximate 0.3% penetration of
estimated television households. VHS and LD penetration are currently
approximately 85% and 2%, respectively. Consumer electronics
manufacturers (such as Philips Consumer Electronics Company, JVC
Company of America, Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company, Pioneer
Electronics, Sony Electronics, Thomson Consumer Electronics and Yamaha
Electronics Corporation) have introduced or announced plans to
introduce 19 new, second-generation DVD players in the first quarter
of calendar 1998, including two portable models, models with a
multiple disc changer, models with built-in Dolby Digital decoders and
several lower-priced entry-level models.
. Industry support of DVD software. All of the major motion picture
--------------------------------
studios participate in the DVD format (also known as "open" DVD)
and/or the "DIVX" DVD format (also known as "closed" DVD) (see
"Potential Competing Format to DVD" below); however, certain
participating major motion picture studios remain selective in
providing DVD releases, marketing and commitment to the format.
Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, which has only committed to
the DIVX DVD format, and Paramount Home Video, the last major studios
to support the DVD format, announced their participation in February
1998 and May 1998, respectively.
. Availability of DVD software. It is estimated by the DVD Video Group
----------------------------
(a Los Angeles-based, industry-funded nonprofit corporation that
exists expressly to promote consumer awareness of the benefits of DVD
video and to provide updated information to the media and the retail
trade about DVD video players, movies, and music videos) that there
are approximately 1,100 DVD titles currently available in the
marketplace, a significant increase from the approximately 250 DVD
titles available in September 1997 and the 20 DVD titles available at
the format's March 1997 launch. Major studio and independent program
suppliers are increasing the number of new release and catalogue DVD
titles released each month.
. Commitment to sustain DVD software quality and variety of features.
------------------------------------------------------------------
On the whole, DVD quality has steadily improved since its
introduction. Many DVDs offer "extras" (movie trailers, behind-the-
scenes commentaries and performer biographies). Most, but not all, DVD
program suppliers have incorporated these features without raising the
suggested retail price. The variety of releases is growing as many
smaller independent program suppliers are also offering their
programming in the DVD format. A significant challenge for DVD
suppliers, large and small, will be to sustain the quality and variety
of software features DVD consumers have come to expect of DVDs while
maintaining or lowering the price.
Since LD's introduction over 20 years ago, the LD format has catered to a
niche market of videophiles interested in a premium quality delivery system for
home entertainment. During the early '80s, independent industry analysts
predicted that LD consumers would exceed 5 million by the end of that decade.
In actuality LD's market penetration has only reached an estimated 2 million
households in North America. The same scenario may also apply to DVD.
The DVD format has not grown as quickly as predicted prior to its
introduction. Nevertheless, as a new video format, consumer electronics
manufacturers sold almost twice as many DVD players to consumer electronics
retailers, in DVD's first year of availability, than LD players sold at the
height of LD's popularity. Although DVD has been heralded as the replacement for
VHS (due to superior video and sound quality, unique features and video quality
that will not degrade with age or repeated viewings), there is currently limited
mass-market awareness of the DVD format. Management believes DVD is not
currently perceived by most consumers as a replacement for VHS primarily because
it lacks recordability and a rental market. Management also believes DVD will
remain a niche of the home video market, albeit occupying a much larger niche
than LD for many of the same reasons LD has remained a niche. The mass-market
consumer is not dissatisfied with the VHS format, its quality, title
availability, rental and sell-through availability and ease of use. The primary
advantages of DVD are its superior audio and video quality and its extra
features which appeal primarily to audio/videophiles with home theater systems.
POTENTIAL COMPETING FORMAT TO DVD.
---------------------------------
In September 1997, Digital Video Express ("DIVX") announced plans to
release a competing DVD format. In early June 1998, DIVX was launched in two
cities, San Francisco and Richmond, Virginia, with 40 stores offering one player
model and a selection of less than 30 titles, including several unavailable on
"open" DVD. DIVX is a pay-per-view DVD format requiring the purchase of a DIVX
feature-enhanced DVD player (which is reportedly backward compatible with
existing non-DIVX DVD software). The current universe of approximately 550,000
DVD players (sold to retailers) will not play DIVX DVD software. Although
recently released, DIVX has received significant attention within the video
industry. The developers of the DIVX technology contend that their technology is
an enhancement to current DVD technology and is intended to appeal to the VHS
renter. The developers of "open" DVD, the early consumers of "open" DVD and
certain members of the consumer video press have expressed negative views
regarding the DIVX format. Management believes there is the potential that a
perceived format war could confuse consumers and stall the growth of both
formats in an already small market. Ultimately, consumer acceptance will decide
the DIVX format's success.
THE COMPANY'S DVD DISTRIBUTION.
------------------------------
The Company's quarterly net sales derived from DVD distribution has
steadily increased since DVD's March 1997 introduction. The Company's net sales
from DVD distribution (exclusive and nonexclusive) for the quarters ended March
31, 1998 and December 31, September 30, June 30 and March 31, 1997 were
$6,183,000, $5,021,000, $3,085,000, $1,411,000 and $742,000, respectively. As a
percentage of net sales, DVD net sales were 38%, 19%, 19%, 8% and 3%,
respectively. Since the Company's first exclusive DVD release in June 1997
through March 31, 1998, the Company has released 91 exclusive DVD titles.
The Company believes DVD has significant long-term potential in the video
marketplace and, to remain competitive through diversification of its core LD
business, is aggressively seeking DVD programming for exclusive distribution.
The Company has exclusive agreements with Universal (50 catalogue titles), Orion
(12 catalogue titles), Playboy (output of new releases and catalogue titles) and
has entered into numerous other exclusive distribution agreements with
independent program suppliers for the release of certain titles on DVD. Certain
of the Company's LD license agreements also provided for a broad grant of
optical disc rights including DVD.
According to VideoScan, which tracks point-of-sale data from more than
16,000 stores reportedly accounting for 70 percent of all video sales, the
Company's market share of total DVD unit sales from January 1, 1998 through May
24, 1998 is 2.93%. The Company ranks eighth in market share behind Warner Home
Video (27.65%), Columbia TriStar (15.77%), Universal Home Video (10.63%), Disney
(10.52%), MGM (9.78%), New Line (8.32%) and Artisan Entertainment (formerly LIVE
Home Entertainment) (5.09%). Sales data includes mass merchandisers and
retailers but not most discount outlets.
As the DVD format continues to grow, and assuming the Company can continue
to successfully secure and distribute additional DVD programming, management
believes it is well positioned to enhance its reputation and presence in the DVD
market. Management believes the licensing, sales, production, creative
services, marketing and distribution expertise it has developed as the largest
LD licensee and distributor in North America has and will continue to easily
translate to the DVD format, thereby enhancing the success of the Company's DVD
efforts.
Management further believes, without assurance, that should the DVD format
ultimately become a niche of the home video market, although a much larger niche
than LD, it is possible that the major motion picture studios will decide that
the DVD format, as a percentage of their video business, is not significant
enough to retain in-house control, as is the case with the life cycle of LD, and
ultimately be receptive to licensing exclusive DVD rights on a broader basis.
Management believes, it is therefore possible, although there can be no
assurance, that history could repeat itself and, as with LD, the Company could
eventually distribute a much higher percentage of DVD programming on an
exclusive basis than on a nonexclusive basis. Should DVD ultimately grow large
enough to supplant VHS as the primary home video format, management believes,
without assurance, that the Company's core competencies, developed as the
largest LD licensee and distributor in North America, will position it to be a
leading distributor of DVD software.
DVD'S CONTINUED NEGATIVE IMPACT ON LD SALES.
-------------------------------------------
The DVD format competes directly with the LD format. Most of the same
consumers who were attracted to LD's quality and features are attracted to DVD's
offerings.
The major music/video software retail chains, such as Musicland, Tower and
Trans World (the "Chain Stores"), who have long been supporters of the LD
format, have significantly cut back on their LD purchases, removed LD from
certain of their stores and are replacing floor space previously dedicated to LD
(and in many cases VHS) with DVD programming. To accomplish this, the Chain
Stores have significantly narrowed the breadth of their LD purchases, focusing
on "A" title new releases and popular catalogue programming. The smaller
independent LD retailers have experienced less of a decline in LD sales and
continue to carry a large breadth of new release and catalogue LD programming.
Management believes the Chain Stores are enthusiastically supporting what
they believe to be the video format of the future, due primarily to DVD's less
expensive suggested retail price, smaller size, digital technology, unanimous
consumer electronics manufacturer support, anticipated unanimous support by the
major motion picture studios and other program suppliers and expected success of
DVD-ROM within the computer industry. With the Chain Stores' LD selection
shrinking and their DVD selection growing, management believes that LD consumers
are more inclined to gravitate to the DVD format faster than if full LD
selections were offered.
Management believes that the DVD consumer of today closely mirrors the LD
consumer and that a significant percentage of the DVD players sold through to
consumers to date have been sold to existing LD consumers or were sold to
members of the identified niche market of new consumers (i.e., those likely to
have eventually bought an LD player in the absence of the superior DVD format
and those not of purchasing age during the height of LDs). Those consumers are
interested in a premium quality video delivery system for home entertainment.
In contrast to the approximately 550,000 DVD players sold to consumer
electronics retailers since DVD's launch, the EIA reported that LD player sales,
in calendar 1997, were approximately 49,000 units, down 68.5% from calendar 1996
(DVD/LD combination player sales are included in the EIA DVD sales figures, and
not in the LD sales figures). The EIA projects that only 28,000 LD players will
be sold in calendar 1998. Due to the continued decline in units sold, the EIA
stopped tracking LD player sales in calendar 1998.
Sales of LD programming have declined more rapidly than management
anticipated. Quarterly sales of LD programming for fiscal 1998, with the
exception of the Company's third quarter ended December 31, 1997, have
significantly declined as compared to quarterly LD sales for fiscal 1997. The
Company experienced a 56% decline in LD sales for its fourth quarter ended March
31, 1998 versus the fourth quarter of fiscal 1997. For fiscal 1998 quarter's
ended December 31, September 30, and June 30, 1997, LD sales were down 15%, 25%
and 23%, respectively, from the comparative prior-year periods. Management
believes that, although overall consumer awareness of the DVD format is still
low, both the LD retailer and many LD consumers are embracing the DVD format.
Management believes that DVD's negative impact on LD is permanent. Management
further believes DVD will eventually, over time, be the successor to LD.
FOURTH QUARTER CHARGES ASSOCIATED WITH WRITE-DOWN OF CARRYING VALUE OF LD
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
INVENTORY AND ESTIMATED LOSSES ON LD LICENSE AND DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENTS.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since DVD's March 1997 launch management has been making an on-going
quarterly assessment of the impact of DVD's growth on the LD market and the
recoverability of the Company's LD related assets. The marketing efforts
accompanying DVD's introduction caused considerable confusion at the retail and
consumer level as there was much speculation regarding consumer acceptance of
and studio support for the new format, the potential breadth of available DVD
titles and the audio and video quality afforded by DVD. Although this confusion
and speculation had a "chilling effect" on the LD market and lead to an
approximate 70% decline in LD player sales from calendar 1996, not all of the
major studios immediately embraced the new format preferring to wait and see how
the DVD market developed. Similarly, wide-spread consumer acceptance of the new
format did not materialize and although the chain stores were more cautious in
their LD purchasing they continued to support the LD format. The Company
experienced a 23% decline in LD sales for its June 1997 quarter, as compared to
the comparable prior-year period, and a 25% decline for its September 1997
quarter, as compared to the comparable prior-year period, however, the decline
for its December 1997 quarter, as compared to the comparable prior-year period,
was only 15%. Nonetheless, in response to weakening LD sales the Company
recorded write-downs of its LD inventory for each of its June, September and
December 1997 quarters totaling $1,870,000 to reduce its carrying value to
management's estimate of its net realizable value.
In the March 1998 quarter, however, several significant events occurred
which indicated to management that DVD's adverse impact on the Company's LD
business had dramatically accelerated, leading the Company to record
substantially larger write-downs of its LD related assets than in prior
quarters. First, the Company experienced a 56% decline in LD sales in that
quarter as compared to the comparable prior-year period. Additionally, the
chain stores instituted across-the-board price reductions of their LD inventory
(with the exception of new releases) and held well promoted clearance sales.
Further, the chain stores informed the Company that they intended to
significantly reduce future LD purchases in favor of DVD and permanently replace
LD floor space with DVD. Finally, by the end of the fourth quarter Twentieth
Century Fox announced that it would be releasing programming in the (DIVX) DVD
format and it was rumored that participation by the last studio "holdout"
(Paramount) was imminent (Paramount announced its participation in May 1998).
Meanwhile, the studios which were already participating in the DVD format were
actively increasing their output of new releases and catalogue titles. Given
the studios' unanimous support of the DVD format, management now believes that
the number of available DVD titles (both new releases and catalogue titles) will
grow more quickly than previously expected and the number of LD only versions of
titles will shrink, further negatively impacting LD sales. Additionally, mass-
merchants and discounters (Wal-Mart, Target Stores, Sears and Borders Books and
Music) have begun announcing plans to increase their DVD inventories which will
further grow the DVD market. In management's estimation the occurrence of these
recent events have significantly accelerated DVD's negative impact on LD and the
Company's recoverability of LD inventory and unrecouped royalty and distribution
fee advances.
Accordingly, the Company recorded pre-tax noncash charges during the fourth
quarter ended March 31, 1998 of $6,263,000 to reduce the carrying value of its
LD inventory to its estimated net realizable value and $4,246,000 to provide for
estimated losses on long-term LD license and exclusive distribution agreements.
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, the Company recorded provisions for
slow-moving LD inventory and for estimated losses on long-term LD license and
exclusive distribution agreements totaling approximately $8,133,000 and
$4,246,000, respectively. Management believes that its LD related assets
(inventory and royalty and distribution fee advances) at March 31, 1998 are
stated at their estimated net realizable values. Currently, management does not
foresee a continuation of material decreases in the net realizable values of the
Company's LD related assets. The Company, however, will continue to evaluate the
recoverability of LD related assets based upon the facts and circumstances at
the time of the evaluation and management's reasonable estimate of future events
and may at that time be required to record additional charges.
COEXISTENCE OF LD DESPITE DVD'S SUCCESS.
---------------------------------------
Although the LD market is shrinking faster than management anticipated,
management believes that LD and DVD will coexist for several years. LD is well
established as a videophile format. With an estimated installed base of over 2
million households, the LD customer is not expected to disappear overnight. A
dramatic disparity in the number of available titles on LD (over 10,000) versus
DVD (over 1,000) remains. Management estimates that it will take DVD years to
reach LD's breadth of title availability and there are many titles (whether
popular, less popular, rare or esoteric) currently available only in the LD
format. It may take years for these titles to come out on DVD (if at all).
