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Revenue Recognition, Contracts with Customers | 12 Months Ended
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Apr. 30, 2024
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract] |
Revenue Recognition, Contracts with Customers | Revenue Recognition, Contracts with Customers Disaggregation of Revenue As described in Note 1, “Description of Business”, we have reorganized our segments. Our new segment structure consists of three reportable segments which includes (1) Research (no change), (2) Learning, (3) Held for Sale or Sold, as well as a Corporate expense category (no change), which includes certain costs that are not allocated to the reportable segments. Research includes reporting lines of Research Publishing and Research Solutions. Learning includes reporting lines of Academic and Professional. Held for Sale or Sold includes those non-core businesses which we have sold or previously announced we are divesting. Prior period segment results and disclosures within the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements have been recast to the new segment presentation. There were no changes to our consolidated financial results. See Note 20, “Segment Information,” for more details regarding our reportable segments. The following tables present our revenue from contracts with customers disaggregated by segment and product type.
| For the Years Ended April 30,
| 2024 |  | 2023 |  | 2022
Research: |  |  |  |  |
Research Publishing | $ | 892,784 |  |  | $ | 926,773 |  |  | $ | 963,715 |
Research Solutions | 149,921 |  |  | 153,538 |  |  | 147,628 |
Total Research | 1,042,705 |  |  | 1,080,311 |  |  | 1,111,343 |
Learning: |  |  |  |  |
Academic | 323,541 |  |  | 304,633 |  |  | 331,931 |
Professional | 251,198 |  |  | 241,762 |  |  | 249,277 |
Total Learning | 574,739 |  |  | 546,395 |  |  | 581,208 |
Held for Sale or Sold | 255,543 |  |  | 393,194 |  |  | 390,377 |
Total Revenue | $ | 1,872,987 |  |  | $ | 2,019,900 |  |  | $ | 2,082,928 |
The following information describes our disaggregation of revenue by segment and product type. Overall, the majority of our revenue is recognized over time. Research Total Research revenue was $1,042.7 million in the year ended April 30, 2024. Research products are sold and distributed globally through multiple channels. The majority of revenue generated from Research products is recognized over time. We disaggregated revenue by Research Publishing and Research Solutions to reflect the different types of products and services provided. Research Publishing Products Research Publishing products provide scientific, technical, medical, and scholarly journals, as well as related content and services, to academic, corporate, and government libraries, learned societies, and individual researchers and other professionals. Research Publishing revenue was $892.8 million in the year ended April 30, 2024, and the majority is recognized over time. In the year ended April 30, 2024, Research Publishing produc ts generated approximately 86% of its revenue from contracts with its customers from Journal Subscriptions (pay to read), Open Access (pay to publish), and Transformational Agreements (read and publish), and the remainder from Licensing and other revenue streams. Journal Subscriptions, Open Access, and Transformational Models Journal subscription contracts are negotiated by us directly with customers or their subscription agents. Subscription periods typically cover calendar years. In a typical journal subscription sale, there is a written agreement between us and our customer that covers multiple years. However, we typically account for these agreements as one-year contracts because our enforceable rights under the agreements are subject to an annual confirmation and negotiation process with the customer. In journal subscriptions, there are generally two performance obligations: a functional intellectual property license with a stand-ready obligation to provide access to new content for one year, which includes online hosting of the content (collectively referred to as Read) which is recognized over time, and a functional intellectual property perpetual license for access to historical journal content (Perpetual License) which is recognized at the point in time when access to the historical content is initially granted. The transaction price consists of fixed consideration. Journal subscription revenue is generally collected in advance when the annual license is granted. The total transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation based on its relative standalone selling price using a combination of observable and estimated stand-alone selling prices, which includes the expected cost plus a margin approach. We allocate revenue to the stand-ready obligation to provide access to new content for one year based on its observable standalone selling price to provide the right of access to additional intellectual property. The allocation of revenue to the perpetual licenses for access to historical journal content is done using the expected cost plus a margin approach, as applicable. Under the open access business model, there is generally one performance obligation whereby accepted research articles are published and all open articles are immediately free to access online. The transaction price is fixed based on payment of an article publication charge (APC), which under certain contracts can be variable due to discounts. Revenue is recognized at a point in time which is upon publication which is when Wiley's obligation is complete. Transformational agreements (read and publish) blend journal subscription and open access offerings. Generally, for a single fee, a national or regional consortium of libraries pays for and receives full read access to our journal portfolio and the ability to publish under an open access arrangement. Transformational agreements include multiple performance obligations and depending upon the model can include a combination of Read which is recognized over time; Perpetual License which is recognized at a point in time; and a publishing right that allows for articles to be published in hybrid and/or gold open access journals, which is recognized point in time or over time depending upon the model. The total transaction price is generally fixed and allocated to each performance obligation based on its relative stand-alone selling price using a combination of observable and estimated stand-alone selling prices. Estimated stand-alone selling prices include the expected cost plus a margin approach, and a residual