Netflix, Inc. is an American media company engaged in paid streaming and the production of films and series.
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
OR
Commission File Number: 000-49802
Netflix, Inc.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
970 University Avenue, Los Gatos, California 95032
(Address and zip code of principal executive offices)
(408) 317-3700
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES x NO ¨.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES x NO ¨.
As of October 22, 2003, there were 24,767,319 shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $0.001, outstanding.
Table of Contents
Part I.
Part II.
Signatures
Exhibit Index
2
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Index to Financial Statements
Statements of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2002 and 2003
Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2002 and September 30, 2003
Statements of Cash Flows for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2002 and 2003
Notes to Financial Statements
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Statements of Operations
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share data)
Revenues:
Subscription
Sales
Total revenues
Cost of revenues:
Total cost of revenues
Gross profit
Operating expenses:
Fulfillment*
Technology and development*
Marketing*
General and administrative*
Stock-based compensation*
Total operating expenses
Operating income (loss)
Other income (expense):
Interest and other income
Interest and other expense
Net income (loss)
Net income (loss) per share:
Basic
Diluted
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
*Amortization of stock-based compensation not included in expense line item:
Fulfillment
Technology and development
Marketing
General and administrative
Total stock-based compensation
See accompanying notes to financial statements.
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Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except share and par value data)
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents
Short-term investments
Prepaid expenses
Prepaid revenue sharing expenses
Other current assets
Total current assets
DVD library, net
Intangible assets, net
Property and equipment, net
Deposits
Other assets
Total assets
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable
Accrued expenses
Deferred revenue
Current portion of capital lease obligations
Total current liabilities
Deferred rent
Capital lease obligations, less current portion
Total liabilities
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 150,000,000 and 80,000,000 shares authorized at December 31, 2002 and September 30, 2003, respectively; 22,445,795 and 24,227,548 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2002 and September 30, 2003, respectively
Additional paid-in capital
Deferred stock-based compensation
Accumulated other comprehensive income
Accumulated deficit
Total stockholders’ equity
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
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Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands)
September 30,
2002
2003
Cash flows from operating activities:
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation of property and equipment
Amortization of DVD library
Amortization of intangible assets
Noncash charges for equity instruments granted to non-employees
Stock-based compensation expense
Gain on disposal of DVDs
Noncash interest expense
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Net cash provided by operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of short-term investments
Purchases of property and equipment
Acquisitions of DVD library
Proceeds from sale of DVDs
Deposits and other assets
Net cash used in investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock
Repurchases of common stock
Principal payments on notes payable and capital lease obligations
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
Supplemental disclosure:
Cash paid for interest
Noncash investing and financing activities:
Purchase of assets under captial lease obligations
Exchange of Series F non-voting convertible preferred stock for intangible asset
Unrealized gain (loss) on short-term investments
Conversion of redeemable convertible preferred stock to common stock
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(in thousands, except per share data and percentages)
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying interim financial statements of Netflix, Inc. (the “Company”) are unaudited and, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments, consisting of normal and recurring items, necessary for a fair presentation of the balance sheets, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and related notes included in the Company’s 2002 annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2003. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 may not be indicative of the results for any future periods.
During the second quarter of 2003, the Company adopted the fair value recognition provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, as amended by SFAS No. 148, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation – Transition and Disclosure, an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 123. The Company restated all prior periods presented to reflect the compensation costs that would have been recognized had the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123 been applied to all awards granted to employees. Please refer to the “Stock-Based Compensation” section below for further discussion.
Description of Business
The Company was incorporated on August 29, 1997 (inception) and began operations on April 14, 1998. The Company is an online movie rental subscription service, providing subscribers with access to a comprehensive library of titles. For $19.95 a month, subscribers can rent as many digital video discs (“DVDs”) as they want, with three movies out at a time, and keep them for as long as they like. There are no due dates and no late fees. DVDs are delivered directly to the subscriber’s address by first-class mail from distribution centers throughout the United States. The Company also provides background information on DVD releases, including critic reviews, member reviews and ratings, and personalized movie recommendations.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles 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 revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The fair value of the Company’s cash, short-term investments, accounts payable, accrued expenses, and borrowings approximates their carrying value due to their short maturities.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers highly liquid instruments with original maturities of three months or less, at the date of purchase, to be cash equivalents. The Company’s cash and cash equivalents are principally on deposit in short-term asset management accounts at two large financial institutions.
