Description of Business, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States (“U.S.”) generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”).

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts of Lionsgate and its majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries. The Company reviews its relationships with other entities to identify whether it is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity (“VIE”). If the determination is made that the Company is the primary beneficiary, then the entity is consolidated.

All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. The most significant estimates made by management in the preparation of the financial statements relate to ultimate revenue and costs used for the amortization of investment in films and television programs; estimates of sales returns and other allowances and provisions for doubtful accounts; estimates related to the revenue recognition of sales or usage-based royalties; fair value of equity-based compensation; fair value of assets and liabilities for allocation of the purchase price of companies acquired; income taxes including the assessment of valuation allowances for deferred tax assets; accruals for contingent liabilities; and impairment assessments for investment in films and television programs, property and equipment, equity investments, goodwill and intangible assets. Actual results could differ from such estimates.

Reclassifications

Certain amounts presented in prior years have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.

Revenue Recognition

The Company's Motion Picture and Television Production segments generate revenue principally from the licensing of content in domestic theatrical exhibition, home entertainment (e.g., digital media and packaged media), television, and international market places. The Company's Media Networks segment generates revenue primarily from the distribution of the Company's STARZ branded premium subscription video services and, to a lesser extent, direct-to-consumer content streaming services.

Revenue is recognized upon transfer of control of promised services or goods to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for those services or goods. Revenues do not include taxes collected from customers on behalf of taxing authorities such as sales tax and value-added tax.

Licensing Arrangements. The Company's content licensing arrangements include fixed fee and minimum guarantee arrangements, and sales or usage based royalties.

Fixed Fee or Minimum Guarantees: The Company's fixed fee or minimum guarantee licensing arrangements may, in some cases, include multiple titles, multiple license periods (windows) with a substantive period in between the windows, rights to exploitation in different media, or rights to exploitation in multiple territories, which may be considered distinct performance obligations. When these performance obligations are considered distinct, the fixed fee or minimum guarantee in the arrangement is allocated to the title, window, media right or territory as applicable, based on estimates of relative standalone selling prices. The amounts related to each performance obligation (i.e., title, window, media or territory) are recognized when the content has been delivered, and the window for the exploitation right in that territory has begun, which is the point in time at which the customer is able to begin to use and benefit from the content.

Sales or Usage Based Royalties: Sales or usage based royalties represent amounts due to the Company based on the “sale” or “usage” of the Company's content by the customer, and revenues are recognized at the later of when the subsequent sale or usage occurs, or the performance obligation to which some or all the sales or usage-based royalty has been allocated and has been satisfied (or partially satisfied). Generally, when the Company licenses completed content (with standalone functionality, such as a movie, or television show) its performance obligation will be satisfied prior to the sale or usage. When the Company licenses intellectual property that does not have stand-alone functionality (e.g., brands, themes, logos, etc.), its performance obligation is generally satisfied in the same period as the sale or usage. The actual amounts due to the Company under these arrangements are generally not reported to the Company until after the close of the reporting period. The Company records revenue under these arrangements for the amounts due and not yet reported to the Company based on estimates of the sales or usage of these customers and pursuant to the terms of the contracts. Such estimates are based on information from the Company's customers, historical experience with similar titles in that market or territory, the performance of the title in other markets, and/or data available in the industry.

Revenues by Market or Product Line. The following describes the revenues generated by market or product line. Theatrical revenues are included in the Motion Picture segment; home entertainment, television, international and other revenues are applicable to both the Motion Picture and Television Production segments; Media Networks programming revenues are included in the Media Networks segment.

•

Theatrical. Theatrical revenues are derived from the domestic theatrical release of motion pictures licensed to theatrical exhibitors on a picture-by-picture basis (distributed by the Company directly in the United States and through a sub-distributor in Canada). Revenue from the theatrical release of feature films are treated as sales or usage- based royalties and recognized starting at the exhibition date and based on the Company's participation in box office receipts of the theatrical exhibitor.


•	Home Entertainment. Home entertainment consists of Digital Media and Packaged Media.


◦	Digital Media. Digital media includes digital transaction revenue sharing arrangements (pay-per-view and video-on-demand platforms, electronic sell through ("EST"), and digital rental) and licenses of content to digital platforms for a fixed fee.

