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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549 
 
 
FORM
10-K
 
 

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019
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: 001-34177
 
DISCOVERYCORPORATELOGOA02.JPG
Discovery, Inc.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Delaware
 
35-2333914
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
 
 
8403 Colesville Road
 
20910
Silver Spring,
Maryland
 
(Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
 
(240662-2000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
 




Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
 
Title of Each Class
Trading Symbols
Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Series A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
DISCA
The Nasdaq Global Select Market
Series B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
DISCB
The Nasdaq Global Select Market
Series C Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
DISCK
The Nasdaq Global Select Market
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
 
Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes  ý    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    Yes  ¨    No  ý
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  ý    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  ý    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, 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. (Check one): 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Large accelerated filer
 
ý
  
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 in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes      No  ý
The aggregate market value of voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant computed by reference to the last sales price of such stock, as of the last business day of the Registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, which was June 30, 2019, was approximately $15 billion.
Total number of shares outstanding of each class of the Registrant’s common stock as of February 13, 2020 was:
 
Series A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
158,566,403

Series B Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
6,512,378

Series C Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
355,843,540






DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Certain information required in Item 10 through Item 14 of Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K is incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement for its 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which shall be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, within 120 days of the Registrant’s fiscal year end.



DISCOVERY, INC.
FORM 10-K
TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
 
 
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PART I
CAUTIONARY NOTE CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding our business, marketing and operating strategies, integration of acquired businesses, new service offerings, financial prospects, and anticipated sources and uses of capital. Words such as “anticipates,” “estimates,” “expects,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” and terms of similar substance used in connection with any discussion of future operating or financial performance identify forward-looking statements. Where, in any forward-looking statement, we express an expectation or belief as to future results or events, such expectation or belief is expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance that the expectation or belief will result or be accomplished. The following is a list of some, but not all, of the factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated:
changes in the distribution and viewing of television programming, including the expanded deployment of personal video recorders, subscription video on demand (“SVOD”), internet protocol television, mobile personal devices and personal tablets and their impact on television advertising revenue;
continued consolidation of distribution customers and production studios;
a failure to secure affiliate agreements or renewal of such agreements on less favorable terms;
rapid technological changes;
the inability of advertisers or affiliates to remit payment to us in a timely manner or at all;
general economic and business conditions;
industry trends, including the timing of, and spending on, feature film, television and television commercial production;
spending on domestic and foreign television advertising;
disagreements with our distributors or other business partners over contract interpretation;
fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, political unrest and regulatory changes in international markets;
market demand for foreign first-run and existing content libraries;
the regulatory and competitive environment of the industries in which we, and the entities in which we have interests, operate;
uncertainties inherent in the development of new business lines and business strategies;
uncertainties regarding the financial performance of our equity method investees;
our ability to complete, integrate, maintain and obtain the anticipated benefits and synergies from our proposed business combinations and acquisitions, including our 2018 acquisition of Scripps Networks, on a timely basis or at all;
uncertainties associated with product and service development and market acceptance, including the development and provision of programming for new television and telecommunications technologies;
future financial performance, including availability, terms, and deployment of capital;
the ability of suppliers and vendors to deliver products, equipment, software, and services;
our ability to achieve the efficiencies, savings and other benefits anticipated from our cost-reduction initiatives;
the outcome of any pending or threatened litigation;
availability of qualified personnel;
the possibility or duration of an industry-wide strike or other job action affecting a major entertainment industry union;
changes in, or failure or inability to comply with, government regulations, including, without limitation, regulations of the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") and data privacy regulations and adverse outcomes from regulatory proceedings;

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changes in income taxes due to regulatory changes or changes in our corporate structure;
changes in the nature of key strategic relationships with partners, distributors and equity method investee partners;
competitor responses to our products and services and the products and services of the entities in which we have interests;
threatened or actual cyber or terrorist attacks and military action;
our level of debt;
reduced access to capital markets or significant increases in costs to borrow; and
a reduction of advertising revenue associated with unexpected reductions in the number of subscribers.
These risks have the potential to impact the recoverability of the assets recorded on our balance sheets, including goodwill or other intangibles. For additional risk factors, refer to Item 1A, “Risk Factors.” These forward-looking statements and such risks, uncertainties, and other factors speak only as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and we expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein, to reflect any change in our expectations with regard thereto, or any other change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.
ITEM 1. Business.
For convenience, the terms “Discovery,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our” are used in this Annual Report on Form 10-K to refer to both Discovery, Inc. and collectively to Discovery, Inc. and one or more of its consolidated subsidiaries, unless the context otherwise requires. On March 6, 2018, the Company acquired Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc. ("Scripps Networks") and changed its name from "Discovery Communications, Inc." to "Discovery, Inc." (See Note 3 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
We were formed in September 2008 as a Delaware corporation in connection with Discovery Holding Company (“DHC”) and Advance/Newhouse Programming Partnership (“Advance/Newhouse”) combining their respective ownership interests in Discovery Communications Holding, LLC (“DCH”) and exchanging those interests with and into Discovery (the “Discovery Formation”). As a result of the Discovery Formation, DHC and DCH became wholly-owned subsidiaries of Discovery, with Discovery becoming the successor reporting entity to DHC.
OVERVIEW
We are a global media company that provides content across multiple distribution platforms, including linear platforms such as pay-television ("pay-TV"), free-to-air ("FTA") and broadcast television, authenticated GO applications, digital distribution arrangements, content licensing arrangements and direct-to-consumer ("DTC") subscription products. As one of the world’s largest pay-TV programmers, we provide original and purchased content and live events to approximately 3.8 billion cumulative subscribers and viewers worldwide through networks that we wholly or partially own. We distribute customized content in the U.S. and over 220 other countries and territories in 50 languages. Our global portfolio of networks includes prominent nonfiction television brands such as Discovery Channel, our most widely distributed global brand, HGTV, Food Network, TLC, Animal Planet, Investigation Discovery, Travel Channel, Science Channel, and MotorTrend (previously known as Velocity domestically and currently known as Turbo in most international countries). Among other networks in the U.S., Discovery also features two Spanish-language services, Discovery en Español and Discovery Familia. Our international portfolio also includes Eurosport, a leading sports entertainment provider and broadcaster of the Olympic Games (the "Olympics") across Europe, TVN, a Polish media company, as well as Discovery Kids, a leading children's entertainment brand in Latin America. We participate in joint ventures including the recently formed multi-platform venture with Chip and Joanna Gaines, which plans to launch linear networks, SVOD and TV Everywhere ("TVE") products in 2020; and Group Nine Media ("Group Nine"), a digital media holding company home to top digital brands including NowThis News, the Dodo, Thrillist, PopSugar, and Seeker. We operate production studios, and prior to the sale of our Education Business in April 2018, we sold curriculum-based education products and services (See Note 3 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)

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We generate revenues principally from the sale of advertising on our networks and digital products and from fees charged to distributors who distribute our network content, which primarily include cable, direct-to-home ("DTH") satellite, telecommunication and digital service providers, as well as through DTC subscription services. Other transactions include curriculum-based products and services, affiliate and advertising sales representation services, production studios content development and services, content licenses and the licensing of our brands for consumer products. During 2019, advertising, distribution and other revenues were 54%, 43% and 3%, respectively, of consolidated revenues. No individual customer represented more than 10% of our total consolidated revenues for 2019, 2018 or 2017.
Our objectives are to invest in high-quality content for our networks and brands to build viewership, optimize distribution revenue, capture advertising sales, and create or reposition branded channels and business to sustain long-term growth and occupy a desired content niche with strong consumer appeal. Our strategy is to maximize the distribution, ratings and profit potential of each of our branded networks. In addition to growing distribution and advertising revenues for our branded networks, we have extended content distribution across new platforms, including brand-aligned websites, online streaming, mobile devices, video on demand (“VOD”) and broadband channels, which provide promotional platforms for our television content and serve as additional outlets for advertising and distribution revenue. Audience ratings are a key driver in generating advertising revenue and creating demand on the part of cable television operators, DTH satellite operators, telecommunication service providers, and other content distributors who deliver our content to their customers.
Our content spans genres including survival, natural history, exploration, sports, general entertainment, home, food and travel, heroes, adventure, crime and investigation, health and kids. We have an extensive library of content and own most rights to our content and footage, which enables us to leverage our library to quickly launch brands and services into new markets and on new platforms. Our content can be re-edited and updated in a cost-effective manner to provide topical versions of subject matter that can be utilized around the world on a variety of platforms.
Although the Company utilizes certain brands and content globally, we classify our operations in two reportable segments: U.S. Networks, consisting principally of domestic television networks and digital content services, and International Networks, consisting primarily of international television networks and digital content services. Our segment presentation aligns with our management structure and the financial information management uses to make decisions about operating matters, such as the allocation of resources and business performance assessments. Financial information for our segments and the geographical areas in which we do business is set forth in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and Note 23 to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Network Brands
Subscriber statistics set forth in this Annual Report on Form 10-K include both wholly-owned networks and networks operated by equity method investees. Domestic subscriber statistics are based on Nielsen Media Research. International subscriber and viewer statistics are derived from internal data coupled with external sources when available. As used herein, a “subscriber” is a single household that receives the applicable network from its cable television operator, DTH satellite operator, telecommunication service provider, or other television provider, including those who receive our networks from pay-TV providers without charge pursuant to various pricing plans that include free periods and/or free carriage. The term “cumulative subscribers” refers to the sum of the total number of subscribers to each of our networks or content services. By way of example, two households that each receive five of our networks from their pay-TV provider represent two subscribers, but 10 cumulative subscribers. The term "viewer" is a single household that receives the signal from one of our networks using the appropriate receiving equipment without a subscription to a pay-TV provider.

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Our brands consist of the following:

DISCOVERYCHANNELLOGOA02.JPG
Discovery Channel had approximately 87 million subscribers in the U.S. and 6 million subscribers through a licensing arrangement with partners in Canada included in the U.S. Networks segment as of December 31, 2019. Discovery Channel had approximately 277 million cumulative subscribers and viewers in international markets as of December 31, 2019 including the Discovery HD Showcase brand.
Discovery Channel is dedicated to creating the highest quality non-fiction content that informs and entertains its viewers about the world in all its wonder, diversity and amazement. The network offers a signature mix of high-end production values and vivid cinematography across genres including science and technology, exploration, adventure, history and in-depth, behind-the-scenes glimpses at the people, places and organizations that shape and share our world.
In the U.S., Discovery Channel audiences can enjoy their favorite programming anytime, anywhere through Discovery GO app which features live and on-demand access.
Discovery Channel content includes Gold Rush, Naked and Afraid, Deadliest Catch, Fast N' Loud, Street Outlaws, Alaskan Bush People, Expedition Unknown, and Serengeti. Discovery Channel is also home to Shark Week, the network's long-running annual summer TV event.
Target viewers are adults aged 25-54, particularly men.

HGTVTEALLOGO.JPG
HGTV had approximately 87 million subscribers in the U.S. and 6 million subscribers through a licensing arrangement with partners in Canada included in the U.S. Networks segment as of December 31, 2019. HGTV had approximately 130 million subscribers and viewers in international markets as of December 31, 2019.
HGTV programming content commands an audience interested specifically in home-related topics, such as decorating, interior design, home remodeling, landscape design and real estate.
In the U.S., HGTV audiences can enjoy their favorite programming anytime, anywhere through Discovery GO app which features live and on-demand access.
Content on HGTV includes House Hunters, House Hunters International, Flip or Flop, The Property Brothers, Home Town, Good Bones, Restored by the Fords, Caribbean Life and Beachfront Bargain Hunt.
Target viewers are female viewers with higher incomes in the 25 to 54 age range.

7




FOODNETWORKLOGO.JPG
The most widely distributed ad-supported cable network in the U.S., Food Network had approximately 88 million subscribers in the U.S. and 5 million subscribers through a licensing arrangement with partners in Canada included in the U.S. Networks segment as of December 31, 2019 and approximately 115 million subscribers and viewers in international markets as of December 31, 2019.
Food Network programming content attracts audiences interested specifically in food-related entertainment including competition and travel, as well as food-related topics such as recipes, food preparation, entertaining and dining out.
In the U.S., Food Network audiences can enjoy their favorite programming anytime, anywhere through Discovery GO app which features live and on-demand access.
Content on Food Network includes primetime series Beat Bobby Flay, Chopped, Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, The Great Food Truck Race, Guy’s Grocery Games, Worst Cooks in America, and several seasonal baking championships, as well as daytime series Barefoot Contessa, Cook Like a Pro, Giada Entertains, Girl Meets Farm, Guy's Ranch Kitchen, The Kitchen, The Pioneer Woman, Trisha’s Southern Kitchen and Valerie's Home Cooking.
Target viewers are female viewers with higher incomes in the 25 to 54 age range.

TLCLOGO.JPG
TLC had approximately 85 million subscribers in the U.S. and 6 million subscribers in Canada that are included in the U.S. Networks segment as of December 31, 2019. TLC content had approximately 449 million cumulative subscribers and viewers in international markets as of December 31, 2019 including the Home & Health, Real Time and Travel & Living brands.
Offering remarkable real-life stories without judgment, TLC shares everyday heart, humor, hope, and human connection with programming genres that include fascinating families, heartwarming transformations and life's milestone moments.
In the U.S., TLC audiences can enjoy their favorite programming anytime, anywhere through Discovery GO app which features live and on-demand access.
Content on TLC includes the 90 Day Fiancé franchise, Little People, Big World, Long Island Medium, and Outdaughtered.
Target viewers are adults aged 25-54, particularly women. 


8



ANIMALPLANETLOGOA01.JPG
Animal Planet had approximately 84 million subscribers in the U.S. and 2 million subscribers through a licensing arrangement with partners in Canada included in the U.S. Networks segment as of December 31, 2019. Animal Planet had approximately 202 million subscribers and viewers in international markets as of December 31, 2019.
Animal Planet, one of Discovery's great global brands, is dedicated to creating high quality content with global appeal delivering on its mission to keep the childhood joy and wonder of animals alive by bringing people up close in every way.
In the U.S., Animal Planet audiences can enjoy their favorite programming anytime, anywhere through Discovery GO app which features live and on-demand access.
Content and talent on Animal Planet include Crikey! It's the Irwins, Amanda to the Rescue, Coyote Peterson, The Zoo, Pit Bulls & Parolees, Dr. Jeff: Rocky Mountain Vet, and Puppy Bowl.
Target viewers are adults aged 25-54.

IDLOGO.JPG
Investigation Discovery ("ID") had approximately 81 million subscribers in the U.S. and 1 million subscribers through a licensing arrangement with partners in Canada included in the U.S. Networks segment as of December 31, 2019. ID had approximately 102 million subscribers and viewers in international markets as of December 31, 2019.
ID is a leading mystery and suspense network. From harrowing crimes and salacious scandals to the in-depth investigation and heart-breaking mysteries behind these "real people, real stories," ID challenges our everyday understanding of culture, society and the human condition.
In the U.S., ID audiences can enjoy their favorite programming anytime, anywhere through Discovery GO app which features live and on-demand access.
ID content includes On the Case with Paula Zahn, Homicide Hunter: Lt. Joe Kenda, the American Murder Mystery franchise, and Deadline: Crime with Tamron Hall.
Target viewers are adults aged 25-54, particularly women.

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MOTORTRENDLOGO.JPG & TURBOLOGO.JPG
MotorTrend had approximately 73 million subscribers in the U.S. and 1 million subscribers through a licensing arrangement with partners in Canada included in the U.S. Networks segment as of December 31, 2019. MotorTrend had approximately 131 million subscribers and viewers in international markets, where the brand is known as Turbo, as of December 31, 2019.
MotorTrend programming is engaging and informative, featuring the very best of the automotive world as told by top experts and personalities. In addition to series and specials exemplifying the very best of the automotive genre, the network broadcasts approximately 100 hours of live event coverage every year.
In the U.S., MotorTrend audiences can enjoy their favorite programming anytime, anywhere through Discovery GO app which features live and on-demand access.
Content on MotorTrend includes Wheeler Dealers, Texas Metal, Roadkill, Iron Resurrection, and Barrett-Jackson Live.
Target viewers are adults aged 25-54, particularly men.
TRAVELLOGOA01.JPG
Travel Channel had approximately 80 million subscribers in the U.S. as of December 31, 2019 and 127 million subscribers and viewers in international markets as of December 31, 2019.
Travel Channel is for the bold, daring and spontaneous: adventurers who embrace the thrill of the unexpected, risk-takers who aren’t afraid of a little mystery and anyone who loves a great story.
In the U.S., Travel Channel audiences can enjoy their favorite programming anytime, anywhere through Discovery GO app which features live and on-demand access.
Content on Travel Channel includes Mysteries at the Museum, Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern, Ghost Adventures, and Legendary Locations.
Target viewers are adults aged 25-54.
OWNLOGOA03.JPG
OWN had approximately 69 million subscribers in the U.S. as of December 31, 2019.
OWN is the first and only network named for, and inspired by, a single iconic leader. OWN is a leading destination for premium scripted and unscripted programming from today's most innovative storytellers, with popular series such as Queen Sugar, Greenleaf, Iyanla: Fix My Life, and new dramas Ambitions and David Makes Man.
Target viewers are African-American women aged 25-54.
U.S. NETWORKS
U.S. Networks generated revenues of $7.1 billion and adjusted operating income before depreciation and amortization ("Adjusted OIBDA") of $4.1 billion during 2019, which represented 64% and 88% of our total consolidated revenues and Adjusted OIBDA, respectively. Our U.S. Networks segment principally consists of national television networks. Our U.S. Networks segment owns and operates 18 national television networks, including fully distributed television networks such as Discovery Channel, HGTV, Food Network, TLC, and Animal Planet. In addition, we operate the following U.S. Networks: MotorTrend, Investigation Discovery, Travel Channel, Science Channel, Discovery Family, American Heroes Channel ("AHC"), Destination America, Discovery Life, DIY Network, Cooking Channel, Great American Country, Discovery en Español, and Discovery Familia.

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U.S. Networks generates revenues from fees charged to distributors of our television networks’ first run content, which includes cable, DTH satellite and telecommunication service providers, referred to as affiliate fees; fees from distributors for licensed content and content to equity method investee networks, referred to as other distribution revenue; fees from advertising sold on our television networks and digital products, which include our GO suite of TVE applications and DTC subscription products; fees from providing sales representation, network distribution services; and revenue from licensing our brands for consumer products. Our newest DTC product, Food Network Kitchen, provides multiple revenue streams including advertising and subscription fees. During 2019, advertising, distribution and other revenues were 60%, 39% and 1%, respectively, of total net revenues for this segment.
Typically, our television networks are aired pursuant to multi-year carriage agreements that provide for the level of carriage that our networks will receive and for annual graduated rate increases. Carriage of our networks depends on package inclusion, such as whether networks are on the more widely distributed, broader packages or lesser-distributed, specialized packages, also referred to as digital tiers. In the U.S., more than 95% of distribution revenues come from the top 10 distributors, with whom we have agreements that expire at various times from 2020 through 2024. Distribution fees are typically collected ratably throughout the year. We provide authenticated U.S. TVE streaming products that are available to pay-TV subscribers and connect viewers through GO applications with live and on-demand access to award-winning shows and series from 18 U.S. networks in the Discovery portfolio: Discovery Channel, HGTV, Food Network, TLC, ID, Animal Planet, Travel Channel, MotorTrend (previously known as Velocity), Science Channel, DIY Network, Cooking Channel, Discovery Family Channel, AHC, Destination America, Discovery Life, Discovery en Español, Discovery Familia, and the Oprah Winfrey Network ("OWN"), a consolidated subsidiary. During 2019, we achieved incremental increases in U.S. digital platform consumption. We also provide certain networks to consumers as part of subscription-based over-the-top services provided by DirectTV Now, AT&T Watch, Hulu, SlingTV, fuboTV, and YouTube TV.
Advertising revenue is generated across multiple platforms and is based on the price received for available advertising spots and is dependent upon a number of factors including the number of subscribers to our channels, viewership demographics, the popularity of our programming, our ability to sell commercial time over a portfolio of channels and leverage multiple platforms to connect advertisers to target audiences. In the U.S., advertising time is sold in the upfront and scatter markets. In the upfront market, advertisers buy advertising time for upcoming seasons and, by committing to purchase in advance, lock in the advertising rates they will pay for the upcoming year. Many upfront advertising commitments include options whereby advertisers may reduce or increase purchase commitments. In the scatter market, advertisers buy advertising closer to the time when the commercials will be run, which often results in a pricing premium compared to the upfront rates. The mix of upfront and scatter market advertising time sold is based upon the economic conditions at the time that upfront sales take place, impacting the sell-out levels management is willing or able to obtain. The demand in the scatter market then impacts the pricing achieved for our remaining advertising inventory. Scatter market pricing can vary from upfront pricing and can be volatile.

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INTERNATIONAL NETWORKS
International Networks generated revenues of $4.0 billion and Adjusted OIBDA of $1.1 billion during 2019, which represented 36% and 23% of our total consolidated revenues and Adjusted OIBDA, respectively. Our International Networks segment principally consists of national and pan-regional television networks and brands that are delivered across multiple distribution platforms. This segment generates revenue from operations in virtually every pay-TV market in the world through an infrastructure that includes operational centers in London, Amsterdam, Warsaw, Milan, Singapore and Miami. Global brands include Discovery Channel, Food Network, HGTV, Animal Planet, TLC, ID, Science Channel and MotorTrend (previously known as Velocity and known as Turbo outside of the U.S.), along with brands exclusive to International Networks, including Eurosport, Discovery Kids, DMAX, Discovery Home & Health, and TVN. TVN was acquired in March 2018, as part of our acquisition of Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc. (the "Scripps Acquisition"). As of December 31, 2019, International Networks operates unique distribution feeds in 50 languages with channel feeds customized according to language needs and advertising sales opportunities. International Networks also has FTA networks in Europe and the Middle East and broadcast networks in Poland, Denmark, Norway and Sweden, and continues to pursue further international expansion. FTA and broadcast networks generate a significant portion of International Networks' revenue. The penetration and growth rates of television services vary across countries and territories depending on numerous factors including the dominance of different television platforms in local markets. While pay-TV services have greater penetration in certain markets, FTA or broadcast television is dominant in others. International Networks has a large international distribution platform for its 72 networks, with as many as 23 networks distributed in any particular country or territory across 220 countries and territories around the world. International Networks pursues distribution across all television platforms based on the specific dynamics of local markets and relevant commercial agreements. With the growing demand of consumer content on digital and mobile devices, a suite of international DTC products has been made available to consumers. The Eurosport Player is a video streaming service offering premium and localized sports to fans in 52 markets in Europe. Dplay, our real-life entertainment streaming service, is now available in 10 markets including the U.K., Ireland, Spain, the Nordics, Japan and Italy. Dplay allows fans to access Discovery shows live and on-demand, anytime, anywhere. In Germany, we have partnered with ProSiebenSat.1 to launch the streaming service, Joyn, which offers the largest collection of free-TV content, with programming and live streams from more than 50 channels. In Poland, we have partnered with Cyfrow Polsat to create a video streaming platform that when launched, following regulatory clearance, will give viewers a single destination to access Polish content including movies, series, documentaries, sports and entertainment.
Effective January 1, 2018, we realigned our International Networks management reporting structure, which was not affected by the Scripps Acquisition. The table below represents the reporting structures during the periods presented in the consolidated financial statements.
Reporting Structure effective
January 1, 2018
 
Reporting Structure effective
January 1, 2017
Europe, Middle East and Africa ("EMEA"), includes the former Central Europe, the Middle East and Africa ("CEEMEA"), Southern Europe, Nordics and the U.K. Additionally, the grouping includes Australia and New Zealand, previously included as part of Asia-Pacific
 
CEEMEA, expanded to include Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg

 
 
Nordics
 
 
U.K.
 
 
Southern Europe
Latin America
 
Latin America
Asia-Pacific now excludes Australia and New Zealand
 
Asia-Pacific


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In addition to the global networks described in the overview section above, we operate networks internationally that utilize the following brands:

EUROSPORTLOGOA01.JPG
For 30 years, Eurosport has established itself as a household name for live sports entertainment, reaching millions of fans across Europe and Asia via Eurosport 1, Eurosport 2, the network's DTC streaming service, "Eurosport Player" and Eurosport.com.
Subscribers and viewers for each brand as of December 31, 2019 were as follows: Eurosport 1: 157 million and Eurosport 2: 87 million.
Live, exclusive and premium sports is at the core of what Eurosport does, showcasing sporting events with both local and pan-regional appeal. Viewers in Europe can enjoy live action from some of the best sporting spectacles including all of cycling's Grand Tours such as the Tour de France, every International Ski Federation World Cup and World Championship event during the winter season, as well as unrivaled coverage of all four Grand Slam tennis tournaments.
Increasingly, Eurosport is investing in more exclusive and localized rights to drive local audience and commercial relevance. Important local sports rights include soccer leagues such as Eliteserien in Norway, Allsvenskan in Sweden and European Europa League in Sweden, and year-round ATP World Tour tennis in France, Czech Republic, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Romania, Russia, Slovakia and Sweden.
Two-and-a-half years after securing the rights that led to Eurosport becoming the Home of the Olympics in Europe spanning four Games (2018 through 2024), Eurosport delivered its first Olympic Games in PyeongChang Olympic Winter Games. PyeongChang 2018 represented an opportunity to engage sports fans across Europe as well as new and younger audiences. The Eurosport Player was the only place to watch every minute from South Korea while sub-license agreements with some of Europe’s biggest national broadcasters realized Discovery’s objective to engage more people on more screens with the Winter Games than ever before.
Later this year, Discovery will present its first Olympic Summer Games, Tokyo 2020, in 50 markets and 19 languages across Europe. Eurosport’s digital services will be the exclusive home of every minute of the Games, utilizing its unrivaled on-screen expertise and innovative analysis technology to deliver the ultimate Games experience for fans. Discovery channels and platforms, such as its free-to-air networks in the Nordics and DPlay in multiple markets, will also showcase the Olympics and contribute to bringing the Olympic Summer Games to more people, on more screens, than ever before in Europe.

DMAXLOGO.JPG
DMAX had approximately 131 million subscribers and viewers, according to internal estimates, as of December 31, 2019.
DMAX is a men’s factual entertainment channel in Asia and Europe.

DISCOVERYKIDSLOGO.JPG
Discovery Kids had approximately 115 million subscribers and viewers, according to internal estimates, as of December 31, 2019.
Discovery Kids is a leading children's network in Latin America and Asia.

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TVNLOGO.JPG
TVN operates a portfolio of free-to-air and pay-TV lifestyle, entertainment, and news networks in Poland, including TVN, TVN7, TTV, HGTV Home & Garden, TVN24, TVN Style, TVN Turbo, TVN24 BiS, TVN Fabu³a, Travel Channel, Food Network, iTVN and iTVNExtra.
The TVN portfolio had approximately 103 million cumulative subscribers and viewers as of December 31, 2019.

Our International Networks segment also owns and operates the following television networks, which reached the following number of subscribers and viewers via pay and FTA or broadcast networks, respectively, as of December 31, 2019: 
 
 
International
Subscribers and Viewers
(millions)
Jeet Prime
 
39
Quest
 
37
Dsport
 
35
Nordic broadcast networks (a)
 
34
Quest Red
 
27
Giallo
 
25
Frisbee
 
25
K2
 
25
Nove
 
25
DKISS
 
19
Discovery HD Theater
 
16
World
 
15
Asian Food Channel
 
14
Shed
 
12
Discovery History
 
10
Fine Living Network
 
10
Discovery Life Poland
 
8
Discovery Family
 
8
Discovery Historia
 
6
Discovery Civilization
 
5
Investigation Discovery Extra
 
5
(a) Number of subscribers corresponds to the sum of the subscribers to each of the Nordic broadcast networks in Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark subject to retransmission agreements with pay-TV providers. The Nordic broadcast networks include Kanal 5, Kanal 9, and Kanal 11 in Sweden, TVNorge, MAX, FEM and VOX in Norway, TV 5, Kutonen, and Frii in Finland, and Kanal 4, Kanal 5, 6'eren, and Canal 9 in Denmark.

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Similar to U.S. Networks, a significant source of revenue for International Networks relates to fees charged to operators who distribute our linear networks. Such operators primarily include cable and DTH satellite service providers. International television markets vary in their stages of development. Some markets, such as the U.K., are more advanced digital television markets, while others remain in the analog environment with varying degrees of investment from operators to expand channel capacity or convert to digital technologies. Common practice in some markets results in long-term contractual distribution relationships, while customers in other markets renew contracts annually. Distribution revenue for our International Networks segment is largely dependent on the number of subscribers that receive our networks or content, the rates negotiated in the distributor agreements, and the market demand for the content that we provide. International Networks additionally generates revenues through DTC subscription services.
The other significant source of revenue for International Networks relates to advertising sold on our television networks and across distribution platforms, similar to U.S. Networks. Advertising revenue is dependent upon a number of factors, including the development of pay and FTA television markets, the number of subscribers to and viewers of our channels, viewership demographics, the popularity of our programming, and our ability to sell commercial time over a portfolio of channels on multiple platforms. In certain markets, our advertising sales business operates with in-house sales teams, while we rely on external sales representation services in other markets. Outside the U.S., advertisers typically buy advertising closer to the time when the commercials will be run. In developing pay-TV markets, we expect advertising revenue growth will result from subscriber growth, our localization strategy, and the shift of advertising spending from broadcast to pay-TV. In mature markets, such as Western Europe, high proportions of market penetration and distribution are unlikely to drive rapid revenue growth. Instead, growth in advertising sales comes from increasing viewership and pricing and launching new services, either in pay-TV, broadcast, or FTA television environments.
During 2019, advertising, distribution and other revenues were 45%, 52% and 3%, respectively, of total net revenues for this segment. While the Company has traditionally operated cable networks, in recent years an increasing portion of the Company's international advertising revenue is generated by FTA or broadcast networks, unlike U.S. Networks. During 2019, pay-TV networks generated 36% of International Networks' advertising revenue and FTA or broadcast networks generated 64% of International Networks' advertising revenue. The Company also has increased efforts to drive revenue growth from digital products such as the Dplay DTC entertainment service in select international markets.
International Networks' largest cost is content expense for localized programming. While our International Networks segment maximizes the use of programming from U.S. Networks, we also develop local programming that is tailored to individual market preferences and license the rights to air films, television series and sporting events from third parties. International Networks amortizes the cost of capitalized content rights based on the proportion of current estimated revenues relative to the estimated remaining total lifetime revenues, which results in either an accelerated method or a straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the content of up to four years. Content acquired from U.S. Networks and content developed locally airing on the same network is amortized similarly, as amortization rates vary by network. More than half of International Networks' content is amortized using an accelerated amortization method, while the remainder is amortized on a straight-line basis. The costs for multi-year sports programming arrangements are expensed when the event is broadcast based on the estimated relative value of each component of the arrangement.
International television markets vary in their stages of development. Some, notably the U.K., are more advanced digital multi-channel television markets, while others operate in the analog environment with varying degrees of investment from distributors in expanding channel capacity or converting to digital. While International Networks and U.S. Networks have similarities with respect to the nature of operations, the generation of revenue and the categories of expense, International Networks have a lower segment margin due to lower economies of scale from being in 220 markets requiring additional cost for localization to satisfy market variations. International Networks also include sports and FTA broadcast channels, which drive higher costs from sports rights and production and investment in broad entertainment programming for broadcast networks.
In June 2016, the U.K. held a referendum in which voters approved an exit from the European Union (“E.U.”), commonly referred to as “Brexit.” E.U. law provides for a departing member state to have a two-year notice period to negotiate a term of exit, which the U.K. triggered in March 2017 and subsequently extended. In October 2019, a revised draft withdrawal agreement was published detailing the framework of the future relationship between the U.K. and the E.U. This agreement was ratified by the U.K. and European Parliaments and on January 31, 2020, the U.K. formally left the E.U. Brexit may have an adverse impact on advertising, subscribers, distributors and employees, as described in Item 1A, Risk Factors, below. The withdrawal agreement includes a transitional period until December 2020, which could mitigate against some of these impacts. Discovery, like many international media businesses, has sought to mitigate this risk by applying for broadcast licenses in remaining E.U. member states. We have been operating our E.U. pay-TV channels under Dutch jurisdiction since March 2019. Those of our E.U. free to air channels which were licensed by the U.K. authority from Ofcom will move to a jurisdiction within the E.U. later this year. We continue to monitor the situation for potential effects to our distribution and licensing agreements, unusual foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, and changes to the legal and regulatory landscape.

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OTHER
Other generated revenues of $11 million during 2019. Other is comprised of a production studio that develops content for our networks and other television service providers throughout the world. Our wholly-owned production studio provides services to our U.S. Networks and International Networks segments at cost. The revenues and offsetting expenses associated with these inter-segment production services have been eliminated from the results of operations for Other. Our Education Business was comprised of curriculum-based product and service offerings and generates revenues primarily from subscriptions charged to K-12 schools for access to an online suite of curriculum-based VOD tools, professional development services, digital textbooks and, to a lesser extent, student assessments and publication of hard copy curriculum-based content. In 2018, we sold an 88% controlling equity stake in our Education Business to Francisco Partners for a sale price of $113 million, which resulted in a gain of $84 million upon disposition. We retained a 12% ownership interest in the Education Business, which is accounted for as an equity method investment. (See Note 3 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
In 2017, the Company sold Raw and Betty LLC to All3Media. All3Media is a U.K. based television, film and digital production and distribution company. The Company owns 50% of All3Media and accounts for its investment in All3Media under the equity method of accounting.
CONTENT DEVELOPMENT
Our content development strategy is designed to increase viewership, maintain innovation and quality leadership, and provide value for our network distributors and advertising customers. Our content is sourced from a wide range of third-party producers, which include some of the world’s leading nonfiction production companies, as well as independent producers and wholly-owned production studios.
Our production arrangements fall into three categories: produced, coproduced and licensed. Produced content includes content that we engage third parties or wholly owned production studios to develop and produce. We retain editorial control and own most or all of the rights, in exchange for paying all development and production costs. Production of digital-first content such as virtual reality and short-form video is typically done through wholly-owned production studios. Coproduced content refers to program rights on which we have collaborated with third parties to finance and develop either because world-wide rights are not available for acquisition or we save costs by collaborating with third parties. Licensed content is comprised of films or series that have been produced by third parties. Payments for sports rights made in advance of the event are recognized as prepaid content license assets.
International Networks maximizes the use of content from our U.S. Networks. Our non-fiction content tends to be culturally neutral and maintains its relevance for an extended period of time. As a result, a significant amount of our non-fiction content translates well across international borders and is made even more accessible through extensive use of dubbing and subtitles in local languages. Our content can be re-edited and updated in a cost-effective manner to provide topical versions of subject matter that can be utilized around the world. International Networks executes a localization strategy by offering content from U.S. Networks, customized content and localized schedules via our distribution feeds. While our International Networks segment maximizes the use of content from U.S. Networks, we also develop local content that is tailored to individual market preferences and license the rights to air films, television series and sporting events from third-party producers. To that end, during 2018, we entered into a 12-year partnership with the PGA Tour that includes TV and online rights to the PGA Tour outside the United States. Effective January 1, 2019, we announced the launch of GOLFTV, a new live and on-demand international video streaming service providing over 2,000 hours of live golf programming each year and extensive premium content on-demand. Discovery plans to invest more than $2 billion over the course of the partnership, including licensing rights and building the GOLFTV platform.
Our largest single expense is content, which includes content amortization, content impairment and production costs. We amortize the cost of capitalized content rights based on the proportion that the current year's estimated revenues bear to the estimated remaining total lifetime revenues, which normally results in an accelerated amortization method over the estimated useful lives. However, certain networks also utilize a straight-line method of amortization over the estimated useful lives of the content. Content is amortized primarily over periods of two to four years. The costs for multi-year sports programming arrangements are expensed when the event is broadcast based on the estimated relative value of each season in the arrangement. Content assets are reviewed for impairment when impairment indicators are present, such as low viewership or limited expected use. Impairment losses are recorded when content asset carrying value exceeds net realizable value.

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COMPETITION
Providing content across various distribution platforms is a highly competitive business worldwide. We experience competition for the development and acquisition of content, distribution of our content, sale of commercial time on our networks and viewership. There is competition from other production studios, other television networks, and online-based content providers for the acquisition of content and creative talent such as writers, producers and directors. Our ability to produce and acquire popular content is an important competitive factor for the distribution of our content, attracting viewers and the sale of advertising. Our success in securing popular content and creative talent depends on various factors such as the number of competitors providing content that targets the same genre and audience, the distribution of our content, viewership, and the production, marketing and advertising support we provide.
Our networks compete with other television networks, including broadcast, cable and local, for the distribution of our content and fees charged to cable television operators, DTH satellite service providers, and other distributors that carry our content. Our ability to secure distribution agreements is necessary to ensure the retention of our audiences. Our contractual agreements with distributors are renewed or renegotiated from time to time in the ordinary course of business. Growth in the number of networks distributed, consolidation and other market conditions in the cable and satellite distribution industry, and increased popularity of other platforms may adversely affect our ability to obtain and maintain contractual terms for the distribution of our content that are as favorable as those currently in place. The ability to secure distribution agreements is dependent upon the production, acquisition and packaging of original content, viewership, the marketing and advertising support and incentives provided to distributors, the product offering across a series of networks within a region, and the prices charged for carriage.
Our networks and digital products compete for the sale of advertising with other television networks, including broadcast, cable, local networks, and other content distribution outlets for their target audiences and the sale of advertising. Our success in selling advertising is a function of the size and demographics of our audiences, quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the audience of each network, the perceived quality of the network and of the particular content, the brand appeal of the network and ratings as determined by third-party research companies, prices charged for advertising and overall advertiser demand in the marketplace.
Our networks and digital products also compete for their target audiences with all forms of content and other media provided to viewers, including broadcast, cable and local networks, pay-per-view and VOD services, DVDs, online activities and other forms of news, information and entertainment.
Our production studios compete with other production and media companies for talent. Prior to the sale of the Education Business in 2018, we competed with other providers of curriculum-based products and services to schools.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Our intellectual property assets include copyrights in content, trademarks in brands, names and logos, technology platforms, websites, and licenses of intellectual property rights from third parties.
We are fundamentally a content company and the protection of our brands and content is of primary importance. We have also made and will continue to make investments in developing technology platforms to support our digital products and DTC offerings and consider these platforms to be one of our intellectual property assets. To protect our intellectual property assets, we rely upon a combination of copyright, trademark, unfair competition, trade secret and Internet/domain name statutes and laws, and contract provisions. However, there can be no assurance of the degree to which these measures will be successful. Moreover, effective intellectual property protection may be either unavailable or limited in certain foreign territories. Policing unauthorized use of our products and services and related intellectual property is difficult and costly. We seek to limit unauthorized use of our intellectual property through a combination of approaches. However, the steps taken to prevent the infringement of our intellectual property by unauthorized third parties may not be effective.
Third parties may challenge the validity or scope of our intellectual property from time to time, and the success of any such challenges could result in the limitation or loss of intellectual property rights. Irrespective of their validity, such claims may result in substantial costs and diversion of resources which could have an adverse effect on our operations. In addition, piracy, which encompasses the theft of our signal, and unauthorized use of our content, in the digital environment continues to present a threat to revenues from products and services based on our intellectual property. We use external vendors to detect and remove infringing content and leverage our membership in a range of industry groups to address piracy issues.

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REGULATORY MATTERS
Our businesses are subject to and affected by regulations of U.S. federal, state and local government authorities, and our international operations are subject to laws and regulations of the countries and international bodies, such as the E.U., in which we operate. Content networks, such as those owned by us, are regulated by the FCC including some regulations that only apply to content networks affiliated with a cable television operator. Other FCC regulations, although imposed on cable television operators and direct broadcast satellite ("DBS") operators and other distributors, affect content networks indirectly. The rules, regulations, policies and procedures affecting our businesses are constantly subject to change. These descriptions are summary in nature and do not purport to describe all present and proposed laws and regulations affecting our businesses.
Program Access
The FCC’s program access rules prevent a satellite-delivered content vendor in which a cable operator has an “attributable” ownership interest from discriminating against unaffiliated multichannel video programming distributors (“MVPDs”), such as cable and DBS operators, in the rates, terms and conditions for the sale or delivery of content. These rules permit the unaffiliated MVPD to initiate a complaint to the FCC against content networks if it believes this rule has been violated. The FCC allowed a previous blanket prohibition on exclusive arrangements between content networks subject to these rules and cable operators to expire in October 2012, but will consider case-by-case complaints that exclusive contracts between cable operators and cable-affiliated programmers significantly hinder or prevent an unaffiliated MVPD from providing satellite or cable programming.
“Must-Carry”/Retransmission Consent
The Communications Act (the “Act”) imposes “must-carry” regulations on cable systems, requiring them to carry the signals of most local broadcast television stations in their market. DBS systems are also subject to their own must-carry rules. The FCC’s implementation of “must-carry” obligations requires cable operators and DBS providers to give broadcasters preferential access to channel space and favorable channel positions. This reduces the amount of channel space that is available for carriage of our networks by cable and DBS operators. The Act also gives broadcasters the choice of opting out of must-carry and invoking the right to retransmission consent, which refers to a broadcaster’s right to require MVPDs, such as cable and satellite operators, to obtain the broadcaster's consent before distributing the broadcaster's signal to the MVPDs' subscribers. Broadcasters have traditionally used the resulting leverage from demand for their must-have broadcast content to obtain carriage for their affiliated networks. Increasingly, broadcasters are additionally seeking substantial monetary compensation for granting carriage rights for their must-have broadcast content. Such increased financial demands on distributors reduce the content funds available for independent programmers not affiliated with broadcasters, such as us.
Accessibility and Advertising Restrictions
Certain of our content networks and some of our IP-delivered video content must provide closed-captioning and video description of some of their programming. Our content networks and digital products intended primarily for children 12 years of age and under must comply with certain limits on advertising. Commercials embedded in our networks’ content stream must adhere to certain standards for ensuring that those commercials are not transmitted at louder volumes than our program material.
Obscenity Restrictions
Network distributors are prohibited from transmitting obscene content, and our distribution agreements generally require us to refrain from including such content on our networks.
Regulation of Digital Services
We operate a variety of free, advertising-based and subscription-based digital products and services providing information, entertainment, e-commerce and interactive experiences to consumers in the U.S. and international markets via web, mobile and connected TV platforms. Our digital services are subject to federal and state regulation in the U.S. relating to the privacy and security of personal information collected from our users, including laws pertaining to the acquisition of personal information from children under 13, such as the federal Children's Online Privacy Protection Act ("COPPA") and the federal Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing Act, and that impose data security and security breach obligations on the Company. Additional federal and state laws and regulations may be adopted with respect to our digital services, covering such issues as data privacy and security, child safety, advertising, pricing, content, copyrights and trademarks, access by persons with disabilities, distribution, taxation and characteristics and quality of products and services. Our digital products and services available to consumers in international markets are also subject to the laws and regulations of foreign jurisdictions, including, without limitation, consumer protection, data privacy and security, advertising, intellectual property, and content limitations. We must design and operate our digital products and websites in compliance with these laws and regulations.

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Foreign Laws and Regulations
The foreign jurisdictions in which our networks are offered have, in varying degrees, laws and regulations governing our businesses.
EMPLOYEES
As of December 31, 2019, we had approximately 9,200 employees, including full-time and part-time employees of our wholly-owned subsidiaries and consolidated ventures.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
All of our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including reports on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K, and all amendments to such filings are available free of charge at the investor relations section of our website, https://corporate.discovery.com, as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. Our annual report, corporate governance guidelines, code of business ethics, audit committee charter, compensation committee charter, and nominating and corporate governance committee charter are also available on our website. In addition, we will provide a printed copy of any of these documents, free of charge, upon written request to: Investor Relations, Discovery, Inc., 850 Third Avenue, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10022-7225. Additionally, the SEC maintains a website at http://www.sec.gov that contains quarterly, annual and current reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC, including the Company.
The information contained on our website is not part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and is not incorporated by reference herein.

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ITEM 1A. Risk Factors.
Investing in our securities involves risk. In addition to the other information contained in this report, you should consider the following risk factors before investing in our securities.
Risks Related to Our Business
There has been a shift in consumer behavior as a result of technological innovations and changes in the distribution of content, which may affect our viewership and the profitability of our business in unpredictable ways.
Technology and business models in our industry continue to evolve rapidly. Changes to these business models include (a) the presence of streaming services, which are increasing in number and some of which have a significant and growing subscriber base, and (b) the increased video consumption through subscription steaming services and time-delayed or time-shifted viewing of television programming through on-demand services and DVRs. Consumer behavior related to changes in content distribution and technological innovation affect our economic model and viewership in ways that are not entirely predictable.
Consumers are increasingly viewing content on a time-delayed or on-demand basis from traditional distributors and from streaming services, connected apps and websites and on a wide variety of screens, such as televisions, tablets, mobile phones and other devices. Additionally, devices that allow users to view television programs on a time-shifted basis and technologies that enable users to fast-forward or skip programming, including commercials, such as DVRs and portable digital devices and systems that enable users to store or make portable copies of content may affect the attractiveness of our offerings to advertisers and could therefore adversely affect our revenues. There is increased demand for short-form, user-generated and interactive content, which have different economic models than our traditional content offerings. Likewise, distributors are offering smaller programming packages known as “skinny bundles,” which are delivered at a lower cost than traditional offerings and sometimes allow consumers to create a customized package of networks, that are gaining popularity among consumers. If our networks are not included in these packages or consumers favor alternative offerings, we may experience a decline in viewership and ultimately the demand for our programming, which could lead to lower distribution and advertising revenues. We have also seen declines in subscribers to the traditional cable bundle. In 2019, total U.S. Networks portfolio subscribers declined 5% while subscribers to our fully distributed networks declined 3%. In order to respond to changes in content distribution models in our industry, we have invested in, developed and launched DTC products including Food Network Kitchen, DPLAY, JOYN, MotorTrend and others. There can be no assurance, however, that our viewers will respond to our DTC products or that our DTC strategy will be successful, particularly given the increase in DTC products on the market. Each distribution model has different risks and economic consequences for us, so the rapid evolution of consumer preferences may have an economic impact that is not completely predictable. Distribution windows are also evolving, potentially affecting revenues from other windows. If we cannot ensure that our distribution methods and content are responsive to our target audiences, our business could be adversely affected.
Consolidation among cable and satellite providers, both domestically and internationally, could have an adverse effect on our revenue and profitability.
Consolidation among cable and satellite operators has given the largest operators considerable leverage in their relationships with programmers, including us. In the U.S., approximately 95% of our distribution revenues come from the top 10 distributors. We currently have agreements in place with the major cable and satellite operators in U.S. Networks and International Networks which expire at various times through 2024. Some of our largest distributors have combined, and as a result, have gained, or may gain, market power, which could affect our ability to maximize the value of our content through those platforms. In addition, many of the countries and territories in which we distribute our networks also have a small number of dominant distributors. Continued consolidation within the industry could reduce the number of distributors to carry our programming, subject our affiliate fee revenue to greater volume discounts, and further increase the negotiating leverage of the cable and satellite television system operators which could have an adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

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The success of our business depends on the acceptance of our entertainment and sports content by our U.S. and foreign viewers, which may be unpredictable and volatile.
The production and distribution of entertainment and sports content are inherently risky businesses because the revenue we derive and our ability to distribute our content depend primarily on consumer tastes and preferences that often change in unpredictable ways. Our success depends on our ability to consistently create and acquire content that meets the changing preferences of viewers in general, in special interest groups, in specific demographic categories and in various international marketplaces. As the home of the Olympic Games in Europe until 2024, we have been developing and innovating new forms of content in connection with the Olympic Games. Our success with the Olympics depends on audience acceptance of this content. If viewers do not find our Olympic Games content acceptable, we could see low viewership, which could lead to low distribution and advertising revenues. The success of our partnership with the PGA Tour, which runs through 2031, is similarly dependent on audience acceptance and viewership. Failing to gain the level of audience acceptance we expect for the PGA Tour content may negatively impact our distribution and advertising revenues over the period of the partnership.
The commercial success of our content also depends upon the quality and acceptance of competing content available in the applicable marketplace. Other factors, including the availability of alternative forms of entertainment and leisure time activities, general economic conditions, piracy, and growing competition for consumer discretionary spending may also affect the audience for our content. Audience sizes for our media networks are critical factors affecting both the volume and pricing of advertising revenue that we receive, and the extent of distribution and the license fees we receive under agreements with our distributors. Consequently, reduced public acceptance of our entertainment content may decrease our audience share and adversely affect our results of operations.
As a company that has operations in the United Kingdom, the vote by the United Kingdom to leave the E.U. could have an adverse impact on our business, results of operations and financial position.
On June 23, 2016, the U.K. held a referendum in which voters approved an exit from the E.U., commonly referred to as “Brexit.” As a result of the referendum, the British government has negotiated the terms of the U.K.’s formal departure from the E.U. After several delays, the U.K. formally left the E.U. on January 31, 2020. The formal departure includes a transitional period until December 31, 2020, during which the current rights and obligations on trade, travel and business for the U.K. and E.U. will continue to apply. The future relationship between the U.K. and the E.U. remains to be negotiated. Negotiations will start shortly and are intended to produce a free trade deal by December 31, 2020.
There is still considerable political uncertainty around the outcome of Brexit. The effects of Brexit will depend on any agreements the U.K. makes to retain access to the E.U. markets beyond the transitional period. The measures could potentially disrupt the markets we serve and may cause us to lose subscribers, distributors and employees. If the U.K. loses access to the single E.U. market, it could have a detrimental impact on our U.K. growth. Such a decline could also make our doing business in Europe more complex, which could involve operational changes in order to protect, delay and reduce the scope of our distribution and licensing agreements. Without access to the single E.U. market, it may be more challenging and costly to obtain intellectual property rights for our content within the U.K., distribute our services in Europe or to launch new DTC services.
In addition, Brexit could lead to legal uncertainty and potentially divergent national laws and regulations as the U.K. determines which E.U. laws to replace and/or replicate. If there are changes to U.K. immigration policy as a result of Brexit, this could affect our employees and their ability to move freely between the E.U. member states for work-related matters.
The announcement of Brexit has caused significant volatility in global stock markets and currency exchange rate fluctuations. With the expansion of our international operations, our exposure to currency exchange rate fluctuation has increased. This increase in exposure could have an adverse effect on our results of operations and net asset balances, as there can be no assurance that the downward trend of the British pound and the Euro will rebound. Brexit may also create global uncertainty, which may cause a decrease in consumer discretionary spending. Decreases in consumer discretionary spending may affect cable television and other video service subscriptions where our networks are distributed. A decrease in the number of subscribers receiving our programming could have a negative impact on our distribution revenues and the rates we are able to charge for advertising. In addition, different market requirements for advertising content may impact our advertising revenues. Any of the foregoing factors may adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial position.

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Foreign exchange rate fluctuations may adversely affect our operating results and financial conditions.
We have significant operations in a number of foreign jurisdictions and certain of our operations are conducted and certain of our debt obligations are denominated in foreign currencies. As a result, we have exposure to foreign currency risk as we enter into transactions and make investments denominated in multiple currencies. The value of these currencies fluctuates relative to the U.S. dollar. Our consolidated financial statements are denominated in U.S. dollars, and to prepare those financial statements we must translate the amounts of the assets, liabilities, net sales, other revenues and expenses of our operations outside of the U.S. from local currencies into U.S. dollars using exchange rates for the current period. As we have expanded our international operations, our exposure to exchange rate fluctuations has increased. This increased exposure could have an adverse effect on our reported results of operations and net asset balances. There is no assurance that downward trending currencies will rebound or that stable currencies will remain unchanged in any period or for any specific market.
Our businesses operate in highly competitive industries.
The entertainment and media programming industries in which we operate are highly competitive. We compete with other programming networks for distribution, viewers and advertising. We face increased competition from subscription based streaming services and DTC offerings and we also compete for viewers with other forms of media entertainment, such as home video, movies, periodicals, on-line and mobile activities. In particular, websites and search engines have seen significant advertising growth, a portion of which has moved from traditional cable network and satellite advertisers. Businesses, including ours, that offer multiple services, or that may be vertically integrated and offer both video distribution and programming content, may face closer regulatory review from the competition authorities in the countries in which we currently have operations. If our distributors have to pay higher rates to holders of sports broadcasting rights, it might be difficult for us to negotiate higher rates for distribution of our networks. The ability of our businesses to compete successfully depends on a number of factors, including our ability to consistently supply high quality and popular content, access our niche viewership with appealing category-specific content, adapt to new technologies and distribution platforms and achieve widespread distribution. There can be no assurance that we will be able to compete successfully in the future against existing or new competitors, or that increasing competition will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Failure to renew, renewal with less favorable terms, or termination of our distribution agreements may cause a decline in our revenue.
Because our networks are licensed on a wholesale basis to distributors, such as cable and satellite operators, which in turn distribute them to consumers, we are dependent upon the maintenance of distribution agreements with these operators. These distribution agreements generally provide for the level of carriage our networks will receive, such as channel placement and programming package inclusion (widely distributed, broader programming packages compared to lesser distributed, specialized programming packages) and for payment of a license fee to us based on the number of subscribers that receive our networks.
While the number of subscribers associated with our networks impacts our ability to generate advertising revenue, these per subscriber payments also represent a significant portion of our revenue. Our distribution agreements generally have a limited term which varies by market and distributor, and there can be no assurance that these distribution agreements will be renewed in the future or renewed on terms that are favorable to us. A reduction in the license fees that we receive per subscriber or in the number of subscribers for which we are paid, including as a result of a loss or reduction in carriage for our networks, could adversely affect our distribution revenue. Such a loss or reduction in carriage could also decrease the potential audience for our programs thereby adversely affecting our advertising revenue. In addition, our distribution agreements are complex and individually negotiated. If we were to disagree with one of our counterparties on the interpretation of a distribution agreement, our relationship with that counterparty could be damaged and our business could be negatively affected.
Interpretation of some terms of our distribution agreements may have an adverse effect on the distribution payments we receive under those agreements.
Some of our distribution agreements contain “most favored nation” clauses. These clauses typically provide that if we enter into an agreement with another distributor which contains certain more favorable terms, we must offer some of those terms to our existing distributors. We have entered into a number of distribution agreements with terms that differ in some respects from those contained in other agreements. While we believe that we have appropriately complied with the most favored nation clauses included in our distribution agreements, these agreements are complex and other parties could reach a different conclusion that, if correct, could have an adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

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We face cybersecurity and similar risks, which could result in the disclosure of confidential information, disruption of our programming services, damage to our brands and reputation, legal exposure and financial losses.
Our on-line, mobile and app offerings, as well as our internal systems, involve the storage and transmission of personal and proprietary information, and we and our partners rely on various technology systems in connection with the production and distribution of our programming. From time to time, hackers continue to target Discovery and our systems may be breached due to employee error, malicious code, hacking and phishing attacks, or otherwise. Additionally, outside parties may attempt to fraudulently induce employees or users to disclose sensitive or confidential information in order to gain access to data and systems. Because the techniques used to obtain unauthorized access, disable or degrade service, or sabotage systems change frequently and often are not recognized until launched against a target, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques or to implement adequate preventative measures, notwithstanding our ongoing efforts to develop and implement robust data security tools, practices, and protocols. Any such breach or unauthorized access could result in a loss of our proprietary information, which may include user data, a disruption of our services or a reduction of the revenues we are able to generate from such services, damage to our brands and reputation, a loss of confidence in the security of our offerings and services, and significant legal and financial exposure, each of which could potentially have an adverse effect on our business. We may not have adequate insurance coverage to compensate us for losses associated with network security and privacy events.
In addition, we face regulatory risk associated with the acquisition, storage, disclosure, use and protection of personal data, including under the European Union General Data Protection Regulation ("GDPR"), the California Consumer Privacy Act ("CCPA"), and various other domestic and international privacy and data security laws and regulations, which are continually evolving. These evolving data protection laws may require Discovery to expend significant resources to implement additional data protection measures, and Discovery's actual or alleged failure to comply with such laws could result in legal claims, regulatory enforcement actions and significant fines and penalties.
Financial performance for our equity method investments and investments without readily determinable fair value may differ from current estimates.
We have equity investments in several entities and the accounting treatment applied for these investments varies depending on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, our percentage ownership and the level of influence or control we have over the relevant entity. Any losses experienced by these entities could adversely impact our results of operations and the value of our investment. In addition, if these entities were to fail and cease operations, we may lose the entire value of our investment and the stream of any shared profits. Some of our ventures may require additional uncommitted funding. We also have significant investments in entities that we have accounted for as investments without readily determinable fair value. If these entities experience significant losses or were to fail and cease operations, our investments could be subject to impairment and the loss of a part or all of our investment value.
Our ongoing efforts to integrate the Scripps Networks business with our own may not yield the anticipated benefits of the acquisition or we may be unable to manage our expanded operations, either of which would adversely affect our results of operations.
We have devoted, and expect to continue to devote, significant management attention and resources to integrating our organization, procedures, and operations with those of Scripps Networks. Such integration efforts are costly due to the large number of processes, policies, procedures, locations, operations, technologies and systems to be integrated, including purchasing, accounting and finance, sales, service, operations, payroll, pricing, marketing and employee benefits. Integration expenses could, particularly in the short term, exceed the cost synergies we expect to achieve from the elimination of duplicative expenses and the realization of economies of scale, which could result in significant charges to earnings that we cannot currently quantify. Potential difficulties that we may encounter as part of the integration process include the following:
our inability to successfully combine our business with Scripps Networks in a manner that permits the combined company to achieve the full synergies and other benefits anticipated to result from the merger; and
complexities associated with managing the combined businesses, including difficulty addressing possible differences in corporate cultures and management philosophies and the challenge of integrating products, services, complex and different information technology systems, control and compliance processes, technology, networks and other assets of each of the companies in a cohesive manner.
Following the merger, the size and complexity of the business of the combined company increased significantly. Our future success depends, in part, upon our ability to manage this expanded business, which will pose substantial challenges for management, including challenges related to the management and monitoring of new operations and associated increased costs and complexity. There can be no assurances that we will be successful or that we will realize the expected synergies and benefits anticipated from the merger.