Short-Term Investments
Short-term investments generally mature between one and five years from the purchase date. The Company has the ability to convert these short-term investments into cash at anytime without penalty. All short-term investments are classified as available-for-sale and are recorded at market value using the specific identification method. Net unrealized gains are reflected in “Accumulated other comprehensive income” in the Company’s Balance Sheets.
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Notes to Financial Statements—Continued
All short-term investments are invested in the Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund – Admiral Shares (the “Fund”). The target index for the Fund, the Lehman Brothers 1-5 Year Government/Corporate Bond Index, is comprised of short-term bonds issued by the U.S. Treasury, federal agencies, and corporations with maturities between one and five years. As of September 30, 2003, the cost, unrealized gains and fair market value of the Company’s short-term investments were $44,119, $1,118 and $45,237, respectively.
Capitalized Software Costs
The Company capitalizes costs related to developing or obtaining internal-use software. Capitalization of costs begins after the conceptual formulation stage has been completed. Capitalized software costs are included in “Property and equipment, net” in the Company’s Balance Sheets and are amortized over the estimated useful life of the software, generally one year.
DVD Library
The Company acquires DVDs from studios and distributors either via direct purchase or subject to revenue sharing agreements. These revenue sharing agreements enable the Company to acquire DVDs at a lower upfront cost than under the direct purchase arrangements. Under the revenue sharing agreements, the Company pays a percentage of the actual net revenues generated by the use of each particular title with the studios over a fixed period of time, which is generally 12 months for each DVD title (hereinafter referred to as the “Title Term”). At the end of the Title Term, the Company typically has the option of either returning the DVD title to the studio or purchasing the title.
The Company amortizes the cost, less estimated salvage value, of its DVD library on a “sum-of-the-months” accelerated basis over one year.
Under certain revenue sharing agreements, the Company remits an upfront payment to acquire titles from the studios. This payment includes a contractually specified initial fixed license fee that is capitalized and amortized in accordance with the Company’s DVD library amortization policy. Some payments also include a contractually specified prepayment of future revenue sharing obligations that is classified as “Prepaid revenue sharing expenses” in the Company’s Balance Sheets and is charged to expense as future revenue sharing obligations are incurred.
Several studios permit the Company to sell used DVDs upon the expiration of the Title Term. For those DVDs that the Company estimates it will sell at the end of the Title Term, an estimated salvage value of $2.00 per DVD is provided. For those DVDs that the Company does not expect to sell, no salvage value is provided. As of December 31, 2002 and September 30, 2003, the estimated salvage values of $929 and $1,558, respectively, were included in “DVD library, net” in the Company’s Balance Sheets.
DVD library and accumulated amortization consisted of the following:
DVD library
Less accumulated amortization
Intangible Assets
During 2000, in connection with revenue sharing agreements with three studios, the Company agreed to issue each studio an equity interest equal to 1.204% of the Company’s fully diluted equity securities outstanding in the form of Series F Non-Voting Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series F Preferred Stock”). In 2001, in connection with revenue sharing agreements with two additional studios, the Company agreed to issue each studio an equity interest equal to 1.204% of the Company’s fully diluted equity securities outstanding in the form of Series F Preferred Stock.
The Company’s obligation to maintain the five studios’ equity interests at 6.02% of the Company’s fully diluted equity securities outstanding terminated immediately prior to its initial public offering in May 2002. The studios’ Series F Preferred Stock automatically converted into 1,596 shares of common stock upon the closing of the Company’s initial public offering.
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The Company measured the original issuances and any subsequent adjustments using the fair value of the securities at the issuance and any subsequent adjustment dates. The fair value was recorded as an intangible asset and is amortized to cost of subscription revenues ratably over the three to five-year terms of the agreements.
During 2001, in connection with a strategic marketing alliance agreement, the Company issued 416 shares of Series F Preferred Stock. These shares automatically converted into 139 shares of common stock upon the closing of the Company’s initial public offering. Under the agreement, the strategic partner has committed to provide, on a best-efforts basis, a stipulated number of impressions to a co-branded website and the Company’s website over a period of 24 months. In addition, the Company was allowed to use the partner’s trademark and logo in marketing the Company’s subscription services. The Company recognized the fair value of these instruments as an intangible asset with a corresponding credit to additional paid-in capital. The intangible asset has been fully amortized on a straight-line basis to marketing expense over the two-year term of the agreement.
Intangible assets and accumulated amortization consisted of the following:
Studio intangibles
Strategic marketing alliance intangibles
Intangible assets, gross
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the shorter of the estimated useful lives of the respective assets, generally up to three years, or the lease term, if applicable.
