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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2023
OR
☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number: 001-35727
Netflix, Inc.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Delaware | 77-0467272 |
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number) |
| | | |
| 121 Albright Way, | Los Gatos, | California | 95032 |
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
(408) 540-3700
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
| | | | | | | | |
| Title of each class | Trading Symbol(s) | Name of each exchange on which registered |
| Common stock, par value $0.001 per share | NFLX | NASDAQ Global Select Market |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Large Accelerated Filer | ☒ | | Accelerated filer | ☐ |
| Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | | Smaller reporting company | ☐ |
| | | Emerging growth company | ☐ |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
As of September 30, 2023, there were 437,679,669 shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $0.001, outstanding.
Table of Contents
| | | | | | | | |
| | Page |
| Part I. Financial Information | |
Item 1. | | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
Item 2. | | |
Item 3. | | |
Item 4. | | |
| Part II. Other Information | |
Item 1. | | |
Item 1A. | | |
Item 2. | | |
| Item 5. | | |
Item 6. | | |
| | |
| | |
NETFLIX, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share data)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended | | Nine Months Ended |
| September 30,
2023 | | September 30,
2022 | | September 30,
2023 | | September 30,
2022 |
Revenues | $ | 8,541,668 | | | $ | 7,925,589 | | | $ | 24,890,472 | | | $ | 23,763,497 | |
Cost of revenues | 4,930,788 | | | 4,788,665 | | | 14,407,883 | | | 13,764,125 | |
Marketing | 558,736 | | | 567,954 | | | 1,741,266 | | | 1,698,892 | |
Technology and development | 657,159 | | | 662,739 | | | 2,002,417 | | | 2,037,115 | |
General and administrative | 478,591 | | | 373,213 | | | 1,281,012 | | | 1,180,438 | |
Operating income | 1,916,394 | | | 1,533,018 | | | 5,457,894 | | | 5,082,927 | |
Other income (expense): | | | | | | | |
Interest expense | (175,563) | | | (172,575) | | | (524,614) | | | (535,609) | |
Interest and other income | 168,218 | | | 261,404 | | | 123,975 | | | 677,275 | |
Income before income taxes | 1,909,049 | | | 1,621,847 | | | 5,057,255 | | | 5,224,593 | |
| Provision for income taxes | (231,627) | | | (223,605) | | | (587,103) | | | (787,953) | |
Net income | $ | 1,677,422 | | | $ | 1,398,242 | | | $ | 4,470,152 | | | $ | 4,436,640 | |
| | | | | | | |
Earnings per share: | | | | | | | |
Basic | $ | 3.80 | | | $ | 3.14 | | | $ | 10.08 | | | $ | 9.98 | |
Diluted | $ | 3.73 | | | $ | 3.10 | | | $ | 9.90 | | | $ | 9.83 | |
Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding: | | | | | | | |
Basic | 441,537 | | | 444,878 | | | 443,540 | | | 444,529 | |
Diluted | 450,011 | | | 450,344 | | | 451,319 | | | 451,168 | |
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
NETFLIX, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
(unaudited)
(in thousands)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended | | Nine Months Ended |
| September 30,
2023 | | September 30,
2022 | | September 30,
2023 | | September 30,
2022 |
| Net income | $ | 1,677,422 | | | $ | 1,398,242 | | | $ | 4,470,152 | | | $ | 4,436,640 | |
| Other comprehensive income (loss): | | | | | | | |
Foreign currency translation adjustments | (94,157) | | | (103,167) | | | (16,117) | | | (207,148) | |
| Cash flow hedges: | | | | | | | |
Net unrealized gains (losses), net of tax effect of $(23) million, $0, $(23) million, and $0, respectively | 77,852 | | | — | | | 77,852 | | | — | |
| Total other comprehensive income (loss) | (16,305) | | | (103,167) | | | 61,735 | | | (207,148) | |
| Comprehensive income | $ | 1,661,117 | | | $ | 1,295,075 | | | $ | 4,531,887 | | | $ | 4,229,492 | |
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
NETFLIX, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(unaudited)
(in thousands)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended | | Nine Months Ended |
| September 30,
2023 | | September 30,
2022 | | September 30,
2023 | | September 30,
2022 |
| Cash flows from operating activities: | | | | | | | |
| Net income | $ | 1,677,422 | | | $ | 1,398,242 | | | $ | 4,470,152 | | | $ | 4,436,640 | |
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | | | | | | | |
| Additions to content assets | (2,883,839) | | | (4,582,671) | | | (9,025,512) | | | (12,853,846) | |
| Change in content liabilities | (325,989) | | | 60,867 | | | (634,661) | | | (95,054) | |
| Amortization of content assets | 3,573,353 | | | 3,653,592 | | | 10,443,358 | | | 10,081,305 | |
| Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and intangibles | 90,660 | | | 85,188 | | | 270,380 | | | 243,295 | |
| Stock-based compensation expense | 79,720 | | | 152,062 | | | 256,849 | | | 421,663 | |
| Foreign currency remeasurement gain on debt | (172,678) | | | (348,458) | | | (63,075) | | | (814,792) | |
| Other non-cash items | 115,688 | | | 102,513 | | | 357,179 | | | 409,855 | |
| Deferred income taxes | (86,277) | | | (57,797) | | | (288,231) | | | (242,523) | |
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | | | | | | | |
| Other current assets | 103,766 | | | (120,071) | | | (167,805) | | | 44,485 | |
| Accounts payable | (68,390) | | | 53,875 | | | (119,726) | | | (283,617) | |
| Accrued expenses and other liabilities | (65,029) | | | 212,072 | | | 298,101 | | | 324,116 | |
| Deferred revenue | (5,733) | | | (48,420) | | | 41,524 | | | (42,053) | |
| Other non-current assets and liabilities | (40,359) | | | (4,184) | | | (227,246) | | | (47,075) | |
| Net cash provided by operating activities | 1,992,315 | | | 556,810 | | | 5,611,287 | | | 1,582,399 | |
| Cash flows from investing activities: | | | | | | | |
| Purchases of property and equipment | (103,929) | | | (84,960) | | | (266,920) | | | (296,136) | |
| | | | | | | |
| Acquisitions | — | | | — | | | — | | | (193,397) | |
| Purchases of short-term investments | — | | | — | | | (504,862) | | | — | |
| Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments | 400,000 | | | — | | | 901,937 | | | — | |
| Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | 296,071 | | | (84,960) | | | 130,155 | | | (489,533) | |
| Cash flows from financing activities: | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| Repayments of debt | — | | | — | | | — | | | (700,000) | |
| Proceeds from issuance of common stock | 57,818 | | | 4,113 | | | 118,563 | | | 29,041 | |
| Repurchases of common stock | (2,500,100) | | | — | | | (3,545,347) | | | — | |
| Other financing activities | (32,826) | | | — | | | (71,746) | | | — | |
| Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | (2,475,108) | | | 4,113 | | | (3,498,530) | | | (670,959) | |
| Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | (122,707) | | | (180,058) | | | (56,658) | | | (336,704) | |
| Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | (309,429) | | | 295,905 | | | 2,186,254 | | | 85,203 | |
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period | 7,666,265 | | | 5,844,409 | | | 5,170,582 | | | 6,055,111 | |
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period | $ | 7,356,836 | | | $ | 6,140,314 | | | $ | 7,356,836 | | | $ | 6,140,314 | |
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
NETFLIX, INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except share and par value data)
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of |
| September 30,
2023 | | December 31,
2022 |
| (unaudited) | | |
Assets | | | |
Current assets: | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 7,353,245 | | | $ | 5,147,176 | |
| Short-term investments | 514,201 | | | 911,276 | |
Other current assets | 2,912,028 | | | 3,208,021 | |
Total current assets | 10,779,474 | | | 9,266,473 | |
Content assets, net | 31,749,861 | | | 32,736,713 | |
Property and equipment, net | 1,498,391 | | | 1,398,257 | |
Other non-current assets | 5,474,060 | | | 5,193,325 | |
Total assets | $ | 49,501,786 | | | $ | 48,594,768 | |
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | | | |
Current liabilities: | | | |
Current content liabilities | $ | 4,259,582 | | | $ | 4,480,150 | |
Accounts payable | 534,429 | | | 671,513 | |
Accrued expenses and other liabilities | 1,838,908 | | | 1,514,650 | |
Deferred revenue | 1,306,185 | | | 1,264,661 | |
Short-term debt | 399,614 | | | — | |
Total current liabilities | 8,338,718 | | | 7,930,974 | |
Non-current content liabilities | 2,668,472 | | | 3,081,277 | |
Long-term debt | 13,900,754 | | | 14,353,076 | |
Other non-current liabilities | 2,486,215 | | | 2,452,040 | |
Total liabilities | 27,394,159 | | | 27,817,367 | |
Commitments and contingencies (Note 8) | | | |
Stockholders’ equity: | | | |
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 4,990,000,000 shares authorized at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022; 437,679,669 and 445,346,776 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively | 5,011,427 | | | 4,637,601 | |
Treasury stock at cost (10,600,660 and 1,564,478 shares at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively) | (4,399,677) | | | (824,190) | |
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (155,571) | | | (217,306) | |
Retained earnings | 21,651,448 | | | 17,181,296 | |
Total stockholders’ equity | 22,107,627 | | | 20,777,401 | |
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 49,501,786 | | | $ | 48,594,768 | |
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
NETFLIX, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
(unaudited)
(in thousands)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended | | Nine Months Ended |
| | | September 30,
2023 | | September 30,
2022 | | September 30,
2023 | | September 30,
2022 |
| Total stockholders' equity, beginning balances | | $ | 22,832,215 | | | $ | 19,075,974 | | | $ | 20,777,401 | | | $ | 15,849,248 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Common stock and additional paid-in capital: | | | | | | | | |
Beginning balances | | $ | 4,874,208 | | | $ | 4,316,870 | | | $ | 4,637,601 | | | $ | 4,024,561 | |
Issuance of common stock upon exercise of options | | 57,499 | | | 5,030 | | | 116,977 | | | 27,738 | |
| Stock-based compensation expense | | 79,720 | | | 152,062 | | | 256,849 | | | 421,663 | |
| Ending balances | | $ | 5,011,427 | | | $ | 4,473,962 | | | $ | 5,011,427 | | | $ | 4,473,962 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Treasury stock: | | | | | | | | |
Beginning balances | | $ | (1,876,753) | | | $ | (824,190) | | | $ | (824,190) | | | $ | (824,190) | |
| Repurchases of common stock to be held as treasury stock | | (2,522,924) | | | — | | | (3,575,487) | | | — | |
| Ending balances | | $ | (4,399,677) | | | $ | (824,190) | | | $ | (4,399,677) | | | $ | (824,190) | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss: | | | | | | | | |
Beginning balances | | $ | (139,266) | | | $ | (144,476) | | | $ | (217,306) | | | $ | (40,495) | |
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | | (16,305) | | | (103,167) | | | 61,735 | | | (207,148) | |
| Ending balances | | $ | (155,571) | | | $ | (247,643) | | | $ | (155,571) | | | $ | (247,643) | |
| | | | | | | | |
| Retained earnings: | | | | | | | | |
| Beginning balances | | $ | 19,974,026 | | | $ | 15,727,770 | | | $ | 17,181,296 | | | $ | 12,689,372 | |
Net income | | 1,677,422 | | | 1,398,242 | | | 4,470,152 | | | 4,436,640 | |
| Ending balances | | $ | 21,651,448 | | | $ | 17,126,012 | | | $ | 21,651,448 | | | $ | 17,126,012 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total stockholders' equity, ending balances | | $ | 22,107,627 | | | $ | 20,528,141 | | | $ | 22,107,627 | | | $ | 20,528,141 | |
See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.
