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National CineMedia Inc

For the period ended Dec 26, 2024. Filed Mar 6, 2025.

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About this filing

A company's yearly report to the SEC, with audited financial statements. It is the fullest account a company gives of its business, its finances and the risks it sees.

FY2024 · Filed Mar 6, 2025

NCMI$1.58-2.5%Stored close · as of Nov 6, 2026

What changed in Risk Factors?

Read the current filing

Previous report: 10-K

Period ended 2023-12-28; filed 2024-03-18.

0001377630-24-000042

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Current report: 10-K

Period ended 2024-12-26; filed 2025-03-06.

0000950170-25-034706

Item 1A. Risk Factors

The baseline is this issuer’s latest earlier reporting period of the same form that was filed before the current report. A previous 10-Q is a different quarter, not a year-over-year comparison. Amendments are excluded.

Compared 148 previous paragraphs and 148 current paragraphs.

97 unchanged; 39 reworded; 4 added; 11 removed; 1 previous and 8 current paragraphs rearranged.

Tables are not compared: 1 previous and 0 current tables excluded. Dates, whitespace, punctuation and numbering changes are ignored; changes to financial figures remain significant.

A changed paragraph is not evidence that risk increased or decreased. An unchanged paragraph does not establish that risk stayed the same.

Added paragraphs (4)

Current report

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Current report

Additionally, film production was significantly impacted by production delays, due to writers’ and actors’ strikes in 2023, leading to significant impacts on theater attendance throughout 2024. Future strikes or other impacts from incidents on sets, government regulation or other factors could also limit the number of films available and reduce attendance. Additional factors that could reduce attendance at our network theaters include the following:

Current report

We are subject to risks from changes to regulations, government funding, trade policies and tariffs imposed by governments that impact our advertising clients.

Current report

Changes in regulations, government funding, trade policies and tariffs imposed by the U.S. and other governments could have an impact on our advertising clients. If our advertising clients’ operating costs increase due to the changes in policy, and they are unsuccessful in passing these increases along to consumers, then the advertisers will likely seek to reduce costs in other ways, including advertising. Additionally, changes in regulations, government funding, trade policies and tariffs could also have the impact of preventing our advertising clients from deploying new goods and services and reducing the related advertising dollars. The recently announced tariffs by the U.S. government on product imports from certain countries may result in an outsize impact on certain industries that are key advertising categories for us, including automotive and consumer goods. Our local team also sells advertising to government agencies that may be impacted if the level of government funding is reduced or eliminated. The uncertainty regarding the ultimate impact of any changes in regulations, government funding, trade policies or tariffs could also impact our advertisers as they continue to determine changes needed to their businesses.
Removed paragraphs (11)

Previous report

Risks Related to NCM LLC’s Emergence from Bankruptcy

Previous report

There can be no assurance as to the effect that NCM LLC’s bankruptcy and emergence from Chapter 11 will have on its relationships with its ESA Parties, vendors, network theater circuits, employees and customers.

Previous report

There can be no assurance as to the effect that NCM LLC’s bankruptcy and emergence from Chapter 11 will have on its ongoing relationships with its ESA Parties, vendors, network theater circuits, employees and customers. The Chapter 11 Case required NCM LLC to forbear making payments to vendors for certain pre-petition goods and services until NCM LLC assumed the underlying agreements. The delay of payments or non-payment due to provisions of the Bankruptcy Code may have damaged underlying relationships with certain vendors and network theater circuits that may be difficult to repair. Additionally, AMC and Cinemark, the ESA Parties, sought a stay of the Confirmation Order and the Regal Order in the Bankruptcy Court, the District Court for the Southern District of Texas, and the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, all of which denied the request. The consolidated appeals of the Confirmation Order and the Regal Order on the merits are pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas. To the extent that any of these events result in the tightening of payment or credit terms, increases in the price of supplied services, the loss of customers, the revision of contractual terms, or loss of key employees, it could have a significant negative effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations.

Previous report

Certain stockholders own a significant portion of our outstanding voting stock and a Director Designation Agreement entered into with certain of NCM LLC’s previous creditors grants the right to appoint up to six of the nine directors on our Board and may limit investors ability to influence significant corporate decisions.

Previous report

It is possible that the interests of the stockholders on the Designation Committee will not align with the interests of our other stockholders. The concentration of ownership of our largest stockholders may also have the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control and may not be fully aligned with the interests of other stockholders.

Previous report

Upon NCM LLC’s emergence from bankruptcy, the composition of the Board of Directors has changed significantly.

Previous report

Upon emergence from bankruptcy, five of the Company’s directors resigned and six new directors were appointed pursuant to the terms of the Plan. The Company’s current directors have different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives from those individuals who previously served on the Company’s Board of Directors during and prior to NCM LLC’s bankruptcy, and the current Board of Directors may have different views on strategic initiatives and a range of issues that will determine the future of the Company. As a result, the future strategy and plans of the Company may differ materially from those of the past.

Previous report

On August 3, 2023, the Company effected a one-for-ten (1:10) reverse stock split of its common stock, par value $0.01 per share. The reverse stock split reduced the number of outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock from 174,112,385 shares as of August 3, 2023, to 17,411,323 shares outstanding post-split. On August 7, 2023, the Effective Date, the Company issued 83,421,135 shares of the Company’s common stock to holders of secured debt claims as provided in the Plan and under the terms of the Regal Termination Agreement, Regal surrendered 4,068,381 shares of common stock for cancellation. As of December 28, 2023, there were 96,837,039 shares outstanding. The liquidity and market price of our common stock will depend on our results of operations and financial condition, expectations regarding our future prospects, the number of shares that NCM LLC’s previous holders of secured debt claims sell into the market, among other various factors. The market price for our common stock may be volatile until the market normalizes and is able to take into account all of the new information related to NCM LLC’s emergence and other factors.

Previous report

The COVID-19 Pandemic also led to several changes impacting patron attendance at theaters including studios electing to shorten or eliminate the “release window” between the release of major motion pictures to alternative delivery methods or released motion pictures directly to alternative delivery methods bypassing the theater entirely. Certain patrons also avoided crowds and other public indoor spaces and governments restrictions impacted the ability of theaters to operate at normal capacity. While consumers have largely returned to pre-COVID-19 Pandemic behavior, it is unknown how future pandemics or epidemics will influence behavior. Additional factors that could reduce attendance at our network theaters include the following:

Previous report

•the film production process may be impacted by production delays, writers’ or actors’ strikes, such as those that took place in 2023, incidents on sets, government regulation, or other factors that could limit the number of films available and cause films to be delayed;

Previous report

The loss of any major content partner or advertising client could significantly reduce our revenue.
Reworded paragraphs (39)

Previous wording

Our business is affected by the level of attendance at the theaters in our advertising network that operate in a highly competitive industry and whose attendance is reliant on the presence of motion pictures that attract audiences. Over the 10 years prior to the outbreak of the novel corona virus or COVID-19 in 2020 (the “COVID 19 Pandemic”), 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.

Current wording

Our business is affected by the level of attendance at the theaters in our advertising network that operate in a highly competitive industry and whose attendance is reliant on the presence of motion pictures that attract audiences. 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.

Previous wording

Pandemics, epidemics or disease outbreaks, such as the COVID-19 virus, have disrupted and are continuing to disrupt our business and the business of NCM LLC’s network theaters, which has and could continue to materially affect our operations, liquidity and results of operations.

Current wording

Pandemics, epidemics or disease outbreaks, such as the COVID-19 virus, have disrupted and could materially affect our business and the business of NCM LLC’s network theaters in the future.