Despite declining sales and the Company's diversification into DVD programming,
the Company is committed to supporting the LD format. Management believes that
even those LD customers who are now also buying DVD will not rush to replace
their existing LD collections with DVD versions because of LD's comparable
quality. Management believes that the DVD/LD combination player currently
manufactured by Pioneer Electronics will continue to attract consumers to both
formats.
FUTURE LD DISTRIBUTION STRATEGY.
-------------------------------
In addition to distributing through traditional retail distribution
channels, the Company plans to distribute its LD inventory through alternative
distribution channels, including direct-to-consumer via mail order and over the
Internet, in an effort to increase sales and compensate for the reduction in LD
purchases by the Chain Stores. The Company has commenced a series of direct-to-
consumer sales efforts. On future direct-to-consumer sales, the Company plans to
first offer the selected consumer sale titles to its retail customers, providing
them with a window of opportunity to make purchases at prices less than those
offered direct to the public. Management believes it must now support the
significant installed base of LD consumers who are recently having trouble
locating desired LD titles at retail in certain parts of the country. With over
9,000 different LD titles in the Company's inventory, the installed LD household
base can enjoy the greatest LD selection available from one source. Management
believes there remains a viable market for the still-growing library of LD
programming. Although there can be no assurance, management believes that with
its extensive LD selection of titles, the Company can develop a successful
direct-to-consumer LD business.
CLOSURE OF SUBSIDIARY - U.S. LASER VIDEO DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
In May 1998, the Company announced the closing of its wholly-owned
subsidiary U.S. Laser Video Distributors, Inc. ("U.S. Laser"), located in New
Jersey and acquired by the Company in June 1995 for $3.1 million in cash. The
closure of the subsidiary and its retail store "Digitainment" is expected to be
finalized by July 15, 1998. The closure follows the Company's consolidation of
a majority of U.S. Laser's optical disc distribution activities. U.S. Laser's
only remaining activities consisted of direct-to-consumer optical disc sales
through the "Digitainment" retail store, mail order to a decreasing number of
accounts and the Internet. With the decline of industry-wide LD software and
hardware sales, offset in part by growing DVD software and hardware sales, the
retail store was performing below expectations. The Company plans to refocus its
Internet sales from its corporate office in California, where its creative
services, marketing and management information systems departments reside. The
closure is expected to save future corporate cash flow and boost operational
efficiencies by eliminating the need to hold dual inventories to service the
Company's and U.S. Laser's customers. Based upon U.S. Laser's current and
projected future financial performance, the closing of U.S. Laser is estimated
to save the Company approximately $1.2 million in net cash flow over the next
three years.
Further, in October 1997, U.S. Laser ceased publication of Laserviews as
circulation had diminished in recent years. The Company recently signed an
agreement with the publisher of Widescreen Review Magazine which will give
Laserviews subscribers the opportunity to receive issues of Widescreen Review
Magazine in satisfaction of their subscription.
The operating lease for U.S. Laser's corporate offices, distribution center
and retail store was to expire in September 2001. In May 1998, the Company
signed a Lease Termination Agreement with U.S. Laser's landlord to early
terminate the lease on July 15, 1998.
The closure of U.S. Laser resulted in nonrecurring pretax charges of
$202,000, representing fees and expenses associated with the Lease Termination
Agreement and employee severance payments, and $623,000 (a noncash charge)
covering the write-off of unamortized leasehold improvements and goodwill. The
pretax charges total $825,000 and are included in costs of facility closure
expense for the year ended March 31, 1998.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 1998 COMPARED TO FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 1997
Net sales for the year ended March 31, 1998 declined 11.8% to $75,516,000
from $85,650,000 for the year ended March 31, 1997. Net sales of LD programming
for fiscal 1998 declined 29.6% to $59,816,000 from $84,908,000 for fiscal 1997.
Net sales of DVD programming was $15,700,000 for fiscal 1998 versus $742,000 for
fiscal 1997. Approximately $6,156,000, or 39.2%, of total fiscal 1998 DVD sales
were derived from exclusively distributed or licensed product. The decline in
fiscal 1998 net sales was due to the decline in LD sales, offset in part, by net
sales from the Company's distribution of exclusive and nonexclusive DVD
programming. Net sales from exclusive distribution of DTS encoded software (LDs
and CDs) were $2,079,000 and $311,000 for fiscal 1998 and 1997, respectively.
Cost of optical disc sales (LDs and DVDs collectively) for the year ended
March 31, 1998 increased to $70,256,000, or 93.0% of net sales, from
$68,427,000, or 79.9% of net sales, for fiscal 1997. The increase in cost of
optical disc sales, as a percentage of net sales, for the March 1998 fiscal year
over that of the March 1997 fiscal year was primarily due to the significantly
increased provisions for slow-moving LD inventory of $8,133,000 for fiscal 1998
as compared to $1,964,000 for fiscal 1997 and estimated losses on LD license and
exclusive distribution agreements of $4,246,000 during fiscal 1998 as compared
to none in fiscal 1997.
The Company currently experiences a comparatively higher gross margin on
sales for DVD programming than LD programming. Gross margins on nonexclusive
DVD sales are comparable to that of nonexclusive LD. Gross margins on exclusive
DVD sales are currently higher than on exclusive LD sales, although DVD
production costs are much higher than those for LD. See paragraph below
detailing amortization of production costs. Although the Company has been
experiencing decreasing replication prices for its exclusive LD programming, the
current DVD replication costs are typically less than half of the replication
costs for LD programming. The Company expects replication costs for DVD
programming to decline in the future.
The Company's cost of optical disc sales, as a percentage of net sales, can
vary period to period depending upon the sales mix of higher-margin exclusive
programming and lower-margin nonexclusive programming. The sales mix of
exclusive and nonexclusive optical disc programming and the cost of
optical disc sales within each category will vary with the availability of new
and catalogue exclusive and nonexclusive titles, the popularity of those titles
and the Company's marketing efforts with respect to those titles. Lower-margin
nonexclusive product sales (LD and DVD collectively) accounted for 24.7% of net
sales in fiscal 1998 compared to 22.3% of net sales in fiscal 1997.
Selling expenses for fiscal 1998 increased 4.0% to $4,943,000, or 6.5% of
net sales, from $4,752,000, or 5.5% of net sales, for fiscal 1997. Fiscal
1998's increase, as a percentage of net sales, was primarily due to higher
personnel and distribution costs associated with DVD and DTS distribution and
higher freight costs due to increased freight rates over the prior year.
General and administrative expenses for fiscal 1998 decreased 31.9% to
$4,841,000, or 6.4% of net sales, from $7,108,000, or 8.3% of net sales, for
fiscal 1997. Fiscal 1997 includes a $1,946,000 provision for estimated doubtful
accounts receivable related to the then distressed condition of the retail
entertainment software market. Exclusive of the fiscal 1997 charge, general and
administrative expenses for fiscal 1998 decreased 6.2% to $4,841,000, or 6.4% of
net sales, from $5,162,000, or 6.0% of net sales, for fiscal 1997. The fiscal
1998 decrease in absolute dollars is primarily due to net recoveries of
previously provided for doubtful accounts receivable from certain customers
totaling $331,000 and lower overhead for U.S. Laser resulting from the
consolidation of certain administrative support, offset in part by severance
payments to former principals of U.S. Laser totaling $150,000 and higher
professional fees for fiscal 1998 versus fiscal 1997. The employment of U.S.
Laser's former principals ended in December 1997 as part of the Company's
consolidation of a majority of U.S. Laser's distribution activities.
Costs of facility closure for fiscal 1998 consists of a nonrecurring charge
of $825,000 associated with the aforementioned closure of U.S. Laser. See
"Closure of Subsidiary -- U.S. Laser Video Distributors, Inc." above.
Amortization of production costs for fiscal 1998 increased 20.2% to
$3,740,000, or 5.0% of net sales, from $3,112,000, or 3.6% of net sales, for
fiscal 1997. The increase is primarily attributable to costs associated with
the incremental production of exclusive DVD titles as well as the higher
overhead in the Company's creative services and production departments necessary
to produce the greater volume of titles. Certain costs of DVD production are
higher than that of LD due to the complexity and intricacy of the required
processes for DVD. Costs associated with authoring, compressing and mastering
an exclusive DVD title can be 5 times as much as the cost of mastering an
exclusive LD title. The cost of DVD authoring and compression varies depending
on the number of features, complexity and intricacy of those features and the
extent of ancillary materials included. Costs to master and produce a LD title
vary depending on the number of sides containing LD programming as well as the
complexity of ancillary materials included. Amortization of production costs
will vary based upon the mix, timing and number of exclusive DVD and LD titles
placed into production.
Interest expense for fiscal 1998 increased 59.5% to $662,000, or 0.9% of
net sales, from $415,000, or 0.5% of net sales, for fiscal 1997. The increase
is attributable to higher average debt levels during fiscal 1998.
Interest income for fiscal 1998 decreased 48.9% to $118,000, or 0.2% of net
sales, from $231,000, or 0.3% of net sales, for fiscal 1997. The Company had
less cash invested during fiscal 1998 than 1997. Further, interest income for
fiscal 1997 included interest income on notes receivable from LEI Partners L.P.,
who defaulted on the notes in November 1996.
Other expense for fiscal 1997 consists of a nonrecurring charge of
$662,000, composed primarily of professional fees, relating to the terminated
acquisition of Essex Entertainment, Inc., a privately-held independent music
company headquartered in New Jersey.
The extraordinary charge of $127,000, net of taxes of $56,000, for fiscal
1997 was associated with the early retirement of debt. In December 1996, the
Company refinanced its $15 million revolving credit facility with Foothill
Capital Corporation with a facility from Union Bank of California, N.A. ("Union
Bank"). The charge related to a prepayment penalty paid and amortization of
deferred financing costs accelerated as a result of the early retirement
($40,000 represents noncash charges).
The Company recorded a net income tax benefit of $52,000 in fiscal 1998,
representing a carry back to fiscal 1997 of a portion of the net operating loss
generated in fiscal 1998. In fiscal 1998, a valuation allowance has been
recorded against the deferred tax asset created by the fiscal 1998 net operating
loss for book and tax purposes. The effective income tax rate of 30.8% for
fiscal 1997 is lower than the statutory rate due to utilization of net operating
loss carryforwards for federal income tax purposes.
For fiscal 1998, the Company recorded a net loss of $9,581,000, or $.71 per
basic and diluted share, as compared to net income of $845,000, or $.06 per
basic and diluted share for fiscal 1997.
FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 COMPARED TO FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 1996
Net sales for fiscal 1997 decreased 9.9% to $85,650,000 from $95,086,000
for fiscal 1996. For fiscal 1997, the Company experienced weaker net sales of
catalogue titles (previously released LD titles) and, to a lesser extent, weaker
net sales of new LD releases compared to fiscal 1996. Management believes this
to be primarily a result of the distressed condition of the retail entertainment
software market and uncertainty in the LD marketplace caused by the March 1997
introduction of the DVD format. The Company's net sales of DVD titles, all on a
nonexclusive basis, from DVD's March 24, 1997 introduction date through the
fiscal year ended March 31, 1997 totaled $742,000.
Late in calendar 1995, the dedicated entertainment software retail sector
entered a period of declining sales growth and deteriorating profitability.
Management believes that several factors contributed to this trend including,
most significantly, a general softness in consumer demand for music product,
over expansion in the number of retail outlets and the competitive impact of
mass merchants (such as Wal-Mart) and other discounters (such as Best Buy) on
the dedicated entertainment software retailers. This economic slump accelerated
throughout calendar 1996 and continued in calendar 1997 as many of the larger
dedicated entertainment software retailers reported worsening financial results,
store closing programs, violations of bank financing covenants and constrained
cash positions. As a result, throughout calendar 1996 and early calendar 1997,
the Company took steps to mitigate its exposure to bad debts and product returns
from troubled retailers, such as exercising more discretion over product
shipments and carefully monitoring accounts receivable status. In August 1996,
Camelot Music, a then-large customer of the Company, filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy
and, in February 1997, Musicland, the Company's then-largest customer,
indefinitely suspended payments on outstanding amounts owing to its trade
vendors. Additionally, Alliance Entertainment Corp., the Company's then-second
largest customer, was experiencing financial difficulties and ultimately filed
Chapter 11 bankruptcy in July 1997. See Item 7. "Liquidity and Capital
Resources -- Current Status of Liquidity Constraints Identified in Fiscal 1997
and Results of Management's 1997 Action Plan" and "Summary and Outlook --
Improving Financial Condition of the Retail Entertainment Software Market."
Cost of optical disc sales (LDs and DVDs collectively) for fiscal 1997
decreased to $68,427,000, or 79.9% of net sales, from $74,387,000, or 78.2% of
net sales, for fiscal 1996. The fiscal 1997 increase in cost of optical disc
sales, as a percentage of net sales, is primarily attributable to an increased
provision for slow-moving LD inventory in response to the continued uncertainty
in the LD market caused by the introduction of DVD as well as the distressed
condition of the retail entertainment software market and a shift in sales mix
toward lower-margin nonexclusive wholesale distribution product. The Company
increased its provision for slow-moving LD inventory to $1,964,000 in fiscal
1997 versus $254,000 in fiscal 1996. The increase in cost of optical disc
sales, as a percentage of net sales, for fiscal 1997 was offset, in part, by
manufacturing cost savings, realized on LDs manufactured in Japan, resulting
from the comparative strength of the U.S. Dollar against the Japanese Yen.
The sales mix of higher-margin exclusive product and lower-margin
nonexclusive product and the margins within each category vary with the
availability and popularity of titles and the Company's marketing emphasis.
Lower-margin nonexclusive product sales, including lower-margin U.S. Laser sales
(U.S. Laser has substantially lower margins because it is solely a nonexclusive
distributor), accounted for 22.3% of net sales in fiscal 1997 compared to 18.8%
of net sales in fiscal 1996.
Selling expenses increased 4.9% to $4,752,000, or 5.5% of net sales, for
fiscal 1997 from $4,531,000, or 4.8% of net sales, for fiscal 1996. This
increase resulted primarily from increased trade and media advertising of
exclusive titles. The increase in selling expenses for fiscal 1997 was offset,
in part, by reduced selling expenses for U.S. Laser for the twelve months of
fiscal 1997 versus the ten months in fiscal 1996.