NETFLIX, INC.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(unaudited)
1. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
The accompanying interim consolidated financial statements of Netflix, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries (the “Company”) have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S.”) and are consistent in all material respects with those applied in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on January 26, 2023. The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the amortization of content assets and the recognition and measurement of income tax assets and liabilities. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that the Company believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. On a regular basis, the Company evaluates the assumptions, judgments and estimates. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The interim financial information is unaudited, but reflects all normal recurring adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary to fairly present the information set forth herein. The interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results for a full year.
The following is provided to update the Company’s significant accounting policies previously described in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Derivative Financial Instruments
The Company uses derivative instruments to manage foreign exchange risk related to its ongoing business operations with the primary objective of reducing operating income and cash flow volatility associated with fluctuations in foreign exchange rates.
The Company enters into forward contracts to manage the foreign exchange risk on forecasted revenue transactions denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, as well as the foreign exchange risk on forecasted transactions and firm commitments related to the licensing and production of foreign currency-denominated content assets. These forward contracts are designated as cash flow hedges of foreign currency firm commitments and forecasted transactions and generally have maturities of 24 months or less. The hedging contracts may reduce, but do not entirely eliminate, the effect of foreign currency exchange movements, and the Company may choose not to hedge certain exposures.
The Company recognizes derivative instruments at fair value as either assets (presented in “Other current assets” and “Other non-current assets”) or liabilities (presented in “Accrued expenses and other liabilities'' and “Other non-current liabilities”) on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company classifies derivative instruments in the Level 2 category within the fair value hierarchy.
The gain or loss on derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges of forecasted foreign currency revenue is initially reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) and reclassified into “Revenues” on the Consolidated Statements of Operations in the same period the forecasted transaction affects earnings. The gain or loss on derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges of firmly committed or forecasted transactions related to the licensing and production of content assets is initially reported as a component of AOCI and reclassified into “Cost of Revenues” on the Consolidated Statements of Operations in the same period the hedged transaction affects earnings, which occurs as the underlying hedged content assets are amortized. Cash flows from hedging activities are classified in the same category as the cash flows for the underlying item being hedged within "Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities" on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
In the event that the likelihood of occurrence of the underlying forecasted transactions is determined to be probable not to occur, the gains or losses on the related cash flow hedges are reclassified from AOCI to “Interest and other income (expense)” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations in the period of dedesignation.
See Note 7 Derivative Financial Instruments to the consolidated financial statements for further information regarding the Company’s derivative financial instruments.
2. Revenue Recognition
The Company's primary source of revenues is from monthly membership fees. Members are billed in advance of the start of their monthly membership and revenues are recognized ratably over each monthly membership period. Revenues are presented net of the taxes that are collected from members and remitted to governmental authorities. The Company is the principal in all its relationships where partners, including consumer electronics (“CE”) manufacturers, multichannel video programming distributors (“MVPDs”), mobile operators and internet
service providers (“ISPs”), provide access to the service as the Company retains control over service delivery to its members. Typically, payments made to the partners, such as for marketing, are expensed. However, if there is no distinct service provided in exchange for the payments made to the partners or if the price that the member pays is established by the partners and there is no standalone price for the Netflix service (for instance, in a bundle), these payments are recognized as a reduction of revenues.
The Company also earns revenue from advertisements presented on its streaming service, consumer products and various other sources. Revenues earned from sources other than monthly membership fees were not material for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022.
The following tables summarize revenues, paid net membership additions (losses), and ending paid memberships by region for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022, respectively:
United States and Canada (UCAN)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | As of/ Three Months Ended | | As of/ Nine Months Ended |
| | | September 30,
2023 | | September 30,
2022 | | September 30,
2023 | | September 30,
2022 |
| | | (in thousands) |
| Revenues | | $ | 3,735,133 | | | $ | 3,601,565 | | | $ | 10,943,226 | | | $ | 10,489,852 | |
| Paid net membership additions (losses) | | 1,750 | | | 104 | | | 3,025 | | | (1,828) | |
| Paid memberships at end of period (1) | | 77,321 | | | 73,387 | | | 77,321 | | | 73,387 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | As of/ Three Months Ended | | As of/ Nine Months Ended |
| | | September 30,
2023 | | September 30,
2022 | | September 30,
2023 | | September 30,
2022 |
| | | (in thousands) |
| Revenues | | $ | 2,693,146 | | | $ | 2,375,814 | | | $ | 7,772,957 | | | $ | 7,394,880 | |
| Paid net membership additions (losses) | | 3,953 | | | 568 | | | 7,031 | | | (502) | |
| Paid memberships at end of period (1) | | 83,760 | | | 73,534 | | | 83,760 | | | 73,534 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Latin America (LATAM)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | As of/ Three Months Ended | | As of/ Nine Months Ended |
| | | September 30,
2023 | | September 30,
2022 | | September 30,
2023 | | September 30,
2022 |
| | | (in thousands) |
| Revenues | | $ | 1,142,811 | | | $ | 1,023,945 | | | $ | 3,290,438 | | | $ | 3,053,127 | |
| Paid net membership additions (losses) | | 1,179 | | | 312 | | | 1,946 | | | (25) | |
| Paid memberships at end of period (1) | | 43,645 | | | 39,936 | | | 43,645 | | | 39,936 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Asia-Pacific (APAC)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | As of/ Three Months Ended | | As of/ Nine Months Ended |
| | | September 30,
2023 | | September 30,
2022 | | September 30,
2023 | | September 30,
2022 |
| | | (in thousands) |
| Revenues | | $ | 948,216 | | | $ | 889,037 | | | $ | 2,801,012 | | | $ | 2,713,510 | |
| Paid net membership additions (losses) | | 1,881 | | | 1,429 | | | 4,404 | | | 3,596 | |
| Paid memberships at end of period (1) | | 42,427 | | | 36,228 | | | 42,427 | | | 36,228 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | |
(1) A paid membership (also referred to as a paid subscription) is defined as a membership that has the right to receive Netflix service following sign-up and a method of payment being provided, and that is not part of a free trial or certain other promotions that may be offered by the Company to new or rejoining members. Certain members have the option to add extra member sub accounts. These extra member sub accounts are not included in paid memberships. A membership is canceled and ceases to be reflected in the above metrics as of the effective cancellation date. Voluntary cancellations generally become effective at the end of the prepaid membership period. Involuntary cancellations, as a result of a failed method of payment, become effective immediately. Memberships are assigned to territories based on the geographic location used at time of sign-up as determined by the Company’s internal systems, which utilize industry standard geo-location technology.
|
Total U.S. revenues, inclusive of DVD revenues not reported in the tables above, were $3.5 billion and $10.1 billion, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and $3.3 billion and $9.7 billion, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022. DVD revenues were $22 million and $83 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and $35 million and $112 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022.
Deferred revenue consists of membership fees billed that have not been recognized, as well as gift cards and other prepaid memberships that have not been fully redeemed. As of September 30, 2023, total deferred revenue was $1,306 million, the vast majority of which was related to membership fees billed that are expected to be recognized as revenue within the next month. The remaining deferred revenue balance, which is related to gift cards and other prepaid memberships, will be recognized as revenue over the period of service after redemption, which is expected to occur over the next 12 months. The $42 million increase in deferred revenue as compared to the balance of $1,265 million as of December 31, 2022 is a result of the increase in membership fees billed due to increased memberships.
3. Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share is computed using the weighted-average number of outstanding shares of common stock during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed using the weighted-average number of outstanding shares of common stock and, when dilutive, potential outstanding shares of common stock during the period. Potential shares of common stock consist of incremental shares issuable upon the assumed exercise of stock options. The computation of earnings per share is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended | | Nine Months Ended |
| September 30,
2023 | | September 30,
2022 | | September 30,
2023 | | September 30,
2022 |
| (in thousands, except per share data) |
| Basic earnings per share: | | | | | | | |
Net income | $ | 1,677,422 | | | $ | 1,398,242 | | | $ | 4,470,152 | | | $ | 4,436,640 | |
Shares used in computation: | | | | | | | |
| Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding | 441,537 | | | 444,878 | | | 443,540 | | | 444,529 | |
| Basic earnings per share | $ | 3.80 | | | $ | 3.14 | | | $ | 10.08 | | | $ | 9.98 | |
| | | | | | | |
| Diluted earnings per share: | | | | | | | |
Net income | $ | 1,677,422 | | | $ | 1,398,242 | | | $ | 4,470,152 | | | $ | 4,436,640 | |
Shares used in computation: | | | | | | | |
| Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding | 441,537 | | | 444,878 | | | 443,540 | | | 444,529 | |
| Employee stock options | 8,474 | | | 5,466 | | | 7,779 | | | 6,639 | |
Weighted-average number of shares | 450,011 | | | 450,344 | | | 451,319 | | | 451,168 | |
| Diluted earnings per share | $ | 3.73 | | | $ | 3.10 | | | $ | 9.90 | | | $ | 9.83 | |
Employee stock options with exercise prices greater than the average market price of the common stock were excluded from the diluted calculation as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. The following table summarizes the potential shares of common stock excluded from the diluted calculation:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended | | Nine Months Ended |
| September 30,
2023 | | September 30,
2022 | | September 30,
2023 | | September 30,
2022 |
| (in thousands) |
| Employee stock options | 3,147 | | | 8,536 | | | 4,447 | | | 6,487 | |
4. Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash, and Short-term Investments
The Company’s investment policy is consistent with the definition of available-for-sale securities. The Company does not buy and hold securities principally for the purpose of selling them in the near future. The Company’s policy is focused on the preservation of capital, liquidity and return. From time to time, the Company may sell certain securities but the objectives are generally not to generate profits on short-term differences in price. The following tables summarize the Company's cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | As of September 30, 2023 |
| | Cash and cash equivalents | | Short-term investments | | Other Current Assets | | Non-current Assets | | Total |
| | (in thousands) |
| Cash | $ | 5,241,192 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 1,933 | | | $ | 1,604 | | | $ | 5,244,729 | |
| Level 1 securities: | | | | | | | | | |
| Money market funds | 1,592,131 | | | — | | | — | | | 54 | | | 1,592,185 | |
| Level 2 securities: | | | | | | | | | |
| Time Deposits (1) | 519,922 | | | 514,201 | | | — | | | — | | | 1,034,123 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| $ | 7,353,245 | | | $ | 514,201 | | | $ | 1,933 | | | $ | 1,658 | | | $ | 7,871,037 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | As of December 31, 2022 |
| | Cash and cash equivalents | | Short-term investments | | Other Current Assets | | Non-current Assets | | Total |
| | (in thousands) |
| Cash | $ | 4,071,584 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 3,410 | | | $ | 19,874 | | | $ | 4,094,868 | |
| Level 1 securities: | | | | | | | | | |
| Money market funds | 569,826 | | | — | | | — | | | 122 | | | 569,948 | |
| Level 2 securities: | | | | | | | | | |
| Time Deposits (1) | 505,766 | | | 911,276 | | | — | | | — | | | 1,417,042 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| $ | 5,147,176 | | | $ | 911,276 | | | $ | 3,410 | | | $ | 19,996 | | | $ | 6,081,858 | |
(1) The majority of the Company's time deposits are domestic deposits, which mature within one year.
Other current assets include restricted cash for deposits related to self insurance and letter of credit agreements. Non-current assets include restricted cash related to letter of credit agreements. The fair value of cash equivalents and short-term investments included in the Level 2 category is based on observable inputs, such as quoted prices for similar assets at the measurement date; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly.
