Warner Music(WMG) - 2023 Q4 - Annual Report

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Forward-Looking Statements and Risks This section highlights that the Annual Report contains forward-looking statements, identifiable by specific terms, which are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, cautioning that actual performance may differ materially from expectations - Forward-looking statements are identified by terms like 'believes,' 'expects,' 'may,' 'will,' 'plans,' and 'estimates,' and cover areas such as market competition, talent development, music monetization, capital deployment, digital music growth, cost reduction, and piracy[13] - Actual performance and outcomes may differ materially from forward-looking statements due to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the company's control[14] - Inability to compete successfully in highly competitive markets[15] - Challenges in identifying, signing, and retaining recording artists and songwriters, and the impact of superstar releases[15] - Slower growth in streaming adoption and revenue[15] - Dependence on a limited number of digital music services and their influence on pricing[15] - Risks associated with non-U.S. operations, including limited legal protections for intellectual property and currency fluctuations[17] - Threats from digital piracy and intellectual property litigation[17] - Impact of substantial leverage on capital raising and debt obligations[17] - Concentration of control with Access due to dual-class stock structure[17] Summary Risk Factors Key Business Risks This section provides a concise overview of the primary risks facing the company, including challenges in talent acquisition and retention, evolving digital business models, regulatory rate limitations, market demand fluctuations, and the impact of its substantial leverage and dual-class stock structure - Ability to identify, sign, and retain recording artists and songwriters, and the impact of superstar releases[19] - Development of a successful digital business model and expanded-rights deals[19] - Revenue subject to rate regulation by governmental entities or third-party collecting societies[19] - Dependence on popular demand for artists/music and timely delivery of content[19] - Slower growth in streaming adoption and revenue[19] - Reliance on a limited number of digital music services and their pricing influence[19] - Risks in non-U.S. operations, including intellectual property protection and capital repatriation[19] - Intense competition in recorded music and music publishing industries[19] - Threats from digital piracy and cybersecurity[19] - Potential loss of catalog rights under the U.S. Copyright Act[19] - Substantial leverage and limited influence of Class A Common Stockholders due to dual-class structure[19] PART I ITEM 1. Business This section provides an overview of Warner Music Group Corp. (WMG), a leading global music entertainment company, detailing its structure, history, competitive strengths, growth strategies, and operations across its Recorded Music and Music Publishing segments - WMG is a major music entertainment company, operating through iconic record labels (e.g., Atlantic, Warner Records) and its global music publishing business, Warner Chappell Music, which represents over 150,000 songwriters and composers[26] - Access Industries, LLC, WMG's controlling stockholder, holds approximately 98% of total combined voting power and 73% of economic interest, making WMG a 'controlled company' under NASDAQ standards[25] Fiscal Year 2023 Revenue by Business Segment | Business Segment | Revenue (Fiscal 2023) | % of Total Revenues | | :----------------- | :-------------------- | :------------------ | | Recorded Music | $4.955 billion | 82% | | Music Publishing | $1.088 billion | 18% | Introduction Warner Music Group Corp. (WMG) was formed in 2003 and operates as a holding company, with its primary business conducted through WMG Acquisition Corp., one of the world's major music entertainment companies - WMG was formed on November 21, 2003, and operates as a holding company, with its business primarily conducted through WMG Acquisition Corp[21][22] Our Company WMG is a leading global music entertainment company, home to iconic record labels and a vast music publishing catalog, focusing on identifying, developing, and marketing talent in a digital-first environment - WMG's core business involves identifying, signing, developing, and marketing extraordinary talent to cut through the noise of high-volume music releases on digital platforms[28] - The company was an early adopter of streaming, becoming the first major music entertainment company to report streaming as its largest source of recorded music revenue in 2016, and continues to explore new monetization opportunities in evolving digital ecosystems[29][30] Our History WMG's history dates back to 1811, evolving through key acquisitions and strategic expansions, including being taken private by Access in 2011 and going public again in 2020, with a focus on A&R investment and global reach - WMG's origins trace back to 1811, with significant milestones including the acquisition of Atlantic Records (1967) and Elektra Records (1970), and the formation of Warner Chappell Music (1987)[31][32][33] - Since Access's acquisition in 2011, WMG has pursued strategies of revenue growth, increased operating margins, and cash flow, backed by investments in A&R, global expansion, streaming expertise, and diversification into other music-based revenue streams[35] - Key acquisitions include Parlophone Label Group (2013) to strengthen European presence and direct-to-audience businesses like EMP Merchandising, Songkick, and UPROXX to diversify revenue streams[36] Industry Overview The music entertainment industry is experiencing global growth, primarily driven by digital consumption and streaming, with increasing consumer engagement across demographics and new platforms, while regulatory developments positively impact royalty rates for rightsholders - Global consumers spent an average of 20.1 hours listening to music each week in 2022, with short-form video, livestreaming, and in-game experiences driving new opportunities[38] - The music publishing industry generated $8.1 billion in global revenue in 2022, a 17.7% increase from 2021, with digital royalties accounting for approximately 59% and performance royalties for 18%[53][54] - The Music Modernization Act (MMA) in the U.S. improved digital music licensing and royalty payments for