2024年4月29日,公司董事會成立了首席執行官辦公室,由以下 三 公司高管任命爲聯席首席執行官:George Cheeks,CBS總裁兼首席執行官;Chris McCarthy,Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios和Paramount Media Networks總裁兼首席執行官;以及Brian Robbins,Paramount Pictures和Nickelodeon總裁兼首席執行官。2024年4月30日,Robert M. Bakish辭去公司總裁兼首席執行官職務,並從董事會辭職。Bakish先生同意繼續擔任公司高級顧問,直到2024年10月31日,以確保他職責的無縫過渡。
National Amusements,Inc.是該公司的控股股東。截至2024年9月30日,NAI直接或間接擁有約 77.4%我們表決權A類普通股,並約 9.5%我們A類普通股和不享有表決權的B類普通股的股份,NAI由Sumner M. Redstone National Amusements Part B General Trust("General Trust")控制,該信託擁有約 80%NAI表決權利益。NA Administration,LLC是General Trust的公司受託人,受 七名董事會控制,按多數投票行事(在特定情況下除外),包括對General Trust持有的NAI股份。Shari E. Redstone,主席,首席執行官及總裁 of NAI but 非執行董事會主席,是NA Administration,LLC的董事之一,也是 七 董事之一 兩個 董事會成員是General Trust的受益人。我們的管理層成員或其他董事會成員都不是NA Administration,LLC的董事。
2024年9月30日,我們擁有一個高達$的循環信貸額度3.50 億美元的循環信貸額度將於2027年1月到期(「信貸額度」)。該信貸額度用於一般企業用途,並支持商業票據借款(如有需要)。我們還可以自行選擇,在信貸額度下按照規定限額借入特定外幣。信貸額度下的借款利率由每筆借款時確定,並一般基於美國的基準利率或加上一定溢價的適用基準利率(取決於所簽訂的貸款類型和期限,並根據我們的高級無擔保債務評級),美元貸款的基準利率爲Term SOFR,歐元、英鎊和日元貸款的基準利率分別以EURIBOR、SONIA和TIBOR爲基礎。截至2024年9月30日時,我們在信貸額度下有 no 未償還借款,信貸額度可用餘額爲$3.50權益法覈算的股權證券
2024年7月24日,聲稱持有Paramount Class b普通股的Scott Baker(以下簡稱「原告」)在特拉華州法院錢埃裏庭上提起了一起代表性訴訟(以下簡稱「Baker 訴訟」)針對NAI、Shari E. Redstone、Barbara M. Byrne、Linda M. Griego、Judith A. McHale、Charles E. Phillips, Jr.、Susan Schuman、Skydance 和David Ellison(以下簡稱「被告」)。訴訟聲稱在談判和批准交易協議等方面違反了對Paramount Class b股東的受託責任,並提出其他主張。訴訟要求未明的損害賠償、費用和開支,以及其他救濟。2024年11月4日,法院批准了Baker 訴訟雙方提交的一項協議,同意(i)推遲關於駁回動議的審理,直到在解決原告提名Baerlocher Family Trust(聲稱持有Paramount Class b普通股的)爲共同首席原告和Berger Montague PC 爲臨時類別訴訟律師(以下簡稱「領導權動議」)的原告動議後,提交或確定有效的訴狀,以及(ii)暫停發現程序,直到解決與領導權動議相關的任何駁回動議的操作訴狀。
此外,2024年4月30日,Paramount Class B普通股的一名自稱持有人在特拉華州的特拉華州法院根據《特拉華州公司法》第220條提起訴訟要求查閱Paramount公司的賬簿和記錄,以調查我們的董事會、NAI、Shari E. Redstone和/或Paramount的高管是否可能違反了對Paramount股東的信託責任,據稱轉移了公司機會(「220訴訟」)。法院於2024年7月24日就220訴訟進行了審判,並拒絕了查閱賬簿和記錄的請求。220訴訟中的原告隨後對法院提出了異議,此事目前正在上訴中。其他一些自稱持有Paramount Class B普通股和Paramount Class A普通股的人已經遞交了要求調查類似涉及交易中涉嫌違反信託責任的信函,並要求查閱賬簿和記錄。
2024年4月29日,公司董事會成立了首席執行官辦公室,由以下三位受命爲聯席首席執行官的高級公司高管組成:CBS總裁兼首席執行官喬治·奇克斯;Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios和Paramount Media Networks總裁兼首席執行官克里斯·麥卡錫;以及Paramount Pictures和Nickelodeon總裁兼首席執行官布萊恩·羅賓斯。2024年4月30日,羅伯特·M·貝基什辭去了公司總裁兼首席執行官一職,並從董事會辭職。貝基什先生同意繼續擔任公司高級顧問,直到2024年10月31日,以幫助確保其職責的順利過渡。
For the three months ended September 30, 2024, affiliate and subscription revenues decreased 1%, reflecting decreases of 3% from declines in linear affiliate fees and 2% from the absence of pay-per-view boxing events, which we no longer broadcast beginning in 2024, partially offset by a 4% increase from our streaming services, driven by subscriber growth and domestic pricing increases for Paramount+. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, affiliate and subscription fees increased 2%, reflecting 6% growth from our streaming services, driven by subscriber growth and domestic pricing increases for Paramount+, partially offset by decreases
-40-
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
of 2% from declines in linear affiliate fees and 2% from the absence of pay-per-view boxing events. Paramount+ subscribers grew to 71.9 million at September 30, 2024 from 63.4 million at September 30, 2023.
Theatrical
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, theatrical revenuesdecreased $269 million and $336 million, respectively, reflecting the number, mix and timing of releases in each year, including the comparison against the releases of Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem in the third quarter of 2023, while the 2024 periods benefited from the release of A Quiet Place: Day One. The nine-month comparison also reflects the success of Transformers: Rise of the Beasts in the prior year.
Licensing and Other
Licensing and other revenues are principally comprised of fees from the licensing of the rights to exhibit our internally-produced television and film programming on various platforms in the secondary market after its initial exhibition on our owned or third-party platforms; license fees from content produced or distributed for third parties; home entertainment revenues, which include the viewing of our content on a transactional basis through transactional video-on-demand (TVOD) and electronic sell-through services and the sale and distribution of our content through DVDs and Blu-ray discs to wholesale and retail partners; fees from the use of our trademarks and brands for consumer products, recreation and live events; and revenues from the rental of production facilities.
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, licensing and other revenues decreased 9% and 22%, respectively. The decrease in each period reflects lower licensing in the secondary market and the nine-month comparison also reflects a lower volume of content produced for third parties. Content available for licensing in 2024 was impacted by temporary production shutdowns due to labor strikes in 2023.
Operating Expenses
Three Months Ended September 30,
% of Operating
% of Operating
Increase/(Decrease)
Operating Expenses by Type
2024
Expenses
2023
Expenses
$
%
Content costs
$
3,277
75
%
$
3,548
76
%
$
(271)
(8)
%
Distribution and other
1,065
25
1,133
24
(68)
(6)
Total Operating Expenses
$
4,342
100
%
$
4,681
100
%
$
(339)
(7)
%
Nine Months Ended September 30,
% of Operating
% of Operating
Increase/(Decrease)
Operating Expenses by Type
2024
Expenses
2023
Expenses
$
%
Content costs
$
10,539
77
%
$
11,589
78
%
$
(1,050)
(9)
%
Distribution and other
3,206
23
3,283
22
(77)
(2)
Total Operating Expenses
$
13,745
100
%
$
14,872
100
%
$
(1,127)
(8)
%
Content Costs
Content costs include the amortization of costs of internally-produced television and theatrical film content; amortization of acquired program rights; other television production costs, including on-air talent; and participation and residuals expenses, which reflect amounts owed to talent and other participants in our content pursuant to contractual and collective bargaining arrangements.