See Note 6 Debt to the consolidated financial statements for further information regarding the fair value of the Company’s senior notes.
There were no material gross realized gains or losses in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
5. Balance Sheet Components
Content Assets, Net
Content assets consisted of the following:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of |
| September 30,
2023 | | December 31,
2022 |
| (in thousands) |
Licensed content, net | $ | 12,459,413 | | | $ | 12,732,549 | |
| | | |
Produced content, net | | | |
Released, less amortization | 9,433,878 | | | 9,110,518 | |
In production | 9,052,140 | | | 10,255,940 | |
In development and pre-production | 804,430 | | | 637,706 | |
| 19,290,448 | | | 20,004,164 | |
| | | |
Content assets, net | $ | 31,749,861 | | | $ | 32,736,713 | |
| | | |
As of September 30, 2023, approximately $5,575 million, $2,812 million, and $1,888 million of the $12,459 million unamortized cost of the licensed content is expected to be amortized in each of the next three years. As of September 30, 2023, approximately $3,594 million, $2,493 million, and $1,744 million of the $9,434 million unamortized cost of the produced content that has been released is expected to be amortized in each of the next three years.
As of September 30, 2023, the amount of accrued participations and residuals was not material.
The following tables represent the amortization of content assets:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended |
| | September 30,
2023 | | September 30,
2022 |
| (in thousands) |
| Licensed content | $ | 1,777,701 | | | $ | 1,967,720 | |
| Produced content | 1,795,652 | | | 1,685,872 | |
| Total | $ | 3,573,353 | | | $ | 3,653,592 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine Months Ended |
| | September 30,
2023 | | September 30,
2022 |
| (in thousands) |
| Licensed content | $ | 5,280,700 | | | $ | 5,751,940 | |
| Produced content | 5,162,658 | | | 4,329,365 | |
| Total | $ | 10,443,358 | | | $ | 10,081,305 | |
Property and Equipment, Net
Property and equipment and accumulated depreciation consisted of the following:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | As of | | |
| | September 30,
2023 | | December 31,
2022 | | Estimated Useful Lives |
| | (in thousands) | | |
Land | | $ | 86,662 | | | $ | 85,005 | | | |
Buildings | | 104,593 | | | 52,106 | | | 30 years |
Leasehold improvements | | 1,053,681 | | | 1,040,570 | | | Over life of lease |
Furniture and fixtures | | 155,184 | | | 153,682 | | | 3 years |
Information technology | | 462,303 | | | 442,681 | | | 3 years |
Corporate aircraft | | 133,998 | | | 115,578 | | | 8-10 years |
Machinery and equipment | | 27,362 | | | 26,821 | | | 3-5 years |
Capital work-in-progress | | 377,299 | | | 235,555 | | | |
Property and equipment, gross | | 2,401,082 | | | 2,151,998 | | | |
Less: Accumulated depreciation | | (902,691) | | | (753,741) | | | |
Property and equipment, net | | $ | 1,498,391 | | | $ | 1,398,257 | | | |
Leases
The Company has entered into operating leases primarily for real estate. Operating leases are included in "Other non-current assets" on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets, and represent the Company’s right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. The Company’s obligations to make lease payments are included in "Accrued expenses and other liabilities" and "Other non-current liabilities" on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Information related to the Company's operating right-of-use assets and related operating lease liabilities were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended |
| September 30,
2023 | | September 30,
2022 |
| (in thousands) |
| Cash paid for operating lease liabilities | $ | 110,959 | | | $ | 105,848 | |
| Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease obligations | 49,238 | | | 2,938 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine Months Ended |
| September 30,
2023 | | September 30,
2022 |
| (in thousands) |
| Cash paid for operating lease liabilities | $ | 339,126 | | | $ | 308,747 | |
| Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease obligations | 161,704 | | | 183,540 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of |
| September 30,
2023 | | December 31,
2022 |
| (in thousands) |
| Operating lease right-of-use assets, net | $ | 2,124,501 | | | $ | 2,227,122 | |
| | | |
| Current operating lease liabilities | 377,400 | | | 355,985 | |
| Non-current operating lease liabilities | 2,086,480 | | | 2,222,503 | |
| Total operating lease liabilities | $ | 2,463,880 | | | $ | 2,578,488 | |
Other Current Assets
Other current assets consisted of the following:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | As of |
| | September 30,
2023 | | December 31,
2022 |
| | (in thousands) |
Trade receivables | | $ | 1,139,974 | | | $ | 988,898 | |
Prepaid expenses | | 482,375 | | | 392,735 | |
Other | | 1,289,679 | | | 1,826,388 | |
Total other current assets | | $ | 2,912,028 | | | $ | 3,208,021 | |
The decrease in Other was primarily driven by receipt of amounts due under a modified content licensing arrangement.
6. Debt
As of September 30, 2023, the Company had aggregate outstanding notes of $14,300 million, net of $68 million of issuance costs, with varying maturities (the "Notes"). Of the outstanding balance, $400 million, net of issuance costs, is classified as short-term debt on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2022, the Company had aggregate outstanding notes of $14,353 million, net of $79 million of issuance costs. Each of the Notes were issued at par and are senior unsecured obligations of the Company. Interest is payable semi-annually at fixed rates. A portion of the outstanding Notes is denominated in foreign currency (comprised of €5,170 million) and is remeasured into U.S. dollars at each balance sheet date (with remeasurement gain totaling $173 million and $63 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023).
The following table provides a summary of the Company's outstanding debt and the fair values based on quoted market prices in less active markets as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Principal Amount at Par | | | | | | Level 2 Fair Value as of |
| | September 30,
2023 | | December 31,
2022 | | Issuance Date | | Maturity | | September 30,
2023 | | December 31,
2022 |
| | (in millions) | | | | | | (in millions) |
5.750% Senior Notes | | $ | 400 | | | $ | 400 | | | February 2014 | | March 2024 | | $ | 400 | | | $ | 404 | |
5.875% Senior Notes | | 800 | | | 800 | | | February 2015 | | February 2025 | | 799 | | | 811 | |
3.000% Senior Notes (1) | | 497 | | | 503 | | | April 2020 | | June 2025 | | 489 | | | 495 | |
3.625% Senior Notes | | 500 | | | 500 | | | April 2020 | | June 2025 | | 482 | | | 479 | |
4.375% Senior Notes | | 1,000 | | | 1,000 | | | October 2016 | | November 2026 | | 965 | | | 980 | |
3.625% Senior Notes (1) | | 1,375 | | | 1,391 | | | May 2017 | | May 2027 | | 1,347 | | | 1,338 | |
4.875% Senior Notes | | 1,600 | | | 1,600 | | | October 2017 | | April 2028 | | 1,552 | | | 1,557 | |
5.875% Senior Notes | | 1,900 | | | 1,900 | | | April 2018 | | November 2028 | | 1,919 | | | 1,930 | |
4.625% Senior Notes (1) | | 1,163 | | | 1,177 | | | October 2018 | | May 2029 | | 1,175 | | | 1,151 | |
6.375% Senior Notes | | 800 | | | 800 | | | October 2018 | | May 2029 | | 827 | | | 830 | |
3.875% Senior Notes (1) | | 1,269 | | | 1,284 | | | April 2019 | | November 2029 | | 1,233 | | | 1,201 | |
5.375% Senior Notes | | 900 | | | 900 | | | April 2019 | | November 2029 | | 879 | | | 885 | |
3.625% Senior Notes (1) | | 1,164 | | | 1,177 | | | October 2019 | | June 2030 | | 1,106 | | | 1,078 | |
4.875% Senior Notes | | 1,000 | | | 1,000 | | | October 2019 | | June 2030 | | 946 | | | 944 | |
| | $ | 14,368 | | | $ | 14,432 | | | | | | | $ | 14,119 | | | $ | 14,083 | |
(1) The following Senior Notes have a principal amount denominated in euro: 3.000% Senior Notes for €470 million, 3.625% Senior Notes for €1,300 million, 4.625% Senior Notes for €1,100 million, 3.875% Senior Notes for €1,200 million, and 3.625% Senior Notes for €1,100 million.
Each of the Notes are repayable in whole or in part upon the occurrence of a change of control, at the option of the holders, at a purchase price in cash equal to 101% of the principal plus accrued interest. The Company may redeem the Notes prior to maturity in whole or in part at an amount equal to the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest and an applicable premium. The Notes include, among other terms and conditions, limitations on the Company's ability to create, incur or allow certain liens; enter into sale and lease-back transactions; create, assume, incur or guarantee additional indebtedness of certain of the Company's subsidiaries; and consolidate or merge with, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of the Company's and its subsidiaries assets, to another person. As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company was in compliance with all related covenants.
Revolving Credit Facility
On March 6, 2023, the Company amended its $1 billion unsecured revolving credit facility ("Revolving Credit Agreement") to replace the London interbank offered rate to a variable secured overnight financing rate (the “Term SOFR Rate”) as the rate to which interest payments are indexed, among other things. The Revolving Credit Agreement matures on June 17, 2026. Revolving loans may be borrowed, repaid and reborrowed until June 17, 2026, at which time all amounts borrowed must be repaid. The Company may use the proceeds of future borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement for working capital and general corporate purposes. As of September 30, 2023, no amounts have been borrowed under the Revolving Credit Agreement.
The borrowings under the Revolving Credit Agreement bear interest, at the Company’s option, of either (i) a floating rate equal to a base rate (the “Alternate Base Rate”) or (ii) a rate equal to the Term SOFR Rate (or the applicable benchmark replacement), plus a margin of 0.75%. The Alternate Base Rate is defined as the greatest of (A) the rate of interest published by the Wall Street Journal, from time to time, as the prime rate, (B) the federal funds rate, plus 0.500% and (C) the Term SOFR Rate for a one-month tenor, plus 1.00%. The Term SOFR Rate is the forward-looking secured overnight financing rate administered by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or a successor administrator, for the relevant interest period, but in no event shall the Term SOFR Rate be less than 0.00% per annum.
The Company is also obligated to pay a commitment fee on the undrawn amounts of the Revolving Credit Agreement at an annual rate of 0.10%. The Revolving Credit Agreement requires the Company to comply with certain covenants, including covenants that limit or restrict the ability of the Company’s subsidiaries to incur debt and limit or restrict the ability of the Company and its subsidiaries to grant liens and enter into sale and leaseback transactions; and, in the case of the Company or a guarantor, merge, consolidate, liquidate, dissolve or sell, transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole. As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company was in compliance with all related covenants.
7. Derivative Financial Instruments
In the third quarter of 2023, the Company began using derivative financial instruments to manage foreign exchange risk related to its ongoing business operations with the primary objective of reducing operating income and cash flow volatility associated with fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. The Company did not use any derivative instruments prior to the third quarter of 2023.
Notional Amount of Derivative Contracts
The net notional amounts of the Company’s outstanding derivative instruments were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of |
| September 30,
2023 | | December 31,
2022 |
| (in thousands) |
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: | | | |
Foreign exchange contracts | | | |
Cash flow hedges | $ | 3,571,367 | | | $ | — | |
Total | $ | 3,571,367 | | | $ | — | |
Fair Value of Derivative Contracts
The fair value of the Company’s outstanding derivative instruments were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | As of September 30, 2023 |
| Derivative Assets | | Derivative Liabilities |
| | Other current assets | | Other non-current assets | | Accrued expenses and other liabilities | | Other non-current liabilities |
| | (in thousands) |
| Derivatives designated as hedging instruments: | | | | | | | |
| Foreign exchange contracts | $ | 74,541 | | | $ | 35,182 | | | $ | 6,525 | | | $ | 2,029 | |
| Total | $ | 74,541 | | | $ | 35,182 | | | $ | 6,525 | | | $ | 2,029 | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
The Company classifies derivative instruments in the Level 2 category within the fair value hierarchy. These instruments are valued using industry standard valuation models that use observable inputs such as interest rate yield curves, and forward and spot prices for currencies.
