Noncontrolling Interests

9 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2024

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests

Redeemable noncontrolling interests (included in temporary equity on the consolidated balance sheets) primarily relate to 3 Arts Entertainment and Pilgrim Media Group, as further described below.

Redeemable noncontrolling interests are measured at the greater of (i) the redemption amount that would be paid if settlement occurred at the balance sheet date less the amount attributed to unamortized noncontrolling interest discount if applicable, or (ii) the historical value resulting from the original acquisition date value plus or minus any earnings or loss attribution, plus the amount of amortized noncontrolling interest discount, less the amount of cash distributions that are not accounted for as compensation, if any. The amount of the redemption value in excess of the historical values of the noncontrolling interest, if any, is recognized as an increase to redeemable noncontrolling interest and a charge to retained earnings or accumulated deficit.

The table below presents the reconciliation of changes in redeemable noncontrolling interests:


	Nine Months Ended
	December 31,
	2024		2023
	(Amounts in millions)
Beginning balance	$	123.3	$	343.6
Net loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests	(1.6)		(4.4)
Adjustments to redemption value	0.9		71.5
Cash contributions (distributions)	0.5		(1.0)
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	(23.4)		(0.6)
Ending balance	$	99.7	$	409.1

3 Arts Entertainment. During the fourth quarter of the year ended March 31, 2024 (in January 2024), the Company closed on the acquisition of an additional 25% of 3 Arts Entertainment representing approximately half of the noncontrolling interest for $194.1 million. In addition, the Company purchased certain profit interests held by certain managers and entered into certain option rights agreements, which replaced the put and call rights under the previous arrangement by providing noncontrolling interest holders the right to sell to the Company and the Company the right to purchase their remaining (24%) interest beginning in January 2027.

At the completion of the purchase, a portion of the noncontrolling interest continued to be considered compensatory, as it was subject to forfeiture provisions upon termination of employment under certain circumstances, and the remaining portion represented the noncontrolling interest holders' fully vested equity interest. Under the new arrangement, the holders' right to sell their interest to the Company, and the Company's right to purchase the noncontrolling interest, are based on a formula-based amount (i.e., a fixed EBITDA multiple), subject to a minimum purchase price, rather than being based on fair value. Since the redemption features described above were based on a formula using a fixed multiple, the compensatory portion of the noncontrolling interest is now considered a liability award, and as a result, during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024, approximately $93.2 million was reclassified from mezzanine equity to a liability, and is reflected in "other liabilities - non-current" in the consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2024.

The redeemable noncontrolling interest balance related to 3 Arts Entertainment reflects the fully vested equity portion of the noncontrolling interest, which remains classified as redeemable noncontrolling interest outside of shareholders' equity on the Company's consolidated balance sheets due to the purchase and sale rights beginning in 2027 which were determined to be embedded in the noncontrolling interest, and are outside the control of the Company. The redeemable noncontrolling interest is being adjusted to its redemption value through accumulated deficit through the sale or purchase right date in January 2027. Subsequent to the January 2024 transactions noted above, changes in the carrying value of the redeemable noncontrolling interest are reflected in the calculation of basic and diluted net income or loss per common share attributable to Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. shareholders, if dilutive, or to the extent the adjustments represent recoveries of amounts previously reflected in the computation of basic and diluted net income or loss per common share attributable to Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. shareholders (see Note 11).

The liability component of the noncontrolling interest is reflected at its estimated redemption value, with any changes in estimated redemption value recognized as a charge or benefit in general and administrative expense in the consolidated statements of operations over the vesting period (i.e., the period from January 2, 2024 to the sale or purchase right date in January 2027). Earned distributions continue to be accounted for as compensation since such amounts are allocated to the holders based on performance, and are being expensed within general and administrative expense as incurred.

Pilgrim Media Group. In July 2024, the Company acquired the noncontrolling interest holder's remaining 12.5% of Pilgrim Media Group for approximately $13.5 million, and recorded a reduction to redeemable noncontrolling interest of $23.4 million, representing the carrying value of the noncontrolling interest purchased, with the difference between the carrying value of the noncontrolling interest purchased and the cash paid for the remaining interest recorded as a reduction to accumulated deficit of $9.9 million. Prior to the Company's acquisition of the remaining interest, the noncontrolling interest was presented as a redeemable noncontrolling interest outside of shareholders' equity on the Company's consolidated balance sheets, due to put and call options which were determined to be embedded in the noncontrolling interest, and because the put rights were outside the control of the Company.

Other. The Company has other immaterial redeemable noncontrolling interests.

Other Noncontrolling Interests

The Company has other noncontrolling interests that are not redeemable, which are classified in shareholder's equity on the Company's consolidated balance sheets. These noncontrolling interests include:

Lionsgate Studios. In connection with the Business Combination discussed in Note 2, on May 13, 2024, the Company recorded a noncontrolling interest representing approximately 12.2% of Lionsgate Studios amounting to a reduction of noncontrolling interest in shareholders' equity (deficit) of $100.2 million, due to the negative carrying value of Lionsgate Studios at May 13, 2024, partially offset by an amount allocated to certain options. See Note 2 for further information.

Other. In connection with the Company's investment in CP LG and acquisition of the acquired library and related assets and liabilities discussed in Note 2, on June 5, 2024, the Company recorded a noncontrolling interest representing approximately 49% of CP LG amounting to $33.6 million ($29.8 million at December 31, 2024). See Note 2 for further information.

In addition, the Company has other immaterial noncontrolling interests that are not redeemable.