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National CineMedia, Inc.
Annual Report 2017

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FY2017 Annual Report · National CineMedia, Inc.
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A N N U A L   R E P O R T

DEAR FELLOW STOCKHOLDER:

2017 was a challenging year for NCM. As the industry continues to evolve, many traditional advertising sales organizations 
have experienced increased ad spend volatility. As a result, while the first half of the year was weaker than expected, it was 
followed by a strong recovery in the second half that demonstrated the resilience of our network, sales team, and product 
offerings. Despite near-record performance in the 3rd and 4th quarters, it was not quite enough to turn the year around. 
Total revenue for 2017 decreased 4.8% to $426.1 million, from $447.6 million for the prior year. Adjusted OIBDA* decreased 
11.1% to $205.1 million for the full year of 2017, from $230.7 million for the full year of 2016.

Even with these headwinds, we made progress in 2017 in many key areas 
to better position us to deliver on our long-term strategy.

 “Noovie Digital is creating 

new integrated marketing 

capabilities, digital inventory, 

and first-party data that we 

We continued to enhance our core platform with the launch of NCM’s 
new Noovie pre-show, focused on leading moviegoers to what’s next 
in entertainment with engaging content, purposeful commerce, and 
interactive gaming.

believe will be key to our  

future growth.”

Our expanded focus on Digital continued to be a bright spot throughout 
2017, as we grew our Digital revenue by over 30% year-over-year. 
Designed to be complementary to our core on-screen business, Noovie 
Digital is creating new integrated marketing capabilities, digital inventory, 
and first-party data that we believe will be key to our future growth. Our 
acquisition of Fantasy Movie League and initial testing of Noovie ARcade, the first companion app to NCM’s Noovie pre-
show that will allow audiences to play interactive augmented reality games on the big screen and beyond, are just the first 
steps in our emerging digital ecosystem. 

NCM’s network penetration and audience also continues to grow, as we increased our national theater footprint by 1.5% 
in 2017 to 20,850 screens and welcomed top new affiliates like Bow Tie Cinemas, Cinergy Entertainment, Main Street 
Theatres, and Golden Ticket Cinemas, just to name a few.

The strong second half finish to 2017 demonstrates that the future of cinema advertising is bright. We gained 37 new 
customers, and based on the demand from advertisers, we believe that there is no other medium that can match the 
engaged reach we have with Millennial and Gen Z audiences. While the success of movie slates will ebb and flow, 
Hollywood is producing the kind of content that attracts today’s 12–34-year-olds. We expect advertisers to continue to 
invest in reaching that captive movie audience with us for years to come.

We remain optimistic about our future and are working hard to achieve our vision to be THE connector between brands 
and movie audiences. We are continuing to pursue a strategy that involves growing our network affiliate partnerships, 
growing on-screen revenue, expanding our digital product offerings, ensuring that we are the first choice for our 
customers, developing our people and capabilities, and allocating resources to strategy.

We’d like to thank our NCM stockholders and employees for their continued support over the past year, and we look 
forward to a bigger and better future together in 2018 and beyond.

Andrew J. England
Chief Executive Officer and Director 
National CineMedia (NCM), LLC and National CineMedia, Inc.

Scott N. Schneider
Chairman 
National CineMedia, Inc.

* See footnote 1 on the following page for important information about this non-GAAP measure.

2017 AT A GLANCE

STRONG CASH FLOW

REVENUE AND ADJUSTED OIBDA(1) BY YEAR

In millions, excludes Fathom Events

48.1%

3%

$379

$386

$410

$426

$394

$447

$448

$426

$335

$182

$216

$218

$216

$228

$230

$231

$199

$205

Revenue

Adjusted  
OIBDA(1)

Adjusted 
OIBDA(1) 
margin 48.1% 
in 2017

Capital 
Expenditures: 
3% of revenue 
in 2017

20 
09

20 
10

20 
11

20 
12

20 
13

20 
14

20 
15

20 
16

20 
17

2017 HIGHLIGHTS

THE NCM NETWORK

1,600+ THEATERS 
(up 3.6%)

20,800+ SCREENS 
(up 1.5%)

700M+ 
ATTENDEES(2)

Unveiled new Noovie pre-show in movie theaters 
nationwide, featuring exclusive looks at upcoming 
films from The Walt Disney Studios.

Acquired Fantasy Movie League, the box office 
predictions game that combines the fierce 
competition of fantasy sports with the insanely 
popular world of entertainment and movies.

Expanded focus on complementary Digital business, 
growing NCM’s Digital revenue by over 30% and 
laying the foundation for new digital products, 
inventory, and first-party data.

Launched in Mediaocean, the leading software 
provider for the advertising world, to expand into the 
Spot TV market.

Introduced the Ask The Audience column in  
Film Journal International, highlighting NCM’s 
proprietary research panel of over 5,000 hard-core 
movie fans.

Strengthened the leadership team, including the 
addition of Chief Revenue Officer Scott Felenstein 
and Chief Digital Officer Lawrence Snapp.

E
U
N
E
V
E
R

G
N
S

I

I

T
R
E
V
D
A

National
70%

Local/Regional
23%

Beverage
7%

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2017 AT A GLANCE

NATIONAL AD REVENUE 2017 CATEGORY MIX

16%

14%

11%

10%

6% 6% 6%

e
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A

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G
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C

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G
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C

  31%

r
e
h
t
O

SHARE OF U.S. CINEMA ATTENDANCE VIEWING ADS

NCM
69%

OTHER

NCM
67%

OTHER

NCM
67%

OTHER

NCM
62%

OTHER

Top 10 
DMAs(3)

Top 25 
DMAs

Top 50 
DMAs

All 
DMAs

(3)  Designated Market Areas (DMAs) are the geographic areas in the United States in which local television 

viewing is measured by Nielsen.

UTILIZATION %(4)

140%

130%

120%

110%

100%

90%

80%

70%

60%

50%

87%

88%

80%

78%

WHAT’S NOOVIE?

NCM’s Behind The Screens proprietary 

research panel of over 5,000 hard-

core movie fans is enjoying NCM’s 

new Noovie pre-show and is looking 

forward to more great things to come!

•  65% have arrived early to  

watch Noovie.

•  Noovie Backlot content was rated the 
highest, with almost 75% likeability.

•  Audiences think Noovie is 

informative, relevant, and fun.

•  Noovie fans are excited for new 
features, including exclusive on-

screen content, digital experiences, 

commerce, and augmented reality 

(AR) gaming.

•  72% of Millennials are especially 
excited for Noovie ARcade, 

significantly more so than older  

movie fans.

Here’s what they had to say:

“It’s a more fresh and fun feel to what was 

before. I think that it adds to the movie-

going experience by getting the audience 

ready to enjoy themselves.”

Source: NCM Behind The Screens Panel

MEDIAN AUDIENCE AGE

Movie 
Audience

32

Cable 
Prime

44

Broadcast 
Prime

52

128%

116%

118% 118%

102% 100%

99%

109%

“Noovie provides a fresher experience that 

is new to me and grabs my attention.”

20
06

20
07

20
08

20
09

20
10

20
11

20
12

20
13

20
14

20
15

20
16

20
17

(4)  Inventory utilization is calculated as utilized impressions divided by total advertising impressions, which 
is based on eleven 30-second salable national advertising units in our Noovie pre-show which can be 
expanded, should market demand dictate.

+37

NEW NATIONAL CLIENTS IN 2017

30

40

50

60

 
 
 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

⌧ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 

1934

For the fiscal year ended December 28, 2017
or
(cid:4) TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT 

OF 1934

For the transition period from __________________ to __________________
Commission file number:  001-33296

NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of 
incorporation or organization)

9110 East Nichols Avenue, Suite 200
Centennial, Colorado
(Address of principal executive offices)

20-5665602
(I.R.S. Employer 
Identification No.)

80112-3405
(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (303) 792-3600
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
(Title of each class)

The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC
(Name of each exchange on which registered)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:  None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  (cid:4)   No  (cid:3)
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    Yes  (cid:4)    No  (cid:3)
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  (cid:3)    No  (cid:4)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive 
Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 
months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  (cid:3)    No  (cid:4)
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained 
herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by 
reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  (cid:4)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting 
company, or an emerging growth company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting 
company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer
Accelerated filer 

(cid:4)
(cid:4)  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
(cid:3)

Smaller reporting company  (cid:4)
Emerging growth company (cid:4)

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition method for 
complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. (cid:4)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    Yes  (cid:4)    No  (cid:3)
Based on the closing sales price on June 29, 2017, the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common stock held by non-
affiliates of the registrant was $459,709,991.
As of March 5, 2018, 79,134,647 shares of the registrant’s common stock (including unvested restricted stock), par value of $0.01 per 
share, were outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Certain portions of the registrant’s definitive proxy statement to be used in connection with its Annual Meeting of Stockholders and to be 
filed within 120 days of December 28, 2017 are incorporated by reference into Part III, Items 10-14, of this report on Form 10-K.

 
 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I

Item 1.

Business ........................................................................................................................................................

Item 1A.

Risk Factors...................................................................................................................................................

Item 1B.

Unresolved Staff Comments .........................................................................................................................

Item 2.

Properties ......................................................................................................................................................

Item 3. 

Legal Proceedings .........................................................................................................................................

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures ...............................................................................................................................

PART II

Item 5.

Item 6.

Item 7.

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity 
Securities .......................................................................................................................................................

Selected Financial Data.................................................................................................................................

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations .......................

Item 7A.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk .......................................................................

Item 8.

Item 9.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.............................................................................................

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.......................

Item 9A.

Controls and Procedures ...............................................................................................................................

Item 9B.

Other Information .........................................................................................................................................

PART III

Item 10.

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance............................................................................

Item 11.

Executive Compensation...............................................................................................................................

Item 12.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.....

Item 13.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence .............................................

Item 14.

Principal Accounting Fees and Services .......................................................................................................

PART IV

Item 15.

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules ......................................................................................................

Signatures ............................................................................................................................................................................

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In this document, unless the context otherwise requires:

Certain Definitions

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“NCM, Inc.,” “the Company,” “we,” “us” or “our” refer to National CineMedia, Inc., a Delaware corporation, 
and its consolidated subsidiary National CineMedia, LLC.

“NCM LLC” refers to National CineMedia, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, which commenced 
operations on April 1, 2005, and is the current operating company for our business, which NCM, Inc. acquired an 
interest in, and became a member and the sole manager of, upon completion of our initial public offering, or 
“IPO,” which closed on February 13, 2007.

“ESAs” refers to the amended and restated exhibitor services agreements entered into by NCM LLC with each of 
NCM LLC’s founding members upon completion of the IPO, which were further amended and restated on 
December 26, 2013 in connection with the sale of the Fathom Events business.

“AMC” refers to AMC Entertainment Inc. and its subsidiaries, National Cinema Network, Inc., or “NCN,” which 
contributed assets used in the operations of NCM LLC and formed NCM LLC in March 2005, AMC ShowPlace 
Theatres, Inc., which joined NCM LLC in June 2010 in connection with AMC’s acquisition of Kerasotes ICON 
Theatres, AMC Starplex, LLC, which joined NCM LLC in December 2015 in connection with AMC’s 
acquisition of Starplex Cinemas and American Multi-Cinema, Inc., which is a party to an ESA with NCM LLC.

“Cinemark” refers to Cinemark Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries, Cinemark Media, Inc., which joined NCM 
LLC in July 2005, and Cinemark USA, Inc., which is a party to an ESA with NCM LLC.

“Regal” refers to Regal Entertainment Group and its subsidiaries, Regal CineMedia Corporation, or “RCM,” 
which contributed assets used in the operations of NCM LLC, Regal CineMedia Holdings, LLC, which formed 
NCM LLC in March 2005, and Regal Cinemas, Inc., which is a party to an ESA with NCM LLC.

 “Founding members” refers to AMC, Cinemark and Regal.

“OIBDA” refers to operating income before depreciation and amortization expense.

“Adjusted OIBDA” excludes from OIBDA non-cash share based payment costs, merger-related administrative 
costs, CEO transition costs and early lease termination expense.

“Adjusted OIBDA margin” is calculated by dividing Adjusted OIBDA by total revenue.

“DCN” refers to NCM LLC’s Digital Content Network.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

In addition to historical information, some of the information in this Form 10-K includes “forward-looking statements.” 

All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this Form 10-K, including, without limitation, certain 
statements under “Business,” “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and 
Results of Operations,” may constitute forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify these “forward-looking 
statements” by the specific words, including but not limited to “may,” “will,” “can,” “should,” “expects,” “forecast,” 
“project,” “intend,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative of 
those words and other comparable words. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and 
uncertainties, assumptions and other factors, including, but not limited to, the following:

Risks Related to Our Business and Industry

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Significant declines in theater attendance or viewership of the Noovie pre-show;

our plans for developing additional revenue opportunities may not be implemented and may not be achieved;

competition within the overall advertising industry;

not maintaining our technological advantage;

national, regional and local economic conditions;

the loss of any major content partner or advertising customer;

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changes to relationships with NCM LLC’s founding members;

founding member and network affiliate government regulation could slow growth; 

failure to effectively manage or continue our growth;

failures or disruptions in our technology systems;

infringement of our technology on intellectual property rights owned by others;

the content we distribute and user information we collect and maintain through our in-theater, online or mobile 
services may expose us to liability;

changes in regulations relating to the Internet or other areas of our online or mobile services;

our revenue and Adjusted OIBDA fluctuate from quarter to quarter and may be unpredictable, which could 
increase the volatility of our stock price; 

lapses in our internal controls could adversely affect our operating results and market confidence in our reported 
financial information; and

our inability to retain or replace our senior management.

Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure

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we are a holding company with no operations of our own, and we depend on distributions and payments under 
the NCM LLC operating and management services agreements from NCM LLC to meet our ongoing obligations 
and to pay cash dividends on our common stock;

risks and uncertainties relating to our significant indebtedness and investments, including the availability and 
adequacy of cash flows to meet our debt service requirements and any other indebtedness that we may incur in 
the future;

NCM LLC’s founding members or their affiliates may have interests that differ from those of us or our public 
stockholders and they may be able to influence our affairs, compete with us or benefit from corporate 
opportunities that might otherwise be available to us;

future issuance of membership units or preferred stock could dilute the interest of our common stockholders;

determination that NCM, Inc. or any of NCM LLC’s founding members is an investment company;

determination that any amount of our tax benefits under the tax receivable agreement should not have been 
available;

the effect on our stock price from the substantial number of our shares eligible for sale by the founding members; 
and

other factors described under “Risk Factors” or elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

This list of factors that may affect future performance and the accuracy of forward-looking statements are illustrative 

and not exhaustive. Our actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those indicated in these 
statements as a result of additional factors as more fully discussed in the section titled “Risk Factors,” and elsewhere in this 
Annual Report on Form 10-K. Given these uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on our forward-
looking statements.

All  subsequent  written  and  oral  forward-looking  statements  attributable  to  us  or  to  persons  acting  on  our  behalf  are 
expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. We disclaim any intention or obligation to update publicly 
any  forward-looking  statements,  whether  as  a  result  of  new  information,  future  events  or  otherwise,  except  as  may  be 
required under applicable securities laws.

4

PART I

Item 1.

Business

The Company

NCM, Inc., a Delaware corporation, was organized on October 5, 2006 and began operations on February 13, 2007 

upon completion of its IPO. NCM, Inc. is a holding company that manages its consolidated subsidiary, NCM LLC.  NCM, 
Inc. has no business operations or material assets other than its cash and ownership interest of approximately 49.5% of the 
common membership units in NCM LLC as of December 28, 2017.  NCM LLC’s founding members, AMC, Cinemark and 
Regal, the three largest motion picture exhibition companies in the U.S., held the remaining 50.5% of NCM LLC’s common 
membership units as of December 28, 2017.  NCM, Inc.’s primary source of cash flow from operations is distributions from 
NCM LLC pursuant to the NCM LLC operating agreement.  NCM, Inc. also receives management fees pursuant to a 
management services agreement with NCM LLC in exchange for providing specific management services to NCM LLC.

NCM LLC has long-term ESAs with the founding members (over 19 years remaining as of December 28, 2017) and 

multi-year agreements with certain third-party theater circuits, referred to in this document as “network affiliates,” which 
expire at various dates between May 31, 2018 and July 22, 2031.  The ESAs and network affiliate agreements grant NCM 
LLC exclusive rights in their theaters to sell advertising, subject to limited exceptions.

Our Business

We are America's Movie Network. As the #1 weekend network for Millennials (age 18-34) in the U.S., we are the 

connector between brands and movie audiences. 

We currently derive revenue principally from the sale of advertising to national, regional and local businesses in 
Noovie, our cinema advertising and entertainment pre-show seen on movie screens across the U.S. We also sell advertising 
on our Lobby Entertainment Network (“LEN”), a series of strategically-placed screens located in movie theater lobbies, as 
well as other forms of advertising and promotions in theater lobbies. In addition, we sell online and mobile advertising across 
our Noovie digital products as well as through our Cinema Accelerator digital product to reach entertainment audiences 
beyond the theater.

We believe that the broad reach and digital delivery of our network provides an effective platform for national, regional 

and local advertisers to reach a large, young, engaged and affluent audience on a targeted and measurable basis.  

On-Screen Advertising

Noovie—Our on-screen Noovie pre-show was launched in September of 2017 replacing our prior pre-show called 

FirstLook. Our pre-show provides an entertaining pre-movie experience for theater patrons while serving as an incremental 
revenue source for our theater circuit partners. Noovie gives movie audiences a reason to arrive early to discover what’s next 
in entertainment, and it consists of national, regional and local advertising, as well as long-form entertainment and 
advertising content provided to us under exclusive multi-year arrangements with leading media, entertainment, technology 
and other companies (“content partners”). 

Noovie generally ranges in length from 20 to 30 minutes and ends at or about the advertised show time, when the 

movie trailers and feature film begin. The trailers that run before the feature film are not part of Noovie.  

Because Noovie is customized by theater circuit, theater location/market, film rating, film genre and film title, we 
produce and distribute many different versions of Noovie each month. This programming flexibility provides advertisers with 
the ability to target specific audience demographics and geographic locations, and gives us the ability to ensure that the 
content and advertising is age-appropriate for the movie audience. It also enables us to incorporate the branding of a specific 
theater circuit if desired. We rotate Noovie’s long-form content segments between theaters approximately every two weeks to 
ensure that frequent moviegoers are entertained by fresh content.

We also have the capability to deliver three-dimensional (“3-D”) advertising campaigns within a 3-D version of the 

Noovie pre-show program prior to 3-D feature films.

All versions of Noovie are produced by our internal creative team, which is cost-effective and gives us significant 
flexibility. We also offer pre- and post-production advertising creative services to our clients (primarily local clients who may 
not have their own creative agency) for a fee.  

5

Show Structure—Noovie is comprised of up to four segments, each approximately four to seven minutes in length. 

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Segment four is the first section of Noovie and begins approximately 20 to 30 minutes prior to the 
advertised show time. Entertaining content is a core element of Noovie, and NCM programs an 
exclusive Noovie content pod at the beginning of the show that gives audiences a look at “what’s 
Noovie” in their world, including movies (Noovie Backlot and Noovie Genius), music (Noovie 
Soundcheck), trivia (Name That Movie), local, and more. This Noovie pod is followed by local 
advertising.  
Segment three typically begins approximately 18 minutes prior to the advertised show time and 
features primarily 15 or 30-second local or regional advertisements by individual theaters, or across an 
entire DMA® or geographic region, as well as a long-form entertainment content segment from one of 
our content partners.
Segment two begins approximately 13 minutes before the advertised show time and features primarily 
national and regional advertisements, which are generally 30 or 60 seconds, as well as a long-form 
entertainment content segment from one of our content partners.
Segment one runs closest to the advertised show time at approximately 8 minutes and features 
primarily national advertisements, which are generally 30 or 60 seconds, as well as a long-form 
entertainment content segment from one of our content partners. Segment one also includes an 
advertisement for the founding members’ beverage supplier and a public service announcement 
(“PSA”).

The Noovie pre-show typically includes the following:

National, Regional and Local Advertising—On-screen advertising in Noovie is sold on a cost per thousand (“CPM”) 
basis to national clients. We generally sell our national advertising units across our national network by film rating or groups 
of ratings, or by individual film or film genre grouping. This ability to target various groups of films offers national 
advertisers a way to target specific audience demographics at various price points and overall cost levels, which we believe 
expands the number of potential clients.

Local and regional advertising is primarily sold on a per-screen, per-week basis and can also be sold on a CPM basis. 

The Noovie pre-show inventory is also available in the STRATA and Mediaocean systems, media buying and selling 
softwares which allow advertising agencies to buy cinema advertising in the “National Spot TV” marketplace where 
advertising is purchased by national advertisers in several markets of their own selection. Being able to buy both TV and 
cinema locally in the National Spot marketplace makes it significantly easier for agencies to include cinema in the media mix 
for their clients and allows us to tap into the pool of advertising dollars budgeted for National Spot.  

Our cinema advertising business has a diverse customer base, consisting of national, regional and local advertisers. As 
of December 28, 2017, 541 national advertisers across a wide variety of industries have advertised with us. During the year 
ended December 28, 2017, we derived 70% of our advertising revenue from national clients (including advertising agencies 
that represent our clients) and 23% of our advertising revenue from thousands of regional and local advertisers across the 
country (including advertising agencies that represent these clients).

Content. Beyond the Noovie-branded content at the beginning of the pre-show, the majority of our entertainment and 

advertising content segments are provided to us by content partners. Under the terms of the contracts, our content partners 
make available to us original entertainment content segments that are entertaining, informative or educational in nature in the 
Noovie program and make commitments to buy a portion of our advertising inventory at a specified CPM over a one or two-
year period with options to renew, exercisable at the content partner’s option.  The original content produced by these content 
partners typically features behind-the-scenes looks at the “making-of” feature films, upcoming broadcasts, cable television 
shows, or technology products.  In the first nine months of 2017, all of our content partners provided approximately two-
minute segments. Following the launch of the Noovie pre-show in September 2017, the content partners provided 
approximately 90 second segments.

PSA. We had four agreements to exhibit a 40-second courtesy “silence your cell phone” PSA reminding moviegoers to 

silence their cell phones and refrain from texting during feature films, one with an insurance company, one with a home 
security company, one with a motion picture studio and another with a candy company which all expired at the end of 2017. 
Three of these agreements have re-signed for 2018.  

3-D Advertising. We also sell 3-D advertising, which runs prior to select 3-D films. These 3-D advertisements are 
placed at the end of the Noovie pre-show, after a message instructing the movie audience to put on their 3-D glasses, so that 

6

the glasses can be kept on throughout the remainder of Noovie, the film trailers and the 3-D feature film to provide for a 
better experience. 3-D advertisements provide average advertising CPMs that are higher than average two-dimensional (“2-
D”) pricing due primarily to the fact that 3-D advertisements have heightened recall (based on third-party research).   

Name That Movie – During 2017, we entered into a licensing agreement authorizing the production of Name That 

Movie trivia segments for our Noovie pre-show, social media channels and future digital properties in order to further 
entertain and engage moviegoers. We also offer the opportunity for our advertising customers to sponsor the Name That 
Movie segments and incorporate advertising into the game.

Beverage Advertising—We also have a long-term agreement to exhibit the advertising of the founding members’ 
beverage supplier. Under the ESAs, up to 90 seconds of the Noovie program can be sold to the founding members to satisfy 
their on-screen advertising commitments under their beverage concessionaire agreements at a rate intended to approximate a 
market rate (per the ESA, the annual CPM change equals the prior year annual percentage change in the advertising CPM 
charged to unaffiliated third parties during segment one (closest to showtime) of the Noovie pre-show, limited to the highest 
advertising CPM being then-charged by NCM LLC). Each of the founding members has a relationship with a beverage 
concessionaire supplier under which they are obligated to provide on-screen advertising time as part of their agreement to 
purchase branded beverages sold in their theaters. During 2017, we sold 60 seconds to two of the founding members and 30 
seconds to one of the founding members. During 2017, the beverage concessionaire revenue from the founding members’ 
beverage agreements was 7% of our total revenue. In the instance of encumbered theaters, we remain entitled to these 
beverage payments under the terms of the ESA which are treated as a reduction to the intangible asset and not classified as 
revenue.

Theater Circuit Messaging—The Noovie program also includes time slots for the founding members and network 
affiliates to advertise various activities associated with the operations of the theaters, including concessions, online ticketing 
partners, gift card and loyalty programs, special events presented by the theater operator and vendors of services provided to 
theaters, so long as such promotion is incidental to the vendor’s service or products sold in the theater. This time is provided 
to the theater operator at no charge and generally includes 45 seconds within 15 minutes of show time, 15 seconds of which 
will be placed within 12 minutes of show time, and the remainder placed at our discretion.

Lobby Advertising 

Lobby Entertainment Network—Our LEN is a network of video screens strategically located throughout the lobbies of 

all digitally equipped founding members’ theaters, as well as the majority of our network affiliate theaters. As of December 
28, 2017, our LEN had 3,054 screens in 1,536 theaters in our network. The LEN screens are placed in high-traffic locations 
such as concession stands, box offices and other waiting areas.  Programming on our LEN consists of an approximately 30-
minute loop of branded entertainment content segments created specifically for the lobby with advertisements running 
between each segment. We have the scheduling flexibility to send different LEN programming to each theater through our 
DCN, and the same program is displayed simultaneously on all lobby screens within a given theater, which we believe 
provides the maximum impact for our advertisers. We sell national and local advertising on the LEN individually or bundled 
with on-screen or other lobby promotions. 

The LEN programming includes up to two minutes for founding members’ advertisements to promote activities 
associated with the operation of the theaters, including concessions, ticketing partners, gift card and loyalty programs, special 
events presented by the theater operator and vendors of services provided to theaters, so long as such promotion is incidental 
to the vendor’s service. Additionally, subject to certain limitations, the LEN programming includes up to two minutes (one 
minute of which we provide to the founding members at no cost and one minute of which the founding members may 
purchase) to promote certain non-exclusive cross-marketing relationships entered into by the theater operators for the purpose 
of increasing theater attendance, which we call “strategic programs.”

Under the terms of the ESAs, the founding members also have the right to install additional screens in their theater 
lobbies which would not display our LEN programming, but would be used to promote strategic programs or products sold in 
their theater concessions, bars and dining operations, ticketing partner promotions, gift card and loyalty programs, special 
events presented by the founding member and vendors of services provided to theaters, so long as such promotion is 
incidental to the vendor’s service.

Lobby Promotions

We also sell a wide variety of advertising and promotional products in theater lobbies. These products can be sold 

individually or bundled with on-screen, LEN, online or mobile advertising. Lobby promotions typically include:

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advertising on concession items such as beverage cups, popcorn bags and kids’ trays;

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coupons and promotional materials, which are customizable by film and are distributed to ticket buyers at 
the box office or as they exit the theater;
tabling displays, product demonstrations and sampling;
touch-screen display units and kiosks; and
signage throughout the lobbies, including posters, banners, counter cards, danglers, floor mats, standees and 
window clings.

Beginning in 2017 we have agreements with vendors enabling us to sell advertising on digital banner and screen 

equipment within certain exhibitor theater lobbies.

Under the terms of the ESAs, the founding members may conduct a limited number of lobby promotions at no charge 

in connection with strategic programs that promote motion pictures; however, such activities will not reduce the lobby 
promotions inventory available to us.

Our ability to provide in-lobby marketing and promotional placements in conjunction with our cinema advertising 

products allows us to offer integrated marketing solutions to advertisers that provide multiple touchpoints with theater 
patrons throughout the movie-going experience, which we believe is a competitive advantage over other national media 
platforms.

Digital Advertising

At its core, Noovie is NCM’s pre-show that audiences experience before the movie, but Noovie also stretches beyond 
the theater as an integrated digital ecosystem delivering entertaining content, purposeful commerce, and interactive gaming 
opportunities. The Noovie pre-show serves as a “trailer” for the Noovie digital experience, driving movie audiences from the 
big screen to NCM’s digital properties and back again. We believe that by creating a compelling consumer experience for 
moviegoers, we can further enhance the marketability of our product offerings to our advertising customers. The Noovie 
digital ecosystem is designed to provide digital advertising inventory and capture exclusive first party data, and includes:

Gaming – During 2017, we acquired Fantasy Movie League, a box office predictions game that combines the fierce 
competition of fantasy sports with the world of entertainment and movies. Fantasy Movie League can currently be played 
online at FantasyMovieLeague.com or through the Fantasy Movie League iOs app, and it is promoted on-screen in our 
Noovie pre-show to help grow Fantasy Movie League’s gaming audience. Additionally during 2017, we began development 
of the first Noovie app, Noovie ARcade, created to bring augmented reality gaming to the big screen and beyond. We intend 
to roll it out in select markets in 2018 with a national roll-out to follow.

Cinema Accelerator – In addition to our ad-supported consumer-facing digital products, our Cinema Accelerator 
digital product expands cinema advertising beyond the theater environment to reach digitally-connected moviegoers before 
and after the movie experience, both online and on mobile devices. Cinema Accelerator identifies moviegoers through 
exclusive first party data sources including geo-location services, beacons and transaction data for the moviegoers that enter 
the theaters in our network. Using the moviegoer as our filter, we can target specific demographics, genres or layer on other 
data to provide to our clients with a match against their target audience. Digital ads are then distributed through multiple 
channels, including online and mobile banners, online and mobile pre-roll video and Facebook newsfeeds to reach 
moviegoers wherever they may be seeking entertainment information and content.  

We sell NCM’s digital products through a digital sales group that is embedded as part of our national and local sales 

organizations to enable collaborative, integrated selling. We believe that our new and upcoming digital products can be sold 
with additional in-theater advertisements as integrated marketing packages as discussed in “Business – Our Strategy”. We 
plan to continue to invest in our digital platform in 2018.

Our Network

In-theater advertising and entertainment content is distributed across NCM LLC’s national theater network — the 

largest digital in-theater network in North America. 

Through the use of our proprietary DCN and Digital Content Software (“DCS”), we are able to schedule, deliver, play 

and reconcile advertising and entertainment content for Noovie and the LEN on a national, regional, local, theater and 
auditorium level.

The DCN is the combination of a satellite distribution network and a terrestrial management network.  We also employ 

a variety of technologies that aid in distribution where the satellite delivery is not available to provide uninterrupted service 
to our network of theaters. The DCN is controlled by our Network Operations Center (“NOC”) located in NCM’s 

8

headquarters in Centennial, CO, which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week to proactively monitor and manage 
approximately 730,000 alarm points and approximately 117,000 hardware devices in movie theaters throughout the country.  
DCN dynamically controls the quality, placement, timing of playback and completeness of content within specific 
auditoriums, and it also allows us to monitor and initiate repairs to the equipment in our digital network of theaters. 

Advertising and entertainment content for our Noovie pre-show and LEN is uploaded from our NOC to our satellite 

distribution network and is delivered via multicast technology to the theaters in our network and received by our Alternative 
Content Engine (“ACE”).  The ACE holds the content until displayed in specified theater auditoriums and lobbies according 
to contract terms. Each theater auditorium and lobby has a hardware and software architecture that controls the content to be 
shown. After playback of content, confirmation of playback is returned via satellite to our NOC to be included in “post” 
reports provided to our advertising clients. 

According to Nielsen, more than 700 million moviegoers annually attend theaters that are currently under contract to 

present the Noovie pre-show and LEN programming, including the founding members and over 50 leading national and 
regional theater network affiliates. A summary of the screens and theaters in our advertising network is set forth in the table 
below:

Our Network
(As of December 28, 2017)

Founding Members ..........................................................
Network Affiliates ...........................................................
Total ...........................................................................

1,262     
419     
1,681     

16,808    
4,042    
20,850    

80.6%
19.4%
100.0%

  Theaters

Advertising Network
    Total Screens   % of Total

As of December 28, 2017, our Noovie pre-show was displayed on 100% of network movie screens using digital 
projectors, with approximately 98% of those screens receiving content through our DCN, representing approximately 98% of 
our total network attendance. As of December 28, 2017, 19,306, or 93%, of 20,850 total digital screens are equipped with 
more powerful digital cinema projectors, with the remainder comprised of LCD projectors. Those screens not connected to 
our DCN display national and regional advertisements on digital projectors with content delivered on USB drives that are 
shipped to the theaters via overnight delivery services.

Our Team 

We had 572 employees as of December 28, 2017. Our employees are located in our Centennial, Colorado headquarters, 

in our advertising sales offices in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Detroit, and our software development office in 
Minneapolis.  We also have many local advertising account executives and field maintenance technicians that work primarily 
from their homes throughout the U.S.  None of our employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements.  We believe 
that we have a good relationship with our employees.

Sales, Marketing, Research, and Creative—We sell our in-theater and online advertising products through our 

national, local and regional and digital sales teams.

As of December 28, 2017, we had 31 advertising sales and client development related employees (including 
management and sales support staff) within our national sales group.  During 2017, approximately 27% of the total 
compensation of the national sales staff was related to bonus or commission, which is based on achieving certain sales targets 
in order to enhance coordination and teamwork.  Our national sales organization has proven to be profitable and scalable, as 
we have not added a significant number of sales personnel as our network has expanded. Our national sales staff is located in 
our sales offices in New York City, Woodland Hills, CA (outside Los Angeles), Chicago and Detroit.

Our local and regional advertising sales staff, comprised of account directors and telesales representatives, is located 

throughout the country, with each covering an average of 117 screens per representative. Their responsibility is to sell cinema 
and digital advertising to local clients as well as larger regional and spot advertisers. During 2017, approximately 67% of the 
compensation for local and regional sales staff was based on an individual sales commission on collected sales. As of 
December 28, 2017, we had 201 sales personnel (including management and sales support staff) within our local and regional 
sales groups, the majority of which work out of their homes located within the markets they sell. In early 2018, we re-
envisioned the management of our local and regional sales team and reduced the number of local and regional sales 
leadership in order to minimize overhead costs.

9

 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
We market our advertising products through our marketing group located primarily in our New York City sales office. 
We aggressively market and sell directly to clients as well as advertising agencies, including our participation in the upfront 
advertising marketplace (the “Upfront”). Based on the success of our Upfront efforts, we believe that we are capturing 
additional market share from traditional advertising media platforms such as broadcast and cable television. We also believe 
that enhanced research regarding cinema advertising and expanded analytics about our network has aided our sales efforts by 
providing our customers with compelling statistical evidence of the superiority of our cinema advertising products relative to 
other advertising mediums based on metrics such as brand recognition, message recall, and likeability which can enable them 
to target their customers. Our research team conducts our own proprietary studies, and we also commission third-party 
market research to assist our sales team. We also promote our advertising products through public relations, social media and 
advertising in national trade publications. As of December 28, 2017, this team had 33 personnel based primarily in New York 
that focus on the marketing, research, public relations and corporate development aspects of our business.

Our media and creative services department, based primarily in our Centennial, CO headquarters, uses state-of-the-art 
proprietary and non-proprietary technologies and practices to ensure the highest possible cinematic image and sound quality 
for our Noovie pre-show and LEN programming distributed over our network. We provide a full spectrum of 2-D and 3-D 
production and post-production services to our advertising clients on a per contract fee basis, or as part of their advertising 
commitment, including audio enhancements, color correction and noise reduction. We believe that our expertise in creating 
and optimizing content for cinema playback within our Noovie pre-show has been instrumental in our ability to provide a 
better experience for movie audiences, as well as enhances our ability to attract and retain our on-screen advertising clients 
and build and retain relationships with network affiliates. For national and regional clients, our expertise in cinematic 
production and our ability to tailor advertisements developed for television, online or mobile to the high-definition cinema 
playback format required for the big screen allows our media team to use existing advertising creative, making it easier to add 
cinema to their media mix. For local clients, our ability to serve as a creative agency and develop full sight, sound and motion 
high-definition cinema advertisements to meet their needs and budget reduces a significant barrier to entry for smaller 
businesses. During 2017, we produced and performed post-production services for approximately 39% of the local 
advertisements that played across our network. The founding members also engage us for the production of their on-screen 
concession product advertisements and policy trailers. As of December 28, 2017, we had 38 personnel that focused on the 
media, production and creative services aspects of our business.

Operations, Planning and Digital Gaming—As of December 28, 2017, we had 128 employees based primarily in our 

Centennial, CO headquarters that focused on the sales operations, planning, network operations and digital gaming 
development aspects of our business. 

Enterprise Information Systems, Finance, Legal, Human Resources, Affiliate Partnerships and Administration—As 

of December 28, 2017, we had 141 employees based primarily in our Centennial, CO headquarters that focused on the 
Enterprise Information Systems, Finance, Legal, Human Resources, Affiliate Partnerships and Administration aspects of our 
business.

Competition

Our advertising business competes in the estimated $197 billion U.S. advertising industry with many other forms of 

marketing media, including television, radio, print, internet, mobile and outdoor display advertising. While cinema 
advertising represents a small portion of the overall advertising industry today, we believe it is well positioned to capitalize 
on the shift of advertising spending away from traditional media, in particular television where consumers can skip 
advertisements through DVRs and other new digital technology, to newer and more targeted forms of media. 

Our advertising business also competes with many other providers of cinema advertising, which vary substantially in 

size. As the largest cinema advertising network in the U.S., we believe that we are able to generate economies of scale, 
operating efficiencies and enhanced opportunities for our clients to reach an engaged movie audience on both a national and 
local level that allow us to better compete for premium video dollars in the larger advertising marketplace.

Competitive Strengths

We believe that several strengths position us well to compete in an increasingly fragmented media landscape.

Superior National Advertising Network

We believe that our cinema advertising network is an attractive option for marketers on both a national and local level, 
and delivers measurable results for our clients that are comparable, and superior, to the television, online and mobile, or other 
video advertising networks that we compete against in the marketplace. 

10

Extensive National Market Coverage—Our contractual agreements with the founding members and network affiliates 

provide long-term exclusive access (subject to limited exceptions) to sell cinema advertising across the largest network of 
digitally-equipped theaters in the U.S. This allows us to offer advertisers the broad reach and national scale that they need in 
an increasingly fragmented media marketplace.

As of December 28, 2017:

(cid:129) Our advertising network consisted of 20,850 screens (16,808 operated by the founding members) located in 

1,681 theaters (1,262 operated by the founding members) in 48 states and the District of Columbia, including 
each of the top 25 and 50 DMAs®, and 187 DMAs® in total;

(cid:129) Approximately 73% of our screens (77% of our attendance) were located within the top 50 U.S. DMAs® and 
approximately 32% of our screens (37% of our attendance) were located within the top 10 U.S. DMAs®. 
Theaters within our network represented approximately 69%, 67%, and 67% of the total theater attendance 
in theaters that present advertising in the top 10, top 25 and top 50 U.S. DMAs®, respectively and 62% for 
all DMAs®, providing a very attractive platform for national advertisers who want exposure in larger 
markets or on a national basis; 

(cid:129) Our total annual network theater attendance was approximately 655.8 million (545.6 million from the 

(cid:129)

founding members), which decreased 4.8% compared to 2016.  Our network of modern theaters represented 
approximately 57.3% of the total U.S. theater attendance, with some of the most highly attended theaters in 
the industry, as measured by screens per location and attendance per screen;
The average screens per theater in our network was 12.4 screens, 1.8 times the U.S. theater industry average, 
and the aggregate annual attendance per screen of theaters included in our network during 2017 was 31,453, 
versus the U.S. theater industry average attendance per indoor screen of 28,748, using metrics reported by 
the National Association of Theatre Owners (“NATO”).

Scalable, State-of-the-Art Digital Content Distribution Technology—Our use of the combination of satellite and 

terrestrial network technology, combined with the design and functionality of our DCS and NOC infrastructure, makes our 
network efficient and scalable and also allows us to target specific audiences and provide advertising scheduling flexibility 
and reporting. We offer short lead times by accelerating the delivery time of media from proposal to on-screen across our 
network of movie theaters nationwide. National, local and regional advertisers are able to run their ads in the Noovie pre-
show less than 72 hours following the proposal (comparable to TV), which is a significant improvement over the cinema 
industry’s traditional turn-around time frame and gives businesses that rely on time-sensitive promotional advertising 
strategies, such as car dealerships, retail stores and Quick Service Restaurants (“QSR”), the opportunity to take advantage of 
the power of cinema.

This scalability of our distribution technology has allowed us to expand our cinema advertising network with minimal 

additional capital expenditures or personnel, and we expect to benefit from this scalability in the future as we add new 
theaters from the founding members, our existing network affiliate relationships and the addition of new network affiliates. 

Millennials, Content and Data

We believe that the Millennial audiences (age 18-34) in our network of theaters, the premium content of Hollywood 

films and our Noovie pre-show, and the advances we have made in cinema advertising data all give us a competitive 
advantage in the media marketplace.

Access to a Highly Attractive, Engaged Audience—We offer advertisers the ability to reach highly-coveted target 
demographics, including young, affluent, and educated moviegoers. According to Nielsen Cinema Audience Reports for 
2017, 56% of the NCM LLC audience were between the ages of 12-34, compared to 54% in 2016.  Further, 42% of our 
moviegoers have a household income greater than $100,000 (versus 30% of the general population) and 39% have received a 
Bachelor’s degree or higher (versus 30% of the general population) according to the 2017 Doublebase GfK MRI Study. 

Because of the impact of cinema’s state-of-the-art immersive video and audio presentation, we also believe that movie 

audiences are highly engaged with the advertising and entertainment content that they view in our distraction-free theater 
environment. According to industry research, cinema advertising has significantly higher recall rates than advertising shown 
on television. And, cinema is one of the few advertising mediums where the ability to skip or turn off the marketing messages 
is limited. 

Innovative, Branded Pre-Feature Content—The film content created by Hollywood studios is considered by many to 

be the finest entertainment content in the world, which creates a highly-desirable advertising environment for brands. We 
believe that our entertainment and advertising pre-feature program, Noovie, provides a high-quality entertainment experience 

11

for theater audiences and an effective marketing platform for advertisers. By partnering with leading media, entertainment, 
technology and other companies, we are able to provide better original content for our audience and more impact for the 
advertiser. Because we offer local and national “pods” within our Noovie pre-show, we are consistent with the placement of 
ads on television networks, which allows us to be more easily integrated into traditional sight-sound-and-motion media buys. 

Superior Audience Measurability and Targeting—As with many other advertising mediums, we are measured by third-

party research companies such as Nielsen Holdings PLC that provide us with the percentage of the total attendance in their 
seats at various times during our Noovie pre-show. What differentiates us from other advertising mediums, however, is that 
we also receive monthly attendance information by film, by rating and by screen for all of the founding member theaters and 
by flight and by location for the theaters operated by our network affiliates, which allows us to report the actual audience size 
for each showing of a film, including our Noovie pre-show. We believe that the ability to provide this level of detailed 
information to our clients gives us a distinct competitive advantage over traditional media platforms whose measurement is 
based only on extrapolations of a very small sample of the total audience.

During 2017, we continued to invest in our inventory management systems to expand our ability to target audiences by 

film genre. Our Cinema Audience Targeting Optimizer (“CATO”) now allows advertisers to go beyond targeting by the 
Motion Picture Association of America (“MPAA”) rating (G/PG, PG13 and R) to build media schedules at the film and genre 
level, more effectively targeting a brand’s key audience by matching it to the movie titles and/or genres that can best deliver 
that audience in a given campaign schedule. 

In 2017, we also continued to invest in the development of our cloud-based Data Management Platform (“DMP”) 

which we believe will allow us to provide even more robust campaign data and analytics to our clients. To further enhance 
the connection between brands and movie audiences, we accumulate audience data from several sources within our new 
DMP.  This audience data is then leveraged alone or alongside data science capabilities to offer highly effective campaigns, 
audience insights and closed loop attribution reporting. We will continue to enhance the capabilities of the platform in 2018 
by continuing to add data sources, segments and define and redefine needs.