-41-
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
For the three months ended September 30, 2024, content costs decreased 8% primarily reflecting lower costs associated with theatrical releases. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, content costs decreased 9% driven by lower costs associated with the decrease in licensing and theatrical revenues, partially offset by costs associated with CBS’ broadcast of Super Bowl LVIII. The decrease in each period also reflects the impact from changes in our content strategy further described under Programming Charges. In addition, content costs for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, included $57 million of incremental costs incurred to retain our production capabilities for certain of the television and film productions that were delayed as a result of the labor strikes.
Distribution and Other
Distribution and other operating expenses primarily include costs relating to the distribution of our content, including marketing for theatrical releases; revenue-sharing costs, including for third-party distribution and to television stations affiliated with the CBS Television Network; compensation and other ancillary and overhead costs associated with our operations.
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, distribution and other operating expenses decreased 6% and 2%, respectively, driven by lower theatrical distribution costs, reflecting the number and mix of theatrical releases during the 2024 periods compared with the same periods in 2023. These decreases were partially offset by higher revenue sharing costs for our streaming services, mainly costs for third-party distribution.
Programming Charges
During the first quarter of 2024, in connection with our continued review of our content strategy, we made a strategic decision to focus on content with mass global appeal. As part of this, we decided to rationalize original content on our streaming services, especially internationally, and improve the efficiency of our linear network programming. As a result, we reviewed our expansive global content portfolio and removed select content from our platforms. In addition, we decided not to move forward with certain titles and therefore have abandoned some development projects and terminated certain programming agreements. Accordingly, we recorded programming charges on the Consolidated Statement of Operations during the first quarter of 2024 relating to these actions. These charges, which totaled $1.12 billion, were comprised of $909 million for the impairment of content to its estimated fair value, as well as $209 million for development cost write-offs and contract termination costs.
During the first half of 2023, in connection with the integration of Showtime into Paramount+ across both streaming and linear platforms, we performed a comprehensive strategic review of the combined content portfolio of Showtime and Paramount+. Additionally, we commenced a review of our international content portfolio in connection with initiatives to rationalize and right-size our international operations to align with our streaming strategy, and close or globalize certain of our international channels. As a result, we changed the strategy for certain content, which led to content being removed from our platforms or abandoned, the write-off of development costs, distribution changes, and termination of programming agreements. Accordingly, we recorded programming charges on the Consolidated Statement of Operations relating to these actions in the first half of 2023. These charges, which totaled $2.37 billion, were comprised of $1.97 billion for the impairment of content to its estimated fair value, as well as $402 million for development cost write-offs and contract termination costs.
-42-
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Increase/(Decrease)
Increase/(Decrease)
2024
2023
$
%
2024
2023
$
%
Selling, general and administrative expenses
$
1,531
$
1,736
$
(205)
(12)
%
$
4,772
$
5,272
$
(500)
(9)
%
Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses include costs incurred for advertising, marketing, occupancy, professional service fees, and back office support, including employee compensation and technology. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, SG&A expenses decreased 12% and 9%, respectively, principally reflecting lower marketing costs for our streaming services and lower compensation costs.
Depreciation and Amortization
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Increase/(Decrease)
Increase/(Decrease)
2024
2023
$
%
2024
2023
$
%
Depreciation and amortization
$
96
$
105
$
(9)
(9)
%
$
297
$
310
$
(13)
(4)
%
Impairment Charges
During the third quarter of 2024, we recorded a charge of $104 million to write down the carrying values of FCC licenses in five markets to their estimated fair values. During the second quarter of 2024, we recorded a goodwill impairment charge for our Cable Networks reporting unit of $5.98 billion, as well as a charge of $15 million to write down the carrying values of FCC licenses in two markets to their estimated fair values. See Critical Accounting Estimates — Goodwill and Intangible Assets Impairment Tests.
Restructuring Charges and Transaction-Related Costs
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, we recorded the following costs associated with restructuring charges and transaction-related costs.
Three Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
September 30,
2024
2023
2024
2023
Severance (a)
$
288
$
—
$
513
$
54
Exit costs
—
—
31
—
Restructuring charges
288
—
544
54
Transaction-related costs
33
(10)
51
(10)
Restructuring and transaction-related costs
$
321
$
(10)
$
595
$
44
(a) Severance costs include the accelerated vesting of stock-based compensation.
We recorded severance charges of $513 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, of which $288 million was recorded during the third quarter. These charges were associated with strategic changes in our global workforce in order to streamline our organization and the exit of our former CEO. Additionally, during the first quarter of 2024, we recorded charges of $31 million for the impairment of lease assets that we ceased use of in connection with initiatives to reduce our real estate footprint and create cost synergies. In addition, during the three
-43-
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
and nine months ended September 30, 2024, we recorded transaction-related costs of $33 million and $51 million, respectively, associated with legal and advisory fees related to the Transactions.
The restructuring charges of $54 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 were comprised of severance costs associated with initiatives to streamline and transform our operations following our 2022 operating segment realignment and as we integrated Showtime into Paramount+. In addition, during the three months ended September 30, 2023, we recorded a benefit of $10 million for an insurance recovery related to stockholder litigation associated with the 2019 merger of Viacom and CBS.
Interest Expense/Income
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Increase/(Decrease)
Increase/(Decrease)
2024
2023
$
%
2024
2023
$
%
Interest expense
$
209
$
232
$
(23)
(10)
%
$
645
$
698
$
(53)
(8)
%
Interest income
$
31
$
29
$
2
7
%
$
111
$
97
$
14
14
%
The following table presents our outstanding debt balances, excluding finance leases, and the weighted average interest rates as of September 30, 2024 and 2023.
At September 30,
Weighted Average
Weighted Average
2024
Interest Rate
2023
Interest Rate
Total notes and debentures
$
14,620
5.17
%
$
15,662
5.11
%
Gain/Loss from Investments
During the first quarter of 2024, we recorded a loss of $4 million associated with the sale of an investment. During the second quarter of 2023, we recorded a gain of $168 million on our retained interest in Viacom18 following the discontinuance of equity method accounting resulting from the dilution of our interest from 49% to 13%.
Other Items, Net
The following table presents the components of “Other items, net.”
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024
2023
2024
2023
Pension and postretirement benefit costs
$
(34)
$
(38)
$
(103)
$
(113)
Foreign exchange loss
(7)
(4)
(26)
(38)
Other
2
—
3
3
Other items, net
$
(39)
$
(42)
$
(126)
$
(148)
-44-
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
Provision for/Benefit from Income Taxes
The provision for/benefit from income taxes represents federal, state and local, and foreign taxes on earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in loss of investee companies. For the three months ended September 30, 2024, we recorded a provision for income taxes of $45 million and for nine months ended September 30, 2024, we recorded a benefit from income taxes of $342 million, reflecting an effective income tax rate of 37.5% and 5.6%, respectively. For the three-month period, the tax provision includes a tax benefit of $66 million on pretax restructuring charges and transaction-related costs of $321 million and a tax benefit of $26 million on a pretax impairment charge of $104 million. Our adjusted effective income tax rate for the three-month period was 25.5%. See Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures. For the nine-month period the income tax benefit is primarily the result of a tax benefit of $375 million on pretax impairment charges for goodwill and FCC licenses totaling $6.10 billion and a tax benefit of $275 million on pretax programming charges of $1.12 billion. Our adjusted effective income tax rate for the nine-month period, which excludes the impact from impairment and programming charges, as well as the other items impacting comparability described under Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures, was 21.8%.