approach. Licensing Within licensing, the revenue derived from these contracts is primarily comprised of advance payments, including minimum guarantees and sales- or usage-based royalty agreements. Our intellectual property is considered to be functional intellectual property. Due to the stand-ready obligation to provide updates during the subscription period, which is generally an annual period, revenue for the minimum guarantee is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the agreement. For our sales- or usage-based royalty agreements, we recognize revenue in the period of usage based on the amounts earned. We record revenue under these arrangements for the amounts due and not yet reported to us based on estimates of the sales or usage of these customers and pursuant to the terms of the contracts. We also have certain licenses whereby we receive a non-refundable minimum guarantee in advance (recorded over time as described above) against a volume-based royalty throughout the term of the agreement. When the cumulative consideration exceeds the minimum guarantee, it is recognized as the subsequent sales or usage occurs. Research Solutions Products and Services Research Solutions revenue was $149.9 million in the year ended April 30, 2024, and the majority is recognized over time. In the year ended April 30, 2024, Research Solutions products and services generated approximately 67% of their revenue from contracts with their customers from corporate and society offerings and 33% from Atypon platforms and services. Corporate and Society Service Offerings Corporate and society service offerings includes advertising, spectroscopy software and spectral databases, job board software and career center services publishing services including editorial operations, production, copyediting, system support and consulting, and journal submission and peer management systems. Generally, these product and service offerings can include either a single or multiple performance obligations, and have a mix of revenue recognized at a point in time and over time. Atypon® Platforms and Services Atypon® platforms and services primarily includes a single performance obligation for the implementation and hosting of subscription services. The transaction price is fixed which may include price escalators that are fixed increases per year, and therefore, revenue is recognized upon the initiation of the subscription period and recognized on a straight-line basis over the time of the contractual period. The duration of these contracts is generally multiyear ranging from 2 to 5 years. Learning Total Learning revenue was $574.7 million in the year ended April 30, 2024. We disaggregated revenue by Academic and Professional to reflect the different types of products and services provided. Academic Academic products revenue was $323.5 million in the year ended April 30, 2024. Products and services include scientific, professional, and education print and digital books, and digital courseware to libraries, corporations, students, professionals, and researchers. Products are developed for worldwide distribution through multiple channels, including chain and online booksellers, libraries, colleges and universities, corporations, direct to consumer, websites, distributor networks and other online applications. In the year ended April 30, 2024, Academic products generated approximately 56% of their revenue from contracts with their customers for print and digital publishing, which is recognized at a point in time. Digital Courseware products generate approximately 33% of their revenue from contracts with their customers which is recognized over time. The remainder of their revenues were from Licensing and other revenue streams which have a mix of revenue recognized at a point in time and over time. Print and Digital Publishing Our performance obligations as they relate to print and digital publishing are primarily book products delivered in both print and digital form which could include single or multiple performance obligations based on the number of print or digital books purchased. Each is represented by an International Standard Book Number (ISBN), with each ISBN representing a performance obligation. Each ISBN has an observable stand-alone selling price as Wiley sells the books separately. This revenue stream also includes variable consideration as it relates to discounts and returns for both print and digital books. Discounts are identifiable by performance obligation and therefore are applied at the point of sale by performance obligation. The process that we use to determine our sales returns and the related reserve provision charged against revenue is based on applying an estimated return rate to current year returnable print book sales. This rate is based upon an analysis of tracking actual historical return experience in the various markets and geographic regions in which we do business and make reasonable estimates of the amount of future returns. All available data is utilized to identify the returns by market and to which fiscal year the sales returns apply. Associated with the estimated sales return reserves, we also include a related increase to inventory and reduction to accrued royalties as a result of the expected returns. As it relates to print and digital books, revenue is recognized at the point when control of the product transfers, which for print is upon shipment or for digital when fulfillment of the products has been rendered. Digital Courseware Products Courseware customers purchase access codes to utilize the product. This could include single or multiple performance obligations based on the number of course ISBNs purchased. Revenue is recognized over time in the period from when the access codes are activated over the applicable semester term to which such product relates. Licensing Revenue derived from our licensing contracts is primarily comprised of advance payments and sales- or usage-based royalties. Revenue for advance payments is recognized at the point in time that the functional intellectual property license is granted. For sales- or usage-based royalties, we record revenue under these arrangements for the amounts due and not yet reported to us based on estimates of the sales or usage of these customers and pursuant to the terms of the contracts. We also have certain licenses whereby we receive a non-refundable minimum guarantee (recognized at a point in time as described above) against a volume-based royalty throughout the term of the agreement. We recognize volume-based royalty income only when cumulative consideration exceeds the