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General Risks
Theft of our content, including digital copyright theft and other unauthorized exhibitions of our content, may decrease revenue received from our programming and adversely affect our businesses and profitability.
The success of our business depends in part on our ability to maintain the intellectual property rights to our entertainment content. We are fundamentally a content company, and piracy of our brands, television networks, digital content and other intellectual property has the potential to significantly and adversely affect us. Piracy is particularly prevalent in many parts of the world that lack copyright and other protections similar to existing law in the U.S. It is also made easier by technological advances allowing the conversion of content into digital formats, which facilitates the creation, transmission and sharing of high-quality unauthorized copies. Unauthorized distribution of copyrighted material over the Internet is a threat to copyright owners’ ability to protect and exploit their property. The proliferation of unauthorized use of our content may have an adverse effect on our business and profitability because it reduces the revenue that we potentially could receive from the legitimate sale and distribution of our content. Litigation may be necessary to enforce our intellectual property rights, protect trade secrets or to determine the validity or scope of proprietary rights claimed by others.
We are subject to risks related to our international operations.
We have operations through which we distribute programming outside the United States. As a result, our business is subject to certain risks inherent in international business, many of which are beyond our control. These risks include:
laws and policies affecting trade and taxes, including laws and policies relating to the repatriation of funds and withholding taxes, and changes in these laws;
changes in local regulatory requirements, including restrictions on content, imposition of local content quotas and restrictions on foreign ownership;
differing degrees of protection for intellectual property and varying attitudes towards the piracy of intellectual property;
significant fluctuations in foreign currency value;
currency exchange controls;
the instability of foreign economies and governments;
war and acts of terrorism;
anti-corruption laws and regulations such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the U.K. Bribery Act that impose stringent requirements on how we conduct our foreign operations and changes in these laws and regulations;
foreign privacy and data protection laws and regulation and changes in these laws; and
shifting consumer preferences regarding the viewing of video programming.
Events or developments related to these and other risks associated with international trade could adversely affect our revenues from non-U.S. sources, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results, liquidity and prospects. Furthermore, some foreign markets where we and our partners operate may be more adversely affected by current economic conditions than the U.S. We also may incur substantial expense as a result of changes, including the imposition of new restrictions, in the existing economic or political environment in the regions where we do business. Acts of terrorism, hostilities, or financial, political, economic or other uncertainties could lead to a reduction in revenue or loss of investment, which could adversely affect our results of operations.
Global economic conditions may have an adverse effect on our business.
Our business is significantly affected by prevailing economic conditions and by disruptions to financial markets. We derive substantial revenues from advertisers, and these expenditures are sensitive to general economic conditions and consumer buying patterns. Financial instability or a general decline in economic conditions in the U.S. and other countries where our networks are distributed could adversely affect advertising rates and volume, resulting in a decrease in our advertising revenues.
Decreases in consumer discretionary spending in the U.S. and other countries where our networks are distributed may affect cable television and other video service subscriptions, in particular with respect to digital service tiers on which certain of our programming networks are carried. This could lead to a decrease in the number of subscribers receiving our programming from multi-channel video programming distributors, which could have a negative impact on our viewing subscribers and distribution revenues. Similarly, a decrease in viewing subscribers would also have a negative impact on the number of viewers actually watching the programs on our programming networks, which could also impact the rates we are able to charge advertisers.

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Economic conditions affect a number of aspects of our businesses worldwide and impact the businesses of our partners who purchase advertising on our networks and might reduce their spending on advertising. Economic conditions can also negatively affect the ability of those with whom we do business to satisfy their obligations to us. The general worsening of current global economic conditions could adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations, and the worsening of economic conditions in certain parts of the world, specifically, could impact the expansion and success of our businesses in such areas.
Domestic and foreign laws and regulations could adversely impact our operation results.
Programming services like ours, and the distributors of our services, including cable operators, satellite operators and other multi-channel video programming distributors, are regulated by U.S. federal laws and regulations issued and administered by various federal agencies, including the FCC, as well as by state and local governments, in ways that affect the daily conduct of our video content business. See the discussion under “Business – Regulatory Matters” above. The U.S. Congress, the FCC and the courts currently have under consideration, and may adopt or interpret in the future, new laws, regulations and policies regarding a wide variety of matters that could, directly or indirectly, affect the operations of our U.S. media properties or modify the terms under which we offer our services and operate.
Similarly, the foreign jurisdictions in which our networks are offered have, in varying degrees, laws and regulations governing our businesses. Programming businesses are subject to regulation on a country-by-country basis. Changes in regulations imposed by foreign governments could also adversely affect our business, results of operations and ability to expand our operations beyond their current scope.
Financial markets are subject to volatility and disruptions that may affect our ability to obtain or increase the cost of financing our operations and our ability to meet our other obligations.
Increased volatility and disruptions in the U.S. and global financial and equity markets may make it more difficult for us to obtain financing for our operations or investments or increase the cost of obtaining financing. Our borrowing costs can be affected by short and long-term debt ratings assigned by independent rating agencies which are based, in significant part, on our performance as measured by credit metrics such as interest coverage and leverage ratios. A low rating could increase our cost of borrowing or make it more difficult for us to obtain future financing. Unforeseeable changes in foreign currencies could negatively impact our results of operations and calculations of interest coverage and leverage ratios.
Acquisitions and other strategic transactions present many risks and we may not realize the financial and strategic goals that were contemplated at the time of any transaction.
From time to time we make acquisitions, investments and enter into other strategic transactions, including the transaction with Scripps Networks. In connection with such acquisitions and strategic transactions, we may incur unanticipated expenses, fail to realize anticipated benefits, have difficulty incorporating the acquired businesses, disrupt relationships with current and new employees, subscribers, affiliates and vendors, incur significant debt, or have to delay or not proceed with announced transactions. Additionally, regulatory agencies, such as the FCC or U.S. Department of Justice may impose additional restrictions on the operation of our business as a result of our seeking regulatory approvals for any significant acquisitions and strategic transactions. The occurrence of any of these events could have an adverse effect on our business.
Our inability to successfully acquire and integrate other businesses, assets, products or technologies could harm our operating results.
Our success may depend on opportunities to buy other businesses or technologies that could complement, enhance or expand our current business or products or that might otherwise offer us growth opportunities. We have acquired, and have made strategic investments in, a number of companies (including through joint ventures) in the past, and we expect to make additional acquisitions and strategic investments in the future. Such transactions may result in dilutive issuances of our equity securities, use of our cash resources, and incurrence of debt and amortization expenses related to intangible assets. Any acquisitions and strategic investments that we are able to identify and complete may be accompanied by a number of risks, including:
the difficulty of assimilating the operations and personnel of acquired companies into our operations;
the potential disruption of our ongoing business and distraction of management;
the incurrence of additional operating losses and operating expenses of the businesses we acquired or in which we invested;
the difficulty of integrating acquired technology and rights into our services and unanticipated expenses related to such integration;

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the failure to successfully further develop an acquired business or technology and any resulting impairment of amounts currently capitalized as intangible assets;
the failure of strategic investments to perform as expected or to meet financial projections;
the potential for patent and trademark infringement and data privacy and security claims against the acquired companies, or companies in which we have invested;
litigation or other claims in connection with acquisitions, acquired companies, or companies in which we have invested;
the impairment or loss of relationships with customers and partners of the companies we acquired or in which we invested or with our customers and partners as a result of the integration of acquired operations;
the impairment of relationships with, or failure to retain, employees of acquired companies or our existing employees as a result of integration of new personnel;
our lack of, or limitations on our, control over the operations of our joint venture companies;
the difficulty of integrating operations, systems, and controls as a result of cultural, regulatory, systems, and operational differences;
in the case of foreign acquisitions and investments, the impact of particular economic, tax, currency, political, legal and regulatory risks associated with specific countries; and
the impact of known potential liabilities or liabilities that may be unknown, including as a result of inadequate internal controls, associated with the companies we acquired or in which we invested.
Our failure to be successful in addressing these risks or other problems encountered in connection with our past or future acquisitions and strategic investments could cause us to fail to realize the anticipated benefits of such acquisitions or investments, incur unanticipated liabilities, and harm our business generally.
The loss of key personnel or talent could disrupt our business and adversely affect our revenue.
Our business depends upon the continued efforts, abilities and expertise of our corporate and divisional executive teams and entertainment personalities. With respect to the Scripps Networks acquisition, our success depends in part upon our ability to retain key employees. Following the completion of a merger, like the Scripps Acquisition, current and prospective employees may experience uncertainty about their future roles with Discovery and choose to pursue other opportunities, which could have an adverse effect on Discovery. If key employees depart, the integration of Scripps Networks with Discovery may be more difficult and our business may be adversely affected. Additionally, we employ or contract with entertainment personalities who may have loyal audiences. These individuals are important to audience endorsement of our programs and other content. There can be no assurance that these individuals will remain with us or retain their current audiences. If we fail to retain key individuals or if our entertainment personalities lose their current audience base, our operations could be adversely affected.
Increasing complexity of global tax policy and regulations could adversely impact our international business and results of operations.
We continue to face the increasing complexity of operating in multiple non-U.S. jurisdictions, many of which have increased scrutiny and have either changed, or plan to change, their international tax systems due to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (“OECD”) Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (“BEPS”) recommendations. The BEPS recommendations call for enhanced transparency and reporting relating to companies’ entity structures and transfer pricing policies. These have been implemented through various initiatives including the requirement for taxpayers to comply with global country-by-country reporting and the filing of a global master file as well as the introduction of the multilateral instrument (“MLI”) which allows taxing authorities to better take aim at multinational tax avoidance. We continue to address and comply with these compliance and reporting requirements.
Additional complexity has also arisen in state aid: state resources used to provide recipients an advantage on a selective basis that has or could distort competition and affect trade between European member states. In recent years the European Commission (“EC”) has increased their scrutiny on state aid and deviated from the historical E.U. state aid practices. There is great uncertainty about the future of E.U. state aid practices based on the appeals of many significant EC rulings against multinational corporations that are currently being challenged. While any potential impact of these rulings is difficult to assess, we believe our transfer pricing analyses conducted pursuant to accepted OECD methodologies assist in mitigating risk associated with our past or current agreements.

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In addition, the determination of our worldwide provision for income taxes and current and deferred tax assets and liabilities requires judgment and estimation. Our income taxes could also be materially adversely affected by earnings being lower than anticipated in jurisdictions that have lower statutory tax rates and higher than anticipated in jurisdictions that have higher statutory tax rates, by changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities, or by changes in worldwide tax laws, regulations, or accounting principles.
Risks Related to Our Debt
We have a significant amount of debt and may incur significant amounts of additional debt, which could adversely affect our financial health and our ability to react to changes in our business.
As of December 31, 2019, we had approximately $15.4 billion of consolidated debt, of which $609 million is current. Our substantial level of indebtedness increases the possibility that we may be unable to generate cash sufficient to pay when due the principal of, interest on, or other amounts associated with our indebtedness. In addition, we have the ability to draw down our $2.5 billion revolving credit facility in the ordinary course, which would have the effect of increasing our indebtedness. We are also permitted, subject to certain restrictions under our existing indebtedness, to obtain additional long-term debt and working capital lines of credit to meet future financing needs. This would have the effect of increasing our total leverage.
Our substantial leverage could have significant negative consequences on our financial condition and results of operations, including:
impairing our ability to meet one or more of the financial ratio covenants contained in our debt agreements or to generate cash sufficient to pay interest or principal, which could result in an acceleration of some or all of our outstanding debt in the event that an uncured default occurs;
increasing our vulnerability to general adverse economic and market conditions;
limiting our ability to obtain additional debt or equity financing;
requiring the dedication of a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to service our debt, thereby reducing the amount of cash flow available for other purposes;
requiring us to sell debt or equity securities or to sell some of our core assets, possibly on unfavorable terms, to meet payment obligations;
limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the markets in which we compete; and
placing us at a possible competitive disadvantage with less leveraged competitors and competitors that may have better access to capital resources.
Our ability to incur debt and the use of our funds could be limited by the restrictive covenants in the loan agreement for our revolving credit facility.
The loan agreement for our revolving credit facility contains restrictive covenants, as well as requirements to comply with certain leverage and other financial maintenance tests. These covenants and requirements could limit our ability to take various actions, including incurring additional debt, guaranteeing indebtedness and engaging in various types of transactions, including mergers, acquisitions and sales of assets. These covenants could place us at a disadvantage compared to some of our competitors, who may have fewer restrictive covenants and may not be required to operate under these restrictions. Further, these covenants could have an adverse effect on our business by limiting our ability to take advantage of financing, mergers and acquisitions or other opportunities.

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Risks Related to Corporate Structure
As a holding company, we could be unable to obtain cash in amounts sufficient to meet our financial obligations or other commitments.
Our ability to meet our financial obligations and other contractual commitments will depend upon our ability to access cash. We are a holding company, and our sources of cash include our available cash balances, net cash from the operating activities of our subsidiaries, any dividends and interest we may receive from our investments, availability under our credit facility or any credit facilities that we may obtain in the future and proceeds from any asset sales we may undertake in the future. The ability of our operating subsidiaries, including Discovery Communications, LLC, to pay dividends or to make other payments or advances to us will depend on their individual operating results and any statutory, regulatory or contractual restrictions, including restrictions under our credit facility, to which they may be or may become subject. Under the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, we were subject to U.S. taxes for the deemed repatriation of certain cash balances held by foreign corporations. The Company intends to continue to permanently reinvest these funds outside of the U.S., and current plans do not demonstrate a need to repatriate them to fund our U.S. operations.
We have directors in common with those of Liberty Media Corporation (“Liberty Media”), Liberty Global plc (“Liberty Global”), Qurate Retail Group f/k/a Liberty Interactive Corporation (“Liberty Interactive”), Liberty Broadband Corporation ("Liberty Broadband"), and Liberty Latin America Ltd ("LLA"), which may result in the diversion of business opportunities or other potential conflicts.
Liberty Media, Liberty Global, Liberty Interactive, Liberty Broadband and LLA (together, the "Liberty Entities") own interests in various U.S. and international companies, such as Charter Communications, Inc. ("Charter"), that have subsidiaries that own or operate domestic or foreign content services that may compete with the content services we offer. We have no rights in respect of U.S. or international content opportunities developed by or presented to the subsidiaries of any Liberty Entities, and the pursuit of these opportunities by such subsidiaries may adversely affect our interests and those of our stockholders. Because we and the Liberty Entities have overlapping directors, the pursuit of business opportunities may serve to intensify the conflicts of interest or appearance of conflicts of interest faced by the respective management teams. Our charter provides that none of our directors or officers will be liable to us or any of our subsidiaries for breach of any fiduciary duty by reason of the fact that such individual directs a corporate opportunity to another person or entity (including any Liberty Entities), for which such individual serves as a director or officer, or does not refer or communicate information regarding such corporate opportunity to us or any of our subsidiaries, unless (x) such opportunity was expressly offered to such individual solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of us or any of our subsidiaries and (y) such opportunity relates to a line of business in which we or any of our subsidiaries is then directly engaged.
We have directors that are also related persons of Advance/Newhouse and that overlap with those of the Liberty Entities, which may lead to conflicting interests for those tasked with the fiduciary duties of our board.
Our twelve-person board of directors includes three designees of Advance/Newhouse, including Robert J. Miron, who was the Chairman of Advance/Newhouse until December 31, 2010, and Steven A. Miron, the Chief Executive Officer of Advance/Newhouse. In addition, our board of directors includes two persons who are currently members of the board of directors of Liberty Media, three persons who are currently members of the board of directors of Liberty Global, one person who is currently a member of the board of directors of Liberty Interactive, two persons who are currently members of the board of directors of Liberty Broadband, one person who is currently a member of the board of directors of Charter, of which Liberty Broadband owns an equity interest, and two persons who are currently members of the board of directors of LLA. John C. Malone is the Chairman of the boards of all of the Liberty Entities other than LLA and Liberty Interactive. The parent company of Advance/Newhouse and the Liberty Entities own interests in a range of media, communications and entertainment businesses.
Advance/Newhouse will elect three directors annually for so long as it owns a specified minimum amount of our Series A-1 convertible preferred stock. The Advance/Newhouse Series A-1 convertible preferred stock, which votes with our common stock on all matters other than the election of directors, represents approximately 24% of the voting power of our outstanding shares. The Series A-1 convertible preferred stock also grants Advance/Newhouse consent rights over a range of our corporate actions, including fundamental changes to our business, the issuance of additional capital stock, mergers and business combinations and certain acquisitions and dispositions.

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None of the Liberty Entities own any interest in us. Mr. Malone beneficially owns stock of Liberty Media representing approximately 47% of the aggregate voting power of its outstanding stock, owns shares representing approximately 30% of the aggregate voting power of Liberty Global, shares representing approximately 40% of the aggregate voting power of Liberty Interactive, shares representing approximately 48% of the aggregate voting power of Liberty Broadband and shares representing approximately 21% of the aggregate voting power (other than with respect to the election of the common stock directors) of our outstanding stock. Mr. Malone controls approximately 28% of our aggregate voting power relating to the election of our eight common stock directors, assuming that the preferred stock owned by Advance/Newhouse has not been converted into shares of our common stock. Our directors who are also directors of the Liberty Entities hold stock and stock-based compensation in the Liberty Entities and hold our stock and stock-based compensation.
These ownership interests and/or business positions could create, or appear to create, potential conflicts of interest when these individuals are faced with decisions that could have different implications for us, Advance/Newhouse and/or the Liberty Entities. For example, there may be the potential for a conflict of interest when we, on the one hand, or Advance/Newhouse and/or one or more of the Liberty Entities, on the other hand, consider acquisitions and other corporate opportunities that may be suitable for the other.
The members of our board of directors have fiduciary duties to us and our stockholders. Likewise, those persons who serve in similar capacities at Advance/Newhouse or a Liberty Entity have fiduciary duties to those companies. Therefore, such persons may have conflicts of interest or the appearance of conflicts of interest with respect to matters involving or affecting both respective companies, and there can be no assurance that the terms of any transactions will be as favorable to us or our subsidiaries as would be the case in the absence of a conflict of interest.
It may be difficult for a third party to acquire us, even if such acquisition would be beneficial to our stockholders.
Certain provisions of our charter and bylaws may discourage, delay or prevent a change in control that a stockholder may consider favorable. These provisions include the following:
authorizing a capital structure with multiple series of common stock: a Series B that entitles the holders to ten votes per share, a Series A-1 that entitles the holders to one vote per share and a Series C that, except as otherwise required by applicable law, entitles the holders to no voting rights;
authorizing the Series A-1 convertible preferred stock with special voting rights, which prohibits us from taking any of the following actions, among others, without the prior approval of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of such stock:
increasing the number of members of the Board of Directors above ten;
making any material amendment to our charter or by-laws;
engaging in a merger, consolidation or other business combination with any other entity; and
appointing or removing our Chairman of the Board or our Chief Executive Officer;
authorizing the issuance of “blank check” preferred stock, which could be issued by our Board of Directors to increase the number of outstanding shares and thwart a takeover attempt;
classifying our common stock directors with staggered three-year terms and having three directors elected by the holders of the Series A convertible preferred stock, which may lengthen the time required to gain control of our Board of Directors;
limiting who may call special meetings of stockholders;
prohibiting stockholder action by written consent (subject to certain exceptions), thereby requiring stockholder action to be taken at a meeting of the stockholders;
establishing advance notice requirements for nominations of candidates for election to our Board of Directors or for proposing matters that can be acted upon by stockholders at stockholder meetings;
requiring stockholder approval by holders of at least 80% of our voting power or the approval by at least 75% of our Board of Directors with respect to certain extraordinary matters, such as a merger or consolidation, a sale of all or substantially all of our assets or an amendment to our charter;
requiring the consent of the holders of at least 75% of the outstanding Series B common stock (voting as a separate class) to certain share distributions and other corporate actions in which the voting power of the Series B common stock would be diluted by, for example, issuing shares having multiple votes per share as a dividend to holders of Series A common stock; and

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the existence of authorized and unissued stock which would allow our Board of Directors to issue shares to persons friendly to current management, thereby protecting the continuity of our management, or which could be used to dilute the stock ownership of persons seeking to obtain control of us.
We have also adopted a shareholder rights plan in order to encourage anyone seeking to acquire us to negotiate with our Board of Directors prior to attempting a takeover. While the plan is designed to guard against coercive or unfair tactics to gain control of us, the plan may have the effect of making more difficult or delaying any attempts by others to obtain control of us.
Holders of any single series of our common stock may not have any remedies if any action by our directors or officers has an adverse effect on only that series of common stock.
Principles of Delaware law and the provisions of our charter may protect decisions of our Board of Directors that have a disparate impact upon holders of any single series of our common stock. Under Delaware law, the Board of Directors has a duty to act with due care and in the best interests of all of our stockholders, including the holders of all series of our common stock. Principles of Delaware law established in cases involving differing treatment of multiple classes or series of stock provide that a board of directors owes an equal duty to all common stockholders regardless of class or series and does not have separate or additional duties to any group of stockholders. As a result, in some circumstances, our directors may be required to make a decision that is adverse to the holders of one series of common stock. Under the principles of Delaware law referred to above, stockholders may not be able to challenge these decisions if our Board of Directors is disinterested and adequately informed with respect to these decisions and acts in good faith and in the honest belief that it is acting in the best interests of all of our stockholders.
If Advance/Newhouse were to exercise its registration rights, it may cause a significant decline in our stock price, even if our business is doing well.
Advance/Newhouse has been granted registration rights covering all of the shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the convertible preferred stock held by Advance/Newhouse. Advance/Newhouse’s Series A-1 convertible preferred stock is currently convertible into nine shares of our Series A common stock and Advance/Newhouse’s Series C-1 convertible preferred stock is convertible into 19.3648 shares of our Series C common stock, subject to certain anti-dilution adjustments. The registration rights, which are immediately exercisable, are transferable with the sale or transfer by Advance/Newhouse of blocks of shares representing 10% or more of the preferred stock it holds. The exercise of the registration rights, and subsequent sale of possibly large amounts of our common stock in the public market, could materially and adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
John C. Malone and Advance/Newhouse each have significant voting power with respect to corporate matters considered by our stockholders.
For corporate matters other than the election of directors, Mr. Malone and Advance/Newhouse each beneficially own shares of our stock representing approximately 21% and 24%, respectively, of the aggregate voting power represented by our outstanding stock. With respect to the election of directors, Mr. Malone controls approximately 28% of the aggregate voting power relating to the election of the eight common stock directors (assuming that the convertible preferred stock owned by Advance/Newhouse (the “A/N Preferred Stock”) has not been converted into shares of our common stock). The A/N Preferred Stock carries with it the right to designate three preferred stock directors to our board (subject to certain conditions) but does not carry voting rights with respect to the election of the eight common stock directors. Also, under the terms of the A/N Preferred Stock, Advance/Newhouse has special voting rights as to certain enumerated matters, including material amendments to the restated charter and bylaws, fundamental changes in our business, mergers and other business combinations, certain acquisitions and dispositions and future issuances of capital stock. Although there is no stockholder agreement, voting agreement or any similar arrangement between Mr. Malone and Advance/Newhouse, by virtue of their respective holdings, Mr. Malone and Advance/Newhouse each have significant influence over the outcome of any corporate transaction or other matter submitted to our stockholders.
ITEM 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments.
None.

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ITEM 2. Properties.
We own and lease approximately 3.53 million square feet of building space in 106 locations around the world.
In the U.S., we have 27 locations including 398 thousand square feet of owned space and 1.51 million square feet that we lease. Principal locations in the U.S. include:
(i)    a planned Global headquarters in New York, New York; once completed it will house various business units including Direct-to-Consumer, Corporate functions, Networks and Discovery Digital Studios,
(ii) three leased offices across New York, New York, collectively used to support Corporate functions, U.S. Ad Sales, Networks, Direct-to-Consumer and Discovery Digital Studios,
(iii) two owned offices in Knoxville, Tennessee, used for general office and technology support space,
(iv) leased general office space in Miami, Florida, primarily used by our International Networks segment,
(v) leased general office space in Los Angeles, California, primarily used by our U.S. Networks segment, and
(vi) an owned technical facility in Sterling, Virginia, used to manage all technical aspects of the majority of our global linear and digital businesses.
For locations in New York, we plan to rationalize our overall real estate footprint as individual leases expire. For Miami, work is underway to reduce our real estate footprint within the existing building.
We also own and lease approximately 1.62 million square feet of building space at 79 locations outside of the U.S. In Poland, our TVN business unit has 24 locations including 299 thousand square feet of owned space and 536 thousand square feet that we lease. The TVN office locations are used for linear and digital news and entertainment content production, including studios, warehouse, production, technology, broadcasting and supporting office space, and are located primarily in Warsaw and Krakow. Other principal locations outside of the U.S. include the Office, Production and Playout space in the U.K. and France, and Office and Production space in Denmark, Norway, and Italy.
Each property is considered to be in good condition, adequate for its purpose, and suitably utilized according to the individual nature and requirements of the relevant operations. Our policy is to improve and replace property as considered appropriate to meet the needs of the individual operation.
ITEM 3. Legal Proceedings.
The Company is party to various lawsuits and claims in the ordinary course of business. However, a determination as to the amount of the accrual required for such contingencies is highly subjective and requires judgments about future events. Although the outcome of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty and the impact of the final resolution of these matters on the Company's results of operations in a particular subsequent reporting period is not known, management does not believe that the resolution of these matters will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, future results of operations or liquidity.
ITEM 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
Not applicable.

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Executive Officers of Discovery, Inc.
Pursuant to General Instruction G(3) to Form 10-K, the information regarding our executive officers required by Item 401(b) of Regulation S-K is hereby included in Part I of this report. The following table sets forth the name and date of birth of each of our executive officers and the office held by such officer as of February 27, 2020.
Name
  
Position
 
 
David M. Zaslav
Born January 15, 1960
  
President, Chief Executive Officer and a common stock director. Mr. Zaslav has served as our President and Chief Executive Officer since January 2007 and a common stock director since September 2008. Mr. Zaslav served as President, Cable & Domestic Television and New Media Distribution of NBC Universal, Inc. ("NBC"), a media and entertainment company, from May 2006 to December 2006. Mr. Zaslav served as Executive Vice President of NBC, and President of NBC Cable, a division of NBC, from October 1999 to May 2006. Mr. Zaslav is a member of the board of Sirius XM Radio Inc., Grupo Televisa S.A.B and LionsGate Entertainment Corp.
 
 
Gunnar Wiedenfels
Born September 6, 1977
  
Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Wiedenfels has served as our Chief Financial Officer since April 2017. Prior to joining Discovery, Mr. Wiedenfels served as Chief Financial Officer of ProSiebenSat.1 Media SE ("ProSieben") starting in 2015. Prior to that, he served as ProSieben's Deputy Chief Financial Officer from 2014 to 2015 and served as Chief Group Controller from 2013 to 2015. Previously, he served as ProSieben's Deputy Group Controller, responsible for group-wide budget planning, budget controlling, and management reporting and as Chief Financial Officer, National, where he had commercial responsibility for the group's German- speaking free TV segment. Before this, he worked as a management consultant and engagement manager at McKinsey & Company. In May 2019, Mr. Wiedenfels joined the supervisory board of SAP SE and serves as chairman of their audit committee.
 
 
 
Jean-Briac Perrette
Born April 30,
1971

 
President and CEO of Discovery International. Mr. Perrette became CEO of Discovery International (formerly referred to as Discovery Networks International) in June 2016 and President of Discovery Networks International in March 2014. Prior to that, Mr. Perrette served as our Chief Digital Officer from October 2011 to February 2014. Mr. Perrette served in a number of roles at NBC Universal from March 2000 to October 2011, with the last being President of Digital and Affiliate Distribution.
 
 
 
Adria Alpert Romm
Born March 2, 1955
  
Chief People and Culture Officer since April 2019. Ms. Romm served as our Chief Human Resources and Diversity Officer from March 2014 to March 2019. Prior to that, Ms. Romm served as our Senior Executive Vice President of Human Resources from March 2007 to February 2014. Ms. Romm served as Senior Vice President of Human Resources of NBC from 2004 to 2007. Prior to 2004, Ms. Romm served as a Vice President in Human Resources for the NBC TV network and NBC staff functions.
 
 
Bruce L. Campbell
Born November 26, 1967
  
Chief Development, Distribution & Legal Officer. Mr. Campbell became our Chief Distribution Officer in October 2015, Chief Development Officer in August 2010 and served as our General Counsel from December 2010 to April 2017. Mr. Campbell served as Digital Media Officer from August 2014 through October 2015. Prior to that, Mr. Campbell served as our President, Digital Media & Corporate Development from March 2007 through August 2010. Mr. Campbell also served as our corporate secretary from December 2010 to February 2012. Mr. Campbell served as Executive Vice President, Business Development of NBC from December 2005 to March 2007, and Senior Vice President, Business Development of NBC from January 2003 to November 2005.
 
 
 
Peter Faricy
Born September 7, 1966
 
Chief Executive Officer, Global Direct-To-Consumer. Mr. Faricy joined Discovery in September 2018. Prior to joining Discovery, Mr. Faricy served as Vice President of Amazon Marketplace and has over 20 years of leadership at the intersection of technology and media.
 
 
 
David Leavy
Born December 24, 1969
 
Chief Corporate Operating Officer. Mr. Leavy served as our Chief Corporate Operations and Communications Officer from March 2016 to June 2019 and became our Chief Corporate Operating Officer in July 2019. Prior to that, Mr. Leavy served as our Chief Communications Officer and Senior Executive Vice President, Corporate Marketing and Business Operations from August 2015 to March 2016. From December 2011 to August 2015, Mr. Leavy served as our Chief Communications Officer and Senior Executive Vice President, Corporate Marketing and Affairs. Prior to that, Mr. Leavy served as our Executive Vice President, Communications and Corporate Affairs and has served in a number of other roles at Discovery since joining in March 2000.
 
 
 

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Name
  
Position
 
 
Lori Locke
Born August 23, 1963
  
Chief Accounting Officer. Ms. Locke joined Discovery as our Chief Accounting Officer in June 2019. Prior to joining Discovery, Ms. Locke served as Vice President, Corporate Controller and Principal Accounting Officer for Gannett Co., Inc. (“Gannett”), a media company, from June 2015 to May 2019. Before joining Gannett, Ms. Locke was Vice President and Corporate Assistant Controller for Leidos, Inc. (formerly SAIC, Inc.), a science, engineering and information technology company, from February 2013 to May 2015.
 
 
 
Savalle C. Sims
Born May 21, 1970
 
Executive Vice President and General Counsel. Ms. Sims became Executive Vice President and General Counsel in April 2017. Ms. Sims served as our Executive Vice President and Deputy General Counsel from December 2014 to April 2017. Prior to that, Ms. Sims served as our Senior Vice President, Litigation and Intellectual Property from August 2011 through December 2014. Prior to joining Discovery, Ms. Sims was a partner at the law firm of Arent Fox LLP.

33



PART II
ITEM 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.
Our Series A common stock, Series B common stock and Series C common stock are listed and traded on The Nasdaq Global Select Market (“NASDAQ”) under the symbols “DISCA,” “DISCB” and “DISCK,” respectively.
As of February 13, 2020, there were approximately 1,154, 63 and 1,705 record holders of our Series A common stock, Series B common stock and Series C common stock, respectively. These amounts do not include the number of shareholders whose shares are held of record by banks, brokerage houses or other institutions, but include each such institution as one shareholder.
We have not paid any cash dividends on our Series A common stock, Series B common stock or Series C common stock, and we have no present intention to do so. Payment of cash dividends, if any, will be determined by our Board of Directors after consideration of our earnings, financial condition and other relevant factors such as our credit facility's restrictions on our ability to declare dividends in certain situations.
Stock Performance Graph
The following graph sets forth the cumulative total shareholder return on our Series A common stock, Series B common stock and Series C common stock as compared with the cumulative total return of the companies listed in the Standard and Poor’s 500 Stock Index (“S&P 500 Index”) and a peer group of companies (the "Peer Group"). The Peer Group is comprised of The Walt Disney Company, ViacomCBS, Inc. Class B common stock, Fox Corporation Class A common stock and AMC Networks Inc. Class A common stock. The graph assumes $100 originally invested on December 31, 2014 in each of our Series A common stock, Series B common stock and Series C common stock, the S&P 500 Index, and the stocks of the Peer Group, including reinvestment of dividends, for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019.
STOCKPERFORMANCEGRAPHA26.JPG
 
 
December 31, 
2014
 
December 31, 
2015
 
December 31, 
2016
 
December 31, 
2017
 
December 31, 
2018
 
December 31, 
2019
DISCA
 
$
100.00

 
$
77.45

 
$
79.57

 
$
64.97

 
$
71.83

 
$
95.05

DISCB
 
$
100.00

 
$
73.01

 
$
78.73

 
$
66.99

 
$
90.49

 
$
97.94

DISCK
 
$
100.00

 
$
74.79

 
$
79.42

 
$
62.78

 
$
68.44

 
$
90.42

S&P 500
 
$
100.00

 
$
101.38

 
$
113.51

 
$
138.29

 
$
132.23

 
$
173.86

Peer Group
 
$
100.00

 
$
109.12

 
$
113.12

 
$
116.83

 
$
117.00

 
$
151.28


34



Equity Compensation Plan Information
Information regarding securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans will be set forth in our definitive Proxy Statement for our 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders under the caption “Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans,” which is incorporated herein by reference.
Purchases of Equity Securities
The following table presents information about our repurchases of common stock that were made through open market transactions during the three months ended December 31, 2019 (in millions, except per share amounts).
Period
 
Total Number
of Series C Shares
Purchased
 
Average
Price
Paid per
Share: Series C (a)
 
Total Number
of Shares
Purchased as
Part of  Publicly
Announced
Plans or
Programs
 
Approximate
Dollar Value of
Shares that May
Yet Be Purchased
Under the  Plans or Programs
October 1, 2019 - October 31, 2019
 
1,134,931

 
$
24.77

 
1,134,931

 
$
672,034,973

November 1, 2019 - November 30, 2019
 
4,974,403

 
$
28.94

 
4,974,403

 
$
528,062,205

December 1, 2019- December 31, 2019
 
5,487,478

 
$
30.02

 
5,487,478

 
$
363,320,925

Total
 
11,596,812

 
 
 
11,596,812

 
 

(a) The amounts do not give effect to any fees, commissions or other costs associated with repurchases of shares.

35



ITEM 6. Selected Financial Data.
The selected statement of operations data set forth below for each of the three years ended December 31, 2019 and the selected balance sheet information as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 have been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The selected financial data for each of the two years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 and the selected balance sheet information as of December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 have been derived from financial statements not included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Selected Statement of Operations Information:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
 
$
11,144

 
$
10,553

 
$
6,873

 
$
6,497

 
$
6,394

Operating income
 
3,009

 
1,934

 
713

 
2,058

 
1,985

Net income (loss)
 
2,213

 
681

 
(313
)
 
1,218

 
1,048

Net income (loss) available to Discovery, Inc.
 
2,069

 
594

 
(337
)
 
1,194

 
1,034

Basic earnings (loss) per share available to Discovery, Inc. Series A, B and C common stockholders
 
$
2.90

 
$
0.86

 
$
(0.59
)
 
$
1.97

 
$
1.59

Diluted earnings (loss) per share available to Discovery, Inc. Series A, B and C common stockholders
 
$
2.88

 
$
0.86

 
$
(0.59
)
 
$
1.96

 
$
1.58

Weighted average shares outstanding:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
529

 
498

 
384

 
401

 
432

Diluted
 
711

 
688

 
576

 
610

 
656

Selected Balance Sheet Information:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
1,552

 
$
986

 
$
7,309

 
$
300

 
$
390

Total assets
 
33,735

 
32,550

 
22,555

 
15,672

 
15,803

Deferred income tax
 
1,691

 
1,811

 
319

 
467

 
495

Long-term debt:
 


 


 
 
 
 
 
 
Current portion
 
609

 
1,819

 
30

 
82

 
119

Long-term portion
 
14,810

 
14,974

 
14,755

 
7,841

 
7,616

Total liabilities
 
21,769

 
22,033

 
17,532

 
10,262

 
10,111

Redeemable noncontrolling interests
 
442

 
415

 
413

 
243

 
241

Equity attributable to Discovery, Inc.
 
9,891

 
8,386

 
4,610

 
5,167

 
5,451

Total equity
 
11,524

 
10,102

 
4,610

 
5,167

 
5,451

 
2019
In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-02, which requires lessees to recognize almost all of their leases on the balance sheet by recording a right-of-use asset and lease liability. The Company adopted ASU 2016-02 effective January 1, 2019 and such adoption resulted in recognition of operating lease right-of-use assets of $342 million and operating lease liabilities of $372 million. The operating lease right-of use assets recorded upon adoption were offset by prepaid and deferred rent balances and ASC 420 liabilities totaling approximately $30 million. In addition, capital lease obligations totaling $252 million as of December 31, 2018 (known as finance lease liabilities effective January 1, 2019) were reclassified from current and noncurrent debt to other components of current and noncurrent liabilities to conform with the new presentation. The adoption did not affect the pattern of expense recognition or cash flow presentation.
Discovery and BBC Studios dissolved their 50/50 joint venture, UKTV, a British multi-channel broadcaster ("UKTV"), with the Company taking full control of UKTV’s three lifestyle channels. Total net assets received in in the dissolution of UKTV was $396 million.
The Company recognized a goodwill impairment charge totaling $155 million for its Asia-Pacific reporting unit.
2018
In March 2018, Discovery acquired Scripps Networks. Scripps Networks is a wholly-owned subsidiary whose total assets and total revenues represented approximately 55% and 29%, respectively, of the Company’s related consolidated financial statement amounts as of and for the year ended December 31, 2018.

36



In April 2018, Discovery sold an 88% controlling equity stake in its Education Business to Francisco Partners for a sale price of $113 million. The Company recorded a gain of $84 million based on net assets disposed of $44 million, including $40 million of goodwill.
For the year ended December 31, 2018, Discovery incurred transaction and integration costs for the Scripps Networks acquisition of $110 million.
2017
Discovery recognized a goodwill impairment charge totaling $1.3 billion for its European reporting unit.
Discovery acquired a controlling interest in OWN from Harpo, increasing Discovery’s ownership stake from 49.50% to 73.99%. Discovery paid $70 million in cash and recognized a gain of $33 million to account for the difference between the carrying value and the fair value of the previously held 49.50% equity interest.
Discovery acquired a 67.5% controlling interest in MotorTrend Group LLC ("MTG") (then known as VTEN), a new joint venture with GoldenTree, in exchange for its contribution of the Velocity network. In April 2017, Discovery sold Raw and Betty to All3Media and recorded a loss of $4 million upon disposition.
Discovery incurred transaction and integration costs for the Scripps Networks acquisition of $79 million, including the $35 million charge associated with the modification of Advance/Newhouse's preferred stock.
In conjunction with the Scripps Networks acquisition, Discovery executed a number of new derivative instruments that were settled during September 2017, resulting in a $98 million and $12 million loss in connection with interest rate and foreign exchange contracts, respectively.
2016
The Company recorded an other-than-temporary impairment of $62 million related to its investment in Lionsgate.
Discovery acquired a minority interest in and formed a new joint venture, Group Nine Media Inc. ("Group Nine Media"), in exchange for contributions of $100 million and Discovery's digital network businesses Seeker and SourceFed, resulting in a gain of $50 million upon deconsolidation of the businesses ("Group Nine Transaction"). Discovery owns a 25% minority interest in Group Nine Media on an outstanding shares basis with a carrying value of $256 million.

37



ITEM 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is a supplement to and should be read in conjunction with the accompanying consolidated financial statements and related notes. This section provides additional information regarding our businesses, current developments, results of operations, cash flows, financial condition, contractual commitments and critical accounting policies.
A discussion of our results of operations and liquidity for fiscal 2018 compared to fiscal 2017 can be found under Item 7 in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, filed on March 1, 2019, which is available free of charge on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and our Investor Relations website at ir.corporate.discovery.com.
BUSINESS OVERVIEW
We are a global media company that provides content across multiple distribution platforms, including linear platforms such as pay-TV, FTA and broadcast television, authenticated TVE applications, digital distribution arrangements, content licensing arrangements and DTC subscription products. For a discussion of our global portfolio of networks and joint ventures see our business overview set forth in Item 1, “Business” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Our objectives are to invest in content for our networks to build viewership, optimize distribution revenue, capture advertising sales and create or reposition branded channels and businesses that can sustain long-term growth and occupy a desired content niche with strong consumer appeal. Our strategy is to maximize the distribution, ratings and profit potential of each of our branded networks. In addition to growing distribution and advertising revenues for our branded networks, we are extending content distribution across new platforms, including brand-aligned websites, on-line streaming, mobile devices, VOD and broadband channels, which provide promotional platforms for our television content and serve as additional outlets for advertising and distribution revenue. Audience ratings are a key driver in generating advertising revenue and creating demand on the part of cable television operators, DTH satellite operators, telecommunication service providers, and other content distributors, that deliver our content to their customers.
Our content spans genres including survival, natural history, exploration, sports, general entertainment, home, food and travel, heroes, adventure, crime and investigation, health and kids. We have an extensive library of high-definition content and own rights to much of our content and footage, which enables us to exploit our library to launch brands and services into new markets quickly. Our content can be re-edited and updated in a cost-effective manner to provide topical versions of subject matter that can be utilized around the world on a variety of platforms.
Although the Company utilizes certain brands and content globally, we classify our operations in two reportable segments: U.S. Networks, consisting principally of domestic television networks and digital distribution arrangements, and International Networks, consisting primarily of international television networks and digital distribution arrangements. In addition, Other consists principally of a production studio, and prior to the sale of the Education Business in April 2018, curriculum-based education products and services (See Note 3 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.) Our segment presentation aligns with our management structure and the financial information management uses to make strategic and operating decisions, such as the allocation of resources and business performance assessments. For further discussion of our Company, segments in which we do business, and our content development activities and revenues, see our business overview set forth in Item 1, "Business" in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The discussion below compares our actual results for the year ended December 31, 2019 to the year ended December 31, 2018, as well as our actual results for the year ended December 31, 2019 to pro forma combined results for the year ended December 31, 2018, as if the Scripps Networks acquisition occurred on January 1, 2017. Scripps Networks was acquired on March 6, 2018. Management believes reviewing our actual operating results in addition to combined pro forma results is useful in identifying trends in, or reaching conclusions regarding, the overall operating performance of our businesses. Our combined U.S. Networks, International Networks and Corporate and Inter-Segment Eliminations pro forma information is based on the historical operating results of the respective businesses as applicable to each segment and includes adjustments directly attributable to the prior year Scripps Networks acquisition as if it had occurred on January 1, 2017, such as:
1.
The impact of the purchase price allocation to the fair value of assets, liabilities, and noncontrolling interests, such as intangible amortization;
2.
Adjustments to remove items associated with the acquisition of Scripps Networks that will not have a continuing impact on the combined entity, such as transaction costs and the impact of employee retention agreements; and
3.
Changes to align accounting policies.

38



Adjustments do not include costs related to integration activities, cost savings or synergies that have been or may be achieved by the combined businesses. Pro forma amounts are not necessarily indicative of what our results would have been had we operated Scripps Networks since January 1, 2017 and should not be taken as indicative of the Company's future consolidated results of operations.
Consolidated Results of Operations – 2019 vs. 2018
Our consolidated results of operations for 2019 and 2018 were as follows (in millions).
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Actual
 
Actual
Pro Forma Adjustments
Pro Forma Combined
 
Actual Change
 
Pro Forma Combined Change
 
Pro Forma Combined Change Ex-FX
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Advertising
 
$
6,044

 
$
5,514

$
425

$
5,939

 
$
530

10
 %
 
$
105

2
 %
 
$
203

3
 %
Distribution
 
4,835

 
4,538

178

4,716

 
297

7
 %
 
119

3
 %
 
237

5
 %
Other
 
265

 
501

20

521

 
(236
)
(47
)%
 
(256
)
(49
)%
 
(238
)
(47
)%
Total revenues
 
11,144

 
10,553

623

11,176

 
591

6
 %
 
(32
)
 %
 
202

2
 %
Costs of revenues, excluding depreciation and amortization
 
3,819

 
3,935

205

4,140

 
(116
)
(3
)%
 
(321
)
(8
)%
 
(240
)
(6
)%
Selling, general and administrative
 
2,788

 
2,620

132

2,752

 
168

6
 %
 
36

1
 %
 
94

3
 %
Depreciation and amortization
 
1,347

 
1,398

(76
)
1,322

 
(51
)
(4
)%
 
25

2
 %
 
85

7
 %
Impairment of goodwill
 
155

 



 
155

NM

 
155

NM

 
155

NM

Restructuring and other charges
 
26

 
750

10

760

 
(724
)
(97
)%
 
(734
)
(97
)%
 
(727
)
(97
)%
Gain on disposition
 

 
(84
)

(84
)
 
84

NM

 
84

NM

 
84

NM

Total costs and expenses
 
8,135

 
8,619

271

8,890

 
(484
)
(6
)%
 
(755
)
(8
)%
 
(549
)
(6
)%
Operating income
 
3,009

 
1,934

352

2,286

 
1,075

56
 %
 
723

32
 %
 
751

33
 %
Interest expense, net
 
(677
)
 
(729
)
 
 
 
52

(7
)%
 

 

 
 
Loss on extinguishment of debt
 
(28
)
 

 
 
 
(28
)
NM

 

 

 
 
Loss from equity investees, net
 
(2
)
 
(63
)
 
 
 
61

(97
)%
 

 

 
 
Other expense, net
 
(8
)
 
(120
)
 
 
 
112

(93
)%
 

 

 
 
Income before income taxes
 
2,294

 
1,022

 
 
 
1,272

NM

 

 

 
 
Income tax expense
 
(81
)
 
(341
)
 
 
 
260

(76
)%
 

 

 
 
Net income
 
2,213

 
681

 
 
 
1,532

NM

 

 

 
 
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
(128
)
 
(67
)
 
 
 
(61
)
91
 %
 

 

 
 
Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests
 
(16
)
 
(20
)
 
 
 
4

(20
)%
 

 

 
 
Net income available to Discovery, Inc.
 
$
2,069

 
$
594

 
 
 
1,475

NM

 

 

 
 
NM - Not meaningful

39



Revenues
Our advertising revenue is generated across multiple platforms and consists of consumer advertising, which is sold primarily on a national basis in the U.S. and on a pan-regional or local-language feed basis outside the U.S. Advertising contracts generally have a term of one year or less. Advertising revenue is dependent upon a number of factors, including the stage of development of television markets, the popularity of FTA television, the number of subscribers to our channels, viewership demographics, the popularity of our content and our ability to sell commercial time over a group of channels. Revenue from advertising is subject to seasonality, market-based variations, the mix in sales of commercial time between the upfront and scatter markets, and general economic conditions. Advertising revenue is typically highest in the second and fourth quarters. In some cases, advertising sales are subject to ratings guarantees that require us to provide additional advertising time if the guaranteed audience levels are not achieved. We also generate revenue from the sale of advertising through our digital products on a stand-alone basis and as part of advertising packages with our television networks.
Advertising revenue increased 10% for the year ended December 31, 2019. Excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, advertising revenue increased 12%. On a pro forma combined basis excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, advertising revenue increased 3%. On a pro forma combined basis, excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, the increase was primarily a result of an increase of 3% and 4% at U.S. Networks and International Networks, respectively. Increases at U.S. Networks were attributable to increases in pricing, and to a lesser extent, the continued monetization of digital content offerings and inventory, partially offset by lower overall ratings and the secular declines in the pay television ecosystem. Increases at International Networks were primarily driven by the consolidation of the UKTV Lifestyle Business, growth in DTC initiatives and to a lesser extent, higher pricing in certain markets in Europe, partially offset by the impact of the Olympics in 2018.
Distribution revenue consists principally of fees from affiliates for distributing our linear networks, supplemented by revenue earned from SVOD content licensing and other emerging forms of digital distribution. The largest component of distribution revenue is comprised of linear distribution services for rights to our networks from cable, DTH satellite and telecommunication service providers. We have contracts with distributors representing most cable and satellite service providers around the world, including the largest operators in the U.S. and major international distributors. Distribution revenues are largely dependent on the rates negotiated in the agreements, the number of subscribers that receive our networks or content, the number of platforms covered in the distribution agreement, and the market demand for the content that we provide. From time to time, renewals of multi-year carriage agreements include significant year one market adjustments to re-set subscriber rates, which then increase at rates lower than the initial increase in the following years. In some cases, we have provided distributors launch incentives, in the form of cash payments or free periods, to carry our networks. Distribution revenue also includes fees charged for bulk content arrangements and other subscription services for episodic content. These digital distribution revenues are impacted by the quantity, as well as the quality, of the content we provide.
Distribution revenue increased 7% for the year ended December 31, 2019. Excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, distribution revenue increased 9%. On a pro forma combined basis excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, distribution revenue increased 5%. On a pro forma combined basis, excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, the increase was primarily a result of an increase of 5% at both U.S. Networks and International Networks. Increases at U.S. Networks were attributable to increases in contractual affiliate rates and additional carriage on virtual multichannel video programming distributors, partially offset by a decline in overall subscribers. Increases at International Networks were primarily attributable to the impact of certain content licensing arrangements in our Latin America business unit, higher affiliate rates in Europe and monetization of DTC initiatives in Europe and Asia.
We also generate other revenue associated with content production from our production studio. Prior to the sale of the Education Business in April 2018, we generated other revenue from curriculum-based products and services, the licensing of our brands for consumer products and third-party content sales.
Other revenue decreased 47% for the year ended December 31, 2019. Excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, other revenue decreased 45%. On a pro forma combined basis excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, other revenue decreased 47%. On a pro forma combined basis, excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, the decrease was primarily a result of decreases of 29% and 50% at U.S. Networks and International Networks, respectively. The decreases were primarily attributable to the impact of sublicensing of Olympics sports rights in 2018.
Revenue for our segments is discussed separately below under the heading “Segment Results of Operations.”
Costs of Revenues
Our principal component of costs of revenues is content expense. Content expense includes television series, television specials, films, sporting events and digital products. The costs of producing a content asset and bringing that asset to market consist of film costs, participation costs, exploitation costs and manufacturing costs.

40



Costs of revenues decreased 3% for the year ended December 31, 2019. Excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, costs of revenue decreased 1%. On a pro forma combined basis excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, costs of revenue decreased 6%. On a pro forma combined basis, excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, the decrease was primarily a result of a decrease of 5% and 6% at U.S. Networks and International Networks, respectively. As reported content rights expense was $2.9 billion for each of the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018. Decreases at U.S. Networks were primarily driven by lower content amortization due to content synergies related to the integration of Scripps Networks. Decreases at International Networks were primarily attributable to the impact of costs related to the Olympics in 2018, partially offset by higher investments in linear content and our DTC initiatives, and consolidation of the UKTV Lifestyle Business.
Selling, General and Administrative
Selling, general and administrative expenses consist principally of employee costs, marketing costs, research costs, occupancy and back office support fees. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 6% for the year ended December 31, 2019. Excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, selling, general and administrative increased 11%. On a pro forma combined basis excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, selling, general and administrative expenses increased 3%. On a pro forma combined basis, excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, the increase was primarily a result of an increase of 11% at International Networks, partially offset by a 3% decline at U.S. Networks. Increases at International Networks were primarily due to investments in technology and personnel as well as higher marketing expenses driven by subscriber acquisition costs for our DTC initiatives, partially offset by the Olympics and certain channel launches in Asia in 2018. Decreases at U.S. Networks were primarily driven by cost reductions in personnel, technology and professional services fees, partially offset by higher marketing expenses in support of our DTC initiatives.
Impairment of Goodwill
Goodwill impairment expense of $155 million was recorded during the year ended December 31, 2019. There was no goodwill impairment expense recorded for the year ended December 31, 2018. (See Note 7 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization expense includes depreciation of fixed assets and amortization of finite-lived intangible assets. Depreciation and amortization decreased 4% for the year ended December 31, 2019. The decrease is primarily attributable to amortization related to the advertising revenue backlog intangible recorded as part of the acquisition of Scripps Networks, which had a one-year useful life and was fully amortized during the first quarter of 2019.
Restructuring and Other Charges
Restructuring and other charges were $26 million and $750 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The restructuring and other charges for the year ended December 31, 2018 included content impairments associated with changes in programming strategies, involuntary severance actions associated with the integration of Scripps Networks, costs associated with the termination of long-term programming arrangements, and lease exit costs.
Gain on Disposition
There was no gain on disposition for the year ended December 31, 2019. For the year ended December 31, 2018 there was a gain of $84 million due to the sale of a controlling stake in the Education Business in April 2018. (See Note 3 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
Interest Expense, net
Interest expense decreased 7% during the year ended December 31, 2019. The decrease was primarily attributable to interest income related to the change in fair value of the Company's cross currency swaps and an overall reduction in debt levels. (See Note 10 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
Loss from Equity Investees, net
We reported losses from our equity method investees of $2 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to losses of $63 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. The changes are attributable to the Company's share of earnings and losses from its equity investees. (See Note 4 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)

41



Other Expense, net
The table below presents the details of other income (expense), net (in millions).
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
Foreign currency gains (losses), net
 
$
17

 
$
(93
)
(Losses) gains on derivative instruments
 
(52
)
 
50

Remeasurement gain on previously held equity interest
 
14

 

Change in the value of common stock investments with readily determinable fair value
 
(26
)
 
(88
)
Gain on sale of equity method investments
 
13

 

Interest income
 
22

 
15

Other income (expense), net
 
4

 
(4
)
Total other expense, net
 
$
(8
)
 
$
(120
)
Income Taxes
The following table reconciles the Company's effective income tax rate to the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate.
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
U.S. federal statutory income tax provision
 
$
482

 
21
 %
 
$
215

 
21
 %
State and local income taxes, net of federal tax benefit
 
27

 
1
 %
 
10

 
1
 %
Effect of foreign operations
 
(21
)
 
(1
)%
 
111

 
11
 %
Change in uncertain tax positions
 
3

 
 %
 
37

 
3
 %
Legal entity restructuring, deferred tax impact
 
(445
)
 
(19
)%
 

 
 %
Impairment of goodwill
 
32

 
1
 %
 

 
 %
Renewable energy investments tax credits (See Note 4)
 
(1
)
 
 %
 
(12
)
 
(1
)%
Noncontrolling interest adjustment
 
(30
)
 
(1
)%
 
(18
)
 
(2
)%
U.S. legislative changes
 

 
 %
 
(19
)
 
(2
)%
Non-deductible compensation
 
22

 
1
 %
 
20

 
2
 %
Other, net
 
12

 
1
 %
 
(3
)
 
 %
Income tax expense
 
$
81

 
4
 %
 
$
341

 
33
 %

Income tax expense was $81 million and $341 million, and our effective tax rate was 4% and 33% for 2019 and 2018, respectively. The decrease in income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2019 was primarily attributable to the discrete, one-time, non-cash deferred tax benefit of $445 million from legal entity restructurings discussed below. Additionally, the decrease in income tax expense was attributable to a decrease in the provision for uncertain tax positions and a decrease in the effect of foreign operations, which was mainly driven by the establishment of certain valuation allowances during the year ended December 31, 2018 that did not recur in 2019, and a tax benefit realized during the year ended December 31, 2019 from the final regulations related to the determination of the foreign tax credit released by the U.S. Treasury department and IRS in December 2019. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in income and the impact of a goodwill impairment charge that was non-deductible for tax purposes during the year ended December 31, 2019. Finally, the income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2018 included a one-time discrete tax benefit from U.S. legislative changes that extended the accelerated deduction of qualified film productions.