Digital Transaction Revenue Sharing Arrangements: Primarily represents revenue sharing arrangements with certain digital media platforms which generally provide that, in exchange for a nominal or no upfront sales price, the Company shares in the rental or sales revenues generated by the platform on a title-by-title basis. These digital media platforms generate revenue from rental and EST arrangements, such as download-to-own, download-to-rent, and video-on-demand. These revenue sharing arrangements are recognized as sales or usage based royalties based on the performance of these platforms and pursuant to the terms of the contract, as discussed above.

Licenses of Content to Digital Platforms: Primarily represents the licensing of content to subscription-video-on-demand ("SVOD") or other digital platforms for a fixed fee. As discussed above, revenues are recognized when the content has been delivered and the window for the exploitation right in that territory has begun.

◦

Packaged Media. Packaged media revenues represent the sale of motion pictures and television shows (produced or acquired) on physical discs (DVD’s, Blu-ray, 4K Ultra HD, referred to as "Packaged Media") in the retail market. Revenues are recognized, net of an allowance for estimated returns and other allowances, on the later of receipt by the customer or “street date” (when it is available for sale by the customer).

•

Television. Television revenues are derived from the licensing to domestic markets (linear pay, basic cable, free television markets, syndication) of motion pictures (including theatrical productions and acquired films) and scripted and unscripted television series, television movies, mini-series, and non-fiction programming. Television revenues include fixed fee arrangements as well as arrangements in which the Company earns advertising revenue from the exploitation of certain content on television networks. Television also includes revenue from licenses to SVOD platforms in which the initial license of a television series is to an SVOD platform. Revenues associated with a title, right, or window from television licensing arrangements are recognized when the feature film or television program is delivered (on an episodic basis for television product) and the window for the exploitation right has begun.

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International. International revenues are derived from (1) licensing of the Company's productions, acquired films, catalog product and libraries of acquired titles to international distributors, on a territory-by-territory basis; (2) the direct distribution of our productions, acquired films, and our catalog product and libraries of acquired titles in the United Kingdom; and (3) licensing to international markets of scripted and unscripted series, television movies, mini-series and non-fiction programming. License fees and minimum guarantee amounts associated with title, window, media or territory, are recognized when access to the feature film or television program has been granted or delivery has occurred, as required under the contract, and the right to exploit the feature film or television program in that window, media or territory has commenced. Revenues are also generated from sales or usage based royalties received from international distributors based on their distribution performance pursuant to the terms of the contracts after the recoupment of certain costs in some cases, and the initial minimum guarantee, if any, and are recognized when the sale by our customer generating a royalty due to us has occurred.


•	Other. Other revenues are derived from the licensing of the Company's film and television and related content (games, music, location-based entertainment royalties, etc.) to other ancillary markets and from commissions earned and executive producer fees related to talent management.

Revenues from the licensing of film and television content and the sales and licensing of music are recognized when the content has been delivered and the license period has begun, as discussed above. Revenues from the licensing of symbolic intellectual property (i.e., licenses of motion pictures or television characters, brands, storylines, themes or logos) is recognized over the corresponding license term. Commissions are recognized as such services are provided.

•

Media Networks - Programming Revenues. Media Networks’ revenues are primarily derived from the distribution of the Company's STARZ branded premium subscription video services pursuant to affiliation agreements with U.S. multichannel video programming distributors (“MVPDs”), including cable operators, satellite television providers and telecommunications companies, and over-the-top (“OTT”) (collectively, “Distributors”) and on a direct-to-consumer basis. Media Networks revenues also include international revenues primarily from the OTT distribution of the Company's STARZ branded premium subscription video services outside the United States.

Pursuant to the Company’s distribution agreements, revenues may be based on a fixed fee, subject to nominal annual escalations, or a variable fee (i.e., a fee based on number of subscribers who receive the Company's networks or other factors). Programming revenue is recognized over the contract term based on the continuous delivery of the content to the distributor. The variable distribution fee arrangements represent sales or usage based royalties and are recognized over the period of such sales or usage by the Company's distributor, which is the same period that the content is provided to the distributor.

Deferred Revenue. Deferred revenue relates primarily to customer cash advances or deposits received prior to when the Company satisfies the corresponding performance obligation.

Payment terms vary by location and type of customer and the nature of the licensing arrangement, however, other than certain multi-year license arrangements; payments are generally due within 60 days after revenue is recognized. For certain multi-year licensing arrangements, primarily in the television, digital media, and international markets, payments may be due over a longer period. When we expect the period between fulfillment of our performance obligation and the receipt of payment to be greater than a year, a significant financing component is present. In these cases, such payments are discounted to present value based on a discount rate reflective of a separate financing transaction between the customer and the Company, at contract inception. The significant financing component is recorded as a reduction to revenue and accounts receivable initially, with such accounts receivable discount amortized to interest income over the period to receipt of payment. The Company does not assess contracts with deferred payments for significant financing components if, at contract inception, we expect the period between fulfillment of the performance obligation and subsequent payment to be one year or less.