General and administrative expenses for fiscal 1997 increased 38.7% to
$7,108,000, or 8.3% of net sales, from $5,124,000, or 5.4% of net sales, for
fiscal 1996. This increase resulted primarily from a significant increase in
the provision for estimated doubtful accounts receivable. The provision for
estimated doubtful accounts receivable was $1,946,000 for fiscal 1997 versus
$104,000 for fiscal 1996. The significant increase in the provision for
estimated doubtful accounts receivable was due to the August 1996 Chapter 11
bankruptcy filing of Camelot Music, the February 1997 suspension by Musicland of
$2.7 million in payments owing to the Company, and the overall distressed
condition of the retail entertainment software market. Additionally,
contributing to increased general and administrative expenses for fiscal 1997
were a full twelve months of U.S. Laser's general and administrative expenses in
fiscal 1997 versus ten months in fiscal 1996, expenses related to U.S. Laser's
new retail concept store "Digitainment," which opened in October 1996 and higher
insurance costs for increased coverage, all of which were offset, in part, by
significantly reduced performance-based executive bonuses.
Amortization of production costs for fiscal 1997 increased 7.9% to
$3,112,000, or 3.6% of net sales, from $2,884,000, or 3.0% of net sales, for
fiscal 1996. The increase results from more exclusive LD titles being placed
into production and the higher overhead in the Company's creative services and
production departments necessary to produce the greater volume of exclusive
titles.
Interest expense for fiscal 1997 increased 167.7% to $415,000 from $155,000
for fiscal 1996 due to higher average borrowings outstanding during fiscal 1997.
Interest income for fiscal 1997 decreased 31.4% to $231,000 from $337,000 for
fiscal 1996 due to lower average cash balances during fiscal 1997. The Company
used available cash and borrowings under its revolving credit facility to
purchase 17.2 acres of unimproved property in Las Vegas, Nevada, pay advance
royalties and certain inventory purchase and license fee obligations under new
exclusive LD output license and distribution agreements, and repurchase common
stock under the Company's stock repurchase program.
Other expense consists of a nonrecurring charge of $662,000 composed
primarily of professional fees relating to the terminated acquisition of Essex
Entertainment, Inc.
During fiscal 1997, the Company recorded an extraordinary charge of
$127,000, net of related taxes of $56,000, associated with the early retirement
of debt. In December 1996, the Company refinanced its $15 million revolving
credit and term loan facility with Foothill Capital Corporation with a revolving
credit facility from Union Bank. The charge related to a prepayment penalty and
amortization of deferred financing costs which were accelerated as a result of
the early retirement ($40,000 represents noncash charges).
The effective income tax rate for fiscal 1997 was approximately 30.8%
versus approximately 8.9% for fiscal 1996. Net operating loss carryforwards for
Federal and state tax purposes were utilized to offset taxable income for fiscal
1996. The net operating loss carryforward for state tax purposes was fully
utilized during fiscal 1996 and the net operating loss carryforward for Federal
tax purposes was fully utilized in fiscal 1997, leading to a higher effective
income tax rate for Federal and state tax purposes for fiscal 1997.
Net income for fiscal 1997 decreased 88.9% to $845,000, or $.06 per basic
and diluted share, from $7,599,000, or $.56 and $.51 per basic and diluted
share, respectively, for fiscal 1996.
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The Company's earnings are significantly affected by accounting policies
required for the entertainment industry. The costs to produce licensed optical
disc programming (the "Production Costs") are capitalized as incurred. Pursuant
to the income forecast method, as discussed in Financial Accounting Standards
Board Statement No. 53, a percentage of the Production Costs is charged to
expense each month based upon (i) a projected revenue stream resulting from
distribution of new and previously released optical disc programming related to
the Production Costs and (ii) management's estimate of the ultimate net
realizable value of the Production Costs. Production Costs include the cost of
converting film prints or tapes into the optical disc format, which includes
mastering and ancillary material production charges for LD and authoring and
compression, replica sample, set up charges and ancillary material production
for DVD, and packaging artwork costs and the overhead of the Company's creative
services and production departments. Estimates of future revenues are reviewed
periodically and amortization of Production Costs is adjusted accordingly. If
estimated future revenues are not sufficient to recover the unamortized balance
of Production Costs, such costs are reduced to estimated net realizable value.
Royalty and distribution fee advances represent fixed minimum payments made
to licensors and program suppliers for exclusive optical disc programming
distribution rights. A program supplier's share of program distribution revenues
is retained by the Company until the share equals the advance(s) paid to the
program supplier. Thereafter, any excess is paid to the program supplier. In
the event of an excess, the Company records, as a cost of optical disc sales, an
amount equal to the program supplier's share of the net distribution revenues.
Royalty and distribution fee advances are charged to operations as revenues are
earned, and are stated at the lower of unamortized cost or estimated net
realizable value on an individual-title or license-agreement basis. If estimated
future revenues on an individual-title or agreement basis are not sufficient to
recover the unamortized balance of royalty and distribution fee advances, such
estimated loss is recorded as cost of sales in the period when the loss is
estimated.
RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
Effective December 31, 1997, the Company adopted Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 128 ("SFAS No. 128") "Earnings per Share." This
statement requires companies to replace the presentation of primary earnings per
share ("EPS") with a presentation of basic EPS. It also requires dual
presentation of basic and diluted EPS on the face of the statements of
operations and a reconciliation of the basic EPS computation to the diluted EPS
computation. All prior EPS data has been restated to conform with the
provisions of SFAS No. 128. See Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements
for the reconciliation.
In June 1997, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 130 ("SFAS
No. 130") "Reporting Comprehensive Income" was issued. SFAS No. 130 establishes
standards for reporting and display of comprehensive income and its components
in a full set of general purpose financial statements. SFAS No. 130 is
effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1997. The Company will
adopt SFAS No. 130 in its fiscal year ending March 31, 1999. Currently, the
Company expects that SFAS No. 130 will not have a significant impact on the
Company's reporting and disclosures.
In June 1997, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 131 ("SFAS
No. 131") "Disclosure about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information"
was issued. SFAS No. 131 requires that public business enterprises report
certain information about operating segments in complete sets of financial
statements of the enterprise and in condensed financial statements of interim
periods issued to shareholders. It also requires that public business
enterprises report certain information about their products and services, the
geographic areas in which they operate, and their major customers. SFAS No. 131
is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 1997 and interim
periods in the second year of application. The Company will adopt SFAS No. 131
in its fiscal year ending March 31, 1999. Currently, the Company expects that
SFAS No. 131 will not have a significant impact on the Company's reporting and
disclosures.
IMPACT OF YEAR 2000
The Company is aware of the complexity and the significance of the "Year
2000" issue. The Company utilizes information systems throughout its business
to effectively carry out its day-to-day operations. The Company is in the
process of assuring that its systems are capable of recognizing and processing
information properly as the year 2000 approaches. The Company has completed a
preliminary assessment of its Year 2000 compliance and is currently correcting,
upgrading or replacing those systems that are not Year 2000 compliant. The
Company believes that it will be able to modify or replace its affected systems
in time to avoid any interruptions in its operations. The Company does not
anticipate that costs associated with this project will have a material impact
on the Company's financial position or results of operations in future periods.
The Company will gather information concerning the Year 2000 compliance
status of its suppliers. In the event that any of the Company's significant
suppliers do not successfully or timely achieve Year 2000 compliance, the
Company's business or operations may be adversely affected.
INFLATION
Management believes that inflation is not a material factor in the
operation of the Company's business at this time.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The Company's working capital requirements vary primarily with the level of
its licensing, production and distribution activities. The principal recurring
uses of working capital in operations are for program licensing costs (i.e.,
royalty payments, including advances, to program suppliers), distribution fee
advances, manufacturing and production costs, costs of acquiring finished
product for wholesale distribution and selling, general and administrative
expenses. Working capital has historically been provided by cash flows from
operations, private sales of common stock, notes representing long-term debt and
bank borrowings. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998, operating activities
provided cash and cash equivalents of $516,000, investing activities used cash
and cash equivalents of $384,000 and financing activities used cash and cash
equivalents of $207,000, resulting in a net decrease in cash and cash
equivalents of $75,000.
SOURCES AND USES OF WORKING CAPITAL -- FISCAL 1998 AND 1997.
-----------------------------------------------------------
For fiscal 1998, the Company's net cash provided from operating activities
was $516,000 as compared to net cash used by operating activities of $2,571,000
for fiscal 1997. The increase in cash provided for fiscal 1998 was due in part
to significantly less expenditures in fiscal 1998 for LD inventory and LD
royalty/distribution advances. During fiscal 1997, the Company made significant
payments for royalty and distribution advances and contractual LD inventory
purchases under exclusive LD license and distribution agreements. The Company's
accounts receivables at March 31, 1998 dropped considerably from those at March
31, 1997, resulting from fiscal 1998's reduced fourth quarter net sales compared
to fiscal 1997. Additionally in fiscal 1998, the Company increased its DVD
inventory and advance royalty/distribution fee expenditures, increased its DVD
related production cost expenditures and significantly paid down its accounts
payable, accrued royalties and liabilities balances as compared to fiscal 1997.
For fiscal 1998, the Company's net cash used by investing activities
decreased to $384,000 from $6,234,000 for fiscal 1997. Excluding construction
and equipment loan funding for the Company's Nevada warehouse and distribution
facility, the Company had significantly less capital expenditures during fiscal
1998 as compared to fiscal 1997. During fiscal 1997, the Company purchased 17.2
acres of unimproved real property in Las Vegas, Nevada for $4,319,000 in cash
and a note payable. See Item 2 "Properties" and "Las Vegas Warehouse and
Distribution Facility and Adjacent Land" below.
For fiscal 1998, the Company's net cash used by financing activities was
$207,000 compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $5,229,000 in
fiscal 1997. In fiscal 1998, the Company received long-term financing from
Image Investors Co. and short-term financing from Pioneer Citizens bank. See
"Financing Activities" below. With funding from those financings, the Company
repaid Nevada land related short-term debt and paid down the Company's revolving
credit facility with Union Bank. In fiscal 1997, the Company had net borrowings
under its revolving credit facility and made significant expenditures to
purchase its stock under its stock buy-back program. In fiscal 1997, the
Company purchased 757,700 shares of its common stock for $3,529,000 as part of
its January 1995 Board of Directors authorized stock buyback program. From
January 1995 through March 31, 1997, the Company purchased 1,665,800 shares of
its common stock for $9,785,000 (at an average price of $5.87 per share).
CURRENT STATUS OF LIQUIDITY CONSTRAINTS IDENTIFIED IN FISCAL 1997 AND
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RESULTS OF MANAGEMENT'S 1997 ACTION PLAN.
- ----------------------------------------
In the Company's Form 10-K for fiscal 1997, the Company disclosed that
certain significant developments during the second half of fiscal 1997 and the
first quarter of fiscal 1998 caused management to grow concerned that the
Company's then-current sources of working capital may have been insufficient to
fund working capital requirements in fiscal 1998 unless certain discretionary
licensing and capital investment programs were curtailed and additional sources
of working capital were secured. The significant developments included: (i) the
February 1997 suspension of $2.7 million in accounts receivable due from
Musicland (the Company's then-largest customer); (ii) the July 1997 Chapter 11
bankruptcy filing by Alliance Entertainment Corp. (the Company's then-second
largest customer); (iii) the then-unsuccessful efforts to sell the front 8.8
acres of its Nevada land; (iv) the ongoing adverse impact of DVD on LD sales;
and (v) the increased cash requirements to exclusively license DVD programming.
Management's 1997 Action Plan.
-----------------------------
In response to the aforementioned significant developments and the related
liquidity concerns during fiscal 1998, management developed an action plan in
June 1997 ("1997 Action Plan"). The 1997 Action Plan principally involved: (i)
reducing or suspending certain discretionary expenditures such as suspending the
Company's stock buy-back program, reducing or eliminating, when possible, up-
front payments for advance royalties, distribution fees and contractual
inventory purchases on new exclusive license and distribution agreements,
increasing levels of trade vendor support and deferring construction of a
proposed warehouse and distribution facility in Las Vegas, Nevada; and (ii)
seeking additional working capital through such sources as debt and/or equity
financing, monetizing a portion of the delinquent Musicland and Camelot Music
receivables, selling the front 8.8 acres of its Nevada land and generating
revenues from exclusive DVD distribution.
Results of Management's 1997 Action Plan.
----------------------------------------
During fiscal 1998, the Company implemented its 1997 Action Plan. The
Company has indefinitely suspended its stock buy-back program (except in respect
to rights to tender shares in payment of the exercise price under outstanding
employee stock options), worked with its vendors for more favorable payment
terms, reduced or eliminated, when possible, up-front payments for advance
royalties, distribution fees and contractual inventory purchases on new
exclusive LD license and distribution agreements and deferred construction on
its warehouse and distribution facility in Las Vegas, Nevada (until December
1997). In furtherance of its 1997 Action Plan, management took the following
steps:
. During fiscal 1998, the Company began its transition into exclusive
and nonexclusive DVD distribution. See Item 7. "General."
. In July 1997, the Company entered into assignment agreements with
third-party investors whereby the Company assigned its right, title
and interest in and to approximately $2.7 million in accounts
receivable due from Musicland and Camelot
Music. The receivables were irrevocably assigned without recourse as
to the economic risk of Musicland's or Camelot Music's ultimate
inability to pay. The third-party investors purchased the receivables
for cash at certain discounts. Musicland ultimately fully repaid all
of its suppliers by December 1997 including the third party investors
who purchased the delinquent receivables from the Company. See
"Summary and Outlook --Improving Financial Condition of the Retail
Entertainment Software Market."
. In July 1997, the Company borrowed $1,350,000 from Pioneer Citizens
Bank in Nevada. See Item 7. "Liquidity and Capital Resources --
Financing Activities -- Note Payable to Bank."
. In September 1997, the Company entered into a convertible debt
agreement to borrow $5 million from a principal stockholder of the
Company. See Item 7. "Liquidity and Capital Resources -- Financing
Activities --Convertible Subordinated Note Payable."
. In May 1998, the Company announced the closure of its subsidiary, U.S.
Laser. See Item 7. "Closure of Subsidiary -- U.S. Laser Video
Distributors, Inc."
. In May 1998, the Company entered into an Agreement for Purchase and
Sale relating to the 8.8 acres of its Nevada land. See "Financing
Activities-- Las Vegas Warehouse and Distribution Facility and
Adjacent Land -- Sale of Adjacent Land" below.