As of September 30, 2023, the pre-tax net accumulated gain on our foreign currency cash flow hedges included in AOCI on the Consolidated Balance Sheets expected to be recognized in earnings within the next 12 months is $74 million.
Master Netting Agreements
In order to mitigate counterparty credit risk, the Company enters into master netting agreements with its counterparties for its foreign currency exchange contracts which permit the parties to settle amounts on a net basis under certain conditions. The Company has elected to present its derivative assets and liabilities on a gross basis on its Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The Company also enters into collateral security arrangements with its counterparties that require the parties to post cash collateral when certain contractual thresholds are met. No cash collateral was received or posted by the Company as of September 30, 2023.
The potential offsetting effect to the Company’s derivative assets and liabilities under its master netting agreements and collateral security agreements were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | As of September 30, 2023 |
| | | | | | | Gross Amount Not Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets | | |
| | Gross Amount Recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets | | Gross Amount Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets | | Net Amount Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets | | Financial Instruments | | Collateral Received and Posted | | Net Amount |
| | (in thousands) |
| Derivative assets | $ | 109,723 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 109,723 | | | $ | (8,463) | | | $ | — | | | $ | 101,260 | |
| Derivative liabilities | 8,554 | | | — | | | 8,554 | | | (8,463) | | | — | | | 91 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Effect of Derivative Instruments on Consolidated Financial Statements
The pre-tax gains (losses) on the Company’s cash flow hedges recognized in AOCI were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended | | Nine Months Ended |
| September 30,
2023 | | September 30,
2022 | | September 30,
2023 | | September 30,
2022 |
| (in thousands) |
| Cash flow hedges: | | | | | | | |
| Foreign exchange contracts (1) | | | | | | | |
| Amount included in the assessment of effectiveness | $ | 101,169 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 101,169 | | | $ | — | |
| Total | $ | 101,169 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 101,169 | | | $ | — | |
(1) No amounts were excluded from the assessment of effectiveness.
No gains or losses on derivative instruments were reclassified from AOCI into the Consolidated Statements of Operations in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023.
8. Commitments and Contingencies
Content
As of September 30, 2023, the Company had $19.7 billion of obligations comprised of $4.3 billion included in "Current content liabilities" and $2.7 billion of "Non-current content liabilities" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and $12.7 billion of obligations that are not reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as they did not yet meet the criteria for recognition.
As of December 31, 2022, the Company had $21.8 billion of obligations comprised of $4.5 billion included in "Current content liabilities" and $3.1 billion of "Non-current content liabilities" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and $14.2 billion of obligations that are not reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as they did not yet meet the criteria for recognition.
The expected timing of payments for these content obligations is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of |
| September 30,
2023 | | December 31,
2022 |
| (in thousands) |
Less than one year | $ | 9,512,081 | | | $ | 10,038,483 | |
Due after one year and through three years | 8,470,469 | | | 9,425,551 | |
Due after three years and through five years | 1,449,676 | | | 2,124,307 | |
Due after five years | 217,823 | | | 243,606 | |
Total content obligations | $ | 19,650,049 | | | $ | 21,831,947 | |
Content obligations include amounts related to the acquisition, licensing and production of content. Obligations that are in non-U.S. dollar currencies are translated to the U.S. dollar at period end rates. An obligation for the production of content includes non-cancelable commitments under creative talent and employment agreements as well as other production related commitments. An obligation for the acquisition and licensing of content is incurred at the time the Company enters into an agreement to obtain future titles. Once a title becomes available, a content liability is recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Certain agreements include the obligation to license rights for unknown future titles, the ultimate quantity and/or fees for which are not yet determinable as of the reporting date. Traditional film output deals, or certain TV series license agreements where the number of seasons to be aired is unknown, are examples of such license agreements. The Company does not include any estimated obligation for these future titles beyond the known minimum amount. However, the unknown obligations are expected to be significant.
Legal Proceedings
From time to time, in the normal course of its operations, the Company is subject to litigation matters and claims, including claims relating to employee relations, business practices and patent infringement. Litigation can be expensive and disruptive to normal business operations. Moreover, the results of complex legal proceedings are difficult to predict and the Company's view of these matters may change in the future as the litigation and events related thereto unfold. The Company expenses legal fees as incurred. The Company records a provision for contingent losses when it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. An unfavorable outcome to any legal matter, if material, could have an adverse effect on the Company's operations or its financial position, liquidity or results of operations.
The Company is involved in litigation matters not listed herein but does not consider the matters to be material either individually or in the aggregate at this time. The Company's view of the matters not listed may change in the future as the litigation and events related thereto unfold.
Indemnification
In the ordinary course of business, the Company has entered into contractual arrangements under which it has agreed to provide indemnification of varying scope and terms to business partners and other parties with respect to certain matters, including, but not limited to, losses arising out of the Company’s breach of such agreements and out of intellectual property infringement claims made by third parties. In these circumstances, payment may be conditional on the other party making a claim pursuant to the procedures specified in the particular contract.
The Company's obligations under these agreements may be limited in terms of time or amount, and in some instances, the Company may have recourse against third parties for certain payments. In addition, the Company has entered into indemnification agreements with its directors and certain of its officers that will require it, among other things, to indemnify them against certain liabilities that may arise by reason of their status or service as directors or officers. The terms of such obligations vary.
It is not possible to make a reasonable estimate of the maximum potential amount of future payments under these or similar agreements due to the conditional nature of the Company’s obligations and the unique facts and circumstances involved in each particular agreement. No amount has been accrued in the accompanying consolidated financial statements with respect to these indemnification obligations.
9. Stockholders’ Equity
Stock Option Plan
In June 2020, the Company's stockholders approved the 2020 Stock Plan, which was adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors in March 2020 subject to stockholder approval. The 2020 Stock Plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options to employees and for the grant of non-statutory stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock and restricted stock units to employees, directors and consultants.
A summary of the activities related to the Company’s stock option plans is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Options Outstanding | | | | |
| Shares
Available
for Grant | | Number of
Shares | | Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price
(per share) | | Weighted-Average
Remaining
Contractual Term
(in years) | | Aggregate Intrinsic Value
(in thousands) |
| Balances as of December 31, 2022 | 16,454,103 | | | 19,896,861 | | | $ | 242.22 | | | | | |
Granted | (1,372,702) | | | 1,372,702 | | | 360.44 | | | | |
Exercised | — | | | (1,369,075) | | | 85.43 | | | | | |
Expired | — | | | (3,314) | | | 32.04 | | | | | |
| Balances as of September 30, 2023 | 15,081,401 | | | 19,897,174 | | | $ | 261.20 | | | 5.41 | | $ | 2,780,062 | |
| Vested and expected to vest as of September 30, 2023 | | | 19,897,174 | | | $ | 261.20 | | | 5.41 | | $ | 2,780,062 | |
| Exercisable as of September 30, 2023 | | | 19,709,179 | | | $ | 260.11 | | | 5.37 | | $ | 2,775,752 | |
The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pretax intrinsic value (the difference between the Company’s closing stock price on the last trading day of the third quarter of 2023 and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options) that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options on the last trading day of the third quarter of 2023. This amount changes based on the fair market value of the Company’s common stock.
A summary of the amounts related to option exercises, is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended | | Nine Months Ended |
| September 30,
2023 | | September 30,
2022 | | September 30,
2023 | | September 30,
2022 |
| (in thousands) |
| Total intrinsic value of options exercised | $ | 160,031 | | | $ | 65,087 | | | $ | 414,132 | | | $ | 262,879 | |
| Cash received from options exercised | 57,818 | | | 4,113 | | | 118,563 | | | 29,041 | |
Stock-based Compensation
Stock options are generally vested in full upon grant date and exercisable for the full ten year contractual term regardless of employment status. Stock options granted to certain named executive officers vest on the one-year anniversary of the grant date, subject to the employee’s continuous employment or service with the Company through the vesting date. The following table summarizes the assumptions used to value option grants using the lattice-binomial model and the valuation data:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended | | Nine Months Ended |
| September 30,
2023 | | September 30,
2022 | | September 30,
2023 | | September 30,
2022 |
| Dividend yield | — | % | | — | % | | — | % | | — | % |
| Expected volatility | 40 | % | | 50 | % | | 40% - 46% | | 38% - 50% |
| Risk-free interest rate | 3.95 | % | | 2.98 | % | | 3.57% - 3.95% | | 1.71% - 2.98% |
| Suboptimal exercise factor | 4.27 | | | 4.73 | | | 4.22 - 4.27 | | 4.71 - 4.73 |
| Weighted-average fair value (per share) | $ | 244 | | | $ | 127 | | | $ | 205 | | | $ | 150 | |
| Total stock-based compensation expense (in thousands) | $ | 79,720 | | | $ | 152,062 | | | $ | 256,849 | | | $ | 421,663 | |
| Total income tax impact on provision (in thousands) | $ | 17,452 | | | $ | 33,724 | | | $ | 56,311 | | | $ | 93,472 | |
Stock Repurchases
In March 2021, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $5 billion of its common stock, with no expiration date, and in September 2023, the Board of Directors increased the share repurchase authorization by an additional $10 billion, also with no expiration date. Stock repurchases may be effected through open market repurchases in compliance with Rule 10b-18 under the Exchange Act, including through the use of trading plans intended to qualify under Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act, privately-negotiated transactions, accelerated stock repurchase plans, block purchases, or other similar purchase techniques and in such amounts as management deems appropriate. The Company is not obligated to repurchase any specific number of shares, and the timing and actual number of shares repurchased will depend on a variety of factors, including the Company’s stock price, general economic, business and market conditions, and alternative investment opportunities. The Company may discontinue any repurchases of its common stock at any time without prior notice. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company repurchased 5,964,802 and 9,036,182 shares, respectively, for an aggregate amount of $2,500 million and $3,545 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2023, $10.9 billion remain available for repurchases. Shares repurchased by the Company are accounted for when the transaction is settled. As of September 30, 2023, there were no unsettled share repurchases. Direct costs incurred to acquire the shares are included in the total cost of the shares.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
The following table summarizes the changes in accumulated balances of other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Foreign Currency Translation
Adjustments | | Change in Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Cash Flow Hedges | | Total |
| (in thousands) |
| Balances as of December 31, 2022 | $ | (217,306) | | | $ | — | | | $ | (217,306) | |
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications | (16,117) | | | 77,852 | | | 61,735 | |
| Balances as of September 30, 2023 | $ | (233,423) | | | $ | 77,852 | | | $ | (155,571) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Foreign Currency Translation
Adjustments | | Change in Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Cash Flow Hedges | | Total |
| (in thousands) |
| Balances as of December 31, 2021 | $ | (40,495) | | | $ | — | | | $ | (40,495) | |
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications | (207,148) | | | — | | | (207,148) | |
| Balances as of September 30, 2022 | $ | (247,643) | | | $ | — | | | $ | (247,643) | |
10. Income Taxes
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Three Months Ended | | Nine Months Ended |
| | | September 30,
2023 | | September 30,
2022 | | September 30,
2023 | | September 30,
2022 |
| | | (in thousands, except percentages) |
| Provision for income taxes | | $ | 231,627 | | | $ | 223,605 | | | $ | 587,103 | | | $ | 787,953 | |
| Effective tax rate | | 12 | % | | 14 | % | | 12 | % | | 15 | % |
The effective tax rates for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, differed from the Federal statutory rate primarily due to the impact of international provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, research and development credits, and the recognition of excess tax benefits of stock-based compensation.