For the three months ended September 30, 2023, we recorded a provision for income taxes of $40 million, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we recorded a benefit from income taxes of $436 million, reflecting an effective income tax rate of 10.6% and 30.4%, respectively. Included in the third quarter of 2023 is a net discrete tax benefit of $33 million, primarily reflecting the benefit from guidance issued during the quarter by the IRS that resulted in additional foreign taxes from 2022 being eligible for a foreign tax credit, and amounts realized in connection with the filing of our tax returns in certain international jurisdictions. The tax benefit for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 is primarily the result of tax benefits of $582 million on pretax programming charges of $2.37 billion. Our adjusted effective income tax rates, which exclude the impacts from programming charges, discrete tax benefits, as well as the other items impacting comparability described under Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures, were 19.1% and 20.2% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively.
Equity in Earnings (Loss) of Investee Companies, Net of Tax
The following table presents equity in earnings (loss) of investee companies for our equity method investments.
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Increase/(Decrease)
Increase/(Decrease)
2024
2023
$
%
2024
2023
$
%
Equity in earnings (loss) of investee companies
$
(60)
$
(77)
$
17
22
%
$
(222)
$
(267)
$
45
17
%
Tax (provision) benefit
1
2
(1)
(50)
1
8
(7)
(88)
Equity in earnings (loss) of investee companies, net of tax
$
(59)
$
(75)
$
16
21
%
$
(221)
$
(259)
$
38
15
%
-45-
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
Net Earnings (Loss) from Continuing Operations Attributable to Paramount and Diluted EPS from Continuing Operations
Three Months Ended September 30,
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Increase/(Decrease)
Increase/(Decrease)
2024
2023
$
%
2024
2023
$
%
Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Paramount
$
(4)
$
247
$
(251)
n/m
$
(5,980)
$
(1,288)
$
(4,692)
n/m
Diluted EPS from continuing operations
$
(.01)
$
.36
$
(.37)
n/m
$
(9.04)
$
(2.04)
$
(7.00)
n/m
n/m - not meaningful
For the three months ended September 30, 2024, we reported a net loss from continuing operations attributable to Paramount of $4 million, or $.01 per diluted share, compared with net earnings from continuing operations attributable to Paramount of $247 million, or $.36 per diluted share, for the same prior-year period. 2024 included restructuring charges and transaction-related costs totaling $321 million and an impairment charge of $104 million to reduce FCC licenses to their fair value. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, we reported a net loss from continuing operations attributable to Paramount of $5.98 billion, or $9.04per diluted share, compared with a net loss from continuing operations attributable to Paramount of $1.29 billion, or $2.04 per diluted share, for the same prior-year period. 2024 includes impairment charges totaling $6.10 billion and first quarter programming charges of $1.12 billion. 2023 includes programming charges of $2.37 billion and a gain on Viacom18 of $168 million.
Net Earnings from Discontinued Operations
The following table sets forth details of net earnings from discontinued operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, which primarily reflects the results of Simon & Schuster. On October 30, 2023, we completed the sale of Simon & Schuster to affiliates of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. During the nine months ended September 30, 2024, as a result of working capital adjustments we recorded additional pretax gains on the sale totaling $19 million, of which $7 million was recorded during the third quarter.
Three Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2023
September 30, 2023
Revenues
$
307
$
857
Costs and expenses:
Operating
195
501
Selling, general and administrative
49
138
Total costs and expenses (a)
244
639
Operating income
63
218
Other items, net
(4)
(11)
Earnings from discontinued operations
59
207
Provision for income taxes (b)
(11)
(41)
Net earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax
$
48
$
166
(a) Included in total costs and expenses are amounts associated with the release of indemnification obligations for leases relating to a previously disposed business of $3 million and $9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively.
(b) The tax provision includes amounts relating to previously disposed businesses of $1 million and $2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively.
-46-
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
Segment Results of Operations
We are a global media, streaming and entertainment company that creates premium content and experiences for audiences worldwide, and are comprised of the following segments:
•TV Media—Our TV Media segment consists of our (1) broadcast operations—the CBS Television Network, our domestic broadcast television network; CBS Stations, our owned television stations; and our international free-to-air networks, Network 10, Channel 5, Telefe, and Chilevisión; (2) domestic premium and basic cable networks, including Paramount+ with Showtime, MTV, Comedy Central, Paramount Network, The Smithsonian Channel, Nickelodeon, BET Media Group, CBS Sports Network, and international extensions of certain of these brands; and (3) domestic and international television studio operations, including CBS Studios and Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios, as well as CBS Media Ventures, which produces and distributes first-run syndicated programming. TV Media also includes a number of digital properties such as CBS News Streaming and CBS Sports HQ.
•Direct-to-Consumer—Our Direct-to-Consumer segment includes our portfolio of domestic and international pay and free streaming services, including Paramount+, Pluto TV, and BET+. Effective April 30, 2024, Showtime Networks’ domestic premium subscription streaming service was no longer available.
•Filmed Entertainment—Our Filmed Entertainment segment consists of Paramount Pictures, Paramount Players, Paramount Animation, Nickelodeon Studio, Awesomeness, and Miramax.
We present operating income excluding depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, restructuring charges, transaction-related costs, programming charges, and impairment charges, each where applicable (“Adjusted OIBDA”), as the measure of profit and loss for our operating segments in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board guidance for segment reporting since it is the measure used by our management. Stock-based compensation is excluded from our segment measure of profit and loss because it is set and approved by our Board of Directors in consultation with corporate executive management. Stock-based compensation is included as a component of our consolidated Adjusted OIBDA. See Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures for a reconciliation of total Adjusted OIBDA to operating income (loss), the most directly comparable financial measure in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
Three Months Ended September 30,
% of Total Revenues
% of Total Revenues
Increase/(Decrease)
2024
2023
$
%
Revenues:
TV Media
$
4,298
64
%
$
4,567
64
%
$
(269)
(6)
%
Direct-to-Consumer
1,860
27
1,692
24
168
10
Filmed Entertainment
590
9
891
12
(301)
(34)
Eliminations
(17)
—
(17)
—
—
—
Total Revenues
$
6,731
100
%
$
7,133
100
%
$
(402)
(6)
%
-47-
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
Three Months Ended September 30,
Increase/(Decrease)
2024
2023
$
%
Adjusted OIBDA:
TV Media
$
936
$
1,149
$
(213)
(19)
%
Direct-to-Consumer
49
(238)
287
n/m
Filmed Entertainment
3
(49)
52
n/m
Corporate/Eliminations
(84)
(103)
19
18
Stock-based compensation (a)
(46)
(43)
(3)
(7)
Total Adjusted OIBDA
858
716
142
20
Depreciation and amortization
(96)
(105)
9
9
Impairment charges
(104)
—
(104)
n/m
Restructuring and transaction-related costs
(321)
10
(331)
n/m
Total Operating Income
$
337
$
621
$
(284)
(46)
%
n/m - not meaningful
(a) For the three months ended September 30, 2024, stock-based compensation expense of $20 million is included in “Restructuring and transaction-related costs.”