Revenue Recognition
Subscription revenues are recognized ratably during each subscriber’s monthly subscription period. Refunds to customers are recorded as a reduction of revenues or deferred revenue, as appropriate. Revenues from sales of used DVDs are recorded upon shipment.
Cost of Revenues
Cost of subscription revenues consists of revenue sharing costs, amortization of the DVD library, amortization of intangible assets related to equity instruments issued to studios, and postage and packaging costs related to DVDs provided to paying subscribers. Cost of DVD sales includes the salvage value of used DVDs that have been sold. Revenue sharing expense is recorded as DVDs subject to revenue sharing agreements are shipped to subscribers.
Fulfillment costs represent those costs incurred in operating and staffing the Company’s fulfillment and customer service centers, including costs attributable to receiving, inspecting, and warehousing the Company’s DVD library. Fulfillment costs also include credit card fees.
Technology and Development
Technology and development costs consist of payroll and related costs incurred related to testing, maintaining, and modifying the Company’s website, recommendation software, and other internal-use software systems. Technology and development costs also include depreciation on the computer hardware and capitalized software the Company uses to run its website and store data.
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Marketing consists of payroll and related costs, advertising, public relations, payments to marketing affiliates who drive subscriber traffic to the Company’s website, and other costs related to promotional activities including revenue sharing payments, postage and packaging, and DVD library amortization related to free trial periods. The Company expenses these costs as incurred.
Stock-Based Compensation
Prior to the second quarter of 2003, the Company accounted for its stock-based employee compensation plans using the intrinsic-value method of accounting. Deferred stock-based compensation expense was recorded if, on the date of grant, the current market value of the underlying stock exceeded the exercise price. Deferred compensation resulting from repriced options was calculated pursuant to Financial Accounting Standard Board (“FASB”) Interpretation No. 44, Accounting for Certain Transactions Involving Stock Compensation.
During the second quarter of 2003, the Company adopted the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123, as amended by SFAS No. 148, for stock-based employee compensation. The Company elected to apply the retroactive restatement method under SFAS No. 148 and all prior periods presented have been restated to reflect the compensation costs that would have been recognized had the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123 been applied to all awards granted to employees.
The following table presents a reconciliation of previously reported net loss to restated net loss from the first quarter of 2002 through the first quarter of 2003:
Net loss, as previously reported
Add back: compensation expense included in previously reported net loss
Deduct: compensation expense determined under the fair value method of SFAS No. 123
Net loss, as restated
Basic and diluted net loss per share:
As previously reported
As restated
During the third quarter of 2003, the Company began granting stock options to its employees on a monthly basis. Such stock options are designated as non-qualified or non-statutory stock options. The stock options are granted at an exercise price of not less than the fair market value of the Company’s common stock at the date of grant and generally expire in ten years, or shortly after a termination of employment. The vesting periods provide for options to vest immediately, in comparison with the three to four-year vesting periods for stock options granted prior to the third quarter of 2003. As a result of immediate vesting, stock-based compensation expense determined under SFAS No. 123 is fully recognized in the same periods as the monthly stock option grants. The Company will continue to amortize over the remaining vesting periods the deferred compensation of stock options with three to four-year vesting periods granted prior to the third quarter of 2003.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Deferred income taxes are recognized by applying enacted statutory tax rates applicable to future years to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. The measurement of deferred tax assets is reduced, if necessary, by a valuation allowance for any tax benefits for which future realization is uncertain.
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Net Income (Loss) Per Share
Basic net income (loss) per share is computed using the weighted-average number of outstanding shares of common stock, excluding common stock subject to repurchase, during the period. Diluted net income (loss) per share is computed using the weighted-average number of outstanding shares of common stock and, when dilutive, potential common shares outstanding during the period. Potential common shares consist primarily of incremental shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options and warrants to purchase common stock using the treasury stock method.
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share:
Numerator:
Denominator:
Weighted-average shares—basic
Effect of dilutive potential common shares:
Warrants
Employee stock options
Weighted-average shares—diluted
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003, warrants and employee stock options with exercise prices greater than the average market price of the common shares were excluded from the diluted calculation as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2002, all warrants and employee stock options have been excluded from the diluted calculation because the Company was in a net loss position and their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. The following table summarizes the potential common shares excluded from the diluted calculation:
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
The Company’s comprehensive income (loss) consists of net income (loss) and unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale investments. The balances in accumulated other comprehensive income consist of accumulated net unrealized gains on available-for-sale investments.