Previous wording

Pandemics or disease outbreaks such as the COVID-19 virus, including variants, have and are continuing to disrupt our business and the business of NCM LLC’s network theaters. There can be no assurance that the COVID-19 Pandemic and associated impacts will not return in the future, or a future pandemic will not lead to public safety restrictions or consumer behavior that will negatively impact our business, advertiser sentiment, or audience attendance.

Current wording

Pandemics or disease outbreaks such as the COVID-19 virus, including variants, have and are continuing to disrupt our business and the business of NCM LLC’s network theaters. There can be no assurance that impacts from the COVID-19 Pandemic will not return in the future, or a future pandemic will not lead to public safety restrictions or changes in consumer behavior that will negatively impact our business, advertiser sentiment or audience attendance.

Previous wording

Due to the impacts to our operations, we were required to take drastic measures to ensure our business survived the COVID-19 Pandemic, including furloughing and terminating employees, extending payment terms on accounts payable, and reducing or delaying planned operating and capital expenditures. The ultimate impact of these actions following NCM LLC’s emergence from bankruptcy on our operations in the future remains to be seen, including increased difficulties in accessing lending or capital markets or other sources of liquidity, increased employee turnover or litigation, actual or potential impairment charges, and advertisers perception and willingness to invest with us. Additionally, many of our network’s theaters were also required to take significant actions during the COVID-19 Pandemic and these actions may lead to decreased attendance in the future and may cause financial distress, including the Cineworld Proceeding, described further below. Even the perception that our business or the business of network’s theaters may be impacted, could lead to decreased advertising expenditures and other significant disruption to our business. Future pandemics could require us to implement measures similar to those implemented in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Current wording

Due to the impacts to our operations, we were required to take drastic measures to ensure our business survived the COVID-19 Pandemic, including furloughing and terminating employees, extending payment terms on accounts payable, and reducing or delaying planned operating and capital expenditures. Additionally, many of our network’s theaters were also required to take significant actions during the COVID-19 Pandemic and these actions have lead to decreased attendance and caused financial distress, including the Cineworld Proceeding, described further below. Even the perception that our business or the business of network’s theaters may be impacted, could lead to decreased advertising expenditures and other significant disruption to our business. Future pandemics could require us to implement measures similar to those implemented in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Previous wording

In-theater advertising revenue and overall theatrical attendance has remained below historical levels since the start of the COVID-19 Pandemic even though certain released films achieved attendance that was comparable to levels prior to the COVID-19 Pandemic. The uncertainty around attendance and film release plans created by the COVID-19 pandemic also limited our ability to participate in the annual advertising upfronts impacting our typical mix of upfront and scatter revenue. We believe that the exhibition industry has historically fared well during periods of economic stress, and we remain optimistic, though cannot guarantee, that the theatrical business and attendance figures will continue to rebound. However, the ultimate significance of the COVID-19 Pandemic or other future pandemics, on our business is still unknown. We are monitoring the rapidly evolving situation and its potential impacts on our financial position, results of operations, liquidity and cash flows.

Current wording

We believe that the exhibition industry has historically fared well during periods of economic stress, and we remain optimistic, though cannot guarantee, that the theatrical business and attendance figures will continue to rebound. Future pandemics, similar to that of the COVID-19 Pandemic, may have potential impacts on our financial position, results of operations, liquidity and cash flows.

Previous wording

The ESAs with the ESA Parties are critical to our business. The ESA with AMC has an initial term of 30 years and the ESA with Cinemark (as amended by the 2019 ESA Amendment) has a term of 34 years, each such term beginning February 13, 2007. Each ESA provides NCM LLC with a five-year right of first refusal for the services that it provides to the ESA Parties, which begins one year prior to the end of the term of each respective ESA. The ESA Parties’ theaters represent approximately 52.0% of the screens and approximately 72.4% of the attendance in our network as of December 28, 2023. If either ESA were terminated, not renewed at its expiration, rejected in a bankruptcy proceeding, or found to be unenforceable, it could have a material negative impact on our revenue, profitability and financial condition.

Current wording

The ESAs with the ESA Parties are critical to our business. The ESA with AMC has an initial term of 30 years and the ESA with Cinemark (as amended by the 2019 ESA Amendment) has a term of 34 years, each such term beginning February 13, 2007. Each ESA provides NCM LLC with a five-year right of first refusal for the services that it provides to the ESA Parties, which begins one year prior to the end of the term of each respective ESA. The ESA Parties’ theaters represent approximately 52.4% of the screens and approximately 62.0% of the attendance in our network as of December 26, 2024. If either ESA were terminated, not renewed at its expiration, rejected in a bankruptcy proceeding, or found to be unenforceable, it could have a material negative impact on our revenue, profitability and financial condition.

Previous wording

Following NCM LLC’s emergence from bankruptcy, neither AMC nor Cinemark holds any membership units in NCM LLC, but are eligible to be issued additional units pursuant to the terms of the Common Unit Adjustment Agreement. We are uncertain how the lack of ownership interest in NCM LLC and limited ownership at NCM, Inc. may affect their cooperation with us under the ESAs or otherwise going forward. Additionally, following the approval of the bankruptcy court authorizing NCM LLC’s entry into the Regal Advertising Agreement and the Regal Termination Agreement (the “Regal Order”) and approval of the Confirmation Order approving NCM LLC’s disclosure statement on a final basis and confirming NCM LLC’s Plan (the “Confirmation Order”), AMC and Cinemark filed notice of appeal of the Confirmation Order and the Regal Order. Subsequently, AMC and Cinemark sought a stay of the Confirmation Order and Regal Order in the Bankruptcy Court, the District Court for the Southern District of Texas, and the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, all of which denied the request. The consolidated appeals of the Confirmation Order and the Regal Order on the merits are pending in the District Court for the Southern District of Texas. We are uncertain how this litigation will impact AMC and Cinemark’s willingness to cooperate under the ESAs or how long the litigation may last.

Current wording

Agreement and the Regal Termination Agreement (the “Regal Order”) and approval of the Confirmation Order approving NCM LLC’s disclosure statement on a final basis and confirming NCM LLC’s Plan (the “Confirmation Order”), AMC and Cinemark filed notice of appeal of the Confirmation Order and the Regal Order. Subsequently, AMC and Cinemark sought a stay of the Confirmation Order and Regal Order in the Bankruptcy Court, the District Court for the Southern District of Texas and the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, all of which denied the request. Following AMC and Cinemark's consolidated appeal on the merits, the District Court for the Southern District of Texas confirmed the Confirmation Order and the Regal Order on August 13, 2024. The consolidated appeals of the District Court's decision on the merits are pending in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. We are uncertain how this litigation will impact AMC and Cinemark’s willingness to cooperate under the ESAs, how long the litigation may last or the full scope of the negative impact if AMC and Cinemark were successful in triggering the most-favored nation clauses in their ESAs.