42



We carried out numerous internal transactions during the year ended December 31, 2019 that were intended to integrate assets acquired from the Scripps Networks business with the Discovery business; streamline and simplify our corporate entity structures; simplify our internal financing structures; respond to the expected exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union; make our managerial structures and processes more efficient and nimble; and reduce costs associated with the maintenance of legal entities. These transactions included mergers, liquidations, and intercompany sales among members of the consolidated Discovery group. Some of these transactions have resulted in changes in certain of our deferred tax items, which are based on differences between the book versus tax bases of the assets and liabilities and on certain tax attributes, such as net operating loss carryovers. The items involved in these restructurings relate to a variety of jurisdictions in our International Networks segment. Recent changes in accounting for intercompany transactions have also impacted our effective tax rate. For example, following our adoption of Accounting Standards Update 2016-16, effective January 1, 2018, the income tax effects of intercompany transfers will be recognized in the period in which the transfer occurs, rather than amortized over time, which will increase the impact of such transfers on our effective tax rate in the periods in which the transfers occur. Moreover, U.S. tax reform has a continued effect as the U.S. Treasury Department issues final regulations clarifying application of the new law; and several tax controversies have come to resolution. The net effect of the various changes in our deferred tax balances and related valuation allowances has been the recognition of a one-time, non-cash deferred income tax benefit of $445 million during the year ended December 31, 2019.
Segment Results of Operations – 2019 vs. 2018
We evaluate the operating performance of our operating segments based on financial measures such as revenues and Adjusted OIBDA. Adjusted OIBDA is defined as operating income excluding: (i) employee share-based compensation, (ii) depreciation and amortization, (iii) restructuring and other charges, (iv) certain impairment charges, (v) gains and losses on business and asset dispositions, (vi) certain inter-segment eliminations related to production studios, (vii) third-party transaction costs directly related to the acquisition and integration of Scripps Networks and other transactions, and (viii) other items impacting comparability, such as the non-cash settlement of a withholding tax claim. We use this measure to assess the operating results and performance of our segments, perform analytical comparisons, identify strategies to improve performance, and allocate resources to each segment. We believe Adjusted OIBDA is relevant to investors because it allows them to analyze the operating performance of each segment using the same metric management uses. We exclude share-based compensation, restructuring and other charges, certain impairment charges, gains and losses on business and asset dispositions, and acquisition and integration costs from the calculation of Adjusted OIBDA due to their impact on comparability between periods. We also exclude the depreciation of fixed assets and amortization of intangible assets, as these amounts do not represent cash payments in the current reporting period. Certain corporate expenses and inter-segment eliminations related to production studios are excluded from segment results to enable executive management to evaluate segment performance based upon the decisions of segment executives.
Adjusted OIBDA should be considered in addition to, but not a substitute for, operating income, net income and other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”).
Effective January 1, 2019, our definition of Adjusted OIBDA was modified to exclude all employee share-based compensation, whereas only mark-to-market share-based compensation was previously excluded. Over time, the Company has moved to a higher percentage of equity-classified awards (in lieu of liability-classified awards, which require mark-to-market accounting) under its stock incentive plans and expects to continue this practice in future periods. Since most equity classified awards are non-cash expenses not entirely under management control, we have elected to exclude all share-based compensation from Adjusted OIBDA beginning in 2019. The revised definition of Adjusted OIBDA was used by our chief operating decision maker in evaluating segment performance in 2019. Accordingly, prior period amounts have been recast to reflect the current definition.
Additional financial information for our segments and geographical areas in which we do business is discussed in Note 23 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements included in Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

43



The table below presents our Adjusted OIBDA by segment, with a reconciliation of consolidated net income available to Discovery, Inc. to total Adjusted OIBDA (in millions).
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
% Change
Net income available to Discovery, Inc.
 
$
2,069

 
$
594

 
NM

Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests
 
16

 
20

 
(20
)%
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
128

 
67

 
91
 %
Income tax expense
 
81

 
341

 
(76
)%
Income before income taxes
 
2,294

 
1,022

 
NM

Other expense, net
 
8

 
120

 
(93
)%
Loss from equity investees, net
 
2

 
63

 
(97
)%
Loss on extinguishment of debt
 
28

 

 
NM

Interest expense, net
 
677

 
729

 
(7
)%
Operating income
 
3,009

 
1,934

 
56
 %
Gain on disposition
 

 
(84
)
 
NM

Restructuring and other charges
 
26

 
750

 
(97
)%
Impairment of goodwill
 
155

 

 
NM

Depreciation and amortization
 
1,347

 
1,398

 
(4
)%
Employee share-based compensation
 
137

 
80

 
71
 %
Transaction and integration costs
 
26

 
110

 
(76
)%
Settlement of a withholding tax claim
 
(29
)
 

 
NM

Total Adjusted OIBDA
 
$
4,671

 
$
4,188

 
12
 %
Adjusted OIBDA:
 
 
 
 
 


U.S. Networks
 
4,117

 
3,500

 
18
 %
International Networks
 
1,057

 
1,077

 
(2
)%
Other
 
4

 
3

 
33
 %
Corporate and inter-segment eliminations
 
(507
)
 
(392
)
 
29
 %
Total Adjusted OIBDA
 
$
4,671

 
$
4,188

 
12
 %

The table below presents the calculation of total Adjusted OIBDA (in millions).
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
% Change
Revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Networks
 
$
7,092

 
$
6,350

 
12
 %
International Networks
 
4,041

 
4,149

 
(3
)%
Other
 
11

 
54

 
(80
)%
Corporate and inter-segment eliminations
 

 

 
NM

Total revenue
 
11,144

 
10,553

 
6
 %
Costs of revenues, excluding depreciation and amortization
 
3,819

 
3,935

 
(3
)%
Selling, general and administrative (a)
 
2,654

 
2,430

 
9
 %
Adjusted OIBDA
 
$
4,671

 
$
4,188

 
12
 %
(a) Selling, general and administrative expenses exclude employee share-based compensation, third-party transaction and integration costs related to the acquisition of Scripps Networks and other transactions, and for 2019, exclude the settlement of a withholding tax claim.

44



U.S. Networks
The table below presents, for our U.S. Networks segment, revenues by type, certain operating expenses, Adjusted OIBDA and a reconciliation of Adjusted OIBDA to operating income (in millions).
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Actual
 
Actual
Pro Forma Adjustments
Pro Forma Combined
 
Actual Change
 
Pro Forma Combined Change
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Advertising
 
$
4,245

 
$
3,749

$
356

$
4,105

 
$
496

13
 %
 
$
140

3
 %
Distribution
 
2,739

 
2,456

156

2,612

 
283

12
 %
 
127

5
 %
Other
 
108

 
145

7

152

 
(37
)
(26
)%
 
(44
)
(29
)%
Total revenues
 
7,092

 
6,350

519

6,869

 
742

12
 %
 
223

3
 %
Costs of revenues, excluding depreciation and amortization
 
1,800

 
1,748

153

1,901

 
52

3
 %
 
(101
)
(5
)%
Selling, general and administrative
 
1,175

 
1,102

111

1,213

 
73

7
 %
 
(38
)
(3
)%
Total Adjusted OIBDA
 
4,117

 
3,500

255

3,755

 
617

18
 %
 
362

10
 %
Employee share-based compensation
 

 
(1
)

(1
)
 
1

NM

 
1

NM

Depreciation and amortization
 
950

 
985

(95
)
890

 
(35
)
(4
)%
 
60

7
 %
Restructuring and other charges
 
15

 
322

5

327

 
(307
)
(95
)%
 
(312
)
(95
)%
Transactions and integration costs
 

 
14


14

 
(14
)
NM

 
(14
)
NM

Inter-segment eliminations
 
7

 
(2
)
(5
)
(7
)
 
9

NM

 
14

NM

Operating income
 
$
3,145

 
$
2,182

$
350

$
2,532

 
$
963

44
 %
 
$
613

24
 %
Revenues
As reported advertising revenue increased 13% for the year ended December 31, 2019. On a pro forma combined basis, advertising revenue increased 3%. The increases for such periods were attributable to increases in pricing, and to a lesser extent, the continued monetization of digital content offerings and inventory, partially offset by lower overall ratings and secular declines in the pay television ecosystem. On an as reported basis, advertising revenue was additionally impacted by the prior year acquisition of Scripps Networks.
As reported distribution revenue increased 12% for the year ended December 31, 2019. On a pro forma combined basis, distribution revenue increased 5%. The increases for such periods were attributable to increases in contractual affiliate rates and additional carriage on virtual multichannel video programming distributors, partially offset by a decline in overall subscribers. On an as reported basis, distribution revenue was additionally impacted by the prior year acquisition of Scripps Networks. Total portfolio subscribers declined 5% for the year ended December 31, 2019, while subscribers to our fully distributed networks declined 3% for the same period.
As reported other revenue decreased $37 million. On a pro forma combined basis, other revenue decreased $44 million.
Costs of Revenues
As reported costs of revenues increased 3% for the year ended December 31, 2019, primarily due to the prior year acquisition of Scripps Networks. On a pro forma combined basis, costs of revenues decreased 5%, primarily driven by lower content amortization due to content synergies related to the integration of Scripps Networks. Content expense was $1.5 billion for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Pro forma combined content expense was $1.5 billion and $1.6 billion for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Content impairment is generally a component of costs of revenue on the consolidated statements of operations. However, during the year ended December 31, 2018, content impairments of $221 million were reflected as a component of restructuring and other charges as a result of the strategic programming changes following the acquisition of Scripps Networks. No content impairments were recorded as a component of restructuring and other charges during the year ended December 31, 2019.

45



Selling, General and Administrative
As reported selling, general and administrative expenses increased 7% for the year ended December 31, 2019, primarily due to the prior year acquisition of Scripps Networks. On a pro forma combined basis, selling, general and administrative expenses decreased 3%, primarily as a result of cost reductions in personnel, technology and professional services fees, partially offset by higher marketing expenses in support of our DTC initiatives.
Adjusted OIBDA
Adjusted OIBDA increased 18%, primarily due to the factors described above. On a pro forma combined basis, adjusted OIBDA increased 10%.
International Networks
The following table presents, for our International Networks segment, revenues by type, certain operating expenses, Adjusted OIBDA and a reconciliation of Adjusted OIBDA to operating income (in millions).
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Actual
 
Actual
Pro Forma Adjustments
Pro Forma Combined
 
Actual Change
 
Pro Forma Combined Change
 
Pro Forma Combined Change Ex-FX
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Advertising
 
$
1,799

 
$
1,765

$
69

$
1,834

 
$
34

2
 %
 
$
(35
)
(2
)%
 
$
63

4
 %
Distribution
 
2,096

 
2,082

22

2,104

 
14

1
 %
 
(8
)
 %
 
109

5
 %
Other
 
146

 
302

13

315

 
(156
)
(52
)%
 
(169
)
(54
)%
 
(152
)
(50
)%
Total revenues
 
4,041

 
4,149

104

4,253

 
(108
)
(3
)%
 
(212
)
(5
)%
 
20

 %
Costs of revenues, excluding depreciation and amortization
 
2,016

 
2,169

52

2,221

 
(153
)
(7
)%
 
(205
)
(9
)%
 
(126
)
(6
)%
Selling, general and administrative
 
968

 
903

27

930

 
65

7
 %
 
38

4
 %
 
95

11
 %
Total Adjusted OIBDA
 
1,057

 
1,077

25

1,102

 
(20
)
(2
)%
 
(45
)
(4
)%
 
51

5
 %
Depreciation and amortization
 
328

 
315

19

334

 
13

4
 %
 
(6
)
(2
)%
 
54

19
 %
Impairment of goodwill
 
155

 



 
155

NM

 
155

NM

 
155

NM

Restructuring and other charges
 
20

 
307

2

309

 
(287
)
(93
)%
 
(289
)
(94
)%
 
(282
)
(93
)%
Transaction and integration costs
 

 
3


3

 
(3
)
NM

 
(3
)
NM

 
(3
)
NM

Inter-segment eliminations
 
20

 
18

4

22

 
2

11
 %
 
(2
)
(9
)%
 
(3
)
(13
)%
Settlement of a withholding tax claim
 
(29
)
 



 
(29
)
NM

 
(29
)
NM

 
(29
)
NM

Operating income
 
$
563

 
$
434

$

$
434

 
$
129

30
 %
 
$
129

30
 %
 
$
159

37
 %
Revenues
As reported advertising revenue increased 2% for the year ended December 31, 2019. Excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, advertising revenue increased 8%. On a pro forma combined basis, excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, advertising revenue increased 4%. On a pro forma combined basis, excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, the increase was primarily driven by the consolidation of the UKTV Lifestyle Business, growth in DTC initiatives and, to a lesser extent, higher pricing in certain markets in Europe, partially offset by the impact of the Olympics in 2018.
As reported distribution revenue increased 1% for the year ended December 31, 2019. Excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, distribution revenue increased 7%. On a pro forma combined basis, excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, distribution revenue increased 5%. On a pro forma combined basis, excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, the increase was primarily attributable to the impact of certain content licensing arrangements in our Latin America business unit, higher affiliate rates in Europe and monetization of DTC initiatives in Europe and Asia.
As reported other revenue decreased $156 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. Excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, other revenue decreased $140 million. On a pro forma combined basis, excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, other revenue decreased $152 million. On a pro forma combined basis, excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, the decrease in other revenue was primarily attributable to the impact of sublicensing of Olympics sports rights in 2018.

46



Costs of Revenues
As reported costs of revenues decreased 7% for the year ended December 31, 2019. Excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, costs of revenues decreased 3%. On a pro forma combined basis, excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, costs of revenues decreased 6%. On a pro forma combined basis, excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, the decrease was primarily attributable to the impact of costs related to the Olympics in 2018, partially offset by higher investments in linear content and our DTC initiatives and the consolidation of the UKTV Lifestyle Business. As reported content rights expense was $1.3 billion and $1.4 billion for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Content impairment is generally a component of costs of revenue on the consolidated statements of operations. However, during the year ended December 31, 2018, content impairments of $184 million were reflected as a component of restructuring and other charges as a result of the strategic programming changes following the acquisition of Scripps Networks. No content impairments were recorded as a component of restructuring and other charges during the year ended December 31, 2019.
Selling, General and Administrative
As reported selling, general and administrative expenses increased 7% for the year ended December 31, 2019. Excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, selling, general, and administrative expenses increased 13%. On a pro forma combined basis, excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, selling, general and administrative expenses increased 11%. On a pro forma combined basis, excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, the increase was primarily due to investments in technology and personnel as well as higher marketing expenses driven by subscriber acquisition costs for our DTC initiatives, partially offset by the Olympics and certain channel launches in Asia in 2018.
Adjusted OIBDA
Adjusted OIBDA decreased 2% for the year ended December 31, 2019. Excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, adjusted OIBDA increased 8%. On a pro forma combined basis, excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, adjusted OIBDA increased 5%, primarily due to the factors above.
Other
The following table presents revenues, certain operating expenses, Adjusted OIBDA, and a reconciliation of Adjusted OIBDA to operating income (in millions) for Other.
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
% Change
Revenues
 
$
11

 
$
54

 
(80
)%
Costs of revenues, excluding depreciation and amortization
 
1

 
17

 
(94
)%
Selling, general and administrative
 
6

 
34

 
(82
)%
Adjusted OIBDA
 
4

 
3

 
33
 %
Depreciation and amortization
 

 
2

 
NM

Restructuring and other charges
 

 
1

 
NM

Gain on disposition
 

 
(85
)
 
NM

Inter-segment eliminations
 
(13
)
 
(12
)
 
8
 %
Operating income
 
$
17

 
$
97

 
(82
)%
Subsequent to the sale of an 88% stake in the Education Business resulting in deconsolidation in 2018, Other only includes activities associated with intercompany sales of productions for our U.S. Networks segment.

47



Corporate and Inter-segment Eliminations
The following table presents our unallocated corporate amounts including revenue, certain operating expenses, Adjusted OIBDA and a reconciliation of Adjusted OIBDA to operating loss (in millions).
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Actual
 
Actual
Pro Forma Adjustments
Pro Forma Combined
 
Actual Change
 
Pro Forma Combined Change
Costs of revenues, excluding depreciation and amortization
 
2

 
1


1

 
1

NM

 
1

NM

Selling, general and administrative
 
505

 
391

21

412

 
114

29
 %
 
93

23
 %
Adjusted OIBDA
 
(507
)
 
(392
)
(21
)
(413
)
 
(115
)
29
 %
 
(94
)
23
 %
Employee share-based compensation
 
137

 
81

1

82

 
56

69
 %
 
55

67
 %
Depreciation and amortization
 
69

 
96


96

 
(27
)
(28
)%
 
(27
)
(28
)%
Restructuring and other charges
 
(9
)
 
120

3

123

 
(129
)
NM

 
(132
)
NM

Transaction and integration costs
 
26

 
93

(28
)
65

 
(67
)
(72
)%
 
(39
)
(60
)%
Loss on disposition
 

 
1


1

 
(1
)
NM

 
(1
)
NM

Inter-segment eliminations
 
(14
)
 
(4
)
1

(3
)
 
(10
)
NM

 
(11
)
NM

Operating loss
 
$
(716
)
 
$
(779
)
$
2

$
(777
)
 
$
63

(8
)%
 
$
61

(8
)%
Corporate operations primarily consist of executive management, administrative support services, substantially all of our share-based compensation and transaction and integration costs related to the acquisition of Scripps Networks.
The Adjusted OIBDA decreased 29% in 2019 as compared to 2018. Excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations and on a pro forma combined basis adjusted OIBDA decreased 24%, the decreases were primarily due to transformation projects related to technology infrastructure and software development, facilities-related expenses due to real estate consolidation, and higher professional services fees.
Items Impacting Comparability
The impact of exchange rates on our business is an important factor in understanding period-to-period comparisons of our results. For example, our international revenues are favorably impacted as the U.S. dollar weakens relative to other foreign currencies, and unfavorably impacted as the U.S dollar strengthens relative to other foreign currencies. We believe the presentation of results on a constant currency basis (ex-FX), in addition to results reported in accordance with GAAP provides useful information about our operating performance because the presentation ex-FX excludes the effects of foreign currency volatility and highlights our core operating results. The presentation of results on a constant currency basis should be considered in addition to, but not a substitute for, measures of financial performance reported in accordance with GAAP.
The ex-FX change represents the percentage change on a period-over-period basis adjusted for foreign currency impacts. The ex-FX change is calculated as the difference between the current year amounts translated at a baseline rate, which is a spot rate for each of our currencies determined early in the fiscal year as part of our forecasting process (the “2019 Baseline Rate”), and the prior year amounts translated at the same 2019 Baseline Rate. In addition, consistent with the assumption of a constant currency environment, our ex-FX results exclude the impact of our foreign currency hedging activities, as well as realized and unrealized foreign currency transaction gains and losses. Results on a constant currency basis, as we present them, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. Selling, general and administrative expense, as presented below, excludes share-based compensation and transaction and integration costs related to Scripps Networks and other transactions due to their impact on comparability between periods.

48



The impact of foreign currency on the comparability of our consolidated results is as follows (dollar amounts in millions):
Consolidated
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
 
 
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
% Change
(Reported)
 
% Change
(ex-FX)
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Advertising
 
$
6,044

 
$
5,514

 
10
 %
 
12
 %
Distribution
 
4,835

 
4,538

 
7
 %
 
9
 %
Other
 
265

 
501

 
(47
)%
 
(45
)%
Total revenues
 
11,144

 
10,553

 
6
 %
 
8
 %
Costs of revenue, excluding depreciation and amortization
 
3,819

 
3,935

 
(3
)%
 
(1
)%
Selling, general and administrative expense
 
2,654

 
2,430

 
9
 %
 
11
 %
Adjusted OIBDA
 
$
4,671

 
$
4,188

 
12
 %
 
14
 %
The impact of foreign currency on the comparability of our financial results for International Networks is as follows (dollar amounts in millions):
International Networks
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
 
 
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
% Change
(Reported)
 
% Change
(ex-FX)
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Advertising
 
$
1,799

 
$
1,765

 
2
 %
 
8
 %
Distribution
 
2,096

 
2,082

 
1
 %
 
7
 %
Other
 
146

 
302

 
(52
)%
 
(48
)%
Total revenues
 
4,041

 
4,149

 
(3
)%
 
3
 %
Costs of revenue, excluding depreciation and amortization
 
2,016

 
2,169

 
(7
)%
 
(3
)%
Selling, general and administrative expenses
 
968

 
903

 
7
 %
 
13
 %
Adjusted OIBDA
 
$
1,057

 
$
1,077

 
(2
)%
 
8
 %
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Liquidity
Sources of Cash
Historically, we have generated a significant amount of cash from operations. During the year ended December 31, 2019, we funded our working capital needs primarily through cash flows from operations. As of December 31, 2019, we had $1.6 billion of cash and cash equivalents on hand. We are a well-known seasoned issuer and have demonstrated the ability to conduct registered offerings of securities, including debt securities, common stock and preferred stock, on short notice. Access to sufficient capital from the public market is not assured.
Debt
2019 Senior Notes Activity
In 2019, Discovery Communications, LLC ("DCL") issued $1.5 billion aggregate principal of senior notes (the "2029 Notes and 2049 Notes"). All of DCL's outstanding senior notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed on an unsecured and unsubordinated basis by the Company and Scripps Networks and contain certain covenants, events of default and other customary provisions.
2018 Senior Notes Activity
In connection with the Scripps Networks acquisition in 2018, the Company assumed $2.5 billion aggregate principal amount of the Scripps Networks 2.750% senior notes due 2019, 2.800% senior notes due 2020, 3.500% senior notes due 2022, 3.900% senior notes due 2024 and 3.950% senior notes due 2025 (together, the "Scripps Networks Senior Notes").

49



Pursuant to the Offering Memorandum and Consent Solicitation Statement to Exchange dated March 5, 2018, the Company completed the exchange of $2.3 billion aggregate principal amount of Scripps Networks Senior Notes, for $2.3 billion aggregate principal amount of DCL's 2.750% senior notes due 2019, 2.800% senior notes due 2020, 3.500% senior notes due 2022, 3.900% senior notes due 2024 and 3.950% senior notes due 2025. The exchange was accounted for as a debt modification and, as a result, third-party issuance costs were expensed as incurred.
Revolving Credit Facility
The Company has access to a $2.5 billion revolving credit facility. Borrowing capacity under this agreement is reduced by the outstanding borrowings under our commercial paper program. As of December 31, 2019, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility. All obligations of DCL and the other borrowers under the revolving credit facility are unsecured and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Company.
The credit agreement governing the revolving credit facility (the “Credit Agreement”) contains customary representations, warranties and events of default, as well as affirmative and negative covenants. As of December 31, 2019, the Company was in compliance with all covenants and there were no events of default under the Credit Agreement.
Commercial Paper
Under our commercial paper program and subject to market conditions, DCL may issue unsecured commercial paper notes guaranteed by the Company from time to time up to an aggregate principal amount outstanding at any given time of $1.5 billion, including up to $0.5 billion of euro denominated borrowings. The maturities of these notes vary but may not exceed 397 days. The notes may be issued at a discount or at par, and interest rates vary based on market conditions and the credit rating assigned to the notes at the time of issuance. As of December 31, 2019, the Company had no outstanding commercial paper borrowings. Borrowings under the commercial paper program reduce the borrowing capacity under the revolving credit facility arrangement referenced above.
Term Loans
In August 2017, DCL entered into a three-year delayed draw tranche and a five-year delayed draw tranche unsecured term loan credit facility (the "Term Loans"), each with a principal amount of up to $1 billion. The term of each delayed draw loan commenced in March 2018 when Discovery used these funds to finance a portion of the acquisition of Scripps Networks. As of December 31, 2018, the Company had used cash from operations and borrowings under the commercial paper program to fully repay the Term Loan borrowings.
Uses of Cash
Our primary uses of cash include the creation and acquisition of new content, business acquisitions, repurchases of our capital stock, income taxes, personnel costs, principal and interest on our outstanding senior notes, and funding for various equity method and other investments.
Investments and Business Combinations
The Company acquired Golf Digest for $36 million in cash and acquired a controlling interest in Play Sports Group Limited for $41 million in cash. (See Note 3 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
During 2018, Discovery completed the Scripps Networks acquisition for total consideration of $12.0 billion, including cash of $8.8 billion and stock of $3.2 billion. (See Note 3 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
Our uses of cash have included investments in equity method investments and equity investments without readily determinable fair value. (See Note 4 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.) We provide funding to our investees from time to time. The Company contributed $254 million and $61 million for investments in and advances to our investees for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. In addition, capital expenditures (net of proceeds from sale of assets) increased by $206 million during the year ended December 31, 2019.
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest and Noncontrolling Interest
Due to business combinations, we also have redeemable equity balances of $442 million, which may require the use of cash in the event holders of noncontrolling interests put their interests to the Company. (See Note 11 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.) Distributions to redeemable noncontrolling interests and noncontrolling interests totaled $250 million and $76 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

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Content Acquisition
We plan to continue to invest significantly in the creation and acquisition of new content. Additional information regarding contractual commitments to acquire content is set forth in "Commitments and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements" in this Item 7, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."
Common Stock Repurchases
Historically, we have funded our stock repurchases through a combination of cash on hand, cash generated by operations and the issuance of debt. In April 2019, our Board of Directors authorized additional stock repurchases of up to $1 billion. Under this stock repurchase authorization, management is authorized to purchase shares from time to time through open market purchases at prevailing prices or privately negotiated purchases subject to market conditions and other factors. (See Note 12 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.) During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company repurchased 23.2 million shares of its Series C common stock for $633 million.
Income Taxes and Interest
We expect to continue to make payments for income taxes and interest on our outstanding senior notes. During the year ended December 31, 2019, we made cash payments of $562 million and $708 million for income taxes and interest on our outstanding debt, respectively.
Debt
During 2019, the Company redeemed $900 million of senior notes and floating rate notes as they came due.
The Company used the net proceeds from the issuance of the 2029 Notes and 2049 Notes to redeem and repurchase $1.3 billion aggregate principal amount of senior notes. The repayment resulted in a loss on extinguishment of debt of $23 million.
The Company redeemed $411 million aggregate principal senior notes and made open market bond repurchases of $55 million during the year ended December 31, 2019, resulting in a loss on extinguishment of debt of $5 million.
The Company has $600 million of outstanding senior notes coming due in June 2020.
Cash Flows
Changes in cash and cash equivalents were as follows (in millions).
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
 
$
986

 
$
7,309

Cash provided by operating activities
 
3,399

 
2,576

Cash used in investing activities
 
(438
)
 
(8,593
)
Cash used in financing activities
 
(2,357
)
 
(283
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
 
(38
)
 
(23
)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
 
566

 
(6,323
)
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
 
$
1,552

 
$
986

Operating Activities
Cash provided by operating activities was $3.4 billion and $2.6 billion during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in net income excluding non-cash items following the acquisition of Scripps Networks, partially offset by a negative fluctuation in working capital activity.
Investing Activities
Cash used in investing activities was $438 million and $8.6 billion during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, which was primarily attributable to the acquisition of Scripps Networks in 2018. (See Note 3 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)

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Financing Activities
Cash used in financing activities was $2.4 billion and $283 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2019, cash used in financing activities was primarily attributable to principal repayments of debt and the revolving credit facility, stock repurchases, and distributions to noncontrolling interests and redeemable noncontrolling interests, partially offset by the issuance of 10- and 30-year notes.
Capital Resources
As of December 31, 2019, capital resources were comprised of the following (in millions).
 
 
 
December 31, 2019
 
 
Total
Capacity
 
Outstanding
Letters of
Credit
 
Outstanding
Indebtedness
 
Unused
Capacity
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
1,552

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,552

Revolving credit facility and commercial paper program (a)
 
2,500

 
1

 

 
2,499

Senior notes (b)
 
15,534

 

 
15,534

 

Program financing line of credit
 
26

 

 
10

 
16

Total
 
$
19,612

 
$
1

 
$
15,544

 
$
4,067

(a) There were no borrowings under the revolving credit facility or commercial paper program outstanding as of December 31, 2019.
(b) Interest on senior notes is paid annually, semi-annually or quarterly. Our senior notes outstanding as of December 31, 2019 had interest rates that ranged from 1.90% to 6.35% and will mature between 2020 and 2049.
We expect that our cash balance, cash generated from operations and availability under our revolving credit facility will be sufficient to fund our cash needs for the next twelve months. Our borrowing costs and access to the capital markets can be affected by short and long-term debt ratings assigned by independent rating agencies which are based, in part, on our performance as measured by credit metrics, such as interest coverage and leverage ratios.
As of December 31, 2019, we held $219 million of our $1.6 billion of cash and cash equivalents in our foreign subsidiaries. The 2017 Tax Act enacted on December 22, 2017 features a participation exemption regime with current taxation of certain foreign income and imposes a mandatory repatriation toll tax on unremitted foreign earnings. Notwithstanding the U.S. taxation of these amounts, we intend to continue to reinvest these funds outside of the U.S. Our current plans do not demonstrate a need to repatriate them to the U.S. However, if these funds are needed in the U.S., we would be required to accrue and pay non-U.S. taxes to repatriate them. The determination of the amount of unrecognized deferred income tax liability with respect to these undistributed foreign earnings is not practicable.
Additional information regarding the changes in our outstanding indebtedness and the significant terms and provisions of our revolving credit facility and outstanding indebtedness is discussed in Note 8 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements included in Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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COMMITMENTS AND OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
Obligations
As of December 31, 2019, our significant contractual obligations, including related payments due by period, were as follows (in millions).
 
 
Payments Due by Period
 
 
Total
 
Less than 1 
Year
 
1-3 Years
 
3-5 Years
 
More than 
5 Years
Long-term debt:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Principal payments
 
$
15,544

 
$
609

 
$
1,872

 
$
2,990

 
$
10,073

Interest payments
 
8,598

 
633

 
1,191

 
1,029

 
5,745

Finance lease obligations
 
278

 
56

 
95

 
66

 
61

Operating lease obligations
 
920

 
102

 
164

 
117

 
537

Content
 
5,230

 
1,633

 
1,057

 
1,157

 
1,383

Other
 
1,414

 
478

 
652

 
218

 
66

Total
 
$
31,984

 
$
3,511

 
$
5,031

 
$
5,577

 
$
17,865

The above table does not include certain long-term obligations as the timing or the amount of the payments cannot be predicted. The current portion of the liability for cash-settled share-based compensation awards was $47 million as of December 31, 2019. Additionally, reserves for unrecognized tax benefits have been excluded from the above table because we are unable to predict reasonably the ultimate amount or timing of settlement. Our unrecognized tax benefits totaled $375 million as of December 31, 2019.
The above table also does not include DCL's revolving credit facility that, during the year ended December 31, 2019, allowed DCL and certain designated foreign subsidiaries of DCL to borrow up to $2.5 billion, including a $100 million sublimit for the issuance of standby letters of credit and a $50 million sublimit for swingline loans. Borrowing capacity under this agreement is reduced by the outstanding borrowings under the commercial paper program (See Note 8 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.) As of December 31, 2019, the revolving credit facility agreement provided for a maturity date of August 11, 2022 and the option for up to two additional 364-day renewal periods.
From time to time we may provide our equity method investees additional funding that has not been committed to as of December 31, 2019 based on unforeseen investee opportunities or cash flow needs. (See Note 4 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
Long-term Debt
Principal payments on long-term debt reflect the repayment of our outstanding senior notes, at face value, assuming repayment will occur upon maturity. Interest payments on our outstanding senior notes are projected based on their contractual rate and maturity.
Finance Lease Obligations
We acquire satellite transponders and other equipment through multi-year finance lease arrangements. Principal payments on finance lease obligations reflect amounts due under our finance lease agreements. Interest payments on our outstanding finance lease obligations are based on the stated or implied rate in our finance lease agreements.
Operating Lease Obligations
We obtain office space and equipment under multi-year lease arrangements. Most operating leases are not cancelable prior to their expiration. Payments for operating leases represent the amounts due under the agreements assuming the agreements are not canceled prior to their expiration.

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Purchase Obligations
Content purchase obligations include commitments and liabilities associated with third-party producers and sports associations for content that airs on our television networks. Production contracts generally require: purchase of a specified number of episodes; payments over the term of the license; and include both programs that have been delivered and are available for airing and programs that have not yet been produced or sporting events that have not yet taken place. If the content is ultimately never produced, our commitments expire without obligation. The commitments disclosed above exclude content liabilities recognized on the consolidated balance sheet. We expect to enter into additional production contracts and content licenses to meet our future content needs.
Other purchase obligations include agreements with certain vendors and suppliers for the purchase of goods and services whereby the underlying agreements are enforceable, legally binding and specify all significant terms. Significant purchase obligations include transmission services, television rating services, marketing research, employment contracts, equipment purchases, and information technology and other services. The Company has contracts that do not require the purchase of fixed or minimum quantities and generally may be terminated with a 30-day to 60-day advance notice without penalty, and are not included in the table above past the 30-day to 60-day advance notice period. Amounts related to employment contracts include base compensation and do not include compensation contingent on future events.
Put Rights
The Company has granted put rights to certain consolidated subsidiaries, which have been excluded from the table above since we are unable to reasonably predict the ultimate amount or timing of any payment.. The Company recorded the carrying value of the noncontrolling interest in the equity associated with the put rights as a component of redeemable noncontrolling interest in the amount of $442 million. (See Note 11 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements.)
Pension Obligations
We sponsor a qualified defined benefit pension plan (“Pension Plan”) that covers certain U.S.-based employees. We also have a non-qualified Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”).
Contractual commitments summarized in the contractual obligations table include payments to meet minimum funding requirements of our Pension Plan in 2020 and estimated benefit payments for our SERP. Payments for the SERP have been estimated over a ten-year period. While benefit payments under these plans are expected to continue beyond 2029, we believe it is not practicable to estimate payments beyond this period.
Non-controlling Interest
The Food Network and Cooking Channel are operated and organized under the terms of the TV Food Network Partnership (the "Partnership"). The Company and a non-controlling owner hold interests in the Partnership. During the fourth quarter of 2016, the Partnership agreement was extended and specifies a dissolution date of December 31, 2020. If the term of the Partnership is not extended prior to that date, the Partnership agreement permits the Company, as holder of 80% of the applicable votes, to reconstitute the Partnership and continue its business. If for some reason the Partnership is not continued, it will be required to limit its activities to winding up, settling debts, liquidating assets and distributing proceeds to the partners in proportion to their partnership interests.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have no material off-balance sheet arrangements (as defined in Item 303(a)(4) of Regulation S-K) that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
In the ordinary course of business, we enter into transactions with related parties, primarily our equity method investees and the Liberty Entities. Information regarding transactions and amounts with related parties is discussed in Note 21 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements included in Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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NEW ACCOUNTING AND REPORTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
We adopted certain accounting and reporting standards during 2019. Information regarding our adoption of new accounting and reporting standards is discussed in Note 2 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements included in Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP, which requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and accompanying notes. Management considers an accounting policy to be critical if it is material to reporting our financial condition and results of operations, and if it requires significant judgment and estimates on the part of management in its application. The development and selection of these critical accounting policies have been determined by management and the related disclosures have been reviewed with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company. We believe the following accounting policies are critical to our business operations and the understanding of our results of operations and involve the more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.
Uncertain Tax Positions
The Company is subject to income taxes in numerous U.S. and foreign jurisdictions. From time to time, the Company engages in transactions or takes filing positions in which the tax consequences may be uncertain and may recognize tax liabilities based on estimates of whether additional taxes and interest will be due. The Company establishes a reserve for uncertain tax positions unless the Company determines that such positions are more likely than not to be sustained upon examination based on their technical merits, including the resolution of any appeals or litigation processes. The Company includes interest and where appropriate, potential penalties, in its tax reserves. This assessment relies on estimates and assumptions and may involve a series of complex judgments about future events including the status and results of income tax audits with the relevant tax authorities. Significant judgment is exercised in evaluating all relevant information, the technical merits of the tax positions, and the timely identification and accurate measurement of uncertain tax positions when determining the amount of reserve and whether positions taken on the Company's tax returns are more likely than not to be sustained. This also involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions with respect to the potential outcome of positions taken on tax returns that may be reviewed by tax authorities.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill is allocated to our reporting units, which are our operating segments or one level below our operating segments (the component level). Reporting units are determined by the discrete financial information available for the component and whether it is regularly reviewed by segment management. Components are aggregated into a single reporting unit if they share similar economic characteristics. Our reporting units are as follows: U.S. Networks, Europe, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific.
We evaluate our goodwill for impairment annually as of October 1 or earlier upon the occurrence of substantive unfavorable changes in economic conditions, industry trends, costs, cash flows, or ongoing declines in market capitalization. If we believe that as a result of our qualitative assessment it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount, a quantitative impairment test is required. The quantitative impairment test requires significant judgment in determining the fair value of the reporting units. We determine the fair value of our reporting units by using a combination of the income approach, which incorporates the use of the discounted cash flow (“DCF”) method and the market multiple approach, which incorporates the use of EBITDA multiples based on market data. For the DCF method, we use projections specific to the reporting unit, as well as those based on general economic conditions, which require the use of significant estimates and assumptions. Determining fair value specific to each reporting unit requires the Company to exercise judgment when selecting the appropriate discount rates, control premiums, terminal growth rates, assumed tax rates, relevant comparable company earnings multiples and the amount and timing of expected future cash flows, including revenue growth rates and profit margins. The cash flows employed in the DCF analysis for each reporting unit are based on the reporting unit's budget, long range plan, and recent operating performance. Discount rate assumptions are based on an assessment of the risk inherent in the future cash flows of the respective reporting unit and market conditions.
During the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company performed a qualitative goodwill impairment assessment for all reporting units and determined that it was more likely than not that the fair value of its reporting units exceeded their carrying values, except for its Asia-Pacific reporting unit. For the Asia-Pacific reporting unit, the Company then performed a quantitative step 1 impairment test, which indicated limited headroom (the excess of fair value over carrying value) of 10%.

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Given the limited headroom in the Asia-Pacific reporting unit, the Company closely monitored its results during 2019. During the third quarter, due to an increasingly challenging business environment in the Asia-Pacific region, which included 1) moderating revenue growth projections, 2) underperformance of certain sports investments, 3) heightened volatility in China and surrounding economies, and 4) a decline in Asia-Pacific stock price multiples for peer media companies, the Company believed the increased risk required it to perform an interim impairment test. The step 1 test utilized a DCF valuation methodology. Significant judgments and assumptions included the amount and timing of expected future cash flows, long-term growth rates ranging from 2% to 2.5%, and a discount rate of 11%. The cash flows employed in the DCF analysis for the Asia-Pacific reporting unit were based on the reporting unit's budget and long-term business plan. The results of the step 1 test indicated that the carrying value of the net assets in the Asia-Pacific reporting unit exceeded its fair value.
In the second step of the impairment test, the Company hypothetically assigned the Asia-Pacific reporting unit's fair value to its individual assets and liabilities, including unrecognized intangible assets such as customer relationships and trade names, in a hypothetical purchase price allocation that calculates the implied fair value of goodwill in the same manner as if the reporting unit was being acquired in a business combination. The fair value estimates incorporated in step 2 for the hypothetical intangible assets were based on the excess earnings income approach for customer relationships and the relief-from-royalty method for trademarks. Key judgments made by management in step 2 of the impairment test included revenue growth rates, length of contract term, number of renewals, customer attrition rates, market-based royalty rates, and market-based tax rates. The step 2 impairment test indicated an implied fair value of goodwill of $40 million, which resulted in a pre-tax impairment charge of $155 million during the three months ended September 30, 2019.
In 2019, we performed a quantitative goodwill impairment test for our reporting units based on our policy of performing a quantitative impairment test every three years, irrespective of the outcome of the qualitative assessment. The Europe reporting unit, which had headroom of 19%, was the only reporting unit with fair value in excess of carrying value of less than 20%. During our annual impairment testing, we evaluated the sensitivity of our most critical assumption, the discount rate, and determined that a 100 basis point change in the discount rate selected would not have impacted the test results. Additionally, the Company could reduce the terminal growth rate by 50 basis points, and the fair value of the Europe reporting unit would still exceed its carrying value.  As of December 31, 2019, the carrying value of goodwill assigned to the Europe reporting unit was $1.9 billion. Management will continue to monitor this reporting unit for changes in the business environment that could impact recoverability. The recoverability of goodwill is dependent upon the continued growth of cash flows from our business activities. Additionally, as the Europe reporting unit operates in foreign markets with various functional currencies and has significant U.S. dollar denominated assets, changes in foreign exchange rates that result in strengthening of the U.S. dollar may negatively impact the fair value of the reporting unit and the calculation of excess carrying value.
Content Rights
Content rights principally consist of television series, specials, films and sporting events. Costs of produced and coproduced content consist of development costs, acquired production costs, direct production costs, certain production overhead costs and participation costs and is capitalized if the Company has previously generated revenues from similar content in established markets and the content will be used and revenues will be generated for a period of at least one year.
Linear content amortization expense for each period is recognized based on the revenue forecast model, which approximates the proportion that estimated distribution and advertising revenues for the current period represent in relation to the estimated remaining total lifetime revenues. Digital content amortization for each period is recognized based on estimated viewing patterns as there are no direct revenues to associate to the individual content assets and therefore, number of views is most representative of the use of the title. Significant judgment is required to determine the useful lives and amortization patterns of the Company’s content assets.
Critical assumptions used in determining content amortization include: (i) the grouping of content by network and or genre, (ii) the application of a quantitative revenue forecast model based on the historical data, (iii) determining the appropriate historical periods to utilize and the relative weighting of those historical periods in the revenue forecast model, (iv) assessing the accuracy of the Company's revenue forecasts and (v) incorporating secondary streams. The Company then considers the appropriate application of the quantitative assessment given forecasted content use, expected content investment and market trends. Content use and future revenues may differ from estimates based on changes in expectations related to market acceptance, network affiliate fee rates, advertising demand, the number of cable and satellite television subscribers receiving the Company’s networks, the number of subscribers to our digital services, and program usage. Accordingly, the Company continually reviews revenue estimates and planned usage and revises its assumptions if necessary.

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Consolidation
The Company has ownership and other interests in and contractual arrangements with various entities, including corporations, partnerships, and limited liability companies. For each such entity, the Company evaluates its ownership, other interests and contractual arrangements to determine whether it should consolidate the entity or account for its interest as an investment at inception and upon reconsideration events. As part of its evaluation, the Company initially determines whether the entity is a variable interest entity ("VIE"). Management evaluates key considerations through a qualitative and quantitative analysis in determining whether an entity is a VIE including whether (i) the entity has sufficient equity to finance its activities without additional financial support from other parties, (ii) the ability or inability to make significant decisions about the entity’s operations, and (iii) the proportionality of voting rights of investors relative to their obligations to absorb the expected losses (or receive the expected returns) of the entity. If the entity is a VIE and if the Company has a variable interest in the entity, the Company uses judgment in determining if it is the primary beneficiary and is thus required to consolidate the entity. In making this determination, the Company evaluates whether it or another party involved with the VIE (1) has the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and (2) has the obligation to absorb losses of or receive benefits from the VIE that could be significant to the VIE.
If it is concluded that an entity is not a VIE, the Company considers its proportional voting interests in the entity and consolidates majority-owned subsidiaries in which a controlling financial interest is maintained. A controlling financial interest is determined by majority ownership and the absence of substantive third-party participation rights. Key factors considered by the Company in determining the presence of substantive third-party participation rights include, but are not limited to, control of the board of directors, budget approval or veto rights, or operational rights that significantly impact the economic performance of the business such as programming, creative development, marketing, and selection of key personnel. Ownership interests in unconsolidated entities for which the Company has significant influence are accounted for as equity method.
Revenue Recognition
During 2018, we updated our revenue recognition policies in conjunction with our adoption of the new revenue recognition guidance as further described in Note 2 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements. As described in Note 2, the Company generates advertising revenues primarily from advertising sold on its television networks and websites and distribution revenues from fees charged to distributors of its network content, which include cable, direct-to-home satellite, telecommunications and digital service providers and bundled long-term content arrangements, as well as through DTC subscription services..
Revenue contracts with our advertising customers may include multiple distinct performance obligations. For example, linear and digital advertising contracts may include sponsorship, production, or product integration in addition to the airing of spots and the satisfaction of an audience guarantee. For such contracts, judgment is required in allocating the contract value to the individual performance obligations based on their relative standalone selling prices. Various factors such as prior transactions, rate cards and other market indicators are used to determine the standalone selling price of each performance obligation and accordingly, how much revenue is allocated to each performance obligation. For these contracts, revenue recorded when each performance obligation has been satisfied and value has been transferred to the customer.
A substantial portion of the advertising contracts in the U.S. and certain international markets guarantee the advertiser a minimum audience level that either the program in which their advertisements are aired or the advertisement will reach. These advertising campaigns are considered to represent a single, distinct performance obligation. For such contracts, judgement is required in measuring progress across the Company’s single performance obligation. Various factors such as rate cards and audience guarantees are considered in determining how to appropriately measure progress across the campaigns. Revenues are ultimately recognized based on the audience level delivered multiplied by the average price per impression.
The Company also enters into certain distribution contracts with customers that include promises to deliver content libraries. There are generally two types of such arrangements: 1) content licensing arrangements that include subscription video on demand (“SVOD”) licensing arrangements and 2) digital DTC content (such as VOD and authenticated TVE applications) which is a performance obligation within our distribution arrangements. These contracts vary by customer and in certain instances include a promise to deliver existing content and new content. In these arrangements, the individual program titles delivered represent a distinct performance obligation.

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For SVOD arrangements, which typically contain a fixed fee, revenue is allocated to each performance obligation based on that performance obligation's relative standalone selling price. If multiple individual program titles are included in the same licensing contract, each program is considered distinct, and therefore a separate performance obligation. Various factors such as the length of the license term, program exclusivity, and historical performance on our linear networks are used to determine the standalone selling price of each program and accordingly, how much revenue is allocated to each performance obligation. In contracts where existing individual program titles are delivered at the onset of the arrangement, revenue is recognized at that time based on the relative standalone selling price of additional individual program titles. More revenue is recognized during the contract term as additional performance obligations are satisfied via the delivery of these individual program titles. In the case of digital DTC content, content is regularly refreshed over the term of the agreement, as new titles are added and older titles are removed. Consequently, satisfaction of the performance obligations generally occurs in the same pattern as the delivery of the linear feed. The Company evaluates arrangements to assess whether there is material value associated with content delivered at the outset of a fixed price contract. If there is material value, then Company allocates contract consideration to those deliverables for purposes of revenue recognition.
See Item 1A, "Risk Factors" for details on all significant risks that could impact the Company's ability to successfully grow its cash flows.
For an in-depth discussion of each of our significant accounting policies, including our critical accounting policies and further information regarding estimates and assumptions involved in their application, see Note 2 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements included in Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ITEM 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.
Our financial position, earnings and cash flows are exposed to market risks and can be affected by, among other things, economic conditions, interest rate changes, foreign currency fluctuations, and changes in the market values of investments. We have established policies, procedures and internal processes governing our management of market risks and the use of financial instruments to manage our exposure to such risks.
Interest Rates
We are exposed to the impact of interest rate changes primarily through our actual and potential borrowing activities. During the year ended December 31, 2019, we had access to a $2.5 billion revolving credit facility, which had no outstanding borrowings as of December 31, 2019. We also have access to a commercial paper program, which had no outstanding borrowings as of December 31, 2019. The interest rate on borrowings under the revolving credit facility is variable based on an underlying index and DCL's then-current credit rating for its publicly traded debt. The revolving credit facility matures in August 2022 and the option for up to two additional 364-day renewal periods. As of December 31, 2019, we had outstanding debt with a book value of $15.5 billion under various public senior notes with fixed interest rates.
Our current objectives in managing exposure to interest rate changes are to limit the impact of interest rates on earnings and cash flows. To achieve these objectives, we may enter into variable interest rate swaps, effectively converting fixed rate borrowings to variable rate borrowings indexed to LIBOR in order to reduce the amount of interest paid. The Company may also enter into fixed rate forward starting swaps to limit the impact of volatility in interest rates for future issuances of fixed rate debt. As of December 31, 2019, the Company had entered into one forward starting interest rate swap agreement for future issuance of fixed rate debt.
As of December 31, 2019, the fair value of our outstanding public senior notes was $17.1 billion. The fair value of our long-term debt may vary as a result of market conditions and other factors. A change in market interest rates will impact the fair market value of our fixed rate debt. The potential change in fair value of these senior notes from an adverse 100 basis-point change in quoted interest rates across all maturities, often referred to as a parallel shift in the yield curve, would be approximately $1.4 billion as of December 31, 2019.

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Foreign Currency Exchange Rates
We transact business globally and are subject to risks associated with changing foreign currency exchange rates. Market risk refers to the risk of loss arising from adverse changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The risk of loss can be assessed from the perspective of adverse changes in fair values, cash flows and future earnings. Our International Networks segment operates from hubs in EMEA, Latin America and Asia. Cash is primarily managed from five global locations with net earnings reinvested locally and working capital requirements met from existing liquid funds. To the extent such funds are not sufficient to meet working capital requirements, drawdowns in the appropriate local currency are available from intercompany borrowings or drawdowns from our revolving credit facility. The earnings of certain international operations are expected to be reinvested in those businesses indefinitely.
The functional currency of most of our international subsidiaries is the local currency. We are exposed to foreign currency risk to the extent that we enter into transactions denominated in currencies other than our subsidiaries’ respective functional currencies ("non-functional currency risk"). Such transactions include affiliate and ad sales arrangements, content arrangements, equipment and other vendor purchases and intercompany transactions. Changes in exchange rates with respect to amounts recorded in our consolidated balance sheets related to these items will result in unrealized foreign currency transaction gains and losses based upon period-end exchange rates. We also record realized foreign currency transaction gains and losses upon settlement of the transactions. Moreover, we will experience fluctuations in our revenues, costs and expenses solely as a result of changes in foreign currency exchange rates.
We also are exposed to unfavorable and potentially volatile fluctuations of the U.S. dollar, which is our reporting currency, against the currencies of our operating subsidiaries when their respective financial statements are translated into U.S. dollars for inclusion in our consolidated financial statements. Cumulative translation adjustments are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss as a separate component of equity. Any increase or decrease in the value of the U.S. dollar against any foreign functional currency of one of our operating subsidiaries will cause us to experience unrealized foreign currency translation gains or losses with respect to amounts already invested in such foreign currencies. Accordingly, we may experience a negative impact on our net income (loss), other comprehensive income (loss) and equity with respect to our holdings solely as a result of changes in foreign currency.
The majority of our foreign currency exposure is to the Euro, Polish zloty, and the British Pound. We may enter into spot, forward and option contracts that change in value as foreign currency exchange rates change to hedge certain exposures associated with affiliate revenue, the cost for producing or acquiring content, certain intercompany transactions or in connection with forecasted business combinations. These contracts hedge forecasted foreign currency transactions in order to mitigate fluctuations in our earnings and cash flows associated with changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Our objective in managing exposure to foreign currency fluctuations is to reduce volatility of earnings and cash flows. The net fair market value of our foreign currency derivative instruments intended to hedge future cash flows held at December 31, 2019 was an asset value of $15 million. Most of our non-functional currency risks related to our revenue, operating expenses and capital expenditures were not hedged as of December 31, 2019. We generally do not hedge against the risk that we may incur non-cash losses upon the translation of the financial statements of our subsidiaries and affiliates into U.S. dollars.
Derivatives
We may use derivative financial instruments to modify our exposure to exogenous events and market risks from changes in foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates, and the fair value of investments with readily determinable fair values. We do not use derivative financial instruments unless there is an underlying exposure. While derivatives are used to mitigate cash flow risk and the risk of declines in fair value, they also limit potential economic benefits to our business in the event of positive shifts in foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates and market values. We do not hold or enter into financial instruments for speculative trading purposes.
Market Values of Investments
In addition to derivatives, we had investments in entities accounted as equity method investments, equity investments, and other highly liquid instruments, such as money market and mutual funds, that are accounted for at fair value. The carrying values of investments in equity method investees, equity investments, and equity securities was $1.7 billion at December 31, 2019. Investments in mutual funds include both fixed rate and floating rate interest earning securities that carry a degree of interest rate risk. Fixed rate securities may have their fair market value adversely impacted due to a rise in interest rates, while floating rate securities may produce less income than predicted if interest rates fall. Due in part to these factors, our income from such investments may decrease in the future.

59



ITEM 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.

60



MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING
Management of Discovery, Inc. (the “Company”) is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and Rule 15d-15(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and disposition of the assets of the Company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and provide reasonable assurance that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and the directors of the Company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.
Internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements prepared for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Because of the inherent limitations in any internal control, no matter how well designed, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
The Company’s management, with the participation of its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Company’s system of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019 based on the framework set forth in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on its evaluation, management concluded that, as of December 31, 2019, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective at a reasonable assurance level based on the specified criteria.
The effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K under the caption “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.”

61



Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of Discovery, Inc.
Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Discovery, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the related consolidated statements of operations, of comprehensive income (loss), of equity and of cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019, including the related notes and schedule of valuation and qualifying accounts for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019 appearing under Item 15(a)(2) (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). We also have audited the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the COSO.
Changes in Accounting Principles
As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed its annual impairment assessment date for goodwill and the manner in which it accounts for leases in 2019 and the manner in which it accounts for revenue from contracts with customers in 2018.
Basis for Opinions
The Company's management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express opinions on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

62



Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (i) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (ii) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
Reserves for Uncertain Tax Positions
As described in Notes 2 and 18 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company’s reserves for uncertain tax positions were $375 million as of December 31, 2019. Management establishes a reserve for uncertain tax positions unless management determines that such positions are more likely than not to be sustained upon examination based on their technical merits, including the resolution of any appeals or litigation processes. As disclosed by management, significant judgment is exercised by management in evaluating all relevant information, the technical merits of the tax positions, and the timely identification and accurate measurement of uncertain tax positions when determining the amount of the reserve and whether positions taken on the Company’s tax returns are more likely than not to be sustained. This also involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions with respect to the potential outcome of positions taken on tax returns that may be reviewed by tax authorities.
The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to reserves for uncertain tax positions is a critical audit matter are there was significant judgment by management when determining uncertain tax positions, including a high degree of estimation uncertainty when developing the reserves. This in turn led to a high degree of auditor judgment, subjectivity and effort in performing procedures to evaluate relevant information, evaluating the technical merits of the tax positions as well as the timely identification and the accurate measurement of uncertain tax positions. Also, the evaluation of audit evidence available to support the tax liability for uncertain tax positions is complex and required significant auditor judgment as the nature of the evidence is often subjective and the audit effort involved the use of professionals with specialized skill and knowledge to assist in evaluating the audit evidence obtained.
Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of controls relating to the identification, recognition, measurement, and completeness of uncertain tax positions. These procedures also included, among others (i) testing the information used in the calculation of the uncertain tax positions, including international and federal filing positions, and the related final tax returns and associated supporting documentation, (ii) testing the calculation of liability for uncertain tax positions by jurisdiction, including management’s assessment of the technical merits of tax positions and estimates of the amount of tax benefit expected to be sustained, as well as the likelihood of the possible estimated outcome, (iii) testing the completeness of management’s assessment of both the identification of uncertain tax positions and possible outcomes of each uncertain tax position, and (iv) evaluating the status and results of income tax audits with the relevant tax authorities. Professionals with specialized skill and knowledge were used to assist in the evaluation of the completeness and measurement of the Company’s uncertain tax positions, including the reasonableness of management’s assessment of whether uncertain tax positions are more-likely-than-not of being sustained and the amount of potential benefit to be realized, and the application of relevant tax laws.

63



Goodwill Quantitative Impairment Assessment for the European and Asia Pacific Reporting Units
As described in Notes 2 and 7 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company’s consolidated goodwill balance was $13 billion as of December 31, 2019, and the goodwill associated with the European and Asia Pacific reporting units was $1.9 billion and $40 million, respectively. Management recorded a charge of $155 million for the impairment of goodwill related to the Asia Pacific reporting unit during the year ended December 31, 2019. The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment annually as of October 1 or earlier if an event or other circumstance indicates that it may not recover the carrying value of the asset. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. As disclosed by management, the fair value of reporting units for which management performed quantitative impairment tests were determined using a combination of the income approach, which incorporates the use of the discounted cash flow (“DCF”) method and the market multiple approach, which incorporates the use of EBITDA multiples based on market data. For the DCF method, management used projections specific to the reporting unit, as well as those based on general economic conditions, which require the use of significant estimates and assumptions. Determining fair value specific to each reporting unit required management to exercise judgment when selecting the appropriate discount rates, control premiums, terminal growth rates, assumed tax rates, relevant comparable company earnings multiples and the amount and timing of expected future cash flows, including revenue growth rates and profit margins.
The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to the goodwill quantitative impairment assessment for the European and Asia Pacific reporting units is a critical audit matter are there was significant judgment by management when developing the fair value measurement of the reporting units, which in turn led to a high degree of auditor judgment, subjectivity, and effort in performing procedures and evaluating evidence related revenue growth rates, terminal growth rates, and discount rates. In addition, the audit effort involved the use of professionals with specialized skill and knowledge to assist in performing these procedures and evaluating the audit evidence obtained.
Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included testing the effectiveness of controls relating to management’s goodwill quantitative impairment assessment, including controls over the valuation of the Company’s reporting units, and controls over the development of the assumptions related to the valuation of the reporting units. These procedures also included, among others, testing management’s process for developing the fair value estimates of the European and Asia Pacific reporting units, evaluating the appropriateness of the discounted cash flow method, testing the completeness, accuracy and relevance of underlying data used in the method and evaluating the significant assumptions used by management, including revenue growth rates, terminal growth rates, and discount rates. Evaluating management’s assumptions related to revenue growth rates and terminal growth rates involved evaluating whether the assumptions used by management were reasonable considering the (i) current and past performance of the reporting units, (ii) the consistency with external market and industry data, and (iii) whether these assumptions were consistent with evidence obtained in other areas of the audit. Professionals with specialized skill and knowledge were used to assist in evaluating certain assumptions in the Company’s discounted cash flow method, including the discount rates and terminal growth rates.




/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
McLean, Virginia
February 27, 2020
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2008.