The components of comprehensive income (loss) are as follows:
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale investments
Comprehensive income (loss)
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Notes to Financial Statements - Continued
Segment Reporting
The Company is an online movie rental subscription service and substantially all revenues are derived from monthly subscription fees. Accordingly, the Company is organized in a single operating segment for purposes of making operating decisions and assessing performance in accordance with SFAS No. 131, Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer, who is the chief operating decision maker as defined in SFAS No. 131, evaluates performance, makes operating decisions, and allocates resources based on financial data consistent with the presentation in the accompanying financial statements.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In November 2002, the Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) reached a consensus on Issue 00-21, Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables, addressing how to account for arrangements that involve the delivery or performance of multiple products, services, and/or rights to use assets. Revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables are divided into separate units of accounting if the deliverables in the arrangement meet the following criteria: (1) the delivered item has value to the customer on a standalone basis; (2) there is objective and reliable evidence of the fair value of undelivered items; and (3) delivery of any undelivered item is probable. Arrangement consideration should be allocated among the separate units of accounting based on their relative fair values, with the amount allocated to the delivered item being limited to the amount that is not contingent on the delivery of additional items or meeting other specified performance conditions. The final consensus is applicable to agreements entered into in fiscal periods beginning after June 15, 2003. The provisions of this consensus did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial condition or operating results.
In January 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an Interpretation of ARB No. 51. This Interpretation addresses the consolidation by business enterprises of variable interest entities as defined in the Interpretation. The Interpretation applies immediately to variable interests in variable interest entities created after January 31, 2003. For public enterprises with variable interests in variable interest entities created before February 1, 2003, the Interpretation is applicable to the enterprise no later than the beginning of the first interim or annual reporting period beginning after June 15, 2003. The application of this Interpretation did not have a material effect on the Company’s operating results or financial condition.
In April 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 149, Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, which amends and clarifies accounting for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, and for hedging activities under SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. SFAS No. 149 is generally effective for derivative instruments, including derivative instruments embedded in certain contracts, entered into or modified after June 30, 2003, and for hedging relationships designated after June 30, 2003. The adoption of SFAS No. 149 did not have a material impact on the Company’s operating results or financial condition.
In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Both Liabilities and Equity, which provides guidance for how an issuer classifies and measures certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity. SFAS No. 150 is effective for financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003, and otherwise is effective at the beginning of the first interim period beginning after June 15, 2003. The adoption of SFAS No. 150 did not have a material impact on the Company’s operating results or financial condition.
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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Forward-Looking Statements
This quarterly report on Form 10-Q contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including statements regarding our subscriber growth, our DVD purchase expense, subscriber acquisition cost and churn for the fourth quarter of 2003. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ, including: our ability to manage our growth, in particular managing our subscriber acquisition cost as well as the mix between revenue sharing titles and titles not subject to revenue sharing that are delivered to our subscribers; our ability to attract new subscribers and retain existing subscribers; competition; fluctuations in subscriber usage of our service, consumer spending on DVD players, DVDs and related products; deterioration of the United States economy or conditions specific to online commerce or the filmed entertainment industry; conditions that affect our delivery through the United States Postal Service, including increases in postage; increases in the costs of acquiring DVDs; and widespread consumer adoption of different modes of viewing in-home filmed entertainment. A detailed discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from such forward-looking statements is included as part of our annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2003.
We undertake no obligation to revise or publicly release the results of any revision to any forward-looking statements contained in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, or to explain why actual results differ.
Overview
We are the largest online movie rental subscription service in the United States providing approximately 1,291,000 subscribers access to a comprehensive library of more than 15,000 movie, television, and other filmed entertainment titles as of September 30, 2003. Our standard subscription plan allows subscribers to have three titles out at the same time with no due dates, late fees or shipping charges for $19.95 per month. Subscribers can view as many titles as they want in a month. Subscribers select titles at our website (www.netflix.com) aided by our proprietary recommendation service, receive them on DVD by first-class mail and return them to us at their convenience using our prepaid mailers. Once a title has been returned, we mail the next available title in a subscriber’s queue. For a more detailed discussion of our business and the risks and uncertainties associated with our business, please refer to our annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2003.
Critical Accounting Policy
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities in the financial statements and accompanying notes. The Securities and Exchange Commission has defined a company’s critical accounting policies as the policies that are most important to the portrayal of the company’s financial condition and results of operations and which require the company to make its most difficult and subjective judgments. Based on this definition, we have identified the critical accounting policy below. Although we believe that our estimates, assumptions and judgments are reasonable, they are based upon information available. Actual results may differ significantly from these estimates under different assumptions, judgments or condition.
