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Pay vs Performance Disclosure - USD ($)

4 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2023

Sep. 30, 2023

Sep. 30, 2024

Sep. 30, 2023

Sep. 30, 2022

Sep. 30, 2021

Pay vs Performance Disclosure

Pay vs Performance Disclosure, Table

PAY VERSUS PERFORMANCE

In accordance with SEC rules, this section presents information about the relationship between the compensation paid to our executives and certain Company financial performance metrics. For information about the Company’s compensation philosophy and objectives, please refer to the compensation discussion and analysis above, under the heading “Executive Compensation Objectives and Philosophy.”


	Summary Compensation Table Total for PEO		Compensation Actually Paid to PEO		Average Summary Compensation Table Total for Non-PEO NEOs⁽²⁾	Average Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs⁽³⁾	Value of Initial Fixed $100 Investment Based On:
Year	Mr. Cooper⁽¹⁾	Mr. Kyncl⁽¹⁾	Mr. Cooper⁽³⁾	Mr. Kyncl⁽³⁾		Average Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs⁽³⁾	WMG Total Shareholder Return	Peer Group Total Shareholder Return⁽⁴⁾	Net Income (millions)⁽⁵⁾	Adjusted OIBDA (millions)⁽⁶⁾
2024	$—	$18,632,606	$—	$5,096,835	$7,596,916	$7,427,567	$113	$189	$478	$1,432
2023	$18,006,190	$20,426,385	$21,638,202	$21,075,967	$7,848,931	$7,843,724	$111	$133	$439	$1,235
2022	$19,075,148	$—	$12,523,840	$—	$5,896,608	$5,606,281	$95	$92	$555	$1,149
2021	$10,670,683	$—	$10,004,288	$—	$5,348,178	$5,273,999	$149	$164	$307	$1,018

(1)

Reflects the amount of total compensation reported in the Summary Compensation Table (“SCT”) for our Principal Executive Officer (“PEO”) for the applicable year. See “Director and Executive Compensation—Summary Compensation Table.” Both Stephen Cooper and Robert Kyncl served as our CEO during fiscal year 2023.

(2)

Reflects the average of the total compensation reported in the SCT for the Company’s NEOs as a group (excluding the PEOs) for the applicable year. The NEOs included in this calculation for 2021 are Eric Levin, Max Lousada, Carianne Marshall, and Guy Moot. The NEOs included in this calculation for 2022 are Eric Levin, Louis Dickler, Max Lousada, Carianne Marshall, and Guy Moot. The NEOs included in this calculation for 2023 are Eric Levin, Max Lousada, Carianne Marshall, and Guy Moot. The NEOs included in this calculation for 2024 are Bryan Castellani, Eric Levin, Max Lousada, Carianne Marshall, and Guy Moot. See “Director and Executive Compensation—Summary Compensation Table.”

(3)

Amounts reported in this column represent the amount of compensation actually paid (“CAP”) to the PEO or the non-PEO NEOs, as applicable, computed in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K. The dollar amounts do not reflect the actual amount of compensation earned by or paid during the applicable year. In accordance with the requirements of Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, the CAP reported for the PEOs and the non-PEO NEOs reflects the following adjustments to the total compensation reported in the SCT to determine the applicable CAP:


	2024			2023			2022			2021
	PEO		Average Non-PEO NEOs	PEO		Average Non-PEO NEOs	PEO		Average Non-PEO NEOs
SCT to CAP Reconciliation	Mr. Cooper	Mr. Kyncl	Average Non-PEO NEOs	Mr. Cooper	Mr. Kyncl	Average Non-PEO NEOs	Mr. Cooper	Mr. Kyncl	Average Non-PEO NEOs	Mr. Cooper	Mr. Kyncl	Average Non-PEO NEOs
Reported SCT Total Compensation:	$—	$18,632,606	$7,596,916	$18,006,190	$20,426,385	$7,848,931	$19,075,148	$—	$5,896,608	$10,670,683	$—	$5,348,178
Value of RSUs and PSUs reported in SCT	$—	$(13,518,806)	$(2,368,490)	$(15,006,190)	$(15,347,525)	$(1,984,365)	$(16,075,148)	$—	$(447,697)	$(6,627,873)	$—	$(499,994)
Year-end fair value of unvested RSUs and PSUs granted in the current fiscal year	$—	$—	$2,164,395	$6,398,849	$15,997,107	$1,771,101	$11,955,895	$—	$329,376	$5,961,478	$—	$425,815
Year-over-year difference of year-end fair values for unvested awards granted in prior years	$—	$(16,965)	$(5,706)	$4,673,353	$—	$208,057	$(2,432,055)	$—	$(172,006)	$—	$—	$—
Fair value as of the vesting date for awards that are granted and vest in the same covered fiscal year.	$—	$—	$1,560	$7,566,000	$—	$—	$—	$—	$—	$—	$—	$—
Change in fair value from the end of the prior fiscal year to the vesting date for awards granted in prior years that vest in the covered fiscal year.	$—	$—	$38,892	$—	$—	$—	$—	$—	$—	$—	$—	$—
CAP:	$—	$5,096,835	$7,427,567	$21,638,202	$21,075,967	$7,843,724	$12,523,840	$—	$5,606,281	$10,004,288	$—	$5,273,999