minimum guarantee and the subsequent sales or usage occurs. Professional Professional products revenue was $251.2 million in the year ended April 30, 2024. Professional provides learning, development, publishing, and assessment services for businesses and professionals. Our trade publishing produces professional books, which includes business and finance, technology, professional development for educators, test preparation books and other professional categories, as well as the For Dummies® brand. Products are sold to brick-and-mortar and online retailers, wholesalers who supply such bookstores, college bookstores, individual practitioners, corporations, and government agencies. In the year ended April 30, 2024, Professional products generated approximately 55% of their revenue from contracts with their customers for trade print and digital publishing, which is recognized at a point in time. Our assessments offering in the year ended April 30, 2024 generates approximately 30% of their revenue from contracts with its customers, which has a mix of revenue recognized at a point in time and over time. The remainder of Professional revenues were from Licensing and other revenue streams, which has a mix of revenue recognized at a point in time and over time. Print and Digital Publishing Professional print and digital publishing have the same performance obligations as Academic print and digital publishing which is described above. In addition, this revenue stream also has variable consideration as it relates to discounts and returns for both print and digital books which is described above in Academic print and digital publishing. As it relates to print and digital books, revenue is recognized at the point when control of the product transfers, which for print is upon shipment or for digital when fulfillment of the products has been rendered. Assessments Our assessments offering includes high-demand soft-skills training solutions that are delivered to organizational clients through online digital delivery platforms, either directly or through an authorized distributor network of independent consultants, trainers, and coaches. The assessments product offering i ncludes multiple performance obligations. This includes a performance obligation that includes an annual membership which is recognized over time as we have an obligation to stand-ready for the customer’s use of the services. In addition, there are performance obligations for the assessments and related products or services which are recognized at a point in time when the assessment, product, or service is provided or delivered. The transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation based on its relative standalone selling price which is observable. Licensing Revenue derived from our licensing contracts is primarily comprised of advance payments and sales- or usage-based royalties. Revenue for advance payments is recognized at the point in time that the functional intellectual property license is granted. For sales- or usage-based royalties, we record revenue under these arrangements for the amounts due and not yet reported to us based on estimates of the sales or usage of these customers and pursuant to the terms of the contracts. We also have certain licenses whereby we receive a non-refundable minimum guarantee (recognized at a point in time as described above) against a volume-based royalty throughout the term of the agreement. We recognize volume-based royalty income only when cumulative consideration exceeds the minimum guarantee and the subsequent sales or usage occurs. Held for Sale or Sold Held for Sale or Sold revenue was $255.5 million in the year ended April 30, 2024. Our Held for Sale or Sold offerings include University Services, Wiley Edge, and CrossKnowledge. University Services The University Services business was sold on January 1, 2024, and it previously offered institutions and their students a rich portfolio of education technology and student and faculty support services, allowing the institutions to reach more students online with their own quality academic programs. University Services revenue was mainly recognized over time. University Services revenue-share contracts include a single performance obligation for the services provided because of the integrated technology and services our institutional clients need to attract, enroll, educate, and support students. Consideration is variable since it is based on the number of students enrolled in a program. We begin to recognize revenue at the start of the delivery of the class within a semester overtime, which is also when the variable consideration contingency is resolved. Wiley Edge Wiley Edge sources, trains, and prepares aspiring students and professionals to meet the skill needs of today’s technology careers, and then places them with some of the world’s largest financial institutions, technology companies, and government agencies. Wiley Edge revenue is recognized at the point in time the services are provided to its customers. CrossKnowledge CrossKnowledge services includes online learning and training solutions for global corporations, universities, and small and medium-sized enterprises sold on a subscription or fee basis. The transaction price for these corporate learning services consists of fixed consideration that is determined at the beginning of each year and received at the same time. There are multiple performance obligations, which include the licenses to learning content and the learning application. Revenue is recognized over time as we have a continuous obligation to provide the right of access to the intellectual property which includes the licenses and learning applications. Held for Sale or Sold also includes the revenue associated with those businesses which have been sold, which includes Wiley’s Efficient Learning test prep portfolio business, and our advancement courses business which were both sold in fiscal year 2023, and our Tuition Manager business which was sold in the three months ended July 31, 2023. Accounts Receivable, Net and Contract Liability Balances When consideration is received, or such consideration is unconditionally due, from a customer prior to transferring goods or services to the customer under the terms of a contract, a contract liability is recorded. Contract liabilities are recognized as revenue when, or as, control of the products or services are transferred to the customer and all revenue recognition criteria have been met. The following table provides information about accounts receivable, net and contract liabilities from contracts with customers.