In other cases, customer payments are made in advance of when the Company fulfills its performance obligation and recognizes revenue. This primarily occurs under television production contracts, in which payments may be received as the production progresses, international motion picture contracts, where a portion of the payments are received prior to the completion of the movie and prior to license rights start dates, and pay television contracts with multiple windows with a portion of the revenues deferred until the subsequent exploitation windows commence. These arrangements do not contain significant financing components because the reason for the payment structure is not for the provision of financing to the Company, but rather to mitigate the Company's risk of customer non-performance and incentivize the customer to exploit the Company's content.

See Note 12 for further information.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash deposits at financial institutions and investments in money market mutual funds.

Investment in Films and Television Programs and Program Rights

Investment in Films and Television Programs: Investment in films and television programs includes the unamortized costs of completed films and television programs which have been produced by the Company or for which the Company has acquired distribution rights, libraries acquired as part of acquisitions of companies, films and television programs in progress and in development and home entertainment product inventory.

For films and television programs produced by the Company, capitalized costs include all direct production and financing costs, capitalized interest and production overhead. For the years ended March 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, total capitalized interest was $10.8 million, $7.9 million, and $8.7 million, respectively. For acquired films and television programs, capitalized costs consist of minimum guarantee payments to acquire the distribution rights.

Costs of acquiring and producing films and television programs and of acquired libraries are amortized using the individual-film-forecast method, whereby these costs are amortized and participations and residuals costs are accrued in the proportion that current year’s revenue bears to management’s estimate of ultimate revenue at the beginning of the current year expected to be recognized from the exploitation, exhibition or sale of the films or television programs.

Ultimate revenue includes estimates over a period not to exceed ten years following the date of initial release of the motion picture. For an episodic television series, the period over which ultimate revenues are estimated cannot exceed ten years following the date of delivery of the first episode, or, if still in production, five years from the date of delivery of the most recent episode, if later. For titles included in acquired libraries, ultimate revenue includes estimates over a period not to exceed twenty years following the date of acquisition.

Investment in films and television programs is stated at the lower of amortized cost or estimated fair value. The valuation of investment in films and television programs, whether released or unreleased, is reviewed on a title-by-title basis, when an event or change in circumstances indicates that the fair value of a film or television program is less than its unamortized cost. During the years ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company recorded impairment charges of $35.2 million and $36.3 million, respectively, on film and television programs. In determining the fair value of its films and television programs, the Company employs a discounted cash flows ("DCF") methodology that includes cash flows estimates of a film's ultimate revenue and costs as well as a discount rate. The discount rate utilized in the DCF analysis is based on the weighted average cost of capital of the Company plus a risk premium representing the risk associated with producing a particular film or television program. The fair value of any film costs associated with a film or television program that management plans to abandon is zero. As the primary determination of fair value is determined using a DCF model, the resulting fair value is considered a Level 3 measurement (see Note 10). Additional amortization is recorded in the amount by which the unamortized costs exceed the estimated fair value of the film or television program. Estimates of future revenue involve measurement uncertainty and it is therefore possible that reductions in the carrying value of investment in films and television programs may be required as a consequence of changes in management’s future revenue estimates.

Films and television programs in progress include the accumulated costs of productions which have not yet been completed.

Films and television programs in development include costs of acquiring film rights to books, stage plays or original screenplays and costs to adapt such projects. Such costs are capitalized and, upon commencement of production, are transferred to production costs. Projects in development are written off at the earlier of the date they are determined not to be recoverable or when abandoned, or three years from the date of the initial investment unless the fair value of the project exceeds its carrying cost.

Home entertainment product inventory consists of Packaged Media and is stated at the lower of cost or market value (first-in, first-out method), and are included within other current assets on the consolidated balance sheet (see Note 19). Costs of Packaged Media sales, including shipping and handling costs, are included in distribution and marketing expenses.