Management believes that its 1997 Action Plan has successfully alleviated
the Company's short-term liquidity constraints and management further believes
that its internal and external sources of funding such as expected future cash
flow from operations, bank borrowings and/or issuance of the Company's common
stock should be sufficient to meet future obligations and commitments for fiscal
1999. The Company has historically been able to raise the necessary funding to
meet its obligations and commitments when due. Certain elements of the 1997
Action Plan may be continued or reintroduced depending on future cash flow
constraints. Specifically, the Company intends to maintain its current
suspension of its stock buyback program (except as noted above). In recent
quarters the Company has experienced losses which have caused noncompliance with
certain financial covenants under certain of its debt agreements such as minimum
tangible net worth, maximum total debt to tangible net worth ratio and minimum
average quarterly profitability covenants. As a result, the Company has
requested and received waivers for its noncompliance from its lenders. Should
the Company not be in compliance with future covenants, there is no assurance
that the Company's lenders will provide waivers for noncompliance. Without a
waiver of noncompliance, the debt would be in default and would potentially
cross default other debt causing such debt to be immediately due and payable.
The Company would attempt to refinance its current debt with its existing lender
or a new lender at terms which may be less favorable than its current terms,
however, there can be no assurance that the Company would be successful in doing
so. The Company continues to seek investment opportunities in growth oriented
companies which would be complementary to the Company's existing operations,
such as propriety content production or entertainment software distribution
businesses. The Company will seek acquisition financing should suitable
investment opportunities arise.
FINANCING ACTIVITIES.
--------------------
Revolving Credit Facility. In December 1996, the Company entered into
-------------------------
a Loan Agreement ("the Agreement") with Union Bank. The latest amendment to the
Agreement was on June 18, 1998 in response to the Company's recorded net loss
for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1998. The Agreement provides for revolving
advances and the issuances of standby letters of credit under a $10 million
(reduced from $15 million) revolving credit facility which expires June 30, 1999
(maturity shortened from December 31, 1999). Borrowings under the Agreement are
at the bank's prime rate plus .50% (increased .25% from the prime rate plus
.25%) (9.00% at March 31, 1998). The Agreement provides the Company the option
of borrowing for fixed periods at the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR")
plus 3.0% (increased .50% from LIBOR plus 2.5%) (8.71% at March 31, 1998).
Borrowings under the Agreement are secured by substantially all of the
Company's assets located in California and New Jersey. At March 31, 1998,
$2,315,000 in borrowings were outstanding under the Agreement, all of which was
borrowed under the prime rate plus .25% option (amended in June 1998 to the
prime rate plus .50%). Funds available for borrowing may not exceed the
borrowing base specified in the Agreement, as amended. The June 18, 1998
amendment, modified the Company's borrowing base by eliminating the Company's
ability to borrow on its eligible nonexclusive optical disc inventory. Prior to
the amendment, the Company was able to borrow on 45% of its eligible
nonexclusive optical disc inventory subject to certain limits. This borrowing
base modification reduced the amount of the Company's additional borrowing
availability at March 31, 1998 from $5,452,000 to $3,819,000, net of amounts
utilized for outstanding standby letters of credit. At June 18, 1998, the
Company had $154,000 in borrowings outstanding under the Agreement and
approximately $4,175,000, net of amounts utilized for outstanding standby
letters of credit, available for borrowing.
The Agreement imposes restrictions on such items as encumbrances and
liens, payment of dividends, other borrowings, stock repurchases and capital
expenditures. The Agreement requires the Company to comply with certain
financial and operating covenants. At March 31, 1998, the Company was not in
compliance with Union Bank's minimum tangible net worth and minimum quarterly
average profitability covenants. At the Company's request, Union Bank waived the
Company's non-compliance with those covenants for the period ended March 31,
1998. The Company was in compliance with all other financial and operating
covenants at March 31, 1998. The June 18, 1998 amendment amended certain
financial covenants on a prospective basis, including the two consecutive
quarter net income measurement and tangible net worth covenants. The Company is
currently in compliance with all financial and operating covenants that are
measured on an ongoing basis and expects that, at each measurement date in the
foreseeable future, it will be in compliance with all financial and operating
covenants to be measured at such date.
At March 31, 1998, the Company had $2.3 million of outstanding standby
letters of credit issued by Union Bank which expire on November 15, 1998. These
letters of credit secure balances due to program suppliers.
Construction Credit Facility. In March 1997, the Company entered into
----------------------------
a Business Loan Agreement (the "Loan Agreement") with Bank of America National
Trust and Savings Association in Nevada for the purpose of financing the
construction of the Nevada warehouse and distribution facility. See "Las Vegas
Warehouse and Distribution Facility and Adjacent Land" below. The Loan
Agreement, as amended, provides for a construction line of credit (the
"Construction Line") through September 30, 1998. The maximum available under
the line ( the "Maximum Commitment") is $3,434,000. Interest under the
Construction Line is at the bank's prime rate plus 1.25% (9.75% at March 31,
1998). At March 31, 1998, there were $1,619,000 in borrowings outstanding under
the Construction Line. The Loan Agreement provides for the Construction Line to
convert to a revolving line of credit (the "Revolving Line") on September 30,
1998.
Under the Revolving Line, the Company may repay and reborrow principal
amounts provided the Revolving Line does not exceed the Maximum Commitment,
which shall be reduced quarterly beginning December 31, 1998 by $43,000. The
Revolving Line is available from October 1, 1998 through its maturity date of
January 31, 2008. The Loan Agreement provides the Company the option, under the
Revolving Line, to borrow at the bank's prime rate plus 1.25% or for fixed
periods at LIBOR plus either 2.25% or 2.65% depending on the level of the
Company's debt service coverage ratio, as defined in the Loan Agreement.
Borrowings under the Loan Agreement are secured by a deed of trust on
the approximate 8.4 acres of land in Las Vegas, Nevada on which the Company is
constructing a new warehouse and distribution facility, as well as any of the
Company's personal property located in Nevada, excluding inventory held for
sale. The Loan Agreement contains cross-default provisions to other borrowing
agreements and imposes restrictions on such items as payment of dividends and
stock repurchases. The Loan Agreement requires the Company to comply with
certain quarterly financial and operating covenants. At March 31, 1998, the
Company was not in compliance with the bank's maximum total liabilities to
tangible net worth covenant. At the Company's request, the bank waived the
Company's non-compliance with the covenant for the period ended March 31, 1998.
The Company was in compliance with all other financial and operating covenants
at March 31, 1998. The Company is currently in compliance with all financial and
operating covenants that are measured on an ongoing basis and expects that, at
each measurement date in the foreseeable future, it will be in compliance with
all financial and operating covenants to be measured at such date.
Distribution Equipment Lease Facility. In March 1997, the Company
-------------------------------------
entered into a Lease Intended As Security Agreement (the "Lease") with
BankAmerica Leasing & Capital Corporation. The Lease, as amended, provides the
Company the ability to lease a substantial portion of the warehouse and
distribution system equipment to be constructed and utilized in the Company's
warehouse and distribution facility in Las Vegas, Nevada. The maximum amount
available under the Lease is $2.5 million. The aggregate amount of
installation, transportation, applicable taxes, software costs or licensing fees
with respect to the aggregate borrowings under the lease may not exceed 20%.
The Lease provides for advances for the purchase of equipment prior to its
delivery date (the "Advance Rent Period") which cannot extend past September 30,
1998. Interest during the Advance Rent Period is at the three-month LIBOR plus
2.5% (8.12% - 8.18% at March 31, 1998). There were $526,000 in borrowings
outstanding under the Lease at March 31, 1998.
Subsequent to the delivery and installation of the equipment and on
the date the equipment is accepted by the Company (the "Base Date"), the base
rent period ("Base Rent Period") begins. During the Base Rent Period, the
outstanding borrowings on each equipment schedule will be amortized over 24
consecutive quarterly installments, to a $1 purchase option, with the first such
installment due one quarter after the Base Date. The variable implicit interest
for each leased unit is the three-month LIBOR plus 2.719%. Under the Lease,
during the Base Rent Period, the Company may convert to a fixed implicit
interest rate. The fixed implicit interest rate will be the bond-equivalent
yield per annum for U.S. Treasury obligations with a maturity most closely
matching to the nearest month of the remaining average life of each equipment
schedule plus a spread of 3.137%.
Borrowings under the Lease are secured by the underlying equipment
leased. The Lease contains cross-default provisions with other borrowing
agreements, early termination charges and a $1.5 million minimum utilization
requirement. The Lease requires the Company to meet the same quarterly financial
and operating covenants contained in the Loan Agreement with Bank of America
National Trust and Savings Association above. At March 31, 1998, the Company was
not in compliance with the bank's maximum total liabilities to tangible net
worth covenant. At the Company's request, the bank waived the Company's
non-compliance with the covenant for the period ended March 31, 1998. The
Company was in compliance with all other financial and operating covenants at
March 31, 1998. The Company is currently in compliance with all financial and
operating covenants that are measured on an ongoing basis and expects that, at
each measurement date in the foreseeable future, it will be in compliance with
all financial and operating covenants to be measured at such date.
Convertible Subordinated Note Payable. The Company entered into a
-------------------------------------
credit agreement (the "Credit Agreement") with Image Investors Co. ("IIC"), a
principal stockholder of the Company owned and controlled by John W. Kluge and
Stuart Subotnick, dated as of September 29, 1997, pursuant to which the Company
borrowed $5 million from IIC, with interest payable quarterly at 8% per annum,
and principal due in five years. The loan is unsecured and subordinated to any
obligations to Union Bank and is convertible into the Company's common stock at
any time during the term at a conversion price of $3.625 per share, the closing
price of the Company's common stock on September 29, 1997. Proceeds from the
loan were used to pay down the Company's outstanding balance under its revolving
credit facility with Union Bank.
Note Payable to Bank. In July 1997, the Company borrowed $1,350,000
--------------------
under a Business Loan Agreement (the "Business Loan Agreement") with Pioneer
Citizens Bank in Nevada. The Business Loan Agreement, as amended in February
1998, bears interest at prime plus 1.75% (10.25% at March 31, 1998), matures on
August 1, 1998 and is secured by a deed of trust on the approximately 8.8 acres
of land adjacent to the Company's 8.4 acre warehouse and distribution facility
construction site in Las Vegas, Nevada.
OTHER OBLIGATIONS.
-----------------
At March 31, 1998, the Company had future license obligations for royalty
advances, minimum guarantees and other fees of $6,740,000 due during fiscal
1999, $1,453,000 due during fiscal 2000 and $120,000 due during fiscal 2001.
These advances and guarantees are recoupable against royalties earned by the
licensors and program suppliers, respectively. Depending upon the competition
for license and exclusive distribution rights, the Company may have to pay
increased advances, guarantees and/or royalty rates in order to acquire or
retain such rights in the future.
EXPIRATION OF LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR DISTRIBUTION OF MGM LD PROGRAMMING.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The Company has decided not to extend, for an additional three years, its
May 1996 exclusive LD output license and distribution agreement for the
exclusive distribution of MGM programming on LD through the year 2001. The
agreement's initial term was for 2 years with a sell-off period. A 3-year
extension required the Company to put up a substantial standby letter of credit
and to pay an additional royalty advance of approximately $10 million. Given
DVD's adverse effect on LD sales, including the fact that MGM is generally
releasing their new release DVD programming day-and-date with the VHS and LD
versions of the same program, it was not cost beneficial for the Company to
extend the agreement (the agreement was negotiated almost a year prior to DVD's
introduction). The Company plans to negotiate an extension of certain elements
of the agreement with MGM on terms more favorable to the Company that take the
current state of the LD marketplace into account; however, there is can be no
assurance that the Company will be successful in any such negotiations.
LAS VEGAS WAREHOUSE AND DISTRIBUTION FACILITY AND ADJACENT LAND.
---------------------------------------------------------------
In December 1997, the Company began construction of a 76,000 square foot
warehouse and automated distribution facility on approximately 8.4 acres of the
Company's real property adjacent to McCarren International Airport in Las Vegas,
Nevada. The Company expects the facility to be operational by September 1998.
Sale of Adjacent Land. In May 1998, the Company entered into an
---------------------
Agreement for Purchase and Sale (the "Sale Agreement") with Jackson-Shaw
Company, a Texas corporation (the "Buyer"), for the sale of the Company's
approximately 8.8 acres of unimproved real property located in Las Vegas,
Nevada. The ultimate purchase price of the property is $3,100,000 with
$1,550,000 allocated to the first half of the property ("Parcel A") and
$1,550,000 allocated to the second half of the property ("Parcel B").
The Company has entered escrow on Parcel A. The close of escrow and ultimate
sale of Parcel A is subject to a 75 day feasibility period and delivery of
acceptable title. The escrow period expires August 31, 1998. Upon the
successful close of Parcel A's escrow, the Buyer will receive an option to
purchase Parcel B from the Company upon delivery of a non-refundable payment of
$50,000. The Buyer has until December 31, 1998, to notify the Company of its
intent to exercise its option. Should the Company receive this notice, the
escrow on Parcel B is limited to 60 days from the date of notice by Buyer. The
escrow on Parcel B can be extended by Buyer to June 30, 1999 upon the non-
refundable payment of another $75,000. All non-refundable payments will be
applied to the purchase price of Parcel B upon the successful closing of escrow
on Parcel B.
There can be no assurance that one or both escrows will close and that the
ultimate sale of one or both parcels will occur.
SUMMARY AND OUTLOOK
Management believes the Company's long-term operating cash flow and
liquidity will depend upon the success and extent of the Company's licensing and
distribution of DVD software, the viability of the LD marketplace and the
Company's ability to reach the installed LD household base through alternative
distribution channels.
To a lesser extent, future operating cash flow may be positively affected
by the success and extent of the Company's exclusive distribution of
complimentary entertainment programming in other video/audio formats.
IMPROVING FINANCIAL CONDITION OF THE RETAIL ENTERTAINMENT SOFTWARE MARKET.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
During the past nine months, the dedicated retail entertainment software
market in which several of the Company's largest customers operate, appears to
be experiencing improving financial performance relative to the three-year
period ended mid-calendar 1997. Certain major entertainment software retailers
continue to report improved same-store sales, overall sales, and cash flow
improvement during the 1997 holiday season and the first quarter of calendar
1998 versus the comparable 1996 and 1997 periods. Cyclical improvement in the
music industry, highlighted by certain successful major artists releases,
combined with continued growth in video sales drove improved financial
performance in the 1997 holiday season and the first quarter of calendar 1998.