Integrated Marketing and Digital Products

Our ability to bundle our on-screen advertising opportunities with integrated lobby, online and mobile marketing 
products allow us to offer advertisers multiple touchpoints to reach movie audiences before, during and after the film to 
execute true 360-degree marketing programs. We believe these multiple marketing impressions throughout the entire 
entertainment experience allows our advertisers to extend the exposure for their brands and products and create a more 
engaging relationship with movie audiences in every stage of their movie journey. Additionally, the digital products provide 
us with valuable, exclusive first party data which can be used by in-theater customers to better attract and interact with their 
target market or sold to new customers.

Contractual Theater Circuit Partner and Advertiser Relationships

Our exclusive multi-year contractual relationships with our founding members and network affiliates allow us to offer 

advertisers a national network with the scale, flexibility and targeting to meet their marketing needs. Our exclusive multi-year 
contractual relationships with our content partners and PSA sponsors, as well as our agreements to satisfy the founding 
members’ on-screen marketing obligations to their beverage concessionaires, provide us with a significant upfront revenue 
commitment, accounting for approximately 30% of our total revenue for the year ended December 28, 2017. In addition, our 
participation in the annual advertising Upfront marketplace has allowed us to secure significant annual upfront commitments 
from national advertisers looking to secure premium cinema inventory.

Strong Operating Margins with Limited Capital Requirements

Our annual Adjusted OIBDA margins have been consistently strong, ranging from approximately 48% to 52% over the 
last five years.  (Refer to “Item 6. Selected Financial Data-Notes to the Selected Historical Financial and Operating Data” for 
a discussion of the calculation of Adjusted OIBDA margin, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, and the reconciliation to 
operating income.)  In addition, the founding members and their Digital Cinema Integration Partners, LLC (“DCIP”) joint 
venture invested substantial capital to deploy, expand and upgrade the network equipment within their theaters including 
newer and higher quality digital cinema equipment. Due to the network equipment investments made in recent years by the 
founding members and network affiliates (in some cases through the DCIP digital cinema implementation joint venture) in 
new and acquired theaters and the requirements in the ESAs for the founding members to make future investments for 
equipment replacements, and the scalable nature of our NOC and other infrastructure, we do not expect to make major capital 
investments to grow our operations as our network of theaters expands. 

12

Our capital expenditures have ranged from approximately 2% to 3% of revenues over the last five years. For the year 

ended December 28, 2017, our capital expenditures were $12.3 million, of which only $1.9 million primarily related to 
investments in network equipment to add new network affiliate theaters. We believe our expected level of Adjusted OIBDA 
and capital expenditures should provide us with the strategic and financial flexibility to pursue the further expansion of our 
national theater network, invest in other growth opportunities and continue to make dividend payments to our stockholders.

Our Strategy

We are continuing to pursue a growth strategy that involves growing our network affiliate partnerships, growing on-
screen revenue, expanding digital product offerings, ensuring that we are the first choice for our customers, developing our 
people and capabilities, and allocating resources to strategy.

Grow the Business

We intend to focus on growing our business in the following strategic ways.

Grow Affiliate Partnerships—Our relationships with our exhibitors are a key and renewed focus of our business. In 

2017, our Affiliate Partnership team is dedicated to serving the needs of our founding member theater circuits and our more 
than 50 network affiliates nationwide. We continuously seek to expand our theater circuit customer base and add new 
network affiliate partners to our network that will allow us to increase our revenue by increasing the number of impressions 
we have available to sell to advertisers. It is also important to note that, under the terms of the ESAs and common unit 
adjustment agreement with the founding members and our network affiliate agreements, all new theaters built or acquired 
(subject to existing advertising sales agreements) by the founding members or network affiliates will become part of our 
network. Since NCM Inc.’s February 2007 IPO, the founding members have added approximately 3,700 net new screens and 
46 network affiliates have been added to our network with approximately 3,100 screens. During 2017, we added 302 net 
screens from the founding members and network affiliates. We expect this expansion to continue to improve our geographic 
coverage and enhance our ability to compete with other national advertising mediums, which will allow our exhibitor 
customers to maximize the advertising value of their audiences.

Grow On-Screen Revenue—We plan to continue our successful strategy of selling our inventory like premium video 

in the larger advertising marketplace, once again utilizing the upfront advertising marketplace to maximize our use of 
inventory. This Upfront strategy has yielded positive results over the past six years, and we believe that the increased market 
awareness among media buyers and clients raises our credibility as a medium and allows us to gain upfront commitments 
traditionally made exclusively to cable and broadcast television networks, and more recently online and mobile networks. 
Further, we believe it will help to increase our share of video advertising spending by increasing the number of clients and 
client industries that buy our network. Over time, this greater shift toward more Upfront commitments allows us to bundle 
several flights throughout the year and stabilize month-to-month and quarter-to-quarter CPM volatility by increasing overall 
inventory utilization and balancing that utilization throughout the year. Consistent with the television industry upfront 
booking practices, a portion of our upfront commitments have cancellation options or options to reduce the amount that 
advertisers may purchase that could reduce what is ultimately spent by clients that have made upfront commitments and we 
would need to rely on the scatter market to replace those commitments.

During our Upfront presentation in May of 2017 as part of the TV Upfront week, we announced that we were re-
imagining our cinema pre-show with the launch of Noovie and introducing new digital channels for movie audiences. Noovie 
was launched in September 2017, and we are continuing to enhance audience engagement and build the Noovie brand 
through cinema and social media marketing, all the while remaining focused on maintaining the commercial value of our pre-
show. 

We also intend to increase our market share of local and regional advertising spending by aggressively pursuing further 
integration into agency planning and buying tools, such as our relationships with STRATA and Mediaocean, leaders in media 
buying and selling software, which allows agencies to buy cinema advertising in the National Spot marketplace. By making 
NCM an option in this and other industrywide and in-house agency planning and buying systems, we believe we can remove 
barriers to entry by incorporating cinema into media plans and tapping into new pools of advertising dollars. 

Fortify, Expand and Scale Our Digital Business—We intend to continue to upgrade our existing digital offerings as 
well as expand our Noovie digital ecosystem to include additional products that will engage movie audiences with exclusive 
and unique content, commerce, and gaming opportunities. During 2017 we began development of our Noovie ARcade and 
Noovie apps which are expected to be released in 2018. These apps will allow us to capture exclusive first party data on our 
viewers. As we continue to create our own NCM owned-and-operated ad inventory across our suite of digital products, we 
also plan to build our own foundational capabilities for digital ad buying, selling and serving through the development of 

13

“Cinema Accelerator 2.0,” an enhanced version of our existing Cinema Accelerator product. This upgraded version will also 
provide increased amounts of and better quality first party data. Cinema Accelerator currently identifies moviegoers’ mobile 
devices as they enter a theater, and re-engages them with a brand’s messages wherever they are consuming content — on 
mobile devices, social media, or online.  

Reinvent the Lobby—As our founding member and network affiliate theater circuit partners continue to reinvent their 

lobby business, we plan to work with them and follow their lead to leverage technology partnerships and stabilize other lobby 
inventory to make the lobby a better source of advertising revenue for both our advertising customers and our circuit partners.

Be the First Choice for Customers

Our approach is to always strive to be the first choice for our customers, including our advertising and agency 
customers, our exhibitors, and movie studios. By offering innovative on-screen, in-lobby and digital cinema advertising 
solutions to connect brands to unique, engaged and valuable young adult audiences at scale, we believe we can offer our 
advertiser and agency customers a valuable and effective marketing option that cannot be duplicated in any other medium. As 
the first choice for our customers, we can continue to expand our advertising client base and increase our market share of 
U.S. advertising spending. Our national sales team was successful in adding 37 clients in 2017 that were first time clients or 
had not advertised with us since our IPO. These new clients added in 2017 included companies in the airlines, apparel, auto 
parts and services, college, confectionery, electronic stores, financial products and services, game and toy stores, home 
product, hotels and resorts, import auto, insurance, internet site, medical practitioners, movie studio, personal care product, 
pet stores and services, prepared food, family restaurant, live events and shows, toy and video game industries. Despite this 
growth, we believe there are still thousands of potential clients that currently advertise on other mediums such as television 
but have yet to advertise on our network. These strategies are designed to expand our relationships with existing advertising 
clients and broaden our advertising client base in new and existing client industries.

Develop People and Capabilities

Our success is tied to the quality of our management and staff.  In order to ensure that we retain and attract high quality 

personnel, we seek to foster and maintain a culture that focuses on teamwork, personal growth, inclusion and diversity. We 
will continue to make meaningful investments in internal and external training programs for our management and staff to 
ensure that our personnel have, or build, the skillsets necessary to support our evolution and growth objectives. We have also 
adopted a succession plan that includes short-term and long-term planning elements to allow us to successfully continue 
operations should any of our senior management team become unavailable to us. 

Resources to Strategy

We will continue to assess and eliminate off-target resources for a strategic focus on the future of NCM. We will be 

allocating resources to continuity and growth, with a focus from our staff on financial responsibility with company resources.

Dividend Policy

Our dividend policy is described in “Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and 

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities—Dividend Policy”.

Intellectual Property Rights

We have been granted a perpetual, royalty-free license from the founding members to use certain proprietary software 
for the delivery of digital advertising and other content through our DCN to screens in the U.S. We have made improvements 
to this software since the IPO date and we own those improvements exclusively, except for improvements that were 
developed jointly by us and the founding members.

We have secured U.S. trademark registrations for NCM, National CineMedia, and NCM Media Networks.  It is our 

practice to defend our trademarks and other intellectual property rights, including the associated goodwill, from infringement 
by others. We are aware that other persons or entities may use names and marks containing variations of our registered 
trademarks and other marks and trade names. Potentially, claims alleging infringement of intellectual property rights, such as 
trademark infringement, could be brought against us by the users of those other names and marks. If any such infringement 
claim were to prove successful in preventing us from either using or prohibiting a competitor’s use of our registered 
trademarks or other marks or trade names, our ability to build brand identity could be negatively impacted.

Government Regulation

Currently, we are not subject to regulations specific to the sale and distribution of cinema advertising. We are subject to 

federal, state and local laws that govern businesses generally such as wage and hour and worker compensation laws.

14

Available Information

We maintain a website at www.ncm.com, on which we will post free of charge our annual reports on Form 10-K, 
quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to these reports under the heading 
“Investor Relations” located at the bottom of the home page as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such 
material with, or furnish it to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).  We also regularly post information 
about the Company on the Investor Relations page. We do not incorporate the information on our website into this document 
and you should not consider any information on, or that can be accessed through, our website as part of this document.  You 
may read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at the Securities and Exchange Commission Public Reference Room at 
100 F. Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549.  The SEC also maintains a website that contains our reports and other 
information at www.sec.gov.

Executive Officers of the Registrant

Shown below are the names, ages as of the filing date of this Form 10-K, and current positions of our executive 
officers. There are no family relationships between any of the persons listed below, or between any of such persons and any 
of the directors of the Company or any persons nominated or chosen by the Company to become a director or executive 
officer of the Company.

Name
Andrew J. England ............. 
Clifford E. Marks ............... 
Katherine L. Scherping ...... 
Sarah Kinnick Hilty............ 
Scott D. Felenstein ............. 

Age
53
56
58
47
49

  Position
  Chief Executive Officer and Director
  President
  Chief Financial Officer
  Senior Vice President and General Counsel
  Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer

Andrew J. England. Mr. England was appointed Chief Executive Officer and Director of NCM, Inc. on January 1, 

2016. Mr. England has a long career in marketing, previously serving as the Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing 
Officer of MillerCoors, LLC from 2010 until July 2015.  From 2008 to 2010, Mr. England served as the Chief Marketing 
Officer of the then newly formed MillerCoors, LLC.  From 2006 to 2008 he served as Chief Marketing Officer of Coors 
Brewing Co.  Prior to that, Mr. England was Vice President and General Manager of Hershey’s Snacks division, Director of 
the Reese’s Brand, and carried out various marketing and brand management roles for over ten years at Nabisco Biscuit 
Company and Cadbury Schweppes.  Mr. England holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Stanford 
University and a bachelor’s degree in Engineering Science from Durham University in the United Kingdom.

Clifford E. Marks. Mr. Marks was appointed President of NCM, Inc. in May 2016. Prior to his current position, Mr. 

Marks served as President of Sales and Marketing of NCM, Inc. in February 2007 and held those same positions with NCM 
LLC since March 2005. He has been an advertising, marketing and sales professional for 25 years. Mr. Marks also served as 
president of sales and marketing with Regal Entertainment Group’s media subsidiary, Regal CineMedia Corporation, from 
May 2002 to May 2005. Before joining Regal CineMedia, Mr. Marks was a senior vice president at ESPN/ABC Sports where 
he oversaw its advertising sales organization from 1998 to May 2002.

Katherine L. Scherping. Ms. Scherping was appointed Chief Financial Officer in August 2016. Prior to joining NCM, 
Inc., Ms. Scherping served as interim President and Chief Executive Officer of QCE LLC and subsidiaries (d/b/a Quiznos) 
since June 2016 to July 2016 and as Chief Financial Officer from December 2013 to July 2016.  From October 2011 through 
July 2016, Ms. Scherping was a consultant for Deloitte LLP, providing leadership training to partners and other executives.  
From June 2005 to July 2011, she served as Chief Financial Officer of Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc.  Ms. Scherping 
holds a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Northern Illinois University and is a certified public accountant.

Sarah Kinnick Hilty. Ms. Hilty was appointed Senior Vice President and General Counsel in February 2018. Prior to 
joining NCM, Inc., Ms. Hilty served as Deputy General Counsel - Corporate of CH2M HILL Companies, Ltd. since 2006 
leading a team responsible for legal corporate enterprise matters including mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures; securities 
compliance; treasury and finance activities, real estate, and board and subsidiary governance. Prior to working at CH2M 
HILL Companies, Ltd., Ms. Hilty worked for Hogan & Hartson LLP as an associate from 1996 to 2004 and a partner from 
2004 to 2006. Ms. Hilty holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Colorado Boulder 
and a Juris Doctorate from Stanford Law School.

Scott D. Felenstein. Mr. Felenstein was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Revenue Officer in April 2017. 

Prior to joining NCM, Inc., Mr. Felenstein served as Executive Vice President, National Advertising Sales for Discovery 
Communications, Inc. since 2013 and Senior Vice President, National Advertising Sales for Discovery Communications, Inc. 

15

 
 
since 2000. Prior to working at Discovery Communications, Inc., Mr. Felenstein served on the digital ad sales team at 
Excite@Home and worked as an account executive at CBS Sports. Mr. Felenstein holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in 
Communication from the State University of New York, Albany.

Item 1A Risk Factors

Ownership of the common stock and other securities of the Company involves certain risks.  Holders of the Company’s 

securities and prospective investors should consider carefully the following material risks and other information in this 
document, including our historical financial statements and related notes included herein. The material risks and 
uncertainties described in this document are not the only ones facing us.  If any of the risks and uncertainties described in 
this document actually occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected in a 
material way. This could cause the trading price of our common stock to decline, perhaps significantly, and you may lose 
part or all of your investment.

Risks Related to Our Business and Industry

Significant declines in theater attendance or viewership of our Noovie pre-show could reduce the attractiveness of cinema 
advertising and could reduce our revenue

Our business is affected by the level of attendance at the founding members’ theaters and to a lesser extent our network 

affiliates, who operate in a highly competitive industry and whose attendance is reliant on the presence of motion pictures 
that attract audiences.  Over the last 20 years, theater attendance has fluctuated from year to year but on average has remained 
relatively flat. The value of our advertising business could be adversely affected by a decline in theater attendance or even the 
perception by media buyers that our network is no longer relevant to their marketing plan due to the decreases in attendance 
and geographic coverage. Further, the value of our national on-screen advertising and to a lesser extent our local and regional 
advertising is based on the number of theater patrons that are in their seats and thus have the opportunity to view the Noovie 
pre-show.   Factors that could reduce attendance at our network theaters or viewership of our Noovie pre-show include the 
following:

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

if NCM LLC’s network theater circuits cannot compete with other out-of-home entertainment due to an 
increase in the use of alternative film delivery methods (and the shortening of the “release window” between 
the release of major motion pictures to the alternative delivery methods), including network, syndicated cable 
and satellite television and DVDs, as well as video-on-demand, pay-per-view services, video streaming and 
downloads via the Internet;

theater circuits in NCM LLC’s network continue to renovate auditoriums in certain of their theaters to install 
new larger, more comfortable seating, which reduces the number of seats in a theater auditorium.  This 
renovation has been viewed favorably by patrons and many theater circuits have noted an intent to continue 
such renovations;

(cid:129) many theater circuits in NCM LLC’s network offer reserved seating (utilized in approximately 47.9% of our 
network as of January 17, 2018), often in the newly renovated theaters described above, which allows patrons 
to reserve a seat which could affect how early patrons arrive to the theater and reduce the number of patrons 
that are in a theater seat to view the Noovie pre-show;

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

changes in theater operating policies, including the number and length of trailers for upcoming films that are 
played prior to the start of the feature film, which if the length of trailers increases, it could result in the 
Noovie pre-show starting further out from the show time of the film;

changes in theater patron amenities, including, online ticketing, bars and entertainment within exhibitor 
lobbies causing increased dwell time of patrons;

any reduction in consumer confidence or disposable income in general that reduces the demand for motion 
pictures or adversely affects the motion picture production industry; 

16

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

the success of first-run motion pictures, which depends upon the production and marketing efforts of the major 
studios and the attractiveness and value proposition of the movies to consumers compared to other forms of 
entertainment;

if the theaters in our network fail to maintain their theaters and provide amenities that consumers prefer;

if studios begin to reduce the number of feature films produced and their investments in those films or reduce 
the investments made to market those films;

if future theater attendance declines significantly over an extended time period, one or more of the founding 
members or network affiliates may face financial difficulties and could be forced to sell or close theaters or 
reduce the number of screens it builds or upgrades or increase ticket prices; and

(cid:129) NCM LLC’s network theater circuits also may not successfully compete for licenses to exhibit quality films 

and are not assured a consistent supply of motion pictures since they do not have long-term arrangements with 
major film distributors. 

Any of these circumstances could reduce our revenue because our national advertising revenue, and local advertising to 

a lesser extent, depends on the number of theater patrons who view our advertising and pre-feature show.

Our plans for developing additional revenue opportunities may not be implemented and may not be achieved

We are considering potential opportunities for revenue growth, which we describe in “Business—Our Strategy.”  The 

development of our online and mobile advertising network and mobile apps, as well as, collecting and leveraging movie 
audience data, and the integration of these marketing products with our core on-screen and theater lobby production is at an 
early stage and is under increasing competitive pressure from many online and mobile networks and others, and may not 
deliver the future benefits that we are expecting. If we are unable to execute on products relevant to the marketplace and 
these offerings do not continue to grow in importance to advertising clients and agencies, they may not provide a way to help 
expand our cinema advertising business as it matures and begins to compete with new or improved advertising platforms 
including online and mobile video services.

The markets for advertising are competitive and we may be unable to compete successfully

The market for advertising is very competitive. Cinema advertising is a small component of video advertising in the 

U.S. and thus, we must compete with established, larger and better known national and local media platforms such as cable, 
broadcast and satellite television networks and other video media platforms including those distributed on the internet and 
mobile networks. In addition to these video advertising platforms, we compete for advertising directly with several additional 
media platforms, including radio, various local print media and billboards. We also compete with several other local and 
national cinema advertising companies. We expect all of these competitors to devote significant effort to maintaining and 
growing their business at our expense. We also expect existing competitors and new entrants to the advertising business, most 
notably the online and mobile advertising companies, to constantly revise and improve their business models to meet 
expectations of advertising clients or competing media platforms, including us.  In addition, the pricing and volume of 
advertising may be affected by shifts in spending toward online and mobile offerings from more traditional media, or toward 
new ways of purchasing advertising, such as through automated purchasing, dynamic advertising insertion, third parties 
selling local advertising posts and advertising exchanges, some or all of which may not be as advantageous to the Company 
as current advertising methods.  Expenditures by advertisers tend to be cyclical, reflecting overall economic conditions, as 
well as budgeting and buying patterns.  A decline in the economic prospects of advertisers or the economy in general could 
alter current or prospective advertisers’ spending priorities.  If we cannot respond effectively to changes in the media 
marketplace in response to new entrants or advances by our existing competitors, our business may be adversely affected.

In addition, advertisers’ willingness to purchase advertising from the Company may be adversely affected by lower 
theater attendance and viewership of our Noovie pre-show, as noted above.  If pre-show viewership declines significantly, the 
Company will be required to provide additional advertising time (makegoods) to national advertisers to reach agreed-on 
audience delivery thresholds.  National advertising sales and rates also are dependent on the methodology used to measure 
audience impressions.  If a change is made to this methodology that reflects fewer audience impressions available during the 
pre-show, this would adversely affect the Company’s revenue and results of operations.

17

If we do not continue to upgrade our technology, our business could fail to grow and revenue and operating margins 
could decline

Failure to successfully or cost-effectively implement upgrades to our in-theater advertising network and proposal and 

inventory control, audience targeting and other management systems could limit our ability to offer our clients innovative 
unique, integrated and targeted marketing products, which could limit our future revenue growth. New advertising platforms 
such as online and mobile networks, and traditional mediums including television networks are beginning to use new digital 
technology to reach a broader audience with more targeted marketing products, and failure by us to upgrade our technology 
could hurt our ability to compete with those companies.  Under the ESAs, the founding members are required to provide 
technology that is consistent with that in place at the signing of the ESA. We may request that the founding members upgrade 
the equipment or software installed in their theaters, but we must negotiate with the founding members as to the terms of such 
upgrade, including cost sharing terms, if any.  If we are not able to come to an agreement on a future upgrade request, we 
may elect to pay for the upgrades requested which could result in our incurring significant capital expenditures, which could 
adversely affect our results.  Over the last several years, we have been upgrading our proposal and inventory control systems, 
and developing enhancements to these systems that will allow us to target theater audiences more effectively.  The failure or 
delay in implementation of such upgrades or problems with the integration with our other systems and software could slow or 
prevent the growth of our business in the future.  In addition, the failure or delay in implementation of such upgrades or 
problems with the integration of our systems and software could slow or prevent the growth of our business.

Economic uncertainty or deterioration in economic conditions may adversely impact our business, operating results or 
financial condition

The financial markets have experienced in the not so distant past extreme disruption and volatility and certain parts of 
the world-wide economy remain fragile. A future decline in consumer confidence in the U.S. may lead to decreased demand 
for our services or delay in payments by our advertising customers. As a result, our results of operations and financial 
condition could be adversely affected.  These challenging economic conditions also may result in:

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

increased competition for fewer advertising and entertainment programming dollars;

pricing pressure that may adversely affect revenue and gross margin;

reduced credit availability and/or access to capital markets;

difficulty forecasting, budgeting and planning due to limited visibility into the spending plans of current or 
prospective customers; or

customer financial difficulty and increased risk of uncollectible accounts.

Our Adjusted OIBDA is derived from high margin advertising revenue, and the reduction in spending by or loss of a 
national or group of local advertisers could have a meaningful adverse effect on our business

We generated all of our Adjusted OIBDA from our high margin advertising business. A substantial portion of our 
advertising revenue relates to contracts with terms of a month or less. Advertisers will not continue to do business with us if 
they believe our advertising medium is ineffective or overly expensive. In addition, large advertisers generally have set 
advertising budgets, most of which are focused on traditional media platforms like television and recently online and mobile 
networks. Reductions in the size of advertisers’ budgets due to local or national economic trends, a shift in spending to new 
advertising mediums like the internet and mobile platforms or other factors could result in lower spending on cinema 
advertising.  Because of the high incremental margins on our individual advertising contracts, if we are unable to remain 
competitive and provide value to our advertising clients, they may reduce their advertising purchases or stop placing 
advertisements with us, which even the loss of a small number of clients on large contracts would negatively affect our 
Adjusted OIBDA.

The loss of any major content partner or advertising customer could significantly reduce our revenue

We derive a significant portion of our revenue from our contracts with our content partners, PSAs and NCM LLC’s 

founding members’ agreements to purchase on-screen advertising for their beverage concessionaires. We currently have 
marketing relationships with six content partners, one of which expire in 2018 and five in 2019. None of these companies 
individually accounted for over 10% of our total revenue during the year ended December 28, 2017. However, the 
agreements with the content partners, PSAs and beverage advertising with the founding members in aggregate accounted for 
approximately 30%, 30% and 30% of our total revenue during the years ended December 28, 2017, December 29, 2016 and 
December 31, 2015, respectively.  Because we derive a significant percentage of our total revenue from a relatively small 

18

number of large companies, the loss of one or more of them as a customer could decrease our revenue and adversely affect 
current and future operating results.

Changes in the ESAs with, or lack of support by, the founding members could adversely affect our revenue, growth and 
profitability

The ESAs with the founding members are critical to our business. The three ESAs each have an initial term of 30 years 

beginning February 13, 2007 and provide us with a five-year right of first refusal, which begins one year prior to the end of 
the term of the ESA on February 13, 2037. The founding members’ theaters represent approximately 81% of the screens and 
approximately 83% of the attendance in our network as of December 28, 2017. If any one of the ESAs was terminated, not 
renewed at its expiration or found to be unenforceable, it would have a material adverse effect on our revenue, profitability 
and financial condition.

The ESAs require the continuing cooperation, investment and support of the founding members, the absence of which 

could adversely affect us. Pursuant to the ESAs, the founding members must make investments to replace digital network 
equipment within their theaters and equip newly constructed theaters with digital network equipment. If the founding 
members do not have adequate financial resources or operational strength, and if they do not replace equipment or equip new 
theaters to maintain the level of operating functionality that we have today, or if such equipment becomes obsolete, we may 
have to make additional capital expenditures or our advertising revenue and operating margins may decline. In March 2018 
Regal was acquired by a U.K.-based cinema operator and we have no indication of how this new ownership of Regal may 
affect its financial resources or its cooperation with us under the ESA or otherwise.

If the non-competition provisions of the ESAs are deemed unenforceable, the founding members could compete against 
us and our business could be adversely affected

With certain limited exceptions, each of the ESAs prohibits the applicable founding member from engaging in any of 

the business activities that we provide in the founding member’s theaters under the amended ESAs, and from owning 
interests in other entities that compete with us. These provisions are intended to prevent the founding members from harming 
our business by providing cinema advertising services directly to their theaters or by entering into agreements with third-
party cinema advertising providers. However, under state and federal law, a court may determine that a non-competition 
covenant is unenforceable, in whole or in part, for reasons including, but not limited to, the court’s determination that the 
covenant:

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

is not necessary to protect a legitimate business interest of the party seeking enforcement;

unreasonably restrains the party against whom enforcement is sought; or

is contrary to the public interest.

Enforceability of a non-competition covenant is determined by a court based on all of the facts and circumstances of 

the specific case at the time enforcement is sought. For this reason, it is not possible for us to predict whether, or to what 
extent, a court would enforce the non-competition provisions contained in the ESAs. If a court were to determine that the 
non-competition provisions are unenforceable, the founding members could compete directly against us or enter into an 
agreement with another cinema advertising provider that competes against us. Any inability to enforce the non-competition 
provisions, in whole or in part could cause our revenue to decline.

If one of the founding members declared bankruptcy, the ESA with that founding member may be rejected, renegotiated 
or deemed unenforceable

Each of the founding members currently has a significant amount of indebtedness, which is rated below investment 

grade. In 2000 and 2001, several major motion picture exhibition companies filed for bankruptcy, including United Artists, 
Edwards Theatres and Regal Cinemas (which are predecessor companies to Regal), and General Cinemas and Loews 
Cineplex (which are predecessor companies to AMC). The industry-wide construction of larger, more expensive megaplexes 
featuring stadium seating in the late 1990s that rendered existing, smaller, sloped-floor theaters under long-term leases 
obsolete and unprofitable, were significant contributing factors to these bankruptcies. If a bankruptcy case were commenced 
by or against a founding member, it is possible that all or part of the ESA with that founding member could be rejected by a 
trustee in the bankruptcy case pursuant to Section 365 or Section 1123 of the United States Bankruptcy Code, or by the 
founding member, and thus not be enforceable. Alternatively, the founding member could seek to renegotiate the ESA in a 
manner less favorable to us than the existing agreement. Should the founding member seek to sell or otherwise dispose of 
theaters or remove theaters from our network through bankruptcy or for other business reasons, if the acquirer did not agree 
to continue to allow us to sell advertising in the acquired theaters the number of theaters in our advertising networks would 

19

be reduced which in turn would reduce the number of advertising impressions available to us and thus could reduce our 
advertising revenue.

The ESAs allow the founding members to engage in activities that might compete with certain elements of our business, 
which could reduce our revenue and growth potential

The ESAs contain certain limited exceptions to our exclusive right to use the founding members’ theaters for our 
advertising business. The founding members have the right to enter into a limited number of strategic cross-marketing 
relationships with third-party, unaffiliated businesses for the purpose of generating increased attendance or revenue (other 
than revenue from the sale of advertising).  These strategic marketing relationships can include the use of one minute on the 
LEN and certain types of lobby promotions and can be provided at no cost, but only for the purpose of promoting the 
products or services of those businesses while at the same time promoting the theater circuit or the movie-going experience.  
The use of LEN or lobby promotions by the founding members for these advertisements and programs could result in the 
founding members creating relationships with advertisers that could adversely affect our current LEN and lobby promotions 
advertising revenue and profitability as well as the potential we have to grow that advertising revenue in the future. The LEN 
and lobby promotions represented approximately 4% of our total advertising revenue for the year ended December 28, 2017. 
The founding members do not have the right to use their movie screens (including the Noovie pre-show or otherwise) for 
promoting these cross-marketing relationships, and thus we will have the exclusive rights to advertise on the movie screens, 
except for limited advertising related to theater operations.

The founding members also have the right to install a second network of video monitors in the theater lobbies in excess 

of those required to be installed for the LEN. This additional lobby video network, which we refer to as the founding 
members’ lobby network, may be used by the founding members to promote products or services related to operating the 
theaters, such as concessions and loyalty programs. The presence of the founding members’ lobby network within the lobby 
areas could reduce the effectiveness of our LEN, thereby reducing our current LEN advertising revenue and profitability and 
adversely affecting future revenue potential associated with that marketing platform.

The founding members and our network affiliates are subject to substantial government regulation, which could slow 
their future growth of locations and screens and in turn slow our growth prospects. 

The founding members and our network affiliates are subject to various federal, state and local laws, regulations and 

administrative practices affecting their movie theater business, including provisions regulating antitrust, health and sanitation 
standards, access for those with disabilities, environmental, and licensing. Some of these laws and regulations also apply 
directly to us and NCM LLC.  Changes in existing laws or implementation of new laws, regulations and practices could have 
a significant impact on the founding members, our network affiliates’ and our respective businesses.  For example, to the 
extent that antitrust laws, regulation and enforcement policy restrict the ability of the founding members or the network 
affiliates to acquire additional theaters, it may slow the future growth of those founding members or network affiliates and in 
turn the growth of our network. 

We may be unable to effectively manage changes to our business strategy to continue the growth of our advertising 
inventory and network

If we do not effectively implement the changes within our strategy, we may not be able to continue our historical 

growth. To effectively execute on our strategy to expand our digital offerings and continue to grow our inventory, we will 
need to develop additional products.  These enhancements and improvements could require an additional allocation of 
financial and management resources and acquisition of talent. High turnover, loss of specialized talent or insufficient capital 
could also place significant demands on management, the success of the organization, and our strategic outlook. 

The amount of inventory we have to sell is limited by the length of the Noovie pre-show. In order to maintain in-theater 

growth we will need to expand the number of theaters and screens in our network. Considering our current market share, we 
may not be able to continue to expand our network which could negatively affect our ability to add new advertising clients. If 
we are unable to maintain the size of our network, or grow our network, our revenue and operating results could be adversely 
impacted.  

Our business relies heavily on our technology systems, and any failures or disruptions may materially and adversely affect 
our operations

In order to conduct our business, we rely on information technology networks and systems, some of which are 
managed by third parties, to process, transmit and store electronic information and manage and support a variety of business 
processes and activities. The temporary or permanent loss of our computer equipment and software systems, through cyber 
and other security threats, operating malfunction, software virus, human error, natural disaster, power loss, terrorist attacks, 

20

or other catastrophic events, could disrupt our operations and cause a material adverse impact. These problems may arise in 
both internally developed systems and the systems of third-party service providers.  We devote significant resources to 
maintaining a disaster recovery location separate from our operations, network security and other measures to protect our 
network from unauthorized access and misuse.  However, depending on the nature and scope of a disruption, if our 
technology systems were to fail and we were unable to recover in a timely way through our disaster recovery site, we would 
be unable to fulfill critical business functions, which could lead to a loss of customers and could harm our reputation. 
Technological breakdown could also interfere with our ability to comply with financial reporting and other regulatory 
requirements.

Our business, services, or technology may infringe on intellectual property rights owned by others, which may interfere 
with our ability to provide services or expose us to increased liability or expense

Intellectual property rights of our business include the copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets and patents of our in-
theater, online, and mobile services, including the websites we operate at ncm.com and Noovie.com, our Noovie mobile app, 
and the features and functionality, content, and software we make available through those websites and app.  We rely on our 
own intellectual property rights as well as intellectual property rights obtained from third parties to conduct our business and 
provide our in-theater, online, and mobile services.  We may discover that our business or the technology we use to provide 
our in-theater, online, or mobile services infringes patent, copyright, or other intellectual property rights owned by others.  In 
addition, our competitors or others may claim rights in patents, copyrights, or other intellectual property rights that will 
prevent, limit or interfere with our ability to provide our in-theater, online, or mobile services either in the U.S. or in 
international markets. Further, the laws of certain foreign countries may not protect our intellectual property rights to the 
same extent as do the laws of the U.S.

The content we distribute through our in-theater, online or mobile services may expose us to liability

Our in-theater, online, and mobile services facilitate the distribution of content.  This content includes advertising-

related content, as well as, movie, television, music and other media content, much of which is obtained from third parties.  
Our websites also include features enabling users to upload or add their own content to the websites and modify certain 
content on the websites.  As a distributor of content, we face potential liability for negligence, copyright, patent or trademark 
infringement, or other claims based on the content that we distribute.  We or entities that we license content from may not be 
adequately insured or indemnified to cover claims of these types or liability that may be imposed on us.

The user information we collect and maintain through our online and mobile services may expose us to liability

In order to take advantage of some of the online and mobile services we provide, users are required to establish an 
account on one of our websites. As a result, we will collect and maintain personal identifying information about those users.  
We also collect and maintain personal identifying information about users who view certain advertising displayed through 
our online and mobile services. The collection and use of personal identifiable information is governed by federal and state 
privacy, information security and consumer protection-related laws and regulations. These laws continue to evolve and may 
be inconsistent from one jurisdiction to another. Compliance with all such laws and regulations may increase our operating 
costs and adversely impact our ability to interact with users of our online and mobile services. Our collection and use of 
personal identifying information regarding users of our online and mobile services could result in legal liability.  For 
example, the failure, or perceived failure, to comply with federal or state privacy information security or consumer 
protection-related laws or regulations or our posted privacy policies could result in actions against us by governmental 
entities or others. If an actual or perceived breach of our data occurs, the market perception of the effectiveness of our 
security measures could be harmed, and we could lose users of these services and the associated benefits from gathering such 
user data. 

Changes in regulations relating to the Internet or other areas of our online or mobile services may result in the need to 
alter our business practices or incur greater operating expenses

A number of regulations, including those referenced below, may impact our business as a result of our online or mobile 

services.  The Digital Millennium Copyright Act has provisions that limit, but do not necessarily eliminate, liability for 
posting, or linking to third-party websites that include materials that infringe copyrights or other rights.  Portions of the 
Communications Decency Act are intended to provide statutory protections to online service providers who distribute third-
party content.  The Child Online Protection Act and the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act restrict the distribution of 
materials considered harmful to children and impose additional restrictions on the ability of online services to collect 
information from minors. The costs of compliance with these regulations, and other regulations relating to our online and 
mobile services or other areas of our business, may be significant.  The manner in which these and other regulations may be 
interpreted or enforced may subject us to potential liability, which in turn could have an adverse effect on our business, 

21

results of operations, or financial condition.  Changes to these and other regulations may impose additional burdens on us or 
otherwise adversely affect our business and financial results because of, for example, increased costs relating to legal 
compliance, defense against adverse claims or damages, or the reduction or elimination of features, functionality or content 
from our online or mobile services.  Likewise, any failure on our part to comply with these and other regulations may subject 
us to additional liabilities.

Our revenue and Adjusted OIBDA fluctuate from quarter to quarter and may be unpredictable, which could increase the 
volatility of our stock price

A weak advertising market or the shift in spending of a major client from one quarter to another, the performance of 

films released in a given quarter, a disruption in the release schedule of films or changes in the television scatter market could 
significantly affect quarter-to-quarter results or even affect results for the entire fiscal year.  Because our results may vary 
from quarter to quarter and may be unpredictable, our financial results for one quarter cannot necessarily be compared to 
another quarter or the same quarter in prior years and may not be indicative of our financial performance in subsequent 
quarters. These variations in our financial results could contribute to volatility in our stock price.

Lapses in our internal controls could adversely affect our operating results and market confidence in our reported 
financial information

Our internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements because of its inherent 
limitations, including the possibility of human error, the circumvention or overriding of controls or fraud. Even effective 
internal controls can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to the preparation and fair presentation of financial 
statements. If we fail to maintain the adequacy of our internal controls or if we experience difficulties in their 
implementation, our business and operating results and market confidence in our reported financial information could be 
harmed and we could fail to meet our financial reporting obligations.

As disclosed in Item 9A, management identified a material weakness in internal control over financial reporting 
relating to the accounting for income taxes under ASC 740, specifically controls over the accuracy and completeness of the 
deferred tax accounts related to the Company’s tax receivable agreement (“TRA”) with the founding members. A material 
weakness is defined as a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that 
there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or 
detected on a timely basis. As a result of this material weakness, management concluded that internal control over financial 
reporting was not effective based on the framework in Internal Control— Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the 
Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). We are actively engaged in developing 
and implementing a remediation plan designed to address this material weakness. If remedial measures are insufficient to 
address the material weakness, or if additional material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in internal control are 
discovered or occur in the future, our consolidated financial statements may contain material misstatements and we could be 
required to restate our financial results.  

We depend upon our senior management and our business may be adversely affected if we cannot retain or replace them

Our success depends in part upon the retention of our experienced senior management with specialized industry, sales 

and technical knowledge and/or industry relationships. In August 2015, our former Chief Executive Officer announced his 
resignation and, following a defined search process conducted by our Board of Directors, a new Chief Executive Officer was 
appointed in January 2016.  We also appointed a Chief Financial Officer in August 2016 following a defined search process 
by our Board of Directors. In November 2017, our former General Counsel announced his resignation and, following a 
defined search process conducted by our Board of Directors, a new General Counsel was appointed in February 2018. If we 
are not able to find qualified internal or external replacements for critical members of our senior management team; 
accordingly, the loss of key employees could have a material adverse effect on our ability to effectively pursue our business 
strategy and our relationships with advertisers and content partners. We do not have key-man life insurance covering any of 
our employees.

Risks Related to Our Corporate Structure

We are a holding company with no operations of our own, and we depend on distributions and payments under the NCM 
LLC operating and management services agreements from NCM LLC to meet our ongoing obligations and to pay cash 
dividends on our common stock

We are a holding company with no operations of our own and have no independent ability to generate cash flow other 

than interest income on cash balances. Consequently, our ability to obtain operating funds primarily depends upon 
distributions from NCM LLC. The distribution of cash flows and other transfers of funds by NCM LLC to us are subject to 

22

statutory and contractual restrictions based upon NCM LLC’s financial performance, including NCM LLC’s compliance with 
the covenants in its senior secured credit facility and indentures, and the NCM LLC operating agreement. The NCM LLC 
senior secured credit facility and indentures limit NCM LLC’s ability to distribute cash to its members, including us, based 
upon certain leverage tests, with exceptions for, among other things, payment of our income taxes and a management fee to 
NCM, Inc. pursuant to the terms of the management services agreement (incorporated in the ESA). Refer to the information 
provided under Note 9 to the audited Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this document for leverage 
discussion. The declaration of future dividends on our common stock, will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and 
will depend upon many factors, including NCM LLC’s results of operations, financial condition, earnings, capital 
requirements, limitations in our debt agreements and legal requirements.  In the event NCM LLC fails to comply with these 
covenants and is unable to distribute cash to us quarterly, once NCM, Inc. cash balances and investments are extinguished we 
will be unable to pay dividends to our stockholders or pay other expenses outside the ordinary course of business.

Pursuant to the management services agreement between us and NCM LLC, NCM LLC makes payments to us to fund 
our day-to-day operating expenses, such as payroll. However, if NCM LLC has insufficient cash flow to make the payments 
pursuant to the management services agreement, we may be unable to cover these expenses.

As a member of NCM LLC, we incur income taxes on our proportionate share of any net taxable income of NCM 
LLC. We have structured the NCM LLC senior secured credit facility and indentures to allow NCM LLC to distribute cash to 
its members (including us and NCM LLC’s founding members) in amounts sufficient to cover their tax liabilities and 
management fees, if any. To the extent that NCM LLC has insufficient cash flow to make such payments, it could have a 
material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects.

NCM LLC’s substantial debt obligations could impair our financial condition or prevent us from achieving our business 
goals

NCM LLC is party to substantial debt obligations. The senior secured credit facility and indentures contain restrictive 

covenants that limit NCM LLC’s ability to take specified actions and prescribe minimum financial maintenance requirements 
that NCM LLC must meet.  Because NCM LLC is our only operating subsidiary, complying with these restrictions may 
prevent NCM LLC from taking actions that we believe would help us to grow our business.  For example, NCM LLC may be 
unable to make acquisitions, investments or capital expenditures as a result of such covenants.  Moreover, if NCM LLC 
violates those restrictive covenants or fails to meet the minimum financial requirements, it would be in default, which could, 
in turn, result in defaults under other obligations of NCM LLC.  Any such defaults could materially impair our financial 
condition and liquidity. For further information, refer to Note 9 to the audited Consolidated Financial Statements included 
elsewhere in this document.

If NCM LLC is unable to meet its debt service obligations, it could be forced to restructure or refinance the obligations, 

seek additional equity financing or sell assets. We may be unable to restructure or refinance these obligations, obtain 
additional equity financing or sell assets on satisfactory terms or at all. In addition, NCM LLC’s indebtedness could have 
other negative consequences for us, including without limitation:

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

limiting NCM LLC’s ability to obtain financing in the future;

requiring much of NCM LLC’s cash flow to be dedicated to interest obligations and making it unavailable for 
other purposes, including payments to its members (including NCM, Inc.);

limiting NCM LLC’s liquidity and operational flexibility in changing economic, business and competitive 
conditions which could require NCM LLC to consider deferring planned capital expenditures, reducing 
discretionary spending, selling assets, restructuring existing debt or deferring acquisitions or other strategic 
opportunities; and

making NCM LLC more vulnerable to an increase in interest rates, a downturn in our operating performance or 
decline in general economic conditions.

Despite NCM LLC’s current levels of debt, it or NCM, Inc. may still incur substantially more debt, including secured debt, 
which would increase the risks associated with NCM LLC’s level of debt

The agreements relating to NCM LLC’s debt, including the Notes due 2022, Notes due 2026 and the senior secured 

credit facility, limit but do not prohibit NCM LLC’s ability to incur additional debt, and do not place any restrictions on 
NCM, Inc.’s ability to incur debt. Accordingly, NCM, Inc. or NCM LLC could incur additional debt in the future, including 
additional debt under the senior secured credit facility, additional senior or senior subordinated notes and additional secured 
debt. If new debt is added to current debt levels, the related risks that we now face, including those described above under 

23

“—NCM LLC’s substantial debt obligations could impair our financial condition or prevent us from achieving our business 
goals,” could intensify.