Amortization of DVD Library
We acquire DVDs from studios and distributors either through direct purchase or pursuant to revenue sharing agreements. These revenue sharing agreements enable us to acquire DVDs at a lower upfront cost than under the direct purchase arrangements. Under the revenue sharing agreements, we pay a percentage of the actual net revenues generated by the use of the DVDs associated with each particular title with the studios over a fixed period of time, which is generally 12 months for each title. At the end of the revenue sharing period for each title, we typically have the option of either returning the DVDs associated with the title to the studio or purchasing some or all of those DVDs.
We amortize the cost, less estimated salvage value, of our DVD library on a “sum-of-the-months” accelerated basis over one year.
Under our revenue sharing agreements, we remit an upfront payment to acquire DVDs from the studios. This payment includes a contractually specified initial fixed license fee that is capitalized. Certain of these payments also include a contractually specified prepayment of future revenue sharing obligations that is classified as prepaid revenue sharing expense and is expensed as revenue sharing obligations are incurred. The initial fixed license fee is amortized on a “sum-of-the-months” accelerated basis over one year.
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We believe the use of an accelerated method is appropriate because we normally experience heavy initial demand for a title, which subsides gradually once the initial demand has been satisfied.
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth, for the periods presented, the line items in our Statements of Operations as a percentage of total revenues. The information contained in the table below should be read in conjunction with the Financial Statements, Notes to Financial Statements, and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.
Stock-based compensation
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Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003 Compared to Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2002
Revenues
Average paying subscribers
Average monthly subscription revenue per paying subscriber
Percentage
Change
Subscribers:
Free subscribers
Paid subscribers
Total subscribers
We derive substantially all our revenues from monthly subscription fees and recognize subscription revenues ratably during each subscriber’s monthly subscription period. In addition, we generate a small portion of our revenues from the sale of used DVDs and recognize such revenues when the DVDs are shipped. We generate all our revenues from the United States.
The increase in our subscription revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 in comparison with the same prior-year periods was primarily due to an increase in the average number of paying subscribers. We believe the increase in the number of paying subscribers was driven by the continuing consumer adoption of DVD players, increased consumer awareness of our service, our high levels of subscriber satisfaction, and continuing improvements in our service. In addition, the increase in our subscription revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2003 in comparison with the same prior-year period was partially attributable to an increase in the average monthly subscription revenue per paying subscriber, as a small percentage of paying subscribers migrated to service plans with monthly subscription fees higher than $19.95. We expect to end the fourth quarter of 2003 with total subscribers of 1,425,000 to 1,475,000, an increase of 10.4% to 14.3% from the number of total subscribers as of September 30, 2003.
Cost of Revenues, Gross Profit and Gross Margin
Cost of Revenues:
Cost of subscription revenues consists of revenue sharing costs, amortization of our DVD library, amortization of intangible assets related to equity investments issued to certain studios, and postage and packaging costs related to shipping titles to paying subscribers. Costs related to free trial subscribers are allocated to marketing expenses. Cost of DVD sales includes salvage value and revenue sharing costs for used DVDs sold.
The increase in cost of subscription revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 in comparison with the same prior-year periods was primarily attributable to the following factors:
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Gross Profit and Gross Margin:
Gross margin
The decrease in gross margin for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 in comparison with the same prior-year periods was due primarily to a higher percentage of DVD amortization as a result of increased acquisitions for our library during the first nine months of 2003, coupled with a higher percentage of postage and packaging costs as a result of an increase in disc usage per average paying subscriber. The decrease in gross margin was partially offset by a lower percentage of revenue sharing costs as a result of our rental mix shifting proportionately in favor of purchased titles and away from titles subject to revenue sharing agreements. This shift was attributable to the increase in purchases for our library. If subscribers increase their usage or select titles that are more expensive to acquire, our cost of revenues would increase, and our gross margin could be adversely affected. We expect our gross margin to be in the range of 42.5% to 44.5% in the fourth quarter of 2003.
Operating Expenses
Fulfillment:
As a percentage of revenues
Fulfillment expense represents those expenses incurred in operating and staffing our distribution and customer service centers, including costs attributable to receiving, inspecting, and warehousing our library. Fulfillment expense also includes credit card fees and other collection-related expenses. As we continue to expand and refine our fulfillment operations, we may see an increase in disc usage by our subscribers. If our subscriber retention does not increase or our operating margins do not improve to the extent necessary to offset the effect of increased fulfillment expenses, our operating results would be adversely affected.