Program Rights: The cost of program rights for films and television programs (including original series) exhibited by the Media Networks segment are generally amortized on a title-by-title or episode-by-episode basis over the anticipated number of exhibitions or license period. The number of exhibitions is estimated based on the number of exhibitions allowed in the agreement (if specified) and the expected usage of the content. Certain other program rights are amortized to expense on a straight-line basis over the respective lives of the agreements. Programming rights may include rights to more than one exploitation window under its output and library agreements. For films with multiple windows, the license fee is allocated between the windows based upon the proportionate estimated fair value of each window which generally results in the majority of the cost allocated to the first window on newer releases.

The cost of the Media Networks' segments produced original content generally represents the license fees charged from the Television Production segment which is eliminated in consolidation. The amount associated with the pay television market is reclassified from investment in film and television programs to program rights when the program is aired and the portion attributable to the ancillary markets remains in investment in films and television programs. The cost of the Media Networks’ third-party licensed content is allocated between the pay television market distributed by the Media Networks’ segment and the ancillary revenue markets (e.g., home video, digital platforms, international television, etc.) distributed by the Television Production segment based on the estimated relative fair values of these markets. Estimates of fair value for the pay television and ancillary markets involve uncertainty as well as estimates of ultimate revenue. All the costs of programming produced by the Television Production segment are included in investment in films and television programs and program rights, net and are classified as long term. Amounts included in program rights, other than internally produced programming, that are expected to be amortized within a year from the balance sheet date are classified as short-term.

Changes in management’s estimate of the anticipated exhibitions of films and original series on our networks could result in the earlier recognition of our programming costs than anticipated. Conversely, scheduled exhibitions may not capture the appropriate usage of the program rights in current periods which would lead to the write-off of additional program rights in future periods and may have a significant impact on our future results of operations and our financial position.

Property and Equipment, net

Property and equipment is carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided for on a straight line basis over the following useful lives:



Distribution equipment		1 — 4 years
Computer equipment and software		2 — 5 years
Furniture and equipment		2 — 10 years
Leasehold improvements		Lease term or the useful life, whichever is shorter
Building		26 years
Land		Not depreciated

The Company periodically reviews and evaluates the recoverability of property and equipment. Where applicable, estimates of net future cash flows, on an undiscounted basis, are calculated based on future revenue estimates. If appropriate and where deemed necessary, a reduction in the carrying amount is recorded.

Investments

Investments include investments accounted for under the equity method of accounting, and equity investments with and without readily determinable fair value.

Equity Method Investments: The Company uses the equity method of accounting for investments in companies in which it has a minority equity interest and the ability to exert significant influence over operating decisions of the companies. Significant influence is generally presumed to exist when the Company owns between 20% and 50% of the voting interests in the investee, holds substantial management rights or holds an interest of less than 20% in an investee that is a limited liability partnership or limited liability corporation that is treated as a flow-through entity.

Under the equity method of accounting, the Company's share of the investee's earnings (losses), net of intercompany eliminations, are included in the "equity interest income (loss)" line item in the consolidated statement of operations. The Company records its share of the net income or loss of certain other equity method investments (see Note 5) on a one quarter lag and, accordingly, during the years ended March 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, the Company recorded its share of the income or loss generated by these entities for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Profit Eliminations. The Company licenses theatrical releases and other films and television programs to certain equity method investments. A portion of the profits of these licenses reflecting the Company's ownership share in the venture are eliminated through an adjustment to the equity interest income (loss) of the venture. These profits are recognized as they are realized by the equity method investee through the amortization of the related asset, recorded on the equity method investee's balance sheet, over the license period.

Dividends and Other Distributions. Dividends and other distributions from equity method investees are recorded as a reduction of the Company's investment. Distributions received up to the Company's interest in the investee's retained earnings are considered returns on investments and are classified within cash flows from operating activities in the consolidated statement of cash flows. Distributions from equity method investments in excess of the Company's interest in the investee's retained earnings are considered returns of investments and are classified within cash flows provided by investing activities in the statement of cash flows.

Other Equity Investments: Investments in nonconsolidated affiliates in which the Company owns less than 20% of the voting common stock, or does not exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies, are recorded at fair value using quoted market prices if the investment has a readily determinable fair value. If an equity investment's fair value is not readily determinable, the Company will recognize it at cost less any impairment, adjusted for observable price changes in orderly transactions in the investees' securities that are identical or similar to our investments in the investee. The unrealized gains and losses and the adjustments related to the observable price changes are recognized in net income (loss).