NCM LLC’s founding members or their affiliates may have interests that differ from those of our public stockholders and 
they may be able to influence our affairs

So long as an NCM LLC founding member beneficially owns at least 5% of NCM LLC’s issued and outstanding 

common membership units, approval of at least 90% of the directors then in office (provided that if the board has less than 
ten directors, then the approval of at least 80% of the directors then in office) will be required before we may take any of the 
following actions or we, in our capacity as manager of NCM LLC, may authorize NCM LLC to take any of the following 
actions:

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

assign, transfer, sell or pledge all or a portion of the membership units of NCM LLC beneficially owned by 
NCM, Inc.;

acquire, dispose, lease or license assets with an aggregate value exceeding 20% of the fair market value of the 
business of NCM LLC operating as a going concern;

merge, reorganize, recapitalize, reclassify, consolidate, dissolve, liquidate or enter into a similar transaction;

incur any funded indebtedness or repay, before due, any funded indebtedness with a fixed term in an aggregate 
amount in excess of $15.0 million per year;

issue, grant or sell shares of NCM, Inc. common stock, preferred stock or rights with respect to common or 
preferred stock, or NCM LLC membership units or rights with respect to membership units, except under 
specified circumstances;

amend, modify, restate or repeal any provision of NCM, Inc.’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws or the NCM 
LLC operating agreement;

enter into, modify or terminate certain material contracts not in the ordinary course of business as defined under 
applicable securities laws;

except as specifically set forth in the NCM LLC operating agreement, declare, set aside or pay any redemption 
of, or dividends with respect to membership interests;

amend any material terms or provisions (as defined in the NASDAQ rules) of NCM, Inc.’s equity incentive plan 
or enter into any new equity incentive compensation plan;

make any change in the current business purpose of NCM, Inc. to serve solely as the manager of NCM LLC or 
any change in the current business purpose of NCM LLC to provide the services as set forth in the ESAs; and

approve any actions relating to NCM LLC that could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse tax effect 
on NCM LLC’s founding members.

Pursuant to a director designation agreement, so long as an NCM LLC founding member owns at least 5% of NCM 

LLC’s issued and outstanding common membership units, such NCM LLC founding member will have the right to designate 
a total of two nominees to our nine-member Board of Directors who will be voted upon by our stockholders.  One such 
designee by each NCM LLC founding member must meet the independence requirements of the stock exchange on which 
our common stock is listed.  If, at any time, any NCM LLC founding member owns less than 5% of NCM LLC’s then issued 
and outstanding common membership units, then such NCM LLC founding member shall cease to have any rights of 
designation. In December 2016, AMC agreed to a proposed final judgement in a lawsuit brought by the U.S. Department of 
Justice (“DOJ”) in connection with AMC’s acquisition of Carmike Cinemas, Inc (“Carmike”). Among other conditions, 
AMC was required to relinquish its governance rights in NCM LLC, including its seats on the NCM, Inc. board of directors 
as well as its rights to nominate any person to serve on the NCM, Inc. board of directors. AMC’s non-independent designee 
to the board of directors resigned in December 2016.

If any director designee to our board designated by NCM LLC’s founding members is not appointed to our board, 
nominated by us or elected by our stockholders, as applicable, then each of NCM LLC’s founding members (so long as such 
NCM LLC founding member continues to own at least 5% of NCM LLC’s issued and outstanding common membership 
units) will be entitled to approve specified actions of NCM LLC.

24

For purposes of calculating the 5% ownership threshold for the supermajority director approval rights and director 
designation agreement provisions discussed above, shares of our common stock held by a founding member and received 
upon redemption of NCM LLC common membership units will be counted toward the threshold. Common membership units 
issued to NCM, Inc. in connection with the redemption of common membership units by a NCM LLC founding member will 
be excluded, so long as such NCM LLC founding member continues to hold the common stock acquired through such 
redemption or such NCM LLC founding member has disposed of such shares of common stock to another NCM LLC 
founding member. Shares of our common stock otherwise acquired by NCM LLC’s founding members will also be excluded, 
unless such shares of common stock were transferred by one NCM LLC founding member to another and were originally 
received by the transferring NCM LLC founding member upon redemption of NCM LLC common membership units.

Under these circumstances, our corporate governance documents will allow the founding members and their affiliates 
to exercise a greater degree of influence in the operation of our business and that of NCM LLC and the management of our 
affairs and those of NCM LLC than is typically available to stockholders of a publicly-traded company. Even if NCM LLC’s 
founding members or their affiliates own a minority economic interest (but not less than 5%) in NCM LLC, they may be able 
to continue exerting such degree of influence over us and NCM LLC.

Different interests among the founding members or between the founding members and us could prevent us from 
achieving our business goals

For the foreseeable future, we expect that our Board of Directors will include directors and certain executive officers of 

our founding members and other directors who may have commercial or other relationships with NCM LLC’s founding 
members. The majority of NCM LLC’s outstanding membership interests also are owned by NCM LLC’s founding 
members.  NCM LLC’s founding members compete with each other in the operation of their respective businesses and could 
have individual business interests that may conflict with those of the other founding members. Their differing interests could 
make it difficult for us to pursue strategic initiatives that require consensus among NCM LLC’s founding members.

In addition, the structural relationship we have with NCM LLC’s founding members could create conflicts of interest 
among NCM LLC’s founding members, or between NCM LLC’s founding members and us, in a number of areas relating to 
our past and ongoing relationships. There is not any formal dispute resolution procedure in place to resolve conflicts between 
us and an NCM LLC founding member or between NCM LLC founding members. We may not be able to resolve any 
potential conflicts between us and an NCM LLC founding member and, even if we do, the resolution may be less favorable 
to us than if we were negotiating with an unaffiliated party.

The corporate opportunity provisions in our certificate of incorporation could enable NCM LLC’s founding members to 
benefit from corporate opportunities that might otherwise be available to us

Our certificate of incorporation contains provisions related to corporate opportunities that may be of interest to both 

NCM LLC’s founding members and us. It provides that if a corporate opportunity is offered to us, NCM LLC or one or more 
of the officers, directors or stockholders (both direct and indirect) of NCM, Inc. or a member of NCM LLC that relates to the 
provision of services to motion picture theaters, use of theaters for any purpose, sale of advertising and promotional services 
in and around theaters and any other business related to the motion picture theater business (except services as provided in 
the ESAs as from time to time amended and except as may be offered to one of our officers in his capacity as an officer), no 
such person shall be liable to us or any of our stockholders (or any affiliate thereof) for breach of any fiduciary or other duty 
by reason of the fact that such person pursues or acquires such business opportunity, directs such business opportunity to 
another person or fails to present such business opportunity, or information regarding such business opportunity, to us. This 
provision applies even if the business opportunity is one that we might reasonably be deemed to have pursued or had the 
ability or desire to pursue if granted the opportunity to do so.

In addition, our certificate of incorporation and the NCM LLC operating agreement expressly provide that NCM LLC’s 

founding members may have other business interests and may engage in any other businesses not specifically prohibited by 
the terms of the certificate of incorporation, including the exclusivity provisions of the ESAs. The parent companies of NCM 
LLC’s founding members are not bound by the ESAs and therefore could develop new media platforms that could compete 
for advertising dollars with our services. Further, we may also compete with NCM LLC’s founding members or their 
affiliates in the area of employee recruiting and retention. These potential conflicts of interest could have a material adverse 
effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects if attractive corporate opportunities are allocated 
by NCM LLC’s founding members to themselves or their other affiliates or we lose key personnel to them.

25

The agreements between us and NCM LLC’s founding members were made in the context of an affiliated relationship 
and may contain different terms than comparable agreements with unaffiliated third parties

The ESAs and the other contractual agreements that we have with NCM LLC’s founding members were originally 

negotiated in the context of an affiliated relationship in which representatives of NCM LLC’s founding members and their 
affiliates comprised our entire Board of Directors. As a result, the financial provisions and the other terms of these 
agreements, such as covenants, contractual obligations on our part and on the part of NCM LLC’s founding members and 
termination and default provisions may be less favorable to us than terms that we might have obtained in negotiations with 
unaffiliated third parties in similar circumstances.

Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws contain anti-takeover protections that may discourage or prevent strategic 
transactions, including a takeover of our company, even if such a transaction would be beneficial to our stockholders

Provisions contained in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, the NCM LLC operating agreement, provisions of 

the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”), could delay or prevent a third party from entering into a strategic 
transaction with us, even if such a transaction would benefit our stockholders. For example, our certificate of incorporation 
and bylaws:

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

establish supermajority approval requirements by our directors before our board may take certain actions;

authorize the issuance of “blank check” preferred stock that could be issued by our Board of Directors to increase 
the number of outstanding shares, making a takeover more difficult and expensive;

establish a classified Board of Directors;

allow removal of directors only for cause;

prohibit stockholder action by written consent;

do not permit cumulative voting in the election of directors, which would otherwise allow less than a majority of 
stockholders to elect director candidates; and

provide that NCM LLC’s founding members will be able to exercise a greater degree of influence over the 
operations of NCM LLC, which may discourage other nominations to our Board of Directors, if any director 
nominee designated by NCM LLC’s founding members is not elected by our stockholders.

These restrictions could keep us from pursuing relationships with strategic partners and from raising additional capital, 
which could impede our ability to expand our business and strengthen our competitive position. These restrictions could also 
limit stockholder value by impeding a sale of us or NCM LLC. Further, these restrictions could restrict or limit certain 
investors from owning our stock.

Any future issuance of membership units by NCM LLC and subsequent redemption of such units for common stock could 
dilute the voting power of our existing common stockholders and adversely affect the market value of our common stock

The common unit adjustment agreement and the ESAs provide that we will issue common membership units of NCM 

LLC to account for changes in the number of theater screens NCM LLC’s founding members operate and which are made 
part of our advertising network. Historically, in most years each of NCM LLC’s founding members has increased the number 
of screens it operates. If this trend continues, NCM LLC may issue additional common membership units to NCM LLC’s 
founding members to reflect their increase in net screen count. Each common membership unit may be redeemed in exchange 
for, at our option, shares of our common stock on a one-for-one basis or a cash payment equal to the market price of one 
share of our common stock. If a significant number of common membership units were issued to NCM LLC’s founding 
members, NCM LLC’s founding members elected to redeem such units, and we elected to issue common stock rather than 
cash upon redemption, the voting power of our common stockholders could be diluted. Other than the maximum number of 
authorized shares of common stock in our certificate of incorporation, there is no limit on the number of shares of our 
common stock that we may issue upon redemption of an NCM LLC founding member’s common membership units in NCM 
LLC. For further information, refer to Note 4 to the audited Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this 
document.

Our future issuance of preferred stock could dilute the voting power of our common stockholders and adversely affect the 
market value of our common stock

The future issuance of shares of preferred stock with voting rights may adversely affect the voting power of the holders 

of our other classes of voting stock, either by diluting the voting power of our other classes of voting stock if they vote 

26

together as a single class, or by giving the holders of any such preferred stock the right to block an action on which they have 
a separate class vote even if the action were approved by the holders of our other classes of voting stock.

The future issuance of shares of preferred stock with dividend or conversion rights, liquidation preferences or other 

economic terms favorable to the holders of preferred stock could adversely affect the market price for our common stock by 
making an investment in the common stock less attractive. For example, investors in the common stock may not wish to 
purchase common stock at a price above the conversion price of a series of convertible preferred stock because the holders of 
the preferred stock would effectively be entitled to purchase common stock at the lower conversion price causing economic 
dilution to the holders of common stock.

If we or NCM LLC’s founding members are determined to be an investment company, we would become subject to 
burdensome regulatory requirements and our business activities could be restricted

We do not believe that we are an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. As 

sole manager of NCM LLC, we control NCM LLC, and our interest in NCM LLC is not an “investment security” as that term 
is used in the Investment Company Act of 1940.  If we were to stop participating in the management of NCM LLC, our 
interest in NCM LLC could be deemed an “investment security” for purposes of the Investment Company Act of 1940. 
Generally, a company is an “investment company” if it owns investment securities having a value exceeding 40% of the 
value of its total assets (excluding U.S. government securities and cash items). Our sole material asset is our equity interest in 
NCM LLC.  A determination that such asset was an investment security could result in our being considered an investment 
company under the Investment Company Act of 1940.  As a result, we would become subject to registration and other 
burdensome requirements of the Investment Company Act.  In addition, the requirements of the Investment Company Act of 
1940 could restrict our business activities, including our ability to issue securities.

We and NCM LLC intend to conduct our operations so that we are not deemed an investment company under the 
Investment Company Act.  However, if anything were to occur that would cause us to be deemed an investment company, we 
would become subject to restrictions imposed by the Investment Company Act of 1940.  These restrictions, including 
limitations on our capital structure and our ability to enter into transactions with our affiliates, could make it impractical for 
us to continue our business as currently conducted and could have a material adverse effect on our financial performance and 
operations.

We also rely on representations of NCM LLC’s founding members that they are not investment companies under the 

Investment Company Act.  If any NCM LLC founding member were deemed an investment company, the restrictions placed 
upon that NCM LLC founding member might inhibit its ability to fulfill its obligations under its ESA or restrict NCM LLC’s 
ability to borrow funds.

Our tax receivable agreement with NCM LLC’s founding members is expected to reduce the amount of overall cash flow 
that would otherwise be available to us and will increase our potential exposure to the financial condition of NCM LLC’s 
founding members

Our initial public offering and related transactions have the effect of reducing the amounts NCM, Inc. would otherwise 

pay in the future to various tax authorities as a result of an increase in its proportionate share of tax basis in NCM LLC’s 
tangible and intangible assets. We have agreed in our tax receivable agreement with NCM LLC’s founding members to pay 
to NCM LLC’s founding members 90% of the amount by which NCM, Inc.’s tax payments to various tax authorities are 
reduced as a result of the increase in tax basis. After paying these reduced amounts to tax authorities, if it is determined as a 
result of an income tax audit or examination that any amount of NCM, Inc.’s claimed tax benefits should not have been 
available, NCM, Inc. may be required to pay additional taxes and possibly penalties and interest to one or more tax 
authorities. If this were to occur and if one or more of NCM LLC’s founding members was insolvent or bankrupt or 
otherwise unable to make payment under its indemnification obligation under the tax receivable agreement, then NCM, Inc.’s 
financial condition could be negatively impacted.

The substantial number of shares that are eligible for sale could cause the market price for our common stock to decline 
or make it difficult for us to sell equity securities in the future

We cannot predict the effect, if any, that market sales of shares of common stock by NCM LLC’s founding members 

will have on the market price of our common stock from time to time. Sales of substantial amounts of shares of our common 
stock in the public market, or the perception that those sales will occur, could cause the market price of our common stock to 
decline or make future offerings of our equity securities more difficult. We expect AMC over the next 16 months to dispose 
of shares of NCM, Inc. as required by the settlement agreement between AMC and the U.S. Department of Justice (the 
“DOJ”) entered into in connection with AMC’s acquisition of Carmike Cinemas. See “Management’s Discussion and 
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Known Trends and Uncertainties – Trends Related to 

27

Ownership in NCM LLC.” If we are unable to sell equity securities at times and prices that we deem appropriate, we may be 
unable to fund growth. The founding members may receive up to 77,839,112 shares of common stock as of December 28, 
2017 upon redemption of their outstanding common membership units of NCM LLC. The resale of these shares of common 
stock has been registered as required by the terms of the registration rights agreement between NCM Inc. and the founding 
members. Additionally, once options and restricted stock held by our employees become vested and/or exercisable, as 
applicable, to the extent that they are not held by one of our affiliates, the shares acquired upon vesting or exercise are freely 
tradable. Refer to Note 10 to the audited Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this document.

Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

Item 2.

Properties

Information with respect to our corporate headquarters and regional offices is presented below as of December 28, 

2017.  We own no material real property.  We believe that all of our present facilities are adequate for our current needs and 
that additional space is available for future expansion on acceptable terms.

  Facility

Location
Centennial, CO (1)...................................................  Headquarters (including the NOC)
Chicago, IL (2) ........................................................  Advertising Sales Office
New York, NY (3)...................................................  Advertising Sales Office
Woodland Hills, CA (4) ..........................................  Advertising Sales Office
Minneapolis, MN (5) ...............................................  Software Development Office
Newport Beach, CA (6)...........................................  Regional Advertising Sales Office
Detroit, MI (7) .........................................................  Advertising Sales Office
Mountain View, CA (8)...........................................  Corporate Development Office

Size

82,721 sq. ft.
3,350 sq. ft.
21,892 sq. ft.
6,062 sq. ft.
5,989 sq. ft.
1,417 sq. ft.
200 sq. ft.
162 sq. ft.

(1)

(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)

This facility is leased through June 30, 2018. A new property in Centennial, CO (63,123 sq. ft.) will be leased 
beginning January 1, 2018 through June 30, 2028.
This facility is leased through April 30, 2028.
This facility is leased through April 30, 2032.
This facility is leased through November 30, 2019.
This facility is leased through September 30, 2022.
This facility is leased through July 31, 2019.
This facility is leased through March 22, 2018.
This facility is leased through July 31, 2018.

Item 3.

Legal Proceedings

We are sometimes involved in legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. We are not aware of any 
other litigation currently pending that would have a material adverse effect on our operating results or financial condition.

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

PART II

Item 5.

Market  for  Registrant’s  Common  Equity,  Related  Stockholder  Matters  and  Issuer  Purchases  of  Equity 
Securities

Market Information

Our common stock, $0.01 par value, has traded on The NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “NCMI” since 
February 8, 2007 (our IPO closed on February 13, 2007). There were 179 stockholders of record as of February 28, 2018 
(does not include beneficial holders of shares held in “street name”).  The following table sets forth the historical high and 
low sales prices per share for our common stock as reported on The NASDAQ Global Market for the fiscal periods indicated 
and the amount of cash dividends declared per share.

28

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
First Quarter (December 30, 2016 – March 30, 2017) .............  $
Second Quarter (March 31, 2017 – June 29, 2017)..................  $
Third Quarter (June 30, 2017 – September 28, 2017) ..............  $
Fourth Quarter (September 29, 2017 – December 28, 2017) ...  $

15.25   $
12.74   $
7.81   $
7.55   $

11.52   $
7.13   $
5.12   $
5.36   $

0.22 
0.22 
0.22 
0.22 

Fiscal 2017

High

Low

Cash Dividend 
Declared Per 
Share

Fiscal 2016

High

Low

Cash Dividend 
Declared Per 
Share

First Quarter (January 1, 2016 – March 31, 2016) ...................  $
Second Quarter (April 1, 2016 – June 30, 2016)......................  $
Third Quarter (July 1, 2016 – September 29, 2016).................  $
Fourth Quarter (September 30, 2016 – December 29, 2016) ...  $

15.71   $
15.76   $
16.10   $
16.05   $

14.08   $
13.47   $
14.38   $
13.37   $

0.22 
0.22 
0.22 
0.22  

 Dividend Policy

We intend to distribute over time a substantial portion of our free cash flow (distributions from NCM LLC less income 

taxes and payments under the tax receivable agreement with the founding members) in the form of dividends to our 
stockholders.  The declaration, payment, timing and amount of any future dividends payable will be at the sole discretion of 
our Board of Directors who will take into account general economic and advertising market business conditions, our financial 
condition, our available cash, our current and anticipated cash needs, and any other factors that the Board of Directors 
considers relevant. While it is the intention of the Company to continue our practice of distributing a substantial proportion of 
our free cash flow, actual results, ongoing reinvestment in our network and product offerings, as well as, prudent capital 
management may reduce such distributable free cash flow in future periods. As a result, the Board of Directors continues to 
review these factors to determine a sustainable distribution rate which balances our operating and strategic needs with those 
of our lenders and stockholders. Under Delaware law, dividends may be payable only out of surplus, which is our total assets 
minus total liabilities less the par value of our common stock, or, if we have no surplus, out of our net profits for the fiscal 
year in which the dividend is declared and/or the preceding fiscal year.  For tax purposes, our dividends paid in 2016 and 
2017 were treated as a return of capital to stockholders.

Use of Proceeds from Sale of Registered Securities

None.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

NCM, Inc.’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and the Third Amended and Restated Limited 
Liability Company Operating Agreement, as amended, of NCM LLC provide a redemption right to the NCM LLC members 
to exchange common membership units of NCM LLC for shares of NCM, Inc.’s common stock on a one-for-one basis, or at 
NCM, Inc.’s option, a cash payment equal to the market price of one share of NCM, Inc.’s common stock.  

On December 21, 2015, NCM LLC received a Notice of Redemption from AMC, and NCM, Inc.’s Board of Directors 
authorized the exchange of 200,000 units for 200,000 shares of NCM, Inc. common stock.  In connection with delivering the 
Notice of Redemption, AMC surrendered common membership units to NCM LLC for cancellation and NCM, Inc. 
contributed shares of its common stock to NCM LLC in exchange for an amount of newly issued common units equal to the 
number of units surrendered by AMC.  NCM LLC distributed the shares of NCM, Inc.’s common stock to AMC to complete 
the redemption on December 30, 2015.  The issuance of shares in this redemption was exempt from registration as the 
transaction by NCM, Inc. did not involve a public offering. 

On November 22, 2016, NCM, Inc. issued 40,000 shares of its common stock, subject to restrictions, to an operating 
company in connection with the execution of a multi-year commercial agreement.  The shares are restricted and subject to 
vesting and forfeiture provisions, whereby, 20,000 shares vest at the end of the initial five-year term of the commercial 
agreement and the remaining 20,000 shares would vest at the end of a five-year renewal period, if renewed.  The shares have 
not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and were issued pursuant to the 
exemption from registration contained in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

29

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
    
 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
On August 23, 2017, NCM LLC received a Notice of Redemption from AMC, and NCM, Inc.’s Board of Directors 

authorized the exchange of 14,600,000 units for 14,600,000 shares of NCM, Inc. commons stock. In connection with 
delivering the Notice of Redemption, AMC surrendered common membership units to NCM LLC for cancellation and NCM, 
Inc. contributed shares of its common stock to NCM LLC in exchange for an amount of newly issued common units equal to 
the number of units surrendered by AMC. NCM LLC distributed the shares of NCM, Inc.’s common stock to complete the 
redemption on September 7, 2017. The issuance of shares in this redemption was exempt from registration as the transaction 
by NCM, Inc. did not involve a public offering.

On October 5, 2017, NCM LLC received a Notice of Redemption from AMC, and NCM, Inc.’s Board of Directors 
authorized the exchange of 1,000,000 units for 1,000,000 shares of NCM, Inc. commons stock. In connection with delivering 
the Notice of Redemption, AMC surrendered common membership units to NCM LLC for cancellation and NCM, Inc. 
contributed shares of its common stock to NCM LLC in exchange for an amount of newly issued common units equal to the 
number of units surrendered by AMC. NCM LLC distributed the shares of NCM, Inc.’s common stock to complete the 
redemption on October 20, 2017. The issuance of shares in this redemption was exempt from registration as the transaction 
by NCM, Inc. did not involve a public offering.

As discussed elsewhere in this document, in connection with AMC’s acquisition of Carmike, AMC has agreed with 

the DOJ that AMC would divest the majority of its equity interests in the Company and NCM LLC to various specified 
thresholds, so that by June 20, 2019 it will own no more than 4.99% of the Company and NCM LLC. These redemptions of 
NCM LLC membership units for Common Stock of NCM, Inc. are in furtherance of this divestiture plan.

Share Repurchase Program

None.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The table below provides information about shares delivered to the Company from restricted stock held by Company 

employees upon vesting for the purpose of funding the recipient’s tax withholding obligations.

(c)
Total Number
of Shares
Purchased as
Part of 
Publicly
Announced
Plans or
Programs

(d)
Maximum
Number (or
Approximate
Dollar Value)
of Shares that
may yet be
Purchased 
under
the Plans or
Programs

(b)
Average Price
Paid Per 
Share

(a)
Total Number
of Shares
Purchased    

Period
September 29, 2017 through October 26, 2017.................   
October 27, 2017 through November 30, 2017.................   
December 1, 2017 through December 28, 2017................   

—    $
5,329    $
604    $

—     
6.55     
6.78     

—   
—   
—   

N/A
N/A
N/A

Equity Compensation Plan

Refer to “Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder 

Matters” for information regarding securities authorized for issuance under our equity compensation plans which is 
incorporated in this Item by this reference.

Stock Performance Graph

The following graph compares the cumulative total stockholder return on the common stock of the Company (including 

dividends paid) for the period December 27, 2012 through December 28, 2017 with the Russell 2000 Index and the Dow 
Jones US Media TSM.

30

 
 
   
   
 
The comparisons in the graph below are based upon historical data and are not indicative of, or intended to forecast, 

future performance of our common stock.

COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*
Among National CineMedia Inc, the Russell 2000 Index,
and the Dow Jones US Media TSM Index

12/27/12

12/26/13

1/1/15

12/31/15

12/29/16

12/28/17

National CineMedia, Inc.

Russell 2000

Dow Jones US Media TSM

*$100 invested on 12/27/12 in stock or 12/27/12 in index, including reinvestment of dividends.
Indexes calculated on month-end basis.

Copyright© 2018 Dow Jones & Co. All rights reserved
Copyright© 2018 Russell Investment Group. All rights reserved.

$250

$200

$150

$100

$50

$0
12/27/12

National CineMedia, Inc................
Russell 2000...................................
Dow Jones US Media TSM ...........

Dec. 27, 2012     Dec. 26, 2013     Jan. 1, 2015     Dec. 31, 2015     Dec. 29, 2016     Dec. 28, 2017  
70.17 
198.05 
199.91

134.36     
172.03     
184.29     

135.77     
141.18     
162.05     

117.20     
147.70     
168.10     

100.00     
100.00     
100.00     

149.01     
140.62     
149.68     

Item 6.

Selected Financial Data

Selected Historical Financial and Operating Data

The following table sets forth our historical selected financial and operating data for the periods indicated. The selected 

financial and operating data should be read in conjunction with the other information contained in this document, including 
“Business,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, the audited 
historical Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this document, and historical audited 
Consolidated Financial Statements, which have not been included in this document.  

The results of operations data for the years ended December 28, 2017, December 29, 2016 and December 31, 2015 and 
the balance sheet data as of December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016 are derived from the audited Consolidated Financial 
Statements of NCM, Inc. included elsewhere in this document. The results of operations data for the years ended January 1, 
2015 and December 26, 2013 and the balance sheet data as of December 31, 2015, January 1, 2015 and December 26, 2013 
are derived from the audited Consolidated Financial Statements of NCM, Inc. 

31

 
 
 
 
 
Results of Operations Data

($ in millions, except per share data)
REVENUE:

Dec. 28,
2017

Dec. 29,
2016

Years Ended
Dec. 31,
2015

Jan. 1,
2015

  Dec. 26,
2013

Advertising................................................................ $ 
Fathom Events ..........................................................
Total.....................................................................

 $

426.1 
— 
426.1 

OPERATING EXPENSES:

Advertising operating costs ......................................
Fathom Events operating costs .................................
Network costs ...........................................................
Theater access fees—founding members .................
Selling and marketing costs ......................................
Merger termination fee and related merger costs .....
Administrative and other costs .................................
Depreciation and amortization..................................
Total.....................................................................
OPERATING INCOME ................................................
NON-OPERATING (INCOME) EXPENSES (9) .........
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES (9) ..............
Provision for income taxes (9)..................................
CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME (9) ....................

32.4 
— 
15.8 
76.5 
72.0 
— 
37.9 
37.6 
272.2 
153.9 
(33.8)   
187.7 
129.0 
58.7 

Less:  Net income attributable to noncontrolling
   interests........................................................................
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NCM, Inc. (9) .. $ 
EARNINGS PER NCM, INC. COMMON SHARE:
Basic (9) ......................................................................... $ 
Diluted (9) ...................................................................... $ 

56.2 
2.5 

0.04 
0.02 

Balance Sheet Data (in millions)
Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities (1) ....
Receivables, net..............................................................
Property and equipment, net...........................................
Total assets (2) (9)..........................................................
Borrowings, gross...........................................................
Payable to founding members under tax receivable
   agreement (9)...............................................................
Equity/(deficit) (9)..........................................................
Total liabilities and equity (2) (9) ..................................

  $

Dec. 28,
2017

59.5 
160.6 
30.7 
1,148.1 
932.0 

447.6 
— 
447.6 

30.0 
— 
17.1 
75.1 
72.8 
— 
43.8 
35.8 
274.6 
173.0 
83.5 
89.5 
7.5 
82.0 

61.6 
20.4 

0.34 
0.34 

Dec. 29,
2016

68.7 
160.5 
29.6 
1,142.5 
935.0 

 $

 $

 $
 $

 $

446.5 
— 
446.5 

30.8 
— 
17.8 
72.5 
72.3 
34.3 
38.6 
32.2 
298.5 
148.0 
68.9 
79.1 
19.5 
59.6 

48.3 
11.3 

0.19 
0.19 

As of
Dec. 31,
2015

85.4 
148.9 
25.1 
1,160.0 
936.0 

 $

 $

 $
 $

 $

 $

 $

 $
 $

 $

394.0 
— 
394.0 

26.4 
— 
18.3 
70.6 
57.6 
7.5 
29.5 
32.4 
242.3 
151.7 
77.7 
74.0 
13.6 
60.4 

52.2 
8.2 

0.14 
0.14 

Jan. 1,
2015

80.6 
116.5 
22.4 
1,074.7 
892.0 

426.3 
36.5 
462.8 

29.0 
25.5 
19.4 
69.4 
61.5 
— 
29.4 
26.6 
260.8 
202.0 
51.2 
150.8 
24.6 
126.2 

88.6 
37.6 

0.67 
0.66  

Dec. 26,
2013

126.0 
120.4 
25.6 
1,167.1 
890.0 

 $

 $
 $

 $

133.6 

(1.2)   

1,148.1 

230.7 
(116.7)   
1,142.5 

233.8 
(102.6)   
1,160.0 

231.7 
(135.4)   
1,074.7 

252.4 
(64.2)
1,167.1  

32

 
 
 
 
 
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
  
  
  
  
Other Financial and Operating Data
(in millions, except cash dividend declared per common share 
and screen data)
OIBDA (3)....................................................................
Adjusted OIBDA (3) ....................................................
Adjusted OIBDA margin (3) ........................................
Capital expenditures .....................................................
Cash dividend declared per common share ..................
Founding member screens at period end (4) (8)...........
Total screens at period end (5) (8)................................
DCN screens at period end (6) (8)................................
Total attendance for period (7) (8) ...............................

Dec. 28,
2017

Dec. 29,
2016

Years Ended
Dec. 31,
2015

Jan. 1,
2015

Dec. 26,
2013

 $
 $

 $
 $

 $
191.5 
205.1 
 $
48.1%   
 $
12.3 
 $
0.88 
16,808 
20,850 
20,419 
655.8 

 $
208.8 
230.7 
 $
51.5%   
 $
13.3 
 $
0.88 
17,022 
20,548 
20,080 
688.8 

 $
180.2 
229.9 
 $
51.5%   
 $
13.0 
 $
0.88 
16,981 
20,361 
19,760 
694.7 

 $
184.1 
199.3 
 $
50.6%   
 $
8.8 
 $
1.38 
16,497 
20,109 
19,251 
688.2 

228.6 
234.5 
50.7%
10.6 
0.88 
16,562 
19,878 
19,054 
699.2  

Notes to the Selected Historical Financial and Operating Data

Includes short-term and long-term marketable securities.

(1)
(2) During the first quarter of 2016, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update 2015-03, Interest – 

Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs (“ASU 2015-03”) 
and Accounting Standards Update 2015-15, Interest – Imputation of Interest (“ASU 2015-15”), on a retrospective 
basis, which provide guidance for simplifying the presentation of debt issuance costs. In connection with the 
adoption of ASU 2015-03 and ASU 2015-15, the Company reclassified net deferred financing costs related to 
NCM LLC’s term loans, secured and unsecured notes in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as a direct deduction 
from the carrying amount of those borrowings, while net deferred financing costs related to the revolving credit 
facility remained an asset in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The amounts presented above for total assets and 
total liabilities and equity reflect this reclassification as of December 28, 2017, December 29, 2016 and 
December 31, 2015. Amounts presented as of January 1, 2015 and December 26, 2013 do not reflect the 
reclassification. If adjusted, the reclassification for ASU 2015-03 and ASU 2015-15 would reduce both total 
assets and total liabilities and equity shown above by $12.7 million and $14.8 million as of January 1, 2015 and 
December 26, 2013, respectively. 

(3) Operating Income Before Depreciation and Amortization (“OIBDA”), Adjusted OIBDA and Adjusted OIBDA 

margin are not financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP in the United States.  OIBDA represents 
operating income before depreciation and amortization expense. Adjusted OIBDA excludes from OIBDA non-
cash share based payment costs, the merger termination fee and related merger costs, Chief Executive Officer 
transition costs and early lease termination expense. Adjusted OIBDA margin is calculated by dividing Adjusted 
OIBDA by total revenue. Our management uses these non-GAAP financial measures to evaluate operating 
performance, to forecast future results and as a basis for compensation. The Company believes these are 
important supplemental measures of operating performance because they eliminate items that have less bearing 
on its operating performance and highlight trends in its core business that may not otherwise be apparent when 
relying solely on GAAP financial measures. The Company believes the presentation of these measures is relevant 
and useful for investors because it enables them to view performance in a manner similar to the method used by 
the Company’s management, helps improve their ability to understand the Company’s operating performance 
and makes it easier to compare the Company’s results with other companies that may have different depreciation 
and amortization policies, non-cash share based compensation programs, levels of mergers and acquisitions, 
CEO turnover, early lease termination expense, interest rates, debt levels or income tax rates. A limitation of 
these measures, however, is that they exclude depreciation and amortization, which represent a proxy for the 
periodic costs of certain capitalized tangible and intangible assets used in generating revenues in the Company’s 
business. In addition, Adjusted OIBDA has the limitation of not reflecting the effect of the Company’s share 
based payment costs, costs associated with the terminated merger with Screenvision, LLC (“Screenvision”), costs 
associated with the resignation of the Company’s former Chief Executive Officer, or early lease termination 
expense. OIBDA or Adjusted OIBDA should not be regarded as an alternative to operating income, net income 
or as indicators of operating performance, nor should they be considered in isolation of, or as substitutes for 
financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. The Company believes that operating income is the most 
directly comparable GAAP financial measure to OIBDA. Because not all companies use identical calculations, 
these non-GAAP presentations may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies, or 
calculations in the Company’s debt agreement.

33

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
OIBDA and Adjusted OIBDA do not reflect integration and other encumbered theater payments as they are 
recorded as a reduction to intangible assets.  Integration payments received are added to Adjusted OIBDA to 
determine our compliance with financial covenants under our senior secured credit facility and included in 
available cash distributions to NCM LLC’s founding members.  During the years ended December 28, 2017, 
December 29, 2016, December 31, 2015, January 1, 2015 and December 26, 2013, the Company recorded 
integration and other encumbered theater payments of $20.9 million, $2.6 million, $2.7 million, $2.2 million and 
$2.8 million, respectively, from NCM LLC’s founding members.

(4) Represents the total number of screens within NCM LLC’s advertising network operated by NCM LLC’s 

founding members.

(5) Represents the total screens within NCM LLC’s advertising network.
(6) Represents the total number of screens that are connected to the DCN.
(7) Represents the total attendance within NCM LLC’s advertising network.
(8)

(9)

Excludes screens and attendance associated with certain AMC Rave, AMC Carmike and Cinemark Rave theaters 
for all periods presented.  Refer to Note 4 to the audited Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in 
this document.
The prior year balances have been adjusted to reflect the correction of an error. Refer to Note 18 to the audited 
Consolidated Financial Statements for discussion of the nature and impact of the error on the results of 
operations data for years ended December 29, 2016 and December 31, 2015 and on the balance sheet data as of 
December 29, 2016. For the years ended January 1, 2015 and December 26, 2013, this adjustment changed the 
non-operating expenses and income before income taxes by $1.5 million and $0.8 million, respectively, increased 
the provision for income taxes by $3.7 million and $4.4 million, respectively, and decreased consolidated net 
income and net income attributable to NCM, Inc. balances by $5.2 million and $3.6 million, respectively. The 
adjustment to net income attributable to NCM, Inc. resulted in a $0.09 and $0.07 decrease in basic and diluted 
EPS for the years ended January 1, 2015 and December 26, 2013, respectively. Additionally, total assets 
increased by $86.3 million, $83.3 million, and $99.8 million; payable to founding members under tax receivable 
agreement increased by $67.3 million, $65.4 million, and $79.8 million; Equity/(deficit) decreased by $69.1 
million, $73.3 million, and $ 81.9 million; and total liabilities and equity increased by $86.3 million, $83.3 
million, and $99.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, January 1, 2015 and December 26, 2013, 
respectively. The error does not impact the Company’s operating income, OIBDA, or Adjusted OIBDA.

The following table reconciles operating income to OIBDA and Adjusted OIBDA for the periods presented (dollars in 

millions):

Operating income ....................................................
Depreciation and amortization ................................
OIBDA...............................................................
Share-based compensation costs (1) .......................
Merger-related administrative costs (2) ..................
CEO transition costs (3) ..........................................
Early lease termination expense (4) ........................
Adjusted OIBDA ...............................................
Total revenue...........................................................
Adjusted OIBDA margin...................................

 $

 $

  Dec. 28, 2017  
153.9 
 $
37.6 
191.5 
11.2 
— 
0.6 
1.8 
 $
205.1 
 $
426.1 
48.1%   

  Dec. 29, 2016  
173.0 
 $
35.8 
208.8 
18.3 
— 
3.6 
— 
 $
230.7 
 $
447.6 
51.5%   

 $
 $

 $

Years Ended
  Dec. 31, 2015  
148.0 
 $
32.2 
180.2 
14.8 
34.3 
0.6 
— 
 $
229.9 
 $
446.5 
51.5%   

 $

 $

  Jan. 1, 2015  
151.7 
 $
32.4 
184.1 
7.7 
7.5 
— 
— 
 $
199.3 
 $
394.0 
50.6%   

 Dec. 26, 2013  
202.0 
 $
26.6 
228.6 
5.9 
— 
— 
— 
234.5 
462.8 
50.7%

(1)

Share-based payments costs are included in network operations, selling and marketing and administrative 
expense in the accompanying audited Consolidated Financial Statements.

(2) Merger termination fee and related merger costs primarily include the merger termination payment and legal, 

accounting, advisory and other professional fees associated with the terminated merger with Screenvision.

(3) Chief Executive Officer transition costs represent severance, consulting and related other costs.
(4)

Early lease termination expense represents an expense recorded upon the early termination of the lease of our 
corporate headquarters because the early termination payment made by the Company was reimbursed by the 
landlord of the new building.

34

 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Item 7.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

As discussed in Part 1, some of the information in this Annual Report on Form 10-K includes “forward-looking 
statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), as amended.  All statements other than statements of historical facts included in 
this Form 10-K, including, without limitation, certain statements under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of 
Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, may constitute forward-looking statements.  In some cases, you can identify 
these “forward-looking statements” by the specific words, including but not limited to “may,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” 
“anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative of those words and other 
comparable words.  These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties.  The following discussion and analysis 
should be read in conjunction with our historical financial statements and the related notes thereto included elsewhere in this 
document. In the following discussion and analysis, the term net income refers to net income attributable to NCM, Inc.

Overview

We are America's Movie Network. As the #1 weekend network for Millennials (age 18-34) in the U.S., we are the 
connector between brands and movie audiences. We currently derive revenue principally from the sale of advertising to 
national, regional and local businesses in Noovie, our cinema advertising and entertainment pre-show seen on movie screens 
across the U.S. We also sell advertising on our LEN, a series of strategically-placed screens located in movie theater lobbies, 
as well as other forms of advertising and promotions in theater lobbies. In addition, we sell online and mobile advertising 
through our Cinema Accelerator digital product to reach entertainment audiences beyond the theater. We have long-term 
ESAs (over 19 years remaining as of December 28, 2017) and multi-year agreements with network affiliates, which expire at 
various dates between May 31, 2018 and July 22, 2031. The weighted average remaining term (based on attendance) of the 
ESAs and the network affiliate agreements is 16.9 years as of December 28, 2017. The ESAs and network affiliate 
agreements grant NCM LLC exclusive rights in their theaters to sell advertising, subject to limited exceptions. Our Noovie 
pre-show and LEN programming are distributed predominantly via satellite through our proprietary DCN. Approximately 
98% of the aggregate founding member and network affiliate theater attendance is generated by theaters connected to our 
DCN (the remaining screens receive advertisements on USB drives) and 100% of the Noovie pre-show is projected on digital 
projectors (93% digital cinema projectors and 7% LCD projectors).

Management focuses on several measurements that we believe provide us with the necessary ratios and key 

performance indicators to manage our business, determine how we are performing versus our internal goals and targets, and 
against the performance of our competitors and other benchmarks in the marketplace in which we operate. We focus on many 
operating metrics including changes in revenue, OIBDA, Adjusted OIBDA and Adjusted OIBDA margin, as defined and 
discussed in “Notes to the Selected Historical Financial and Operating Data” above, as some of our primary measurement 
metrics. In addition, we monitor our monthly advertising performance measurements, including advertising inventory 
utilization, national and local advertising pricing (CPM), local and regional advertising rate per screen per week, local and 
regional and total advertising revenue per attendee.  We also monitor free cash flow, the dividend coverage ratio, financial 
leverage (net debt divided by Adjusted OIBDA plus integration and other encumbered theater payments), cash balances and 
revolving credit facility availability to ensure debt covenant compliance and that there is adequate cash availability to fund 
our working capital needs and debt obligations and current and future dividends declared by our Board of Directors.

Summary Historical and Operating Data

You should read this information in conjunction with the other information contained in this document, and our audited 

historical financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this document.

We have made certain corrections to previously disclosed amounts to correct for an error related to the payable to 
founding members under the tax receivable agreement as of the IPO date and the related deferred tax asset, deferred tax 
liability, and additional paid in capital (deficit) balances, as well as related non-operating expenses, deferred tax expense and 
basic and diluted earnings per share as reflected within the tables below. Refer to Note 18 to the audited Consolidated 
Financial Statements for additional information. 

35

The following table presents operating data and Adjusted OIBDA (dollars in millions, except share and margin data).  

Refer to “Item 6. Selected Financial Data—Notes to the Selected Historical Financial and Operating Data” for a discussion of 
the calculation of Adjusted OIBDA and reconciliation to operating income.

($ in millions)

Revenue ........................................................................
Operating expenses:

Advertising..............................................................
Network, administrative and unallocated costs.......
Merger termination fee and related merger
   costs (1) ................................................................
Total operating expenses ...................................
Operating income .........................................................
Non-operating (income) expenses ................................
Income tax expense ......................................................
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests .....
Net income attributable to NCM, Inc......................

Net income per NCM, Inc. basic share.........................
Net income per NCM, Inc. diluted share......................

Adjusted OIBDA ..........................................................
Adjusted OIBDA margin..............................................
Total theater attendance (in millions) (2) .....................

NM = Not meaningful.

Dec. 28, 
2017

Years Ended
Dec. 29, 
2016

% Change

Dec. 31, 
2015

2016 to 
2017

2015 to 
2016

 $

426.1 

 $

447.6 

 $

446.5 

(4.8%)   

0.2%

178.0 
94.2 

— 
272.2 
153.9 
(33.8)   
129.0 
56.2 
2.5 

 $

173.9 
100.7 

— 
274.6 
173.0 
83.5 
7.5 
61.6 
20.4 

0.04 
0.02 

 $
 $

0.34 
0.34 

 $

 $
 $

173.6 
90.6 

34.3 
298.5 
148.0 
68.9 
19.5 
48.3 
11.3 

0.19 
0.19 

2.4%   
(6.5%)   

0.2%
11.1%

0.0%   
(0.9%)  
(11.0%)   
NM 
NM 
(8.8%)  
(87.7%)  

(100.0%)
(8.0%)
16.9%
21.2%
(61.5%)
27.5%
80.5%

(88.2%)   
(94.1%)   

78.9%
78.9%

205.1 

 $
48.1%  

655.8 

230.7 

 $
51.5%  

688.8 

229.9 

51.5%   

694.7 

(11.1%)  
(3.4%)   
(4.8%)   

0.3%
0.0%
(0.8%)

 $

 $
 $

 $

(1) Merger termination fee and related merger costs primarily include the merger termination payment and legal, 

accounting, advisory and other professional fees associated with a terminated merger with Screenvision (refer to 
Note 8 to the audited Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this document).