The decrease in the effective tax rates for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022 was primarily due to the impact of foreign taxes and the recognition of excess tax benefits of stock-based compensation. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company recognized a discrete tax benefit related to the excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation of $28 million and $80 million, compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 of $14 million and $57 million.
Gross unrecognized tax benefits were $213 million and $227 million as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. The gross unrecognized tax benefits as of September 30, 2023, if recognized by the Company, will result in a reduction of approximately $134 million to the provision for income taxes thereby favorably impacting the Company’s effective tax rate.
The Company files U.S. Federal, state and foreign tax returns. The Company is currently under examination by the IRS for the years 2016 through 2018 and is subject to examination for 2019 through 2022. The foreign and state tax returns for the years 2016 through 2022 are subject to examination by various states and foreign jurisdictions. While the Company is in various stages of inquiries and examinations by federal, state and foreign taxing authorities, we believe that our tax positions will more likely than not be sustained. Nonetheless, it is possible that future obligations related to these matters could arise.
Given the potential outcome of the current examinations as well as the impact of the current examinations on the potential expiration of the statute of limitations, it is reasonably possible that the balance of unrecognized tax benefits could significantly change within the next twelve months. However, an estimate of the range of reasonably possible adjustments cannot be made at this time.
11. Segment and Geographic Information
The Company operates as one operating segment. The Company's chief operating decision maker ("CODM") is its co-chief executive officers, who review financial information presented on a consolidated basis for the purposes of making operating decisions, assessing financial performance and allocating resources.
Total U.S. revenues were $3.5 billion and $10.1 billion, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, and $3.3 billion and $9.7 billion, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022. See Note 2 Revenue Recognition for additional information about streaming revenue by region.
The Company's long-lived tangible assets, as well as the Company's operating lease right-of-use assets recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, were located as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of |
| September 30,
2023 | | December 31,
2022 |
| (in thousands) |
| United States | $ | 2,799,543 | | | $ | 2,745,071 | |
| International | 823,349 | | | 880,308 | |
Item 2.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Forward-Looking Statements
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: our core strategy; our ability to improve our content offerings and service; our future financial performance, including expectations regarding revenues, deferred revenue, operating income and margin, net income, expenses, and profitability; liquidity, including the sufficiency of our capital resources, net cash provided by (used in) operating
activities, access to financing sources, and free cash flows; capital allocation strategies, including any stock repurchases or repurchase programs; seasonality; stock price volatility; impact of foreign exchange rate fluctuations, including on net income, revenues and average revenues per paying member; impact of interest rate fluctuations; adequacy of existing facilities; future regulatory changes and their impact on our business; intellectual property; price changes and testing; accounting treatment for changes related to content assets; acquisitions; membership growth, including impact of content and pricing changes on membership growth; partnerships; member viewing patterns; dividends; future contractual obligations, including unknown content obligations and timing of payments; our global content and marketing investments, including investments in original programming; impact of work stoppages; content amortization; resolution of tax examinations; tax expense; unrecognized tax benefits; deferred tax assets; and our ability to effectively manage change and growth. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those included in forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on January 26, 2023, in particular the risk factors discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A.
We assume no obligation to revise or publicly release any revision to any forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, unless required by law.
Investors and others should note that we announce material financial information to our investors using our investor relations website (ir.netflix.net), SEC filings, press releases, public conference calls and webcasts. We use these channels, as well as social media and blogs to communicate with our members and the public about our company, our services and other issues. It is possible that the information we post on social media and blogs could be deemed to be material information. Therefore, we encourage investors, the media, and others interested in our company to review the information we post on the social media channels and blogs listed on our investor relations website.
Overview
We are one of the world’s leading entertainment services with over 247 million paid memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, films and games across a wide variety of genres and languages. Members can play, pause and resume watching as much as they want, anytime, anywhere, and can change their plans at any time.
Our core strategy is to grow our business globally within the parameters of our operating margin target. We strive to continuously improve our members’ experience by offering compelling content that delights them and attracts new members. We seek to drive conversation around our content to further enhance member joy, and we are continuously enhancing our user interface to help our members more easily choose content that they will find enjoyable.
Our membership growth exhibits a seasonal pattern that reflects variations when consumers buy internet-connected screens and when they tend to increase their viewing. Historically, the fourth quarter represents our greatest streaming membership growth. In addition, our membership growth can be impacted by our content release schedule and changes to pricing.
Results of Operations
The following represents our consolidated performance highlights:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of/ Three Months Ended | | Change |
| September 30,
2023 | | September 30,
2022 | | Q3'23 vs. Q3'22 |
| (in thousands, except revenue per membership and percentages) |
Financial Results: | | | | | | | |
Streaming revenues | $ | 8,519,306 | | | $ | 7,890,361 | | | $ | 628,945 | | | 8 | % |
| DVD revenues (1) | 22,362 | | | 35,228 | | | (12,866) | | | (37) | % |
| Total revenues | $ | 8,541,668 | | | $ | 7,925,589 | | | $ | 616,079 | | | 8 | % |
| | | | | | | |
| Operating income | $ | 1,916,394 | | | $ | 1,533,018 | | | $ | 383,376 | | | 25 | % |
| Operating margin | 22 | % | | 19 | % | | 3 | % | | |
| | | | | | | |
Global Streaming Memberships: | | | | | | | |
| Paid net membership additions | 8,763 | | | 2,413 | | | 6,350 | | | 263 | % |
| Paid memberships at end of period | 247,153 | | | 223,085 | | | 24,068 | | | 11 | % |
Average paying memberships | 242,772 | | | 221,879 | | | 20,893 | | | 9 | % |
Average monthly revenue per paying membership | $ | 11.70 | | | $ | 11.85 | | | $ | (0.15) | | | (1) | % |
(1) In April 2023, we announced our plans to discontinue our DVD-by-mail service, and we ceased providing our mailing services to customers on September 29, 2023. The discontinuance of our DVD business had an immaterial impact on our operations and financial results.
Consolidated revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2023 increased 8% as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2022. Operating margin for the three months ended September 30, 2023 increased three percentage points, primarily due to revenues growing at a faster rate as compared to the growth in cost of revenues and decreased marketing and technology and development expenses, partially offset by higher growth in general and administrative expenses as compared to the growth in revenues.
Streaming Revenues
We primarily derive revenues from monthly membership fees for services related to streaming content to our members. We offer a variety of streaming membership plans, the price of which varies by country and the features of the plan. As of September 30, 2023, pricing on our paid plans ranged from the U.S. dollar equivalent of $1 to $28 per month, and pricing on our extra member sub accounts ranged from the U.S. dollar equivalent of $2 to $8 per month. We expect that from time to time the prices of our membership plans in each country may change and we may test other plan and price variations.
Three months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2022
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended | | Change |
| | | September 30,
2023 | | September 30,
2022 | | Q3'23 vs. Q3'22 |
| | | (in thousands, except percentages) |
Streaming revenues | | $ | 8,519,306 | | | $ | 7,890,361 | | | $ | 628,945 | | | 8 | % |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Nine months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2022
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Nine Months Ended | | Change |
| | | September 30,
2023 | | September 30,
2022 | | YTD'23 vs. YTD'22 |
| | | (in thousands, except percentages) |
Streaming revenues | | $ | 24,807,633 | | | $ | 23,651,369 | | | $ | 1,156,264 | | | 5 | % |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Streaming revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2023 increased 8% as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2022, primarily due to the 9% growth in average paying memberships, partially offset by a 1% decrease in average monthly revenue per paying membership. The decrease in average monthly revenue per paying membership was primarily due to higher membership growth in regions with lower average monthly revenue per paying membership, changes in plan mix, and limited price increases. Streaming revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 increased 5% as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2022, primarily due to the 7% growth in average paying memberships, partially offset by a 2% decrease in average monthly revenue per paying membership. The decrease in average monthly revenue per paying membership was primarily due to higher membership growth in regions with lower average monthly revenue per paying membership and changes in plan mix. Additionally, streaming revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 were further impacted by unfavorable fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. We also earn revenue from advertisements presented on our streaming service, consumer products and various other sources. Revenues earned from sources other than monthly membership fees were not material for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022.
The following tables summarize streaming revenue and other streaming membership information by region for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022.