The increase in fulfillment expense in absolute dollars during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 in comparison with the same prior-year periods was primarily attributable to an increase in personnel costs resulting from the higher volume of activities in our fulfillment operations. In addition, credit card fees increased $0.8 million and $2.3 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003, respectively, due to an increase in subscriptions. As a percentage of revenues, fulfillment expense decreased during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 in comparison with the same prior-year periods primarily as a result of the combination of an increasing revenue base and improvements in our fulfillment productivity due to our continuing efforts to refine and streamline our fulfillment operations.
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Technology and Development:
Technology and development expense consists of payroll and other expenses related to testing, maintaining and modifying our website, our recommendation service, telecommunications systems and infrastructure, and other internal-use software systems. Technology and development expense also includes depreciation of the computer hardware and capitalized software we use to run our website and store our data. We continuously research and test a variety of potential improvements to our internal hardware and software systems in an effort to improve our productivity and enhance our subscribers’ experience.
Technology and development expense increased in absolute dollars during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 in comparison with the same prior-year periods primarily as a result of an increase in personnel costs, offset by a modest decrease in depreciation. As a percentage of revenues, technology and development expense decreased during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 in comparison with the same prior-year periods primarily due to an increase in revenue base and efficiency improvements in our systems infrastructure.
Marketing:
New trial subscribers
Subscriber acquisition cost
Subscriber churn
Marketing expense consists of marketing expenditures and other promotional activities, including revenue sharing costs, postage and packaging costs, and library amortization related to free trial periods. Subscriber acquisition cost is defined as marketing expense divided by the total number of new trial subscribers during the period. Subscriber churn is calculated as customer cancellations during the quarter divided by the sum of beginning subscribers and gross subscriber additions, then dividing the result by three for the three-month period.
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003, the increase in marketing expense in absolute dollars in comparison with the same prior-year periods was attributable primarily to an increase in the number of new trial subscribers, which drove higher marketing program and personnel costs. For the three months ended September 30, 2003, the decrease in the subscriber acquisition cost in comparison with the same prior-year period was due primarily to an increase in new trial subscribers resulting from the continued growth of “word-of-mouth” as a source of acquisition, as well as costs related to marketing programs and marketing staff declining on a per acquired subscriber basis due to the large increase in new trial subscribers. For the nine months ended September 30, 2003, the increase in the subscriber acquisition cost in comparison with the same prior-year period was due primarily to an increase in certain marketing program payments for new subscribers referred to us, partially offset by the continued growth of “word-of-mouth” as a source of acquisition and lower personnel costs on a per acquired subscriber basis. Churn improved during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 in comparison with the same prior-year periods in response to the improvements in the quality of our service, which drove higher customer satisfaction. As a percentage of revenues, marketing expenses decreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 due primarily to an increase in revenues. We expect the subscriber acquisition cost to be in the range of $30 to $33, and the subscriber churn to be in the range of 4.9% to 5.4%, in the fourth quarter of 2003.
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General and Administrative:
General and administrative expense consists primarily of payroll and related expenses for executive, finance, content acquisition, and administrative personnel, as well as external professional fees and other general corporate expenses.
The increase in general and administrative expense in absolute dollars for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 in comparison with the same prior-year periods was attributable primarily to an increase in the number of personnel to support our expanding business. In addition, we also incurred higher insurance costs and higher professional fees. As a percentage of revenues, general and administrative expense decreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 in comparison with the same prior-year periods due primarily to an increase in revenues.
Stock-Based Compensation:
During the second quarter of 2003, we adopted the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123, as amended by SFAS No. 148, for stock-based employee compensation. We elected to apply the retroactive restatement method under SFAS No. 148 and all prior periods presented have been restated to reflect the compensation costs that would have been recognized had the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123 been applied to all awards granted to employees.
During the third quarter of 2003, we began granting stock options to our employees on a monthly basis. Such stock options are designated as non-qualified or non-statutory stock options. The stock options are granted at an exercise price of not less than the fair market value of our common stock at the date of grant and generally expire in ten years, or shortly after a termination of employment. The vesting periods provide for options to vest immediately, in comparison with the three to four-year vesting periods for stock options granted prior to the third quarter of 2003. As a result of immediate vesting, all stock-based compensation expense determined under SFAS No. 123 is fully recognized in the same periods as the monthly stock option grants. We will continue to amortize over the remaining vesting periods the deferred compensation of stock options with three to four-year vesting periods granted prior to the third quarter of 2003.