64


DISCOVERY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in millions, except par value) 



 
 
December 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
1,552

 
$
986

Receivables, net
 
2,633

 
2,620

Content rights, net
 
579

 
313

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
453

 
312

Total current assets
 
5,217

 
4,231

Noncurrent content rights, net
 
3,129

 
3,069

Property and equipment, net
 
951

 
800

Goodwill
 
13,050

 
13,006

Intangible assets, net
 
8,667

 
9,674

Equity method investments, including note receivable
 
568

 
935

Other noncurrent assets
 
2,153

 
835

Total assets
 
$
33,735

 
$
32,550

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable
 
$
463

 
$
325

Accrued liabilities
 
1,678

 
1,604

Deferred revenues
 
489

 
249

Current portion of debt
 
609

 
1,819

Total current liabilities
 
3,239

 
3,997

Noncurrent portion of debt
 
14,810

 
14,974

Deferred income taxes
 
1,691

 
1,811

Other noncurrent liabilities
 
2,029

 
1,251

Total liabilities
 
21,769

 
22,033

Commitments and contingencies (See Note 22)
 

 

Redeemable noncontrolling interests
 
442

 
415

Equity:
 
 
 
 
Discovery, Inc. stockholders’ equity:
 
 
 
 
Series A-1 convertible preferred stock: $0.01 par value; 8 shares authorized, issued, and outstanding
 

 

Series C-1 convertible preferred stock: $0.01 par value; 6 shares authorized; 5 and 6 shares issued and outstanding
 

 

Series A common stock: $0.01 par value; 1,700 shares authorized; 161 and 160 shares issued; and 158 and 157 shares outstanding
 
2

 
2

Series B convertible common stock: $0.01 par value; 100 shares authorized; 7 shares issued and outstanding
 

 

Series C common stock: $0.01 par value; 2,000 shares authorized; 547 and 524 shares issued; and 360 shares outstanding
 
5

 
5

Additional paid-in capital
 
10,747

 
10,647

Treasury stock, at cost: 190 and 167 shares
 
(7,374
)
 
(6,737
)
Retained earnings
 
7,333

 
5,254

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
 
(822
)
 
(785
)
Total Discovery, Inc. stockholders’ equity
 
9,891

 
8,386

Noncontrolling interests
 
1,633

 
1,716

Total equity
 
11,524

 
10,102

Total liabilities and equity
 
$
33,735

 
$
32,550

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

65


DISCOVERY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in millions, except per share amounts)


 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Advertising
 
$
6,044

 
$
5,514

 
$
3,073

Distribution
 
4,835

 
4,538

 
3,474

Other
 
265

 
501

 
326

Total revenues
 
11,144

 
10,553

 
6,873

Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Costs of revenues, excluding depreciation and amortization
 
3,819

 
3,935

 
2,656

Selling, general and administrative
 
2,788

 
2,620

 
1,768

Depreciation and amortization
 
1,347

 
1,398

 
330

Impairment of goodwill
 
155

 

 
1,327

Restructuring and other charges
 
26

 
750

 
75

(Gain) loss on disposition
 

 
(84
)
 
4

Total costs and expenses
 
8,135

 
8,619

 
6,160

Operating income
 
3,009

 
1,934

 
713

Interest expense, net
 
(677
)
 
(729
)
 
(475
)
Loss on extinguishment of debt
 
(28
)
 

 
(54
)
Loss from equity investees, net
 
(2
)
 
(63
)
 
(211
)
Other expense, net
 
(8
)
 
(120
)
 
(110
)
Income (loss) before income taxes
 
2,294

 
1,022

 
(137
)
Income tax expense
 
(81
)
 
(341
)
 
(176
)
Net income (loss)
 
2,213

 
681

 
(313
)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
(128
)
 
(67
)
 

Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests
 
(16
)
 
(20
)
 
(24
)
Net income (loss) available to Discovery, Inc.
 
$
2,069

 
$
594

 
$
(337
)
Net income (loss) per share available to Discovery, Inc. Series A, B and C common stockholders:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
$
2.90


$
0.86


$
(0.59
)
Diluted
 
$
2.88


$
0.86


$
(0.59
)
Weighted average shares outstanding:
 
 




Basic
 
529


498


384

Diluted
 
711


688


576

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

66


DISCOVERY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(in millions)


 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
Net income (loss)
 
$
2,213

 
$
681

 
$
(313
)
Other comprehensive income (loss) adjustments, net of tax:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Currency translation
 
(15
)
 
(189
)
 
183

Available-for-sale securities
 

 

 
15

Pension plan and SERP
 
(10
)
 
3

 

Derivatives
 
18

 
12

 
(20
)
Comprehensive income (loss)
 
2,206

 
507

 
(135
)
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
(127
)
 
(67
)
 

Comprehensive income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests
 
(17
)
 
(20
)
 
(25
)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Discovery, Inc.
 
$
2,062

 
$
420

 
$
(160
)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

67


DISCOVERY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in millions)

 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
Operating Activities
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
 
$
2,213

 
$
681

 
$
(313
)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Content rights amortization and impairment
 
2,853

 
3,288

 
1,910

Depreciation and amortization
 
1,347

 
1,398

 
330

Deferred income taxes
 
(504
)
 
(131
)
 
(199
)
Impairment of goodwill
 
155

 

 
1,327

Share-based compensation expense
 
142

 
80

 
39

Equity in losses of equity method investee companies, net of cash distributions
 
62

 
138

 
223

Unrealized loss (gain) from derivative instruments, net
 
62

 
(15
)
 

Loss on extinguishment of debt
 
28

 

 
54

Remeasurement gain on previously held equity interests
 
(14
)
 

 
(34
)
Realized (gain) loss from derivative instruments, net
 
(14
)
 

 
98

(Gain) loss on disposition
 

 
(84
)
 
4

Other, net
 
42

 
141

 
85

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions and dispositions:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Receivables, net
 
(7
)
 
(84
)
 
(258
)
Content rights and payables, net
 
(3,060
)
 
(2,883
)
 
(1,947
)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
 
122

 
(74
)
 
265

Prepaid income taxes and income taxes receivable
 
4

 
57

 
20

Foreign currency and other, net
 
(32
)
 
64

 
25

Cash provided by operating activities
 
3,399

 
2,576

 
1,629

Investing Activities
 
 
 
 
 
 
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired
 
(73
)
 
(8,565
)
 
(60
)
Investments in and advances to equity investments
 
(254
)
 
(61
)
 
(444
)
Purchases of property and equipment
 
(289
)
 
(147
)
 
(135
)
Proceeds from dissolution of joint venture and sale of investments
 
125

 

 

Proceeds from (payments for) derivative instruments, net
 
54

 
(2
)
 
(101
)
Proceeds from sale of assets
 
4

 
68

 

Proceeds from dispositions, net of cash disposed
 

 
107

 
29

Distributions from equity method investees
 

 
1

 
77

Other investing activities, net
 
(5
)
 
6

 
1

Cash used in investing activities
 
(438
)
 
(8,593
)
 
(633
)
Financing Activities
 
 
 
 
 
 
Principal repayments of debt, including discount payment and premiums to par value
 
(2,658
)
 
(16
)
 
(650
)
Borrowings from debt, net of discount and including premiums
 
1,479

 

 
7,488

Borrowings under term loan facilities
 

 
2,000

 

Principal repayments of term loans
 

 
(2,000
)
 

Repurchases of stock
 
(633
)
 

 
(603
)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests and redeemable noncontrolling interests
 
(250
)
 
(76
)
 
(30
)
Principal repayments of revolving credit facility
 
(225
)
 
(200
)
 
(475
)
Principal repayments of finance lease obligations
 
(44
)
 
(50
)
 
(33
)
Hedge of borrowings from debt instruments
 
(18
)
 

 

(Repayments) borrowings under program financing line of credit, net
 
(12
)
 
22

 

Share-based plan (payments) proceeds, net
 
(2
)
 
54

 
16

Commercial paper repayments, net
 

 
(5
)
 
(48
)
Borrowings under revolving credit facility
 

 

 
350

Other financing activities, net
 
6

 
(12
)
 
(64
)
Cash (used in) provided by financing activities
 
(2,357
)
 
(283
)
 
5,951

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
 
(38
)
 
(23
)
 
62

Net change in cash and cash equivalents
 
566

 
(6,323
)
 
7,009

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
 
986

 
7,309

 
300

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
 
$
1,552

 
$
986

 
$
7,309

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

68


DISCOVERY, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
(in millions)

 
 
Preferred Stock
 
Common Stock
 
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
 
Treasury
Stock
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
 
Discovery,
Inc. Stockholders’
Equity
 
Noncontrolling
Interests
 
Total
Equity
 
 
Shares
 
Par Value
 
Shares
 
Par Value
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2016
 
99

 
$
2

 
543

 
$
5

 
$
7,046

 
$
(6,356
)
 
$
5,232

 
$
(762
)
 
$
5,167

 
$

 
$
5,167

Net loss available to Discovery, Inc. and attributable to noncontrolling interests
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(337
)
 

 
(337
)
 

 
(337
)
Cumulative effect of accounting change - share-based payments
 

 

 

 

 
4

 

 
(4
)
 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
177

 
177

 

 
177

Preferred stock modification
 
(82
)
 
(2
)
 

 

 
37

 

 

 

 
35

 

 
35

Repurchases of stock
 
(3
)
 

 

 

 

 
(381
)
 
(222
)
 

 
(603
)
 

 
(603
)
Excess of fair value received over book value of equity contributed to redeemable noncontrolling interest
 

 

 

 

 
57

 

 

 

 
57

 

 
57

Cash settlement of common stock repurchase contracts
 

 

 

 

 
58

 

 

 

 
58

 

 
58

Share-based compensation
 

 

 

 

 
44

 

 

 

 
44

 

 
44

Tax settlements associated with equity based compensation
 

 

 
(1
)
 

 
(30
)
 

 

 

 
(30
)
 

 
(30
)
Issuance of stock in connection with share-based plans
 

 

 
5

 

 
79

 

 
1

 

 
80

 

 
80

Redeemable noncontrolling interest adjustment of redemption value
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(38
)
 

 
(38
)
 

 
(38
)
December 31, 2017
 
14

 

 
547

 
5

 
7,295

 
(6,737
)
 
4,632

 
(585
)
 
4,610

 

 
4,610

Cumulative effect of accounting changes
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
33

 
(26
)
 
7

 

 
7

Net income available to Discovery, Inc. and attributable to noncontrolling interests
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
594

 

 
594

 
67

 
661

Other comprehensive loss
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(174
)
 
(174
)
 

 
(174
)
Share-based compensation
 

 

 

 

 
82

 

 

 

 
82

 

 
82

Tax settlements associated with equity based compensation
 

 

 

 

 
(18
)
 

 

 

 
(18
)
 

 
(18
)
Issuance of stock and noncontrolling interest in connection with the acquisition of Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc. ("Scripps Networks")
 

 

 
139

 
1

 
3,217

 

 

 

 
3,218

 
1,700

 
4,918

Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(51
)
 
(51
)
Redeemable noncontrolling interest adjustments to redemption value
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(5
)
 

 
(5
)
 

 
(5
)
Issuance of stock in connection with share-based plans
 

 

 
5

 
1

 
71

 

 

 

 
72

 

 
72

December 31, 2018
 
14

 

 
691

 
7

 
10,647

 
(6,737
)
 
5,254

 
(785
)
 
8,386

 
1,716

 
10,102

Cumulative effect of accounting changes (See Note 2)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
34

 
(30
)
 
4

 

 
4

Net income available to Discovery, Inc. and attributable to noncontrolling interests
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
2,069

 

 
2,069

 
128

 
2,197

Other comprehensive loss
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(7
)
 
(7
)
 

 
(7
)
Preferred stock conversion
 
(1
)
 

 
22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share-based compensation
 

 

 

 

 
73

 

 

 

 
73

 

 
73

Repurchases of stock
 

 

 

 

 

 
(637
)
 

 

 
(637
)
 

 
(637
)
Settlement of common stock repurchase contract
 

 

 

 

 
5

 

 

 

 
5

 

 
5

Tax settlements associated with share-based plans
 

 

 

 

 
(22
)
 

 

 

 
(22
)
 

 
(22
)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(211
)
 
(211
)
Issuance of stock in connection with share-based plans
 

 

 
2

 

 
44

 

 

 

 
44

 

 
44

Redeemable noncontrolling interest adjustments to redemption value
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(24
)
 

 
(24
)
 

 
(24
)
December 31, 2019
 
13

 
$

 
715

 
$
7

 
$
10,747

 
$
(7,374
)
 
$
7,333

 
$
(822
)
 
$
9,891

 
$
1,633

 
$
11,524

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

69

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


NOTE 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION
Description of Business
Discovery, Inc. (“Discovery”, the “Company”, "we", "us" or "our") is a global media company that provides content across multiple distribution platforms, including linear platforms such as pay-television ("pay-TV"), free-to-air ("FTA") and broadcast television, authenticated TVE applications, digital distribution arrangements, content licensing arrangements and direct-to-consumer (DTC) subscription products. The Company also operates a production studio. The Company has organized its operations into two reportable segments: U.S. Networks, consisting principally of domestic television networks and digital content services, and International Networks, consisting primarily of international television networks and digital content services.
Basis of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Discovery and its majority-owned subsidiaries in which a controlling interest is maintained, including variable interest entities ("VIE") for which the Company is the primary beneficiary.
For each non-wholly owned subsidiary, the Company evaluates its ownership and other interests to determine whether it should consolidate the entity or account for its ownership interest as an investment. As part of its evaluation, the Company makes judgments in determining whether the entity is a VIE and, if so, whether it is the primary beneficiary of the VIE and is thus required to consolidate the entity. (See Note 4.) If it is concluded that an entity is not a VIE, then the Company considers its proportional voting interests in the entity. The Company consolidates majority-owned subsidiaries in which a controlling financial interest is maintained. A controlling financial interest is determined by majority ownership and the absence of significant third-party participating rights. Ownership interests in entities for which the Company has significant influence that are not consolidated are accounted for as equity method investments.
Intercompany accounts and transactions between consolidated entities have been eliminated.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
Significant estimates and judgments inherent in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements include accounting for asset impairments, revenue recognition, allowances for doubtful accounts, content rights, leases, depreciation and amortization, business combinations, share-based compensation, defined benefit plans, income taxes, other financial instruments, contingencies, and the determination of whether the Company should consolidate certain entities.
NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Foreign Currency
The reporting currency of the Company is the U.S. dollar. The functional currency of most of the Company’s international subsidiaries is the local currency. Financial statements of subsidiaries whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar are translated at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date for assets and liabilities and at average exchange rates for revenues and expenses for the respective periods. Cash flows from the Company's operations in foreign countries are generally translated at the weighted average rate for the applicable period in the consolidated statements of cash flows. Such translation adjustments are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income.
We are exposed to foreign currency risk to the extent that we enter into transactions denominated in currencies other than our subsidiaries’ respective functional currencies. Transactions denominated in currencies other than subsidiaries’ functional currencies are recorded based on exchange rates at the time such transactions arise. Such transactions include affiliate and ad sales arrangements, content arrangements, equipment and other vendor purchases and intercompany transactions. Changes in exchange rates with respect to amounts recorded in our consolidated balance sheets related to these items will result in unrealized foreign currency transaction gains and losses based upon period-end exchange rates. We also record realized foreign currency transaction gains and losses upon settlement of the transactions. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses resulting from the conversion of the transaction currency to functional currency are included in other expense, net.

70

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and highly liquid investments with original maturities of 90 days or less.
Receivables
Receivables include amounts billed and currently due from customers and are presented net of an estimate for uncollectible accounts. To assess collectability, the Company analyzes market trends, economic conditions, the aging of receivables and customer specific risks, and reserves an amount that it estimates may not be collected. The Company does not require collateral with respect to trade receivables.
Content Rights
Content rights principally consist of television series, specials, films and sporting events. Content aired on the Company’s television networks and DTC subscription products is sourced from a wide range of third-party producers, wholly-owned and equity method investee production studios and sports associations. Content is classified either as produced, coproduced or licensed. The Company owns most or all of the rights to produced content. The Company collaborates with third parties to finance and develop coproduced content, and it retains significant rights to exploit the programs. Licensed content is comprised of films or series that have been previously produced by third parties and the Company retains limited airing rights over a contractual term. Prepaid licensed content includes advance payments for rights to air sporting events that will take place in the future and advance payments for acquired films and television series.
Costs of produced and coproduced content consist of development costs, acquired and direct production costs, certain production overhead costs and participation costs and is capitalized if the Company has previously generated revenues from similar content in established markets and the content will be used and revenues will be generated for a period of at least one year. The Company’s coproduction arrangements generally provide for the sharing of production costs. The Company records its costs but does not record the costs borne by the other party as the Company does not share any associated economics of exploitation. Program licenses typically have fixed terms and require payments during the term of the license. The cost of licensed content is capitalized when the license period for the programs has commenced and the programs are available for air or the Company has paid for the programs. The Company pays in advance of delivery for certain television series, specials, films and sports rights, which are recognized as in-production produced, coproduced content or prepaid licensed content. Content distribution, advertising, marketing, general and administrative costs are expensed as incurred.
Linear content amortization expense for each period is recognized based on the revenue forecast model, which approximates the proportion that estimated distribution and advertising revenues for the current period represent in relation to the estimated remaining total lifetime revenues. Digital content amortization for each period is recognized based on estimated viewing patterns as there are no direct revenues to associate to the individual content assets and therefore, number of views is most representative of the use of the title. Significant judgment is required to determine the useful lives and amortization patterns of the Company’s content assets. Quarterly, the Company prepares analyses to support its content amortization expense by network and by region. Critical assumptions used in determining content amortization include: (i) the grouping of content by network and or genre, (ii) the application of a quantitative revenue forecast model or viewership model based on the adequacy of a network's historical data, (iii) determining the appropriate historical periods to utilize and the relative weighting of those historical periods in the revenue forecast model, (iv) assessing the accuracy of the Company's revenue forecasts and (v) incorporating secondary streams. The Company then considers the appropriate application of the quantitative assessment given forecasted content use, expected content investment and market trends. Content use and future revenues may differ from estimates based on changes in expectations related to market acceptance, network affiliate fee rates, advertising demand, the number of cable and satellite television subscribers receiving the Company’s networks, the number of subscribers to our digital services, and program usage. Accordingly, the Company continually reviews revenue estimates and planned usage and revises its assumptions if necessary. As part of the Company's annual assessment in determining the film forecast model, the Company compares the calculated amortization rates to those that have been utilized during the year. If the calculated rates do not deviate materially from the applied amortization rates, no adjustment is recorded for the current year amortization expense. The Company allocates the cost of multi-year sports programming arrangements over the contract period to each event or season based on the estimated relative value of each event or season.
The result of the revenue forecast model is either an accelerated method or a straight-line amortization method over the estimated useful lives of primarily two to four years for produced, coproduced and licensed content. Amortization of capitalized costs for produced and coproduced content begins when a program has been aired. Amortization of capitalized costs for licensed content generally commences when the license period begins and the program is available for use. Amortization of sports rights takes place when the content airs.

71

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Capitalized content costs are stated at the lower of cost less accumulated amortization or net realizable value. The Company periodically evaluates the net realizable value of content by considering expected future revenue generation. Estimates of future revenues consider historical airing patterns and future plans for airing content, including any changes in strategy. Given the significant estimates and judgments involved, actual demand or market conditions may be less favorable than those projected, requiring a write-down to net realizable value. Development costs for programs that the Company has determined will not be produced, are fully expensed in the period the determination is made.
All produced and coproduced content is classified as long-term. The portion of the unamortized licensed content balance, including prepaid sports rights, that will be amortized within one year is classified as a current asset. (See Note 6.)
Investments
The Company holds investments in equity method investees and equity investments with and without readily determinable fair value.
Equity Method Investments
Investments in equity method investees are those for which the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence but does not control and is not the primary beneficiary. Under this method of accounting, the Company typically records its proportionate share of the net earnings or losses of equity method investees and a corresponding increase or decrease to the investment balances. Cash payments to equity method investees such as additional investments, loans and advances and expenses incurred on behalf of investees, as well as payments from equity method investees such as dividends, distributions and repayments of loans and advances are recorded as adjustments to investment balances.
For certain of the Company's equity method investments, such as investments in renewable energy limited liability companies where the capital structure of the equity investment results in different liquidation rights and priorities than what is reflected by the underlying percentage ownership interests, the Company's proportionate share of net earnings is accounted for using the Hypothetical Liquidation at Book Value ("HLBV") methodology available under the equity method of accounting. When applying HLBV, the Company determines the amount that would be received if the investment were to liquidate all of its assets and distribute the resulting cash to the investors based on contractually defined liquidation priorities. The change in the Company's claim on the investee's book value in accordance with GAAP at the beginning and the end of the reporting period, after adjusting for any contributions or distributions, is the Company's share of the earnings or losses for the period.
The Company evaluates its equity method investments for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of such investments may not be recoverable. (See "Asset Impairment Analysis" below.)
Equity Investments with Readily Determinable Fair Values
Investments in entities or other securities in which the Company has no control or significant influence, is not the primary beneficiary, and have a readily determinable fair value are recorded at fair value based on quoted market prices and are classified as equity securities or equity investments with readily determinable fair value. (See Note 4.) For equity securities with readily determinable fair value, realized gains and losses are recorded in other expense, net. (See Note 20.)
Equity Investments without Readily Determinable Fair Values
Equity investments without readily determinable fair value include ownership rights that either (i) do not meet the definition of in-substance common stock or (ii) do not provide the Company with control or significant influence and these investments do not have readily determinable fair values. Equity investments without readily determinable fair value are recorded at cost, less any impairment, and adjusted for subsequent observable price changes as of the date that an observable transaction takes place.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairments. Internal use software costs are capitalized during the application development stage. Software costs incurred during the preliminary project and post implementation stages are expensed as incurred. Repairs and maintenance expenditures that do not enhance the use or extend the life of property and equipment are expensed as incurred. Depreciation for most property and equipment is recognized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. (See Note 20.)

72

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Leases
The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at its inception. Operating lease right-of-use ("ROU") assets are included in "Other noncurrent assets" and operating lease liabilities are included in “Accrued liabilities” and “Other noncurrent liabilities” in our December 31, 2019 consolidated balance sheet. Finance lease ROU assets are included in "Property and equipment, net" and finance lease liabilities are included in “Accrued liabilities” and “Other noncurrent liabilities” in our consolidated balance sheets.
A rate implicit in the lease when readily determinable is used in arriving at the present value of lease payments. As most of the Company's leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses an incremental borrowing rate based on information available at lease commencement date for most of its leases. The incremental borrowing rate is based on the Company's U.S. dollar denominated senior unsecured borrowing curves using public credit ratings adjusted down to a collateralized basis using a combination of recovery rate and credit notching approaches and translated into major contract currencies as applicable.
The Company's lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that it will exercise that option. The Company does not separate lease components from non-lease components across all lease categories. Instead, each separate lease component and non-lease component are accounted for as a single lease component. In addition, variable lease payments that are based on an index or rate are included in measurement of ROU assets and lease liabilities at lease inception. All other variable lease payments are expensed as incurred and are not included in measurement of ROU assets and lease liabilities. Lease expense for operating leases is recognized on a straight-line basis. For finance leases, the Company recognizes interest expense on lease liabilities using the effective interest method and amortization of ROU assets on a straight-line basis.
Asset Impairment Analysis
Goodwill and Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets
Goodwill is allocated to the Company's reporting units, which are its operating segments or one level below its operating segments. The Company evaluates goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually as of October 1 or earlier if an event or other circumstance indicates that we may not recover the carrying value of the asset. (See Note 7.) If the Company believes that, as a result of its qualitative assessment, it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit or other indefinite-lived intangible asset is greater than its carrying amount, the quantitative impairment test is not required. The Company performs a quantitative impairment test every three years, irrespective of the outcome of the Company's qualitative assessment. During 2019, the Company changed its annual impairment testing date from November 30 to October 1. The Company believes the new date is preferable because it aligns the impairment test with the budgeting and quarter-end closing processes. The Company determined it was impracticable to apply the change in accounting principle retrospectively because it could not determine the goodwill estimate for each reporting unit at the new annual goodwill impairment testing date without the use of hindsight. Accordingly, the Company applied the change in accounting principle prospectively. The change in the annual impairment testing date did not delay, accelerate or avoid an impairment charge.
The quantitative goodwill impairment test is performed using a two-step process. The first step of the process is to compare the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step of the quantitative goodwill impairment test is required to be performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. The second step of the quantitative goodwill impairment test compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined in the same manner as the amount of goodwill recognized in a business combination. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess.
If a qualitative assessment indicates that it is more likely than not that the carrying value of an indefinite lived intangible asset exceeds its fair value, a quantitative impairment test is performed, which involves a comparison of the estimated fair value of the intangible asset with its carrying value. If the carrying value of the intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. (See Note 7.)

73

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Long-lived Assets
Long-lived assets such as amortizing trademarks, customer lists, other intangible assets, and property and equipment are not required to be tested for impairment annually, but rather are tested for impairment whenever circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. If an impairment analysis is required, the impairment test employed is based on whether the Company’s intent is to hold the asset for continued use or to hold the asset for sale. If the intent is to hold the asset for continued use, the impairment test requires a comparison of undiscounted future cash flows to the carrying value of the asset. If the carrying value of the asset exceeds the undiscounted cash flows, an impairment loss would be recognized equal to the excess of the asset’s carrying value over its fair value, which is typically determined by discounting the future cash flows associated with that asset. If the intent is to hold the asset for sale and certain other criteria are met, the impairment test involves comparing the asset’s carrying value to its fair value less costs to sell. If the carrying value of the asset exceeds the fair value, an impairment loss would be recognized equal to the difference. Significant judgments used for long-lived asset impairment assessments include identifying the appropriate asset groupings and primary assets within those groupings, determining whether events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable, determining the future cash flows for the assets involved and assumptions applied in determining fair value, which include reasonable discount rates, growth rates, market risk premiums and other assumptions about the economic environment.
Equity Method Investments and Equity Investments Without Readily Determinable Fair Value
Equity method investments are reviewed for indicators of other-than-temporary impairment on a quarterly basis. Equity method investments are written down to fair value if there is evidence of a loss in value that is other-than-temporary. The Company may estimate the fair value of its equity method investments by considering recent investee equity transactions, discounted cash flow analysis, recent operating results, comparable public company operating cash flow multiples and in certain situations, balance sheet liquidation values. If the fair value of the investment has dropped below the carrying amount, management considers several factors when determining whether an other-than-temporary decline has occurred, such as the length of the time and the extent to which the estimated fair value or market value has been below the carrying value, the financial condition and the near-term prospects of the investee, the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment in the investee for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value and general market conditions. The estimation of fair value and whether an other-than-temporary impairment has occurred requires the application of significant judgment and future results may vary from current assumptions. If declines in the value of the equity method investments are determined to be other-than-temporary, a loss is recorded in earnings in the current period as a component of loss from equity investees, net on the consolidated statements of operations.
For equity investments without readily determinable fair value, investments are recorded at cost, less impairment, adjusted for subsequent observable price changes as of the date that an observable transaction takes place. The Company performs a qualitative assessment on a quarterly basis to determine if an investment is impaired. If the qualitative assessment indicates that an investment is impaired, a loss is recorded equal to the difference between the fair value and carrying value in the current period as a component of other expense, net. (See Note 4.)
Derivative Instruments
The Company uses derivative financial instruments to modify its exposure to market risks from changes in foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates and from market volatility related to certain equity investments measured at fair value. At the inception of a derivative contract, the Company designates the derivative as one of four types based on the Company's intentions and expectations as to the likely effectiveness as a hedge. These four types are:
(1) a hedge of a forecasted transaction or the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability ("cash flow hedge");
(2) a hedge of net investments in foreign operations ("net investment hedge");
(3) a hedge of the fair value of a recognized asset or liability or of an unrecognized firm commitment ("fair value hedge"); or
(4) an instrument with no hedging designation. (See Note 10.)
Cash Flow Hedges
The Company designates foreign currency forward and option contracts as cash flow hedges to mitigate foreign currency risk arising from third-party revenue and intercompany licensing agreements. The Company also designates interest rate contracts used to hedge the pricing for certain senior notes as cash flow hedges. For foreign exchange forward contracts accounted for as cash flow hedges, the ineffective portion (if any) is not separately recorded, as the entire change in the fair value of the forward contract is recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) and reclassified into the statement of operations in the same line item in which the hedged item is recorded and in the same period as the hedged item affects earnings.

74

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Net Investment Hedges
The Company designates cross-currency swaps and foreign currency forward contracts as hedges of net investments in foreign operations. The Company assesses effectiveness for net investment hedges utilizing the spot-method. The entire change in the fair value of derivatives that qualify as net investment hedges is initially recorded in the currency translation adjustment component of other comprehensive income. While the change in fair value attributable to hedge effectiveness remains in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) until the net investment is sold or liquidated, the change in fair value attributable to components excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness (e.g., forward points, cross currency basis, etc.) is reflected as a component of interest expense, net in the current period.
Fair Value Hedges
For those derivative instruments designated as fair value hedges, the changes in fair value of the derivative instruments, including offsetting changes in fair value of the hedged items and amounts excluded from the assessment of effectiveness are recorded in other expense, net.
No Hedging Designation
The Company may also enter into derivative financial instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting and are not designated as hedges. These instruments are intended to mitigate economic exposures due to exogenous events and changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. The changes in fair value of derivatives not designated as hedges and the ineffective portion of derivatives designated as hedging instruments are recorded in other expense, net.
Financial Statement Presentation
Unsettled derivative contracts are recorded at their gross fair values on the consolidated balance sheets. The portion of the fair value that represents cash flows occurring within one year is classified as current, and the portion related to cash flows occurring beyond one year is classified as noncurrent. Gains and losses on designated cash flow and net investment hedges are initially recognized as components of accumulated other comprehensive loss on the consolidated balance sheets and reclassified into the statements of operations in the same line item in which the hedged item is recorded and in the same period as the hedged item affects earnings. The Company records gains and losses for instruments that receive no hedging designation, as a component of other expense, net on the consolidated statements of operations.
Cash flows from designated derivative instruments used as hedges and the effective portion of those instruments are classified in the consolidated statements of cash flows in the same section as the cash flows of the hedged item. Cash flows from the ineffective portion of derivative instruments used as hedges, periodic settlement of interest on cross currency swaps, and derivative contracts not designated as hedges are reported as investing activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows.
Effective July 1, 2018, the Company early adopted ASU 2017-12. As a result, the Company changed the method by which it assesses effectiveness for net investment hedges from the forward-method to the spot-method. Management believes the spot method better matches the spot rate changes of the net investment. The entire change in the fair value of derivatives that qualify as net investment hedges is initially recorded in the currency translation component of other comprehensive income. While the change in fair value attributable to hedge effectiveness remains in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) until the net investment is sold or liquidated, the change in fair value attributable to components excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness (e.g., forward points, cross currency basis, etc.) is reflected as a component of interest expense, net in the current period. Previous net losses of $87 million incurred under the forward method related to net investment hedges will remain in other comprehensive loss under the currency translation component and will be reclassified to earnings when the net investment is sold or liquidated. Additionally, as a result of ASU 2017-12, for foreign exchange forward contracts accounted for as cash flow hedges, the ineffective portion (if any) will not be separately recorded, as the entire change in the fair value of the forward contract will be recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) and reclassified into the statement of operations in the same line item in which the hedged item is recorded and in the same period as the hedged item affects earnings.
Treasury Stock
When stock is acquired for purposes other than formal or constructive retirement, the purchase price of the acquired stock is recorded in a separate treasury stock account, which is separately reported as a reduction of equity.

75

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

When stock is retired or purchased for formal or constructive retirement, the purchase price is initially recorded as a reduction to the par value of the shares repurchased, with any excess purchase price over par value recorded as a reduction to additional paid-in capital related to the series of shares repurchased and any remainder excess purchase price recorded as a reduction to retained earnings. If the purchase price exceeds the amounts allocated to par value and additional paid-in capital related to the series of shares repurchased and retained earnings, the remainder is allocated to additional paid-in capital related to other series of shares.
Revenue Recognition
The Company generates revenues principally from: (i) advertising revenue from advertising sold on its television networks, authenticated TVE applications and websites, (ii) distribution revenues from fees charged to distributors of its network content, which include cable, direct-to-home ("DTH") satellite, telecommunications and digital service providers and bundled long-term content arrangements, as well as through DTC subscription services and (iii) other revenue related to several items including: (a) unbundled rights to sales of network content, including sports rights, (b) production studios content development and services, (c) the licensing of the Company's brands for consumer products and (d) affiliate and advertising sales representation services.
Revenue is recognized upon transfer of control of promised services or goods to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration that the Company expects to receive in exchange for those services or goods. Revenues do not include taxes collected from customers on behalf of taxing authorities such as sales tax and value-added tax. However, certain revenues include taxes that customers pay to taxing authorities on the Company’s behalf, such as foreign withholding tax. Revenue recognition for each source of revenue is also based on the following policies.
Advertising
Advertising revenues are principally generated from the sale of commercial time on linear and digital platforms. A substantial portion of the linear and digital advertising contracts in the U.S. and certain international markets guarantee the advertiser a minimum audience level that either the program in which their advertisements are aired or the advertisement will reach. On the linear platform, the Company provides a service to deliver an advertising campaign which is satisfied by the provision of a minimum number of advertising spots in exchange for a fixed fee over a contract period of one year or less. The Company delivers spots in accordance with these contracts during a variety of day parts and programs. In the agreements governing these advertising campaigns, the Company has also promised to deliver to its customers a guaranteed minimum number of viewers (“impressions”) on a specific television network within a particular demographic (e.g. men aged 18-35). These advertising campaigns are considered to represent a single, distinct performance obligation. Revenues are recognized based on the audience level delivered multiplied by the average price per impression. The Company provides the advertiser with advertising until the guaranteed audience level is delivered, and invoiced advertising revenue receivables may exceed the value of the audience delivery. As such, revenues are deferred until the guaranteed audience level is delivered or the rights associated with the guarantee lapse, which is less than one year. Audience guarantees are initially developed internally, based on planned programming, historical audience levels, the success of pilot programs, and market trends. Actual audience and delivery information is published by independent ratings services.
Digital advertising contracts typically contain promises to deliver guaranteed impressions in specific markets against a targeted demographic during a stipulated period of time. If the specified number of impressions is not delivered, the transaction price is reduced by the number of impressions not delivered multiplied by the contractually stated price per impression. Each promise is considered a separate performance obligation. For digital contracts with an audience guarantee, advertising revenues are recognized as impressions are delivered. Actual audience delivery is typically reported by independent third parties.
For contracts without an audience guarantee, advertising revenues are recognized as each spot airs. The airing of individual spots without a guaranteed audience level are each distinct, individual performance obligations. The Company allocates the consideration to each spot based on its relative standalone selling price. Advertising revenues from digital platforms are recognized as impressions are delivered or the services are performed.

76

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Distribution
Cable operators, DTH satellite operators and telecommunications service providers typically pay royalties via a per-subscriber fee for the right to distribute the Company’s programming under the terms of distribution contracts. The majority of the Company’s distribution fees are collected monthly throughout the year and distribution revenue is recognized over the term of the contracts based on contracted programming rates and reported subscriber levels. The amount of distribution fees due to the Company is reported by distributors based on actual subscriber levels. Such information is generally not received until after the close of the reporting period. In these cases, the Company estimates the number of subscribers receiving the Company’s programming to estimate royalty revenue. Historical adjustments to recorded estimates have not been material. Distribution revenue from fixed-fee contracts is recognized over the contract term based on the continuous delivery of the content to the affiliate. Any monetary incentives provided to distributors are recognized as a reduction of revenue over the service term.
Although the delivery of linear feeds and digital DTC products, such as video-on-demand (“VOD”) and authenticated TVE applications, are considered distinct performance obligations within a distribution arrangement, on demand offerings generally match the programs that are airing on the linear network. Therefore, the Company recognizes revenue for licensing arrangements as the license fee is earned and based on continuous delivery for fixed fee contracts.
For DTC subscription services, the Company recognizes revenue as the license fee is earned over the subscription period.
Revenues associated with digital distribution arrangements are recognized when the Company transfers control of the content and the rights to distribute the content to the customer.
Other
License fees from the sublicensing of sports rights are recognized when the rights become available for airing. Revenue from the production studios segment is recognized when the content is delivered and available for airing by the customer. Royalties from brand licensing arrangements are earned as products are sold by the licensee. Affiliate and ad sales representation services are recognized as services are provided.
Multiple Performance Obligations
Contracts with customers may include multiple distinct performance obligations. Advertising contracts may include sponsorship, production, or product integration in addition to the airing of spots and the satisfaction of an audience guarantee. For such contracts, the contract value is allocated to individual performance obligations and recorded as revenue when each performance obligation has been satisfied and value has been transferred to the customer. Distribution contracts also include multiple performance obligations. The Company also enters into certain distribution contracts that include promises to deliver content libraries. There are generally two types of such arrangements: 1) content licensing arrangements that include subscription video on demand (“SVOD”) licensing arrangements and 2) digital DTC content (such as VOD and authenticated TVE applications), which is a performance obligation within our linear distribution arrangements. These contracts vary by customer and in certain instances include a promise by the Company to deliver existing content and new content. For SVOD arrangements, revenue is allocated to each performance obligation based on that performance obligation's relative standalone selling price. In the case of VOD and digital DTC content, content is regularly refreshed over the term of the agreement, as new titles are added and older titles are removed. Consequently, satisfaction of the performance obligations generally occurs in the same pattern as the delivery of the linear feed.
Deferred Revenue
Deferred revenue consists of cash received for television advertising for which the guaranteed viewership has not been provided, product licensing arrangements in which fee collections are in excess of the license value provided, and advanced fees received related to the sublicensing of Olympic rights. The amounts classified as current are expected to be earned within the next year.
Payment terms vary by the type and location of the customer and the products or services offered. The term between invoicing and when payment is due is not significant. For certain products or services and customer types, we require payment before the products or services are delivered to the customer.

77

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Share-Based Compensation Expense
The Company has incentive plans under which performance-based restricted stock units (“PRSUs”), service-based restricted stock units (“RSUs”), stock options, and stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) are issued. In addition, the Company offers an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "ESPP"). Share-based compensation expense for all awards is recorded as a component of selling, general and administrative expense. Forfeitures for all awards are recognized as incurred. Excess tax benefits realized from the exercise of stock options and vested RSUs, PRSUs and the ESPP are reported as cash inflows from operating activities on the consolidated statements of cash flows.
PRSUs
Vesting for PRSUs is subject to satisfying objective operating performance conditions or a combination of objective and subjective operating performance conditions. Compensation expense for PRSUs is based on the fair value of the Company’s Series A and C common stock on the date of grant. Compensation expense for PRSUs that vest based on achieving subjective operating performance conditions or in situations where the executive is able to withhold taxes in excess of the minimum statutory requirement, is remeasured at fair value each reporting period until the date of conversion. Compensation expense for all PRSUs is recognized ratably, following a graded vesting pattern during the vesting period only when it is probable that the operating performance conditions will be achieved. The Company records a cumulative adjustment to compensation expense for PRSUs if there is a change in the determination of the probability that the operating performance conditions will be achieved.
RSUs
Compensation expense for RSUs is based on the fair value of the award on the date of grant and is recognized ratably during the vesting period.
SARs and Stock Options
Compensation expense for SARs is based on the fair value of the award. Because certain SARs are cash-settled, the Company remeasures the fair value of these awards each reporting period until settlement. Compensation expense for SARs, including changes in fair value, is recognized during the vesting period in proportion to the requisite service that has been rendered as of the reporting date. For awards with graded vesting, the Company measures fair value and records compensation expense separately for each vesting tranche.
Compensation expense for stock options is based on the fair value of the award on the date of grant and is recognized ratably during the vesting period.
The fair values of SARs and stock options are estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Because the Black-Scholes option-pricing model requires the use of subjective assumptions, changes in these assumptions can materially affect the fair value of awards. For SARs, the expected term is the period from the grant date to the end of the contractual term of the award unless the terms of the award allow for cash-settlement automatically on the date the awards vest, in which case the vesting date is used. For stock options the simplified method is utilized to calculate the expected term, since the Company does not have sufficient historical exercise data to provide a reasonable basis upon which to estimate the expected term. The simplified method considers the period from the date of grant through the mid-point between the vesting date and the end of the contractual term of the award. Expected volatility is based on a combination of implied volatilities from traded options on the Company’s common stock and historical realized volatility of the Company’s common stock. The dividend yield is assumed to be zero because the Company has no history of paying cash dividends and no present intention to pay dividends. The risk-free interest rate is based on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with a remaining term equal to the expected term of the award.
ESPP
The ESPP enables eligible employees to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock through payroll deductions or other permitted means. The Company recognizes the fair value of the discount associated with shares purchased under the ESPP as share-based compensation expense.
Advertising Costs
Advertising costs are expensed as promotional services are delivered and are presented in selling, general and administrative expenses. Advertising costs paid to third parties totaled $390 million, $355 million and $162 million for 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

78

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Income Taxes
Income taxes are recorded using the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effect of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Deferred taxes are measured using rates the Company expects to apply to taxable income in years in which those temporary differences are expected to reverse. A valuation allowance is provided for deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not such assets will be unrealized. The Company also engaged in transactions that make the Company eligible for federal investment tax credits. The Company accounts for federal investment tax credits under the flow-through method, under which the tax benefit generated from an investment tax credit is recorded in the period the credit is generated.
From time to time, the Company engages in transactions in which the tax consequences may be uncertain. Significant judgment is required in assessing and estimating the tax consequences of these transactions. The Company prepares and files tax returns based on its interpretation of tax laws and regulations. In the normal course of business, the Company's tax returns are subject to examination by various taxing authorities. Such examinations may result in future tax and interest assessments by these taxing authorities.
In determining the Company's tax provision for financial reporting purposes, the Company establishes a reserve for uncertain tax positions unless the Company determines that such positions are more likely than not to be sustained upon examination based on their technical merits, including the resolution of any appeals or litigation processes. The Company includes interest and where appropriate, penalties, in its tax reserves. There is significant judgment involved in determining the amount of reserve and whether positions taken on the Company's tax returns are more likely than not to be sustained, which involve the use of significant estimates and assumptions with respect to the potential outcome of positions taken on tax returns that may be reviewed by tax authorities. The Company adjusts its tax reserve estimates periodically because of ongoing examinations by, and settlements with, various taxing authorities, as well as changes in tax laws, regulations and interpretations.
Concentrations Risk
Customers
The Company has long-term contracts with distributors around the world. For the U.S. Networks segment, more than 95% of distribution revenue comes from the 10 largest distributors. Agreements in place with the 10 largest cable and satellite operators with the U.S. Networks expire at various times from 2020 through 2024. Although the Company seeks to renew its agreements with its distributors prior to expiration of a contract, a delay in securing a renewal that results in a service disruption, a failure to secure a renewal or a renewal on less favorable terms may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. Not only could the Company experience a reduction in distribution revenue, but it could also experience a reduction in advertising revenue, as viewership is impacted by affiliate subscriber levels.
No individual customer accounted for more than 10% of total consolidated revenues for 2019, 2018 or 2017. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company’s trade receivables do not represent a significant concentration of credit risk as the customers and markets in which the Company operates are varied and dispersed across many geographic areas.
Financial Institutions
Cash and cash equivalents are maintained with several financial institutions. The Company has deposits held with banks that exceed the amount of insurance provided on such deposits. Generally, these deposits may be redeemed upon demand and are maintained with financial institutions of reputable credit and, therefore, bear minimal credit risk.
Counterparty Credit Risk
The Company is exposed to the risk that the counterparties to outstanding derivative financial instruments will default on their obligations. The Company manages these credit risks through the evaluation and monitoring of the creditworthiness of, and concentration of risk with, the respective counterparties. In this regard, credit risk associated with outstanding derivative financial instruments is spread across a relatively broad counterparty base of banks and financial institutions. In connection with the Company's hedge of certain investments classified as available-for-sale securities, the Company has pledged shares as collateral to the derivative counterparty. (See Note 4.) The Company also has a limited number of arrangements where collateral is required to be posted in the instance that certain fair value thresholds are exceeded. As of December 31, 2019, no collateral has been posted by either party under these arrangements. As of December 31, 2019, our exposure to counterparty credit risk included derivative assets with an aggregate fair value of $225 million. (See Note 10.)

79

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Accounting and Reporting Pronouncements Adopted
Leases
In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-02, which requires lessees to recognize almost all of their leases on the balance sheet by recording a right-of-use asset and lease liability. The guidance also requires improved disclosures to help users of the financial statements better understand the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. The Company adopted ASU 2016-02 effective January 1, 2019 and elected to apply the guidance at the effective date without recasting the comparative periods presented. Additionally, the Company elected to apply practical expedients allowing it to not reassess: 1) whether any expired or existing contracts previously assessed as not containing leases are, or contain, leases; 2) the lease classification for any expired or existing leases; and 3) initial direct costs for any existing leases. The Company also elected to not separate lease components from non-lease components across all lease categories. Instead, each separate lease component and non-lease component are accounted for as a single lease component. The Company did not elect to apply the practical expedient to use hindsight in determining the lease term and in assessing the right-of-use assets for impairment. Additionally, the Company did not elect to apply the short-term lease scope exemption.
The adoption of ASU 2016-02 resulted in recognition of operating lease right-of-use assets of $342 million (included in “Other noncurrent assets”) and operating lease liabilities of $372 million (included in “Accrued liabilities” and “Other noncurrent liabilities”). The operating lease right-of use assets recorded upon adoption were offset by prepaid and deferred rent balances and ASC 420 liabilities totaling approximately $30 million. In addition, capital lease obligations totaling $252 million as of December 31, 2018 (known as finance lease liabilities effective January 1, 2019) were reclassified from current and noncurrent debt to components of "Accrued liabilities" and "Other noncurrent liabilities" on the consolidated balance sheet to conform with the new presentation. The adoption did not affect the pattern of expense recognition, cash flow presentation, or the Company's ability to meet its financial covenants. See Note 9 for further information.
Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, which permits entities to reclassify tax effects stranded in accumulated other comprehensive income as a result of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("TCJA") to retained earnings for each period in which the effect of the change is recorded. The update also requires entities to disclose their accounting policy for releasing income tax effects from accumulated other comprehensive income. The Company adopted ASU 2018-02 effective January 1, 2019, which resulted in a reclassification of $30 million between accumulated other comprehensive loss and retained earnings on the consolidated balance sheet and the consolidated statement of equity. Tax effects unrelated to the TCJA are released from accumulated other comprehensive loss using either the specific identification approach or the portfolio approach based on the nature of the underlying item.
Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities
In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, which includes significant amendments that expand the eligibility for hedge accounting to more financial and nonfinancial hedging strategies. The guidance is intended to align hedge accounting with companies’ risk management strategies, simplify the application of hedge accounting, and increase transparency as to the scope and results of hedging programs. In addition, the guidance amends the presentation and disclosure requirements and changes how companies assess effectiveness. The Company early adopted the pronouncement on July 1, 2018. As a result, the Company changed the method by which it assesses effectiveness for net investment hedges from the forward-method to the spot-method.
The Company believes the spot method better matches the spot rate changes of the net investment. Previous net losses of $87 million incurred under the forward method related to net investment hedges will remain in other comprehensive loss under the currency translation adjustments component and will be reclassified to earnings when the net investment is sold or liquidated. The adoption of ASU 2017-12 did not result in a material impact to our consolidated results of operations; however, the Company has expanded its disclosures of its derivative activities in Note 10.
Revenue from Contracts with Customers
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers ("Topic 606"), which updates numerous requirements in U.S. GAAP, eliminates industry-specific guidance, and provides companies with a single model for recognizing revenue from contracts with customers. The core principle of Topic 606 is that a company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance also addresses the accounting for costs incurred as part of obtaining or fulfilling a contract with a customer by adding ASC Subtopic 340-40, Other Assets and Deferred Costs: Contracts with Customers, and requiring that costs of obtaining a contract be recognized as an asset and amortized as goods and services are transferred to the customer, as long as the costs are expected to be recovered.

80

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted Topic 606 using the modified retrospective method applied to contracts not completed as of January 1, 2018. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2018, are presented under Topic 606, while prior period amounts have not been adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with our historic accounting under Topic 605. Under Topic 605, revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of a sales arrangement exists, services are rendered or delivery occurs, the sales price is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. Revenues do not include taxes collected from customers on behalf of taxing authorities such as sales tax and value-added tax. However, certain revenues include taxes that customers pay to taxing authorities on the Company’s behalf, such as foreign withholding tax.
Following the modified retrospective approach for the adoption of this accounting guidance, the Company recorded an increase to opening retained earnings of $7 million as of January 1, 2018, due to the cumulative impact of adopting Topic 606. The impact relates to the capitalization of sales commissions for long-term education-based services for the Education Business, which was disposed of as of April 30, 2018. (See Note 3.) For the year ended December 31, 2018, the total amortization of capitalized sales commissions recorded as a component of cost of revenues was immaterial. The impact to revenue and costs of revenue as a result of applying Topic 606 was immaterial for the year ended December 31, 2018. (See Note 14.)
Accounting and Reporting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
Content
In March 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-02, which generally aligns the accounting for production costs of episodic television series with the accounting for production costs of films. In addition, ASU 2019-02 modifies certain aspects of the capitalization, impairment, presentation and disclosure requirements in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 926-20 and the impairment, presentation and disclosure requirements in ASC 920-350.  The Company adopted this ASU on January 1, 2020 and will apply the provisions prospectively. In connection with this adoption, the Company elected to treat all content rights as a noncurrent asset. As of December 31, 2019, $579 million was reflected as a current asset. There was no material impact to the Consolidated Statements of Operations or the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
Goodwill
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, which simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating Step 2 from the former two-step goodwill impairment test and eliminating the requirements for any reporting unit with a zero or negative carrying amount to perform a qualitative assessment. Therefore, an entity will recognize impairment charges for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit's fair value not to exceed the amount of goodwill recorded for that reporting unit. Goodwill impairment will no longer be measured as the excess of the carrying amount of goodwill over its implied fair value determined by assigning the fair value of a reporting unit to all of its assets and liabilities as if it had been acquired in a business combination. The Company adopted this ASU on January 1, 2020 and will apply the provisions prospectively to future goodwill impairment tests.
Financial Instruments - Credit Losses
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, which changes the impairment model for most financial assets and certain other instruments, including trade and other receivables, held-to-maturity debt securities and loans, and requires entities to use a new, forward-looking “expected loss” model that would generally result in the earlier recognition of allowances for losses. Adoption of the standard will be applied using a modified retrospective approach through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the effective date to align our credit loss methodology with the new standard. The Company will adopt this ASU on January 1, 2020 with the cumulative effect of adoption recorded as an adjustment to retained earnings. The effect on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures is not expected to be material.
NOTE 3. ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS
Acquisitions
UKTV - Lifestyle Business
On June 11, 2019, the Company and BBC Studios (“BBC”) dissolved their 50/50 joint venture, UKTV, a British multi-channel broadcaster, with the Company taking full control of UKTV’s three lifestyle channels (the “Lifestyle Business”) and BBC taking full control of UKTV’s seven entertainment channels (the "Entertainment Business"). Prior to the transaction, the Company held a note receivable from UKTV of $118 million, which was included in equity method investments in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. (See Note 4.) Concurrent with the transaction, the note was settled.

81

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

To compensate Discovery for the note receivable and for the difference in fair value between the Lifestyle Business and the Entertainment Business retained by BBC, Discovery received cash of $88 million at closing and a note receivable from BBC of $130 million, payable in two equal installments in June 2020 and 2021. The Company used a market-based valuation model to determine the fair value of the previously held 50% equity method investment in the Lifestyle Business and recognized a gain of $5 million for the difference between the carrying value and the fair value of the of the previously held equity interest, which is included in other expense, net in the Company's consolidated statements of operations. (See Note 20.)
The Company applied the acquisition method of accounting to the Lifestyle Business, whereby the excess of the fair value of the business over the fair value of identifiable net assets was allocated to goodwill. The goodwill reflects the workforce and synergies expected from broader exposure to the lifestyle entertainment sector in the U.K. The goodwill recorded as part of this acquisition is included in the International Networks reportable segment and is not amortizable for tax purposes. Intangible assets consist of electronic program guide slots and trademarks and have a weighted average useful life of 6 years. The preliminary opening balance sheet is subject to adjustment based on final assessment of the fair values of certain acquired assets, principally intangibles, and certain liabilities assumed. The Company used discounted cash flow ("DCF") analyses, which represent Level 3 fair value measurements, to assess certain components of its purchase price allocation. As the Company finalizes the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, purchase price adjustments may be recorded during the measurement period. The Company will reflect measurement period adjustments, if any, in the period in which the adjustments occur.
The preliminary fair value of Lifestyle Business assets acquired and liabilities assumed, as well as a reconciliation to total assets received in dissolution of the UKTV joint venture, is presented in the table below (in millions).
Cash
 
$
17

Content rights
 
18

Intangible assets
 
34

Goodwill
 
121

Accrued liabilities
 
(12
)
Total assets acquired and liabilities assumed in Lifestyle Business
 
178

Note receivable from BBC
 
130

Cash received
 
88

Net assets received in dissolution of UKTV joint venture
 
$
396


A summary of total assets derecognized in connection with the dissolution of the UKTV joint venture is presented in the table below (in millions).
Carrying value of UKTV equity method investment
 
$
278

Settlement of note receivable
 
118

Total assets derecognized in dissolution of UKTV joint venture
 
$
396


As described further in Note 6, in connection with the above transaction, the Company contemporaneously entered into a ten-year content licensing arrangement with BBC in exchange for license fees over the term.

82

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Scripps Networks
On March 6, 2018, Discovery acquired Scripps Networks. The acquisition of Scripps Networks allows the Company to offer complementary brands with an extensive library of original programming to consumers and to become a scale player with the ability to compete for audiences and advertising revenue. The acquisition is intended to extend Scripps Networks' content to a broader international audience through Discovery's global distribution infrastructure. Finally, the acquisition of Scripps Networks has created cost synergies for the Company.
The consideration paid for the acquisition of Scripps Networks consisted of the following:
(i)
for Scripps Networks shareholders that did not make an election or elected to receive the mixed consideration, $65.82 in cash and 1.0584 shares of Discovery Series C common stock for each Scripps Networks share,
(ii)
for Scripps Networks shareholders that elected to receive the cash consideration, $90.00 in cash for each Scripps Networks share,
(iii) for Scripps Networks shareholders that elected to receive the stock consideration, 3.9392 shares of Discovery Series C common stock for each Scripps Networks share, and
(iv) transaction costs that Discovery paid for costs incurred by Scripps Networks in conjunction with the acquisition.
The following table summarizes the components of the aggregate consideration paid for the acquisition of Scripps Networks (in millions of dollars and shares, except for per share amounts, share conversion ratio and stock option conversion ratio).
Scripps Networks equity
 
 
Scripps Networks shares outstanding
 
131

Cash consideration per Scripps Networks share
 
$
65.82

Cash portion of consideration
 
$
8,590

 
 
 
Scripps Networks shares outstanding
 
131

Share conversion ratio per Scripps Networks share
 
1.0584

Discovery Series C common stock
 
138

Discovery Series C common stock price per share
 
$
23.01

Equity portion of consideration
 
$
3,179

 
 
 
Shares awarded under Scripps Networks share-based compensation programs
 
3

Scripps Networks share-based compensation awards converting to cash
 
2

Average cash consideration per share awarded less applicable exercise price
 
$
46.90

Cash portion of consideration
 
$
88

 
 
 
Scripps Networks share-based compensation awards
 
1

Share-based compensation conversion ratio (based on intrinsic value per award)
 
3

Discovery Series C common stock issued (1) or share-based compensation converted (2)
 
3

Average equity value (intrinsic value of Discovery Series C common stock or options to be issued)
 
$
15.19

Share-based compensation equity value
 
$
51

Less: post-combination compensation expense
 
(12
)
Equity portion of consideration
 
39

 
 
 
Scripps Networks transaction costs paid by Discovery
 
117

 
 
 
Total consideration paid
 
$
12,013


Balances reflect rounding of dollar and share amounts to millions, which may result in differences for recalculated standalone amounts compared with the amounts presented above.

83

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Company applied the acquisition method of accounting to Scripps Networks' business, whereby the excess of the fair value of the business over the fair value of identifiable net assets was allocated to goodwill. Goodwill reflects workforce and synergies expected from cost savings, operations and revenue enhancements of the combined company that are expected to result from the acquisition. The goodwill recorded as part of this acquisition was allocated to the U.S. Networks and International Networks reportable segments in the amounts of $5.3 billion and $817 million, respectively, and is not amortizable for tax purposes.
The Company used discounted cash flow ("DCF") analyses, which represent Level 3 fair value measurements, to assess certain components of its purchase price allocation. The fair value of equity interests previously held by Scripps Networks was determined using the discounted cash flow and market value methods. The fair value of trade-names and trademarks was determined using an income approach based on the relief from royalty method; the remaining intangibles were determined using an income approach based on the excess earnings method. The fair value of interest-bearing debt was determined using publicly-traded prices. For the fair value estimates, the Company used: (i) projected discounted cash flows, (ii) historical and projected financial information, (iii) synergies including cost savings, and (iv) attrition rates, as relevant, that market participants would consider when estimating fair values. During the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Company finalized the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Measurement period adjustments were reflected in the periods in which the adjustments occurred. The adjustments resulted from the receipt of additional financial projections associated with certain equity method investments, contingent liability estimates, deferred income tax adjustments, and true-ups for estimated working capital balances. The fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, measurement period adjustments, as well as a reconciliation to consideration paid is presented in the table below (in millions).
 
 
Preliminary
 
Measurement Period Adjustments
 
Final
Accounts receivable
 
$
783

 
$

 
$
783

Other current assets
 
421

 
(9
)
 
412

Content rights
 
1,088

 
(14
)
 
1,074

Property and equipment
 
315

 

 
315

Goodwill
 
6,003

 
154

 
6,157

Intangible assets
 
9,175

 

 
9,175

Equity method investments, including note receivable
 
870

 
(157
)
 
713

Other noncurrent assets
 
111

 
4

 
115

Current liabilities assumed
 
(494
)
 
(105
)
 
(599
)
Debt assumed
 
(2,481
)
 

 
(2,481
)
Deferred income taxes
 
(1,695
)
 
123

 
(1,572
)
Other noncurrent liabilities
 
(383
)
 
4

 
(379
)
Noncontrolling interests
 
(1,700
)
 

 
(1,700
)
Total consideration paid
 
$
12,013

 
$

 
$
12,013


The table below presents a summary of intangible assets acquired and weighted average estimated useful life of these assets.
 