Additionally, major entertainment software retailers have recently implemented
certain operating strategies which are having a positive effect on their
financial performance. Management is guardedly optimistic that this positive
trend will continue.
Management believes that recent contraction in excess numbers of retail
stores, cyclical improvement in the music industry, anticipated improvements in
target demographics for entertainment software and continued development of more
effective retailing strategies should have a positive effect on the
entertainment software retailing sector in the long-term. For a discussion on
the current buying habits of the Chain Stores, see Item 7. "General -- DVD's
Continued Negative Impact on LD Sales."
EXCLUSIVE DISTRIBUTION OF DTS ENCODED SOFTWARE.
----------------------------------------------
In September 1997, the Company entered into a three-year agreement with
Digital Theater Systems, Inc., for the exclusive distribution of CDs encoded in
the DTS Digital Surround ("DTS") multichannel audio format that delivers six
channels (5.1) of master-quality, 20-bit audio.
In December 1997, the Company entered into a three-year agreement with
Miller Nevada, Ltd., Inc. ("Miller") for the exclusive distribution of all of
Miller's DTS encoded CDs. Miller releases third party music programming encoded
with DTS sound under the "HDS" label.
DTS distribution is a complement to the Company's existing DVD and LD
licensing and distribution activities and affords the Company an opportunity to
diversify its core exclusive distribution business. Although the Company
continues to market and sell DTS encoded LDs and may release DVDs encoded in
DTS, the Company believes that the largest potential for DTS software growth is
in DTS encoded CDs. The Company began its exclusive sale of DTS/CDs in January
1998.
Software encoded with DTS multichannel audio can only be played in DTS when
processed through a DTS decoder. To date, several high-end audio component
producers have brought decoders to the market. As a relatively new technology,
the DTS enabled hardware has been priced beyond the price range of most
consumers. Several mainstream audio hardware manufacturers have announced plans
to introduce or have introduced DTS enabled hardware in calendar 1998. This
hardware will decode DTS multichannel audio from all types of DTS encoded
software (LD, CD and DVD). As a result, the Company believes that prices for
DTS enabled hardware with the ability to decode all DTS multichannel audio
platforms will decline in the future.
EXCLUSIVE DISTRIBUTION OF NICHE ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMMING ON VHS.
----------------------------------------------------------------
During fiscal 1998, as a compliment to the Company's existing DVD, LD and
DTS licensing and distribution activities, the Company has begun licensing
certain niche entertainment programming on VHS for exclusive distribution
through expanded distribution channels. When practicable, the Company plans to
continue to acquire exclusive VHS distribution rights when offered as part of a
bundle of rights (e.g., DVD, LD and VHS). Net sales from distribution of VHS
programming during fiscal 1998 were not material.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
-------------------------------------------
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
<S> <C>
Independent Auditors' Report......................................................... F-1
Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 1998 and 1997............................... F-2
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended March 31, 1998, 1997
and 1996............................................................................. F-4
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the years ended March 31, 1998,
1997 and 1996........................................................................ F-5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended March 31, 1998, 1997
and 1996............................................................................. F-6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements........................................... F-9
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
----------------------------
The Board of Directors and Shareholders
Image Entertainment, Inc.:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated financial statements of Image
Entertainment, Inc. and subsidiary as listed in the accompanying index. In
connection with our audits of the consolidated financial statements, we also
have audited the accompanying financial statement schedule, as listed in the
accompanying index. These consolidated financial statements and financial
statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial
statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are
free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An
audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Image Entertainment,
Inc. and subsidiary as of March 31, 1998 and 1997 and the results of their
operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period
ended March 31, 1998 in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule,
when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken
as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth
therein.
/s/ KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP
Los Angeles, California
May 29, 1998 except for Note 8,
as to which the date is June 18, 1998
________________________________________________________________________________
Image Entertainment, Inc. F-1
<PAGE>
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
MARCH 31, 1998 AND 1997
================================================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ASSETS
(In thousands) 1998 1997
------- -------
<S> <C> <C>
Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,015 $ 1,090
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of
$4,604 - 1998; $4,809 - 1997 6,978 10,759
Inventories (Note 5) 11,205 17,644
Royalties, distribution fee and license fee advances 4,566 8,453
Prepaid expenses and other assets 1,094 823
Property, equipment and improvements, net (Notes 6 and 7) 6,223 4,979
Land held for sale (Note 6) 2,700 2,700
------- -------
$33,781 $46,448
======= =======
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
________________________________________________________________________________
F-2 Image Entertainment, Inc.
<PAGE>
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
MARCH 31, 1998 AND 1997
================================================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(In thousands, except share data) 1998 1997
--------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 12,303 $15,922
Accrued royalties, distribution fees and license fees 2,003 3,481
Revolving credit facility (Note 8) 2,315 8,709
Construction credit facility (Note 9) 1,619 --
Distribution equipment lease facility (Note 10) 526 --
Convertible subordinated note payable (Note 11) 5,000 --
Note payable (Notes 6 and 11) 1,350 285
-------- -------
Total liabilities 25,116 28,397
-------- -------
Commitments and Contingencies (Notes 6 and 15)
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Preferred stock, $1 par value, 3,366,000 shares authorized;
none issued and outstanding -- --
Common stock, no par value, 25 million shares authorized;
13,493,000 and 13,343,000 issued and outstanding
in 1998 and 1997, respectively (Note 12) 17,764 17,642
Stock warrants (Note 14) -- (73)
Additional paid-in capital 3,064 3,064
Accumulated deficit (12,163) (2,582)
-------- -------
Net shareholders' equity 8,665 18,051
-------- -------
$ 33,781 $46,448
======== =======
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
________________________________________________________________________________
Image Entertainment, Inc. F-3
<PAGE>
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 1998, 1997 AND 1996
================================================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(In thousands, except per share data) 1998 1997 1996
-------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
NET SALES $75,516 $85,650 $95,086
OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES:
Cost of optical disc sales (note 14) 70,256 68,427 74,387
Selling expenses 4,943 4,752 4,531
General and administrative expenses 4,841 7,108 5,124
Costs of facility closure 825 -- --
Amortization of production costs 3,740 3,112 2,884
------- ------- -------
84,605 83,399 86,926
------- ------- -------
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS) (9,089) 2,251 8,160
OTHER EXPENSES (INCOME):
Interest expense 662 415 155
Interest income (118) (231) (337)
Other -- 662 --
------- ------- -------
544 846 (182)
------- ------- -------
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES
AND EXTRAORDINARY ITEM (9,633) 1,405 8,342
INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT) (Note 13) (52) 433 743
------- ------- -------
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE
EXTRAORDINARY ITEM (9,581) 972 7,599
EXTRAORDINARY ITEM - COSTS ASSOCIATED
WITH EARLY RETIREMENT OF DEBT,
NET OF TAXES (Note 8) -- 127 --
------- ------- -------
NET INCOME (LOSS) $(9,581) $ 845 $ 7,599
======= ======= =======
NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE (Note 4):
Income (loss) before extraordinary item:
Basic $ (.71) $ .07 $ .56
Diluted $ (.71) $ .07 $ .51
Extraordinary item -- (.01) --
Net income (loss):
Basic $ (.71) $ .06 $ .56
Diluted $ (.71) $ .06 $ .51
======= ======= =======
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
________________________________________________________________________________
F-4 Image Entertainment, Inc.
<PAGE>
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (NOTES 12 AND 14)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 1998, 1997 AND 1996
================================================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Common Stock Stock Additional Accumulated
-----------------
(In thousands) Shares Amount Warrants Paid-in Capital Deficit
------- -------- --------- --------------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
BALANCES, March 31, 1995 13,797 $25,216 $ (582) $ 3,064 $ (11,026)
Exercise of options 412 294 -- -- --
Stock repurchased (653) (4,388) -- -- --
Amortization of stock warrants -- -- 349 -- --
Net income -- -- -- -- 7,599
------ ------- -------- ----------- ----------
BALANCES, March 31, 1996 13,556 21,122 (233) 3,064 (3,427)
Exercise of options 544 49 -- -- --
Stock repurchased (757) (3,529) -- -- --
Amortization of stock warrants -- -- 160 -- --
Net income -- -- -- -- 845
------ ------- -------- ----------- ----------
BALANCES, March 31, 1997 13,343 17,642 (73) 3,064 (2,582)
Exercise of options 150 122 -- -- --
Amortization of stock warrants -- -- 73 -- --
Net loss -- -- -- -- (9,581)
------ ------- -------- ----------- ----------
BALANCES, March 31, 1998 13,493 $17,764 $ -- $ 3,064 $ (12,163)
====== ======= ======== =========== ==========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
________________________________________________________________________________
Image Entertainment, Inc. F-5
<PAGE>
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 1998, 1997 AND 1996
================================================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(In thousands) 1998 1997 1996
-------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss) $(9,581) $ 845 $ 7,599
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss)
to net cash provided (used) by operating
activities:
Amortization of production costs 3,740 3,112 2,884
Depreciation and other amortization 999 857 798
Amortization of stock warrants 73 160 349
Provision for estimated doubtful accounts,
net of recoveries (331) 1,946 104
Provision for slow-moving optical
disc inventories 8,133 1,964 254
Provision for estimated losses on LD license
and exclusive distribution agreements 4,246 -- --
Loss on disposition of assets 460 34 --
Changes in assets and liabilities
associated with operating activities, net of
acquired business:
Accounts receivable 4,112 628 1,422
Optical disc inventory (1,314) (4,207) (864)
Royalty, distribution and license fee
advances, net (359) (5,284) 234
Production cost expenditures (4,121) (3,369) (3,054)
Prepaid expenses and other assets (444) 220 252
Accounts payable, accrued royalties
and liabilities (5,097) 523 382
------- ------- -------
Net cash provided (used) by
operating activities 516 (2,571) 10,360
------- ------- -------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Capital expenditures (384) (6,234) (552)
Acquisition of business, less cash acquired -- -- (3,131)
------- ------- -------
Net cash used by investing activities (384) (6,234) (3,683)
------- ------- -------
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
________________________________________________________________________________
F-6 Image Entertainment, Inc.
<PAGE>
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 1998, 1997 AND 1996
================================================================================
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(In thousands) 1998 1997 1996
-------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Advances under revolving credit facility $ 35,330 $ 56,127 $ 27,801
Proceeds from issuance of convertible
subordinated note payable 5,000 -- --
Proceeds from issuance of note payable 1,350 -- --
Repayment of advances under revolving
credit facility (41,724) (47,418) (27,801)
Repayment of short-term debt (285) -- --
Principal payments under capital lease
obligations -- -- (104)
Repurchase of warrant and common stock -- (3,529) (4,388)
Net proceeds from exercise of stock options 122 49 294
-------- -------- --------
Net cash provided (used) by
financing activities (207) 5,229 (4,198)
-------- -------- --------
NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH
AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (75) (3,576) 2,479
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 1,090 4,666 2,187
-------- -------- --------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $ 1,015 $ 1,090 $ 4,666
======== ======== ========
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH
FLOW INFORMATION:
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest $ 656 $ 417 $ 115
Income taxes $ 90 $ 668 $585
======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
________________________________________________________________________________
Image Entertainment, Inc. F-7
<PAGE>
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 1998, 1997 AND 1996
================================================================================
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF NONCASH OPERATING, INVESTING AND FINANCING
ACTIVITIES:
During fiscal 1998, the Company incurred $2,145,000 relating to the design,
engineering, planning and construction of the Nevada warehouse and distribution
facility. These costs were funded under the Company's construction credit and
distribution equipment lease facilities. See "Note 9. Construction Credit
Facility" and "Note 10. Distribution Equipment Lease Facility."
In January 1997, the Company purchased approximately .7 acres of unimproved real
property in Las Vegas, Nevada (adjacent to the 16.5 acres purchased in November
1996 discussed below) for approximately $331,000 which included a note payable
for approximately $285,000. See "Note 6. Purchase of Nevada Real Property."
In November 1996, the Company purchased 16.5 acres of unimproved real property
in Las Vegas, Nevada for approximately $4,034,000 which included a note payable
of approximately $950,000. See "Note 6. Purchase of Nevada Real Property."
In June 1995, the Company acquired certain assets and assumed certain
liabilities of U.S. Laser for $3,066,000. See "Note 2. Closure of Subsidiary --
U.S. Laser Video Distributors, Inc.":
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(In thousands)
<S> <C>
Fair value of assets acquired......................... $ 4,724
Excess of purchase price over fair value
of net assets acquired recorded as goodwill....... 190
Cash paid for net assets acquired..................... (3,066)
Expenses incurred in connection with the acquisition.. (65)
-------
Liabilities assumed................................... $ 1,783
=======
</TABLE>
Fully amortized production costs retired from production costs totaled
$2,625,000, $3,221,000 and $2,767,000 at March 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996,
respectively.
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
________________________________________________________________________________
F-8 Image Entertainment, Inc.
<PAGE>
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE 1. ORGANIZATION AND BUSINESS.
Image Entertainment, Inc. (the "Company") was incorporated in Colorado on April
1, 1975. In November 1989, the Company reincorporated in California. The
Company's primary business is the distribution of programming on optical disc
(Laserdisc ("LD") and Digital Video Disc ("DVD")) under exclusive and
nonexclusive license and wholesale distribution agreements.
NOTE 2. CLOSURE OF SUBSIDIARY -- U.S. LASER VIDEO DISTRIBUTORS, INC.
In May 1998, the Company announced the closing of its wholly-owned subsidiary
U.S. Laser Video Distributors, Inc. ("U.S. Laser"), located in New Jersey and
acquired by the Company in June 1995 for $3.1 million in cash. The closure of
the subsidiary and its retail store "Digitainment" is expected to be finalized
by July 15, 1998. The closure follows the Company's consolidation of a majority
of U.S. Laser's optical disc distribution activities. U.S. Laser's only
remaining activities consisted of direct-to-consumer optical disc sales through
the "Digitainment" retail store, mail order to a decreasing number of accounts
and the Internet. With the decline of industry-wide LD software and hardware
sales, offset in part by growing DVD software and hardware sales, the retail
store was performing below expectations.
Further, in October 1997, U.S. Laser ceased publication of Laserviews as
circulation had diminished in recent years. The Company recently signed an
agreement with the publisher of Widescreen Review Magazine which will give
Laserviews subscribers the opportunity to receive issues of Widescreen Review
Magazine in satisfaction of their subscription.
The operating lease for U.S. Laser's corporate offices, distribution center and
retail store was to expire in September 2001. In May 1998, the Company signed a
Lease Termination Agreement with U.S. Laser's landlord to early terminate the
lease on July 15, 1998.