(2) Represents the total attendance within NCM LLC’s advertising network, excluding screens and attendance 

associated with certain AMC Rave, AMC Carmike and Cinemark Rave theaters that are currently part of another 
cinema advertising network for all periods presented.  Refer to Note 4 to the audited Consolidated Financial 
Statements included elsewhere in this document.

Basis of Presentation

Prior to the completion of the IPO, NCM LLC was wholly-owned by its founding members. In connection with the 
offering, NCM, Inc. purchased newly issued common membership units from NCM LLC and common membership units 
from NCM LLC’s founding members, and became a member of and the sole manager of NCM LLC. We entered into several 
agreements to affect the reorganization and the financing transaction and certain amendments were made to the existing 
ESAs to govern the relationships among NCM LLC and NCM LLC’s founding members after the completion of these 
transactions.

The results of operations data discussed herein were derived from the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and 

accounting records of NCM, Inc. and should be read in conjunction with the notes thereto.

We have a 52-week or 53-week fiscal year ending on the first Thursday after December 25. Fiscal years 2015, 2016 

and 2017 contained 52 weeks.  Our 2018 fiscal year will contain 52 weeks. Throughout this document, we refer to our fiscal 
years as set forth below:

Fiscal Year Ended
December 28, 2017...............................................................
December 29, 2016...............................................................
December 31, 2015...............................................................

  Reference in
this Document
2017
2016
2015

36

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Results of Operations

Fiscal Years 2017 and 2016

Revenue. Total revenue decreased $21.5 million, or 4.8%, from $447.6 million for 2016 to $426.1 million for 2017. 

The following is a summary of revenue by category (in millions):

Fiscal Year

2017

2016

$ Change  
2016 to
2017

  % Change  
2016 to
2017

National advertising revenue.......................................
Local and regional advertising revenue.......................
Founding member advertising revenue from beverage
   concessionaire agreements .......................................
Total revenue ....................................................

 $

 $

296.3 

 $
99.9     

311.9 
 $
107.0     

(15.6)   
(7.1)   

29.9 
426.1 

 $

28.7 
447.6 

 $

1.2 
(21.5)   

(5.0%)
(6.6%)

4.2%
(4.8%)

 The following table shows data on revenue per attendee for 2017 and 2016:

Fiscal Year

2017

2016

    % Change  
2016 to
2017

National advertising revenue per attendee ...................
Local and regional advertising revenue per attendee...
Total advertising revenue (excluding founding
   member beverage revenue) per attendee...................
Total advertising revenue per attendee ........................
Total theater attendance (in millions) (1).....................

 $
 $

 $
 $

0.452   $
0.152   $

0.604   $
0.650   $
655.8 

0.453    
0.155    

0.608    
0.650    
688.8    

(0.2%)
(1.9%)

(0.7%)
0.0%
(4.8%)

(1) Represents the total attendance within NCM LLC’s advertising network, excluding screens and attendance 
associated with certain AMC Rave, AMC Carmike and Cinemark Rave theaters for all periods presented.  
Refer to Note 4 to the audited Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this document.

National advertising revenue.  The $15.6 million, or 5.0%, decrease in national advertising revenue (excluding 
beverage revenue from NCM LLC’s founding members) was due primarily to a 4.7% decrease in impressions sold and 
a 4.2% decrease in national advertising CPMs (excluding beverage) during 2017, compared to 2016. The decline was 
partially offset by a $8.0 million, or 19.6%, increase in other revenue not included in the inventory measured by 
impressions sold or CPMs, related to an increase in branded content and online and mobile revenue. The decrease in 
national advertising impressions sold was primarily due to lower content partner spending, partially offset by an 
increase scatter market demand for 2017, compared to 2016. The decrease in national advertising CPMs was due 
primarily to lower CPMs on revenue from upfront advertisers and unfavorable customer mix as less impressions were 
sold to higher CPM customers, year over year. However, national inventory utilization remained consistent at 118.4% 
for 2016 compared to118.5% for 2017, on a 4.8% decrease in network attendance. Inventory utilization is calculated as 
utilized impressions divided by total advertising impressions, which is based on eleven 30-second salable national 
advertising units in our Noovie pre-show, which can be expanded, should market demand dictate.

Local and regional advertising revenue. The $7.1 million, or 6.6%, decrease in local and regional advertising revenue 
was driven by a 6.2% decrease in the volume of contracts and a 2.8% decrease in the average contract dollar amount, 
primarily related to a decrease in spending within the military and tourism category in 2017, compared to 2016. 
Additionally, local and regional advertising revenue was adversely impacted by hurricanes Harvey and Irma due to 
reduced advertising spending during the recovery from the storms as well as, by the transfer of AMC theaters to 
another advertising provider in accordance with the Final Judgement with the DOJ (which were partially offset by the 
addition of theaters from new affiliates). This decrease in local and regional advertising revenue was partially offset by 
an increase in online and mobile revenue of approximately $1.9 million in 2017, compared to 2016. 

Founding member beverage revenue. The $1.2 million, or 4.2%, increase in national advertising revenue from the 
founding members’ beverage concessionaire agreements was due primarily to a 10.2% increase in beverage revenue 
CPMs, partially offset by a 6.9% decrease in founding member attendance during 2017, compared to 2016. The 2017 
beverage revenue CPM is based on the change in CPM during segment one of our pre-show from 2015 to 2016, which 
increased 10.2%.  

37

 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
   
   
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
   
 
  
  
 
Operating expenses. Total operating expenses decreased $2.4 million, or 0.9%, from $274.6 million for 2016 to $272.2 

million for 2017.  The following table shows the changes in operating expense for 2017 and 2016 (in millions):

Fiscal Year

2017

2016

$ Change
2016 to
2017

    % Change  
2016 to
2017

Advertising operating costs .....................................
Network costs ..........................................................
Theater access fees—founding members ................
Selling and marketing costs .....................................
Administrative and other costs ................................
Depreciation and amortization.................................
Total operating expenses.......................................

  $

  $

32.4    $
15.8     
76.5     
72.0     
37.9     
37.6     
272.2    $

30.0    $
17.1     
75.1     
72.8     
43.8     
35.8     
274.6    $

2.4     
(1.3)   
1.4     
(0.8)   
(5.9)   
1.8     
(2.4)   

8.0%
(7.6%)
1.9%
(1.1%)
(13.5%)
5.0%
(0.9%)

Advertising operating costs. Advertising operating costs increased $2.4 million, or 8.0%, from $30.0 million for 2016 
to $32.4 million for 2017. This increase was primarily the result of a $2.6 million increase in affiliate advertising 
payments and a $0.8 million increase in personnel related expenses. The increase in affiliate advertising payments was 
primarily driven by a 13.8%, or 477 screen, increase in the number of average affiliate screens due to the addition of 
affiliates to our network for 2017, compared to 2016. The increase in personnel related expenses were primarily related 
to higher salary expense in 2017, compared to 2016. These increases in advertising operating costs were partially offset 
by a $1.0 million decrease in production costs related to lower production revenue during 2017, compared to 2016.

Network costs. Network costs decreased $1.3 million, or 7.6%, from $17.1 million for 2016 to $15.8 million for 2017. 
This decrease was primarily related to a $0.8 million decrease in personnel related expenses due to lower salaries and 
bonus expense (related to lower performance against internal targets) and a $0.2 million decrease in network 
maintenance costs related to our DCN in 2017, compared to 2016.

Theater access fees—founding members. Theater access fees increased $1.4 million, or 1.9%, from $75.1 million for 
2016 to $76.5 million for 2017. The increase was due to a $3.3 million increase due to a contractual 8% rate increase 
on the fee per patron (the fee per patron rate increases every five years with this increase taking place in 2017) and a 
$1.2 million increase in the expense associated with the founding member digital screens that are connected to the 
DCN related primarily to an annual 5% increase specified in the ESAs on this fee. These increases were partially offset 
by a decrease of $3.1 million in theater access fees due to a 6.9% decrease in founding member attendance in 2017, 
compared to 2016.

Selling and marketing costs. Selling and marketing costs decreased $0.8 million, or 1.1%, from $72.8 million for 2016 
to $72.0 million for 2017. This decrease was primarily due to a $2.8 million decrease in personnel related expenses due 
primarily to lower commission based expense and lower non-cash share-based compensation expense (driven by lower 
revenue and lower performance against internal targets), partially offset by severance expense related to the elimination 
of certain sales leadership positions. Further selling and marketing costs decreased due to a $1.0 million decrease in 
marketing research during 2017, compared to 2016. These decreases in selling and marketing costs were partially offset 
by a $2.4 million increase in non-cash impairment expense recorded during 2017, compared to 2016, related to 
investments obtained in prior years in exchange for advertising services and a $0.9 million increase in online publisher 
expense driven by an increase in online and mobile revenue.

Administrative and other costs. Administrative and other costs decreased $5.9 million, or 13.5%, from $43.8 million 
for 2016 to $37.9 million for 2017 due primarily to 1) a $3.0 million decrease in CEO transition costs because of 
severance expense that occurred in 2016 and 2) $2.3 million of expense related to the modification of the former 
CEO’s equity awards that occurred during 2016. In addition, personnel related expenses decreased approximately $1.9 
million due to lower bonus expense and non-cash share-based compensation expense (related to lower performance 
against internal targets), partially offset by severance for senior executives recorded in 2017. These decreases to 
administrative and other costs were partially offset by a $1.8 million early lease termination charge recorded in 2017 
for our corporate headquarters (the payment of which was reimbursed by the new landlord).

Depreciation and amortization.  Depreciation and amortization expense increased $1.8 million, or 5.0%, from 
$35.8 million for 2016 to $37.6 million for 2017. The increase was due to an increase in depreciation expense primarily 
from more software being placed into service in 2017, compared to 2016 and an acceleration in depreciation expense 
on the leasehold improvements of our corporate headquarters location following the early termination of our lease.

38

 
 
   
 
 
   
   
   
 
   
   
   
   
   
Non-operating (income) expenses.  Total non-operating expenses decreased $117.3 million, or 140.5%, from $83.5 
million in non-operating expense for 2016 to $33.8 million in non-operating income for 2017.  The following table shows the 
changes in non-operating expense for 2017 and 2016 (in millions):

Interest on borrowings...............................................
Interest income ..........................................................
Accretion of interest on the discounted payable to
   founding members under tax receivable
   agreement ...............................................................
Loss on early retirement of debt................................
(Gain) loss on re-measurement of the payable to
   founding members under the tax receivable
   agreement ...............................................................
Other non-operating income......................................
Total non-operating (income) expense ................

NM = Not meaningful.

Fiscal Year

2017

2016

$ Change
2016 to
2017

  % Change  
2016 to
2017

  $

52.8    $
(1.2)   

54.0    $
(1.5)   

(1.2)   
0.3     

(2.2%)
(20.0%)

18.5     
—     

19.6     
10.4     

(1.1)   
(10.4)   

(5.6%)
(100.0%)

(103.6)   
(0.3)   
(33.8)  $

  $

1.0     
—     
83.5    $

(104.6) 
(0.3)   
(117.3)   

NM 
(100.0%)
(140.5%)

The decrease in non-operating expense was due primarily to an increase in the gain on the re-measurement of the 
payable to the founding members under the tax receivable agreement of $104.6 million in 2017, the absence of a $10.4 
million loss on the early retirement of debt recorded in 2016 for the redemption of the senior unsecured notes and a $1.2 
million decrease in interest on borrowings primarily related to a one-month period in 2016 between the issuance and 
redemption of notes, whereby interest was paid on both notes. The gain on the re-measurement of the payable to the founding 
members was due primarily to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) enacted on December 22, 2017 which made broad 
and complex changes to the U.S. tax code, including, the reduction of the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% 
which resulted in the re-measurement of our payable to the founding members under the tax receivable agreement at the 
lower tax rate.

Income tax expense. Income tax expense increased $121.5 million from $7.5 million in 2016 to $129.0 million in 2017. 

The increase in income tax expense was due to the Tax Act and the resulting reduction of the U.S. federal corporate tax rate 
from 35% to 21%, which decreased our net deferred tax assets and increased the corresponding deferred tax expense by 
$118.2 million during 2017. 

Net income. Net income decreased $ 17.9 million from $20.4 million for 2016 to $2.5 million for 2017. The decrease in 

net income was due to the net impact of a decrease of $19.1 million in operating income and a $121.5 million increase in 
income tax expense, as described above, partially offset by a decrease of $117.3 million in non-operating expenses and a $5.4 
million decrease in income attributable to noncontrolling interests.

Fiscal Years 2016 and 2015

Revenue. Total revenue increased $1.1 million, or 0.2%, from $446.5 million for 2015 to $447.6 million for 2016. The 

following is a summary of revenue by category (in millions):

Fiscal Year

2016

2015

    $ Change  
2015 to
2016

  % Change  
2015 to
2016

National advertising revenue.......................................
Local and regional advertising revenue.......................
Founding member advertising revenue from beverage
   concessionaire agreements .......................................
Total revenue .........................................................

 $

  $

311.9 
 $
107.0     

28.7 
447.6 

 $

307.0 
 $
109.5     

30.0 
446.5 

 $

4.9 
(2.5)   

(1.3)   
1.1 

1.6%
(2.3%)

(4.3%)
0.2%

39

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
          
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
  
   
   
  
  
  
The following table shows data on revenue per attendee for 2016 and 2015:

Fiscal Year

2016

2015

    % Change  
2015 to
2016

National advertising revenue per attendee ...................
Local and regional advertising revenue per attendee...
Total advertising revenue (excluding founding
   member beverage revenue) per attendee...................
Total advertising revenue per attendee ........................
Total theater attendance (in millions) (1).....................

  $
  $

  $
  $

0.453   $
0.155   $

0.608   $
0.650   $
688.8 

0.442    
0.158    

0.600    
0.643    
694.7    

2.5%
(1.9%)

1.3%
1.1%
(0.8%)

(1) Represents the total attendance within NCM LLC’s advertising network, excluding screens and attendance 
associated with certain AMC Rave and Cinemark Rave theaters for all periods presented.  Refer to Note 4 
to the audited Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this document.

National advertising revenue.  The $4.9 million, or 1.6%, increase in national advertising revenue (excluding beverage 
revenue from the founding members) was due primarily to a 9.6% increase in national advertising CPMs (excluding 
beverage) during 2016 compared to 2015 and a $5.4 million increase in online, mobile and other revenue not included 
in the inventory measured by impressions sold or by CPMs.  The increase in national advertising CPMs was due 
primarily to higher CPMs on upfront commitments year over year and to a lesser extent higher CPMs in the scatter 
market as well.  These increases to revenue were partially offset by an 8.2% decrease in impressions sold during 2016, 
compared to 2015. The decrease in impressions sold was due primarily to fewer impressions sold during the first half 
of 2016, compared to the first half of 2015.  The decrease in impressions sold resulted in a decrease in national 
inventory utilization, from 128.3% in 2015 to 118.4% in 2016 on a 0.8% decrease in network attendance.  Inventory 
utilization is calculated as utilized impressions divided by total advertising impressions, which is based on eleven 30-
second salable national advertising units in our pre-show, which can be expanded, should market demand dictate.

Local and regional advertising revenue.  The $2.5 million, or 2.3%, decrease in local and regional advertising revenue 
was driven by a decrease in revenue from contracts greater than $100,000, whereby they had a 6.9% decrease in 
contract volume and a 5.6% decrease in average contract value during 2016, compared to 2015. The decrease in 
revenue from contracts greater than $100,000 was driven by fewer contracts that were greater than $1 million. This was 
partially offset by revenue from contracts less than $100,000 which increased 2.5% in contract volume primarily 
related to the expansion of our salesforce and diversification of our client base.

Founding member beverage revenue.  The $1.3 million, or 4.3%, decrease in national advertising revenue from the 
founding members’ beverage concessionaire agreements was due to a decrease of $3.0 million related to one of the 
founding members reducing the length of its beverage advertising unit by 30 seconds beginning July 1, 2015, partially 
offset by a 5.7% increase in beverage revenue CPMs. The 2016 beverage revenue CPM is based on the change in CPM 
during segment one of the pre-show from 2014 to 2015, which increased 5.7%.

Operating expenses. Total operating expenses decreased $23.9 million, or 8.0%, from $298.5 million for 2015 to 
$274.6 million for 2016.  The following table shows the changes in operating expense for 2016 and 2015 (in millions):

Advertising operating costs .....................................
Network costs ..........................................................
Theater access fees—founding members ................
Selling and marketing costs .....................................
Administrative and other costs ................................
Depreciation and amortization.................................
Total operating expenses before the merger
    termination fee and related merger costs........
Merger termination fee and related merger costs ....
Total operating expenses....................................

  $

  $

Fiscal Year

2016

2015

$ Change
2015 to
2016

    % Change  
2015 to
2016

30.0    $
17.1     
75.1     
72.8     
43.8     
35.8     

30.8    $
17.8     
72.5     
72.3     
38.6     
32.2     

(0.8)   
(0.7)   
2.6     
0.5     
5.2     
3.6     

(2.6%)
(3.9%)
3.6%
0.7%
13.5%
11.2%

274.6     
—     
274.6    $

264.2     
34.3     
298.5    $

10.4     
(34.3)   
(23.9)   

3.9%
(100.0%)
(8.0%)

40

 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
   
  
 
 
 
   
 
 
   
   
   
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
Advertising operating costs. Advertising operating costs decreased $0.8 million, or 2.6%, from $30.8 million for 2015 
to $30.0 million for 2016. This decrease was primarily due to a $0.4 million decrease in personnel related expenses and 
$0.2 million lower on-screen production costs during 2016, compared to 2015.

Network costs. Network costs decreased $0.7 million, or 3.9%, from $17.8 million for 2015 to $17.1 million for 2016 
due primarily to a decrease of $0.5 million in network maintenance costs related to our DCN. 

Theater access fees—founding members. Theater access fees increased $2.6 million, or 3.6%, from $72.5 million for  
2015 to $75.1 million for 2016.  The increase was due to a $2.6 million increase in the fee associated with the number 
of founding member digital screens that are connected to the DCN, including higher quality digital cinema projectors 
and related equipment.  The $2.6 million increase in digital screen fees increased $1.5 million related to an annual 5% 
rate increase specified in the ESAs and $1.1 million from an increase in the number of founding member screens 
equipped with higher quality digital cinema equipment.  Theater access fees based upon founding member attendance 
remained consistent during 2016, compared to 2015 as founding member attendance remained flat year over year.

Selling and marketing costs. Selling and marketing costs increased $0.5 million, or 0.7%, from $72.3 million for 2015 
to $72.8 million for 2016. This increase was primarily due to an increase of $0.9 million in online publisher expense 
related to higher online and mobile revenue, a $0.8 million increase in marketing research expenses and $0.7 million 
due to a non-cash impairment charge on an investment obtained in exchange for advertising services. These increases 
to selling and marketing costs were partially offset by a $1.7 million decrease in personnel related expenses due 
primarily to lower commission and bonus expense during 2016, compared to 2015. 

Administrative and other costs. Administrative and other costs increased $5.2 million, or 13.5%, from $38.6 million for 
2015 to $43.8 million for 2016 due primarily to a $3.0 million increase in CEO transition costs, which consisted 
primarily of severance and consulting costs to our former CEO, a $0.7 million increase in personnel-related costs 
related primarily to higher non-cash share based compensation expense associated with modifying equity awards with 
our former CEO, a $0.7 million increase in franchise and other non-income based tax expenses and a $0.6 million 
increase in professional service costs.

Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense increased $3.6 million, or 11.2%, from 
$32.2 million for 2015 to $35.8 million for 2016.  The increase was due to an increase in amortization expense of 
intangible assets related primarily to founding member common unit adjustments, partially offset by lower depreciation 
expense as assets became fully depreciated.  

Merger termination fee and related merger costs. The merger termination fee and related merger costs were $34.3 
million for 2015 due to the merger termination payment of approximately $26.8 million and approximately $7.5 
million in primarily legal, accounting, advisory and other professional fees associated with the terminated Screenvision 
merger.

Non-operating expenses. Total non-operating expenses increased $14.6 million, or 21.2%, from $68.9 million for 2015 
to $83.5 million for 2016.  The following table shows the changes in non-operating expense for 2016 and 2015 (in millions):

Interest on borrowings .............................................
Interest income.........................................................
Accretion of interest on the discounted payable to
   founding members under tax receivable
   agreement..............................................................
Amortization of terminated derivatives ...................
Loss on early retirement of debt ..............................
Loss (gain) on re-measurement of the payable
   to founding members under the tax receivable
   agreement..............................................................
Other non-operating expense (income) ...................
Total non-operating expenses.............................

Fiscal Year

2016

2015

$ Change
2015 to
2016

  % Change  
2015 to
2016

  $

54.0    $
(1.5)   

52.2    $
(1.6)   

1.8     
0.1     

3.4%
(6.3%)

19.6     
—     
10.4     

1.0     
—     
83.5    $

19.4     
1.6     
—     

(2.9)   
0.2     
68.9    $

0.2     
(1.6)   
10.4     

1.0%
(100.0%)
100.0%

3.9   
(0.2)   
14.6     

NM 
(100.0%)
21.2%

  $

The increase in non-operating expense was due primarily to a $10.4 million loss on early retirement of debt recorded in 

2016 as a result of the redemption of our Notes due 2021. The loss on early retirement of debt included an approximate $7.9 
million redemption premium and the write-off of approximately $2.5 million in unamortized debt issuance costs. Loss on re-

41

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
   
measurement of the payable to founding members under the tax receivable agreement increased $3.9 million due to greater 
expense in 2016 related to the re-measurement of the payable to founding members under the TRA due to changes in the 
Company’s effective tax rate. The interest on borrowings increased approximately $1.8 million in 2016 compared to 2015 
due to the one-month period between the issuance of the Notes due 2026 in August 2016 and the redemption of the Notes due 
2021 in September 2016, whereby interest was paid on both notes for one month, as well as, a higher LIBOR rate on our term 
loans during 2016 compared to 2015. These increases in non-operating expenses were partially offset by a $1.6 million 
decrease in the amortization of terminated derivatives as the amortization period ended in February 2015.  

Net income. Net income increased $9.1 million from $11.3 million for 2015 to $20.4 million for 2016. The increase in 

net income was primarily due to an increase of $25.0 million in operating income, as described above, and a decrease of 
$12.0 million in income tax expense due primarily to a change of $7.8 million for a reserve for uncertain tax positions as $4.9 
million of reserve was added during 2015 and $2.9 million was reversed during 2016 as the statute of limitations expired in 
the period.  Additionally, income tax expense decreased by $4.8 million related to the revaluation of the deferred tax asset 
associated with the payable to founding members under the TRA due to changes in the Company’s effective tax rate. These 
increases to net income were partially offset by an increase of $14.6 million in non-operating expense, as described above, 
and a $13.3 million increase in income attributable to noncontrolling interests.

Known Trends and Uncertainties

Trends and Uncertainties Related to our Business, Industry and Corporate Structure

Our Marketplace—Changes in the current macro-economic environment and changes in the national, regional and 
local advertising markets present uncertainties that could impact our results of operations, including the timing and amount of 
spending from our advertising clients as expenditures from advertisers tend to be cyclical, reflecting overall economic 
conditions, as well as our clients’ budgeting and buying patterns.  In the current environment, it is difficult to know if these 
changes are short-term or temporary in nature or are long-term trends and changes. These changes include increased 
competition related to the expansion of online and mobile advertising platforms as well as fluctuations from quarter to quarter 
of the demand from national and local advertisers.  Further, we could be negatively impacted by factors that could reduce the 
viewership of our Noovie pre-show, such as the expansion of reserved seating (utilized in approximately 47.9% of our 
network as of January 17, 2018), online ticketing, an increase in the number and length of trailers for upcoming films, 
increased dwell time of patrons in exhibitor lobbies before showtime and lower network attendance, which could result from 
shortening of release windows, increases in theater ticket prices as compared to other entertainment options, more alternative 
methods of delivering movies to consumers, lower consumer confidence and disposable income and a decline in the motion 
picture box office. The motion picture box office could be impacted by audience’s interest in the available motion pictures, 
shrinking theatrical exclusive release windows, and the marketing efforts of the major motion picture studios. These factors 
may affect the attractiveness of our offerings to advertisers.  If pre-show viewership declines significantly, we will be 
required to provide additional advertising time (makegoods) to national advertisers to reach agreed-on audience delivery 
thresholds.  National advertising sales and rates also are dependent on the methodology used to measure audience 
impressions. If a change is made to this methodology that reflects fewer audience impressions available during the pre-show, 
this would adversely affect our revenues and results of operations. The impact to our business associated with these issues 
could be mitigated over time due to factors including the increase in salable advertising impressions, better geographic 
coverage related to the expansion of our network, diversification and growth of our advertising client base, improvements in 
Noovie pre-show engagement and upgrades to our inventory management and data management systems. We could also 
benefit if the effectiveness of cinema advertising improves relative to other advertising mediums. 

42

Through continued participation in the advertising upfront marketplace, we believe that over time we will be able to 

secure more upfront commitments from advertisers. This will allow us to bundle several client flights throughout the year in 
an effort to stabilize month-to-month and quarter-to-quarter volatility. These upfront customers include agreements entered 
into with content partners who provide original entertainment content segments and make commitments to buy a portion of 
our advertising inventory at a specified CPM. Consistent with the television industry upfront booking practices, a portion of 
our upfront and content partner commitments have cancellation options or options to reduce the amount that advertisers may 
purchase and we would need to rely on the scatter market to replace those commitments. In addition, advertising sold through 
our upfront commitments may be placed throughout the period very irregularly which may affect our overall sales; for 
example, if a substantial portion of advertising from our upfront commitments is scheduled for peak periods of advertising 
demand, we will have fewer peak period advertising slots available for sale into the higher priced scatter market. Volatility in 
scatter market demand could cause our financial results to vary period to period.

Our Network—The net screens added to our network by the founding members and network affiliates during 2017 

were as follows.

Founding 
Members    

Number of screens
Network 
Affiliates  

Total

Balance as of December 29, 2016.............................     17,022     
—     
(318)   
104     
Balance as of December 28, 2017.............................     16,808     

New affiliates (1) .................................................    
AMC screen transfers (2) ....................................    
Openings, net of closures.....................................    

3,526      20,548 
525 
(318)
95 
4,042      20,850  

525     
—     
(9)   

(1) Represent seven new affiliates added to our network during 2017. 
(2) Refer to Memorandum of Understanding with AMC below for further information.

We believe that adding screens and attendees to our network will provide our advertising clients with a better 
marketing product with increased reach and improved geographic coverage.  We have begun to offer our advertising clients 
better audience targeting capabilities and more robust campaign data analytics that we believe will provide a better product 
offering and should expand our overall national client base.  We also believe that the continued growth of our market 
coverage could strengthen our selling proposition and competitive positioning against other national, regional and local video 
advertising platforms, including television, online and mobile video platforms and other out of home video advertising 
platforms. 

Memorandum of Understanding with AMC—During the first quarter of 2017, NCM, Inc. and NCM LLC entered into 
a binding Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with AMC to effectuate aspects of the Final Judgment entered into by the 
Department of Justice in connection with AMC’s acquisition of Carmike Cinemas, Inc. Pursuant to the MOU, AMC received 
NCM LLC common membership units in respect of the annual attendance at such Carmike theaters in accordance with the 
Common Unit Adjustment Agreement during the first quarter of 2017.  Since these theaters are subject to an existing on-screen 
advertising agreement with an alternative provider, AMC will make integration payments to us reflecting the estimated 
advertising cash flow that we would have generated if we had exclusive access to sell advertising in those theaters. The 
integration payments will continue until the earlier of (i) the date the theaters are transferred to our network or (ii) the 
expiration of the ESA. Integration payments are calculated based upon the advertising cash flow that the Company would 
have generated if it had exclusive access to sell advertising in the theaters with pre-existing advertising agreements and 
fluctuate based on earnings and Adjusted OIBDA. The ESA additionally entitles NCM LLC to payments related to the 
founding members’ on-screen advertising commitments under their beverage concessionaire agreements for encumbered 
theaters. These payments are also accounted for as a reduction to the intangible asset. During the years ended December 28, 
2017, December 29, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company recorded a reduction to net intangible assets of $20.9 
million, $2.6 million and $2.7 million, respectively, related to these Carmike integration and other encumbered theater 
payments as well as those made by AMC and Cinemark for the previous acquisition of Rave Cinemas. During the years 
ended December 28, 2017, December 29, 2016 and December 31, 2015, AMC and Cinemark paid a total of $12.9 million, 
$2.4 million and $2.6 million, respectively, related to the integration and other encumbered theater payments (as payments 
are made one quarter and one month in arrears, respectively).

43

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Further, during the first quarter of 2017, AMC transferred 17 theaters (318 screens) to another advertising provider in 

accordance with the Final Judgment, for which AMC surrendered NCM LLC common membership units during the first 
quarter of 2017.  At the end of the 10-year term of the Final Judgment, these theaters will revert back to us.  Also, in April 
2017, AMC completed a sale of five theaters on our network pursuant to the Final Judgment.  AMC will surrender NCM 
LLC common unit membership units to NCM LLC for these divestures pursuant to the Common Unit Adjustment Agreement 
at the next Adjustment Date.  These 22 transferred and sold theaters represent approximately 1.3% of our total theater 
network as of December 28, 2017.  The Common Unit Adjustments are discussed further within Trends Related to 
Ownership in NCM LLC below. 

Lastly, AMC also agreed to reimburse us for our incurred and ongoing costs and expenses in connection with the Final 

Judgment including, but not limited to, our financial advisor and legal fees up to $1.0 million of such costs and expenses.  
During the year ended 2017, we incurred $1.3 million of these costs, of which $1.0 million was reimbursed during 2017 and 
the remaining $0.3 million is included within administrative costs within the Consolidated Income Statement. 

Utilization and Pricing— We have experienced volatility in our pricing (CPMs) over the years, with annual national 

CPM increases (decreases) ranging from (16.4%) to 9.7% over the last five years.  In the year ended December 28, 2017, we 
experienced a decline of 4.2%, in national advertising CPMs (excluding beverage revenue) compared to the year ended 
December 29, 2016.  This volatility in pricing can be driven by increased competition from other national video networks, 
including online and mobile advertising platforms, television networks and other out-of-home video networks and seasonal 
marketplace supply and demand characteristics. Volatility in pricing is also caused by changes in our customer mix period to 
period due to the variation in CPMs charged to each customer. We have also experienced volatility in our utilization over the 
years, with annual national inventory utilization ranging from 109.3% to 128.3% over the last five years.  We experience 
even more substantial volatility quarter-to-quarter.  This volatility in utilization can be driven by the loss or addition of one or 
more significant national contracts, whereby the timing and amount of these national contracts can be based upon the 
advertising budgets of our customers, product launches, the financial performance of our customers or other industry or 
macro-economic factors.  We expect our CPMs and utilization to continue to be impacted period to period based upon the 
factors described above.  

Beverage Revenue—Under the ESAs, up to 90 seconds of the Noovie pre-show program can be sold to the founding 
members to satisfy their on-screen advertising commitments under their beverage concessionaire agreements. For the years 
ended 2017 and 2016, two of the founding members purchased 60 seconds of on-screen advertising time and one founding 
member purchased 30 seconds to satisfy their obligations under their beverage concessionaire agreements.  The founding 
members’ current long-term contracts with their beverage suppliers require the 30 or 60 seconds of beverage advertising, 
although such commitments could change in the future. Should the amount of time acquired as part of these beverage 
concessionaire agreements decline with the other founding members, this premium time will be available for sale to other 
clients. Per the ESAs, the time sold to the founding member beverage supplier is priced equal to the advertising CPM for the 
previous year charged by NCM LLC to unaffiliated third parties during segment one (closest to showtime) of the Noovie pre-
show, limited to the highest advertising CPM being then-charged by NCM LLC, which in 2017 increased 1.1%. Thus, the 
CPM on our beverage concessionaire revenue in 2018 will increase by 1.1% compared to 2017. Beverage revenue is also 
impacted by network theater attendance. The ESAs additionally entitle us to these beverage payments for encumbered 
theaters. These payments are accounted for as a reduction to the intangible asset.

Theater Access Fees—In consideration for NCM LLC’s access to the founding members’ theater attendees for on-

screen advertising and use of lobbies and other space within the founding members’ theaters for the LEN and lobby 
promotions, the founding members receive a monthly theater access fee under the ESAs. The theater access fee is composed 
of a fixed payment per patron and a fixed payment per digital screen (connected to the DCN). The payment per theater patron 
increases by 8% every five years, with the most recent increase occurring in fiscal year 2017. Pursuant to the ESAs, the 
theater access fee paid to the members of NCM LLC included an additional fee for access to the higher quality digital cinema 
systems. This additional fee will continue to increase as additional screens are equipped with the new digital cinema 
equipment. As of December 28, 2017, 99% of our founding member network screens were showing advertising on digital 
cinema projectors, and thus the future impact on the theater access fee related to additional digital cinema installations within 
existing founding member theaters is expected to be minimal. The payment per digital screen increases annually by 5%. The 
theater access fee paid in the aggregate to all founding members cannot be less than 12% of NCM LLC’s aggregate 
advertising revenue (as defined in the ESA), or it will be adjusted upward to reach this minimum payment. As of December 
28, 2017 and December 29, 2016, we had no liabilities recorded for the minimum payment, as the theater access fee was in 
excess of the minimum.

44

Trends and Uncertainties Related to Liquidity and Financial Performance

Debt—During the past several years, we amended our senior secured credit facility to extend the maturity, expand the 

revolver availability and reduce the interest rate spreads. In August 2016, we completed a private placement of $250.0 
million in aggregate principal amount of 5.750% Senior Unsecured Notes due in 2026. A portion of the proceeds were used 
to redeem our $200.0 million 7.875% Senior Unsecured Notes due 2021. The remaining proceeds, after the payment of fees 
and the redemption premium were used to pay down the balance on our revolving credit facility.  As a result of these 
financing transactions on our revolving credit facility and senior notes, we extended the average maturities of our debt and as 
of December 28, 2017, the average remaining maturity of our debt is 4.7 years.  As of December 28, 2017, approximately 
70% of our outstanding borrowings bear interest at fixed rates.  The remaining 30% of our outstanding borrowings bear 
interest at variable rates and as such, our net income and earnings per share could fluctuate with interest rate fluctuations 
related to our borrowings. Refer to Note 9 to the audited Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this 
document.

Dividends—At times our cash flow available for the payment of dividends (NCM LLC’s Adjusted OIBDA, less capital 

expenditures, interest expense, distributions to NCM LLC’s founding members, income taxes, tax receivable agreement 
payments to NCM LLC’s founding members and plus certain cash items) has been less than our regular dividend payment.  
Any deficit has been funded by NCM, Inc.’s cash and marketable securities balances.  As of December 28, 2017, these cash 
and marketable securities balances totaled $54.9 million (excluding NCM LLC). We intend to pay a regular quarterly 
dividend for the foreseeable future at the discretion of the Board of Directors consistent with our intention to distribute over 
time a substantial portion of our free cash flow.  The declaration, payment, timing and amount of any future dividends 
payable will be at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors who will take into account general economic and advertising 
market business conditions, the Company’s financial condition, available cash, current and anticipated cash needs, and any 
other factors that the Board of Directors considers relevant. While it is the intention of the Company to continue our practice 
of distributing a substantial proportion of our free cash flow the Board of Directors continues to review the factors listed 
above and others as deemed relevant to determine a sustainable distribution rate which balances our operating and strategic 
needs with those of our lenders and stockholders.

Taxes and the Impact of the Tax Reform— On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive tax 
legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The Tax Act makes broad and complex changes to the U.S. 
tax code that will affect our fiscal year ending December 27, 2018, including, but not limited to, (1) reducing the U.S. federal 
corporate tax rate, (2) creating full expensing of qualified property, (3) creating a new limitation on deductible interest 
expense; (4) changing rules related to uses and limitations of net operating loss carryforwards created in tax years beginning 
after December 31, 2017, and (5) limiting the amount of compensation that can be deducted for highly compensated officers 
by terminating the exclusion of performance-based compensation from the $1 million per employee, per year limitation.  We 
have accounted for the tax effects of the Tax Act as of December 28, 2017 (primarily revaluing deferred tax assets and 
liabilities and the payable to founding members at the new tax rates), as discussed further within Note 6 to the audited 
Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this document. We expect the most significant impact of the Tax 
Act to be an annual reduction of the payments made to the founding members under the tax receivable agreement of 
approximately $8.0 to $10.0 million beginning with the payment for the year ending December 27, 2018 which will be made 
in 2019. This estimate is based on the impact that the new lower tax rates, and other Tax Act provisions, would have on our 
payment for the year ending December 28, 2017.

Our effective tax rate for the years ended December 28, 2017, December 29, 2016 and December 31, 2015 was 98.1%, 
26.8% and 53.7%, respectively. Our tax rate is affected by recurring items and the relative amount of income that NCM, Inc. 
earns in various state and local jurisdictions. Our tax rate is also impacted by discrete items that may occur in any year. The 
increase in the tax rate for the year ended 2017 was due primarily to the Tax Act enacted on December 22, 2017 and the 
resulting reduction of the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%, partially offset by the reversal of the reserve for 
uncertain tax positions during 2017. The decrease in the corporate tax rate decreased the net deferred tax assets and increased 
the corresponding deferred tax expense by $118.2 million during 2017. The decrease in the tax rate for the year ended 
December 29, 2016 was due to a reversal of a $2.9 million reserve for uncertain tax positions in 2016 because the statute of 
limitations expired during the period and $2.2 million of additional benefit recognized within deferred tax expense related to 
the revaluation of the deferred tax asset arising from the payable to founding members under the TRA due to changes in the 
Company’s effective tax rate. As of December 28, 2017, we have federal and state net operating loss carryforwards of 
approximately $46.4 million and $62.5 million, respectively, which we expect to be able to utilize prior to their expiration. 
Refer to Note 6 to the audited Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this document for further 
information.

45

Trends Related to Ownership in NCM LLC

Common Unit Adjustments—In accordance with NCM LLC’s Common Unit Adjustment Agreement with its founding 

members, on an annual basis NCM LLC determines the amount of common membership units to be issued to or returned by 
the founding members based on theater additions or dispositions during the previous year.  In addition, NCM LLC’s 
Common Unit Adjustment Agreement requires that a Common Unit Adjustment occur for a specific founding member if its 
acquisition or disposition of theaters, in a single transaction or cumulatively since the most recent Common Unit Adjustment, 
results in an attendance increase or decrease in excess of two percent of the annual total attendance at the prior adjustment 
date.  

 During 2017, the following Common Unit Adjustments occurred:

1. Annual Common Unit Adjustment for 2016 Fiscal Year—During 2017, NCM LLC issued approximately 2.4 

million common membership units to its founding members for the rights to exclusive access to the theater 
screens and attendees added, net of dispositions by the founding members to NCM LLC’s network during the 
2016 fiscal year.  

2. Extraordinary Common Unit Adjustment for AMC’s Acquisition of Carmike—Pursuant to the MOU, NCM LLC 

3.

issued approximately 18.4 million NCM LLC common membership units to AMC in respect of the annual 
attendance at Carmike theaters in accordance with the Common Unit Adjustment Agreement.  AMC’s acquisition 
of Carmike meets the criteria for a Common Unit Adjustment for this acquisition because it resulted in an 
extraordinary attendance increase of approximately 9.5%.  
Surrendered Units for AMC Screen Transfers—The Final Judgment required AMC to transfer advertising rights to 
17 theaters from NCM LLC to another advertising provider.  Pursuant to the MOU, AMC surrendered 
approximately 4.7 million NCM LLC common membership units in respect of such theaters.  The 4.7 million 
NCM LLC common membership units were comprised of (i) approximately 2.9 million NCM LLC common 
membership units pursuant to the adjustment for divested theaters in the Common Unit Adjustment Agreement 
and (ii) approximately 1.8 million NCM LLC common membership units valued at $25.0 million to compensate 
for lost operating income for these theaters during the 10-year term of the Final Judgment.  

During 2017, AMC exercised the redemption right of an aggregate 15.6 million common membership units for the like 

number of shares of NCM, Inc.’s common stock. The Company accounted for the change in its ownership interest in NCM 
LLC as an equity transaction and no gain or loss was recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Overall, NCM, Inc.’s ownership in NCM LLC increased to 49.5% as of December 28, 2017 compared to 43.7% at 
December 29, 2016 due primarily to AMC’s redemption of units for shares of NCM, Inc.’s common stock, partially offset by 
the common unit adjustments described above, which has proportionally increased net income attributable to NCM, Inc. and 
decreased net income attributable to noncontrolling interests. Refer to the table below to review the changes in ownership of 
NCM LLC during 2017.

As of

March 30,
2017

June 29,
2017

September 28,
2017

December 28,
2017

39.3%   
24.7%   
18.1%   
17.9%   

39.3%   
24.7%   
18.1%   
17.9%   

48.8%   
15.2%   
18.1%   
17.9%   

49.5%
14.5%
18.1%
17.9%

NCM, Inc...........
AMC..................
Cinemark ...........
Regal..................

46

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
AMC Mandatory Ownership Divestitures—Pursuant to the Final Judgment, AMC is required to divest the majority of 

its equity interests in NCM LLC and NCM, Inc., so that by June 20, 2019 it owns no more than 4.99% of NCM LLC’s 
common membership units and NCM, Inc. common stock, taken together, on a fully converted basis (“NCM’s outstanding 
equity interests”). AMC must complete the divestiture per the following schedule: (i) on or before December 20, 2017, AMC 
must own no more than 15.0% of NCM’s outstanding equity interests, (ii) on or before December 20, 2018, AMC must own 
no more than 7.5% of NCM’s outstanding equity interests and (iii) on or before June 20, 2019, AMC must own no more than 
4.99% of NCM’s outstanding equity interests.  Pursuant to the MOU, AMC also has agreed, among other things, subject to 
limited exceptions to retain at least 4.5% of NCM’s outstanding equity interests during the term of the Final Judgment, subject to 
certain exceptions which allow for certain sell downs after the 30-month anniversary of the MOU. As of December 28, 2017, 
AMC owned 15.1% of NCM’s outstanding equity interests. When AMC redeems its common membership units for NCM, Inc. 
common stock, NCM, Inc.’s ownership would increase proportionally and the number of shares outstanding of NCM, Inc. 
common stock would increase, which would also result in greater dividend payments by NCM, Inc. The increase in NCM, 
Inc.’s ownership would also result in higher available cash payments to NCM, Inc. (and lower available cash payments to 
AMC). 

Pursuant to NCM, Inc.’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and NCM LLC’s Third Amended and 
Restated Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement, as amended, members of NCM LLC, other than NCM, Inc., may 
choose to have common membership units redeemed, and NCM, Inc. may elect to redeem through either a cash payment 
based on the three-day variable weighted average closing price of NCM, Inc.’s common stock prior to the redemption date or 
the issuance of shares of its common stock on a one-for-one basis.

Financial Condition and Liquidity

Liquidity

Our cash balances can fluctuate due to the seasonality of our business and related timing of collections of accounts 

receivable balances and operating expenditure payments, as well as, available cash payments (as defined in the NCM LLC 
Operating Agreement) to the founding members, interest or principal payments on our term loan and the Notes due 2022 and 
Notes due 2026, income tax payments, tax receivable agreement payments to the founding members and amount of quarterly 
dividends to NCM, Inc.’s common stockholders.

A summary of our financial liquidity is as follows (in millions):

December 28,
2017

Years Ended
December 29,
2016

December 31,
2015

2016 to
2017

2015 to
2016

$ Change

Cash, cash equivalents and marketable
    securities (1) .............................................
Revolver availability (2) ..............................
Total liquidity .........................................