 
Fair Value
 
Weighted Average Useful Life in Years
Trademarks and trade names
 
$
1,225

 
10
Advertiser relationships
 
4,995

 
10
Advertising backlog
 
280

 
1
Affiliate relationships
 
2,455

 
12
Broadcast licenses
 
220

 
6
Total intangible assets acquired
 
$
9,175

 
 



84

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

OWN
On November 30, 2017, the Company acquired a controlling interest in the Oprah Winfrey Network ("OWN") from Harpo, Inc. ("Harpo"), increasing Discovery’s ownership stake from 49.50% to 73.75%. OWN is a pay-TV network and website that provides adult lifestyle and entertainment content that is focused on African American viewers. Discovery paid $70 million in cash and recognized a gain of $33 million to account for the difference between the carrying value and the fair value of the previously held 49.50% equity method investment. The fair value of the equity interest in the network is subject to the impact of the note payable to Discovery. Discovery consolidated OWN under the VIE consolidation model upon closing of the transaction. Following the acquisition of the incremental equity interest and change to governance provisions, the Company has determined that it is now the primary beneficiary of OWN as Discovery obtained control of the Board of Directors and operational rights that significantly impact the economic performance of the business such as programming and marketing, and selection of key personnel. As a result, the accounting for OWN was changed from an equity method investment to a consolidated subsidiary. As the primary beneficiary, Discovery includes OWN's assets, liabilities and results of operations in the Company's consolidated financial statements.
The Company applied the acquisition method of accounting to OWN’s business, whereby the excess of the fair value of the business over the fair value of identifiable net assets was allocated to goodwill. The goodwill reflects the workforce and synergies expected from broader exposure to the self-discovery and self-improvement entertainment sector. The goodwill recorded as part of this acquisition is included in the U.S. Networks reportable segment and is not amortizable for tax purposes. Intangible assets consist of advertiser backlog, advertiser relationships and affiliate relationships with a weighted average estimated useful life of 9 years.
The Company used DCF analyses, which represent Level 3 fair value measurements, to assess certain components of its purchase price allocation. The fair value of intangibles was determined using an income approach based on the excess earnings method. For the fair value estimates, the Company used: (i) projected discounted cash flows, (ii) historical and projected financial information, (iii) synergies including cost savings and (iv) attrition rates, as relevant, that market participants would consider when estimating fair values. The Company reflected measurement period adjustments, in the period in which the adjustment occurred. The fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, measurement period adjustments, as well as a reconciliation to cash consideration transferred is presented in the table below (in millions).
Intangible assets
 
$
295

Content rights
 
176

Accounts receivable
 
84

Other assets
 
26

Other liabilities
 
(218
)
Net assets acquired
 
$
363

Goodwill
 
124

Remeasurement gain on previously held equity interest
 
(33
)
Carrying value of previously held equity interest
 
(329
)
Redeemable noncontrolling interest (Note 11)
 
(55
)
Cash consideration transferred
 
$
70


MotorTrend Group
On September 25, 2017, the Company contributed its linear cable network focused on cars and motor sports, Velocity, to a new joint venture MotorTrend Group, LLC ("MTG"), formally VTEN with GoldenTree Asset Management L.P. ("GoldenTree"). GoldenTree's contributions to the joint venture included businesses from The Enthusiast Network, Inc. ("TEN"), primarily MotorTrend.com, the MotorTrend YouTube channel and the MotorTrend OnDemand OTT service. TEN did not contribute its print businesses to the joint venture. The joint venture has a portfolio of digital content, social groups, live events and original content focused on the automotive audience. In exchange for their contributions, Discovery and GoldenTree received 67.5% and 32.5% ownership of the new joint venture, respectively. GoldenTree's 32.5% noncontrolling interest in the joint venture is presented as redeemable noncontrolling interest outside of permanent equity. (See Note 11.)

85

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Upon the closing of the transaction, Discovery consolidated the joint venture under the voting interest consolidation model. As the Company controlled Velocity and continues to control Velocity after the transaction, the change in the value of the Company's ownership interest was accounted for as an equity transaction and no gain or loss was recognized in the Company's consolidated statements of operations, but was reflected as a component of additional paid-in capital in the consolidated statement of equity. The Company applied the acquisition method of accounting to TEN's contributed businesses, whereby the excess of the fair value of the contributed business over the fair value of identifiable net assets was allocated to goodwill. The goodwill reflects the workforce and synergies expected from broader exposure to the automotive entertainment sector. The goodwill recorded as part of this acquisition is included in the U.S. Networks reportable segment and is not amortizable for tax purposes. Intangible assets primarily consist of trade names, licensing agreements and customer relationships with a weighted average estimated useful life of 16 years.
The Company used DCF analyses, which represent Level 3 fair value measurements, to assess certain components of its purchase price allocation. The fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is presented in the table below (in millions).
Goodwill
 
$
75

Intangible assets
 
53

Property plant and equipment, net
 
17

Other assets acquired
 
6

Liabilities assumed
 
(7
)
Net assets acquired
 
$
144


Other
Magnolia Discovery Ventures
On July 19, 2019, the Company contributed its linear cable network focused on home improvement, DIY Network, to a new joint venture, Magnolia Discovery Ventures, LLC ("Magnolia"), with Chip and Joanna Gaines acting as Chief Creative Officers to the joint venture. The joint venture will replace and rebrand the DIY Network, include a TV Everywhere app that will be released in 2020, and a subscription streaming service planned for a later date.
Upon formation of Magnolia, Discovery received a 75% ownership interest in the joint venture. In exchange for providing services and exclusivity to the joint venture, the Gaines received a 25% ownership interest in the joint venture, a put right after 6.5 years at fair value, the potential for an additional 5% incentive equity interest, and certain guaranteed payments. Discovery consolidated the joint venture under the voting interest consolidation model. Payments to the Gaines for rendering services in their capacity as the Chief Creative Officers of the joint venture will be accounted for as liability-classified share-based awards to non-employees as services are rendered.
Golf Digest
On May 13, 2019, the Company paid $36 million in cash to acquire Golf Digest, a leading golf brand whose content is available across multiple platforms, including print and social media. The Company applied the acquisition method of accounting to Golf Digest, whereby the excess of the fair value of the business over the fair value of identifiable net assets was allocated to goodwill. The Company recorded preliminary net assets of $36 million, subject to adjustment based on the final assessment of the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including net working capital liabilities of $12 million, intangible assets of $25 million and goodwill of $23 million. Intangible assets consist of trademarks and trade names and licensing agreements and have a weighted average useful life of 9 years. The goodwill reflects the workforce and synergies expected from broader exposure to the golf entertainment sector. The goodwill recorded as part of this acquisition is included in the International Networks reportable segment and is not amortizable for tax purposes.

86

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Play Sports Group Limited
On January 8, 2019, the Company paid $41 million in cash to acquire a controlling interest in Play Sports Group Limited ("PSG"), increasing Discovery's ownership stake from 20.1% to 70.7%. The Company recognized a gain of $8 million, which represents the difference between the carrying value and the fair value of the previously held 20.1% equity method investment. The gain is included in other expense, net in the Company's consolidated statement of operations. (See Note 20.) The Company consolidated PSG under the voting interest model upon the closing of the transaction and as a result, the accounting for PSG was changed from an equity method investment to a consolidated subsidiary. The Company applied the acquisition method of accounting to PSG, whereby the excess of the fair value of the business over the fair value of identifiable net assets was allocated to goodwill. The Company recorded net assets of $79 million, including cash of $19 million, other net working capital liabilities of $6 million, intangible assets of $29 million, and goodwill of $37 million. Intangible assets consist of trademarks and trade names, advertiser relationships, affiliate backlog and broadcast licenses and have a weighted average useful life of 10 years. The goodwill reflects the workforce and synergies expected from broader exposure to the cycling entertainment sector. The goodwill recorded as part of this acquisition is included in the International Networks reportable segment and is not amortizable for tax purposes. Additionally, the Company recorded a redeemable noncontrolling interest of $25 million. (See Note 11.)
Pro Forma Financial Information
The following unaudited pro forma information has been presented as if the acquisition of Scripps Networks occurred on January 1, 2017. Pro forma information for the Company's other acquisitions was not material. The information is based on the historical results of operations of the acquired businesses, adjusted for:
1.
The allocation of purchase price and related adjustments, including adjustments to amortization expense related to the fair value of intangible assets acquired and the recognition of the noncontrolling interests;
2.
Impacts of debt financing, including interest for debt issued and amortization associated with the fair value adjustments of debt assumed;
3.
The movement and allocation of all acquisition-related costs incurred during the year ended December 31, 2018 to the year ended December 31, 2017;
4.
Associated tax-related impacts of adjustments; and
5.
Changes to align accounting policies.
The pro forma results do not necessarily represent what would have occurred if the acquisition of Scripps Networks had taken place on January 1, 2017, nor do they represent the results that may occur in the future. The pro forma adjustments were based on available information and upon assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable to reflect the impact of this acquisition on the Company's historical financial information on a supplemental pro forma basis (in millions). The following table presents the Company's pro forma combined revenues and net income (in millions, except per share value). Pro forma results for the year ended December 31, 2019 are not presented below because the results for Scripps Networks are included in the Company's December 31, 2019 consolidated statement of operations.
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
Revenues
 
$
11,176

 
$
10,790

Net income (loss) available to Discovery, Inc.
 
823

 
(329
)
Net income (loss) per share - basic
 
1.15

 
(0.46
)
Net income (loss) per share - diluted
 
1.15

 
(0.47
)


87

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Impact of Business Combination
The operations of Scripps Networks discussed above were included in the consolidated financial statements as of the acquisition date of March 6, 2018. The following table presents the revenue and earnings for Scripps Networks as reported within the consolidated financial statements (in millions).
 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2018
Revenues:
 
 
Advertising
 
$
2,163

Distribution
 
795

Other
 
90

Total revenues
 
$
3,048

Net income (loss) available to Discovery, Inc.
 
$
204


Dispositions
Education Business
In 2018, the Company sold an 88% controlling equity stake in its education business to Francisco Partners for a sale price of $113 million. The Company recorded a gain of $84 million based on net assets disposed of $44 million, including $40 million of goodwill. The impact of the education business on the Company's income before income taxes was a loss of $2 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. Discovery retained a 12% ownership interest in the education business, which is accounted for as an equity method investment. (See Note 4.) Discovery has long-term trade name license agreements with the education business that are royalty arrangements at fair value.
Raw and Betty Studios, LLC
In 2017, the Company sold Raw and Betty to All3Media. All3Media is a U.K. based television, film and digital production and distribution company. The Company owns 50% of All3Media and accounts for its investment in All3Media under the equity method of accounting. The Company recorded a loss of $4 million for the disposition of these businesses for the year ended December 31, 2017. The loss on disposition of Raw and Betty resulted from the disposition of net assets of $38 million, including $30 million of goodwill. The impact to the Company's income before income taxes for Raw and Betty through the date of sale was a loss of $4 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. Raw and Betty were components of the studios operating segment reported with Other.
NOTE 4. INVESTMENTS
The Company’s investments consisted of the following (in millions).
 
 
 
 
December 31,
Category
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
2019
 
2018
Equity method investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity investments
 
Equity method investments
 
$
568

 
$
841

Note receivable
 
Equity method investments
 

 
94

Equity investments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common stock investments with readily determinable fair values
 
Other noncurrent assets
 
51

 
77

Equity investments without readily determinable fair value
 
Other noncurrent assets
 
514

 
379

Total investments
 
 
 
$
1,133

 
$
1,391


Equity Method Investments
The Company makes investments that support its underlying business strategy and enable it to enter new markets and develop programming.

88

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Unconsolidated VIEs
Certain of the Company's equity method investments are VIEs, for which the Company is not the primary beneficiary. As of December 31, 2019, the Company’s maximum exposure for all its unconsolidated VIEs, including the investment carrying values and unfunded contractual commitments made on behalf of VIEs, was approximately $246 million. The Company's maximum estimated exposure excludes the non-contractual future funding of VIEs. The aggregate carrying values of these VIE investments were $160 million and $528 million as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. The Company recognized its portion of VIE operating results with net losses and impairments of $14 million, $52 million, and $182 million for 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, in loss from equity investees, net on the consolidated statements of operations.
UKTV
The Company acquired a 50% ownership interest in UKTV, a British multi-channel broadcaster jointly owned with BBC Studios (“BBC”), as part of the acquisition of Scripps Networks. In June 2019, the Company and BBC dissolved UKTV with the Company taking full control of the Lifestyle Business and BBC taking full control of the Entertainment Business. (See Note 3.) As of December 31, 2018, the Company’s investment in UKTV totaled $386 million, including a note receivable of $94 million.
nC+
The Company acquired a 32% ownership interest in nC+, a Polish satellite distributor of television content, as part of the acquisition of Scripps Networks. nC+ is controlled by Group Canal+ S.A, a French broadcaster. The Company applies the equity method of accounting to its 32% investment in nC+ ordinary shares, which provide the ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of nC+. The Company's investment in nC+ totaled $182 million and $180 million as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Renewable Energy Investments
During the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, the Company invested $4 million, $17 million and $322 million, respectively, in limited liability companies that sponsor renewable energy projects related to solar energy. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company's carrying value of renewable energy investments was $92 million and $89 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2019, the Company had no future funding commitments for these investments.
These investments are considered VIEs of the Company and are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. While the Company possesses rights that allow it to exercise significant influence over the investments, the Company does not have the power to direct the activities that will most significantly impact their economic performance, such as the investee's ability to obtain sufficient customers or control solar panel assets. Once a stipulated return on investment is earned by the Company, the investment allocations to the Company are significantly reduced. Accordingly, the Company applies the HLBV methodology for allocating earnings. The Company accounts for investment tax credits utilizing the flow through method. The following table presents renewable energy investments losses and associated tax benefits (in millions).
 
Consolidated Statements of Operations Classification
 
Year Ended December 31,
Renewable Energy Investments
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
Income (loss) on renewable energy investments
Loss from equity investees, net
 
$
13

 
$
(11
)
 
$
(251
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tax impact:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity passive (income) loss
Income tax expense
 
$
(3
)
 
$
2

 
$
83

Investment tax credits
Income tax expense
 

 
12

 
211

Total tax (expense) benefit
 
 
$
(3
)
 
$
14

 
$
294


Other Equity Method Investments
At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company's other equity method investments included production companies such as All3Media, a Russian cable television business, Mega TV in Chile, certain joint ventures in Canada, and HGTV and Food Network Magazines. The Company recorded impairment losses of $4 million and $29 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, because the change in value was considered other-than-temporary. The impairment losses are reflected as a component of loss from equity investees, net on the Company's consolidated statement of operations.

89

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Investor Basis Differential
With the exception of UKTV prior to the dissolution discussed in Note 3 and nC+, the carrying values of the Company’s remaining equity method investments are consistent with its ownership in the underlying net assets of the investees. A portion of the Scripps Networks purchase price associated with the investments in UKTV and nC+ was attributed to amortizable intangible assets, which are included in their carrying values. Earnings from these equity investees were reduced by the amortization of these intangibles by $18 million and $27 million during the year ended December 31, 2019 and the period from March 6, 2018 to December 31, 2018, respectively. Amortization that reduces the Company's equity in earnings of equity method investees for future periods is expected to be $59 million.
Significant Subsidiaries
The table set forth below presents selected financial information for investments accounted for under the equity method. Because renewable energy projects discussed above are accounted for under the HLBV equity method of accounting, the Company's equity method losses do not directly correlate with the GAAP results of the investees presented below. The selected statement of operations information for each of the three years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017 and the selected balance sheet information as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 is summarized in the table below (in millions).
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
Selected Statement of Operations Information:
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
Revenues
 
$
3,013

 
$
3,140

 
$
1,780

Cost of sales
 
2,026

 
1,973

 
1,100

Operating income
 
987

 
847

 
76

Pre-tax income from continuing operations before extraordinary items
 
56

 
180

 
16

After-tax net income (loss)
 
4

 
96

 
(27
)
Net income (loss) attributable to the entity
 
4

 
96

 
(27
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31,
 
 
Selected Balance Sheet Information:
 
2019
 
2018
 
 
Current assets
 
$
1,675

 
$
1,855

 

Noncurrent assets
 
2,563

 
2,465

 

Current liabilities
 
1,159

 
1,398

 

Noncurrent liabilities
 
1,414

 
1,334

 

Equity
 
1,665

 
1,588

 


Common Stock Investments with Readily Determinable Fair Value
The Company owns shares of common stock of Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. ("Lionsgate"), an entertainment company. Upon the adoption of ASU 2016-01 on January 1, 2018, the shares are measured at fair value based on a quoted market price per unit in active markets multiplied by the number of units held without consideration of transaction costs (Level 1). Gains and losses recorded are in other expense, net, as the shares have a readily determinable fair value and the Company has the intent to retain the investment. (See Note 20.) The Company recorded a transition adjustment to reclassify accumulated other comprehensive income associated with Lionsgate shares in the amount of $26 million, net of tax, to retained earnings. Previously, amounts were recorded as a component of other comprehensive income.

90

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The unrealized gains and losses related to the Company's common stock investments with readily determinable fair values for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 are summarized in the table below (in millions).
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
Net losses recognized during the period on equity securities
 
$
(26
)
 
$
(88
)
Less: Net losses recognized on equity securities sold
 

 

Unrealized losses recognized during reporting period on equity securities still held at the reporting date
 
$
(26
)
 
$
(88
)

The Company hedged 50% of the Lionsgate shares with an equity collar (the “Lionsgate Collar”) and pledged those shares as collateral to the derivative counterparty. Upon adoption of ASU 2016-01, the Lionsgate Collar no longer receives the hedge accounting designation and as such, all changes in the fair value of the Lionsgate Collar are reflected as a component of other expense, net on the consolidated statements of operations. (See Note 10.) During the year ended December 31, 2019, tranche 1 of the Lionsgate Collar, which covered one-third of the hedged shares, was settled. The Company received cash of $18 million upon settlement.
Equity investments without readily determinable fair values assessed under the measurement alternative
The Company's equity investments without readily determinable fair values assessed under the measurement alternative as of December 31, 2019 primarily include its 25% minority interest in Group Nine Media on an outstanding shares basis recorded at $256 million. Discovery has significant influence through its voting rights in the preferred stock of Group Nine Media, however, this ownership interest has liquidation preferences that do not allow the investment to meet the definition of in-substance common stock. The Company accounts for its ownership interest in Group Nine Media as an equity investment without a readily determinable fair value assessed under the measurement alternative. The Company also has similar investments in an educational website, an electric car racing series and certain investments to enhance the Company's digital distribution strategies.
For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company invested $136 million in various equity investments without readily determinable fair values, including a $45 million investment in Group Nine Media. The Company concluded that its other equity investments without readily determinable fair values had increased $9 million in fair value as of December 31, 2019 as the result of observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or similar investment of the same issuer.
NOTE 5. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Fair value is defined as the amount that would be received for selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. Assets and liabilities carried at fair value are classified in the following three categories: 
Level 1
Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.
Level 2
Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets.
Level 3
Valuations derived from techniques in which one or more significant inputs are unobservable.


91

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The table below presents assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in millions).
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2019
Category
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash equivalents:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Time deposits
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$

 
$
10

 
$

 
$
10

Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Money market funds
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
300

 

 

 
300

Mutual funds
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
11

 

 

 
11

Company-owned life insurance contracts
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 

 
4

 

 
4

Mutual funds
 
Other noncurrent assets
 
192

 

 

 
192

Company-owned life insurance contracts
 
Other noncurrent assets
 

 
45

 

 
45

Total
 
 
 
$
503

 
$
59

 
$

 
$
562

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deferred compensation plan
 
Accrued liabilities
 
$
24

 
$

 
$

 
$
24

Deferred compensation plan
 
Other noncurrent liabilities
 
209

 

 

 
209

Total
 
 
 
$
233

 
$

 
$

 
$
233

 
 
 
 
December 31, 2018
Category
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Equity securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Money market funds
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
286

 
$

 
$

 
$
286

Mutual funds
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
13

 

 

 
13

Company-owned life insurance contracts
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 

 
15

 

 
15

Mutual funds
 
Other noncurrent assets
 
158

 

 

 
158

Company-owned life insurance contracts
 
Other noncurrent assets
 

 
30

 

 
30

Total
 
 
 
$
457

 
$
45

 
$

 
$
502

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deferred compensation plan
 
Accrued liabilities
 
$
37

 
$

 
$

 
$
37

Deferred compensation plan
 
Other noncurrent liabilities
 
178

 

 

 
178

Total
 
 
 
$
215

 
$

 
$

 
$
215

Equity securities include money market funds, investments in mutual funds held in separate trusts, which are owned as part of the Company’s supplemental retirement plans, and company-owned life insurance contracts. (See Note 16.) The fair value of Level 1 equity securities was determined by reference to the quoted market price per share in active markets multiplied by the number of shares held without consideration of transaction costs. The fair value of the deferred compensation plan liability was determined based on the fair value of the related investments elected by employees. Changes in the fair value of the investments are offset by changes in the fair value of the deferred compensation obligation. (See Note 16.) Company-owned life insurance contracts are recorded at their cash surrender value, which approximates fair value (Level 2).
The Company's derivative financial instruments are discussed in Note 10.

92

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

In addition to the financial instruments listed in the tables above, the Company holds other financial instruments, including cash deposits, accounts receivable, accounts payable, borrowings under the revolving credit facility, finance leases and senior notes. The carrying values for such financial instruments, other than the senior notes, each approximated their fair values as of December 31, 2019 and 2018. The estimated fair value of the Company’s outstanding senior notes using quoted prices from over-the-counter markets, considered Level 2 inputs, was $17.1 billion and $16.3 billion as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
NOTE 6. CONTENT RIGHTS
The following table presents the components of content rights (in millions).
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
Produced content rights:
 
 
 
 
Completed
 
$
6,976

 
$
5,609

In-production
 
582

 
612

Coproduced content rights:
 
 
 
 
Completed
 
882

 
682

In-production
 
50

 
53

Licensed content rights:
 
 
 
 
Acquired
 
1,101

 
1,007

Prepaid (a)
 
249

 
154

Content rights, at cost
 
9,840

 
8,117

Accumulated amortization
 
(6,132
)
 
(4,735
)
Total content rights, net
 
3,708

 
3,382

Current portion
 
(579
)
 
(313
)
Noncurrent portion
 
$
3,129

 
$
3,069


a) Prepaid licensed content rights includes payments for rights to the Olympic Games of $163 million that are reflected as current content rights and $65 million that are reflected as noncurrent content rights on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Contemporaneous with the UKTV transaction with BBC described in Note 3, the Company entered into a ten-year content licensing arrangement with BBC in exchange for license fees over the term. The Company capitalized $116 million of content assets for the year ended December 31, 2019 for the programs in which the license period has commenced and the programs are available for air or the Company has paid for the programs. The content assets are recorded as acquired content rights.
Content expense consisted of the following (in millions).
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
Content amortization
 
$
2,786

 
$
2,858

 
$
1,878

Other production charges
 
412

 
471

 
310

Content impairments 
 
67

 
430

 
32

Total content expense
 
$
3,265

 
$
3,759

 
$
2,220


Content expense is generally a component of costs of revenue on the consolidated statements of operations. No content impairments were recorded as a component of restructuring and other charges during the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2017. Content impairments of $405 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 were due to the strategic programming changes following the acquisition of Scripps Networks and are reflected in restructuring and other charges as further described in Note 17.

93

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

As of December 31, 2019, the Company estimates that approximately 96% of unamortized costs of content rights, excluding content in-production and prepaid licenses, will be amortized within the next three years. As of December 31, 2019, the Company will amortize $1.5 billion of the above unamortized content rights, excluding content in-production and prepaid licenses, during the next twelve months.
NOTE 7. GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Goodwill
The carrying value and changes in the carrying value of goodwill attributable to each business unit were as follows (in millions).
 
 
 
U.S.
Networks
 
International
Networks
 
Other
 
Total
December 31, 2017
 
$
5,478

 
$
1,555

 
$
40

 
$
7,073

Acquisitions (Note 3)
 
5,319

 
802

 

 
6,121

Dispositions (Note 3)
 

 

 
(40
)
 
(40
)
Foreign currency translation and other adjustments
 
(12
)
 
(136
)
 

 
(148
)
December 31, 2018
 
$
10,785

 
$
2,221

 
$

 
$
13,006

Acquisitions (Note 3)
 
3

 
191

 

 
194

Impairment of goodwill
 

 
(155
)
 

 
(155
)
Foreign currency translation and other adjustments
 
25

 
(20
)
 

 
5

December 31, 2019
 
$
10,813

 
$
2,237

 
$

 
$
13,050


The carrying amount of goodwill at the International Networks segment included accumulated impairments of $1.5 billion and $1.3 billion as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The carrying amount of goodwill at the U.S. Networks segment included accumulated impairments of $20 million as of December 31, 2019 and 2018.
Intangible Assets
Finite-lived intangible assets consisted of the following (in millions, except years).
 
 
Weighted
Average
Amortization
Period (Years)
 
December 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
Gross
 
Accumulated 
Amortization
 
Net
 
Gross
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Net
Intangible assets subject to amortization:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Trademarks
10
 
$
1,708

 
$
(515
)
 
$
1,193

 
$
1,669

 
$
(342
)
 
$
1,327

Customer relationships
10
 
9,446

 
(2,408
)
 
7,038

 
9,455

 
(1,501
)
 
7,954

Other
8
 
400

 
(128
)
 
272

 
314

 
(85
)
 
229

Total
 
 
$
11,554

 
$
(3,051
)
 
$
8,503

 
$
11,438

 
$
(1,928
)
 
$
9,510


Straight-line amortization expense for finite-lived intangible assets reflects the pattern in which the assets' economic benefits are consumed over their estimated useful lives. Amortization expense related to finite-lived intangible assets was $1.1 billion, $1.2 billion and $180 million for 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Amortization expense relating to intangible assets subject to amortization for each of the next five years and thereafter is estimated to be as follows (in millions).
 
 
2020
 
2021
 
2022
 
2023
 
2024
 
Thereafter
Amortization expense
 
$
1,097

 
$
1,064

 
$
1,032

 
$
1,001

 
$
922

 
$
3,387



94

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Indefinite-lived intangible assets not subject to amortization (in millions):
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
Trademarks
 
$
164

 
$
164


Impairment Analysis
2019 Impairment Analysis
As of October 1, 2019, the Company performed a quantitative goodwill impairment assessment for all reporting units consistent with the Company's accounting policy. The estimated fair value of each reporting unit exceeded its carrying value and, therefore, no impairment was recorded. The Europe reporting unit, which had headroom of 19%, was the only reporting unit with fair value in excess of carrying value of less than 20%. The fair values of the reporting units were determined using DCF and market-based valuation models. Cash flows were determined based on Company estimates of future operating results and discounted using an internal rate of return based on an assessment of the risk inherent in future cash flows of the respective reporting unit. The market-based valuation models utilized multiples of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. Both the DCF and market-based models resulted in substantially similar fair values. As of December 31, 2019, the carrying value of goodwill assigned to the Europe reporting unit was $1.9 billion. Management will continue to monitor this reporting unit for changes in the business environment that could impact recoverability.
As noted under "2018 Impairment Analysis" below, given the limited headroom in the Asia-Pacific reporting unit, the Company closely monitored its results during 2019. During the third quarter, due to an increasingly challenging business environment in the Asia-Pacific region, which included 1) moderating revenue growth projections, 2) underperformance of certain sports investments, 3) heightened volatility in China and surrounding economies, and 4) a decline in Asia-Pacific stock price multiples for peer media companies, the Company believed the increased risk required it to perform an interim impairment test as of August 31, 2019. The step 1 test utilized a DCF valuation methodology. Significant judgments and assumptions included the amount and timing of expected future cash flows, long-term growth rates ranging from 2% to 2.5%, and a discount rate of 11%. The cash flows employed in the DCF analysis for the Asia-Pacific reporting unit are based on the reporting unit's budget and long-term business plan. The results of the step 1 test indicated that the carrying value of the net assets in the Asia-Pacific reporting unit exceeded its fair value.
In the second step of the impairment test, the Company hypothetically assigned the Asia-Pacific reporting unit's fair value to its individual assets and liabilities, including unrecognized intangible assets such as customer relationships and trade names, in a hypothetical purchase price allocation that calculates the implied fair value of goodwill in the same manner as if the reporting unit was being acquired in a business combination. The fair value estimates incorporated in step 2 for the hypothetical intangible assets were based on the excess earnings income approach for customer relationships and the relief-from-royalty method for trademarks. Key judgments made by management in step 2 of the impairment test included revenue growth rates, length of contract term, number of renewals, customer attrition rates, market-based royalty rates, and market-based tax rates. The step 2 impairment test indicated an implied fair value of goodwill of $40 million, which resulted in a pre-tax impairment charge of $155 million during the year ended December 31, 2019, which was not deductible for tax purposes. The determination of fair value of the Company's Asia-Pacific reporting unit represents a Level 3 fair value measurement in the fair value hierarchy due to its use of internal projections and unobservable measurement inputs. The goodwill impairment charge did not have an impact on the calculation of the Company's financial covenants under the Company's debt arrangements.
2018 Impairment Analysis
As of November 30, 2018, the Company performed a qualitative goodwill impairment assessment for all reporting units and determined that it was more likely than not that the fair value of those reporting units exceeded their carrying values, except for its Asia-Pacific reporting unit. Based on the results of the qualitative assessment, the Company performed a quantitative step 1 impairment test (comparison of fair value to carrying value) for its Asia-Pacific reporting unit, which indicated that the estimated fair value exceeded its carrying value by approximately 10% and, therefore, no impairment was recorded. The fair value of the Asia-Pacific reporting unit was determined using DCF and market-based valuation models. Cash flows were determined based on Company estimates of future operating results and were discounted using an internal rate of return based on an assessment of the risk inherent in future cash flows of the respective reporting unit. The market-based valuation models utilized multiples of revenue and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. Both the DCF and market-based models resulted in substantially similar fair values. As of December 31, 2018, the carrying value of goodwill assigned to the Asia-Pacific reporting unit was $188 million.

95

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

2017 Impairment Analysis
As of November 30, 2017, the Company performed a qualitative goodwill impairment assessment for all reporting units and determined that it was more likely than not that the fair value of those reporting units exceeded their carrying values, except for its DNI-Europe reporting unit. Based on the results of the qualitative assessment, the Company performed a quantitative step 1 impairment test for its European reporting unit as of November 30, 2017 and the concluded fair value was less than the carrying value. Given these results, the Company then applied the hypothetical purchase price analysis required by the step 2 test and recognized a pre-tax goodwill impairment charge of $1.3 billion as of November 30, 2017, for the European reporting unit.
After the impairment charge was recorded, the carrying value of remaining goodwill assigned to the European reporting unit was $1.1 billion and the net assets of the reporting unit were approximately $2.7 billion, which resulted in $1.2 billion headroom based on the estimated fair value of $3.9 billion. The determination of fair value of the Company's DNI-Europe reporting unit represented a Level 3 fair value measurement in the fair value hierarchy due to its use of internal projections and unobservable measurement inputs. Changes in significant judgments and estimates could significantly impact the concluded fair value of the reporting unit or the valuation of intangible assets. The goodwill impairment charge did not have an impact on the calculation of the Company's financial covenants under the Company's debt arrangements.

96

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 8. DEBT
The table below presents the components of outstanding debt (in millions).
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
5.625% Senior notes, semi-annual interest, due August 2019
 
$

 
$
411

2.200% Senior notes, semi-annual interest, due September 2019
 

 
500

Floating rate notes, quarterly interest, due September 2019
 

 
400

2.750% Senior notes, semi-annual interest, due November 2019
 

 
500

2.800% Senior notes, semi-annual interest, due June 2020
 
600

 
600

5.050% Senior notes, semi-annual interest, due June 2020
 

 
789

4.375% Senior notes, semi-annual interest, due June 2021
 
640

 
650

2.375% Senior notes, euro denominated, annual interest, due March 2022
 
336

 
344

3.300% Senior notes, semi-annual interest, due May 2022
 
496

 
500

3.500% Senior notes, semi-annual interest, due June 2022
 
400

 
400

2.950% Senior notes, semi-annual interest, due March 2023
 
1,167

 
1,185

3.250% Senior notes, semi-annual interest, due April 2023
 
350

 
350

3.800% Senior notes, semi-annual interest, due March 2024
 
450

 
450

2.500% Senior notes, sterling denominated, annual interest, due September 2024
 
525

 
507

3.900% Senior notes, semi-annual interest, due November 2024
 
497

 
497

3.450% Senior notes, semi-annual interest, due March 2025
 
300

 
300

3.950% Senior notes, semi-annual interest, due June 2025
 
500

 
500

4.900% Senior notes, semi-annual interest, due March 2026
 
700

 
700

1.900% Senior notes, euro denominated, annual interest, due March 2027
 
673

 
688

3.950% Senior notes, semi-annual interest, due March 2028
 
1,700

 
1,700

4.125% Senior notes, semi-annual interest, due May 2029
 
750

 

5.000% Senior notes, semi-annual interest, due September 2037
 
1,250

 
1,250

6.350% Senior notes, semi-annual interest, due June 2040
 
850

 
850

4.950% Senior notes, semi-annual interest, due May 2042
 
500

 
500

4.875% Senior notes, semi-annual interest, due April 2043
 
850

 
850

5.200% Senior notes, semi-annual interest, due September 2047
 
1,250

 
1,250

5.300% Senior notes, semi-annual interest, due May 2049
 
750

 

Revolving credit facility
 

 
225

Program financing line of credit, quarterly interest based on adjusted LIBOR or variable prime rate
 
10

 
22

Total debt (a)
 
15,544

 
16,918

Unamortized discount, premium and debt issuance costs, net (b)
 
(125
)
 
(125
)
Debt, net of unamortized discount, premium and debt issuance costs
 
15,419

 
16,793

Current portion of debt
 
(609
)
 
(1,819
)
Noncurrent portion of debt
 
$
14,810

 
$
14,974


(a) As a result of the adoption of ASU 2016-02, capital lease obligations totaling $252 million as of December 31, 2018 (known as finance lease liabilities effective January 1, 2019) were reclassified from current and noncurrent debt to components of "Accrued liabilities" and "Other noncurrent liabilities" on the consolidated balance sheet to conform with the new presentation. (See Note 2 and Note 9.)
(b) Current portion of unamortized discount, premium, and debt issuance costs, net is $1 million.

97

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Senior Notes
In 2019, Discovery Communications, LLC (“DCL”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, issued $750 million aggregate principal amount of 4.125% senior notes due 2029 and $750 million aggregate principal amount of 5.300% senior notes due 2049. The proceeds received by DCL were net of a $6 million issuance discount and $12 million of debt issuance costs. These notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Company and Scripps Networks. DCL used the proceeds from the offering to redeem and repurchase approximately $1.3 billion aggregate principal amount of DCL's and Scripps Networks' 2.750% senior notes due 2019 and 5.050% senior notes due 2020. The redemptions and repurchase resulted in a loss on extinguishment of debt of $23 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, which is presented as a separate line item on the Company's consolidated statements of operations and recognized as a component of financing cash outflows on the consolidated statements of cash flows. The loss included $20 million of net premiums to par value and $3 million of other non-cash charges.
In 2019, the Company redeemed $411 million aggregate principal amount of its 5.625% senior notes due in 2019 and made open market bond repurchases of $55 million, resulting in a loss on extinguishment of debt of $5 million.
In connection with the acquisition of Scripps Networks in 2018, the Company assumed $2.5 billion aggregate principal amount of Scripps Networks 2.750% senior notes due 2019, 2.800% senior notes due 2020, 3.500% senior notes due 2022, 3.900% senior notes due 2024 and 3.950% senior notes due 2025 (the "Scripps Networks Senior Notes"), which were adjusted to fair value using observable trades as of the acquisition date. (See Note 3.) The fair value adjustment resulted in an opening balance sheet carrying value that is $19 million less than the face amount of the Scripps Networks Senior Notes.
Pursuant to the Offering Memorandum and Consent Solicitation Statement to Exchange dated March 5, 2018, DCL completed the exchange of $2.3 billion aggregate principal amount of Scripps Networks Senior Notes, for $2.3 billion aggregate principal amount of DCL's 2.750% senior notes due 2019, 2.800% senior notes due 2020, 3.500% senior notes due 2022, 3.900% senior notes due 2024 and 3.950% senior notes due 2025. The exchange was accounted for as a debt modification and, as a result, third-party issuance costs were expensed as incurred.
In 2017, DCL issued $500 million principal amount of 2.200% senior notes due 2019, $1.2 billion principal amount of 2.950% senior notes due 2023, $1.7 billion principal amount of 3.950% senior notes due 2028, $1.3 billion principal amount of 5.000% senior notes due 2037, $1.3 billion principal amount of 5.200% senior notes due 2047 (collectively, the “Senior Fixed Rate Notes”) and $400 million principal amount of floating rate senior notes due 2019 (the “Senior Floating Rate Notes” and, together with the Senior Fixed Rate Notes, the “USD Notes”). The USD Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Company. In 2017, DCL also issued £400 million principal amount of 2.500% senior notes due 2024 (the “Sterling Notes”). The proceeds from these issuances were net of an $11 million issuance discount and $57 million of debt issuance costs. The net proceeds from the issuance of these senior notes were used to finance a portion of the Scripps Networks acquisition. (See Note 3.)
In 2017, DCL issued $450 million principal amount of 3.800% senior notes due March 2024 and an additional $200 million principal amount of its existing 4.900% senior notes due March 2026.
As of December 31, 2019, all senior notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Company and Scripps Networks, except for $135 million of un-exchanged Scripps Networks Senior Notes acquired in conjunction with the acquisition of Scripps Networks. (See Note 26.)
Revolving Credit Facility
DCL has access to a $2.5 billion revolving credit facility, including a $100 million sublimit for the issuance of standby letters of credit and a $50 million sublimit for Euro-denominated swing line loans. Borrowing capacity under this credit facility is reduced by any outstanding borrowings under the commercial paper program. The revolving credit facility agreement matures in August 2022 with the option for up to two additional 364-day renewal periods.
The credit agreement governing the revolving credit facility contains customary representations, warranties and events of default, as well as affirmative and negative covenants. The financial covenants were modified as part of the amendment to increase the maximum consolidated leverage ratio financial covenant to 5.50 to 1.00, with step-downs to 5.00 to 1.00 and to 4.50 to 1.00, one year and two years after the closing of the Scripps Networks acquisition, respectively. As of December 31, 2019, the Company's subsidiary, DCL, was in compliance with all covenants and there were no events of default under the revolving credit facility.

98

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

As of December 31, 2019, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility. As of December 31, 2018, the Company had outstanding U.S. dollar-denominated borrowings under the revolving credit facility of $225 million at a weighted average interest rate of 3.820%. The interest rate on borrowings under the revolving credit facility is variable based on DCL's then-current credit ratings for its publicly traded debt and changes in financial index rates. For U.S. dollar-denominated borrowings, the interest rate is based, at the Company's option, on either adjusted LIBOR plus a margin, or an alternate base rate plus a margin. The Company may also borrow in foreign currencies under the credit facility, at an interest rate based on adjusted LIBOR, plus a margin. The current margins are 1.300% and 0.300%, respectively, per annum for adjusted LIBOR and alternate base rate borrowings. The Company had no borrowings under the credit facility in foreign currencies as of December 31, 2019 or December 31, 2018. A monthly facility fee is charged based on the total capacity of the facility, and interest is charged based on the amount borrowed on the facility. The current facility fee rate is 0.200% per annum and subject to change based on DCL's then-current credit ratings. All obligations of DCL and the other borrowers under the revolving credit facility are unsecured and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Discovery.
Commercial Paper
The Company's commercial paper program is supported by the revolving credit facility described above. The Company had no outstanding borrowings as of December 31, 2019 or December 31, 2018.
Term Loans
In August 2017, DCL entered into a delayed draw and unsecured term loan credit facility (the "Term Loans"), with a three-year tranche and a five-year tranche, each with a principal amount of up to $1 billion. The term of each delayed draw loan commenced in March 2018 when Discovery used these funds to finance a portion of the Scripps Networks acquisition. The Term Loans' interest rates were based, at the Company's option, on either adjusted LIBOR plus a margin, or an alternate base rate plus a margin. The Company paid a commitment fee of 20 basis points per annum for each loan, based on its then-current credit rating, beginning September 2017 through March 2018. As of December 31, 2018, the Company had used cash from operations and borrowings under the commercial paper program to fully repay the Term Loans.
Unsecured Bridge Loan Commitment
In July 2017, the Company obtained a commitment letter from a financial institution for a $9.6 billion unsecured bridge term loan facility that could have been used to complete the Scripps Networks acquisition. No amounts were drawn under the bridge loan commitment and, following the execution of the Term Loans and the issuance of the USD Notes and the Sterling Notes in September 2017, the commitment was terminated. The Company incurred $40 million of debt issuance costs, which were fully amortized as a component of interest expense following the issuance of the USD Notes and Sterling Notes in September 2017. The associated cash payment was classified as a component of financing activity in the consolidated statements of cash flows.
Long-term Debt Repayment Schedule
The following table presents a summary of scheduled and estimated debt payments, excluding the revolving credit facility and commercial paper borrowings, for the next five years based on the amount of the Company's debt outstanding as of December 31, 2019 (in millions).
 
 
2020
 
2021
 
2022
 
2023
 
2024
 
Thereafter
Long-term debt repayments
 
$
609

 
$
640

 
$
1,232

 
$
1,517

 
$
1,473

 
$
10,073


NOTE 9. LEASES
The Company has operating and finance leases for transponders, office space, studio facilities, and other equipment. Our leases have remaining lease terms of up to 17 years, some of which include options to extend the leases for up to 10 years. Most leases are not cancelable prior to their expiration.

99

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The components of lease cost were as follows (in millions):
 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2019
Operating lease cost
 
$
114

 
 
 
Finance lease cost:
 
 
Amortization of right-of-use assets
 
$
44

Interest on lease liabilities
 
9

Total finance lease cost
 
$
53

 
 
 
Variable lease cost
 
$
10


Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows (in millions):
 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2019
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
 
 
Operating cash flows from operating leases
 
$
(98
)
Operating cash flows from finance leases
 
$
(9
)
Financing cash flows from finance leases
 
$
(44
)
 
 
 
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:
 
 
Operating leases
 
$
369

Finance leases
 
$
38


Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows (in millions):
 
 
 
December 31, 2019
Operating Leases
Location on Balance Sheet
 
 
Operating lease right-of-use assets
Other noncurrent assets
 
$
613

 
 
 
 
Operating lease liabilities (current)
Accrued liabilities
 
$
82

Operating lease liabilities (noncurrent)
Other noncurrent liabilities
 
621

Total operating lease liabilities
 
 
$
703

 
 
 
 
Finance Leases
 
 
 
Finance lease right-of-use assets
Property and equipment, net
 
$
231

 
 
 
 
Finance lease liabilities (current)
Accrued liabilities
 
$
47

Finance lease liabilities (noncurrent)
Other noncurrent liabilities
 
203

Total finance lease liabilities
 
 
$
250


 
 
December 31, 2019
Weighted average remaining lease term (in years):
 
 
Operating leases
 
13

Finance leases
 
6

 
 
 
Weighted average discount rate
 
 
Operating leases
 
3.77
%
Finance leases
 
3.56
%



100

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Maturities of lease liabilities as of December 31, 2019 were as follows (in millions):
 
 
Operating Leases
 
Finance Leases
2020
 
$
102

 
$
56

2021
 
96

 
52

2022
 
68

 
43

2023
 
60

 
39

2024
 
57

 
27

Thereafter
 
537

 
61

Total lease payments
 
920

 
278

Less: Imputed interest
 
(217
)
 
(28
)
Total
 
$
703

 
$
250



During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recorded approximately $370 million of operating lease liabilities associated with its new global headquarters in New York City. As of December 31, 2019, the Company has additional leases that have not yet commenced with total minimum lease payments of approximately $21 million, primarily related to equipment leases. The remaining leases will commence between fiscal year 2020 and fiscal year 2021, have lease terms of 4 to 16 years, and include options to extend the terms for up to 10 additional years.
Supplemental Information for Comparative Periods
As of December 31, 2018, prior to the adoption of Topic 842, future minimum payments under leases having initial or remaining non-cancelable lease terms in excess of one year were as follows (in millions):
 
 
Operating Leases
 
Capital Leases
2019
 
$
89

 
$
51

2020
 
90

 
46

2021
 
92

 
41

2022
 
58

 
34

2023
 
51

 
41

Thereafter
 
564

 
73

Total lease payments
 
944

 
286

Less: Imputed interest
 

 
(34
)
Total
 
$
944

 
$
252


Rent expense under operating leases was $205 million and $127 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, and 2017, respectively.
NOTE 10. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The Company uses derivative financial instruments to modify its exposure to market risks from changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. In addition to the Company's normal course of business cash flow hedging program, the Company entered into the following arrangements.
Cash Flow Hedges
During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company executed foreign exchange forward contracts with an aggregate notional amount of $798 million. The forwards were designated as cash flow hedges and will mitigate exposure to foreign exchange rate volatility and the associated impact on earnings related to a portion of forecasted foreign currency revenues from PGA Golf from 2023 through 2030. As of December 31, 2019, the Company recorded an unrealized loss of $9 million in other comprehensive income.
Also, during the year ended December 31, 2019, terminated and settled its interest rate cash flow hedges with a total notional value of $500 million following the pricing of its offering of 4.125% senior notes due May 2029. (See Note 8.) The $18 million pretax accumulated other comprehensive loss at the termination date will be amortized as an adjustment to interest expense over the ten-year term of the newly issued notes.

101

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Finally, during the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company executed a forward starting interest rate swap contract designated as a cash flow hedge with a total notional value of $400 million. This contract will mitigate interest rate risk associated with the forecasted issuance of future fixed rate public debt. As of December 31, 2019, the Company recorded an unrealized gain of $39 million in other comprehensive income.
Net Investment Hedges
During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company entered into two fixed-to-fixed cross-currency swaps with an aggregate notional amount of $201 million. The swaps were designated as net investment hedges of NOK assets and GBP assets. The maturity date of both swaps is February 2024. The objective of these swaps is to protect the company against the risk of changes in the foreign currency-equivalent of net investments in the foreign operations due to movements in foreign currency. Contemporaneously, the Company unwound an existing $100 million notional fixed-to-fixed cross currency swap that was designated as a net investment hedge of NOK assets and recorded a gain of $5 million as a cumulative translation adjustment under other comprehensive income (loss).
During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company entered into a foreign currency forward contract with a notional value of 35.6 billion Chilean Pesos (equivalent to $53 million) at execution date and with a due date of December 15, 2021. This was designated a net investment hedge, hedging against changes in the foreign currency-equivalent of the net investment in the foreign operation due to movements in exchange rates. As of December 31, 2019, the Company recorded a cumulative unrealized gain of $4 million as a cumulative translation adjustment under other comprehensive income (loss).
Also, during the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company entered into six fixed-to-fixed cross-currency swaps with an aggregate notional amount of $1.7 billion. The swaps were all designated as net investment hedges of Euro assets and GBP assets. The maturity dates of the swaps are 2022 and 2027. The objective of these swaps is to protect the company against the risk of changes in the foreign currency-equivalent of net investments in the foreign operations due to movements in foreign currency. As of December 31, 2019, the Company has recorded a cumulative unrealized gain of $36 million in connection with these contracts which has been recorded as a cumulative translation adjustment in other comprehensive income (loss).
During the year ended December 31, 2017 DCL issued £400 million principal amount of 2.500% senior notes due 2024. The Sterling Notes were designated as net investment hedges, hedging against fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates on a portion of the Company's investments in foreign subsidiaries.
No Hedging Designation
During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company entered into three foreign exchange forwards contracts with a notional value of $860 million. The objective of these contracts is to protect the Company against adverse revaluation impact on its Euro denominated debt. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recorded a loss of $61 million as part of other expense, net on the consolidated statements of operations.
During the year ended December 31, 2017 the Company entered into $4 billion notional amount of interest rate contracts used to economically hedge a portion of the pricing of the $5.9 billion in senior fixed rate notes and $400 million in senior floating rate notes (together, the "2017 USD Notes"). These interest rate contracts were settled in September 2017 and did not receive hedging designation. The Company recognized a $98 million loss in connection with these interest rate contracts, which has been reflected as a component of other expense, net on the Company's consolidated statements of operations.

102

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following table summarizes the impact of derivative financial instruments on the Company's consolidated balance sheets (in millions). There were no amounts eligible to be offset under master netting agreements as of December 31, 2019 and 2018. The fair value of the Company's derivative financial instruments at December 31, 2019 and 2018 was determined using a market-based approach (Level 2).
 
December 31, 2019
 
December 31, 2018
 
 
 
Fair Value
 
 
 
Fair Value
 
Notional
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
Other non-
current assets
 
Accrued liabilities
 
Other non-
current liabilities
 
Notional
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
Other non-
current assets
 
Accrued liabilities
 
Other non-
current liabilities
Cash flow hedges:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange
$
1,631

 
$
29

 
$
7

 
$
5

 
$
16

 
$
267

 
$
13

 
$

 
$
3

 
$

Interest rate swaps
400

 

 
38

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net investment hedges: (a)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cross-currency swaps
3,535

 
37

 
70

 
7

 
94

 
3,387

 

 
41

 
39

 
81

Foreign exchange
52

 

 
4

 

 

 
52

 

 
1

 

 

No hedging designation:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange
1,177

 

 

 
13

 
50

 
860

 

 
11

 

 

Interest rate swaps

 

 

 

 

 
25

 

 

 

 

Cross-currency swaps
279

 
3

 

 

 
5

 
64

 

 

 
1

 

Equity (Lionsgate collar)
65

 
19

 
18

 

 

 
97

 
14

 
27

 

 

Total
 
 
$
88

 
$
137

 
$
25

 
$
165

 
 
 
$
27

 
$
80

 
$
43

 
$
81

(a) Excludes £400 million of sterling notes ($525 million equivalent at December 31, 2019) designated as a net investment hedge. (See Note 8.)

103

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following table presents the pretax impact of derivatives designated as cash flow hedges on income and other comprehensive income (loss) (in millions).
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
Gains (losses) recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss (a):
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange - derivative adjustments
 
$
17

 
$
34

 
$
(41
)
Interest rate - derivative adjustments
 
21

 

 

Gains (losses) reclassified into income from accumulated other comprehensive loss:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange - advertising revenue
 
6

 
(1
)
 
(3
)
Foreign exchange - distribution revenue
 
5

 
9

 
(22
)
Foreign exchange - costs of revenues
 
2

 
11

 

Interest rate - interest expense
 
(2
)
 

 
(1
)
Foreign exchange - other expense, net (dedesignated portion)
 
3

 

 

Amount of gain recognized in income on derivative (amount excluded from effectiveness testing) (b):
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate - other expense, net
 

 

 
17


(a) For periods prior to the Company's adoption of ASU 2017-12 on July 1, 2018, the amount of gain or (loss) represents only the effective portion of the hedging relationship. Effective with the adoption of ASU 2017-12, gains and losses resulting from the change in the fair value of the hedging relationship are recognized as components of accumulated other comprehensive loss.
(b) For periods prior to the Company's adoption of ASU 2017-12 on July 1, 2018, amounts reflect the change in the fair value of the ineffective portion of the hedging relationship. No hedging instruments for which ineffectiveness was recognized directly into income in 2017 or in years prior were outstanding at the date of adoption of ASU 2017-12.
If current fair values of designated cash flow hedges as of December 31, 2019 remained static over the next twelve months, the Company would reclassify $21 million of net deferred gains from accumulated other comprehensive loss into income in the next twelve months.

104

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Effective with the Company’s initial application of ASU 2017-12, net periodic interest settlements and accruals on the cross-currency swaps (which would include any cross-currency basis spread adjustment) are reported directly in interest expense, net. Changes in the fair value of the cross-currency swaps resulting from changes in the foreign exchange spot rate will continue to be recorded within the cumulative translation component of AOCI. The following table presents the pretax impact of derivatives designated as net investment hedges on other comprehensive income (loss) (in millions). Other than amounts excluded from effectiveness testing, there were no other gains (losses) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to income during the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017.


Year Ended December 31,




Amount of gain (loss) recognized in AOCI

Location of gain (loss) recognized in income on derivative (amount excluded from effectiveness testing)

Amount of gain (loss) recognized in income on derivative (amount excluded from effectiveness testing)


2019

2018

2017


2019

2018

2017
Gains (losses) recognized in AOCI:














Cross currency swaps

$
93


$
43


$
(96
)

Interest expense, net

$
44


$
14


$

Foreign exchange contracts (a)

4




(18
)

N/A






Sterling notes (foreign denominated debt) (a)

(17
)

30


2


N/A






Total

$
80


$
73


$
(112
)



$
44


$
14


$


(a) There are no existing components that are eligible for exclusion from effectiveness testing under ASU 2017-12. There were no forward exchange contracts outstanding at the date of adoption of ASU 2017-12.
The following table presents the pretax impact of derivatives designated as fair value hedges on income, including offsetting changes in fair value of the hedged items and amounts excluded from the assessment of effectiveness (in millions). Upon adoption of ASU 2016-01 on January 1, 2018, the Company no longer designates any of its derivatives as fair value hedges. As a result, there was no activity related to derivatives designated as fair value hedges for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 . As this hedge relationship was not active as of the date of adoption of ASU 2017-12, no transition adjustment was required.
 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2017
Gains on changes in fair value of hedged AFS
 
$
18

Losses on changes in the intrinsic value of equity contracts
 
(17
)
Fair value of equity contracts excluded from effectiveness assessment
 
5

Total in other expense, net
 
$
6


The following table presents the pretax gains (losses) on derivatives not designated as hedges and recognized in other expense, net in the consolidated statements of operations (in millions).
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
Interest rate swaps
 
$
1

 
$

 
$
(98
)
Cross-currency swaps
 

 
4

 
(6
)
Foreign exchange
 
(65
)
 
18

 

Credit contracts
 

 
(1
)
 
(1
)
Equity
 
13

 
29

 

Total in other expense, net
 
$
(51
)
 
$
50

 
$
(105
)


105

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 11. REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS
Redeemable noncontrolling interests are presented outside of permanent equity on the Company's consolidated balance sheet when the put right is outside of the Company's control. Redeemable noncontrolling interests reflected as of the balance sheet date are the greater of the noncontrolling interest balances adjusted for comprehensive income items and distributions or the redemption values remeasured at the period end foreign exchange rates (i.e., the "floor"). Adjustments to the carrying amount of redeemable noncontrolling interests to redemption value as a result of changes in exchange rates are reflected in currency translation adjustments, a component of other comprehensive income (loss); however, such currency translation adjustments to redemption value are allocated to Discovery stockholders only. Redeemable noncontrolling interest adjustments of redemption value to the floor are reflected in retained earnings. The adjustment of redemption value to the floor that reflects a redemption in excess of fair value is included as an adjustment to income from continuing operations available to Discovery, Inc. stockholders in the calculation of earnings per share. (See Note 19.) The table below summarizes the Company's redeemable noncontrolling interests balances (in millions).
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
Discovery Family
 
$
206

 
$
206

MotorTrend Group LLC ("MTG")
 
118

 
121

Oprah Winfrey Network ("OWN")
 
64

 
58

Other
 
54

 
30

Total
 
$
442

 
$
415


The table below presents the reconciliation of changes in redeemable noncontrolling interests (in millions).
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
Beginning balance
 
$
415

 
$
413

 
$
243

Initial fair value of redeemable noncontrolling interests of acquired businesses
 
25

 

 
137

Cash distributions to redeemable noncontrolling interests
 
(39
)
 
(25
)
 
(30
)
Comprehensive income adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests
 
16

 
20

 
24

Other comprehensive loss adjustments
 

 

 
1

Currency translation on redemption values
 
1

 
2

 

Retained earnings adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Adjustments of redemption values to the floor
 
14

 
3

 
38

Adjustments of carrying value to fair value
 
4

 

 

OWN Interest adjustment
 
6

 
2

 

Ending balance
 
$
442

 
$
415

 
$
413


The significant arrangements for redeemable noncontrolling interests are described below:
Discovery Family
Hasbro Inc ("Hasbro") has the right to put the entirety of its remaining 40% interest in Discovery Family to Discovery at any time during the one-year period beginning December 31, 2021, or in the event a Discovery performance obligation related to Discovery Family is not met. Embedded in the redeemable noncontrolling interest is also a Discovery call right that is exercisable for one year after December 31, 2021. Upon the exercise of the put or call options, the price to be paid for the redeemable noncontrolling interest is a function of the then-current fair market value of the redeemable noncontrolling interest, to which certain discounts and floor values may apply in specified situations depending upon the party exercising the put or call and the basis for the exercise of the put or call.

