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INVESTMENTS
6 Months Ended
Sep. 29, 2011
INVESTMENTS 
INVESTMENTS

NOTE 5—INVESTMENTS

        Investments in non-consolidated affiliates and certain other investments accounted for following the equity method generally include all entities in which the Company or its subsidiaries have significant influence, but not more than 50% voting control. Investments in non-consolidated affiliates as of September 29, 2011, include a 15.63% interest in National CineMedia, LLC ("NCM"), a 50% interest in two U.S. theatres and one IMAX screen, a 26.22% equity interest in Movietickets.com ("MTC"), a 50% interest in Midland Empire Partners, LLC ("MEP"), a 29% interest in Digital Cinema Implementation Partners, LLC ("DCIP"), and a 50% interest in Open Road Releasing, LLC, operator of Open Road Films, LLC ("ORF"). Indebtedness held by equity method investees is non-recourse to the Company.

RealD Inc. Common Stock

        The Company holds an investment in RealD Inc. common stock, which is accounted for as an equity security, available for sale, and is recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets in other long-term assets at fair value (Level 1). As of September 29, 2011, the amount of unrealized loss for marketable securities, recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss, was approximately $15,400,000 due to the decline in fair value of the investment in RealD Inc. common stock. The Company reviewed the unrealized loss for a possible other-than-temporary impairment and determined that the loss as of September 29, 2011 was not other-than-temporary. Consideration was given to the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, and the Company's intent and ability to retain its investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value. The investment in RealD Inc. common stock has been in an unrealized loss position for less than three months at September 29, 2011. The impairment analysis requires significant judgment to identify events or circumstances that would likely have a significant adverse effect on the future value of the investment. The Company will continue to monitor the fair value of its investments at each reporting period for a possible other-than-temporary impairment.

        Condensed financial information of our non-consolidated equity method investments is shown below. Amounts are presented under U.S. GAAP for the periods of ownership by the Company.

        Operating Results:

 
  Thirteen Weeks Ended September 29, 2011  
(In thousands)
  NCM   DCIP   ORF   Other   Total  

Revenues

  $ 135,973   $ 32,212   $ 4,998   $ 13,606   $ 186,789  

Operating costs and expenses

    79,267     37,567     27,127     12,910     156,871  
                       

Net earnings (loss)

  $ 56,706   $ (5,355 ) $ (22,129 ) $ 696   $ 29,918  
                       

The Company's recorded equity in earnings (loss)

  $ 7,275   $ (1,438 ) $ (11,065 ) $ 427   $ (4,801 )

 

 
  Twenty-six Weeks Ended September 29, 2011  
(In thousands)
  NCM   DCIP   ORF   Other   Total  

Revenues

  $ 249,936   $ 61,362   $ 4,998   $ 18,178   $ 334,474  

Operating costs and expenses

    155,668     71,409     29,391     17,734     274,202  
                       

Net earnings (loss)

  $ 94,268   $ (10,047 ) $ (24,393 ) $ 444   $ 60,272  
                       

The Company's recorded equity in earnings (loss)

  $ 10,514   $ (2,936 ) $ (12,197 ) $ 314   $ (4,305 )

 

 
  Thirteen Weeks Ended September 30, 2010  
(In thousands)
  NCM   DCIP   ORF   Other   Total  

Revenues

  $ 125,717   $ 10,268   $   $ 13,446   $ 149,431  

Operating costs and expenses

    73,187     22,068         13,636     108,891  
                       

Net earnings (loss)

  $ 52,530   $ (11,800 ) $   $ (190 ) $ 40,540  
                       

The Company's recorded equity in earnings (loss)

  $ 8,976   $ (3,412 ) $   $ (232 ) $ 5,332  

 

 
  Twenty-six Weeks Ended September 30, 2010  
(In thousands)
  NCM   DCIP   ORF   Other   Total  

Revenues

  $ 224,715   $ 15,554   $   $ 23,086   $ 263,355  

Operating costs and expenses

    144,639     45,508         23,773     213,920  
                       

Net earnings (loss)

  $ 80,076   $ (29,954 ) $   $ (687 ) $ 49,435  
                       

The Company's recorded equity in earnings (loss)