Impairments of Investments: The Company regularly reviews its investments for impairment, including when the carrying value of an investment exceeds its market value. If the Company determines that an investment has sustained an other-than-temporary decline in its value, the investment is written down to its fair value by a charge to earnings. Factors that are considered by the Company in determining whether an other-than-temporary decline in value has occurred include (i) the market value of the security in relation to its cost basis, (ii) the financial condition of the investee, and (iii) the Company’s intent and ability to retain the investment for a sufficient period of time to allow for recovery in the market value of the investment.

For investments accounted for using the equity method of accounting or equity investments without a readily determinable fair value, the Company evaluates information available (e.g., budgets, business plans, financial statements, etc.) in addition to quoted market prices, if any, in determining whether an other-than-temporary decline in value exists. Factors indicative of an other-than-temporary decline include recurring operating losses, credit defaults and subsequent rounds of financing at an amount below the cost basis of the Company’s investment.

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets acquired in business combinations are recorded at the acquisition date fair value in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet. Identifiable intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives, and identifiable intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized, but rather are tested annually for impairment, or sooner when circumstances indicate that the intangible asset might be impaired.

Amortizable intangible assets are tested for impairment utilizing an income approach based on undiscounted cash flows upon the occurrence of certain triggering events and, if impaired, are written down to fair value. The impairment test is performed at the lowest level of cash flows associated with the asset.

For intangible assets with indefinite lives, an entity may first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired. The qualitative assessment is an evaluation, based on all identified events and circumstances which impact the fair value of the intangible asset. If the Company believes that as a result of its qualitative assessment it is more likely than not that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is greater than its carrying amount, a quantitative impairment test is not required but may be performed at the option of the Company. As of March 31, 2019, based on the Company's qualitative assessment, the Company concluded that the indefinite-lived intangible assets included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet were not impaired.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of acquisition costs over the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed in various business acquisitions by the Company. Goodwill is allocated to the Company's reporting units, which are its operating segments or one level below its operating segments (component level). Reporting units are determined by the discrete financial information available for the component and whether it is regularly reviewed by segment management. Components are aggregated into a single reporting unit if they share similar economic characteristics. Our reporting units for purposes of goodwill impairment testing at March 31, 2019 were Motion Picture, Media Networks, and each of our Television and talent management businesses, both of which are part of our Television Production segment.

Goodwill is not amortized, but goodwill is reviewed for impairment each fiscal year or between the annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that indicates it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. The Company performs its annual impairment test as of January 1 in each fiscal year. A goodwill impairment loss would be recognized for the amount that the carrying amount of a reporting unit, including goodwill, exceeds its fair value, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. An entity may perform a qualitative assessment of the likelihood of the existence of a goodwill impairment. The qualitative assessment is an evaluation, based on all identified events and circumstances which impact the fair value of the reporting unit. If the Company believes that as a result of its qualitative assessment it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount, a quantitative impairment test is not required but may be performed at the option of the Company.

A quantitative assessment requires determining the fair value of our reporting units. The determination of the fair value of each reporting unit utilizes discounted cash flows ("DCF") analyses and market-based valuation methodologies, which represent Level 3 fair value measurements. Fair value determinations require considerable judgment about revenue and market growth, operating margins and cash flows, market multiples and discount rates, and are sensitive to changes in these underlying assumptions and factors.

For fiscal 2019, due primarily to the decline in the market price of our common shares, we performed a quantitative impairment assessment for all of our reporting units. Based on the Company's quantitative assessments, the Company concluded that it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of its reporting units is greater than their carrying values. Management will continue to monitor the reporting units for changes in the business environment that could impact recoverability in future periods. The recoverability of goodwill is dependent upon the continued growth of revenue and cash flows from our business activities. While historical performance and current expectations have resulted in fair values of our reporting units in excess of carrying values, if our assumptions are not realized, it is possible that an impairment charge may need to be recorded in the future.

Prints, Advertising and Marketing Expenses

The costs of prints, advertising and marketing expenses are expensed as incurred.

Certain of Starz’s affiliation agreements require Starz to provide marketing support to the distributor based upon certain criteria as stipulated in the agreements. Marketing support includes cooperative advertising and marketing efforts between Starz and its distributors such as cross channel, direct mail and point of sale incentives. Marketing support is recorded as an expense and not a reduction of revenue when Starz has received a direct benefit and the fair value of such benefit is determinable.

Advertising expenses for the year ended March 31, 2019 were $640.1 million (2018 — $654.9 million, 2017 — $588.8 million) which were recorded as distribution and marketing expenses.