(4)	Represents the weighted peer group total shareholder return (“TSR”), weighted according to the respective companies’ stock market capitalization at the beginning of each period for which a return is indicated. The peer group used for this purpose is the S&P 500 Media & Entertainment Index.

(5)	Reflects “Net Income” in the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Form 10-K for the applicable fiscal year.

(6)

We evaluate our operating performance based on several factors, including our primary financial measure of operating income (loss) before non-cash depreciation of tangible assets and non-cash amortization of intangible assets, adjusted to exclude the impact of non-cash stock-based compensation and other related expenses and certain items that affect comparability including but not limited to gains or losses on divestitures and expenses related to

restructuring and transformation initiatives (“Adjusted OIBDA”). We believe that Adjusted OIBDA provides relevant and useful information for investors because it clarifies our actual operating performance, makes it easier to compare our results with those of other companies in our industry and allows investors to review performance in the same way as our management.

Company Selected Measure Name

Adjusted OIBDA

Named Executive Officers, Footnote

(1)

(2)

Peer Group Issuers, Footnote

(4)	Represents the weighted peer group total shareholder return (“TSR”), weighted according to the respective companies’ stock market capitalization at the beginning of each period for which a return is indicated. The peer group used for this purpose is the S&P 500 Media & Entertainment Index.

Adjustment To PEO Compensation, Footnote

(3)


	2024			2023			2022			2021
	PEO		Average Non-PEO NEOs	PEO		Average Non-PEO NEOs	PEO		Average Non-PEO NEOs
SCT to CAP Reconciliation	Mr. Cooper	Mr. Kyncl	Average Non-PEO NEOs	Mr. Cooper	Mr. Kyncl	Average Non-PEO NEOs	Mr. Cooper	Mr. Kyncl	Average Non-PEO NEOs	Mr. Cooper	Mr. Kyncl	Average Non-PEO NEOs
Reported SCT Total Compensation:	$—	$18,632,606	$7,596,916	$18,006,190	$20,426,385	$7,848,931	$19,075,148	$—	$5,896,608	$10,670,683	$—	$5,348,178
Value of RSUs and PSUs reported in SCT	$—	$(13,518,806)	$(2,368,490)	$(15,006,190)	$(15,347,525)	$(1,984,365)	$(16,075,148)	$—	$(447,697)	$(6,627,873)	$—	$(499,994)
Year-end fair value of unvested RSUs and PSUs granted in the current fiscal year	$—	$—	$2,164,395	$6,398,849	$15,997,107	$1,771,101	$11,955,895	$—	$329,376	$5,961,478	$—	$425,815
Year-over-year difference of year-end fair values for unvested awards granted in prior years	$—	$(16,965)	$(5,706)	$4,673,353	$—	$208,057	$(2,432,055)	$—	$(172,006)	$—	$—	$—
Fair value as of the vesting date for awards that are granted and vest in the same covered fiscal year.	$—	$—	$1,560	$7,566,000	$—	$—	$—	$—	$—	$—	$—	$—
Change in fair value from the end of the prior fiscal year to the vesting date for awards granted in prior years that vest in the covered fiscal year.	$—	$—	$38,892	$—	$—	$—	$—	$—	$—	$—	$—	$—
CAP:	$—	$5,096,835	$7,427,567	$21,638,202	$21,075,967	$7,843,724	$12,523,840	$—	$5,606,281	$10,004,288	$—	$5,273,999

Non-PEO NEO Average Total Compensation Amount

$ 7,596,916

$ 7,848,931

$ 5,896,608

$ 5,348,178

Non-PEO NEO Average Compensation Actually Paid Amount

$ 7,427,567

7,843,724

5,606,281

5,273,999

Adjustment to Non-PEO NEO Compensation Footnote

(3)