pre-1972 sound recordings[58] - The Copyright Royalty Board (CRB) significantly increased mechanical royalty rates for streaming musical compositions from 10.5% in 2018 to 15.1% in 2022, and further escalated rates to 15.35% by 2027[59][60][61] - The European Union Copyright Directive aims to ensure fair remuneration for rightsholders when music is shared online by user-uploaded content services[63] Global Recorded Music Revenue (2022) | Category | Revenue (2022) | % of Total Revenue | | :--------------------------- | :------------- | :----------------- | | Streaming | $17.6 billion | 67% | | Physical | ~ $4.6 billion | ~17.5% | | Performance Rights | | ~9.4% | | Downloads and other digital | | ~3.6% | | Synchronization | | ~2.4% | Our Competitive Strengths WMG's competitive strengths include its strong position to benefit from streaming growth, established international presence, differentiated platform of scale, core capabilities in talent development, robust financial profile, experienced leadership, and expertise in strategic acquisitions - WMG is well-positioned for streaming growth, with recorded music streaming revenue growing at a CAGR of 16% from fiscal year 2018 to 2022, and streaming becoming the largest source of recorded music revenue in 2016[64] - The company has an established presence in over 70 countries, with a focus on developing local talent and expanding its global footprint through organic A&R and acquisitions in emerging markets like China, MENA, and South Africa[66][67] - WMG boasts a strong financial profile, with as-reported revenues growing at a 7% CAGR from FY2021-FY2023, and generating $439 million in net income and $1,311 million in Adjusted EBITDA in fiscal year 2023[71] - The leadership team, including CEO Robert Kyncl and CFO Bryan Castellani, brings diverse experience to drive business strategy, complemented by Access Industries' strategic direction and M&A expertise[72] Our Growth Strategies WMG's growth strategies focus on attracting and developing talent, expanding in high-growth streaming markets, investing in local music in nascent markets, embracing commercial innovation with new digital partners (including AI), and pursuing strategic acquisitions to enhance its asset portfolio and capabilities - Attract, develop, and retain established and emerging recording artists and songwriters, leveraging A&R technology like Sodatone for talent scouting[74] - Focus on growth markets to capitalize on incremental streaming penetration in both developed (e.g., U.S., Germany) and emerging markets (e.g., China, Brazil)[75] - Expand global presence by investing in local music and establishing creative hubs in nascent markets like MENA and South Africa[76] - Embrace commercial innovation by partnering with new digital distributors (e.g., Apple, YouTube, TikTok) and exploring AI's benefits for artists and monetization[77] - Pursue strategic acquisitions to enhance asset portfolio and drive long-term growth, as exemplified by the acquisition of 300 Entertainment and investments in artist services capabilities[78] Recorded Music The Recorded Music business, accounting for 82% of consolidated revenues in FY2023, focuses on discovering, developing, marketing, distributing, and licensing music, operating through major labels and diversifying into expanded-rights deals to broaden revenue streams - Recorded Music generated $4.955 billion in revenue in fiscal 2023, representing 82% of total revenues[27][79] - The business includes major labels (Atlantic, Warner Records, Elektra Music Group, 300 Elektra Entertainment), catalog marketing (Rhino Entertainment), and a global network of subsidiaries and licensees[80][82][83] - WMG has diversified into expanded-rights deals, partnering with artists in areas like touring, merchandising, and sponsorships, to broaden revenue streams and enhance artist relationships[86] A&R WMG's A&R strategy focuses on identifying and developing commercially successful recording artists across all genres and geographies, leveraging experienced executives and a strong reputation to build a diverse and enduring catalog - WMG's A&R strategy is centered on identifying and contracting with commercially successful recording artists across all music genres and major geographies, attributing success to experienced global A&R executives and strong relationships in the artistic community[87][88] - The company efficiently sustains sales of its catalog releases with lesser marketing spend compared to new releases, and maximizes catalog value through re-releases, box sets, and marketing legacy artists via Rhino Entertainment[89][90] Recording Artists' Contracts Recording contracts define the commercial relationship, granting WMG rights to artists' music in exchange for royalties and advances, with many new contracts being expanded-rights deals that share in ancillary revenues - Recording artists' contracts define WMG's rights to use music, with artists receiving royalties based on sales and usage, and upfront recoupable advances[91] - Contracts for new artists typically grant ownership for the full copyright term or a long-term exclusive license, while established artists often have higher advances and royalty rates for fixed-period exclusive licenses[91][92] - Many current recording contracts are 'expanded-rights deals,' allowing WMG to share in revenues from touring, merchandising, sponsorships, and other ancillary activities[93] Sales and Digital Distribution WMG generates revenue from new and catalog releases across digital (streaming, downloads) and physical (CDs, vinyl) formats, partnering with a broad range of digital music services and expecting higher contribution margins from digital sales due to lower per-unit costs - WMG generates revenues from new releases and its catalog through digital formats (streaming, downloads) and physical formats (CDs, vinyl)[97] - The company partners with major digital music services like Amazon, Apple, Deezer, Spotify, Tencent Music, and YouTube for digital distribution[98] - Digital sales generally yield a higher contribution margin than physical sales due to the absence of manufacturing, distribution, inventory, and return costs[98] Music Publishing Music Publishing, representing 18% of consolidated revenues in FY2023, focuses on acquiring and licensing musical compositions, with Warner Chappell Music managing over one million compositions and generating royalties from various uses - Music Publishing generated $1.088 billion in revenue in fiscal 2023, representing 18% of