Income Taxes and Government Assistance

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for using an asset and liability approach for financial accounting and reporting for income taxes and recognition and measurement of deferred assets are based upon the likelihood of realization of tax benefits in future years. Under this method, deferred taxes are provided for the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Valuation allowances are established when management determines that it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the net deferred tax asset, on a jurisdiction by jurisdiction basis, will not be realized. The financial effect of changes in tax laws or rates is accounted for in the period of enactment.

From time to time, the Company engages in transactions in which the tax consequences may be subject to uncertainty. Significant judgment is required in assessing and estimating the tax consequences of these transactions. In determining the Company’s tax provision for financial reporting purposes, the Company establishes a reserve for uncertain tax positions unless such positions are determined to be more likely than not of being sustained upon examination, based on their technical merits. The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and/or penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense.

Government Assistance

The Company has access to government programs that are designed to promote film and television production and distribution in certain foreign countries. The Company also has access to similar programs in certain states within the U.S. that are designed to promote film and television production in those states.

Tax credits earned with respect to expenditures on qualifying film and television productions are included as an offset to investment in films and television programs when the qualifying expenditures have been incurred provided that there is reasonable assurance that the credits will be realized (see Note 19).

Foreign Currency Translation

Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currency are translated at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Resulting unrealized and realized gains and losses are included in the consolidated statements of operations.

Foreign company assets and liabilities in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date. Foreign company revenue and expense items are translated at the average rate of exchange for the fiscal year. Gains or losses arising on the translation of the accounts of foreign companies are included in accumulated other comprehensive income or loss, a separate component of shareholders’ equity.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

Derivative financial instruments are used by the Company in the management of its foreign currency and interest rate exposures. The Company’s policy is not to use derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

The Company uses derivative financial instruments to hedge its exposures to foreign currency exchange rate and interest rate risks. All derivative financial instruments used as hedges are recorded at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets (see Note 10). The effective changes in fair values of derivatives designated as cash flow hedges are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss and included in unrealized (losses) gains on cash flow hedges until the underling hedged item is recognized in earnings. The effective changes in the fair values of derivatives designated as cash flow hedges are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net income when the underlying hedged item is recognized in earnings.

Share-Based Compensation

The Company measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant date fair value of the award. The fair value is recognized in earnings over the period during which an employee is required to provide service. See Note 13 for further discussion of the Company’s share-based compensation.

Net Income (Loss) Per Share

Basic net income (loss) per share is calculated based on the weighted average common shares outstanding for the period. Basic net income (loss) per share for the years ended March 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 is presented below:



	Year Ended March 31,
	2019			2018		2017
	(Amounts in millions, except per share amounts)
Basic Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share:
Numerator:
Net income (loss) attributable to Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. shareholders	$	(284.2	)	$	473.6	$	14.8
Denominator:
Weighted average common shares outstanding	213.7			208.4		165.0
Basic net income (loss) per common share	$	(1.33	)	$	2.27	$	0.09

Diluted net income (loss) per common share reflects the potential dilutive effect, if any, of the conversion of convertible senior subordinated notes under the "if converted" method. Diluted net income (loss) per common share also reflects share purchase options, including equity-settled share appreciation rights ("SARs"), restricted share units ("RSUs") and restricted stock using the treasury stock method when dilutive, and any contingently issuable shares when dilutive. Diluted net income (loss) per common share for the years ended March 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 is presented below:



	Year Ended March 31,
	2019			2018		2017
	(Amounts in millions, except per share amounts)
Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share:
Numerator:
Net income (loss) attributable to Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. shareholders	$	(284.2	)	$	473.6	$	14.8
Add:
Interest on convertible notes, net of tax	—			0.5		—
Numerator for diluted net income (loss) per common share	$	(284.2	)	$	474.1	$	14.8

Denominator:
Weighted average common shares outstanding	213.7			208.4		165.0
Effect of dilutive securities:
Conversion of notes	—			2.1		—
Share purchase options	—			7.5		3.5
Restricted share units and restricted stock	—			0.7		0.3
Contingently issuable shares	—			1.7		3.4
Adjusted weighted average common shares outstanding	213.7			220.4		172.2
Diluted net income (loss) per common share	$	(1.33	)	$	2.15	$	0.09

As a result of the net loss in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2019, the dilutive effect of the convertible notes, share purchase options, restricted share units and restricted stock, and contingently issuable shares were considered anti-dilutive and, therefore, excluded from diluted loss per share. The weighted average anti-dilutive shares excluded from the calculation due to the net loss for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2019 totaled 7.1 million.