$

  $

59.5 
$
158.2     
217.7    $

68.7 
$
158.8     
227.5    $

85.4 
$
69.0     
154.4    $

(9.2)
$
(0.6)    
(9.8)   $

(16.7)
89.8 
73.1  

(1)

(2)

Included in cash and cash equivalents as of December 28, 2017, December 29, 2016 and December 31, 2015 there was 
$4.6 million, $10.7 million and $3.0 million, respectively, of cash held by NCM LLC which is not available to satisfy 
NCM, Inc.'s dividend payments and other NCM, Inc. obligations.
The revolving credit facility portion of NCM LLC’s total borrowings is available, subject to certain conditions, for 
general corporate purposes of NCM LLC in the ordinary course of business and for other transactions permitted under 
the senior secured credit facility, and a portion is available for letters of credit. NCM LLC’s total capacity under the 
revolving credit facility was $175.0 million, $135.0 million and $135.0 million less $4.8 million, $1.2 million and $0.0 
million, respectively, of outstanding letters of credit or $170.2 million, $133.8 million and $135.0 million, respectively, 
as of December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

We have generated and used cash as follows (in millions):

Operating cash flow .........................................................
Investing cash flow ..........................................................
Financing cash flow .........................................................

  $
  $
  $

138.9    $
8.5    $
(140.2)  $

133.5    $
(4.3)  $
(137.9)  $

2017

Years Ended
2016

2015

105.3 
1.4 
(88.4)

47

 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
 
Cash Flows – Fiscal Years 2017 and 2016

Operating Activities. The $5.4 million increase in cash provided by operating activities for 2017 compared to 2016 was 
due primarily to an increase in the change in accounts receivable of $13.4 million related to higher collections and a decrease 
of $6.5 million in payments to founding members under the tax receivable agreement, partially offset by a net decrease of 
$8.2 million in consolidated net income less the net change in tax related to non-cash items and an increase of $5.8 million in 
the change in accounts payable and accrued expenses due to timing of payments.

Investing Activities. The $12.8 million increase in cash provided by investing activities for 2017 compared to 2016 was 

due primarily to lower purchases of marketable securities, net of proceeds, of approximately $8.7 million and $2.8 million 
higher proceeds from founding member notes receivable due to timing of payments.

Financing Activities. The $2.3 million increase in cash used in financing activities for 2017 compared to 2016 was 
primarily due to the net impact of a $10.5 million increase in integration and other encumbered theater payments due to more 
founding member acquisitions and a $19.7 million increase in distributions to founding members.

Cash Flows – Fiscal Years 2016 and 2015

Operating Activities.  The $28.2 million increase in cash provided by operating activities for the year ended December 

29, 2016 compared to the year ended December 31, 2015 was due primarily to a $22.4 million increase in consolidated net 
income, as described further above, and an increase in the change in accounts receivable of $22.0 million related to higher 
collections, partially offset by a $11.9 million decrease in the change in accounts payable and accrued expenses due primarily 
to lower accrued bonus expense.  

Investing Activities.  The $5.7 million decrease in cash provided by investing activities for the year ended December 

29, 2016 compared to the year ended December 31, 2015 was due primarily to lower proceeds from the sale and maturity of 
marketable securities, net of purchases, of approximately $4.4 million and $1.4 million lower proceeds from notes receivable 
due to timing of the payments.

Financing Activities.  The $49.5 million increase in cash used in financing activities during the year ended December 

29, 2016 compared to the year ended December 31, 2015 was due primarily to higher repayments, net of proceeds, under our 
revolving credit facility of $95.0 million, partially offset by $42.1 million of proceeds from the issuance of the Notes due 
2026, net of the redemption of the Notes due 2021.

Sources of Capital and Capital Requirements

NCM, Inc.’s primary source of liquidity and capital resources is the quarterly available cash distributions from NCM 

LLC as well as its existing cash balances and marketable securities, which as of December 28, 2017 were $54.9 million 
(excluding NCM LLC).  NCM LLC’s primary sources of liquidity and capital resources are its cash provided by operating 
activities, availability under its revolving credit facility and cash on hand.  Refer to Note 9 to the audited Consolidated 
Financial Statements included elsewhere in this document and “Financings” below for a detailed discussion of the debt 
transactions in 2016 and 2017.

Management believes that future funds generated from NCM LLC’s operations and cash on hand and availability under 

the revolving credit facility should be sufficient to fund working capital requirements, NCM LLC’s debt service 
requirements, and capital expenditure and other investing requirements, through the next twelve months. Cash flows 
generated by NCM LLC’s distributions to NCM, Inc. and the founding members can be impacted by the seasonality of 
advertising sales, stock option exercises, interest on borrowings under our revolving credit agreement and to a lesser extent 
theater attendance. NCM LLC is required pursuant to the terms of the NCM LLC Operating Agreement to distribute its 
available cash, as defined in the operating agreement, quarterly to its members (the founding members and NCM, Inc.). The 
available cash distribution to the members of NCM LLC for 2017, was approximately $160.9 million, of which 
approximately $75.9 million was distributed to NCM, Inc.  NCM, Inc. expects to use cash received from future available cash 
distributions and its cash balances to fund payments associated with the tax receivable agreement with the founding members 
and current and future dividends as declared by the Board of Directors, including a dividend declared on March 9, 2018 of 
$0.17 per share (approximately $12.9 million) on each share of the Company’s common stock (not including outstanding 
restricted stock) to stockholders of record on March 22, 2018 to be paid on March 29, 2018. Distributions from NCM LLC 
and NCM, Inc. cash balances should be sufficient to fund payments associated with the tax receivable agreement with the 
founding members, income taxes and its regular dividend for the foreseeable future at the discretion of the Board of 
Directors. The declaration, payment, timing and amount of any future dividends payable will be at the sole discretion of the 
Board of Directors who will take into account general economic and advertising market business conditions, the Company’s 
financial condition, available cash, current and anticipated cash needs, and any other factors that the Board of Directors 

48

considers relevant. While it is the intention of the Company to continue its practice of distributing a substantial portion of its 
free cash flow, the Board of Directors continues to review the factors listed above and others as deemed relevant to determine 
a sustainable distribution rate which balances the operating and strategic needs of the Company with those of its lenders and 
stockholders.

Capital Expenditures

Capital expenditures of NCM LLC include capitalized software development or upgrades for our DCS and advertising 

proposal and inventory management, audience targeting and data management systems as well as digital applications being 
developed primarily by our programmers and outside consultants, equipment required for our NOC and content production 
and post-production facilities, office leasehold improvements, desktop equipment for use by our employees, and in certain 
cases, the costs necessary to digitize all or a portion of a network affiliate’s theaters when they are added to our network.  
Capital expenditures for the year ended December 28, 2017 were $12.3 million (including $1.9 million associated with 
network affiliate additions) compared to $13.3 million (including $1.1 million associated with network affiliate additions) for 
the 2016 period.  The capital expenditures have typically been satisfied through cash flow from operations.  All capital 
expenditures related to the DCN within the founding members’ theaters have been made by the founding members under the 
ESAs.  We expect they will continue to be made by the founding members in accordance with the ESAs.

We expect to make approximately $19.0 million to $21.0 million of capital expenditures in fiscal 2018, primarily for 
$8.0 million to $9.0 million of digital product development, $1.0 million to $2.0 million of headquarter relocation costs and 
approximately $10.0 million in upgrades to our DCS distribution and content management software and our other internal 
management systems, including our proposal, inventory and audience targeting and data management systems, reporting 
systems, network equipment related to currently contracted network affiliate theaters, server and storage upgrades and 
software licensing. We expect these digital products to allow us to capture exclusive first party data on our viewers and build 
our own foundational capabilities for digital ad buying, selling and serving. We expect these upgrades and improvements to 
our management reporting systems, which are intended to provide additional advertising scheduling and placement flexibility 
for our clients, should enhance our operating efficiencies, including allowing us to better manage our advertising inventory, 
create more targeted buys and provide more robust campaign data for our advertising clients to help drive future growth.  Our 
capital expenditures may increase as we add additional network affiliates to our network.  We expect that additional 
expenditures, if any, would be funded in part by additional cash flows associated with those new network affiliates.  The 
commitments associated with our operating lease requirements are included in “Contractual and Other Obligations” below.

Financings

As of December 28, 2017, NCM LLC’s senior secured credit facility consisted of a $175.0 million revolving credit 
facility and a $270.0 million term loan. On May 26, 2016, NCM LLC entered into an incremental amendment of its senior 
secured credit facility whereby the revolving credit facility was increased by $40.0 million to $175.0 million and matures 
November 26, 2019 which corresponds with the maturity date of the $270.0 million term loans.

On August 19, 2016, NCM LLC completed a private placement of $250.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 
5.750% Senior Unsecured Notes. On September 19, 2016, NCM LLC redeemed its $200.0 million 7.875% Senior Unsecured 
Notes at a redemption price of 103.938% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest. On April 27, 2012, NCM 
LLC completed a private placement of $400.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.00% Senior Secured Notes. For 
further information, refer to Note 9 to the audited Consolidated Financial Statements located elsewhere in this document.

The senior secured credit facility contains a number of covenants and financial ratio requirements, with which NCM 

LLC was in compliance at December 28, 2017, including a consolidated net senior secured leverage ratio as of December 28, 
2017 of 3.2 versus a covenant of 6.5 times for each quarterly period.  NCM LLC is permitted to make quarterly dividend 
payments and other payments based on leverage ratios for NCM LLC and its subsidiary so long as no default or event of 
default has occurred and continues to occur. The quarterly dividend payments and other distributions are made if the 
consolidated net senior secured leverage ratio is less than or equal to 6.5 times.

49

There are no borrower distribution restrictions as long as NCM LLC’s consolidated net senior secured leverage ratio is 

below 6.5 times and NCM LLC is in compliance with its debt covenants. If there are limitations on the restricted payments, 
NCM LLC may not declare or pay any dividends, make any payments on account of NCM LLC, set aside assets for the 
retirement or other acquisition of capital stock of the borrower or any subsidiary, or make any other distribution for 
obligations of NCM LLC. When these restrictions are effective, NCM LLC may still pay the services fee and reimbursable 
costs pursuant to terms of the management agreement. NCM, Inc. can also make payments pursuant to the tax receivable 
agreement in the amount, and at the time necessary to satisfy the contractual obligations with respect to the actual cash tax 
benefits payable to NCM LLC’s founding members.

Critical Accounting Policies

The significant accounting policies of the Company are described in Note 1 to the audited Consolidated Financial 
Statements included elsewhere in this document. Certain accounting policies involve significant judgments, assumptions and 
estimates by management that have a material impact on the carrying value of certain assets and liabilities, which 
management considers critical accounting policies. The judgments, assumptions and estimates used by management are 
based on historical experience, knowledge of the accounts and other factors, which are believed to be reasonable under the 
circumstances and are evaluated on an ongoing basis. Because of the nature of the judgments and assumptions made by 
management, actual results could differ from these judgments and estimates, which could have a material impact on the 
carrying values of assets and liabilities and the results of operations of the Company.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Nature of Estimates Required.  The allowance for doubtful accounts represents management’s estimate of probable 

credit losses inherent in its trade receivables, which represent a significant asset on the balance sheet. Estimating the amount 
of the allowance for doubtful accounts requires significant judgment and the use of estimates related to the amount and 
timing of estimated losses based on historical loss experience, consideration of current economic trends and conditions and 
debtor-specific factors, all of which may be susceptible to significant change. Amounts deemed uncollectible within the 
account receivable balance are charged against the allowance, while recoveries of amounts previously charged are credited to 
the allowance. A provision for bad debt is charged to operations based on management’s periodic evaluation of the factors 
previously mentioned, as well as, other pertinent factors. To the extent actual outcomes differ from management estimates, 
additional provision for bad debt could be required that could adversely affect earnings or financial position in future periods.

Sensitivity Analysis.  As of December 28, 2017, our allowance for doubtful accounts was $6.0 million, or 3.6% of the 

gross accounts receivable balance.  A 10% difference in the allowance for doubtful accounts as of December 28, 2017 would 
have affected net income attributable to NCM, Inc. by approximately $0.1 million.

Share-Based Compensation

Nature of Estimates Required.  NCM, Inc.’s 2016 Equity Incentive Plan and its 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, as 

amended (the “Equity Incentive Plans”) are treated as equity plans under the provisions of Accounting Standards 
Codification ASC 718 – Compensation – Stock Compensation, and the determination of fair value of options, restricted stock 
and restricted stock units for accounting purposes requires that management make estimates and judgments. When stock 
options were granted prior to 2013, we used the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair value of stock option 
grants, which was affected by our stock price and a number of assumptions, including expected volatility, expected life, risk-
free interest rate and expected dividends.

The fair value of restricted stock and restricted stock units is based on the closing market price of our common stock on 

the date of grant. Restricted stock and restricted stock units vest upon the achievement of Company three-year cumulative 
performance measures and service conditions or only service conditions whereby they vest ratably over three years. 
Compensation expense equal to the fair value of each restricted stock award or restricted stock unit is recognized ratably over 
this requisite service period. For the restricted stock awards including performance vesting conditions, compensation expense 
is based on management’s projections and the probability of achievement of those targets, which requires considerable 
judgment.  We record a cumulative adjustment to share-based compensation expense in periods that we change our estimate 
of the number of shares expected to vest.  Additionally, we ultimately adjust the expense recognized to reflect the actual 
vested shares following the resolution of the performance conditions. Further, for both stock options and restricted stock we 
estimate a forfeiture rate to reflect the potential separation of employees.

Assumptions and Approach Used.  In determining the value of stock options, we estimated an expected dividend yield 
based upon our expectation of the dividend that would be paid out on the underlying shares during the expected term of the 
option.  Expected volatility is based on our historical stock prices using a mathematical formula to measure the standard 

50

deviation of the change in the natural logarithm of our underlying stock price over a period of time commensurate with the 
expected term.  The risk-free interest rate is derived from the zero coupon rate on U.S. Treasury instruments with a term 
commensurate with the award’s expected term.

For restricted stock with vesting contingent on the achievement of Company performance conditions, the amount of 
compensation expense is estimated based on the expected achievement of the performance condition.  This requires us to 
make estimates of the likelihood of the achievement of Company performance conditions, which is highly judgmental. We 
base our judgments as to the expected achievement of Company performance conditions based on the financial projections of 
the Company that are used by management for business purposes, which represent our best estimate of expected Company 
performance. We evaluate the assumptions used to value stock-based awards on a quarterly basis. If factors change and we 
employ different assumptions, stock-based compensation expense may differ significantly from what we have recorded in the 
past. If there are any modifications or cancellations of stock-based awards, we may be required to accelerate, increase or 
decrease any remaining, unrecognized stock-based compensation expense. To the extent that we grant additional stock-based 
awards, compensation expense will increase in relation to the fair value of the additional grants. Compensation expense may 
be significantly impacted in the future to the extent our estimates differ from actual results. Further, we estimate a forfeiture 
rate of restricted stock based upon historical forfeitures. If future forfeitures differ significantly from our past experience our 
compensation expense may be significantly impacted.

Income Taxes

Nature of Estimates Required.  We account for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740 – Income Taxes, which 
requires an asset and liability approach to financial accounting and reporting for income taxes.  Accordingly, deferred tax 
assets and liabilities arise from the differences between the tax basis of an asset or liability and its reported amount in the 
audited Consolidated Financial Statements.  Deferred tax amounts are determined using the tax rates expected to be in effect 
when the taxes will actually be paid or refunds received, as provided under currently enacted tax law.  Valuation allowances 
are to be established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. We recognized a 
deferred tax asset associated with the basis difference in our investment in NCM LLC. However, a portion of the total basis 
difference will only reverse upon the sale of our interest in NCM LLC, which we expect would result in a capital loss. 
Therefore, as of December 28, 2017 we have a valuation allowance in the amount of $98.1 million against the deferred tax 
asset to which this portion relates. We have incurred taxable losses in recent years due primarily to amortization of intangible 
assets recorded on our tax returns resulting from an election by NCM LLC made under Internal Revenue Code §754 of the 
Internal Revenue Code to step-up the Company’s outside basis in its share of NCM LLC’s inside basis of assets under IRC 
§743(b).  No valuation allowance is deemed necessary for these deferred tax assets as we expect future taxable income (as 
amortization of these items will cease) and we expect to be able to utilize our net operating loss carryforwards prior to their 
expiration. Further, we have and continue to expect to generate pre-tax book income. 

In addition, due to the basis differences resulting from our IPO-related transactions (including the tax receivable 

agreement with the founding members) and subsequent adjustments pursuant to the common unit adjustment agreement, we 
are required to make cash payments under the tax receivable agreement to the founding members in amounts equal to 90% of 
our actual tax benefit realized from the tax amortization of the basis difference for certain deferred assets noted above.  The 
requirements of the tax receivable agreement, as amended, are highly technical and complex and involve management’s 
judgment, including judgments to determine hypothetical tax outcomes exclusive of the IPO date transaction and agreements.  
If we were to fail to meet certain of the requirements of the tax receivable agreement, we could be subject to additional 
payments to taxing authorities or to the founding members.  We recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only 
when it is more likely than not, based on the technical merits of the position, that the tax position will be sustained upon 
examination, including the resolution of any related appeals or litigation. The tax benefits recognized in the audited 
Consolidated Financial Statements from such a position are measured as the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty 
percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate resolution.

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted the Tax Act. This legislation led to adjustments to our net deferred 
tax assets and payable to founding members under the tax receivable agreement. Refer to Note 6 to the audited Consolidated 
Financial Statements included elsewhere in this document for further discussion of the impacts recorded. Additionally, refer 
to the Trends and Uncertainties section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis for discussion of the expected impacts to 
future years.

We have established a reserve for material, known tax exposures.  As of December 28, 2017, the total amount of the tax 

reserve was $0.3 million, including accrued interest and penalties, net of related items.  Our reserve reflects management’s 
judgment as to the resolution of the issues involved if subject to judicial review or other settlement.  While we believe our 
reserve is adequate to cover reasonably expected tax risks, there can be no assurance that, in all instances, an issue raised by a 

51

tax authority will be resolved at a financial cost that does not exceed its related reserve.  With respect to the reserve, our 
income tax expense would include (i) any changes in tax reserves arising from material changes during the period in the facts 
and circumstances (i.e., new information) surrounding a tax issue and (ii) any difference from our tax position as recorded in 
the financial statements and the final resolution of a tax issue during the period.  Such resolution could materially increase or 
decrease income tax expense in the audited Consolidated Financial Statements in future periods and could impact operating 
cash flows. While we believe that our reserves are adequate to cover reasonably expected tax risks, in the event that the 
ultimate resolution of our uncertain tax positions differs from our estimates, we may be exposed to material increases in 
income tax expense, which could materially impact our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Refer to 
Note 6 to the audited Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this document.

Sensitivity Analysis.  For fiscal 2017, our provision for income taxes was $129.0 million.  Changes in management’s 

estimates and assumptions regarding the enacted tax rate applied to deferred tax assets and liabilities, the ability to realize the 
value of deferred tax assets, or the timing of the reversal of tax basis differences and judgments used to determine 
hypothetical tax outcomes exclusive of the IPO date transaction and agreements could impact the provision for income taxes 
and change the effective tax rate.  A one percent change in the effective tax rate from 98.1% to 99.1% would have increased 
the current year income tax provision by approximately $1.3 million.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

For a discussion of the recent accounting pronouncements relevant to our business operations, refer to the information 

provided under Note 1 to the audited Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this document.

Related-Party Transactions

For a discussion of the related-party transactions, refer to the information provided under Note 8 to the audited 

Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this document.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Our operating lease obligations, which primarily include office leases, are not reflected on our balance sheet.  Refer to 

“—Contractual and Other Obligations” for further detail.  We do not believe these arrangements are material to our current or 
future financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital resources or capital expenditures.

Contractual and Other Obligations

Our contractual obligations as of December 28, 2017 were as follows:

Borrowings (1) ...............................................................   $
Cash interest on borrowings (2) .....................................    
Office leases ...................................................................    
Network affiliate agreements (3)....................................    
Payable to founding members under tax receivable
   agreement (4)...............................................................
Interest on payable to founding members under tax
   receivable agreement (5) .............................................

Total contractual cash obligations ............................   $

Within
1 fiscal year  

Payments Due by Period (in millions)
3-5
1-3
fiscal years  
fiscal years  

  Thereafter  

—    $
51.7     
3.3     
20.3     

282.0    $
106.4     
6.8     
34.5     

400.0    $
61.3     
6.8     
24.9     

250.0    $
53.6     
25.5     
2.9     

Total

932.0 
273.0 
42.4 
82.6 

19.6 

33.0 

37.1 

43.9 

133.6 

18.6 
113.5    $

37.2 
499.9    $

37.2 
567.3    $

6.4 
382.3    $

99.4 
1,563.0  

(1) We have a $175.0 million variable rate revolving credit facility of which $12.0 million was outstanding as of December 
28, 2017 and $4.8 million is restricted due to outstanding letters of credit.  Debt service requirements under this 
agreement depend on the amounts borrowed and the level of the base interest rate, in addition to a commitment fee on 
the unused portion of the revolving credit facility.  Refer to further discussion of the secured credit facility under “—
Financial Condition and Liquidity-Financings” above.
The amounts of future cash interest payments in the table above are based on the amount outstanding on the Senior 
Secured Notes, Senior Unsecured Notes, term loans and revolving credit facility, as well as, estimated rates of interest 
over the term of the variable rate revolving credit facility and term loan. The Senior Secured Notes due in 2022 are at a 
fixed rate of 6.00%. The Senior Unsecured Notes due in 2026 are at a fixed rate of 5.750%. In addition, we have 
variable rate term loans and a revolving credit facility.  Debt service requirements under this agreement depend on the 
amounts borrowed and the level of the base interest rate, in addition to a commitment fee on the unused portion of the 

(2)

52

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(3)

(4)

(5)

revolving credit facility.  Refer to further discussion of the secured credit facility under “—Financial Condition and 
Liquidity-Financings” above.
The value in this table represents the maximum potential payout under the revenue guarantees made by NCM LLC to 
its network affiliates.  During 2017, NCM LLC paid $0.1 million under these agreements and no liabilities were 
recorded as of December 28, 2017 for these obligations.  For additional details refer to the information provided under 
Note 12 to the audited Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this document.
The tax receivable agreement entered into at the completion of our IPO provides for the payment by us to the founding 
members of 90% of the amount of cash savings, if any, in U.S. federal, state and local income tax or franchise tax that 
we actually realize as a result of certain increases in our proportionate share of tax basis in NCM LLC’s tangible and 
intangible assets.  The payments to NCM LLC’s founding members are based, in part, on actual annual income and as 
such, will vary based on our operating results.  The value in the table represents the estimated amounts payable under 
the tax receivable agreement as of December 28, 2017.
The tax receivable agreement described in footnote 4 above was discounted and recorded at fair value.  The value in 
the table represents the estimated accretion of interest that would be due on the discounted payable as of December 28, 
2017.

The ESAs require payments based on a combination of founding member attendance, the number of digital screens of 
each founding member and the number of higher quality digital cinema systems of each NCM LLC founding member.  The 
amount relating to the attendance factor will vary from quarter to quarter and year to year as theater attendance varies, while 
the amount relating to the digital screens and digital cinema systems will also vary quarter to quarter and year to year as 
screens are converted to digital screens and other screens are added or removed through acquisition, divestiture or closure 
activities of the founding members. The payments made to the founding members also will vary due to the escalation of the 
rates paid for each factor pursuant to the amended and restated ESAs.  The rate per attendee increases 8% every five years, 
with the next such increase taking effect for fiscal year 2022, while the rate per digital screen and digital cinema system 
screen increase 5% annually.  The table above does not include amounts payable under the ESAs as they are based on 
variable factors, which are not capable of precise estimation.

Seasonality

Our revenue and operating results are seasonal in nature, coinciding with the timing of marketing expenditures by our 

advertising clients and to a lesser extent the attendance patterns within the film exhibition industry. Both advertising 
expenditures and theater attendance tend to be higher during the second, third, and fourth fiscal quarters. Advertising revenue 
is primarily correlated with new product releases, advertising client marketing priorities and economic cycles and to a lesser 
extent theater attendance levels. Seasonal demand during the summer is driven by the absence of alternative attractive 
advertising mediums and during the winter holiday season due to consumers’ increased interest in the available motion 
pictures. The actual quarterly results for each quarter could differ materially depending on these factors or other risks and 
uncertainties. Based on our historical experience, our first quarter typically has less revenue than the other quarters of a given 
year due primarily to lower advertising client demand.  Accordingly, there can be no assurances that seasonal variations will 
not materially affect our results of operations in the future.

The following table reflects the quarterly percentage of total revenue for the fiscal years ended 2015, 2016 and 2017:

FY 2015 ..........................................................................
FY 2016 ..........................................................................
FY 2017 ..........................................................................

17.2%   
17.0%   
16.9%   

27.2%   
25.8%   
22.8%   

25.0%   
25.4%   
27.3%   

30.6%
31.8%
33.0%

First

  Quarter

Second
  Quarter

Third
  Quarter

  Fourth
  Quarter

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The primary market risk to which we are exposed is interest rate risk.  The Notes due 2026 and the Notes due 2022 
bear interest at fixed rates, and therefore are not subject to market risk. As of December 28, 2017, the interest rate risk that we 
are exposed to is related to our $175.0 million revolving credit facility and our $270.0 million term loan. A 100 basis point 
fluctuation in market interest rates underlying our term loan and revolving credit facility would have the effect of increasing 
or decreasing our cash interest expense by approximately $2.8 million for an annual period on the $12.0 million and $270.0 
million outstanding as of December 28, 2017 on our revolving credit facility and term loan, respectively.

53

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
   
Item 8.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Refer to Index to Financial Statements and Supplemental Information on page F-1.

Item 9.

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

Not applicable.

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures as 
defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), that are 
designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s reports filed under the Exchange Act, is 
recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such 
information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (principal 
executive officer) and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer), as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding 
required disclosure.  

Management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), 

performed an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15(e) 
and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act as of December 28, 2017, the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 
10-K. Based on such evaluation, the CEO and the CFO concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures 
were not effective due to the material weakness in internal control over financial reporting described below. 

In connection with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 29, 2016, filed on 
February 24, 2017, the CEO and CFO evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure 
controls and procedures as of December 29, 2016. Based upon those evaluations, the CEO and CFO concluded that the 
Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 29, 2016. Subsequent to that evaluation and as 
a result of the access to additional information and through consultations with tax advisors specializing in the tax implications 
of the Company’s corporate structure, the CEO and CFO concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures 
were not effective as of December 29, 2016, due to the material weakness described below relating to the accounting for 
income taxes under ASC 740, specifically controls over the accuracy and completeness of the deferred tax accounts related to 
the Company’s TRA with the founding members. 

Notwithstanding the material weakness described below, based on the additional analysis and other post-closing 
procedures performed, the Company believes the audited Consolidated Financial Statements and other financial information 
included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, are fairly presented, in all material respects, in conformity with accounting 
principles generally accepted in the United States of America. 

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Management is responsible for 
establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) 
and 15d-15(f).  Management evaluated the design and operating effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over 
financial reporting based on the framework in COSO.  As a result of the material weakness in internal control over financial 
reporting described below, management concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was not 
effective as of December 28, 2017.

A material weakness, as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2, is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in 

internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the 
Company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. 

Identification of the Material Weakness in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting: The Company did not design 

and maintain effective internal controls over its accounting for income taxes under ASC 740, including controls over the 
accuracy and completeness of the deferred tax accounts related to the Company’s TRA with the founding members and re-
measurement of deferred taxes related to the tax reform act. The material weakness resulted in an error related to the payable 
to the founding members under the TRA, deferred tax assets, deferred tax liabilities, APIC, deferred tax expense and the 
accretion of interest on the payable to founding members under the TRA (within non-operating expense) balances included in 
the Company’s financial statements that were identified by management during the fourth quarter of 2017. The error was 
corrected by revising the financial information for the prior years presented herein, including a cumulative adjustment to 
retained earnings. Refer to Note 18 to the audited Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

54

  
  
  
The Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 28, 2017, has been audited by Deloitte & 

Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which is included herein.   

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Other than the material weakness noted above, there were no 

changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended December 28, 
2017, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal controls over 
financial reporting.

Plan for Remediation of the Material Weakness in Internal Control over Financial Reporting: Management, with the 
oversight of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, is actively engaged in the planning for and implementation of 
remediation efforts to address the material weakness. Management plans to implement the following in order to remediate the 
material weakness:

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

Redesign the Company’s review control over the deferred tax assets and liabilities (and book and tax basis 
differences) to include all balance sheet accounts, not just accounts for which the Company has recorded deferred 
tax assets or liabilities.
Simplify the Company’s accounting for the TRA by adopting a change in accounting principle in 2018 to present the 
payable to founding member liability as the undiscounted amount of all expected future payments under the 
agreement. The Company believes that the gross presentation will be preferable because it is consistent with the 
common practice of other companies with such TRA agreements and it provides readers of the financial statements 
more relevant information of the full amount due to the founding members under the TRA. This simplification will 
also reduce the complexity of management’s manual calculations, and thus, reduce the potential for error.  
Ensure the documentation summarizing the results of the review of the income tax provision by the Company’s 
third-party tax advisors, which is performed as part of the Company’s existing controls, is completed timely and 
reviewed by management and the Audit Committee prior to the completion and filing of the Company’s Form 10-K.
Engage the Company’s third-party tax advisors that assist on the annual income tax provision review to review the 
Company’s quarterly provisions.

Management is committed to continuous improvement of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and 

will continue to diligently review the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.  As management continues to 
evaluate and work to improve internal control over financial reporting, the Company may determine to take additional 
measures to address control deficiencies or determine to modify certain of the remediation measures described above.     

55

  
    
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors of                                                                                           
National CineMedia, Inc.

Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of National CineMedia, Inc. and subsidiary (the "Company") as 
of December 28, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the 
Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, because of the effect of the 
material weakness identified below on the achievement of the objectives of the control criteria, the Company has not 
maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 28, 2017, based on criteria established in 
Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) 
(PCAOB), the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 28, 2017, of the Company and our 
report dated March 16, 2018, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.

Basis for Opinion

The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its 
assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s 
Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s 
internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and 
are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the 
applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform 
the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in 
all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the 
risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on 
the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our 
audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the 
reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally 
accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures 
that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and 
dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to 
permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and 
expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the 
company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or 
disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of the inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, 
projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate 
because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Material Weakness

A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that 
there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the Company’s annual or interim financial statements will not 
be prevented or detected on a timely basis. The following material weakness has been identified and included in 
management’s assessment: accounting for income taxes under ASC 740, including controls over the accuracy and 
completeness of the deferred tax accounts related to the Company’s tax receivable agreement (“TRA”) with the founding 

56

members and re-measurement of deferred taxes related to the tax reform act. This material weakness was considered in 
determining the nature, timing, and extent of audit tests applied in our audit of the consolidated financial statements as of and 
for the year ended December 28, 2017, of the Company, and this report does not affect our report on such financial 
statements. 

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Denver, Colorado
March 16, 2018

57

Item 9B. Other Information

None.

Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

PART III

The information required by this item with respect to our directors is incorporated herein by reference from the Proxy 

Statement under the heading “Proposal 1- Election of Directors.”

The information required by this item regarding our executive officers is set forth in Part I of this Annual Report on 

Form 10-K under the heading “Executive Officers of the Registrant and is incorporated herein by this reference.”

Information regarding compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act by our directors and executive officers and 

holders of ten percent of a registered class of our equity securities is incorporated in this item by reference from the Proxy 
Statement under the heading “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance.”

Our Board adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all of our employees, including our Board of 

Directors, Chief Executive Officer and principal financial officer.  The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics sets forth the 
Company’s conflict of interest policy, records retention policy, insider trading policy and policies for protection of the 
Company’s property, business opportunities and proprietary information.  Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is 
available free of charge on our website at ncm.com under the tab “Investor Relations– Corporate Governance.”  We intend to 
post on our website any amendments to, or waivers from our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applicable to senior 
financial executives.

Item 11.

Executive Compensation

The information required by this item regarding compensation of executive officers and directors is incorporated herein 

by reference from the Proxy Statement under the headings “Compensation of Executive Officers,” “Compensation 
Committee Report” and “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation”.

Item 12.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

For information with respect to the security ownership of directors, executive officers and holders of more than 5% of a 

class of our voting securities, refer to the Proxy Statement under the heading “Beneficial Ownership,” which information is 
incorporated herein by reference.

For Equity Incentive Plan information, refer to the Proxy Statement under the heading “Equity Compensation Plan”, 

which information is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

For information with respect to certain relationships and related transactions, refer to the Proxy Statement under the 

heading “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions,” which information is incorporated herein by reference.

For information with respect to director independence, refer to the Proxy Statement under the heading “Proposal 1- 

Election of Directors,” which information is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 14.

Principal Accounting Fees and Services

The information required by this item with respect to principal accounting fees and services is incorporated herein by 

reference from the Proxy Statement under the heading “Fees Paid to Independent Auditors.”

58

Item 15.

Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules

(a)  (1) and (a) (2) Financial statements and financial statement schedules

Refer to Index to Financial Statements on page F-1.

PART IV

(b)  Exhibits

Refer to Exhibit Index, beginning on page 60.

(c)  Financial Statement Schedules

Financial Statement Schedules not included herein have been omitted because they are either not required, not 
applicable, or the information is otherwise included herein.

59

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit 

Ref. Description

Incorporation by Reference

Form

SEC File No.

Exhibit

Filing
Date

   3.1

   3.2

   4.1

   4.2

   4.3

   4.4

   10.1

   10.1.1

  10.1.2

  10.1.3

  10.2

Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

10-Q

001-33296

3.1

5/6/2011

S-8

001-33296

8-K

001-33296

4.2

4.1

2/13/2007

4/30/2012

8-K

001-33296

4.1

4/30/2012

8-K

001-33296

4.1

8/19/2016

8-K

001-33296

4.1

8/19/2016

8-K

001-33296

10.1

2/16/2007

10-Q

001-33296

10.1.1

8/7/2009

8-K

001-33296

10.1

8/10/2010

8-K

001-33296

10.1.3

9/9/2013

10-K

001-33296

10.2.4

2/21/2014

Amended and Restated Bylaws. 

Indenture, dated as of April 27, 2012, by and between 
National CineMedia, LLC and Wells Fargo Bank, National 
Association, as trustee.

Form of 6.000% Senior Secured Notes due 2022 (included 
in Exhibit 4.1).

Indenture, dated as of August 19, 2016, by and between 
National CineMedia, LLC and Wells Fargo Bank, National 
Association, as trustee.

Form of 5.750% Senior Secured Notes due 2026 (included 
in Exhibit 4.1).

National CineMedia, LLC Third Amended and Restated 
Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement dated as 
of February 13, 2007, by and among American Multi-
Cinema, Inc., Cinemark Media, Inc., Regal CineMedia 
Holdings, LLC and National CineMedia, Inc. 

First Amendment to Third Amended and Restated Limited 
Liability Company Operating Agreement of National 
CineMedia, LLC dated as of March 16, 2009, by and among 
American Multi-Cinema, Inc., Cinemark Media, Inc., Regal 
CineMedia Holdings, LLC and National CineMedia, Inc.

Second Amendment to Third Amended and Restated 
Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement of 
National CineMedia, LLC dated as of August 6, 2010, by 
and among American Multi-Cinema, Inc., Cinemark Media, 
Inc., Regal CineMedia Holdings, LLC and National 
CineMedia, Inc.

Third Amendment to the Third Amended and Restated 
Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement of 
National CineMedia, LLC dated September 3, 2013, by and 
among American Multi-Cinema, Inc., AMC ShowPlace 
Theatres, Inc., Cinemark Media, Inc., Regal CineMedia 
Holdings, LLC, Regal Cinemas, Inc. and National 
CineMedia, Inc.

Amended and Restated Exhibitor Services Agreement dated 
as of December 26, 2013, by and between National 
CineMedia, LLC and American Multi-Cinema, Inc.  
(Portions omitted pursuant to request for confidential 
treatment and filed separately with the Commission.)

60

 
Exhibit 
  10.3

  10.3.1

  10.4

  10.4.1

  10.5

  10.5.1

  10.6

  10.6.1

  10.7

Ref. Description

Amended and Restated Exhibitor Services Agreement dated 
as of December 26, 2013, by and between National 
CineMedia, LLC and Cinemark USA, Inc. (Portions omitted 
pursuant to request for confidential treatment and filed 
separately with the Commission.)

Waiver of Section 12.06 of the Exhibitor Services 
Agreement dated as of March 14, 2017, by and between 
National CineMedia, LLC and Cinemark USA, Inc.

Amended and Restated Exhibitor Services Agreement dated 
as of December 26, 2013, by and between National 
CineMedia, LLC and Regal Cinemas, Inc. (Portions omitted 
pursuant to request for confidential treatment and filed 
separately with the Commission.)

First Amendment to Amended and Restated Exhibitor 
Services Agreement dated as of March 9, 2017, by and 
between National CineMedia, LLC and Regal Cinemas, Inc. 

Common Unit Adjustment Agreement dated as of February 
13, 2007, by and among National CineMedia, Inc., National 
CineMedia, LLC, Regal CineMedia Holdings, LLC, 
American Multi-Cinema, Inc., Cinemark Media, Inc., Regal 
Cinemas, Inc. and Cinemark USA, Inc.  (Confidential 
treatment granted as to certain portions, which portions were 
omitted and filed separately with the Commission.) 

First Amendment to Amended and Restated Exhibitor 
Services Agreement dated as of March 9, 2017, by and 
between National CineMedia, LLC and American Multi-
Cinema, Inc. 

Tax Receivable Agreement dated as of February 13, 2007, 
by and among National CineMedia, Inc., National 
CineMedia, LLC, Regal CineMedia Holdings, LLC, 
Cinemark Media, Inc., Regal Cinemas, Inc., American 
Multi-Cinema, Inc. and Cinemark USA, Inc.

Second Amendment to Tax Receivable Agreement effective 
as of April 29, 2008, by and by and among NCM, Inc. and 
National CineMedia, LLC and the Founding Members and 
the ESA Parties, amending the Tax Receivable Agreement 
dated as of February 13, 2007 and as first amended by the 
First Amendment to the Tax Receivable Agreement 
effective as of August 7, 2007.

First Amended and Restated Loews Screen Integration 
Agreement by and between National CineMedia, LLC and 
American Multi-Cinema, Inc.  (Confidential treatment 
granted as to certain portions, which portions were omitted 
and filed separately with the Commission.)

Incorporation by Reference

Form
10-K

SEC File No.
001-33296

Exhibit
10.3.4

Filing
Date
2/21/2014

8-K

001-33296

10.3

3/15/2017

10-K

001-33296

10.4.4

2/21/2014

8-K

001-33296

10.2

3/15/2017

8-K

001-33296

10.6

2/16/2007

8-K

001-33296

10.1

3/15/2017

8-K

001-33296

10.7

2/16/2007

8-K

001-33296

10.1

5/5/2008

8-K

001-33296

10.8

2/16/2007

61

Exhibit 
  10.8

  10.9

  10.10

  10.11

  10.12

  10.12.1

  10.12.2

  10.12.3

  10.13

  10.14

Ref. Description

Second Amended and Restated Software License 
Agreement dated as of February 13, 2007, by and among 
American Multi-Cinema, Inc., Regal CineMedia 
Corporation, Cinemark USA, Inc., Digital Cinema 
Implementation Partners, LLC and National CineMedia, 
LLC. 

Director Designation Agreement dated as of February 13, 
2007, by and among National CineMedia, Inc., American 
Multi-Cinema, Inc., Cinemark Media, Inc. and Regal 
CineMedia Holdings, LLC. 

Registration Rights Agreement dated as of February 13, 
2007, by and among National CineMedia, Inc., American 
Multi-Cinema, Inc., Regal CineMedia Holdings, LLC and 
Cinemark Media, Inc. 

Management Services Agreement dated as of February 13, 
2007, by and among National CineMedia, Inc. and National 
CineMedia, LLC. 

Amended and Restated Credit Agreement among National 
CineMedia, LLC and Barclays Bank PLC, as Lead Arranger 
dated as of November 26, 2012. 

Amendment No. 4 to the Credit Agreement dated as of 
February 13, 2007, as amended, restated, modified or 
otherwise supplemented, among National CineMedia LLC 
and Barclays Bank PLC, as administrative agent dated as of 
November 26, 2012.

Amendment No. 5 to the Credit Agreement dated as of 
February 13, 2007, as amended, restated, modified or 
otherwise supplemented, among National CineMedia LLC, 
certain lenders party thereto and Barclays Bank PLC, as 
administrative agent dated as of May 2, 2013.

Amendment No. 6 to the Credit Agreement dated as of 
February 13, 2007, as amended, restated, modified or 
otherwise supplemented, among National CineMedia LLC, 
certain lenders party thereto and Barclays Bank PLC, as 
administrative agent dated as of July 2, 2014.

Employment Agreement dated as of December 31, 2015, by 
and between National CineMedia, Inc. and Andrew J. 
England. +

Employment Agreement dated as of May 8, 2015, by and 
among National CineMedia, Inc., National CineMedia LLC 
and Clifford E. Marks. +

Incorporation by Reference

Form
8-K

SEC File No.
001-33296

Exhibit
10.9

Filing
Date
2/16/2007

8-K

001-33296

10.10

2/16/2007

8-K

001-33296

10.11

2/16/2007

8-K

001-33296

10.12

2/16/2007

8-K

001-33296

10.1

11/28/2012

8-K

001-33296

10.2

11/28/2012

8-K

001-33296

10.1

5/7/2013

8-K

001-33296

10.1

7/3/2014

8-K

001-33296

10.1

1/5/2016

10-Q

001-33296

10.1

5/12/2015

  10.15

Employment Agreement dated August 11, 2016, between 
the Company and Katherine L. Scherping. +

8-K

001-33296

10.1

8/11/2016

62

Exhibit 
  10.17

 10.17.1

 10.17.2

Ref. Description

Employment Agreement dated as of February 13, 2007, by 
and among National CineMedia, Inc., National CineMedia, 
LLC and Ralph E. Hardy. +

First Amendment to Employment Agreement effective as of 
January 1, 2009, by and among National CineMedia, Inc., 
National CineMedia, LLC and Ralph E. Hardy. +

Separation, General Release and Consulting Agreement 
dated as of November 6, 2017, by and between National 
CineMedia, Inc., National CineMedia, LLC and Ralph E. 
Hardy. +

  10.18

Form of Indemnification Agreement. +

  10.18.1

Director Service Agreement dated April 28, 2017, among 
National CineMedia, Inc., National CineMedia, LLC and 
Scott Schneider. +

Incorporation by Reference

Form
8-K

SEC File No.
001-33296

Exhibit
10.18

Filing
Date
2/16/2007

10-K

001-33296

10.18.1

3/6/2009

8-K

001-33296

10.1

11/7/2017

8-K

8-K

001-33296

001-33296

10.1

10.1

2/13/2007

5/4/2017

  10.19

  10.20

  10.21

  10.22

  10.23

National CineMedia, Inc. 2007 Equity Incentive Plan. +

8-K

001-33296

10.2

5/2/2013

National CineMedia, Inc. 2016 Equity Incentive Plan. +

Form of Option Substitution Award. +

Form of Restricted Stock Substitution Award. +

Form of Stock Option Agreement. +

S-8

S-8

S-8

S-8

001-33296

001-33296

001-33296

001-33296

4.1

4.4

4.5

4.6

4/29/2016

2/13/2007

2/13/2007

2/13/2007

  10.24.1

Form of 2009 Stock Option Agreement. +

10-K

001-33296

10.22.1

3/6/2009

  10.24.2

Form of 2010 Stock Option Agreement. +

10-K

001-33296

10.22.2

3/9/2010

  10.24.3

Form of 2011 Stock Option Agreement. +

10-K

001-33296

10.22.3

2/25/2011

  10.24.4

Form of 2012 Stock Option Agreement. +

10-K

001-33296

10.22.4

2/24/2012

  10.25

Form Restricted Stock Agreement. +

S-8

001-33296

4.7

2/13/2007

  10.25.1

Form of 2015 Restricted Stock Agreement (Time Based). +

10-K

001-33296

10.23.7

2/27/2015

  10.25.2

Form of 2015 Restricted Stock Agreement (Performance 
Based). +

10-K

001-33296

10.23.8

2/27/2015

  10.25.3

Form of 2016 Restricted Stock Agreement (Time Based). +

10-K

001-33296

10.23.7

2/26/2016

  10.25.4

  10.25.5

  10.25.6

Form of 2016 Restricted Stock Agreement (Performance 
Based). +

Form of 2016 Restricted Stock Agreement under the 
National CineMedia, Inc. 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (Time 
Based).