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
Nine Months Ended September 30,
% of Total Revenues
% of Total Revenues
Increase/(Decrease)
2024
2023
$
%
Revenues:
TV Media
$
13,800
65
%
$
14,917
68
%
$
(1,117)
(7)
%
Direct-to-Consumer
5,619
26
4,867
22
752
15
Filmed Entertainment
1,874
9
2,310
10
(436)
(19)
Eliminations
(64)
—
(80)
—
16
20
Total Revenues
$
21,229
100
%
$
22,014
100
%
$
(785)
(4)
%
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Increase/(Decrease)
2024
2023
$
%
Adjusted OIBDA:
TV Media
$
3,399
$
3,649
$
(250)
(7)
%
Direct-to-Consumer
(211)
(1,173)
962
82
Filmed Entertainment
(54)
(143)
89
62
Corporate/Eliminations
(281)
(336)
55
16
Stock-based compensation (a)
(141)
(127)
(14)
(11)
Total Adjusted OIBDA
2,712
1,870
842
45
Depreciation and amortization
(297)
(310)
13
4
Programming charges
(1,118)
(2,371)
1,253
53
Impairment charges
(6,100)
—
(6,100)
n/m
Restructuring and transaction-related costs
(595)
(44)
(551)
n/m
Total Operating Loss
$
(5,398)
$
(855)
$
(4,543)
n/m
n/m - not meaningful
(a) For the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, stock-based compensation expense of $34 million and $4 million, respectively, is included in “Restructuring and transaction-related costs.”
-48-
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
TV Media
Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
Three Months Ended September 30,
Increase/(Decrease)
TV Media
2024
2023
$
%
Advertising
$
1,666
$
1,703
$
(37)
(2)
%
Affiliate and subscription
1,872
2,004
(132)
(7)
Licensing and other
760
860
(100)
(12)
Revenues
$
4,298
$
4,567
$
(269)
(6)
%
Adjusted OIBDA
$
936
$
1,149
$
(213)
(19)
%
Revenues
For the three months ended September 30, 2024, revenues decreased 6%.
Advertising
The 2% decrease in advertising revenues reflects declines in the linear advertising market, partially offset by amounts recognized during the period relating to the underreporting of revenue by an international sales partner in prior periods and a 4-percentage point benefit from higher political advertising as a result of the 2024 U.S. Presidential election. Domestic advertising revenues decreased 7% to $1.33 billion, reflecting the market decline, partially offset by higher political advertising. International advertising revenues increased 24% to $339 million.
Affiliate and Subscription
Affiliate and subscription revenues decreased 7% for the three months ended September 30, 2024, principally reflecting decreases of 6% from linear subscriber declines and 2% from the absence of pay-per-view boxing events, which we no longer broadcast beginning in 2024, partially offset by an increase of 2% from contractual pricing.
Licensing and Other
Licensing and other revenues decreased 12%, primarily reflecting a lower volume of licensing in the secondary market.
Adjusted OIBDA
Adjusted OIBDA decreased 19%, mainly as a result of the decline in affiliate revenue and lower profits from licensing.
-49-
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Increase/(Decrease)
TV Media
2024
2023
$
%
Advertising
$
5,981
$
5,905
$
76
1
%
Affiliate and subscription
5,778
6,082
(304)
(5)
Licensing and other
2,041
2,930
(889)
(30)
Revenues
$
13,800
$
14,917
$
(1,117)
(7)
%
Adjusted OIBDA
$
3,399
$
3,649
$
(250)
(7)
%
Revenues
For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, revenues decreased 7%.
Advertising
The 1% increase in advertising revenues includes a 9-percentage point benefit from CBS’ broadcast of Super Bowl LVIII in the first quarter of 2024 and a 2-percentage point benefit from higher political advertising. We have the rights to broadcast the Super Bowl on a rotational basis with other networks, and therefore did not have a comparable broadcast in 2023. These increases were substantially offset by declines in the linear advertising market. Domestic advertising revenues decreased $10 million to $5.07 billion. International advertising revenues increased 10% to $912 million, driven by amounts recognized during 2024 relating to the underreporting of revenue by an international sales partner in prior periods, partially offset by market declines.
Affiliate and Subscription
Affiliate and subscription revenues decreased 5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, reflecting decreases of 6% from linear subscriber declines and 1% from the absence of pay-per-view boxing events, partially offset by an increase of 2% from contractual pricing.
Licensing and Other
Licensing and other revenues decreased 30%, reflecting a lower volume of licensing in the secondary market and lower revenues from content produced for third parties. Content available for licensing was impacted by temporary production shutdowns due to labor strikes in 2023.
Adjusted OIBDA
Adjusted OIBDA decreased7%, primarily reflecting the decline in revenues, which was largely offset by lower costs for content, marketing and compensation. The lower content costs were mainly driven by the decline in licensing revenues.
-50-
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
Direct-to-Consumer
Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
Three Months Ended September 30,
Increase/(Decrease)
Direct-to-Consumer
2024
2023
$
%
Advertising
$
507
$
430
$
77
18
%
Subscription
1,343
1,258
85
7
Licensing (a)
10
4
6
150
Revenues
$
1,860
$
1,692
$
168
10
%
Adjusted OIBDA
$
49
$
(238)
$
287
n/m
n/m - not meaningful
(a) Primarily reflects revenues from the licensing of content rights acquired by BET+.
Three Months Ended September 30,
(in millions)
2024
2023
Increase/(Decrease)
Paramount+ (Global)
Subscribers (a)
71.9
63.4
8.5
13
%
Revenues
$
1,428
$
1,138
$
290
25
%
(a) Subscribers include customers who are registered for Paramount+, either directly through our owned and operated apps and websites, or through third-party distributors. Subscribers also include customers who are provided with access through a subscription bundle with a domestic linear video streaming service (vMVPD) or an international third-party distributor. Our subscribers include paid subscriptions and those customers registered in a free trial. For the periods above, subscriber counts reflect the number of subscribers as of the applicable period-end date.
Revenues
For the three months ended September 30, 2024, the 10% increase in revenues was primarily driven by growth from Paramount+.
Advertising
The 18% increase in advertising revenues reflects growth in impressions for Paramount+ and Pluto TV. Higher political advertising sales also benefited the comparison.
Subscription
The 7% increase in subscription revenues was driven by growth in Paramount+ subscribers and domestic pricing increases that we began to benefit from during the third quarter of 2023. Paramount+ subscribers increased 8.5 million, or 13%, compared with September 30, 2023, reflecting growth in both domestic and international subscribers. Growth in Paramount+ subscribers includes the migration of certain subscribers from Showtime’s premium subscription streaming service, which was no longer offered as a standalone service to new subscribers effective July 6, 2023 and was no longer available as of April 30, 2024. The growth was partially offset by a negative impact of 4-percentage points from the absence of pay-per-view boxing events in 2024.
During the quarter, global Paramount+ subscribers increased 3.5 million, or 5%, to 71.9 million, compared with 68.4 million at June 30, 2024, principally reflecting international expansion.
-51-
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
Adjusted OIBDA
Adjusted OIBDA improved by $287 million to $49 million, reflecting the revenue growth and lower marketing and content costs, including the impacts from actions relating to changes in our content strategy in prior periods (as further described under Consolidated Results of Operations — Programming Charges),partially offset by higher revenue sharing costs.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Increase/(Decrease)
Direct-to-Consumer
2024
2023
$
%
Advertising
$
1,540
$
1,269
$
271
21
%
Subscription
4,069
3,594
475
13
Licensing (a)
10
4
6
150
Revenues
$
5,619
$
4,867
$
752
15
%
Adjusted OIBDA
$
(211)
$
(1,173)
$
962
82
%
(a) Primarily reflects revenues from the licensing of content rights acquired by BET+.
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Increase/(Decrease)
2024
2023
$
%
Paramount+ (Global)
Revenues
$
4,332
$
3,093
$
1,239
40
%
Revenues
For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the 15% increase in revenues was primarily driven by growth from Paramount+.
Advertising
The 21% increase in advertising revenues was driven by growth in impressions from Pluto TV and Paramount+. The increase for Paramount+ also includes revenue from Super Bowl LVIII.