Previous wording

NCM LLC recently emerged from bankruptcy on August 7, 2023 (the “Effective Date”). The Company’s senior management has been required to spend a significant amount of time and effort attending to the negotiation and execution of the Modified First Amended Plan of Reorganization of National CineMedia, LLC Pursuant to Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code (as amended, modified, or supplemented from time to time, the “Plan”) instead of focusing exclusively on the Company’s business operations. Risks associated with NCM LLC’s emergence from bankruptcy include the following:

Current wording

NCM LLC emerged from bankruptcy on August 7, 2023 (the “Effective Date”). The Company’s senior management had been required to spend a significant amount of time and effort attending to the negotiation and execution of the Modified First Amended Plan of Reorganization of National CineMedia, LLC Pursuant to Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code (as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, the “Plan”) instead of focusing exclusively on the Company’s business operations. Risks associated with NCM LLC’s emergence from bankruptcy include the following:

Previous wording

On September 7, 2022, Cineworld Group plc, the parent company of Regal, and certain of its subsidiaries, including Regal, Regal Cinemas, Inc., formerly a party to an ESA, and Regal CineMedia Holdings, LLC, formerly a party to other agreements with NCM LLC and NCM, Inc., filed petitions for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in the Southern District of Texas (the “Cineworld Proceeding”). In addition, each of the other ESA Parties currently has a significant amount of indebtedness. As a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic, all of the theaters in NCM LLC’s network were temporarily closed and were required to seek additional financing through various methods. If a bankruptcy case were commenced by or against another ESA Party, it is possible that all or part of the ESA with the applicable ESA Party 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 ESA Party, and thus not be enforceable. On October 21, 2022, Regal filed a motion to reject its ESA without specifying an effective date for the rejection and indicated that Regal intended to negotiate with the Company regarding the ESA. NCM LLC filed a complaint against Regal seeking declaratory relief and an injunction prohibiting Regal from breaching certain exclusivity, non-compete, non-negotiate and confidentiality provisions in the ESA by entering into a new agreement with a third-party or bringing any of the services performed by NCM LLC in-house. Following negotiations, NCM LLC and Regal entered into a Network Affiliate Transaction Agreement (the “Regal Advertising Agreement”) and a separate termination agreement, pursuant to which, effective on July 14, 2023, Regal rejected and terminated its ESA, and Regal waived all rights and interests in the other agreements Regal and its affiliates were a party to with NCM LLC. In the event another ESA Party declares bankruptcy, NCM LLC may be required to litigate its rights and negotiate with the bankrupt ESA Party.

Current wording

If a bankruptcy case were commenced by or against another ESA Party, it is possible that all or part of the ESA with the applicable ESA Party 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 ESA Party, and thus not be enforceable. On October 21, 2022, Regal filed a motion to reject its ESA without specifying an effective date for the rejection and indicated that Regal intended to negotiate with the Company regarding the ESA. NCM LLC filed a complaint against Regal seeking declaratory relief and an injunction prohibiting Regal from breaching certain exclusivity, non-compete, non-negotiate and confidentiality provisions in the ESA by entering into a new agreement with a third-party or bringing any of the services performed by NCM LLC in-house. Following negotiations, NCM LLC and Regal entered into a Network Affiliate Transaction Agreement (the “Regal Advertising Agreement”) and a separate termination agreement, pursuant to which, effective on July 14, 2023, Regal rejected and terminated its ESA and waived all rights and interests in the other agreements Regal and its affiliates were a party to with NCM LLC. In the event another ESA Party declares bankruptcy, NCM LLC may be required to litigate its rights and negotiate with the bankrupt ESA Party, which would have a negative impact on our business, operations and financial results.

Previous wording

In addition, as a part of the Cineworld Proceeding, Regal announced plans to optimize the number of theaters it operates and announced the closures of certain theaters. Should Regal or another ESA Party liquidate or 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 be reduced which in turn would reduce the number of advertising impressions available to us and thus could reduce our advertising revenue.

Current wording

In addition, as a part of the Cineworld Proceeding, Regal announced plans to optimize the number of theaters it operates and announced the closures of certain theaters. Should Regal or another ESA Party liquidate or dispose of theaters or remove theaters from our network through bankruptcy or for other business reasons, and if the acquirer, if applicable, did not agree to continue to allow us to sell advertising in the acquired theaters the number of theaters in our advertising networks would be reduced which in turn would reduce the number of advertising impressions available to us and thus could reduce our advertising revenue.

Previous wording

Beginning with the 2019 ESA Amendment with affiliates of Cinemark in 2019, NCM LLC is entitled to display up to five minutes of The Noovie®Show after the scheduled showtime of a feature film and a Platinum Spot that is either 30 or 60 seconds of The Noovie Show in the trailer position directly prior to the “attached” trailers preceding the feature film in Cinemark and certain other network affiliates’ theaters. The Regal Advertising Agreement also provides for (i) up to ten minutes immediately after the advertised showtime of a feature film, extending the time available to NCM LLC by five minutes, and (ii) the Platinum Spot that may be exhibited on-screen prior to the last two trailers, which may be either thirty or sixty seconds in length. Subject to Regal’s approval, NCM LLC may display two thirty-second spots in the Platinum Spot and a Gold Spot, a thirty second spot displayed immediately prior to the fourth trailer preceding a feature film or digital programming event.

Current wording

Beginning with the 2019 ESA Amendment with affiliates of Cinemark in 2019, NCM LLC is entitled to display up to five minutes of The Noovie®Show after the scheduled showtime of a feature film and a Platinum Spot that is either 30 or 60 seconds of The Noovie Show in the trailer position directly prior to the “attached” trailers preceding the feature film in Cinemark and certain other network affiliates’ theaters. The Regal Advertising Agreement also provides for (i) up to ten minutes immediately after the advertised showtime of a feature film, extending the time available to NCM LLC by five minutes, and (ii) the Platinum Spot that may be exhibited on-screen prior to the last two trailers, which may be either 30 or 60 seconds in length. Subject to Regal’s approval, NCM LLC may display two 30 second spots in the Platinum Spot and a Gold Spot, a 30 second spot displayed immediately prior to the fourth trailer preceding a feature film or digital programming event.

Previous wording

We expect that Post-Showtime Inventory will ultimately result in an increase in average CPM, revenues and Adjusted OIBDA, however we may not realize any or all such benefits. Potential difficulties and uncertainties that may impair the full realization of the anticipated benefits include, among others:

Current wording

We believe that Post-Showtime Inventory has resulted and will continue to result in an increase in our average CPM, revenues and Adjusted OIBDA, however we may not realize any or all such benefits. Potential difficulties and uncertainties that may impair the full realization of the anticipated benefits include, among others:

Previous wording

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

Current wording

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

Previous wording

In order to conduct our business, we rely on information technology networks and systems, including those managed and owned by third parties, to process, transmit and store electronic information and manage and support business processes and activities. The temporary or permanent loss of our computer equipment, networks, data or software systems through ransomware, data exfiltration, and other cyberattacks and other security threats, termination of a material technology license or contract, operating malfunction, software virus, human error, natural disaster, power loss, terrorist attacks or other catastrophic events could disrupt our operations and cause a material negative impact and the steps that we have taken to mitigate these risks may prove to be ineffective. Although the Company maintains robust procedures, internal policies and technological security measures to safeguard its systems, including disaster recovery systems separate from our operations, robust network security and other measures to help protect our network from unauthorized access and misuse, and a cyber-security insurance policy, the Company’s information technology systems or systems of the ESA Parties, network affiliates or third-party service providers could be penetrated by internal or external parties intent on extracting information, corrupting information, stealing intellectual property or trade secrets, or disrupting business processes. For example, some of our software vendors have previously announced that their systems were infected with malicious software, which might have impacted customers, including NCM. While NCM took prompt action to address the potential vulnerability and does not believe that there were any adverse consequences, there is no guarantee that future hacks and attacks on our network, including those through third parties, will be unsuccessful or resolved without damage to us or our customers. NCM has also been the target of numerous cyber attacks that NCM’s cyber security teams were able to identify and resolve prior to any significant impact on the Company, but future attacks may use methods that our cyber security team is not able to identify, or our cyber security team may not identify the attacks prior to the compromise of our systems or data. Techniques used by cyber criminals to obtain unauthorized access, disable or degrade services, or sabotage systems evolve frequently and may not immediately be detected, and we may be unable to implement adequate preventative measures. Additionally, we are reliant on third parties for back-up, disaster recovery, and other preventative systems that have failed in the past, may fail in the future, and we are periodically required to obtain replacement services and migrate data, which may result in temporary lapses of protection and increased risk of disruption or data loss. Depending on the nature and scope of a disruption, if any technology network or systems fail and we are unable to recover in a tim…

Excerpt shortened here; the source contains the full paragraph.