Stock-based compensation increased during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 in comparison with the same prior-year periods due primarily to the recognition of compensation expense associated with the fully vested stock options granted in the third quarter of 2003 as discussed above. The increase in stock-based compensation expense in the current three and nine-month periods was partially offset by lower amortization of the deferred compensation of stock options granted prior to the third quarter of 2003. As a percentage of revenues, stock-based compensation declined during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 due primarily to an increase in revenues. The calculation of our stock-based compensation is highly sensitive to the market price of our common stock on the date of grant. Our stock price has fluctuated significantly and, as such, it is difficult to predict our stock-based compensation in the future quarters.
Other Income (Expense)
Interest and Other Income:
Interest and other income consist primarily of interest earned on our cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments.
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The decrease in interest and other income during the three months ended September 30, 2003 in comparison with the same prior-year period was primarily due to lower interest rates. The increase in interest and other income during the nine months ended September 30, 2003 in comparison with the same prior-year period was primarily attributable to higher interest income earned on an increase in cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments, due primarily to the proceeds from our initial public offering in May 2002.
Interest and Other Expense:
Interest and other expense consist primarily of interest expense related to our interest-bearing obligations.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2002, interest and other expense included a one-time charge of $10.7 million associated with our early repayment, resulting from the consummation of our initial public offering in May 2002, of all outstanding indebtedness under our subordinated promissory notes related to the acceleration of the accretion of the unamortized discount. Excluding this one-time charge, the decrease in interest and other expense during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 in comparison with the same prior-year periods was due primarily to lower interest expense as a result of a reduction in interest-bearing obligations, some of which were repaid following our initial public offering in May 2002.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Since inception, we have financed our activities primarily through a series of private placements of convertible preferred stock, subordinated promissory notes, and our initial public offering in May 2002. As of September 30, 2003, we had cash and cash equivalents of $79.2 million and short-term investments of $45.2 million. Although we currently anticipate that the proceeds from our initial public offering, together with our available funds and cash flow from operations, will be sufficient to meet our cash needs for the foreseeable future, we may require or elect to obtain additional financing. Our ability to obtain financing will depend on, among other things, our development efforts, business plans, operating performance, and condition of the capital markets at the time we seek financing. We cannot assure you that additional financing will be available to us on favorable terms when required, or at all. If we raise additional funds through the issuance of equity, equity-linked or debt securities, those securities may have rights, preferences, or privileges senior to the rights of our common stock, and our stockholders may experience dilution.
For the three months ended September 30, 2003, net cash provided by operating activities increased 98.5% to $22.0 million from $11.1 million in the same prior-year period. This increase was primarily attributable to net income generated in the current three-month period, adjusted for an increase in the amortization of our DVD library as a result of increased purchases of titles during the first nine months of 2003. For the nine months ended September 30, 2003, net cash provided by operating activities increased 127.4% to $58.4 million from $25.7 million in the same prior-year period. This increase was primarily attributable to net income generated for the current nine-month period, adjusted for an increase in amortization of our DVD library. The increase in net cash provided by operating activities in the current nine-month period was partially offset by a decrease in non-cash interest expense. This decrease was primarily attributable to a one-time interest expense of $10.7 million related to an early debt repayment during the nine months ended September 30, 2002.
For the three months ended September 30, 2003, net cash used in investing activities increased 151.1% to $14.5 million from $5.8 million in the same prior-year period. This increase was primarily attributable to an increase in both the purchases of property and equipment to support our growing business and the acquisitions of titles for our library to support our larger subscriber base. For the nine months ended September 30, 2003, net cash used in investing activities decreased 26.7% to $41.9 million from $57.2 million in the same prior-year period. The decrease was primarily attributable to smaller purchases of short-term investments, partially offset by an increase in both the purchases of property and equipment and the acquisitions of titles for our library. During the same prior-year period, we purchased a large amount of short-term investments using a portion of the proceeds from our initial public offering in May 2002.
For the three months ended September 30, 2003, net cash provided by financing activities was $0.4 million in comparison with $0.7 million used in financing activities in the same prior-year period. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in the proceeds from our issuance of common stock and a decrease in the repayment of debt and other obligations. For the nine months ended September 30, 2003, net cash provided by financing activities was $2.8 million in comparison with $69.7 million in the same prior-year period. This decrease was attributable to smaller proceeds generated from the issuance of common stock, partially offset by a decrease in the repayment of debt and other obligations. During the same prior-year period, proceeds from the issuance of common stock were higher resulting from our initial public offering in May 2002.