total revenues[27][102] - Warner Chappell Music owns or controls rights to over one million musical compositions from more than 150,000 songwriters and composers, spanning diverse genres[103] - Performance Royalties: Earned from public broadcast (TV, radio), live performances, and public venue play[104] - Digital Royalties: From streaming and download services, and digital performance[104] - Mechanical Royalties: From physical sales (vinyl, CDs) and statutory rates for digital uses[106] - Synchronization Royalties: From use in films, TV, commercials, video games, and merchandise[107] Music Publishing Royalties Music publishers, including Warner Chappell Music, collect royalties from various sources for the use of musical compositions, with rates often set by statutory bodies or industry negotiations, and a portion paid to songwriters - In the U.S., mechanical royalty rates are set by the U.S. Copyright Act, and public performance income is administered by performing rights organizations (e.g., ASCAP, BMI)[105] - U.S. mechanical royalties for physical formats and permanent digital downloads are 12.0 cents per song per unit or 2.31 cents per minute (whichever is greater) in 2023, with annual inflation adjustments[106] - The headline mechanical royalty rate for interactive streaming in the U.S. is 15.1% of revenue in 2023, escalating to 15.35% by 2027[106] Our Recording Artist and Songwriter Value Proposition WMG aims to be the best music entertainment company by attracting and nurturing exceptional talent, offering comprehensive creative and commercial services, expanding monetization opportunities, and ensuring transparency in royalty reporting and intellectual property protection - WMG's strategy is to attract and develop talent with long-term potential, investing in new music while maintaining commitment to individual artists and songwriters[113][117] - The company provides extensive creative partnership through A&R executives and a network of collaborators, along with global marketing and promotional firepower across digital music services, social media, radio, and traditional media[118][119][120] - WMG expands monetization opportunities beyond traditional album/single sales to artist services (merchandise, e-commerce, touring) and diverse music publishing uses (performance, digital, synchronization, sheet music), supported by technology and data insights for transparent royalty reporting and IP protection[121][122][124] Competition WMG operates in highly competitive recorded music and music publishing industries, competing with major companies like Universal Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment, as well as independent players and artists/songwriters who self-distribute, with competition based on marketing, artist/songwriter signings, and technological development - WMG competes in highly competitive recorded music and music publishing industries based on marketing efforts and the ability to sign and retain recording artists and songwriters[126] - The recorded music business also faces competition from artists who self-distribute and companies in other industries (e.g., Spotify) that sign direct deals, as well as alternative forms of entertainment[145] Global Market Share (2022) | Company | Recorded Music Market Share | Music Publishing Market Share | | :---------------------- | :-------------------------- | :---------------------------- | | Universal Music Group | ~31% | ~23% | | Sony Music Entertainment| ~23% | ~25% | | Warner Music Group | ~16% | ~12% | Intellectual Property WMG's business relies heavily on copyright protection for sound recordings and musical compositions, with varying terms of protection globally, and the company actively lobbies for stronger copyright laws and protects its valuable trademarks - Copyright protection for 'works made for hire' in the U.S. generally lasts 95 years from publication or 120 years from creation, while other works last for the life of the author plus 70 years[130] - The MMA extended federal copyright protection to U.S. sound recordings created prior to February 15, 1972, with terms varying but at least 95 years, and up to February 15, 2067 for those published between 1957 and 1972[130] - WMG considers its trademarks (e.g., Atlantic, Warner Chappell) valuable assets and endeavors to register them globally, actively monitoring and protecting against infringement, dilution, or harm[136] Human Capital As of September 30, 2023, WMG employed approximately 5,900 people worldwide, committed to cultivating a diverse and inclusive culture and investing in employee career growth through various development opportunities - As of September 30, 2023, WMG employed approximately 5,900 persons worldwide[138] - The company is dedicated to cultivating a culture of belonging, supporting employee growth and thriving through learning, mentoring, coaching, and development programs[139] ITEM 1A. Risk Factors This section details significant risks that could adversely affect WMG's business, financial condition, and results of operations, spanning operational challenges, intellectual property protection, financial leverage, and corporate governance issues - The company's financial results are highly dependent on its ability to identify, sign, and retain successful recording artists and songwriters, and the commercial acceptance of their music[146] - WMG is substantially dependent on a limited number of digital music services (Spotify, Google/YouTube, Apple accounted for ~41% of total revenue in FY2023) for online distribution and marketing, giving them significant influence over pricing and playlist curation[148] - WMG's substantial leverage ($3.964 billion net debt as of Sep 30, 2023) could limit its ability to raise additional capital, react to economic changes, and meet debt obligations, with restrictive covenants in debt agreements[187][188][196] Risks Related to Our Operations Operational risks include intense competition, challenges in talent acquisition and retention, potential slowdowns in streaming growth, dependence on a few digital distributors, and adverse impacts from international operations, alongside risks from technological developments, executive retention, and rate regulation - Inability to compete successfully in highly competitive markets, including competition from self-distributing artists and new industry entrants[145][147] - Adverse effects if streaming adoption or revenue growth slows or levels off[148] - Dependence on a limited number of digital music services for online