Current wording

In order to conduct our business, we rely on information technology networks and systems, including those managed and owned by third parties, to process, transmit and store electronic information and manage and support business processes and activities. The temporary or permanent loss of our computer equipment, internet and satellite networks, data or software systems through ransomware, data exfiltration and other cyberattacks and other security threats, termination of a material technology license or contract, operating malfunction, software virus, human error, natural disaster, power loss, terrorist attacks or other catastrophic events could disrupt our operations and cause a material negative impact and the steps that we have taken to mitigate these risks may prove to be ineffective. Although the Company maintains robust procedures, internal policies and technological security measures to safeguard its systems, including disaster recovery systems separate from our operations, robust network security and other measures to help protect our network from unauthorized access and misuse and a cyber-security insurance policy, the Company’s information technology systems or systems of the ESA Parties, network affiliates or third-party service providers could be penetrated by internal or external parties intent on extracting information, corrupting information, stealing intellectual property or trade secrets or disrupting business processes. For example, some of our software vendors have previously announced that their systems were infected with malicious software, which might have impacted customers, including NCM. While NCM took prompt action to address the potential vulnerability and does not believe that there were any adverse consequences, there is no guarantee that future hacks and attacks on our network, including those through third parties, will be unsuccessful or resolved without damage to us or our customers. If information technology failures or cyber-attacks were to interrupt our advertising delivery systems, then NCM could be unable to deliver new advertising and would only be able to display advertising that has already been distributed to theaters in the short-term. This would limit NCM's ability to generate revenue until NCM is able to manually deliver revised advertising or the systems become available. Manually delivered advertising would also limit NCM's ability to optimize the distribution of advertising to maximize impressions and best meet client expectations.

Previous wording

We have invested significant resources in pursuing potential opportunities for revenue growth, which we describe under “Business—Our Strategy.” We had 703.3 million and 374.4 million unique data records as of December 28, 2023 and December 29, 2022, respectively. These valuable data records consist of both our own NCM first-party data from our owned-and-operated digital products, and a variety of key second- and third-party data addressable consumer records, including location-based data that allows us to track when our audiences go to the movie theater to see The Noovie Show and where they go in the days and weeks afterwards. Our ability to increase our unique data records requires us to invest in third-party relationships, to comply with evolving privacy and data security laws, rules and regulations and to develop innovative digital properties that will increase the number of users of our online and mobile entertainment and advertising network and mobile apps. Our ability to collect and leverage movie audience data is under increasing competitive and regulatory pressure and may be negatively impacted by changes to advertising technology, platform operator policies and privacy laws and regulation and may not deliver the future benefits that we are expecting. It is important that we maintain a critical mass of audience data to make our digital offering more attractive to advertisers, including national brands who buy both our national and regional advertising inventory.

Current wording

We have invested significant resources in pursuing potential opportunities for revenue growth, which we describe under “Business—Our Strategy.” We had 824.4 million and 703.3 million unique data records as of December 26, 2024 and December 28, 2023, respectively. These valuable data records consist of both our own NCM first-party data from our owned-and-operated digital products and a variety of key second- and third-party data addressable consumer records, including location-based data that allows us to track when our audiences go to the movie theater to see The Noovie Show and where they go in the days and weeks afterwards. Our ability to increase our unique data records requires us to invest in third-party relationships, to comply with evolving privacy and data security laws, rules and regulations and to develop innovative digital properties that will increase the number of users of our digital entertainment and advertising network and mobile apps. Our ability to collect and leverage movie audience data is under increasing competitive and regulatory pressure and may be negatively impacted by changes to advertising technology, platform operator policies and privacy laws and regulation and may not deliver the future benefits that we are expecting. It is important that we maintain a critical mass of audience data to make our digital offering more attractive to advertisers, including national brands who buy both our national and regional advertising inventory.

Previous wording

Our digital out-of-home business remains at an early stage and is under significant competitive pressure with the proliferation of available alternatives in the digital out-of-home space and may not deliver the future benefits that we are expecting. If we are unable to develop relationships and advertising that is relevant to the marketplace that can be integrated with our core on-screen advertising products, and if these offerings are not attractive to our advertisers, then the digital out-of-home business may not provide significant revenue or a method to help expand our cinema advertising business as it matures. As such, there can be no assurance that we will recoup our investments made pursuing this business.

Current wording

Our digital out-of-home business remains at an early stage and is under significant competitive pressure with the proliferation of available alternatives in the digital out-of-home space and may not deliver the future benefits that we are expecting. If we are unable to develop relationships and advertising that is relevant to the marketplace that can be integrated with our core on-screen advertising products, and if these offerings are not attractive to our advertisers, then the digital out-of-home business may not provide significant revenue or represent a method to help expand our cinema advertising business as it matures. As such, there can be no assurance that we will recoup our investments made pursuing this business.

Previous wording

The Revolving Credit Facility 2023 contains restrictions and may not provide sufficient capital resources and flexibility for the Company in the future.

Current wording

The 2025 Credit Facility contains restrictions and may not provide sufficient capital resources and flexibility for the Company in the future.

Previous wording

On August 7, 2023, NCM LLC entered into a Loan, Security and Guarantee Agreement with the lenders party thereto and CIT Northbridge Credit LLC (the “Revolving Credit Facility 2023”). The Revolving Credit Facility 2023 matures on August 7, 2026, contains customary representations, warranties, covenants, events of default, terms and conditions, including limitations on liens, incurrence of debt, mergers and significant asset dispositions, and a maximum revolving credit line capacity of $55.0 million. The revolving credit line availability under the Revolving Credit Facility 2023 is calculated by reference to the total amounts of NCM LLC’s accounts receivable. The restrictions in the Revolving Credit Facility 2023 may restrict NCM LLC from taking actions, distributing cash, or entering into agreements to raise additional capital, and the availability of the Revolving Credit Facility 2023 may vary and be insufficient for NCM LLC’s needs, particularly in the event of an economic downturn. The Company’s future capital resource and flexibility needs are difficult to predict at this time and will depend on (i) NCM LLC’s ability to comply with the terms and conditions of the Revolving Credit Facility 2023, (ii) ability to general sufficient cash flow from operations, and (iii) future strategic initiatives.

Current wording

On January 24, 2025, NCM LLC as borrower, entered into a Loan and Security Agreement with U.S. Bank National Association, as lender. The agreement provides for a $45.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility (the “2025 Credit Facility”) that matures on January 24, 2028. In connection with entering into the 2025 Credit Facility, NCM LLC repaid in full the $10.0 million balance outstanding as of December 26, 2024 and terminated all commitments under its 2023 Revolving Credit Facility. While the 2025 Credit Facility provides benefits to the Company relative to the Revolving Credit Facility 2023, the restrictions in the 2025 Credit Facility may restrict NCM LLC from taking actions, distributing cash or entering into agreements to raise additional capital, and the availability of the 2025 Credit Facility may be insufficient for NCM LLC’s needs, particularly in the event of an economic downturn. The Company’s future capital resource and flexibility needs are difficult to predict at this time and will depend on (i) NCM LLC’s ability to comply with the terms and conditions of the 2025 Credit Facility, (ii) ability to general sufficient cash flow from operations and (iii) future strategic initiatives.

Previous wording

The personal information we collect and maintain through our online and mobile services, as well as from third-party sources, may expose us to liability or cause us to incur greater operating expenses.

Current wording

The personal information we collect and maintain through our data and digital services, as well as from third-party sources, may expose us to liability or cause us to incur greater operating expenses.