	2024			2023			2022			2021
	PEO		Average Non-PEO NEOs	PEO		Average Non-PEO NEOs	PEO		Average Non-PEO NEOs
SCT to CAP Reconciliation	Mr. Cooper	Mr. Kyncl	Average Non-PEO NEOs	Mr. Cooper	Mr. Kyncl	Average Non-PEO NEOs	Mr. Cooper	Mr. Kyncl	Average Non-PEO NEOs	Mr. Cooper	Mr. Kyncl	Average Non-PEO NEOs
Reported SCT Total Compensation:	$—	$18,632,606	$7,596,916	$18,006,190	$20,426,385	$7,848,931	$19,075,148	$—	$5,896,608	$10,670,683	$—	$5,348,178
Value of RSUs and PSUs reported in SCT	$—	$(13,518,806)	$(2,368,490)	$(15,006,190)	$(15,347,525)	$(1,984,365)	$(16,075,148)	$—	$(447,697)	$(6,627,873)	$—	$(499,994)
Year-end fair value of unvested RSUs and PSUs granted in the current fiscal year	$—	$—	$2,164,395	$6,398,849	$15,997,107	$1,771,101	$11,955,895	$—	$329,376	$5,961,478	$—	$425,815
Year-over-year difference of year-end fair values for unvested awards granted in prior years	$—	$(16,965)	$(5,706)	$4,673,353	$—	$208,057	$(2,432,055)	$—	$(172,006)	$—	$—	$—
Fair value as of the vesting date for awards that are granted and vest in the same covered fiscal year.	$—	$—	$1,560	$7,566,000	$—	$—	$—	$—	$—	$—	$—	$—
Change in fair value from the end of the prior fiscal year to the vesting date for awards granted in prior years that vest in the covered fiscal year.	$—	$—	$38,892	$—	$—	$—	$—	$—	$—	$—	$—	$—
CAP:	$—	$5,096,835	$7,427,567	$21,638,202	$21,075,967	$7,843,724	$12,523,840	$—	$5,606,281	$10,004,288	$—	$5,273,999

Compensation Actually Paid vs. Total Shareholder Return

From 2023 to 2024, PEO CAP for Mr. Kyncl decreased by $15,979,132 or 76%. From 2021 to 2024, the average CAP for the non-PEO NEOs increased by $2,153,568 or 41%. For the same period, net income increased by $171 million or 56%, and Adjusted OIBDA increased by $414 million or 41%. Also during this period, cumulative WMG TSR was 13%, and cumulative TSR for the S&P 500 Media & Entertainment Index was 89%.

Compensation Actually Paid vs. Net Income

Compensation Actually Paid vs. Company Selected Measure

As discussed in greater detail under the heading “Director and Executive Compensation,” the Compensation Committee considers many factors when making decisions concerning the compensation of our executive officers. Adjusted OIBDA and revenue are examples of indicators of the Company’s overall financial performance, which may directly or indirectly impact the Company’s compensation decisions as well as CAP. However, as calculated under SEC rules, CAP reflects adjusted values to unvested and vested equity awards, GAAP valuation assumptions, and projected performance modifiers but does not reflect actual amounts realized by our executives for those awards.

Total Shareholder Return Vs Peer Group

Tabular List, Table

Performance Measures

The performance measures listed below represent the performance measures that link compensation actually paid to our NEOs for fiscal 2024 to company performance. The Company uses these measures in its annual cash incentive program. In addition, share price is a key determinant of the value of long-term incentive awards held by our NEOs in the form of RSUs and PSUs.

Measures for 2024

•	Adjusted OIBDA

•

Revenue

In addition, the number of shares subject to Mr. Kyncl’s PSU award granted during fiscal year 2024 will be determined at the end of the three-year performance period based on the Company’s TSR compared to the TSR of a comparison group of publicly-traded companies, as described above under the heading “Long-Term Equity Incentives—Long-Term Incentive Awards Granted to NEOs in Fiscal Year 2024.”

No other financial performance measures were used to link compensation actually paid to our NEOs to Company performance for the most recently completed fiscal year.

Total Shareholder Return Amount

$ 113

111

149

Peer Group Total Shareholder Return Amount

$ 189

$ 133

$ 92

$ 164

Company Selected Measure Amount

1,432,000,000

1,235,000,000