The closure of U.S. Laser resulted in nonrecurring pretax charges of $202,000,
representing fees and expenses associated with the Lease Termination Agreement
and employee severance payments, and $623,000 (a noncash charge) covering the
write-off of unamortized leasehold improvements and goodwill. The pretax
charges total $825,000 and are included in costs of facility closure expense for
the year ended March 31, 1998.
NOTE 3. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES.
Consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include those of the
- -------------
Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary, U.S. Laser (collectively, the
"Company"). All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been
eliminated in consolidation. See "Note 2. Closure of Subsidiary -- U.S. Laser
Video Distributors, Inc."
Cash and Cash Equivalents. The Company considers all highly liquid investments
- -------------------------
purchased with maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Accounts Receivable. At March 31, 1998 and 1997, the allowance for doubtful
- -------------------
accounts was $404,000 and $1,629,000, respectively, and the allowance for sales
returns was $4,200,000 and $3,180,000, respectively.
________________________________________________________________________________
Image Entertainment, Inc. F-9
<PAGE>
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amortization of Production Costs. The Company amortizes capitalized production
- --------------------------------
costs in accordance with the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 53 ("SFAS No. 53"). Pursuant to the income forecast method, a
percentage of the production costs is charged to expense each month based upon
(i) a projected revenue stream resulting from distribution of new and previously
released optical disc programming related to the production costs and (ii)
management's estimate of the ultimate net realizable value of the production
costs. Estimates of future revenues are reviewed periodically and amortization
of production costs is adjusted accordingly. If estimated future revenues are
not sufficient to recover the unamortized balance of production costs, such
costs are reduced to the estimated net realizable value.
Revenue Recognition. Revenue is recognized upon shipment. The Company's return
- -------------------
policy allows customers to return a percentage of optical discs purchased on a
quarterly basis. Generally, this allowance is noncumulative, is generally based
on the customer's prior quarter purchases and is generally limited on an
individual-title basis. On occasion, greater return allowances are given to
major customers. The Company provides for estimated returns when product is
shipped to customers.
Major Customers. Customers which individually accounted for more than 10% of
- ---------------
fiscal year net sales approximated 31.5% of fiscal 1998 net sales (Norwalk
Records 10.9%, Ken Crane's Home Entertainment 10.6%, and Musicland 10.0%), 31.8%
of fiscal 1997 net sales (Musicland 11.2%, Alliance Entertainment 10.4% and Ken
Crane's Home Entertainment 10.2%) and 10.9% of fiscal 1996 net sales (Musicland
10.9%).
Royalty and Distribution Fee Advances. Royalty and distribution fee advances
- -------------------------------------
represent fixed minimum payments made to program suppliers for optical disc
programming distribution rights. A program supplier's share of program
distribution revenues is retained by the Company until the share equals the
advance(s) paid to the program supplier. Thereafter, any excess is paid to the
program supplier. In the event of an excess, the Company records, as a cost of
optical disc sales, an amount equal to the licensor/program supplier's share of
the distribution revenues. Royalty and distribution fee advances are charged to
operations as revenues are earned, and are stated at the lower of unamortized
cost or estimated net realizable value on an individual-title or license-
agreement basis. If estimated future revenues on an individual-title or
agreement basis are not sufficient to recover the unamortized balance of
royalty and distribution fee advances, such estimated loss is recorded as cost
of sales in the period when the loss is estimated.
Depreciation and Amortization of Property, Equipment and Improvements.
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Depreciation of property and equipment is provided for using the straight-line
method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets, generally five
years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the estimated
useful lives of the improvements, generally five years, or the remaining lease
term. The cost of repairs and maintenance is charged to operations when
incurred.
Interest Capitalization. Interest costs on the construction of the Nevada
- -----------------------
warehouse and distribution facility are capitalized as part of the cost of the
facility. See "Note 6. Purchase of Nevada Real Property" and "Note 9.
Construction Credit Facility."
Goodwill. The excess of purchase price over the value of the net assets
- --------
acquired is included in prepaid expenses and other assets and is amortized on a
straight-line basis over a 20-year period. The Company assesses the
recoverability of this intangible asset by determining whether the amortization
of the goodwill balance over its remaining useful life can be recovered through
undiscounted future operating cash flows from the acquired operation. The
Company has written
________________________________________________________________________________
F-10 Image Entertainment, Inc.
<PAGE>
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
off its unamortized balance of goodwill at March 31, 1998 due to the pending
closure of U.S. Laser. See "Note 2. Closure of Subsidiary --U.S. Laser Video
Distributors, Inc."
Income Taxes. The Company accounts for income taxes pursuant to the provisions
- ------------
of Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 109 ("SFAS No. 109").
Under the asset and liability method of SFAS No. 109, deferred tax assets and
liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to
differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets
and liabilities and their respective tax bases and the future tax benefits
derived from operating loss and tax credit carryforwards.
Stock Option Plan. Prior to April 1, 1996, the Company accounted for its stock
- -----------------
option plan in accordance with provisions of Accounting Principles Board ("APB")
Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees," and related
interpretations. As such, compensation expense would be recorded on the date of
grant only if the current market price of the underlying stock exceeded the
exercise price. On April 1, 1996, the Company adopted Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 123 ("SFAS No. 123"), "Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation," which permits entities to recognize, as expense over the vesting
period, the fair value of all stock-based awards on the date of grant.
Alternatively, SFAS No. 123 also allows entities to continue to apply the
provisions of APB Opinion No. 25 and provide pro forma net income disclosures
for employee stock option grants made in 1996 and future years as if the fair-
value-based method defined in SFAS No. 123 had been applied. The Company has
elected to continue to apply the provisions of APB Opinion No. 25 and provide
the pro forma disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 123. Accordingly, the adoption
of SFAS No. 123 did not have a material effect on the Company's consolidated
financial statements. See "Note 12. Stock Options and Warrants."
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed of. The
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
Company adopted the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No. 121 ("SFAS No. 121"), "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
and Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed of," on April 1, 1996. The statement
requires that long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangibles be reviewed
for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the
carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to
be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset
to future net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets
are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by
the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of
the assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying
amount or fair value, less costs to sell. Adoption of SFAS No. 121 did not have
a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments. The carrying amounts reflected in the
- -----------------------------------
Company's consolidated balance sheets for all financial instruments approximate
their respective fair values.
Use of Estimates. The preparation of the Company's consolidated financial
- ----------------
statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires
management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in
these financial statements and accompanying notes. The significant areas
requiring the use of management estimates related to allowances for slow-moving
inventory, doubtful accounts receivables, unrecouped royalty/distribution fee
advances and sales returns. Although these estimates are based on management's
knowledge of current events and actions management may undertake in the future,
actual results may ultimately differ from those estimates.
________________________________________________________________________________
Image Entertainment, Inc. F-11
<PAGE>
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recently Issued Accounting Standards. In June 1997, the Financial Accounting
- ------------------------------------
Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No.
130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income," and SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures about
Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information." These statements, which are
effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1997, expand or modify
disclosures and the Company currently expects will have an insignificant impact
on its consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Reclassifications. Certain fiscal 1997 and 1996 balances have been reclassified
- -----------------
to conform with the fiscal 1998 presentation.
NOTE 4. NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE.
In February 1997, Statement of Financial Standards No. 128 ("SFAS No. 128")
"Earnings Per Share" was issued. SFAS No. 128 supersedes Accounting Principles
Board Opinion No. 15, "Earnings Per Share" and specifies the computation,
presentation, and disclosure requirements for earnings per share ("EPS") for
entities with publicly held common stock. SFAS No. 128 is effective for both
interim and annual periods ending after December 15, 1997. The Company adopted
SFAS No. 128 in the fiscal year ending March 31, 1998.
Accordingly, the accompanying net income (loss) per share information, including
all information restated for the two years prior to fiscal 1998, has been
calculated and presented in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 128. In
accordance with SFAS No. 128, the Company has presented both basic and diluted
net income (loss) per share in its consolidated financial statements.
Basic net income (loss) per share was calculated by dividing net income (loss)
by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the years
presented.
For fiscal 1997 and 1996, diluted net income per share was calculated in a
manner consistent with basic net income per share except that the weighted
average number of common shares outstanding also includes the dilutive effect of
stock options and warrants outstanding (using the treasury stock method). For
fiscal 1998, the calculation of diluted net loss per share did not include
common equivalents (stock options and warrants) as their effect would be
antidilutive.
________________________________________________________________________________
F-12 Image Entertainment, Inc.
<PAGE>
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following presents a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators used
in computing basic and diluted net income (loss) per share for the three years
ended March 31, 1998:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(In thousands, except per share data) 1998 1997 1996
-------- ------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Income (loss) before extraordinary item (basic and
diluted numerator) $(9,581) $ 972 $ 7,599
======= ======= =======
Net income (loss) (basic and diluted numerator) $(9,581) $ 845 $ 7,599
======= ======= =======
Weighted average common shares outstanding
(basic denominator) 13,471 13,504 13,569
======= ======= =======
Effect of dilutive stock options and warrants -- 332 1,233
------- ------- -------
Weighted average common shares outstanding
(diluted denominator) 13,471 13,836 14,802
======= ======= =======
Net income (loss) per share:
Income (loss) before extraordinary item:
Basic $ (.71) $ .07 $ .56
======= ======= =======
Diluted $ (.71) $ .07 $ .51
======= ======= =======
Net income (loss):
Basic $ (.71) $ .06 $ .56
======= ======= =======
Diluted $ (.71) $ .06 $ .51
======= ======= =======
</TABLE>
During fiscal 1998, 1997 and 1996, there were 1,417,000, 2,150,000 and 734,000,
respectively, of outstanding stock options and warrants which were not included
in the computation of diluted net income (loss) per share as their effect would
be antidilutive. The exercise prices of stock options and warrants were greater
than the average market price of the common stock for the years ended March 31,
1997 and 1996.
NOTE 5. INVENTORIES.
Inventories at March 31, 1998 and 1997 are summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(In thousands) 1998 1997
-------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Optical disc inventory
LD $16,779 $18,935
DVD 1,567 203
------- -------
18,346 19,138
Reserve for slow-moving inventory (9,098) (3,070)
------- -------
9,248 16,068
Production costs, net 1,957 1,576
------- -------
$11,205 $17,644
======= =======
</TABLE>
Optical disc inventory consists of finished optical discs (LDs and DVDs) for
sale and is stated at the lower of average cost or market.
________________________________________________________________________________
Image Entertainment, Inc. F-13
<PAGE>
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The costs to produce licensed optical disc programming include the cost of
converting film prints or tapes into the optical disc format, which includes
mastering and ancillary material production for LD and authoring and
compression, replica sample, set up charges and ancillary material production
for DVD, and packaging artwork costs and the overhead of the Company's creative
services and production departments. As discussed in Note 3 above, the Company
amortizes its production costs in accordance with SFAS No. 53. Production costs
are net of accumulated amortization of $6,013,000 and $5,011,000 at March 31,
1998 and 1997, respectively. The Company expects to amortize substantially all
of the March 31, 1998 production costs by March 31, 2001.
NOTE 6. PURCHASE OF NEVADA REAL PROPERTY.
In November 1996, the Company purchased approximately 16.5 acres of unimproved
real property adjacent to McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas, Nevada
for $4,034,000 cash. In January 1997, the Company purchased an additional
approximately 0.7 acres of unimproved real property adjacent to the November
1996 real property purchase for $331,000. The purchase price for the 0.7 acres
consisted of cash and a $285,000 note payable which was repaid in July 1997.
See "Note 11. Other Notes Payable." The property was subdivided with the intent
of selling the front 8.8 acres and building an approximately 76,000 square foot
warehouse and automated distribution facility on the back 8.4 acres. The
carrying value of the 8.4 acres, on which the Company is building a warehouse
and distribution facility, is reflected as a component of property, equipment
and improvements in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at March 31,
1998 and 1997. The carrying value of the front 8.8 acres, which is currently in
escrow to be sold, is reflected as land held for sale in the accompanying
consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 1998 and 1997.
Construction of the Nevada warehouse and distribution facility began in December
1997 and is expected to be operational in September 1998. A total of $2,644,000
of costs incurred to date relating to the design, engineering and planning of
the construction of the Nevada warehouse and distribution facility is reflected
as construction in progress, a component of property, equipment and
improvements, in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 1998.
See "Note 9. Construction Credit Facility" and "Note 10. Distribution Equipment
Lease Facility."
In May 1998, the Company entered into an Agreement for Purchase and Sale (the
"Sale Agreement") with Jackson-Shaw Company, a Texas corporation (the "Buyer"),
for the sale of the aforementioned 8.8 acres of unimproved real property. The
ultimate purchase price of the property is $3,100,000 with $1,550,000 allocated
to the first half of the property ("Parcel A") and $1,550,000 allocated to the
second half of the property ("Parcel B").
The Company has entered escrow on Parcel A. The close of escrow and ultimate
sale of Parcel A is subject to a 75 day feasibility period and delivery of
acceptable title. The escrow period expires August 31, 1998. Upon the
successful close of Parcel A's escrow, the Buyer will receive an option to
purchase Parcel B upon delivery of a non-refundable payment of $50,000. The
Buyer has until December 31, 1998, to notify the Company of its intent to
exercise its option. Should the Company receive this notice, the escrow on
Parcel B is limited to 60 days from the date of notice by Buyer. The escrow on
Parcel B can be extended by the Buyer to June 30, 1999 upon the non-refundable
payment of another $75,000. All non-refundable payments will be applied to the
purchase price of Parcel B upon the successful closing of escrow on Parcel B.
There can be no assurance that one or both escrows will close and the ultimate
sale of one or both parcels will occur.
________________________________________________________________________________
F-14 Image Entertainment, Inc.
<PAGE>
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE 7. PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT AND IMPROVEMENTS.
Property, equipment and improvements, stated at cost, at March 31, 1998 and 1997
are summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(In thousands) 1998 1997
-------- -------
<S> <C> <C>
Land (Note 6) $ 2,155 $ 2,091
Construction in progress (Note 6) 2,644 510
Furniture, fixtures and equipment 4,920 4,863
Leasehold improvements 794 1,250
Other 280 237
------- -------
10,793 8,951
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization (4,570) (3,972)
------- -------
$ 6,223 $ 4,979
======= =======
</TABLE>
Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and improvements was
$826,000, $846,000 and $792,000 for fiscal 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
Interest capitalized for fiscal 1998 was $18,000. The Company did not
capitalize interest during fiscal 1997 and 1996.