Previous wording

We collect personal information from users of our websites or apps, including those users who establish accounts, or users who view certain advertising displayed through our online and mobile services. We receive certain personal information regarding consumers who enter the theaters in our network, including places visited before entering the theater and after leaving the theater, from third parties to supplement or enhance the information we collect and maintain about users of our online and mobile services or individuals who view advertising or enter theaters. We also collect personal information relating to individuals who are job applicants, employees, stockholders, directors, officers and independent contractors of NCM, as well as emergency contact information they provide. In addition, we collect personal information relating to employees, owners, directors, officers and independent contractors of other organizations within the context of conducting due diligence regarding or providing or receiving a product or service to or from such organization. The collection and use of this information is governed by applicable privacy, information security and consumer protection laws and regulations that 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 offer our clients advertising targeted to moviegoer demographics or to interact with users of our online and mobile services, and could result in legal liability. For example, the failure, or perceived failure, to comply with applicable 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, we could incur significant costs notifying affected individuals and providing them with credit monitoring services. The market perception of the effectiveness of our security measures could also be harmed, and we could lose users of these services and the associated benefits from gathering such user data.

Current wording

We collect personal information from users of our websites or apps, including those users who establish accounts, or users who view certain advertising displayed through our data and digital services. We receive certain personal information regarding consumers who enter the theaters in our network, including places visited before entering the theater and after leaving the theater, from third parties to supplement or enhance the information we collect and maintain about users of our data and digital services or individuals who view advertising or enter theaters. We also collect personal information relating to individuals who are job applicants, employees, stockholders, directors, officers and independent contractors of NCM, as well as emergency contact information they provide. In addition, we collect personal information relating to employees, owners, directors, officers and independent contractors of other organizations within the context of conducting due diligence regarding or providing or receiving a product or service to or from such organization. The collection and use of this information is governed by applicable privacy, information security and consumer protection laws and regulations that 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 offer our clients advertising targeted to moviegoer demographics or to interact with users of our data and digital services, and could result in legal liability. For example, the failure, or perceived failure, to comply with applicable 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, we could incur significant costs notifying affected individuals and providing them with credit monitoring services. The market perception of the effectiveness of our security measures could also be harmed, and we could lose users of these services and the associated benefits from gathering such user data.

Previous wording

Changes in laws, regulations or rules relating to privacy, data security, 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.

Current wording

Changes in laws, regulations or rules relating to privacy, data security, the Internet or other areas of our data and digital services may result in the need to alter our business practices or incur greater operating expenses.

Previous wording

A number of statutes, regulations and rules may impact our business as a result of our online or mobile services and our use of personal information we receive from third parties. For example, privacy laws that have passed or are being contemplated give, or will give, individuals additional rights with regards to the collection, use, access to, correction, deletion, selling, sharing and protection of their personal information and sensitive personal information. The costs of compliance with privacy laws, regulations and rules 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, 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 claims, adverse rulings or damages, the reduction or elimination of features, functionality or content from our online or mobile services, or our inability to use unique data records effectively. Likewise, any failure on our part to comply with these and other regulations may subject us to additional liabilities.

Current wording

A number of statutes, regulations and rules may impact our business as a result of our data and digital services and our use of personal information we receive from third parties. For example, privacy laws that have passed or are being contemplated give, or will give, individuals additional rights with regards to the collection, use, access to, correction, deletion, selling, sharing and protection of their personal information and sensitive personal information. The costs of compliance with privacy laws, regulations and rules and other regulations relating to our data and digital 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, 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 claims, adverse rulings or damages, the reduction or elimination of features, functionality or content from our data or digital services or our inability to use unique data records effectively. Likewise, any failure on our part to comply with these and other regulations may subject us to additional liabilities.

Previous wording

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, ad supported video-on-demand and other video media platforms. In addition to these video advertising platforms, we compete for advertising directly with additional media platforms, including digital advertising providers, online, digital out-of-home and mobile, radio, various local print media and billboards, and other cinema advertising companies. We expect all of these competitors to devote significant effort to maintaining and growing their business, which may be at our expense. We also expect existing competitors and new entrants to the advertising business, most notably the online, digital out-of-home and mobile advertising companies and ad supported video-on-demand platforms, to constantly revise and improve their business models to meet expectations of advertising clients. In addition, the pricing and volume of advertising may be affected by shifts in spending toward digital platforms 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, industries, such as retail or consumer products, or the economy in general could alter current or prospective advertisers’ spending priorities, including changes in prospects caused by inflationary pressures, pandemics or other events. If we cannot respond effectively to media marketplace changes, advertising market changes, new entrants or advances by our existing competitors, our business may be adversely affected.

Current wording

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, ad supported video-on-demand and other video media platforms. In addition to these video advertising platforms, we compete for advertising directly with additional media platforms, including digital advertising providers, online, digital out-of-home and mobile, radio, various local print media and billboards, and other cinema advertising companies. We expect all of these competitors to devote significant effort to maintaining and growing their business, which may be at our expense. We also expect existing competitors and new entrants to the advertising business, most notably the online, digital out-of-home and mobile advertising companies and ad supported video-on-demand platforms, to constantly revise and improve their business models to meet expectations of advertising clients. NCM's position in various categories as a premium provider of advertising could deter advertisers from utilizing our services due to the high cost. Certain ad agencies may also deem NCM to be a provider of digital-out-of-home rather than video advertising, which could limit NCM's access to advertising budgets.

Previous wording

If our cinema advertising management system does not successfully provide all of the services we expect, if we are unable to continue to successfully and cost-effectively implement further upgrades to the system, including a programmatic advertising sales option currently in progress, or if we lose access to the system through termination of the agreement or otherwise, our ability to offer our clients innovative, unique, integrated and targeted marketing products may be impacted, which could limit our future revenue growth. The failure to upgrade and maintain our technology allowing our advertising to reach a broader audience and allow for more targeted marketing products similar to other products in the inventory could hurt our ability to compete. Under the ESAs, the ESA Parties are required to provide technology that is consistent with that in place at the signing of the ESA. We may request that the ESA Parties or other theaters in our network upgrade the equipment or software installed in their theaters, but we must negotiate 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 that could adversely affect our profitability.

Current wording

The failure to upgrade and maintain our technology allowing our advertising to reach a broader audience and allow for more targeted marketing products similar to other products in the industry could hurt our ability to compete. Under the ESAs, the ESA Parties are required to provide technology that is consistent with that in place at the signing of the ESA. We may request that the ESA Parties or other theaters in our network upgrade the equipment or software installed in their theaters, but we must negotiate 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 that could adversely affect our profitability.

Previous wording

The financial markets have experienced extreme disruption and volatility at times. A decline in consumer spending in the U.S. may lead to decreased demand for our services or delay in payments by our advertising clients. As a result, our results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected. These challenging economic conditions also may result in:

Current wording

The financial markets have experienced extreme disruption and volatility at times. A decline in consumer spending in the U.S. may lead to decreased demand for our services or delay in payments by our advertising clients, and our results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected. These challenging economic conditions also may result in:

Previous wording

The ESAs and certain of our network affiliate agreements include automatic annual cost or fee increases. The theater access fees under the ESAs are composed of a fixed payment per patron, increasing by 8% every five years, and a fixed payment per digital screen connected to the DCN, increasing annually by 5%, and certain of our network affiliate agreements include annual increases in the minimum fee per patron payable. If NCM LLC further amends the ESAs or network affiliate agreements in response to market conditions or in connection with the bankruptcy of a counterparty, the costs could increase. If we are unable to grow our high margin advertising revenue at a rate at least equal to that of our contractual obligations, our margins and results would be negatively affected.