Form of 2016 Restricted Stock Agreement under the 
National CineMedia, Inc. 2016 Equity Incentive Plan 
(Performance Based).

10-K

001-33296

10.23.8

2/26/2016

S-8

001-33296

4.2

4/29/2016

S-8

001-33296

4.3

4/29/2016

  10.25.7

Form of 2017 Restricted Stock Agreement (Time Based). +

10-K

001-33296

10.26.9

2/24/2017

  10.25.8

Form of 2017 Restricted Stock Agreement (Performance 
Based). +

10-K

001-33296

10.26.10

2/24/2017

63

Exhibit 

Ref. Description

Incorporation by Reference

Form

SEC File No.

Exhibit

Filing
Date

  10.25.9 (1) Form of 2018 Restricted Stock Agreement (Time Based). +

10-K 333-176056

10.24.9

3/14/2018

 10.25.10 (1) Form of 2018 Restricted Stock Agreement (Performance 

10-K 333-176056 10.24.10

3/14/2018

10-K

001-33296

10.34

3/6/2009

S-8

001-33296

4.4

4/29/2016

10-K

001-33296

10.27.2

2/24/2017

8-K

001-33296

10.1

5/2/2013

  10.26

  10.26.1

  10.26.2

  10.27

  21.1

  23.1

  31.1

  31.2

*

*

*

*

Based). +
Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement. +

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under the 
National CineMedia, Inc. 2016 Equity Plan.

Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under the 
National CineMedia, Inc. 2016 Equity Plan, amended.

National CineMedia, Inc. Executive Performance Bonus 
Plan. +

List of Subsidiaries.

Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.

Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer. 

Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer.

  32.1

** Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 

U.S.C. Section 1350. 

  32.2

** Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 

U.S.C. Section 1350. 

101.INS * XBRL Instance Document.

101.SCH * XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.

101.CAL * XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase 

Document.

101.DEF * XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase 

Document.

101.LAB * XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.

101.PRE * XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase 

Document.

*
**
+

Filed herewith.
Furnished herewith.
Management contract.

(1) Incorporated by reference to the exhibit listed from NCM LLC’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.

64

 
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.

SIGNATURES

Dated: March 19, 2018

Dated: March 19, 2018

NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC.
(Registrant)

/s/ Andrew J. England
Andrew J. England
Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ Katherine L. Scherping
Katherine L. Scherping
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

65

 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the 

following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature

Title

Date

/s/ Andrew J. England
Andrew J. England

/s/ Katherine L. Scherping
Katherine L. Scherping

/s/ Scott N. Schneider
Scott N. Schneider

/s/ Lawrence A. Goodman
Lawrence A. Goodman

/s/ David R. Haas
David R. Haas

/s/ Thomas F. Lesinski
Thomas F. Lesinski

/s/ Paula Williams Madison
Paula Williams Madison

Lee Roy Mitchell

/s/ Mark Segall
Mark Segall

Renana Teperberg 

March 19, 2018

March 19, 2018

March 19, 2018

March 19, 2018

March 19, 2018

March 19, 2018

March 19, 2018

March 19, 2018

March 19, 2018

March 19, 2018

Chief Executive Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)

Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

Chairman

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

Director

66

 
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

National CineMedia, Inc. and Subsidiary

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm...............................................................................................

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016..............................................................

Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended December 28, 2017, December 29, 2016 and December 31,
2015  ...................................................................................................................................................................................

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 28, 2017, December 29, 2016
and December 31, 2015 ......................................................................................................................................................

Consolidated Statements of Equity/(Deficit) for the years ended December 28, 2017, December 29, 2016 and 
December 31, 2015.............................................................................................................................................................

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 28, 2017, December 29, 2016 and December 
31, 2015 ..............................................................................................................................................................................

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements ......................................................................................................................

Page

F-2

F-3

F-4

F-5

F-6

F-7

F-9

F-1

 
 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors of                                                                                                  
National CineMedia, Inc.                                                                                                               

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of National CineMedia, Inc. and subsidiary (the "Company") 
as of December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, 
equity/(deficit), and cash flows for the years ended December 28, 2017, December 29, 2016 and December 31, 2015 and the 
related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in 
all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016, the results of 
its operations and its cash flows for the years ended December 28, 2017, December 29, 2016 and December 31, 2015, in 
conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) 
(PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 28, 2017, based on criteria established in 
Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway 
Commission and our report dated March 16, 2018, expressed an adverse opinion on the Company’s internal control over 
financial reporting because of a material weakness.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion 
on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and 
are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the 
applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform 
the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due 
to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial 
statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included 
examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also 
included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the 
overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Denver, Colorado 
March 16, 2018

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2006.

F-2

NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In millions, except share and per share data)

  December 28, 2017  

  December 29, 2016  

ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:

Cash and cash equivalents........................................................................................................................
Short-term marketable securities .............................................................................................................
Receivables, net of allowance of $6.0 and $6.3, respectively .................................................................
Prepaid expenses ......................................................................................................................................
Income tax receivable ..............................................................................................................................
Current portion of notes receivable - founding members ........................................................................
Other current assets..................................................................................................................................
Total current assets............................................................................................................................

NON-CURRENT ASSETS:

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $70.4 and $64.1, respectively..................
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $145.4 and $118.9, respectively .........................
Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance of $98.1 and $110.3, respectively ................................
Long-term notes receivable, net of current portion - founding members ................................................
Other investments ....................................................................................................................................
Long-term marketable securities..............................................................................................................
Debt issuance costs, net ...........................................................................................................................
Other assets ..............................................................................................................................................
Total non-current assets ....................................................................................................................
TOTAL ASSETS ............................................................................................................................................

 $

 $

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY/(DEFICIT)
CURRENT LIABILITIES:

Amounts due to founding members .........................................................................................................
Payable to founding members under tax receivable agreement...............................................................
Accrued expenses.....................................................................................................................................
Accrued payroll and related expenses......................................................................................................
Accounts payable .....................................................................................................................................
Deferred revenue......................................................................................................................................
Total current liabilities ......................................................................................................................

NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES:

Long-term debt, net of debt issuance costs of $8.7 and $10.7, respectively............................................
Income tax payable ..................................................................................................................................
Payable to founding members under tax receivable agreement...............................................................
Other liabilities.........................................................................................................................................
Total non-current liabilities...............................................................................................................
Total liabilities ..................................................................................................................................

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (NOTE 12)
EQUITY/(DEFICIT):

NCM, Inc. Stockholders’ Equity/(Deficit):
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized, none
   issued and outstanding, respectively.....................................................................................................
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 175,000,000 shares authorized,
   76,242,222 and 59,874,412 issued and outstanding, respectively ........................................................
Additional paid in capital (deficit) ...........................................................................................................
Retained earnings (distributions in excess of earnings)...........................................................................
Total NCM, Inc. stockholders’ equity/(deficit).................................................................................
Noncontrolling interests...........................................................................................................................
Total equity/(deficit) .........................................................................................................................
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY/DEFICIT..........................................................................................

 $

 $

30.2 
13.1   
160.6 

4.2   
0.2   
4.2 
0.1   
212.6   

30.7   
717.2 
161.0   
4.1   
3.5   
16.2   
1.3   
1.5 
935.5 
1,148.1 

 $

32.7 
19.6 
19.9 
11.1 
19.3 
7.1 
109.7 

923.3 
0.3 
114.0 
2.0 
1,039.6 
1,149.3 

— 

0.8 
13.8 
(303.5)
(288.9)
287.7   
(1.2)
1,148.1 

 $

23.0 
26.1 
160.5 
3.1 
2.4 
5.6 
0.4 
221.1 

29.6 
560.5 
294.2 
8.3 
6.6 
19.6 
1.9 
0.7 
921.4 
1,142.5 

42.7 
18.4 
19.6 
12.2 
17.4 
10.3 
120.6 

924.3 
2.0 
212.3 
— 
1,138.6 
1,259.2 

— 

0.6 
(110.5)
(248.3)
(358.2)
241.5 
(116.7)
1,142.5  

Refer to accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

F-3

 
 
 
   
   
   
 
 
   
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
 
 
   
   
   
 
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
    
 
  
  
    
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
 
  
  
    
 
  
  
    
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In millions, except share and per share data)

December 28,
2017

Years Ended
December 29,
2016

December 31,
2015

  $

426.1 

 $

447.6 

 $

446.5 

Revenue (including revenue from founding
   members of $29.9, $29.1 and $30.2, respectively) ...........................
OPERATING EXPENSES:

Advertising operating costs ............................................................
Network costs .................................................................................
Theater access fees—founding members .......................................
Selling and marketing costs............................................................
Merger termination fee and related merger costs ...........................
Administrative and other costs .......................................................
Depreciation and amortization .......................................................
Total ..........................................................................................
OPERATING INCOME ...........................................................

NON-OPERATING EXPENSES:

Interest on borrowings....................................................................
Interest income ...............................................................................
Accretion of interest on the discounted payable to
   founding members under tax receivable agreement....................
Amortization of terminated derivatives..........................................
Loss on early retirement of debt.....................................................
(Gain) loss on re-measurement of the payable to founding
   members under the tax receivable agreement .............................
Other non-operating (income) expense ..........................................
Total ..........................................................................................
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES...............................................
Income tax expense ........................................................................
CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME .....................................................
Less:  Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests.............
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NCM, INC. ...........................

32.4 
15.8 
76.5 
72.0 
— 
37.9 
37.6 
272.2 
153.9 

52.8 
(1.2)

18.5 
— 
— 

(103.6)
(0.3)
(33.8)
187.7 
129.0 
58.7 
56.2 
2.5 

  $

NET INCOME PER NCM, INC. COMMON SHARE:

Basic ...............................................................................................
Diluted ............................................................................................

  $
  $

0.04 
0.02 

WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING:

30.0 
17.1 
75.1 
72.8 
— 
43.8 
35.8 
274.6 
173.0 

54.0 
(1.5)

19.6 
— 
10.4 

1.0 
— 
83.5 
89.5 
7.5 
82.0 
61.6 
20.4 

0.34 
0.34 

 $

 $
 $

30.8 
17.8 
72.5 
72.3 
34.3 
38.6 
32.2 
298.5 
148.0 

52.2 
(1.6)

19.4 
1.6 
— 

(2.9)
0.2 
68.9 
79.1 
19.5 
59.6 
48.3 
11.3 

0.19 
0.19 

 $

 $
 $

Basic ...............................................................................................
Diluted ............................................................................................

65,226,817 
    151,067,270 

59,788,026 
60,605,570 

58,979,508 
59,589,299 

Dividends declared per common share ................................................

  $

0.88 

 $

0.88 

 $

0.88  

Refer to accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

F-4

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
  
  
   
  
  
   
  
  
   
  
  
   
  
  
   
  
  
   
  
  
   
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
  
  
   
  
  
   
  
  
   
  
  
   
  
  
   
  
  
   
  
  
   
  
  
   
  
  
   
  
  
   
  
  
 
   
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
 
     
       
       
 
 
NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In millions)

CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME, NET OF TAX OF
   $129.0, $7.5 AND $19.5, RESPECTIVELY .......................................
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, NET OF TAX:

Amortization of terminated derivatives, net of tax of $0.0, $0.0
   and $0.3, respectively .....................................................................
CONSOLIDATED COMPREHENSIVE INCOME...............................

Less: Comprehensive income attributable to
   noncontrolling interests...................................................................
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NCM, INC. .....

  $

December 28,
2017

Years Ended
December 29,
2016

December 31,
2015

  $

58.7    $

82.0    $

59.6 

—     
58.7     

56.2     
2.5    $

—     
82.0     

61.6     
20.4    $

1.3 
60.9 

49.2 
11.7  

Refer to accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

F-5

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
      
      
  
   
   
   
 
NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY/ (DEFICIT)
(In millions, except share and per share data)

NCM, Inc.

    Retained     

Balance—January 1, 2015 .............................
Distributions to founding members................
NCM LLC equity issued for purchase of
   intangible asset ............................................
Income tax and other impacts of NCM LLC
   ownership changes ......................................
Issuance of shares...........................................
NCM, Inc. investment in NCM LLC .............
Comprehensive income, net of tax.................
Share-based compensation issued ..................
Share-based compensation expense/
   capitalized ...................................................
Excess tax benefit from share-based
   compensation...............................................
Cash dividends declared $0.88 per share .......
Balance—December 31, 2015 .......................
Distributions to founding members................
NCM LLC equity issued for purchase of
   intangible asset ............................................
Income tax and other impacts of NCM LLC
   ownership changes ......................................
Comprehensive income, net of tax.................
Share-based compensation issued ..................
Share-based compensation expense/
   capitalized ...................................................
Cash dividends declared $0.88 per share .......
Balance—December 29, 2016 .......................
Distributions to founding members................
NCM LLC equity issued for purchase of
   intangible asset ............................................
Income tax and other impacts of NCM LLC
   ownership changes ......................................
Issuance of shares...........................................
NCM, Inc. investment in NCM LLC .............
Comprehensive income, net of tax.................
Share-based compensation issued ..................
Share-based compensation expense/
   capitalized ...................................................
Cash dividends declared $0.88 per share .......
Balance—December 28, 2017 .......................

    Common Stock

 Consolidated    Shares
 $

(135.4)   58,750,926  $
(82.2)   

  Additional    Earnings
   Paid in    (Distribution   
   Capital

    Accumulated     
Other
    in Excess of    Comprehensive   Noncontrolling 
Loss

Interest

  Amount    (Deficit)     Earnings)

0.6  $ (164.1) $
—    

—    —   

(171.0) $
—    

(0.4) $
—    

199.5 
(82.2)

100.7    

—    —   

44.4    

—    

(7.3)   
3.2    
(3.2)   
60.9    
(0.1)   

—    —   
200,000    —   
—    —   
—    —   
288,228    —   

(15.2)  
3.2    
(3.2)  
—    
(0.1)  

—    
—    
—    
11.3    
—    

15.0    

—    —   

10.4    

—    

(0.1)   
(54.1)   

—    —   
—    —   

(0.1)  
—    
0.6  $ (124.7) $
—    

(102.6)   59,239,154  $
(75.1)  

—    —   

—    
(54.1)  
(213.8) $
—    

21.1    

—    —   

9.2    

—    

(1.6)  
82.0    
(4.4)  

—    —   
—    —   
635,258    —   

(3.0)  
—    
(4.4)  

18.8    
(54.9)  

—    —   
—    —   

12.4    
—    
0.6  $ (110.5) $
—    

(116.7)  59,874,412  $
(85.0)  

—    —   

201.8    

—    —   

78.8    

(9.7)  
84.9    15,600,000   
(84.9)   
58.7    
(4.1)  

—    —   
0.2   
    —   
—    —   
767,810    —   

42.5    
84.7    
(84.9)  
—    
(4.1)  

—    
20.4    
—    

—    
(54.9)  
(248.3) $
—    

—    

—    
—    
—    
2.5    
—    

11.5    
(57.7)  
(1.2)  76,242,222  $

—    —   
—    —   
0.8  $

7.3    
—    
13.8   $

—    
(57.7)  
(303.5) $

 $

 $

 $

—    

—    
—    
—    
0.4    
—    

—    

—    
—    
—   $
—    

—    

—    
—    
—    

—    
—    
—   $
—    

—    

—    
—    
—    
—    
—    

—    
—    
—   $

56.3 

7.9 
— 
— 
49.2 
— 

4.6 

— 
— 
235.3 
(75.1)

11.9 

1.4 
61.6 
— 

6.4 
— 
241.5 
(85.0)

123.0 

(52.2)
— 
— 
56.2 
— 

4.2 
— 
287.7  

Refer to accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

F-6

 
 
  
 
   
    
 
 
 
  
 
    
 
   
 
   
 
 
    
 
 
 
  
 
    
 
   
 
 
 
 
  
 
    
 
   
 
    
 
 
 
  
 
 
   
   
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 
(In millions)

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

Consolidated net income..................................................................................................  $
Adjustments to reconcile consolidated net income to net cash
   provided by operating activities:

Deferred income tax expense .................................................................................... 
Depreciation and amortization .................................................................................. 
Non-cash share-based compensation ........................................................................ 
Impairment on investment......................................................................................... 
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation.................................................. 
Accretion of interest on the discounted payable to founding
   members under tax receivable agreement .............................................................. 
Reversal of income tax reserve ................................................................................. 
Amortization of terminated derivatives..................................................................... 
Amortization of debt issuance costs.......................................................................... 
Redemption premium paid and write-off of debt issuance
   costs related to redemption of Senior Notes due 2021........................................... 
Non-cash (gain) loss on re-measurement of the payable to founding
   members under the tax receivable agreement ........................................................ 
Other.......................................................................................................................... 
Cash distributions from non-consolidated entities........................................................... 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

Receivables, net......................................................................................................... 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses................................................................... 
Amounts due to founding members .......................................................................... 
Payment to founding members under tax receivable agreement............................... 
Deferred revenue ....................................................................................................... 
Income taxes and other.............................................................................................. 
Net cash provided by operating activities.............................................................. 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

Purchases of property and equipment .............................................................................. 
Acquisition of a business ................................................................................................. 
Purchases of marketable securities .................................................................................. 
Proceeds from sale and maturities of marketable securities
   and restricted cash......................................................................................................... 
Purchases of intangible assets from network affiliates .................................................... 
Proceeds from note receivable - founding members........................................................ 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities ............................................... 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

Payment of dividends....................................................................................................... 
Proceeds from borrowings under the revolving credit facility ........................................ 
Repayments of borrowings under the revolving credit facility........................................ 
Proceeds from issuance of Senior Notes due 2026 .......................................................... 
Redemption of Senior Notes due 2021 ............................................................................ 
Payment of debt issuance costs........................................................................................ 
Founding member integration payments and other encumbered
   theater payments ........................................................................................................... 
Distributions to founding members.................................................................................. 
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation......................................................... 
Proceeds from stock option exercises .............................................................................. 
Repurchase of stock for restricted stock tax withholding ................................................ 
Net cash used in financing activities...................................................................... 
CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS............................................................. 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period ........................................................... 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period .....................................................................  $

December 28,
2017

Years Ended
December 29,
2016

December 31,
2015

58.7    $

82.0    $

59.6 

130.6   
37.6   
11.2   
3.1   
—   

18.5   
(1.7)  
—   
2.6   

—   

(103.6)  
(0.3)  
0.3   

(0.1)  
1.7   
0.3   
(18.8)  
(3.1)  
1.9   
138.9   

(11.6)  
(0.2)  
(34.4)  

51.2   
(2.1)  
5.6   
8.5   

(58.7)  
80.0   
(83.0)  
—   
—   
—   

9.8   
35.8   
18.3   
0.7   
—   

19.6   
(2.9)  
—   
2.6   

10.4   

1.0   
—   
0.2   

(13.5)  
(4.1)  
(0.1)  
(25.3)  
—   
(1.0)  
133.5   

(12.9)  
—   
(54.7)  

62.8   
(2.3)  
2.8   
(4.3)  

(54.6)  
126.0   
(177.0)  
250.0   
(207.9)  
(4.8)  

12.9   
(87.3)  
—   
0.6   
(4.7)  
(140.2)  
7.2   
23.0   
30.2    $

2.4   
(67.6)  
—   
0.5   
(4.9)  
(137.9)  
(8.7)  
31.7   
23.0    $

13.8 
32.2 
14.8 
— 
(0.1)

19.4 
— 
1.6 
2.6 

— 

(2.9)
1.1 
0.2 

(35.5)
7.8 
1.4 
(21.1)
1.7 
8.7 
105.3 

(12.6)
— 
(70.6)

83.1 
(2.7)
4.2 
1.4 

(52.3)
215.0 
(171.0)
— 
— 
— 

2.6 
(82.7)
0.1 
1.3 
(1.4)
(88.4)
18.3 
13.4 
31.7  

Refer to accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

F-7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
    
 
  
 
 
    
 
    
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
    
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
    
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
    
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)
(In millions)

December 28,
2017

Years Ended
December 29,
2016

December 31,
2015

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing and investing activity:

Purchase of an intangible asset with NCM LLC equity .......................
Accrued distributions to founding members ........................................
Accrued integration and other encumbered theater payments
   from founding members ....................................................................
Purchase of subsidiary equity with NCM, Inc. equity .........................
Accrued purchases of property and equipment ....................................
Increase in cost and equity method investments ..................................
(Decrease) increase in dividends not requiring cash in the period.......

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

Cash paid for interest............................................................................
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds ..........................................

 $
 $

 $
 $
 $
 $
 $

 $
 $

201.8 
37.6 

9.0 
84.9 
0.4 
— 
(1.0)

49.9 
(1.7)

 $
 $

 $
 $
 $
 $
 $

 $
 $

21.1 
39.9 

— 
— 
— 
2.0 
0.3 

52.5 
0.5 

 $
 $

 $
 $
 $
 $
 $

 $
 $

100.7 
32.4 

— 
3.2 
— 
3.1 
1.8 

49.7 
(2.7)

Refer to accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

F-8

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
      
      
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

NCM, Inc. was incorporated in Delaware as a holding company with the sole purpose of becoming a member and sole 

manager of NCM LLC, a limited liability company owned by NCM, Inc., AMC, Regal and Cinemark. The terms “NCM”, 
“the Company” or “we” shall, unless the context otherwise requires, be deemed to include the consolidated entity. The 
Company operates the largest digital in-theater network in North America, allowing NCM LLC to sell advertising under 
ESAs with the founding members and certain third-party theater circuits under long-term network affiliate agreements 
referred to in this document as “network affiliates”, which have terms from one to twenty years.

As of December 28, 2017, NCM LLC had 154,081,334 common membership units outstanding, of which 76,242,222 

(49.5%) were owned by NCM, Inc., 27,871,862 (18.1%) were owned by Cinemark, 27,574,620 (17.9%) were owned by 
Regal and 22,392,630 (14.5%) were owned by AMC. The membership units held by the founding members are exchangeable 
into NCM, Inc. common stock on a one-for-one basis.

Basis of Presentation

The Company has prepared its Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes of NCM, Inc. in accordance with 

accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and the rules and regulations of the 
Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior years’ financial 
statements to conform to the current presentation (refer to Note 6—Income Taxes, whereby the Company reclassified 
deferred tax balances related to NCM, LLC to reflect the full outside basis differences.  In addition, an offsetting valuation 
allowance was established for the portion of this basis difference that will only reverse upon a sale of the Company’s interest 
in NCM, LLC. Additionally, refer to the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows whereby a certain line item previously 
included within the ‘Other’ caption was broken out separately due to its significance in 2017). These reclassifications had no 
effect on previously reported results of operations or retained earnings.

As a result of the various related-party agreements discussed in Note 8—Related Party Transactions, the operating 
results as presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that might have occurred if all agreements were with non-
related third parties.

Advertising is the principal business activity of the Company and is the Company’s only reportable segment under the 

requirements of ASC 280 – Segment Reporting.

Estimates—The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with 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 revenues and expenses during the reporting 
period. Significant estimates include those related to the reserve for uncollectible accounts receivable, share-based 
compensation and income taxes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Significant Accounting Policies

Accounting Period— The Company has a 52-week or 53-week fiscal year ending on the first Thursday after December 

25. Fiscal years 2015, 2016 and 2017 contained 52 weeks. Throughout this document, the fiscal years are referred to as set 
forth below:

F-9

NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Fiscal Year Ended
December 28, 2017.................................................................  
December 29, 2016.................................................................  
December 31, 2015.................................................................  

  Reference in
this Document
2017
2016
2015

Revenue Recognition—The Company derives revenue principally from the advertising business, which includes on-
screen and lobby network (LEN) advertising and lobby promotions and advertising on entertainment websites and mobile 
applications owned by us and other companies. Revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, 
delivery occurs or services are rendered, the sales price is fixed and determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. 
The Company considers the terms of each arrangement to determine the appropriate accounting treatment.

On-screen advertising consists of national and local advertising. National advertising is sold on a cost per thousand 
(CPM) basis, while local and regional advertising is sold on a per-screen, per-week basis and to a lesser extent on a CPM 
basis. The Company recognizes national advertising as impressions (or theater attendees) are delivered and recognizes local 
on-screen advertising revenue during the period in which the advertising airs as dictated by sales contracts. The Company 
recognizes revenue derived from lobby network and promotions when the advertising is displayed in theater lobbies and 
recognizes revenue from branded entertainment websites and mobile applications when the online or mobile impressions are 
served. The Company may make contractual guarantees to deliver a specified number of impressions to view the customers’ 
advertising. If those contracted number of impressions are not delivered, the Company will run additional advertising to 
deliver the contracted impressions at a later date.  The deferred portion of the revenue associated with the undelivered 
impressions is referred to as a make-good provision. In rare cases, the Company will make a cash refund of the portion of the 
contract related to the undelivered impressions. The Company defers the revenue associated with the make-good until the 
impressions guaranteed in the advertising contract have been satisfied. The make-good provision is recorded within accrued 
expenses in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company records deferred revenue when cash payments are received, or 
invoices are issued, in advance of revenue being earned.  Deferred revenue is classified as a current liability as it is expected 
to be earned within the next twelve months.  

The Company recorded non-cash revenue of $0.0 million, $0.0 million and $3.1 million during the years ended 
December 28, 2017, December 29, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, where the Company received equity securities 
in privately held companies as consideration. The Company recorded the revenue at the estimated fair value of the 
advertising exchanged based upon the fair value of the advertising sold for cash within contracts.

Barter Transactions—The Company enters into barter transactions that exchange advertising program time for 
products and services used principally for selling and marketing activities.  The Company records barter transactions at the 
estimated fair value of the advertising exchanged based on fair value received for similar advertising from cash paying 
customers.  Revenues for advertising barter transactions are recognized when advertising is provided, and products and 
services received are charged to expense when used. Revenue from barter transactions for the years ended December 28, 
2017, December 29, 2016 and December 31, 2015 was $0.8 million, $2.5 million and $2.0 million, respectively. Expense 
recorded from barter transactions for the years ended December 28, 2017, December 29, 2016 and December 31, 2015 was 
$1.4 million, $2.3 million and $2.5 million, respectively.

Operating Costs—Advertising-related operating costs primarily include personnel and other costs related to advertising 

fulfillment, payments due to unaffiliated theater circuits under the network affiliate agreements, and to a lesser extent, 
production costs of non-digital advertising.

Payments to the founding members of a theater access fee is comprised of a payment per theater attendee, a payment 

per digital screen and a payment per digital cinema projector equipped in the theaters, all of which escalate over time.  Refer 
to Item 7—“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included elsewhere 
in this document.

Network costs include personnel, satellite bandwidth, repairs, and other costs of maintaining and operating the digital 

network and preparing advertising and other content for transmission across the digital network.  

Cash and Cash Equivalents—All highly liquid debt instruments and investments purchased with an original maturity 

of three months or less are classified as cash equivalents and are considered available-for-sale securities.  There are cash 
balances in a bank in excess of the federally insured limits or in the form of a money market demand account with a major 
financial institution.

F-10

 
 
NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Restricted Cash—As of December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016, other non-current assets included restricted cash 

of $0.0 million and $0.3 million, respectively. As of December 29, 2016, the Company’s restricted cash represented a secured 
letter of credit used as a lease deposit on the Company’s previous New York office.

Marketable Securities—The Company’s marketable securities are classified as available-for-sale and are reported at 

fair value. The fair value of substantially all securities is determined by quoted market information and pricing models using 
inputs based upon market information, including contractual terms, market prices and yield curves. The estimated fair value 
of securities for which there are no quoted market prices is based on similar types of securities that are traded in the market.

Concentration of Credit Risk and Significant Customers —Bad debts are provided for using the allowance for 
doubtful accounts method based on historical experience and management’s evaluation of outstanding receivables at the end 
of the period. Receivables are written off when management determines amounts are uncollectible. Trade accounts receivable 
are uncollateralized and represent a large number of geographically dispersed debtors. The collectability risk with respect to 
national and regional advertising is reduced by transacting with founding members or large, national advertising agencies 
who have strong reputations in the advertising industry and clients with stable financial positions. The Company has smaller 
contracts with thousands of local clients that are not individually significant.  As of December 28, 2017 and December 29, 
2016, there were no advertising agency groups or individual customers through which the Company sources national 
advertising revenue representing more than 10% of the Company’s outstanding gross receivable balance.  During the years 
ended December 28, 2017, December 29, 2016 and December 31, 2015, there were no customers that accounted for more 
than 10% of revenue.

Receivables consisted of the following (in millions):

As of

December 28, 
2017

December 29, 
2016

Trade accounts.........................................................
Other........................................................................
Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts ...................
Total ...................................................................

 $

 $

166.4   $
0.2    
(6.0)   
160.6   $

166.0 
0.8 
(6.3)
160.5  

Long-lived Assets—Property and equipment is stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation or amortization. 
Generally, the equipment associated with the digital network of the founding member theaters is owned by the founding 
members, while the equipment associated with network affiliate theaters is owned by the Company. Major renewals and 
improvements are capitalized, while replacements, maintenance, and repairs that do not improve or extend the lives of the 
respective assets are expensed as incurred. The Company records depreciation and amortization using the straight-line 
method over the following estimated useful lives:

Equipment ..............................................................4-10 years
Computer hardware and software ..........................3-5 years
Leasehold improvements........................................Lesser of lease term or asset life

Software and website development costs developed or obtained for internal use are accounted for in accordance with 
ASC 350—Internal Use Software and ASC 350– Website Development Costs.  The subtopics require the capitalization of 
certain costs incurred in developing or obtaining software for internal use. Software costs related primarily to the Company’s 
inventory management systems, digital products, digital network distribution system (DCS), and website development costs, 
which are included in equipment and are depreciated over three to five years. As of December 28, 2017, and December 29, 
2016, the Company had a net book value of $16.5 million and $16.6 million, respectively, of capitalized software and website 
development costs.  Depreciation expense related to software and website development was approximately $6.0 million, $3.9 
million and $5.0 million for the years ended December 28, 2017, December 29, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.  
For the years ended December 28, 2017, December 29, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company recorded $3.6 million, 
$3.4 million and $1.5 million in research and development expense, respectively.

The Company assesses impairment of long-lived assets pursuant with ASC 360 – Property, Plant and Equipment. This 
includes determining if certain triggering events have occurred that could affect the value of an asset. The Company recorded 
losses of $0.1 million, $0.2 million and $0.4 million related to the write-off of property, plant and equipment during the years 
ended December 28, 2017, December 29, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

F-11

 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
   
 
 
NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Intangible assets—Intangible assets consist of contractual rights to provide its services within the theaters of the 
founding members and network affiliates and are stated at cost, net of accumulated amortization. The Company records 
amortization using the straight-line method over the contractual life of the intangibles, corresponding to the term of the ESAs 
or the term of the contract with the network affiliate. Intangible assets are tested for impairment at least annually during the 
fourth quarter or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be fully recoverable.  In 
its impairment testing, the Company estimates the fair value of its ESAs or network affiliate agreements by determining the 
estimated future cash flows associated with the ESAs or network affiliate agreements.  If the estimated fair value is less than 
the carrying value, the intangible asset is written down to its estimated fair value.  Significant judgment is involved in 
estimating long-term cash flow forecasts.  The Company has not recorded impairment charges related to intangible assets.

Amounts Due to/from Founding Members—Amounts due to/from founding members include amounts due for the 

theater access fee, offset by a receivable for advertising time purchased by the founding members on behalf of their beverage 
concessionaire plus any amounts outstanding under other contractually obligated payments.  Payments to or received from 
the founding members against outstanding balances are made monthly.  Available cash distributions are made quarterly.

Income Taxes— Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method, which requires recognition of 

deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial 
statements.  Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the 
financial statements and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which differences are 
expected to be recovered or settled pursuant to the provisions of ASC 740 – Income Taxes.  The effect of a change in tax rates 
on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

The Company made certain corrections to previously disclosed amounts to correct for an error related to the payable to 

founding members under the TRA and the related deferred tax asset, deferred tax liability, and additional paid in capital 
(deficit) balances, as well as related non-operating expenses and tax expense for all periods presented.   The Company also 
made an adjustment to beginning retained earnings as of January 1, 2015 and all related footnotes herein have been adjusted 
for the correction.  Refer to Note 18 – Correction of an Error for additional information. 

The Company records a valuation allowance if it is deemed more likely than not that all or a portion of its deferred 

income tax assets will not be realized, which will be assessed on an on-going basis.   In addition, income tax rules and 
regulations are subject to interpretation and the application of those rules and regulations require judgment by the Company 
and may be challenged by the taxation authorities.  The Company follows ASC 740-10-25, which requires the use of a two-
step approach for recognizing and measuring tax benefits taken or expected to be taken in a tax return and disclosures 
regarding uncertainties in income tax positions.  Only tax positions that meet the more likely than not recognition threshold 
are recognized.  

The Company recognizes the tax benefits from uncertain tax positions only when it is more likely than not, based on 

the technical merits of the position, the tax position will be sustained upon examination, including the resolution of any 
related appeals or litigation. The tax benefits recognized in the audited Consolidated Financial Statements from such a 
position are measured as the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate 
resolution. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. 

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted the Tax Act which makes broad and complex changes to the U.S. 

tax code that will affect the Company’s fiscal year ending December 27, 2018. Refer to Note 6—Income Taxes.

Debt Issuance Costs—In relation to the issuance of outstanding debt discussed in Note 9—Borrowings, there is a 
balance of $10.0 million and $12.6 million in deferred financing costs as of December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016, 
respectively. The debt issuance costs are being amortized on a straight-line basis over the terms of the underlying obligations 
and are included in interest on borrowings, which approximates the effective interest method.

The changes in debt issuance costs are as follows (in millions):

December 28,
2017

Years Ended
December 29,
2016

December 31,
2015

Beginning balance...........................................  $
Debt issuance payments.............................   
Amortization of debt issuance costs ..........   
Write-off of debt issuance costs ................   
Ending balance ................................................  $

12.6    $
—     
(2.6)   
—     
10.0    $

12.9    $
4.8     
(2.6)   
(2.5)   
12.6    $

15.5 
— 
(2.6)
— 
12.9  

F-12

 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Share-Based Compensation— Through 2012, the Company issued stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock 

units.  Since 2013, the Company has only issued restricted stock and restricted stock units. Restricted stock and restricted 
stock units vest upon the achievement of Company three-year cumulative performance measures and service conditions or 
only service conditions whereby they vest ratably over three years. Compensation expense of restricted stock that vests upon 
the achievement of Company performance measures is based on management’s financial projections and the probability of 
achieving the projections, which require considerable judgment. A cumulative adjustment is recorded to share-based 
compensation expense in periods that management changes its estimate of the number of shares expected to vest. Ultimately, 
the Company adjusts the expense recognized to reflect the actual vested shares following the resolution of the performance 
conditions. Dividends are accrued when declared on unvested restricted stock that is expected to vest and are only paid with 
respect to shares that actually vest.

Compensation cost of stock options was based on the estimated grant date fair value using the Black-Scholes option 

pricing model, which requires that the Company make estimates of various factors. Under the fair value recognition 
provisions of ASC 718 Compensation – Stock Compensation, the Company recognizes share-based compensation net of an 
estimated forfeiture rate, and therefore only recognizes compensation cost for those shares expected to vest over the requisite 
service period of the award. Refer to Note 10—Share-Based Compensation for more information.

Fair Value Measurements— Fair value is the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a 
liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair value is estimated by applying 
the following hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value into three levels and bases the categorization 
within the hierarchy upon the lowest level of input that is available and significant to the fair value measurement:

Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 – Observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities, quoted 
prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets, or other inputs that are observable or can be 
corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

Level 3 – Inputs that are generally unobservable and typically reflect management’s estimate of assumptions that 
market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.

Derivative Instruments— NCM LLC terminated its interest rate swap agreements that were used to hedge its interest 

rate risk associated with its term loan. The Company amortized into earnings the balance in Accumulated Other 
Comprehensive Income (“AOCI”) related to these swaps over the remaining period of the term loan.

Consolidation—NCM, Inc. consolidates the accounts of NCM LLC under the provisions of ASC 810, Consolidation 
(“ASC 810”). Under Accounting Standards Update 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation 
Analysis (“ASU 2015-02”), a limited partnership is a variable interest entity unless a simple majority or lower threshold of all 
limited partners unrelated to the general partner have kick-out or participating rights.  The non-managing members of NCM 
LLC do not have dissolution rights or removal rights. NCM, Inc. has evaluated the provisions of the NCM LLC membership 
agreement and has concluded that the various rights of the non-managing members are not substantive participating rights 
under ASC 810, as they do not limit NCM, Inc.’s ability to make decisions in the ordinary course of business.  As such, the 
Company concluded that NCM LLC is a variable interest entity and determined that NCM, Inc. should consolidate the 
accounts of NCM LLC pursuant to ASU 2015-02 because 1) it has the power to direct the activities of NCM LLC in its role 
as managing member and 2) NCM, Inc. has the obligation to absorb losses of, or the right to receive benefits from, NCM 
LLC that could potentially be significant provided its 49.5% ownership in NCM LLC.  Prior to the prospective adoption of 
ASU 2015-02 in the first quarter of 2016, the Company reached the same conclusion under previous guidance in ASC 810 to 
consolidate NCM LLC.

F-13

NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following table presents the changes in NCM, Inc.’s equity resulting from net income attributable to NCM, Inc. 

and transfers to or from noncontrolling interests (in millions):

December 28, 
2017

Years Ended
December 29, 
2016

December 31, 
2015

Net income attributable to NCM, Inc.................................  $
NCM LLC equity issued for purchase of intangible
   asset .................................................................................   
Income tax and other impacts of NCM LLC ownership
   changes (1) ......................................................................   
NCM, Inc. investment in NCM LLC .................................   
Issuance of shares...............................................................   
Change from net income attributable to NCM, Inc.
   and transfers from noncontrolling interests.....................  $

2.5 

 $

20.4 

 $

11.3 

78.8     

9.2 

44.4 

42.5     
(84.9)   
84.7     

(3.0)   
— 
— 

(15.2)
(3.2)
3.2 

123.6 

 $

26.6 

 $

40.5  

(1)

Subsequent to the issuance of the December 29, 2016 financial statements, an error was identified to the 
recording of related party balances between the Company and NCM LLC. As of December 28, 2017, the 
Company recorded an increase of approximately $3.6 million to its additional paid in capital balance and 
recorded an equivalent reduction to its noncontrolling interests equity balance related to the correction of 
the out of period error.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In the first quarter of 2017, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update 2016-07, Investments- Equity Method 
and Joint Ventures: Simplifying the Transition to the Equity Method of Accounting (“ASU 2016-07”) on a prospective basis. 
ASU 2016-07 eliminates the requirement to apply the equity method of accounting retrospectively when a reporting entity 
obtains significant influence over a previously held investment. The adoption of ASU 2016-07 did not have a material impact 
on the unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements or notes thereto. 

In the first quarter of 2017, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update 2016-17, Consolidation (Topic 810): 

Interests Held through Related Parties That Are under Common Control (“ASU 2016-17”) on a retrospective basis to all 
periods since its adoption of Accounting Standards Update 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the 
Consolidation Analysis (“ASU 2015-02”) in the first quarter of 2016. ASU 2016-17 changes the evaluation of whether a 
reporting entity is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity by changing how a reporting entity that is a single 
decision maker of a variable interest entity treats indirect interests in the entity held through related parties that are under 
common control with the reporting entity. If a reporting entity satisfies the first characteristic of a primary beneficiary (such 
that it is the single decision maker of a variable interest entity), the amendments require that reporting entity, in determining 
whether it satisfies the second characteristic of a primary beneficiary, to include all of its direct variable interests in a variable 
interest entity and, on a proportionate basis, its indirect variable interests in a variable interest entity held through related 
parties, including related parties that are under common control with the reporting entity. The adoption of ASU 2016-17 did 
not have a material impact on the audited Consolidated Financial Statements or notes thereto.

F-14

 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
  
  
  
 
NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, 

Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (“ASU 2014-09”), which supersedes the revenue recognition 
requirements in Accounting Standards Codification 605, Revenue Recognition. The new revenue recognition standard 
requires entities to recognize revenue in a way that depicts the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an 
amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. In 
August 2015, the FASB revised the effective date for this standard to annual and interim periods beginning on or after 
December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted, but not earlier than the original effective date of annual and interim 
periods beginning after December 15, 2016, for public entities. ASU 2014-09 allows for either a full retrospective or a 
modified retrospective transition method. The Company adopted this guidance using the modified retrospective transition 
method on December 29, 2017. The Company identified the same performance obligations under ASU 2014-09 as compared 
with deliverables and separate units of account previously identified. ASU 2014-09 impacted the accounting for barter 
transactions where the Company exchanges advertising time for products and services used principally for selling and 
marketing activities. Through the year ended December 28, 2017, the Company recognized revenue for these transactions at 
the estimated fair value of the advertising exchanged based on the fair value received for similar advertising from cash paying 
customers. Under ASU 2014-09, the Company will recognize revenue for these transactions based upon the fair value of the 
products and services received, rather than the value of the advertising provided. The modified retrospective transition 
method allows entities to apply the new revenue standard prospectively and record a cumulative-effect adjustment to the 
opening balance of retained earnings in the period the new revenue standard is first applied. Upon the adoption of ASU 2014-
09 on December 29, 2017, the Company expects to record an immaterial cumulative-effect adjustment related to the change 
in accounting for barter transactions. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2014-09 to have a material impact 
on the Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company will incorporate additional disclosures in its notes to its 
Consolidated Financial Statements to comply with ASU 2014-09 effective in the first quarter of 2018. The Company has 
designed and implemented changes to certain processes and internal controls related to its adoption of ASU 2014-09. 

In January 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-01, Recognition and Measurement of Financial 

Assets and Financial Liabilities (“ASU 2016-01”), which requires equity investments that are not accounted for under the 
equity method of accounting to be measured at fair value with changes recognized in earnings (rather than reported through 
other comprehensive income) and updates certain presentation and disclosure requirements. The guidance is effective for 
reporting periods (interim and annual) beginning after December 15, 2017, for public companies and should be adopted on a 
prospective basis.  The Company is currently evaluating the impact that adopting this guidance will have on the audited 
Consolidated Financial Statements or notes thereto.

In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (“ASU 2016-02”). 

ASU 2016-02 establishes a right-of-use (“ROU”) model that requires a lessee to record a ROU asset and a lease liability on 
the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than twelve months. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, 
with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement. The new standard is effective for 
fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. A modified retrospective 
transition approach is required for lessees for capital and operating leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of 
the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements, with certain practical expedients available. The 
Company is currently evaluating the impact that adopting this guidance will have on the audited Consolidated Financial 
Statements or notes thereto.

In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 

326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Statements (“ASU 2016-13”), which requires a financial asset (or group of 
financial assets) measured at amortized cost basis to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. The allowance 
for credit losses is a valuation account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of the financial asset(s) to present the 
net carrying value at the amount expected to be collected on the financial asset. ASU 2016-13 is effective for fiscal years 
beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted and is 
to be adopted on a modified retrospective basis. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2016-13 to have a 
material impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): 
Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (“ASU 2016-15”), which provides guidance on how certain cash 
receipts and cash payments are to be presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. The Company adopted this 
guidance using the retrospective transition method on December 29, 2017. The Company will present the Consolidated 

F-15

NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Statement of Cash Flows in accordance with ASU 2016-15 effective in the first quarter of 2018.The Company does not 
expect the adoption of ASU 2016-15 to have a material impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements.