  $ 12,434   $ (8,581 ) $   $ (287 ) $ 3,566  

DCIP Transactions

        The Company recorded equity in losses from DCIP of $1,438,000 and $3,412,000 during the thirteen weeks ended September 29, 2011 and September 30, 2010, respectively and $2,936,000 and $8,581,000 during the twenty-six weeks ended September 29, 2011 and September 30, 2010, respectively. As of September 29, 2011 and March 31, 2011, the Company had recorded $3,178,000 and $3,376,000 respectively, of amounts due from DCIP related to equipment purchases made on behalf of DCIP for the installation of digital projection systems. After the projectors are installed and the Company is reimbursed for its installation costs, the Company will make capital contributions to DCIP for projector and installation costs in excess of the cap ($68,000 per system for digital conversions). The Company pays equipment rent monthly and records the equipment rental expense on a straight-line basis, including scheduled escalations of rent to commence after six and one-half years from the inception of the agreement. The difference between the cash rent and straight-line rent is recorded to deferred rent, a long-term liability account. As of September 29, 2011 and March 31, 2011, the Company had recorded $3,113,000 and $1,471,000 of deferred rent liability, respectively. The Company recorded digital equipment rental expense of $1,715,000 and $582,000 during the thirteen weeks ended September 29, 2011 and September 30, 2010, respectively and $3,240,000 and $942,000 during the twenty-six weeks ended September 29, 2011 and September 30, 2010, respectively.

Open Road Films Transactions

        As of September 29, 2011, the Company had recorded $1,065,000 of amounts due to ORF related to film exhibition costs for Killer Elite, the first title distributed by ORF. The Company recorded equity in losses from ORF of $11,065,000 and $12,197,000 during the thirteen and twenty-six weeks ended September 29, 2011, respectively. The increase in equity in losses for the thirteen weeks ended September 29, 2011 is primarily due to advertising expenses related to current and upcoming film releases.

NCM Transactions

        The Company recorded equity in earnings from NCM of $7,275,000 and $8,976,000 during the thirteen weeks ended September 29, 2011 and September 30, 2010, respectively and $10,514,000 and $12,434,000 during the twenty-six weeks ended September 29, 2011 and September 30, 2010, respectively. As of September 29, 2011, the Company owns 17,323,782 units, or a 15.63% interest, in NCM. As a founding member, the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence over the governance of NCM, and, accordingly accounts for its investment following the equity method. The estimated fair market value of the units in NCM was approximately $255,872,000, based on the price per share of NCM, Inc. on September 29, 2011 of $14.77 per share.

        As of September 29, 2011 and March 31, 2011, the Company had recorded $1,253,000 and $1,708,000 respectively, of amounts due from NCM related to on-screen advertising revenue and theatre rent. As of September 29, 2011 and March 31, 2011, the Company had recorded $863,000 and $1,355,000 respectively, of amounts due to NCM related to the Exhibitor Services Agreement. The Company recorded revenues for advertising from NCM of $6,133,000 and $5,991,000 during the thirteen weeks ended September 29, 2011 and September 30, 2010, respectively and $12,353,000 and $11,410,000 during the twenty-six weeks ended September 29, 2011 and September 30, 2010, respectively. The Company recorded NCM advertising expenses related to beverage advertising of $3,568,000 and $3,422,000 during the thirteen weeks ended September 29, 2011 and September 30, 2010, respectively and $7,198,000 and $6,686,000 during the twenty-six weeks ended September 29, 2011 and September 30, 2010, respectively.

        All of the Company's NCM membership units are redeemable for, at the option of NCM, Inc., cash or shares of common stock of NCM, Inc. on a share-for-share basis. On August 18, 2010, the Company sold 6,500,000 shares of common stock of NCM, Inc. in an underwritten public offering for $16.00 per share and reduced the Company's related investment in NCM by $36,709,000, the average carrying amount of all shares owned. Net proceeds received on this sale were $99,840,000 after deducting related underwriting fees and professional and consulting costs of $4,160,000, resulting in a gain on sale of $63,131,000. In addition, on September 8, 2010, the Company sold 155,193 shares of NCM, Inc. to the underwriters to cover over-allotments for $16.00 per share and reduced the Company's related investment in NCM by $867,000, the average carrying amount of all shares owned. Net proceeds received on this sale were $2,384,000 after deducting related underwriting fees and professional and consulting costs of $99,000, resulting in a gain on sale of $1,517,000.