NOTE 8. REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY.
In December 1996, the Company entered into a Loan Agreement ("the Agreement")
with Union Bank. The latest amendment to the Agreement was on June 18, 1998 in
response to the Company's recorded net loss for the fiscal year ended March 31,
1998. The Agreement provides for revolving advances and the issuances of
standby letters of credit under a $10 million (reduced from $15 million)
revolving credit facility which expires June 30, 1999 (maturity shortened from
December 31, 1999). See "Note 15. Commitments and Contingencies" for the
Company's future minimum principal payments due under its debt facilities over
the next 5 years and thereafter. Borrowings under the Agreement are at the
bank's prime rate plus .50% (increased .25% from the prime rate plus .25%)
(9.00% at March 31, 1998). The Agreement provides the Company the option of
borrowing for fixed periods at the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") plus
3.0% (increased .50% from LIBOR plus 2.5%) (8.71% at March 31, 1998).
Borrowings under the Agreement are secured by substantially all of the Company's
assets located in California and New Jersey. At March 31, 1998, $2,315,000 in
borrowings were outstanding under the Agreement, all of which was borrowed under
the prime rate plus .25% option (amended in June 1998 to the prime rate plus
.50%). Funds available for borrowing may not exceed the borrowing base
specified in the Agreement, as amended. The June 18, 1998 amendment, modified
the Company's borrowing base by eliminating the Company's ability to borrow on
its eligible nonexclusive optical disc inventory. Prior to the amendment, the
Company was able to borrow on 45% of its eligible nonexclusive optical disc
inventory subject to certain limits. This borrowing base modification reduced
the amount of the Company's additional borrowing availability at March 31, 1998
from $5,452,000 to $3,819,000, net of amounts utilized for outstanding standby
letters of credit. At June 18, 1998, the Company had $154,000 in borrowings
outstanding under the Agreement and approximately $4,175,000, net of amounts
utilized for outstanding standby letters of credit, available for borrowing.
________________________________________________________________________________
Image Entertainment, Inc. F-15
<PAGE>
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Agreement imposes restrictions on such items as encumbrances and liens,
payment of dividends, other borrowings, stock repurchases and capital
expenditures. The Agreement requires the Company to comply with certain
financial and operating covenants. At March 31, 1998, the Company was not in
compliance with Union Bank's minimum tangible net worth and minimum quarterly
average profitability covenants. At the Company's request, Union Bank waived the
Company's non-compliance with those covenants for the period ended March 31,
1998. The Company was in compliance with all other financial and operating
covenants at March 31, 1998. The June 18, 1998 amendment amended certain
financial covenants on a prospective basis, including the two consecutive
quarter net income measurement and tangible net worth covenants.
Concurrent with the signing of the Agreement, the Company terminated its three-
year $15 million Loan and Security Agreement with Foothill Capital Corporation
which bore interest at prime plus 1.5% and was due to expire on November 15,
1997. The accelerated amortization of deferred financing costs and penalty
resulting from the early retirement of debt totaled $183,000 of which $40,000
represented a noncash charge. The extraordinary charge is recorded net of taxes
of $56,000 in fiscal 1997.
NOTE 9. CONSTRUCTION CREDIT FACILITY.
In March 1997, the Company entered into a Business Loan Agreement (the "Loan
Agreement") with Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association in
Nevada for the purpose of financing the construction of the Nevada warehouse and
distribution facility. See "Note 6. Purchase of Nevada Real Property." The Loan
Agreement, as amended, provides for a construction line of credit (the
"Construction Line") through September 30, 1998. The maximum available under the
line (the "Maximum Commitment") is $3,434,000. Interest under the Construction
Line is at the bank's prime rate plus 1.25% (9.75% at March 31, 1998). At March
31, 1998, there were $1,619,000 in borrowings outstanding under the Construction
Line. The Loan Agreement provides for the Construction Line to convert to a
revolving line of credit (the "Revolving Line") on September 30, 1998. At the
Company's request, the bank waived the Company's compliance with the covenant
for the period ended March 31, 1998. The Company was in compliance with all
other financial and operating covenants at March 31, 1998.
Under the Revolving Line, the Company may repay and reborrow principal amounts
provided the Revolving Line does not exceed the Maximum Commitment, which shall
be reduced quarterly beginning December 31, 1998 by $43,000. The Revolving Line
is available from October 1, 1998 through its maturity date of January 31, 2008.
See "Note 15. Commitments and Contingencies" for the Company's future minimum
principal payments due under its debt facilities over the next 5 years and
thereafter. The Loan Agreement provides the Company the option, under the
Revolving Line, to borrow at the bank's prime rate plus 1.25% or for fixed
periods at LIBOR plus either 2.25% or 2.65% depending on the level of the
Company's debt service coverage ratio, as defined in the Loan Agreement.
Borrowings under the Loan Agreement are secured by a deed of trust on the
approximate 8.4 acres of land in Las Vegas, Nevada on which the Company is
constructing a new warehouse and distribution facility, as well as any of the
Company's personal property located in Nevada, excluding inventory held for
sale. The Loan Agreement contains cross-default provisions to other borrowing
agreements and imposes certain restrictions on such items as payment of
dividends and stock repurchases. The Loan Agreement requires the Company to
comply with certain quarterly financial and operating covenants. At March 31,
1998, the Company was not in compliance with
_______________________________________________________________________________
F-16 Image Entertainment, Inc.
<PAGE>
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
the bank's maximum total liabilities to tangible net worth covenant. At the
Company's request, the bank waived the Company's non-compliance with the
covenant for the period ended March 31, 1998. The Company was in compliance with
all other financial and operating covenants at March 31, 1998.
NOTE 10. DISTRIBUTION EQUIPMENT LEASE FACILITY.
In March 1997, the Company entered into a Lease Intended As Security Agreement
(the "Lease") with BankAmerica Leasing & Capital Corporation. The Lease, as
amended, provides the Company the ability to lease a substantial portion of the
warehouse and distribution system equipment to be constructed and utilized in
the Company's warehouse and distribution facility in Las Vegas, Nevada. The
maximum amount available under the Lease is $2.5 million. The aggregate amount
of installation, transportation, applicable taxes, software costs or licensing
fees with respect to the aggregate borrowings under the lease may not exceed
20%. The Lease provides for advances for the purchase of equipment prior to its
delivery date (the "Advance Rent Period") which cannot extend past September 30,
1998. Interest during the Advance Rent Period is at the three-month LIBOR plus
2.5% (8.12% - 8.18% at March 31, 1998). There were $526,000 in borrowings
outstanding under the Lease at March 31, 1998.
Subsequent to the delivery and installation of the equipment and on the date the
equipment is accepted by the Company (the "Base Date"), the base rent period
("Base Rent Period") begins. During the Base Rent Period, the outstanding
borrowings on each equipment schedule will be amortized over 24 consecutive
quarterly installments, to a $1 purchase option, with the first such installment
due one quarter after the Base Date. See "Note 15. Commitments and
Contingencies" for the Company's future minimum principal payments due under its
debt facilities over the next 5 years and thereafter. The variable implicit
interest for each leased unit is the three-month LIBOR plus 2.719%. Under the
Lease, during the Base Rent Period, the Company may convert to a fixed implicit
interest rate. The fixed implicit interest rate will be the bond-equivalent
yield per annum for U.S. Treasury obligations with a maturity most closely
matching to the nearest month of the remaining average life of each equipment
schedule plus a spread of 3.137%.
Borrowings under the Lease are secured by the underlying equipment leased. The
Lease contains cross-default provisions with other borrowing agreements, early
termination charges and a $1.5 million minimum utilization requirement. The
Lease requires the Company to meet the same quarterly financial and operating
covenants contained in the Loan Agreement with Bank of America National Trust
and Savings Association above. At March 31, 1998, the Company was not in
compliance with the bank's maximum total liabilities to tangible net worth
covenant. At the Company's request, the bank waived the Company's non-compliance
with the covenant for the period ended March 31, 1998. The Company was in
compliance with all other financial and operating covenants at March 31, 1998.
NOTE 11. OTHER NOTES PAYABLE.
Convertible Subordinated Note Payable. The Company entered into a Credit
- -------------------------------------
Agreement (the "Credit Agreement") with Image Investors Co. ("IIC"), a principal
stockholder of the Company owned and controlled by John W. Kluge and Stuart
Subotnick, dated as of September 29, 1997, pursuant to which the Company
borrowed $5 million from IIC, with interest payable quarterly at
_______________________________________________________________________________
Image Entertainment, Inc. F-17
<PAGE>
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8% per annum, and principal due in five years. See "Note 15. Commitments and
Contingencies" for the Company's future minimum principal payments due under its
debt facilities over the next 5 years and thereafter. The loan is unsecured and
subordinated to any obligations to Union Bank and is convertible into the
Company's common stock at any time during the term at a conversion price of
$3.625 per share, the closing price of the Company's common stock on September
29, 1997. Proceeds from the loan were used to pay down the Company's outstanding
balance under its revolving credit facility with Union Bank.
Note Payable to Bank. In July 1997, the Company borrowed $1,350,000 under a
- --------------------
Business Loan Agreement (the "Business Loan Agreement") with Pioneer Citizens
Bank in Nevada. The Business Loan Agreement, as amended in February 1998, bears
interest at prime plus 1.75% (10.25% at March 31, 1998), matures on August 1,
1998 and is secured by a deed of trust on the approximately 8.8 acres of land
adjacent to the Company's 8.4 acre warehouse and distribution facility
construction site in Las Vegas, Nevada. See "Note 15. Commitments and
Contingencies" for the Company's future minimum principal payments due under its
debt facilities over the next 5 years and thereafter.
A portion of the proceeds from the loan were used to repay a note payable in the
amount of $285,000 which represented unpaid purchase consideration for the
January 1997 purchase of a portion of the aforementioned Nevada land. See "Note
6. Purchase of Nevada Real Property."
NOTE 12. STOCK OPTIONS AND WARRANTS.
The Company has three employee stock option plans. Incentive stock options may
be granted under one plan, and incentive stock options and nonstatutory options
under the other two. Under the plans, the exercise price of an incentive stock
option may not be less than the fair market value of the common stock on the
date of grant. The exercise price of a nonstatutory option generally may not be
less than 85% of the fair market value on the date of grant. The term of an
option may be no more than 10 years from the date of grant. The Company also
has a directors' stock option plan providing for an initial and annual award of
an option to purchase 15,000 shares of common stock to each director eligible to
participate under the plan. Only nonstatutory options may be granted under the
directors' plan. The directors' plan also provides for an exercise price of
$0.25 over the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant for
initial grants to directors. Thereafter, the directors' plan provides for an
exercise price at fair market value of the common stock of the date of grant,
fixed vesting, and a ten-year term. In addition to options under the three
employee plans and the directors plan, the Company has granted options
(including the antidilution rights described below and warrants in connection
with program acquisition agreements described in Note 14 to the consolidated
financial statements) to officers, shareholders, creditors and others for
various business purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________________
F-18 Image Entertainment, Inc.
<PAGE>
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Stock option transactions for the three years ended March 31, 1998 are as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Per-Share
(In thousands, except per share data) Shares Price Range
------ -----------
<S> <C> <C>
Outstanding, March 31, 1995 7,030 $ .59-10.25
Granted 295 6.875-7.75
Exercised (412) .59-7.00
Surrendered (855) 5.85
Canceled (51) 5.625-7.25
------
Outstanding, March 31, 1996 6,007 .59-10.25
Granted 180 5.813-6.75
Exercised (544) .743-6.00
Surrendered (1,427) .817-6.00
Canceled (1,832) .743-7.25
------
Outstanding, March 31, 1997 2,384 .743-10.25
Granted 30 3.25
Exercised (150) .743-1.857
Surrendered (10) 7.00
Canceled (837) 4.16-7.00
------
Outstanding, March 31, 1998 1,417 $.743-10.25
======
</TABLE>
Of the options reflected as outstanding on March 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996,
options to purchase approximately 1,295,891, 2,243,159 and 5,833,689 shares of
common stock were exercisable, respectively.
A December 29, 1987 stock purchase agreement (the "Agreement") provides for the
grant of antidilution rights (the "Rights") to various persons (the
"Investors"). Each Investor is entitled to Rights in connection with certain
issuances of common stock. The Agreement was amended in July 1992 pursuant to
which the Agreement will expire in July 2002.
Upon the exercise of certain options outstanding as of December 29, 1987 (the
"Management Options"), each Investor will be granted Rights to purchase shares
of common stock pursuant to a formula based in part on the percentage of the
outstanding shares of common stock owned by the Investor on December 29, 1987.
Rights to purchase an aggregate of 507,016 shares of common stock may be granted
to the Investors if all the Management Options are exercised. As of March 31,
1998, all Rights to purchase 507,016 shares had been granted, Rights to purchase
472,088 shares had been exercised (as to 19,697 shares in fiscal 1998, 22,039
shares in fiscal 1997 and 84,168 shares in fiscal 1996, at per-share exercise
prices ranging from $.74 to $1.07) and Rights to purchase 34,928 shares were
outstanding.
Rights granted in connection with the exercise of a Management Option are
exercisable for two years from the date of grant and have a per-share exercise
price equal to the greater of (a) $.74 or (b) the exercise price of the
Management Option.
Upon certain issuances of shares of common stock other than pursuant to the
exercise of Management Options, each Investor will be granted a Right (the
"Other Right") so that the equity
________________________________________________________________________________
Image Entertainment, Inc. F-19
<PAGE>
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
interest represented by the Agreement shares held by the Investor (excluding the
shares purchased upon the exercise of Rights issued in connection with the
exercise of Management Options) will not be diluted. As of March 31, 1998, Other
Rights to purchase approximately 851,616 shares of common stock had been
exercised (none exercised in fiscal 1998, 433 shares in fiscal 1997 and 2,720
shares in fiscal 1996, at per-share exercise prices ranging from $.59 to $9.29).
