Related Party Transactions

12 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2023

In April 2004, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company entered into agreements (as amended) with Ignite, LLC (“Ignite”) for distribution rights to certain films. Michael Burns, the Vice Chair and a director of the Company, owns a 65.45% interest in Ignite, and Hardwick Simmons, a director of the Company, owns a 24.24% interest in Ignite. During the year ended March 31, 2023, $0.4 million was paid to Ignite under these agreements.

In the year ended March 31, 2021, the Company paid less than $0.1 million to MLC Strategies, LLC (“MLC Strategies”) for certain consulting services. No amounts were paid in the years ended March 31, 2023 and 2022. Mignon Clyburn, a director of the Company, is the President of MLC Strategies.

Transactions with Equity Method Investees

Equity Method Investees. In the ordinary course of business, we are involved in related party transactions with equity method investees. These related party transactions primarily relate to the licensing and distribution of the Company's films and television programs and the lease of a studio facility owned by an equity-method investee, for which the impact on the Company's consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of operations is as follows (see Note 1 and Note 5):


	March 31,
	2023		2022
	(Amounts in millions)
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Accounts receivable	$	14.8	$	13.1
Investment in films and television programs(1)	7.9		1.6
Other assets, noncurrent(1)(2)	45.8		44.2
Total due from related parties	$	68.5	$	58.9

Accounts payable(3)	$	16.8	$	17.0
Other accrued liabilities(1)	6.7		5.2
Participations and residuals, current	7.5		5.9
Participations and residuals, noncurrent	2.0		1.1


Other liabilities(1)	41.4		38.3
Total due to related parties	$	74.4	$	67.5

	Year Ended March 31,
	2023		2022		2021
	(Amounts in millions)
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Revenues	$	6.1	$	4.1	$	7.2
Direct operating expense	$	8.3	$	6.5	$	10.8
Distribution and marketing expense	$	0.4	$	0.2	$	0.2

Interest and other income	$	1.7	$	3.1	$	2.9

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(1)During the year ended March 31, 2022, the Company entered into certain operating leases related to a studio facility owned by an equity-method investee. Amounts related to these leases are included in investment in films and television programs, other assets - noncurrent, other accrued liabilities and other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2023 and 2022.

(2)During the years ended March 31, 2022, and 2021, the Company made loans (including accrued interest) of $3.0 million and $2.9 million, respectively, to certain of its equity method investees (2023 - none). As of March 31, 2023 and 2022, no amounts are included in other assets, noncurrent in the Company's consolidated balance sheets related to these loans (net of equity interests losses applied against such loans).

(3)Amounts primarily represent production related advances due to certain of its equity method investees.

In addition, as of March 31, 2023, the Company has entered into certain leases that have not yet commenced primarily related to studio facilities owned by an equity-method investee, for which construction has not yet been completed. See Note 9 for further information.