United States and Canada (UCAN)
Three months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2022
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | As of/ Three Months Ended | | Change |
| | | September 30,
2023 | | September 30,
2022 | | Q3'23 vs. Q3'22 |
| | | (in thousands, except revenue per membership and percentages) |
| Revenues | | $ | 3,735,133 | | | $ | 3,601,565 | | | $ | 133,568 | | | 4 | % |
| Paid net membership additions (losses) | | 1,750 | | | 104 | | | 1,646 | | | 1,583 | % |
| Paid memberships at end of period | | 77,321 | | | 73,387 | | | 3,934 | | | 5 | % |
| Average paying memberships | | 76,446 | | | 73,335 | | | 3,111 | | | 4 | % |
| Average monthly revenue per paying membership | | $ | 16.29 | | | $ | 16.37 | | | $ | (0.08) | | | — | % |
| Constant currency change (1) | | | | | | | | — | % |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Nine months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2022
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | As of/ Nine Months Ended | | Change |
| | | September 30,
2023 | | September 30,
2022 | | YTD'23 vs. YTD'22 |
| | | (in thousands, except revenue per membership and percentages) |
| Revenues | | $ | 10,943,226 | | | $ | 10,489,852 | | | $ | 453,374 | | | 4 | % |
| Paid net membership additions (losses) | | 3,025 | | | (1,828) | | | 4,853 | | | 265 | % |
| Paid memberships at end of period | | 77,321 | | | 73,387 | | | 3,934 | | | 5 | % |
| Average paying memberships | | 75,259 | | | 74,054 | | | 1,205 | | | 2 | % |
| Average monthly revenue per paying membership | | $ | 16.16 | | | $ | 15.74 | | | $ | 0.42 | | | 3 | % |
| Constant currency change (1) | | | | | | | | 3 | % |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA)
Three months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2022
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | As of/ Three Months Ended | | Change |
| | | September 30,
2023 | | September 30,
2022 | | Q3'23 vs. Q3'22 |
| | | (in thousands, except revenue per membership and percentages) |
| Revenues | | $ | 2,693,146 | | | $ | 2,375,814 | | | $ | 317,332 | | | 13 | % |
| Paid net membership additions (losses) | | 3,953 | | | 568 | | | 3,385 | | | 596 | % |
| Paid memberships at end of period | | 83,760 | | | 73,534 | | | 10,226 | | | 14 | % |
| Average paying memberships | | 81,784 | | | 73,250 | | | 8,534 | | | 12 | % |
| Average monthly revenue per paying membership | | $ | 10.98 | | | $ | 10.81 | | | $ | 0.17 | | | 2 | % |
| Constant currency change (1) | | | | | | | | (2) | % |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Nine months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2022
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | As of/ Nine Months Ended | | Change |
| | | September 30,
2023 | | September 30,
2022 | | YTD'23 vs. YTD'22 |
| | | (in thousands, except revenue per membership and percentages) |
| Revenues | | $ | 7,772,957 | | | $ | 7,394,880 | | | $ | 378,077 | | | 5 | % |
| Paid net membership additions (losses) | | 7,031 | | | (502) | | | 7,533 | | | 1,501 | % |
| Paid memberships at end of period | | 83,760 | | | 73,534 | | | 10,226 | | | 14 | % |
| Average paying memberships | | 79,142 | | | 73,495 | | | 5,647 | | | 8 | % |
| Average monthly revenue per paying membership | | $ | 10.91 | | | $ | 11.18 | | | $ | (0.27) | | | (2) | % |
| Constant currency change (1) | | | | | | | | (1) | % |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Latin America (LATAM)
Three months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2022
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | As of/ Three Months Ended | | Change |
| | | September 30,
2023 | | September 30,
2022 | | Q3'23 vs. Q3'22 |
| | | (in thousands, except revenue per membership and percentages) |
| Revenues | | $ | 1,142,811 | | | $ | 1,023,945 | | | $ | 118,866 | | | 12 | % |
| Paid net membership additions (losses) | | 1,179 | | | 312 | | | 867 | | | 278 | % |
| Paid memberships at end of period | | 43,645 | | | 39,936 | | | 3,709 | | | 9 | % |
| Average paying memberships | | 43,056 | | | 39,780 | | | 3,276 | | | 8 | % |
| Average monthly revenue per paying membership | | $ | 8.85 | | | $ | 8.58 | | | $ | 0.27 | | | 3 | % |
| Constant currency change (1) | | | | | | | | 8 | % |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Nine months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2022
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | As of/ Nine Months Ended | | Change |
| | | September 30,
2023 | | September 30,
2022 | | YTD'23 vs. YTD'22 |
| | | (in thousands, except revenue per membership and percentages) |
| Revenues | | $ | 3,290,438 | | | $ | 3,053,127 | | | $ | 237,311 | | | 8 | % |
| Paid net membership additions (losses) | | 1,946 | | | (25) | | | 1,971 | | | 7,884 | % |
| Paid memberships at end of period | | 43,645 | | | 39,936 | | | 3,709 | | | 9 | % |
| Average paying memberships | | 42,129 | | | 39,728 | | | 2,401 | | | 6 | % |
| Average monthly revenue per paying membership | | $ | 8.68 | | | $ | 8.54 | | | $ | 0.14 | | | 2 | % |
| Constant currency change (1) | | | | | | | | 8 | % |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Asia-Pacific (APAC)
Three months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2022
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | As of/ Three Months Ended | | Change |
| | | September 30,
2023 | | September 30,
2022 | | Q3'23 vs. Q3'22 |
| | | (in thousands, except revenue per membership and percentages) |
| Revenues | | $ | 948,216 | | | $ | 889,037 | | | $ | 59,179 | | | 7 | % |
| Paid net membership additions (losses) | | 1,881 | | | 1,429 | | | 452 | | | 32 | % |
| Paid memberships at end of period | | 42,427 | | | 36,228 | | | 6,199 | | | 17 | % |
| Average paying memberships | | 41,487 | | | 35,514 | | | 5,973 | | | 17 | % |
| Average monthly revenue per paying membership | | $ | 7.62 | | | $ | 8.34 | | | $ | (0.72) | | | (9) | % |
| Constant currency change (1) | | | | | | | | (6) | % |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Nine months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2022
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | As of/ Nine Months Ended | | Change |
| | | September 30,
2023 | | September 30,
2022 | | YTD'23 vs. YTD'22 |
| | | (in thousands, except revenue per membership and percentages) |
| Revenues | | $ | 2,801,012 | | | $ | 2,713,510 | | | $ | 87,502 | | | 3 | % |
| Paid net membership additions (losses) | | 4,404 | | | 3,596 | | | 808 | | | 22 | % |
| Paid memberships at end of period | | 42,427 | | | 36,228 | | | 6,199 | | | 17 | % |
| Average paying memberships | | 40,083 | | | 34,316 | | | 5,767 | | | 17 | % |
| Average monthly revenue per paying membership | | $ | 7.76 | | | $ | 8.79 | | | $ | (1.03) | | | (12) | % |
| Constant currency change (1) | | | | | | | | (6) | % |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
(1) We believe constant currency information is useful in analyzing the underlying trends in average monthly revenue per paying membership. In order to exclude the effect of foreign currency rate fluctuations on average monthly revenue per paying membership, we estimate current period revenue assuming foreign exchange rates had remained constant with foreign exchange rates from each of the corresponding months of the prior-year period. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, our revenues would have been approximately $9 million lower and $568 million higher, respectively, had foreign currency exchange rates remained constant with those for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022.
Cost of Revenues
Amortization of content assets makes up the majority of cost of revenues. Expenses associated with the acquisition, licensing and production of content (such as payroll, stock-based compensation, facilities, and other related personnel expenses, costs associated with obtaining rights to music included in our content, overall deals with talent, miscellaneous production related costs and participations and residuals), streaming delivery costs and other operations costs make up the remainder of cost of revenues. We have built our own global content delivery network (“Open Connect”) to help us efficiently stream a high volume of content to our members over the internet. Delivery expenses, therefore, include equipment costs related to Open Connect, payroll and related personnel expenses and all third-party costs, such as cloud computing costs, associated with delivering content over the internet. Other operations costs include customer service and payment processing fees, including those we pay to our integrated payment partners, as well as other costs incurred in making our content available to members.
Three months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2022
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended | | Change |
| September 30,
2023 | | September 30,
2022 | | Q3'23 vs. Q3'22 |
| (in thousands, except percentages) |
Cost of revenues | $ | 4,930,788 | | $ | 4,788,665 | | $ | 142,123 | | | 3 | % |
As a percentage of revenues | 58 | % | | 60 | % | | | | |
The increase in cost of revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2022 is primarily due to a $222 million increase in other content expenses, partially offset by an $80 million decrease in content amortization due to the timing of content releases.
Nine months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2022
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine Months Ended | | Change |
| September 30,
2023 | | September 30,
2022 | | YTD'23 vs. YTD'22 |
| (in thousands, except percentages) |
Cost of revenues | $ | 14,407,883 | | $ | 13,764,125 | | $ | 643,758 | | | 5 | % |
As a percentage of revenues | 58 | % | | 58 | % | | | | |
The increase in cost of revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2022 was primarily due to a $362 million increase in content amortization relating to our existing and new content, including more exclusive and original programming. Other costs of revenues increased $282 million primarily due to an increase in other content expenses.
Marketing
Marketing expenses consist primarily of advertising expenses and certain payments made to our marketing and advertising sales partners, including consumer electronics (“CE”) manufacturers, multichannel video programming distributors (“MVPDs”), mobile operators, and internet service providers (“ISPs”). Advertising expenses include promotional activities such as digital and television advertising. Marketing expenses also include payroll, stock-based compensation, facilities, and other related expenses for personnel that support marketing activities.
Three months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2022
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended | | Change |
| September 30,
2023 | | September 30,
2022 | | Q3'23 vs. Q3'22 |
| (in thousands, except percentages) |
Marketing | $ | 558,736 | | $ | 567,954 | | $ | (9,218) | | | (2) | % |
As a percentage of revenues | 7 | % | | 7 | % | | | | |
The decrease in marketing expenses was primarily due to a $37 million decrease in advertising expenses and an $8 million decrease in payments to our marketing partners, partially offset by a $36 million increase in personnel-related costs.
Nine months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2022
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine Months Ended | | Change |
| September 30,
2023 | | September 30,
2022 | | YTD'23 vs. YTD'22 |
| (in thousands, except percentages) |
Marketing | $ | 1,741,266 | | $ | 1,698,892 | | $ | 42,374 | | | 2 | % |
As a percentage of revenues | 7 | % | | 7 | % | | | | |
The increase in marketing expenses was primarily due to a $70 million increase in advertising expenses, partially offset by a $28 million decrease in payments to our marketing partners.
Technology and Development
Technology and development expenses consist primarily of payroll, stock-based compensation, facilities, and other related expenses for technology personnel responsible for making improvements to our service offerings, including testing, maintaining and modifying our user interface, our recommendations, merchandising and infrastructure. Technology and development expenses also include costs associated with general use computer hardware and software.
Three months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2022
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended | | Change |
| September 30,
2023 | | September 30,
2022 | | Q3'23 vs. Q3'22 |
| (in thousands, except percentages) |
Technology and development | $ | 657,159 | | $ | 662,739 | | $ | (5,580) | | | (1) | % |
As a percentage of revenues | 8 | % | | 8 | % | | | | |
Technology and development expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2022 remained relatively flat.
Nine months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2022
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine Months Ended | | Change |
| September 30,
2023 | | September 30,
2022 | | YTD'23 vs. YTD'22 |
| (in thousands, except percentages) |
Technology and development | $ | 2,002,417 | | $ | 2,037,115 | | $ | (34,698) | | | (2) | % |
As a percentage of revenues | 8 | % | | 9 | % | | | | |
The decrease in technology and development expenses was primarily due to a $50 million decrease in personnel-related costs, partially offset by an increase in expenses related to continued improvements in our streaming service.
General and Administrative
General and administrative expenses consist primarily of payroll, stock-based compensation, facilities, and other related expenses for corporate personnel. General and administrative expenses also include professional fees and other general corporate expenses.
Three months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2022
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended | | Change |
| September 30,
2023 | | September 30,
2022 | | Q3'23 vs. Q3'22 |
| (in thousands, except percentages) |
General and administrative | $ | 478,591 | | $ | 373,213 | | $ | 105,378 | | | 28 | % |
As a percentage of revenues | 6 | % | | 5 | % | | | | |
The increase in general and administrative expenses was primarily due to a $52 million increase in personnel-related costs and a $40 million increase in third-party expenses.
Nine months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2022
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine Months Ended | | Change |
| September 30,
2023 | | September 30,
2022 | | YTD'23 vs. YTD'22 |
| (in thousands, except percentages) |
General and administrative | $ | 1,281,012 | | $ | 1,180,438 | | $ | 100,574 | | | 9 | % |
As a percentage of revenues | 5 | % | | 5 | % | | | | |
The increase in general and administrative expenses was primarily due to a $59 million increase in personnel-related costs and a $53 million increase in third-party expenses.
Interest Expense
Interest expense consists primarily of the interest associated with our outstanding debt obligations, including the amortization of debt issuance costs. See Note 6 Debt in the accompanying notes to our consolidated financial statements for further detail on our debt obligations.
Three months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2022
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Three Months Ended | | Change |
| | | September 30,
2023 | | September 30,
2022 | | Q3'23 vs. Q3'22 |
| | | (in thousands, except percentages) |
| Interest expense | | $ | 175,563 | | $ | 172,575 | | $ | 2,988 | | 2 | % |
| As a percentage of revenues | | 2 | % | | 2 | % | | | | |
Nine months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2022
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Nine Months Ended | | Change |
| | | September 30,
2023 | | September 30,
2022 | | YTD'23 vs. YTD'22 |
| | | (in thousands, except percentages) |
| Interest expense | | $ | 524,614 | | $ | 535,609 | | $ | (10,995) | | | (2) | % |
| As a percentage of revenues | | 2 | % | | 2 | % | | | | |
Interest expense primarily consists of interest on our Notes of $175 million and $524 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023. Interest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2022 remained relatively flat. The decrease in interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2022 was due to the lower average aggregate principal of interest bearing notes outstanding.
Interest and Other Income
Interest and other income consists primarily of foreign exchange gains and losses on foreign currency denominated balances and interest earned on cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments.