Subscription
The 13% increase in subscription revenues was driven by growth in Paramount+ subscribers and pricing increases that took effect in June 2023 for our Paramount+ domestic plans. These increases were partially offset by a negative impact of 4-percentage points from the absence of pay-per-view boxing events.
Adjusted OIBDA
Adjusted OIBDA improved by $962 million, reflecting revenue growth and lower marketing and content costs, partially offset by higher revenue sharing costs.
-52-
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
Filmed Entertainment
Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
Three Months Ended September 30,
Increase/(Decrease)
Filmed Entertainment
2024
2023
$
%
Advertising (a)
$
2
$
5
$
(3)
(60)
%
Theatrical
108
377
(269)
(71)
Licensing and other
480
509
(29)
(6)
Revenues
$
590
$
891
$
(301)
(34)
%
Adjusted OIBDA
$
3
$
(49)
$
52
n/m
n/m - not meaningful
(a) Primarily reflects advertising revenues earned from the use of Filmed Entertainment content on third-party digital platforms.
Revenues
For the three months ended September 30, 2024, revenues decreased 34%, primarily driven by lower theatrical revenues.
Theatrical
Theatrical revenues decreased $269 million, reflecting the number, mix and timing of releases in each year, including the comparison against the releases of Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem in the prior-year quarter, while the third quarter of 2024 benefited from the late second-quarter release of A Quiet Place: Day One.
Licensing and Other
Licensing and other revenues decreased 6%, principally reflecting lower revenues from the licensing of recent releases in the home entertainment market and from the licensing of film library titles, partially offset by higher revenue from studio rentals and production services, as the prior-year quarter was impacted by production shutdowns due to labor strikes.
Adjusted OIBDA
Adjusted OIBDA increased $52 million, primarily reflecting impacts from labor strikes in 2023 when we incurred incremental costs as a result of production shutdowns, and studio rentals and production services were significantly impacted.
-53-
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Increase/(Decrease)
Filmed Entertainment
2024
2023
$
%
Advertising (a)
$
10
$
21
$
(11)
(52)
%
Theatrical
399
735
(336)
(46)
Licensing and other
1,465
1,554
(89)
(6)
Revenues
$
1,874
$
2,310
$
(436)
(19)
%
Adjusted OIBDA
$
(54)
$
(143)
$
89
62
%
(a) Primarily reflects advertising revenues earned from the use of Filmed Entertainment content on third-party digital platforms.
Revenues
For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, revenues decreased 19%, primarily driven by lower theatrical revenues.
Theatrical
For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, theatrical revenues decreased $336 million, reflecting the releases impacting the quarter discussed above, as well as the success of Transformers: Rise of the Beasts in 2023.
Licensing and Other
Licensing and other revenues decreased 6%, primarily due to lower revenues from the licensing of theatrical releases in the home entertainment market.
Adjusted OIBDA
Adjusted OIBDA improved by $89 million, as the decrease in revenues was more than offset by lower content costs, as well as lower marketing costs as a result of the number and mix of theatrical releases during the first nine months of 2024 compared with the same prior-year period.
Fluctuations in results for the Filmed Entertainment segment may occur as a result of the timing of the recognition of distribution costs, including marketing costs, which are generally incurred before and throughout the theatrical release of a film, while the revenues for the respective film are recognized as earned through the film’s theatrical exhibition and distribution to other platforms.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Sources and Uses of Cash
We project anticipated cash requirements for our operating, investing and financing needs as well as cash flows expected to be generated and available to meet these needs. Our operating needs include, among other items, expenditures for content for our broadcast and cable networks and streaming services, including television and film programming, sports rights, and talent contracts, as well as advertising and marketing costs to promote our content and platforms; payments for leases, interest, and income taxes; and pension funding obligations.
Our investing and financing spending includes capital expenditures; acquisitions; funding of investments, including our streaming joint venture, SkyShowtime, under which we and our joint venture partner have committed to
-54-
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
support initial operations over a multiyear period; discretionary share repurchases; dividends; and principal payments on our outstanding indebtedness. Our long-term debt obligations due over the next five years were $2.64 billion as of September 30, 2024. We routinely assess our capital structure and opportunistically enter into transactions to manage our outstanding debt maturities, which could result in a charge from the early extinguishment of debt.
Funding for both our short-term and long-term operating, investing and financing needs will come primarily from cash flows from operating activities, cash and cash equivalents, which were $2.44 billion as of September 30, 2024, and our ability to refinance our debt. Any additional cash funding requirements are financed with short-term borrowings, including commercial paper, and long-term debt. To the extent that commercial paper is not available to us, the borrowing capacity under our $3.50 billion Credit Facility described below is sufficient to satisfy short-term borrowing needs. In addition, if necessary, we can increase our liquidity position by reducing non-committed spending.
Pursuant to the Transactions, the NAI Equity Investors and certain other affiliates of investors of Skydance will make an investment of up to $6.0 billion into New Paramount in exchange for up to 400 million newly issued shares of New Paramount Class B Common Stock. Up to $4.5 billion of these proceeds will be used to fund a cash-stock election for Paramount stockholders (other than NAI, the NAI Equity Investors and certain other affiliates of investors of Skydance) and a minimum of $1.5 billion of cash (less a subscription discount of 1.875%) will remain at New Paramount. If the cash-stock elections are undersubscribed, up to an additional $1.5 billion (less a subscription discount of 1.875%) of the unused portion of the $4.5 billion will also remain at New Paramount.
Our access to capital markets and the cost of any new borrowings are impacted by factors outside our control, including economic and market conditions, as well as by ratings assigned by independent rating agencies. As a result, there can be no assurance that we will be able to access capital markets on terms and conditions that will be favorable to us.
Cash Flows
The changes in cash and cash equivalents were as follows:
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024
2023
Increase/(Decrease)
Net cash flow provided by (used for) operating activities from:
Continuing operations
$
584
$
(174)
$
758
Discontinued operations
—
205
(205)
Net cash flow provided by operating activities
584
31
553
Net cash flow (used for) provided by investing activities from:
Continuing operations
(365)
(341)
(24)
Discontinued operations
48
(3)
51
Net cash flow used for investing activities
(317)
(344)
27
Net cash flow used for financing activities
(298)
(744)
446
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
14
(24)
38
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
$
(17)
$
(1,081)
$
1,064
Operating Activities
Operating cash flow from continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 was a net source of cash of $584 million compared with a net use of cash of $174 million for the nine months ended September 30,
-55-
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
2023. The increase in operating cash flow from continuing operations primarily reflects lower spending for content, compensation and marketing.
Net cash flow provided by operating activities includes payments of $198 million and $288 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, associated with restructuring, transaction-related costs and transformation initiatives, net of insurance recoveries received related to litigation associated with the 2019 merger of Viacom and CBS. Our transformation initiatives are related to advancing our technology, including the unification and evolution of systems and platforms, and migration to the cloud. In addition, we have adapted our facilities to accommodate our hybrid and agile work model.
Cash flow provided by operating activities from discontinued operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 reflected the operating activities of Simon & Schuster, which was sold in October 2023 (see Consolidated Results of Operations — Net Earnings from Discontinued Operations).
Investing Activities
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024
2023
Investments
$
(248)
$
(184)
Capital expenditures (a)
(151)
(213)
Other investing activities (b)
34
56
Net cash flow used for investing activities from continuing operations
(365)
(341)
Net cash flow provided by (used for) investing activities from discontinued operations
48
(3)
Net cash flow used for investing activities
$
(317)
$
(344)
(a) Includes payments associated with the implementation of our transformation initiatives of $9 million and $22 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
(b) Primarily reflects the collection of receivables associated with the 2022 sale of a 37.5% interest in The CW. 2023 also includes proceeds from the disposition of certain channels in Latin America.