The Company applies APB Opinion No. 25 in accounting for its stock option plans,
and accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized for its stock options
in the consolidated financial statements. Had the Company determined
compensation cost based on the fair value at the grant date for its stock
options under SFAS No. 123, the Company's consolidated net income (loss) and net
income (loss) per share would have been decreased (or increased in the case of
the net loss) to the pro forma amounts indicated below for the three years ended
March 31, 1998:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(In thousands, except per share data) 1998 1997 1996
--------- ----- ------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Consolidated Net Income (Loss):
As reported $ (9,581) $ 845 $7,599
Pro forma $(10,076) $ 372 $6,993
======== ===== ======
Consolidated Net Income (Loss) per Share:
As reported
Basic $ (.71) $ .06 $ .56
Diluted $ (.71) $ .06 $ .51
======== ===== ======
Pro forma
Basic $ (.75) $ .03 $ .52
Diluted $ (.75) $ .03 $ .47
======== ===== ======
</TABLE>
The weighted-average fair value of options granted during fiscal 1998, 1997 and
1996 was $3.25, $7.19 and $6.59, respectively, using the Black-Scholes option-
pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions: Fiscal 1998,
1997 and 1996 - expected volatility of 60%, risk-free interest rates of 5.7% -
6.7%, no expected dividends and an expected life of three to five years.
Pro forma consolidated net income (loss) and net income (loss) per share
reflects only options granted in fiscal 1998, 1997 and 1996. Therefore, the
full impact of calculating compensation cost for stock options under SFAS No.
123 is not reflected in the pro forma consolidated net income (loss) and net
income (loss) per share amounts presented above because compensation cost is
reflected over the option vesting periods of up to four years and compensation
cost for options granted prior to April 1, 1995 are not considered.
NOTE 13. INCOME TAXES.
Income tax (benefit) expense for the three years ended March 31, 1998, all
current, are summarized as follows:
________________________________________________________________________________
F-20 Image Entertainment, Inc.
<PAGE>
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(In thousands) 1998 1997 1996
-------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Federal $ (55) $ 32 $ 165
State 3 345 578
-------- -------- --------
$ (52) $ 377 $ 743
======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to a significant portion
of the deferred tax assets at March 31, 1998 and 1997 are presented below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(In thousands) 1998 1997
-------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Deferred tax assets:
Inventory reserves $ 3,639 $ 1,228
Net operating loss carryforwards 1,293 --
Other 457 294
Installment sales 396 398
Sales returns reserve 388 294
Store closure expenses 265 --
Royalty reserves 198 669
Bad debt reserve 162 654
------- -------
Deferred tax assets 6,798 3,537
Less valuation allowance (6,743) (3,537)
------- -------
Net deferred tax assets $ 55 $ --
======= =======
</TABLE>
At March 31, 1997, the Company had fully utilized its net operating loss
carryforwards for Federal income tax purposes as well as its Alternative Minimum
Tax credit carryforwards.
Expected income tax expense based on Federal statutory rates for the three years
ended March 31, 1998 differed from actual tax expense as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(In thousands) 1998 1997 1996
-------- ------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Expected income tax expense (benefit) $(3,275) $ 415 $ 2,784
State income taxes, net of
Federal benefit 3 73 503
Change in valuation allowance 3,206 (28) (2,361)
Exercise of stock options -- (4) (24)
Other 14 (79) (159)
------- ------- --------
$ (52) $ 377 $ 743
======= ======= ========
</TABLE>
________________________________________________________________________________
Image Entertainment, Inc. F-21
<PAGE>
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE 14. OTHER ITEMS -- STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS.
Fourth Quarter Adjustments. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 1998, the
- --------------------------
Company recorded pretax noncash charges of $6,263,000 and $4,246,000 to reduce
the carrying value of its LD inventory to its net realizable value and to
provide for estimated losses on LD license and exclusive distribution
agreements, respectively. The provisions were in response to a greater than
expected decline in the Company's quarterly LD sales and the continued adverse
effect DVD is having on the LD market. The Company's decision to record these
charges in the fourth quarter was based on industry-wide statistics and other
relevant published data on DVD and LD trends and the incrementally adverse
impact these trends had on the Company's operations during the fourth quarter of
fiscal 1998 and would appear to continue having on the Company's operations in
the foreseeable future. The charges are reflected as a component of cost of
optical disc sales in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations for
fiscal 1998.
Also during the fourth quarter of fiscal 1998, the Company recorded a
nonrecurring pretax charge of $825,000 associated with the closure of its
subsidiary, U.S. Laser. See "Note 2. Closure of Subsidiary -- U.S. Laser Video
Distributors, Inc." The charge is reflected as costs of facility closure in the
accompanying consolidated statement of operations for fiscal 1998.
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 1997, the Company recorded pretax provisions
for slow-moving LD inventory and estimated doubtful accounts receivable of
$1,214,000 and $792,000, respectively. The charges are reflected as a component
of cost of optical disc sales and general and administrative expenses,
respectively, in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations for
fiscal 1997.
Acquisition Expenses. During the third quarter of fiscal 1997, the Company
- --------------------
recorded a nonrecurring pretax charge of $662,000 consisting primarily of
professional fees incurred in connection with negotiations to acquire Essex
Entertainment, Inc., a privately held New Jersey-based corporation. Acquisition
negotiations were terminated in December 1996. The charge is reflected as other
expense in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations for fiscal
1997.
Amortization of Warrants Associated with Program Acquisition Agreements. The
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
value of warrants issued in connection with program acquisition agreements
entered into during fiscal 1992 and 1993 and their respective issuance costs are
amortized ratably over the term of the related agreements. Amortization totaled
$73,000, $160,000 and $349,000 for the years ended March 31, 1998, 1997 and
1996, respectively, and were recorded as cost of optical disc sales in the
accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Stock warrants were fully
amortized at March 31, 1998.
NOTE 15. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES.
The lease for the Company's corporate office space in Chatsworth, California
provides for monthly rent of $14,000 (subject to annual adjustment based upon
increases in the consumer price index) and expires March 31, 2000.
________________________________________________________________________________
F-22 Image Entertainment, Inc.
<PAGE>
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The lease for the Company's warehouse space in Chatsworth, California provides
for monthly rent of $23,000 (subject to annual adjustment based upon increases
in the consumer price index). The Company plans to relocate its warehousing and
distribution operations to Nevada. See "Note 6. Purchase of Nevada Real
Property." On February 2, 1998, the Company entered into a Surrender of Lease
and Termination Agreement (the "Agreement"). The Agreement provides for the
Company to surrender the lease for the warehouse space on August 31, 1998
("Termination Date"). The Company can extend the Termination Date on a month-
to-month basis until November 1998. However, the Agreement is deemed null and
void and the Chatsworth warehouse lease would be restored if the Company does
not vacate the premises by November 30, 1998. In consideration for the early
termination of the lease which would have otherwise terminated on March 31,
2000, the Company will pay the sum of $50,000 on or before the Termination Date.
The Company also has leased additional warehouse space in Chatsworth, California
on a month-to-month lease for a monthly rent of $6,000.
Concurrent with the closure of U.S. Laser, the lease for the Company's New
Jersey combined office and retail space, with current monthly rent of $8,000,
which was due to expire on September 15, 2001, will be terminated early on July
15, 1998. See "Note 2. Closure of Subsidiary -- U.S. Laser Video Distributors,
Inc."
Future minimum annual rental payments at March 31, 1998 are approximately as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fiscal Amount
------------ ------------
(In thousands)
<S> <C>
1999 $ 521
2000 172
------------
$ 693
============
</TABLE>
Rent expense was $570,000, $538,000 and $476,000 for fiscal 1998, 1997 and 1996,
respectively.
At March 31, 1998, the Company's future minimum principal payments due under the
revolving credit, construction credit, and distribution equipment lease
facilities and notes payable are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fiscal Amount
---------- --------------
(In thousands)
<S> <C>
1999 $ 1,468
2000 2,556
2001 249
2002 258
2003 5,268
Thereafter 1,011
------------
$ 10,810
============
</TABLE>
_______________________________________________________________________________
Image Entertainment, Inc. F-23
<PAGE>
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At March 31, 1998, the Company had $2.3 million of outstanding standby letters
of credit which expire on November 15, 1998. These letters of credit secure
balances due to program suppliers.
At March 31, 1998, the Company's future obligations for royalty advances,
minimum guarantees and exclusive distribution fee guarantees under the terms of
existing licenses and an exclusive distribution agreement, respectively, are as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Fiscal Amount
---------- ------------
(In thousands)
<S> <C>
1999 $ 6,740
2000 1,453
2001 120
------------
$ 8,313
============
</TABLE>
In the normal course of business, the Company and its subsidiary are subject to
proceedings, lawsuits and other claims, including proceedings under government
laws and regulations relating to employment and tax matters. While it is not
possible to predict the outcome of these matters, it is the opinion of
management, based on consultations with legal counsel, that the ultimate
disposition of known proceedings will not have a material adverse impact on the
Company's financial position, results of operations or liquidity.
NOTE 16. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS.
Two individuals, who may be deemed to beneficially own more than 5% of the
Company's common stock as the sole shareholders of Image Investors Co., may be
deemed to have indirectly controlled Orion Pictures Corporation ("OPC") during
fiscal 1997 and through the first quarter of fiscal 1998. OPC's wholly-owned
subsidiary Orion Home Video Corporation ("OHVC") licenses programs to the
Company in the ordinary course of its business. The Company believes that the
terms of its license agreements with OHVC are comparable to the terms of similar
agreements between the Company and unaffiliated parties. During fiscal 1997,
the Company paid OHVC royalties of approximately $850,000. OHVC was sold to
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Inc. in July 1997. Royalties paid to OHVC during fiscal
1998 through its sale date were immaterial.
In June 1996, the Company's Board of Directors approved the Company's purchase
of 138,000 shares of the Company's common stock from the Company's President and
Chief Executive Officer at $5.8125 per share. The closing price of the common
stock on the date of purchase was $6.125.
________________________________________________________________________________
F-24 Image Entertainment, Inc.
<PAGE>
NOTE 17. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA. (UNAUDITED)
Summarized quarterly financial data for fiscal 1998 and 1997 is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Quarter Ended
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(In thousands, expect per share data) June 30, September 30, December 31,
------------------------ ----------------------- ---------------------
1997 1996 1997 1996 1997 1996
--------- ----------- ---------- ---------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net sales............................... $ 16,902 $ 20,146 $ 16,412 $ 17,762 $ 26,297 $ 24,948
Operating income (loss)................. (34) 850 (68) 583 1,467 1,087
Income (loss) before
extraordinary item..................... (191) 606 (184) 496 1,087 301/(2)/
Net income (loss)....................... (191) 606 (184) 496 1,087 158/(3)/
Net income (loss) per share:/(5)/
Basic................................. $ (.01) $ .04 $ (.01) $ .04 $ .08 $ .01
Diluted............................... $ (.01) $ .04 $ (.01) $ .04 $ .08 $ .01
<CAPTION>
---------------------------
(In thousands, expect per share data) March 31,
---------------------------
1998 1997
------------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
Net sales............................... $ 15,905 $ 22,794
Operating income (loss)................. (10,454)/(1)/ (269)/(4)/
Income (loss) before
extraordinary item..................... (10,293)/(1)/ (431)
Net income (loss)....................... (10,293)/(1)/ (415)
Net income (loss) per share:/(5)/
Basic................................. $ (.76) $ (.03)
Diluted............................... $ (.76) $ (.03)
</TABLE>
_____________________
(1) Includes noncash charges of $6,263,000 and $4,246,000 to reduce the carrying
value of the Company's LD inventory to its net realizable value and provide
for estimated losses on LD license and exclusive distribution agreements,
respectively. Also includes nonrecurring charges totaling $825,000 relating
to the closure of subsidiary, U.S. Laser Video Distributors, Inc.
(2) Includes nonrecurring charges totaling $662,000 relating to the write-off of
acquisition expenses.
(3) Net of extraordinary charge, net of taxes, related to early retirement of
debt of $127,000.
(4) Includes noncash charges of $1,214,000 and $792,000 to reduce the carrying
value of the Company's LD inventory to its estimated net realizable value
and provide for estimated doubtful accounts receivable, respectively.
(5) Net income (loss) per share are computed independently for each of the
quarters represented in accordance with SFAS No. 128 as described in detail
in Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. Therefore, the sum of
the quarterly net income (loss) per share may not equal the total computed
for the fiscal year or any cumulative interim period.
________________________________________________________________________________
Image Entertainment, Inc. F-25
<PAGE>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PART IV
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.
---------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(a) THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS ARE FILED AS A PART OF THIS AMENDMENT NO. 1. Page
----
<S> <C>
1. Financial Statements:
Independent Auditors' Report.................................................... F-1
Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 1998 and 1997.......................... F-2
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended March 31, 1998,
1997 and 1996................................................................... F-4
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the years ended
March 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996................................................... F-5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended March 31, 1998, 1997
and 1996........................................................................ F-6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements...................................... F-9
2. Exhibits: See the Exhibit Index on page i.
</TABLE>
(b) REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.
None.
<PAGE>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SIGNATURES
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
IMAGE ENTERTAINMENT, INC.,
a California corporation
Dated: November 30, 1998 By:/s/ MARTIN W. GREENWALD
---------------------------------------
MARTIN W. GREENWALD,
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive
Officer,
President & Treasurer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
/s/ MARTIN W. GREENWALD
---------------------------------------
Dated: November 30, 1998 MARTIN W. GREENWALD,
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive
Officer,
President & Treasurer
/s/ JEFF M. FRAMER
---------------------------------------
Dated: November 30, 1998 JEFF M. FRAMER,
Chief Financial Officer (Principal
Financial and Accounting Officer)
/s/ STUART SEGALL
---------------------------------------
Dated: November 30, 1998 STUART SEGALL,
Vice President & Director
/s/ IRA EPSTEIN
---------------------------------------
Dated: November 30, 1998 IRA EPSTEIN,
Director
/s/ M. TREVENEN HUXLEY
---------------------------------------
Dated: November 30, 1998 M. TREVENEN HUXLEY
Director
<PAGE>
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
EXHIBIT INDEX
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION
- ----------- -----------
<S> <C>
23 * Consent Letter of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, Independent Certified
Public Accountants.
</TABLE>
__________________
* EXHIBIT(S) NOT PREVIOUSLY FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION.
(i)
<PAGE>
INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS' CONSENT
Image Entertainment, Inc.
Chatsworth, California
We consent to incorporation by reference in the registration statements (Nos.
33-43241, 33-55393 and 33-57336) all on Form S-8 of Image Entertainment, Inc. of
our report dated May 29, 1998 except for Note 8, as to which the date is June
18, 1998, relating to the consolidated balance sheets of Image Entertainment,
Inc. as of March 31, 1998 and 1997, and the related consolidated statements of
operations, shareholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the
three-year period ended March 31, 1998, and the related schedule, which report
appears in the March 31, 1998 annual report on Form 10-K of Image Entertainment,
Inc., as amended.
/s/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
Los Angeles, California
November 25, 1998