In November 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): 

Restricted Cash (“ASU 2016-18”), which requires that the reconciliation of the beginning-of-period and end-of-period 
amounts shown in the statement of cash flows include restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents. If restricted cash is 
presented separately from cash and cash equivalents on the balance sheet, companies will have to reconcile the amounts 
presented on the statement of cash flows to the amounts on the balance sheet. Companies will also need to disclose 
information about the nature of the restrictions. The Company adopted this guidance on December 29, 2017. The Company 
does not expect the adoption of ASU 2016-18 to have a material impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Company has considered all other recently issued accounting pronouncements and does not believe the adoption of 

such pronouncements will have a material impact on its audited Consolidated Financial Statements or notes thereto.

2.

EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share is computed on the basis of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding.  

Diluted earnings per share is computed on the basis of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus the 
effect of potentially dilutive common stock options, restricted stock, and exchangeable NCM LLC common units using the 
treasury stock method.  The components of basic and diluted earnings per NCM, Inc. share are as follows:

Years Ended

December 28, 
2017

December 29, 
2016

December 31, 
2015

Net income attributable to NCM, Inc. (in millions) ........
Net income attributable to NCM, Inc. following
   conversion of dilutive membership units (net of
   estimated taxes of $55.1, $0.0, and $0.0) .....................
Weighted average shares outstanding:

 $

 $

2.5  $

20.4  $

11.3 

3.6  $

20.4  $

11.3 

Basic ...........................................................................
Add: Dilutive effect of stock options, restricted
   stock, and exchangeable NCM LLC common
   membership units ....................................................
Diluted........................................................................

Earnings per NCM, Inc. share:

   65,226,817    59,788,026    58,979,508 

   85,840,453   
609,791 
   151,067,270    60,605,570    59,589,299 

817,544   

Basic ...........................................................................
Diluted........................................................................

 $
 $

0.04  $
0.02  $

0.34  $
0.34  $

0.19 
0.19  

The diluted weighted average shares outstanding assumes the conversion of all founding member common units to 
NCM, Inc. shares for the year ended December 28, 2017. Upon the conversion of all common units, all of consolidated NCM 
LLC net income would be attributable to NCM, Inc. and thus has been utilized as the numerator of the diluted EPS 
calculation. Consolidated NCM LLC net income has been tax effected utilizing NCM, Inc.’s effective tax rate of 98.1% for 
the year ended December 28, 2017. The effect of the 77,020,686 and 71,439,992 exchangeable NCM LLC common 
membership units held by the founding members for the years ended December 29, 2016 and December 31, 2015, 
respectively, were excluded from the calculation of diluted weighted average shares and earnings per NCM, Inc. share as they 
were antidilutive in those periods.  NCM LLC common membership units do not participate in dividends paid on NCM Inc.’s 
common shares.  In addition, there were 2,583,196, 16,657 and 64,519 stock options and non-vested (restricted) shares for 
the years ended December 28, 2017, December 29, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, excluded from the calculation 
as they were antidilutive, primarily because exercise prices associated with those shares were above the average market 
value.  The Company’s non-vested (restricted) shares do not meet the definition of a participating security as the dividends 
will not be paid if the shares do not vest.

F-16

 
 
 
  
 
  
    
    
  
  
    
    
  
NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

3.

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

The following is a summary of property and equipment, at cost less accumulated depreciation (in millions):

As of

December 28, 
2017

December 29, 
2016

Equipment, computer hardware and software...........
Leasehold improvements ..........................................
Less: Accumulated depreciation ...............................
Subtotal ................................................................
Construction in progress ...........................................
Total property and equipment..............................

 $

 $

92.9   $
4.0    
(70.4)   
26.5    
4.2    
30.7   $

86.6 
3.4 
(64.1)
25.9 
3.7 
29.6  

 For the years ended December 28, 2017, December 29, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company recorded 

depreciation expense of $10.9 million, $8.6 million, and $9.6 million, respectively.  

4.

INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The Company’s intangible assets consist of contractual rights to provide its services within the theaters of the founding 

members and network affiliates. The Company records amortization using the straight-line method over the contractual life 
of the intangibles, corresponding to the term of the ESAs or the term of the contract with the network affiliate. The 
Company’s intangible assets with the founding members are recorded at the fair market value of NCM, Inc.’s publicly traded 
stock as of the date on which the common membership units were issued. The NCM LLC common membership units are 
fully convertible into NCM, Inc.’s common stock. The Company also records intangible assets for upfront fees paid to 
network affiliates upon commencement of a network affiliate agreement. Pursuant to ASC 350-10—Intangibles—Goodwill 
and Other, the Company’s intangible assets have a finite useful life and the Company amortizes the assets over the remaining 
useful life corresponding with the ESAs or the term of the contract with the network affiliate. 

In accordance with NCM LLC’s Common Unit Adjustment Agreement with its founding members, on an annual basis 
NCM LLC determines the amount of common membership units to be issued to or returned by the founding members based 
on theater additions or dispositions during the previous year.  In addition, NCM LLC’s Common Unit Adjustment Agreement 
requires that a Common Unit Adjustment occur for a specific founding member if its acquisition or disposition of theaters, in 
a single transaction or cumulatively since the most recent Common Unit Adjustment, results in an attendance increase or 
decrease in excess of two percent of the annual total attendance at the prior adjustment date.  

If an existing on-screen advertising agreement with an alternative provider is in place with respect to any acquired 
theaters, the founding members may elect to receive common membership units related to those encumbered theaters in 
connection with the Common Unit Adjustment.  If the founding members make this election, then they are required to make 
payments on a quarterly basis in arrears in accordance with certain run-out provisions pursuant to the ESAs (“integration 
payments”). Because the Carmike and Rave theaters are subject to an existing on-screen advertising agreement with an 
alternative provider, AMC and Cinemark will make integration payments to NCM LLC. The integration payments will 
continue until the earlier of (i) the date the theaters are transferred to NCM LLC’s network or (ii) the expiration of the ESA. 
Integration payments are calculated based upon the advertising cash flow that the Company would have generated if it had 
exclusive access to sell advertising in the theaters with pre-existing advertising agreements. The ESA additionally entitles 
NCM LLC to payments related to the founding members’ on-screen advertising commitments under their beverage 
concessionaire agreements for encumbered theaters (“encumbered theater payments”). These payments are also accounted for 
as a reduction to the intangible asset. If common membership units are issued to a founding member for newly acquired 
theaters that are subject to an existing on-screen advertising agreement with an alternative provider, the amortization of the 
intangible asset commences after the existing agreement expires and NCM LLC can utilize the theaters for all of its services.

 The following is a summary of the Company’s intangible asset’s activity (in millions) during 2017 and 2016:

As of
December 29,
2016

  Additions (1)  

  Amortization  

Integration
and other 
encumbered 
theater 
payments (3)  

As of
December 28,
2017

Gross carrying amount .................................
Accumulated amortization ...........................
Total intangible assets, net......................

 $

 $

679.4   $
(118.9)   
560.5   $

204.1   $
—    
204.1   $

—   $
(26.5)   
(26.5)  $

(20.9)  $
—    
(20.9)  $

862.6 
(145.4)
717.2  

F-17

 
 
 
 
 
   
 
   
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

As of
December 31,
2015

  Additions (2)  

  Amortization  

Integration 
and other 
encumbered 
theater 
payments (3)  

As of
December 29,
2016

Gross carrying amount .................................
Accumulated amortization ...........................
Total intangible assets, net......................

 $

 $

658.6   $
(91.9)   
566.7   $

23.4   $
—    
23.4   $

—   $
(27.0)   
(27.0)  $

(2.6)  $
—    
(2.6)  $

679.4 
(118.9)
560.5  

(1) During the first quarter of 2017, NCM LLC issued 2,351,029 common membership units to its founding members for 
the rights to exclusive access to net new theater screens and attendees added by the founding members to NCM LLC’s 
network during 2016. During the first quarter of 2017, the Company issued 18,425,423 NCM LLC common membership 
units to AMC in respect of the annual attendance at the acquired Carmike theaters in accordance with the Common Unit 
Adjustment Agreement. AMC’s acquisition of Carmike meets the criteria for a Common Unit Adjustment because it 
resulted in an extraordinary attendance increase of approximately 9.5%.  Further, the Final Judgment required AMC to 
transfer advertising rights to 17 theaters from NCM LLC to another advertising provider.  Pursuant to the MOU, AMC 
surrendered 4,657,673 NCM LLC common membership units in respect of such theaters.  The 4,657,673 NCM LLC 
common membership units were comprised of (i) 2,850,453 NCM LLC common membership units pursuant to the 
adjustment for divested theaters in the Common Unit Adjustment Agreement and (ii) an additional 1,807,220 NCM LLC 
common membership units valued at $25.0 million to compensate for NCM LLC’s lost operating income for these 
theaters during the 10-year term of the Final Judgment. NCM LLC recorded a net intangible asset of $201.8 million in 
the first quarter of 2017 as a result of these Common Unit Adjustments.

During 2017, the Company purchased intangible assets for $2.1 million associated with network affiliate agreements.
During 2017, the Company purchased intangible assets for $0.2 million associated with acquired software.

(2) During the first quarter of 2016, NCM LLC issued 1,416,515 common membership units to its founding members for 
the rights to exclusive access to net new theater screens and attendees added by the founding members to NCM LLC’s 
network during 2015. NCM LLC recorded a net intangible asset of $21.1 million in the first quarter of 2016 as a result 
of the Common Unit Adjustment.

During 2016, the Company purchased intangible assets for $2.3 million associated with network affiliate agreements.

(3) Carmike and Rave Cinemas had pre-existing advertising agreements for some of the theaters it owned prior to their 
acquisitions by AMC and Cinemark. As a result, AMC and Cinemark will make integration and other encumbered 
theater payments over the remaining term of those agreements.  During the year ended December 28, 2017 and 
December 29, 2016, NCM LLC recorded a reduction to net intangible assets of $20.9 million and $2.6 million, 
respectively, related to integration and other encumbered theater payments due from AMC and Cinemark. During the 
year ended December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016, AMC and Cinemark paid a total of $12.9 million and $2.4 
million, respectively related to integration and other encumbered theater payments.

As of December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016, the Company’s intangible assets related to the founding members, 
net of accumulated amortization was $687.1 million and $529.9 million, respectively with weighted average remaining lives 
of 19.2 years and 20.2 years as of December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016, respectively.

As of December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016, the Company’s intangible assets related to the network affiliates, 

net of accumulated amortization was $30.0 million and $30.6 million, respectively with weighted average remaining lives of 
11.0 years and 12.7 years as of December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016, respectively.

As of December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016, the Company’s intangible assets related to acquired software, net of 
accumulated amortization was $0.1 million and $0.0 million, respectively with weighted average remaining lives of 2.5 years 
and 0.0 years as of December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016, respectively.  

F-18

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the years ended December 28, 2017, December 29, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company recorded 
amortization expense of $26.5 million, $27.0 million and $22.6 million, respectively. The estimated aggregate amortization 
expense for each of the five succeeding years is as follows (in millions):

Year
2018 ........................................................................................  $
2019 ........................................................................................  $
2020 ........................................................................................  $
2021 ........................................................................................  $
2022 ........................................................................................  $

  Amortization  
26.5 
26.3 
26.3 
26.3 
25.9  

5.

ACCRUED EXPENSES

The following is a summary of the Company’s accrued expenses (in millions):

As of

December 28,
2017

December 29,
2016

Make-good reserve.............................................................  $
Accrued interest .................................................................   
Deferred rent ......................................................................   
Other accrued expenses......................................................   
Total accrued expenses.................................................  $

5.5   $
11.6    
0.8    
2.0    
19.9   $

4.6 
11.3 
1.8 
1.9 
19.6  

6.

INCOME TAXES

The Company is subject to taxation in the U.S. and various states. The Company’s tax returns for the calendar years 
2014 through 2016 remain open to examination by the IRS in their entirety. With respect to state taxing jurisdictions, the 
Company’s tax returns for calendar years ended 2012 through 2016 are eligible for examination by various state revenue 
services.

Tax Receivable Agreement—On the IPO date, NCM, Inc. and the founding members entered into a tax receivable 
agreement.  Under the terms of this agreement, NCM, Inc. will make cash payments to the founding members in amounts 
equal to 90% of NCM, Inc.’s actual tax benefit realized from the tax amortization of the intangible assets described below.  
For purposes of the tax receivable agreement, cash savings in income and franchise tax will be computed by comparing 
NCM, Inc.’s actual income and franchise tax liability to the amount of such taxes that NCM, Inc. would have been required 
to pay had there been no increase in NCM, Inc.’s proportionate share of tax basis in NCM LLC’s tangible and intangible 
assets and had the tax receivable agreement not been entered into. The tax receivable agreement applies to NCM, Inc.’s 
taxable years up to and including the 30th anniversary date of the offering.  The Company paid the founding members $18.8 
million in 2017 ($18.8 million was net operating loss carrybacks for the 2016 tax year), $25.3 million in 2016 ($2.7 million 
was net operating loss carrybacks for the 2013 tax year and $22.6 million for the 2015 tax year), and $21.1 million in 2015 
($0.9 million was net operating loss carrybacks for the 2009, 2010 and 2011 tax year and $20.2 million for the 2014 tax 
year). 

NCM, Inc. recorded a long-term payable to founding members related to the tax receivable agreement, which is 

recorded at its fair value. The Company recorded accretion of interest on the discounted payable of $18.5 million, $19.6 
million and $19.4 million for the years ended December 28, 2017, December 29, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. 
Further, changes in the tax rate each period resulted in re-measurement of the payable of $(103.6) million, $1.0 million and 
$(2.9) million during the years ended December 28, 2017, December 29, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. 

F-19

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Provision for Income Taxes—The Company has provided total income taxes, as follows (in millions):

December 28,
2017

Years Ended
December 29,
2016

December 31,
2015

Current:

Federal ..........................................................................  $
State ..............................................................................   
Total current income tax (benefit)/expense.............  $

(1.6)  $
—     
(1.6)  $

Deferred:

Federal ..........................................................................  $
State ..............................................................................   
Total deferred income tax expense..........................  $

102.0   $
28.6     
130.6   $

(2.5)  $
0.2 
(2.3)  $

9.1 
0.7 
9.8 

 $

 $

4.5 
1.2 
5.7 

11.3 
2.5 
13.8 

Total income tax provision on Consolidated
   Statements of Income ......................................................
Income tax expense on other
   comprehensive income ....................................................

$

$

129.0 

$

7.5 

$

19.5 

— 

$

— 

$

0.3  

A reconciliation of the provision for income taxes as reported and the amount computed by multiplying income before 

taxes, less noncontrolling interest, by the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% was (in millions):

December 28,
2017

Years Ended
December 29,
2016

December 31,
2015

Provision calculated at federal statutory income
   tax rate:

Income before income taxes ....................................  $
Less: Noncontrolling interests .................................   
Income attributable to NCM, Inc. ......................   

Current year change to enacted federal and
   state rate (1) ..........................................................
State and local income taxes, net of federal
   benefit ...................................................................
NCM LLC income taxes..........................................   
Share-based compensation ......................................   
Uncertain tax positions (2) ......................................   
Change in the valuation allowance ..........................   
NCM LLC membership unit issuance to
   NCM, Inc. .............................................................
Other ........................................................................   
Total income tax provision.................................  $

65.6   $
(19.7)   
45.9    

31.4 
 $
(21.6)   
9.8 

81.2 

(1.9)

4.9 
0.2     
0.8     
(1.7)   
(4.2)   

0.5 
1.4     
129.0   $

1.3 
0.1 
(0.1)   
(2.9)   
— 

0.9 
0.3 
7.5 

 $

27.7 
(16.9)
10.8 

1.9 

1.3 
0.1 
0.3 
4.9 
— 

0.2 
— 
19.5  

(1) Refer to the discussion of the impact of the Tax Act within the ‘Tax Reform’ section below. 
(2) During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company established a reserve for material, known tax 

exposures of $4.9 million, including accrued interest and penalties.  The reserve relates to tax exposures 
from prior periods (2010 through 2014).  The impact of this reserve was a total out of period impact of 
$4.9 million to income tax expense and income tax payable in the audited Consolidated Financial 
Statements during 2015. During the years ended December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016, the 
Company reversed approximately $1.7 million of its reserve ($1.3 million of unrecognized tax benefits and 
$0.4 million of accrued interest and penalties) and $2.9 million of its reserve ($2.3 million of income tax 
benefits and $0.6 million of accrued interest and penalties), respectively, because the statute of limitations 
expired. Further information is provided below.

F-20

 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
   
      
      
  
  
   
      
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Deferred Tax Assets—Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets consisted of the following (in 

millions):

Years Ended

December 28,
2017

December 29,
2016

Deferred tax assets:

Investment in consolidated subsidiary NCM
$
   LLC (1)........................................................................
Share-based compensation .............................................   
Net operating losses........................................................   
Accrued bonus ................................................................   
Other ...............................................................................   
Total gross deferred tax assets ..................................  $
Valuation allowance (1) .................................................   

Total deferred tax assets, net of valuation 
allowance ..................................................................

$

$

241.0 
3.7 
12.7 
0.4 
1.3 
 $
259.1 
(98.1)   

384.4 
6.3 
11.4 
0.8 
1.6 
404.5 
(110.3)

161.0 

$

294.2  

(1)

The Company recognized a deferred tax asset in the amount of $241.0 million and $384.4 million 
as of 2017 and 2016, respectively, associated with the basis difference in our investment in NCM 
LLC. However, a portion of the total basis difference will only reverse upon a sale of the 
Company’s interest in NCM LLC, which the Company expects would result in a capital loss. 
Therefore, as of December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016 the Company has a valuation 
allowance in the amount of $98.1 million and $110.3 million, respectively, against the deferred tax 
asset to which this portion relates.

During the year ended December 28, 2017, the Company recorded a reduction to its deferred tax assets of 
approximately $32.2 million related to the tax affected difference between the tax basis and book basis of the intangible 
assets recorded for the extraordinary Common Unit Adjustment and offsetting integration payments, as discussed further in 
Note 3 – Intangible Assets.  These items also resulted in a net reduction to additional paid-in capital of approximately $32.2 
million. Further, the Company recognized a deferred tax asset related to a tax basis note receivable of $27.7 million in 
connection with the common membership unit redemptions that occurred in the third and fourth quarter of 2017, as discussed 
further in Note 4 – Related Party Transactions. 

Tax Reform— On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted the Tax Act which makes broad and complex 

changes to the U.S. tax code that will affect the Company’s fiscal year ending December 27, 2018, including, but not limited 
to, (1) reducing the U.S. federal corporate tax rate, (2) allowing full expensing of qualified property, (3) creating a new 
limitation on deductible interest expense; (4) changing rules related to uses and limitations of net operating loss 
carryforwards created in tax years beginning after December 31, 2017, and (5) limiting the amount of compensation that can 
be deducted for highly compensated officers by terminating the exclusion of performance-based compensation from the $1 
million per employee, per year limitation.  Following the enactment of the Tax Act, the SEC staff issued SAB 118 which 
provides guidance on accounting for the tax effects of the Tax Act. SAB 118 provides a measurement period that should not 
extend beyond one year from the Tax Act enactment date for companies to complete the accounting under ASC 740. While 
the Company is able to make a reasonable estimate of the impact of the reduction in the corporate tax rate, the Company’s 
accounting for various elements of the Tax Act may be affected by other related analysis including, but not limited to, bonus 
depreciation that will allow for immediate expensing of qualified property and the state tax effect of adjustments made to 
federal temporary differences. As such, the impact of the Tax Act is an estimate pending further information and the analysis 
noted. The decrease in the U.S. federal corporate tax rate decreased NCM, Inc.’s blended state and federal rate from 38.58% 
to 25.38% during the year ended December 28, 2017.

The Company recorded a $97.5 million reduction to the ‘Payable to founding members under the tax receivable 

agreement’ related to the reduction of the U.S. federal corporate tax rate. The reduction was recorded as a gain of $97.5 
million within non-operating income within the Consolidated Statements of Income. Additionally, the Company revalued its 
deferred balances utilizing the lower blended state and federal rate resulting in a reduction of the net deferred tax asset of 
$81.2 million. The reduction of the net deferred tax asset was recorded as an increase in deferred tax expense.

Carryforwards— As of December 28, 2017, the Company had gross federal net operating loss carryforwards of 
approximately $46.4 million, which expire in 2034 through 2037. As of December 28, 2017, the Company had gross state net 

F-21

 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
  
     
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

operating loss carryforwards of approximately $62.5 million, which expire at various dates between 2018 and 2037.  As of 
December 28, 2017, the Company had gross capital loss carryforwards of approximately $1.3 million, which expire in 2021.  

Uncertain Tax Positions— The Company has established a reserve for material, known tax exposures.  As of 

December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016, the total amount of the tax reserve was $0.3 million and $2.0 million, including 
accrued interest and penalties, respectively. During the year ended December 28, 2017, the Company reversed approximately 
$1.7 million of its contingency reserve ($1.3 million of unrecognized tax benefits and $0.4 million of accrued interest and 
penalties) because the statute of limitations expired. It is reasonably possible that the Company’s total unrecognized tax 
benefits will decrease by approximately $0.3 million during the next twelve months due to the expiration of certain statutes of 
limitations. The Company’s reserve reflects management’s judgment as to the resolution of the issues involved if subject to 
judicial review or other settlement. While the Company believes its reserves are adequate to cover reasonably expected tax 
risks, there can be no assurance that, in all instances, an issue raised by a tax authority will be resolved at a financial cost that 
does not exceed its related reserve. With respect to the reserve, the Company’ income tax expense would include (i) any 
changes in tax reserves arising from material changes during the period in the facts and circumstances (i.e., new information) 
surrounding a tax issue and (ii) any difference from the Company’s tax position as recorded in the financial statements and 
the final resolution of a tax issue during the period.  Such resolution could materially increase or decrease income tax expense 
in the audited Consolidated Financial Statements in future periods and could impact operating cash flows.

Unrecognized tax benefits represent the aggregate tax effect of differences between tax return positions and the 

amounts otherwise recognized in the audited Consolidated Financial Statements.  A reconciliation of the beginning and 
ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest and penalties, is as follows (in millions):

Balance at beginning of period .....................................................................................  $
Additions based on tax positions related to prior years...........................................
Reductions based on the lapse of applicable statute of limitations .........................
Balance at end of period................................................................................................   $

  December 28, 2017  
1.6 
— 
(1.3)
0.3 

  December 29, 2016  
3.9 
  $
— 
(2.3)
1.6  

 $

Years Ended

The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate was $0.3 million 

and $1.6 million as of December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016, respectively, excluding interest and penalties.  It is 
reasonably possible that the Company’s total unrecognized tax benefits will decrease by approximately $0.3 million during 
the next twelve months due to the expiration of certain statutes of limitations. The Company has accrued $0.0 million and 
$0.4 million for the payment of interest and penalties as of December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016, respectively.  

The Company recognizes interest and penalties with respect to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense in the 
Consolidated Statements of Income and records the liability in income taxes payable in the Consolidated Balance Sheets in 
accordance with ASC 740.  The Company recognized 0.0 million, $(0.6) million and $1.0 million in interest and penalties 
during the years ended December 28, 2017, December 29, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.  

7.

EQUITY

As of December 28, 2017, the Company has authorized capital stock of 175,000,000 shares of common stock, par 
value of $0.01 per share, and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value of $0.01 per share.  There were no shares of 
preferred stock issued or outstanding as of December 28, 2017.  There were 76,242,222 shares of common stock issued and 
outstanding as of December 28, 2017.

The holders of NCM Inc. common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted for action by the 

NCM Inc. stockholders. Holders of common stock are entitled to share equally, share for share, in declared dividends.

The authorized but unissued shares of common stock and preferred stock are available for future issuance without 

stockholder approval.  These additional shares may be used for a variety of corporate purposes, including share based 
compensation, future public offerings to raise additional capital, corporate acquisitions and exchange on a one-for-one basis 
under the founding members’ right to convert their NCM LLC membership units into Company common stock.

NCM LLC’s founding members received all proceeds from NCM, Inc.’s IPO and related issuances of debt, except for 

amounts needed to pay out-of-pocket costs of the financings and other expenses.  The ESAs with the founding members were 
amended and restated in conjunction with the IPO under which NCM LLC became the exclusive provider of advertising 
services to the founding members for a 30-year term.  In conformity with accounting guidance of the SEC concerning 

F-22

 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

monetary consideration paid to promoters, such as the founding members, in exchange for property conveyed by the 
promoters, the excess over predecessor cost was treated as a special distribution.  Because the founding members had no cost 
basis in the ESAs, nearly all payments to the founding members with the proceeds of the IPO and related debt, have been 
accounted for as distributions.  The distributions by NCM LLC to the founding members made at the date of the IPO resulted 
in a consolidated stockholders’ deficit.  As a noncontrolling interest cannot be shown as an asset, the founding members’ 
interest in NCM LLC’s members equity is included in distributions in excess of paid in capital in the accompanying 
Consolidated Balance Sheets.

8.

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Founding Member Transactions— In connection with the IPO, the Company entered into several agreements to 
define and regulate the relationships among NCM, Inc., NCM LLC and the founding members.  They include the following:

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

(cid:129)

ESAs. Under the ESAs, NCM LLC is the exclusive provider within the United States of advertising services in 
the founding members’ theaters (subject to pre-existing contractual obligations and other limited exceptions for 
the benefit of the founding members). The advertising services include the use of the DCN equipment required to 
deliver the on-screen advertising and other content included in the Noovie pre-show, use of the LEN and rights to 
sell and display certain lobby promotions. Further, 30 to 60 seconds of advertising included in the Noovie pre-
show is sold to the founding members to satisfy the founding members’ on-screen advertising commitments 
under their beverage concessionaire agreements. In consideration for access to the founding members’ theaters, 
theater patrons, the network equipment required to display on-screen and LEN video advertising and the use of 
theaters for lobby promotions, the founding members receive a monthly theater access fee.

Common Unit Adjustment Agreement. The common unit adjustment agreement provides a mechanism for 
increasing or decreasing the membership units held by the founding members based on the acquisition or 
construction of new theaters or sale of theaters that are operated by each founding member and included in NCM 
LLC’s network.

Tax Receivable Agreement. The tax receivable agreement provides for the effective payment by NCM, Inc. to 
the founding members of 90% of the amount of cash savings, if any, in U.S. federal, state and local income tax or 
franchise tax that is actually realized as a result of certain increases in NCM, Inc.’s proportionate share of tax 
basis in NCM LLC’s tangible and intangible assets resulting from the IPO and related transactions.

Software License Agreement. At the date of the Company’s IPO, NCM LLC was granted a perpetual, royalty-
free license from the founding members to use certain proprietary software that existed at the time for the 
delivery of digital advertising and other content through the DCN to screens in the U.S. NCM LLC has made 
improvements to this software since the IPO date and NCM LLC owns those improvements, except for 
improvements that were developed jointly by NCM LLC and the founding members, if any.

F-23

NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Following is a summary of the transactions between the Company and the founding members (in millions):

Included in the Consolidated Statements of Income:

Revenue:

Beverage concessionaire revenue (included in
   advertising revenue) (1)....................................................
Advertising inventory revenue (included in advertising
   revenue) (2) ......................................................................

Operating expenses:

Theater access fee (3) ..........................................................
Purchase of movie tickets and concession products and
   rental of theater space (included in selling and
   marketing costs) (4)..........................................................
Purchase of movie tickets and concession products and
   rental of theater space (included in advertising
   operating costs).................................................................
Purchase of movie tickets and concession products and
   rental of theater space (included in other
   administrative and other costs).........................................

Non-operating expenses:

Interest income from notes receivable (included in
   interest income) (5) ..........................................................

December 28,
2017

Years Ended
December 29,
2016

December 31,
2015

 $

29.9 

 $

28.7 

 $

30.0 

— 

76.5 

2.1 

0.1 

— 

0.6 

0.4 

75.1 

1.6 

— 

0.1 

0.8 

0.2 

72.5 

1.2 

— 

0.1 

1.0  

(1)

For the full years ended December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016, and the six months ended December 31, 
2015, two of the founding members purchased 60 seconds of on-screen advertising time and one founding 
member purchased 30 seconds (with all three founding members having a right to purchase up to 90 seconds) 
from NCM LLC to satisfy their obligations under their beverage concessionaire agreements at a 30 second 
equivalent CPM rate specified by the ESA.  For the first six months of 2015, all of the founding members 
purchased 60 seconds of on-screen advertising time.
The value of such purchases is calculated by reference to NCM LLC’s advertising rate card.

(2)
(3) Comprised of payments per theater attendee, payments per digital screen with respect to the founding member 

theaters included in the Company’s network and payments for access to higher quality digital cinema equipment.

(4) Used primarily for marketing to NCM LLC’s advertising clients.
(5) Refer to the discussion of the Fathom Events sale under AC JV, LLC transactions below.

Included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets:

Current portion of note receivable – founding
   members (1) ................................................................
Long-term portion of note receivable - founding
   members (1).................................................................
Interest receivable on notes receivable (included in
   other current assets).....................................................
Common unit adjustments, net of amortization and
   integration payments (included in intangible
   assets) ..........................................................................
Current payable to founding members under tax
   receivable agreement ...................................................
Long-term payable to founding members under tax
   receivable agreement ...................................................

As of

December 28,
2017

December 29,
2016

 $

4.2   $

4.1    

—    

5.6 

8.3 

0.3 

687.1    

529.9 

19.6    

18.4 

114.0    

212.3  

(1) Refer to the discussion of the Fathom Events sale under AC JV, LLC transactions below.

At the date of the Company’s IPO, NCM LLC was granted a perpetual, royalty-free license from the founding 
members to use certain proprietary software that existed at the time for the delivery of digital advertising and other content 

F-24

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    
 
    
 
    
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

through the DCN to screens in the U.S. NCM LLC has made improvements to this software since the IPO date and NCM 
LLC owns those improvements, except for improvements that were developed jointly by NCM LLC and the founding 
members, if any.

On March 16, 2015, the Company announced the termination of an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger 
Agreement”) with Screenvision.  After the Merger Agreement was terminated, NCM LLC reimbursed NCM, Inc. for certain 
expenses pursuant to an indemnification agreement among NCM LLC, NCM, Inc. and the founding members.  On March 17, 
2015, NCM LLC paid Screenvision an approximate $26.8 million termination payment on behalf of NCM, Inc. During the 
year ended December 31, 2015, NCM LLC also either paid directly or reimbursed NCM, Inc. for the legal and other merger-
related costs of approximately $15.0 million ($7.5 million incurred by NCM, Inc. during the year ended January 1, 2015 and 
approximately $7.5 million incurred by NCM LLC during the year ended December 31, 2015). The Company and the 
founding members each bore a pro rata portion of the termination fee and the related merger expenses based on their 
aggregate ownership percentages in NCM LLC when the expenses were incurred.

Pursuant to the terms of the NCM LLC Operating Agreement in place since the completion of the IPO, NCM LLC is 
required to make mandatory distributions on a proportionate basis to its members of available cash, as defined in the NCM 
LLC Operating Agreement, on a quarterly basis in arrears.  Mandatory distributions for the years ended December 28, 2017, 
December 29, 2016 and December 31, 2015 are as follows (in millions):

December 28,
2017

Years Ended
December 29,
2016

December 31,
2015

AMC ...................................................................................  $
Cinemark.............................................................................   
Regal ...................................................................................   
Total founding members ...............................................   
NCM, Inc. ...........................................................................   
Total .........................................................................  $

27.1    $
29.1     
28.8     
85.0     
75.9     
160.9    $

23.6    $
25.4     
26.1     
75.1     
57.5     
132.6    $

23.8 
28.7 
29.6 
82.1 
66.4 
148.5  

Due to the merger termination fee and related merger expenses, the mandatory distributions of available cash by NCM 

LLC to its founding members and NCM, Inc. for the three months ended April 2, 2015 was calculated as negative $25.5 
million ($14.0 million for the founding members and $11.5 million for NCM, Inc.).  Therefore, there was no payment made 
in the second quarter of 2015. Under the terms of the NCM LLC Operating Agreement, this negative amount was netted 
against the available cash distributions for the second quarter of 2016. The mandatory distributions of available cash by NCM 
LLC to its founding members for the quarter ended December 28, 2017 of $37.6 million, is included in amounts due to 
founding members in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 28, 2017 and will be made in the first quarter of 2018.  
The distributions to NCM, Inc. are eliminated in consolidation.

Amounts due to founding members as of December 28, 2017 were comprised of the following (in millions):

Theater access fees, net of beverage revenues
   and other encumbered theater payments ........................   $
Distributions payable to founding members .....................    
Integration payments due from founding members ..........    
Total.............................................................................   $

1.5    $
10.8     
(8.5)   
3.8    $

1.0    $
13.5     
(0.4)   
14.1    $

1.5    $
13.3     
—     
14.8    $

4.0 
37.6 
(8.9)
32.7  

AMC

  Cinemark  

Regal

Total

 Amounts due to founding members as of December 29, 2016 were comprised of the following (in millions):

AMC

  Cinemark  

Regal

Total

Theater access fees, net of beverage revenues
   and other encumbered theater payments ........................   $
Distributions payable to founding members .....................    
Integration payments due from founding members ..........    
Cost and other reimbursement ..........................................    
Total.............................................................................   $

1.6    $
12.3     
(0.7)   
—     
13.2    $

0.9    $
13.6     
(0.3)   
(0.1)   
14.1    $

1.4    $
14.0     
—     
—     
15.4    $

3.9 
39.9 
(1.0)
(0.1)
42.7  

F-25

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 Common Unit Membership Redemption— The NCM LLC Operating Agreement provides a redemption right of the 
founding members to exchange common membership units of NCM LLC for shares of the Company’s common stock on a 
one-for-one basis, or at the Company’s option, a cash payment based on the three-day variable weighted average closing 
price of NCM, Inc.’s common stock prior to the redemption date. During the year ended December 28, 2017, AMC exercised 
the redemption right of an aggregate 15.6 million common membership units for a like number of shares of NCM, Inc.’s 
common stock. Pursuant to ASC 810-10-45, the Company accounted for the change in its ownership interest in NCM LLC as 
an equity transaction whereby, the issuance of shares of NCM, Inc. common stock were offset by the purchase of NCM 
LLC’s (a subsidiary’s) equity within the Consolidated Statement of Equity. Further, no gain or loss was recognized in the 
Consolidated Statements of Income. During 2017, 14.8 million of these shares were sold. The Company did not receive any 
proceeds from the sale of its common stock by AMC. During the years ended December 28, 2017, December 29, 2016 and 
December 31, 2015, AMC received cash dividends of approximately $0.1 million, $0.2 million and $0.0 million, 
respectively, on its shares of NCM, Inc. common stock.

Memorandum of Understanding with AMC— Pursuant to the Final Judgment, AMC is required to divest the majority 

of its equity interests in NCM LLC and NCM, Inc., so that by June 20, 2019 it owns no more than 4.99% of NCM LLC’s 
common membership units and NCM, Inc. common stock, taken together, on a fully converted basis (‘NCM’s outstanding 
equity interests”). AMC must complete the divestiture per the following schedule: (i) on or before December 20, 2017, AMC 
must own no more than 15.0% of NCM’s outstanding equity interests, (ii) on or before December 20, 2018, AMC must own 
no more than 7.5% of NCM’s outstanding equity interests and (iii) on or before June 20, 2019, AMC must own no more than 
4.99% of NCM’s outstanding equity interests.  Pursuant to the MOU, AMC also has agreed, among other things, subject to 
limited exceptions to retain at least 4.5% of NCM’s outstanding equity interests during the term of the Final Judgment, subject to 
certain exceptions which allow for certain sell downs after the 30-month anniversary of the MOU. As of December 28, 2017, 
AMC owned 15.1% of NCM’s outstanding equity interests. AMC was also required to relinquish its governance rights in 
NCM LLC, including its seats on the NCM, Inc. Board of Directors as well as its rights to nominate any person to serve on 
the NCM, Inc. Board of Directors. AMC’s non-independent designee to the Board of Directors resigned in 2016. During the 
year ended December 28, 2017, AMC transferred 17 theaters (318 screens) to another advertising provider in accordance 
with the Final Judgment, for which AMC surrendered NCM LLC common membership units during 2017.  At the end of the 
10-year term of the Final Judgment, these theaters will revert back to us.  Also, in April 2017, AMC completed a sale of five 
theaters on our network pursuant to the Final Judgment.  AMC will surrender NCM LLC common unit membership units to 
NCM LLC for these divestures pursuant to the Common Unit Adjustment Agreement at the next Adjustment Date. These 22 
transferred and sold theaters represent approximately 1.3% of NCM LLC’s total theater network as of December 28, 2017.  

AMC also agreed to reimburse the Company for its incurred and ongoing costs and expenses in connection with the 

Final Judgment including, but not limited to, its financial advisor and legal fees up to $1.0 million of such costs and 
expenses.  During the year ended December 28, 2017, the Company incurred $1.3 million of these costs, of which $1.0 
million was reimbursed through the “Amounts due to founding members” within the Consolidated Balance Sheets and the 
remaining $0.3 million is included in administrative costs within the Consolidated Income Statement.

AC JV, LLC Transactions— In December 2013, NCM LLC sold its Fathom Events business to a newly formed 

limited liability company (“AC JV, LLC”) owned 32% by each of the founding members and 4% by NCM LLC.  In 
consideration for the sale, NCM LLC received a total of $25.0 million in promissory notes from its founding members (one-
third or approximately $8.3 million from each founding member).  The notes receivable bear interest at a fixed rate of 5.0% 
per annum, compounded annually.  Interest and principal payments are due annually in six equal installments commencing 
on the first anniversary of the closing.  Future minimum principal payments under the notes receivable as of December 28, 
2017 are approximately as follows (in millions):

Year
2018 .................................................................................  $
2019 .................................................................................   
Total.................................................................................  $

Minimum
Principal
Payments

4.2 
4.1 
8.3  

NCM LLC’s investment in AC JV, LLC was $1.0 million and $1.0 million as of December 28, 2017 and December 29, 

2016, respectively. The Company accounts for its investment in AC JV, LLC under the equity method of accounting in 
accordance with ASC 323-30, Investments—Equity Method and Joint Ventures (“ASC 323-30”) because AC JV, LLC is a 
limited liability company with the characteristics of a limited partnership and ASC 323-30 requires the use of equity method 
accounting unless the Company’s interest is so minor that it would have virtually no influence over partnership operating and 

F-26

 
 
 
NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

financial policies.  Although NCM LLC does not have a representative on AC JV, LLC’s Board of Directors or any voting, 
consent or blocking rights with respect to the governance or operations of AC JV, LLC, the Company concluded that its 
interest was more than minor. During the years ended December 28, 2017, December 29, 2016 and December 31, 2015, 
NCM LLC received a cash distribution from AC JV, LLC of $0.3 million, $0.2 million and $0.2 million, respectively.  NCM 
LLC recorded equity in earnings for AC JV, LLC of $0.3 million, $0.0 million and $0.1 million during the years ended 
December 28, 2017, December 29, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, which are included in other non-operating 
expense in the audited Consolidated Statements of Income.

In connection with the sale, NCM LLC amended and restated its existing ESAs with each of the founding members to 

remove those provisions addressing the rights and obligations related to the digital programming services of the Fathom 
Events business.  These rights and obligations were conveyed to AC JV, LLC in connection with the sale. In connection with 
the sale, NCM LLC entered into a transition services agreement to provide certain corporate overhead services for a fee and 
reimbursement for the use of facilities and certain services including creative, technical event management and event 
management for the newly formed limited liability company.  In addition, NCM LLC entered into a services agreement with 
a term coinciding with the ESAs, which grants the newly formed limited liability company advertising on-screen and on the 
LEN and a pre-feature program prior to Fathom events reasonably consistent with what was previously dedicated to Fathom.  
NCM LLC has also agreed to provide creative and media production services for a fee.  NCM LLC received $0.3 million, 
$0.2 million and $0.1 million during the years ended December 28, 2017, December 29, 2016 and December 31, 2015, 
respectively, for these services, which are included as an offset to network costs in the audited Consolidated Statements of 
Income.

Related Party Affiliates— NCM LLC has an agreement with LA Live, an affiliate of The Anschutz Corporation to 

provide in-theater advertising.  The Anschutz Corporation is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Anschutz Company, which is 
the controlling stockholder of Regal.  During the years ended December 28, 2017, December 29, 2016 and December 31, 
2015, there was approximately $0.2 million, $0.3 million and $0.2 million, respectively, included in advertising operating 
costs related to LA Live, and there was approximately $0.1 million and $0.1 million of accounts payable with this company 
as of December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016, respectively.

Other Transactions—NCM LLC has an agreement with AEG Live, an affiliate of The Anschutz Corporation, for AEG 

Live to showcase musical artists in the Noovie pre-show. During the years ended December 28, 2017, December 29, 2016 
and December 31, 2015, NCM LLC received approximately $1.3 million, $1.7 million and $1.6 million, respectively, in 
revenue from AEG Live and as of December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016, had $0.4 million and $0.2 million, 
respectively, of accounts receivable from AEG Live.

9.

BORROWINGS

The following table summarizes NCM LLC’s total outstanding debt as of December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016 

and the significant terms of its borrowing arrangements:

  Outstanding Balance as of

December 28, 
2017

December 29, 
2016

Borrowings ($ in millions)
Revolving credit facility..........................................................
Term loans...............................................................................
Senior secured notes due 2022 ................................................
Senior unsecured notes due 2026 ............................................
Total borrowings ..........................................................

Less: Debt issuance costs related to term loans and senior
   notes .....................................................................................
Carrying value of long-term debt .................................

  $

  $

  $

12.0   $
270.0    
400.0    
250.0    
932.0   $

(8.7)  
923.3   $

(10.7) 
924.3   

Maturity Date

  Interest Rate  
15.0   November 26, 2019 
(1)
(1)
270.0   November 26, 2019 
400.0    April 15, 2022
  6.000%  
250.0    August 15, 2026   5.750%  
935.0   

(1)

The interest rates on the revolving credit facility and term loan are described below.

Senior Secured Credit Facility – As of December 28, 2017, NCM LLC’s senior secured credit facility consisted of a 

$175.0 million revolving credit facility and a $270.0 million term loan. On May 26, 2016, NCM LLC entered into an 
incremental amendment of its senior secure credit facility whereby the revolving credit facility was increased $40.0 million 
from $135.0 million to $175.0 million which matures November 26, 2019. The obligations under the senior secured credit 
facility are secured by a lien on substantially all of the assets of NCM LLC.

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NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Revolving Credit Facility – The revolving credit facility portion of NCM LLC’s total borrowings is available, subject 

to certain conditions, for general corporate purposes of NCM LLC in the ordinary course of business and for other 
transactions permitted under the senior secured credit facility, and a portion is available for letters of credit.

As of December 28, 2017, NCM LLC’s total availability under the $175.0 million revolving credit facility was $158.2 
million, net of $4.8 million letters of credit.  The unused line fee is 0.50% per annum.  Borrowings under the revolving credit 
facility bear interest at NCM LLC’s option of either the LIBOR index plus an applicable margin or the base rate (Prime Rate 
or the Federal Funds Effective Rate, as defined in the senior secured credit facility) plus an applicable margin. The applicable 
margin for the revolving credit facility is determined quarterly and is subject to adjustment based upon a consolidated net 
senior secured leverage ratio for NCM LLC (the ratio of secured funded debt less unrestricted cash and cash equivalents, over 
a non-GAAP measure defined in the senior secured credit facility). The applicable margins on the revolving credit facility are 
the LIBOR index plus 2.00% or the base rate plus 1.00%. The weighted-average interest rate on the outstanding balance on 
the revolving credit facility as of December 28, 2017 was 4.5%.