Current wording

The ESAs and certain of our network affiliate agreements include automatic annual cost or fee increases. The theater access fees under the ESAs are composed of a fixed payment per patron, increasing by 8% every five years, and a fixed payment per digital screen connected to the DCN, increasing annually by 5%, and certain of our network affiliate agreements include annual increases in the minimum fee per patron payable. If NCM LLC further amends the ESAs or network affiliate agreements in response to market conditions or in connection with the bankruptcy of a counterparty, the costs could increase.

Previous wording

We generate all of our operating income and Adjusted OIBDA from our high margin advertising business. Advertisers will not continue to do business with us if they believe our advertising medium is ineffective, unpredictable or overly expensive or lacks sufficient scale. In addition, large advertisers generally have set advertising budgets, of which cinema advertising may only be a small portion. Reductions in the size of advertisers’ budgets due to local or national economic trends, epidemics, pandemics, other natural disasters or similar events, a shift in spending to other advertising mediums, perception of uncertainty in advertising mediums, or other factors could result in lower spending on our advertising inventory. Advertisers are spending in the scatter market closer to the start date of their advertising campaign. A substantial portion of our advertising revenue relates to contracts with terms of a month or less, and clients have many video media choices and can adjust where ads are placed up until their airdates without the risk of securing desired impressions. We have previously been successful in securing favorable upfront advertising agreements, but as advertising spending shifts in the scatter market closer to the start date of advertising campaigns, our ability to maintain high CPMs in the upfront markets may decrease. 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. Even the loss of a small number of clients on large contracts that we are not able to replace would negatively affect our results.

Current wording

We generate all of our operating income and Adjusted OIBDA from our high margin advertising business. Advertisers will not continue to do business with us if they believe our advertising medium is ineffective, unpredictable or overly expensive or lacks sufficient scale. In addition, large advertisers generally have set advertising budgets, of which cinema advertising may only be a small portion. Reductions in the size of advertisers’ budgets due to local or national economic trends, epidemics, pandemics, other natural disasters or similar events, a shift in spending to other advertising mediums, perception of uncertainty in advertising mediums, or other factors could result in lower spending on our advertising inventory. Advertisers are spending in the scatter market closer to the start date of their advertising campaign. A substantial portion of our advertising revenue relates to contracts with terms of a month or less, and clients have many video media choices and can adjust where ads are placed up until their airdates without the risk of securing desired impressions. We have previously been successful in securing favorable upfront advertising agreements, but as advertising spending shifts to the scatter market closer to the start date of advertising campaigns, our ability to maintain high CPMs in the upfront markets may decrease and it is more difficult for the Company to plan and forecast revenue. Additionally, since most of our advertising contracts are tied to a specified number of impressions over a period of time, if we do not properly forecast the number of impressions available over a period of advertising or if too few impressions are available, it could result in underdelivery requiring us to provide additional time to satisfy advertiser’s contracts rather than additional revenue, or if too many impressions are available, it could result in increased fixed fee per patron fees to theaters without a corresponding increase in revenue. 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. Even the loss of a small number of clients on large contracts that we are not able to replace would negatively affect our results.

Previous wording

We derive a significant portion of our revenue from our contracts with our content partners, courtesy PSAs and the ESA Parties’ agreements to purchase on-screen advertising for their beverage concessionaires. We are not direct parties to the agreements between the ESA Parties’ and their beverage concessionaires but expect that each ESA Party will have an agreement with a beverage concessionaire to provide advertising for the foreseeable future. The Company had no agencies through which it sourced advertising revenue that accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s gross outstanding receivable balance as of December 28, 2023. As of December 29, 2022 there wasone advertising agency group through which the Company sources national advertising revenue that accounted for 13.0% of the Company’s outstanding gross receivable balance. During the years ended December 28, 2023 and December 29, 2022, the Company hadone customer that accounted for 11.2% and 12.9%, respectively, of the Company's revenue. Because we derive a significant percentage of our total revenue from a relatively small number of large companies, the loss of one or more as a customer could decrease our revenue and adversely affect current and future operating results.

Current wording

We also derive a significant portion of our revenue from our contracts with our content partners, courtesy PSAs and the ESA Parties’ agreements to purchase on-screen advertising for their beverage concessionaires. We are not direct parties to the agreements between the ESA Parties’ and their beverage concessionaires but expect that each ESA Party will have an agreement with a beverage concessionaire to provide advertising for the foreseeable future. The Company had one agency through which it sourced advertising revenue that accounted for more than 14.7% of the Company’s gross outstanding receivable balance as of December 26, 2024. The Company had no agencies through which it sourced advertising revenue that accounted for more than 10% of the Company's gross outstanding receivable balance as of December 28, 2023. During the year ended December 26, 2024, the Company had no customer that accounted for 10% or more of the Company's revenue. During the year ended December 28, 2023, the Company had one customer that accounted for 11.2%, respectively, of the Company's revenue. Because we derive a significant percentage of our total revenue from a relatively small number of large companies, the loss of one or more as a customer could decrease our revenue and adversely affect current and future operating results.

Previous wording

The ESAs and network affiliate agreements contain certain limited exceptions to our exclusive right to use the counterparties’ theaters for our advertising business. Certain counterparties 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). NCM has limited rights or does not have the right to advertise in certain theater lobbies or agreed to allow the counterparty to sell certain types of inventory on their own behalf. Some of these strategic marketing relationships can include the use of on-screen, 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 and some of these exceptions are broader. The use of LEN or lobby promotions or other inventory by the theater counterparties for these advertisements and programs could result in the theater counterparties creating relationships with advertisers that could adversely affect our advertising revenue and profitability, as well as the potential we have to grow that advertising revenue in the future. In particular, the LEN and lobby promotions represented approximately 0.9% and 0.8% of our total advertising revenue for the year ended December 28, 2023 and December 29, 2022, respectively.

Current wording

The ESAs and network affiliate agreements contain certain limited exceptions to our exclusive right to use the counterparties’ theaters for our advertising business. Certain counterparties 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). NCM has limited rights or does not have the right to advertise in certain theater lobbies or agreed to allow the counterparty to sell certain types of inventory on their own behalf. Some of these strategic marketing relationships can include the use of on-screen, 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 and some of these exceptions are broader. The use of LEN or lobby promotions or other inventory by the theater counterparties for these advertisements and programs could result in the theater counterparties creating relationships with advertisers that could adversely affect our advertising revenue and profitability, as well as the potential we have to grow that advertising revenue in the future. In particular, the LEN and lobby promotions represented approximately 0.5% and 0.9% of our total advertising revenue for the year ended December 26, 2024 and December 28, 2023, respectively.

Previous wording

The ESA Parties also have the right to install a network of video monitors in the theater lobbies in excess of those required to be installed for the LEN, and this right has been used to install a significant number of video monitors in theater lobbies. The presence of this additional lobby video network 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.

Current wording

The ESA Parties also have the right to install a network of video monitors in the theater lobbies in excess of those required to be installed for the LEN, and this right has been used to install a significant number of video monitors in theater lobbies. The presence of this additional lobby video network 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. Other network affiliates also have the right to display advertising in the lobby or other areas of their theaters that could potentially conflict with our on-screen advertising.

Previous wording

Our success depends in part upon the retention of our experienced senior management with specialized industry, sales and technical knowledge or industry relationships. Following the resignations of certain members of our senior management in 2021 and 2020, in 2021 we appointed a new President of Sales, Marketing and Partnerships, Chief Financial Officer, and General Counsel. If we are not able to find qualified internal or external replacements for critical members of our senior management team, the loss of these key employees could have a material negative impact on our ability to effectively pursue our business strategy and our relationships with advertisers, exhibitors, media and content partners. While the Company was able to retain our senior management during the uncertainty caused by the Chapter 11 Case, there is no guarantee that the Company will continue to be able to recruit experienced replacements, or that the Company will not be required to institute additional retention or incentive programs in order to retain senior management. We do not have key-man life insurance covering any of our employees.