distribution and marketing, which can influence pricing and royalty calculations[150] - Exposure to trends, developments, and events in foreign countries, including limited IP protection, capital repatriation restrictions, and unfavorable currency exchange rates[154] - Geopolitical conflicts (e.g., Russia-Ukraine, Israel-Gaza) can disrupt operations, increase costs, and adversely affect results in affected territories[155] - Inability to attract and retain executive officers and key personnel could impair effective operations[159] - Significant portion of revenue is subject to rate regulation by government entities or third-party collecting societies, potentially limiting profitability[160] Risks Related to Intellectual Property and Data Security Risks in this area include the failure to obtain, maintain, protect, and enforce intellectual property rights, potential involvement in costly litigation, the ongoing adverse impact of digital piracy (including AI-generated music), and significant threats from cybersecurity breaches - Failure to obtain, maintain, protect, and enforce trademarks, copyrights, and other intellectual property rights could harm the business and brand recognition[174] - Involvement in intellectual property litigation can be costly, divert management resources, and potentially lead to monetary damages or loss of IP use[176] - Digital piracy, including 'stream-ripping' and organized industrial piracy, continues to negatively impact music revenues, with AI-generated music introducing new IP infringement challenges[177][179] - Security breaches through cyber-attacks or other incidents could damage reputation, incur substantial costs, lead to litigation, and adversely affect financial condition[182][183] - Evolving data privacy laws and regulations (e.g., CCPA, CPRA, GDPR) may increase compliance burdens, operational costs, or limit business activities, with potential for monetary penalties[184][185] Risks Related to Our Leverage WMG's substantial leverage poses risks such as difficulty in raising additional capital, increased vulnerability to economic downturns, significant cash flow allocation to debt service, and limitations on operational flexibility due to restrictive covenants, with its ability to generate sufficient cash or refinance debt dependent on various factors beyond its control Consolidated Indebtedness (September 30, 2023) | Metric | Amount (in millions) | | :----------------------------------------- | :------------------- | | Total consolidated indebtedness, net | $3,964 | | Available under Revolving Credit Facility | $298 | - High leverage increases vulnerability to economic conditions and interest rate risks, requiring a substantial portion of cash flow for debt service[188][190] - Debt agreements contain restrictive covenants limiting activities like creating liens, incurring additional debt, paying dividends, and making investments, which could be reinstated if leverage ratios exceed thresholds[191][194] - As a holding company, WMG depends on subsidiaries' ability to transfer funds, which can be restricted by covenants or other factors[196] - Inability to generate sufficient cash flow or refinance debt could force reductions in investments, capital expenditures, or dividends, or require asset sales[203] Risks Related to Our Controlling Stockholder Access Industries, as the controlling stockholder, holds significant voting power (98%) and economic interest (73%), enabling it to control corporate decisions and potentially create conflicts of interest with other stockholders, as its consent is required for certain corporate actions and it may pursue business interests that do not align with other stockholders - Access Industries controls approximately 98% of the total combined voting power and 73% of the economic interest, allowing it to control director elections and outcomes of corporate transactions[210] - Access's prior written consent is required for significant corporate and business actions, including mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, changes in capital stock, and debt issuances, until its ownership falls below 10% of outstanding common stock[210][217] - Conflicts of interest may arise as Access and its affiliates may pursue business interests or acquisitions that compete with WMG or are detrimental to other stockholders[219] - WMG's amended and restated certificate of incorporation allows Access and its affiliates to pursue corporate opportunities without offering them to WMG, unless specifically offered to a director/officer in their WMG capacity[219] Risks Related to Our Common Stock The dual-class stock structure, with Class B Common Stock holding 20 votes per share, concentrates voting control with Access, limiting other stockholders' influence and potentially depressing the Class A Common Stock's trading price, while future sales by existing stockholders or additional equity/debt issuances could also cause price declines and dilution - The dual-class structure (Class A: 1 vote/share, Class B: 20 votes/share) concentrates voting control with Access (98% of total combined voting power), limiting other stockholders' influence on corporate matters[222] - The dual-class structure may depress the trading price of Class A Common Stock and prevent its inclusion in certain indices (e.g., S&P 500), potentially leading to less active trading and negative commentary from stockholder advisory firms[225] - Future sales of substantial amounts of Class A Common Stock by existing stockholders, or the perception of such sales, could cause the stock price to decline[226] - Issuance of additional Class A, Class B, or other equity/debt securities in the future could result in substantial dilution to existing stockholders[230] - The market price of Class A Common Stock may be volatile due to industry conditions, economic factors, changes in consumer preferences, regulatory changes, litigation, and actions by large stockholders[231] - Anti-takeover provisions in corporate documents and Delaware law could discourage, delay, or prevent a change of control, potentially limiting stockholders from realizing a premium[237] ITEM 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments There are no unresolved staff comments from the SEC ITEM 2. Properties WMG's principal executive offices are in New York, NY, under a long-term lease, and its Los Angeles headquarters are in the Ford Factory Building, with other owned and leased facilities globally considered adequate for current business needs - WMG's