106

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

MTG
Discovery and GoldenTree created the MTG joint venture in 2017. GoldenTree acquired a put right exercisable during 30-day windows beginning on each of March 25, 2021, September 25, 2022 and March 25, 2024, that requires Discovery to either purchase all of GoldenTree's noncontrolling 32.5% interest in the joint venture at fair value or participate in an initial public offering for the joint venture.
OWN
Harpo has the right to require the Company to purchase Harpo's remaining noncontrolling interest in OWN at fair value during four 90-day windows beginning on July 1, 2018 and every two and a half years thereafter through January 1, 2026. Harpo exercised the first of such remaining put rights in August 2018. In November 2018, the Company and Harpo entered into an amendment to the limited liability company agreement whereby Harpo agreed to withdraw its August 2018 put notice and upon any succeeding redemption the put payment value will equal the fair value of Harpo's equity interest in OWN plus an incremental 9.337% per annum for the 2.5 year period between the July 1, 2018 put right date and the January 1, 2021 put right date.
NOTE 12. EQUITY
Common Stock
The Company has three series of common stock authorized, issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2019: Series A common stock, Series B common stock and Series C common stock. Holders of these three series of common stock have equal rights, powers and privileges, except as otherwise noted. Holders of Series A common stock are entitled to one vote per share and holders of Series B common stock are entitled to ten votes per share on all matters voted on by stockholders, except for directors to be elected by holders of the Company’s Series A-1 convertible preferred stock. Holders of Series C common stock are not entitled to any voting rights, except as required by Delaware law. Generally, holders of Series A common stock and Series B common stock and Series A-1 convertible preferred stock vote as one class, except for certain preferential rights afforded to holders of Series A-1 convertible preferred stock.
Holders of Series A common stock, Series B common stock and Series C common stock will participate equally in cash dividends if declared by the Board of Directors, subject to preferential rights of outstanding preferred stock.
Each share of Series B common stock is convertible, at the option of the holder, into one share of Series A common stock. Series A and Series C common stock are not convertible.
Generally, distributions made in shares of Series A common stock, Series B common stock or Series C common stock will be made proportionally to all common stockholders. In the event of a reclassification, subdivision or combination of any series of common stock, the shares of the other series of common stock will be equally reclassified, subdivided or combined.
In the event of a liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of Discovery, after payment of Discovery’s debts and liabilities and subject to preferential rights of outstanding preferred stock, holders of Series A common stock, Series B common stock and Series C common stock and holders of Series A-1 and Series C-1 convertible preferred stock will share equally in any assets available for distribution to holders of common stock.
Convertible Preferred Stock
The Company has two series of preferred stock authorized, issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2019: Series A-1 convertible preferred stock and Series C-1 convertible preferred stock. Series A-1 convertible preferred stock is convertible into nine shares of our Series A common stock and Series C-1 convertible preferred stock is convertible into 19.3648 shares of our Series C common stock, subject to certain anti-dilution adjustments. Shares of Series A-1 and Series C-1 convertible preferred stock may be independently converted into Series A common stock and Series C common, respectively.
As of December 31, 2019, all outstanding shares of Series A-1 and Series C-1 convertible preferred stock were held by Advance/Newhouse. Holders of Series A-1 and Series C-1 convertible preferred stock have equal rights, powers and privileges, except as otherwise noted. Except for the election of common stock directors, the holders of Series A-1 convertible preferred stock are entitled to vote on matters to which holders of Series A and Series B common stock are entitled to vote, and holders of Series C-1 convertible preferred stock are entitled to vote on matters to which holders of Series C common stock, which is generally non-voting, are entitled to vote pursuant to Delaware law. Series A-1 convertible preferred stockholders vote on an as converted to common stock basis together with the Series A and Series B common stockholders as a single class on all matters except the election of directors. Series C-1 convertible preferred stock is considered the economic equivalent of Series C common stock and is subject to certain transfer restrictions.

107

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Additionally, through its ownership of the Series A-1 convertible preferred stock, Advance/Newhouse has special voting rights on certain matters and the right to elect three directors. Holders of the Company’s common stock are not entitled to vote in the election of such directors. Advance/Newhouse retains these rights so long as it or its permitted transferees own or have the right to vote such shares that equal at least 80% of the shares of Series A convertible preferred stock issued to Advance/Newhouse in connection with the formation of Discovery, as converted to Series A-1 convertible preferred stock, plus any Series A-1 convertible preferred stock released from escrow, as may be adjusted for certain capital transactions. Holders of Series A-1 convertible preferred stock are subject to a right of first offer in favor of Discovery should Advance/Newhouse desire to sell 80% or more of the Series A-1 convertible preferred stock in a “Permitted Transfer” (as defined in the Discovery charter).
Subject to the prior preferences and other rights of any senior stock, holders of Series A-1 and Series C-1 convertible preferred stock will participate equally with common stockholders on an as converted to common stock basis in any cash dividends declared by the Board of Directors.
In the event of a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Discovery, after payment of Discovery’s debts and liabilities and subject to the prior payment with respect to any stock ranking senior to Series A-1 and Series C-1 convertible preferred stock, the holders of Series A-1 and Series C-1 convertible preferred stock will receive, before any payment or distribution is made to the holders of any common stock or other junior stock, an amount (in cash or property) equal to $0.01 per share. Following payment of such amount and the payment in full of all amounts owing to the holders of securities ranking senior to Discovery’s common stock, holders of Series A-1 and Series C-1 convertible preferred stock will share equally on an as converted to common stock basis with the holders of common stock with respect to any assets remaining for distribution to such holders.
During the year ended December 31, 2019, Advance Newhouse Programming Partnership converted 1.1 million of its Series C-1 convertible preferred stock into 22.0 million shares of Series C common stock.
Common Stock Issued in Connection with Scripps Networks Acquisition
In March 2018, the Company issued 139 million shares of Series C common stock as part of the consideration paid for the acquisition of Scripps Networks, inclusive of the conversion of 1 million Scripps Networks share-based compensation awards. (See Note 3.)
Repurchase Programs
Common Stock
The Company has a stock repurchase program that was implemented in 2010. Under the program, management was authorized to purchase shares of the Company's common stock from time to time through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions at prevailing prices, pursuant to one or more accelerated stock repurchase agreements, or other derivative arrangements as permitted by securities laws and other legal requirements, and subject to stock price, business and market conditions and other factors. The Company's authorization under this program expired in October 2017. In April 2019, the Company's Board of Directors authorized additional common stock repurchases of up to $1 billion. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company repurchased 23.2 million shares of its Series C common stock for $637 million at an average price of $27.49 per share. There were no common stock repurchases during 2018. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company repurchased 14.3 million shares of its Series C common stock for $381 million at an average price of $26.64 per share.
In May 2019, the Company made an upfront cash payment of $96 million to enter into two prepaid common stock repurchase contracts for the Company’s Series C common stock. Under these contracts, if the price of Discovery’s Series C common stock was below the strike price at expiration, the Company would have received a fixed number of shares of its Series C common stock. If the price of Discovery’s Series C common stock was above the strike price at expiration, the Company could have elected to receive $50 million of cash per contract or that number of Series C common stock at the then current market price equal to $50 million. Both contracts settled in cash for $50 million each during June 2019 and August 2019, as the price of Discovery’s Series C common stock was above the strike price at expiration for each contract. The contracts were accounted for as equity transactions.
In March 2017, the Company settled a December 2016 common stock repurchase contract through the receipt of $58 million of cash.
All common stock repurchases, including prepaid common stock repurchase contracts, were made through open market transactions in 2019. As of December 31, 2019 and over the life of the program, the Company had repurchased 3 million and 187 million shares of Series A and Series C common stock, respectively, for the aggregate purchase price of $171 million and $7.2 billion, respectively.

108

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Convertible Preferred Stock
There were no convertible preferred stock repurchases during 2019 or 2018. As of December 31, 2019, the Company had repurchased 0.2 million shares of Series C-1 convertible preferred stock for $102 million.

Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income
The table below presents the tax effects related to each component of other comprehensive (loss) income and reclassifications made into the consolidated statements of operations (in millions).
 
Year Ended December 31, 2019
 
Year Ended December 31, 2018
 
Year Ended December 31, 2017
 

Pretax
 
Tax Benefit (Expense)
 

Net-of-tax
 

Pretax
 
Tax Benefit (Expense)
 

Net-of-tax
 

Pretax
 
Tax Benefit (Expense)
 

Net-of-tax
Currency translation adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized (losses) gains:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency
$
(95
)

$
14


$
(81
)

$
(246
)

$
(6
)

$
(252
)
 
$
280

 
$
3

 
$
283

Net investment hedges
56


4


60


59




59

 
(112
)
 

 
(112
)
Reclassifications:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gain on disposition
6




6


4




4

 
12

 

 
12

Total currency translation adjustments
(33
)

18


(15
)

(183
)

(6
)

(189
)
 
180

 
3

 
183

AFS adjustments (a):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized gains (losses) AFS securities











 
36

 
(6
)
 
30

Reclassifications to other expense, net:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hedged portion of AFS securities











 
(18
)
 
3

 
(15
)
Total equity investment adjustments











 
18

 
(3
)
 
15

Derivative adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized gains (losses)
38


(9
)

29


34


(8
)

26

 
(41
)
 
15

 
(26
)
Reclassifications:

















 
 
 
 
 
 
Advertising revenue
(6
)

1


(5
)

1




1

 
3

 
(1
)
 
2

Distribution revenue
(5
)
 
1

 
(4
)
 
(9
)
 
2

 
(7
)
 
22

 
(8
)
 
14

Costs of revenues
(2
)



(2
)

(11
)

3


(8
)
 

 

 

Interest expense
2




2







 
1

 

 
1

Other (expense) income, net
(3
)

1


(2
)






 
(17
)
 
6

 
(11
)
Total derivative adjustments
24


(6
)

18


15


(3
)

12

 
(32
)
 
12

 
(20
)
Pension plan and SERP liability:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized gains
(13
)

3


(10
)

3




3

 

 

 

Other comprehensive (loss) income adjustments
$
(22
)
 
$
15

 
$
(7
)
 
$
(165
)
 
$
(9
)
 
$
(174
)
 
$
166

 
$
12

 
$
178


(a) Effective January 1, 2018, unrealized gains and losses on equity investments with readily determinable fair values are recorded in other expense, net. (See Note 4.)


109

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
The table below presents the changes in the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes (in millions).
 
 
Currency Translation Adjustments
 
AFS Adjustments (a)
 
Derivative
Adjustments
 
Pension Plan and SERP Liability
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
December 31, 2016
 
$
(797
)
 
$
11

 
$
24

 
$

 
$
(762
)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
 
171

 
30

 
(26
)
 

 
175

Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net income
 
12

 
(15
)
 
6

 

 
3

Other comprehensive income (loss)
 
183

 
15

 
(20
)
 

 
178

Other comprehensive loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests
 
(1
)
 

 

 

 
(1
)
December 31, 2017
 
(615
)
 
26

 
4

 

 
(585
)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications
 
(193
)
 

 
26

 
3

 
(164
)
Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net income
 
4

 

 
(14
)
 

 
(10
)
Other comprehensive (loss) income
 
(189
)
 

 
12

 
3

 
(174
)
Reclassifications to retained earnings resulting from the adoption of ASU 2016-01
 

 
(26
)
 

 

 
(26
)
December 31, 2018
 
(804
)
 

 
16

 
3

 
(785
)
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications
 
(20
)
 

 
29

 
(10
)
 
(1
)
Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net income
 
6

 

 
(11
)
 

 
(5
)
Other comprehensive (loss) income
 
(14
)
 

 
18

 
(10
)
 
(6
)
Other comprehensive loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests
 
(1
)
 

 

 

 
(1
)
Reclassifications to retained earnings resulting from the adoption of ASU 2018-02
 
(28
)
 

 
(2
)
 

 
(30
)
December 31, 2019
 
$
(847
)
 
$

 
$
32

 
$
(7
)
 
$
(822
)

(a) Effective January 1, 2018, unrealized gains and losses on equity investments with readily determinable fair values are recorded in other expense, net. (See Note 4.)
NOTE 13. NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
The Company has a controlling interest in the TV Food Network Partnership (the "Partnership"), which includes the Food Network and Cooking Channel. Food Network and Cooking Channel are operated and organized under the terms of the Partnership. The Company holds 80% of the voting interest and 68.7% of the economic interest in the Partnership. If the term of the Partnership is not extended prior to the dissolution date of December 31, 2020, the Partnership agreement permits the Company, as holder of 80% of the applicable votes, to reconstitute the Partnership and continue its business. If for some reason the Partnership is not continued, it will be required to limit its activities to winding up, settling debts, liquidating assets and distributing proceeds to the partners in proportion to their partnership interests. Ownership interests attributable to the noncontrolling owner are presented as noncontrolling interests on the Company's consolidated financial statements. Under the terms of the Partnership agreement, the noncontrolling owner cannot force a redemption outside of the Company's control. As such, the noncontrolling interests in the Partnership are reflected as a component of permanent equity in the Company's consolidated financial statements.

110

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 14. REVENUES
Disaggregated Revenue
The following table presents the Company’s revenues disaggregated by revenue source (in millions). Management uses these categories of revenue to evaluate the performance of its businesses and to assess its financial results and forecasts.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2019
 
U.S. Networks
 
International Networks
 
Other
 
Corporate and inter-segment
 
Total
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Advertising
$
4,245

 
$
1,799

 
$

 
$

 
$
6,044

Distribution
2,739

 
2,096

 

 

 
4,835

Other
108

 
146

 
11

 

 
265

Totals
$
7,092

 
$
4,041

 
$
11

 
$

 
$
11,144

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2018
 
U.S. Networks
 
International Networks
 
Other
 
Corporate and inter-segment
 
Total
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Advertising
$
3,749

 
$
1,765

 
$

 
$

 
$
5,514

Distribution
2,456

 
2,082

 

 

 
4,538

Other
145

 
302

 
54

 

 
501

Totals
$
6,350

 
$
4,149

 
$
54

 
$

 
$
10,553

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31, 2017
 
U.S. Networks
 
International Networks
 
Other
 
Corporate and inter-segment
 
Total
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Advertising
$
1,740

 
$
1,332

 
$
1

 
$

 
$
3,073

Distribution
1,612

 
1,862

 

 

 
3,474

Other
82

 
87

 
157

 

 
326

Totals
$
3,434

 
$
3,281

 
$
158

 
$

 
$
6,873


Transaction Price Allocated to Remaining Performance Obligations
Most of the Company's distribution contracts are licenses of functional intellectual property where revenue is derived from royalty-based arrangements, for which the guidance allows the application of a practical expedient to record revenues as a function of royalties earned to date instead of estimating incremental royalty contract revenue. Accordingly, in these instances, revenue is recognized based upon the royalties earned to date. However, there are certain other distribution arrangements that are fixed price or contain minimum guarantees that extend beyond one year. The Company recognizes revenue for fixed fee distribution contracts on a monthly basis based on minimum monthly fees or by calculating one twelfth of annual license fees specified in its distribution contracts. The transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations within these fixed price or minimum guarantee distribution revenue contracts was $1.1 billion as of December 31, 2019 and is expected to be recognized over the next five years.
The Company's content licensing contracts and sports sublicensing deals are licenses of functional intellectual property. Certain of these arrangements extend beyond one year. The transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations on these long-term contracts was $803 million as of December 31, 2019 and is expected to be recognized over the next ten years.
The Company's brand licensing contracts are licenses of symbolic intellectual property. Certain of these arrangements extend beyond one year. The transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations on these long-term contracts was $100 million as of December 31, 2019 and is expected to be recognized over the next twelve years.

111

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The value of unsatisfied performance obligations disclosed above does not include: (i) contracts involving variable consideration for which revenues are recognized in accordance with the usage-based royalty exception, and (ii) contracts with an original expected length of one year or less, such as advertising contracts.
Contract Balances
A contract liability, i.e. deferred revenue, is recorded when cash is received in advance of the Company's performance. Total deferred revenues, including both current and noncurrent, were $597 million and $369 million at December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. The change in deferred revenue for the year ended December 31, 2019 primarily reflects an increase in underdelivery of advertising commitments, cash payments received during the period for which the performance obligation was not satisfied prior to the end of the period and deferred revenues acquired as part of acquisitions completed during 2019, partially offset by $177 million of revenues recognized that were included in deferred revenues at December 31, 2018. Long term deferred revenues is a component of other noncurrent liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.
Capitalized Contract Costs
Sales commissions are generally expensed as incurred because contracts for which the sales commissions are generated are one year or less or are not material. Sales commissions are recorded as a component of cost of revenues on the consolidated statements of operations. The financing component of content licensing arrangements is not capitalized, because the period between delivery of the license and customer payment is one year or less or is not material.
NOTE 15. SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION
The Company has various incentive plans under which PRSUs, RSUs, stock options and SARs have been issued. As of December 31, 2019, the Company has reserved a total of 98 million shares of its Series A and Series C common stock for future exercises, vestings and grants of stock options, stock-settled SARs, PRSUs and RSUs. Upon exercise or vesting of stock awards, the Company issues new shares from its existing authorized but unissued shares. There were 61 million shares of common stock in reserves that were available for future issuance under the incentive plans as of December 31, 2019.
Share-Based Compensation Expense
The table below presents the components of share-based compensation expense (in millions).
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
PRSUs
 
$
46

 
$
24

 
$
6

RSUs
 
41

 
27

 
23

Stock options
 
33

 
22

 
12

SARs
 
22

 
8

 
(3
)
ESPP and other
 

 
(1
)
 
1

Total share-based compensation expense
 
$
142

 
$
80

 
$
39

Tax benefit recognized
 
$
17

 
$
13

 
$
9


Liability-classified share-based compensation awards include certain PRSUs and SARs. The Company recorded total liabilities for cash-settled and other liability-classified share-based compensation awards of $93 million and $54 million as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The current portion of the liability for cash-settled and other liability-classified awards was $47 million and $23 million as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

112

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Share-Based Award Activity
PRSUs
The table below presents PRSU activity (in millions, except years and weighted-average grant price).
 
 
PRSUs
 
Weighted-
Average
Grant
Date Fair Value
 
Weighted-Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
(years)
 
Aggregate
Fair
Value
Outstanding as of December 31, 2018
 
2.9

 
$
28.98

 
0.8
 
$
69

Granted
 
0.5

 
$
28.62

 
 
 
 
Converted
 
(1.1
)
 
$
33.31

 
 
 
$
29

Forfeited
 
(0.1
)
 
$
25.55

 
 
 
 
Outstanding as of December 31, 2019
 
2.2

 
$
26.89

 
0.5
 
$
71

Vested and expected to vest as of December 31, 2019
 
2.2

 
$
26.89

 
0.5
 
$
71

Convertible as of December 31, 2019
 
0.3

 
$
25.08

 
0.0
 
$
10


The Company has granted PRSUs to certain senior level executives. PRSUs represent the contingent right to receive shares of the Company’s Series A and C common stock, substantially all of which vest over three to four years based on continuous service and whether the Company achieves certain operating performance targets. The performance targets for substantially all PRSUs are cumulative measures of the Company’s adjusted operating income before depreciation and amortization (as defined in Note 23), free cash flows and revenues over a three-year period. The number of PRSUs that vest principally range from 0% to 100% based on a sliding scale where achieving or exceeding the performance target will result in 100% of the PRSUs vesting and achieving less than 80% of the target will result in no portion of the PRSUs vesting. Additionally, for certain PRSUs, the Company’s Compensation Committee has discretion in determining the final amount of units that vest, but may not increase the amount of any PRSU award above 100%. Upon vesting, each PRSU becomes convertible into one share of the Company’s Series A or Series C common stock as applicable. Holders of PRSUs do not receive payments of dividends in the event the Company pays a cash dividend until such PRSUs are converted into shares of the Company’s common stock.
As of December 31, 2019, unrecognized compensation cost related to PRSUs was $1 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 0.6 years based on the Company’s current assessment of the PRSUs that will vest, which may differ from actual results.
RSUs
The table below presents RSU activity (in millions, except years and weighted-average grant price).
 
 

RSUs
 
Weighted-
Average
Grant
Date Fair Value
 
Weighted-Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
(years)
 
Aggregate
Fair
Value
Outstanding as of December 31, 2018
 
4.9

 
$
25.95

 
2.6
 
$
120

Granted
 
3.2

 
$
29.03

 
 
 
 
Vested
 
(0.8
)
 
$
28.09

 
 
 
$
23

Forfeited
 
(0.8
)
 
$
26.48

 
 
 
 
Outstanding as of December 31, 2019
 
6.5

 
$
27.14

 
1.5
 
$
213

Vested and expected to vest as of December 31, 2019
 
6.5

 
$
27.14

 
1.5
 
$
213


RSUs represent the contingent right to receive shares of the Company's Series A and C common stock, substantially all of which vest ratably each year over periods of one to four years based on continuous service. As of December 31, 2019, there was $183 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to RSUs, of which $71 million is related to cash settled RSUs. Stock settled RSUs are expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.5 years and cash settled RSUs are expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 3.4 years.

113

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Stock Options
The table below presents stock option activity (in millions, except years and weighted-average exercise price).
 
 
Stock Options
 
Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
 
Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
(years)
 
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
Outstanding as of December 31, 2018
 
21.1

 
$
28.86

 
5.3
 
$
9

Granted
 
2.1

 
$
31.01

 
 
 
 
Exercised
 
(0.9
)
 
$
24.60

 
 
 
$
4

Forfeited
 
(0.9
)
 
$
29.54

 
 
 
 
Outstanding as of December 31, 2019
 
21.4

 
$
29.24

 
4.7
 
$
83

Vested and expected to vest as of December 31, 2019
 
21.4

 
$
29.24

 
4.7
 
$
83

Exercisable as of December 31, 2019
 
5.6

 
$
28.98

 
2.7
 
$
27


Stock options are granted with an exercise price equal to or in excess of the closing market price of the Company’s Series A or Series C common stock on the date of grant. Substantially all stock options vest ratably over three to four years from the grant date based on continuous service and expire seven to ten years from the date of grant. Stock option awards generally provide for accelerated vesting upon retirement or after reaching a specified age and years of service. The Company received cash payments from the exercise of stock options totaling $17 million, $68 million and $42 million during 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. As of December 31, 2019, there was $89 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.5 years.
The fair value of stock options is estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The weighted-average assumptions used to determine the fair value of stock options as of the date of grant during 2019, 2018 and 2017 were as follows.
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
Risk-free interest rate
 
2.67
%
 
2.74
%
 
1.87
%
Expected term (years)
 
5.5

 
5.5

 
5.0

Expected volatility
 
30.44
%
 
29.57
%
 
27.52
%
Dividend yield
 

 

 


The weighted-average grant date fair value of options granted during 2019, 2018 and 2017 was $8.43, $7.95 and $7.99, respectively, per option. The total intrinsic value of options exercised during 2019, 2018 and 2017 was $4 million, $30 million and $26 million, respectively.
SARs
The table below presents SAR award activity (in millions, except years and weighted-average grant price).
 
 
SARs
 
Weighted-
Average
Grant
Price
 
Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term
(years)
 
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
Outstanding as of December 31, 2018
 
7.6

 
$
25.10

 
1.2
 
$
6

Granted
 

 
$

 
 
 
 
Settled
 
(0.9
)
 
$
22.45

 
 
 
$
3

Forfeited
 
(1.8
)
 
$
28.21

 
 
 
 
Outstanding as of December 31, 2019
 
4.9

 
$
24.44

 
0.8
 
$
35

Vested and expected to vest as of December 31, 2019
 
4.9

 
$
24.44

 
0.8
 
$
35



114

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SAR award grants include cash-settled SARs and stock-settled SARs. Cash-settled SARs entitle the holder to receive a cash payment for the amount by which the price of the Company’s Series A or Series C common stock exceeds the base price established on the grant date. Cash-settled SARs are granted with a base price equal to or greater than the closing market price of the Company’s Series A or Series C common stock on the date of grant. Stock-settled SARs entitle the holder to shares of Series A or Series C common stock in accordance with the award agreement terms.
The fair value of outstanding SARs is estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The weighted-average assumptions used to determine the fair value of outstanding SARs were as follows.
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
Risk-free interest rate
 
1.60
%
 
2.53
%
 
1.74
%
Expected term (years)
 
0.8

 
1.2

 
1.0

Expected volatility
 
30.54
%
 
36.52
%
 
31.37
%
Dividend yield
 

 

 


As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the weighted-average fair value of SARs outstanding was $8.28 and $3.31 per award. The Company made cash payments of $2 million and $1 million to settle exercised SARs during 2019 and 2017, respectively. The Company made no cash payments to settle exercised SARs during 2018. As of December 31, 2019, there was $10 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to SARs, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 0.7 years.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
The ESPP enables eligible employees to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock through payroll deductions or other permitted means. Unless otherwise determined by the Company’s Compensation Committee, the purchase price for shares offered under the ESPP is 85% of the closing price of the Company’s Series A common stock on the purchase date. The Company’s Board of Directors has authorized 9 million shares of the Company’s common stock to be issued under the ESPP. During the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 the Company issued 142 thousand, 133 thousand and 179 thousand shares under the ESPP, respectively, and received cash totaling $3 million, $3 million and $4 million, respectively.
NOTE 16. RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLANS
The Company has defined contribution, defined benefit, and other savings plans for the benefit of its employees that meet eligibility requirements.
Defined Contribution Plans
Eligible employees may contribute a portion of their compensation to the plans, which may be subject to certain statutory limitations. For these plans, the Company also makes contributions, including discretionary contributions, subject to plan provisions, which vest immediately. The Company made total contributions of $37 million, $44 million and $30 million during 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The Company's contributions were recorded in cost of revenues and selling, general and administrative expense in the consolidated statements of operations.
Executive Deferred Compensation Plans
The Company’s savings plans also include a deferred compensation plan through which members of the Company’s executive team in the U.S. may elect to defer a portion of their eligible compensation. The amounts deferred are invested in various mutual funds at the direction of the executive, which are used to finance payment of the deferred compensation obligation. Distributions from the deferred compensation plan are made upon termination or other events as specified in the plan. The Company has established separate rabbi trusts to hold the investments that finance the deferred compensation obligation. The accounts of the separate rabbi trusts are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The investments are included in prepaid expenses and other current assets and other noncurrent assets. The deferred compensation obligation is included in accrued liabilities and other noncurrent liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. The values of the investments and deferred compensation obligation are recorded at fair value. Changes in the fair value of the investments are offset by changes in the fair value of the deferred compensation obligation and are recorded in earnings as a component of other expense, net, on the consolidated statements of operations. (See Note 5.)

115

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Defined Benefit Plans
As a result of the acquisition of Scripps Networks in 2018, the Company assumed a defined benefit pension plan (“Pension Plan”) that covers certain U.S. based employees and a non-qualified unfunded Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”) that provides defined pension benefits to eligible executives. Expense recognized in relation to the Pension Plan and SERP is based upon actuarial valuations. Inherent in those valuations are key assumptions including discount rates and, where applicable, expected returns on assets. Discount rates are based on a bond portfolio approach that includes high-quality debt instruments with maturities matching the Company's expected benefit payments from the plans. Expected returns on assets are based on the weighted-average expected rate of return and capital market forecasts for each asset class employed and also consider the Company's historical compounded return on plan assets for 10 and 15-year periods. Benefits are generally based on the employee’s compensation and years of service. Since December 31, 2009, no additional service benefits have been earned by participants under the Pension Plan. The amount of eligible compensation that is used to calculate a plan participant’s pension benefit includes compensation earned by the employee through December 31, 2019, after which time all plan participants will have a frozen pension benefit. Net periodic pension cost was not material for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.
The projected benefit obligation, fair value of plan assets and discount rate used in determining the projected benefit obligations were as follows (in millions).
 
 
Pension Plan
 
SERP
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
Projected benefit obligation
 
$
90

 
$
84

 
$
26

 
$
26

Fair value of plan assets (Level 1)
 
$
68

 
$
70

 
$

 
$

Discount rate
 
2.82
%
 
3.93
%
 
2.61
%
 
3.77
%

NOTE 17. RESTRUCTURING AND OTHER CHARGES
Restructuring and other charges by reportable segment, other, and corporate and inter-segment eliminations were as follows (in millions).
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
U.S. Networks
 
$
15

 
$
322

 
$
18

International Networks
 
20

 
307

 
42

Other
 

 
1

 
3

Corporate and inter-segment eliminations
 
(9
)
 
120

 
12

Total restructuring and other charges
 
$
26

 
$
750

 
$
75


Restructuring charges include employee terminations, facility closures, and contract terminations, which include costs to terminate certain production commitments, life of series production and content licensing contracts. Restructuring charges were $26 million, $345 million and $68 million for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Other restructuring charges were $405 million and $7 million for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. In 2018, other restructuring charges relate to content write-offs which resulted from a global strategic review of content following the acquisition of Scripps Networks.

116

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Changes in restructuring and other liabilities recorded in accrued liabilities and other noncurrent liabilities by reportable segment, other, and corporate and inter-segment eliminations were as follows (in millions).
 
 
U.S. Networks
 
International Networks
 
Other
 
Corporate and inter-segment eliminations (a)
 
Total
December 31, 2017
 
$
5

 
$
25

 
$
1

 
$
12

 
$
43

Net contract termination accruals
 
12

 
67

 

 
14

 
93

Net employee relocation/termination accruals
 
89

 
56

 
1

 
99

 
245

Cash paid
 
(90
)
 
(102
)
 
(2
)
 
(79
)
 
(273
)
December 31, 2018
 
16

 
46

 

 
46

 
108

Net contract termination accruals
 

 

 

 
(6
)
 
(6
)
Net employee relocation/termination accruals
 
15

 
20

 

 
(10
)
 
25

Other accruals
 

 

 

 
1

 
1

Cash paid
 
(27
)
 
(61
)
 

 
(22
)
 
(110
)
December 31, 2019
 
$
4

 
$
5

 
$

 
$
9

 
$
18


(a) $1 million and $5 million of net contract termination accruals related to lease exits were reclassified from accrued liabilities and other noncurrent liabilities, respectively, to right-of-use assets on the balance sheet upon adoption of ASU 2016-02 on January 1, 2019.
Net accruals for the year ended December 31, 2018 do not include $7 million of Scripps Networks share-based awards exchanged for Discovery shares as of March 6, 2018 recorded in Additional Paid In Capital and included in restructuring charges for the year ended December 31, 2018.
NOTE 18. INCOME TAXES
The domestic and foreign components of income (loss) before income taxes were as follows (in millions).
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
Domestic
 
$
1,910

 
$
1,125

 
$
815

Foreign
 
384

 
(103
)
 
(952
)
Income (loss) before income taxes
 
$
2,294

 
$
1,022

 
$
(137
)

The components of the provision for income taxes were as follows (in millions).
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
Current:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
 
$
411

 
$
323

 
$
177

State and local
 
42

 
30

 
45

Foreign
 
132

 
119

 
153

 
 
585

 
472

 
375

Deferred:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
 
(54
)
 
(113
)
 
(124
)
State and local
 
(8
)
 
(21
)
 
(7
)
Foreign
 
(442
)
 
3

 
(68
)
 
 
(504
)
 
(131
)
 
(199
)
Income taxes
 
$
81

 
$
341

 
$
176



117

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

In December 2017, new federal tax reform legislation ( the "TCJA") was enacted in the United States, resulting in significant changes from previous tax law. The TCJA revised the U.S. corporate income tax by, among other things, lowering the statutory corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% and reinstating bonus depreciation that will allow for full expensing of qualified property, for property placed in service before 2023, including qualified film, such as content produced by the Company. The TCJA also eliminated or significantly amended certain deductions (interest, domestic production activities deduction and executive compensation). The TCJA fundamentally changed taxation of multinational entities by moving from a system of worldwide taxation with deferral to a hybrid territorial system, featuring a participation exemption regime with current taxation of certain foreign income. Included in the international provisions was the enactment of a minimum tax on low-taxed foreign earnings, and new measures to deter base erosion and promote U.S. production. In addition, the TCJA imposed a mandatory repatriation toll tax on unremitted foreign earnings. The U.S. taxation of these amounts notwithstanding, we intend to continue to invest most or all of these earnings, as well as our capital in these subsidiaries, indefinitely outside of the U.S.
Based on our preliminary assessment of the TCJA impact, we recognized a one-time, provisional net tax benefit of $44 million in the fourth quarter of 2017 related to the deemed repatriation tax on post-1986 accumulated earnings and profits, the deferred tax rate change effect of the new law, gross foreign tax credit carryforwards and related valuation allowances to offset foreign tax credit carryforwards. Our 2017 U.S. federal income tax return was filed in October 2018 and there were no material adjustments related to the TCJA.
The following table reconciles the Company's effective income tax rates to the U.S. federal statutory income tax rates.
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
U.S. federal statutory income tax provision

$
482


21
 %

$
215


21
 %
 
$
(48
)
 
35
 %
State and local income taxes, net of federal tax benefit

27


1
 %

10


1
 %
 
23

 
(18
)%
Effect of foreign operations

(21
)

(1
)%

111


11
 %
 
(35
)
 
25
 %
Domestic production activity deductions



 %



 %
 
(52
)
 
39
 %
Change in uncertain tax positions

3


 %

37


3
 %
 
60

 
(44
)%
Legal entity restructuring, deferred tax impact
 
(445
)
 
(19
)%
 

 
 %
 

 
 %
Preferred stock modification



 %



 %
 
12

 
(9
)%
Impairment of goodwill

32


1
 %



 %
 
458

 
(334
)%
Renewable energy investments tax credits (See Note 4)

(1
)

 %

(12
)

(1
)%

(195
)

142
 %
Noncontrolling interest adjustment

(30
)

(1
)%

(18
)

(2
)%



 %
U.S. legislative changes



 %

(19
)

(2
)%

(43
)

32
 %
Non-deductible compensation

22


1
 %

20


2
 %



 %
Other, net

12


1
 %

(3
)

 %

(4
)

4
 %
Income tax expense
 
$
81

 
4
 %
 
$
341

 
33
 %
 
$
176

 
(128
)%


Income tax expense was $81 million and $341 million, and our effective tax rate was 4% and 33% for 2019 and 2018, respectively. The decrease in income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2019 was primarily attributable to the discrete, one-time, non-cash deferred tax benefit of $445 million from legal entity restructurings discussed below. Additionally, the decrease in income tax expense was attributable to a decrease in the provision for uncertain tax positions and a decrease in the effect of foreign operations, which was mainly driven by the establishment of certain valuation allowances during the year ended December 31, 2018 that did not recur in 2019, and a tax benefit realized during the year ended December 31, 2019 from the final regulations related to the determination of the foreign tax credit released by the U.S. Treasury department and IRS in December 2019. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in income and the impact of a goodwill impairment charge that was non-deductible for tax purposes during the year ended December 31, 2019. Finally, the income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2018 included a one-time discrete tax benefit from U.S. legislative changes that extended the accelerated deduction of qualified film productions.

118

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

We carried out numerous internal transactions during the year ended December 31, 2019 that were intended to integrate assets acquired from the Scripps Networks business with the Discovery business; streamline and simplify our corporate entity structures; simplify our internal financing structures; respond to the expected exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union; make our managerial structures and processes more efficient and nimble; and reduce costs associated with the maintenance of legal entities. These transactions included mergers, liquidations, and intercompany sales among members of the consolidated Discovery group. Some of these transactions have resulted in changes in certain of our deferred tax items, which are based on differences between the book versus tax bases of the assets and liabilities and on certain tax attributes, such as net operating loss carryovers. The items involved in these restructurings relate to a variety of jurisdictions in our International Networks segment. Recent changes in accounting for intercompany transactions have also impacted our effective tax rate. For example, following our adoption of Accounting Standards Update 2016-16, effective January 1, 2018, the income tax effects of intercompany transfers will be recognized in the period in which the transfer occurs, rather than amortized over time, which will increase the impact of such transfers on our effective tax rate in the periods in which the transfers occur. Moreover, U.S. tax reform has a continued effect as the U.S. Treasury Department issues final regulations clarifying application of the new law; and several tax controversies have come to resolution. The net effect of the various changes in our deferred tax balances and related valuation allowances has been the recognition of a one-time, non-cash deferred income tax benefit of $445 million during the year ended December 31, 2019.
Income tax expense was $341 million and $176 million, and our effective tax rate was 33% and (128)% for 2018 and 2017, respectively. During 2018, the increase in the income tax expense was primarily attributable to an increase in income, a reduction in benefits from investment tax credits from our renewable energy investments, the effect of foreign operations, which included establishment of valuation allowances and write-offs of deferred tax assets, and elimination of the domestic production activity deduction, partially offset by the lower U.S. Federal statutory income tax rate, a decrease in expense for uncertain tax positions, and a tax benefit from TCJA rate change on the deferred tax liability recomputation as a result of U.S. legislative changes that extended the accelerated deduction of qualified film productions.
Components of deferred income tax assets and liabilities were as follows (in millions).
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
Deferred income tax assets:
 
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
 
$
12

 
$
11

Tax attribute carry-forward
 
311

 
321

Accrued liabilities and other
 
342

 
302

Total deferred income tax assets
 
665

 
634

Valuation allowance
 
(307
)
 
(336
)
Net deferred income tax assets
 
358

 
298

Deferred income tax liabilities:
 
 
 
 
Intangible assets
 
(849
)
 
(1,418
)
Content rights
 
(148
)
 
(107
)
Equity method and other investments in partnerships
 
(471
)
 
(488
)
Other
 
(106
)
 
(15
)
Total deferred income tax liabilities
 
(1,574
)
 
(2,028
)
Net deferred income tax liabilities
 
$
(1,216
)
 
$
(1,730
)


The Company’s net deferred income tax assets and liabilities were reported on the consolidated balance sheets as follows (in millions).
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
Noncurrent deferred income tax assets (included within other noncurrent assets)
 
$
475

 
$
81

Deferred income tax liabilities (classified on the balance sheet)
 
(1,691
)
 
(1,811
)
Net deferred income tax liabilities
 
$
(1,216
)
 
$
(1,730
)


119

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


The Company’s loss carry-forwards were reported on the consolidated balance sheets as follows (in millions).
 
 
Federal
 
State
 
Foreign
Loss carry-forwards
 
$
9

 
$
351

 
$
2,033

Deferred tax asset related to loss carry-forwards
 
2

 
17

 
249

Valuation allowance against loss carry-forwards
 
(2
)
 
(17
)
 
(213
)
Earliest expiration date of loss carry-forwards
 
2034

 
2020

 
2020


A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amounts of unrecognized tax benefits (without related interest and penalty amounts) is as follows (in millions).
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
Beginning balance
 
$
378

 
$
189

 
$
117

Additions based on tax positions related to the current year
 
54

 
43

 
27

Additions for tax positions of prior years
 
11

 
52

 
57

Additions for tax positions acquired in business combinations
 
47

 
169

 

Reductions for tax positions of prior years
 
(47
)
 
(9
)
 

Settlements
 
(19
)
 
(6
)
 
(8
)
Reductions due to lapse of statutes of limitations
 
(50
)
 
(52
)
 
(6
)
Changes due to foreign currency exchange rates
 
1

 
(8
)
 
2

Ending balance
 
$
375

 
$
378

 
$
189


The balances as of December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 included $375 million, $378 million and $189 million, respectively, of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would reduce the Company’s income tax expense and effective tax rate after giving effect to interest deductions and offsetting benefits from other tax jurisdictions. For the year ended December 31, 2019, decreases in unrecognized tax benefits related to multiple audit resolutions and the lapse of statutes of limitations were offset by the uncertainty of allocation and taxation of income among multiple jurisdictions.
The Company and its subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S. and various state and foreign jurisdictions. The Internal Revenue Service recently completed audit procedures for its 2008 to 2011 tax years, the results of which should be finalized in the coming year. The Company is currently under audit by the Internal Revenue Service for its 2012 to 2015 consolidated federal income tax returns. It is difficult to predict the final outcome or timing of resolution of any particular tax matter. Accordingly, an estimate of any related impact to the reserve for uncertain tax positions cannot currently be determined. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to audit by any jurisdiction for years prior to 2006. Adjustments that arose from the completion of audits for certain tax years have been included in the change in uncertain tax positions in the table above.
It is reasonably possible that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits related to certain of the Company's uncertain tax positions could decrease by as much as $128 million within the next twelve months as a result of ongoing audits, foreign judicial proceedings, lapses of statutes of limitations or regulatory developments.
As of December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, the Company had accrued approximately $58 million, $51 million and $21 million, respectively, of total interest and penalties payable related to unrecognized tax benefits. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense.

120

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 19. EARNINGS PER SHARE
In calculating earnings per share, the Company follows the two-class method, which distinguishes between classes of securities based on the proportionate participation rights of each security type in the Company's undistributed income. The Company's Series A, B and C common stock is treated as one class and the Series C-1 convertible preferred stock is treated as a separate class for purposes of applying the two-class method. The Company's Series C-1 convertible preferred stock is an in-substance common stock equivalent as it has substantially equal rights and shares equally on an as-converted basis with respect to income available to Discovery, Inc. The Company's Series A-1 convertible preferred stock is also a separate class but is not considered a common stock equivalent and therefore is not presented separately in the calculation of earnings per share. Series A-1 convertible preferred stock is currently convertible into 9 shares of our Series A common stock and Series C-1 convertible preferred stock is convertible into 19.3648 shares of our Series C common stock, subject to certain anti-dilution adjustments. During the year ended December 31, 2019, Advance Newhouse Programming Partnership converted 1.1 million of its Series C-1 convertible preferred stock into 22.0 million shares of Series C common stock.
Net income allocated to Discovery, Inc. Series C-1 convertible preferred stockholders for diluted net income per share is included in net income allocated to Discovery, Inc. Series A, B and C common stockholders for diluted net income per share. The weighted average number of diluted shares outstanding adjusts the weighted average number of shares of Series A, B and C common stock outstanding for the potential dilution that would occur if common stock equivalents, including convertible preferred stock and share-based awards, were converted into common stock or exercised, calculated using the treasury stock method. The computation of the diluted earnings per share of Series A, B and C common stockholders assumes the conversion of Series A-1 and C-1 convertible preferred stock, while the diluted earnings per share amounts of Series C-1 convertible preferred stock does not assume conversion of those shares.

121

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The table below sets forth the computation for income (loss) available to Discovery, Inc. stockholders (in millions). Earnings per share amounts may not recalculate due to rounding.
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
Numerator:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
 
$
2,213

 
$
681

 
$
(313
)
Less:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allocation of undistributed income to Series A-1 convertible preferred stock
 
(204
)
 
(60
)
 
41

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
(128
)
 
(67
)
 

Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests
 
(16
)
 
(20
)
 
(24
)
Redeemable noncontrolling interest adjustments to redemption value
 
(20
)
 
(5
)
 

Net income (loss) available to Discovery, Inc. Series A, B and C common and Series C-1 convertible preferred stockholders for basic net income per share
 
$
1,845

 
$
529

 
$
(296
)
Allocation of net income (loss) available to Discovery, Inc. Series A, B and C common stockholders and Series C-1 convertible preferred stockholders for basic net income per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Series A, B and C common stockholders
 
1,531

 
429

 
(225
)
Series C-1 convertible preferred stockholders
 
314

 
100

 
(71
)
Total
 
1,845

 
529

 
(296
)
Add:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allocation of undistributed income to Series A-1 convertible preferred stockholders
 
204

 
60

 
(41
)
Net income (loss) available to Discovery, Inc. Series A, B and C common stockholders for diluted net income per share
 
$
2,049

 
$
589

 
$
(337
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Denominator — weighted average:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Series A, B and C common shares outstanding — basic
 
529

 
498

 
384

Impact of assumed preferred stock conversion
 
179

 
187

 
192

Dilutive effect of share-based awards
 
3

 
3

 

Series A, B and C common shares outstanding — diluted
 
711

 
688

 
576

Series C-1 convertible preferred stock outstanding — basic and diluted
 
6

 
6

 
6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic net income (loss) per share available to Discovery, Inc. Series A, B and C common and Series C-1 convertible preferred stockholders:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Series A, B and C common stockholders
 
$
2.90

 
$
0.86

 
$
(0.59
)
Series C-1 convertible preferred stockholders
 
$
56.07

 
$
16.65

 
$
(11.33
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Diluted net income (loss) per share available to Discovery, Inc. Series A, B and C common and Series C-1 convertible preferred stockholders:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Series A, B and C common stockholders
 
$
2.88

 
$
0.86

 
$
(0.59
)
Series C-1 convertible preferred stockholders
 
$
55.80

 
$
16.58

 
$
(11.33
)



122

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The table below presents the details of share-based awards that were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share (in millions).
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
Anti-dilutive share-based awards
 
17

 
15

 
19

PRSUs whose performance targets have not yet been achieved
 

 
1

 
2


Only outstanding PRSUs whose performance targets have been achieved as of the last day of the most recent period are included in the dilutive effect calculation.
NOTE 20. SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES
Property and equipment
Property and equipment consisted of the following (in millions).
 
 
 
 
December 31,
 
Useful Lives
 
2019
 
2018
Broadcast equipment (a)
3 - 5 years
 
$
676

 
$
730

Office equipment, furniture, fixtures and other
3 - 5 years
 
606

 
458

Capitalized software costs
2 - 5 years
 
519

 
440

Land, buildings and leasehold improvements (b)
39 years
 
298

 
365

Property and equipment, at cost
 
 
2,099

 
1,993

Accumulated depreciation
 
 
(1,148
)
 
(1,193
)
Property and equipment, net
 
 
$
951

 
$
800


(a) Property and equipment includes assets acquired under finance lease arrangements, primarily satellite transponders classified as broadcast equipment. Assets acquired under finance lease arrangements are amortized using the straight-line method over the lesser of the estimated useful lives of the assets or the terms of the related leases. (See Note 9.)
(b) Land has an indefinite life and is not depreciated. Leasehold improvements have an estimated useful life of the shorter of five years or the lease term.
Capitalized software costs are for internal use. The net book value of capitalized software costs was $176 million and $136 million as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The related accumulated amortization was $343 million and $304 million as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Depreciation expense for property and equipment totaled $207 million, $229 million and $150 million for 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Accrued Liabilities
Accrued liabilities consisted of the following (in millions):
 
December 31,
 
2019
 
2018
Accrued payroll and related benefits
$
425

 
$
484

Content rights payable
456

 
384

Other accrued liabilities
797

 
736

Total accrued liabilities
$
1,678

 
$
1,604



123

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Other Expense, net
Other expense, net, consisted of the following (in millions):
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
Foreign currency gains (losses), net
 
$
17

 
$
(93
)
 
$
(83
)
(Losses) gains on derivative instruments
 
(52
)
 
50

 
(82
)
Remeasurement gain on previously held equity interest
 
14

 

 
33

Change in the value of common stock investments with readily determinable fair value (a)
 
(26
)
 
(88
)
 

Gain on sale of equity method investments
 
13

 

 

Interest income
 
22

 
15

 
21

Other income (expense), net
 
4

 
(4
)
 
1

Total other expense, net
 
$
(8
)
 
$
(120
)
 
$
(110
)

(a) As of January 1, 2018, upon adoption of ASU 2016-01, equity investments with readily determinable fair value for which the Company has the intent to retain the investment are measured at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses recorded in other expense, net. (See Note 4.)
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
Cash paid for taxes, net
 
$
562

 
$
389

 
$
274

Cash paid for interest
 
708

 
740

 
357

Non-cash investing and financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair value of assets and liabilities of business received in exchange for redeemable noncontrolling interests (a)
 

 

 
144

Equity issued for the acquisition of Scripps Networks
 

 
3,218

 

Disposal of UKTV investment and acquisition of Lifestyle Business
 
291

 

 

Accrued purchases of property and equipment
 
47

 
39

 
24

Assets acquired under finance lease arrangements
 
38

 
58

 
103

Unsettled stock repurchases
 
4

 

 



(a) Amount relates to the Company's MTG joint venture. The joint venture was effected via DCL's contribution of the Velocity network to a newly formed entity, MTG, which is a non-guarantor subsidiary of the Company and is reflected as a non-cash contribution in the condensed consolidating financial statements. (See Note 26.)
NOTE 21. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
In the normal course of business, the Company enters into transactions with related parties. Related parties include entities that share common directorship, such as Liberty Global plc (“Liberty Global”), Liberty Broadband Corporation ("Liberty Broadband") and their subsidiaries and equity method investees (together the “Liberty Group”). Discovery’s Board of Directors includes Mr. Malone, who is Chairman of the Board of Liberty Global and beneficially owns approximately 30% of the aggregate voting power with respect to the election of directors of Liberty Global. Mr. Malone is also Chairman of the Board of Liberty Broadband and beneficially owns approximately 48% of the aggregate voting power with respect to the election of directors of Liberty Broadband. The majority of the revenue earned from the Liberty Group relates to multi-year network distribution arrangements. Related party transactions also include revenues and expenses for content and services provided to or acquired from equity method investees or minority partners of consolidated subsidiaries.

124

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The table below presents a summary of the transactions with related parties, including OWN, prior to the November 30, 2017 acquisition (in millions).
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
Revenues and service charges:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liberty Group
 
$
666

 
$
627

 
$
476

Equity method investees
 
304

 
289

 
145

Other
 
57

 
69

 
46

Total revenues and service charges
 
$
1,027

 
$
985

 
$
667

Interest income
 
$
1

 
$
4

 
$
13

Expenses
 
$
(368
)
 
$
(321
)
 
$
(178
)

The table below presents amounts due from and to related parties (in millions).
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
Receivables
 
$
156

 
$
167

Note receivable (a)
 

 
94

Payables
 
18

 
7


(a) Amount relates to a note receivable with UKTV, an equity method investee acquired in conjunction with the acquisition of Scripps Networks. In June 2019, the Company and BBC dissolved their 50/50 joint venture in UKTV. (See Note 3.)
NOTE 22. COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES, AND GUARANTEES
Commitments
In the normal course of business, the Company enters into various commitments, which primarily include programming and talent arrangements, operating and finance leases, employment contracts, arrangements to purchase various goods and services, and future funding commitments to equity method investees.
Year Ending December 31,
 
Content
 
Other
 
Total
2020
 
$
1,633

 
$
478

 
$
2,111

2021
 
552

 
386

 
938

2022
 
505

 
266

 
771

2023
 
430

 
191

 
621

2024
 
727

 
27

 
754

Thereafter
 
1,383

 
66

 
1,449

Total
 
$
5,230

 
$
1,414

 
$
6,644


Content purchase commitments are associated with third-party producers and sports associations for content that airs on the television networks. Production contracts generally require the purchase of a specified number of episodes with payments over the term of the license. Production contracts include both programs that have been delivered and are available for airing and programs that have not yet been produced or sporting events that have not yet taken place. If the content is ultimately never produced, the Company's commitments expire without obligation. The commitments disclosed above exclude content liabilities recognized on the consolidated balance sheet.

125

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Other purchase obligations include agreements with certain vendors and suppliers for the purchase of goods and services whereby the underlying agreements are enforceable, legally binding and specify all significant terms. Significant purchase obligations include transmission services, television rating services, marketing research, employment contracts, equipment purchases, and information technology services. Some of these contracts do not require the purchase of fixed or minimum quantities and generally may be terminated with a 30-day to 60-day advance notice without penalty, and are not included in the table above past the 30-day to 60-day advance notice period. Amounts related to employment contracts include base compensation, but do not include compensation contingent on future events.
Although the Company had funding commitments to equity method investees as of December 31, 2019, the Company may also provide uncommitted additional funding to its equity method investments in the future. (See Note 4.)
Contingencies
Put Rights
The Company has granted put rights to certain consolidated subsidiaries. (See Note 11.)
Legal Matters
The Company is party to various lawsuits and claims in the ordinary course of business, including claims related to employees, vendors, other business partners or patent issues. However, a determination as to the amount of the accrual required for such contingencies is highly subjective and requires judgment about future events. Although the outcome of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty and the impact of the final resolution of these matters on the Company's results of operations in a particular subsequent reporting period is not known, management does not believe that the resolution of these matters will have a material adverse effect on the Company's future consolidated financial position, future results of operations or cash flows.
During 2018, the Company received written notification from tax authorities of a withholding tax claim stemming from an audit that commenced in 2017. A liability of $40 million was recorded as part of the provisional Scripps Networks purchase accounting as of December 31, 2018. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the withholding tax claim was settled with a portion of the claim being resolved subsequent to the measurement period, which resulted in a reversal of the remaining accrual and a reduction in selling, general, and administrative expense of approximately $29 million.
Guarantees
There were no guarantees recorded under ASC 460 as of December 31, 2019 and 2018.
In the normal course of business, the Company may provide or receive indemnities that are intended to allocate certain risks associated with business transactions. Similarly, the Company may remain contingently liable for certain obligations of a divested business in the event that a third party does not fulfill its obligations under an indemnification obligation. The Company records a liability for its indemnification obligations and other contingent liabilities when probable and estimable. There were no material amounts for indemnifications or other contingencies recorded as of December 31, 2019 and 2018.
NOTE 23. REPORTABLE SEGMENTS
The Company’s operating segments are determined based on (i) financial information reviewed by its chief operating decision maker ("CODM"), the Chief Executive Officer ("CEO"), (ii) internal management and related reporting structure, and (iii) the basis upon which the CEO makes resource allocation decisions. The Company's operating segments did not change as a result of the acquisition of Scripps Networks.
The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as the Company’s, except that certain inter-segment transactions that are eliminated for consolidation are not eliminated at the segment level. Inter-segment transactions primarily include advertising and content purchases.

126

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Company evaluates the operating performance of its segments based on financial measures such as revenues and adjusted operating income before depreciation and amortization (“Adjusted OIBDA”). Adjusted OIBDA is defined as operating income excluding: (i) employee share-based compensation, (ii) depreciation and amortization, (iii) restructuring and other charges, (iv) certain impairment charges, (v) gains and losses on business and asset dispositions, (vi) certain inter-segment eliminations related to production studios, (vii) third-party transaction costs directly related to the acquisition and integration of Scripps Networks and other transactions, and (viii) other items impacting comparability, such as the non-cash settlement of a withholding tax claim. (See Note 22.) The Company uses this measure to assess the operating results and performance of its segments, perform analytical comparisons, identify strategies to improve performance and allocate resources to each segment. The Company believes Adjusted OIBDA is relevant to investors because it allows them to analyze the operating performance of each segment using the same metric management uses. The Company excludes share-based compensation, restructuring and other charges, certain impairment charges, gains and losses on business and asset dispositions and acquisition and integration costs from the calculation of Adjusted OIBDA due to their impact on comparability between periods. The Company also excludes depreciation of fixed assets and amortization of intangible assets, as these amounts do not represent cash payments in the current reporting period. Certain corporate expenses and inter-segment eliminations related to production studios are excluded from segment results to enable executive management to evaluate segment performance based upon the decisions of segment executives. Total Adjusted OIBDA should be considered in addition to, but not a substitute for, operating income, net income and other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with GAAP.
Effective January 1, 2019, the Company's definition of Adjusted OIBDA was modified to exclude all share-based compensation, whereas only mark-to-market share-based compensation was previously excluded. Over time, the Company has moved to a higher percentage of equity classified awards (in lieu of liability classified awards, which require mark-to-market accounting) under its stock incentive plans and expects to continue this practice in future periods. Since most equity classified awards are non-cash expenses not entirely under management control, we have elected to exclude all employee share-based compensation from Adjusted OIBDA beginning in 2019. The revised definition of Adjusted OIBDA will be used by the Company's CODM in evaluating segment performance in 2019. Accordingly, prior period amounts have been recast to reflect the current definition.
The tables below present summarized financial information for each of the Company’s reportable segments, other, and corporate and inter-segment eliminations (in millions).
Revenues
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
U.S. Networks
 
$
7,092

 
$
6,350

 
$
3,434

International Networks
 
4,041

 
4,149

 
3,281

Other
 
11

 
54

 
158

Corporate and inter-segment eliminations
 

 

 

Total revenues
 
$
11,144

 
$
10,553

 
$
6,873


Adjusted OIBDA
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
U.S. Networks
 
$
4,117

 
$
3,500

 
$
2,026

International Networks
 
1,057

 
1,077

 
859

Other
 
4

 
3

 
6

Corporate and inter-segment eliminations
 
(507
)
 
(392
)
 
(324
)
Total Adjusted OIBDA
 
$
4,671

 
$
4,188

 
$
2,567



127

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) Available to Discovery, Inc. to Total Adjusted OIBDA
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
Net income (loss) available to Discovery, Inc.
 
$
2,069

 
$
594

 
$
(337
)
Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests
 
16

 
20

 
24

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
 
128

 
67

 

Income tax expense
 
81

 
341

 
176

Income (loss) before income taxes
 
2,294

 
1,022

 
(137
)
Other expense (income), net
 
8

 
120

 
110

Loss from equity investees, net
 
2

 
63

 
211

Loss on extinguishment of debt
 
28

 

 
54

Interest expense, net
 
677

 
729

 
475

Operating income
 
3,009

 
1,934

 
713

(Gain) loss on disposition
 

 
(84
)
 
4

Restructuring and other charges
 
26

 
750

 
75

Impairment of goodwill
 
155

 

 
1,327

Depreciation and amortization
 
1,347

 
1,398

 
330

Employee share-based compensation
 
137

 
80

 
39

Transaction and integration costs
 
26

 
110

 
79

Settlement of a withholding tax claim
 
(29
)
 

 

Total Adjusted OIBDA
 
$
4,671

 
$
4,188

 
$
2,567


Total Assets
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
U.S. Networks
 
$
18,156

 
$
18,683

International Networks
 
8,145

 
7,208

Other
 
204

 
227

Corporate and inter-segment eliminations
 
7,230

 
6,432

Total assets
 
$
33,735

 
$
32,550


Total assets for corporate and inter-segment eliminations include goodwill that is allocated to the Company's segments. The presentation of segment assets in the table above is consistent with the financial reports that are reviewed by the Company's CEO. The goodwill allocated from corporate assets to U.S. Networks and International Networks is included in the goodwill balances disclosed in Note 7.

128

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Content Amortization and Impairment Expense
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
U.S. Networks
 
$
1,548

 
$
1,702

 
$
776

International Networks
 
1,303

 
1,584

 
1,126

Other
 
2

 
2

 
8

Total content amortization and impairment expense
 
$
2,853

 
$
3,288

 
$
1,910


Content expense is generally a component of costs of revenue on the consolidated statements of operations (see Note 6). No content impairments were recorded as a component of restructuring and other charges during the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2017. Content impairments of $405 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 were due to the strategic programming changes following the acquisition of Scripps Networks and are reflected in restructuring and other charges as further described in Note 17.
Revenues by Geography
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
U.S.
 