        The Company recorded the following changes in the carrying amount of its investment in NCM and equity in (earnings) losses of NCM during the twenty-six weeks ended September 29, 2011:

(In thousands)
  Investment
in NCM(1)
  Deferred
Revenue(2)
  Cash
Received
(Paid)
  Equity in
(Earnings)
Losses
  Advertising
(Revenue)
 

Beginning balance March 31, 2011

  $ 74,551   $ (333,792 )                  

Receipt of excess cash distributions

    (2,164 )     $ 8,487   $ (6,323 ) $  

Receipt under Tax Receivable Agreement

    (35 )       494     (459 )    

Amortization of deferred revenue

        2,515             (2,515 )

Equity in earnings(3)

    3,732             (3,732 )    
                       

For the period ended or balance as of September 29, 2011

  $ 76,084   $ (331,277 ) $ 8,981   $ (10,514 ) $ (2,515 )
                       

(1)
Represents AMC's investment in 519,979 common membership units originally valued at March 27, 2008, 224,828 common membership units originally valued at March 17, 2009, 70,424 common membership units originally valued at March 17, 2010, and 3,601,811 common membership units originally valued at June 14, 2010 received under the Common Unit Adjustment Agreement dated as of February 13, 2007 (Tranche 2 Investments). AMC's investment in 12,906,740 common membership units (Tranche 1 Investment) is carried at zero cost.

(2)
Represents the unamortized portion of the Exhibitor Services Agreement (ESA) modifications payment received from NCM. Such amounts are being amortized to revenues over the remainder of the 30 year term of the ESA ending in 2036, using a units-of-revenue method, as described in ASC 470-10-35 (formerly EITF 88-18, Sales of Future Revenues).

(3)
Represents equity in earnings on the Tranche 2 Investments only.

Equity Method Accounting for Tranche 1 and Tranche 2 Investments in NCM

        On February 13, 2007, NCM, Inc., the sole manager of NCM, completed its Initial Public Offering ("IPO") and used the net proceeds from the IPO to purchase a 44.8% interest in NCM, paying NCM $746,100,000 and paying the Founding Members $78,500,000 for a portion of the NCM units owned by them. NCM then paid $686,300,000 of the funds received from NCM, Inc. to the Founding Members as consideration for their agreement to modify the then-existing ESA. Also in connection with the IPO, NCM used $59,800,000 of the proceeds it received from NCM, Inc. and $709,700,000 of net proceeds from its new senior secured credit facility entered into concurrently with the completion of the IPO to redeem $769,500,000 in NCM preferred units held by the Founding Members. The redemption distribution to the Founding Members described above related to the IPO resulted in large Members' Deficit amounts for the Founding Members.

        The Company received approximately $259,300,000 for the redemption of all of its preferred units in NCM and approximately $26,500,000 from selling common units in NCM to NCM, Inc. In addition, the Company received $231,300,000 as consideration for modifying the ESA.

        Following the NCM IPO, the Company will not recognize undistributed equity in the earnings on the original NCM membership units (Tranche 1 Investment) until NCM's future net earnings, less distributions received, surpass the amount of the excess distribution. The Company will recognize equity in earnings only to the extent it receives cash distributions from NCM. The Company considers the excess distribution described above as an advance on NCM's future earnings and, accordingly, future earnings of NCM should not be recognized through the application of equity method accounting until such time as the Company's share of NCM's future earnings, net of distributions received, exceeds the excess distribution. The Company believes that the accounting model provided by ASC 323-10-35-22 for recognition of equity investee losses in excess of an investor's basis is analogous to the accounting for equity income subsequent to recognizing an excess distribution.

        The Company has received 7,983,723 additional units in NCM subsequent to the IPO as a result of Common Unit Adjustments received from March 27, 2008 through June 14, 2010 (Tranche 2 Investments). The Company follows the guidance in ASC 323-10-35-29 (formerly EITF 02-18, Accounting for Subsequent Investments in an Investee after Suspension of Equity Loss Recognition) by analogy, which also refers to AICPA Technical Practice Aid 2220.14. Both sets of literature indicate that if a subsequent investment is made in an equity method investee that has experienced significant losses, the investor must determine if the subsequent investment constitutes funding of prior losses. The Company concluded that the construction or acquisition of new theatres that has led to the Common Unit adjustments included in its Tranche 2 Investments equates to making additional investments in NCM. The Company has evaluated the receipt of the additional common units in NCM and the assets exchanged for these additional units and has determined that the right to use its incremental new screens would not be considered funding of prior losses. This determination was formed by considering that (i) NCM does not receive any additional funds from the Tranche 2 Investments, (ii) both NCM and AMC record their respective increases to Members' Equity and Investment at the same amount (fair value of the units issued), (iii) the additional investments result in additional ownership in NCM and (iv) the investments in additional common units are not subordinate to the other equity of NCM. As such, the additional common units received would be accounted for as a Tranche 2 Investment separate from the Company's initial investment following the equity method. The Company's Tranche 2 Investments correspond with the NCM Members' equity amounts in its capital account.