Term Loans – The interest rate on the term loans is a rate chosen at NCM LLC’s option of either the LIBOR index plus 

2.75% or the base rate (Prime Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate, as defined in the senior secured credit facility) plus 
1.75%.  The weighted-average interest rate on the term loans as of December 28, 2017 was 4.1%.  Interest on the term loans 
is currently paid monthly.

The senior secured credit facility contains a number of covenants and financial ratio requirements, with which NCM 

LLC was in compliance at December 28, 2017, including maintaining a consolidated net senior secured leverage ratio of 6.5 
times on a quarterly basis.  NCM LLC is permitted to make quarterly dividend payments and other payments based on 
leverage ratios for NCM LLC and its subsidiaries so long as no default or event of default has occurred and continues to 
occur.  The quarterly dividend payments and other distributions are made even if consolidated net senior secured leverage 
ratio is less than or equal to 6.5 times.  In addition, there are no borrower distribution restrictions as long as NCM LLC’s 
consolidated net senior secured leverage ratio is below 6.5 times and NCM LLC is in compliance with its debt covenants.  If 
there are limitations on the restricted payments, NCM LLC may not declare or pay any dividends, or make any payments on 
account of NCM LLC, or set aside assets for the retirement or other acquisition of capital stock of the borrower or any 
subsidiaries, or make any other distribution for obligations of NCM LLC. When these restrictions are effective, NCM LLC 
may still pay the services fee and reimbursable costs pursuant to terms of the management agreement. NCM LLC can also 
make payments pursuant to the tax receivable agreement in the amount, and at the time necessary to satisfy the contractual 
obligations with respect to the actual cash tax benefits payable to NCM LLC’s founding members.   As of December 28, 
2017, the NCM LLC’s consolidated net senior secured leverage ratio was 3.2 times (versus the covenant of 6.5 times).

Senior Unsecured Notes due 2021 – On July 5, 2011, NCM LLC completed a private placement of $200.0 million in 

aggregate principal amount of 7.875% Senior Unsecured Notes (the “Notes due 2021”) for which the registered exchange 
offering was completed on September 22, 2011. The Notes due 2021 pay interest semi-annually in arrears on January 15 and 
July 15 of each year, which commenced January 15, 2012.  On September 19, 2016, NCM LLC redeemed its Notes due 2021 
at a redemption price of 103.938% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest.  As a result of the redemption, 
NCM LLC wrote-off approximately $2.5 million in unamortized debt issuance costs and paid a redemption premium of 
approximately $7.9 million, which are reflected in the loss on early retirement of debt on the Consolidated Statements of 
Income during the year ended December 29, 2016.    

Senior Secured Notes due 2022 – On April 27, 2012, NCM LLC completed a private placement of $400.0 million in 
aggregate principal amount of 6.00% Senior Secured Notes (the “Notes due 2022”). The Notes due 2022 pay interest semi-
annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15 of each year, which commenced October 15, 2012. The Notes due 2022 are 
senior secured obligations of NCM LLC, rank the same as NCM LLC’s senior secured credit facility, subject to certain 
exceptions, and share in the same collateral that secures NCM LLC’s obligations under the senior secured credit facility. 

NCM LLC may redeem all or any portion of the Notes due 2022, at once or over time, on or after April 15, 2017 at 

specified redemption prices, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date. Upon the occurrence of a 
Change of Control (as defined in the Indenture), NCM LLC will be required to make an offer to each holder of Notes due 
2022 to repurchase all of such holder’s Notes due 2022 for a cash payment equal to 101.00% of the aggregate principal 
amount of the Notes due 2022 repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of repurchase. 

The indenture contains covenants that, among other things, restrict NCM LLC’s ability and the ability of its restricted 
subsidiaries, if any, to: (1) incur additional debt; (2) make distributions or make certain other restricted payments; (3) make 
investments; (4) incur liens; (5) sell assets or merge with or into other companies; and (6) enter into transactions with 
affiliates. All of these restrictive covenants are subject to a number of important exceptions and qualifications. In particular, 

F-28

NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NCM LLC has the ability to distribute all of its quarterly available cash as a restricted payment or as an investment, if it 
meets a minimum net senior secured leverage ratio.  NCM LLC was in compliance with these non-maintenance covenants as 
of December 28, 2017.

Senior Unsecured Notes due 2026—On August 19, 2016, NCM LLC completed a private placement of $250.0 million 
in aggregate principal amount of 5.750% Senior Unsecured Notes (the “Notes due 2026”) for which the registered exchange 
offering was completed on November 8, 2016.  The Notes due 2026 pay interest semi-annually in arrears on February 15 and 
August 15 of each year, commencing on February 15, 2017.  The Notes due 2026 were issued at 100% of the face amount 
thereof and are the senior unsecured obligations of NCM LLC and will be effectively subordinated to all existing and future 
secured debt, including the Notes due 2022, its senior secured credit facility and any future asset backed loan facility. The 
Notes due 2026 will rank equally in right of payment with all of NCM LLC’s existing and future senior indebtedness, 
including the Notes due 2022, NCM LLC’s existing senior secured credit facility, any future asset backed loan facility, in 
each case, without giving effect to collateral arrangements.  The Notes due 2026 will be effectively subordinated to all 
liabilities of any subsidiaries that NCM LLC may form or acquire in the future, unless those subsidiaries become guarantors 
of the Notes due 2026.  NCM LLC does not currently have any subsidiaries, and the Notes due 2026 will not be guaranteed 
by any subsidiaries that NCM LLC may form or acquire in the future except in very limited circumstances.

NCM LLC may redeem all or any portion of the Notes due 2026 prior to August 15, 2021, at once or over time, at 
100% of the principal amount plus the applicable make-whole premium, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the 
redemption date. NCM LLC may redeem all or any portion of the Notes due 2026, at once or over time, on or after August 
15, 2021 at specified redemption prices, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the redemption date. In addition, at any 
time prior to August 15, 2019, NCM LLC may on any one or more occasions redeem up to 35% of the original aggregate 
principal amount of Notes due 2026 from the net proceeds of certain equity offerings at a redemption price equal to 
105.750% of the principal amount of the Notes due 2026 redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any to the 
redemption date. Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined in the indenture), NCM LLC will be required to 
make an offer to each holder of the Notes due 2026 to repurchase all of such holder’s Notes due 2026 for a cash payment 
equal to 101.00% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes due 2026 repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if 
any, to the date of repurchase. 

The indenture contains covenants that, among other things, restrict NCM LLC’s ability and the ability of its restricted 
subsidiaries, if any, to: (1) incur additional debt; (2) make distributions or make certain other restricted payments; (3) make 
investments; (4) incur liens; (5) sell assets or merge with or into other companies; and (6) enter into transactions with 
affiliates. All of these restrictive covenants are subject to a number of important exceptions and qualifications. In particular, 
NCM LLC has the ability to distribute all of its quarterly available cash as a restricted payment or as an investment, if it 
meets a minimum net senior secured leverage ratio. NCM LLC was in compliance with these non-maintenance covenants as 
of December 28, 2017.    

Future Maturities of Borrowings – The scheduled annual maturities on the Senior Secured Credit Facility, Notes due 

2022 and Notes due 2026 as of December 28, 2017 are as follows (in millions):

Year
2018.....................................................................................
2019.....................................................................................
2020.....................................................................................
2021.....................................................................................
2022.....................................................................................
Thereafter............................................................................
Total ....................................................................................

  $

  $

Amount

— 
282.0 
— 
— 
400.0 
250.0 
932.0  

10.

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

The NCM, Inc. 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2016 Plan”) reserves 4,400,000 shares of common stock available for 

issuance or delivery under the 2016 Plan, of which 3,477,078 shares remain available for future grants as of December 28, 
2017 (assuming 100% achievement of targets on performance-based restricted stock). The Company began issuing shares 
under the 2016 Plan in the second quarter of 2016, following its approval by NCM, Inc.’s stockholders. The 2016 Plan 
replaced NCM, Inc.’s 2007 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2007 Plan”), which was set to expire by its terms in February 2017.  
The shares of common stock that were available for issuance under the 2007 Plan are no longer available for issuance 

F-29

 
 
 
   
   
   
   
   
NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

following the approval of the 2016 Plan. Any forfeitures of shares granted pursuant to the 2007 Plan will be cancelled and not 
available for future grant. The types of awards that may be granted under the 2016 Plan include stock options, stock 
appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units or other stock based awards.  Certain option and share awards 
provide for accelerated vesting if there is a change in control, as defined in the 2007 Plan and the 2016 Plan.  Upon vesting of 
the restricted stock awards or exercise of options, NCM LLC will issue common membership units to the Company equal to 
the number of shares of the Company’s common stock represented by such awards.  

Compensation Cost—The Company recognized $11.2 million, $18.3 million and $14.8 million for the years ended 

December 28, 2017, December 29, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, of share-based compensation expense within 
network costs, selling and marketing costs and administrative and other costs in the Consolidated Statements of Income as 
shown in the table below. 

Years Ended
December 28, 2017     December 29, 2016     December 31, 2015  

Share-based compensation costs included in
   network costs ........................................................ $
Share-based compensation costs included in selling
   and marketing costs ..............................................
Share-based compensation costs included in
   administrative and other costs (1).........................

Total share-based compensation costs............. $

1.0 

 $

1.1 

 $

4.1 

6.1 
11.2 

 $

6.0 

11.2 
18.3 

 $

0.9 

5.5 

8.4 
14.8  

(1) Includes $2.3 million of expense associated with the modification of certain former executive equity awards during 

the year ended December 29, 2016, as described further below.

During the years ended December 28, 2017, December 29, 2016 and December 31, 2015, $0.3 million, $0.5 million 

and $0.3 million was capitalized, respectively, in a corresponding manner to the capitalization of employee’s salaries for 
capitalized labor.  The income tax benefit recognized in the income statement for share-based compensation was 
approximately $3.0 million, $2.5 million, and $2.5 million for the years ended December 28, 2017, December 29, 2016, 
December 31, 2015, respectively. As of December 28, 2017, there was no unrecognized compensation cost related to 
unvested options, as stock options were fully vested as of December 28, 2017. As of December 28, 2017, unrecognized 
compensation cost related to restricted stock and restricted stock units was approximately $11.2 million, which will be 
recognized over a weighted average remaining period of 1.7 years.

Stock Options— The Company has not granted stock options since 2012 and as of December 28, 2017 all options are 

fully vested. Stock options awarded under the 2007 Plan were granted with an exercise price equal to the closing market price 
of NCM, Inc. common stock on the date the Company’s Board of Directors approved the grant.  Options have either 10-year 
or 15-year contractual terms.  The fair value of each option award was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes 
option pricing valuation model. An annual forfeiture rate of 2-3% was estimated to reflect the potential separation of 
employees.  The intrinsic value of options exercised during the year was $0.1 million, $0.1 million and $0.4 million for the 
years ended December 28, 2017, December 29, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.  The total fair value of awards 
vested during the years ended December 28, 2017, December 29, 2016 and December 31, 2015 was $0.0 million, $0.0 
million and $0.7 million, respectively.  A summary of option award activity under the 2007 Plan as of December 28, 2017, 
and changes during the year then ended are presented below:

Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life (in 
years)

Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price

Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
(in millions)  

Options

Granted ........................................................................   
Exercised .....................................................................   
Forfeited.......................................................................   
Expired.........................................................................   

Outstanding as of December 29, 2016 ..............................    2,574,544 
— 
(58,450)  $
(130,219)  $
(220,694)  $
 $
 $
 $

Outstanding as of December 28, 2017 ..............................    2,165,181 
Exercisable as of December 28, 2017 ...............................    2,165,181 
Vested and expected to vest as of December 28, 2017 .....    2,165,181 

 $

16.59 
— 
11.04 
17.03 
19.06 
16.47 
16.47 
16.47 

3.0
3.0
3.0

   $ —  
   $ —  
   $ —  

F-30

 
 
 
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
    
 
 
  
  
 
    
 
 
  
 
    
 
 
  
 
    
 
 
  
 
    
 
 
  
  
  
NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units—Under the non-vested stock program, common stock of the Company 

may be granted at no cost to officers, independent directors and employees, subject to requisite service and/or financial 
performance targets. As such restrictions lapse, the award vests in that proportion.  The participants are entitled to dividend 
equivalents and to vote their respective shares (in the case of restricted stock), although the sale and transfer of such shares is 
prohibited and the shares are subject to forfeiture during the restricted period.  Additionally, the accrued dividend equivalents 
are subject to forfeiture during the restricted period should the underlying shares not vest.  As of December 28, 2017 and 
December 29, 2016, accrued dividend equivalents totaled $3.0 million and $3.9 million, respectively and during the years 
ended December 28, 2017, December 29, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company paid $2.1 million, $1.9 million and 
$0.4 million, respectively, for dividend equivalents upon vesting of the restricted stock and restricted stock units. The 
Company has issued time-based restricted stock to its employees which vests over a three-year period with one-third vesting 
on each anniversary of the date of grant and performance-based restricted stock which vests following a three-year 
measurement period to the extent that the Company achieves specified non-GAAP targets at the end of the measurement 
period.  The Company also grants restricted stock units to its non-employee directors that vest after approximately one year.  
The grant date fair value of restricted stock and restricted stock units is based on the closing market price of NCM, Inc. 
common stock on the date of grant.  An annual forfeiture rate of 2-4% was estimated to reflect the potential separation of 
employees. The weighted average grant date fair value of non-vested stock was $14.34, $15.03, and $14.76 for the years 
ended December 28, 2017, December 29, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.  The total fair value of awards vested 
was $17.3 million, $14.7 million and $11.6 million during the years ended December 28, 2017, December 29, 2016 and 
December 31, 2015, respectively.

A summary of restricted stock award and restricted stock unit activity as of December 28, 2017, and changes during the 

year then ended are presented below:

Number of
Restricted
Shares and
Restricted
Stock Units  

Weighted
Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value

Non-vested balance as of December 29, 2016.....................     2,590,262   $
Granted ...........................................................................    
956,070   $
Vested (1) .......................................................................     (1,046,179)  $
(191,191)  $
Forfeited .........................................................................    
Non-vested balance as of December 28, 2017.....................     2,308,962   $

15.66 
14.34 
16.66 
15.44 
14.70  

(1) Includes 336,819 vested shares that were withheld to cover tax obligations and were subsequently 

canceled.

 The above table reflects performance-based restricted stock granted at 100% achievement of performance conditions 
and as such does not reflect the maximum or minimum number of shares of performance-based restricted stock contingently 
issuable.  An additional 609,300 shares of restricted stock could be issued if the performance criteria maximums are met.  As 
of December 28, 2017, the total number of restricted stock and restricted stock units that are ultimately expected to vest, after 
consideration of expected forfeitures and current projections of estimated vesting of performance-based restricted stock is 
1,877,718 shares.

Executive Equity Modification—On January 1, 2016, the Company’s former Chief Executive Officer resigned and in 

connection with his resignation, NCM, Inc. entered into a Separation and General Release Agreement and a Consulting 
Agreement, whereby, the executive will continue to perform consulting services through January 31, 2018 and certain 
modifications were made to the executive’s outstanding stock awards.  The executive’s outstanding stock options were 
modified such that the timeframe to exercise the options was extended to the original expiration date and certain 
performance-based restricted stock awards were converted to time-based restricted stock, with all restricted stock continuing 
to vest during the consulting period.  

Per ASC Topic 718-10-35-3, a modification of the terms or conditions of an equity award shall be treated as an 

exchange of the original award for a new award.  The effects of a modification should be measured as follows: (a) 
incremental compensation cost shall be measured as the excess, if any, of the fair value of the modified award over the fair 
value of the original award immediately before its terms are modified, (b) total recognized compensation cost for an equity 
shall at least equal the fair value of the award at the grant date unless at the date of the modification the performance or 

F-31

 
 
 
 
NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

service conditions of the original award are not expected to be satisfied and (c) a change in compensation cost for an equity 
award measured at intrinsic value shall be measured by comparing the intrinsic value of the modified award, if any, with the 
intrinsic value of the original award, if any, immediately before the modification.  These modifications resulted in 
compensation expense of $2.3 million during the year ended December 29, 2016.  Further, the Company continued to 
recognize share-based compensation costs on the awards related to service during the consulting period and re-measured the 
fair value of the outstanding awards at each reporting period during the term of the consulting services, in accordance with 
ASC Topic 505-50, Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees.

11.

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

The Company sponsors the NCM 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan (the “Plan”) under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue 

Code of 1986, as amended, for the benefit of substantially all full-time employees. The Plan provides that participants may 
contribute up to 20% of their compensation, subject to Internal Revenue Service limitations. Employee contributions are 
invested in various investment funds based upon election made by the employee. The Company made discretionary 
contributions of $1.2 million, $1.3 million and $1.3 million during the years ended December 28, 2017, December 29, 2016 
and December 31, 2015, respectively.

12.

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Legal Actions—The Company is subject to claims and legal actions in the ordinary course of business. The Company 

believes such claims will not have a material effect, individually and in aggregate, on its financial position, results of 
operations or cash flows.

Operating Commitments— The Company leases office facilities for its headquarters in Centennial, Colorado and also 

in various cities for its sales and marketing and software development personnel.  Total lease expense for the years ended 
December 28, 2017, December 29, 2016 and December 31, 2015, was $2.2 million, $2.3 million and $2.3 million, 
respectively. During the year ended December 28, 2017, the Company recorded a $1.8 million of expense for an early lease 
termination fee. The fee was reimbursed by the landlord of the Company’s new building, which is being treated as a lease 
incentive and amortized over the term of the new lease. Future minimum lease payments under noncancelable operating 
leases as of December 28, 2017 are as follows (in millions):

Year
2018 ..................................................................
2019 ..................................................................
2020 ..................................................................
2021 ..................................................................
2022 ..................................................................
Thereafter..........................................................
Total ............................................................

  $

  Minimum Lease Payments
  $

3.3 
3.5 
3.3 
3.4 
3.4 
25.5 
42.4  

Minimum Revenue Guarantees—As part of the network affiliate agreements entered into in the ordinary course of 

business under which the Company sells advertising for display in various network affiliate theater chains, the Company has 
agreed to certain minimum revenue guarantees on a per attendee basis. If a network affiliate achieves the attendance set forth 
in their respective agreement, the Company has guaranteed minimum revenue for the network affiliate per attendee if such 
amount paid under the revenue share arrangement is less than its guaranteed amount. As of December 28, 2017, the 
maximum potential amount of future payments the Company could be required to make pursuant to the minimum revenue 
guarantees is $82.6 million over the remaining terms of the network affiliate agreements. These minimum guarantees relate 
to various affiliate agreements ranging in term from one to twenty years, prior to any renewal periods of which some are at 
the option of the Company. During the year ended December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016, the Company paid $0.1 
million and $0.0 million, respectively, related to these minimum guarantees. As of December 28, 2017 and December 29, 
2016, the Company had no liabilities recorded for these obligations, as such guarantees are less than the expected share of 
revenue paid to the affiliate.

Theater Access Fee Guarantees—In consideration for NCM LLC’s access to the founding members’ theater attendees 

for on-screen advertising and use of lobbies and other space within the founding members’ theaters for the LEN and lobby 
promotions, the founding members receive a monthly theater access fee under the ESAs. The theater access fee is composed 
of a fixed payment per patron, a fixed payment per digital screen (connected to the DCN) and a fee for access to higher 
quality digital cinema equipment. The payment per theater patron increases by 8% every five years, with an increase taking 

F-32

 
   
   
   
   
   
NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

effect in fiscal year 2017 and the next increase taking effect in fiscal year 2022, and the payment per digital screen and for 
digital cinema equipment increases annually by 5%. The theater access fee paid in the aggregate to all founding members 
cannot be less than 12% of NCM LLC’s aggregate advertising revenue (as defined in the ESA), or it will be adjusted upward 
to reach this minimum payment.  As of December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016, the Company had no liabilities recorded 
for the minimum payment, as the theater access fee was in excess of the minimum. 

13.

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Non-Recurring Measurements—Certain assets are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis.  These assets are 

not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances.  These 
assets include long-lived assets, intangible assets, cost and equity method investments, notes receivable and borrowings.

Long-Lived Assets, Intangible Assets, Other Investments and Notes Receivable —As described in Note 1—Basis of 

Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, the Company regularly reviews long-lived assets (primarily 
property, plant and equipment), intangible assets, investments accounted for under the cost or equity method and notes 
receivable for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of the assets may 
not be fully recoverable.  When the estimated fair value is determined to be lower than the carrying value of the asset, an 
impairment charge is recorded to write the asset down to its estimated fair value.

Other assets consisted of the following (in millions):

Investment in AC JV, LLC (1).............................................  $
Other investments (2) ...........................................................   
Total ................................................................................  $

1.0   $
2.5    
3.5   $

1.0 
5.6 
6.6  

As of

December 28,
2017

December 29,
2016

(1) Refer to Note 8—Related Party Transactions.
(2)

The Company received equity securities in privately held companies as consideration for a portion 
of advertising contracts. The equity securities were accounted for under the cost method and 
represent an ownership of less than 20%. The Company does not exert significant influence on these 
companies’ operating or financial activities.

During the years ended December 28, 2017, December 29, 2016, and December 31, 2015 the Company recorded other-
than-temporary impairment charges of $3.1 million, $0.7 million, and $0.0 million, respectively, on certain of its investments 
due to a significant deterioration in the business prospects of the investee or new information regarding the fair value of the 
investee in the twelve months ended December 28, 2017. These impairment charges brought those investments to a 
remaining fair value of $0.1 million. The fair value of investments has not been estimated as of December 28, 2017 as there 
were no identified events or changes in the circumstances that had a significant adverse effect on the fair value of the 
investments and it is not practicable to do so because the equity securities are not in publicly traded companies.  The 
investment in AC JV was initially valued using comparative market multiples.  The other investments were recorded based 
upon the fair value of the services provided in exchange for the investment.  Refer to Note 1—Basis of Presentation and 
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for more details.  As the inputs to the determination of fair value are based upon 
non-identical assets and use significant unobservable inputs, they have been classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

As of December 28, 2017, the Company had notes receivable totaling $8.3 million from its founding members related 
to the sale of Fathom Events, as described in Note 8—Related Party Transactions.   These notes were initially valued using 
comparative market multiples.  There were no identified events or changes in circumstances that had a significant adverse 
effect on the fair value of the notes receivable.  The notes are classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy as the inputs to 
the determination of fair value are based upon non-identical assets and use significant unobservable inputs.

F-33

 
 
 
 
 
   
 
NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Borrowings— The carrying amount of the revolving credit facility is considered a reasonable estimate of fair value due 

to its floating-rate terms. The estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments where carrying values do not 
approximate fair value are as follows (in millions):

As of December 28, 2017

As of December 29, 2016

Term loans.......................................................................  $
Senior Notes due 2022 ....................................................   
Senior Notes due 2026 ....................................................   

  Carrying Value    Fair Value (1)    Carrying Value    Fair Value (1)  
272.7 
414.5 
256.7  

270.0  $
400.0   
250.0   

270.0  $
400.0   
250.0   

270.8  $
407.3   
235.0   

(1)

The Company has estimated the fair value on an average of at least two non-binding broker quotes and the 
Company’s analysis. If the Company were to measure the borrowings in the above table at fair value on the 
balance sheet they would be classified as Level 2.

Recurring Measurements—The fair values of the Company’s assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis 

pursuant to ASC 820-10 Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures are as follows (in millions):

Fair Value Measurements at
Reporting Date Using

Fair Value As 
of
December 28, 
2017

Quoted Prices 
in Active 
Markets for 
Identical 
Assets
(Level 1)

Significant 
Other 
Observable 
Inputs
(Level 2)

Significant 
Unobservable 
Inputs
(Level 3)

ASSETS:

Cash equivalents (1)..........................................
Short-term marketable securities (2).................
Long-term marketable securities (2).................
Total assets ..................................................

 $

 $

12.2 
13.1 
16.2 
41.5 

 $

 $

8.2 
— 
— 
8.2 

 $

 $

4.0 
13.1 
16.2 
33.3 

 $

 $

— 
— 
— 
—  

Fair Value Measurements at
Reporting Date Using

Fair Value As 
of
December 29, 
2016

Quoted Prices 
in Active 
Markets for 
Identical 
Assets
(Level 1)

Significant 
Other 
Observable 
Inputs
(Level 2)

Significant 
Unobservable 
Inputs
(Level 3)

ASSETS:

Cash equivalents (1)..........................................
Short-term marketable securities (2).................
Long-term marketable securities (2).................
Total assets ..................................................

 $

 $

5.3 
26.1 
19.6 
51.0 

 $

 $

0.3 
5.2 
17.3 
22.8 

 $

 $

5.0 
20.9 
2.3 
28.2 

 $

 $

— 
— 
— 
—  

(1) Cash Equivalents— The Company’s cash equivalents are carried at estimated fair value. Cash equivalents consist 
of money market accounts which the Company has classified as Level 1 given the active market for these 
accounts and commercial paper with original maturities of three months or less, which are classified as Level 2 
and are valued as described below.

(2)

Short-Term and Long-Term Marketable Securities— The carrying amount and fair value of the marketable 
securities are equivalent since the Company accounts for these instruments at fair value. The Company’s 
government agency bonds, commercial paper and certificates of deposit are valued using third party broker 
quotes. The value of the Company’s government agency bonds and municipal bonds are derived from quoted 
market information. The inputs in the valuation are classified as Level 1 if there is an active market for these 
securities; however, if an active market does not exist, the inputs are recorded at a lower level in the fair value 
hierarchy. The value of commercial paper and certificates of deposit is derived from pricing models using inputs 

F-34

 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
   
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
 
   
       
       
       
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
 
   
 
 
 
   
   
   
 
 
   
       
       
       
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

based upon market information, including contractual terms, market prices and yield curves. The inputs to the 
valuation pricing models are observable in the market, and as such are generally classified as Level 2 in the fair 
value hierarchy. For the years ended December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016, there was an inconsequential 
amount of net realized gains (losses) recognized in interest income and an inconsequential amount of net 
unrealized holding gains (losses) included in other comprehensive income. Original cost of short term marketable 
securities is based on the specific identification method. As of December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016, there 
was $0.2 million and $0.0 million, respectively, of gross unrealized losses related to individual securities of $8.2 
million and $0.0 million, respectively, that had been in a continuous loss position for 12 months or longer.

The amortized cost basis, aggregate fair value and maturities of the marketable securities the Company held as of 

December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016 are as follows:

Amortized
Cost Basis
(in millions)    

As of December 28, 2017
Aggregate
Fair Value
(in millions)  

Maturities (1)
(in years)

MARKETABLE SECURITIES:

Short-term U.S. government agency bonds ..................
Short-term certificates of deposit..................................
Short-term commercial paper:

 $

Financial ..................................................................
Industrial..................................................................
Total short-term marketable securities...............

Long-term municipal bonds..........................................
Long-term U.S. government agency bonds ..................
Long-term certificates of deposit..................................
Total long-term marketable securities ...............
Total marketable securities...........................

 $

 $

2.3 
0.9 

6.0 
4.0 
13.2 

1.9 
10.4 
4.1 
16.4 
29.6 

 $

2.2 
0.9 

6.0 
4.0 
13.1 

1.9 
10.2 
4.1 
16.2 
29.3 

0.9 
0.8 

0.3 
0.3 

2.1 
2.5 
1.8 

Amortized
Cost Basis
(in millions)    

As of December 29, 2016
Aggregate
Fair Value
(in millions)  

Maturities (1)
(in years)

MARKETABLE SECURITIES:

Short-term U.S. government treasury bonds ................
Short-term municipal bonds..........................................
Short-term U.S. government agency bonds ..................
Short-term commercial paper .......................................
Short-term certificates of deposit:

 $

Financial ..................................................................
Industrial..................................................................
Total short-term marketable securities...............

Long-term municipal bonds..........................................
Long-term U.S. government agency bonds ..................
Long-term certificates of deposit..................................
Total long-term marketable securities ...............
Total marketable securities...........................

 $

1.2 
2.9 
1.0 
13.0 

7.7 
0.3 
26.1 

1.9 
15.6 
2.2 
19.7 
45.8 

 $

 $

1.2 
2.9 
1.0 
13.0 

7.7 
0.3 
26.1 

1.8 
15.5 
2.3 
19.6 
45.7 

0.8 
0.6 
0.5 
0.1 

0.6 
0.9 

2.7 
3.5 
2.6 

(1) Maturities— Securities available for sale include obligations with various contractual maturity dates some 

of which are greater than one year. The Company considers the securities to be liquid and convertible to 
cash within 30 days.

F-35

 
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
 
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

14.

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

During 2012, NCM LLC terminated interest rate swap agreements that were used to hedge its interest rate risk 
associated with its term loan.  Following the termination of the swap agreements, the variable interest rate on NCM LLC’s 
$270.0 million term loan is unhedged and as of December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016, the Company did not have any 
outstanding derivative assets or liabilities.  A portion of the breakage fees paid to terminate the swap agreements was for 
swaps in which the underlying debt remained outstanding.  The balance in AOCI related to these swaps was fixed and was 
amortized into earnings over the remaining period during which interest payments were hedged, or February 13, 2015.  The 
Company considered the guidance in ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging which states that amounts in AOCI shall be 
reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings.  As 
of December 28, 2017, there were no amounts outstanding related to these discontinued cash flow hedges.

The changes in AOCI by component for the years ended December 28, 2017, December 29, 2016 and December 31, 

2015 were as follows (in millions):

December 28,
2017

Years Ended
December 29,
2016

December 31,
2015

Income Statement
Location

Balance at beginning of period..................................... $

—    $

—    $

(0.4)    

Amounts reclassified from AOCI:

Amortization on discontinued cash flow
   hedges .............................................................
Total amounts reclassified from AOCI ...................
Noncontrolling interest on reclassifications............
Tax effect on reclassifications.................................
Net other comprehensive income............................
Impact of subsidiary ownership changes ................
Balance at end of period ............................................... $

—     
—     
—     
—     
—     
—     
—    $

—     
—     
—     
—     
—     
—     
—    $

1.6   
1.6     
(0.9)    
(0.3)    
0.4     
—     
—     

Amortization of 
terminated derivatives

15.

VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

The Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts and the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets for the years ended 

December 28, 2017, December 29, 2016 and December 31, 2015 were as follows (in millions):

December 28,
2017

Years Ended
December 29,
2016

December 31,
2015

ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS:
Balance at beginning of period...........................................  $
Provision for bad debt...................................................   
Write-offs, net...............................................................   
Balance at end of period.....................................................  $

6.3   $
1.1     
(1.4)   
6.0   $

5.6   $
2.1    
(1.4)   
6.3   $

4.3 
1.9 
(0.6)
5.6 

December 28,
2017

Years Ended
December 29,
2016

December 31,
2015

VALUATION ALLOWANCE ON DEFERRED TAX 
ASSETS:
Balance at beginning of period...........................................  $
Valuation allowance reversed.......................................   
Balance at end of period.....................................................  $

110.3   $
(12.2)   
98.1   $

110.4   $
(0.1)   
110.3   $

127.5 
(17.1)
110.4  

F-36

 
   
 
 
   
   
   
   
       
       
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
     
       
       
 
 
     
       
       
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
     
       
       
 
NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

16.

QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

The following represents selected information from the Company’s unaudited quarterly Consolidated Statements of 

Income for the years ended December 28, 2017 and December 29, 2016 (in millions, except per share data):

2017
Revenue.............................................................................
Operating expenses ...........................................................
Operating income ..............................................................
Consolidated net (loss) income (1) ...................................
(Loss) Net income attributable to NCM, Inc. (1)..............
(Loss) Earnings per NCM, Inc. share, basic (1)(2) ...........
(Loss) Earnings per NCM, Inc. share, diluted (1)(2) ........

2016
Revenue.............................................................................
Operating expenses ...........................................................
Operating (loss) income ....................................................
Consolidated net (loss) income (1) ...................................
(Loss) Net income attributable to NCM, Inc. (1)..............
(Loss) Earnings per NCM, Inc. share, basic (1)(2) ...........
(Loss) Earnings per NCM, Inc. share, diluted (1)(2) ........

 $

 $

First
Quarter

Second
Quarter

Third
Quarter

Fourth
Quarter

 $

71.9 
66.8 
5.1 
(10.3)   
(5.9)   
(0.10)   
(0.10)   

 $

97.1 
68.8 
28.3 
10.0 
0.7 
0.01 
0.01 

 $

116.4 
66.1 
50.3 
31.1 
8.6 
0.13 
0.13 

140.7 
70.5 
70.2 
27.9 
(0.9)
(0.01)
(0.01)

First
Quarter

Second
Quarter

Third
Quarter

Fourth
Quarter

 $

76.2 
70.4 
5.8 
(9.8)   
(5.5)   
(0.09)   
(0.09)   

 $

115.4 
68.9 
46.5 
24.5 
5.6 
0.09 
0.09 

 $

113.5 
65.1 
48.4 
20.3 
6.9 
0.12 
0.11 

142.5 
70.2 
72.3 
47.0 
13.4 
0.22 
0.22  

(1)

(2)

These balances have been adjusted to correct for the immaterial error discussed within Note 18—Correction of 
an Error. In addition, such corrections in 2017 will be reflected within future interim financial filings on Form 
10-Qs.
Earnings per share in each quarter is computed using the weighted-average number of common shares 
outstanding during that quarter while earnings per share for the full year is computed using the weighted average 
number of common shares outstanding during the year. 

17.

SUBSEQUENT EVENT

On March 9, 2018, the Company declared a cash dividend of $0.17 per share (approximately $12.9 million) on each 

share of the Company’s common stock (not including outstanding restricted stock which will accrue dividends until the 
shares vest) to stockholders of record on March 22, 2018 to be paid on March 29, 2018.

18.

CORRECTION OF AN ERROR

Subsequent to the issuance of the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 29, 
2016, the Company identified an immaterial non-cash error related to the accounting under ASC 740 for the Company’s 
payable to founding members under the TRA.  As a result, this liability under the TRA (including the discount on such 
payable) and related accounts for the year ended December 29, 2016 were restated from the amount previously reported to 
reflect the additional amounts that will be payable under the TRA upon settlement of all expected future payments to the 
founding members. Further, the deferred tax liability recorded at the IPO related to the discounted TRA liability was reversed 
to reflect all applicable basis differences related to the TRA. The error does not impact the amount of the cash TRA payments 
made to the founding members for any historical period, the timing of those payments, or future calculations of payments due 
under the TRA.  The error also does not impact the Company’s revenue, operating income, cash balances or cash flow from 
operations for any period. 

The Consolidated Balance Sheets, Consolidated Statements of Income, Statements of Equity (Deficit), Consolidated 

Statements of Comprehensive Income and Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the respective prior periods have been 
restated to reflect the correction of this error. As a result of the cumulative impact of the error, which dates back to the 
Company’s IPO, the Company has recorded a prior period adjustment to beginning retained earnings as of January 1, 2015.  

F-37

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The audited Consolidated Financial Statements and corresponding footnotes for the prior periods have been restated from the 
amounts previously reported to reflect the correction of this error as shown within the tables below.

The following tables present the effect of the correction of the error to the January 1, 2015 beginning retained 

earnings balance and additional paid in capital (deficit) balance (in millions): 

Beginning retained earnings (distributions in excess of earnings), as of January 1, 2015 – as 
previously reported .............................................................................................................................. $
Prior period adjustment........................................................................................................................
Beginning retained earnings (distributions in excess of earnings), as of January 1, 2015 – as 
corrected .............................................................................................................................................. $

Beginning additional paid in capital (deficit), as of January 1, 2015 – as previously reported .......... $
Prior period adjustment........................................................................................................................
Beginning additional paid in capital (deficit), as of January 1, 2015 – as corrected........................... $

(147.4)
(23.6)

(171.0)

(261.0)
96.9 
(164.1)

The error correction resulted in an increase of $0.4 million and $0.1 million within the activity of the additional paid in 

capital (deficit) balance for the years ended December 29, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. These adjustments 
were within the ‘Income tax and other impacts of NCM LLC ownership changes’ line of the Consolidated Statements of 
Equity previously reported during each period. The error correction increased additional paid in capital (deficit) by $96.8 
million and decreased retained earnings (distributions in excess of earnings) by $27.7 million as of December 31, 2015.  

The following table presents the effects of the correction of the error to the Consolidated Balance Sheet (in millions):

As of December 29, 2016

As Reported    

Correction 
of an Error  

Reclassification 
(1)

    As Corrected  

Long-term deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance of 
$110.3 million........................................................................ $

TOTAL ASSETS .................................................................................................

Long-term payable to founding members under tax 
receivable agreement .............................................................
Long-term deferred liability ..................................................
Total liabilities .................................................................
Additional paid in capital (deficit) ........................................
Retained earnings (distributions in excess of earnings) ........
Total equity/(deficit) ........................................................
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY/DEFICIT...............................................

209.1 
1,057.4 

 $

 $

90.6 
90.6 

 $

(5.5)
(5.5)

294.2 
1,142.5 

143.4 
48.3 
1,238.6 
(207.7)
(215.6)
(181.2)
1,057.4 

68.9 
(42.8)
26.1 
97.2 
(32.7)
64.5 
90.6 

— 
(5.5)
(5.5)
— 
— 
— 
(5.5)

212.3 
— 
1,259.2 
(110.5)
(248.3)
(116.7)
1,142.5  

(1) The company reclassified deferred tax balances related to NCM, LLC to reflect the full outside basis differences.

F-38

 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following tables present the effects of the correction of the error to the Consolidated Statements of Income and 

the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (in millions, except for per share data): 

For the Year ended December 29, 2016

As Reported    

Correction of 
an Error

As Corrected

Accretion of interest on the discounted payable to
   founding members under tax receivable agreement ....................... $
Loss on re-measurement of the payable to founding
   members under the tax receivable agreement.................................
Total non-operating expenses.......................................................
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES ..................................................
Income tax expense............................................................................
CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME.........................................................
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NCM, INC................................ $

NET INCOME PER NCM, INC. COMMON SHARE:

Basic................................................................................................... $
Diluted................................................................................................ $

13.9 

 $

5.7 

 $

— 
76.8 
96.2 
9.2 
87.0 
25.4 

0.42 
0.42 

 $

 $
 $

1.0 
6.7 
(6.7)
(1.7)
(5.0)
(5.0)

(0.08)
(0.08)

 $

 $
 $

19.6 

1.0 
83.5 
89.5 
7.5 
82.0 
20.4 

0.34 
0.34 

CONSOLIDATED COMPREHENSIVE INCOME............................... $
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NCM, INC. ..... $

For the Year ended December 29, 2016

As Reported    
87.0 
25.4 

Correction of 
an Error

 $
 $

(5.0)
(5.0)

 $
 $

As Corrected

82.0 
20.4  

For the Year ended December 31, 2015

As Reported    

Correction of 
an Error

As Corrected

Accretion of interest on the discounted payable to
   founding members under tax receivable agreement ....................... $
Gain on re-measurement of the payable to founding
   members under the tax receivable agreement.................................
Total non-operating expenses.......................................................
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES ..................................................
Income tax expense............................................................................
CONSOLIDATED NET INCOME.........................................................
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NCM, INC................................ $

NET INCOME PER NCM, INC. COMMON SHARE:

Basic................................................................................................... $
Diluted................................................................................................ $

14.1 

 $

5.3 

 $

— 
66.5 
81.5 
17.8 
63.7 
15.4 

0.26 
0.26 

 $

 $
 $

(2.9)
2.4 
(2.4)
1.7 
(4.1)
(4.1)

(0.07)
(0.07)

 $

 $
 $

19.4 

(2.9)
68.9 
79.1 
19.5 
59.6 
11.3 

0.19 
0.19 

CONSOLIDATED COMPREHENSIVE INCOME............................... $
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NCM, INC. ..... $

For the Year ended December 31, 2015

As Reported    
65.0 
15.8 

Correction of 
an Error

 $
 $

(4.1)
(4.1)

 $
 $

As Corrected

60.9 
11.7  

F-39

 
 
 
   
 
 
  
  
 
  
   
 
  
   
 
  
   
 
  
   
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
   
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
  
  
 
  
   
 
  
   
 
  
   
 
  
   
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
   
  
 
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
 
 
   
 
NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following tables present the effects of the correction of the error to the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow 

(in millions):

For the Year ended December 29, 2016
Correction of 
an Error

As Reported    
87.0 

 $

(5.0)

As Corrected  
82.0 

 $

11.6 

13.9 

— 
133.5 

(1.8)

5.7 

1.0 
— 

9.8 

19.6 

1.0 
133.5  

For the Year ended December 31, 2015
Correction of 
an Error

As Reported    
63.7 

 $

(4.1)

As Corrected  
59.6 

 $

12.1 

14.1 

— 
105.3 

1.7 

5.3 

(2.9)
— 

13.8 

19.4 

(2.9)
105.3  

Consolidated net income ....................................................................... $
Adjustments to reconcile consolidated net income to net cash
   provided by operating activities:
Deferred income tax expense ................................................................
Accretion of interest on the discounted payable to founding
   members under tax receivable agreement ..........................................
Non-cash (gain) loss on re-measurement of the payable to
   founding members under the tax receivable agreement .....................
Net cash provided by operating activities...................................

Consolidated net income ....................................................................... $
Adjustments to reconcile consolidated net income to net cash
   provided by operating activities:
Deferred income tax expense ................................................................
Accretion of interest on the discounted payable to founding
   members under tax receivable agreement ..........................................
Non-cash (gain) loss on re-measurement of the payable to
   founding members under the tax receivable agreement .....................
Net cash provided by operating activities...................................

F-40

 
 
 
   
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
 
 
   
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
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CORPORATE INFORMATION

Corporate Headquarters
6300 S. Syracuse Way, Suite 300 
Centennial, CO 80111 
800.828.2828  |  ncm.com

Stock Information
 Traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market  
under the symbol NCMI

Investor Relations
 Phone: 800.844.0935  
Email: Investors@ncm.com

Transfer Agent and Registrar
 Computershare 
PO Box 505008 
Louisville, KY 40233-9814 
computershare.com/investor

Form 10-K 
We will provide, without charge, a copy of our Annual Report 
on Form 10-K, as filed with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission, to any stockholder who requests one. Copies 
of the 10-K and all exhibits thereto can be obtained from 
our website (ncm.com) under the tab “Investor Relations > 
Financial Information > SEC Filings.” These reports are also 
available free of charge by written request to the address below.

NCM, Inc. 
ATTN: Investor Relations 
6300 S. Syracuse Way, Suite 300 
Centennial, CO 80111

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics  
Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics is available free 
of charge on our website (ncm.com) under the tab “Investor 
Relations > Corporate Governance.” 

Annual Meeting
National CineMedia, Inc. stockholders are invited to attend our 
annual meeting. The meeting will be held on July 6, 2018 at 
9:00 a.m. Mountain Time at the following venue:

  6300 S. Syracuse Way, Suite 300 
  Centennial, CO 80111

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Scott N. Schneider 
Chairman of National CineMedia, Inc. 
Chief Executive Officer of AHC, LLC

Andrew J. England
Chief Executive Officer and Director 
of National CineMedia, Inc.

Lawrence A. Goodman
Former President of Sales and Marketing of CNN

David R. Haas 
Private Investor and Financial Consultant, 
Retired Senior Vice President and  
Controller of Time Warner, Inc.

Thomas F. Lesinski
Chief Executive Officer of Sonar Entertainment

Paula Williams Madison
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer 
of Madison Media Management LLC

Lee Roy Mitchell 
Chairman of Cinemark Holdings, Inc.

Mark Segall 
Founder and Managing Director  
of Kidron Corporate Advisors, LLC

Renana Teperberg 
Chief Commercial Officer 
of Cineworld Group, plc

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Andrew J. England
Chief Executive Officer and Director

Clifford E. Marks 
President

Katherine L. Scherping
Chief Financial Officer

Sarah Kinnick Hilty
Senior Vice President and General Counsel

Scott D. Felenstein
Executive Vice President  
and Chief Revenue Officer

NATIONAL CINEMEDIA, INC.

6300 S. Syracuse Way, Suite 300  |  Centennial, CO 80111  |  800.828.2828  |  ncm.com