Financing Activities
Nine Months Ended September 30,
2024
2023
Proceeds from issuance of debt
$
—
$
45
Repayment of debt
—
(239)
Dividends paid on preferred stock
(29)
(43)
Dividends paid on common stock
(102)
(351)
Payment of payroll taxes in lieu of issuing shares for stock-based compensation
(21)
(21)
Payments to noncontrolling interests
(120)
(97)
Other financing activities
(26)
(38)
Net cash flow used for financing activities
$
(298)
$
(744)
-56-
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
Dividends
The following table presents dividends declared per share and total dividends for our Class A and Class B Common Stock and our 5.75% Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock (“Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock”) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023. On April 1, 2024, each outstanding share of our Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock automatically and mandatorily converted into 1.1765 shares of our Class B Common Stock. The final dividend on the Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock was declared during the first quarter of 2024 and paid on April 1, 2024.
Three Months Ended
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
September 30,
2024
2023
2024
2023
Class A and Class B Common Stock
Dividends declared per common share
$
.05
$
.05
$
.15
$
.34
Total common stock dividends
$
35
$
34
$
104
$
228
Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock
Dividends declared per preferred share
$
—
$
1.4375
$
1.4375
$
4.3125
Total preferred stock dividends
$
—
$
14
$
14
$
43
Capital Structure
The following table sets forth our debt.
At
At
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
Senior debt
$
12,987
$
12,969
Junior debt
1,633
1,632
Obligations under finance leases
—
1
Total debt (a)
14,620
14,602
Less current portion
125
1
Total long-term debt, net of current portion
$
14,495
$
14,601
(a) At September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the senior and junior subordinated debt balances included (i) a net unamortized discount of $405 million and $419 million, respectively, and (ii) unamortized deferred financing costs of $76 million and $81 million, respectively. The face value of our total debt was $15.10 billionat both September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023.
In September 2023, we repaid our $139 million of 7.875% debentures upon maturity.
Senior Debt
At September 30, 2024, our senior debt was comprised of senior notes and debentures due between 2025 and 2050 with interest rates ranging from 2.90% to 7.875%.
Junior Debt
At September 30, 2024, our junior debt was comprised of $644 million 6.25% junior subordinated debentures due 2057 and $989 million 6.375% junior subordinated debentures due 2062. The subordination and extended term, as well as an interest deferral option of our junior subordinated debentures provide significant credit protection
-57-
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
measures for senior creditors and, as a result of these features, the debentures received a 50% equity credit by Standard & Poor’s Rating Services, Fitch Ratings Inc., and Moody’s Investors Service, Inc.
Commercial Paper
At both September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we had no outstanding commercial paper borrowings.
Credit Facility
At September 30, 2024, we had a $3.50 billion revolving credit facility that matures in January 2027 (the “Credit Facility”). The Credit Facility is used for general corporate purposes and to support commercial paper borrowings, if any. We may, at our option, also borrow in certain foreign currencies up to specified limits under the Credit Facility. Borrowing rates under the Credit Facility are determined at the time of each borrowing and are generally based on either the prime rate in the U.S. or an applicable benchmark rate plus a margin (based on our senior unsecured debt rating), depending on the type and tenor of the loans entered into. The benchmark rate for loans denominated in U.S. dollars is Term SOFR, and for loans denominated in euros, sterling and yen is based on EURIBOR, SONIA and TIBOR, respectively. At September 30, 2024, we had no borrowings outstanding under the Credit Facility and the availability under the Credit Facility was $3.50 billion.
In the course of our business, we both provide and receive indemnities which are intended to allocate certain risks associated with business transactions. Similarly, we may remain contingently liable for various obligations of a business that has been divested in the event that a third party does not live up to its obligations under an indemnification obligation. We record a liability for our indemnification obligations and other contingent liabilities when probable and reasonably estimable.
Critical Accounting Estimates
See Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, for a discussion of our other critical accounting estimates.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Impairment Tests
We perform fair value-based impairment tests of goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives, comprised primarily of television FCC licenses, annually during the fourth quarter and also between annual tests if an event occurs or if circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit or an indefinite-lived intangible asset below its carrying value.
-59-
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
Goodwill
Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level, which is an operating segment, or one level below.
For the second quarter of 2024, we assessed the relevant factors that could impact the fair value of our reporting units, including indicators in the linear affiliate marketplace and the estimated total company market value indicated by the Transactions and the NAI Transaction announced on July 7, 2024. Based on this assessment, we determined that an interim goodwill impairment test was necessary for each of our five reporting units.
In order to test goodwill for impairment, we calculated an estimated fair value for each reporting unit to determine whether it exceeded the carrying value of the respective reporting unit. Approaches used to estimate the fair values were the discounted cash flow method, the traded values of comparable businesses, and the transaction values of comparable businesses. The discounted cash flow method, which estimates fair value based on the present value of future cash flows, requires us to make various assumptions regarding the timing and amount of these cash flows, including growth rates, operating margins and capital expenditures for a projection period, plus the terminal value of the business at the end of the projection period. The assumptions about future cash flows are based on our internal forecasts of the applicable reporting unit, which incorporates our long-term business plans and historical trends. The terminal value is estimated using a long-term growth rate, which is based on expected trends and projections for the relevant industry. A discount rate is determined for the reporting unit based on the risks of achieving the future cash flows, including risks applicable to the industry and market as a whole, as well as the capital structure of comparable entities. Traded and transaction values were determined using comparable company trading multiples as well as multiples from recent transactions of comparable companies. The selected multiples consider each reporting unit’s relative growth, profitability, size, and risk relative to the selected publicly traded companies. We also considered the reasonableness of the market capitalization of our Company in relation to the estimated aggregate fair value of our reporting units.
The impairment test for our Cable Networks reporting unit indicated that a goodwill impairment charge of $5.98 billion was required, which represented the goodwill balance of the reporting unit prior to the impairment test. The impairment charge, which was recorded within the TV Media segment during the second quarter of 2024, resulted from a downward adjustment to the reporting unit’s expected cash flows, primarily because of the linear affiliate market indicators noted above, and the estimated total company market value indicated by the Transactions and the NAI Transaction. The estimated fair value of our Cable Networks reporting unit was based on the discounted cash flow method, utilizing a discount rate of 11% and a terminal value that was based on a long-term growth rate of (3)%.
The fair values of our remaining reporting units exceeded their respective carrying values and therefore no impairment charge was required. Our Filmed Entertainment reporting unit had a fair value that exceeded its carrying value by a significant amount, and the remaining three reporting units had fair values that exceeded their respective carrying values by less than 10%.
The estimated fair value of our CBS Entertainment reporting unit, which exceeded its carrying value by 4% and had a goodwill balance of $5.16 billion at June 30, 2024, was based on both the discounted cash flow method and the traded values of comparable businesses utilizing an OIBDA multiple. An increase to the discount rate of 50 basis points, or a decrease to the long-term growth rate of 50 basis points, assuming no changes to other factors, would cause a decrease to the estimated fair value of the reporting unit of $200 million and $100 million, respectively, and the fair value would exceed the carrying value by 3% and 4%, respectively.
The estimated fair value of our Paramount+ reporting unit, which exceeded its carrying value by 5% and had a goodwill balance of $1.47 billion at June 30, 2024, was based on the traded and transaction values of comparable
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Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
businesses utilizing revenue multiples. A decrease of 0.1x to the multiple would cause the fair value of the reporting unit to fall below its carrying value by $299 million.
The estimated fair value of our Pluto TV reporting unit, which exceeded its carrying value by 4% and had a goodwill balance of $1.26 billion at June 30, 2024, was based on the traded and transaction values of comparable businesses utilizing revenue multiples. A decrease of 0.1x to the multiple would cause the fair value of the reporting unit to fall below its carrying value by $41 million.