$
7,152

 
$
6,415

 
$
3,560

Non-U.S.
 
3,992

 
4,138

 
3,313

Total revenues
 
$
11,144

 
$
10,553

 
$
6,873


Distribution and advertising revenues are attributed to each country based on viewer location. Other revenues are attributed to each country based on customer location.
Property and Equipment by Geography
 
 
December 31,
 
 
2019
 
2018
U.S.
 
$
432

 
$
350

Poland
 
184

 
185

U.K.
 
157

 
160

Other non-U.S.
 
178

 
105

Total property and equipment, net
 
$
951

 
$
800



129

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 24. SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
 
 
2019 (a) (b)
 
 
1st quarter
 
2nd quarter
 
3rd quarter
 
4th quarter
Revenues
 
$
2,707

 
$
2,885

 
$
2,678

 
$
2,874

Operating income
 
$
774

 
$
911

 
$
619

 
$
705

Net income
 
$
418

 
$
987

 
$
297

 
$
511

Net income (loss) available to Discovery, Inc.
 
$
384

 
$
947

 
$
262

 
$
476

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings (loss) per share available to Discovery, Inc. Series A, B and C common stockholders:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
$
0.53

 
$
1.33

 
$
0.35

 
$
0.68

Diluted
 
$
0.53

 
$
1.33

 
$
0.35

 
$
0.67

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2018 (a) (c)
 
 
1st quarter
 
2nd quarter
 
3rd quarter
 
4th quarter
Revenues
 
$
2,307

 
$
2,845

 
$
2,592

 
$
2,809

Operating income (loss)
 
$
204

 
$
650

 
$
369

 
$
711

Net income (loss)
 
$
3

 
$
244

 
$
135

 
$
299

Net (loss) income available to Discovery, Inc.
 
$
(8
)
 
$
216

 
$
117

 
$
269

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Earnings (loss) per share available to Discovery, Inc. Series A, B and C common stockholders:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
$
(0.01
)
 
$
0.30

 
$
0.16

 
$
0.38

Diluted
 
$
(0.01
)
 
$
0.30

 
$
0.16

 
$
0.38


(a) Earnings (loss) per share amounts may not sum to annual total since each is calculated independently.
(b) In June 2019, the Company recorded a one-time, non-cash deferred income tax benefit of $455 million. (See Note 18.)
(c) In March 2018, Discovery acquired Scripps Networks. In April 2018, the Company sold an 88% controlling equity stake in its Education Business for a sale price of $113 million. The Company recorded a gain of $84 million. (See Note 3.)
NOTE 25. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
In February 2020, the Company's Board of Directors authorized additional stock repurchases of up to $2 billion upon completion of its existing $1 billion authorization. Under the stock repurchase authorization, management is authorized to purchase shares from time to time through open market purchases at prevailing prices or privately negotiated purchases subject to market conditions and other factors.
NOTE 26. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Overview
As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, most of the Company's outstanding senior notes have been issued by DCL, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, pursuant to one or more Registration Statements on Form S-3 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). (See Note 8.) Each of the Company, DCL and/or Discovery Communications Holding LLC (“DCH”) (collectively the “Issuers”) have the ability to conduct registered offerings of debt securities.

130

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Set forth below are condensed consolidating financial statements presenting the financial position, results of operations and comprehensive income and cash flows of (i) the Company, (ii) Scripps Networks, (iii) DCH, (iv) DCL, (v) the non-guarantor subsidiaries of DCL, (vi) the non-guarantor subsidiaries of Discovery which includes Discovery Holding Company ("DHC") and Scripps Networks on a combined basis, and (vii) reclassifications and eliminations necessary to arrive at the consolidated financial statement balances for the Company. DCL primarily includes the Discovery Channel and TLC networks in the U.S. The non-guarantor subsidiaries of DCL include substantially all of the Company’s other, non-Scripps U.S. and international networks, production companies and most of the Company’s websites and digital distribution arrangements. The non-guarantor subsidiaries of DCL are wholly owned subsidiaries of DCL with the exception of certain equity method investments. DCL is a wholly owned subsidiary of DCH. The Company wholly owns DCH through a 33 1/3% direct ownership interest and a 66 2/3% indirect ownership interest through Discovery Holding Company (“DHC”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company. DHC is included in the other non-guarantor subsidiaries of the Company along with the operations of Scripps Networks.
In April 2018, the Company completed a non-cash transaction in which $2.3 billion aggregate principal amount of Scripps Networks outstanding debt was exchanged for Discovery senior notes (See Note 8). The exchanged Scripps Networks senior notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Scripps Networks and the Company. During 2018, the Company completed a series of senior note guaranty transactions and as a result, as of June 30, 2018, the Company and Scripps Networks fully and unconditionally guarantee all of Discovery's senior notes on an unsecured basis, except for the $135 million un-exchanged Scripps Networks Senior Notes. (See Note 8.) The condensed consolidated financial statements presented below reflect the addition of Scripps Networks as a guarantor as of December 31, 2019 and to reflect conforming classification changes made in conjunction with the adoption of ASU 2016-02. (See Note 2.)
In September 2017, the Company acquired a 67.5% controlling interest in MTG, a new joint venture with GoldenTree, in exchange for its contribution of the Velocity network. The MTG non-cash transaction and all related financial activity is included within the non-guarantor subsidiaries of DCL. The Company's 2017 minority investment in Group Nine Media and all related financial activity is included within the DCL issuer entity in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.
Basis of Presentation
Solely for purposes of presenting the condensed consolidating financial statements, investments in the Company’s subsidiaries have been accounted for by their respective parent company using the equity method. Accordingly, in the following condensed consolidating financial statements the equity method has been applied to (i) the Company’s interests in DCH, Scripps Networks, and the other non-guarantor subsidiaries of the Company, including the non-guarantor subsidiaries of Scripps Networks, (ii) DCH’s interest in DCL, and (iii) DCL’s interests in the non-guarantor subsidiaries of DCL. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated to arrive at the consolidated financial statement amounts for the Company. The Company’s accounting bases in all subsidiaries, including goodwill and recognized intangible assets, have been “pushed down” to the applicable subsidiaries.
The operations of certain of the Company’s international subsidiaries are excluded from the Company’s consolidated U.S. income tax return. Tax expense related to permanent differences has been allocated to the entity that created the difference. Tax expense related to temporary differences has been allocated to the entity that created the difference, where identifiable. The remaining temporary differences are allocated to each entity included in the Company’s consolidated U.S. income tax return based on each entity’s relative pretax income. Deferred taxes have been allocated based upon the temporary differences between the carrying amounts of the respective assets and liabilities of the applicable entities.
The condensed consolidating financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of the Company.


131

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
December 31, 2019
(in millions)
 
 
Discovery
 
Scripps Networks
 
DCH
 
DCL
 
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries of
DCL
 
Other Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries of Discovery
 
Reclassifications 
and
Eliminations
 
Discovery and
Subsidiaries
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$

 
$
60

 
$

 
$
801

 
$
396

 
$
295

 
$

 
$
1,552

Receivables, net
 

 

 

 
456

 
1,372

 
805

 

 
2,633

Content rights, net
 

 

 

 
3

 
539

 
37

 

 
579

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
3

 
4

 
20

 
72

 
212

 
142

 

 
453

Intercompany trade receivables, net
 

 
34

 

 
324

 

 

 
(358
)
 

Total current assets
 
3

 
98

 
20

 
1,656

 
2,519

 
1,279

 
(358
)
 
5,217

Investment in and advances to subsidiaries
 
9,891

 
12,548

 

 
6,811

 

 

 
(29,250
)
 

Noncurrent content rights, net
 

 

 

 
760

 
1,357

 
1,012

 

 
3,129

Goodwill
 

 

 

 
3,678

 
3,183

 
6,189

 

 
13,050

Intangible assets, net
 

 

 

 
230

 
1,117

 
7,320

 

 
8,667

Equity method investments
 

 

 

 
14

 
317

 
237

 

 
568

Other noncurrent assets, including property and equipment, net
 

 
51

 
21

 
1,133

 
1,372

 
547

 
(20
)
 
3,104

Total assets
 
$
9,894

 
$
12,697

 
$
41

 
$
14,282

 
$
9,865

 
$
16,584

 
$
(29,628
)
 
$
33,735

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current portion of debt
 
$

 
$
58

 
$

 
$
541

 
$
10

 
$

 
$

 
$
609

Other current liabilities
 

 
7

 

 
547

 
1,482

 
594

 

 
2,630

Intercompany trade payables, net
 

 

 

 

 
324

 
34

 
(358
)
 

Total current liabilities
 

 
65

 

 
1,088

 
1,816

 
628

 
(358
)
 
3,239

Noncurrent portion of debt
 

 
77

 

 
14,733

 

 

 

 
14,810

Negative carrying amount in subsidiaries, net
 

 

 
2,739

 

 

 
1,799

 
(4,538
)
 

Other noncurrent liabilities
 
3

 
69

 

 
1,200

 
795

 
1,674

 
(21
)
 
3,720

Total liabilities
 
3

 
211

 
2,739

 
17,021

 
2,611

 
4,101

 
(4,917
)
 
21,769

Redeemable noncontrolling interests
 

 

 

 

 
442

 

 

 
442

Total Discovery, Inc. stockholders’ equity (deficit)
 
9,891

 
12,486

 
(2,698
)
 
(2,739
)
 
6,812

 
12,483

 
(26,344
)
 
9,891

Noncontrolling interests
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
1,633

 
1,633

Total equity (deficit)
 
9,891

 
12,486

 
(2,698
)
 
(2,739
)
 
6,812

 
12,483

 
(24,711
)
 
11,524

Total liabilities and equity
 
$
9,894


$
12,697

 
$
41

 
$
14,282

 
$
9,865

 
$
16,584

 
$
(29,628
)
 
$
33,735




132

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
December 31, 2018
(in millions)
 
 
 
Discovery
 
Scripps Networks
 
DCH
 
DCL
 
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries of
DCL
 
Other Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries of Discovery
 
Reclassifications 
and
Eliminations
 
Discovery and
Subsidiaries
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$

 
$
315

 
$

 
$
61

 
$
475

 
$
135

 
$

 
$
986

Receivables, net
 

 

 

 
405

 
1,305

 
910

 

 
2,620

Content rights, net
 

 

 

 
1

 
250

 
62

 

 
313

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
 
21

 
18

 
22

 
49

 
134

 
68

 

 
312

Intercompany trade receivables, net
 

 

 

 
151

 

 

 
(151
)
 

Total current assets
 
21

 
333

 
22

 
667

 
2,164

 
1,175

 
(151
)
 
4,231

Investment in and advances to subsidiaries
 
8,367

 
13,248

 

 
6,290

 

 

 
(27,905
)
 

Noncurrent content rights, net
 

 

 

 
607

 
1,501

 
961

 

 
3,069

Goodwill
 

 

 

 
3,678

 
3,298

 
6,030

 

 
13,006

Intangible assets, net
 

 

 

 
246

 
1,261

 
8,167

 

 
9,674

Equity method investments, including note receivable
 

 
94

 

 
23

 
291

 
527

 

 
935

Other noncurrent assets, including property and equipment, net
 

 
35

 
20

 
537

 
607

 
456

 
(20
)
 
1,635

Total assets
 
$
8,388

 
$
13,710

 
$
42

 
$
12,048

 
$
9,122

 
$
17,316

 
$
(28,076
)
 
$
32,550

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Current portion of debt
 
$

 
$
106

 
$

 
$
1,701

 
$
12

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,819

Other current liabilities
 

 
30

 

 
402

 
1,266

 
480

 

 
2,178

Intercompany trade payables, net
 

 

 

 

 
151

 

 
(151
)
 

Total current liabilities
 

 
136

 

 
2,103

 
1,429

 
480

 
(151
)
 
3,997

Noncurrent portion of debt
 

 
134

 

 
14,606

 
234

 

 

 
14,974

Negative carrying amount in subsidiaries, net
 

 

 
5,183

 

 

 
3,427

 
(8,610
)
 

Other noncurrent liabilities
 
2

 
56

 

 
522

 
754

 
1,748

 
(20
)
 
3,062

Total liabilities
 
2

 
326

 
5,183

 
17,231

 
2,417

 
5,655

 
(8,781
)
 
22,033

Redeemable noncontrolling interests
 

 

 

 

 
415

 

 

 
415

Total Discovery, Inc. stockholders’ equity (deficit)
 
8,386

 
13,384

 
(5,141
)
 
(5,183
)
 
6,290

 
11,661

 
(21,011
)
 
8,386

Noncontrolling interests
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
1,716

 
1,716

Total equity (deficit)
 
8,386

 
13,384

 
(5,141
)
 
(5,183
)
 
6,290

 
11,661

 
(19,295
)
 
10,102

Total liabilities and equity
 
$
8,388

 
$
13,710

 
$
42

 
$
12,048

 
$
9,122

 
$
17,316

 
$
(28,076
)
 
$
32,550



133

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the Year Ended December 31, 2019
(in millions)
 
 
 
Discovery
 
Scripps Networks
 
DCH
 
DCL
 
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries of
DCL
 
Other Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries of Discovery
 
Reclassifications 
and
Eliminations
 
Discovery and
Subsidiaries
Revenues
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
2,086

 
$
5,377

 
$
3,713

 
$
(32
)
 
$
11,144

Costs of revenues, excluding depreciation and amortization
 

 

 

 
437

 
2,368

 
1,031

 
(17
)
 
3,819

Selling, general and administrative
 
24

 

 

 
387

 
1,838

 
554

 
(15
)
 
2,788

Depreciation and amortization
 

 

 

 
48

 
320

 
979

 

 
1,347

Impairment of goodwill
 

 

 

 

 
155

 

 

 
155

Restructuring and other charges
 

 

 

 
6

 
20

 

 

 
26

Total costs and expenses
 
24

 

 

 
878

 
4,701

 
2,564

 
(32
)
 
8,135

Operating (loss) income
 
(24
)
 

 

 
1,208

 
676

 
1,149

 

 
3,009

Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiaries
 
2,087

 
923

 
1,255

 
906

 

 
837

 
(6,008
)
 

Interest (expense), net
 

 
(6
)
 

 
(678
)
 
8

 
(1
)
 

 
(677
)
Loss on extinguishment of debt
 

 

 

 
(28
)
 

 

 

 
(28
)
Loss (income) from equity investees, net
 

 

 

 

 
(27
)
 
25

 

 
(2
)
Other income (expense), net
 

 
(2
)
 

 
(21
)
 

 
15

 

 
(8
)
Income before income taxes
 
2,063

 
915

 
1,255

 
1,387

 
657

 
2,025

 
(6,008
)
 
2,294

Income tax benefit (expense)
 
6

 
2

 

 
(132
)
 
266

 
(223
)
 

 
(81
)
Net income
 
2,069

 
917

 
1,255

 
1,255

 
923

 
1,802

 
(6,008
)
 
2,213

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(128
)
 
(128
)
Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(16
)
 
(16
)
Net income available to Discovery, Inc.
 
$
2,069

 
$
917

 
$
1,255

 
$
1,255

 
$
923

 
$
1,802

 
$
(6,152
)
 
$
2,069




134

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the Year Ended December 31, 2018
(in millions)
 
 
 
Discovery
 
Scripps Networks
 
DCH
 
DCL
 
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries of
DCL
 
Other Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries of Discovery
 
Reclassifications 
and
Eliminations
 
Discovery and
Subsidiaries
Revenues
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,950

 
$
5,597

 
$
3,047

 
$
(41
)
 
$
10,553

Costs of revenues, excluding depreciation and amortization
 

 

 

 
445

 
2,558

 
956

 
(24
)
 
3,935

Selling, general and administrative
 
41

 

 

 
315

 
1,694

 
587

 
(17
)
 
2,620

Depreciation and amortization
 

 
1

 

 
53

 
365

 
979

 

 
1,398

Restructuring and other charges
 
8

 

 

 
118

 
407

 
217

 

 
750

Gain on disposition
 

 

 

 

 
(84
)
 

 

 
(84
)
Total costs and expenses
 
49

 
1

 

 
931

 
4,940

 
2,739

 
(41
)
 
8,619

Operating (loss) income
 
(49
)
 
(1
)
 

 
1,019

 
657

 
308

 

 
1,934

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries
 
637

 
198

 
473

 
209

 

 
315

 
(1,832
)
 

Interest expense, net
 

 
(6
)
 

 
(693
)
 
(29
)
 
(1
)
 

 
(729
)
Income (loss) from equity investees, net
 

 

 

 
4

 
(91
)
 
24

 

 
(63
)
Other (expense) income, net
 
(5
)
 
12

 

 
71

 
(145
)
 
(53
)
 

 
(120
)
Income before income taxes
 
583

 
203

 
473

 
610

 
392

 
593

 
(1,832
)
 
1,022

Income tax benefit (expense)
 
11

 

 

 
(137
)
 
(163
)
 
(52
)
 

 
(341
)
Net income
 
594

 
203

 
473

 
473

 
229

 
541

 
(1,832
)
 
681

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(67
)
 
(67
)
Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(20
)
 
(20
)
Net loss available to Discovery, Inc.
 
$
594

 
$
203

 
$
473

 
$
473

 
$
229

 
$
541

 
$
(1,919
)
 
$
594



135

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
For the Year Ended December 31, 2017
(in millions)
 
 
 
Discovery
 
DCH
 
DCL
 
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries of
DCL
 
Other Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries of Discovery
 
Reclassifications 
and
Eliminations
 
Discovery and
Subsidiaries
Revenues
 
$

 
$

 
$
1,988

 
$
4,897

 
$

 
$
(12
)
 
$
6,873

Costs of revenues, excluding depreciation and amortization
 

 

 
467

 
2,191

 

 
(2
)
 
2,656

Selling, general and administrative
 
53

 

 
309

 
1,416

 

 
(10
)
 
1,768

Depreciation and amortization
 

 

 
42

 
288

 

 

 
330

Impairment of goodwill
 

 

 

 
1,327

 

 

 
1,327

Restructuring and other charges
 

 

 
35

 
40

 

 

 
75

Loss on disposition
 

 

 

 
4

 

 

 
4

Total costs and expenses
 
53

 

 
853

 
5,266

 

 
(12
)
 
6,160

Operating (loss) income
 
(53
)
 

 
1,135

 
(369
)
 

 

 
713

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries
 
(288
)
 
(288
)
 
(541
)
 

 
(192
)
 
1,309

 

Interest expense, net
 

 

 
(448
)
 
(27
)
 

 

 
(475
)
Loss on extinguishment of debt
 

 

 
(54
)
 

 

 

 
(54
)
Loss from equity method investees, net
 

 

 
(3
)
 
(208
)
 

 

 
(211
)
Other (expense) income, net
 

 

 
(204
)
 
94

 

 

 
(110
)
Loss before income taxes
 
(341
)
 
(288
)
 
(115
)
 
(510
)
 
(192
)
 
1,309

 
(137
)
Income tax benefit (expense)
 
4

 

 
(173
)
 
(7
)
 

 

 
(176
)
Net loss
 
(337
)
 
(288
)
 
(288
)
 
(517
)
 
(192
)
 
1,309

 
(313
)
Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests
 

 

 

 

 

 
(24
)
 
(24
)
Net loss available to Discovery, Inc.
 
$
(337
)
 
$
(288
)
 
$
(288
)
 
$
(517
)
 
$
(192
)
 
$
1,285

 
$
(337
)



136

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
For the Year Ended December 31, 2019
(in millions) 


 
 
Discovery
 
Scripps Networks
 
DCH
 
DCL
 
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries of
DCL
 
Other Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries of Discovery
 
Reclassifications 
and
Eliminations
 
Discovery and
Subsidiaries
Net income
 
$
2,069

 
$
917

 
$
1,255

 
$
1,255

 
$
923

 
$
1,802

 
$
(6,008
)
 
$
2,213

Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Currency translation
 
(15
)
 
5

 
(20
)
 
(20
)
 
(7
)
 
(8
)
 
50

 
(15
)
Pension and SERP
 
(10
)
 
(10
)
 

 

 

 
(10
)
 
20

 
(10
)
Derivatives
 
18

 

 
18

 
18

 
18

 
12

 
(66
)
 
18

Comprehensive income
 
2,062

 
912

 
1,253

 
1,253

 
934

 
1,796

 
(6,004
)
 
2,206

Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(128
)
 
(128
)
Comprehensive income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(17
)
 
(17
)
Comprehensive income attributable to Discovery, Inc.
 
$
2,062

 
$
912

 
$
1,253

 
$
1,253

 
$
934

 
$
1,796

 
$
(6,149
)
 
$
2,061





137

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
For the Year Ended December 31, 2018
(in millions)


 
 
Discovery
 
Scripps Networks
 
DCH
 
DCL
 
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries of
DCL
 
Other Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries of Discovery
 
Reclassifications 
and
Eliminations
 
Discovery and
Subsidiaries
Net income
 
$
594

 
$
203

 
$
473

 
$
473

 
$
229

 
$
541

 
$
(1,832
)
 
$
681

Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Currency translation
 
(189
)
 
(204
)
 
15

 
15

 
(15
)
 
(194
)
 
383

 
(189
)
Pension and SERP
 
3

 
3

 

 

 

 

 
(3
)
 
3

Derivatives
 
12

 

 
12

 
12

 
12

 
8

 
(44
)
 
12

Comprehensive income
 
420

 
2

 
500

 
500

 
226

 
355

 
(1,496
)
 
507

Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(67
)
 
(67
)
Comprehensive income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(20
)
 
(20
)
Comprehensive income attributable to Discovery, Inc.
 
$
420

 
$
2

 
$
500

 
$
500

 
$
226

 
$
355

 
$
(1,583
)
 
$
420




138

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
For the Year Ended December 31, 2017
(in millions)


 
 
Discovery
 
DCH
 
DCL
 
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries of
DCL
 
Other Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries of Discovery
 
Reclassifications 
and
Eliminations
 
Discovery and
Subsidiaries
Net loss
 
$
(337
)
 
$
(288
)
 
$
(288
)
 
$
(517
)
 
$
(192
)
 
$
1,309

 
$
(313
)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Currency translation
 
183

 
183

 
183

 
186

 
122

 
(674
)
 
183

Available-for-sale securities
 
15

 
15

 
15

 
15

 
10

 
(55
)
 
15

Derivatives
 
(20
)
 
(20
)
 
(20
)
 
(9
)
 
(13
)
 
62

 
(20
)
Comprehensive loss
 
(159
)
 
(110
)
 
(110
)
 
(325
)
 
(73
)
 
642

 
(135
)
Comprehensive income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests
 
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
(20
)
 
(25
)
Comprehensive loss attributable to Discovery, Inc.
 
$
(160
)
 
$
(111
)
 
$
(111
)
 
$
(326
)
 
$
(74
)
 
$
622

 
$
(160
)



139

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the Year Ended December 31, 2019
(in millions)
 
 
Discovery
 
Scripps Networks
 
DCH
 
DCL
 
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries of
DCL
 
Other Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries of Discovery
 
Reclassifications 
and
Eliminations
 
Discovery and
Subsidiaries
Operating Activities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities
 
$

 
$
(30
)
 
$

 
$
205

 
$
1,476

 
$
1,748

 
$

 
$
3,399

Investing Activities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired
 

 

 

 

 
(73
)
 

 

 
(73
)
Investments in and advances to equity investments
 

 

 

 
(83
)
 
(145
)
 
(26
)
 

 
(254
)
Proceeds from dissolution of joint venture and sale of investments
 

 
60

 

 

 
7

 
58

 

 
125

Purchases of property and equipment
 

 

 

 
(38
)
 
(199
)
 
(52
)
 

 
(289
)
Proceeds from derivative instruments, net
 

 

 

 

 
54

 

 

 
54

Intercompany distributions and other investing activities, net
 

 

 

 
92

 
(5
)
 
4

 
(92
)
 
(1
)
Cash (used in) provided by investing activities
 

 
60

 

 
(29
)
 
(361
)
 
(16
)
 
(92
)
 
(438
)
Financing Activities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Principal repayments of revolving credit facility
 

 

 

 

 
(225
)
 

 

 
(225
)
Borrowings from debt, net of discount and including premiums
 

 

 

 
1,479

 

 

 

 
1,479

Principal repayments of debt, including discount payment and premiums to par value
 

 
(107
)
 

 
(2,551
)
 

 

 

 
(2,658
)
Principal repayments of finance lease obligations
 

 

 

 
(7
)
 
(34
)
 
(3
)
 

 
(44
)
Repurchases of stock
 
(633
)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(633
)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests and redeemable noncontrolling interests
 

 

 

 

 
(39
)
 
(211
)
 

 
(250
)
Share-based plan payments, net
 
(2
)
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
(2
)
Repayments under program financing line of credit, net
 

 

 

 

 
(12
)
 

 

 
(12
)
Hedge of borrowings from debt instruments
 

 

 

 

 
(18
)
 

 

 
(18
)
Intercompany contributions (distributions) and other financing activities, net
 
635

 
(178
)
 

 
1,643

 
(827
)
 
(1,359
)
 
92

 
6

Cash used in (provided by) financing activities
 

 
(285
)
 

 
564

 
(1,155
)
 
(1,573
)
 
92

 
(2,357
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
 

 

 

 

 
(39
)
 
1

 

 
(38
)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
 

 
(255
)
 

 
740

 
(79
)
 
160

 

 
566

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
 

 
315

 

 
61

 
475

 
135

 

 
986

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
 
$

 
$
60

 
$

 
$
801

 
$
396

 
$
295

 
$

 
$
1,552



140

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the Year Ended December 31, 2018
(in millions)
 
 
Discovery
 
Scripps Networks
 
DCH
 
DCL
 
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries of
DCL
 
Other Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries of Discovery
 
Reclassifications 
and
Eliminations
 
Discovery and
Subsidiaries
Operating Activities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash (used in) provided by operating activities
 
$
(15
)
 
$
(85
)
 
$
11

 
$
(111
)
 
$
1,543

 
$
1,233

 
$

 
$
2,576

Investing Activities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Purchases of property and equipment
 

 

 

 
(24
)
 
(94
)
 
(29
)
 

 
(147
)
(Payments) receipts for investments, net
 

 

 

 
(10
)
 
(59
)
 
8

 

 
(61
)
Business (acquisitions) dispositions, net of cash acquired
 
(8,714
)
 
54

 

 

 

 
95

 

 
(8,565
)
Payments for derivative instruments, net
 

 

 

 

 
(2
)
 

 

 
(2
)
Proceeds from dispositions, net of cash disposed
 

 

 

 

 
107

 

 

 
107

Distributions from equity method investees
 

 

 

 

 
1

 

 

 
1

Proceeds from sale of assets
 

 

 

 

 
68

 

 

 
68

Intercompany distributions, and other investing activities, net
 

 
11

 

 
12

 
4

 
(9
)
 
(12
)
 
6

Cash (used in) provided by investing activities
 
(8,714
)
 
65

 

 
(22
)
 
25

 
65

 
(12
)
 
(8,593
)
Financing Activities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Commercial paper repayments, net
 

 

 

 
(5
)
 

 

 

 
(5
)
Principal repayments of revolving credit facility
 

 

 

 

 
(200
)
 

 

 
(200
)
Borrowings under term loan facilities
 

 

 

 
2,000

 

 

 

 
2,000

Principal repayments of term loans
 

 

 

 
(2,000
)
 

 

 

 
(2,000
)
Principal repayments of long term debt
 

 

 

 
(16
)
 

 

 

 
(16
)
Principal repayments of capital lease obligations
 

 

 

 
(10
)
 
(28
)
 
(12
)
 

 
(50
)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests and redeemable noncontrolling interests
 

 

 

 

 
(26
)
 
(50
)
 

 
(76
)
Share-based plan proceeds, net
 
51

 

 

 

 
3

 

 

 
54

Borrowings under program financing line of credit
 

 

 

 
22

 

 

 

 
22

Intercompany contributions and other financing activities, net
 
8,678

 
335

 
(11
)
 
(6,597
)
 
(1,336
)
 
(1,093
)
 
12

 
(12
)
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities
 
8,729

 
335

 
(11
)
 
(6,606
)
 
(1,587
)
 
(1,155
)
 
12

 
(283
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
 

 

 

 

 
(15
)
 
(8
)
 

 
(23
)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
 

 
315

 

 
(6,739
)
 
(34
)
 
135

 

 
(6,323
)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
 

 

 

 
6,800

 
509

 

 

 
7,309

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
 
$

 
$
315

 
$

 
$
61

 
$
475

 
$
135

 
$

 
$
986



141

DISCOVERY, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
For the Year Ended December 31, 2017
(in millions)
 
 
 
Discovery
 
DCH
 
DCL
 
Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries of
DCL
 
Other Non-
Guarantor
Subsidiaries of Discovery
 
Reclassifications 
and
Eliminations
 
Discovery and
Subsidiaries
Operating Activities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash (used in) provided by operating activities
 
$
(3
)
 
$
3

 
$
476

 
$
1,153

 
$

 
$

 
$
1,629

Investing Activities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired
 

 

 

 
(60
)
 

 

 
(60
)
Payments for investments, net
 

 

 
(45
)
 
(399
)
 

 

 
(444
)
Proceeds from dispositions, net of cash disposed
 

 

 

 
29

 

 

 
29

Purchases of property and equipment
 

 

 
(43
)
 
(92
)
 

 

 
(135
)
Distributions from equity method investees
 

 

 

 
77

 

 

 
77

Payments (receipts) for derivative instruments, net
 

 

 
(111
)
 
10

 

 

 
(101
)
Other investing activities, net
 

 

 
(1
)
 
2

 

 

 
1

Intercompany contributions (distributions)
 

 

 
42

 

 

 
(42
)
 

Cash used in investing activities
 

 

 
(158
)
 
(433
)
 

 
(42
)
 
(633
)
Financing Activities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Commercial paper repayments, net
 

 

 
(48
)
 

 

 

 
(48
)
Borrowings under revolving credit facility
 

 

 
350

 

 

 

 
350

Principal repayments of revolving credit facility
 

 

 
(475
)
 

 

 

 
(475
)
Borrowings from debt, net of discount and including premiums to par value
 

 

 
7,488

 

 

 

 
7,488

Principal repayments of debt, including discount payment and premiums to par value
 

 

 
(650
)
 

 

 

 
(650
)
Payments for bridge financing commitment fees
 

 

 
(40
)
 

 

 

 
(40
)
Principal repayments of capital lease obligations
 

 

 
(7
)
 
(26
)
 

 

 
(33
)
Repurchases of stock
 
(603
)
 

 

 

 

 

 
(603
)
Cash settlement of common stock repurchase contracts
 
58

 

 

 

 

 

 
58

Distributions to redeemable noncontrolling interests
 

 

 

 
(30
)
 

 

 
(30
)
Share-based plan proceeds, net
 
16

 

 

 

 

 

 
16

Intercompany distributions
 

 

 

 
(42
)
 

 
42

 

Intercompany contributions and other financing activities, net
 
532

 
(3
)
 
(156
)
 
(455
)
 

 

 
(82
)
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities
 
3

 
(3
)
 
6,462

 
(553
)
 

 
42

 
5,951

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
 

 

 

 
62

 

 

 
62

Net change in cash and cash equivalents
 

 

 
6,780

 
229

 

 

 
7,009

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
 

 

 
20

 
280

 

 

 
300

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
 
$

 
$

 
$
6,800

 
$
509

 
$

 
$

 
$
7,309




142



ITEM 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
None.
ITEM 9A. Controls and Procedures.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2019. The term “disclosure controls and procedures,” as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), means controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of
possible controls and procedures. Based on the evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2019, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management’s report on internal control over financial reporting is set forth in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K under the caption “Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting,” which is incorporated herein by reference.
Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The report of our independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting is set forth in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K under the caption “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm,” which is incorporated herein by reference.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
During the three months ended December 31, 2019, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f), that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B. Other Information.
None.
PART III
Certain information required in Item 10 through Item 14 of Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K is incorporated herein by reference to our definitive Proxy Statement for our 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (“2020 Proxy Statement”), which shall be filed with the SEC pursuant to Regulation 14A of the Exchange Act within 120 days of our fiscal year end.
ITEM 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance.
Information regarding our directors, compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, and our Audit Committee, including committee members and its financial expert, will be set forth in our 2020 Proxy Statement under the captions “Proposal 1: Election of Directors,” “Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports,” if applicable, and “Corporate Governance – Committees of the Board of Directors – Audit Committee,” respectively, which are incorporated herein by reference.
Information regarding our executive officers is set forth in Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K under the caption “Executive Officers of Discovery, Inc.” as permitted by General Instruction G(3) to Form 10-K.

143



We have adopted a Code of Ethics (the “Code”) that is applicable to all of our directors, officers and employees. Our Board of Directors approved an updated Code in January 2019 and reviews it regularly. A copy of the Code and any amendments or waivers that would be required to be disclosed under applicable SEC rules are available free of charge at the investor relations section of our website, https://corporate.discovery.com. In addition, we will provide a printed copy of the Code, free of charge, upon written request to: Investor Relations, Discovery, Inc., 850 Third Avenue, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10022-7225.
ITEM 11. Executive Compensation.
Information regarding executive compensation will be set forth in our 2020 Proxy Statement under the captions “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” and “Executive Compensation Tables,” which are incorporated herein by reference.
Information regarding compensation policies and practices as they relate to our risk management, director compensation, and compensation committee interlocks and insider participation will be set forth in our 2020 Proxy Statement under the captions “Compensation Discussion and Analysis – Other Compensation Related Matters – Risk Considerations in our Compensation Programs,” “Board Compensation,” and “Corporate Governance – Committees of the Board of Directors – Compensation Committee,” respectively, which are incorporated herein by reference.
Information regarding the compensation committee report will be set forth in our 2020 Proxy Statement under the caption “Report of the Compensation Committee” which is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
Information regarding securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans will be set forth in our 2020 Proxy Statement under the caption “Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans,” which is incorporated herein by reference.
Information regarding security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management will be set forth in our 2020 Proxy Statement under the captions “Security Ownership Information of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management of Discovery – Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners of Discovery” and “Security Ownership Information of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management of Discovery – Security Ownership of Discovery Management,” which are incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.
Information regarding certain relationships and related transactions, and director independence will be set forth in our 2020 Proxy Statement under the captions “Corporate Governance – Certain Relationships and Related Person Transactions,” “Corporate Governance – Policy Governing Related Person Transactions,” and “Corporate Governance – Director Independence,” respectively, which are incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.
Information regarding principal accountant fees and services will be set forth in our 2020 Proxy Statement under the captions “Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm – Description of Fees” and “Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm – Policy on Audit Committee Pre-Approval of Audit and Permissible Non-Audit Services of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm,” which are incorporated herein by reference.


144



PART IV
ITEM 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.
(a) The following documents are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K:
(1) The following consolidated financial statements of Discovery, Inc. are filed as part of Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K:
(2) Financial Statement Schedule
Schedule II: Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Changes in valuation and qualifying accounts consisted of the following (in millions):
 
 
Beginning
of Year
 
Additions
 
Write-offs
 
End
of Year
2019
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allowance for doubtful accounts
 
$
46

 
15

 
(7
)
 
$
54

Deferred tax valuation allowance
 
$
336

 
37

 
(66
)
 
$
307

2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allowance for doubtful accounts
 
$
55

 
6

 
(15
)
 
$
46

Deferred tax valuation allowance (a)
 
$
105

 
283

 
(52
)
 
$
336

2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allowance for doubtful accounts
 
$
47

 
12

 
(4
)
 
$
55

Deferred tax valuation allowance
 
$
25

 
84

 
(4
)
 
$
105

(a) Additions to the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets of $195 million relate to balances acquired through acquisitions in 2018, with the remainder charged to income tax expense.
All other financial statement schedules required to be filed pursuant to Item 8 and Item 15(c) of Form 10-K have been omitted as the required information is not applicable, not material, or is set forth in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.
(3) The following exhibits are filed or furnished as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K pursuant to Item 601 of SEC Regulation S-K and Item 15(b) of Form 10-K: 



145


 
 
EXHIBITS INDEX
Exhibit No.
Description
2.1

 
 
 
 
3.1

  
 
 
 
3.2

 
 
 
3.3

  
 
 
 
3.4

 
 
 
 
3.5

 
 
 
 
4.1

  
 
 
4.2

  
 
 
4.3

  
 
 
4.4

  
 
 
 
4.5

 
 
 
 
4.6

 
 
 
 
4.7

  
 
 
4.8

  
 
 
 

146


 
 
EXHIBITS INDEX
Exhibit No.
Description
4.9

 
 
 
 
4.10

  
 
 
4.11

  
 
 
4.12

  
 
 
 
4.13

  
 
 
4.14

 
 
 
 
4.15

 
 
 
 
4.16

 
 
 
 
4.17

 
 
 
 
4.18

 
 
 
 
4.19

 
 
 
 
4.20

 
 
 
 

147


 
 
EXHIBITS INDEX
Exhibit No.
Description
4.21

 
 
 
 
4.22

 
 
 
 
4.23

 
 
 
 
4.24

 
 
 
 
4.25

 
 
 
 
4.26

 
 
 
 
4.27

 
 
 
 
4.28

 
 
 
 
4.29

 
 
 
 
4.30

 
 
 
 
4.31

 
 
 
 
10.1

  

148


 
 
EXHIBITS INDEX
Exhibit No.
Description
 
 
 
10.2

 
 
 
 
10.3

 
 
 
 
10.4

  
 
 
10.5

  
 
 
 
10.6

  
 
 
10.7

  
 
 
10.8

 
 
 
 
10.9

  
 
 
 
10.10

 
 
 
10.11

  
 
 
10.12

  
 
 
 
10.13

  
 
 
10.14

  
 
 
10.15

  
 
 
 

149


 
 
EXHIBITS INDEX
Exhibit No.
Description
10.16

  
 
 
 
10.17

  
 
 
 
10.18

  
 
 
 
10.19

 
 
 
 
10.20

 
 
 
 
10.21

 
 
 
 
10.22

 
 
 
 
10.23

 
 
 
 
10.24

 
 
 
 
10.25

 
 
 
 
10.26

 
 
 
 
10.27

 
 
 
 
10.28

 
 
 
 

150


 
 
EXHIBITS INDEX
Exhibit No.
Description
10.29

 
 
 
 
10.30

 
 
 
 
10.31

 
 
 
 
10.32

 
 
 
 
10.33

 
 
 
 
18

 
 
 
 
21

  
 
 
 
23

  
 
 
31.1

  
 
 
31.2

  
 
 
32.1

  
 
 
32.2

  
 
 
 
101.INS

  
XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
 
 
101.SCH

  
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document (filed herewith)†
 
 
101.CAL

  
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document (filed herewith)†
 
 
101.DEF

  
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document (filed herewith)†
 
 
101.LAB

  
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document (filed herewith)†
 
 
 
101.PRE

  
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document (filed herewith)†
 
 

151


 
 
EXHIBITS INDEX
Exhibit No.
Description
104

 
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)
* Indicates management contract or compensatory plan, contract or arrangement.
†Attached as Exhibit 101 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K are the following formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, and (v) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

ITEM 16. Form 10-K Summary
Not Applicable.

152



SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DISCOVERY, INC.
(Registrant)
 
 
 
Date: February 27, 2020
 
By:
 
/s/ David M. Zaslav
 
 
 
 
David M. Zaslav
 
 
 
 
President and Chief Executive Officer

153



Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the date indicated.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Signature
  
Title
 
Date
 
 
 
/s/ David M. Zaslav
  
President and Chief Executive Officer, and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
February 27, 2020
David M. Zaslav
  
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Gunnar Wiedenfels
  
Senior Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
 
February 27, 2020
Gunnar Wiedenfels
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Lori C. Locke
  
Executive Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)
 
February 27, 2020
Lori C. Locke
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ S. Decker Anstrom
 
Director
 
February 27, 2020
S. Decker Anstrom
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Robert R. Beck
  
Director
 
February 27, 2020
Robert R. Beck
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Robert R. Bennett
  
Director
 
February 27, 2020
Robert R. Bennett
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Paul A. Gould
  
Director
 
February 27, 2020
Paul A. Gould
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Ken Lowe
  
Director
 
February 27, 2020
Ken Lowe
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ John C. Malone
  
Director
 
February 27, 2020
John C. Malone
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Robert J. Miron
  
Director
 
February 27, 2020
Robert J. Miron
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Steven A. Miron
  
Director
 
February 27, 2020
Steven A. Miron
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Susan M. Swain
 
Director
 
February 27, 2020
Susan M. Swain
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ Daniel E. Sanchez
  
Director
 
February 27, 2020
Daniel E. Sanchez
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/ J. David Wargo
  
Director
 
February 27, 2020
J. David Wargo
  
 
 
 


Exhibit 4.31

DESCRIPTION OF DISCOVERY’S SECURITIES REGISTRERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

As of February 27, 2020, the securities of Discovery, Inc. (“Discovery”) that are registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 are Series A common stock, Series B common stock and Series C common stock (“Discovery common stock”).
The following description of the material terms of Discovery common stock is a summary, does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to Discovery’s charter and Discovery’s bylaws (which are incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of which this Exhibit is a part), and to the applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”).
General
Discovery’s authorized capital stock consists of 1,700,000,000 shares of Discovery Series A common stock, 100,000,000 shares of Discovery Series B common stock, 2,000,000,000 shares of Discovery Series C common stock and 50,000,000 shares of blank check preferred stock. Discovery currently has issued and outstanding Series A-1 preferred stock and Series C-1 preferred stock. Discovery’s preferred stock is not registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All issued and outstanding shares of Discovery common stock are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. The holders of Discovery Series A common stock, Discovery Series B common stock and Discovery Series C common stock have equal rights, powers and privileges, except as otherwise described below.
Voting Rights
The holders of Discovery Series A common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held, and the holders of Discovery Series B common stock are entitled to ten votes for each share held, on all matters voted on by stockholders, including elections of directors (other than the directors to be elected by the holders of Discovery Series A-1 preferred stock). The holders of Discovery Series C common stock are not entitled to any voting powers, except as required under the DGCL. If the vote or consent of holders of Discovery Series C common stock is required for a matter under the DGCL, the holders of Discovery Series C common stock will be entitled to 1/100th of a vote for each share held.



Subject to any preferential rights of holders of Discovery Series A-1 preferred stock and any other outstanding series of preferred stock created by the Discovery board from time to time, the holders of outstanding shares of Discovery Series A common stock, Discovery Series B common stock, Discovery Series A-1 preferred stock, and each series of any other preferred stock entitled to vote thereon, if any, will vote as one class with respect to all matters to be voted on by Discovery stockholders (excluding, with respect to the holders of Discovery Series A-1 preferred stock, the election of the directors to be elected by the holders of Discovery common stock). In addition, the consent of holders of 75% of the then-outstanding shares of Discovery Series B common stock, voting together as a separate class, is required for any issuance of shares of Discovery Series B common stock by Discovery (except in limited circumstances). Subject to the rights of the holders of certain series of preferred stock, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of the total voting power of the then outstanding voting securities is required in order for Discovery to take certain action, including: (a) the amendment of Discovery’s charter or bylaws, (b) a merger or consolidation involving Discovery, (c) the sale, lease or exchange of all, or substantially all, of the assets of Discovery, or (d) the dissolution of Discovery; provided in the case of (b), (c) and (d), however, that this voting requirement does not apply if at least 75% of the members of the Board of Directors then in office have approved such action.
Classification of the Board
Discovery’s board of directors (the “Board”) is comprised of Common Stock Directors and Preferred Stock Directors. The Common Stock Directors are divided into three classes: Class I, Class II and Class III. The Preferred Stock Directors are not classified. Neither Discovery’s charter nor bylaws provide for cumulative voting rights in the election of directors. The classification of the Board could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or discourage a third party from seeking to acquire, control of the company.
Dividends
Subject to any preferential rights of any outstanding series of preferred stock created by the Board from time to time, the holders of Discovery common stock are entitled to such dividends as may be declared from time to time by the Board from funds available therefor. Except in the event of distributions made in shares of Discovery common stock, whenever a dividend is paid to the holders of one series of Discovery common stock, Discovery will also pay to the holders of the other series of Discovery common stock an equal per share dividend. The provisions related to distributions made in shares of Discovery common stock are structured to ensure that all holders of Discovery common stock are treated equally in a distribution, while protecting the relative voting rights associated with each of the shares of Discovery Series A common stock and Discovery Series B common stock.
Conversion
Each share of Discovery Series B common stock is convertible, at the option of the holder, into one share of Discovery Series A common stock. Discovery Series A common stock and Discovery Series C common stock are not convertible.



Liquidation and Dissolution
In the event of Discovery’s liquidation, dissolution and winding up, after payment or provision for payment of Discovery’s debts and liabilities and subject to the prior payment in full of any preferential amounts to which the holders of preferred stock may be entitled including the liquidation preference granted to holders of Discovery Series A-1 preferred stock and Discovery Series C-1 preferred stock, the holders of Discovery Series A common stock, Discovery Series B common stock, Discovery Series C common stock, Discovery Series A-1 preferred stock and Discovery Series C-1 preferred stock will share equally, on a share for share basis (and in case of holders of Discovery Series A-1 preferred stock and Discovery Series C-1 preferred stock, on an as converted to common stock basis), in Discovery’s assets remaining for distribution to the holders of Discovery’s common stock.
Extraordinary Corporate Transactions
Discovery may not undertake certain extraordinary corporate transactions without the consent of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Series A-1 preferred stock. Such extraordinary corporate transactions include fundamental changes in Discovery’s business, major acquisitions and dispositions, public offerings of securities, the merger, consolidation or other business combination by Discovery into or with any other entity (other than any transaction involving only Discovery and/or one or more of its subsidiaries), the sale of substantially all of its assets, or liquidation. Subject to the rights of the holders of preferred stock, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80% of the total voting power of the then outstanding voting securities may also be required in order for Discovery to undertake certain of the foregoing extraordinary corporate transactions; provided, however, that this voting requirement does not apply if at least 75% of the members of the Board then in office have approved such action.
Other Rights
Shares of Discovery common stock do not have any redemption provisions, preemption rights, liability for further calls or assessment by the Company, sinking fund provisions, restrictions on alienability or any provision discriminating against any existing or prospective holder of Discovery common stock as a result of such holder owning a substantial amount of such stock.




EMPLOYEE NQSO AGREEMENT
<Participant Full Name>

Dear <Participant First Name>            

Congratulations, you have been given a stock option grant in recognition of your contributions to the success of Discovery, Inc. (the “Company”). A stock option grant gives you the right to purchase a specific number of shares of the Company’s Series A common stock at a fixed price, assuming that you satisfy conditions of the Plan and the implementing agreement. We would like you to have an opportunity to share in the continued success of the Company through this stock option grant under the Discovery Communications, Inc. 2013 Incentive Plan (As Amended and Restated) (the “Plan”). The Company’s general program to offer equity and equity-type awards to eligible employees is referred to as the Performance Equity Program (“PEP”). The following represents a brief description of your grant. Additional details regarding your award are provided in the attached Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement (the “Grant Agreement”) and in the Plan. In addition, if you are located in a country other than the United States, you will receive an International Addendum with your first award under the Plan that you must sign and return to the Company, unless you signed the International Addendum in connection with an award under the Company’s 2005 Incentive Plan. If you are subject to this requirement, the International Addendum is attached.

Stock Option Grant Summary

Date of Grant
<Grant Date>
Option Shares
<Number of Shares Granted>
Grant Price per Share
<Grant Price>
Exercisability Dates
<Vesting Schedule>
Term Expiration Date
<Expiration Date>


You have been granted a nonqualified stock option to purchase a certain number of shares of Discovery, Inc. Series A Common Stock at a specific price. The total number of shares under your grant is specified in the chart above under “Option Shares.” The price per share is under “Grant Price per Share.”
The potential value of your stock option grant increases if the price of the Company’s stock increases, but you also have to continue to work for the Company (except as the Grant Agreement provides) to actually receive such value. Of course, the value of the stock may go up and down over time.
You may not exercise the stock option (actually purchase the shares) until it becomes exercisable. Your stock option becomes exercisable in four annual 25% increments beginning on the first anniversary of the Date of Grant, assuming you remain an employee of the Company or an eligible Subsidiary, and subject to the terms in the Grant Agreement.
Whether or not you decide to exercise your stock option and purchase the stock is your decision, and, except with respect to certain instances when your stock option will be automatically exercised, you have until the stock option expires (which will be no later than the seventh anniversary of the Date of Grant, <Expiration Date>, but can end earlier in various situations) to make that decision. By accepting this award, you agree that the Automatic Exercise procedure shall apply to any outstanding awards of nonqualified stock options and cash-settled stock appreciation rights.
Once you have purchased the stock, you will own the stock and may decide whether to hold the stock, sell the stock or give the stock to someone as a gift.
In most countries, you will be taxed on your stock option as soon as you exercise the stock option to purchase or sell the stock. However, tax laws vary by country, so please check with your tax advisor or government tax office.
Your ability to purchase shares through the exercise of a stock option is conditioned upon compliance with any local laws that apply to you.





Please note the Clawback section of the Grant Agreement, which reflects an important policy of ours. The Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors has determined that awards under the Plan are subject to a clawback in certain circumstances. By accepting this award, you agree that the Compensation Committee may change the Clawback section of any or all of the grant agreements from time to time without your further consent to reflect changes in law or company policy.

You can access the People & Culture portal for updates and information or email the People & Culture service center at PeopleAndCulture@discovery.com with any questions.


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DISCOVERY PERFORMANCE EQUITY PROGRAM
NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION GRANT AGREEMENT FOR EMPLOYEES


Discovery, Inc. (the “Company”) has granted you an option (the “Option”) under the Discovery Communications, Inc. 2013 Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The Option lets you purchase a specified number (the “Option Shares”) of shares of the Company’s Series A common stock, at a specified price per share (the “Grant Price”).    

The individualized communication you received (the “Cover Letter”) provides the details for your Option. It specifies the number of Option Shares, the Grant Price, the Date of Grant, the schedule for exercisability (“Exercisability Dates”), and the latest date the Option will expire (the “Term Expiration Date”).

The Option is subject in all respects to the applicable provisions of the Plan. This Grant Agreement does not cover all of the rules that apply to the Option under the Plan; please refer to the Plan document. Capitalized terms are defined either further below in this grant agreement (the “Grant Agreement”) or in the Plan. If you are located in a country other than the United States, you are also receiving (or previously have received) an International Addendum to this Grant Agreement (the “International Addendum”). The International Addendum is incorporated into the Grant Agreement by reference and supplements the terms of this Grant Agreement and future grants to you under the Plan.










The Plan document is available on the Fidelity web site. The Prospectus for the Plan, the Company’s S-8, Annual Report on Form 10-K, and other filings the Company makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission are available for your review on the Company’s web site. You may also obtain paper copies of these documents upon request to the Company’s Human Resources department.

Neither the Company nor anyone else is making any representations or promises regarding the duration of your service, exercisability of the Option, the value of the Company's stock or of this Option, or the Company's prospects. The Company is not providing any advice regarding tax consequences to you or regarding your decisions regarding the Option. You agree to rely only upon your own personal advisors.

NO ONE MAY SELL, TRANSFER, OR DISTRIBUTE THE OPTION OR THE SECURITIES THAT MAY BE PURCHASED UPON EXERCISING THE OPTION WITHOUT AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING THERETO OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO DISCOVERY, INC. OR OTHER INFORMATION AND REPRESENTATIONS SATISFACTORY TO IT THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED.    


Page 3



In addition to the Plan’s terms and restrictions, the following terms and restrictions apply:

1.
Option Exercisability. While your Option remains in effect under the Option Expiration section, below, you may exercise any exercisable portions of the Option (and buy the Option Shares) under the timing rules of this section.

The Option will become exercisable on the schedule provided in the Cover Letter to this Grant Agreement, assuming you remain employed (or serve as a member of the Company’s Board of Directors) through each Exercisability Date. Any fractional shares will be carried forward to the following Exercisability Date, unless the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Committee”) selects a different treatment. For purposes of this Grant Agreement, employment with the Company will include employment with any Subsidiary whose employees are then eligible to receive Awards under the Plan (provided that a later transfer of employment to an ineligible Subsidiary will not terminate employment unless the Committee determines otherwise).

Exercisability will accelerate fully on your Retirement, or, while employed, your Disability or death. If the Company terminates your employment without Cause during a calendar year before the Option is fully exercisable, the Option shall remain or become exercisable over time as though you remained working through any Exercisability Dates occurring during the 90 days after the date of termination (the “90-Day Period”). (“Cause” has the meaning provided in Section 11.2(b) of the Plan. “Disability” has the meaning provided in Section 2.1 of the Plan. “Retirement” means your employment ends for any reason other than Cause at a point at which you are at least age 60 and have been employed by the Company, any of its subsidiaries, or Discovery Communications, LLC for at least ten years, where your period of service is determined using the Company’s Prior Employment Service Policy or a successor policy chosen by the Committee. Acceleration upon Retirement does not apply in countries subject to the EU Directive on Discrimination.)

Your employment or service with the Company will be treated as terminating through a resignation that does not qualify for treatment applicable to terminations without Cause if either (i) the entity that employs you ceases to qualify as a Subsidiary because of its sale, distribution, or other disposition to an unrelated entity or (ii) because the entity that employs you sold a substantial portion of its assets and your employment ended for any reason at or in connection with the closing of that sale, distribution, or other disposition.

2.
Change in Control. Notwithstanding the Plan’s provisions, if an Approved Transaction, Control Purchase, or Board Change (each a “Change in Control”) occurs before the Option is fully exercisable and while you remain employed by the Company (without reference to the 90-Day Period, above), the Option will only have accelerated exercisability as a result of the Change in Control if within 12 months after the Change in Control, the Company terminates your employment without Cause, or, if you are a party to an employment agreement with the Company or a Subsidiary that permits you to resign for Good Reason, you resign for Good Reason.

Good Reason” has the meaning provided in your employment agreement with the Company (or a Subsidiary), if any.The Committee reserves its ability under Section 11.1(b) of the Plan to vary this treatment if the Committee determines there is an equitable substitution or replacement award in connection with a Change in Control.

3.
Option Expiration. You cannot exercise the Option after it has expired. The Option will expire no later than the close of business on the Term Expiration Date. Unexercisable portions of the Option expire immediately when you cease to be employed (unless you are concurrently remaining or becoming a member of the Board, or unless the Company terminates your employment without Cause, as specified above). If the Company terminates your employment for Cause, the Option will immediately expire without regard to whether it is then exercisable.

Exercisable portions of the Option remain exercisable until the first to occur of the following (the “Final Exercise Date”), each as defined further in the Plan or the Grant Agreement, and then immediately expire:

Immediately upon termination of employment by the Company for Cause
The 30th day after your employment (or directorship) ends if you resign other than on Retirement (including resignation for Good Reason, if applicable) (the “30-Day Period”)
The 90th day after your employment (or directorship) ends if the Company terminates your employment without Cause (even if then eligible for Retirement, except as the Committee otherwise provides)

Page 4


For death, Disability, or Retirement, the first anniversary of the date employment ends (unless the Company has terminated your employment without Cause while you are eligible for Retirement, in which case the 90-Day Period, above, applies). If you die during the 30-Day Period or the 90-Day Period, the first anniversary of the date employment ends will be substituted for the end of the 30-Day Period or the 90-Day Period, as applicable.
The Term Expiration Date

If you die during the 30 or 90 day period after your employment ends (on a termination without Cause or a resignation), the period for exercise will be extended until the first anniversary of the date your employment ended, subject to the Term Expiration Date, and the extended date will be the Final Exercise Date.

The Committee can override the expiration provisions of this Grant Agreement.

4.
Automatic Exercise. At close of business on the Final Exercise Date (or the preceding trading day if the Final Exercise Date is not a trading day), if the Exercise Spread Test (defined below) is met, the Option will be automatically exercised using the “net exercise” method described below, without regard to the notice requirement and with additional shares retained for purposes of satisfying the minimum applicable tax withholdings (the “Automatic Exercise”). The Option satisfies the “Exercise Spread Test” if the per share spread between the closing price of the Company’s Series A common stock and the Grant Price (the “Exercise Spread”) on the Final Exercise Date is at least one dollar. If the Exercise Spread Test is not satisfied, the unexercised portions of the Option will expire as of close of business on the Final Exercise Date.

For avoidance of doubt, you may exercise any exercisable portion of the Option prior to the time of an Automatic Exercise and no portion of the Option may or will be exercised at or after your termination for Cause.

The Automatic Exercise procedure is provided as a convenience and as a protection against inadvertent expiration of an Option. Because any exercise of an Option is normally your responsibility, you hereby waive any claims against the Company or any of its employees or agents if an Automatic Exercise does not occur for any reason and the Option expires.

5.
Method of Exercise and Payment for Shares. Subject to this Grant Agreement and the Plan, and other than for portions of the Option that are automatically exercised as described in the section, you may exercise the Option only by providing a written notice (or notice through another previously approved method, which could include a web-based or voice- or e-mail system) to the Secretary of the Company or to whomever the Committee designates, received on or before the date the Option expires. Each such notice must satisfy whatever then-current procedures apply to that Option and must contain such representations (statements from you about your situation) as the Company requires. You must, at the same time, pay the Grant Price using one or more of the following methods:

(a)
Cash/Check. Cash or check in the amount of the Grant Price payable to the order of the Company;

(b)
Cashless Exercise. An approved cashless exercise method, including directing the Company
to send the stock certificates (or other acceptable evidence of ownership) to be issued under the Option to a licensed broker acceptable to the Company as your agent in exchange for the broker’s tendering to the Company cash (or acceptable cash equivalents) equal to the Grant Price and, if you so elect, any required tax withholdings; or

(c)
Net Exercise. By delivery of a notice of “net exercise” to or as directed by the Company, as a result of which you will receive (i) the number of shares underlying the portion of the Option being exercised less (ii) such number of shares as is equal to (X) the aggregate Grant Price for the portion of the Option being exercised divided by (Y) the Fair Market Value on the date of exercise.