principal executive offices are located at 1633 Broadway, New York, NY, under a long-term lease ending July 31, 2029[248] - The company also leases office space in Los Angeles, California, serving as its headquarters there, with an initial term expiring April 30, 2030[248] - WMG owns other properties and leases facilities worldwide, which are deemed adequate for current business needs[248] ITEM 3. Legal Proceedings WMG is involved in various litigation and regulatory proceedings in the normal course of business, with accruals made for probable and estimable losses, though the outcome of ongoing proceedings and potential future litigation cannot be predicted with certainty and could adversely impact the company's brand value and financial results - WMG is involved in various litigation and regulatory proceedings as part of its normal business operations[249] - Accruals are established for probable and estimable losses, but the amount of reasonably possible loss in excess of current accruals cannot be estimated due to typical litigation uncertainties[249] - Litigation, regardless of outcome, could adversely impact WMG's brand value, incur defense costs, divert management resources, and materially affect results of operations for a given reporting period[249] ITEM 4. Mine Safety Disclosures This item is not applicable to Warner Music Group Corp PART II ITEM 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities This section provides information on WMG's common stock market, shareholder matters, and dividend policy, noting that its Class A Common Stock trades on Nasdaq while Class B is not publicly listed, and the dividend policy aims for quarterly cash dividends subject to board discretion and debt covenants - WMG's Class A Common Stock trades on the Nasdaq stock market under the symbol 'WMG' since June 3, 2020; Class B Common Stock is not publicly listed[253] - As of November 15, 2023, there were approximately 15 stockholders of record for Class A Common Stock and 8 for Class B Common Stock[254] - The company intends to pay quarterly cash dividends, but declaration is at the board's discretion, dependent on financial condition, earnings, liquidity, and contractual restrictions, including debt covenants that are currently suspended but could be reinstated[255][256] ITEM 6. [Reserved] This item is reserved and contains no information ITEM 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations This section provides a detailed analysis of WMG's financial condition and results of operations for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023, covering revenue trends, cost structures, profitability metrics, cash flows, liquidity, debt capital structure, and critical accounting policies - WMG's total revenues increased by $118 million (2%) to $6,037 million in FY2023, despite unfavorable currency exchange fluctuations of $111 million and the prior year including an additional week and a copyright settlement[288] - OIBDA increased by $69 million (7%) to $1,122 million in FY2023, with the OIBDA margin rising to 19% from 18% in FY2022, driven by higher revenues, lower selling, general and administrative expenses, and a $41 million gain on divestiture, partially offset by restructuring costs[327] - Net income decreased by $116 million to $439 million in FY2023, primarily due to foreign currency losses on Euro-denominated debt and higher interest expense, partially offset by increased operating income[340][346] Introduction This introduction outlines the structure of the Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) section, which provides insights into WMG's financial condition, changes, and operational results, defining key non-GAAP financial measures used for performance evaluation - The MD&A section provides an understanding of WMG's financial condition, changes in financial condition, and results of operations, supplementing the consolidated financial statements[265] - OIBDA (Operating Income before Depreciation and Amortization) is a primary financial measure used to evaluate operational strengths and performance, though it does not reflect periodic costs of capitalized assets[265] - Constant-currency presentation is used to compare revenue and OIBDA between periods, adjusting for foreign exchange rate fluctuations to better understand operating results[266] Business Overview WMG is a leading global music entertainment company with two main operations: Recorded Music and Music Publishing, with recent events including a fiscal year-end change, a restructuring plan, executive transition costs, and the impact of the Russia-Ukraine conflict - WMG's business is classified into Recorded Music (artist discovery, marketing, distribution, licensing) and Music Publishing (acquiring and licensing musical compositions)[267] - Fiscal Year End Change: Starting FY2023, the company transitioned to a calendar quarter-end reporting, resulting in 365 days for FY2023 compared to 371 days for FY2022[280][281] - Restructuring Plan: In March 2023, WMG announced a plan to reduce headcount by approximately 270 people (4% of overall headcount), incurring $40 million in severance costs in FY2023, with expected annualized savings of $50 million in FY2024[282][283] - Executive Transition Costs: Incurred approximately $7 million in FY2023 for severance related to the departure of the CEO and CFO, plus $13 million in non-cash stock-based compensation[284][285] - Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Operations in Russia were suspended on March 10, 2022, which, while not material, could adversely affect results if the conflict escalates[286] Results of Operations WMG's consolidated revenues increased by 2% in FY2023 to $6,037 million, driven by Music Publishing's 14% growth, offsetting a slight decrease in Recorded Music, while OIBDA grew by 7% to $1,122 million, improving the OIBDA margin to 19%, though net income decreased by 21% to $439 million due to foreign currency losses and higher interest expenses Consolidated Revenues (in millions) | Metric | FY2023 | FY2022 | FY2021 | 2023 vs. 2022 ($ Change) | 2023 vs. 2022 (% Change) | 2022 vs. 2021 ($ Change) | 2022 vs. 2021 (% Change) | | :-------------- | :------ | :------ | :------ | :----------------------- | :----------------------- | :----------------------- | :----------------------- | | Total Revenues | $6,037 | $5,919 | $5,301 | $118 | 2% | $618 | 12% | | Recorded Music | $4,955 | $4,966 | $4,544 | $(11) | —% | $422 | 9% | | Music Publishing| $1,088 | $958 | $761 | $130 | 14% | $197 | 26% | | Total Digital | $3,989 | $3,866 | $3,539 | $123 | 3% | $327 | 9% | Consolidated OIBDA and Net Income (in millions) | Metric | FY2023 | FY2022 | FY2021 | 2023 vs. 2022 ($ Change) | 2023 vs. 2022 (% Change) | | :-------------------------------------- | :----- | :----- | :----- | :----------------------- | :----------------------- | | OIBDA | $1,122 | $1,053 | $915 | $69 | 7% | | Net income attributable to WMG Corp. | $430 | $551 | $304 | $(121) | -22% | - Cost of revenues increased by 3% to $3,177 million in FY2023, primarily due to higher product costs from increased third-party distributed label revenue[308] - Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by 2% to $1,826 million in FY2023, driven by lower variable marketing spend and restructuring savings, despite higher employee-related costs and technology investments[316][317] - Interest expense, net, increased to $141 million in FY2023 due to a higher principal balance and interest rates[338] - Other expense (income) shifted from a $151 million income in FY2022 to a $36 million expense in FY2023, mainly due to foreign currency losses on Euro-denominated debt[340] Consolidated Results Consolidated results show a 2% revenue increase in FY2023, reaching $6,037 million, despite unfavorable currency impacts, with digital revenues growing 3% driven by streaming, while OIBDA increased by 7%, but net income decreased by 21% due to foreign currency losses and higher interest expenses Revenue by Type (in millions) | Revenue by Type | FY2023 | FY2022 | FY2021 | | :-------------------------- | :----- | :----- | :----- | | Digital | $3,322 | $3,305 | $3,105 | | Physical | $507 | $563 | $549 | | Artist services & expanded-rights | $744 | $767 | $599 | | Licensing | $382 | $331 | $291 | | Total Recorded Music | $4,955 | $4,966 | $4,544 | | Performance | $173 | $159 | $122 | | Digital (Music Publishing) | $669 | $563 | $436 | | Mechanical | $63 | $50 | $49 | | Synchronization | $167 | $172 | $144 | | Other (Music Publishing) | $16 | $14 | $10 | | Total Music Publishing | $1,088 | $958 | $761 | | Intersegment eliminations | $(6) | $(5) | $(4) | | Total Revenues | $6,037 | $5,919 | $5,301 | Revenue by Geographical Location (in millions) | Geographical Location | FY2023 | FY2022 | FY2021 | | :------------------------ | :----- | :----- | :----- | | U.S. Recorded Music | $2,184 | $2,231 | $1,985 | | U.S. Music Publishing | $582 | $513 | $378 | | Total U.S. | $2,766 | $2,744 | $2,363 | | International Recorded Music| $2,771 | $2,735 | $2,559 | | International Music Publishing| $506 | $445 | $383 | | Total International | $3,277 | $3,180 | $2,942 | | Intersegment eliminations | $(6) | $(5) | $(4) | | Total Revenues | $6,037 | $5,919 | $5,301 | Consolidated Costs and Expenses (in millions) | Metric | FY2023 | FY2022 | FY2021 | | :-------------------------------------- | :----- | :----- | :----- | | Artist and repertoire costs | $1,998 | $1,960 | $1,780 | | Product costs | $1,179 | $1,120 | $962 | | Total cost of revenues | $3,177 | $3,080 | $2,742 | | General and administrative expense | $991 | $939 | $870 | | Selling and marketing expense | $710 | $792 | $738 | | Distribution expense | $125 | $131 | $113 | | Total selling, general & admin expense| $1,826 | $1,862 | $1,721 | | Restructuring | $40 | $0 | $0 | | Amortization expense | $245 | $263 | $229 | | Net gain on divestiture | $41 | $0 | $0 | | Operating income | $790 | $714 | $609 | | Loss on extinguishment of debt | $4 | $0 | $22 | | Interest expense, net | $141 | $125 | $122 | | Other (expense) income, net | $36 | $(151) | $9 | | Income tax expense | $170 | $185 | $149 | | Net income | $439 | $555 | $307 | | Income attributable to noncontrolling interest | $9 | $4 | $3 | Business Segment Results Recorded Music revenues slightly decreased by 0% in FY2023 to $4,955 million, impacted by foreign currency and a lighter release schedule, but OIBDA increased by 6% to $1,080 million, while Music Publishing revenues grew significantly by 14% to $1,088 million, with OIBDA increasing by 27% to $293 million, driven by digital and performance revenue growth, and corporate expenses and eliminations saw an increased operating loss due to technology investments and executive transition costs Segment Revenues, Operating Income, and OIBDA (in millions) | Segment | FY2023 Revenues | FY2023 Operating Income | FY2023 OIBDA | | :---------------------------- | :-------------- | :---------------------- | :----------- | | Recorded Music | $4,955 | $875 | $1,080 | | Music Publishing | $1,088 | $200 | $293 | | Corporate expenses & eliminations | $(6) | $(285) | $(251) | | Total | $6,037 | $790 | $1,122 | - Recorded Music revenue decreased by $11 million (0%) in FY2023, primarily due to unfavorable currency exchange rates ($99 million impact), decreases in physical and artist services/expanded-rights revenues, partially offset by growth in licensing and digital revenues[290][291][351][352] - Music Publishing revenue increased by $130 million (14%) in FY2023, driven by digital revenue growth ($106 million, 19%), performance revenue ($14 million), and mechanical revenue ($13 million), partially offset by a decrease in synchronization revenue[292][293][373][374] - Corporate expenses and eliminations operating loss increased by $64 million to $285 million in FY2023, mainly due to incremental technology investments, higher depreciation, legal expenses from a prior year copyright settlement, increased non-cash stock-based compensation, and executive transition costs[388] Financial Condition and Liquidity WMG's financial condition at September 30, 2023, shows $3.964 billion in net debt and $641 million in cash, with cash provided by operating activities decreasing by 7% to $687 million, while cash used in investing activities decreased significantly to $300 million, and the company believes its liquidity sources are sufficient for the foreseeable future despite ongoing financial transformation costs Financial Condition (in millions) | Metric | September 30, 2023 | September 30, 2022 | | :---------------------- | :----------------- | :----------------- | | Total consolidated indebtedness, net | $3,964 | $3,732 | | Cash and equivalents | $641 | $584 | | Net debt | $3,323 | $3,148 | | WMG Corp. equity | $307 | $152 | Cash Flows (in millions) | Activity | FY2023 | FY2022 | FY2021 | | :---------------------- | :----- | :----- | :----- | | Operating activities | $687 | $742 | $638 | | Investing activities | $(300) | $(824) | $(638) | | Financing activities | $(325) | $188 | $(61) | - Cash provided by operating activities decreased by $55 million (7%) in FY2023, primarily due to timing of working capital, higher cash interest payments, and higher cash taxes[396] - Cash used in investing activities decreased to $300 million in FY2023, from $824 million in FY2022, mainly due to lower investments and acquisitions of businesses and music-related assets[399] - Cash used in financing activities was $325 million in FY2023, including $340 million in dividends paid and $133 million for deferred acquisition consideration, partially offset by proceeds from term loan facilities[403] - WMG's debt capital structure includes a $1,295 million Senior Term Loan Facility (due 2028) and various Senior Secured Notes totaling $2,689 million (maturing 2028-2031), with a weighted-average interest rate of 4.1% at September 30, 2023[409][410] - The company is undergoing a financial transformation initiative to upgrade IT and finance infrastructure, with expected upfront costs of $235 million and annualized run-rate savings of $35-40 million[450] Contractual and Other Obligations WMG's aggregate contractual obligations at September 30, 2023, totaled $5,750 million, primarily consisting of Senior Secured Notes, Senior Term Loan Facility, and operating lease liabilities, with significant off-balance sheet commitments to artists and songwriters contingent on future music delivery Firm Commitments and Outstanding Debt (in millions) | Obligation | Less than 1 year | 1-3 years | 3-5 years | After 5 years | Total | | :---------------------------------------- | :--------------- | :-------- | :-------- | :------------ | :---- | | Senior Secured Notes | $0 | $0 | $343 | $2,346 | $2,689| | Interest on Senior Secured Notes | $85 | $170 | $170 | $164 | $589 | | Senior Term Loan Facility | $0 | $0 | $1,295 | $0 | $1,295| | Interest on Senior Term Loan Facility | $97 | $163 | $100 | $0 | $360 | | Term Loan Mortgage | $0 | $0 | $0 | $18 | $18 | | Interest on Term Loan Mortgage | $1 | $2 | $2 | $3 | $8 | | Operating leases | $56 | $104 | $98 | $104 | $362 | | Artist, songwriter & co-publisher commitments | $383 | * | * | * | $383 | | Minimum funding commitments & other obligations | $18 | $27 | $1 | $0 | $46 | | Total firm commitments & outstanding debt | $640 | $466 | $2,009| $2,635 | $5,750| - Off-balance sheet aggregate firm commitments to recording artists, songwriters, and publishers approximated $383 million at September 30, 2023, contingent on future music delivery and generally cancellable[469] Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates This section outlines WMG's critical accounting policies and estimates, which require significant management judgment, covering business combinations, goodwill and intangible asset impairment testing, revenue recognition, and accounting for royalty costs and advances - Business Combinations: Involves significant judgment in allocating acquisition costs to identifiable net assets and goodwill based on estimated fair values, future cash flows, and discount rates[471][472] - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets: Annually tested for impairment using fair value measurement techniques; WMG had $1.993 billion in goodwill and $149 million in indefinite-lived intangible assets as of September 30, 2023, with no impairment noted in fiscal 2023[473][475][476] - Revenue Recognition: For Recorded Music, digital revenues are recognized based on usage reports, with minimum guarantees assessed for shortfall/breakage; for Music Publishing, royalties are recognized when sales/usage occurs, estimated using historical data when reports are unavailable[477][478][479] - Royalty Costs and Royalty Advances: Royalty costs are based on negotiated rates; advances to artists/songwriters are capitalized if deemed recoverable from future royalties, with recoverability assessed based on artist popularity, sales history, and commercial acceptability[481][482] ITEM 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk WMG is exposed to market risks from foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates, which it manages using foreign exchange contracts and interest rate swaps, though not all exposures are hedged, and inflationary pressures could also adversely affect operating results - Foreign Currency Risk: WMG has transactional exposures from foreign currency exchange rate changes, particularly on unremitted or future royalties and license fees; it may use foreign exchange currency derivatives (forward contracts) to manage this risk, focusing on major currencies like EUR, GBP, JPY, CAD, SEK, AUD, BRL, KRW, and NOK[485][486] - Interest Rate Risk: As of September 30, 2023, WMG had $4.002 billion in principal debt, with 33% variable-rate and 67% fixed-rate; an interest rate swap effectively converted a portion of variable-rate debt to fixed, resulting in 80% of total debt being effectively fixed-rate, and a 25 basis point change in interest rates could impact the fair value of fixed-rate debt by approximately $32-33 million[487][488] - Inflation Risk: Inflationary factors, such as increases in overhead costs, could adversely affect operating results if WMG is unable to fully offset higher costs through price increases[488] ITEM 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data This section presents WMG's audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023, including balance sheets, statements of operations, comprehensive income, cash flows, and equity, along with detailed notes and reports from the independent registered public accounting firm - The consolidated financial statements, including balance sheets, statements of operations, comprehensive income, cash flows, and equity, are presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP[492] - KPMG LLP, the independent registered public accounting firm, issued an unqualified opinion on the consolidated financial statements and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2023[492][493][503] - A critical audit matter identified was the sufficiency of audit evidence over Recorded Music digital revenue, due to the high volume of royalty transactions and multiple IT applications involved[498][499] Reports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm KPMG LLP provided an unqualified opinion on WMG's consolidated financial statements for the three-year period ended September 30, 2023, confirming fair presentation in conformity with U.S. GAAP, and also expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the company's