| April 30, 2024 |  | April 30, 2023 |  | Increase/ (Decrease)
Balances from contracts with customers: |  |  |  |  |
Accounts receivable, net | $ | 224,198 |  |  | $ | 310,121 |  |  | $ | (85,923) |
Contract liabilities(1) | 483,778 |  |  | 504,695 |  |  | (20,917) |
Contract liabilities (included in Other long-term liabilities) | $ | 14,819 |  |  | $ | 17,426 |  |  | $ | (2,607) |
(1) | The sales return reserve recorded in Contract liabilities is $25.4 million and $24.6 million as of April 30, 2024 and April 30, 2023, respectively. See Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Recently Issued, and Recently Adopted Accounting Standards” for further details of the sales return reserve.
For the years ended April 30, 2024 and 2023, we estimate that we recognized as revenue substantially all of the current contract liability balance at April 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The decrease in contract liabilities, excluding the sales return reserve, was primarily driven by the reclassification of the held-for-sale amounts to Current liabilities held-for-sale on the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position in the first quarter of fiscal year 2024, including the sale of University Services in the third quarter of fiscal year 2024. Excluding the held-for-sale and disposition activity described above, the change in contract liabilities was flat primarily due to revenue earned on journal subscription agreements, transformational agreements, and open access, offset by renewals of journal subscription agreements, transformational agreements, and open access. Remaining Performance Obligations included in Contract Liability As of April 30, 2024, the aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to the remaining performance obligations is approximately $498.6 million, which includes the sales return reserve of $25.4 million. Excluding the sales return reserve, we expect that approximately $458.4 million will be recognized in the next twelve months with the remaining $14.8 million to be recognized thereafter. Assets Recognized for the Costs to Fulfill a Contract Costs to fulfill a contract are directly related to a contract that will be used to satisfy a performance obligation in the future and are expected to be recovered. These costs are amortized on a systematic basis that is consistent with the transfer to the customer of the goods or services to which the asset relates. These types of costs are incurred in the following product types: (1) Research Solutions services, which includes customer specific implementation costs per the terms of the contract and (2) University Services, which is included in the Held for Sale or Sold segment and includes customer specific costs to develop courses per the terms of the contract. As of April 30, 2024, we no longer have costs to fulfill related to the University Services business since it was sold on January 1, 2024. Our assets associated with incremental costs to fulfill a contract were $3.1 million and $10.6 million at April 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and are included within Other non-current assets on our Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. We recorded amortization expense of $4.5 million, $4.5 million, and $5.2 million in the years ended April 30, 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively, related to these assets within Cost of sales on the Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income. Sales and value-added taxes are excluded from revenues. Shipping and handling costs, which are primarily incurred within the Learning segment, occur before the transfer of control of the related goods. Therefore, in accordance with the revenue standard, it is not considered a promised service to the customer and would be considered a cost to fulfill our promise to transfer the goods. Costs incurred for third-party shipping and handling are primarily reflected in Operating and administrative expenses on the Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income. We incurred $25.9 million, $27.1 million, and $29.0 million in shipping and handling costs in the years ended April 30, 2024, 2023, and 2022, respectively.

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