The Committee can approve additional payment methods, including use of a fully or partially recourse promissory note, subject to any prohibitions of applicable law.


Page 5


6.
Clawback. If the Company’s Board of Directors or the Committee determines, in its sole discretion, that you engaged in fraud or misconduct as a result of which or in connection with which the Company is required to or decides to restate its financial statements, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, impose any or all of the following:

(a)
Immediate expiration of the Option, whether vested or not, if granted within the first 12 months after issuance or filing of any financial statement that is being restated (the “Recovery Measurement Period”)

(b)
As to any exercised portion of the Option (to the extent, during the Recovery Measurement Period, the Option is granted, vests, is exercised, or the purchased shares are sold), prompt payment to the Company of any Option Gain. For purposes of this Agreement, the “Option Gain” per share you received on exercise of options is

for stock you have sold or transferred without sale, the greater of (i) the Exercise Spread and (ii) the spread between the price at which you sold (or the fair market value on the date of other disposition of) the stock and the Grant Price paid, and

for stock you have retained, the greater of (i) Exercise Spread and (ii) the spread between the closing price on the date of the Committee’s request for repayment and the Grant Price paid.

This remedy is in addition to any other remedies that the Company may have available in law or equity.

Payment is due in cash or cash equivalents within 10 days after the Committee provides notice to you that it is enforcing this clawback. Payment will be calculated on a gross basis, without reduction for taxes or commissions. The Company may, but is not required to, accept retransfer of shares in lieu of cash payments.


7.
Withholding. Issuing the Option Shares is contingent on satisfaction of all obligations with respect to required tax or other required withholdings (for example, in the U.S., Federal, state, and local taxes generally are due upon exercise of the Option). Except as provided in the Automatic Exercise section, the Company may take any action permitted under Section 11.9 of the Plan to satisfy such obligation, including, if the Committee so determines, satisfying the tax obligations by (i) reducing the number of Option Shares to be issued to you in connection with any exercise of the Option by that number of Option Shares (valued at their Fair Market Value on the date of exercise) that would equal all taxes required to be withheld (at their minimum withholding levels), (ii) accepting payment of the withholdings from a broker in connection with a Cashless Exercise of the Option or directly from you, or (iii) taking any other action under Section 11.9. You may satisfy such tax obligations in whole or in part by delivery (either by actual delivery or attestation) of shares of Common Stock, including shares retained from the award creating the tax obligation, valued at their Fair Market Value; provided, however, except as otherwise provided by the Board, that the total tax withholding where stock is being used to satisfy such tax obligations cannot exceed the Company’s minimum statutory withholding obligations (based on minimum statutory withholding rates for federal and state tax purposes, including payroll taxes, that are applicable to such supplemental taxable income). Shares used to satisfy tax withholding requirements cannot be subject to any repurchase, forfeiture, unfulfilled vesting or other similar requirements.

8.
Compliance with Law. You may not exercise the Option if the Company’s issuing stock upon such exercise would violate any applicable Federal or state securities laws or other laws or regulations. You may not sell or otherwise dispose of the Option Shares in violation of applicable law. As part of this prohibition, you may not use the Cashless Exercise methods if the Company’s insider trading policy then prohibits you from selling to the market.


Page 6


9.
Additional Conditions to Exercise. The Company may postpone issuing and delivering any Option Shares for so long as the Company determines to be advisable to satisfy the following:
        
(a)
its completing or amending any securities registration or qualification of the Option Shares or its or your satisfying any exemption from registration under any Federal or state law, rule, or regulation;

(b)
its receiving proof it considers satisfactory that a person seeking to exercise the Option after your death is entitled to do so;

(c)
your complying with any requests for representations under the Plan; and

(d)
your complying with any Federal, state, or local tax withholding obligations.

10.
Additional Representations from You. If you exercise the Option at a time when the Company does not have a current registration statement (generally on Form S-8) under the Securities Act of 1933(the “Act”) that covers issuances of shares to you, you must comply with the following before the Company will issue the Option Shares to you. You must —

(a)
represent to the Company, in a manner satisfactory to the Company’s counsel, that you are acquiring the Option Shares for your own account and not with a view to reselling or distributing the Option Shares; and

(b)
agree that you will not sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of the Option Shares unless:

(i) a registration statement under the Act is effective at the time of disposition with respect to the Option Shares you propose to sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of; or

(ii) the Company has received an opinion of counsel or other information and representations it considers satisfactory to the effect that, because of Rule 144 under the Act or otherwise, no registration under the Act is required.

11.
No Effect on Employment or Other Relationship. Nothing in this Grant Agreement restricts the Company’s rights or those of any of its affiliates to terminate your employment or other relationship at any time and for any or no reason. The termination of employment or other relationship, whether by the Company or any of its affiliates or otherwise, and regardless of the reason for such termination, has the consequences provided for under the Plan and any applicable employment or severance agreement or plan.

12.
Not a Stockholder. You understand and agree that the Company will not consider you a stockholder for any purpose with respect to any of the Option Shares until you have exercised the Option, paid for the shares, and received evidence of ownership.

13.
No Effect on Running Business. You understand and agree that the existence of the Option will not affect in any way the right or power of the Company or its stockholders to make or authorize any adjustments, recapitalizations, reorganizations, or other changes in the Company’s capital structure or its business, or any merger or consolidation of the Company, or any issuance of bonds, debentures, preferred or other stock, with preference ahead of or convertible into, or otherwise affecting the Company’s common stock or the rights thereof, or the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or any sale or transfer of all or any part of its assets or business, or any other corporate act or proceeding, whether or not of a similar character to those described above.

14.
Governing Law. The laws of the State of Delaware will govern all matters relating to the Option, without regard to the principles of conflict of laws.


Page 7


15.
Notices. Any notice you give to the Company must follow the procedures then in effect. If no other procedures apply, you must send your notice in writing by hand or by mail to the office of the Company’s Secretary (or to the Chair of the Committee if you are then serving as the sole Secretary). If mailed, you should address it to the Company’s Secretary (or the Chair of the Committee) at the Company’s then corporate headquarters, unless the Company directs optionees to send notices to another corporate department or to a third party administrator or specifies another method of transmitting notice. The Company and the Committee will address any notices to you using its standard electronic communications methods or at your office or home address as reflected on the Company’s personnel or other business records. You and the Company may change the address for notice by like notice to the other, and the Company can also change the address for notice by general announcements to optionees.

16.
Amendment. Subject to any required action by the Board or the stockholders of the Company, the Company may cancel the Option and provide a new Award in its place, provided that the Award so replaced will satisfy all of the requirements of the Plan as of the date such new Award is made and no such action will adversely affect the Option to the extent then exercisable.

17.
Plan Governs. Wherever a conflict may arise between the terms of this Grant Agreement and the terms of the Plan, the terms of the Plan will control. The Committee may adjust the number of Option Shares and the Grant Price and other terms of the Option from time to time as the Plan provides.


Page 8


EMPLOYEE RSU FORM
<Participant Full Name>

Dear <PARTICIPANT NAME>

Congratulations, you have been awarded a restricted stock unit (“RSU”) by Discovery, Inc. (the “Company”). A restricted stock unit entitles you to receive a specific number of shares of the Company’s Series A common stock at a future date, assuming that you satisfy conditions of the Plan and the implementing agreement. We would like you to have an opportunity to share in the continued success of the Company through this RSU under the Discovery, Inc. 2013 Incentive Plan (As Amended and Restated) (the “Plan”). The Company’s general program to offer equity and equity-type awards to eligible employees is referred to as the Performance Equity Program (“PEP”). The following represents a brief description of your grant. Additional details regarding your RSU are provided in the attached Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (the “Grant Agreement”) and in the Plan. In addition, if you are located in a country other than the United States, you will receive an International Addendum with your first award under the Plan that you must sign and return to the Company, unless you signed an International Addendum in connection with an award under the Company’s 2005 Incentive Plan. If you are subject to this requirement, the International Addendum is attached.

RSU Grant Summary

Date of Grant
<Date>
RSU Shares
<Shares Granted>
Vesting Schedule
<Vesting Schedule>

You have been granted an RSU for shares (“Shares”) of Discovery, Inc. Series A Common Stock for the number of Shares specified under “RSU Shares” in the chart.
The potential value of your RSU increases if the price of the Company’s stock increases, but you also have to continue to be employed by the Company or a Subsidiary (except as the Grant Agreement provides) to actually receive such value. Of course, the value of the stock may go up and down over time.
You will not receive the Shares represented by the RSU until the RSU vests. Your RSU vests as provided in the chart above under “Vesting Schedule” and “Vesting Dates,” assuming you remain an employee or become and remain a director of the Company and subject to the terms in the Grant Agreement.
Once you have received the Shares, you will own the Shares and may decide whether to hold the Shares, sell the Shares or give the Shares to someone as a gift.
Your ability to receive Shares under the RSU is conditioned upon compliance with any local laws that apply to you.

Please note the Clawback section of the Grant Agreement, which reflects an important policy of ours. The Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors has determined that awards made under the Plan are subject to a clawback in certain circumstances. By accepting this award, you agree that the Compensation Committee may change the Clawback section of any or all of the grant agreements from time to time without your further consent to reflect changes in law or company policy.

You can access the People & Culture portal for updates and information or email the People & Culture service center at PeopleAndCulture@discovery.com with any questions.




DISCOVERY, INC.
RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT GRANT AGREEMENT FOR EMPLOYEES

Discovery Inc. (the “Company”) has granted you a restricted stock unit (the “RSU”) under the Discovery Inc. 2013 Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The RSU lets you receive a specified number (the “RSU Shares”) of shares (“Shares”) of the Company’s Series A common stock upon satisfaction of the conditions to receipt.    

The individualized communication you received (the “Cover Letter”) provides the details for your RSU. It specifies the number of RSU Shares, the Date of Grant, the schedule for vesting (the “Vesting Schedule”), and the Vesting Date(s).

The RSU is subject in all respects to the applicable provisions of the Plan. This grant agreement does not cover all of the rules that apply to the RSU under the Plan; please refer to the Plan document. Capitalized terms are defined either further below in this grant agreement (the “Grant Agreement”) or in the Plan. If you are located in a country other than the United States, you are also receiving (or previously have received) an International Addendum to this Grant Agreement (the “International Addendum”). The International Addendum is incorporated into the Grant Agreement by reference and supplements the terms of this Grant Agreement and future grants to you under the Plan.














The Plan document is available on the Fidelity web site. The Prospectus for the Plan, the Company’s S-8, Annual Report on Form 10-K, and other filings the Company makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission are available for your review on the Company’s web site. You may also obtain paper copies of these documents upon request to the Company’s HR department.

Neither the Company nor anyone else is making any representations or promises regarding the duration of your service, vesting of the RSU, the value of the Company's stock or of this RSU, or the Company's prospects. The Company is not providing any advice regarding tax consequences to you or regarding your decisions regarding the RSU. You agree to rely only upon your own personal advisors.

NO ONE MAY SELL, TRANSFER, OR DISTRIBUTE THE RSU OR THE SECURITIES THAT MAY BE RECEIVED UNDER IT WITHOUT AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING THERETO OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO DISCOVERY INC. OR OTHER INFORMATION AND REPRESENTATIONS SATISFACTORY TO IT THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED.    






In addition to the Plan’s terms and restrictions, the following terms and restrictions apply:

1.
Vesting Schedule. Your RSU becomes nonforfeitable (“Vested”) as provided in the Cover Letter and the Grant Agreement assuming you remain employed (or serve as a member of the Company’s Board of Directors (“Board”)) until the Vesting Date(s). For purposes of this Grant Agreement, employment with the Company will include employment with any Subsidiary whose employees are then eligible to receive Awards under the Plan (provided that a later transfer of employment to an ineligible Subsidiary will not terminate employment unless the Board determines otherwise).

Vesting will accelerate fully on your death or “Disability.” If your employment is terminated without “Cause” before the RSU is fully Vested, the RSU will remain or become Vested on the original vesting schedule as though you remained working through any Vesting Date(s) occurring during the 90 days after the date of termination, subject to any applicable performance conditions. (“Cause” has the meaning provided in Section 11.2(b) of the Plan. “Disability” has the meaning provided in Section 2.1 of the Plan.)

2.
Change in Control. Notwithstanding the Plan’s provisions, if an Approved Transaction, Control Purchase, or Board Change (each a “Change in Control”) occurs before the RSU is fully Vested, the RSU will only have accelerated Vesting as a result of the Change in Control if within 12 months after the Change in Control, the Company terminates your employment other than for Cause, or, if you are a party to an employment agreement with the Company or a Subsidiary that permits you to resign for Good Reason, you resign for Good Reason.

Good Reason” has the meaning provided in your employment agreement with the Company (or a Subsidiary), if any.

Accelerated Vesting will only accelerate the Distribution Date if and to the extent permitted under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code (“Section 409A”).

The Board reserves its ability under Section 11.1(b) of the Plan to vary this treatment if the Board determines there is an equitable substitution or replacement award in connection with a Change in Control.

3.
Distribution Date. Subject to any overriding provisions in the Plan, you will receive a distribution of the Shares equivalent to your Vested RSU Shares as soon as practicable following the date on which you become Vested (with the actual date being the "Distribution Date”) and, in any event, no later than March 15 of the year following the calendar year in which the Vesting Date(s) occurred, unless the Board determines that you may make a timely deferral election to defer distribution to a later date and you have made such an election (in which case the deferred date will be the “Distribution Date”).

4.
Clawback. If the Company’s Board of Directors or its Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) determines, in its sole discretion, that you engaged in fraud or misconduct as a result of which or in connection with which the Company is required to or decides to restate its financial statements, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, impose any or all of the following:

(a)
Immediate expiration of the RSU, whether vested or not, if granted within the first 12 months after issuance or filing of any financial statement that is being restated (the “Recovery Measurement Period”); and

(b)
Payment or transfer to the Company of the Gain from the RSU, where the “Gain” consists of the greatest of (i) the value of the RSU Shares on the applicable Distribution Date on which you received them within the Recovery Measurement Period, (ii) the value of RSU Shares received during the Recovery Measurement Period, as determined on the date of the request by the Committee to pay or transfer, (iii) the gross (before tax) proceeds you received from any sale of the RSU Shares during the Recovery Measurement Period, and (iv) if transferred without sale during the Recovery Measurement Period, the value of the RSU Shares when so transferred.

Page 3



This remedy is in addition to any other remedies that the Company may have available in law or equity.

Payment is due in cash or cash equivalents within 10 days after the Committee provides notice to you that it is enforcing this clawback. Payment will be calculated on a gross basis, without reduction for taxes or commissions. The Company may, but is not required to, accept retransfer of shares in lieu of cash payments.


5.
Restrictions and Forfeiture. You may not sell, assign, pledge, encumber, or otherwise transfer any interest (“Transfer”) in the RSU Shares until the RSU Shares are distributed to you. Any attempted Transfer that precedes the Distribution Date is invalid.

Unless the Board determines otherwise or the Grant Agreement provides otherwise, if your employment or service with the Company terminates for any reason before your RSU is Vested, then you will forfeit the RSU (and the Shares to which they relate) to the extent that the RSU does not otherwise vest as a result of the termination, pursuant to the rules in the Vesting Schedule section. You forfeit any unvested RSU immediately if the Company terminates your employment for Cause or if you resign your employment. The forfeited RSU will then immediately revert to the Company. You will receive no payment for the RSU if you forfeit it.

Your employment or service with the Company will be treated as terminating through a resignation that does not qualify for treatment applicable to terminations without Cause if either (i) the entity that employs you ceases to qualify as a Subsidiary because of its sale, distribution, or other disposition to an unrelated entity or (ii) because the entity that employs you sold a substantial portion of its assets and your employment ended for any reason at or in connection with the closing of that sale, distribution, or other disposition.

6.
Limited Status. You understand and agree that the Company will not consider you a shareholder for any purpose with respect to the RSU Shares, unless and until the RSU Shares have been issued to you on the Distribution Date. You will not receive dividends with respect to the RSU.

7.
Voting. You may not vote the RSU. You may not vote the RSU Shares unless and until the Shares are distributed to you.

8.
Taxes and Withholding. The RSU provides tax deferral, meaning that the RSU Shares are not taxable to until you actually receive the RSU Shares on or around the Distribution Date. You will then owe taxes at ordinary income tax rates as of the Distribution Date at the Shares' value. As an employee of the Company, you may owe FICA and HI (Social Security and Medicare) taxes before the Distribution Date.

Issuing the Shares under the RSU is contingent on satisfaction of all obligations with respect to required tax or other required withholdings (for example, in the U.S., Federal, state, and local taxes). The Company may take any action permitted under Section 11.9 of the Plan to satisfy such obligation, including, if the Board so determines, satisfying the tax obligations by (i) reducing the number of RSU Shares to be issued to you by that number of RSU Shares (valued at their Fair Market Value on the Distribution Date) that would equal all taxes required to be withheld (at their minimum withholding levels), (ii) accepting payment of the withholdings from a broker in connection with a sale of the RSU Shares or directly from you, or (iii) taking any other action under Section 11.9 of the Plan.

9.
Compliance with Law. The Company will not issue the RSU Shares if doing so would violate any applicable Federal or state securities laws or other laws or regulations. You may not sell or otherwise dispose of the RSU Shares in violation of applicable law.


Page 4


10.
Additional Conditions to Receipt. The Company may postpone issuing and delivering any RSU Shares for so long as the Company determines to be advisable to satisfy the following:
        
(a)
its completing or amending any securities registration or qualification of the RSU Shares or its or your satisfying any exemption from registration under any Federal or state law, rule, or regulation;

(b)
its receiving proof it considers satisfactory that a person seeking to receive the RSU Shares after your death is entitled to do so;

(c)
your complying with any requests for representations under the Plan; and

(d)
your complying with any Federal, state, or local tax withholding obligations.

11.
Additional Representations from You. If the vesting provisions of the RSU are satisfied and you are entitled to receive RSU Shares at a time when the Company does not have a current registration statement (generally on Form S-8) under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Act”) that covers issuances of shares to you, you must comply with the following before the Company will issue the RSU Shares to you. You must

(a)
represent to the Company, in a manner satisfactory to the Company’s counsel, that you are acquiring the RSU Shares for your own account and not with a view to reselling or distributing the RSU Shares; and

(b)
agree that you will not sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of the RSU Shares unless:

(i) a registration statement under the Act is effective at the time of disposition with respect to the RSU Shares you propose to sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of; or

(ii) the Company has received an opinion of counsel or other information and representations it considers satisfactory to the effect that, because of Rule 144 under the Act or otherwise, no registration under the Act is required.

12.
No Effect on Employment or Other Relationship. Nothing in this Grant Agreement restricts the Company’s rights or those of any of its affiliates to terminate your employment or other relationship at any time and for any or no reason. The termination of employment or other relationship, whether by the Company or any of its affiliates or otherwise, and regardless of the reason for such termination, has the consequences provided for under the Plan and any applicable employment or severance agreement or plan.

13.
No Effect on Running Business. You understand and agree that the existence of the RSU will not affect in any way the right or power of the Company or its stockholders to make or authorize any adjustments, recapitalizations, reorganizations, or other changes in the Company’s capital structure or its business, or any merger or consolidation of the Company, or any issuance of bonds, debentures, preferred or other stock, with preference ahead of or convertible into, or otherwise affecting the Company’s common stock or the rights thereof, or the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or any sale or transfer of all or any part of its assets or business, or any other corporate act or proceeding, whether or not of a similar character to those described above.


Page 5


14.
Section 409A. The RSU is intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A and must be construed consistently with that section. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan or this Grant Agreement to the contrary, if the RSU Vests in connection with your “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A, as determined by the Company), and if (x) you are then a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A at the time of such separation from service (as determined by the Company, by which determination you agree you are bound) and (y) the distribution of RSU Shares under such accelerated RSU will result in the imposition of additional tax under Section 409A if distributed to you within the six month period following your separation from service, then the distribution under such accelerated RSU will not be made until the earlier of (i) the date six months and one day following the date of your separation from service or (ii) the 10th day after your date of death. Neither the Company nor you shall have the right to accelerate or defer the delivery of any such RSU Shares or benefits except to the extent specifically permitted or required by Section 409A. In no event may the Company or you defer the delivery of the RSU Shares beyond the date specified in the Distribution Date section, unless such deferral complies in all respects with Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b) related to subsequent changes in the time or form of payment of nonqualified deferred compensation arrangements, or any successor regulation. In any event, the Company makes no representations or warranty and shall have no liability to you or any other person, if any provisions of or distributions under this Grant Agreement are determined to constitute deferred compensation subject to Section 409A but not to satisfy the conditions of that section.

15.
Unsecured Creditor. The RSU creates a contractual obligation on the part of the Company to make a distribution of the RSU Shares at the time provided for in this Grant Agreement. Neither you nor any other party claiming an interest in deferred compensation hereunder shall have any interest whatsoever in any specific assets of the Company. Your right to receive distributions hereunder is that of an unsecured general creditor of Company.

16.
Governing Law. The laws of the State of Delaware will govern all matters relating to the RSU, without regard to the principles of conflict of laws.

17.
Notices. Any notice you give to the Company must follow the procedures then in effect. If no other procedures apply, you must send your notice in writing by hand or by mail to the office of the Company’s Secretary (or to the Chair of the Board if you are then serving as the sole Secretary). If mailed, you should address it to the Company’s Secretary (or the Chair of the Board) at the Company’s then corporate headquarters, unless the Company directs RSU holders to send notices to another corporate department or to a third party administrator or specifies another method of transmitting notice. The Company and the Board will address any notices to you using its standard electronic communications methods or at your office or home address as reflected on the Company’s personnel or other business records. You and the Company may change the address for notice by notice to the other, and the Company can also change the address for notice by general announcements to RSU holders.

18.
Amendment. Subject to any required action by the Board or the stockholders of the Company, the Company may cancel the RSU and provide a new Award under the Plan in its place, provided that the Award so replaced will satisfy all of the requirements of the Plan as of the date such new Award is made and no such action will adversely affect the RSU to the extent then Vested.

19.
Plan Governs. Wherever a conflict may arise between the terms of this Grant Agreement and the terms of the Plan, the terms of the Plan will control. The Board may adjust the number of RSU Shares and other terms of the RSU from time to time as the Plan provides.


Page 6


EMPLOYEE PRSU FORM

<Participant Full Name>

Dear <Participant First Name>

Congratulations, you have been awarded a performance restricted stock unit (“PRSU”) in recognition of your contributions to the success of Discovery, Inc. (the “Company”). A PRSU entitles you to receive a specific number of shares of the Company’s Series A common stock at a future date, assuming that you satisfy conditions of the Plan and the implementing agreement. We would like you to have an opportunity to share in the continued success of the Company through this PRSU under the Discovery Communications, Inc. 2013 Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The Company’s general program to offer equity and equity-type awards to eligible employees is referred to as the Performance Equity Program (“PEP”). The following represents a brief description of your grant. Additional details regarding your PRSU are provided in the attached Performance Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (the “Grant Agreement”) and in the Plan. In addition, if you are located in a country other than the United States, you will receive an International Addendum with your first award under the Plan that you must sign and return to the Company, unless you signed the International Addendum in connection with an award under the Company’s 2005 Incentive Plan. If you are subject to this requirement, the International Addendum is attached.

PRSU Grant Summary

Date of Grant
<Grant Date>
PRSU Shares
<Number of Shares Granted>
Vesting Schedule
50% upon 3rd anniversary of Date of Grant (assuming achievement of performance metric(s)), 50% on 4th anniversary of grant date (assuming prior satisfaction of three-year performance metric), subject to the terms of the Plan and Grant Agreement
Performance Conditions
See Appendix

You have been granted a PRSU for shares (“Shares”) of Discovery, Inc. Series A Common Stock for the number of Shares specified under “PRSU Shares” in the chart.
The potential value of your PRSU increases if the price of the Company’s stock increases, but you also have to continue to provide services for the Company (except as the Grant Agreement provides) to actually receive such value. Of course, the value of the stock may go up and down over time.
You will not receive the Shares represented by the PRSU until the PRSU vests. Your PRSU vests as provided in the chart above under “Vesting Schedule,” assuming you remain an employee or become and remain a director of the Company and subject to the terms in the Grant Agreement.
Once you have received the Shares, you will own the Shares and may decide whether to hold the Shares, sell the Shares or give the Shares to someone as a gift.
Your ability to receive Shares under the PRSU is conditioned upon compliance with any local laws that apply to you.

Please note the Clawback section of the Grant Agreement, which reflects an important policy of ours. The Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors has determined that awards made under the Plan are subject to a clawback in certain circumstances. By accepting this award, you agree that the Compensation Committee may change the Clawback section of any or all of the grant agreements from time to time without your further consent to reflect changes in law or company policy.

You can access the People & Culture portal for updates and information or email the People & Culture service center at PeopleAndCulture@discovery.com with any questions.





DISCOVERY, INC.
PERFORMANCE RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT GRANT AGREEMENT
FOR EMPLOYEES


Discovery, Inc. (the “Company”) has granted you a performance restricted stock unit (the “PRSU”) under the Discovery Communications, Inc. 2013 Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). The PRSU lets you receive a specified number (the “PRSU Shares”) of shares (“Shares”) of the Company’s Series A common stock upon satisfaction of the conditions to receipt.    

The individualized communication you received (the “Cover Letter”) provides the details of your PRSU award. It specifies the number of PRSU Shares, the Date of Grant, the schedule for vesting, and the Vesting Date(s).

The PRSU is subject in all respects to the applicable provisions of the Plan. This grant agreement does not cover all of the rules that apply to the PRSU under the Plan; please refer to the Plan document. Capitalized terms are defined either further below in this grant agreement (the “Grant Agreement”) or in the Plan.
















The Plan document is available on the Fidelity web site. The Prospectus for the Plan, the Company’s S-8, Annual Report on Form 10-K, and other filings the Company makes with the Securities and Exchange Commission are available for your review on the Company’s web site. You may also obtain paper copies of these documents upon request to the Company’s Human Resources department.

Neither the Company nor anyone else is making any representations or promises regarding the duration of your service, vesting of the PRSU, the value of the Company's stock or of this PRSU, or the Company's prospects. The Company is not providing any advice regarding tax consequences to you or regarding your decisions regarding the PRSU. You agree to rely only upon your own personal advisors.

No one may sell, transfer, or distribute the PRSU or the securities that may be received under it without an effective registration statement relating thereto or an opinion of counsel satisfactory to Discovery, Inc. or other information and representations satisfactory to it that such registration is not required.






In addition to the Plan’s terms and restrictions, the following terms and restrictions apply:

1.
Vesting Schedule. Your PRSU becomes nonforfeitable (“Vested”) as provided in the Cover Letter and the Grant Agreement assuming you remain employed (or serve as a member of the Company’s Board of Directors (“Board”)) until the Vesting Date(s) and the performance metric(s) are satisfied. For purposes of this Grant Agreement, employment with the Company will include employment with any Subsidiary whose employees are then eligible to receive Awards under the Plan (provided that a later transfer of employment to an ineligible Subsidiary will not terminate employment unless the Board determines otherwise).

If your employment is terminated without “Cause” or by your death or “Disability

(a) before the PRSU’s performance conditions are satisfied, the PRSU will remain or become Vested on the original vesting schedule as though you remained working through any Vesting Date(s) occurring during the 180 days after the date of termination, subject to any applicable performance conditions; or

(b) on or after satisfaction of the performance conditions and before the last Vesting Date, the PRSU will become Vested as to any remaining portion of the PRSU, provided that you have complied with the restrictions under Restrictive Covenants in this Grant Agreement, and the Distribution Date will remain the date that would have applied if your service had continued through the last Vesting Date.

Cause” has the meaning provided in Section 11.2(b) of the Plan. “Disability” has the meaning provided in Section 2.1 of the Plan.

2.
Change in Control. Notwithstanding the Plan’s provisions, if an Approved Transaction, Control Purchase, or Board Change (each a “Change in Control”) occurs before the PRSU is fully vested, the PRSU will only have accelerated Vesting as a result of the Change in Control if within 12 months after the Change in Control, the Company terminates your employment other than for Cause or, if your employment agreement or another plan or agreement covering you permits “Good Reason” resignation, you resign for Good Reason. Accelerated Vesting will only accelerate the Distribution Date if and to the extent permitted under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code (“Section 409A”). “Good Reason” has the meaning provided in your employment agreement with the Company (or a Subsidiary), if any.

The Board reserves its ability under Section 11.1(b) of the Plan to vary this treatment if the Board determines there is an equitable substitution or replacement award in connection with a Change in Control.

3.
Distribution Date. Subject to any overriding provisions in the Plan, you will receive a distribution of the Shares equivalent to your Vested PRSU Shares as soon as practicable following the date on which you become Vested (with the actual date being the "Distribution Date”) and, in any event, no later than March 15 of the year following the calendar year in which the Vesting Date(s) occurred, unless the Board determines that you may make a timely deferral election to defer distribution to a later date and you have made such an election (in which case the deferred date will be the “Distribution Date”).

4.
Clawback. If the Company’s Board of Directors or its Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) determines, in its sole discretion, that you engaged in fraud or misconduct as a result of which or in connection with which the Company is required to or decides to restate its financial statements, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, impose any or all of the following:

(a) Immediate expiration of the PRSU, whether vested or not, if granted within the first 12 months after issuance or filing of any financial statement that is being restated (the “Recovery Measurement Period”); and

(b) Payment or transfer to the Company of the Gain from the PRSU, where the “Gain” consists of the greatest of (i) the value of the PRSU Shares on the applicable Distribution Date on which you received them within the Recovery Measurement Period, (ii) the value of PRSU Shares received during the Recovery Measurement Period, as determined on the date of the request by the Committee to pay or transfer, (iii) the gross (before tax) proceeds you received from any sale of the PRSU Shares during the Recovery Measurement Period, and (iv) if transferred without sale during the Recovery Measurement Period, the value of the PRSU Shares when so transferred.

This remedy is in addition to any other remedies that the Company may have available in law or equity.

Payment is due in cash or cash equivalents within 10 days after the Committee provides notice to you that it is enforcing this clawback. Payment will be calculated on a gross basis, without reduction for taxes or commissions. The Company may, but is not required to, accept retransfer of shares in lieu of cash payments.

Page 3



5.
Restrictions and Forfeiture. You may not sell, assign, pledge, encumber, or otherwise transfer any interest (“Transfer”) in the PRSU Shares until the PRSU Shares are distributed to you. Any attempted Transfer that precedes the Distribution Date is invalid.

Unless the Board determines otherwise or the Grant Agreement provides otherwise, if your employment or service with the Company terminates for any reason before your PRSU is Vested, then you will forfeit the PRSU (and the Shares to which they relate) to the extent that the PRSU does not otherwise vest on or after your termination, pursuant to the rules in the Vesting Schedule section. You forfeit any unvested PRSU immediately if the Company terminates your employment for Cause or if you resign your employment. The forfeited PRSU will then immediately revert to the Company. You will receive no payment for the PRSU if you forfeit it.

Your employment or service with the Company will be treated as terminating through a resignation that does not qualify for treatment applicable to terminations without Cause if either (i) the entity that employs you ceases to qualify as a Subsidiary because of its sale, distribution, or other disposition to an unrelated entity or (ii) because the entity that employs you sold a substantial portion of its assets and your employment ended for any reason at or in connection with the closing of that sale, distribution, or other disposition.

6.
Restrictive Covenants. You agree that, if the Company terminates your employment without Cause on or after the third anniversary of the Date of Grant and before the final Vesting Date, you will not, for the remainder of the period before the final Vesting Date, perform any work on, related to, or respecting non-fiction television programming or engage in any activities on behalf of any company or any entity related to nonfiction television programming services for distribution to cable, satellite and/or other multi-channel distribution platforms (any such company or entity, a “Competitor”) in the “Restricted Area” (which means the United States and any other country (a) in which you provided services to the Company, or (b) for which you had substantive responsibility for Company operations or business matters, in the five years prior to separation from employment), and will not directly or indirectly solicit any employees of the Company or any subsidiary or affiliated company to leave their employment nor directly or indirectly aid in the solicitation of such employees.

You agree that compliance with this restriction is a material part of this Agreement, breach of which will cause Company irreparable harm and damages, the loss of which cannot be adequately compensated at law.  If these restrictions should ever be deemed to exceed the limitations permitted by applicable laws, you and the Company agree that such provisions shall be reformed to the maximum limitations permitted by the applicable laws.

The Company agrees that its sole remedy under these Restrictive Covenants will be your forfeiture of the final half of the PRSUs. You agree that these restrictions are in addition to and do not supersede, replace, or amend any other restrictions of a similar nature that apply to you, either by contract or common law, nor any of their related remedies (other than as apply to the PRSU). 

7.
Limited Status. You understand and agree that the Company will not consider you a shareholder for any purpose with respect to the PRSU Shares, unless and until the PRSU Shares have been issued to you on the Distribution Date. You will not receive dividends with respect to the PRSU.

8.
Voting. You may not vote the PRSU. You may not vote the PRSU Shares unless and until the Shares are distributed to you.

9.
Taxes and Withholding. The PRSU provides tax deferral, meaning that the PRSU Shares are not taxable until you actually receive the PRSU Shares on or around the Distribution Date. You will then owe taxes at ordinary income tax rates as of the Distribution Date at the Shares' value. As an employee of the Company, you may owe FICA and HI (Social Security and Medicare) taxes before the Distribution Date.

Issuing the Shares under the PRSU is contingent on satisfaction of all obligations with respect to required tax or other required withholdings (for example, in the U.S., Federal, state, and local taxes). The Company may take any action permitted under Section 11.9 of the Plan to satisfy such obligation, including, if the Board so determines, satisfying the tax obligations by (i) reducing the number of PRSU Shares to be issued to you by that number of PRSU Shares (valued at their Fair Market Value on the Distribution Date) that would equal all taxes required to be withheld (at their minimum withholding levels), (ii) accepting payment of the withholdings from a broker in connection with a sale of the PRSU Shares or directly from you, or (iii) taking any other action under Section 11.9 of the Plan.

10.
Compliance with Law. The Company will not issue the PRSU Shares if doing so would violate any applicable Federal or state securities laws or other laws or regulations. You may not sell or otherwise dispose of the PRSU Shares in violation of applicable law.


Page 4


11.
Additional Conditions to Receipt. The Company may postpone issuing and delivering any PRSU Shares for so long as the Company determines to be advisable to satisfy the following:
        
(a) its completing or amending any securities registration or qualification of the PRSU Shares or its or your satisfying any exemption from registration under any Federal or state law, rule, or regulation;

(b) its receiving proof it considers satisfactory that a person seeking to receive the PRSU Shares after your death is entitled to do so;

(c) your complying with any requests for representations under the Plan; and

(d) your complying with any Federal, state, or local tax withholding obligations.

12.
Additional Representations from You. If the vesting provisions of the PRSU are satisfied and you are entitled to receive PRSU Shares at a time when the Company does not have a current registration statement (generally on Form S-8) under the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Act”) that covers issuances of shares to you, you must comply with the following before the Company will issue the PRSU Shares to you. You must:

(a) represent to the Company, in a manner satisfactory to the Company’s counsel, that you are acquiring the PRSU Shares for your own account and not with a view to reselling or distributing the PRSU Shares; and

(b) agree that you will not sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of the PRSU Shares unless:
    
(i) a registration statement under the Act is effective at the time of disposition with respect to the PRSU Shares you propose to sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of; or

(ii) the Company has received an opinion of counsel or other information and representations it considers satisfactory to the effect that, because of Rule 144 under the Act or otherwise, no registration under the Act is required.

13.
No Effect on Employment or Other Relationship. Nothing in this Grant Agreement restricts the Company’s rights or those of any of its affiliates to terminate your employment or other relationship at any time and for any or no reason. The termination of employment or other relationship, whether by the Company or any of its affiliates or otherwise, and regardless of the reason for such termination, has the consequences provided for under the Plan and any applicable employment or severance agreement or plan.

14.
No Effect on Running Business. You understand and agree that the existence of the PRSU will not affect in any way the right or power of the Company or its stockholders to make or authorize any adjustments, recapitalizations, reorganizations, or other changes in the Company’s capital structure or its business, or any merger or consolidation of the Company, or any issuance of bonds, debentures, preferred or other stock, with preference ahead of or convertible into, or otherwise affecting the Company’s common stock or the rights thereof, or the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or any sale or transfer of all or any part of its assets or business, or any other corporate act or proceeding, whether or not of a similar character to those described above.

15.
Section 409A. The PRSU is intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A and must be construed consistently with that section. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan or this Grant Agreement to the contrary, if the PRSU Vests in connection with your “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A, as determined by the Company), and if (x) you are then a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A at the time of such separation from service (as determined by the Company, by which determination you agree you are bound) and (y) the distribution of PRSU Shares under such accelerated PRSU will result in the imposition of additional tax under Section 409A if distributed to you within the six month period following your separation from service, then the distribution under such accelerated PRSU will not be made until the earlier of (i) the date six months and one day following the date of your separation from service or (ii) the 10th day after your date of death. Neither the Company nor you shall have the right to accelerate or defer the delivery of any such PRSU Shares or benefits except to the extent specifically permitted or required by Section 409A. In no event may the Company or you defer the delivery of the PRSU Shares beyond the date specified in the Distribution Date section, unless such deferral complies in all respects with Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b) related to subsequent changes in the time or form of payment of nonqualified deferred compensation arrangements, or any successor regulation. In any event, the Company makes no representations or warranty and shall have no liability to you or any other person, if any provisions of or distributions under this Grant Agreement are determined to constitute deferred compensation subject to Section 409A but not to satisfy the conditions of that section.


Page 5


16.
Unsecured Creditor. The PRSU creates a contractual obligation on the part of the Company to make a distribution of the PRSU Shares at the time provided for in this Grant Agreement. Neither you nor any other party claiming an interest in deferred compensation hereunder shall have any interest whatsoever in any specific assets of the Company. Your right to receive distributions hereunder is that of an unsecured general creditor of Company.

17.
Governing Law. The laws of the State of Delaware will govern all matters relating to the PRSU, without regard to the principles of conflict of laws.

18.
Notices. Any notice you give to the Company must follow the procedures then in effect. If no other procedures apply, you must send your notice in writing by hand or by mail to the office of the Company’s Secretary (or to the Chair of the Board if you are then serving as the sole Secretary). If mailed, you should address it to the Company’s Secretary (or the Chair of the Board) at the Company’s then corporate headquarters, unless the Company directs PRSU holders to send notices to another corporate department or to a third party administrator or specifies another method of transmitting notice. The Company and the Board will address any notices to you using its standard electronic communications methods or at your office or home address as reflected on the Company’s personnel or other business records. You and the Company may change the address for notice by notice to the other, and the Company can also change the address for notice by general announcements to PRSU holders.

19.
Amendment. Subject to any required action by the Board or the stockholders of the Company, the Company may cancel the PRSU and provide a new Award under the Plan in its place, provided that the Award so replaced will satisfy all of the requirements of the Plan as of the date such new Award is made and no such action will adversely affect the PRSU to the extent then Vested.

20.
Plan Governs. Wherever a conflict may arise between the terms of this Grant Agreement and the terms of the Plan, the terms of the Plan will control. The Board may adjust the number of PRSU Shares and other terms of the PRSU from time to time as the Plan provides.

Page 6



FOR EXECUTIVE AWARDS 2017
APPENDIX A
VESTING DATE(S) AND CONDITIONS

Your PRSU will become vested in the amount specified in the Cover Letter on the following Vesting Date(s), subject to the achievement of certain performance conditions as provided in this Appendix A and subject to the terms and conditions of the award agreement and 2013 Incentive Plan:

Vesting Date(s)
Performance Conditions
[______]

Achievement of the following performance metrics over the [____] period beginning [______] and ending [_____] (the “Performance Period”), as determined by the Compensation Committee or the Equity Compensation Subcommittee at the end of the Performance Period ($ in millions):



Page 7


February 27, 2020


Board of Directors
Discovery, Inc.
8403 Colesville Road
Silver Spring, MD 20910

Dear Directors:

We are providing this letter to you for inclusion as an exhibit to Discovery, Inc.’s (the “Company”) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 (the “Form 10-K”) pursuant to Item 601 of Regulation S-K.

We have audited the consolidated financial statements included in the Form 10-K and issued our report thereon dated February 27, 2020. Note 2 to the financial statements describes a change in accounting principle to change the goodwill impairment date from November 30th to October 1st. It should be understood that the preferability of one acceptable method of accounting over another for the date of the goodwill impairment assessment has not been addressed in any authoritative accounting literature, and in expressing our concurrence below we have relied on management’s determination that this change in accounting principle is preferable. Based on our reading of management’s stated reasons and justification for this change in accounting principle in the Form 10-K, and our discussions with management as to their judgment about the relevant business planning factors relating to the change, we concur with management that such change represents, in the Company’s circumstances, a change to a preferable accounting principle in conformity with Accounting Standards Codification 250, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections.

Very truly yours,



/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
McLean, Virginia







Exhibit 21
LIST OF SUBSIDIARIES OF DISCOVERY, INC.


Entity
 
Place of Formation
2601223 Ontario, Inc.
 
Canada
Airtime Sales AB
 
Sweden
All Music s.r.l.
 
Italy
AMHI, LLC
 
Delaware, US
Animal Planet (Asia), L.L.C.
 
Delaware, US
Animal Planet North America, Inc.
 
Delaware, US
Animal Planet Televizyon Yayincilik Anonim Sirketi
 
Turkey
Animal Planet, L.L.C.
 
Delaware, US
Animal Planet, LP
 
Delaware, US
AprodO Development, LLC
 
Delaware, US
AprodO, LLC
 
Delaware, US
Avrupa Spor Televizyon Yayıncılık Anonim Şirketi
 
Turkey
Beacon Solutions, Inc.
 
Delaware, US
Big Sky Cottage, LLC
 
Delaware, US
Cable Program Management Company, G.P.
 
Delaware, US
Canadian AP Ventures Company
 
Nova Scotia, Canada
Comida Holdings, LLC
 
Delaware, US
Convex Conversion, LLC
 
Delaware, US
Cooking Channel, LLC
 
Delaware, US
CPMCO Holdings, LLC
 
Delaware, US
DHC Discovery, Inc.
 
Colorado, US
DHC Ventures, LLC
 
Delaware, US
DigitalO, LLC
 
Delaware, US
Discovery (Barbados) Finance Srl
 
Barbados
Discovery (Barbados) Holdings 2 SRL
 
Barbados
Discovery (Barbados) Holdings 3 SRL
 
Barbados
Discovery (Barbados) Holdings SRL
 
Barbados
Discovery Advertising Sales Taiwan Pte Ltd- Taiwan Br.
 
Taiwan
Discovery Advertising Sales Taiwan Pte. Ltd.
 
Singapore
Discovery AP Acquisition, Inc.
 
Delaware, US
Discovery Asia, LLC
 
Delaware, US
Discovery Asia, LLC, China Branch (Beijing Representative Office)
 
China
Discovery Channel (Mauritius) Private Limited
 
Mauritius
Discovery Child Entertainment Limited
 
Hong Kong
Discovery Civilization North America, Inc.
 
Delaware, US
Discovery Communications Argentina S.R.L.
 
Argentina
Discovery Communications Benelux B.V.
 
Netherlands





Entity
 
Place of Formation
Discovery Communications Bulgaria EOOD
 
Bulgaria
Discovery Communications Chile Spa
 
Chile
Discovery Communications Colombia Ltda
 
Colombia
Discovery Communications Deutschland GmbH & Co KG
 
Germany
Discovery Communications Europe Limited
 
England and Wales, United Kingdom
Discovery Communications Holding, LLC
 
Delaware, US
Discovery Communications India
 
India
Discovery Communications Ltd., L.L.C.
 
Delaware, US
Discovery Communications Nordic ApS
 
Denmark
Discovery Communications Ukraine LLC
 
Ukraine
Discovery Communications Ventures, LLC
 
Delaware, US
Discovery Communications, LLC
 
Delaware, US
Discovery Content Verwaltungs GmbH
 
Germany
Discovery Corporate Services Limited
 
England and Wales, United Kingdom
Discovery Czech Republic S.r.o
 
Czech Republic
Discovery Czech Republic S.r.o, Ukraine Branch
 
Ukraine
Discovery Digital (Beijing) Commercial Consultancy Co., Ltd.
 
China
Discovery Digital Ventures, LLC
 
Delaware, US
Discovery doo Beograd-Stari grad
 
Serbia
Discovery Enterprises, LLC
 
Delaware, US
Discovery Extreme Holdings, LLC
 
Delaware, US
Discovery Extreme Music Publishing, LLC
 
Delaware, US
Discovery Foreign Holdings, Inc.
 
Delaware, US
Discovery France Holdings SAS
 
France
Discovery Golf, Inc.
 
Delaware, US
Discovery G9 Holdings, LLC
 
Delaware, US
Discovery Health Channel, LLC
 
Delaware, US
Discovery Health North America, Inc.
 
Delaware, US
Discovery Health NS, ULC
 
Nova Scotia, Canada
Discovery Health Ventures, LLC
 
Delaware, US
Discovery Holding Company
 
Delaware, US
Discovery Hungary Media Szolgltat Kft
 
Hungary
Discovery Italia S.r.l.
 
Italy
Discovery Japan GK
 
Hong Kong
Discovery Japan Inc.
 
Japan
Discovery Kids Entertainment Limited
 
Cayman Islands
Discovery Korea Holdings, LLC
 
Korea, Republic of
Discovery Korea Networks, LLC
 
Korea, Republic of
Discovery Latin America Holdings, LLC
 
Delaware, US
Discovery Latin America Investments, LLC
 
Delaware, US
Discovery Latin America, L.L.C.
 
Delaware, US
Discovery Licensing, Inc.
 
Delaware, US
Discovery Lightning Investments Ltd
 
England and Wales, United Kingdom





Entity
 
Place of Formation
Discovery Luxembourg Holdings 1 S.a.r.l.
 
Luxembourg
Discovery Luxembourg Holdings 2 S.a.r.l.
 
Luxembourg
Discovery Media Ventures Limited
 
England and Wales, United Kingdom
Discovery Medya Hizmetleri Limited Sirketi
 
Turkey
Discovery Mexico Holdings, LLC
 
Delaware, US
Discovery Networks Asia-Pacific Pte. Ltd.
 
Singapore
Discovery Networks Brasil Agenciamento e Representação Ltda.
 
Brazil
Discovery Networks Caribbean, Inc.
 
Barbados
Discovery Networks Denmark ApS
 
Denmark
Discovery Networks Finland Oy
 
Finland
Discovery Networks International Holdings Limited
 
England and Wales, United Kingdom
Discovery Networks International LLC
 
Colorado, US
Discovery Networks Korea Limited
 
Korea, Republic of
Discovery Networks Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V.
 
Mexico
Discovery Networks Norge Holding AS
 
Norway
Discovery Networks Norway AS
 
Norway
Discovery Networks Sweden AB
 
Sweden
Discovery Networks, S.L.
 
Spain
Discovery OWN Holdings, LLC
 
Delaware, US
Discovery Patent Licensing, LLC
 
Delaware, US
Discovery Pet Video, LLC
 
Delaware, US
Discovery Polska Sp. Z.o.o.
 
Poland
Discovery Productions Group, Inc.
 
Delaware, US
Discovery Productions, LLC
 
Delaware, US
Discovery Publishing, Inc.
 
Delaware, US
Discovery Romania S.r.l
 
Romania
Discovery SC Investment, Inc.
 
Delaware, US
Discovery Science Televizyon Yayincilik Anonim Sirketi
 
Turkey
Discovery Services Australia Pty Ltd
 
Australia
Discovery Services, Inc.
 
Delaware, US
Discovery Solar Ventures, LLC
 
Delaware, US
Discovery South America Holdings, LLC
 
Delaware, US
Discovery Studios, LLC
 
Delaware, US
Discovery Talent Services, LLC
 
Delaware, US
Discovery Television Center, LLC
 
Delaware, US
Discovery Televizyon Yayncilik Anonim Sirketi
 
Turkey
Discovery Times Channel, LLC
 
Delaware, US
Discovery Trademark Holding Company, Inc.
 
Delaware, US
Discovery Wings, LLC
 
Delaware, US
Discovery World Television, Inc.
 
Maryland, US
Discovery.com, LLC
 
Delaware, US
DLA Holdings LLC
 
Delaware, US





Entity
 
Place of Formation
DLG Acquisitions Limited
 
United Kingdom
DLG Financing 1 Limited
 
England, United Kingdom
DLG Financing 2 Limited
 
United Kingdom
DNAP Networks (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.
 
Malaysia
DNE Music Publishing Limited
 
England and Wales, United Kingdom
DNI Europe Holdings Limited
 
England and Wales, United Kingdom
DNI Finance 1 Limited
 
England and Wales, United Kingdom
DNI Finance 2 Limited
 
England and Wales, United Kingdom
DNI Foreign Holdings Limited
 
England and Wales, United Kingdom
DNI German Holdings I Limited
 
England and Wales, United Kingdom
DNI German Holdings II Limited
 
England and Wales, United Kingdom
DNI Global LLP
 
England and Wales, United Kingdom
DNI Group Holdings LLC
 
Delaware, US
DNI Holdings (Jersey) Limited
 
Jersey
DNI Ireland Holdings 3 Limited
 
Ireland
DNI Jersey 1 Limited
 
Jersey
DNI Licensing Ltd
 
England and Wales, United Kingdom
DNI Netherlands Holdings 1 Limited
 
Ireland
DNI Netherlands Holdings 2 Limited
 
Ireland
DNI US Limited
 
England and Wales, United Kingdom
Dplay Entertainment Limited
 
England and Wales, United Kingdom
Dramatic Edge Music Publishing, LLC
 
Delaware, US
EL-TRADE sp. z o.o.
 
Poland
Enformasyon Reklamcilik ve Filmcilik Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S
 
Turkey
Epic Modern Music Publishing, LLC
 
Delaware, US
ESP Media Distribution Portugal S.A.
 
Portugal
Eurosport Events Limited
 
England and Wales, United Kingdom
Eurosport Media SA
 
Switzerland
Eurosport SAS
 
France
Eurosportnews Distribution Ltd
 
Hong Kong
Fix My Life, LLC
 
Delaware, US
Food Network Holdings, LLC
 
Delaware, US
Food Network Magazine, LLC
 
Delaware, US
Full Home Clear Eyes, LLC
 
Texas, US
GeoNova Publishing, Inc.
 
Delaware, US
Global Mindset Music, LLC
 
Delaware, US
Green Content Sp. z o.o.
 
Poland
Gulliver Media Holdings, LLC
 
Delaware, US
HGTV Magazine, LLC
 
Delaware, US
HowStuffWorks, LLC
 
Delaware, US
Hub Television Networks, LLC
 
Delaware, US
Joyn GmbH (fka 7tv Joint Venture GmbH)
 
Germany
JV Network, LLC
 
Delaware, US
JV Programs, L.L.C.
 
Delaware, US
Latin America Golf S.L
 
Spain





Entity
 
Place of Formation
Liberty Animal, Inc.
 
Delaware, US
Lifestyle Domain Holdings, Inc.
 
Delaware, US
Lifestyle Newco Limited
 
United Kingdom
Listening Works, LLC
 
Delaware, US
LLC "Discovery Networks"
 
Russian Federation
M Distribucion Chile Spa
 
Chile
Magnolia Discovery Ventures LLC
 
Delaware, US
Mangia Networks S.r.l.
 
Italy
MDTV Distribution Iberia, S.L.
 
Spain
Minnetonka Mansion, LLC
 
Minnesota, US
Motor Trend Group, LLC
 
Delaware, US
myOWN.com, LLC
 
Delaware, US
MyOWN Production Co., LLC
 
Delaware, US
Network USA Incorporated
 
Maryland, US
Networks Holdings, Inc.
 
Delaware, US
NuprodO, LLC
 
Delaware, US
N-Vision B.V.
 
Netherlands
Ocourses, LLC
 
Delaware, US
Ospecials, LLC
 
Delaware, US
OWN Affiliate Sub, LLC
 
Delaware, US
OWN Digital, LLC
 
Delaware, US
OWN LLC
 
Delaware, US
OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network LLC
 
Delaware, US
OWN Productions, LLC
 
Delaware, US
Patagonia Adventures, LLC
 
Delaware, US
Play Sports Group Limited
 
United Kingdom
Play Sports Network Limited
 
United Kingdom
Polish Television Holding B.V.
 
Netherlands
Polski Operator Telewizyjny sp. z o.o.
 
Poland
PromO Productions, LLC
 
Delaware, US
RealGravity Inc.
 
California, US
Scripps Down Under Pty Ltd
 
South Australia, Australia
Scripps Intermediação e Participações do Brasil Ltda.
 
Brazil
Scripps International Media Holdings, LLC
 
Delaware, US
Scripps Media Investments I S.a.r.l.
 
Luxembourg
Scripps Media Luxembourg S.a.r.l.
 
Luxembourg
Scripps Media Sdn. Bhd.
 
Malaysia
Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc.
 
Ohio, US
Scripps Networks International (UK) Limited
 
England, United Kingdom
Scripps Networks Polska sp. z.o.o
 
Poland
Scripps Networks, LLC
 
Delaware, US
Series With Intent Productions, LLC
 
Delaware, US
Setanta Sports Asia Limited
 
Ireland
Shift Active Media Limited
 
United Kingdom
ShortyO Productions, LLC
 
Delaware, US





Entity
 
Place of Formation
SMI (Cayman)
 
Cayman Islands
Southbank Media Ltd.
 
England and Wales, United Kingdom
Spoon Media Inc.
 
Delaware, US
SporTV Medya Hizmetleri Anonim Sirketi
 
Turkey
STAVKA sp. z o.o.
 
Poland
Super Soul Sessions LLC
 
Delaware, US
Super Soul Sunday LLC
 
Delaware, US
Takhayal for Art Production JSC
 
Egypt
Takhayal Television FZ LLC
 
United Arab Emirates
TCM Parent, LLC
 
Delaware, US
TCM Sub, LLC
 
Delaware, US
Television Food Network, G.P.
 
Delaware, US
The Branch of DNE Music Publishing Limited in the Republic of Kazakhstan
 
Kazakhstan
The Living Channel New Zealand Limited
 
New Zealand
The Representative Office of Discovery Communications Europe Limited in the Republic of Kazakhstan
 
Kazakhstan
The Representative Office of Eurosport in the Republic of Kazakhstan
 
Kazakhstan
The Travel Channel, L.L.C.
 
Delaware, US
The Voice TV Norge AS
 
Norway
There's No Time Like The Crescent, LLC
 
South Carolina, US
TIVIEN sp. z o.o.
 
Poland
TopTV
 
New Zealand
Travel Channel India Private Limited
 
India
TVN Digital S.A.
 
Poland
TVN Media sp. z o.o.
 
Poland
TVN S.A.
 
Poland
Ulysses U.K. Inc.
 
Delaware, US
Urban Retreat, LLC
 
Delaware, US
Value Proposition Publishing, LLC
 
Delaware, US
Wasu Discovery Consulting (HangZhou) Co. Ltd
 
China
Where Are They Now LLC
 
Delaware, US





CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Form S-3 (No. 333-231160) and Form S-8 (No. 333-197910, 333-188730, 333-177850, 333-174451, 333-170317, 333-156105, 333-154312, 333-153586) of Discovery, Inc. of our report dated February 27, 2020 relating to the financial statements and financial statement schedule and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in this Form 10-K.


/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
McLean, Virginia
February 27, 2020







EXHIBIT 31.1
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a - 14(a) AND RULE 15d - 14(a)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, David M. Zaslav, certify that:
1.
I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Discovery, Inc.;
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.
The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a.
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b.
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c.
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d.
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
5.
The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a.
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and
b.
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date: February 27, 2020
 
 
 
By:
 
/s/ David M. Zaslav
 
 
 
 
 
 
David M. Zaslav
 
 
 
 
 
 
President and Chief Executive Officer






EXHIBIT 31.2
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a - 14(a) AND RULE 15d - 14(a)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Gunnar Wiedenfels, certify that:
1.
I have reviewed this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Discovery, Inc.;
2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.
The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
a.
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
b.
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
c.
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
d.
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and
5.
The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
a.
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and
b.
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date: February 27, 2020
 
 
By:
 
/s/ Gunnar Wiedenfels
 
 
 
 
 
Gunnar Wiedenfels
 
 
 
 
 
Chief Financial Officer





EXHIBIT 32.1
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Annual Report of Discovery, Inc. (“Discovery”), on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, David M. Zaslav, President and Chief Executive Officer of Discovery, certify that to my knowledge:
 
1.
the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
 
2.
the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Discovery.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date: February 27, 2020
 
 
 
By:
 
/s/ David M. Zaslav
 
 
 
 
 
 
David M. Zaslav
 
 
 
 
 
 
President and Chief Executive Officer





EXHIBIT 32.2
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Annual Report of Discovery, Inc. (“Discovery”), on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Gunnar Wiedenfels, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Discovery, certify that to my knowledge:
 
1.
the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
 
2.
the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Discovery.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date: February 27, 2020
 
 
 
By:
 
/s/ Gunnar Wiedenfels
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gunnar Wiedenfels
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chief Financial Officer