Three months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2022
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Three Months Ended | | Change |
| | | September 30,
2023 | | September 30,
2022 | | Q3'23 vs. Q3'22 |
| | | (in thousands, except percentages) |
| Interest and other income | | $ | 168,218 | | $ | 261,404 | | $ | (93,186) | | (36) | % |
| As a percentage of revenues | | 2 | % | | 3 | % | | | | |
Nine months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2022
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Nine Months Ended | | Change |
| | | September 30,
2023 | | September 30,
2022 | | YTD'23 vs. YTD'22 |
| | | (in thousands, except percentages) |
| Interest and other income | | $ | 123,975 | | $ | 677,275 | | $ | (553,300) | | (82) | % |
| As a percentage of revenues | | — | % | | 3 | % | | | | |
Interest and other income decreased in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to foreign exchange gains of $89 million and foreign exchange losses of $41 million, respectively, compared to gains of $249 million and $680 million, respectively, for the corresponding periods in 2022. In the three months ended September 30, 2023, the foreign exchange gains were primarily driven by the non-cash gains of $173 million from the remeasurement of our €5,170 million Senior Notes, partially offset by the remeasurement of cash and content liability positions in currencies other than the functional currencies. In the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the foreign exchange losses were primarily driven by the remeasurement of cash and content liability positions in currencies other than the functional currencies, partially offset by the non-cash gains of $63 million from the remeasurement of our €5,170 million Senior Notes. In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, the foreign exchange gains were primarily driven by the non-cash gains of $348 million and $815 million, respectively, from the remeasurement of our €5,170 million Senior Notes, partially offset by the remeasurement of cash and content liability positions in currencies other than the functional currencies. The change in foreign currency gains and losses was partially
offset by higher interest income earned in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the corresponding periods in 2022.
Provision for Income Taxes
Three months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2022
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Three Months Ended | | Change |
| | | September 30,
2023 | | September 30,
2022 | | Q3'23 vs. Q3'22 |
| | | (in thousands, except percentages) |
| Provision for income taxes | | $ | 231,627 | | | $ | 223,605 | | | $ | 8,022 | | 4 | % |
| Effective tax rate | | 12 | % | | 14 | % | | | |
Nine months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2022
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Nine Months Ended | | Change |
| | | September 30,
2023 | | September 30,
2022 | | YTD'23 vs. YTD'22 |
| | | (in thousands, except percentages) |
| Provision for income taxes | | $ | 587,103 | | | $ | 787,953 | | | $ | (200,850) | | (25) | % |
| Effective tax rate | | 12 | % | | 15 | % | | | |
The effective tax rates for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 differed from the Federal statutory rate primarily due to the impact of international provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, research and development credits, and the recognition of excess tax benefits of stock-based compensation.
The decrease in the effective tax rates for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to the same period in 2022 was primarily due to the impact of foreign taxes and the recognition of excess tax benefits of stock-based compensation.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| As of | | Change |
| September 30,
2023 | | December 31,
2022 | | September 30, 2023 vs. December 31, 2022 |
| (in thousands, except percentages) |
| Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments | $ | 7,871,037 | | | $ | 6,081,858 | | | $ | 1,789,179 | | | 29 | % |
| Short-term and long-term debt | 14,300,368 | | | 14,353,076 | | | (52,708) | | | — | % |
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and short-term investments increased $1,789 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to cash provided by operations, partially offset by the repurchase of stock.
Debt, net of debt issuance costs, decreased $53 million primarily due to the remeasurement of our euro-denominated notes. The amount of principal and interest on our outstanding notes due in the next twelve months is $1,068 million. As of September 30, 2023, no amounts had been borrowed under the $1 billion Revolving Credit Agreement. See Note 6 Debt in the accompanying notes to our consolidated financial statements.
We anticipate that our future capital needs from the debt market will be more limited compared to prior years. Our ability to obtain this or any additional financing that we may choose or need, including for potential strategic acquisitions and investments, will depend on, among other things, our development efforts, business plans, operating performance, and the condition of the capital markets at the time we seek financing. We may not be able to obtain such financing on terms acceptable to us or at all. If we raise additional funds through the issuance of equity or debt securities, those securities may have rights, preferences or privileges senior to the rights of our common stock, and our stockholders may experience dilution.
In March 2021, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $5 billion of our common stock, with no expiration date, and in September 2023, the Board of Directors increased the share repurchase authorization by an additional $10 billion, also with no expiration date. Stock repurchases may be effected through open market repurchases in compliance with Rule 10b-18 under the Exchange Act, including through the use of trading plans intended to qualify under Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act, privately-negotiated transactions, accelerated stock repurchase plans, block purchases, or other similar purchase techniques and in such amounts as management deems appropriate. We are not obligated to repurchase any specific number of shares, and the timing and actual number of shares repurchased will depend on a variety of factors, including our stock price, general economic, business and market conditions, and alternative investment opportunities. We may
discontinue any repurchases of our common stock at any time without prior notice. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company repurchased 9,036,182 shares of common stock for an aggregate amount of $3,545 million. As of September 30, 2023, $10.9 billion remains available for repurchases.
Our primary uses of cash include the acquisition, licensing and production of content, marketing programs, streaming delivery and personnel-related costs, as well as strategic acquisitions and investments. Cash payment terms for non-original content have historically been in line with the amortization period. Investments in original content, and in particular content that we produce and own, require more cash upfront relative to licensed content. For example, production costs are paid as the content is created, well in advance of when the content is available on the service and amortized. We expect to continue to significantly invest in global content, particularly in original content, which will impact our liquidity. We currently anticipate that cash flows from operations, available funds and access to financing sources, including our revolving credit facility, will continue to be sufficient to meet our cash needs for the next twelve months and beyond.
Our material cash requirements from known contractual and other obligations primarily relate to our content, debt and lease obligations. As of September 30, 2023, the expected timing of those payments are as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Payments due by Period |
| Contractual obligations (in thousands): | | Total | | Next 12 Months | | Beyond 12 Months |
Content obligations (1) | | $ | 19,650,049 | | | $ | 9,512,081 | | | $ | 10,137,968 | |
Debt (2) | | 17,781,751 | | | 1,068,072 | | | 16,713,679 | |
Operating lease obligations (3) | | 3,111,308 | | | 491,894 | | | 2,619,414 | |
| | | | | | |
Total | | $ | 40,543,108 | | | $ | 11,072,047 | | | $ | 29,471,061 | |
(1)As of September 30, 2023, content obligations were comprised of $4.3 billion included in “Current content liabilities” and $2.7 billion of “Non-current content liabilities” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and $12.7 billion of obligations that are not reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as they did not then meet the criteria for recognition.
The material cash requirements above do not include any estimated obligation for the unknown future titles, payment for which could range from less than one year to more than five years. However, these unknown obligations are expected to be significant and we believe could include approximately $1 billion to $4 billion over the next three years, with the payments for the vast majority of such amounts expected to occur after the next twelve months. The foregoing range is based on considerable management judgments and the actual amounts may differ. Once we know the title that we will receive and the license fees, we include the amount in the contractual obligations table above.
(2)Debt obligations include our Notes consisting of principal and interest payments. See Note 6 Debt to the consolidated financial statements for further details.
(3)Operating lease obligations are comprised of operating lease liabilities included in "Accrued expenses and other liabilities" and "Other non-current liabilities" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, inclusive of imputed interest. Operating lease obligations also include additional obligations that are not reflected on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as they did not meet the criteria for recognition. See Note 5 Balance Sheet Components in the accompanying notes to our consolidated financial statements for further details regarding leases.
As of September 30, 2023, we had gross unrecognized tax benefits of $213 million. At this time, an estimate of the range of reasonably possible adjustments to the balance of unrecognized tax benefits cannot be made.
Free Cash Flow
We define free cash flow as cash provided by (used in) operating activities less purchases of property and equipment and change in other assets. We believe free cash flow is an important liquidity metric because it measures, during a given period, the amount of cash generated that is available to repay debt obligations, make strategic acquisitions and investments and for certain other activities like stock repurchases. Free cash flow is considered a non-GAAP financial measure and should not be considered in isolation of, or as a substitute for, net income, operating income, net cash provided by operating activities, or any other measure of financial performance or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP.
In assessing liquidity in relation to our results of operations, we compare free cash flow to net income, noting that the major recurring differences are the timing impact between content payments and amortization, non-cash stock-based compensation expense, non-cash remeasurement gain/loss on our euro-denominated debt, and other working capital differences. Working capital differences include deferred revenue, excess property and equipment purchases over depreciation, taxes and semi-annual interest payments on our outstanding debt. Our receivables from members generally settle quickly.
Three months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2022
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended | | Change |
| September 30,
2023 | | September 30,
2022 | | Q3'23 vs. Q3'22 |
| (in thousands, except percentages) |
Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 1,992,315 | | | $ | 556,810 | | | $ | 1,435,505 | | | 258 | % |
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | 296,071 | | | (84,960) | | | 381,031 | | | 448 | % |
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | (2,475,108) | | | 4,113 | | | (2,479,221) | | | (60,278) | % |
| | | | | | | |
Non-GAAP reconciliation of free cash flow: | | | | | | | |
Net cash provided by operating activities | 1,992,315 | | | 556,810 | | | 1,435,505 | | | 258 | % |
Purchases of property and equipment | (103,929) | | | (84,960) | | | 18,969 | | | 22 | % |
| | | | | | | |
Free cash flow | $ | 1,888,386 | | | $ | 471,850 | | | $ | 1,416,536 | | | 300 | % |
Net cash provided by operating activities increased $1,436 million to $1,992 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023. The increase in net cash provided by operating activities was primarily driven by a decrease in payments for content assets, coupled with a $616 million or 8% increase in revenues. The payments for content assets decreased $1,312 million, from $4,522 million to $3,210 million, or 29%. On May 1, 2023, the collective bargaining agreement between the Writers Guild of America (“WGA”) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (“AMPTP”) expired, and on May 2, 2023, the WGA commenced an industry-wide strike, which ended on September 27, 2023. On July 12, 2023, the collective bargaining agreement between the Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (“SAG-AFTRA”) and the AMPTP expired, and on July 14, 2023, the SAG-AFTRA commenced an industry-wide strike. While the WGA strike has ended, the SAG-AFTRA strike continues, and we have paused and expect to pause additional productions in response to the strike. As a result, the timing of certain production payments will be delayed until productions can resume and may increase the variability in payments for content assets in future periods.
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities increased $381 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, primarily due to proceeds from maturities of short-term investments, partially offset by an increase in purchases of property and equipment.
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities decreased $2,479 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, primarily due to the repurchases of common stock for an aggregate amount of $2,500 million in the three months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to no repurchases of common stock in the three months ended September 30, 2022.
Free cash flow was $211 million higher than net income for the three months ended September 30, 2023, primarily due to $364 million of amortization expense exceeding cash payments for content assets and $80 million of non-cash stock-based compensation expense, partially offset by $173 million of non-cash remeasurement gain on our euro-denominated debt and $60 million in other non-favorable working capital differences.
Free cash flow was $926 million lower than net income for the three months ended September 30, 2022, primarily due to $868 million of cash payments for content assets exceeding amortization expense and $348 million of non-cash remeasurement gain on our euro-denominated debt, partially offset by $152 million of non-cash stock-based compensation expense and $138 million in other favorable working capital differences.