Current wording

Our success depends in part upon the retention of our experienced senior management with specialized industry, sales and technical knowledge or industry relationships. In May 2024, the Company replaced its President of Sales, Marketing and Partnerships. If we are not able to find qualified internal or external replacements for critical members of our senior management team, the loss of these key employees could have a material negative impact on our ability to effectively pursue our business strategy and our relationships with advertisers, exhibitors, media and content partners. While the Company has been able to retain our senior management, there is no guarantee that the Company will continue to be able to recruit experienced replacements, or that the Company will not be required to institute additional retention or incentive programs in order to retain senior management. We do not have key-man life insurance covering any of our employees.

Previous wording

A weak advertising market, 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 annual results. 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, which have historically been higher during the second, third, and fourth fiscal quarters. 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. Additionally, the bankruptcy of one of NCM LLC’s significant network theater circuits, or negative news regarding the theater industry, cinema advertising generally or us could lead to increased volatility in revenue from quarter to quarter. These variations in our financial results could contribute to volatility in our stock price.

Current wording

A weak advertising market, the shift in spending of a major client from one quarter to another, the performance of films released or the mix of attendance from the type and rating of films 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 annual results. 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, which have historically been higher during the second, third and fourth fiscal quarters. 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. Additionally, the bankruptcy of one of NCM LLC’s significant network theater circuits, or negative news regarding the theater industry, cinema advertising generally or us could lead to increased volatility in revenue from quarter to quarter. These variations in our financial results could contribute to volatility in our stock price.

Previous wording

Our business uses a variety of intellectual property rights, including copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, domain names and patents or patentable ideas in the provision of our advertising services, the websites we operate at ncm.com and Noovie.com, our digital gaming products including Noovie Trivia and the features and functionality, content and software we make available through those websites and apps. We rely on our own intellectual property rights, as well as intellectual property rights obtained from third parties (including through open-source licenses), to conduct our business and provide our in-theater, online, mobile and creative services. We may incur expenses, some of which may be significant, in developing, protecting, maintaining, and defending our intellectual property rights or licensing intellectual property from third parties.

Current wording

Our business uses a variety of intellectual property rights, including copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets, domain names and patents or patentable ideas in the provision of our advertising services, the websites we operate at ncm.com and Noovie.com, our digital gaming products including Noovie Trivia and the features and functionality, content and software we make available through those websites and apps. We rely on our own intellectual property rights, as well as intellectual property rights obtained from third parties (including through open-source licenses), to conduct our business and provide our in-theater, data, digital and creative services. We may incur expenses, some of which may be significant, in developing, protecting, maintaining, and defending our intellectual property rights or licensing intellectual property from third parties.

Previous wording

We may discover that our business or the technology or methods we use to operate our business infringes patent, trademark, copyright, publicity rights, or other intellectual property rights owned by others or is otherwise negatively impacted by restrictions imposed by or obligations under third-party intellectual property licenses. In addition, our competitors or others may claim rights in patents, trademarks, copyrights, publicity rights, 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. We may incur significant costs in protecting our own intellectual property rights or defending or settling intellectual property infringement claims and may face significant damage awards (including the potential for awards of attorneys’ fees) if we are found to be infringing third-party intellectual property rights.

Current wording

We may discover that our business or the technology or methods we use to operate our business infringes patent, trademark, copyright, publicity rights, or other intellectual property rights owned by others or is otherwise negatively impacted by restrictions imposed by our obligations under third-party intellectual property licenses. In addition, our competitors or others may claim rights in patents, trademarks, copyrights, publicity rights, or other intellectual property rights that will prevent, limit or interfere with our ability to provide our in-theater, data, or digital services either in the U.S. or in international markets. We may incur significant costs in protecting our own intellectual property rights or defending or settling intellectual property infringement claims and may face significant damage awards (including the potential for awards of attorneys’ fees) if we are found to be infringing third-party intellectual property rights.

Previous wording

Our in-theater, online and mobile services facilitate the distribution of content, and we create content for others. This content includes advertising-related content, as well as movie, television, music, gaming and other media content, much of which is obtained from third parties. Our apps, websites, and social media channels also include features enabling users to upload or add their own content and modify certain content. As a distributor of content, we face potential liability for negligence, copyright, patent, trademark, or publicity infringement, or other claims based on the content that we distribute or create for others. We or entities that we license or receive content from or distribute content through may not be adequately insured or indemnified to cover claims of these types or liability that may be imposed on us.

Current wording

Our in-theater, data and digital services facilitate the distribution of content, and we create content for others. This content includes advertising-related content, as well as movie, television, music, gaming and other media content, much of which is obtained from third parties. Our apps, websites and social media channels also include features enabling users to upload or add their own content and modify certain content. As a distributor of content, we face potential liability for negligence, copyright, patent, trademark or publicity infringement, or other claims based on the content that we distribute or create for others. We or entities that we license or receive content from or distribute content through may not be adequately insured or indemnified to cover claims of these types or liability that may be imposed on us.

Previous wording

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 or other securities owned. Consequently, our ability to obtain operating funds primarily depends upon distributions and payments under the NCM LLC operating and management services agreement from NCM LLC. The distribution of cash flows and other transfers of funds by NCM LLC to us are subject to statutory and contractual restrictions based upon NCM LLC’s financial performance, including NCM LLC’s compliance with the covenants in the Revolving Credit Facility 2023 and the NCM LLC Operating Agreement. The Revolving Credit Facility 2023 may limit NCM LLC’s ability to distribute cash to its members, including us, based upon certain financial 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. 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 the Revolving Credit Facility 2023 and legal requirements. In the event NCM LLC fails to comply with these covenants and is unable to distribute cash to us quarterly, NCM, Inc.’s ability to make distributions or pay other expenses outside the ordinary course of business may be limited.

Current wording

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 or other securities owned. Consequently, our ability to obtain operating funds primarily depends upon distributions and payments under the NCM LLC operating and management services agreement from NCM LLC. The distribution of cash flows and other transfers of funds by NCM LLC to us are subject to statutory and contractual restrictions based upon NCM LLC’s financial performance, including NCM LLC’s compliance with the covenants in the 2025 Credit Facility and the NCM LLC Operating Agreement. The 2025 Credit Facility may limit NCM LLC’s ability to distribute cash to its members, including us, based upon certain financial 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. 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 the 2025 Credit Facility and legal requirements. In the event NCM LLC fails to comply with these covenants and is unable to distribute cash to us quarterly, NCM, Inc.’s ability to make distributions or pay other expenses outside the ordinary course of business may be limited.

Previous wording

As a member of NCM LLC, we incur income taxes on our proportionate share of any net taxable income of NCM LLC. The Revolving Credit Facility 2023 is structured to allow NCM LLC to distribute cash to its members (including us and NCM LLC’s other members, if any) 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 negative impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects.

Current wording

As a member of NCM LLC, we incur income taxes on our proportionate share of any net taxable income of NCM LLC. The 2025 Credit Facility is structured to allow NCM LLC to distribute cash to its members (including us and NCM LLC’s other members, if any) 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 negative impact on our business, financial condition, results of operations or prospects.

Previous wording

As of the Effective Date, NCM Inc. was the only beneficial owner of NCM LLC’s membership units, but AMC and Cinemark continue to have rights to receive additional units pursuant to the terms of the Common Unit Adjustment Agreement. As of August 7, 2023, Blantyre Capital, our largest stockholder, beneficially owns 26,664,349 shares of our common stock, representing 27.5% of the Company’s shares outstanding as of December 28, 2023. As a result, this stockholder could be in a position to influence or control to some degree the outcome of matters requiring stockholder approval, including the adoption of amendments to our certificate of incorporation and the approval of mergers and other significant corporate transactions. Their influence or control of our Company and NCM LLC may have the effect of delaying or promoting a change of control of our Company and may adversely affect the voting and other rights of other stockholders.