Additionally, for the years ended March 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, the outstanding common shares issuable presented below were excluded from diluted net income (loss) per common share because their inclusion would have had an anti-dilutive effect regardless of net income or loss in the period.



	Year Ended
	March 31,
	2019	2018	2017
	(Amounts in millions)
Anti-dilutive shares issuable
Conversion of notes	—	—	5.2
Share purchase options	21.3	11.5	12.1
Restricted share units	1.0	0.2	0.6
Other issuable shares	1.4	1.2	1.2
Total weighted average anti-dilutive shares issuable excluded from diluted net income (loss) per common share	23.7	12.9	19.1

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Accounting Guidance Adopted in Fiscal 2019

Revenue Recognition: On April 1, 2018, the Company adopted, on a modified retrospective basis, accounting guidance that establishes a new revenue recognition framework in U.S. GAAP for all companies and industries. The core principle of the new revenue framework is that an entity should recognize revenue from the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration the entity expects to receive for those goods or services. The revenue framework includes a five-step model to determine the timing and amount of revenue to recognize related to contracts with customers.

The adoption of the new accounting guidance did not result in significant changes to the Company's reported operating results. The Company recorded a transition adjustment for all open contracts existing as of April 1, 2018, of $18.7 million as an increase to the opening balance of retained earnings related principally to the areas noted below:

Sales or Usage Based Royalties: The Company receives royalties from certain domestic and international distributors and other transactional digital distribution partners based on the sales made by these distributors after recoupment of a minimum guarantee, if applicable. Under prior guidance, the Company recorded these sales or usage based royalties after receiving statements from the licensee and/or film distributor. Under the new guidance, revenues are recorded based on best estimates available of the amounts due to the Company in the period of the customer's sales or usage. Accordingly, the timing of the revenue recognition is accelerated; however, the Company continues to have a consistent number of periods of sales or usage based royalties in each reporting period, and therefore the impact of the new guidance depends on the timing and performance of the titles released in those reporting periods. This change primarily impacts the Motion Picture and Television Production segments.

Renewals of Licenses of Intellectual Property: Under the prior guidance, when the term of an existing license agreement was extended, without any other changes to the provisions of the license, revenue for the renewal period was recognized when the agreement was renewed or extended. Under the new guidance, revenue associated with renewals or extensions of existing license agreements is recognized as revenue when the licensed content becomes available for the customer to use and benefit from under the renewal or extension. This change impacts the timing of revenue recognition (i.e., revenue is recorded at a later time) as compared with prior revenue recognition guidance. While revenues from renewal do occur, they are not a significant portion of our revenue and thus do not have a material impact on our revenue recognition. This change primarily impacts the Motion Picture and Television Production segments.

Also, under the new guidance, the Company presents sales returns and certain sales incentive allowances as refund liabilities instead of as contra asset allowances within accounts receivable. On April 1, 2018, the liabilities for such sales returns and incentives were $86.9 million and were recorded in accounts payable and accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet.

Changes to the opening balances of current assets, total assets, current liabilities and total liabilities resulting from the adoption of the new guidance were as follows:



	March 31, 2018		Impact of Adoption		April 1, 2018
	(Amounts in millions)
Current assets	$	1,773.1	$	174.4	$	1,947.5
Total assets	$	8,967.6	$	143.6	$	9,111.2
Current liabilities	$	2,412.4	$	104.1	$	2,516.5
Total liabilities	$	5,708.9	$	124.9	$	5,833.8

For further information, including the impact of adoption of the new guidance on the current fiscal year, see Note 12.

Recognition and Measurement of Financial Instruments: In January 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued new guidance that addresses certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. Among other provisions, the new guidance requires equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting, or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. For investments without readily determinable fair values, entities have the option to either measure these investments at fair value or at cost adjusted for changes in observable prices minus impairment. The guidance became effective for the Company as of April 1, 2018, and has been applied on a prospective basis. Upon adoption of the new guidance, the Company recorded a transition adjustment of $2.6 million to reclassify the unrealized gains recorded through March 31, 2018 for the Company's investments in equity securities with a readily determinable fair market value from accumulated other comprehensive loss to retained earnings. After adoption of the new guidance, beginning in fiscal 2019, changes in the fair value of the Company's investments in equity securities with a readily determinable fair market value are recognized in net income. The adoption of the new guidance also impacted the accounting for the Company's investments in equity securities without a readily determinable fair value, which are now measured at cost less any impairment, adjusted for observable price changes in orderly transactions in the investees' securities that are identical or similar to the Company's investments in the investee. The impact of this change depends on the nature and extent of changes in observable prices, if any. See Note 5.