Nine months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2022
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine Months Ended | | Change |
| September 30,
2023 | | September 30,
2022 | | YTD'23 vs. YTD'22 |
| (in thousands, except percentages) |
Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 5,611,287 | | | $ | 1,582,399 | | | $ | 4,028,888 | | | 255 | % |
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | 130,155 | | | (489,533) | | | 619,688 | | | 127 | % |
Net cash used in financing activities | (3,498,530) | | | (670,959) | | | 2,827,571 | | | 421 | % |
| | | | | | | |
Non-GAAP reconciliation of free cash flow: | | | | | | | |
Net cash provided by operating activities | 5,611,287 | | | 1,582,399 | | | 4,028,888 | | | 255 | % |
Purchases of property and equipment | (266,920) | | | (296,136) | | | (29,216) | | | (10) | % |
Free cash flow | $ | 5,344,367 | | | $ | 1,286,263 | | | $ | 4,058,104 | | | 315 | % |
Net cash provided by operating activities increased $4,029 million to $5,611 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The increase in net cash provided by operating activities was primarily driven by a decrease in payments for content assets, coupled with a $1,127 million or 5% increase in revenues. The payments for content assets decreased $3,289 million, from $12,949 million to $9,660 million, or 25%.
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities increased $620 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, primarily due to proceeds from the maturities of short-term investments and there being no acquisitions in the nine months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to acquisitions for an aggregate amount of $193 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2022, partially offset by purchases of short-term investments.
Net cash used in financing activities increased $2,828 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, primarily due to repurchases of common stock for an aggregate amount of $3,545 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2023, as compared to no repurchases of common stock in the nine months ended September 30, 2022, partially offset by there being no repayment of debt in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 as compared to the repayment upon maturity of the $700 million aggregate principal amount of our 5.500% Senior Notes in February 2022.
Free cash flow was $874 million higher than net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, primarily due to $783 million of amortization expense exceeding cash payments for content assets and $257 million of non-cash stock-based compensation expense, partially offset by $103 million in other non-favorable working capital differences and $63 million of non-cash remeasurement gain on our euro-denominated debt.
Free cash flow was $3,150 million lower than net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, primarily due to $2,868 million of cash payments for content assets exceeding amortization expense and $815 million of non-cash remeasurement gain on our euro-denominated debt, partially offset by $422 million of non-cash stock-based compensation expense and $111 million in other favorable working capital differences.
Indemnification
The information set forth under Note 8 Commitments and Contingencies to the consolidated financial statements under the caption “Indemnification” is incorporated herein by reference.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and the Company’s discussion and analysis of its financial condition and operating results require the Company’s management to make judgments, assumptions and estimates that affect the amounts reported. Note 1, “Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” of the Notes to consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1 of this Form 10-Q and in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, describe the significant accounting policies and methods used in the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements. There have been no material changes to the Company’s critical accounting estimates included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
For financial market risks related to changes in interest rates, reference is made to Item 7A “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” contained in Part II of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022. Our exposure to market risk has not changed significantly since December 31, 2022.
Interest Rate Risk
At September 30, 2023, our cash equivalents and short-term investments were generally invested in money market funds and time deposits. Interest paid on such funds fluctuates with the prevailing interest rate.
As of September 30, 2023, we had $14.4 billion of debt, consisting of fixed rate unsecured debt in fourteen tranches due between 2024 and 2030. Refer to Note 6 Debt to the consolidated financial statements for details about all issuances. The fair value of our debt will fluctuate with movements of interest rates, increasing in periods of declining rates of interest and declining in periods of increasing rates of interest. The fair value of our debt will also fluctuate based on changes in foreign currency rates, as discussed below.
Foreign Currency Risk
We operate our business globally and transact in multiple currencies. Currencies denominated in other than the U.S. dollar accounted for 57% of revenue and 28% of operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. We therefore have foreign currency risk related to these currencies, which are primarily the euro, the British pound, the Brazilian real, the Canadian dollar, the Mexican peso, the Japanese yen, and the Australian dollar.
Accordingly, volatility in exchange rates, and in particular a weakening of foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar may negatively affect our revenue and operating income as expressed in U.S. dollars. In the nine months ended September 30, 2023, our revenues would have been approximately $568 million higher had foreign currency exchange rates remained consistent with those in the same period of 2022.
In the third quarter of 2023, we began using foreign exchange forward contracts to mitigate fluctuations in forecasted U.S. dollar-equivalent revenues occurring in January 2024 and beyond from changes in foreign currency exchange rates. These contracts may reduce, but do not entirely eliminate, the effect of foreign currency exchange fluctuations, and we may choose not to hedge certain exposures. We designate these contracts as cash flow hedges of forecasted foreign currency revenue and initially record the gains or losses on these derivative instruments as a component of AOCI and reclassify the amounts into “Revenues” on the Consolidated Statements of Operations in the same period the forecasted transaction affects earnings. If the U.S dollar weakened by 10% as of September 30, 2023, the amount recorded in AOCI related to our foreign exchange contracts, before taxes, would have been approximately $378 million lower. This adverse change in AOCI would be expected to offset a corresponding favorable foreign currency change in the underlying forecasted revenues when recognized in earnings.
In the third quarter of 2023, we also began using foreign exchange forward contracts to mitigate fluctuations in forecasted and firmly committed U.S. dollar-equivalent transactions related to the licensing and production of content assets occurring in January 2024 and beyond from changes in foreign currency exchange rates. These contracts may reduce, but do not entirely eliminate, the effect of foreign currency exchange fluctuations, and we may choose not to hedge certain exposures. We designate these contracts as cash flow hedges and initially record the gains or losses on these derivative instruments as a component of AOCI and reclassify the amounts into “Cost of Revenues” to offset the hedged exposures as they affect earnings, which occurs as the underlying hedged content assets are amortized. If the U.S dollar strengthened by 10% as of September 30, 2023, the amount recorded in AOCI related to our foreign exchange contracts, before taxes, would have been approximately $40 million lower. This adverse change in AOCI would be expected to offset a corresponding favorable foreign currency change in the underlying exposures when recognized in earnings.
We have also experienced and will continue to experience fluctuations in our net income as a result of gains (losses) on the settlement and the remeasurement of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in currencies that are not the functional currency. In the nine months ended September 30, 2023, we recognized a $41 million foreign exchange loss primarily due to the remeasurement of cash and content liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currencies, partially offset by the non-cash remeasurement of our Senior Notes denominated in euros.
In addition, the effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash as disclosed on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was a decrease of $57 million.
Item 4.Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the participation of our co-Chief Executive Officers and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based on that evaluation, our co-Chief Executive Officers and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q were effective in providing reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that
such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our co-Chief Executive Officers and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
Our management, including our co-Chief Executive Officers and Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal controls will prevent all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2023, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.Legal Proceedings
The information set forth under Note 8 Commitments and Contingencies in the notes to the consolidated financial statements under the caption “Legal Proceedings” is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 1A.Risk Factors
There have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Item 2.Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities, Use of Proceeds, and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Company Purchases of Equity Securities
Stock repurchases during the three months ended September 30, 2023 were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Period | | Total Number of Shares Purchased (1) | | Average Price Paid per Share (2) | | Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Programs (1) | | Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Program (1) |
| | | | | | | | (in thousands) |
July 1 - 31, 2023 | | — | | | $ | — | | | — | | | $ | 3,354,855 | |
August 1 - 31, 2023 | | 2,671,397 | | | $ | 425.38 | | | 2,671,397 | | | $ | 2,218,494 | |
September 1 - 30, 2023 | | 3,293,405 | | | $ | 414.05 | | | 3,293,405 | | | $ | 10,854,856 | |
Total | | 5,964,802 | | | | | 5,964,802 | | | |
| | |
(1) In March 2021, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $5 billion of its common stock, with no expiration date, and in September 2023, the Board of Directors increased the share repurchase authorization by an additional $10 billion, also with no expiration date. For further information regarding stock repurchase activity, see Note 9 Stockholders’ Equity to the consolidated financial statements in this Quarterly Report. |
| (2) Average price paid per share includes costs associated with the repurchases. |
Item 5.Other Information
Rule 10b5-1 Trading Plans
The adoption or termination of contracts, instructions or written plans for the purchase or sale of our securities by our Section 16 officers and directors for the three months ended September 30, 2023, each of which is intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c) under the Exchange Act (“Rule 10b5-1 Plan”), were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Name | | Title | | Action | | Date Adopted | | Expiration Date | | Aggregate # of Securities to be Purchased/Sold |
Greg Peters (1) | | Co-CEO and Director | | Adoption | | 7/26/2023 | | 11/1/2027 | | 187,913 |
Reed Hastings (2) | | Executive Chairman | | Adoption | | 8/8/2023 | | 7/1/2033 | | 2,603,399 |
David Hyman (3) | | Chief Legal Officer | | Termination | | 8/8/2023 | | N/A | | 19,876 |
| Adoption | | 8/8/2023 | | 8/7/2025 | | 67,450 |
| | |
(1) Greg Peters, co-CEO and a member of the Board of Directors, entered into a pre-arranged stock trading plan pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 on July 26, 2023. Mr. Peters' plan provides for the potential exercise of vested stock options and the associated sale of up to 187,913 shares of Netflix common stock. The plan expires on November 1, 2027, or upon the earlier completion of all authorized transactions under the plan. |
(2) Reed Hastings, Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors, entered into a pre-arranged stock trading plan pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 on August 8, 2023. Mr. Hastings' plan provides for the potential exercise of vested stock options and the associated sale of up to 2,603,399 shares of Netflix common stock. The plan expires on July 1, 2033, or upon the earlier completion of all authorized transactions under the plan. |
(3) On August 8, 2023, David Hyman, Chief Legal Officer, terminated a pre-arranged stock trading plan pursuant to Rule 10b5-1, which was adopted on February 6, 2023 and provided for the potential exercise of vested stock options and the associated sale of up to 19,876 shares of Netflix common stock until February 5, 2025 or the earlier completion of all authorized transactions under the plan; no sales occurred under this plan. On August 8, 2023, Mr. Hyman entered into a pre-arranged stock trading plan pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 that provides for the potential exercise of vested stock options and the associated sale of up to 67,450 shares of Netflix common stock. The plan expires on August 7, 2025, or upon the earlier completion of all authorized transactions under the plan. |
Other than those disclosed above, none of our directors or officers adopted or terminated a "non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement" as defined in Item 408 of Regulation S-K.
Item 6.Exhibits
(a) Exhibits:
See Exhibit Index immediately following the signature page of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
EXHIBIT INDEX
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Exhibit Number | | Exhibit Description | | Incorporated by Reference | | Filed
Herewith |
| | | | Form | | File No. | | Exhibit | | Filing Date | | |
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| | | | 8-K | | 001-35727 | | 3.1 | | June 8, 2022 | | |
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| | | | 8-K | | 001-35727 | | 3.2 | | February 24, 2023 | | |
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| 101 | | The following financial statements from the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, formatted in Inline XBRL: (i) Consolidated Statements of Operations, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, (iv) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (v) Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity and (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged as blocks of text and including detailed tags | | | | | | | | | | X |
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| 104 | | The cover page from the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, formatted in Inline XBRL | | | | | | | | | | X |
* These certifications are not deemed filed by the SEC and are not to be incorporated by reference in any filing we make under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, irrespective of any general incorporation language in any filings.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
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| | NETFLIX, INC. |
| Dated: | October 20, 2023 | By: | /s/ Ted Sarandos |
| | | Ted Sarandos
Co-Chief Executive Officer
(Principal executive officer) |
| | | |
| Dated: | October 20, 2023 | By: | /s/ Greg Peters |
| | | Greg Peters
Co-Chief Executive Officer
(Principal executive officer) |
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| Dated: | October 20, 2023 | By: | /s/ Jeffrey Karbowski |
| | | Jeffrey Karbowski
Chief Accounting Officer
(Principal accounting officer) |