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In November 2002, the EITF reached a consensus on Issue 00-21, Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables, addressing how to account for arrangements that involve the delivery or performance of multiple products, services, and/or rights to use assets. Revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables are divided into separate units of accounting if the deliverables in the arrangement meet the following criteria: (1) the delivered item has value to the customer on a standalone basis; (2) there is objective and reliable evidence of the fair value of undelivered items; and (3) delivery of any undelivered item is probable. Arrangement consideration should be allocated among the separate units of accounting based on their relative fair values, with the amount allocated to the delivered item being limited to the amount that is not contingent on the delivery of additional items or meeting other specified performance conditions. The final consensus is applicable to agreements entered into in fiscal periods beginning after June 15, 2003. The provisions of this consensus did not have a material effect on our financial condition or operating results.
In January 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an Interpretation of ARB No. 51. This Interpretation addresses the consolidation by business enterprises of variable interest entities as defined in the Interpretation. The Interpretation applies immediately to variable interests in variable interest entities created after January 31, 2003. For public enterprises with variable interests in variable interest entities created before February 1, 2003, the Interpretation is applicable to the enterprise no later than the beginning of the first interim or annual reporting period beginning after June 15, 2003. The application of this Interpretation did not have a material effect on our operating results or financial condition.
In April 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 149, Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, which amends and clarifies accounting for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, and for hedging activities under SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities. SFAS No. 149 is generally effective for derivative instruments, including derivative instruments embedded in certain contracts, entered into or modified after June 30, 2003, and for hedging relationships designated after June 30, 2003. The adoption of SFAS No. 149 did not have a material impact on our operating results or financial condition.
In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150,Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Both Liabilities and Equity, which provides guidance for how an issuer classifies and measures certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity. SFAS No. 150 is effective for financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003, and otherwise is effective at the beginning of the first interim period beginning after June 15, 2003. The adoption of SFAS No. 150 did not have a material impact on our operating results or financial condition.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
The primary objective of our investment activities is to preserve principal, while also maximizing income we receive from investments without significantly increased risk. Some of the securities we invest in may be subject to market risk. This means that a change in prevailing interest rates may cause the amount of the investment to fluctuate. For example, if we hold a security that was issued with a fixed interest rate at the then-prevailing rate and the prevailing interest rate later rises, the value of our investment will decline. To minimize this risk in the future, we intend to maintain our portfolio of cash equivalents and short-term investments in a variety of securities. Our cash equivalents are generally invested in money market funds, which are not subject to market risk because the interest paid on such funds fluctuates with the prevailing interest rate. We intend to limit the percentage invested in short-term investments to no more than 50 percent of the combined fair value of cash equivalents and short-term investments. We also intend to limit the average duration on our short-term investments to fewer than three years.
We currently invest all short-term investments in the Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund – Admiral Shares (the “Fund”). The target index for the Fund, the Lehman Brothers 1-5 Year Government/Corporate Bond Index, is comprised of short-term bonds issued by the U.S. Treasury, federal agencies, and corporations with maturities between one and five years. As of September 30, 2003, the cost, unrealized gains and fair market value of our short-term investments were $44,119,000, $1,118,000 and $45,237,000, respectively.
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The following table presents the hypothetical changes in the fair value of our short-term investments as a result of changes in the interest rates:
Fair Value
Given an Interest Rate
Decrease of “X” Basis Points
as of
September 30,2003
Increase of “X” Basis Points
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report were effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. We believe that a control system, no matter how well designed and operated, cannot provide absolute assurance that the objectives of the control system are met, and no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within a company have been detected.
There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act) that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
We are not a party to any material legal proceedings.
Item 2. Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds
(d) Use of Proceeds:
We continue to maintain approximately $42.1 million of the net proceeds from our initial public offering in May 2002 in short-term investments and $29.9 million in cash and cash equivalents.
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
(a) Exhibits:
Exhibit Description
3.1
3.2
3.3
4.1
10.1
10.2
10.3
10.4
10.5
10.6
10.7
10.8
10.9
10.10
10.11
**
10.12
10.13
10.14
31.1
31.2
32.1
** Confidential treatment granted on portions of these exhibits.
(b) Reports on Form 8-K:
On July 17, 2003, we furnished a current report on Form 8-K under Item 12 regarding the announcement of our financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2003 and included a copy of the press release under Item 7.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
NETFLIX, INC.
Reed Hastings
Chief Executive Officer
Barry McCarthy
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal financial and accounting officer)
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EXHIBIT INDEX
10.11**
10.12**
10.14**
** Confidential Treatment granted on portions of these exhibits.
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