Current wording

As of the Effective Date, NCM Inc. was the only beneficial owner of NCM LLC’s membership units, but AMC and Cinemark continue to have rights to receive additional units pursuant to the terms of the Common Unit Adjustment Agreement. As of August 7, 2023, Blantyre Capital Limited ("Blantyre Capital"), our largest stockholder, obtained beneficial ownership of 26,664,349 shares of our common stock. Their beneficial ownership remains unchanged, representing 27.8% of the Company’s shares outstanding as of December 26, 2024. Additionally, the Company entered into a Director Designation Agreement (the “Designation Agreement”) among the Company, the Consenting Creditor Designation Committee (the “Designation Committee”) and Blantyre Capital in accordance with the Plan. The Designation Agreement provides for the designation of up to six directors, three of whom must be independent, by the Designation Committee and Blantyre Capital with up to two of the directors designated by Blantyre Capital. The number of directors designated will vary based on the ownership level of the Consenting Creditors under the Designation Agreement. In 2024, four directors were appointed under the Designation Agreement. As a result, these stockholders could be in a position to influence or control to some degree the outcome of matters requiring stockholder approval, including the adoption of amendments to our certificate of incorporation and the approval of mergers and other significant corporate transactions. Their influence or control of our Company and NCM LLC may have the effect of delaying or promoting a change of control of our Company and may adversely affect the voting and other rights of other stockholders.

Previous wording

It is possible that the interests of these stockholders may in some circumstances conflict with our interests and the interests of our other stockholders. For example, Cinemark may have different tax positions from us, especially in light of the TRA that provides for the payment by us to Cinemark of 90% of the amount of any tax benefits that we actually realize, or in some cases are deemed to realize, due to Cinemark’s portion of certain tax assets. This could influence Cinemark’s decisions regarding whether and when we should dispose of assets, and whether and when we or NCM LLC should incur indebtedness. As another example, Blantyre Capital is in the business of making investments in companies and may hold, and may from time to time in the future acquire, interests in or provide advice to businesses that directly or indirectly compete with us.

Current wording

It is possible that the interests of these stockholders may in some circumstances conflict with our interests and the interests of our other stockholders. For example, Blantyre Capital is in the business of making investments in companies and may hold, and may from time to time in the future acquire, interests in or provide advice to businesses that directly or indirectly compete with us. As another example, Cinemark may own shares of NCM, Inc. stock and may have different tax positions from us, especially in light of the TRA that provides for the payment by us to Cinemark of 90% of the amount of any tax benefits that we actually realize, or in some cases are deemed to realize, due to Cinemark’s portion of certain tax assets. This could influence Cinemark’s decisions regarding whether and when we should dispose of assets, and whether and when we or NCM LLC should incur indebtedness.
Rearranged current paragraphs (8)

Current report — wording carried from elsewhere

Theater attendance has fluctuated from year to year but on average remained relatively flat over the 10 years prior to the outbreak of the novel corona virus or COVID-19 in 2020 (the “COVID 19 Pandemic”). While consumers have largely returned to pre-COVID-19 Pandemic behavior, it is unknown how future pandemics or epidemics will influence behavior.

Current report — wording carried from elsewhere

AMC and Cinemark are eligible to be issued additional units pursuant to the terms of the Common Unit Adjustment Agreement and Cinemark may own shares of NCM, Inc. stock. We are uncertain how the lack of ownership interest in NCM LLC and limited ownership at NCM, Inc. may affect their cooperation with us under the ESAs or otherwise going forward. Additionally, following the approval of the bankruptcy court authorizing NCM LLC’s entry into the Regal Advertising

Current report — wording carried from elsewhere

As a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic, all of the theaters in NCM LLC’s network were temporarily closed and were required to seek additional financing through various methods leading to significant levels of financial distress. On September 7, 2022, Cineworld Group plc, the parent company of Regal, and certain of its subsidiaries, including Regal, Regal Cinemas, Inc., formerly a party to an ESA, and Regal CineMedia Holdings, LLC, formerly a party to other agreements with NCM LLC and NCM, Inc., filed petitions for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code in the Southern District of Texas (the “Cineworld Proceeding”). In addition, each of the other ESA Parties currently has a significant amount of indebtedness with varying maturity dates in the future.

Current report — wording carried from elsewhere

In addition to potential vulnerabilities of NCM's information technology systems, NCM and its employees are also the target of cyberattacks, including malware, phishing, social engineering and other targeted attacks, that have been, at times, successful in deceiving certain employees. While NCM’s cyber security teams were able to identify and resolve these attacks prior to any significant impact on the Company, future attacks may use methods that our cyber security team is not able to identify, or our cyber security team may not identify the attacks prior to the compromise of our systems or data. Techniques used by cyber criminals to obtain unauthorized access, disable or degrade services or sabotage systems evolve frequently and may not immediately be detected, and we may be unable to implement adequate preventative measures.

Current report — wording carried from elsewhere

Additionally, we are reliant on third parties for back-up, disaster recovery and other preventative systems that have failed in the past, may fail in the future and we are periodically required to obtain replacement services and migrate data, which may result in temporary lapses of protection and increased risk of disruption or data loss. Depending on the nature and scope of a disruption, if any technology network or systems fail and we are unable to recover in a timely manner, we may be unable to fulfill critical business functions, which could lead to a loss of clients and revenue, harm our reputation or interfere with our ability to comply with financial reporting and other regulatory requirements.

Current report — wording carried from elsewhere

In addition, the pricing and volume of advertising may be affected by shifts in spending toward digital platforms 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, industries, such as retail or consumer products, or the economy in general could alter current or prospective advertisers’ spending priorities, including changes in prospects caused by inflationary pressures, pandemics or other events. If we cannot respond effectively to media marketplace changes, advertising market changes, new entrants or advances by our existing competitors, our business may be adversely affected.

Current report — wording carried from elsewhere

If our cinema advertising management system does not successfully provide all of the services we expect, if we are unable to continue to successfully and cost-effectively implement further upgrades to the system, which may include the integration of other third-party technology products, or if we lose access to the system through termination of the agreement or otherwise, our ability to offer our clients innovative, unique, integrated and targeted marketing products may be impacted, which could limit our future revenue growth. The Company has also been improving its technology systems to allow the delivery and sale of advertising through programmatic and self-serve channels, which has increased revenue opportunities. The Company may not be able to keep up with the pace of technology or develop solutions that meet the demands of the Company’s current and future advertising clients, which would result in the loss of potential advertising opportunities in the future.

Current report — wording carried from elsewhere

If we are unable to grow our high margin advertising revenue at a rate at least equal to that of our contractual obligations, our margins and results would be negatively affected.
Rearranged previous paragraphs (1)

Previous report — wording carried elsewhere

As of August 7, 2023, Blantyre Capital Limited (“Blantyre Capital”), our largest stockholder, beneficially owns 26,664,349 shares of our common stock, representing approximately 27.5% of the Company’s shares outstanding as of December 28, 2023. Additionally, the Company entered into a Director Designation Agreement (the “Designation Agreement”) among the Company, the Consenting Creditor Designation Committee (the “Designation Committee”) and Blantyre Capital in accordance with the Plan. The Designation Agreement provides for the designation of up to six directors, three of whom must be independent, by the Designation Committee and Blantyre Capital with up to two of the directors designated by Blantyre Capital. The number of directors designated will vary based on the ownership level of the Consenting Creditors under the Designation Agreement. As a result, the directors appointed by Blantyre and the Designation Committee could have significant influence on corporate matters.