internal control over financial reporting - KPMG LLP audited WMG's consolidated financial statements and expressed an unqualified opinion, stating they present fairly the financial position and results of operations in conformity with U.S. GAAP[492] - KPMG LLP also issued an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of WMG's internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2023[493] - The evaluation of the sufficiency of audit evidence for Recorded Music digital revenue was identified as a critical audit matter due to the high volume of transactions and complex IT systems involved[498][499] Consolidated Balance Sheets The consolidated balance sheets show WMG's financial position as of September 30, 2023, with total assets of $8,545 million, an increase from $7,828 million in 2022, driven by higher cash and equivalents, accounts receivable, and intangible assets, alongside increases in accrued royalties and long-term debt Consolidated Balance Sheet Highlights (in millions) | Metric | September 30, 2023 | September 30, 2022 | | :---------------------------- | :----------------- | :----------------- | | Assets | | | | Cash and equivalents | $641 | $584 | | Accounts receivable, net | $1,120 | $984 | | Royalty advances | $1,101 | $875 | | Goodwill | $1,993 | $1,920 | | Intangible assets subject to amortization, net | $2,353 | $2,239 | | Total assets | $8,545 | $7,828 | | Liabilities & Equity | | | | Accounts payable | $300 | $268 | | Accrued royalties | $2,219 | $1,918 | | Long-term debt | $3,964 | $3,732 | | Total liabilities | $8,115 | $7,660 | | Total Warner Music Group Corp. equity | $307 | $152 | | Total equity | $430 | $168 | Consolidated Statements of Operations The consolidated statements of operations show WMG's financial performance for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2023, 2022, and 2021, with FY2023 revenue increasing to $6,037 million and operating income rising to $790 million, but net income attributable to WMG Corp. decreasing to $430 million due to higher interest expense and other non-operating expenses Consolidated Statements of Operations Highlights (in millions, except per share data) | Metric | FY2023 | FY2022 | FY2021 | | :-------------------------------------- | :----- | :----- | :----- | | Revenue | $6,037 | $5,919 | $5,301 | | Total costs and expenses | $(5,288)| $(5,205)| $(4,692)| | Net gain on divestiture | $41 | $0 | $0 | | Operating income | $790 | $714 | $609 | | Loss on extinguishment of debt | $(4) | $0 | $(22) | | Interest expense, net | $(141) | $(125) | $(122) | | Other (expense) income, net | $(36) | $151 | $(9) | | Income before income taxes | $609 | $740 | $456 | | Income tax expense | $(170) | $(185) | $(149) | | Net income | $439 | $555 | $307 | | Net income attributable to WMG Corp. | $430 | $551 | $304 | | Class A – Basic and Diluted EPS | $0.82 | $1.06 | $0.58 | | Class B – Basic and Diluted EPS | $0.82 | $1.06 | $0.58 | Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income The consolidated statements of comprehensive income detail WMG's total comprehensive income, which includes net income and other comprehensive income (loss) items not recognized in net income, with FY2023 total comprehensive income at $464 million, primarily driven by net income and positive foreign currency adjustments Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income Highlights (in millions) | Metric | FY2023 | FY2022 | FY2021 | | :-------------------------------------- | :----- | :----- | :----- | | Net income | $439 | $555 | $307 | | Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: | | | | | Foreign currency adjustment, net | $36 | $(184) | $7 | | Deferred (loss) gain on derivative financial instruments | $(12) | $30 | $12 | | Minimum pension liability | $1 | $9 | $1 | | Total comprehensive income | $464 | $410 | $327 | | Comprehensive income attributable to WMG Corp. | $455 | $406 | $324 | Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows The consolidated statements of cash flows show WMG's cash generation and usage across operating, investing, and financing activities, with FY2023 net cash provided by operating activities at $687 million, cash used in investing activities at $300 million, and cash used in financing activities at $325 million, resulting in a net increase of $57 million in cash and equivalents Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Highlights (in millions) | Activity | FY2023 | FY2022 | FY2021 | | :---------------------- | :----- | :----- | :----- | | Net cash provided by operating activities | $687 | $742 | $638 | | Net cash used in investing activities | $(300) | $(824) | $(638) | | Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities | $(325) | $188 | $(61) | | Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents | $57 | $85 | $(54) | | Cash and equivalents at end of period | $641 | $584 | $499 | Consolidated Statements of Equity The consolidated statements of equity detail changes in WMG's equity components, with total equity increasing to $430 million in FY2023 from $168 million in FY2022, driven by net income and noncontrolling interest acquisitions, partially offset by dividends paid Consolidated Statements of Equity Highlights (in millions) | Metric | September 30, 2023 | September 30, 2022 | | :-------------------------------------- | :----------------- | :----------------- | | Class A common stock | $0 | $0 | | Class B common stock | $1 | $1 | | Additional paid-in capital | $2,015 | $1,975 | | Accumulated deficit | $(1,387) | $(1,477) | | Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net | $(322) | $(347) | | Total Warner Music Group Corp. equity | $307 | $152 | | Noncontrolling interest | $123 | $16 | | Total equity | $430 | $168 | Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements The Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements provide detailed disclosures on WMG's accounting policies, financial instruments, debt, equity, and other significant financial information, covering business description, summary of accounting policies, earnings per share, revenue recognition, acquisitions, comprehensive income, property, plant and equipment, leases, goodwill and intangible assets, debt, income taxes, employee benefit plans, restructuring, equity, related party transactions, commitments and contingencies, derivative financial instruments, segment information, additional financial information, and fair value measurements [1. Description of Business](index=117&type=section&id=1.%20Description%20