Certain future events and circumstances, including deterioration of market conditions, increases in interest rates, and unfavorable impacts to the projections used in the impairment tests for the reporting units discussed above, including from further declines in the linear advertising and affiliate markets, an increased shift by advertisers to competing advertising platforms, changes in consumer behavior, a decrease in audience acceptance of our content and platforms, and delays or difficulties in achieving our profitability goals for our streaming services, could cause the fair values of these reporting units to fall below their respective carrying values and a noncash impairment charge would be required. Such a charge could have a material effect on the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Consolidated Balance Sheet.
FCC Licenses
FCC licenses are tested for impairment at the geographic market level. We consider each geographic market, which is comprised of all of our television stations within that geographic market, to be a single unit of accounting because the FCC licenses at this level represent their highest and best use.
Our FCC licenses impairment tests are performed using the Greenfield Discounted Cash Flow Method, which estimates the fair values of FCC licenses by valuing a hypothetical start-up station in the relevant market by adding discounted cash flows over a five-year build-up period to a residual value. The assumptions for the build-up period include industry projections of overall market revenues; the start-up station’s operating costs and capital expenditures, which are based on both industry and internal data; and average market share. The discount rate is determined based on the industry and market-based risk of achieving the projected cash flows, and the residual value is calculated using a long-term growth rate, which is based on projected long-range inflation and industry projections.
For the second quarter of 2024, we assessed the relevant factors that could impact the fair value of our FCC licenses, including projections by geographic market, and determined that interim impairment tests were necessary for eight markets in which we hold FCC licenses. These tests, for which we used a discount rate of 8% and a long-term growth rate of 0%, indicated that the estimated fair values of FCC licenses in two of the eight markets tested were below their respective carrying values. Accordingly, we recorded an impairment charge of $15 million during the three months ended June 30, 2024 to write down the carrying values of these FCC licenses to their aggregate estimated fair value. The impairment charge, which was recorded within the TV Media segment, was primarily the result of recent declines in industry projections.
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Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
For the third quarter of 2024, as a result of a further decline in industry-projected long-term growth rates, we determined that an interim impairment test was necessary for each of our 14 markets with FCC license book values, which totaled $2.29 billion prior to the impairment tests. The tests indicated that the estimated fair values of FCC licenses in five of the 14 markets were below their respective carrying values. Accordingly, we recorded an impairment charge of $104 million during the three months ended September 30, 2024, to write down the carrying values of FCC licenses in these five markets to their aggregate estimated fair value of$1.03 billion. The impairment charge, which was recorded within the TV Media segment, was primarily the result of a reduction in the long-term growth rate utilized in the impairment tests to (2)%. The estimated fair values of FCC licenses in the remaining nine markets exceeded their carrying values by more than 10%.
A further decrease to the long-term growth rate of 50 basis points, or an increase to the discount rate of 50 basis points, assuming no changes to other factors, would cause the aggregate fair value of FCC licenses to fall below the aggregate carrying value by an additional $67 million and $86 million, respectively.
The estimated fair values of FCC licenses are highly dependent on the assumptions of future economic conditions in the individual geographic markets in which we own and operate television stations and long-term projections for advertising revenues. Certain future events and circumstances, including market volatility and increases in interest rates, or a further decline in the local television advertising marketplace could result in a downward revision to our current assumptions and judgments. Various factors may contribute to a future decline in an advertising marketplace including declines in economic conditions; an other-than-temporary decrease in spending by advertisers in certain industries that have historically represented a significant portion of television advertising revenues in that market; a shift by advertisers to competing advertising platforms; changes in consumer behavior; and/or a change in population size. A further downward revision to the present value of future cash flows could result in an additional impairment and a noncash charge would be required. Such a charge could have a material effect on the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Consolidated Balance Sheet.
Legal Matters
General
On an ongoing basis, we vigorously defend ourselves in numerous lawsuits and proceedings and respond to various investigations and inquiries from federal, state, local and international authorities (collectively, “Litigation”). Litigation may be brought against us without merit, is inherently uncertain and always difficult to predict. However, based on our understanding and evaluation of the relevant facts and circumstances, we believe that the following matters are not likely, in the aggregate, to result in a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Litigation Related to the Transactions
On July 24, 2024, Scott Baker (the “Plaintiff”), a purported holder of Paramount Class B Common Stock, filed a putative class action lawsuit (the “Baker Action”) in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware against NAI, Shari E. Redstone, Barbara M. Byrne, Linda M. Griego, Judith A. McHale, Charles E. Phillips, Jr., Susan Schuman, Skydance and David Ellison (the “Complaint”). The Complaint alleges breaches of fiduciary duties to Paramount’s Class B stockholders in connection with the negotiation and approval of the Transaction Agreement, among other claims. The Complaint seeks unspecified damages, costs and expenses, as well as other relief. On November 4, 2024, the Court granted a stipulation filed by the parties in the Baker Action agreeing to (i) postpone briefing on motions to dismiss until the filing or designation of an operative complaint following the resolution of Plaintiff’s motion to appoint him and the Baerlocher Family Trust, a purported holder of Paramount Class B Common Stock, as co-lead plaintiffs and Berger Montague PC as interim class counsel (the “Leadership Motion”)
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Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
and (ii) stay discovery until the resolution of any motions to dismiss any operative complaint following resolution of the Leadership Motion.
Further, on April 30, 2024, a purported holder of Paramount Class B Common Stock filed a verified complaint for the inspection of books and records under Section 220 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware against Paramount, seeking the inspection of books and records of Paramount in order to investigate whether our Board of Directors, NAI, Shari E. Redstone and/or Paramount’s executive officers may have breached their fiduciary duties to Paramount’s stockholders for alleged diversion of corporate opportunities (the “220 Action”). The Court held a trial on July 24, 2024 relating to the 220 Action and denied the request for the inspection of books and records. The plaintiff in the 220 Action has since noticed an exception to the Court, and the matter is on appeal. Certain other purported holders of Paramount Class B Common Stock and Paramount Class A Common Stock have delivered demand letters to investigate similar alleged breaches of fiduciary duties in connection with the Transactions and are requesting the inspection of books and records.
Litigation Related to Stock Offerings
In August 2021, Camelot Event Driven Fund filed a putative securities class action lawsuit in New York Supreme Court, County of New York, and in November 2021, an amended complaint was filed that, among other changes, added an additional named plaintiff (as used in this paragraph, the “Complaint”). The Complaint is on behalf of investors who purchased shares of the Company’s Class B Common Stock and 5.75% Series A Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock pursuant to public securities offerings completed in March 2021, and was filed against the Company, certain senior executives, members of our Board of Directors, and the underwriters involved in the offerings. The Complaint asserts violations of federal securities law and alleges that the offering documents contained material misstatements and omissions, including through an alleged failure to adequately disclose certain total return swap transactions involving Archegos Capital Management referenced to our securities and related alleged risks to the Company’s stock price. In December 2021, the plaintiffs filed a stipulation seeking the voluntary dismissal without prejudice of the outside director defendants from the lawsuit, which the Court subsequently ordered. On the same date, the defendants filed motions to dismiss the lawsuit, which were heard in January 2023. In February 2023, the Court dismissed all claims against the Company while allowing the claims against the underwriters to proceed. The plaintiffs and underwriter defendants appealed the ruling, and in April 2024, the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, First Department, ruled in our favor and upheld the decision of the trial court dismissing the case against the Company and its officers. The plaintiffs sought leave to reargue, or alternatively, appeal the ruling to the New York Court of Appeals, and in July 2024, the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, First Department, denied the plaintiffs’ request.