Restricted Cash: In November 2016, the FASB issued guidance to clarify how entities should present restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows. The guidance requires entities to show the changes in the total of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows. As a result, entities will no longer present transfers between cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows. This guidance became effective for the Company as of April 1, 2018, and has been applied on a retrospective basis. Upon adoption, in the consolidated statement of cash flows for the years ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, cash provided by operating activities was reduced by $2.8 million and $0.1 million, respectively, and beginning cash and cash equivalents was increased by $2.8 million and $2.9 million, respectively, to include restricted cash. There was no restricted cash in the consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2019 or March 31, 2018.

Accounting Guidance Not Yet Adopted

Accounting for Leases: In February 2016, the FASB issued guidance on accounting for leases which requires lessees to recognize most leases on their balance sheets for the rights and obligations created by those leases. The new guidance also requires additional qualitative and quantitative disclosures related to the nature, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. The guidance is effective for the Company's fiscal year beginning April 1, 2019, with early adoption permitted, and is required to be implemented using a modified retrospective approach. The Company will adopt the new standard on April 1, 2019 utilizing the modified retrospective approach. The Company is continuing its evaluation of the impact of the adoption and currently estimates the recognition of lease liabilities on the Company's consolidated balance sheet for its operating leases in the range from approximately $180 million to $200 million with a corresponding right-of-use assets balance, net of existing lease incentives, and no material impact on its consolidated statement of operations.

Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income: In February 2018, the FASB issued guidance that permits a company to reclassify the income tax effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Tax Act") on items in accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings, eliminating the stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Act. The new guidance only applies to the tax effects resulting from the Tax Act, and does not change the underlying guidance to recognize the effect of a change in tax laws or rates in income from continuing operations. This guidance is effective for the Company's fiscal year beginning April 1, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect that the adoption of this guidance will have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.

Disclosure Update and Simplification: In August 2018, the SEC adopted the final rule under SEC Release No. 33-10532, Disclosure Update and Simplification, amending certain disclosure requirements that were redundant, duplicative, overlapping, outdated or superseded. In addition, the amendments expanded the disclosure requirements on the analysis of shareholders' equity for interim financial statements. Under the amendments, an analysis of changes in each caption of shareholders' equity presented in the balance sheet must be provided in a note or separate statement. The analysis should present a reconciliation of the beginning balance to the ending balance of each period for which a statement of comprehensive income is required to be filed. This final rule is effective for the first quarter of the Company's fiscal year beginning April 1, 2019.

Fair Value Measurement - Changes to Disclosure Requirements: In August 2018, the FASB issued guidance that eliminates, adds and modifies certain disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. This guidance eliminates the requirement that entities disclose the amount of and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, but requires public companies to disclose the range and weighted average used to develop significant unobservable inputs for Level 3 fair value measurements, among other changes. This guidance is effective for the Company's fiscal year beginning April 1, 2020, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect that the adoption of this guidance will have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.

Improvements to Accounting for Costs of Films and License Agreements for Program Materials: In March 2019, the FASB issued guidance that aligns the accounting for production costs of an episodic television series with the accounting for production costs of films by removing the content distinction for capitalization. Accordingly, the capitalization of production costs for episodic television series is no longer constrained until persuasive evidence of secondary market revenues exists. In addition, under the new guidance, a company will need to determine at the outset of production whether a film or television program is primarily monetized on its own or within a film group. A film group is defined as the lowest level at which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other films and/or license agreements. In addition, under previous guidance, film and television programs accounted for under the broadcasting accounting standard were carried on the balance sheet at the lower of cost or net realizable value. The new guidance requires that an entity test a film or television program for impairment, when impairment indicators are present, at a film group level when the film or license agreement is predominantly monetized with other films and/or license agreements. The impairment would be measured as the difference between the carrying value of the film group and its fair value rather than its net realizable value. This guidance requires that an entity provide new disclosures about content that is either produced or licensed, and classify cash flows for licensed content as cash flows from operating activities in the statement of cash flows. This guidance is effective for the Company's fiscal year beginning April 1, 2020, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this new guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.