Claims Related to Former Businesses
Asbestos
We are a defendant in lawsuits claiming various personal injuries related to asbestos and other materials, which allegedly occurred as a result of exposure caused by various products manufactured by Westinghouse, a predecessor, generally prior to the early 1970s. Westinghouse was neither a producer nor a manufacturer of asbestos. We are typically named as one of a large number of defendants in both state and federal cases. In the majority of asbestos lawsuits, the plaintiffs have not identified which of our products is the basis of a claim. Claims against us in which a product has been identified most commonly relate to allegations of exposure to asbestos-containing insulating material used in conjunction with turbines and electrical equipment.
Claims are frequently filed and/or settled in groups, which may make the amount and timing of settlements, and the number of pending claims, subject to significant fluctuation from period to period. We do not report as pending
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Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
those claims on inactive, stayed, deferred or similar dockets that some jurisdictions have established for claimants who allege minimal or no impairment. As of September 30, 2024, we had pending approximately 19,360 asbestos claims, as compared with approximately 19,970 as of December 31, 2023. During the third quarter of 2024, we received approximately 750 new claims and closed or moved to an inactive docket approximately 490 claims. We report claims as closed when we become aware that a dismissal order has been entered by a court or when we have reached agreement with the claimants on the material terms of a settlement. Settlement costs depend on the seriousness of the injuries that form the basis of the claims, the quality of evidence supporting the claims and other factors. Our total costs for the years 2023 and 2022 for settlement and defense of asbestos claims after insurance recoveries and net of tax were approximately $54 million and $57 million, respectively. Our costs for settlement and defense of asbestos claims may vary year to year and insurance proceeds are not always recovered in the same period as the insured portion of the expenses.
Filings include claims for individuals suffering from mesothelioma, a rare cancer, the risk of which is allegedly increased by exposure to asbestos; lung cancer, a cancer which may be caused by various factors, one of which is alleged to be asbestos exposure; other cancers, and conditions that are substantially less serious, including claims brought on behalf of individuals who are asymptomatic as to an allegedly asbestos-related disease. A significant number of pending claims against us are non-cancer claims. It is difficult to predict long-term future asbestos liabilities, as events and circumstances may impact the estimate. We record an accrual for a loss contingency when it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and when the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. The reasonably estimable period for our long-term asbestos liability is 10 years, which we determined in consultation with a third-party firm with expertise in estimating asbestos liability and is due to the inherent uncertainties in the tort litigation system. Our estimated asbestos liability is based upon many factors, including the number of outstanding claims, estimated average cost per claim, the breakdown of claims by disease type, historic claim filings, costs per claim of resolution and the filing of new claims, and is assessed in consultation with the third-party firm. Changes in circumstances in future periods could cause our actual liabilities to be higher or lower than our current accrual. We will continue to evaluate our estimates and update our accrual as needed.
Other
From time to time, we receive claims from federal and state environmental regulatory agencies and other entities asserting that we are or may be liable for environmental cleanup costs and related damages principally relating to our historical and predecessor operations. In addition, from time to time we receive personal injury claims including toxic tort and product liability claims (other than asbestos) arising from our historical operations and predecessors. While we believe that our accruals for these matters are adequate, there can be no assurance that circumstances will not change in future periods and, as a result, our actual liabilities may be higher or lower than our accrual.
Related Parties
See Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements.
Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
See Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.
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Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition (Continued)
(Tabular dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains both historical and forward‑looking statements, including statements related to our future results, performance and achievements. All statements that are not statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Similarly, statements that describe our objectives, plans or goals are or may be forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect our current expectations concerning future results and events; generally can be identified by the use of statements that include phrases such as “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “foresee,” “likely,” “will,” “may,” “could,” “estimate” or other similar words or phrases; and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that are difficult to predict and which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these statements. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, among others: risks related to our streaming business; the adverse impact on our advertising revenues as a result of advertising market conditions, changes in consumer viewership and deficiencies in audience measurement; risks related to operating in highly competitive and dynamic industries, including cost increases; the unpredictable nature of consumer behavior, as well as evolving technologies and distribution models; risks related to our ongoing changes in business strategy, including investments in new businesses, products, services, technologies and other strategic activities; the potential for loss of carriage or other reduction in or the impact of negotiations for the distribution of our content; damage to our reputation or brands; losses due to asset impairment charges for goodwill, intangible assets, FCC licenses and content; liabilities related to discontinued operations and former businesses; risks related to environmental, social and governance (ESG) matters; evolving business continuity, cybersecurity, privacy and data protection and similar risks; content infringement; domestic and global political, economic and regulatory factors affecting our businesses generally; disruptions to our operations as a result of labor disputes; the inability to hire or retain key employees or secure creative talent; volatility in the prices of our common stock; potential conflicts of interest arising from our ownership structure with a controlling stockholder; business uncertainties, including the effect of the Transactions on the Company’s employees, commercial partners, clients and customers, and contractual restrictions while the Transactions are pending; prevention, delay or reduction of the anticipated benefits of the Transactions as a result of the conditions to closing the Transactions; the Transaction Agreement’s limitation on our ability to pursue alternatives to the Transactions; risks related to a failure to complete the Transactions, including payment of a termination fee and negative reactions from the financial markets and from our employees, commercial partners, clients and customers; risks related to change in control or other provisions in certain agreements that may be triggered by the Transactions; litigation relating to the Transactions potentially preventing or delaying the closing of the Transactions and/or resulting in payment of damages; challenges realizing synergies and other anticipated benefits expected from the Transactions, including integrating the Company’s and Skydance’s businesses successfully; potential unforeseen direct and indirect costs as a result of the Transactions; any negative effects of the announcement, pendency or consummation of the Transactions on the market price of the Company’s common stock and New Paramount Class B Common Stock; and other factors described in our news releases and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K. There may be additional risks, uncertainties and factors that we do not currently view as material or that are not necessarily known. The forward‑looking statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are made only as of the date of this report, and we do not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward‑looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.
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Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
There have been no significant changes to market risk since reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures.
Our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) were effective, based on the evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
No change in our internal control over financial reporting occurred during our last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings.
The information set forth in Note 14 to the consolidated financial statements appearing in Item 1 of Part I of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q under the caption “Legal Matters” is incorporated by reference herein.
Item 1A.
Risk Factors.
There have been no material changes to the risk factors previously disclosed in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 (filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on February 28, 2024) and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2024 (filed with the SEC on August 8, 2024).
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
Company Purchases of Equity Securities
In November 2010, we announced that our Board of Directors approved a program to repurchase $1.5 billion of our common stock in open market purchases or other types of transactions (including accelerated stock repurchases or privately negotiated transactions). Since then, various increases totaling $16.4 billion have been approved and announced, including most recently, an increase to the share repurchase program to a total availability of $6.0 billion on July 28, 2016. During the third quarter of 2024, we did not purchase any shares under our publicly announced share repurchase program, which had remaining authorization of $2.36 billion at September 30, 2024.
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Item 6.
Exhibits.
Exhibit No.
Description of Document
(31)
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications
(a)
Certification of the principal executive officer of Paramount Global pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a), or 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).
(b)
Certification of the principal financial officer of Paramount Global pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a), or 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 (filed herewith).
(32)
Section 1350 Certifications
(a)
Certification of the principal executive officer of Paramount Global furnished pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished herewith).
(b)
Certification of the principal financial officer of Paramount Global furnished pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 (furnished herewith).
(101)
Interactive Data File
101. INS XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
101. SCH Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema.
101. CAL Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase.
101. PRE Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase.
(104)
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.